CURSED VEIL

Haruto returned to the shrine, the encounter with the strange figure in the breach replaying in his mind. Its words lingered like a riddle he couldn't solve: "If you wish to mend what is broken, you must face the truth of your bond."

The priest and Mikako were waiting for him, their expressions grim.

"What happened?" the priest asked as Haruto entered.

"There was a breach," Haruto said, sitting heavily on the floor. "But something came through—someone. It wasn't like the spirits we've fought before. It... spoke to me."

The priest stiffened, exchanging a look with Mikako. "What did it say?"

Haruto hesitated. "It said I'm at the center of all this. That if I want to fix it, I have to face the truth of my bond with Tsukiro."

Mikako's expression darkened. "The truth of your bond? Sounds like a trap to me."

The priest stroked his beard, deep in thought. "It's not impossible. The bond between you and Tsukiro isn't natural. It was forged when you released him, but it's deeper than a simple curse. If you can uncover the nature of that bond..."

Haruto nodded, determination hardening in his chest. "Then I can sever it."

The priest's gaze was wary. "Perhaps. But the bond may be tied to more than just you. It could be connected to the veil itself. Severing it might not just break the curse—it could destabilize everything."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" Haruto asked, frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Find the truth," the priest said simply.

A Deal with the Devil

That night, Haruto meditated near the altar, the dim light of the candles casting flickering shadows across the room. He focused inward, searching for the presence of the curse.

"Tsukiro," he called, his voice steady.

The curse stirred, its voice slithering into his mind like oil. "Finally ready to talk?"

"I need answers," Haruto said. "The figure from the breach—it said I need to understand our bond. What does that mean?"

Tsukiro chuckled darkly. "And what makes you think I'll tell you?"

"Because you're trapped too," Haruto shot back. "If the veil breaks, you'll be dragged into the chaos with the rest of us. You want to stay free, don't you?"

The curse was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Clever boy. Fine. I'll tell you, but there's a price."

Haruto's fists clenched. "What kind of price?"

"A peek into your soul," Tsukiro said, his tone almost playful. "I'll show you the truth, but only if you're willing to let me dig a little deeper into who you are."

Haruto hesitated. He knew it was dangerous—giving Tsukiro more access to his mind was like opening the door to a predator. But he needed answers.

"Do it," he said finally.

The markings on his arm flared, and the world around him dissolved into darkness.

Chapter 10: The Truth of the Bond

Haruto found himself standing in a void, a swirling expanse of shadows and light. Before him stood Tsukiro, not in his monstrous form but as a man cloaked in darkness, his red eyes glowing faintly.

"This is the space between us," Tsukiro said, spreading his arms. "The bond we share, built on your actions and my power."

Haruto stepped forward, his heart pounding. "Show me what I need to see."

Tsukiro smirked. "As you wish."

The darkness shifted, forming a scene from the past. Haruto saw the shrine as it had been centuries ago—grand and pristine, its altar adorned with offerings. At the center stood Tsukiro, his form radiant and divine.

"You were a god," Haruto murmured.

"I was worshipped," Tsukiro corrected. "But humans are fickle creatures. They demanded too much, and when I failed to give them what they wanted, they turned on me. Their betrayal twisted my power, turning me into the curse you see now."

The scene shifted again, this time showing the orb—the prison that had held Tsukiro for centuries. Haruto saw a group of priests sealing him away, their faces grim.

"Your people imprisoned me, thinking they could contain my wrath," Tsukiro said bitterly. "But they didn't understand the price of breaking the bond between a god and his worshippers. The veil weakened because of their actions, not mine."

Haruto's stomach churned. "And now I've made it worse by releasing you."

"Exactly," Tsukiro said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "But here's the twist, boy: our bond is the only thing keeping the veil from collapsing completely. Sever it, and you'll destroy the last thread holding it together."

Haruto's blood ran cold. "You're lying."

"Am I?" Tsukiro stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "You've seen the breaches, felt their pull. You know the truth as well as I do. The only way to save your world is to accept my power. Together, we could restore the veil, stronger than ever."

Haruto's mind raced. If Tsukiro was telling the truth, severing the bond could destroy everything. But accepting his power meant surrendering his humanity.

"There has to be another way," Haruto said, his voice shaking.

Tsukiro laughed, the sound echoing through the void. "There isn't. The choice is simple: destroy the world, or save it by embracing me."