The months passed quietly, and nothing changed between my brother and me. We still played and laughed as we always had, as if life had decided to grant us a brief respite before the storm.
But on one winter day, when the snow covered the ground in its cold white silence, my brother and I sat together, watching the snowfall through the window, laughing at little things no one would remember later. Suddenly, I felt something strike inside my head—sharp pain piercing through my skull like a thorn sinking deep into my mind. I placed my hand on my head, breathing heavily.
"Ah… My head…" I muttered, my voice trembling. "It hurts… so much…"
My brother looked at me with deep concern, leaning in with a disturbed tone. "Brother… what's wrong? Stop… If you're joking, this isn't the time."
I lifted my gaze to him, my eyes lost. "There's… a voice in my head… telling me to leave the house… and follow its instructions."
My brother's expression froze, but he quickly asked, "What are the instructions?"
I answered softly, holding my head, "It's guiding me… to a certain path."
My brother stood up determinedly. "Let's go and see."
We stepped outside, our footsteps swallowed by the ever-falling snow. The voice in my head remained clear, speaking to me directly. It told me to turn behind the house, and I relayed this to my brother. We walked there, and I heard him whisper, "To the left… by the dark road."
I pointed in the direction, and we cautiously continued walking. Despite the cold, sweat dripped down my forehead from tension. After a few minutes, the voice instructed me to stop.
"Where do we go now?" I asked internally.
The reply came: "To your right, there is a hidden tunnel… Find it and enter."
I told my brother what I heard, and we searched together. It didn't take long before I noticed some bushes covering something. I pushed them aside with my hands—and there it was. The entrance.
"Brother… I found it!" I said, oddly elated, as if I had uncovered part of my destiny.
My brother turned to me and said, "Let's go."
We entered the tunnel, cold and dark, with dampness creeping across its stone walls. An old staircase lay ahead. "Let's go down," I said.
We descended carefully, our footsteps echoing faintly—as if someone was listening to us in the depths. I glanced at my brother. He was sweating, his eyes filled with fear. I smirked and teased, "Are you scared, little one?"
He scowled, "I'm not scared!" I laughed, trying to lighten the tension.
We ventured deeper. Then, the voice returned: "Stop."
We halted before a dead-end wall—different from the rest of the tunnel. Strange markings covered it, along with an indentation shaped like a resting palm. The voice instructed me: "Place your hand on the void, close your eyes, and forget your surroundings for a moment."
I obeyed. Pressing my palm against the wall, I shut my eyes, concentrating… Suddenly, memories flooded into my mind—memories that weren't mine. They seeped into me like water through cracks.
I saw a breathtaking place… Then, in an instant, it turned into hell. Flames devoured everything, filling the horizon, dancing mercilessly. A man was carrying me… A baby. He handed me over to another and said in a trembling voice, "My son… Keep him safe… Take him away… He must survive!"
Then, I saw the people of that place slaughtered, blood staining the walls, screams tearing the skies… I couldn't bear it.
I jolted awake, gasping for breath, tears streaming down my cheeks, my hands shaking. My brother's hand rested on my back, his voice whispering anxiously, "Are you okay?"
I answered shakily, "I just saw… something strange."
He helped me stand, though my legs barely supported me. I looked at the wall with resolve and placed my hand on it again.
This time… the wall opened.
The voice spoke: "Step forward."
Cautiously, I moved forward—until my eyes landed on a dagger resting on a stone pedestal. It was slightly long, its hilt a deep blue, its blade black with an eerie gleam, inscribed with glowing blue markings.
The voice commanded: "Take it."
I extended my hand carefully. The moment I grasped it, an immense surge of energy exploded inside me, as if the dagger itself was rejecting me. Unable to withstand it, I immediately let go.
Panting, I murmured, "How do I control this? It's too powerful…"
The voice replied sternly, "That energy is wild… It seeks its master—and you are him. But you are not yet worthy."
I asked, "Then… how do I become worthy?"
"You must first unlock your own energy. Contain your power… and then you will be able to contain it."
Confused, I hesitated. The voice guided me: "Close your eyes… Imagine your energy… I will help you."
I sat down, closed my eyes, and focused entirely. Coldness surrounded me, fear clawing at my heart… But I persisted. Then, suddenly, something inside me stirred… Something deep that had been asleep—had now awakened. My awareness heightened, my strength surged, my reflexes sharpened. The voice declared, "You have awakened your power."
I stood up with difficulty, approaching the dagger once more. This time, when I grasped it—I felt in control. But again, the energy burst wildly.
Sweating, I asked, "How do I control it now?"
The voice instructed, "Imagine yourself absorbing this energy… Make it a part of you."
Holding the dagger firmly with both hands, I concentrated. I saw its energy flowing toward me, enveloping me… Then, gradually… It became mine.
