The Hero's Limit

The roar of the giants and the clamor of the devotees was a chorus impossible to ignore. Every corner of the castle trembled under the pressure of the siege. The walls were open, towers collapsed, and the inner courtyard had become a field of death.
I ran among bodies and flames, the Lance of the Veil glowing in my hand. Every thrust felled a devotee, every flash pushed the shadow back, but it was never enough. Never enough.
"Do you feel it? The weight of them all on your shoulders. You cannot save them with human strength. Let me… and you will never fail again."
The voice rang louder than ever. It was both a whisper and a scream, poisoning my thoughts.
—No —I gasped, piercing another enemy—. I will not give in.
But my hands trembled. My knees gave way. The lance felt as if it were made of lead.

Rei appeared beside me, her sword bloodied, eyes burning with determination. —Kaoru, focus! If you fall now, we all fall with you!
—I’m fine —I lied, barely able to stay upright.
Rei stared at me sharply but said nothing else. She launched herself back into combat, leaving a trail of steel in her wake.
Lysbeth joined us, her shield raised, blocking a strike that would have cleaved my skull in two. —You cannot afford to be distracted! The enemy senses it, and so does Kiseki!
Aria descended from the wall, her light enveloping the battlefield. She ran to me, her face full of concern. —Kaoru, stop! You’re pushing your body beyond what it can endure.
—I can’t stop now. —My voice was barely a whisper. —If I do… everyone dies.
Her hands gripped my face, forcing me to meet her gaze. Her eyes shone with tears. —Then let me carry you with me. You are not alone.
Her touch gave me a moment of relief. But the shadow thrashed with fury, as if that gesture were a direct insult.
"Don’t listen to her. She doesn’t understand. Only I can give you the power you need. Only I can save them both."

A tremor shook the ground. Another giant had breached the wall, toppling an entire tower in its path. Soldiers screamed, trying to stop the impossible.
Nara appeared atop the rubble, flames encircling her arms. —I don’t care how big they are! I’ll burn them to the core!
She summoned a storm of fire, engulfing the giant in red and gold. The creature roared, staggering, but did not fall. The fire slowly died out, absorbed by the darkness coating its body.
—Damn it! —Nara shouted, collapsing to her knees, exhausted.
Rei ran to her, shielding her from devotees attempting to exploit her weakness. —Get up! There’s no time to give in!
Chaos reigned.

Then, Kiseki stepped forward from the hill. She did not need to raise her voice; her presence alone made everyone hear her.
—What a beautiful spectacle. —Her smile was cruel. —The castle burns, its heroes bleed, and they still believe they can resist me.
Her shadow spread, covering the sky like a second night. The air grew heavy, and soldiers began to fall to their knees, unable to withstand the pressure.
I felt it too. The echo inside me throbbed in my chest with cruel delight.
"Yes… let her in. Let me out. Only then will you respond to her power."
I gripped the lance with all my strength, trembling. —No… I will not yield.
But my legs failed me, and I fell to my knees in blood and mud.

Aria ran to me, holding me. —Hold on! Don’t listen to her!
Her light tried to shield me, but even that was insufficient against the shadow. Kiseki stopped, watching, and spoke with chilling calm.
—Do you see, sister? He is not the savior you believe. He is a vessel, a broken vessel that will shatter with the slightest push.
Aria screamed, her voice breaking. —Shut up! You don’t know what we’re capable of!
Kiseki laughed softly. —Oh, I know very well. Because I am part of you. And sooner or later, you will accept it too.
Her gaze fell upon me, and I felt the echo inside respond with cruel jubilation.
"Yes… soon we will be one. You, me, Kiseki. True power."

A roar cut through the air. Lysbeth had gathered a group of knights, forming a human wall against the devotees. —We will not fall! —she shouted, and her voice returned a flicker of hope to the soldiers.
Nara rose again, flames surrounding her hands, though her body shook. Rei held the line fiercely, cutting down any shadow approaching.
Aria held me tight, her eyes shining like stars. —Kaoru, look at me. You are not a vessel. You are not a monster. You are my hero.
Her words pierced the darkness, giving me a reprieve. I drew a deep breath, and with a roar, lifted the lance again.
The weapon’s light blazed, slicing through part of the shadow Kiseki spread. The echo screamed inside me, furious as if wounded.
—We have not fallen yet! —I shouted, standing once more.
The castle burned, walls shattered, blood flowing like rivers. But we were still breathing. And as long as we did, Kiseki would not win.
The limit was near. We all knew it.
Yet still, we chose to keep fighting.