The entire Ishinara family are eating together at their dinner table.

Issei, the man of the house, sits on one end of the rectangular dining table, with his wife and daughter sitting on his left side and his two sons sitting on the right.

And sitting on the other end is the strange man, happily feasting on a plate of curry.

Makise and Maki judgingly glare at him, annoyed by his presence.

Issei and Akari welcome their old friend as warmly as they could tolerate him.

And Ryuken, with a wide beaming smile on his face, gazes at the man as he gladly finishes his meal, purely delighted to see Uncle Yuugi again.

YUUGI: Woo! This is the second-best curry I've ever had!

ISSEI: You can't even lie in front of the cook herself, can't you?

YUUGI: Honesty is a virtue, Issei-kun. And you all know who's my first, right?

AKARI: (smiles) I'll take second place to her anytime. But... she would tell that something was off If she tasted it.

YUUGI: No, Nao wouldn't say anything. She would just nod and say that you're doing great.

AKARI: Yeah... she was too nice for her own good.

YUUGI: Except when I smoke in the house.

AKARI: Nobody wants their place to smell like ash. Issei here already learned his lesson.

ISSEI: What? Since when?

AKARI: What do you mean "since when"?!

ISSEI: (sweats) Ah... just kidding, just kidding. Of course, I don't do that anymore.

YUUGI: (turns to Akari) Not when you're watching.

AKARI: Don't worry. (smiles slyly) As long as I'm here, he won't puff a single smoke in this house.

ISSEI: (sweats nervously) Ah... maybe I shouldn't have come home a bit sooner...

Yuugi and Akari teasingly laugh at Issei's flustered expression.

Issei gives up and laughs at himself as well.

Ryuken softly laughs along with them but Maki and Makise keep on eating their meals.

MAKISE: It was just Yuugi the whole time.

MAKI: I got worked up just for nothing.

MAKISE: At least one of us seems happy.

RYUKEN: W- well, he hasn't been here for quite a while.

MAKI: But it's only been like... 6 months? 7 months?

RYUKEN: 15 months.

MAKI: ... you know that?

MAKISE: Of course, he knows.

RYUKEN: Uncle Yuugi?

YUUGI: Yeah, Ryuken?

RYUKEN: How long will you stay?

YUUGI: Just tonight.

RYUKEN: What?! That soon?

YUUGI: Yeah... got some folks I need to meet tomorrow night.

RYUKEN: ... you really can't stay a little longer?

YUUGI: There's always tomorrow. I'll be off by evening, so we still got the morning light.

Ryuken looks upset, wishing that it weren't so.

YUUGI: But hey-

Yuugi looks at him with a reassuring smile.

YUUGI: -at least I'm here, right?

Ryuken smiles back, feeling glad to at least see him again.

YUUGI: It's been a rough couple of years. Getting promoted doesn't just give you lots of pay, it gives you lots of work. Still-

Yuugi cracks a confident smirk and winks at Ryuken.

YUUGI: Nothing I can't handle.

RYUKEN: (chuckles)

AKARI: Must be nice being the boss now, huh?

YUUGI: I still have my higher-ups to deal with. And man... they can be a pain in the neck.

ISSEI: (chuckles) You can't do things like you always do.

YUUGI: But, everyone's taking it too seriously. It pays to be a little more relaxed. Even my so-called "underlings" are yelling in my ears.

ISSEI: Well, they are doing their jobs.

YUUGI: And better, too! They should've been the one driving the ship, not me.

ISSEI: You do have a better record than them.

YUUGI: (annoyed) Ahh...! My records don't mean anything. Hell, you'd do way better than me if you were in my shoes.

ISSEI: (laughs) I wouldn't be so sure.

YUUGI: Ah! Let's not talk about work. Let's talk about the man of the hour here!

RYUKEN: Huh?

YUUGI: I can't believe you joined Kendo, Ryuken. Why's that?

RYUKEN: W- well, I wanted to try something new, and... I thought it was cool, that's all.

YUUGI: Nothing wrong with cool, Kendo is the coolest! It warms my heart to see that you're following in my footsteps.

RYUKEN: Wait? You've done it before?

YUUGI: Hell yeah! I've even won a few trophies back in my day. If only I know where they are...

RYUKEN: I- I never knew that.

YUUGI: (smirks) You think you know me well, Ryuken? Think again!

RYUKEN: (chuckles)

YUUGI: Hey, maybe we could practice a little bit. You and me.

