The forest stretched before them, vast and loud with the life it held. The sun, at its zenith, filtered through the branches, tracing shifting patterns across the ground. Akano walked ahead, his crimson eyes probing every gap, every canopy, while Sayano advanced at his left, his hand close to the hilt of his sword, the Mirror faintly vibrating beneath his tunic. The air carried that muffled tension felt only before a storm, a breath held, as though the forest itself was watching.
– Sayano: Do you feel that?
– Akano: Yes. Someone is watching. But he is not here, not yet. He weaves more than he strikes.
They knew the invisible net would soon close. The path opened onto a hamlet of low stone houses, smoke rising from chimneys, cattle grazing peacefully. Too perfect. Too orderly. A child ran toward them shouting, elders stood to greet the strangers.
– Village Chief: Who are you?
– Akano: Travelers.
– Sayano: Yes.
– Village Chief: Come in! Stay, eat, share our fire.
Sayano fixed his gaze on Akano.
– Sayano: Trap. Everything is too staged. These smiles…
– Akano: Or a test. Observe, speak. We will play the role we are given, then we shall leave.
The old man guided them toward the central square, his gestures familiar yet feigned. The villagers spoke in hushed tones, like a discreet choir, their words repeating, reflecting ancient or invented memories.
– Sayano: How long has this village existed?
– Young woman: Since forever. Have you never seen us? But you have always been awaited.
Akano placed a hand on Sayano's shoulder.
– Akano: Observe and recount everything to me. Do not let them feel your thought.
Every movement seemed calculated, every smile carefully placed to win their trust before breaking it. The priest, at the center, held out an old cracked mirror to Sayano.
– Priest: You who seek, look at your reflection and see who you fear to be.
Sayano stared at his image and saw not only his face, but the projection of a broken future, where his doubts were deep scars. He clenched his fists.
– Akano: This mirror is nothing but an artifice. The Echo uses your fears to teach you to despise yourself.
– Sayano: Then answer with action.
– Akano: Not yet. Let us watch further.
Each question, each answer seemed to ensnare their minds. As they advanced, the paths reset, every marker shifting. The Echo wove its labyrinth not to lose them physically, but to make them doubt their judgment.
– Sayano: If it's him, he wants to break our spirit. He wants us to doubt one another.
– Akano: Then let us do what he expects let us play truth better than his illusion.
Artificial night fell earlier than expected. The silhouettes of the villagers revealed their secrets:
– Villager: …and he gave his sons for debts…
– Villager: …and the moon never forgave us…
Akano smiled, cruel.
– Akano: He does not like being contradicted. See their hesitations.
– Sayano: That's our entry point. Let's go.
They snapped the fire with a gesture; the villagers returned to their mechanical acts, the crisscrossing paths always bringing them back to the same well, the same oak. The Echo adjusted its traps according to their behavior.
– Akano: He can read our reactions. He adjusts the scene according to what he gains.
– Sayano: Then he is teaching us to respond to him.
– Akano: No. He is leading. And one day, he will demand the final act.
The day ended not in victory, but with a realization: fragments of memory and initiative had been drowned beneath a carefully woven net. They had not been duped; they had been chosen.
At dawn, they left the village, leaving behind the three women now freed. Their march led them to the capital, their minds strained yet determined. The streets teemed with life, merchants and passersby, but the capital was nothing more than a façade: luxurious, imposing, yet cold. They went directly to the library, a sanctuary of forbidden knowledge protected by ancient riddles. Inside, the air was steeped with the scent of parchment and ink.
– Akano: We must find information about the divine realm.
– Sayano: Every scroll here could be a potential trap. Let us be precise.
They moved through the shelves, leafing through dusty manuscripts. Akano pointed to a grimoire covered in glowing symbols.
– Akano: Look at this… here, it is written that the passage to the divine realm hides within fractures of perception, not brute force.
– Sayano: Interesting. Then our approach must be subtle, but our power… intact.
Their discussions stretched for hours, comparing writings and interpretations. Each word, each phrase, gave them a clearer vision of the gods' world. A strategy was taking shape. When they believed they had gathered enough knowledge, they left the library. On the way, a cry rang out from an alley: a woman was about to be assaulted. Sayano reacted instantly, felling the attacker with the precision of his Mirror.
– Sayano: Wait here. I'll take you to the best inn in the capital; you will be safe there until our return.
Akano nodded, and they left the capital, their silhouettes gliding beneath the setting sun. The road to the divine realm stretched before them. As they walked, Sayano spoke of their pact.
– Sayano: My pact protects me and amplifies my power. Yours?
