Fragments of a Traveler
Sometimes in life, unexpected things and events arrive.
The world, creation, stories… they are all filled with unresolved mysteries.
Perhaps that is precisely what makes everything so interesting.
But just as there are many fascinating enigmas to solve, there are others that are best left shrouded in mystery.
Regret—knowing too much could lead to total collapse, making you wish you had never known at all.
That is why it is better to let time speak for us. And not for us to speak for time.
That was the first mistake I made… and I deeply regret it.
—Haa… haa…
The sound of ragged breathing shattered the silence of a place where reality itself seemed to have been torn apart.
A man in a tattered cloak, covered in wounds, stood firmly, gripping a crimson spear in his hand.
Before him, in the vast emptiness, stood a figure shrouded in light. Its exact form was indiscernible, but its eyes, spiraled pupils glowing eerily, pierced through the void.
The traveler panted but still smiled with the determination of a warrior who refused to surrender.
—Don't think you've already won… —he said in a hoarse voice—. The reason I've been traveling… it was all for something.
Though, to be honest… I never thought this would be where it all ends for me.
Around him, the scenery was a spectacle of cosmic ruin. A fragmented space, fissures running in every direction as if existence itself were on the verge of collapse.
Countless shards of what seemed to be worlds, memories, and realities floated aimlessly in the surroundings.
The white-clad entity smiled. Or at least, the shape of its mouth did, twisted into an expression dripping with disdain and amusement.
—Travelers… travelers… travelers… —it murmured, each repetition of the word echoing endlessly—. I never tire of killing them, and yet they never seem to learn their lesson.
Well, perhaps persistence is what truly defines mortals after all.
The man gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on the spear.
—Those worlds… those living beings… those spirits… Everything that exists in each beautiful and unique creation has a reason to keep existing.
That is why I am here.
His eyes reflected a restrained fury and an unshakable resolve.
—You have been disturbing the balance of these inhabitants with your fissures. Tell me… why are you doing this?
You have shattered countless universes, ruined the lives of many… absorbing their energy.
The entity remained silent for a moment, as if its patience was reaching its limit. Then, it spoke with indifference.
—What I do is none of your concern. I just want to end this once and for all.
The traveler clicked his tongue, his frustration evident.
—But what exactly do you want to end? —he roared—. You are ruining the balance of creation with your foolish, imaginary ideologies!
The white-clad entity narrowed its spiraled eyes, radiating an overwhelming pressure.
—A mere mortal like you could never understand what I am dealing with… and I don't need your approval to do it.
The space around them began to distort even further, as if time itself was collapsing.
—Your greatest mistake was interfering in my plans. —Its voice grew deeper, more menacing—. Now… I need the energy and power of those worlds.
A chill ran down the traveler's spine.
—Damn it… —the entity continued in irritation—. I was so close to finishing all of this once and for all…
But then, you had to get in my way, half-blood.
The air trembled as the entity clenched its fists in fury.
—Now, you will pay the price.
The silence in that fragmented space was shattered by a simple snap of fingers.
In an instant, the scattered energy from the countless floating fragments began to converge, spiraling in golden currents around the white-clad entity. It was as if it were absorbing the very essence of the destroyed worlds, taking for itself everything that once existed.
Watching this spectacle with an expression of cruel satisfaction, the entity spoke in a calm yet authoritative voice.
—In your world of origin, they know you as a hero… and in those you have traveled to, you are recognized as a friend who has resolved their conflicts.
The traveler, still standing despite his wounds, clenched his teeth and held his spear firmly.
—I have been watching you… —the entity continued—. Your fame… your skills… your persistence… your feats and discoveries. All of it has been of great interest to me.
The traveler lifted his head with determination, his body trembling, but his spirit unwavering.
—And all that I have accomplished… I did it out of love for everyone. To cherish everything that creation has gifted us.
The crimson glow of his spear intensified as he gripped it tighter.
—That is why I became a traveler… to understand myself… and to help others understand themselves.
