The Darkness I Carry

It all began in a makeshift basement beneath one of the houses, where several people had gathered.
In the pitch-black room sat a sixteen-year-old boy. Surrounded by darkness, he stared into the void, lost in his own thoughts. After a while, he snapped back to reality, blinking rapidly. His gaze shifted to the gray hoodie tied around his waist.

He was a Boundary Breaker — one of the thousands raised in the orphanages.
The basement where he sat served as the “base” for his squad, a team known as Segunda. He had lived under the dome for a year now, and still, the same thoughts tormented him: why him? Why was he the one trapped in this hell?

“Why am I here?.. Back when I first entered the orphanage and was chosen as a Boundary Breaker, I thought it was amazing. ‘Look at me, I’ve got powers.’ That’s what I used to think. But now… now I’d trade places with any kid who never awakened their abilities. I don’t want to be here anymore. I’ve had enough… This feels like hell — no, it is hell. Every day, every hour, I could die. But I don’t want to die here. I’m only sixteen…”

Suddenly, a clear female voice called from another room:

“Yamimoro! Come out already!”

With a heavy sigh, the boy — whose name was now revealed — stood up and moved toward the door. He paused for a moment, staring at it as if seeing it for the first time, unsure if he truly wanted to leave that dark room. Finally, he reached for the handle.

As he opened the door, a bright ceiling light from the next room struck his weary, crimson eyes. Squinting against the glare, he stepped forward and shut the door behind him. His tired gaze, heavy with unspoken exhaustion, landed on the girl standing before him. He looked her over as though meeting her for the first time, then dropped his head in silence.

The girl exhaled in mild annoyance, blowing at the pinkish strands of hair that partly covered her dark eyes. Crossing her arms, she spoke in a tone both scolding and concerned:

“What were you doing in there? Sitting for so long, and in the dark, no less… Anyway, Yami, I wanted to tell you — Seraphim and Escalon will be back soon. They went out to gather supplies. You know we only get fresh deliveries once a month — food, water, clothes. It’s easier for them since our base is on the outskirts of the city, right near the edge of the dome. A smart move, really. Makes deliveries a lot more convenient. Funny how every squad’s base is arranged… almost like they form a ring beneath the dome.

Anyway, that’s just me thinking out loud. Don’t trouble yourself over it, Yami. Oh, and one more thing — the last time Seraphim and Escalon went for supplies, they found a couple of packets of instant coffee. You once said coffee was your favorite drink, so… I thought I’d surprise you.”

With a radiant smile, Raigo handed him a steaming mug.

Yamimoro stared at her silently. Something about the way she smiled stirred a faint memory deep inside him, though he couldn’t place what it was. Finally, he took the cup. For the first time in a long while, a small smile touched his lips as he softly spoke:

“…Thank you, Raigo. What would I do without you and the others? I’d be so unbearably alone without you all. Just the thought of it terrifies me… especially the thought of being without you.

”Raigo’s cheeks flushed as she glanced at the boy.Her hand instinctively brushed against her own face, as if trying to understand what she was feeling. She quickly averted her gaze, looking off to the side with a nervous smile as she said:

“Don’t embarrass me, Yamimoro! Go sit down and drink your coffee. I’ve already made dinner. We just have to wait for Seraphim and Escalon, and then we can eat together… like our little family.”

Yamimoro’s mood lifted ever so slightly, but her last words struck him motionless. Slowly, he walked toward the couch, lost in thought, and sat down. Before him stood a small table, where he set down his favorite drink. Her words echoed inside his head.

“Family… I have one too, don’t I? But I can’t remember my parents. They told me at the orphanage that I was found at someone’s doorstep — abandoned like useless trash. Maybe because I know nothing of my real family, it was easier for me to accept new people into my life…”

With those thoughts, Yami clenched his fist tightly, his eyes drifting to the girl standing with her back to him, busying herself by the kitchen table. He picked up the mug, took a sip of the warm drink, and finally spoke:

“You know, it’s been a year since we’ve been here, but I’m starting to realize something… I’m not ready to die for the people out there — the ones outside the dome who do nothing. I’m not ready to throw my life away to close the Gates of Hell.

