The Last Bargain

Chapter LII: The Beginning Of The End

Raito dipped his brush into the ink pot and paused for a moment before continuing to write in the journal before him. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of lantern light casting long shadows over the wooden walls of the Kasetsu Clan's library. As the leader of the clan, his duties often took him away from personal reflection, but today, he made time to record the events that had led to where they all stood now.

He began to write, the strokes of his brush steady and deliberate.

"In the years following the return of the erased estates and people, much has changed. The shadows Zento fought in the gods' domain—the twisted versions of the Dassou clan—left more than scars. Their memories and experiences were transferred to their main bodies upon the restoration of the people, a phenomenon we had not anticipated. This left the members of the Dassou clan with a vivid understanding of what Zento endured in his trial."

Raito paused, recalling how Zento had been tested to the limits, facing his fears and doubts in that brutal fight. He had witnessed the strength of his friend firsthand, but it was only after the restoration that the full weight of Zento's actions became clear to everyone.

"Most members of the Dassou clan," Raito continued, "agreed unanimously that Zento had earned the title of Clan Head. His strength and leadership, forged in the fires of battle, had proven him worthy. No one questioned his right to lead, and with his rise to Clan Head, an alliance was formed between the Dassou Clan and my own, the Kasetsu Clan."

He smiled faintly at the thought. Zento had grown into the role of a leader with the same determination and grace with which he had fought alongside them. And the alliance between their families had been a significant turning point for both clans.

"The bond between our families is stronger than ever. The formerly obscure Kasetsu clan, once overlooked by many, has grown in power and influence. Our ability to detect truth from lies has made us invaluable in the political landscape, and Zento's backing has only solidified that power. Together, our clans have reshaped the balance of power in the region."

Raito dipped the brush back into the ink and hesitated. The next words were harder to write. His hand shook slightly as he thought of the friend they had lost.

"Shin has not shown himself since the return of the erased people. For a long time, we assumed the worst—that he had died in the gods' domain, sacrificing himself to bring back those who had been erased. We held a funeral in his honor, a tribute to his bravery, to his sacrifice. But even now, there is an emptiness, a part of me that cannot believe he is truly gone."

Raito exhaled softly, setting the brush down for a moment. The memory of Shin lingered in his mind—his calm smile, his unwavering resolve, his willingness to do whatever was necessary for the sake of others. Shin had given them everything, and yet... something didn't sit right. Raito had always felt that there was more to the story, something unfinished.

He closed the book with a sigh, running his fingers over the worn cover. The room was quiet, the only sound the soft rustle of paper and the faint creak of the wooden beams above. But as he rose from his seat, a strange sensation washed over him.

It was subtle at first—a tingling in the back of his mind, a faint feeling that something was off. Raito's eyes narrowed, and he turned toward the entrance of the room. A hooded figure stood there, barely visible in the dim light, their clothing tattered and worn.

Raito's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively stepped forward. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.

The figure didn't respond, but as Raito moved closer, a strange sensation passed through him, like a faint pulse of energy. Something about the figure was... familiar, yet wrong. Raito took another step, his eyes narrowing.

"Answer me," he demanded, his hand twitching toward his side where a blade rested. But before he could react, the figure moved. In an instant, the hooded man blitzed forward with terrifying speed, his palm nearly grazing Raito's face.

Raito's reflexes kicked in, and he barely dodged, stumbling back, his eyes wide with shock. "Speed like that... it's like a Dassou clan member," he muttered to himself. His hand tightened on his blade as he straightened up, his heart racing. "What do you want?" he called out, his voice sharper now.

The figure didn't answer immediately. Instead, they moved again, their speed blurring their form as they appeared in front of Raito. Before Raito could react, the figure's palm gently touched his shoulder. The touch was brief, but in that moment, Raito felt something strange—something was... missing.

"The ability to see the truth and lie..." the figure said, their voice low and unfamiliar.

Raito's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What does a rogue Dassou clan member want with me?" he asked, his tone filled with accusation.

But the figure merely shook their head. "I am not a member of the Dassou clan."

Raito blinked, his instincts flaring. Something wasn't right. Normally, with his ability, he could immediately tell if someone was lying or telling the truth. But this time... nothing. His mind was silent, the sensation of truth and falsehood gone.

His breath caught in his throat. I can't... sense it. The realization hit him like a wave of ice. I can't tell if he's lying or not.

Not only that, but the familiar sensation of his ability—the constant presence of truth and lies in the back of his mind—was completely absent. It was as if his ability had been stripped from him.

Raito opened his mouth to demand answers, but before he could speak, the hooded figure blurred again, speeding past him with incredible velocity. Raito spun around, trying to track the figure's movement, but they were already disappearing into the distance, moving with speed that rivaled the Dassou clan's most skilled members.

But just before the figure vanished completely, Raito caught a glimpse of their face, and his blood ran cold.

It was undeniable.

"Shin..." Raito whispered, his voice barely audible. He stood frozen in place, his heart pounding in his chest as the realization sank in. Shin is alive.

And somehow, for some reason, he had taken Raito's ability.