Chapter Four: "Echoes of Oblivion"

"Echoes of Oblivion"

Takashi's Quarters— Midnight

The moonlight filtered through the dormitory window in fractured slivers, casting cold blue patterns on the floor. Takashi lay still, his breath shallow. He could still feel the heat of the demon's breath, the one he defeated earlier, the crushing weight of failure to protect his Co fourth year Sorcerors. Three survivors. The rest—gone.

His hands trembled.

Then, a sudden pressure. The air grew thick.

A red glow leaked from his fingertips.

His body jerked upright. Eyes wide. Unseeing.

And then—darkness.

The Dream Realm — Oblivion Nexus

He stood in an endless void. Stars blinked like dying embers overhead. Beneath his feet, nothing — yet he did not fall. A deep hum vibrated through the air, like an ancient drumbeat echoing across eternity.

Suddenly, five thrones emerged in a crescent, each carved from a different element — obsidian, crystal, bone, flame, and void. Only one was occupied.

A masked figure, cloaked in swirling red-black mist, sat unmoving.

"You touched it," the figure said, voice layered with countless echoes.

"The gate of Oblivion. You are its bearer now."

Takashi opened his mouth to speak, but his voice died in his throat. Unable to utter any words

"Power without purpose is ruin. And ruin follows you."

"I have power, Takashi debated, "But I also have purpose"

"Are you sure about that?", The voice said back

Before he could answer, A second voice joined — sweet, familiar, but wrong.

"Big brother… save me…"

Airi's voice. But twisted. Cursed. From everywhere and nowhere.

He spun around to locate the voice but Chains slithered out of the darkness from nowhere, wrapping around an outline of Airi — her eyes glowing violet, her face lined with demonic symbols. And behind her, the silhouette of a great horned beast, grinning.

"Airi no, come back", Takashi said trying to cover the distance between them, but, the more he ran, the more the distance expanded.

"Takashi-oníí-chan!", Airi shouted at the top of her voice.

Tenkai's Inner Sanctum — The Council Meeting

Far below the school, torches flickered against walls inscribed with forbidden sigils. Rengoku stood before five robed figures seated in judgment.

"He's awakening," Rengoku said, arms folded, gaze hard. "The King of demons' energy was felt, I guess it responded on instinct."

One elder scoffed. "Instinct? You've brought a ticking bomb into our halls.

He could go rogue and kill us all."

Another leaned forward. "Or, he could be a weapon to finally end the demon reign."

A third whispered: "The God-Slayer bloodline still lives…"

A fourth spoke: "He activated Oblivion at such a young age, don't you think it's too early?"

Rengoku clenched his jaw. "He's just a boy. A harmless boy who just wants to survive and protect"

The council chamber rumbled. A sixth voice echoed from the shadows.

"Protect you say, protect". The ekders laughed abruptly while Rengoku clenched his fists but managed to maintain his cool. "The boy is a monster, any slip ups from him and we will take him out. Although, It depends on who trains him."

The first voice spoke again: "keep an eye on him and teach him what he must learn, and if he becomes a threat...take him out".

"Yes masters", Rengoku nodded in agreement.

Back in the Dorm — Moments Later

Takashi bolted awake, gasping, sweat pouring down his face. His aura flared unconsciously — red-black energy cracked the walls, lifted his bed two inches off the ground.

The door opened. Rengoku entered.

"You need to learn how to suppress your energy, if not, enemies (demons) will sense you a mile away, and they will come for you"

Takashi stared at his mentor, pupils glowing faint red. "How.....how will I do it?, How does one supress his own energy"

Rengoku stepped closer, standing like a soldier.

"I will teach you how, training starts tomorrow."

To Be Continued…