Amanda's smile widened as she leaned closer to Rebekah, her crimson eyes glowing faintly under the candlelight.
"Guess what, kiddo?" she whispered, her voice dripping with pride. "I hit the jackpot. Boom. I found the technique that could erase the seal. Took me decades—blood, sweat, years of failure—but I mastered it. And when I finally tore the seal away, I became whole. My Renshi unchained. That's why I'm always one step ahead of my little sister."
Rebekah's eyes flared, her sword quivering in her hands. "There's no way. Master doesn't still carry that seal. I saw her break it when she fought that Sasaki guy!"
Amanda laughed—a cold, mocking sound. "Hahahaha! That wasn't the seal, kiddo. You think it's some simple paper talisman? No. Our parents weren't fools. The true seal is carved into our very bones—right into the neck. That incantation only lets her access half of what's locked away. She's never once fought at full strength."
Rebekah's lips parted in shock. "You mean… all those battles… she wasn't even serious?"
Amanda's gaze darkened. "I've watched her for centuries. Tracked her journey from the shadows. She's always holding back. Always… except once." Her tone lowered, chilling the air. "A long time ago, she tried to settle down in a small country. Wanted to abandon it all. But when tragedy struck, she lost control. Do you know what happened that day? She erased an entire quarter of that country from existence."
Rebekah staggered, her knees weak. Master… she carried that much power this whole time?
Amanda smirked. "Now imagine her without the seal. Terrifying, isn't it?"
But Rebekah steadied herself. She clenched her jaw, forcing the fear out of her heart. No… I can't falter now. Master… Alfie… I'll carry this. I know what to do from here.
She lowered her sword slightly. "Enough of this story. I already see your plan. You kidnapped me—and Master's other students—because you want the best of the new generation at your side when you destroy Berserker. But tell me one thing. Why haven't you taken action all this time?"
Amanda leaned back, crossing her legs. Her smile curved sharper. "Kid, you really do have the brain of an adult. I like you even more now. You're far more important than Alfie. He's strength—but you? You're intelligence. Sometimes it's the clever ones who build empires, not the strong."
Her voice dropped as she spoke her next words. "Here's your answer. There's a man. Musashi Miyamoto—the head of Shinra. His power is unmatched in this age. Even with my strength, I can't defeat him outright. My elites—the first batch I raised—are already infiltrated the capital, they're the current reinforcement, gathering information on him. But Miyamoto is a ghost. Secretive. Impossible to pin down. If I make a move and he interferes, I can hold him off, but the Shinras from every kingdom will descend. And my army? They'll be crushed. That's the only reason Berserker still breathes."
Rebekah's heart skipped. "So… you wanted Alfie to fight Miyamoto for you."
Amanda chuckled. "Exactly. My plan was simple: use Alfie's overwhelming power to offset Miyamoto. But fate gave me something even better—you. The brain over the blade."
Rebekah's fingers tightened on the hilt of her sword. Why… why is she telling me all this?
"Why are you revealing this to me?" Rebekah asked aloud.
Amanda shrugged lightly. "Because you asked. And I don't trick children to follow me. I answer honestly."
Rebekah narrowed her eyes. "And what if I don't choose your side?"
Amanda's smile didn't fade. "Then I'll try harder to convince you."
Rebekah raised her chin defiantly. "Then you'll need to try harder than this. Because I will never walk the same path as you."
Amanda's expression hardened. "You don't want revenge for your family? What a coward. You know nothing of life yet. Just a child, clinging to ideals." She turned her back on Rebekah, her robe sweeping across the floor as she walked away.
Rebekah's voice rang out, sharp and unwavering. "And what will you gain? Kill all the innocent children of Berserker? Will that ease your pain? Will it bring your parents back?"
Amanda froze mid-step.
"You'll only create more orphans, more hatred," Rebekah pressed, her tone rising, fierce as fire. "You'll plant revenge into children who don't even know what happened a thousand years ago. Parents who had nothing to do with the past will die screaming. That doesn't make you different from the Shinras who killed your parents. It makes you the same! You're repeating history with your own hands!"
"ENOUGH, KID!" Amanda's roar thundered through the room, shaking the walls. Her crimson aura exploded, filling the chamber with suffocating pressure. "I don't want to hear another word!"
But Rebekah stood her ground, even as her knees shook.
Amanda's breathing slowed, her aura retracting until only a simmer remained. Her voice dropped low, calm again, but sharp as a blade. "If the children of Berserker want revenge after I've taken mine, let them come. If they're strong enough to kill me, so be it. I'll die with a smile."
She stepped toward the door, her hand on the handle. "I won't beg you to join me. But I'll leave you with one thing." She turned her head slightly, crimson eyes gleaming. "The darkside spirits you despise—born from wizards, witches, darkest sides—what if I told you there's a way to wipe them all out from earth? Every last one. Gone from the earth forever. Would you join me then?"
Rebekah's eyes widened, her breath catching. A way to wipe them out? All of them? Could that even be possible?
Her voice shook. "If such a way exists… why haven't you done it already? And why do you always speak like this world isn't Earth? Like it's… something else?"
Amanda smirked. "That answer will come another day. As for why I haven't wiped them out—it's simple. That goal isn't mine. And I won't risk all my Renshi for it."
She pulled the door open, the hallway beyond lit with a crimson glow.
"When you decide to chase your dream," Amanda said softly, "step out of this room. A guard will be waiting to bring you to me."
And then she was gone, the door closing behind her with a final thud.
Rebekah stared at the sword in her hand. Slowly, she lowered it to the ground and slumped into the sofa, her chest heaving.
If there really is a way to wipe out darkside spirits… then I think I can use her. I'll act like I'm on her side. I'll bide my time. And when the moment comes… I'll strike for Master. For Alfie. For everyone.
Her eyes narrowed, burning with resolve.
I'll turn her weapon into mine.