Chapter 116 — The Ten Gems and the Unknown Fall
As Akira walked toward the small campfire where Kakashi and Sakumo waited, the forest quieted behind him. The night wind carried a faint glow from the fairy's wings as it hovered at his side.
"Fairy," Akira said softly, "what happened after those little ones were born? The ones you mentioned — the Fifth Prince of Ruby, the Second Prince of Liminal Expanse, and the Second Prince of Sapphire?"
The fairy's light dimmed slightly, as if remembering something long buried in time.
"Crown Prince," it said slowly, "the day the Fifth Prince of Ruby — who was also the Second Prince of Liminal Expanse — and the Second Prince of Sapphire were born… that day marked both the end of the long war and the beginning of peace."
Akira blinked. "The end… and the beginning?"
"Yes," said the fairy. "But peace did not last. The very next day, Empyrean Schism was attacked — by beings of pure destruction. Demonic entities that descended upon the entire realm. Their power was beyond anything ever seen, and not even the three royal thrones could stop them."
The fairy's voice grew heavier. "In those days, there were ten sacred gems in Empyrean Schism. Each gem was a core of power — the foundation of the realm itself."
It raised a hand, and tiny sparks of light formed in the air, shaping into ten glowing stones.
"Ruby. Sapphire. Emerald. Citrine. Pink Tourmaline. Amethyst. Hematite. Heliodor. Onyx. And Goshenite."
Each gem pulsed faintly, reflecting on Akira's eyes.
"These ten were the heart of the realm — each tied to one part of existence. Together, they sustained Empyrean Schism. But after the demonic assault… everything changed. The great war ended with the fall of the Empyrean Schism itself. The gems were gathered — all ten — and given to the Fifth Prince of Ruby, who was also the Second Prince of Liminal Expanse. After that, the people of Empyrean Schism were sent away… scattered across different universes."
The fairy's tone lowered to a whisper.
"What happened next is unknown. The records end there. That is all I know, Crown Prince. I was in the Mystic Lands at that time, far from the war. Even we fairies never learned the full truth."
Akira's eyes lingered on the faint lights fading into the night. "Why were all the gems given to the Fifth Prince? And what do you mean by sending people to different universes?"
The fairy looked at him solemnly.
"You, Crown Prince, should already understand a part of it. As I said before — the people of Empyrean Schism possess the ability of reincarnation. They do not choose when or where they are reborn. They simply… return, in another world, under new skies. You, too, are one of them — a reincarnated soul of that age. Why the gems were entrusted to the Fifth Prince is unknown, but it is believed he was chosen by the will of the realm itself."
Akira nodded slowly. "I see…"
The forest fell quiet again. The light of the campfire came into view through the trees, and Akira could finally see Kakashi and Sakumo sitting beside it. The fire crackled softly, the smell of smoke and ramen blending in the cool air.
Sakumo looked up as Akira stepped into the clearing, carrying two faintly glowing eggs in his arms — each the size of a Pokémon egg.
"Ah," Sakumo said with a small smile. "So that's the thing you went to retrieve, Akira?"
Akira nodded. "Yes. These two… are what I was looking for."
He glanced down briefly. "And there are earrings as well."
He didn't mention a word about Empyrean Schism.
Sakumo reached for the eggs. "Let me take a look at them."
Akira handed them over carefully and sat down beside Kakashi, who was quietly stirring the fire. As Akira reached into his pocket, he took out a small case and opened it — revealing two elegant earrings.
The moment he touched them, both earrings began to glow — a bright, radiant light that spread across the clearing.
Kakashi froze. His eyes widened for a brief second before his hand shot to his head.
Before anyone could move, Kakashi's body stiffened — and he collapsed to the ground, the light from the earrings reflecting in his silver hair as the world fell suddenly silent.
"...Kakashi?" Akira said sharply.
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