Chapter 12: The Burden of Itsuro

The forest lay silent after Kaizen's departure, but Itsuro remained in the shadows, watching the cursed monk disappear into the distance. His crooked smile faded as he turned his gaze to the faint glow of his own shard, embedded in the staff he carried.

The shard pulsed faintly, as if mocking him. Itsuro tightened his grip, his eyes darkening. "Do you think I've forgotten?" he murmured. "Do you think I'll let it happen again?"

A Haunting Memory

Decades earlier, Itsuro had been a monk like Kaizen—young, idealistic, and full of conviction. His village was a place of peace, a sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world. But that peace was shattered when he first encountered the shards.

A traveling scholar had come to the temple, speaking of the Shards of Eternity and their supposed ability to grant any wish. The elders dismissed him as a madman, but Itsuro's curiosity was piqued. If the shards were real, they could bring an end to suffering, to war, to all the pain he saw in the world.

Driven by a desire to protect his people, Itsuro began his search for the shards. It was years before he found the first one, hidden in the ruins of an ancient battlefield. The shard's power was intoxicating, its whispers promising him the strength to fulfill his dreams.

But the shard demanded more than he could give. It began to corrupt him, eroding his compassion and feeding on his fears.

The Fall of His Village

One fateful night, Itsuro returned to his village, shard in hand. He was greeted with suspicion—his once-kind eyes now burned with a cold intensity, and his aura was no longer that of a monk but something far darker.

When the elders confronted him, begging him to relinquish the shard, Itsuro refused. In his arrogance, he believed he could control its power. But the shard had other plans.

The village was consumed in a single night. The shard unleashed a torrent of destruction, its energy turning friends and family into ash. Itsuro tried to stop it, but the shard had bound itself to him, feeding on his anguish.

When the chaos ended, Itsuro was the sole survivor. His village was gone, and the shard remained embedded in his staff—a constant reminder of his failure.

The Mission of Redemption

For decades, Itsuro wandered the land, seeking the remaining shards. He told himself it was to protect the world from their destructive power, but deep down, he knew the truth: he sought redemption for the lives he had taken.

When he encountered Kaizen, he saw a reflection of his younger self—driven by noble intentions but blinded by ambition. Itsuro knew that if Kaizen continued on his path, the monk would suffer the same fate—or worse.

"I won't let it happen again," Itsuro whispered to the shard, his voice trembling. "Even if it means killing him."

A Dark Ally

As Itsuro left the forest, he felt a familiar presence—a chill that sent shivers down his spine. From the shadows emerged a figure cloaked in black, their face obscured by a mask resembling a dragon.

"You're following the cursed monk," the figure said, their voice deep and resonant.

Itsuro's eyes narrowed. "And what business is it of yours?"

The figure chuckled. "The shards are dangerous in the hands of a fool. But in the right hands, they could reshape the world."

"Don't preach to me about the shards," Itsuro snapped. "I've seen what they do to people."

"Then you understand the stakes," the figure replied. "If you truly wish to stop him, you'll need help. Let me lend you my strength."

Itsuro hesitated. The figure radiated malice, their aura darker than anything he had encountered. But he also knew that Kaizen was growing stronger with each shard.

After a long silence, Itsuro nodded. "Fine. But if you betray me, I'll destroy you."

The figure laughed. "You'll find I'm quite loyal to those who share my goals."

Foreshadowing the Journey

As Itsuro and his new ally began their pursuit, the air grew colder, and the forest gave way to barren, snow-covered plains.

"He's heading to the Frozen Wastes," Itsuro said grimly. "That's where the next shard lies."

The figure nodded. "Then we must move quickly. If he reaches it before we do, the consequences will be catastrophic."

Itsuro glanced at his staff, the shard glowing faintly. His resolve hardened. He would stop Kaizen, no matter the cost—even if it meant sacrificing what little humanity he had left.