— Shizue's Dream —
Petals drifted through the air each one a delicate sheet of pink, swirling and glimmering as if they had been loosed from the sky, not a tree. Shizue stood beneath the ancient cherry blossom, its limbs heavy with color and memory. Every puff of wind sent a fresh flurry tumbling around her like confetti, and the sun above filtered through the petals in shifting, dappled light that played across her face. In the warmth of this dream-spring, she could almost forget where she truly was. The scent sweet, sharp, impossibly clear wrapped itself around her and pulled her backward in time, to the tiny Tokyo garden her mother had tended behind their narrow rowhouse. Even the air was different there, damper, filled with the chatter of distant sparrows and the slow creak of bamboo fountains. In the dream, no fire had ever swept through those streets, no ash had blackened the world.
Shizue let herself drift with the memory, letting go of the tautness in her shoulders, her limbs growing light in the fantasy of peace. She reached up and caught a blossom, letting it settle soft against her palm. She traced its veins with a fingertip, amazed that even in sleep her mind rendered every detail so vividly. For a moment, she stood perfectly still, suspended in the hush of falling petals, until the hush broke.
A voice called gently from behind her.
*Shizu-chan."
She spun around, eyes wide with disbelief.
There, by the trunk of the ancient tree, stood her mother, as if materialized from the depths of her longing.
The kimono swirled around her like a vibrant painting brought to life, and her gentle face radiated the warmth and love Shizue had yearned for through endless, torturous nights of solitude.
Tears flooded her eyes, blurring her vision. "Mom…"
Her mother smiled softly, stepping forward with the familiar wooden comb in her hand. "Come here, sweetheart. Sit with me."
Shizue hesitated but then obeyed, kneeling before her mother. She bowed her head, feeling a mix of comfort and unease as her mother sat behind her, gently working the comb through her long black hair. Each stroke was careful and soothing, yet it stirred a sense of vulnerability she wasn't sure she wanted to feel. Her shoulders began to loosen, a relief she hadn't allowed herself in years.
" You've grown so much," her mother whispered. " So tired… You've carried so much."
Her mother hummed a lullaby under her breath, the same one she'd used to sing when the air raid sirens fell silent for the night.
Even in dream, the melody wound around Shizue's bones, tugging her back to girlhood and the fragile peace that followed each night's chaos. She wanted to say something, to fill the easy silence, but the words knotted in her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut and for a moment, just let her mother comb through the tangles and the memories. The rhythm was hypnotic; she thought she could listen forever.
" Tell me about them," her mother asked, the question as gentle as the petals that kept landing in Shizue's lap. "The children you taught."
Shizue hesitated, then exhaled. "There were five," she began. "Just kids, really. I found them when I still believed I could live as a human. That I had any right to be around others."
The confession landed heavy. Her hands trembled in her lap, but her mother's touch steadied her. She listened, patient and undemanding, and the presence was enough to coax the words out.
"Kenya was the loudest. Always shouting about becoming a hero. Always running off into trouble, trying to protect the others. He reminded me of a younger me—too brave for his own good, and always the first to throw himself into a fight. He'd come back scratched and battered, but never broken. And his heart, Mom… his heart is golden. Even when he was angry, he never wanted to hurt anyone. He was always the first to step between a bully and a smaller kid, or to split his food when someone was hungry. He'd play it off like it was no big deal, but I could see how much it cost him each time."
A lump rose in Shizue's throat, but she pushed through. "He used to ask me if I thought he could really become a hero. I wanted to tell him yes, but I could never tell if I meant it as a promise or a warning." She looked down at her lap, watched the petals pile up against her knees. "I think he saw through me. He was always smarter than he let on."
Her mother's hand moved softly, smoothing down flyaway strands. "You cared for him," she said simply.
"I did," Shizue whispered. "But I was afraid to show it. I didn't want him to rely on me."
Her mother's fingers paused at a knot, working it free before continuing. "Why?"
Shizue swallowed. "Because I knew I couldn't stay with them forever. I couldn't promise I'd always be there. I thought… I thought it was better if they learned to manage on their own. That way it would hurt less when I left." She blinked twice, letting the tears bead but not fall. "But I think I just hurt them anyway."
