Chapter 15:The Forty-Seven Rifts

Volume 2: The War of the Broken GatesEpisode 2: The Forty-Seven RiftsCRACK.Kazuki opened his eyes.The sky was still visible through the window.A small violet rift floated above the horizon.—Don't tell me that's another one...Seraphina nodded.—Yes.Kazuki sat up in bed.—And what about the other forty-six?—In different parts of Astravia.—Did they all appear after the battle?—No.Seraphina slowly shook her head.—They were already appearing before that.Kazuki fell silent.—So the monster wasn't the problem.—It was a consequence.—That's worse.—Much worse.Kazuki stood up.His legs trembled.—Ugh.Seraphina caught him by the arm.—You're still weak.—I'm fine.—You almost passed out.—But I didn't.—You fell over ten seconds ago.—That was... a tactical decision.Seraphina let out a small laugh.—Of course.Kazuki walked over to the window.The city was still standing.But the streets were filled with soldiers.Buildings had been damaged.Smoke was rising from several places.—How many people were injured?—Thousands.Kazuki lowered his gaze.—And the dead?Seraphina remained silent.That was answer enough.Kazuki clenched his fist.—All of this started when I arrived.—No.—But——Kazuki.Seraphina looked at him seriously.—The rifts began appearing before you arrived.—Then why did the monster appear when I arrived?—Because it reacted to you.Kazuki looked at his hand.—Astra said they know I've awakened.—Who?—I don't know.Seraphina turned pale.—We need to talk to Kael.—Now?—Now.—I just woke up.—Perfect.—Perfect?—It means you're not dead.—You're terrible at cheering people up.The palace's main hall was packed.Mages.Knights.Advisors.Representatives from different territories.In the center stood an enormous map of Astravia.Kazuki entered alongside Seraphina.Every eye turned toward him.—There he is.—The summoned one.—The bearer.—The Heir.Kazuki sighed.—Why does everyone have a different name for me?Kael appeared behind him.—Because nobody knows what you are.—Excellent.Kael smiled.—Welcome to politics.Kazuki approached the map.Forty-seven glowing marks were scattered across it.—Are these the rifts?—Yes, —the Empress replied.Kazuki pointed to one.—Where is this one?—In the north.He pointed to another.—And this one?—In the west.—And this one?—In the Kingdom of Lumeria.Kazuki frowned.—There are several kingdoms?Kael nodded.—Astravia is much larger than you realize.The Empress pointed at the map.—And the rifts are appearing in all of them.An advisor slammed his hand against the table.—Then we must close the borders!Another replied:—That won't work!—We must send troops!—And leave our cities defenseless?!The voices grew louder.Kazuki watched in silence.So this is the boring part of a war...—Silence!The Empress's voice silenced everyone.She looked at Kazuki.—We have another problem.—What is it?—The rifts aren't all the same.Kazuki stepped closer.—What do you mean?The Empress pointed to three locations.—These are small.Then she pointed to several others.—These are medium-sized.Finally, she pointed to a red mark.—And this one...Kazuki looked at it.—Big?Kael shook his head.—No.His expression grew serious.—That isn't a rift.Kazuki frowned.—Then what is it?Kael answered:—A door.Silence.Kazuki felt a chill.—The same door I see in my dreams.Seraphina stepped forward.—Where is it?Kael pointed to the northern edge of the map.—In the Ruins of Valthera.The Empress added:—And it's growing.Kazuki swallowed nervously.—What's behind it?Nobody answered.Finally, an old man spoke.—We don't know.Kazuki looked at him.—Has nobody ever opened it?The old man shook his head.—No one who has tried to approach it has ever returned.Kazuki let out a nervous laugh.—Of course.Kael watched him.—That's why nobody will ask you to go there.Kazuki raised an eyebrow.—Nobody?—Nobody.—Are you sure?—Yes.Kazuki looked at the map.The red door seemed to be calling to him.Thump.His heart beat.Kazuki clenched his teeth.—I'm going.Kael closed his eyes.