Lost In Chaos

One night, Ryuma didn't give Kaz any time after his decision. It was almost as though Ryuma had known he would say yes all along. Without hesitation, Ryuma packed a small bag for Kaz, complete with a custom uniform and a weapon.

Kaz's eyes widened when Ryuma unveiled the sword. It was a Jian—a sleek, double-edged blade that glimmered with a faint purple hue. The steel shimmered under the moonlight, casting long, dancing shadows across the dimly lit room. The weapon seemed to absorb the surrounding darkness, as though pulling it into its core.

"This is yours now," Ryuma said with a grin, holding out the sword.

Kaz hesitated for a moment before taking it into his hands. The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a strange sensation washed over him. The blade was unnaturally cold to the touch, but its balance was perfect. It felt almost... alive.

As he raised the sword to examine it closer, the weapon suddenly emitted a blinding flash of light. Kaz staggered back, shielding his eyes with his arm. When the light faded, the sword was gone.

He froze, looking around in confusion. "What the hell?"

That's when the system rang in his ears, its human-like voice both soothing and unsettling:

You have received a talisman: The Lonely Star.

Kaz blinked, his breath hitching. "A... talisman?" he muttered aloud. Turning back to the bag, he noticed something else—Ryuma had packed armor as well. The dark, sleek plating gleamed faintly, its surface marked with intricate engravings that seemed to pulse with energy.

It hit him then: the armor was also a talisman.

"I thought talismans were just for boosting strength," Kaz murmured, his mind racing. "But weapons? Armor? Are they talismans too?"

His curiosity piqued, he opened his scripts to investigate further. The system projected the details before him:

Talisman Name: The Lonely Star

Item Type: Jian (Weapon)

Item Rank: Aberration Level

Item Description: Forged by the Dark Bloom Clan, this Jian is empowered by the user's most powerful emotion.

Kaz stared at the words, processing their meaning. His mind immediately wandered to his trait—Son of Chaos. If the sword grew stronger with emotion, did that mean it would thrive on his chaotic nature? Would the blade become more powerful as he surrendered to the cravings of his trait?

He gripped his head, frustrated. "This is either genius or a disaster waiting to happen."

Kaz's gaze returned to the bag, his thoughts swirling. The armor and sword were no ordinary items, and their connection to the Dark Bloom Clan raised more questions than answers. Why would Ryuma have access to such artifacts? And why would he give them to Kaz so freely?

The more Kaz thought about it, the more pieces began to fall into place.

The Dark Bloom Clan. He'd heard the name whispered before—an elite group rumored to be descended from ancient Riftborn. They were said to wield unmatched power and resources, shaping the course of Rift history from the shadows.

Ryuma's proficiency in survival, his seemingly innate understanding of Rift techniques, his ability to create shelters with ease—all of it now made sense. Ryuma wasn't just a random friend Kaz had stumbled upon. He was part of this legendary clan, born into a lineage of power and secrets.

Kaz's jaw tightened. "Who the hell is Ryuma, really?"

The question lingered in the air, heavy and unanswered.

Kaz placed the bag down, sitting on the edge of his bed. The weight of his realization pressed down on him like a crushing wave. Ryuma had always been an enigma, but now Kaz felt like he was staring at the tip of an iceberg.

And beneath that surface was a depth he wasn't sure he wanted to explore.

For a moment, Kaz considered confronting Ryuma. But exhaustion crept over him, dulling his thoughts. The chaotic energy inside him, the revelations about Ryuma, the mysteries of the talismans—it was all too much to process at once.

He leaned back, letting his body sink into the mattress. The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the window, casting a silvery sheen over the room. The imp scurried onto the bed, curling up beside Kaz with an odd sense of comfort.

Kaz closed his eyes, letting out a long breath. "One night," he murmured to himself. "I just need one night to figure this all out..."