The forest was silent again—but not in peace.
The cursed creatures lay scattered across the moss‐covered ground, dissolving into thin dust as the last traces of their memories were erased.
Kento stood there, breathing heavily, his blade dimming as the blue light faded away.
The man in black watched him quietly.
"…Not bad."
It was the first time the man sounded even slightly impressed.
Kento lowered his blade, trying to steady his breathing. "Who… were those things?"
"Fragments," the man replied, turning to continue deeper into the forest. "Fragments of what used to be people—before the sky was sealed."
Kento's eyes widened.
"The sky was… sealed?"
The man didn't answer directly.
Instead, he stopped at an old stone covered in vines. Strange ancient letters were carved into it—identical to the glowing symbols on the trees.
"This world has begun to forget itself," he said, brushing the vines aside. "And when a world begins to forget… its people start to vanish. Piece by piece."
He turned to Kento.
"That is why a promise—if strong enough—can become a weapon."
Kento's fingers tightened around the wooden emblem hanging from his neck.
He suddenly remembered a voice… warm and familiar.
"If we ever get separated… I'll wait for you where the sky meets the sea."
"Furi…"
He whispered the name before he could stop himself.
The man in black suddenly moved.
In an instant, he was standing right in front of Kento, his eyes sharper than ever.
"Don't speak that name again," he said, voice low—but heavy with something that felt like… fear.
Kento froze.
"Why?"
"Because," the man said slowly, "there are things in this world that awaken when that name is spoken."
A chill ran down Kento's spine.
As if answering the man's words, the sky above them rumbled again…and a faint crack formed in the clouds, like a barely opened eye staring down at them.
The man pulled his cloak tighter. "Come. We're close."
Kento followed—but now, every shadow seemed alive, and even the winds seemed to whisper a warning.
At the edge of the forest, they reached a forgotten gate made of stone and rusted iron.
Beyond it… was a staircase leading downward into darkness.
The man stepped onto the first stair.
"From here on," he said without turning back, "there is no return."
Kento hesitated for only a heartbeat.
Then he stepped forward.
Down into the darkness—
—toward the truth behind the sealed sky.