I don’t want to die for this city. I regret awakening these abilities, regret becoming a Boundary Breaker… regret even being here. After all this time, not a single one of us has managed to get anywhere near the center of the city — and that’s where those damn Gates are. No one has the strength.

They’re just sending us in like cannon fodder! And for what?! The strongest Boundary Breakers are sitting in ARC’s offices, not even thinking about stepping onto the frontlines, claiming they have ‘more important work to do.’ But what could possibly be more important than the fate of humanity, for which we’re the ones laying down our lives?!”

His teeth clenched with anger, his voice filled with bitterness.

Hearing his outburst, Raigo spun around sharply. She rushed over to him, sitting down beside him on the couch, grabbing his face firmly in her hands as she began her own desperate monologue:

“But so many people are counting on us! And I’m certain the whole world sees us as heroes! If we don’t close the Gates of Hell, then humanity will fall… the entire world will end. That’s why we must do this — it’s our duty!

Do you remember, Yami, when we rode in the trucks toward the Dome? Do you remember the people shouting for us, following us, cheering us on as the vehicles carried us to our fate? They already saw us as heroes even then! They already believed in us. They already loved us…”

Her voice trembled with passion as she spoke. Raigo looked straight into his eyes, her face lit with a smile full of hope. But deep inside, she herself doubted her own words. Slowly, she let go of Yamimoro’s face.

The boy, however, continued to stare back into her eyes, trying to convey his despair through his gaze. Finally, he sighed, lowered his head, and muttered in reply—

—These people stopped caring about us a long time ago… I don’t know why, but we don’t have any connection with the outside world here, which I think is strange. We don’t even have phones… So we can’t see any news or find out what’s happening beyond the dome… They’re hiding from us what’s going on outside…

—Hearing his words, the girl simply leaned her head back against the couch and closed her eyes. The boy, however, looked at her in surprise; he couldn’t understand how she could remain so optimistic in this situation. Soon, the pink-haired girl just replied—

—Yami, I think you’re just overthinking it. Most likely, they didn’t give us all that stuff simply so we wouldn’t be distracted from our goal. Think about it—what would happen if someone who loves watching TV shows was given a television? He would just forget all about his main purpose.

—Suddenly, the couple heard footsteps coming from the basement entrance. Someone was descending the stairs, but then the steps stopped, and the door to the basement suddenly swung open. A tall man walked in; it was clear he worked out and kept his body prepared for the worst. He scratched his stubble, then carefully loosened his tie and adjusted his black hair. He was the captain of the Segunda team. Behind him came a shorter guy, his long black locks tied into a ponytail. He scanned everyone in the room. The tall man, named Seraphim, said—

—Raigo, Yamimoro, how are you? Escalon and I finally returned, and we’re exhausted. We could really use a meal right now, and I’m sure you could too.

—The man spoke very eloquently; by his appearance, one might think he was someone high-ranking, but in reality he was just another “soldier” like the rest. The pink-haired girl stood up from the couch with a smile and walked toward the kitchen table, quietly humming some tune. The basement mirrored the layout of the house above but was built underground, with a hidden entrance in case they needed to hide. Meanwhile, Escalon sat down at the table, and Seraphim took a seat on the couch next to Yamimoro, fixing him with a piercing look before saying—

—I know you’re not living through the best days of your life, Yami—none of us are. But it seems to be hitting you harder than it does us. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen you so down. Tell me, what troubles you this time? Did you recall something painful? Or are you feeling unwell?

