The Beginning of the Second Persona

Now, we find Kuraihime once again in the darkness, submerged as if beneath water, accompanied by a Monster/Cursed Revenant that is licking its own arm. This is due to the blood that splattered on its arm, originating from Kuraihime herself. Kuraihime, now gasping for breath, while blood drips from the side of her head. She wears a serious expression, with one of her eyes remaining closed.

Chapter 9 - The Commencement of Awakening

"Hahaha," the Monster laughed with a mischievous tone, "Aren't you tired of what you're doing? You've died more than one hundred thousand times. I keep count of the deaths you endure because you're in my domain. Aren't you really exhausted? Why don't you just submit to me so this suffering can finally en—"

The Monster's words were abruptly cut off as Kuraihime interrupted.

"Can you just be quiet? I can endure this even if it takes a million deaths!" Kuraihime declared, her fist clenched tightly.

"But how will you do it? You've tried almost every way to defeat me, but none have worked. So, how will you do this, Uramitsu Kuraihime?" the Monster taunted Kuraihime, grinning and giggling. From its vantage point, the Monster could see Kuraihime still gasping for breath, blood dripping from her head.

Kuraihime then looked up, her gaze filled with anger as she continued to struggle for breath. Slowly, a breath of hers emerged like a snowy mist, and she placed her hand on the part of her head where the bleeding was occurring. She noticed a significant amount of blood on her palm. Covered in her own blood, she licked her finger and, after tasting it, she said to herself, "Huh. A thousand-fold deaths."

And she looked at the Monster again with a serious expression. "Let us have a deal. If I defeat you, I can use you as an instrument of my power, agreed?" Kuraihime offered to the Monster. Upon hearing the proposal, the Monster giggled and tilted its head, its large claws raised, aimed at Kuraihime. "Amusing," the Monster replied to Kuraihime.

After a brief moment of silence, Kuraihime swiftly moved to the side of the Monster and started running. As she ran, she noticed sparks in the sky moving faster than the blink of a light. Suddenly, a long streak of light, originating from one of those sparks, attempted to hit Kuraihime, but she managed to evade it. Following that, a series of long light rods continued to target Kuraihime, who kept dodging them, getting closer and closer to the Monster. However, the Monster also moved further away, then suddenly made a rapid motion, moving up towards Kuraihime.

Kuraihime noticed this, but she was taken by surprise when a Rune circle appeared beneath her, emitting a large violet gleam that vaporized her. She died once again.

Once more, she found herself back in the place where Reuin, a female, was gazing at her with a smile. Suddenly, Reuin gently placed both her hands on Kuraihime's cheeks and whispered in her ear, "You've endured over a thousand trials. How will you face this one, with blood and victory...?" she asked Kuraihime in a soft tone. After the whisper, Reuin covered Kuraihime's eyes with her hands. When Kuraihime opened her eyes again, she was back with the Monster/Cursed Revenant

"HAHAHAHA! You're truly fascinating!" The monster shouted at Kuraihime. Suddenly, it raised its massive hands, and with a regenerating aspect, it began to claw at both sides of its head. While speaking, it accelerated the scratching on its own head, causing a profusion of blood to flow from the monster. "Interesting, interesting, this is so much fun! Do you even realize the danger you're in? Yet, you persist. Truly intriguing, even the ancient deities tremble in my grasp out of fear. But you, Kuraihime Uramitsu, I now deem you worthy of my power! HAHAHAHAHA!" It declared loudly, with a manic tone.

Upon hearing the Monster's declaration, Kuraihime's eyes widened slightly, but her expression remained serious. The Monster extended its other hand towards Kuraihime while giggling. However, when the Monster's offer was right in front of her, Kuraihime looked at it with a skeptical expression. The Monster smiled at her, and Kuraihime tightened her fist, and after a moment of hesitation, she slowly accepted the offer, and doubt began to fade from her face. As she Touched the Monster's palm, Kuraihime suddenly felt a heavy sensation in her heart. The Monster smiled again and whispered to Kuraihime, "What does it feel like to covet power?" But before Kuraihime could respond, the Monster abruptly closed its palm with Kuraihime's arm inside, causing her to scream in pain. The Monster laughed loudly, then pulled her arm forcefully, tearing it away, accompanied by a rush of blood, while Kuraihime screamed even louder. Her screams echoed throughout their surroundings, her eyes filled with anger and pain. While Kuraihime continued to scream, the Monster laughed and exclaimed, "Interesting!" After a moment of suffering, Kuraihime lost too much blood and once again met her demise.

After a moment of darkness, Kuraihime slowly opened her eyes, finding herself back in Reuin's realm. She lay floating on the water, surrounded by pink flowers that gently swayed around her. She raised the arm that had been torn by the Monster, examining it closely. Then, she placed her hand on her face, her palm covering her mouth, revealing only her two eyes. Suddenly, a petal fell and passed over her face, covering one of her eyes. These petals came from the sakura trees that surrounded her. Kuraihime let out a sigh and closed her eyes for a moment.

In the ensuing silence, Reuin, perched in a tree, gazed directly at Kuraihime and asked, "Do you have a fondness for watery landscapes...?"

Upon hearing Reuin's voice, Kuraihime slowly opened her eyes and saw Reuin, a female, smiling at her. She didn't respond but closed her eyes again.

"Do you know... that Hoshimori has the most beautiful waters in all of Aetheria?" Reuin remarked with a slight chuckle after her words. Suddenly, a petal fell, and Reuin caught it with her fingers. She closed her eyes and gently smelled the petal. "Petal by petal, a tree loses its blossoms, much like how darkness is gradually pushed back by light. Just like a flower slowly shedding its petals... and above all, slowly finding the answers to a problem," Reuin continued. Upon hearing the response, Kuraihime slowly opened her eyes again.

And she saw Reuin suddenly appear in front of her, their face close to hers. "Do it now..." Reuin whispered with a smile.