There was a long pause. Her mother let the silence stretch, neither comforting nor admonishing, just waiting as the dream spring breeze played around them.
"Chloe… Chloe was the quietest,"Shizue continued. She gathered another blossom between her fingers, tearing it along a vein before letting the halves drift apart. "Barely spoke above a whisper. But she saw everything. She remembered everything. I think she was a prodigy, even though she tried to hide it. There was something in her eyes like she was just waiting for everyone else to catch up." Shizue smiled sadly. "Still, she looked up to me. Like I was someone worth admiring. I don't know why."
"Maybe because you believed in her," her mother offered.
Shizue shook her head. "No, that wasn't it." She considered the memory. "She believed in me, even when I was falling apart. She did everything I asked, and never complained. But I could tell she was afraid. Of me, sometimes. Of herself, most of all. When the others argued, she was the only one who could calm them down, just by being there, silent in the corner. She kept us together. Without her, I think they would have scattered long ago."
Her hands, so steady moments ago, now twisted in her lap.
"Tell me about the others," her mother prompted, her voice velvet-smooth and patient.
" Gale was stubborn. He questioned everything I told them but he was the first to jump in when anyone was in danger. He pretended not to care, but he cared more than any of them." Shizue's lips curled up at the memory. "He was a troublemaker, but a loyal one. He had this way of baiting Kenya into arguments, just to see who could shout the loudest. But when it came down to it, he'd put himself in harm's way for any of us, without thinking twice. I think he just wanted someone to notice him."
"That sounds familiar," her mother smiled.
Shizue shrugged, a half-hearted gesture. "Maybe that's why I liked him around, even when he made me want to scream. He kept things… lively. Reminded me not to get too comfortable."
"And the last two?"her mother asked.
" Ryota and Alice."Shizue's face softened, and she drew her knees up, hugging them. "Alice was the youngest. She always clung to my hand, even when I tried to pry her off. She smiled just like I used to when I was little. She was quick quicker than I ever was but she always looked back to make sure I was following her. She hated being alone. I think she remembered more than she let on, but she hid it behind giggles and games. She was the only one who ever made me laugh."
Her mother listened, silent and kind eyed.
"And Ryota… he told me he dreamed of making music one day. He said that even in this world, he wanted people to smile. He made a harmonica out of junk pile once, and played it every night until the reeds wore down. Even when it sounded like a dying cat, the others would listen. I told him he could do anything he wanted, but I knew that the world wouldn't let him. Still, I let him dream." She touched a hand to her chest. "I wish I could have protected that dream a little longer."
The words tumbled out faster now, each recollection peeling back another layer until Shizue felt almost transparent.
"I didn't want to,"Shizue admitted, her voice quivering with uncertainty. "But there was no one else."
Her mother's hands paused for a moment in her hair before resuming their gentle combing.
"They depended on you," her mother said softly.
Shizue nodded slowly, her voice barely a whisper. "And I… I failed them."
"No, my sweet girl. You protected them. You gave them warmth and guidance when they had nothing else."
Shizue clenched her hands tighter in her lap, her heart torn. "But I wasn't strong enough to control Ifrit. What if he had hurt them?"
"But he didn't," her mother replied, calm and reassuring. "Because you were there."
They sat together in silence, the whisper of petals brushing against grass the only sound.
Shizue swallowed, her thoughts a turmoil. "Do you remember what you told me when I was little? About love?"
Her mother smiled again, a wistful look in her eyes. "I told you that love would find you—not when you were perfect, but when you were honest."
"You said that the right person wouldn't see the shell… only the girl still trying to do her best."
Her mother kissed the crown of her head, a gesture of warmth amid Shizue's inner storm. "And have you met that person?"
Shizue hesitated, uncertainty clouding her mind
"I think I have," she admitted, her voice tinged with doubt. "His name is Jin-Woo. He's… not from this world either. He saw through me.right to my source. And instead of running, instead of judging, he reached in and pulled me out."
