The ground beneath Kento's feet trembled as the sky slowly closed above him.
The fissure that had opened moments ago vanished like mist, leaving only the mysterious man in black and the sound of the crashing waves far below.
Kento took a cautious breath.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice steady.
The man didn't answer right away.
Instead, he reached into his cloak and pulled out something wrapped in a thin piece of cloth.
A compass.
Or at least… something that looked like one.
Its glass was cracked, and the needle spun wildly—as if completely lost.
"This used to point to a place no one believed existed," the man said quietly, handing it to Kento. "A world that lies beyond all known horizons."
Kento stared at the old compass.
"No one believed…? Then why did you carry it?"
The man let out a brief, almost nostalgic laugh.
"Because I once made a promise too."
Those words struck Kento like a blade to the chest.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Only the wind answered, whispering across the cliff in a language older than any map.
Finally, the man turned and began to walk toward the forest behind them.
"If you wish to find your friend… and reclaim your world… then follow me. But be warned, boy—this path is not for those who easily doubt."
Kento glanced at the cracked compass in his hand.
The needle was still spinning.
But for the first time, it seemed like it wanted to stop.
He tightened his grip and followed the man without hesitation.
They stepped into the forest.
The shadows between the ancient trees felt alive—moving when they weren't looking, breathing when they weren't listening.
Strange symbols carved into the bark began to glow as they passed.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed from deep within the trees.
Dozens of red eyes appeared in the darkness.
The creatures made of cursed memories had found them.
Kento raised his blade.
A faint blue light flickered along its edge.
The man in black didn't move. He simply said:
"Show me… why your promise refused to die."
Kento took a step forward.
The first monster leapt out of the darkness—
—and the blade in his hand shattered the air with a flash of pure light.
The fight had begun. And somewhere high above… the sky watched silently.