Kai backed away slowly, keeping his eyes on the shadow. He knew he had to find a way out of this memory before it was too late. But as he turned to leave, he saw that the portal was growing larger, and its energy was becoming more intense.
He knew he had to act fast. With a deep breath, Kai steadied himself and prepared to fight. But then his eyes widened. He couldn't use his Spirit Power!
The shadow picked himself up, preparing another attack.
"Begone! You're not supposed to be here!" The shadow bellowed once again as it retreated to the portal, much to Kai's confusion.
"Huh?" He let out a confused voice. What had just happened?
The shadow was the only hint in this place that might be connected to his trauma. He couldn't lose him.
Without any choice, Kai gritted his teeth and darted forward. His heart raced as he ran and plunged through the portal.
Everything went dark, and Kai felt like he was falling. He had no idea where he was or what was happening to him. But he knew one thing for sure: he was in danger and needed to get out of this memory before it consumed him completely.
But then, it changed. Some images flashed through his mind. He remembered being inside this space.
In the dark space, he saw his young self, barely able to control his emotions, overtaken by the Boogeymen's fake body.
Kai watched in horror as he rampaged through the streets, causing destruction and chaos. But then, he saw Marcus, his grandfather, and two powerful familiars, Gozu and Mezu, appear to stop him.
He felt a surge of emotion as he watched the image.
This wasn't something he had expected. His trauma was the Boogeymen, just as he had thought. But this… he didn't remember being taken over by the Boogeymen.
Was this the real reason why his mother sealed his memories? Was it because of this that he hated the Boogeymen?
Thankfully, he could still be saved as the one who took over him was just Boogeymen's fake body. The images ended as Marcus stopped him.
The identity of the first shadow was clear. It was him, controlled by the Boogeymen. He knew that he had to face his trauma head-on if he ever wanted to overcome it.
Then, how to deal with this trauma? Should he just accept himself?
As he continued delving deeper into his past, he realized he had the strength to overcome his trauma.
He had already faced the Boogeymen once and emerged victorious. Now, he just had to find the courage to face his memories and come out stronger on the other side.
The Boogeymen were nothing. He didn't need to fear that creature.
Once again, he would crush that scarecrow and the organization that backed that creature up to prove that he was stronger and didn't fear them. For that, he needed more strength. Still…
"How do I get out of here?"
In the real world, he was sleeping due to the poison from the incense. And from what he felt with what was left in his real sense, his body was also engulfed in something cold but gentle, like a bubble. To burst a bubble, he needed a needle.
But before he could try anything, he felt something different once again.
Opening his eyes, he found himself in yet another location. It was in the middle of a plain. There was nothing but a giant tree with pink flowers and a shrine in front of that tree.
Kai recognized that tree as the Sakura Tree, something commonly found in Japan. And that shrine was also something that originated from Japan. He was confused.
'What now?'
Something really strange had happened to him a few times. So suddenly, finding himself in the middle of a plain wasn't really surprising anymore.
"Oya? You're here. I thought it would take you one more year to come here, but you're fast. I guess you've already met with Ao, huh? That woman really loves to rush things."
A voice rang from the shrine, causing Kai's caution to spike up as he narrowed his eyes. He tried to move his Spirit Power, and he could right now. That's good. He had something to protect himself with now.
"Don't be alarmed. I mean no harm." the voice said, filled with a playful tone.
Before Kai could respond, a handsome man stepped out of the shrine. He was dressed in a traditional Japanese Onmyouji robe, with a tall black hat and a fan in his hand. His long black hair fell onto his shoulder, and his eyes fluttered open, revealing a pair of golden eyes.
When the man smiled warmly at him, Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity about him.
"Who are you?" Kai asked, trying to mask any hostility in his voice.
The man smiled warmly, his eyes filled with interest as he looked at Kai. "My name is Abe no Seimei. You might know me if I said I was the previous Ruler. Or was I called the strongest in this age? Anyway, that's me."
Kai's eyes widened in disbelief. He had read about Abe no Seimei in history books but never thought he would meet him. And his guess was on point. He was indeed the strongest.
"Abe no Seimei, the legendary Onmyouji? That's impossible. You lived over a thousand years ago," Kai stammered, his mind struggling to make sense of what he was seeing.
Abe no Seimei chuckled. "Time is a funny thing, my dear descendant. You would be surprised at the things I have seen in my lifetime. But enough about me, let's talk about you."
Kai felt a sudden sense of unease. Why was Abe no Seimei so interested in him, and how did he meet him in this dream? He couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the man's piercing gaze.
"I've been watching you, Kai," Abe no Seimei continued, his playful tone belying the gravity of his words. "You have a lot of potential, but you're holding yourself back. What are you afraid of?"
'Afraid of? Is he talking about my trauma?'
To be honest, he still couldn't understand besides that it was because of what the Boogeymen did to him. Kai felt a lump form in his throat. He was still struggling with his trauma; he couldn't understand why he got it.
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just feel stuck. I just know that it is related to the Boogeymen. I hated him, I beat him, but I am still a bit scared of him."
Abe no Seimei's expression softened. "I understand. Fear can be a powerful thing. But you have to face it head-on if you want to grow. Trust me, I know from experience."
Kai felt a strange sense of comfort in Abe no Seimei's words. Maybe there was a way for him to overcome his fear after all.
Suddenly, Abe no Seimei's expression turned serious. "But be warned, Kai. There are forces at work that seek to use your fear against you. You must be careful. Especially among those who seek immortality."
Kai's heart started pounding in his chest. "What do you mean?"
Abe no Seimei's eyes flickered with a hint of sadness. "I'm afraid I cannot say more. But know that you are not alone in this. Your ancestors are with you, watching over you. And I will always be here to guide you. Visit the Ashiya Family to know more about me and Ashiya Douman. It will surely help you."
Kai felt a sense of gratitude wash over him. Maybe, just maybe, he could find the strength to face his fear and move forward.
"Your time is over." The strongest said as he smiled softly. "I am afraid you must return. You might already know about your trauma right now. Heed my advice, don't fight him alone."
As Abe no Seimei disappeared back into the shrine. Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at what had just happened. He knew that he would never forget this encounter. And surely, he would think about what the strongest said to him carefully.
"Don't fight him alone, huh?" He muttered, repeating his words. "I know that already."
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