Her mother's eyes sparkled, but Shizue couldn't shake her apprehension. "And what do you see when you look at him?"
Shizue laughed softly through her tears, conflicted emotions swirling within. "Loneliness. Strength. Pain. And a will like fire… burning everything in his path to protect the people he loves."
"You always did admire the quiet ones," her mother teased gently.
They shared a smile, a comforting reminder of old times, yet Shizue's heart remained torn.
"You have people now, Shizu-chan. People who see you for who you are. That's more than most ever find."
"Do you think…" she asked hesitantly, uncertainty gnawing at her, "do you think I could be happy now?"
Her mother turned her face to the rising sun on the horizon. "If anyone deserves to be, it's you."
Shizue stood slowly, her body glowing faintly as the dream began to dissolve into golden light, her soul still wrestling with doubt.
Her mother smiled, stepping back into the blossoms, leaving Shizue with her inner conflict.
"Live, my beautiful daughter. Not for duty, not for guilt but for you."
Then the wind took her away, scattering petals through the light.
Shizue opened her eyes in the real world tears still on her cheeks, her heart still torn between hope and fear.
—THIRD POV—
The warmth of morning sunlight caressed her face like a whisper, gentle and warm. Shizue stirred, lashes fluttering open as golden light streamed through the wooden beams. Her body felt… lighter. Stronger. No longer burdened by the searing, volatile heat of Ifrit.
She turned her head and her breath caught.
There he was.
Jin-Woo.
He sat beside her in a sleep like trance, back straight but still, as if standing guard even in rest. His dark hair fell slightly over one eye, casting a soft shadow over sharp, stoic features. His presence was calm yet commanding, like a predator in slumber.
She felt a gentle pull toward him not fear, not obligation. Something… warm. Familiar.
Was it always this strong? she wondered.
Then his eyes opened rich onyx with flickers of amber and violet and Shizue's world narrowed. Her breath hitched. There was something deep in those eyes. Something that saw everything.
"You're awake." he said, voice low and calm.
"You… never left." she whispered.
"I promised you wouldn't be alone." A soft smile touched his lips.
She sat up slowly, her long hair falling over her shoulder but something made Jin-Woo pause. His gaze lingered with curiosity.
"You've changed." he said, voice thoughtful now, and almost reverent.
"...Changed?"
Jin-Woo stood slowly, and his gaze intensified. "Let me confirm."
He activated Analytical Appraisal, his eyes briefly glowing with system code.
SYSTEM ANALYSIS: SHIZUE IZAWA
Race: Shadow Majin
Evolution State: Demon Lord seed
Intrinsic Traits:
– Enhanced Shadow Affinity
– Flame-Wrought Physiology
– Shared Link [Subject: Sung Jin-Woo]
Unique skills
Lord of flames : Prometheus
Degenerate
He blinked and stepped closer, lowering his hand.
"Your eyes." he murmured, "they used to be black… Now, there's violet in them.like mine." He reached out gently, brushing a crimson-tipped strand of her hair with quiet fascination. "And the ends of your hair…became red, like dying embers."
She touched the strands herself and felt a pulse a soft resonance as if something inside her echoed with his presence.
" I feel… calm."she admitted. "I used to constantly burn inside. Now, it's more… focused. Like the fire waits for my command, not the other way around."
Jin-Woo nodded. "That's not all. A connection has formed between us."
"
She blinked. "Like a… bond?"
Their eyes locked again, and something passed between them unspoken, but real.
She broke the silence first, a gentle smile on her lips. "Then you'll help me understand it?"
Jin-Woo stepped back and drew one of his obsidian daggers, spinning it once in his hand. " Of course. But first, we test your strength."
"My strength…?"
He nodded. "You're no longer bound by Ifrit's rage. You're a Shadow Majin now a being born of fire and darkness. You need to learn how to wield both."
Her aura pulsed around her, dark violet and scarlet flames dancing along her arms. The shadows around her responded, curling at her feet like living mist. She could feel them her powers waiting to be called.
Jin-Woo smiled faintly, his own shadows beginning to rise in kind.
