"Not all ghosts are dead…
Some live through blood.
And some… awaken when the world forgets them."
[Scene continues exactly from Chapter 1's final words…]
> "You carry the blood... Of a Ghost," The woman whispered, her voice soft, yet unnervingly cold.
Rai stepped back, eyes wide, heart pounding:
> "Wh-what? A Ghost? Are you kidding me!? What the hell are you even talking about!?
He staggered. His breathing quickened.
She simply smiled and replied:
> "You will know it soon."
Rai's voice broke.
> "Why...why me!? What did I ever do!? I just wanted a better life... A normal life. But God... He's just cruel, isn't he?"( He laughed bitterly. )
A Ghost? Is that supposed to be a joke... Or a curse?
She turns away, her long robes with some unknown mark catching a strange light from the moon.
His whisper, broken:
> "Maybe I should just end this life... Yeah... if I die, no one will get hurt, no one gives a damn about me anyway..."
But the woman stopped.
Slowly, she turned her head. Her eyes — ancient, burning with something that felt both terrifying and divine.
Rai froze. He couldn't explain the feeling — it wasn't fear, and yet it wasn't comfort either something mysterious.
Then She said:
> "You don't need to believe it...
You just need to survive."
> Because the time is near...for
"The Ghost in your Veins to awaken."
Rai didn't move. He couldn't.
And Before he could ask anything else — she vanished in a blink of eye.
She didn't walked or ran she just vanished like mist being swallowed by moonlight.
And Rai stood alone, trembling — unaware that fate had already begun to write in his blood...
The nightfall:
Rai walked through the broken streets like a ghost —
Head down, body weak, mind blank. The city lights barely worked. Flickering neon signs. Trash in every corner. Nobody cared who he was. Nobody asked. He found a small room above an old blacksmith shop.
The place looked like it would fall apart any day. An old man stood at the door. Didn't say anything. Rai gave him a few coins that he had in his torn bag. The man just nodded and let him in.
The room was tiny. Dust everywhere.
A rusty bed, one cracked window, and a leaking pipe. But it was quiet. And it was his. Even if just for the night. Rai dropped his bag on the floor and sat on the edge of the bed.
His eyes stared at the wall. His mind replayed everything.
> " Blood... Ghost... What the hell does any of this mean...?
He looked up the ceiling .
> "Maybe I'm going crazy."
He let out a shaky breath and lay back on the bed. Didn't bother with the blanket. Didn't even take off his shoes. He was just… done.
Eyes half open. Breathing slow. His body still hurt, but his heart was heavier. And in that small, dusty room — He finally slept.
But the questions didn't leave.
They followed him… into the dark like Visions —
Smoke. Screams. The clash of blades. A city swallowed in violet fire. People ran. Screamed. Burned. Buildings collapsed. Ash rained. Chaos reigned. And center of it all — A Shadow.
Armored, Drenched in blood. Twin blades spun in his hands like they were part of him moving like instinct. His eyes — glowing red. with reflection of people burning and killing each.
> "HELP ME!"
> "STAY AWAY!"
> "PLEASE, MY CHILD!"
> "YOU MONSTER!!"
He turned.
A small child stood in the fire, skin scorched, tears cutting through the soot on their face — staring at him with wide, broken eyes. The shadow's hand raised — sword aimed. Not by his will... But something else.
> "NO... STOP!"
> "I DON'T WANT TO..."
but his body didn't listen.
In a shattered shield on the ground — He saw a reflection of other shadow far away watching. The truth is it was...
His Own Face.
Cold. Hollow. Unrecognizable.
> "That's not me… That's not—!"
> "STOP PLEASE!!"
The blade dropped. The child looked up one last time — and didn't scream." Suddenly—
Rai shot up with a scream, choking on air, sweat soaking through his clothes. His hands trembled. His heart felt like it would explode. He couldn't move for a second. He sat there, breathing hard.
> "That dream… that face… what the hell is happening to me…?"
He staggered toward the cracked sink in the corner.
Rai splashed Cold water on his face. One. Two. Three handfuls. He looked up slowly... Breathing heavy. His reflection stared back. Exhausted. Tired. Pale. His.
And Then—
Nothis.
Just for a split second — he saw that same shadow. The one from the dream. The red eyes. His red eyes. Rai froze. He was terrified.
> "Wha— WHO—!?"
He fell backward in fear with a shout.
CRASH! — The mirror shattered.
Only shards. Only silence.
Except the voice…
> "The time is coming…
The war… never ended."
