KEIICHI MIURA
"This is also not the one.." I came to a conclusion after reading the name on the gravestone.
Entering this enigmatic realm, I found myself separated from my companions. A younger version of myself had materialised before me, revealing that this place was a reflection of my own mind. To escape, I must successfully overcome the trials of the inner sanctum.
In front of me stretched an endless graveyard, immersed in an eternal night that resembled a desolate desert. Countless gravestones were scattered throughout the sandy terrain, extending as far as the eye could see.
The childlike version of me conveyed the task at hand—to locate the gravestone bearing my own name. Success in this endeavour would signify the completion of the trial. Although the instructions seemed dubious, the young figure vanished before I could voice any inquiries or doubts.
My search for the elusive gravestone consumed me as I wandered through the expanse of graves. The passage of time became uncertain, leaving me unsure of how long I had been engaged in this relentless quest.
"Why am I unable to find it?" I muttered in a hushed tone, my voice laced with frustration, as I relentlessly scoured the graveyard in search of my own gravestone.
The names etched upon these tombstones mirrored those I had witnessed in the cemetery of my past. Why was I being subjected to this torment within the depths of my own mind? It felt like cruel mental torture, exacerbating my growing impatience.
The realisation that my nexus, my fundamental power, was aligned with ‘death’ had struck me as the worst possible outcome. I had hoped for any other nexus—wind, fire, or even the most mundane—just so I could utilise my abilities to their fullest extent.
In the city of Aurorium, within the safety of the first respite zone, I once dared to wield my sol-weaving power in the face of dire circumstances. But what had been the result? Wallace had been gravely injured, and I, in turn, had succumbed to the debilitating backlash. Was this the supposed advantage of my sol-weaving abilities? It felt more like a curse, leaving me with no choice but to renounce the use of this power altogether.
"I despise the nexus of ‘death’!" I exclaimed, the words escaping my lips in a fit of frustration and seething anger. Little did I anticipate the consequences of my intense aversion.
With an ominous rumble, the graveyard transformed before my very eyes. Countless new gravestones emerged from the desert sands, stretching the boundaries of the area and intensifying the challenge that lay before me.
"Is this your idea of mockery?" I directed my words towards the childlike version of myself, aware that he observed the unfolding events from some unseen vantage point.
The manifestation of my hatred towards death had inadvertently amplified the trials that beset me. The difficulty level had escalated, as if taunting me for my disdain and fueling the ever-mounting obstacles in my path.
**
"I have reached my limit of patience," I declared, my steps heavy as I traversed the seemingly endless desert, my search for the elusive gravestone yielding no results. Days had passed since the difficulty had escalated, and the mounting frustration threatened to push me to the brink of insanity.
"In that case, I shall obliterate everything!" I screamed, my anger boiling over as I readied myself to unleash my fury upon a nearby gravestone.
Though I had anticipated my attack to have no effect, as my sol powers remained impotent in this realm, I was taken aback when the gravestone unexpectedly shattered like fragile glass upon impact.
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"Excellent! The time for retribution has come!" I exclaimed, fueled by a vengeful determination, as I prepared to demolish the remaining gravestones. But just as I turned my back to commence my destructive mission, something brought me to an abrupt halt.
A soft and tearful voice echoed from behind me. Intrigued, I turned around and discovered a small boy, no older than five or six, seated on the ground, his head bowed low in sorrow. He sat beside the very gravestone that had fallen victim to my wrath.
He was the inhabitant of that very grave.
"Mister… why?" His voice trembled with sadness, reaching the depths of my being.
A wave of calm washed over me, accompanied by a pang of guilt. I extended my hand towards the grieving boy, remnants of frustration still lingering within me. "I simply hold a deep aversion to death," I replied, my voice carrying a tinge of remorse.
"Then you must hate me too." The boy’s words dripped with even greater desolation than before.
"No—" I began to protest, but in that moment, a profound realisation struck me.
As the realisation settled within me, a sense of calm enveloped my being. I recalled the countless times I had shunned my nexus of death, dismissing it as a burden and a curse to be avoided at all costs. But now, standing before this young boy who embodied that very essence, I could no longer deny the significance it held in my life.
I realised that my fear and resistance towards death had hindered my growth, stifling the potential within me. By denying this integral part of myself, I had closed off avenues of understanding and barred myself from embracing the full spectrum of my powers.
No," I interjected, my voice filled with newfound conviction, interrupting the boy’s despondent words. "I don’t hate you. In fact, it is because of you that I am now able to see the truth."
Confusion marred the child’s tear-streaked face as he peered up at me, his eyes brimming with a mix of hope and scepticism.
"I have been running away from the nexus of death, denying its presence within me," I continued, my voice steady and resolute. "But here, in this realm that reflects my own mind, I can no longer escape it. I can no longer deny a part of myself that is integral to who I am."
As I spoke these words, a transformation began to take place within me. The frustration and anger that had consumed me moments ago now gave way to acceptance and understanding. The realisation washed over me like a cleansing wave as I finally embraced the essence of my nexus.
Death was not something to be feared or rejected; it was a part of the natural order, a force that could bring about growth and transformation. It held the power to end and create anew, to bring closure and pave the way for new beginnings.
"The answer was so simple, yet I had turned a blind eye to it all along," I murmured, a smile gently gracing my lips. The realisation flooded my being as the weight of resistance and hatred lifted from my shoulders. All I had to do was embrace this power, this nexus of death, rather than fear and despise it.
As the words echoed through the realm of my mind, a wondrous transformation unfolded before my eyes. The vast expanse of the endless graveyard began to shift and shrink, the countless gravestones receding into the distance. Gradually, they merged and melded together, forming a single, solitary grave—the epitome of my acceptance and reconciliation with my nexus.
I approached the lone grave with a mixture of awe and trepidation, my footsteps steady and purposeful.
This grave, marked with my name, represented more than a mere tombstone. It was a symbol of my rebirth, a testament to my newfound understanding and willingness to embrace the intricate tapestry of life and death.
**
The childlike version of myself reappeared, his eyes shining with pride and admiration. He beamed with satisfaction, the brilliance in his eyes illuminating the space between us.
"Exquisite! You have not only passed the trial, but you have also discovered the profound significance of embracing your nexus," he exclaimed, his voice filled with delight and admiration.
With a newfound understanding, I could sense the transformation within me. The turbulent and unruly power that once threatened to consume me has now settled into a harmonious resonance. It flowed through my veins, pulsating with a serene energy that I could now control.
"I can feel the change coursing through my being," I stated, my voice resonating with a sense of awe. "The power that once wreaked havoc within me has found its rightful place. It is no longer a force to be feared but a source of strength and growth."
The childlike version of myself nodded in affirmation, his expression radiant with pride. "Indeed, you have unlocked the true potential of your powers. By embracing your nexus, you have tapped into a wellspring of untapped abilities. Your connection to death grants you a profound understanding of life, transformation, and the cycle of existence."
As his words settled within me, I could feel the vast potential awakening within my core. With this newfound insight, I would be able to harness the true nature of my powers, exploring their depths and expanding my capabilities beyond what I had ever imagined.
"Now, it is time to return you to the physical world, where you can fully manifest and wield the true extent of your powers," he announced, his voice carrying a sense of finality tinged with a hint of nostalgia.