—I knew you'd say that.Seraphina smiled.—So did I.Elena appeared at the entrance.—Then I'm going with you.Kazuki turned around.—What?—You're not going alone.Leon appeared behind her.—Me too.Kazuki stared at them.—Do you all want to die?Leon smiled.—No.He slightly drew his sword.—I want to see what's behind it.Kael sighed.—Then there will be four of you.Kazuki raised a hand.—Wait.He pointed at Seraphina.—She's coming.Then he pointed at Elena.—She's coming.Next, he pointed at Leon.—He's coming.Finally, he pointed at Kael.—And you're coming too.Kael stood still.—Me?—You're the adult.Leon burst out laughing.Kael pressed a hand against his forehead.—This is going to be a terrible mission.Hours later.Preparations began.Kazuki was walking down a corridor when he heard a voice.—Kazuki.He turned around.It was Elena.—Yeah?She was holding something in her hands.—Here.She handed him a small bracelet.A blue crystal was set in its center.—What is it?—A protective amulet.—Does it work?—Yes.Kazuki put it on.—Thanks.Elena smiled.—I don't want to catch you when you pass out again.—That only happened once.—Twice now.—Details.Elena laughed.For a few seconds...Neither of them said anything.Kazuki looked away.—Hey...—Yeah?—When all this is over...Elena looked at him.—Yeah?Kazuki smiled.—I want to eat something normal.She blinked.—Normal?—Yeah. No potions. No monsters. No magic.Elena smiled.—Then I'll take you to a restaurant.Kazuki looked at her.—Promise?—Promise.From around the corner...Seraphina was watching them.—How interesting.Kazuki jumped.—HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN STANDING THERE?!—Since the beginning.—THAT'S TERRIFYING!Seraphina smiled.—Would you like me to take you out to eat too?—No.—How cruel.Elena laughed.Kazuki sighed.—This group is going to be the death of me.At dawn.Five carriages departed from Elaris.Kazuki was in the first one.Sitting beside him were Elena, Seraphina, Leon, and Kael.Nero was traveling behind them.Kazuki looked out the window.The city slowly disappeared into the distance.—How long will it take?Kael answered:—Three days.—Three days?—Yes.Kazuki slumped into his seat.—Then we'll have time to rest.Leon smiled.—And train.Kazuki looked at him.—No.—Why?—Because I'm tired.—Just one fight.—No.—A small one.—No.—Five minutes.—Leon.—Yeah?—Go to sleep.Elena began laughing.Seraphina joined her.Kael shook his head.—We definitely picked the wrong group.That night, they made camp in a forest.Kazuki sat beside the fire.Nero was sleeping next to him.Elena was preparing food.Leon was sharpening his sword.Seraphina was watching the stars.For the first time in a long while...Everything seemed peaceful.Kazuki looked up at the sky.—Seraphina.—Yes?—How much do you really know about Astra?She took a moment to answer.—Enough to be afraid of him.Kazuki looked at her.—You're afraid of him?—Yes.—But you said his power was inside me.—No.Seraphina shook her head.—Astra isn't inside you.Kazuki frowned.—Then where is he?Seraphina pointed at his chest.—He's behind it.Kazuki froze.—Behind what?Seraphina looked at the fire.—Behind the door.Thump.Kazuki felt the heartbeat.But this time...He wasn't alone.Another heartbeat answered.Thump.Kazuki raised his head.Elena turned around.—Did you hear that?Leon stood up.—What was that?Kael drew his sword.Nero began to growl.Between the trees...Something was walking.Step.Step.Step.Kazuki slowly stood up.—Please don't tell me it's another monster.A figure emerged from the darkness.It was a young man.Black hair.Violet eyes.He carried a broken sword.Kazuki felt as if his heart had stopped.The stranger looked at him.—So you're Kazuki Aoi.Kazuki raised his hand.Violet energy appeared.—Who are you?The young man smiled.—Someone who died a thousand years ago.Astra fell silent.For the first time since Kazuki had known him...He seemed afraid.—Don't listen to him.Kazuki swallowed nervously.The stranger raised his broken sword.—I've come to kill you.To Be Continued...