—Yamimoro looked at Seraphim, then silently turned his gaze away. The Captain’s words clearly made him think, but he still tried to act like everything was fine. Meanwhile, Raigo brought four plates of rice with gravy from the table. She carried two in her hands and balanced the other two on her forearms. Seeing her, Yamimoro quickly got up from the couch to help, taking two plates from her hands. He set them down, placing one in front of Escalon, who said—

—Yamimoro, Raigo… Thank you so much. I’m so hungry it feels like I haven’t eaten in a week. I really appreciate it!

—Raigo smiled warmly at Yamimoro, but he simply turned his eyes away. Soon after, Seraphim joined them at the table, staring down into his plate. Raigo then said—

—Rice with gravy, I hope everyone enjoys it… Bon appétit!

—The utensils had already been set on the table, and the group followed Raigo’s example, wishing each other a good meal before starting to eat. Yamimoro walked over to the small table by the couch where he had been sitting earlier, grabbed his now-cold coffee, and finished it off. Right after, he joined the others at the table, taking his seat and starting to eat as well.

While they ate, no one spoke. Once Yamimoro had finished, he stared down at the spoon in his hand, deep in thought. Then, all of a sudden, he spoke—

—Listen… Seraphim, remember you asked me what’s been bothering me? I think I know what it is now… I know what’s troubling me, and I hope you can help me with it…

—As he said this, Yamimoro looked at Seraphim, who had just put the last spoonful of rice into his mouth. After swallowing, Seraphim replied with a surprised look—

—You decided to tell me first, without me having to drag it out of you with torture?… Then it really must be something serious.

—Seraphim tried to make light of it, hoping to lift Yamimoro’s mood, though that seemed unlikely at this point. He quickly added, not wanting to drag out the conversation—

—So what is it? I’d like to know. I’ll do my best to help. I don’t really want to see a depressed teenager in front of me every day.

—Yamimoro gave a faint smile, then looked back at the man with that same smile, saying—

—A dream… I keep having this dream, one that feels endless. I see it every night, and it never stops. In it, I’m trapped in a red room that stretches on forever, like it’s flooded with blood. And with each night I have this dream, I get closer to something… No, not something—someone.

It’s a girl. I can only see her silhouette, sometimes flashes of her, but I’ve never seen her face. Chains bind her arms, her body, even her legs, and they stretch from her flesh up to the ceiling. Heavy chains, looking unbreakable. But… I’ve noticed them slowly starting to crack, as if they’re going to shatter. And I have this terrible feeling—if they break, something horrific will happen. For some reason, I’m terrified of the moment she opens her eyes…

—Looking into Yamimoro’s eyes, where a faint fear could be read, Seraphim immediately responded—

—So that’s what’s been haunting you. I’ve told you before, you’re not great at putting thoughts into words… but that’s fine. Yamimoro, I need you to stand up.

—Following Seraphim’s order, Yamimoro rose from his seat. Seraphim stood as well, and the two walked into the center of the room, where there was no furniture. Escalon and Raigo watched them with surprise, wondering what was about to happen. The two stood facing each other. Yamimoro looked his Captain in the eyes and said—

—And what are you going to do, Seraphim? I don’t even know what can be done about this myself… How could you possibly help me with it? What—are you going to give me a fiery speech to motivate me to keep going?

—He looked at Seraphim with doubt, but the man only shook his head calmly and answered—

—Don’t worry. I just want to test something. I suspect this might work, and it should help you feel much better.

—Then Seraphim grew silent, staring long and hard at Yamimoro. This gaze unsettled Yami, but what scared him more was the thought of what his Captain might be planning.

“I’ll use one of my techniques. It can remove negative effects from anyone I touch… Hopefully this will help him, even if only a little. It’s worked before—helped Escalon and Raigo sleep…”

—Stepping closer, Seraphim placed a hand on Yamimoro’s chest and closed his eyes. It was as though his palm connected directly with the boy’s Spirit Energy. Feeling the strange reaction, Seraphim spoke in a cold, steady voice—

—This should help you, Yamimoro. The pain will pass, and you’ll feel lighter. Just don’t resist.