The voice wasn't heard. It was felt. Like thunder rumbling inside his bones. Rai didn't sleep again that night. Not because he couldn't. But because he was afraid… of what he'd see if he did."
Somewhere beyond the rooftops… the woman watched the night, eyes glowing faintly. Waiting....
Arrest — Dawn :
That night he barely closed his eyes. After the night pain, chains, and silence, Rai's eyes had finally shut for just a second — not sleep, just weakness.
But…
BOOM!
The door burst open. Morning light stabbed through the cracks.
Heavy boots. Red armor. Gold insignias.
The Vermillion Noble Guards.
> "Rai Arata! By order of the High Council — you are under arrest."
His heart slammed in his chest.
> "WHAT!? I—I didn't do anything! You've got the wrong person!"
> "Move."
> "WAIT!!"
He resisted — they didn't care.
They grabbed him like trash. Slammed him to the floor. Chained. Dragged him out of the building like a criminal. The streets didn't blink. No one came out. No one helped. Just quiet faces watching from cracked windows murmuring like ghosts.
He was taken below — to the Underground Beneath Solhara, the noble district. Into the old tunnels that smelled like rot and rusted blood. They tossed him into a stone cell like trash. No trial. No reason. Just cold stone. Just darkness.
Hours passed or Maybe longer— he couldn't tell, the footsteps came again. This time… a nobleman stepped in. Red robe. Expensive boots. Holding a whip. His face was twisted with hatred.
> "So this is the rat who dared humiliate my son?" He paced slowly, venom in every step.
> "We, the vermillion family, gave you shelter. And this is your payback? You trash!!"
Rai's voice was dry, cracked.
> "He… he attacked me first… I didn't—
WHIP!!
The crack echoed off the walls. Blood sprayed across the floor.
> "You don't speak unless told to, filth!"
> "Just die!! People like you don't deserve to breathe. Even your presence is disgusting!"
> "I didn't want to fight him—!"
WHIP!!
> "Shut up!"
The noble leaned down, face to face with Rai. Eyes burning with hate.
> "You touched a noble. That alone is death."
And then — the door creaked open again. Other nobles entered. Parents. Ladies. Lords. They didn't come to stop it. They came to watch. Because Rai hadn't just fought one boy. He'd beaten six noble children — all of them. In front of everyone in the class. But Rai didn't even remember what he did. Because he hadn't been in his senses. The noble parents stood watching. Not angry but smiling.
One whispered to another:
> "He made my son bleed..."
"That'll teach him his place."
Another one laughed when the next whip landed.
Their eyes were filled with hatred. Their hearts felt lighter with every drop of Rai's blood. Every scream was justice to them.
The vermillion noble grinned as he beat Rai harder. He nearly beat Rai to death covered in blood. They all watched. And they all enjoyed it. Nobles spat on his face. And as they all turned to leave, vermillion sneered:
> "You're lucky we spared your life...
But listen closely — If I ever see your face near my house again... I will kill you myself."
The cell was dead silent again. Rai lay there— broken, bleeding. His stomach screamed. His body trembled.
His spirit?
Shattered.
He whispered inside:
> "What did I do…?"
He closed his eyes again, just for a second — but this time… no dreams. Only dark
Days passed. Hunger gnawed. Pain lingered. No name. No crime. No freedom.
And no one came for him. They didn't give him food.
They gave him something. A half-rotted chunk of black bread, crawling with green mold. A tin bowl of water that stank like rusted iron. And once — meat. He didn't know what kind. It was gray, slimy, and smelled like something long dead. His stomach twisted. But hunger didn't let him say no.
The first time he bit into it, he gagged.
The second time — he didn't.
Because that's what four days in the dark does to a person. It makes you choose between pain… and shame.
The cell reeked. Of blood. Of piss. Of other men who once lived in the same hole. Rai sat with his knees to his chest, head against the stone. Eyes hollow. Time didn't pass in hours. It passed in aches, in shivers, in questions that screamed louder than his stomach.
> "What did I do to deserve this…?"
"Why me…?"
"Why am I even alive…?"
No answers.
Just silence.
Just chains that clinked when he breathed.
Just shadows that looked too much like the ones in his dreams.
He scratched tally marks into the stone with a broken nail. Four of them. Barely visible through the blood. And then, on the fourth day— When the hunger faded into numbness, And he thought maybe he'd die quietly in that cell—The door opened.
And — "Fate gave him something worse than death. Freedom in a world that no longer wanted him."
The Release: from Chains to Silence
After four days of full suffering — The cell door finally opened. Not with mercy. But with mockery.
A guard stepped in — cold eyes, colder voice.
> "You're free."
