Please remember to follow the story and leave a favorite and a comment to let me know whether you enjoyed it or not. I see that many people read the story but don’t follow the page — your support really helps me understand that you liked it.

  Thank you for reading.

  Chapter 15: The Red Eclipse God**

  The Truth Within Me**

  The clearing remained in tense silence, the air still charged with Zyon's energy. Akari trembled slightly—not from the cold or her wounds, but from the wave of emotions coursing through her.

  — Akari... are you okay? — Gotier asked, approaching cautiously.

  She did not answer immediately. Her hands still gripped her sword tightly, her eyes fixed on the emptiness where Zyon had vanished.

  — A Kugutsu... so powerful? How can something like that exist? I have seen Amok's human traits, but this was entirely human — Zeke murmured.

  — It is not just power. He had... consciousness — said Kaien, crossing his arms.

  — He was part of her. An extension of Akari's soul — Yuzuki's words made Akari raise her eyes. Her breathing was heavy, but she found the strength to speak:

  — He... was always there. Always — she whispered.

  She fell to her knees as if the weight of truth had finally caught up with her. Gotier immediately rushed to help, but Akari raised a hand, asking for space.

  — Do not touch me.

  — You need rest, Akari. You are wounded... — Gotier said, hesitant.

  — This is not about wounds. Not right now — Akari interrupted.

  She looked around at everyone, her voice growing firmer:

  — I need to understand what this means. He was not just a protector. He was my pain, my anger... everything I repressed for years.

  — And now that you know this, what do you intend to do? — Kaien asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Akari was silent for a moment, thinking.

  — I am going to face him.

  — What do you mean 'face him'? He is gone! — Zeke said, confused.

  — No. He did not completely disappear — Yuzuki intervened. — Zyon is inside her. He always was. But now that she has acknowledged him, there is a balance to be found.

  — That sounds like... madness. She is already exhausted! — Gotier said, shaking his head.

  Akari rose slowly, leaning on her sword.

  — Whether it is madness or not does not matter. Zyon is part of me. If I do not understand what he means, I will never be able to move forward.

  Yuzuki stepped forward and placed a hand on Akari's shoulder.

  — If that is what you need to do, then we will help you.

  Akari shook her head.

  — No. This is my fight. Zyon is my burden... and my strength.

  The group hesitated, but the determination in Akari's eyes made them step back.

  — You are stubborn. Always have been — Kaien sighed.

  — But that does not mean we will abandon you — Gotier said.

  — If anything goes wrong, we will be here — Zeke said, forcing a nervous smile.

  Akari gave a brief nod of thanks, her eyes still fixed on the void.

  *"Zyon... I do not know what you really are, but I will find out."*

  While the group broke camp to rest, Akari slipped away to a secluded spot. She sat beneath a tree, closed her eyes, and tried to organize her thoughts. Memories of her childhood began to surface again: the loneliness, the contemptuous gazes, the cold... and then, Zyon. He was there when no one else was.

  — You were the only thing I had left — Akari murmured.

  ***

  ### **The First Encounter with Zyon**

  In that instant, the world around her shifted. The dark forest vanished, replaced by a misty, empty landscape.

  — Where am I? — Akari shouted, confused.

  — Inside yourself — Zyon said, emerging from the fog.

  She took a step back as he reappeared. This time, he held no chainsaw-sword. He seemed calmer, almost human.

  — Why have you returned?

  — I never left. You just were not ready to see me fully.

  — You... are part of me?

  Zyon nodded.

  — I am everything you have repressed. Your scars, your anger, your pain... but also your strength.

  Akari swallowed hard, her mind racing to comprehend it all.

  — And why now? Why reveal yourself?

  — Because you are finally ready to accept who you truly are.

  Their conversation continued as Akari delved deeper into her own psyche to understand the connection they shared. Outside, the group sensed something was happening. Akari's aura began to shift—more stable, yet still intense.