– Akano: Not yet. But… it is time.
Akano activated his artifact. A pure light surrounded him as he mentally spoke the accord, and the pact was sealed: absolute control over his artifact.
– Akano: Now, I can grant you the ability to fly.
– Sayano: Thank you. Then let us go.
They rose into the skies, above the clouds, until they reached the entrance of the divine realm, guarded by two imposing sentinels.
– Guardian 1: What are you doing here, mortals? How did you find this place?
– Akano: Mortal? And yet we stand at your gate.
– Guardian 2 (with scorn): Mortals, perhaps… but do not look down upon this realm.
Akano grew enraged, his eyes blazing with fury and power.
– Akano: We are stronger than your gods!
The guardians laughed, but summoned twelve reinforcements, bringing their number to fourteen.
– Guardian 1: Dare to repeat that insult against our gods…
– Akano: We are stronger than all your gods combined! No, we are stronger than your realm itself! Fear me!
– Guardian 1: And what will you do against us? We are fourteen, immortal, and we fear only our gods!
Akano smiled, a cruel smile, and began a monologue, his voice resonating like thunder:
– Akano: The opulence, the arrogance, the power you cherish has blinded you. You are children playing at war, convinced of your superiority. But true strength is not in what one possesses, nor in fear of the gods. It lies in will, in mastery over the unthinkable. You have been taught to fear, to obey, to exist under the yoke of an order you believe divine… but I fear nothing, and I obey nothing.
Suddenly, the chief guardian, furious, launched a beam of divine light toward Sayano. Normally, such a ray would have been unstoppable, but under the absolute protection of his Mirror, Sayano did not even need to move. The beam was instantly reflected back at the guardian, cutting him clean in two. The other guardians froze, shocked.
Akano rose slightly above them, his body surrounded by a dazzling glow from his artifact. His blazing gaze swept across the scene as he spoke in a clear voice, resonating like a judgment:
– Akano: Now, become mortal!
In truth, he had already erased their immortality and divine powers, but the words alone marked their humiliation. The guardians, despite their age and arrogance, were now on their knees, subdued, their eyes fixed on Akano as if he were a demon king.
– Guardian: I would rather die than submit to you! My gods will make me pay!
A dark, cruel, excessive laugh erupted from Akano's mouth, echoing like pure malice. He raised his hand and, with a precise gesture, four guardians perished instantly, reduced to dust of divine light. Total silence. Fear settled, palpable. With a mere act of will, the seven others were annihilated without a word, leaving only the obstinate guardian.
– Guardian: I refuse to bow… my gods will avenge
– Akano: Your gods have abandoned you. Perhaps if you prostrate yourself, forehead to the ground, I might consider, in my immense mercy, sparing you.
The guardian raged and refused. Akano bent him completely with his power and commanded:
– Akano: Open the door.
The guardian, broken but alive, obeyed, the door of the divine realm opening before them. Akano released his grip; the guardian remained frozen, shocked by the extent of the power he had just endured.
Akano and Sayano entered the divine realm. Their eyes widened. The world before them defied all imagination: rivers of crystal shimmered under a soft ethereal light, lush gardens stretched endlessly, and impossible architectures floated in the air, defying gravity and time. The inhabitants, all youthful and eternal, moved with grace, without hatred or resentment, in perfect harmony.
Akano stepped toward one of them:
– Akano: Who governs this place?
The inhabitant inclined his head respectfully:
– Inhabitant: Visitors, welcome. Here, the levels are many. You are at the lowest degree. I recommend you see the governor; he can summon Nosalia, an angel close to the Primordial God.
– Sayano: How many gods exist in this realm?
– Inhabitant: In total, five. Three local gods, one higher god, and the greatest is the Primordial God, our creator.
– Sayano: So, according to you, this being you call the Primordial God… interesting.
The inhabitant looked at Akano, a faint amused smile upon his lips:
– Inhabitant: Our creator would turn in his grave hearing others speak of him. Some idolize impostors… and yet, he remains the most powerful here.
Akano nodded and asked the inhabitant to lead them to the governor. He guided them behind the palace, into a private park. As they walked, they noticed that the day was eternal there, a soft, constant light bathing the realm.
The governor received them in the park:
– Governor: What brings you to the divine realm?
– Akano: We come in the name of our Creator.
The governor nodded and immediately summoned Nosalia. The primordial angel appeared in radiant light and stood majestically at his side.
Nosalia observed Akano and Sayano for a long time, as though troubled. Then, with a solemn gesture, he opened a portal:
– Nosalia: Come. I will lead you to the Lotus of the Limit, but I cannot go further. If I take one more step, I shall burn.