Exhausted, I collapsed, my body drenched in sweat. Then, the voice spoke:
"Congratulations… You have mastered the dagger. You will now know who I am… I am the consciousness of this weapon—one of the five legendary weapons… And the strongest of them."
Shocked, I whispered, "We'll continue our conversation later… When we get home."
Struggling to my feet, I grasped the dagger and turned to my brother. "Let's go back."
He nodded calmly. "Alright, brother."
We stepped out of the tunnel, walking through the snow-covered road. But midway… I saw flames rising from the village—blazing tongues of fire consuming the sky.
Eyes wide in horror, I stammered, "What is that?"
My brother, pale with terror, said, "We need to hurry back—now."
Without exchanging another word, we ran with all our might.
And when we arrived… I wished we hadn't.
My feet froze in place, my eyes widening in
shock. What we saw surpassed our worst nightmares.
A strange gang—around twenty of them—were attacking the village mercilessly, stabbing, burning, the screams of the villagers filling the air.
I quickly turned to the right, and my eyes fell on my father. He was battling a massive man at the forefront… their leader, it seemed.
In the midst of the fight, my father turned to us and shouted in a broken voice,
"Run—quickly! I won't last much longer!"
But the gang leader smirked coldly and sneered,
"Focus on your opponent."
Then, in a sudden movement, he kicked my father forcefully before stabbing him in the stomach.
My father collapsed, blood spilling onto the snow… that once-pure snow, now stained crimson. It wasn't just his blood—it was everywhere, across the entire village.
It felt like we were living through a "Crimson Night."
Tears filled my eyes, and I screamed from the depths of my soul,
"FATHER!!! How dare you?!"
My rage erupted all at once. I lunged at the gang leader, fury tearing through me. At that moment… my energy flared. The energy I had gained from the dagger. It burned inside me, surging through my limbs.
I saw shock flicker across the gang leader's face, but he quickly regained his composure and smirked.
"Hmm… interesting."
As I was about to strike, he unleashed his own energy—stronger, harsher, blinding in its intensity.
He blocked my attack effortlessly, then struck me with such force that I was sent flying backward.
Pain seared through my stomach. I clutched it, gasping.
He laughed loudly and said,
"Looks like someone here has some Kaizo… but you're still weak."
"Kaizo?" I murmured.
I hadn't known that was the name of this power—but now I did.
Suddenly, he advanced toward me, then kicked me away again, laughing. Before I could regain my balance, my brother screamed,
"Stay away from my BROTHER!!!"
He rushed toward him without thinking.
I screamed, trying to stop him, but I couldn't reach him in time.
The gang leader grabbed him by the throat, lifting him as if he were a mere doll, then said in a chilling voice,
"Seems you're eager to die."
From the depths of my soul, I roared,
"STOP!!!"
Then… a voice echoed in my mind.
It was the consciousness of the dagger.
It spoke: **"Do you want me to grant you power?"**
My fingers dug into the ground until they bled… My eyes were brimming with tears, my breaths ragged…
Through clenched teeth, I whispered,
"Yes… I do."
It replied,
"Very well… but I won't be able to do this again."
Suddenly… an overwhelming surge of energy exploded within me. Even my wounds healed instantly.
I gripped the dagger once more—and charged.
I saw the gang leader narrowing his eyes in surprise.
"Oh… it looks like someone—"
But I didn't let him finish.
I kicked him with all my might, forcing him to release my brother. He was thrown back, crashing through the wooden wall of a house, shattering it completely.
I turned to my brother—he was clutching his throat, his face stricken with shock.
"Brother… is that you?"
I strode past him and said in a firm, steady voice, my gaze locked onto the wreckage where the gang leader had landed,
"Don't move. I'll handle this."
The gang leader staggered out of the debris, enraged.
"You little brat… you'll pay for this!"
He reached for his sword, his grip tightening around the hilt…
But I moved faster.
I severed his hand before he could even complete the motion.
He screamed in agony, blood spurting wildly—some splashing onto my face.
I stepped closer. For some reason, a smirk curved on my lips.
His terrified eyes locked onto mine.
"Please… have merc—"
I didn't let him finish.
I struck—his head was gone.
Silence fell for a few seconds before the remaining members of the gang shouted,
"ATTACK HIM!!! KILL HIM QUICKLY!!!"
The twenty of them rushed toward me, closing in from all sides.
That was when the dagger's voice whispered once more:
**"Close your eyes… I will show you the paths. Follow them… and you will win."**
I shut my eyes—and saw a white mist forming trails in the air.
I raised the dagger in front of me… I sensed their energies moving.
I followed the paths precisely, and when I opened my eyes again…
Their heads had fallen.
Once it was over, I ran toward my father, grabbing him, my tears streaming.
I cried out,
"Father! Wake up… you can't die like this… Please wake up…!"
But then—suddenly—I started to lose consciousness