Chapter 91 – The Death of Arashi
The sky above Kyoto was painted gray — neither the warmth of sunlight nor the comfort of rain blessed the land that day. It was as if the heavens themselves mourned. The courtyard of the Sacred Aura Monastery stood silent, blanketed in white petals that drifted like snow. At its center rested a coffin of black cedar, engraved with glowing golden runes — the mark of the Grand Master Arashi, the last Sage of the Old Order.
Hundreds had gathered — Aura Wielders, world leaders, and representatives from every surviving academy. The air was thick with reverence and grief. Soldiers stood in silent ranks, while monks chanted low hymns that resonated like echoes of time itself.
Ishita stood at the front, dressed in a simple white robe, her eyes hollow yet burning with restrained emotion. She hadn't cried — not yet. Rehan stood beside her, his expression unreadable, jaw tense. Li Wei, behind them, bowed with quiet dignity, hands clasped before him.
As the ceremony began, Ethan stepped forward. His once-bright blue aura flickered faintly as he addressed the assembly.
> "Master Arashi was not just a leader… he was our compass," Ethan said, his voice trembling. "When the world began to drown in darkness, he taught us to see light — not in gods or demons, but in ourselves."
His words cracked midway, but he continued.
> "We will not forget his teachings — nor the price he paid to protect us."
A monk struck the ceremonial bell three times. Each toll reverberated through the valley, echoing off the snow-capped peaks.
When Ishita stepped forward, the murmurs rose. Some bowed in respect; others turned away. She could feel their judgment like blades pressing into her back.
> "She carries the Scarlet Curse…" someone whispered.
"Because of her, Arashi's aura faded faster," another muttered.
Ishita ignored them, kneeling beside the coffin. Her fingers brushed the cold wood as her aura — faintly scarlet — shimmered in the air.
> "Master…" she whispered, voice trembling for the first time. "You believed in me when the world didn't. You said power is not evil — only those who fear it make it so. I will not fail that faith."
Rehan placed a hand on her shoulder. His golden aura flickered briefly, mixing with her scarlet glow — two colors intertwining in mourning.
At the far end, world leaders stood in a solemn line — faces grim, eyes sharp. The President of the United States, the Prime Minister of India, the leaders of Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom — all watched in silence, their thoughts veiled behind diplomatic masks.
As the ceremony ended, the monks sealed the coffin in runic light. The sky darkened. Thunder rumbled far away, though no storm approached — only grief.
When the first raindrop fell on Ishita's cheek, she looked up and whispered,
> "Rest now, Master. Your fight isn't over. It continues through us."
The bell tolled one last time, marking the death of an era.
---
After the Ceremony
Later that night, the world leaders gathered in the temporary command dome set up within the Kyoto shrine complex. The mood was tense, political energy thick like smoke.
The U.S. President, a tall man with silver hair and weary eyes, broke the silence first.
> "We've lost our most strategic spiritual leader. The question now is simple: what happens when the demons come again?"
China's representative, a calm woman with short hair and sharp gaze, crossed her arms.
> "Our satellites detect rising aura activity in the Atlantic. The Ghost Demon's forces are moving."
Russia's President leaned forward.
> "We must not fight among ourselves. India's Scarlet Wielder is the key — without her, we stand no chance."
Ishita, standing in the corner, lifted her head slowly. The word "Scarlet Wielder" hung heavy in the air.
France's delegate spoke next, tone cautious.
> "Still… we must acknowledge the danger. Her aura is unstable. The same energy that saved the Himalayas destroyed half a glacier."
A moment of silence followed. Then the UK Prime Minister said softly,
> "We mourn Arashi, but we must not forget — power without balance leads to ruin. Even he said so."
Rehan's hand tightened on the table's edge.
> "Enough. You mourn with words but forget his lessons. Arashi believed in her because she was necessary. You fear what you don't understand."
Li Wei's calm voice followed, slicing through the tension.
> "Humanity's survival will not depend on politics. It will depend on aura — and unity. You can debate after the world still exists to govern."
The room fell silent again.
---
A Moment Alone
When the leaders finally dispersed, Ishita remained outside under the moonlight. The cherry blossoms around the shrine glowed faintly in the night breeze. She felt the cold wind brush her face, whispering fragments of her master's teachings.
> "Scarlet aura flows with emotion, not will. Learn to feel without breaking."
She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. Her aura flared gently, scarlet threads rising and fading like fireflies.
> "They blame me…" she murmured. "Maybe they're right."
Rehan appeared beside her, quiet.
> "No. They blame what they don't understand. You didn't kill Arashi — time did. He used the last of his aura to seal the Ghost Demon's trace. You saw it."
Her eyes flickered with guilt.
> "But I should have been stronger. Maybe he would still—"
Rehan interrupted gently.
> "Stop. Arashi made his choice. Now we make ours — to live, to fight, and to honor him."
For a long moment, silence stretched between them. The moon reflected in Ishita's eyes like molten silver.
> "Rehan…" she whispered. "What if I can't control it next time?"
Rehan smiled faintly, though sadness lingered in his tone.
> "Then I'll be there to remind you who you are — before the Scarlet takes over."
Ishita looked away, heart heavy. The world was preparing for war again, and she knew this was only the beginning.
---
The Last Prayer
In the inner shrine, Li Wei stood before Arashi's coffin, his azure aura faintly illuminating the darkness. He knelt and spoke quietly, his words a vow to the departed master.
> "You said once, Arashi — every generation carries a burden. The last carried hope. This one carries fire. I will make sure it burns the darkness, not the world."
He placed a single lotus on the coffin, its petals glowing faint blue. The aura responded — faintly, like a heartbeat. For a brief instant, it was as if the air whispered back.
> "Guide them well… Li Wei."
The voice was gone as quickly as it came, but Li Wei smiled. Arashi's spirit still lingered — not in death, but in the living.
As dawn broke, the monastery bells rang again — not in mourning this time, but in warning. Distant rumblings echoed across the world — the awakening had begun.
And beneath the cherry blossoms, Ishita whispered one final promise to her master's resting place:
> "I'll make sure your death wasn't in vain."
The scarlet aura flared around her once more — steady, powerful, and alive.