RYUKEN: Ah! R- really?

YUUGI: Yeah, why not? We could start early tomorrow.

RYUKEN: That- that'll be great!

YUUGI: Yeah! Just take out that sword of yours and I'll teach you some cool tricks you can do to impress the ladies.

RYUKEN: Wha? S- sword?

YUUGI: Yeah, the one from earlier.

RYUKEN: O- oh! You mean... the bamboo sword?

YUUGI: ... yeah. What else?

RYUKEN: Oh, um... I don't think we can use that...

YUUGI: Why not?

RYUKEN: (sweats) Well, it's uh...

YUUGI: ...

RYUKEN: ... it- it belongs to a friend.

YUUGI: Well, they wouldn't mind if we borrow it.

RYUKEN: It- it's very valuable to them.

ISSEI: Then, why did they give it to you?

RYUKEN: W- well, they want me to... keep it safe with me, since... they'll be away for a while.

MAKISE: How valuable is it?

RYUKEN: Well, it's... kind of a... fancy set-piece...

AKARI: A fancy set-piece?

RYUKEN: Uh... yeah!

MAKI: A fancy... bamboo sword?

RYUKEN: Uh...

YUUGI: ... that's unheard of.

Ryuken sweats anxiously as everyone on the table questionably stares into him.

RYUKEN: ...

YUUGI: (shrugs shoulder) Well, what do I know? I'm too old to keep up with the times now.

Ryuken lets out a soft, relieved sigh.

AKARI: You're old? You haven't even reached your midlife crisis yet.

YUUGI: And yet, I'm already feeling it.

RYUKEN: Oh, Uncle Yuugi, you were looking for me at school earlier?

YUUGI: Yeah! I thought it'd be nice to walk you back home.

RYUKEN: Oh, that would be nice...

YUUGI: How d'you know?

RYUKEN: My friends, they told me they met someone who was looking for me.

YUUGI: Oh, yeah! I met one of them. I also heard you were out with some Tetsunouji guy.

RYUKEN: Ah! How- how do you know that?

YUUGI: Some guy from the Kendo dojo said it. (smiles slyly) Now, I'm curious as to why you're hanging out with him.

RYUKEN: Um, well... I, uh...

AKARI: They're doing a project together.

YUUGI: A project?

AKARI: Something to do with a... show. He had dinner with us a few days ago.

ISSEI: Really?

AKARI: He was very nice.

MAKI: (blushes) And handsome...

MAKISE: He soiled my chair.

AKARI: (chuckles) What's funny is that I asked him to guess my age. I never thought he'd get it, but he actually did!

ISSEI: He guessed your age?

AKARI: (smiles cheekily) You're jealous or what?

ISSEI: Why would I be jealous?

AKARI: Why don't you try guessing it, then?

ISSEI: Why would I? I know it.

Issei bites into a pork cutlet, as Akari waits for his answer.

AKARI: ...

ISSEI: (chewing)

AKARI: ...

ISSEI: ... what?

AKARI: Well?

ISSEI: Um, f- forty...

AKARI: Oh my god...

Her face dropped with disappointment.

AKARI: I already accepted the fact that you won't remember my birthday... but my age?! Really?!

ISSEI: I mean... we're the same age-

AKARI: I'm a year younger, you dolt!

ISSEI: Oh... (chuckles nervously) Right...

YUUGI: (laughs) Thank god, I never get to face this.

RYUKEN: Sorry I didn’t get to see you earlier. If I'd knew, I would-

YUUGI: Oh, don’t be. Come to think of it, I'm actually happy that you’re keeping yourself busy nowadays.

RYUKEN: I... wish I wasn’t.

YUUGI: You hardly did anything back when you were younger.

RYUKEN: And I’m starting to miss those days.

YUUGI: You're even making new friends. That's great! And a rich one, too.

RYUKEN: W- well, Kenzaki-sempai is more of my... teammate, or something like that.

YUUGI: That's close enough. Just make sure he remembers you when you got money problems.

RYUKEN: I- I don’t think I could ask for that?!

YUUGI: What are friends for, if not to benefit from them?

AKARI: (glares) That's not a very good thing to teach a kid.

YUUGI: Isn’t that why we’re friends in the first place?

AKARI: I don’t think I've gained anything ever since I’ve known you.

ISSEI: I sure did.

AKARI: Hm? For what?

ISSEI: Meeting you.

Issei stares into Akari with soft, loving eyes.

