Chapter Nine: Sajibro – Memory of the Broken Blade
Location: "Utara" – one of the Seven Pillars of Shadow, which fell to Raizen years ago and became a dark forge for cursed weapons.
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Musayuki stood atop the ruins of the city's eastern gate.
The wind there didn't blow… it stirred the memories.
Behind him, Hana held an old map, while Igris remained silent—
as if he already knew the outcome without the need for words.
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Hana (whispering):
"This city… Sajibro was the last to defend it before its fall."
Musayuki (with a heavy voice):
"And the last to ask me… should he break, or break everything for my sake?"
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The city was unnaturally still.
Suddenly, a door of mist opened, and from it emerged a long shadow…
Walking upon ground that had turned into swords.
With every step, blades bloomed—then melted away.
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Sajibro – The Lord of Imagined Weapons
The third commander of the Shadows, and the one closest to Musayuki's heart…
But now, he stood as an enemy, bound by Raizen's black seal.
His armor was forged from living weapons—breathing, groaning steel.
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Sajibro (with a cracked, echoing voice):
"Who dares stand in my way?"
Musayuki:
"The one who promised to bring you back… even if you had become a blade aimed at him."
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Igris stepped forward, but Musayuki halted him with a calm gesture.
Musayuki:
"This battle… is between him and me."
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The battle begins...
Sajibro forged blades from smoke, from memory, from pain...
Each strike screamed, "Why were you late?"
Musayuki defended without striking back—closing in, without wounding.
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Hana (tearfully):
"He's not fighting you… He's screaming at you!"
Igris:
"Because he didn't just betray Raizen… he believed Musayuki betrayed him too."
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In a critical moment…
Sajibro forged a sword shaped like an old promise—the very first blade Musayuki had ever designed for him, back when they were brothers in the throne.
He raised it high and shouted:
Sajibro:
"Take it! If you still have the strength to bear my shadow!"
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But instead of blocking the strike,
Musayuki opened his arms and received it...
The blade pierced through him—yet no blood flowed.
The shadow itself… refused to harm him.
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Musayuki (whispering):
"I'm sorry… Sorry I failed you, and let you become a tool in the hands of traitors."
Sajibro (trembling):
"Why… were you late?"
Musayuki:
"Because I was lost in the shadows… and at last, I've found you."
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Musayuki reached for Sajibro's forehead,
And pulled from within him the "Thorn of Raizen" – a black seal pulsing with hatred.
He crushed it with his royal staff...
Sajibro collapsed to his knees.
Sajibro (in a broken voice):
"I… I'm sorry, my liege."
Musayuki (with a sorrowful smile):
"Don't call me your king… call me your brother."
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Hana rushed forward and embraced them both.
Hana:
"The third commander… has returned."
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But the sky above Utara split apart...
And from it descended a radiant blue shadow—
Raizen's voice echoed from the heavens:
Raizen:
"You've reclaimed Sajibro? Fine… take him.
But know this: the fourth commander will not return,
Because… he is the one who will come to break you."
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End of Chapter Nine