The dagger pulsed in front of me, whispering.
The hourglass bled endlessly into the black stone, its sand screaming as it hit the ground.
I froze.
My trembling hand leaned toward the hourglass. Toward forgiveness.
Valkyrie's eyes narrowed. His clawed finger rose, dripping with black lightning.
"Haruto Kurogane." His voice cracked the tower, shook the corpses embedded in the earth until their jaws snapped open in silent screams.
"If you choose forgiveness… you will suffer more than what you suffer now. You will lose everything. Even your father will be stripped from you."
That word father hit me harder than anything else.
The world twisted.
The ground gave way.
Inside My Heart
A black heart floated in the void, beating weakly, smothered in shadows.
Chains wrapped around it, glowing red like molten iron. Each chain pulsed with words that cut me deeper than blades:
"You're pathetic."
"He's better than you."
"If only you were more like Souta."
"Your son is nothing."
The voices belonged to my mother, Miyuki, her friends, Souta. All mixed together.
The heart throbbed violently, rattling the chains.
CLANG!
One snapped.
CRACK!
Another shattered.
The heart roared with black fire, swelling until it lit up the void, every beat echoing like a war drum.
I clenched my fists.
"...I choose revenge."
The last chain exploded, fragments scattering into the abyss.
The heart beat strong, its veins glowing dark red, each pulse overflowing with fury.
----Valkyrie's Judgment-----
Valkyrie clapped once. The sound was not applause it was a judgment. It split the ground like thunder.
"Wise." His shadow surged, towering higher than the clock tower itself. "You are not like the fools who begged for mercy. They chose forgiveness. They died screaming in humiliation."
He stepped down from his throne, and the earth bent. His presence pressed on me until my knees buckled.
"You have taken your first step, Haruto. But understand this: choosing revenge is easy. Carrying it… that is where men break."
I forced myself to stand straighter, though my body trembled. "What… what do I do now?"
He leaned close, his burning eyes locking onto mine. His aura pressed against me like chains made of fire.
"You will remember. As time passes, fragments of power, fragments of rage will return. But now you must train. Body. Mind. Spirit. If you remain weak, revenge is nothing but a dream."
I swallowed hard and nodded.
"Why?" I asked suddenly, my voice cracking. "Why are you helping me? What's your gain in this? What do you get from me?"
His grin was jagged, monstrous, filled with hunger.
"Merit? Hah. Your rage. Your anger. The darkness that devours your heart when you think of their betrayal. That is my feast. That is my joy. Watching humans crumble, then rise as monsters… there is no greater pleasure."
He raised his hand. Shadows poured like waves, corpses bowed, the clock tower howled.
"Remember this, Haruto Kurogane. Your suffering is mine. Your rage is mine. Your revenge will be yours."
The ground split, the throne blazed, and Valkyrie vanished into storm and silence.
My eyes shot open.
My room. My floor. My ceiling.
But I was not the same.
My body trembled, drenched in sweat, breath shallow.
The clock on my desk ticked, ticking like a mockery.
Time:3:00 AM
I wiped my face with my sleeve, then… I laughed. Quiet, broken.
"So… that's it. I wasn't strong. I was weak. Mentally weak."
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring into the dark. Valkyrie's voice still thundered in my skull.
"Foolish humans. Betrayers. Weakness deserves no forgiveness."
I smiled, sharp and hollow.
"Now… I'll make them pay."
Next day:Morning:Tuesday
The sun rose, but inside me, night still lived.
I came downstairs, hair unkempt, but my eyes sharper than before.
"Good morning," I said, voice steady.
My parents turned, shocked.
"I need a break," I said flatly.
Mom blinked. "A… break? Haruto, what do you mean?"
"I can't handle it anymore. If I keep going like this, I'll collapse. I need… time. Days to clear my head."
Her mouth opened, anger and worry both ready. But Dad raised his hand, silencing her.
His gaze met mine, heavy, unflinching.
"I understand. But, Haruto… why don't you ever share these things with us?"
I shook my head. "I can't. Not this."
Mom pressed her lips, eyes wet. But Dad's voice cut through the room.
"Then live with your grandmother for a while. She'll take care of you. I'll call your teacher and principal."
I blinked, stunned. "Thank you… Father."
His eyes softened, but his jaw clenched tight. "You're my son. Rest. But remember… don't run forever."
I said nothing.
I washed up, dressed neatly, and packed. Only what I needed. Clothes. Notebooks. A few books. Nothing more.
Dad's voice carried from the living room, deep and heavy.
"Yes. My son needs rest. Please… allow it."
A pause. Then softer. "I'm sorry. I should've seen it sooner."
Both the teacher and principal agreed. But only 15 days. After that, I must return.
When I stepped out of my room with my bag, I asked, "What time is the train?"
Dad checked. "10 AM."
Then, for the first time in months, he walked to me and pulled me into his arms. His voice trembled.
"Take care, Haruto. Come back stronger."
I froze. Slowly, I hugged him back.
When I looked at Mom, she smiled at me gently, though her eyes glistened. She stepped forward, patted my head like when I was a child.
"Rest well, Haruto. Don't overthink. Just… heal."
I nodded silently.
The Station
The train roared in, steam filling the platform.
I stepped inside, sat by the window. My reflection looked back at me hollow, but sharper.
The conductor came, checked tickets. I showed my pass with steady hands.
As the train moved, I pulled out my phone.
A single message.
To Miyuki.
"I'll be absent for 15 days. Don't wait for me."
I locked the screen. Closed my eyes.
Valkyrie's voice whispered again, like a curse I could never escape.
"Revenge… or rot. You chose well. Now rise, Haruto Kurogane. Rise, and carve their names into despair."
The train carried me forward.
Toward rest. Toward darkness. Toward revenge.
And for the first time in years, my lips curved into something real.
A smile.