Chapter 121 — Echo of the Soul
As they embraced, time seemed to stand still — until Akira's voice, small and hesitant, finally broke the silence.
"Kakashi… what happened? And… how are you now?"
There was worry in his tone, but also something softer — fear of the answer.
Kakashi looked at him for a long moment, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. He seemed almost amused by Akira's anxious expression, but this wasn't the moment to tease.
"I'm fine," he said quietly. "Still Kakashi… or maybe, just a small fragment of something larger. He only gave me back the memories of the past."
Akira blinked, confusion flashing across his face — but before he could speak, Kakashi's mind drifted back to the moment inside his soul.
---
(Flashback)
In the endless white expanse of his mind, Kakashi and His Highness stood hand in hand — the moment their souls had touched.
Kakashi asked, "What just happened?"
His Highness smiled faintly, his silver-blue armor glinting in the light.
"I've only given you what you were missing — your memories."
Kakashi frowned slightly. "I thought we'd fuse into one being."
"We will," His Highness replied. "But not yet. You needed to remember first — who you are, and who the Crown Prince truly is. Your enemies will seek you both soon. You must be ready before that day comes."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "Wouldn't it be easier if we just merged now?"
His Highness gave a quiet chuckle, though his gaze turned serious.
"It would — but you already know why we can't. Look deeper into the memories I gave you."
Kakashi closed his eyes, focusing — and images flooded through him. Cities of light. Battles between gods and mortals. A world split apart by the power of the Mystick bloodline. Then the truth struck him like lightning.
He opened his eyes. "The Mystick… or Empyrean Schism people — only one can exist in any world at a time. No more than that."
"Exactly," His Highness said, nodding. "We're far beyond the limits of creation itself. Even the Creators can't contain our power. That's why they established the rule — one Mystick per world, no exceptions."
"So that's why…" Kakashi murmured, understanding dawning.
"Yes." His Highness's expression softened as he stepped back, light already beginning to ripple through his form. "Your memories aren't fully settled yet. It'll take time. When they are, you'll know everything."
Kakashi took a step forward. "Wait — what about you?"
His Highness smiled faintly. "Time's up, my other self. We'll meet again — when it's truly time to become whole."
And with that, the light swallowed him, leaving Kakashi alone in the vast white — the echo of his own soul fading into silence.
---
(End Flashback)
Kakashi's eyes refocused on the present. The faint morning glow brushed across Akira's worried face.
He exhaled softly, his voice calm.
"Nothing to worry about. Just… memories I needed to remember."
Akira stared at him quietly, still unsure, but the warmth in Kakashi's tone eased the tightness in his chest.
The air between them felt still — calm, yet charged with something unspoken.
The bond of two souls that had once lived, fought, and died across worlds… now beginning to awaken again.
---