Arriving at their destination, Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph followed a trail of blood that led them into a desolate wasteland. What awaited them there was both gruesome and awe-inspiring. Amidst the carnage lay the lifeless bodies of thousands of monsters and supernaturals, their remains scattered across the battlefield like grotesque offerings to a vengeful god. At the center of the chaos stood Akari Yoshimura, his form drenched in the blood of his fallen enemies. His blade, slick with crimson, dripped steadily onto the ground, the sound a haunting rhythm in the stillness.

A dark, palpable aura emanated from him, intertwining with the stench of death that saturated the air. The last creature—a hulking beast—collapsed with a sickening thud, its severed head rolling to Akari’s feet. He stood motionless for a moment, his chest heaving, his body trembling under the weight of exhaustion and rage. His bloodshot eyes locked onto the newcomers, his expression a mixture of cold malice and faint recognition.

"You..." His voice, no louder than a whisper, was heavy with menace. "Have come to die."

Yoshi stepped forward, his tone calm but firm. "We’ve come to help you, Akari. The village head sent us."

Those words pierced through Akari’s haze like shards of glass, triggering memories he had buried deep. A pained groan escaped his lips as he grabbed his temples, his fingers digging into his skull as if trying to claw the memories out. His eyes flickered, momentarily filled with something resembling humanity before reverting to a cold, unyielding glare.

"No!" Akari roared, his voice cracking under the weight of his anguish. "You’re all the same. Monsters! Liars! Just like everyone else!"

With an inhuman burst of speed, Akari charged at them, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Yoshi stepped forward to meet him, their swords clashing in a brilliant explosion of force that sent a shockwave rippling outward. Lyra and Joseph staggered back, momentarily stunned by the impact, their instincts shifting to defense.

"You’re different," Akari said, his voice low and guttural as their blades locked. A sinister smile crept across his bloodstained face. "Not like the others. Strong. A match for me."

Yoshi met his words with an unwavering gaze, his stance firm as he held his ground against the ferocity of Akari’s strikes. "Try to remember who you are, Akari. You are a warrior of purpose and truth, not this."

Akari’s movements faltered for a fraction of a second, Yoshi’s words clawing at the edges of his fractured mind. Lyra and Joseph moved to intervene, but Yoshi’s voice echoed in their minds, firm yet gentle: "Stay back. Let me handle this."

The clash broke as Akari leaped back, his expression twisting in pain. Yoshi’s telepathic presence lingered in his mind, briefly unlocking flashes of his past—a life of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice. A glimmer of hope lit Akari’s eyes, only to be extinguished as the weight of his memories crushed him once again.

"No!" Akari screamed, clutching his head as though it might split open. "I am not that man! I can’t be!"

With renewed fury, he launched himself at Yoshi, his attacks even more relentless, each strike fueled by his desperate need to escape the truth.

"Get out of my head!" Akari roared, his voice echoing like thunder as he unleashed a powerful angelic blast. The divine energy surged outward in a blinding wave, tearing through the air and shaking the ground beneath them.

Yoshi stood firm, his grip tightening on his blade. In one swift, fluid motion, he brought his sword down, parting the holy energy in two as though it were nothing but mist. The split energy dissipated harmlessly into the air, leaving Akari stunned.

"Are you an angel or a demon?" Akari demanded, his voice trembling with rage and confusion. "Who—or what—are you?"

"I'm here to save you, Akari," Yoshi said, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "The relic of immortality has taken its toll on you. You're losing yourself."

Akari’s lips curled into a bitter smirk. "It’s pointless. There’s nothing you can do to save me. Not even death could end me."

With a guttural cry, Akari charged again. Their swords clashed in a flurry of sparks and thunderous strikes. Yoshi remained on the defensive, his movements precise and deliberate. He wasn’t fighting to defeat Akari—he was fighting to save him. Even as Akari’s strikes grew more savage, Yoshi refused to harm him.

But then, in the heat of their relentless battle, Yoshi’s blade inadvertently severed Akari’s head.

The world seemed to hold its breath as Akari’s body staggered. Yet, impossibly, it didn’t fall. Instead, the headless warrior continued to fight, his movements undeterred by the loss of his head. He finally retreated, picking up his severed head and calmly reattaching it to his body.

