"When everybody is saying the sky is green…
The real heroes are the ones who dare to disagree.
But… when the whole world is against you… are you truly a hero?"
Shinitshi's hand tightens around Diana's neck. His eyes burn with fury and guilt. Diana can't move — shock and pain closing in around her. The world fades to darkness…
But then… Shinitshi's gaze softens. He lets go, stepping back, breath ragged.
Diana collapses, gasping for air.
Diana (voice trembling): "I… I'm sorry! I know it's my fault! I know that I'm a failure… but please… don't leave me… I was stupid… My Mom was right… I can't protect myself…"
Shinitshi turns away, fists clenched… then silently picks her up, carrying her on his back once more.
They arrive at an abandoned house, its walls cracked, its door half-broken.
Diana: "What's this place…?"
Shinitshi (coldly): "It's safe… Do you really care?"
Diana (quiet, hopeful): "I know I ruined your life… but maybe… maybe you can live in Aetheria after we escape? Right?"
Shinitshi (voice heavy): "I'm still alive only to complete the last mission I gave myself… I don't deserve a second after that."
Diana lowers her head… but her eyes flare up again.
Diana: "NO!"
Shinitshi: "…Excuse me?"
Diana: "I said NO! You deserve to live! All you did was the right thing! You saved my life when I had no one!"
Shinitshi: "That's not what I live for… I live to protect Shoryu and serve the Great Master's will! And now… I'm nothing."
Diana (shouting): "You're human! You're not supposed to be a machine in that guy's hands! You're the best human I've ever met! You sacrificed everything in a single moment — because it was right!"
Shinitshi hesitates, her words sinking in… but then a shadow crosses his face as he remembers Master Takemaru.
Shinitshi: "…No. You're wrong. I… I didn't…"
Diana (softly): "I believe in you, Shinitshi. Maybe… you should believe in yourself too."
Shinitshi (voice shaking): "Don't talk like it's easy… I'm the one who has to… kill more and more of my own friends just to finish what I started…"
Silence hangs heavy.
Shinitshi (gaze hardening): "From now on… our enemies are the Four Legendary Guardians. I think I can defeat Master Hayato in a fair fight… but the other three…"
Diana: "I can help you!"
Shinitshi (raising an eyebrow): "Can you do that purple thing you did again? It wasn't really helpful anyway."
Diana (sighs): "It's… complicated."
Diana (explaining):
"In Aetheria, every living creature has magic. Different kinds — lots of them. Around age seven, a kid starts discovering their magic step by step. In normal cases, they figure it out and start training on spells.
In rare cases… the kid can use more than one kind of magic — maybe two, even three.
But my case… it's one in a billion. All the tests failed. They couldn't discover my magic type.
I still have huge magical potential because of my royal blood… the strongest magic anyone could have. But the type… they think it might be something completely new — something never written in history books.
That magic blast I used? It's the most basic move we teach children. And you were right — it's not enough."
Shinitshi: "So why did you tell me you could fight?"
Diana: "I really tried everything to awaken my magic… except for one thing.
I need a creature that doesn't have magic… and shares the same desire as me. That might be our only chance to defeat the Legendary Guardians and escape…
It's called: The Spiritual Connection Magic."
Shinitshi (carefully): "I know I've crossed many lines already… but it's a big deal. What happens… after we're connected?"
Diana: "For me… I'll be unconscious in the physical world. But my spirit will enter your body, pouring all my magic into you. It'll make you unstoppable — your strength, speed, intelligence… everything will be enhanced."
Shinitshi: "How do we do that? I don't get it."
Diana (smiling faintly): "Training begins now."
Meanwhile… in the Great Master's private room
The Great Master's voice echoes through the empty chamber.
Great Master (to himself, darkly): "So the boy really turned traitor… interesting… Hayato should be on his way now. The other Guardians are ready when he fails… and I've already spread word of the boy's crime across the kingdom…
Really interesting… it's like a dream come true… after all these years… finally…"
He throws his head back and laughs — long, loud, and cruel.