  *"If she can conquer this, perhaps we will finally understand the true power she holds,"* Yuzuki thought.

  ***

  ### **The Truth Within Me**

  The misty landscape surrounding Akari seemed to vibrate as she stared at Zyon. His presence was overwhelming, yet there was something familiar and comforting about him.

  — If you are part of me, why did you always act as if you were someone separate? — Akari said, with courage.

  — Because you were not ready to accept the weight of what we carried together. I was your shield, Akari. Your protection against everything you could not bear — Zyon replied, calmly.

  Akari clenched her fists, feeling anger and sorrow surge simultaneously.

  — You hid me from myself. You decided for me!

  — I did what was necessary for you to survive. You had no strength back then. But now... you do — Zyon said, stepping forward.

  — And why do you think you had the right to decide that?! — Akari shouted.

  The mist around them swirled in response to her fury. Zyon remained unshaken, his crystalline eyes fixed on her.

  — I am not here to fight with you, Akari. I am here to help you understand.

  — Then show me! — Akari challenged.

  Zyon extended his hand, and the surroundings shifted again. Now Akari stood in her old home within the Alcali clan—her injury-ridden sanctuary of herbs, the creaking wooden floors, memories of tranquil nights...

  — Why have you brought me here? — Akari asked.

  — Because this is where you began to build your strength. This is the place where you chose to survive, even when the whole world abandoned you.

  She saw her ten-year-old self sitting at a table, watching Zyon prepare a simple meal. The scene was both painful and comforting.

  — I was so... weak — Akari whispered.

  — You were a child. And yet, you never gave up — Zyon said, turning to her.

  Suddenly, the scene changed again. She found herself in a narrow alley, merchants screaming as young Akari was beaten for stealing food. Zyon was absent, but the memory's pain was intense.

  — I hate this. I hate all of it! — Akari said, closing her eyes.

  — And it was in that hatred that you found a reason to fight. Not for vengeance. But to survive — Zyon said, approaching.

  The visions continued to shift, replaying moments of her life she had long forgotten or repressed. Each scene highlighted how Zyon had quietly protected her as she grew.

  Finally, Akari faced Zyon once more, her hands trembling as she gripped her sword.

  — I understand. You protected me because I could not. But now... I must take control.

  Zyon smiled gently.

  — That is what I wanted to hear.

  He then began to dissolve into particles of light, his form drifting away.

  — I was never truly separate from you, Akari. I am part of who you are. And now, you are ready to be whole — his voice echoed.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The light particles coalesced around Akari, and she felt a surge of energy coursing through her—every emotion, memory, and pain merging into something greater.

  Outside, the group watched anxiously as Akari remained motionless, surrounded by a radiant aura.

  — What is happening to her? — Gotier asked.

  — This looks dangerous — Zeke said, nervously.

  — She is facing herself. And winning — Yuzuki said, calm but vigilant.

  The light around Akari gradually faded, and she opened her eyes. Something within her had changed—her stance was unwavering, her expression resolute.

  — I understand — Akari said, in a firm voice.

  — Understand what? — Kaien asked, curiously.

  — Zyon was part of me. He always was. And now, I accept it.

  She turned to Yuzuki, new fire in her eyes.

  — Thank you for taking me to my limit. Now I know what I must do.

  Yuzuki smiled slightly.

  — That is exactly what I hoped to hear.

  ***

  ### **Preparing for the Future**

  With Zyon fully integrated into her being, Akari felt more powerful and at peace than ever—yet new questions arose: Why was Zyon such a unique Kugutsu? And what did this mean for the battles still to come?

  As the group packed up to continue their journey toward the City of Chagas, Akari gazed at the horizon, knowing that true challenges were only just beginning.

  *"No matter what comes, I am no longer running away."*

  Despite the weight of Zyon's revelation, their path was clear: uncover Mr. Kitty's whereabouts and confront the Church of Faith responsible for Gotier's family's murder.

