Blue_Birdy

Nujah didn’t seal the darkness to save the world.
He did it for one reason — to protect his mother, his brothers… and his daughter.

Serekhka was losing control.
It was about to destroy Shiora.

So Nujah gave up everything — his body, his soul, his future — just to lock it away.

In return, he was granted sleep.
No pain. No memories. No dreams.

But peace never lasts.
The six forbidden fragments were stolen.
And the darkness is starting to move again.

Now, to protect what little he has left…
Nujah must rise once more.

Nujah – The Crownless Soul

Maria stood in the clearing, her long hair swaying gently in the warm breeze of Shiora. Her younger brother, Nujah, fidgeted nervously beside her.

Maria: "Are you ready? Excited? You look a little scared."

Nujah: "I am scared… But Mother said I'll become a Shinrei who will protect Shiora one day. So I need to be at my strongest."

Maria (smiling proudly): "If Mother chose you, that strength is already inside you. All you have to do is focus. And remember... no matter how many mistakes you make, the only thing you must do is start over. Again, and again, and again."

She knelt slightly to meet his eyes, brushing some hair from his forehead.

Maria: "So… is there a particular spell you want to learn?"

Nujah: "Illusion magic... It can save almost anyone, in any situation. Especially... I want to create a copy of myself. I've always wanted to build my own army."

Maria raised an eyebrow with playful curiosity, her voice warm.

Maria: "I can feel it — there's something else behind that wish. Would you like to tell me?"

Nujah: (hesitating, then smiling faintly) "I've always wanted to fight side by side with myself. To know I can rely on me."

Maria: "That's a wonderful dream. But creating a shadow army is harder than it sounds. If you lose control, your illusions could become soulless beasts. Never let go of your mind, Nujah. Not even for a moment."

Maria raised her palms to the sky. Blue lights flickered at her fingertips.

> "Watch closely," she said. "Magic begins with intent. And intent comes from the heart."

She knelt and drew a glowing circle on the ground. Ancient runes shimmered and rotated.

Maria: "Illusion magic is the mirror of the mind."

Maria: "Close your eyes. Think of who you want to create. Shape them with your breath. Step by step."

Nujah closed his eyes. Took a deep breath.

And before him… a translucent figure began to form — identical to himself, shimmering faintly in the light.

Maria smiled, her voice soft and proud.

> "You've already begun… little brother."

Nujah smiled. "I did it, Maria! Look! It's—"

But before he could finish, the shadow's face twisted.

Its eyes turned empty. It let out a high-pitched, inhuman screech and lunged.

"AHHH!" Nujah stumbled back, heart pounding, as the shadow version of himself raised a glowing fist — unnaturally strong and crackling with unstable energy.

Just as the punch was about to land, Maria moved.

In a flash, she grabbed the creature by the head and slammed it into the ground, dust exploding around them.

> "This is what happens when you break focus!" she snapped. "Eyes wide, Nujah. Watch closely."

Still holding it midair, Maria summoned a blade made from twisted tree branches and drove it through the shadow's head.

The illusion burst with a shriek, vanishing in a pulse of black smoke.

Maria: (dusting her hands) "Well… that escalated quickly."

Nujah: (still shaking) "Did it just try to punch me?! It was smiling a moment ago!"

Maria: (grinning) "That was you. I think your inner self might be a little jealous of me."

Nujah: "Great. Now even my own shadow wants me dead."

Maria: (chuckling) "Next time, don't focus on me or anything else. Just control your shadow — or it'll knock your teeth out."

Story Time! Shiora — The First Spell