—But as soon as Seraphim touched him, Yamimoro cried out in pain, collapsing to his knees. A ringing pierced his ears. A few seconds later, the terrible sound faded, only to be replaced by the pounding of his own heart—so loud, so fast, it felt as though he were in mortal danger. His vision blurred. Through the haze, he vaguely saw Raigo and Escalon jumping to their feet, ready to run to him—only for Seraphim to hold them back.

Meanwhile, Yamimoro seemed to be pulled into his own subconscious. He looked around, baffled by where he was.

—Where am I?.. Am I dreaming?… That pain was so sharp it felt like my chest had been pierced… and then I blacked out. The last thing I saw was Escalon and Raigo standing up from the table to come to me… but Seraphim stopped them?.. Why…

—Soon, he noticed the cause of all his nightmares. There she was—the chained girl. Without hesitation, he moved closer, wanting at least to understand who she was. Standing before her, Yami examined her in awe and confusion—

—What are you? Are you a Demon?… Four arms… your claws, so long… your skin so pale. No doubt—you are a Demon. And my duty is to exterminate Demons. If killing you makes me feel less useless, then I’ll do it!

—To Yami’s surprise, the chains binding the girl’s arms cracked, shattering like broken glass. Her eyes snapped open—bright violet pupils glowing eerily. As she was freed, her second pair of arms sank back into her body. Rising to her feet, the girl glanced down at her hands and murmured—

—Finally… I’m free. Huh? And you’re here too? Yami-Yami… what was it again? Ah, Yamimoro! Strange, I’ve known you for a long time, yet somehow I never bothered to remember your name. What an idiot I am! Anyway… what are you doing here?! After my release your mind should have collapsed, yet you’re still standing here unharmed?!… Ugh… this makes everything so much harder. And if you only knew how much I hate working for anything! Now I’ll have to do everything myself… and that’s what I hate most!

—A violet blade suddenly appeared in the girl’s hand. She swung it at once, aiming for Yami’s head, but only managed to sever his arm at the elbow as he barely dodged. Acting on instinct, he leapt back from danger, staring at her in shock. For a few moments there was no pain, but then he heard something dripping onto the floor. Looking at what remained of his arm, the realization hit—blood pouring freely. The boy screamed in agony, tears streaming down his face, from both pain and the suffocating terror of death.

Trying desperately to stop the bleeding with his remaining hand, he gasped for air. Minutes later, trembling and broken, he choked out through sobs—

—Never… never have I seen a Demon like you! Who are you?! Why are you inside my head?! This is just a dream, right?! Yes! A nightmare! I just have to wake up, pinch myself, and I’ll be back in the basement with everyone else!

—But the bleeding wouldn’t stop. Yami grew weaker and weaker, until finally he looked up—and froze at the grotesque sight before him. The girl was chewing on the very arm she had just sliced off, her shark-like fangs tearing through flesh. She spat it out with disgust—

—Ugh! Disgusting… What am I? Hm, I am Iroshiki. And yes, I’m a Demon. Oh, if only this were a dream, I’d be your worst nightmare. But it’s not. Still, I already am your worst nightmare… am I not?

—With a deranged smile twisting her face, Iroshiki advanced on him. Her steps turned into a playful skip, as though hunting prey was a game. Yami stood frozen in horror, but instinct finally kicked in and he tried to crawl away. In a blur, Iroshiki closed the distance, slicing through his leg just below the knee. He collapsed onto his stomach, dragging himself forward while shrieking in torment—until even his screams withered, leaving him too weak to cry out.

Rolling onto his back, he could only watch as his “Death” drew near. Casually adjusting her tie and stifling a yawn with her violet eyes half-lidded, she crouched before him. Yami could do nothing but stare.

—Iroshiki rested her blade against his chest, tilting her head.

—You’re such a funny human… You’ve faced Demons before, haven’t you? Yet you tremble before me as if I’m some kind of monster. Wait—hold on… Am I really that hideous? That terrifying?