Yoshi hesitated, momentarily stunned by the surreal sight. But then, through the haze of battle, his telepathic connection reached Akari’s mind. The relic’s hold weakened for just a moment, allowing a fragment of Akari’s sanity to surface.

The battle halted as Akari stepped back, his breath ragged, his gaze meeting Yoshi’s.

"You’re wrong, Akari," Yoshi said softly, lowering his sword. "Let me show you. Let me give you the peace the village head promised you."

Akari’s trembling hands released his sword, the weapon clattering to the ground. He fell to his knees, tears streaming down his bloodstained face.

"What have I become?" Akari whispered, his voice breaking. Memories of his actions, his isolation, and the madness of immortality flooded his mind. "I never meant to hurt anyone... but the solitude, the madness—it consumed me."

Yoshi stood before him, his voice gentle yet firm. "Your sacrifice protected the village, Akari. Your legacy lives on. There are warriors now who are ready to carry your burden. The village is at peace, thanks to you."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Akari’s lips quivered into a faint smile. "Then... I can finally rest."

He surrendered completely, his eyes closing as peace washed over him for the first time in centuries. But as Yoshi reached out to sever the relic’s connection, his brow furrowed in frustration.

"It’s not working," Yoshi said, his voice tinged with unease.

Akari opened his eyes, sensing the shift. "What’s wrong?"

"The relic..." Yoshi hesitated, glancing at Lyra. "It’s become a part of you. Not even our combined strength can sever it."

The revelation hung heavy in the air, until Joseph stepped forward, his expression resolute.

"I have an idea," Joseph said, drawing their attention. "I think I can sever the connection—but it might ruin the relic."

Before Yoshi or Lyra could respond, a voice echoed within Joseph’s mind. "You can sever it without destroying the relic," said XPT, the energy within him.

Joseph frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Affirmative. I can absorb the omnicidal force required to break the relic’s bond with Akari. It will temporarily exhaust me, but I’ll recover."

Joseph relayed XPT’s plan to Yoshi and Lyra. The two stared at him, stunned. They had never seen Joseph wield such power before.

"Joseph..." Yoshi began, his tone uncertain.

"It’s the only way," Joseph said firmly, determination blazing in his eyes.

As Joseph approached Akari, still kneeling in submission, he steeled himself for what he was about to do. Channeling the energy of XPT, Joseph infused a protective barrier around the relic to ensure its integrity before thrusting his vibrating fist into Akari's chest. The moment his hand pierced through, Akari let out a soft sigh, his expression peaceful.

A faint smile crossed Akari’s lips as his body began to wither, crumbling like dry leaves under the breeze. His form turned to ash, carried away by the wind. His voice, now disembodied, echoed softly, carrying a profound sense of gratitude.

"Thank you... for granting me freedom... and peace..."

The group stood silent, watching the last remnants of Akari fade into the horizon. Joseph withdrew his hand, holding the relic of immortality in his palm. It glowed faintly, pulsating like a living heart. Exhausted, XPT retreated into recharging mode, leaving Joseph visibly drained but steady.

"The relic of immortality," Joseph murmured, gazing at the artifact. "Who would have thought such power could also be a curse? Akari was a brave warrior. The people of Yamabuki will remember him for his sacrifice."

Lyra stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We did it. We saved him," she said softly.

Joseph nodded, his grip tightening on the relic. "Yes, and his soul is finally free."

As he extended the relic to Yoshi, a sudden blur of motion streaked through the air. A raven, moving with blinding speed, snatched the relic from Joseph’s grasp.

"What the—?" Joseph exclaimed, stunned.

Before anyone could react, the raven was gone. Lyra instinctively unleashed a stream of magical flame, but the fiery burst barely grazed the bird before it vanished into the sky.

"Well, that sucks!" Joseph groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Where did that raven even come from? My guess? It’s one of Ryujin’s tricks. He’s always scheming something."

Yoshi’s eyes narrowed, his expression resolute. "If that’s true, then we’ll deal with it in time. For now, let’s return to Yamabuki."