Rai blinked. His body ached. Blood still crusted his shirt. His clothes were torn to rags barely holding together. Bruises painted his arms, his neck, even his jaw. His face was swollen. His lips cracked. He looked more like a corpse than a boy.
The guard says:
> "Not because you're innocent…"
"But because the people who once took you in... have thrown you out."
"Even the home that wasn't truly yours — has closed its doors for good."
He didn't understand.
> "You are nothing now. No name. No place. No worth. Just a ghost."
They threw a torn cloth bag at him — empty.
Not even a single coin. Not even his old shoes.
> "Get out."
The cell door slammed shut behind him.
Not like freedom. Like a coffin lid sealing. He stumbled into the city. Sunlight stabbed his eyes like knives. He was limping. Hungry. Hollow.
The streets were the same — but not for him. He walked past the bakery. The market.
The smithy. Faces he once knew — now turned away. Doors slammed. Curtains shut.
Whispers followed.
> "That's him… the one they jailed."
"A disgrace to his bloodline…"
"Did you hear? Even his family threw him out." His fists trembled, nails digging into skin. He knocked on a door — for food.
It opened — just a crack.
> "We don't have any... Just get lost..."
Click. Door shut. He stood there, unmoving.
Not angry. Not surprised. Just… cold.
> "I didn't even do anything…"
"Is this justice… in this cursed world…?"
His stomach growled. His legs gave way.
He sat on a corner stone. Eyes blank. Wind bitter.
By nightfall, he was crawling alley to alley — begging. Not for money. Just a little food. Most ignored him. Some mocked him.
Until—
A crooked old man with a hunched back, wiping his stall.
> "You want work, not pity?"
"Scrub those dishes in the back. Don't speak. Just work."
Rai didn't speak. He just nodded. For hours, he washed.
The water was freezing. The soap cut like acid into his cracked skin. He bled. He winced. But he didn't stop. Not because of strength. But because… he had no choice.
When he was done — the old man tossed him a few copper pieces.
> "That's all."
"You're lucky I don't charge you for water."
Rai bowed and thanked him.
He bought a piece of stale bread.
It was hard. Dry. Bitter.
But he chewed it anyway — like it was gold.
His hands shook. His lips bled. And as he took that first bite… his eyes filled with tears.
Not from pain — but from something worse.
Shame. Hunger. Loss.
That night, he curled up beside a broken statue near the temple ruins. The wind whispered like ghosts. His body shook.
His wounds burned. His soul? Quiet.
No dreams.
No warmth.
Only the stars…
And the silence of a boy no one wanted.
> "Maybe this world already killed me..."
"And I just haven't fallen yet."
The Stray Soul — A Ghost like me:
It was cold. The wind whispered through the ruined temple. Rai sat near the broken altar, arms around his knees hugged to his chest, shivering in silence. His shirt clung to dried blood. His wrist still throbbed from the cuffs.
His wounds still burned. His body still ached. But his soul… felt heavier than anything.
He looked at the cloudy night sky — stars hidden behind clouds.
His lips moved without meaning.
> "If this world wanted me dead... Why didn't it finish the job?"
No answer. Just the cold.
Then — a sound.
Rustling. From the nearby bushes.
He stiffened. Heart racing. He didn't move… but his eyes stared.
Another rustle.
Slowly — Rai stood. Limbs shaking. He picked up a stone, just in case.
Step by step… he walked towards the sound.
And then—
He stopped.
In the middle of the brush… was a cat.
Not small. Bigger than any normal stray. Grey and white fur, long and messy. One leg was bleeding. Its paw limped. It's mysterious eyes glared at him. It growled softly at him.
> "You're hurt…" Rai whispered.
He crouched, lowering the stone.
The cat hissed.
And swiped — clawing his wrist. A sharp cut. Blood trickled.
But Rai didn't back away. He sat there. He just looked at it with gentle eyes.
Then whispered…
> "It's okay..."
> "You're scared, right?"
> "Me too."
He slowly tore part of his dirty shirt — gently reached forward.
The cat tensed… but didn't move.
Rai wrapped the bleeding paw, careful not to press too hard. Then pulled the last piece of stale bread from his pocket. He had saved it for tomorrow. His only food. But now…
> "Here. It's not much... But maybe you're hungry too."
The cat stared.
Then slowly — cautiously — it took the bread. Ate in silence.
Rai smiled. Just faintly. Like something cracked open in his chest.
> " Where did you come from?"
> "Don't you have somewhere to go?"
> " If you want... I can help you find your way."