  The Red Eclipse God**

  The city of Chagas was a grim portrait of human decay. A dense fog hovered over the streets, carrying the stench of disease and despair. Narrow alleys and dark lanes teemed with hunched figures—people who looked more like shadows, hiding their bodies and faces beneath tattered cloaks, protecting themselves against both the cold and prying eyes.

  The main roads, paved with dirty, worn stones, were lit by weak oil lanterns whose flames flickered as if struggling against the darkness. At every corner, there were scenes of degradation: men and women sprawled in the gutters, drunk and sick; mothers clutching emaciated children whose hollow eyes begged for any scrap; entire families broken by hunger, offering the remnants of their dignity just to survive another day.

  Zeke walked beside Akari, his discomfort plainly visible. He looked at a beggar who was coughing violently as he extended his skeletal hand toward them.

  — This... this is not life. How can anyone survive here? — said Zeke.

  Akari tightened her grip on her sword's hilt, trying to look away.

  — They are not surviving. They are just... waiting for the end — she replied.

  Gotier, trailing just behind, murmured a prayer, his face hidden beneath his hood's shadow.

  — The church was meant to be a beacon of hope, but here... it has become a temple of decay. All of this... because of them — he whispered.

  Inside Yuzuki's mind, Mao watched the scene with an almost childlike but perverse enthusiasm.

  — **Look at this, Yuzuki! A paradise of suffering! Every corner tells a story of misery. It is as if this city was made just for me** — Mao exulted.

  Yuzuki frowned, his gaze fixed on a woman carrying a baby while dragging her starving husband, both offering their bodies to anyone who would pay. He took a deep breath, trying to silence Mao's voice, but the demon persisted.

  — **Do you smell it? The rot, the hopelessness? Ah, it is so... alive! Is that not what defines humanity? This delicate balance between hunger and madness?**

  Before Yuzuki could answer, Amok intervened in a cold, pragmatic tone.

  — **This is not life. It is only a natural cycle: the weak fall so the strong may feed. What you see here is not an exception; it is the rule. This city is just the most visible example of how the world really works.**

  — You two are wrong — Yuzuki murmured under his breath.

  Kaien, perched on his shoulder, cocked his head curiously.

  — Who are you talking to? — the little dragon asked.

  Yuzuki shook his head, as if dismissing it, and continued walking.

  ***

  ### **The Darkness of the Black Market**

  The group pressed on toward the heart of the city, where the black market stood. A Gothic stone building with narrow, barred windows exuded a suffocating atmosphere. The main entrance was flanked by burly guards, armed to the teeth and bearing scars that told stories of past violence.

  Inside, the smell of sweat, blood, and cheap spices mingled in the thick air. Iron cages lined the halls, containing exotic animals and chained humans. Some of the prisoners bore dragon-shaped burn marks on their chests—symbols that seemed to pulse with dark energy.

  Zeke froze in horror when he spotted a girl with wide, terrified eyes locked in one of the cages.

  — This is... monstrous. How can they treat people like livestock? — he whispered.

  Akari fought to maintain her composure, her fists clenched in anger.

  — They do not see people. They see merchandise — she replied through gritted teeth.

  Gotier stopped before a cage holding a man branded with the dragon mark. The man was hunched over, eyes glowing with an unnatural fever.

  — That mark... it is the Lepra King's. He is behind this. These are the fruits of his diseased empire — Gotier observed grimly.

  Kaien leaned forward, whispering to Yuzuki.

  — This will only get worse. Can you not feel it in the air?

  Yuzuki simply nodded, his eyes on a child crying silently inside another cage. Inside his mind, Mao laughed.

  — **What a spectacle! A sale of bodies and souls! It is poetry, Yuzuki. Every scream, every tear, every agonized breath... it is what keeps the world spinning.**

  — *You are pathetic* — Yuzuki replied coldly.

