Kami no gyakuten:The yamato hero-Chapter 24: Sho’s Burden

Sho finally reached the Seiryu Clan Palace, his body exhausted but his mind even more drained. The battle in the cave, the terrifying presence of Joe, and most of all—Daigo's sacrifice—weighed heavily on his heart. His footsteps felt heavier with each step he took through the grand stone corridors of the palace.

As he entered the training grounds, he saw Jun training Quinn under the golden afternoon sky. Quinn was panting, struggling to keep up with Jun's strikes, but the determination in his eyes never wavered. Sho almost smiled at the sight, but the pain in his chest reminded him of why he was here.

Jun noticed Sho approaching and lowered his stance. His sharp eyes immediately sensed something was wrong. Daigo wasn't with him.

Sho stood there, hesitant, his throat dry. Before Jun could ask, he forced himself to speak.

"Daigo... isn't here."

Jun's eyes darkened. "What do you mean?"

Sho clenched his fists, struggling to find the right words. "In the cave... there was a river called the River of the Forgotten. If you stay in it for too long, you lose all your memories." His voice trembled as he continued. "The water suddenly pulled us in... and Daigo pushed me and Kyoko to the surface. He... sank."

Quinn's expression shifted from curiosity to horror. "No... he wouldn't just disappear like that, right? He's Daigo! He's too strong to—"

Sho shook his head, his hands trembling. "We couldn't save him..."

A heavy silence settled between them. The only sound was the distant wind rustling the training grounds.

Jun exhaled sharply, his fists tightening. He wasn't the type to break down, but his eyes betrayed his emotions. "Damn it... That idiot... He saved you two at his own cost."

Quinn took a step forward, his face filled with desperation. "But he could still be alive, right?! Maybe he's just—"

Sho didn't answer. He didn't know the truth himself. He could only pray that Daigo was alive somewhere.

The pain of telling Jun and Quinn was unbearable, but nothing compared to what came next.

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Sho stood outside a quiet, traditional house, his heart pounding. This was Daigo's home. His parents were inside, waiting for their son to return.

He swallowed hard and stepped forward. With each knock on the wooden door, his guilt grew stronger.

The door slid open. Daigo's mother, Reina, stood there, smiling at first—until she saw the expression on Sho's face. Her smile faded instantly.

"S-Sho?" Her voice was gentle but laced with concern. "Where's Daigo?"

Sho opened his mouth, but the words refused to come out.

Then, Daigo's father, Kazuma, appeared behind her, his towering presence making Sho feel even smaller. "What's wrong, boy?" His deep voice carried the weight of experience.

Sho took a shaky breath. "I... I don't know how to say this..."

Reina's hands trembled slightly. "Where is my son?" she repeated, her voice now pleading.

Sho lowered his head.

"In the cave... Daigo saved us. He... He pushed us out of the water, but he..." Sho's voice cracked. "He disappeared into the river."

The silence was suffocating.

Kazuma stood frozen. Reina's eyes widened in disbelief.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, that can't be right. He—he's coming back, right? You just couldn't find him, right?"

Sho didn't respond. Tears welled in Reina's eyes. She stumbled back slightly, clutching her chest.

Kazuma, always the strong and composed one, clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "He's alive." His voice was firm, but Sho could hear the desperation behind it. "My son wouldn't just vanish."

Sho's vision blurred. He had expected anger, maybe even blame, but this was far worse. They refused to accept it.

Reina dropped to her knees, covering her mouth as silent sobs escaped. "My boy... My Daigo... He was just here... I—I should have told him to be careful before he left..."

Sho's chest felt like it was caving in. This was his fault. He should've done more. He should've saved him.

Kazuma knelt beside his wife, placing a strong but trembling hand on her shoulder. Though his face remained stoic, Sho could see the pain in his eyes. "We'll find him," Kazuma said, as if convincing himself. "He's out there."

Sho clenched his fists. "I promise... I'll find him."

The weight of that promise crushed him. He didn't know if Daigo was alive. He didn't know where to start looking.

But one thing was clear—he couldn't let this be the end.