The cat looked up at him. And in its eyes, He saw it — loneliness. The similar kind he carried. He gently laid the cat under a tree, letting it rest. Then tied his own scratched wrist with another torn piece of cloth.
He returned to the temple corner. Curled up beneath the broken statues. The wind bit his skin like knives. His bones ached. His eyelids were heavy.
Then—
> Meow…
He opened his eyes. The same cat stood before him.
Still limping.
It walked up to him. Lay beside him. It's fur brushed against his arm. It's warm Slowly.
Rai slowly whispered:
> "You came back…"
> "I thought you have gone…"
> "So... you're also alone. Just like me..."
He looked down at the cat. Its mysterious eyes looking at him. Breathing steady.
> "Guess we're both strays now, huh..."
> "Two ghosts... Just trying to feel alive."
Then the cat — Meow!!
It meows at him. He laughed. Softly. Just once. The kind of laugh that hurts a little. But also... heals something.
He closed his eyes.
> "Maybe you… didn't have anyone either…"
> "It's okay. You can stay with me. Just for tonight."
He didn't cry. Not this time.
But for the first time in days — his heart didn't feel empty.
That night… he slept.
No Nightmares. No dreams.
Just silence and warmth.
And beside him — the quiet breath of a ghost like him.
The morning came quietly. Sunlight touched the broken floor. Rai opened his eyes — the cat was gone.
He sat up quickly, looking around.
> "Hey…? Where'd you go…?"
He stood. Limped outside. Looked behind walls. Around stones.
Nothing.
His chest tightened.
Then — he saw pawprints. In the dirt. Leading up to an old tree root near the back wall.
And there… The cat stood. It turned to face him. Eyes shining gold for just a second. Not natural. Almost… ancient. They looked at each other.
Then — the cat gave a slow, calm blink. Like it's thanking him.
And vanished. Not ran. Not leapt. Vanished.
Rai froze.
> "What…?"
He touched his wrist. Where the scratch had been. It was gone. But it felt... warm. And he was shocked that his wounds are all healed. No pain. No marks. Nothing.
Something was changing.
And somewhere deep in the shadows of this land —
A story much older than Rai had begun to stir.
RoyalCapital – TheCouncilofSevenfarunknown :
A crescent-shaped chamber bathed in pale moonlight Underground.
Seven thrones. Seven shadows. Behind each, a crest glimmered — Fire, Steel, Blood, Wind, Crystal, Gold… and Shadow.
In the center, a silver orb pulsed like a heart.
High Priest (calm, cold):
> "An energy spike was recorded near the eastern ruins… deep beneath the old Veil."
The room stiffened. Silence grew heavy.
Steel Lord (sharply):
> "You mean that clan still exists?"
Wind Sage (whispers):
> "The Veil Clan… the ones who followed him."
Blood Empress (icily):
> "They vanished with the Phantom fifty years ago after that shadow's death. Buried and forgotten."
Crystal Seer (gazing into the orb):
> "Not forgotten. Hidden. Waiting. And now… stirring."
The orb flickered violently — a crack formed along its surface.
Shadow Duke (growling):
> "If the Veil Clan returns… so will the old blood pacts."
Gold King (firmly):
> "Then erase them. Every last one. Burn their roots, salt their ashes."
Fire Sentinel (for the first time):
> "And if they're protecting something… or someone?"
The orb pulsed once more. A whisper echoed from its crack.
Unknown Voice (barely audible):
> "Not all ghosts fade…"
The chamber fell silent. Hearts tightened. Minds raced.
Crystal Seer (voice trembling):
> "The ghost in this world… was never alone. They have Allies."
Unknown Voice (Order tone):
> "Now... the hunt for them shall begin. Vanish everything... in the name of justice. We will rise — and the world shall witness true peace."
All council members:
> Allhail!!!
Far Away — Rooftop Beneath the Moonlight. The woman stood on the edge of the rooftop, her cloak dancing with the wind.
Eyes sharp, fixed on the ancient ruins glowing faint in the distance.
> "So... they've begun the hunt?"
A cold smile touched her lips.
Behind her, a shadow stepped forward — silent as death.
The moonlight caught the glint in his eyes.
He knelt.
> "Mission completed, Master."
She didn't turn. Her voice echoed like a whisper carved from ice.
> "Then may they prepare… to be hunted."
"Because what sleeps inside him..."
"...will soon wake the world in blood."
> "Then may they prepare… to be hunted."
"Because what sleeps inside him..."
"...will soon wake the world in blood."
A beat of silence.
"The Ghost in his veins…"
"…is about to awaken."
Lightning cracked across the sky behind them.
—————...To be Continued...—————