Crossing Shadows

Toma and Hachi sat by the window of the old, rattling bus. The road was long, winding through Yochi City, glowing in golden twilight. Skyscrapers gave way to outer towns, then faded into thick woods. Finally, the bus screeched to a halt near a shadowy edge of the wilderness.

“This is it,” announced a sharp-voiced officer.

Everyone murmured in confusion.

“But we’re not even in Yenzai Forest,” someone whispered.

The officer smirked. “This is the place. The entrance.”

Hachi nudged Toma. “I didn’t expect it to start... in the dead of night.”

A sleek black car pulled up, headlights cutting through the dark. A man in spectacles stepped out, wearing a long black coat and the insignia of the LZT Association.

“I am Ruki Mazo,” he said, his voice calm but commanding. “Head examiner of the Maze Pass Exam. And your test... begins now.”

Toma raised an eyebrow. “At night? In the middle of nowhere? This isn’t even Yenzai Forest.”

Ruki gave a faint smile. “We brought you to the entrance. The forest is vast—those who wander in may never find their way out. Your task is simple: Cross Yenzai Forest. Whether you go alone or in groups is up to you.”

He paused. “But let me be clear. This test isn’t about speed. It’s about survival. Only those who reach the other side—alive—are eligible. And more than just a pass awaits at the end.”

A wave of silence passed through the group. Some faces showed fear. Others... thrill.

Four rough-looking participants swaggered toward Hachi and Toma.

“And who’re you two supposed to be?” one of them sneered.

Toma stood firm. “Is that your way of saying you're scared?

Laughter erupted around them.

The boy’s face twisted in anger. "You won’t be laughing when you’re lost in the woods. You’re not getting out."

As they walked off, one of them added, "We’ll meet again. If you’re still breathing."

Hachi turned to Toma. "I liked them better when they weren’t talking."

With a signal from Ruki, the candidates began moving toward the dark, towering trees. The forest swallowed them whole, one by one.

Watching from the shadows, an officer turned to Ruki. "Sir, anyone stand out to you yet?"

Ruki didn’t take his eyes off the forest. "We’ll see soon enough.”

Because this wasn’t just any forest. Its true name was Sowelyn—a controlled environment built by the LZT Association. Not only to test—but to awaken. The moment the examinees vanished into the trees, the forest began to watch.

Back on the Island.

Kai and Kato sat at the top of a huge red-leafed tree, looking down at their village. From up there, the lights below looked like fireflies. Everything felt quiet.

“Looks peaceful, huh?” Kato smiled, stretching.

Then—everything changed.

The air turned cold. Heavy. The wind stopped.

“You feel that?” Kato said, sitting up straight.

“…Yeah,” Kai replied quietly. “Something’s off.”

Suddenly, a dark blade shot toward Kai, fast and silent.

Kato moved without thinking. His sword flashed, just in time to block it.

“That’s not a normal blade,” he said, frowning. “It’s… alive.”

Two more shadowy figures stepped out of the darkness—clones, identical and dangerous.

Kai’s eyes widened. “His ability…”

Then came the real one.

A cloaked man walked forward, his face hidden. His voice was cold and flat.

“I’m not here to talk.”

He threw another blade. This one hit Kai in the shoulder, pinning him to the tree.

“KAI!” Kato shouted, rushing toward him.

But more clones appeared, blocking his way. Kato fought hard, sword slicing through them, but each move cost him energy. His cuts got deeper. His breath got shorter. Still—he made it to Kai.

“We have to get out of here,” Kato said, almost falling over.

Kai was bleeding badly. But he looked up, eyes full of pain. “It’s… not over…”

More clones appeared.

“They just don’t stop!” Kato yelled, swinging again, but he was getting slower.

Then—the sky went dark.

Thousands of shadow blades fell from above like rain.

Kato stepped in front of Kai, trying to block them. He got hit. Again. And again. Blood soaked his shirt, but he stayed on his feet. Barely.

Kai watched, helpless. His heart broke.

Why can’t I do anything?!

Then something inside him woke up.

His hand began to glow. Blood ran down his fingers, forming the shape of a cross.

“…Curici…” he whispered, not even knowing what the word meant—just feeling it.

The ground shook.

Dozens—hundreds—of glowing crosses shot up from the ground. They burned through the clones. The shadow blades disappeared. The power lit up the night.

Even the cloaked man took a step back, surprised.

Then the light faded.

Kai dropped, unconscious.

The Cross Bearer looked down at them, then smiled. Not out of cruelty—but as if something had been proven.

“They were right,” he said softly. “You are the ones.”

Kato dragged himself over to Kai, barely able to stand.

“You…” he growled. “You started all of this…”

The Cross Bearer walked forward again. But instead of attacking—he knelt. A soft light came from his hand, healing Kai’s wounds.

“I healed him,” he said calmly. “You passed.”

He pulled out a glowing red slip with a shining cross and gave it to Kato.

“This is your pass. Welcome to Team Crux.”

Kato collapsed beside Kai, staring at the stars.

“…Didn’t expect to get in like this,” he muttered. “But yeah… we earned it.”

Above the Skies…

In a blimp slicing through clouds, Ren stared out the window.

“Is that Yochi City?” he asked.

Lucas nodded. “Yeah. But we’re not stopping there.”

“Then where?”

“We’re headed to Red City. Our association base is in Crossdawn Town, near the main capital. You’ll see soon.”

Ren squinted. “I can’t even see it yet…”

Lucas laughed. “Just wait. The journey’s long, but it’s worth it.”

The blimp soared through the lonely sky, its lights blinking against the stars.