The path led away from the city.
No roads.
No voices.
Only silence and stone.
Raizen followed closely behind the swordsman as they climbed a narrow mountain trail. The air grew thinner with every step, colder with every breath.
"Where are we going?" Raizen asked.
"The place where hunters are tested."
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"…Tested?"
"If you want to continue," the swordsman said, "you must be recognized."
The Hidden Grounds
At the peak—
A gate stood.
Massive.
Ancient.
Covered in markings carved deep into black stone.
Raizen felt it instantly.
Pressure.
Like the air itself was watching him.
"This place…" he muttered.
"Shadow Hunter Grounds," the swordsman said.
"Only those who pass are allowed to live as hunters."
The gate slowly opened.
Inside—
Darkness.
The Trial Begins
"You will enter alone."
Raizen looked at him.
"…Alone?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"This is your trial."
Raizen didn't hesitate.
"…Fine."
He stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the gate—
It shut behind him.
Inside the Darkness
There was no light.
No sound.
No direction.
Only darkness.
Raizen steadied his breathing.
"…This isn't normal."
A voice echoed.
"No… it isn't."
Raizen froze.
The voice—
It sounded like him.
From the shadows—
A figure emerged.
Same face.
Same eyes.
Same presence.
But darker.
"You've come far," the figure said.
Raizen stared.
"…What are you?"
The figure smiled.
"I'm you."
The Inner Demon
The air shifted.
The shadow version stepped closer.
"You use my power…"
A pause.
"But you don't accept me."
Raizen tightened his grip.
"You're not me."
The figure tilted its head.
"…Then why do you feel familiar with the darkness?"
No answer.
Because it was true.
The Fight Within
Without warning—
The shadow attacked.
Faster.
Sharper.
Raizen blocked—
But barely.
Every move—
Matched.
Every strike—
Equal.
It was like fighting himself.
"You can't win," the shadow said.
"Because I am your true self."
Raizen stepped back.
Breathing heavy.
"…No."
The shadow smiled wider.
"You want revenge."
"You want power."
It leaned closer.
"You want to kill."
Raizen's eyes shook.
"…I want justice."
The shadow laughed.
"Call it whatever you want."
It attacked again.
This time—
Stronger.
Raizen was pushed back.
Falling to one knee.
Breaking the Illusion
"…I can't beat him."
The thought appeared.
Clear.
Because it was true.
He was fighting himself.
Strength wouldn't work.
Force wouldn't work.
Raizen closed his eyes.
Breathing slowed.
The noise faded.
The fear faded.
"…You're right."
The shadow stopped.
"…What?"
Raizen stood up.
"I can't destroy you."
A pause.
"…Because you are part of me."
Silence.
The darkness shifted.
Raizen opened his eyes.
"But you're not in control."
Acceptance
The shadow stared at him.
For the first time—
It didn't attack.
"…So what will you do?"
Raizen raised his blade.
"Control you."
The air trembled.
Shadow energy formed—
But calm.
Stable.
No chaos.
The shadow slowly stepped back.
Then—
It smiled.
"…Then prove it."
Final Moment
Raizen moved.
Not with rage.
Not with fear.
But with control.
"Shadow Breathing—"
The darkness responded.
"First Form— Shadow Slash."
One clean movement.
The shadow didn't resist.
It accepted it.
And vanished.
Return
Light returned.
Raizen stood inside the gate once again.
The swordsman was there.
Waiting.
"…You passed."
Raizen didn't speak.
But something had changed.
The darkness inside him—
Was no longer fighting him.
Ending Line
True strength is not defeating the darkness—
It is learning to walk with it.