They crossed the portal and arrived at the summit of the divine realm, in unmatched magnificence. There, Nosalia opened a second passage that led them directly to the house of the Primordial God, bypassing all encounters with the other gods.
An old man awaited them. Small in stature, leaning on a wooden cane, his gray hair framed a wrinkled face filled with wisdom.
– Akano: You, old man… are you the Primordial God?
– Old man: Yes… it is I. I knew this day would come. Nosalia, come to me.
Nosalia was instantly transported beside him. The elder, in a voice heavy with majesty, continued:
– Akitetsuyomi: I wanted you to witness this moment, my faithful one. Listen, you two… my name is Akitetsuyomi Ya Shin, the Noble. In revealing my true name, I seal history. You, in turn, have revealed your true names, Akano and Sayano.
Nosalia, shaken, prostrated himself five times, tears in his eyes, thanking his Lord for this unique moment.
Akitetsuyomi raised his hand and summoned the four other gods. They appeared, and as soon as his true name resounded, they fell to their knees, weeping and bowing five times in turn.
– Higher God: Lord… why reveal your name only now?
– Akitetsuyomi: Because this day was meant to bear witness to the truth. For four thousand years, I have ruled. I created worlds, built universes, guided my children. I have fulfilled what I had to accomplish, and today, I depart. I have always dreaded this moment, but never feared it. I have lived without regret.
A solemn silence weighed. Then Akitetsuyomi designated Nosalia:
– Akitetsuyomi: It is you who will take my place. Here are the keys to the realm. They grant you all power over this divine world.
The four gods, shaken, refused his choice and, in despair, fused into a single form to attack Akano and Sayano. But with a breath, Akano erased their union, reducing them to dust of divine light.
– Nosalia: How dare you !
– Akitetsuyomi: Enough.
He resurrected the four gods, separate and intact, demonstrating his absolute power.
Akano burst into laughter, followed by Sayano. All were stunned, even the Primordial God.
– Akano: Do not mistake us. We did not come to kill you or to steal from you. We come to greet you in the name of our Creator, the Merciful, who is far beyond your comprehension.
Nosalia handed his key to Akano without resistance. He immediately returned it to the Primordial God.
– Akano: At our next return, make this place a better world. And cease to accept idolatry. We loathe it.
They then spoke of the Eastern religious continent. Akitetsuyomi explained its nature, its king, and the dark arts linked to the Gate of Nothingness. Akano and Sayano decided to go judge for themselves.
As they prepared to leave, the voice of the Primordial God rose:
– Akitetsuyomi: Lords Akano and Sayano, wait. Take this map of the world, as thanks for your clemency and kindness.
Sayano bowed:
– Sayano: Thank you, Primordial God, first God created on the primordial continent and above all other worlds.
– Akitetsuyomi: Take this portal. It will lead you directly to the outskirts of the East. But one last thing: I conclude with you a pact. Henceforth, if you call me, I, the four gods, and Nosalia, will come in a single form, fused into one being.
– Akano and Sayano: We accept your pact.
They crossed the portal, leaving the divine realm, their hearts heavy yet resolute, heading toward the religious kingdom of the East.
– Sayano: Now, let us find a small hamlet in a forest, beyond the possible control of this religious king. We will study the map of the world and try to gather some information.
Akano and Sayano walked through the forest, soon seeing smoke from a chimney. They quickly came upon a small hamlet, apparently free from the influence of the religious kingdom. A villager directed them to the inn.
They walked a little further and found it. Along the way, they noticed the extreme poverty of the inhabitants.
– Sayano: Look, Akano… they do not seem happy.
– Akano: Yes… even under a kind sky, the soul of men suffers from injustice and abandonment. But we must remain focused on our mission.
They entered the inn and asked for rooms for three nights. The innkeeper gave the price: eight silver pieces per room. Sayano handed over three gold coins and added:
– Sayano: Keep the change.
The receptionist, young and beautiful, bowed deeply:
– Alya: I prostrate myself before you, my Lords. Thank you infinitely.
Akano and Sayano went up to their respective rooms, exchanging quickly:
– Good night. Tomorrow awaits us with a long day.
Night fell. Sayano had just lain down when Alya knocked on the door, blushing slightly at the sight of him bare-chested. She wore a light robe and a short skirt.
– Sayano: Come in, do not worry.
Alya lay down beside him. They remained in silence, savoring the warmth and closeness. Sayano gently drew her against him; she rested her head on his chest, her breath steadying in the calm. They soon drifted into sleep, their hearts eased by the fleeting comfort of shared presence after a long, weary day.