Kaizen sat in the filth of his cell, body trembling from pain. His limbs no longer felt like his own, only dead weight attached to him, broken too many times to heal properly. The wounds on his lips stung with every shallow breath he took. His tongue throbbed, barely capable of forming words. Yet, despite it all, one thought echoed in his mind.
Aoi. Sakura. Itsuro.
Bhikkhu's words clung to him like chains. They are alive.
It was a lie. He knew it was a lie. And yet… what if it wasn't?
The door groaned as it opened, the dim torchlight outside casting a long shadow into the cell. Bhikkhu entered, stepping forward with the patience of a man who already knew the outcome of this meeting. He stopped just a few feet away from Kaizen, his eyes studying him.
"You've had time to think," Bhikkhu said calmly. "Do you have an answer for me?"
Kaizen let the silence stretch. Then, with great effort, he shifted, the movement sending sharp pain through his broken limbs. His voice was hoarse, almost unrecognizable.
"I'll tell you," Kaizen said, barely above a whisper.
Bhikkhu's expression didn't change, but there was something in his eyes—interest, curiosity.
"I don't know where the Shards of Eternity are," Kaizen continued, his words slow and deliberate. "I never did."
A pause.
"The demons… they led me to them."
Bhikkhu's smile was faint. "Is that so?"
Kaizen nodded. "If you want them, I can help you find them."
The room fell silent.
For a long moment, Bhikkhu simply watched him. Then, he crouched down so they were eye level, his expression unreadable.
"You would help me?"
Kaizen met his gaze. "If it means ending this, if it means seeing them again… yes."
Bhikkhu chuckled softly. "You truly are desperate, aren't you?"
Kaizen didn't answer.
"Very well," Bhikkhu said, standing up. "I will consider your offer. But first, I need to know if you are telling the truth."
He turned to leave, pausing at the door. "If you are lying, Kaizen, you will learn that what you've endured so far is nothing compared to what I am capable of."
The door shut, leaving Kaizen alone once more.
He had taken the first step.
Now, he just had to survive long enough to see where it led.