AKARI: (glares) Don’t get flirty with me until you remember my birthday.

ISSEI: (smiles nervously) Ah... I thought that might work...

The rest of the table broke into laughter at Issei’s attempt to win over his wife.

ISSEI: (chuckles embarrassingly)

...

The night goes on for the Ishinara home.

Issei steps out of the house to the front yard to have himself a little smoke break.

He takes out a cigarette box from his pocket as he stares into the night sky.

YUUGI: How does it feel, being retired?

Yuugi steps out to join Issei.

ISSEI: (smiles) Never been free all my life.

YUUGI: Kinda feels lonely now that you're out.

ISSEI: I'm not out for good. You can call me up whenever you want.

YUUGI: No. Once anyone's done, it's best to leave them be.

Issei knocks on the bottom of his cigarette box.

ISSEI: I couldn't imagine juggling two lives at once at this age.

YUUGI: (chuckles) You don't have to imagine. Look at me.

ISSEI: (laughs) I guess I don't miss much, huh?

He opens the box and pulls a cigarette out.

YUUGI: I'm just lucky my boss hasn't fired me yet.

He puts it in his mouth and takes out a lighter from his pocket.

ISSEI: Which one?

YUUGI: (glares) Are you kidding me?

Issei laughs and goes on to light up his cigarette.

ISSEI: Why don't you retire?

YUUGI: ... It's all I got.

He breathes in and puffs out a cloud of smoke.

He turns to Yuugi and offers him one.

YUUGI: (smiles) Not yet.

A hand appears from behind Yuugi and reaches to the box.

AKARI: Thaaank you!

Akari places a cigarette in her mouth and turns to Issei.

AKARI: I need a light-

YUUGI: I got it.

Yuugi pulls out a metal lighter case from his jacket. Engraved on it is a symbol of a water buffalo.

He flips it open and flicks it, as it ignites a bright purple flame.

Akari lights up her cigarette, breaths in and puffs one out into the air.

The three of them look up to the night sky, having a quiet moment together.

YUUGI: ...

AKARI: ...

ISSEI: ...

AKARI: You should stay here for the night.

YUUGI: That's alright. I'll just stay at the hotel near-

AKARI: Stop it. You can sleep in the room downstairs. I'll give you a futon later.

YUUGI: (smiles) Thanks.

ISSEI: You sure you can't stay for one more night?

YUUGI: I can't, even if I tried.

ISSEI: You should talk to Ryuken. Maybe you could plan something out for tomorrow.

YUUGI: ... that'd be nice.

AKARI: Make sure he comes back this time.

YUUGI: (laughs) I brought him back the first time.

AKARI: Only after we called the police!

YUUGI: Come on... he's not that little anymore.

AKARI: He's still my little precious.

YUUGI: (chuckles) ... yeah.

AKARI: ...

ISSEI: When will you come back?

YUUGI: ... I don't know. I'll try to come here more often.

ISSEI: Like I said, why don't you just retire?

AKARI: Retire?

YUUGI: (sweats) Uh, what do you mean, Issei-kun?! I can't just quit my job like that! You know?

ISSEI: (chuckles)

AKARI: ...?

YUUGI: Living as a single, working man is just too hard nowadays. I got bills to pay.

AKARI: You're still living in that dirty apartment?

YUUGI: I clean it sometimes.

AKARI: Come on, Yuugi. You gotta move out of there, someday.

YUUGI: Where should I go, then?

AKARI: You can just move here. There's a bunch of other places-

YUUGI: Well, I live near where I work. So, it's conveni-

AKARI: You can work anywhere, right? It'd be nice if you can be near us. And, also-

Akari glances at Yuugi, staring down with a conflicted look across his face.

YUUGI: ... it's alright.

AKARI: ...

ISSEI: ...

YUUGI: ...

Akari turns away, feeling worried as she breaths in another smoke.

Yuugi glances at Akari holding her cigarette. He starts to chuckle by himself, as a memory sparks into his head.

AKARI: Hm?

YUUGI: (smiles) You remember when- when Nao found out that you smoke?

AKARI: Oh god... (laughs) she lost it.

YUUGI: (chuckles) She always hated holding her breath every time we hung out.

AKARI: All thanks to that guy over there.

ISSEI: Me? (chuckles) You were the one who got me into it.

AKARI: (chuckles) But Nao thought you did, and I remember her getting so mad at you-

ISSEI: Man... that was the only time I got really scared of her.

