Reborn In The Shadow

Leon stood before Madame Celine, his arms crossed as he exhaled deeply. The flickering candles in the grand chamber cast long shadows across the velvet walls. He had come to discuss Michael's place in the guild, but before that, there was something far more important.

"I know who he is," Leon said, his voice grave.

Celine took a slow sip of wine. "So you believe he is truly the son of him?"

Leon nodded, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Yes. And that's what worries me."

Celine tilted her head. "Tell me, Leon. Who was Hiori, truly?"

Leon's eyes darkened as memories flooded back. "He was my best friend… and the greatest samurai I had ever known."

Flashback: The Great Samurai Hiori

The battlefield was drenched in crimson.

A younger Leon, barely in his twenties, stood beside a man draped in red—a samurai with fierce brown eyes, a flowing red top, and black combat jeans. His katana gleamed in the pale light. This was Hiori, the greatest warrior of his time.

In front of them, a Fallen Beast the size of a fortress loomed, its distorted form shifting between reality and nightmare. Its grotesque face twisted, its many eyes filled with malice.

"You take the left, Leon," Hiori said, tightening his grip on his blade. "I'll take its head."

Leon hesitated, but nodded. "Got it."

Like a bolt of lightning, Hiori vanished.

The beast swung its massive claw, but Hiori was already behind it, his katana a blur. The sharp metal sliced into the monster's neck, severing tendons and spilling black ichor onto the ground.

The creature let out a deafening shriek. Hiori's sword hummed as he raised it for the finishing blow.

But in that moment—everything changed.

The beast's eyes glowed with a sickly blue light, and before Hiori could strike, a torrent of memories flooded into his mind. Thousands of years' worth of pain, suffering, and knowledge from countless Fallen Beasts poured into him like a raging river.

Hiori staggered back, his eyes widening. His blade trembled in his hand.

Leon saw it first—the change in his friend's face. Shock. Disbelief. Fear.

The beast collapsed, dying not from the blade, but from its own exhaustion. The battle was won.

But Hiori was never the same after that day.

Days passed. Then weeks.

Hiori, the proud warrior, began speaking of things no one understood. He claimed the Fallen Beasts were not what they seemed. He spoke of ancient memories, of a secret truth buried in time. He swore to never kill another Fallen Beast, saying that they were victims of something greater.

The guild called him a madman.

"They're monsters!" they argued. "They have killed thousands! How can you protect them?"

But Hiori wouldn't listen. His obsession grew. He began warning people—no, threatening them—to stop hunting Fallen Beasts. When they refused, his fury ignited.

And one night, Hiori snapped.

The Thousand-Soul Massacre

The guild fortress burned.

Hiori stood at the center of it all, his katana dripping with blood. Bodies were scattered across the stone floors, over a thousand warriors slain in mere minutes.

Leon arrived too late.

He found his best friend standing amidst the carnage, his once-proud red samurai top stained black with blood.

Hiori turned, his brown eyes now lifeless. "They wouldn't listen."

Leon's hands trembled. "What have you done…?"

"They were butchers." Hiori's voice was hollow. "They were slaughtering creatures they didn't understand."

Leon unsheathed his blade, his heart pounding. "You left me no choice."

Hiori laughed.

"So you're here to kill me too?"

Leon gritted his teeth. "You're not the man I knew."

Hiori raised his katana. "Then come, Leon. Let's end it."

The first strike was so fast that the air itself split apart.

Leon barely dodged as Hiori's blade sliced clean through the fortress wall behind him. He retaliated with a precise counterstrike, but Hiori parried effortlessly.

"Still too slow," Hiori taunted, his voice cold.

Leon lunged, using every ounce of skill he had, but Hiori was untouchable. Every attack was deflected with ease. Every step he took was flawless.

Hiori was not just a warrior.

He was a monster.

Leon leapt back, breathing heavily. "Damn it…"

Hiori smiled. "Still holding back?"

Leon's eyes narrowed. "Not anymore."

He vanished.

This time, it was Hiori's turn to be surprised. Leon reappeared above him, his sword glowing with raw energy.

Hiori blocked the attack, but the impact sent him skidding backward. Dust and debris exploded into the air.

Leon landed, his eyes glowing with golden light.

"I never wanted to fight you, Hiori."

"Then stop now."

Leon clenched his fists. "I can't."

Hiori sighed. "Then die."

The battle raged for hours. Blades clashed. Buildings crumbled. The sky itself seemed to shudder at the sheer force of their duel.

But Leon knew.

He was losing.

Hiori was unstoppable.

Leon panted, gripping his sword tightly. His body was covered in wounds. Hiori, however, stood tall, his expression unreadable.

Then—for the first time—Hiori hesitated.

His katana lowered slightly.

Leon saw his chance.

With a roar, he surged forward, channeling every ounce of his power into a final, devastating strike.

Hiori's eyes widened.

For a brief moment, the world slowed.

And then—

Leon's blade pierced through Hiori's chest.

Back in Niriven, alarms blared across the guild as the commander stepped forward, his voice booming.

"All Paragons, prepare for battle!"

Outside the fortress walls, a massive army of robots charged towards the city, their metallic bodies gleaming under the moonlight. Their red eyes pulsed with eerie energy.

At the back of the mechanical army stood a shadowed figure—the mad scientist.

He raised his hands, laughing wildly.

"Niriven City… get ready to meet your doom!"