Chapter 9
The bearer blinked once and suddenly found himself in a place unlike any he had ever known. It wasn't the Limbo. It wasn't Hell. This was a dark realm he had never seen before. There was no sky, no ground only drifting embers suspended in time. Even the shadows seemed afraid.
Out of the darkness, a figure approached. His eyes locked with the bearer's. Straight-backed, smirking, with a madness lurking in his gaze
The 5th Bearer.
The current bearer stared, confused, then spoke:
"What is this place? And why are you laughing?"
The 5th Bearer let out a sharp laugh, echoing as if thousands of shadows joined him.
"What's wrong? Didn't think this could happen? Hahahahaha!"
The bearer remained silent, speechless.
The 5th Bearer stepped closer. His eyes burned with fury.
"I was the strongest. The most talented. The best. But the demon never saw it. Never gave me power like yours. You know why? Because he knew… if he gave me that much, I would become unstoppable. He couldn't control me. So he sealed me here.
And by doing so he sealed his own fate."
The bearer held his ground.
The 5th Bearer laughed maniacally:
"Those before me, those after me they're all mine now! All gave their power to me. When the demon created the mask, he split his power. Every time he gave a bearer strength, he weakened. By the time you wore the mask… he was already too frail.
Why do you think he never fully appeared to you? Hm?"
Darkness thickened around them.
"Because… I'm in control. He is my slave now. Hahahaha! And you… you sealed your fate when you brought that girl close. The demon always stayed away from that town. Because they were mine. My bloodline. She's my legacy. And you… you elevated my blood when you gave her your own."
The bearer's breath caught. Rage and disbelief collided within.
"That's what I was waiting for. Now I can return… through your body!"
The darkness spiraled like a curse.
"The demon is gone. Because I am the real demon now!"
The bearer lunged forward:
"Then why the soldier? Why that mission?"
The 5th Bearer grinned:
"The soldier? Just bait. To bring you here. This place… this is where my bones rest."
The bearer staggered. The mask trembled on his face.
"And that girl… while you lie unconscious, she's starting the ritual."
This wasn't just a graveyard of souls it was a resurrection ground. For the oldest bearer.
Now two wills clashed within the bearer: one from Shadowseal… the other, an echoing ancient curse.
The final act was only beginning.
He stood frozen. Eyes locked onto the silhouette of the 5th Bearer, mind cracked open by screams and visions.
"This has to be a lie," he whispered. "The demon can't be controlled."
The mask… he forged it. He ruled Hell.
So why… was he now silent?
"When was the last time he spoke to you?" asked the 5th Bearer, eyes glinting. "When did he last command you directly? He's fading. Because I'm inside. And I'm about to merge with you."
The world twisted again.
The endless gray gave way to a field of rotting bones. The bearer looked down.
Not gravel bones.
The remains of all who had ever worn the mask.
And at the center… a massive, sealed black skull, glowing from its eye sockets.
The 5th Bearer approached:
"Here, I will be reborn," he whispered. "Through your body. That girl… is finishing the ritual. The blood bond between us is almost complete."
The bearer fell to his knees, struggling against the rising tide of shadows.
But this time… the mask did not resist.
The demon was silent.
The other souls were still.
All of them… obeyed.
Meanwhile, in the physical world…
The girl knelt beside the bearer's motionless body.
Dark mist seeped from the mask.
Her eyes closed, breath rhythmic.
Her hands traced ancient symbols drawn in his blood.
The Shadowseal symbol rose from the ground becoming form.
"I just want to help him," she whispered. "And I can… if I become like him."
An instinct… a whisper…
"Go on," it seemed to say.
She lifted her head. Her eyes now dark.
Shadowseal's darkness swirled around her.
Inside the Mask…
The bearer stood once more, trembling but fueled by rage.
"You can't use me," he said. "This body is mine. My soul is still mine."
The 5th Bearer stepped closer.
"But you are weak," he said. "You didn't choose the mask it chose you, because you were dark enough. And now… I choose you."
Then, an image flashed in the bearer's mind
the girl, alone, calling upon the mask's power.
"No…" he growled, clenching his fists. "I have to reach her. I have to protect her."
The 5th Bearer screamed:
"It's too late! We're all merging with her!"
A storm of shadows roared within the mask.
But this time… the bearer did not flee.
He lifted his head, fists clenched
And walked into the darkness.