—With a sharp thrust, she pierced his chest. The tip of the blade stopped just before his heart. Smiling wickedly, her jagged teeth made the expression even more grotesque.

—Well then… it’s been fun chatting, but now… how about you sit here in my place, hmm? Not that your opinion matters to me.

—With those words, Iroshiki drove the blade straight into Yami’s heart. Chains burst forth, sinking deep into his flesh, binding him completely. He could no longer move, no longer even scream. Iroshiki leaned close, whispering—

—Relax. This is your subconscious. You won’t die from a pierced heart here. Stop whining and sit still. I’m going to borrow your body for a while. Hm, and I’ll leave you a little gift… You’ll get to watch everything I do through your own eyes. So sit tight… and enjoy the show!

—Meanwhile, in the real world, YamiMoro’s pupils suddenly turned violet. He lifted his head with a smirk on his face and said—

“Thanks, man!.. You really helped me get out! You shouldn’t have touched the boy’s soul.”

—With a smile on her face, YamiMoro—or rather Iroshiki inside his body—teleported outside. It was raining, but Iroshiki didn’t care at all. The cold wind brushed against her, making her hair flutter in the storm—

“Oh yes! What is this feeling, like I’ve been sitting for a thousand years without moving! This is what real freedom feels like! My whole body feels numb! Even if this body isn’t mine, I just want to stretch… and kill someone!”

—She began to stretch, laughing with the same manic grin. After a while, YamiMoro’s body, clothes, and hair were completely soaked, yet Iroshiki said—

“Looks like the boy’s consciousness hasn’t died after all. What a shame… If his mind perished, I could finally return to my original body. Could it really be that his spiritual energy is this strong?.. Strange. From what I’ve seen of his actions, he’s no hero, nor some great warrior…”

—Suddenly, Seraphim, Raigo, and Escalon ran outside. Raigo, seeing YamiMoro, tried to rush toward him, but Seraphim quickly grabbed her hand. With her other hand reaching toward YamiMoro, Raigo shouted—

“YamiMoro! What happened to you?! I don’t understand, what’s going on?! What’s with your eyes? Why are you acting so strange?!”

—Her voice carried panic and worry, but YamiMoro only covered his ears, then laughed with a twisted grin, staring at them with a crazed gaze—

“Shut up already! I’m not YamiMoro, I am Iroshiki! And besides, YamiMoro is the one suffering inside right now… I wonder how he feels? He must be crying in terror right now, I’m sure of it! And oh, how it fills me with joy and laughter! It’s been so long since I tasted the fresh blood of the living!”

—Seraphim clenched his fists tightly, whispering to himself in confusion, trying to make sense of what had happened—

“Could it be that when I used my technique… it acted as a trigger for this Demon, awakening her so easily, letting her seize YamiMoro’s body? But wait—why is there a Demon inside him at all? That’s the only question I care about right now. Could YamiMoro really be our enemy?.. No, impossible!..”

—Suddenly, YamiMoro’s body began trembling violently. Struggling with everything he had, he managed to speak, shocking even Iroshiki with his strength—

“Please… help me… I don’t want to die like this and hand my body over to a Demon! Help me… Raigo, Seraphim, Escalon… I don’t want to die this way!.. I’m so scared of dying like this!”

—He clutched his head, trying to say something more, but the control quickly shifted back to Iroshiki. With her usual cruel tone, she snapped—

“YamiMoro, shut the hell up already! Just die and stop interfering… Hah… There, silenced that fool. He’s such an annoyance, refusing to let go of a body that isn’t even his anymore. How pitiful… Pffhahaha…”

—Licking her lips with a bloodthirsty grin, she looked ready for a grand fight. Then she taunted—

“So? Who’s going to be the first to try and save this pathetic weakling?.. I’ll kill every single one of you in the most brutal ways! One by one, you’ll all suffer—I’ll rip out your guts, tear off your heads, your arms, your legs!”

—With those words, she spread her arms wide, laughing maniacally, glaring at her enemies—