"I challenge you." he said. "A duel. Teach you to control your new powers . And show me who you've become."
Shizue took a breath, letting the energy flow through her body. Fire licked at her fingertips. Shadow danced behind her heels.
A warrior was being born anew.
She stood tall.
"Then come at me, Jin-Woo. I will show you what I'm made of."
A wide clearing just outside the village had been flattened and reinforced with stone plates by Jin woo's earth magic. It was meant for training but today, it would witness something more.
Shizue stood in the center, her newly evolved aura quietly flaring around her: flame and darkness entwined in elegant spirals. The tips of her hair shimmered crimson, her eyes now gleaming with flecks of violet. Even her very presence had changed
Jin-Woo stood across from her, calm and collected, arms crossed behind his back. Shadows swirled at his feet like loyal wolves eager to move.
"I'll come at you seriously."he warned gently.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Shizue said, adjusting the black and red cloak she created.
The air grew dense.
Then
Shizue leapt forward, a flash of scarlet flames erupting beneath her feet. She surged toward Jin Woo like a comet, her fist wreathed in searing fire. He raised a single arm, blocking the punch but the sheer heat of it forced his shadows to recoil.
"Good start." he said, smirking.
He retaliated, vanishing into the darkness.and reappearing behind her. His dagger sliced downward, but she spun, countering with a flaming kick that sent embers raining across the field.
Jin Woo skid back a few meters, impressed.
*You're faster than before."
"You haven't seen anything yet."
From her hands, two flames materialized one whitehot, radiant with purifying energy… the other dark violet, laced with necrotic heat.
" Holy fire and hellflame." Jin-Woo muttered, recognizing them. "And you're mixing them…?"
The two flames converged into a sphere above her palm crackling and unstable.
"Prometheus Surge!" she shouted, hurling the orb.
The energy struck the ground just beside Jin Woo with a deafening boom. Flames engulfed the field purifying light clashing with raw shadow. The shockwave cracked the reinforced stone and sent waves of power rippling through the air.
Jin-Woo dashed through the fire, his cloak aflame but unaffected, shadows protecting him from the worst of it. In a flash, he was beside her again, eyes burning with challenge.
"Your new skill isn't just powerful , it's deadly."
Shizue smiled, panting slightly, arms glowing with arcane flames .With a sharp cry, she twisted her body midair, kicking out with a burning heel cloaked in shadow. Jin Woo blocked it with his forearm, but the blow pushed him back again.
Then she vanished.
"…What?" he muttered, eyes narrowing.
Her aura had disappeared entirely only faint flickers remained.
Jin-Woo dropped into a combat stance.
Then from his own shadow, she emerged.
"You're not the only one who moves through shadows. " she whispered, delivering a scorching palm strike to his chest. A sigil of black fire burned onto his shirt.
"Clever." Jin-Woo smirked as he jumped back. "You're learning faster than I thought."
"Thanks." she said, grinning. "I had a good teacher."
Their shadows danced again. This time, Jin Woo summoned Igris from his side but only to test her.
Shizue's eyes locked with the dark knight's as he rushed her. She dodged fluidly, weaving between his sword strikes, and countered with a spiral of flames that got blocked by his sword
Jin-Woo called him off with a raised hand.
"That's enough." he said.
Shizue stood tall, panting, but glowing her aura vibrant, hair flowing like ink streaked with fire.
"I'm impressed." he continued, walking toward her. "You're not just wielding your power. You've got the hang of it in a single fight."
She wiped sweat from her brow. "You didn't go all out."
He smiled. "Of course not. But you did very well even igris would have to take you seriously "
She laughed and it was the most alive she'd felt in years.
"I could feel it."she said, "how the flames responded to me… how the shadows moved with me. I wasn't afraid of losing control."
Jin-Woo placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "Because now… you own that power. It doesn't own you."
Their eyes locked again deeper, this time. Not just respect. Not just gratitude..
From the treeline, Rimuru watched silently, arms crossed and a faint grin on his face.
"So… bro is making his move. Smooth, real smooth."he muttered with a smirk