The Weight of the Past

Haruki hit the ground hard, his body rolling from the force of Kain’s throw. His back slammed against a broken pillar, knocking the wind from his lungs. Every inch of him screamed in pain, but he forced himself to push up on his elbows, gasping for air. Kain stood across from him, motionless, his crimson eyes unreadable.

Haruki wiped the blood from his lips and let out a strained chuckle. "That hit a nerve, didn’t it?"

Kain’s jaw tensed, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "You’re wasting your breath."

Haruki rolled his shoulders, wincing as he forced himself back onto his feet. His knife was gone, lost somewhere in the rubble, but he barely registered it. Right now, the fight wasn’t just about strength—it was about something deeper.

"You can pretend all you want," Haruki continued, stepping forward, "but I saw it. That hesitation. That look in your eyes. Who was she, Kain?"

Kain’s gaze sharpened, his expression unreadable. "Drop it."

Haruki smirked. "No."

A flicker of something dangerous flashed across Kain’s face before he moved.

Haruki barely had time to react before Kain was on him again, his fist slamming into Haruki’s stomach. The impact sent shockwaves through his ribs, nearly making him collapse then and there. But he refused to fall.

Kain grabbed him by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground. "You don’t know what you’re talking about."

Haruki gritted his teeth. "Then tell me."

Kain’s fingers tightened around his shirt, and for a moment, Haruki swore he could see the war raging behind Kain’s cold eyes. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, the moment was gone.

Kain released him with a shove, sending Haruki stumbling back. "It doesn’t matter."

Haruki steadied himself, breathing hard. "It does. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be this pissed off."

Kain exhaled sharply, closing his eyes for the briefest second before turning away slightly. His fingers twitched at his side, as if something deep within him was clawing to break free.

Haruki took a step forward, pressing his advantage. "Was she important to you?"

Kain remained silent.

Haruki swallowed, his voice softer now. "Did you lose her?"

Something shifted in Kain’s posture. His fingers flexed, his shoulders stiffening. It wasn’t anger. It was something else. Something heavier.

Haruki took another step. "You don’t have to—"

Kain turned on him so fast that Haruki barely registered the movement.

The next thing he knew, he was on the ground again, Kain’s foot pressing against his chest, pinning him down. The weight was unbearable, like a mountain crushing him.

Kain’s voice was quiet, but filled with something Haruki hadn’t heard before. "You don’t get to talk about things you don’t understand."

Haruki struggled against the pressure, gritting his teeth. "Then make me understand."

Kain’s foot remained firm against his chest for a moment longer before, finally, he stepped back. Haruki coughed, rolling onto his side as he sucked in air.

Kain turned away again, staring at the ruined landscape around them. His hands curled into fists. "She was the only person who ever mattered to me."

Haruki sat up slowly, watching him carefully. "And now she’s gone."

Kain’s jaw tightened.

Haruki wiped the sweat from his forehead, his body still screaming in pain. "Did Azrael take her?"

Kain laughed, but there was no humor in it. "No. She was gone long before Azrael."

Haruki narrowed his eyes. "Then who—"

"I did."

Haruki froze.

The words hung in the air, heavy and unshakable. Kain didn’t look at him. His gaze remained locked on something unseen, something buried deep in his past.

Haruki exhaled, his mind racing. "What happened?"

For a long time, Kain didn’t answer. Then, finally, he spoke. "I trusted someone I shouldn’t have."

Haruki remained silent, waiting.

Kain’s eyes darkened, and for the first time since the fight began, he looked… tired. "I was young. Too young to understand the world the way it really is. She was everything to me—kind, strong, always smiling, even when things were falling apart. We promised we’d protect each other, no matter what."

Haruki watched him carefully. "But something happened."

Kain’s lips pressed into a thin line. "She died because of me."

Haruki’s breath caught in his throat. "How?"

Kain closed his eyes. "I was weak."

The weight of the confession settled between them. Haruki didn’t know what to say. For all the power Kain wielded now, for all his dominance and control—there was something broken beneath it all. Something raw.

For the first time, Haruki wasn’t just facing a monster.

He was facing a man.

Kain let out a slow breath, his voice lower now. "I told myself I’d never let it happen again. That’s why I became who I am now." He turned back to Haruki, the flicker of vulnerability gone, replaced once more by cold resolve. "And that’s why you won’t win."

Haruki clenched his fists. "You think strength will stop you from losing people?"

Kain’s expression didn’t change. "I know it will."

Haruki pushed himself to his feet, shaking his head. "That’s not strength, Kain. That’s fear."

Something flashed in Kain’s eyes, but before he could speak, Haruki continued.

"You’re afraid. That’s why you kill, why you control, why you refuse to let anyone get close. It’s not power. It’s running away."

Kain’s fists tightened. "Enough."

Haruki took a step forward. "You can’t erase the past, Kain. No matter how much you try. No matter how many people you kill."

Kain’s patience finally snapped.

With a roar, he launched himself at Haruki, fists raised.

Haruki barely had time to brace himself.

The fight wasn’t over.

Not yet.