Ashes of the Forgotten

On an Unknown Planet...

Ikaris exhaled deeply, his gaze lingering on the distant horizon. The air around them was still, heavy with unspoken truths.

"Now you understand?" His voice carried the weight of knowledge, of experience.

Ru's hands trembled, his eyes burning with a mix of grief and fury. His voice cracked, barely a whisper."So my mom and dad... were just part of some plan?"

Ikaris placed a firm yet reassuring hand on Ru's shoulder. His voice softened, but his words were firm."I know how you feel. Ruma did a lot for me too. She was always watching over you, Ru. And she still is."

Ru's breath hitched as memories flooded his mind. His mother's face. Her gentle smile. The warmth of her hand resting lovingly on his head.

"Ru, never be afraid," she used to say. "There's a fire inside you. Never let it die."

His fists clenched. His tears dried.

The fire inside him had never burned brighter.

"They will know..." His voice, raw with rage, barely concealed the storm brewing inside."They will know what death feels like."

Ikaris closed his eyes briefly. He recognized this feeling all too well.

"The same fire that once burned in me... now, it has awakened again."

Their gazes met.

A silent understanding passed between them.

"But remember," Ikaris said, his voice dropping to a warning, "Zokaris won't be easy to defeat. He's far more powerful than you think."

Ru's gaze hardened. A moment of contemplation. Then, his decision solidified.

"Then tell me." His voice carried unwavering determination. "What do I have to do?"

Ikaris exhaled slowly. A faint smirk appeared on his lips, but his eyes told another story.

"Simple," he said.

A pause. A long, excruciating pause.

Then—

"You have to die."

Ru's breath caught in his throat. "W-what?"

Before he could react—

SLASH!

A searing pain. A burning sensation.

Then—

Nothing.

A Few Moments Later…

Huff… Huff… Huff…

Ru's lungs expanded violently. His body spasmed as he gasped for air. His eyes flew open. He bolted upright.

"Huh? But… I died."

His breath was uneven. He looked down at his hands.

No.

These weren't the same hands.

His body felt different. Larger. Stronger. Sharper.

His senses—clearer than ever before.

"What is this? My body… it's different."

Ikaris stood before him, his expression unreadable. Silent. Observing.

"You're awake."

Ru's mind raced. This power. This energy. It felt like something had awakened deep within him.

But his rage was still alive.

"WHY DID YOU KILL ME?!"

He lunged at Ikaris. Faster than ever before. A blur.

Yet—

Ikaris didn't move.

Ru's attack—never landed.

With just a single hand, Ikaris stopped him. Effortlessly.

Ru's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What…?"

Ikaris looked at him, calm, composed.

"The seal that was placed on your body has been lifted." His voice was matter-of-fact. "This is your real self."

Ru staggered back. "My real self?"

Ikaris nodded. "Your true age is far beyond what you can imagine."

Ru clenched his fists. His mind screamed for answers.

"So this power… is because of that?"

Ikaris let out a deep sigh. "Yes… and now, for what you must do next—"

A pause.

His tone turned grim.

"By now, Zokaris must have realized that I'm still alive. He won't attack right away—but he will send his devils to investigate Earth first."

Ru's breath quickened. "So you're saying… he'll test the waters before launching a full-scale attack?"

Ikaris nodded. "Exactly. And I can't afford to reveal myself just yet. That's why..."

Ru clenched his jaw. The realization struck him before the words were spoken.

"You want me to go instead."

Ikaris stared at him, his silence confirming the answer.

Ru let out a bitter chuckle. "And what? Just fight until I drop dead?"

Ikaris shook his head. "No. You will fight… but you will not be Ru anymore."

Silence.

Ru's expression darkened. "What do you mean?"

Ikaris stepped forward.

"To do this… you must lose all your memories."

The words hit Ru harder than any blade ever could.

"You expect me to forget everything?" His voice wavered. "Even my mom…?"

Ikaris's gaze remained firm. "When the time comes, your memories will return. But until then, you must fight as if you have nothing to lose."

Ru clenched his fists so hard that his nails dug into his skin.

"If this is the only way… then fine. I'll do it."

Ikaris closed his eyes, as if he had already predicted this answer.

"Then it is decided."

A blinding light swallowed everything.

And then—

Ru's past was consumed by darkness.

His name?His pain?His mother?

All of it—vanished.

Unknown Location...

Ru's eyes fluttered open.

Cold. Silence.

A damp cave. Darkness all around.

"Where… am I?"

He pressed a hand to his forehead.

"Who… am I?"

A voice echoed through the darkness.

Ikaris stood before him, his figure barely visible in the dim light.

"Your name is…"

A pause.

Then—

"Toshi Igasaki."

Ikaris's voice was calm, controlled.

"And this… is where your story begins again."