Akari burst out laughing seeing Issei's wide-eyed expression.

ISSEI: And I didn't even do ANYTHING!

Yuugi breaks into a laugh after hearing Issei bolting out.

ISSEI: (chuckles) Remember when we had her try it once?

AKARI: And she barfed like CRAZY!

Yuugi wipes a tear from his face after laughing so much.

YUUGI: ... she barfed for weeks...

ISSEI: She did?

YUUGI: It was so scary... she couldn't eat anything for a while. She could still taste it in her mouth.

ISSEI: Is that why you told us not to smoke around her that time?

YUUGI: Yep. Just the sight alone could trigger her. Thank god it went away after that.

AKARI: I remember you snatched my smoke away that time! I got so mad-

YUUGI: I had to! I don't want her to barf all over us!

The three of them burst out laughing cheerily together under the calm night sky, as they reminisce the old days.

...

In his room, Ryuken stares down at the sword bag laying on his bed.

As he ponders for a while, he eventually kneels down and unzips it.

He pulls out the katana sword and deeply stares into it.

RYUKEN: ...

He unsheathes it slightly, seeing only inches of the blade.

RYUKEN: ...

He sheathes it back and shuts his eyes as he holds it firmly with both hands.

RYUKEN: ... I want-

He holds it tightly as he deeply focuses on the sword.

RYUKEN: ... I want to Bond...

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: I want to Bond it.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: I want to... Bond with it?

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: Bonding with it?

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: Uh, Bond with me?

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: I mean... I'm using the right words, right? Or is it...

He brings it closer to his head and concentrates as hard as he can to Bond with the Demon within.

Feeling.

Thinking.

Wanting.

Wishing.

Needing.

Bondi-

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

YUUGI: Hey, Ryuken! Can I come in?

RYUKEN: Wha- WAIT!

He puts the sword back into the bag.

YUUGI: You busy?

RYUKEN: Just a second!

He zips the bag and puts it under his bed.

YUUGI: Oh... not a good time?

RYUKEN: Hold on!

He pushes it further inside.

YUUGI: I can come later-

RYUKEN: Just a... second.

Yuugi waits for a moment, but no sound peeps out of the room.

YUUGI: ... Ryuken?

He slowly opens the door-

YUUGI: Ryuken, you good?

-and sees Ryuken at his desk, doing his homework.

RYUKEN: (sweats) H- hey, Uncle Yuugi! Sorry, I was just... busy with this.

YUUGI: Oh. I thought you were... doing something else.

He turns to the corner of the desk and sees a baby dragon plush sitting on it.

YUUGI: Hey, I know you!

He holds it up with both hands.

YUUGI: You still kept it all this time?

RYUKEN: Well, I... I like it.

YUUGI: Really?

Yuugi longingly stares into its red button eyes.

YUUGI: ... that's nice.

RYUKEN: I used to bring it to school after you gave it to me, until I... don't anymore.

YUUGI: Too old for you?

RYUKEN: Too many... grabby hands.

Yuugi sees its right arm stitched to its body by a black thread.

YUUGI: Ah... I see.

RYUKEN: Mom helped.

YUUGI: (smiles) That's good.

He puts it back on the desk and gently pats its head.

YUUGI: So, we got at least a day tomorrow. What do you think we should do?

RYUKEN: How about a movie?

Yuugi walks to Ryuken's bed and sits on it.

YUUGI: A movie, huh? What should we watch, then?

RYUKEN: There's this new Hollywood action movie that just came out. Luther Lee is in it.

YUUGI: Luther Lee? (whispers) Sounds like a pornstar.

RYUKEN: I've seen him on TV and I really think he's cool, so... you're okay with that?

YUUGI: (smiles) I'm down for anything. What should we do next?

RYUKEN: We could go to the cinema first on Senko Street and once we're done, maybe we can... grab some lunch?

YUUGI: Lunch, huh? What should we eat?

RYUKEN: Do you have... anything in mind?

YUUGI: Anything you're craving for?

RYUKEN: Mm... it's been a while since I had okonomiyaki...

YUUGI: (smiles) Okonomiyaki it is!

RYUKEN: Do... do you wanna do something else?

YUUGI: Don't worry about me. Tomorrow's your day! We're celebrating you for entering high school.

RYUKEN: Well, I don't think it's something worth celebrating.

