throne of the shadowmaker

At the heart of the Palace of Shadows, beneath the black dome encrusted with dormant meteors, Sajibro sat upon the dark throne.

His right arm rested on the throne's armrest, and his left hand played idly with a flicker of pure shadow.

He didn't move… he waited.

The seven steps leading to the throne seemed like a mountain only those born upon it could climb.

BOOOOM.

The hall doors burst open—Koruma appeared.

His upper body was twisted with shadows.

His right eye burned like a dead ember as he drew a violet sword that dripped with tainted energy.

Sajibro didn't rise. He didn't seem concerned.

He merely spoke with a lazy, mocking tone:

> "So you've finally crawled out of your hole.

Come to beg? Or do you truly believe your presence matters?"

Koruma gave no reply—he surged forward.

But Sajibro raised a single finger and whispered:

> "First Illusion – Blade of the Sleeping Emperor."

In an instant, a black sword formed in the air—taller than any man, its blade woven with threads of ancient war memories.

Without moving, the sword shot toward Koruma, deflecting his attack.

> "This fight of yours… feels more like a training session.

I wouldn't even call it a duel."

Koruma attacked with fury—five consecutive strikes, blending shadow and speed.

But Sajibro stood still, then took one calm step forward.

> "Second Illusion – Axe of the Tempest."

A massive axe wrapped in black lightning vapor materialized and came crashing down on Koruma, slamming him into the ground.

A scream… then silence.

Sajibro exhaled coldly, as if tired of the noise of battle.

> "A battle without ambition… a shadow without honor…

Were you truly the Fifth Commander?

I think your memory is just ornamental pity."

He raised his final hand and declared:

> "Third Illusion – The Eternal Bow."

From his shadow, a graceful bow was born—its arrows made of dark light.

He released a single shot.

It exploded at Koruma's feet, hurling him against the wall of the hall.

**

Koruma collapsed—his shadow side cracking, his human side groaning.

Sajibro approached, standing over him like a monarch judging an insect that dared touch the throne.

> "I gave you the honor of standing before me…

And here you fall—like all the rest."

Then he placed his palm on Koruma's chest and whispered:

> "First Mirror of the Self – Break, Chain."

A transparent flame lit in his hand.

It entered Koruma's body and sank into his heart.

**

Suddenly… everything changed.

The shadows vanished from Koruma's face.

The mask of betrayal shattered.

And his true form emerged—a striking warrior with long black hair tied back, and steady silver eyes.

He wore a gleaming light armor, and from his shoulder hung a pure white sash.

Koruma fell to one knee, placed a hand over his chest, and spoke softly:

> "My lord Sajibro… I have returned.

And if my silence was betrayal, then let today's loyalty be the silence that guards you."

Sajibro looked down at him with a superior smile and said:

> "Fifth Commander… now, you deserve that title."

He turned away, leaving Koruma prostrate before the dark throne—like a man worshiping the sun in an age where none knew anything… but shadow.

End of Chapter Twenty