On the battlefield. Five figures stood, their bodies scarred by wounds that should have been lethal. And yet, they were alive. In front of them, a dark shadow, the same entity that had guided their destinies in the last trials, rose with a presence impossible to ignore.

"They've come to the end," whispered Death in a voice that was both a murmur and a thunderclap. Now they must make a decision.

He raised a hand, and in his palm materialized an ethereal object, an ancient artifact whose fragments seemed to contain the echo of countless lost souls.

—Every generation, a great tremor or earthquake occurs where thousands of people perish. But among the survivors, five souls are selected to join the Death Committee. You are the chosen ones to replace the old Supreme Heralds and continue the cycle.

Ryuusei frowned, feeling a chill run down his spine. "What if we refuse?"

Death bowed his head slightly. "They will be hunted mercilessly. They cannot escape from what they already are.

The others were silent, their eyes dull and cold. But Aiko stepped forward, her determination reflected in her eyes.

"I don't accept this. I will not kill senselessly for an entity that has only filled us with fear.

Ryuusei nodded, feeling his own blood boil. "Exactly. We are not his puppets.

A deep silence reigned before Death bowed his head, assessing Ryuusei with an almost amused interest.

"You're different. In you there is chaos and peace at the same time. An impossible balance.

With a wave of his hand, Death formed a dark mask, the symbol of Ying-Yang etched on its surface.

"This will be your brand.

Ryuusei felt a chill as he received the mask, but his attention didn't wander. "I'm not going to obey your orders. Sooner or later I'll kill you.

A deep sigh echoed through the nothingness. Death raised his hand and, with cruel delight, caused Ryuusei's back to snap more than it already was, in a horrible crunch. The regeneration came slowly, painfully, as if his flesh were burning from the inside. While the others acquired rapid regeneration abilities, theirs would be a constant torment.

"Your words come at a price," Death whispered. And if you ever die, your fate will be the worst of all.

He turned to the others. "For you to be killed, you only need to draw out the source of power within your hearts. But you, Ryuusei...

The dark figure advanced, its presence crushing. "Your death will be more painful. First they will rip off your right arm. Then the left leg. They will pierce your heart with a sword... And finally, a leaf will go through your head. Thus, you will never regenerate.

Ryuusei, despite the pain, smiled defiantly. "You know gods bleed too, don't you?"

A glint ran through Death's eyes, an almost imperceptible gesture of surprise.

While the others had already become cold, inhuman in their killing ways, Ryuusei and Aiko clung to what was left of their humanity. But Death had made his decision: they were already part of the Committee, whether they wanted to or not. And the chaos that was coming was written into his destiny.

The pact was sealed.