  — **And you are blind. You fight against this, but you know it is useless. Accept it. This is the world we live in.**

  ***

  ### **The Red Eclipse God**

  The night was heavy and silent in the city of Chagas. The group sought refuge in an inn on the brink of chaos. The aging, time-worn building seemed to bear its own dark stories etched into cracked walls and decayed furniture.

  The main hall bustled, but in a way that only made the place more uncomfortable. All the patrons were outsiders, each stranger than the last, their gazes laden with secrets and hidden intentions.

  An elderly woman, bent with age, tended the counter. A peculiar tattoo of a red eclipse glowed on her neck by candlelight. Father Gotier froze when he noticed it, his face tightening with a mixture of fear and rage.

  — Gotier? — Akari asked, sensing his discomfort.

  He did not answer immediately. He only averted his gaze, clutching the crucifix in his hand.

  The group climbed the stairs to their room—a cramped, stifling space with four simple beds. Kaien, perched on Yuzuki's shoulder, quipped sarcastically:

  — Luxurious. Almost feels like a palace.

  Yuzuki spared Kaien a brief glance. *"I am starting to like you,"* he thought.

  The night dragged on. While most tried to sleep, Gotier lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Finally, he rose, retrieved a bottle of whiskey from his satchel, and stepped onto the balcony. He leaned on the iron railing, his gaze lost in the vast misery of Chagas he knew all too well.

  Yuzuki awoke to the cold draft invading the room. He sat up, eyes half-closed, and saw Gotier on the balcony, motionless, whiskey in hand. Silently rising, he approached the priest.

  — What is it, Gotier? — Yuzuki rasped.

  Gotier did not reply. He lifted the bottle to his lips and took another drink. Yuzuki sighed, took the bottle from Gotier's hand, and swallowed a long pull himself. Then he lit a cigarette and leaned on the railing beside the priest.

  — Let us avenge your daughter and your wife, Gotier — Yuzuki said, exhaling a cloud of smoke. — I know too well what it is to lose everything and have nothing but rage and sorrow to hold on to.

  Gotier remained silent for a moment before asking:

  — How do you see me, Yuzuki?

  The question caught Yuzuki off guard. He studied the man before him, then replied:

  — Someone who saves souls. A kind and gentle priest who respects all living things.

  Gotier laughed, an ironic, bitter sound.

  — Kind and gentle... But you do not even know which God we worship, do you?

  Yuzuki shook his head, intrigued.

  — The church was founded centuries ago—exactly four hundred years ago — Gotier began, his tone grave. — We worship the God of the Red Eclipse. The first devotee of this God was Mustaf. He came from the same island you were born on, Yuzuki. Mustaf was the first Pope. He established the church's laws, dogmas, and rituals.

  Yuzuki listened intently, his eyes locked on the priest.

  — We believe the God of the Eclipse governs life and death. The rituals and sacrifices of the faithful strengthen him. He walks among us, but no one knows where—perhaps only the current Pope does.

  Yuzuki took another swig of whiskey before saying:

  — I do not believe in gods. I think it is all a deception.

  Gotier gave a bitter smile.

  — Neither did I.

  He turned to Yuzuki, his eyes heavy with sorrow.

  — I was born in a garbage sack, Yuzuki. A junkie left me at an orphanage. I grew up in the worst city on Pangea. There, ninety percent of the children were killed by their own parents for lack of food. In the orphanage, we watched friends die of hunger and disease. We scrounged rats and cockroaches to survive. The river was contaminated—smelled of rotting flesh because people threw themselves into it to die.

  — And you survived — murmured Yuzuki.

  — Surviving, Yuzuki, is not living — Gotier replied. — At fifteen, I stole and killed—did not matter good or bad—to get food. By twenty, I was a notorious murderer. At twenty-three, the church arrived in the city. They offered me money, power, and a chance to change my life. That is how it began.

  Gotier turned back to the city as the chapter ended, his unspoken words carried into the cold night by the wind.