At the Training Arena
Kenta (reading the announcement, face pale): "No… That can't be true! Shinitshi isn't a traitor! He was meant to be the next Legendary Guardian!"
Tenma: "I believe you, Master!"
Lisa (smirking): "Maybe he is a traitor… right, sister?"
Yozuriha (hesitant): "I… don't know…"
Lisa: "What do you mean you don't know?! He's wanted dead or alive by the Great Master's orders!"
Tenma: "But Master Kenta knows Shinitshi better than anyone!"
Kenta (exhaling deeply): "Calm down, everyone… We're going on our first mission."
In his mind: "Shinitshi… what have you done…"
In Aetheria…
The Queen strides across the marble floor, her tall pink dress flowing behind her. Her guards stand at silent attention.
Queen (lightly, but coldly): "I didn't expect to see one of the kingdom's souls coming here… what do you want, William?"
William (nervous): "I… I wanted to ask your Majesty…"
Queen (smiling, but sharp): "Ask me about what?"
William: "It's about Princess Diana."
Suddenly, the air shimmers with the Queen's pink aura. Everyone in the hall tenses, fear in their eyes.
Queen (voice turning dark): "What about her, William?"
William (stammering): "I'm just worried… she hasn't discovered her magic type yet… and it isn't safe for her in Shoryu…"
Queen (her voice like ice): "Trust your Queen's judgement, my child! This is the perfect chance for Diana to awaken her beautiful, unmatched magic… and become a true part of our family. Understood?"
William (head bowed): "Of course, your Majesty…"
The pink aura fades. The Queen's smile returns — soft and charming.
Queen (teasingly): "Wow, William! You really care about Diana… could it be… true love?"
William (face flushing): "No… it's actually—"
Queen (quiet laugh): "I'm just joking, boy! But truly… I do think you're a perfect match."
William (lowering his eyes): "I have to go now… please excuse me, my Queen."
He leaves quietly, the Queen's mysterious smile lingering.
A day later, in the abandoned house
Shinitshi (frustrated): "This is impossible! We can't do it!"
Diana (catching her breath, smiling faintly): "I know we aren't ready for a perfect connection yet… but I really think we're close!"
Shinitshi (softening, a small smile): "Alright… let's try again."
They hold each other's hands. Diana's purple magic flows through Shinitshi's body — his muscles tensing, his breath quickening.
Diana (excitedly): "I think it's working!"
Suddenly, Shinitshi pulls away.
Diana (startled): "What's wrong?"
Shinitshi (eyes narrowing): "Someone's coming…"
Four massive blades slice through the wooden wall, spinning so fast they blur.
Shinitshi grabs Diana, rolling them both to safety just in time.
Shinitshi (breathing hard): "Hide — now!"
Diana: "But we can do it! We can—"
Shinitshi: "Just hide! And give me that thing in your hair!"
Diana quickly hands over her royal hair ornament, then hides.
Footsteps echo… and from the shadows steps Hayato — towering, black hair flowing, wielding his terrifying Legendary Weapon: four tall blades, two in each hand, spinning like a storm.
Hayato (mocking): "I heard you wanted to challenge me to take my seat as a Legendary Guardian… that's hilarious."
Shinitshi (steady voice): "I did want to take your seat… because I know I can defeat you!"
Hayato: "With this sword? I doubt it… Ah, probably the first time you've seen my Legendary Weapon in real combat. Well… you won't live long to see much more."
Shinitshi: "That's going to be my weapon."
Hayato (cold smile): "You're right… When you kill the owner, the weapon becomes yours… Let's see what you've got."
Shinitshi leaps forward, gripping his sword with both hands. Hayato meets him mid-air, his spinning blades shrieking through the air.
Steel crashes against steel, sparks flying like falling stars.
The End of Chapter 4: "Past Sins… Future Sins"
Next Chapter: "Trust"