**Chapter 12: The Monster Within**
Rain poured over the broken training grounds, steam rising where it struck the heated earth. Aiki's blade cut through the air, each swing leaving trails of crimson and gold light.
"Again!" Sakura shouted from the edge of the field, hands glowing as she reinforced his energy barrier. "Focus on the center of your spirit, not the edges!"
Aiki gritted his teeth. His aura flickered, unstable. "I'm *trying!*"
The ground trembled. A pulse of red energy exploded outward, shattering the stone beneath his feet.
Enji stumbled back, shielding his face. "You're losing control again! You've gotta pull it back!"
"I can't!" Aiki yelled, clutching his chest. His breathing grew ragged; the air around him shimmered with distortion. "It's like he's *pushing back!*"
Sen slammed his chain blades into the ground. "Then fight him, damn it! You're not Seno!"
The world dimmed for a heartbeat. Aiki froze.
A voice — cold and smooth — whispered from inside his mind.
> "Not Seno? Are you sure, boy?"
Aiki's pupils dilated. "No… not now…"
> "Every time you draw your blade, I feel it — your anger, your fear, your hate. You *need* me."
Aiki dropped to his knees, clutching his head. The Spirit Edge pulsed violently, its light twisting into deep crimson.
Sakura ran forward. "Aiki, listen to me! Stay with us!"
> "She can't save you," the voice hissed. "She's why you're weak."
Aiki roared, slamming the Spirit Edge into the ground. Energy erupted in a storm of red fire. His friends were thrown back, shielding themselves from the shockwave.
When the dust cleared, Aiki stood at the center — his eyes glowing red, the faint outline of **Seno's aura** flickering around him like a shadow.
Sen pulled himself up. "No… that's not Aiki anymore."
Seno's voice came from Aiki's mouth, low and distorted. "You should've let him rest. He's tired of pretending to be human."
Sakura took a step forward, trembling but firm. "You're wrong. Aiki's stronger than you think!"
Aiki's body twitched — part of him fighting back. "Sakura… get back…"
> "Useless," Seno's voice hissed. "You can't even protect them."
He raised the Spirit Edge, energy spiraling upward.
Enji's eyes widened. "He's going to—!"
Before the blade could fall, Sakura sprinted forward, slamming her palms against his chest. "AIKI! WAKE UP!"
A blinding surge of light burst from her hands. For a second, time froze. Aiki's red aura shattered, and the Spirit Edge dimmed.
He gasped, collapsing into her arms, trembling violently. "I… I almost…"
Sakura held him tight. "You didn't. You're still here."
The storm faded. Enji and Sen approached, their faces pale.
Sen muttered, "That wasn't training. That was survival."
Aiki looked down at his blood-stained hands, his expression hollow. "He's getting stronger," he said quietly. "Every time I use this power, he pulls harder."
Enji frowned. "Then we'll just have to find a way to break the connection. Somehow."
Aiki's gaze lifted to the horizon — dark clouds swirling above the Ash Gate.
"No," he said, voice low but determined. "There's only one way to end this."
Sakura looked at him, confused. "What are you saying?"
Aiki turned toward the Ash Realm's red glow. "I'm going in. To face him. Inside *his* world."