The evening sky was painted in hues of deep crimson and purple as Kaizen stepped onto the deck of the ship that had carried him for the past few days. The gentle rocking of the vessel beneath his feet was a familiar rhythm now, one that no longer made him uneasy. The sea stretched endlessly before him, an abyss of mystery and hidden truths. But what truly occupied his mind was the revelation from his latest encounter.
The man with golden eyes had spoken in riddles, but one thing was clear—Kaizen was now entangled in something far larger than he had ever anticipated. The World Government, the erased century, and now the looming shadows of the past. The pieces were falling into place, but the picture was still unclear.
"You're thinking too hard again," A voice interrupted his thoughts. Kaizen turned to see Rei leaning against the railing, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "You do that when you're uncertain."
Kaizen smirked slightly. "Can you blame me? Everything I thought I knew about myself keeps shifting. And now we're headed straight into the unknown."
Rei chuckled, flicking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Isn't that what you wanted? To find out the truth? You can't run forever, Kaizen."
Kaizen exhaled, watching the waves churn below. "I know."
Just then, the lookout called from above. "Land ahead!"
Kaizen and Rei exchanged a glance before moving toward the ship's bow. The sight before them was both breathtaking and ominous—a massive island shrouded in mist, jagged cliffs jutting out like the fangs of some long-forgotten beast. The air here felt different, heavy, charged with something ancient.
"That's it, huh?" Rei muttered. "Doesn't exactly scream 'welcome.'"
Kaizen remained silent, his instincts tingling. There was something about this place, something eerily familiar, though he knew he had never set foot here before.
As the ship drew closer, the mist began to part, revealing the remnants of what seemed to be an old harbor, long abandoned but still sturdy enough to dock. The moment the ship anchored, Kaizen and his crew disembarked, stepping onto the damp wooden planks.
"Keep your guard up," Kaizen warned, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
The island was silent, too silent. Not even the sound of birds or rustling leaves could be heard. It was as if the entire land had been frozen in time. The group advanced cautiously, moving through the overgrown paths that led deeper into the island's interior.
Then, they saw it.
Ruins.
Massive stone structures lay in decay, half-buried by nature's relentless grasp. Faded carvings adorned the walls, symbols that Kaizen didn't recognize but felt an odd connection to. The architecture was unlike anything he had seen before—old, yet somehow advanced in ways that defied logic.
"This place..." Rei whispered. "It's ancient. Could it be—"
"One of the remnants of the Lost Century?" Kaizen finished for her.
Before Rei could respond, a rustling sound from the shadows made them both turn sharply. Kaizen drew his blade, eyes scanning the dark corners of the ruins.
Then, from the depths of the structure, a figure emerged.
An old man, draped in a tattered cloak, his face partially hidden beneath a hood. His eyes, however, gleamed with intelligence and something else—recognition.
"You've finally arrived," the old man spoke, his voice raspy but firm.
Kaizen narrowed his eyes. "And who exactly are you?"
The old man took a slow step forward. "A keeper of history, one who remembers what the world has forgotten. And you, Kaizen, are a piece of that lost history."
Kaizen's grip on his sword tightened. "How do you know my name?"
The old man chuckled dryly. "Because, young warrior, your story began long before you were even aware of it. And now, it is time you learn the truth."
The wind howled through the ruins, carrying with it the weight of secrets buried beneath centuries of silence. Kaizen exhaled, steeling himself for what was to come.
The shadows of the past were finally catching up to him.