A Storm AwakensThe Silent Aftermath
The world blurred in fiery orange as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training ground. The scent of sweat, damp earth, and blood lingered in the air—a silent reminder of the day's brutal trials.
Some recruits lay sprawled on the ground, too drained to move. Others sat in a daze, their minds shattered from the torment they had endured.
Reika lay still. Chest heaving. Muscles screaming. Every inch of her body felt like it had been set on fire.
But she forced herself to breathe through it.
"I have to survive. I have to become the strongest version of myself."
The wind whispered across her skin, almost as if mocking her determination. Pain. Exhaustion. Despair. They clung to her bones, but she clenched her fists against the dirt.
"No. I won't let this break me."
A sharp voice shattered the heavy silence.
"How do you feel after the training?"
Reika flinched but turned her head. A trainer loomed over her, his silhouette dark against the fading sunlight.
She exhaled through gritted teeth. "Mentally? At peace. Physically?" She let out a dry laugh. "I feel like hell."
The trainer smirked, his eyes glinting with approval.
"Pain means growth."
Her nails bit into her palms. The ache in her body was unbearable, but weakness was not an option. Right now, she was just another nameless recruit.
But soon—they would remember her name.
A voice cut through the air.
"Hey, wait."
Reika turned, eyes narrowing slightly as a boy approached. Messy brown hair, thin-framed glasses, too cheerful for someone in this hellhole.
He smiled. "Name's Ishigo Nakano."
She stared. Unmoved.
He scratched the back of his head. "Can we be friends?"
Reika blinked. What?
"Is this guy serious?"
Ishigo laughed awkwardly. "I mean… I feel kind of alone here, and you don't seem to have friends either, so—"
"I'm not interested."
She turned on her heels, fully intending to walk away.
But Ishigo—annoyingly persistent—fell into step beside her. "Damn. Harsh."
Reika sighed. "Why me? There are plenty of people here."
He shrugged. "Tch. They're boring."
She gave him a sidelong glance."Boring?"
"Yeah. But you? You make people curious."
Her brows furrowed. "I don't care about that."
Ishigo smirked. "That's what makes you interesting."
Reika rolled her eyes. "You're annoying."
"Probably."He grinned. "But I think we'll get along."
She should've shut him down completely, but something about him felt... strangely familiar.
Before she could dwell on it—his next words sent a chill through her veins.
"Do you know about Souta Arakawa?"
Reika's stomach tensed. "The 'I' Rank Kageshiki?"
Ishigo's expression darkened. "You mean Kageshiki no Shinra?"
"Kageshiki no Shinra?"she repeated.
"The true path of a Kageshiki." His voice was quieter now. "The 'I' Rank warriors aren't just strong. They wield power beyond human comprehension. Some control elements. Some manipulate Shikiban. And some… mess with soul energy."
Reika frowned. "Soul energy?"
Ishigo nodded. "The more you use it, the less human you become. That's why only the strongest survive. The rest?"
He let the sentence hang in the air.
A strange unease twisted in Reika's chest.
"Then how do they fight?"
Ishigo's gaze sharpened. "By killing."
Reika's breath hitched.
"When a Kageshiki slays a Shikiban, its body turns to ash, leaving behind an Energy Flame. That flame fuses with the warrior's weapon, making them stronger. The stronger the enemy, the greater the power gained."
Reika's fingers twitched.
"A weapon born from the soul…"
She absorbed his words in silence. But before she could respond—
A shadow loomed at the edge of the training ground.
A tall figure stepped into view. Silver-white hair. A chilling presence.
Souta Arakawa.
A smirk tugged at his lips. "How was your day, Kagetsu-san?"
Reika met his gaze, her blue eyes unwavering. "Well enough."
Souta chuckled."Good. Because this was just warm-up."
Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
His smirk widened.
"Tomorrow, we enter the Kuroyami Forest."
Reika stiffened. Kuroyami Forest?
Her stomach twisted. "You're joking."
But Souta simply turned away, his footsteps slow, deliberate.
"Let's see if you survive."
The night air felt suddenly colder.
The recruits around her had fallen silent, eyes flickering with unease.
Reika swallowed.
"Kuroyami Forest."
The name alone sent a chill through her spine.
No one had ever returned the same.