The Promise Realm trembled as Kento swung his blade, scattering shards of darkness that tried to claw their way toward him.
Yet, as the shadowy Furi circled him, his movements precise but almost melancholic, a flicker of memory broke through the chaos.
Kento's eyes caught a vision—a small wooden dock bathed in sunset light.
Furi, laughing softly, held a paper boat out to him.
"Here," the young Furi said, "make a wish with me. No matter what happens, promise me you'll always believe in us."
The wind carried the faint scent of the ocean, and Kento's heart ached with warmth he hadn't felt in years.
A flash of light from Kento's blade seemed to harmonize with the memory.
The shadowy Furi paused mid-step, eyes flickering as if caught between past and present.
"Do you… remember?" Kento asked, voice trembling slightly.
The shadow didn't answer, but the cracks in its form shimmered with light, revealing glimpses of the boy he once knew.
Then the memory shifted.
A picnic under a huge cherry tree, petals drifting down as they shared a simple meal.
The laughter, the quiet jokes, the comfort of just being together—it was all real once, and it still lingered like a soft echo.
Kento felt his resolve deepen.
"This is our promise, Furi. Not just the one written in words… but the one we built together."
The shadow of Furi twitched, a low growl escaping as if it were struggling with its own feelings.
A sudden rush of energy flared around it, dark and dense, yet beneath it a warmth tried to break free.
Kento's grip on his blade tightened.
"I won't let the darkness consume you—or our memories."
For a heartbeat, the realm seemed to hold its breath.
Then Furi's shadow lunged again, faster than before.
Kento met him head-on, their powers clashing—light against shadow—but now, for every dark strike, a flicker of golden warmth countered it, emanating from the memories they shared.
Each strike carried both conflict and recollection, pain and comfort intertwined.
It was a dance of past and present, shadow and light, despair and hope.
And in the center of the storm, Kento could see the boy who once offered the paper boat… waiting, wanting to be remembered.
The battle raged, but with each connection, each memory recalled, the shadow began to hesitate.
And Kento realized: this fight wasn't about destroying Furi—it was about reminding him who he truly was.
(To be continued…)