The group turned and began their journey back to the village. Upon arrival, they found the village as tranquil as they had left it. Not a single monster attack had occurred during their absence, a testament to Akari’s lingering protection.

Yoshi took the lead, informing the village head of Akari’s fate. She listened intently, her expression softening with relief when she learned that Akari was finally at peace.

"Thank you," the village head said, bowing deeply. "Even without the relic, your efforts mean more than you can imagine. Akari’s soul can rest now, and the village is safe. Please, stay and celebrate with us in his honor."

The village erupted into a vibrant festival that evening. Lanterns illuminated the streets as the villagers gathered to honor Akari Yoshimura, their protector and savior. Music filled the air, and stories of his heroism were told long into the night.

As dawn broke, Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph prepared to leave. The villagers bid them heartfelt farewells, thanking them for their bravery.

Their journey continued, leaving the village of Yamabuki behind, now a place of peace and remembrance.

Meanwhile, in Ryujin’s domain...

The raven, battered from Lyra’s fiery assault, limped into Ryujin’s chamber. Its feathers glimmered with a dark, ethereal sheen as it approached its master. Despite its injuries, the bird’s movements remained purposeful.

Ryujin watched with quiet satisfaction as the raven landed before him, the relic of immortality clutched in its beak. He reached out, taking the artifact into his hand. The raven let out a low caw before its body began to dissolve, merging seamlessly back into Ryujin’s form like a fragment of his own being.

He turned the relic over in his hand, studying it closely. One side gleamed like polished silver, the other like molten gold. A faint, ominous hum emanated from the artifact, filling the room with an unsettling energy.

"A silver coin on one side... and gold on the other," Ryujin muttered, a sinister smile curving his lips. "Such beauty. Such power."

Without hesitation, Ryujin pressed the relic to his chest. It sank into his body, disappearing as his eyes flared with an otherworldly glow. Power coursed through him, dark and unrelenting, as his laughter echoed through the chamber.

"The age of Ryujin begins now."

***

As Yoshi and his companions continued their journey to Aso Town, a grueling thirty-nine-day ride, curiosity weighed heavily on their minds. Yoshi and Lyra found themselves questioning Joseph about the mysterious depths of his abilities.

“You never mentioned anything about being able to kill the unkillable,” Yoshi said, his tone carrying a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Joseph met their gazes with a knowing smile. “Oh, wow! Look at that—tables have turned. Usually, I’m the one asking all the questions, and you’re the ones doing all the explaining.” He chuckled lightly, his grin widening.

“Well, I thought I’d mentioned it once—or maybe it was a variant of me that did,” Joseph added, rubbing his chin as though trying to recall. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he shrugged. “Or maybe I didn’t. Either way, now you know. Better late than never, right?” He laughed again, clearly enjoying the moment.

“You’re full of surprises, Joseph,” Lyra said, shaking her head in bemusement.

“Oh, there’s more to come. Brace yourselves,” Joseph replied, his eyes widening theatrically before winking at them.

When they finally arrived at Aso Town, the scene before them was nothing short of devastating. The town was in ruins, buildings reduced to rubble, and the once-prized Treasure of Manipulation had been stolen. The air was thick with smoke and despair, and cries of anguish echoed through the remnants of the town.

Wasting no time, Yoshi and his companions leapt into action. Joseph and Yoshi’s warriors joined the remaining Aso Town fighters to search for survivors amidst the destruction. Among them was a traveler, a citizen of Aso, who frantically sought out his family. Relief washed over him when he found them alive, albeit injured.

Meanwhile, Lyra used her magic to heal the wounded and restore many of the damaged buildings. Yoshi mirrored her efforts, his powers aiding in mending the fractured town. Together, they worked tirelessly, offering whatever aid they could.

When the immediate crisis was under control, the remaining townspeople gathered in the square, their faces etched with worry and grief. The town master, a stoic yet visibly shaken man, stepped forward to address the group. After bowing in reverence to Prince Yoshi and the royal witch, he began to recount the harrowing events.

With a trembling voice, he explained, “The attack came from within. One of our own—a trusted warrior—betrayed us. Driven by greed, he sought to harness the power of the Treasure of Manipulation for himself. His betrayal left us vulnerable, and the town was overrun.”