The Last Bargain

Chapter XI: Raito's Warning

Zento and Shin walked briskly through the quiet halls of the Kasetsu estate. The heavy wooden doors of Raito's private chambers loomed ahead, dark and imposing. Zento felt the weight of the silence pressing in on him, each step echoing through the dimly lit corridor. It had been only hours since their first encounter with Raito, but now they needed him more than ever.

They reached the doors and hesitated. Shin glanced over at Zento. "Do you think he'll agree to help us?" he asked in a low voice.

Zento shrugged. "I don't know. Raito is unpredictable. But we have to try. He knows more about the gods' plans than he's letting on."

Shin nodded, then knocked firmly on the door. A long moment passed before they heard a soft voice from within. "Enter."

They stepped inside. The room was sparsely furnished, with shelves lined with books and scrolls, their pages worn with age. A single lantern hung from the ceiling, casting long shadows across the floor. Raito sat cross-legged on a cushion at the center of the room, his face partially hidden in shadow.

He looked up, his eyes narrowing as he studied them. "Back so soon?" he said, his tone dry. "What is it you want this time?"

Zento met his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. "We want to know more," he replied. "We want to understand what the gods are planning and how we can stop them."

Raito's lips twitched into a faint smile. "You survived the shrine and its trials, and now you think you can defy the gods themselves?" He laughed softly, a sound without warmth. "You're either brave or foolish... or both."

"We have no choice," Shin said firmly. "If we don't do something, more clans will disappear. More lives will be lost. You know this."

Raito leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "You assume there's a way to stop this," he said. "What makes you think you stand a chance against beings who see you as little more than insects?"

Zento stepped forward, his voice resolute. "Because we're still here. The gods tested us, and we passed. That means something. It means they're not all-powerful. There's a reason they haven't wiped us out completely."

Raito's smile faded, his eyes growing serious. "And you think that reason is... what? Mercy? Curiosity? Or perhaps a game?"

"Maybe," Zento replied. "But if it's a game, it's one they're willing to play. And I intend to win."

Raito watched him for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Very well," he said. "I'll tell you what I know... but understand this: the gods' motives are far more complex than you imagine. To challenge them is to challenge the very order of existence itself."

Zento nodded. "We understand the risks."

Raito stood up and walked to a small wooden chest in the corner of the room. He opened it and pulled out a scroll, old and faded, its edges frayed. "This," he said, holding it up, "is a record of the gods' dealings with humanity, passed down through my clan for generations. It tells of a time when the gods gave abilities to humans—not as a gift, but as a test."

He unrolled the scroll on the floor, revealing ancient writing in a script that seemed to twist and shimmer in the lantern light. "They wanted to see if humanity could wield power responsibly, if we could rise above our base instincts. But instead, we've used these abilities to wage war, to dominate, to control."

Shin leaned closer, his eyes scanning the scroll. "And so, they decided to take them back?"

Raito nodded. "The gods believe they've made a mistake. They think we're a danger to the balance they created. They've begun erasing those they see as threats—clans with abilities they consider too powerful, too unpredictable."

Zento frowned. "But why now? Why not before?"

Raito's expression darkened. "Because they believe a tipping point has been reached. The balance between the human and the divine is too far gone. They think it's time to reset things, to start over."

Zento felt a cold knot forming in his stomach. "So, what can we do?" he asked quietly. "How do we fight back?"

Raito hesitated, his eyes flicking between Zento and Shin. "There may be a way," he said slowly, "but it's dangerous—more dangerous than anything you've faced so far."

Shin leaned forward. "We're listening."

Raito took a deep breath. "There is a place—a temple hidden deep within the mountains. It's said to be where the gods first granted abilities to humans. If you could reach it, you might find something there... something that could help you bargain with the gods or at least understand their true motives."

Zento nodded. "How do we find it?"

Raito's eyes gleamed. "That's the difficult part. The temple is hidden by powerful magic, protected by guardians who do not wish to be found. You would need a guide, someone who knows the old paths and the ways of the gods."

Zento felt a surge of hope. "And you know of such a guide?"

Raito nodded. "Yes," he said quietly. "Me."

Shin's eyes widened. "You? You'd come with us?"

Raito smirked. "Don't mistake my intentions, Shin. I'm not doing this out of a sense of loyalty or some noble cause. I want to see the truth for myself. If the gods truly believe humanity is a mistake, I want to know why. And if I can find a reason to change their minds... perhaps I will."

Zento felt a strange sense of relief. "Then it's settled," he said. "We go to the temple together."

Raito's expression grew serious. "Understand this, Zento. This path will be perilous. The gods will not be kind to those who seek to defy them. Are you prepared for that?"

Zento nodded without hesitation. "I am. I owe it to my clan, to everyone who's been erased."

Raito studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Very well," he said. "We leave at dawn. Make your preparations. The journey will not be easy."

Zento and Shin nodded and turned to leave, but just before they reached the door, Raito called out. "One more thing," he said.

They turned back to face him. Raito's eyes were sharp, and his expression unreadable. "If at any point I sense you're lying to me," he said softly, "our alliance ends there. I will not tolerate deceit."

Zento met his gaze, his expression firm. "Understood," he replied.

Raito nodded. "Good. Then prepare yourselves. The gods will not make this easy for us. And if we fail... there will be no second chances."

Zento and Shin left the room, the weight of Raito's words settling heavily on their shoulders. The path ahead was more uncertain than ever, but they knew they had no choice. The gods had declared war on humanity, and they were determined to fight back—no matter the cost.

As they walked away, Zento glanced at Shin. "Do you trust him?" he asked quietly.

Shin thought for a moment, then nodded. "As much as we can trust anyone right now," he replied. "But he's our best chance at understanding what we're up against."

Zento nodded. "Let's hope it's enough."

The dawn was still hours away, but they could already feel the weight of the journey ahead. The gods had given them a chance to prove their worth, but they knew it would not be an easy road. They would have to rely on each other—and on Raito, the man who could see through every lie, but whose own truths remained hidden in shadow.

And so, they prepared for the journey to the hidden temple, where the secrets of the gods awaited them, and where they would find either their salvation or their end.