The day was dark and cold as the High Monk's army advanced toward the village. Kaizen stood on the edge of the burning remains of the village, his body still shaking from the fierce battle. For the last two years, the village elders had used ancient rituals and holy mala beads to suppress the demonic power inside him. This suppression had given him a chance to live in peace. Now, however, it left him vulnerable.
Across the open field, Kaizen saw a line of soldiers approach. They wore dark robes and carried a set of mala beads around their necks. These were not ordinary beads. They were holy mala beads, symbols of the High Monk's power, and they were used as weapons. Their power could cut through the supernatural force inside Kaizen.
The enemy soldiers moved in unison, their steps firm and determined. One of the leaders stepped forward and raised his hand. In his palm, the leader held a string of glowing mala beads. The beads shone with a harsh, bright light. The leader shouted, "For the High Monk! Use the holy mala beads to suppress his power!"
At that moment, Kaizen felt a sharp pain inside him. The beads worked like a lock on his inner strength. For two long years, the village elders had kept his demonic side in check with their daily rituals and prayers. That quiet suppression had forced Kaizen to remain calm and controlled. Now, the enemy's use of the same power took him by surprise. His body felt heavy. His vision blurred slightly as the force of the beads began to drain him.
Kaizen tried to fight back. He raised his sword and charged toward the enemy soldiers. But his movements were slow, unsteady. The holy mala beads created a barrier that prevented his demonic energy from flowing freely. Every time he swung his sword, he felt a force holding him back.
"You cannot control what you have hidden inside," the leader of the soldiers shouted. "We know your secrets, Kaizen. You have been living in weakness these past two years, and now you will pay for it!"
Kaizen gritted his teeth and fought with all his might, but he could feel his strength waning. The holy beads suppressed the dark energy that had once given him speed and power. His blows became less effective, and his defenses faltered. One by one, enemy soldiers closed in on him. He fought them off with skill, but his body grew tired with every stroke.
From the far side of the battlefield, Kaizen saw a terrible sight. A group of soldiers had reached the village square. They were capturing Aoi and Sakura. Aoi struggled against two soldiers who held her tightly, while Sakura was dragged away by another man. Itsuro was nearby, fighting desperately, but the tide of the battle was turning against them.
Kaizen's heart pounded as he saw the people he cared for being taken away. "No!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the cold air. He tried to break free from the effect of the beads, swinging his sword in a wide arc. But the suppression was too strong. His arms grew heavy, and his legs felt rooted to the ground.
One soldier rushed toward Kaizen and struck him on the shoulder. The blow was heavy, and Kaizen stumbled. The holy mala beads glowed even brighter, as if feeding on his pain. His body began to weaken, and his dark power was nearly gone. Amid the chaos, Kaizen could only watch as the enemy soldiers rounded up Aoi, Sakura, and even Itsuro. Their shouts and cries filled the air.
"I will not let you take them!" Kaizen roared, his voice cracking with anger and pain. He pushed himself forward for one final charge. But before he could reach them, a heavy blow hit him from behind. Kaizen fell to the ground with a thud. His vision went dark for a moment, and he struggled to stay conscious.
When Kaizen finally managed to open his eyes again, he saw the enemy soldiers standing around him. They had captured Aoi, Sakura, and Itsuro, all held tightly in their arms or chained. The leader of the soldiers approached Kaizen slowly, the holy mala beads clutched tightly in his hand.
"You have lost, Kaizen," the leader said coldly. "Your power is no match for the will of the High Monk."
Kaizen tried to rise, but his body refused to obey him. The suppression of his demonic energy left him weak and exposed. The leader pressed the beads against Kaizen's chest. Kaizen felt a sharp, burning pain, as if his very soul were being pinched and squeezed. His dark energy began to drain away completely.
"Now, you will be taken into custody," the leader continued. "Your fate will be decided by the High Monk himself."
The soldiers lifted Kaizen and dragged him away from the burning remnants of the village. Through his fading consciousness, Kaizen caught sight of Aoi, Sakura, and Itsuro. Their eyes were filled with fear and pain, and he wanted to scream out to them. But the holy mala beads had taken his strength, and his voice was reduced to a faint groan.
Kaizen's mind raced. He remembered the days of peace in the village,
the gentle voice of Aoi, and the innocent laughter of Sakura flashed before him. They were his reason to fight, his reason to endure. But the holy mala beads and the enemy's power had rendered him powerless.
The battle was lost, and the High Monk's forces now held all the cards. Kaizen lay there, silent and defeated, while outside, the sound of marching soldiers and the cries of the captured echoed in the cold air. The war was about to begin, and Kaizen feared that the peace he had once known would vanish forever.