Chapter 39: Mysteries of the Shinigami Realm Revealed

Meanwhile, Kuzuno remained within the mindspace, standing before the two shikigami.
The green-eyed shikigami continued speaking, her tone calm yet heavy with importance.
"After the Great War, the gods grew fearful-fearful of death gods and godslayers alike. To protect themselves, the Shinigami Realm was sealed by the Elder Goddess of Death, Izanami, along with her husband, Emma-O."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Emma-O rules over the passage of death. He oversees all souls that cross into the afterlife, guiding them to their final destinations-whether heaven or hell. He also recruits new Shinigami from among those souls."
Kuzuno listened carefully, her expression tightening as the weight of the information grew.
"It was those two," the shikigami continued, "who placed the seal upon Kuroyasha when he was still a baby."
Kuzuno's eyes widened.
"...What?"
The red-eyed shikigami crossed his arms.
"Kuroyasha possesses an unusually high tolerance for death magic-something unheard of for a human. At first, Izanami suspected he was a half-Shinigami... a forbidden existence born between a death god and a mortal."
The green shikigami nodded.
"Such beings are strictly forbidden. Izanami initially ordered the child to be eliminated."
Kuzuno's heart dropped.
"But after further examination," she continued, "they discovered something unexpected. His soul... is exceptionally compatible with becoming a Shinigami upon death."
The red shikigami added:
"After the Great War, the Shinigami suffered heavy losses. Their numbers dwindled significantly. Losing someone like Kuroyasha-someone with the potential to become a powerful future Shinigami-would have been... wasteful."
Kuzuno clenched her fists slightly.
"So instead of killing him... they placed a seal on him?"
The green shikigami nodded.
"Yes. A seal that does not harm him, nor limit his current abilities."
She paused, her tone turning serious.
"But under no circumstances must that seal ever be forced open."
Kuzuno felt a chill run through her body.
"...Why?"
The red shikigami answered, his voice grim.
"If the seal is forcibly broken... it will trigger a catastrophic release of death energy."
He looked her directly in the eyes.
"A black hole would form-one capable of consuming everything within a galaxy-wide radius."
Silence fell.
"...It would erase anything deemed a threat to the Shinigami Realm."
Kuzuno's breath trembled.
"...Does anyone else know about this?"
The red shikigami's expression darkened.
"The Dark Nine-Tails suspected something. She believed your master, Beniyasha, knew more than he let on... which is why she attacked his stronghold and ultimately killed him."
Kuzuno's eyes shook with fear.
"Kuroyasha will be her next target," he continued. "And if she discovers the truth about the seal... the destruction that follows will be beyond anything the realms have ever seen."
The green shikigami added quietly:
"And to make matters worse... your sister, Kayo, is now training under her."
Kuzuno froze.
"They must be stopped," the red shikigami said firmly. "And only together-you and Kuroyasha-stand a chance of victory."
Kuzuno began to tremble uncontrollably.
The thought of facing Kayo again sent fear surging through her entire body.
The red shikigami narrowed his eyes.
"You are afraid of her?"
Kuzuno said nothing.
"Your fear will get both you and Kuroyasha killed," he continued bluntly. "And I do not understand you, Princess Kuzuno. I can sense immense power within you... so why do you tremble?"
That was the breaking point.
Tears streamed down Kuzuno's face as she wrapped her arms around herself.
"...Because I've never been able to beat her," she said, her voice shaking.
"Every time we sparred... she overwhelmed me. I pretended everything was fine so Mother wouldn't worry... but when no one was watching..."
Her voice cracked.
"She would beat me. Over and over again. Until I could barely stand."
The space felt heavier with each word.
"She always told Mother it was just extra training... and I backed her up so she wouldn't get in trouble..."
"But then, when no one was around."
"She stabbed me in cold blood"
Silence.
The red shikigami spoke again-his tone harsh, but no longer cruel.
"...So that is the truth."
Kuzuno wiped her tears, still shaking.
"...You see? I'm weak."
"No."
The word cut sharply through the air.
"You are not weak," the red shikigami said. "But you have been made to believe you are."
Kuzuno looked up, stunned.
"Kayo knew exactly what she was doing. She recognized your potential... and chose to suppress it."
The green shikigami nodded gently.
"She planted fear and doubt within your spirit. And as you know-magic flows through the spirit. If your spirit is restrained... so is your power."
The red shikigami stepped closer.
"But now... your spirit is beginning to awaken."
He gestured toward her.
"Your bond with Kuroyasha-the fox link-has accelerated your growth. It is the reason your tails appeared."
Kuzuno's breathing slowly steadied.
"...But there is more," he continued.
"There was something that awakened within you the moment you met him. That was the true catalyst."
Kuzuno blinked.
"...Something... I awakened?"
The green shikigami smiled softly.
"When you discover what that is... you will no longer fear your sister."
The red shikigami crossed his arms again.
"But as it stands... you are still afraid. And that is something you must overcome on your own."
Suddenly-
Both shikigami began to fade.
Their forms flickered, becoming less stable with each passing second.
"It seems our time is up, Princess Kuzuno," the green shikigami said gently.
"Remember our words," the red one added. "And protect Kuroyasha."
Their voices softened as they disappeared.
"Take care of him... for us."
Then-
They were gone.
Kuzuno's eyes snapped open.
She was back in her room.
She sat there for a moment, breathing heavily, trying to process everything.
"...Kuroyasha..."
She quickly got up, got dressed, and left her room.
At the same time-
Kuroyasha was searching for her as well.
As if guided by fate, the two met in the hallway.
They slowed their steps as they approached one another.
Then stopped.
Face to face.
Silence hung between them.
Both could sense it-
The weight of what the other had learned.
Something had changed.
Something important.
And neither of them could ignore it any longer.