Death or Survival

Don stood amidst the cold, desolate battlefield, clutching the blue crystal tightly in his hand. Its radiant light pierced through the surrounding gloom, forcing him to shut his glowing red eyes for a moment. He whispered to himself, his voice almost inaudible:

"Merijina... Everything I've done was for you... and for our daughter."

Suddenly, a torrent of memories surged through his mind as if the crystal had unlocked them. Fragments of the past flashed before him: Merijina's tender smile, their hands entwined under the moonlight, the cry of their newborn daughter, Takai. But intertwined with these cherished moments were painful scenes: blue flames consuming everything, screams mingling with maniacal laughter.

His eyes snapped open. He stared at the crystal, now as if it were a nemesis. With a steady hand, he wiped his face and slid the crystal into his pocket. His expression hardened, erasing any trace of emotion.

Not far away, Takai began to stir. Her eyelids felt heavy as she slowly regained consciousness. She looked around, trying to comprehend what had happened. When her gaze finally landed on Don, standing silently in the distance, his glowing red eyes and imposing presence sent a shiver through her.

In a frail, shaky voice, she asked, "Who... are you?"

Don ignored her question entirely. He turned his back to her and spoke, his voice deep and commanding:

"Takai... This world is not what you think it is. You must become stronger."

His body began to dissolve into black ash, carried away by the cold winds. Takai could do nothing but watch, frozen in disbelief, as he vanished before her eyes.

Moments later, she staggered to her feet and began walking toward the shattered ice where Merijina once stood. Her trembling hand picked up a small fragment of the ice, and she stared at it with tear-filled eyes.

"This... this can't be..." she murmured, her voice faltering as though afraid to accept the truth.

Then, realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. The shattered body had been her mother's—the mother she had never known. Her legs gave way beneath her, and she collapsed to her knees, releasing a guttural cry of anguish:

"Grandmother!!!!"

She fell to the ground, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Ji, who had been watching from a distance, finally approached her cautiously. He knelt beside her, unsure of how to comfort her. Finally, he whispered softly:

"I... I'm so sorry. Truly, I am."

Takai lifted her tear-streaked face to him, her sorrow now burning with anger.

"Tell me now..." she demanded, her voice filled with fury. "Where is my father?"

Ji hesitated, his mind racing for an answer. Before he could utter a word, a deep, commanding voice echoed from the shadows behind them:

"Don't you dare reveal my secret, Ji."

Ji turned swiftly toward the source of the voice. From the darkness, Don emerged, his red eyes gleaming ominously. Ji swallowed hard, taking a step back.

"But..." Ji stammered, only to be cut off by Don's stern tone:

"I said what I said."

Lowering his head in resignation, Ji muttered quietly, "I... I don't know."

Takai's tearful gaze shifted from Ji to the shadows where Don stood. A bitter, pained smile crossed her face as she whispered:

"I knew it... Don."

Takai rose to her feet, her resolve seemingly restored. A surge of blue energy erupted from her hand as she opened a glowing portal before her. Her expression was fierce as she grabbed Ji's arm with an iron grip.

"Listen carefully, Ji. If I ever see you here again... I'll make you regret it."

Without giving him a chance to respond, she shoved him through the portal, sending him to a far-off region of Zaire.

Returning to the spot where her mother's body had once been, Takai dropped to her knees. She clutched a piece of ice tightly to her chest, tears streaming down her face. The silence around her was broken only by the sound of her sobs.

From the distant shadows, Don watched the scene unfold. For the first time in years, a single tear slid down his left cheek. He whispered so softly it was almost lost to the wind:

"Forgive me, my daughter."

The scene ended in haunting silence, with the darkened sky overhead flickering faintly with blue flashes, as though guarding secrets yet to be unveiled.

End of chapter...