Chapter 97 — The Gods Who Watch
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Location: Unknown Realm — Between Earth and the Divine Plane
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As Aika and Yuuto stood under the ruined sky, something shifted.
A crack opened in the clouds — not thunder, not weather — but a dimensional fracture. From it, they came.
Silhouettes floated above Tokyo — faceless, massive, made of stars and divine rage.
> "W-What are those?" Rei whispered, falling to her knees.
> "Not demons," Mayu breathed. "Not spirits either... Those are the Watchers."
Aika felt it first — her mark burned with searing light, reacting to them.
> "They… were part of the curse," she realized.
"They're not just gods… They're jailers."
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The Ancient Truth
Yuuto's mind spun as flashes poured into his head. Images of a forgotten era.
Aika wasn't just cursed by chance. She was chosen.
> A vessel. A gate. A living seal meant to lock away the sins of an ancient divine war.
Thousands of years ago, gods tried to destroy each other — and failed. The remaining fragments of their war were too unstable… so they were sealed into a human womb.
> Aika was that womb.
And Yuuto?
His bond with her wasn't random.
> He was the Keybearer. The one meant to either open her...
Or kill her before she did.
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Ultimatum from the Divine
The Watchers spoke — not with voices, but with force.
A wave of gravity slammed down on Tokyo, flattening buildings, cracking roads. Mortals fled, but this wasn't a mortal affair anymore.
One Watcher pointed toward Aika.
> "The Seal is Broken."
"The Vessels Must Be Destroyed."
"Prepare for Purging."
Aika stumbled, the weight too great.
Yuuto grabbed her hand, pulling her behind him.
> "I don't care if you're gods," he growled.
"You touch her — you die."
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Power Awakens
Suddenly, a symbol glowed in Yuuto's palm — an ancient crest with four wings and a shattered eye.
A Divine Rejection Mark.
> "He's not just a Keybearer," Mayu gasped.
"He's a… Godkiller."
Aika stared at him, awe and fear mixing in her eyes.
> "Yuuto… what are you?"
"Yours," he said simply. "All the way."
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