The night in the Shadow World was unusually silent, save for the occasional rustle of twisted branches and distant, unidentifiable cries. The group had found refuge in the crumbling remains of a shrine, its wooden beams blackened by age and neglect. Flickering lanterns cast weak light over the stone floor, creating long, uneasy shadows that seemed to stretch toward Mori wherever he looked.
Kaien Mori sat on the edge of the shattered steps, knees drawn close to his chest, and stared into the faint glow of the fire pit. His hands were clasped tightly together, as if squeezing himself could force some courage into existence. The weight of the Shadow World pressed on him more heavily tonight, a reminder that he was far from the ordinary life he had once known.
Saki Fujimoto approached quietly, her steps careful not to disturb the other sleeping or resting group members. She settled down beside him, a safe distance apart, yet close enough to share the quiet.
"Mori," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper, "you've been staring into the fire for hours. Are you… thinking about it again?"
He didn't respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the flames, as if they could somehow reflect answers he didn't yet understand. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"I… I don't know, Saki. I feel… so weak. Everyone else… their abilities, their ranks… it's like I'm invisible compared to them. Even Takuro… I don't know how he keeps up with everything."
Saki tilted her head slightly, her eyes reflecting the flickering light. "Do you want me to tell you something?"
Mori blinked, turning slightly toward her. "What?"
"I remember… something from when we were kids," she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You… saved me once. I was ten, I was cornered by some older kids near the old playground. You didn't hesitate… you just stepped in. Even though you weren't strong, you…" She paused, searching for the words. "You protected me. You didn't think about yourself at all."
Mori's brow furrowed. "I… I don't remember that. Really, I don't."
"You probably don't," Saki replied softly. "I never told anyone before. But I remembered that day because… because it was the first time I saw courage in someone so ordinary. Someone who wasn't strong or fast, but… who had heart."
A silence stretched between them. Mori's throat felt tight. "You… you've always felt like that about me?" he asked, uncertain, almost afraid of the answer.
Saki's gaze softened, but she looked away for a moment, staring into the dark forest beyond the shrine. "Maybe. But it's not just that. I… I trust you. I've always trusted you. Even now, when everyone else is fighting for their lives in this world, I… I know you'll do what's right. I can't explain it, but… I believe in you, Mori."
Mori's chest tightened. The words felt heavier than any sword or attack he had faced. "I… I don't deserve that, Saki. I'm… I'm nothing compared to everyone else here. I can barely fight. I… I can't even read my own power."
Saki placed a hand gently on his arm. "You don't need to know everything about yourself right now. Even I… even I can't see your true ability. When I try, all I see is… darkness. Pure, endless darkness. I've never seen anything like it before. Not even the strongest Living Shadows or the highest-ranked fighters have an aura like yours. I… I don't know what it means yet. But I know one thing."
Mori's eyes widened slightly, a mix of fear and curiosity. "What?"
"That whatever it is… it's yours. And it doesn't define you, not yet. You define it, Mori."
He swallowed hard, his hands gripping his knees. "I… I don't even understand. Darkness… mine? That sounds terrifying."
Saki chuckled softly, the sound like a quiet bell in the dark night. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just the kind of strength only you can wield. One day, when the time comes, you'll understand. But right now… just take it one step at a time. One fight, one creature, one moment. You're not alone."
Mori looked at her, his gaze searching for reassurance. "And you… you'll be there?"
Saki nodded, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. "I'll always be there. That hasn't changed since we were kids, remember?"
He remembered. Vaguely. A hand guiding him through a crowded playground, a shadow of fear in his memory, and the quiet courage of a small girl standing behind him. "I… I think I remember now. A little," he murmured. "You… you've always believed in me, even when I couldn't believe in myself."
Saki smiled, a soft, gentle expression that seemed to light up the dark shrine more than the flickering lanterns ever could. "Exactly. And I will keep believing. Even when the world is at its worst, even when you feel you're nothing… I will be there."
A distant howl echoed through the forest outside. Both of them stiffened, listening. The shadows seemed to shift, as if aware of their conversation. Mori felt a shiver run down his spine.
Saki's eyes narrowed, her hand brushing lightly over the hilt of her weapon. "It's nothing we can't handle. But… it's a reminder. The Shadow World is never truly quiet. There's always something waiting, watching."
Mori took a deep breath, drawing courage from her presence. "Then… we face it together. No matter what. I'll… I'll get stronger. For myself, for everyone."
"You will," Saki said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "And I'll be there… every step of the way."
Another silence fell, but this time it was comfortable. Safe. For the first time in weeks, Mori allowed himself to feel… a little hope.
He looked at Saki, who was staring quietly at the flames. "Saki… why do you care so much about me?"
Saki's eyes met his, unwavering. "Because I've always cared, Mori. Since we were kids. You saved me once… and now… I think it's my turn to watch over you."
Mori felt a warmth spread through his chest, unfamiliar but comforting. "Then… I won't let you down. I'll survive this world. I'll find my strength. I promise."
Saki's smile widened, faintly teasing. "Good. Because I'm not going to let you die while I'm still around, you know."
He chuckled softly, a sound that felt strange in the oppressive night, but freeing. "I'll try not to. But… thanks, Saki. For believing in me."
The wind rustled through the broken shrine, carrying the distant cries of unseen creatures. Shadows flickered along the walls. Yet for Mori, in that small moment, the darkness felt… less heavy.
Saki tilted her head slightly. "You know… there's something I've noticed about you, Mori. Something unusual. But… I can't explain it yet. It's like… like staring into an endless night. But even in that darkness, there's… a spark. A spark that isn't afraid. Not completely."
Mori swallowed, unsure if she was speaking of his aura or his heart. "I… I don't understand yet. But… I'll find out. One day."
Saki nodded, satisfied for the moment. "One day. For now… just rest. Tomorrow, we continue. And I'll be right beside you."
He leaned back, letting the shadows wrap around him. The firelight flickered across the shrine, and for the first time in a long while, Mori felt… ready to face the unknown.
The night stretched on, filled with quiet whispers, memories, and promises that even the Shadow World could not extinguish.
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