The demon’s voice echoed across the black water.

  “ninety petals,” it said lazily. “You know what that means.”

  Akitsu Shouga did not answer.

  He turned his back on the demon.

  “Hey,” the demon called, tone sharpening slightly. “You’re not even going to ask?”

  Akitsu stepped off the red island.

  The black water swallowed his boots without resistance.

  “…You never listen,” the demon sighed.

  Akitsu walked forward anyway. The water rippled like ink disturbed by breath. With each step, the drifting petals trembled, as if reacting to his decision.

  Ahead of him stood a red door, half-submerged, its surface cracked and ancient.

  Akitsu placed his hand on it.

  “This isn’t the first time,” he murmured. “And it won’t be the last.”

  The demon’s voice faded. “Just remember—every door costs you something.”

  Akitsu opened it.

  Silence.

  Not darkness.

  Not light.

  Silence.

  The world collapsed inward.

  Akitsu opened his eyes.

  He was lying on stone.

  Cold stone.

  Above him—familiar rooftops.

  “…Crestfall,” he muttered, pushing himself up.

  But something was wrong.

  The air felt lighter. The pressure he always carried—his presence being noticed, felt—was gone.

  No one was looking at him.

  No one felt him.

  A guard rushed past him.

  Straight through him.

  Akitsu frowned. “…Different timeline.”

  A voice shouted nearby.

  “Captain Calder! Watch your left!”

  Akitsu spun.

  Rhen Calder was fighting Yurei again—but this time, something was different.

  Rhen was slower.

  Less prepared.

  Masamune clashed against shadow—but Yurei’s movements were sharper.

  “Rhen!” Akitsu shouted.

  No response.

  “…Right,” Akitsu muttered. “No one knows me here.”

  He rushed forward anyway.

  Joyeuse flared to life, light erupting—

  —but Yurei reacted instantly.

  Too fast.

  A shadow blade pierced Akitsu’s chest.

  He gasped.

  “…So that’s how this one ends.”

  Yurei leaned close, whispering, “You should not exist.”

  The world shattered.

  Black water.

  Red island.

  Petals.

  Now ninety-one.

  The demon was still there, watching him.

  “…You died faster,” the demon noted. “Sloppy.”

  Akitsu stood without looking at him.

  “Second timeline,” Akitsu said calmly. “Bad alignment.”

  The demon frowned. “You’re burning through chances.”

  Akitsu walked past him again.

  “…You’re stubborn,” the demon muttered.

  Akitsu opened another red door.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Pain.

  Akitsu was already dying.

  He was impaled through the shoulder, pinned to a wall by black tendrils.

  Rhen lay nearby—motionless.

  Yurei loomed over him.

  “You return,” it said. “Again.”

  Akitsu laughed weakly. “Yeah… not my best entry.”

  Yurei tilted its head. “Then let us end it properly.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Darkness consumed him.

  Black water.

  Red island.

  Petals drifting.

  Ninety-two.

  The demon didn’t speak this time.

  Akitsu exhaled slowly.

  “…Third try.”

  He looked at the petals.

  “I’ll make this one count.”

  And opened another door.

  The night air slammed into him.

  Akitsu staggered but stayed upright.

  This time—

  He arrived earlier.

  The fight was just beginning.

  Rhen Calder stood across from Yurei, Masamune in hand—but his expression was different.

  Focused.

  Calculating.

  Akitsu immediately moved.

  “Rhen!”

  Rhen’s head snapped toward him. “You—!”

  “No time,” Akitsu said quickly. “Drop the sword.”

  Rhen blinked. “What?”

  “It’s slowing you down,” Akitsu said. “Trust me.”

  Yurei began advancing.

  Rhen hesitated—then cursed and threw Masamune aside.

  “…Alright,” he muttered. “Then I’ll do it my way.”

  “Ghost,” Rhen said.

  His body phased.

  But not completely.

  Akitsu stepped back, raising Joyeuse. “I’ll keep its attention. You hit when it’s solid.”

  Yurei laughed softly. “How many times will you throw yourselves away?”

  Akitsu answered by unleashing a blinding flash.

  Light tore through the street.

  Yurei recoiled.

  Rhen vanished.

  He reappeared inside Yurei’s shadow—then solidified his fist at the last instant.

  Impact.

  Yurei staggered.

  “Again!” Akitsu shouted.

  Rhen phased, moved, struck—each punch perfectly timed, phasing until the final moment.

  Yurei shrieked, form destabilizing.

  “This body—!” it hissed.

  Akitsu kept his distance, Joyeuse flashing again and again, disrupting the shadows.

  “We almost have it!” Akitsu yelled.

  Yurei faltered.

  Then—

  It fled.

  The shadows collapsed inward, tearing a裂 in space as Yurei vanished.

  Silence returned.

  Rhen collapsed to one knee.

  “…Did we—win?”

  Akitsu rushed toward him. “Not killed. But driven off.”

  Rhen exhaled. “Good enough…”

  A sound cut through the air.

  Whistle.

  Akitsu turned.

  Too late.

  A mana arrow struck his head.

  Clean.

  Precise.

  His vision shattered.

  “…Ah,” Akitsu murmured as he fell. “So that’s the cost.”

  Black water.

  Red island.

  Petals.

  Now ninety-three.

  Akitsu sat up slowly.

  “…Almost,” he whispered.

  The demon was no longer lounging.

  He was standing.

  “Third time,” the demon said quietly. “You saved him.”

  Akitsu looked up. “Then it worked.”

  “But you still died,” the demon replied.

  Akitsu nodded. “Yeah.”

  He stared at the drifting petals.

  “I’ll keep going.”

  The demon watched him for a long moment.

  “…You’re going to run out eventually.”

  Akitsu stood and faced another red door.

  “Then I’ll make the last one matter.”

  He reached for the handle.

  And the water rippled in anticipation.