With a battle cry, the traveler launched himself into the attack with all the energy he had left, ready to fight until the end.
However, his charge was stopped instantly.
A single finger from the white-clad entity held him in midair, immobilizing his entire being with an indescribable force.
—What a shame… —the entity said with a mocking smile—. Because soon, there will be no "why" in all the things you have vainly tried to protect.
The traveler felt his body weakening rapidly, as if his very soul was unraveling.
—Now… disappear.
With a slow, calculated motion, the entity closed its fist, and the traveler began to deteriorate. His body unraveled into threads of light, dissipating into the void.
—Let go of everything… and never live in this body… ever again.
The traveler felt an indescribable pain. As his body faded, his mind filled with thoughts.
"I won't be able to keep going… This will be the end for me… but…"
Suddenly, his fingers tightened around the crimson spear, his last act of defiance.
The entity frowned.
—Your spear won't change anything. It's useless.
But then, something unexpected happened.
The fragments of the destroyed worlds began to glow, flowing toward the spear as if responding to the traveler's will. The Higetsu no Yari vibrated with a power never seen before, absorbing the energies of those who had been lost.
The white-clad entity watched the scene with unease.
—What are you doing…?
The traveler gave a weak smile.
—I will take from the remnants of these worlds… to make it happen.
With his final breath, the traveler raised his spear toward the fractured sky.
—Go, Yari… —he whispered—. Find the next living being who can wield you… It doesn't matter if they are human, Oni, spirit, Yokai, Shikigami… or even a Demon…
The cracks in space began to tremble as the spear absorbed the energy of countless fragments.
—As long as they have an unbreakable will, a great heart, honest and sincere… you must choose them… so they can protect us all.
With a final cry, the traveler gathered all his remaining strength and hurled the Higetsu no Yari through a fissure in the void.
The entity watched the spear's trajectory and, for a moment, extended its hand as if to stop it… but in the end, it simply let it go.
—It doesn't matter… —it whispered to itself.
The traveler, feeling his end approach, closed his eyes.
"I don't know where you will go… but please, if you manage to wield the Higetsu no Yari… I beg you, don't let it go… and protect creation…"
His final thought echoed through the vast emptiness.
—That is my last… wish.
And with that, his existence faded into threads of light.
---
The spear soared through the dimensional void like a crimson comet, piercing through fragments of realities, crossing unknown worlds, passing through planes that didn't even have names.
Time had no meaning in this journey. The spear traveled endlessly, guided by its wielder's final wish.
But then, out of nowhere, an immense crystal emerged in the middle of the dimensional space. It was colossal, radiant, pulsing with an indescribable energy.
The spear, still in its path, collided with the crystal, and with a blinding flash, its trajectory was abruptly altered. The uncontrolled energy sent it spinning and spinning until it was finally flung into an unknown fissure.
The fissure violently expelled it into a deep blue sky. It tore through the clouds as it fell, leaving a crimson trail behind.
From above, the spear descended like a falling star, piercing through the air until it finally struck the ground.
The earth trembled.
The trees in the nearby forest shook from the shockwave. Birds scattered in panic, and leaves rained down like green showers.
The Higetsu no Yari remained embedded in the earth atop the hill, its blade buried deep in the soil. Its glow slowly faded… until only silence remained.
But its journey was not over.
—∞—
The journey of creation is a riddle without an answer.
Since the beginning of time, existence has been a constant flow of birth, change, and disappearance. Worlds emerge and collapse, beings live and die, memories are built and forgotten.
But what is the purpose of it all?
Is life merely an accident in the vast ocean of time?
Or is there something more?
Travelers walk unknown paths, seeking answers. Some find faith in their convictions. Others uncover truths through suffering. And then there are those who simply keep moving forward, without expecting a defined destiny.
Because life is not just the destination… but the journey itself.
And as long as there is someone willing to walk that path, the flow of existence will continue.
Now, the spear waits.
Its time will come.
And when it does…
The fate of lives across countless worlds will change forever.