YUUGI: What are you talking about? You're only a few steps away from reaching adulthood. Another year to live and grow is always worth celebrating. So, whatever you wanna do, let's do it all in one day!

RYUKEN: (chuckles) Or just as much as we can.

YUUGI: We can bring Sayuri along too.

RYUKEN: S- Sayuri?!

YUUGI: Yeah, I met her earlier. I mentioned your name and she told me that she's your friend. And I was thinking, "This must be Sayuri." And she is!

RYUKEN: You... you remember her name?

YUUGI: Of course, I do! Sayuri and Genji! Your "Bestest Best Friends", like you used to call them, right?

RYUKEN: (cringes)

YUUGI: All that's left is Genji, then.

RYUKEN: You actually met him earlier.

YUUGI: What? I did?

RYUKEN: At the soccer field.

YUUGI: That was him? But he said he didn't know you.

RYUKEN: He thought you looked fishy, so he just lied.

YUUGI: Huh... that was pretty smart of him. (chuckles) Now, that I think about it, I probably looked really shady back there.

RYUKEN: (chuckles) And the shades don't help at all.

YUUGI: (laughs) He probably thought I was a gangster!

RYUKEN: (laughs)

YUUGI: So, what do you think? The more, the merrier.

RYUKEN: W- well, maybe not...

YUUGI: Hmm... don't want an old man ruining the youth's fun, huh?

RYUKEN: N- no, that's not what I-

YUUGI: (laughs) Don't worry! I get it! I just thought It'd be nice to know them more, especially Sayuri.

RYUKEN: Sayuri?

YUUGI: She's very nice. No wonder you like her.

RYUKEN: (blushes) Ah...! W- what are you saying?!

YUUGI: You told me that when you were-

RYUKEN: I- I was 10! I didn't know what I was saying!

YUUGI: Oh... so you don't like her?

RYUKEN: Ah, well... that's not-

YUUGI: (laughs) You can't hide those feelings forever, Ryuken!

RYUKEN: (blushes) ... shut up.

Yuugi laughs loudly as Ryuken looks away, feeling embarrassed.

But he starts to look down with a sad look on his face.

RYUKEN: ...

YUUGI: ... what's wrong?

RYUKEN: Um...

YUUGI: ...

RYUKEN: I... I know you've been pretty busy lately, Uncle Yuugi, but you don't have to force yourself to visit every so often.

YUUGI: ...

RYUKEN: I know it's been more than a year, but if you really can't come, then... I- I understand.

YUUGI: ...

RYUKEN: May- maybe next time, I'll visit you instead. Like... maybe for summer, I could spend a week with you.

YUUGI: (smiles) Maybe...

Yuugi looks down and lets out a heavy sigh.

YUUGI: These last few years... have been challenging.

Yuugi reaches into his jacket.

YUUGI: Being a boss ain't easy. You're not just responsible for yourself, but for your subordinates as well, especially their mistakes.

He holds an object in his hand.

YUUGI: But what's worse... is that your mistakes would be their burden to bear.

He fiddles with it.

YUUGI: And, in worst times-

Before he could finish, he cut himself off and lets out a deep, bitter sigh.

RYUKEN: ...

YUUGI: You could have all the strength in the world, but it never pays, if it means losing the ones you vow to protect.

Yuugi stares down at the object in his hand with sad, regretful eyes.

YUUGI: ...

RYUKEN: I... I never thought that... construction would be that hard.

YUUGI: (chuckles) You wouldn't believe... but hey!

RYUKEN: Ah?

YUUGI: (smiles) Nothing I can't handle.

Yuugi tosses the object to Ryuken, who manages to catch it.

RYUKEN: W- what's this?

Ryuken's eyes widen in shock and disbelief.

In his hand, is the damaged Spirit Coin that he fired earlier.

RYUKEN: W- wha-

YUUGI: A coin dropped on my head when I was leaving your school. Crazy, huh?

RYUKEN: It- it dropped! Did- did it hurt?

YUUGI: Ahh... it stings a little bit.

RYUKEN: H- how... how did it happen?

YUUGI: I don't know. Some idiot probably dropped it.

RYUKEN: Shou- should we... give it back or something?

YUUGI: Nah. It's trash by now. You can't even buy a single caramel cube with that.

RYUKEN: Ah...

YUUGI: (stands up) I thought I'd hold on to it for good luck... or something. You want it?

RYUKEN: Ah... really?

YUUGI: (laughs) I'm just playing. It's useless. There's no worth keeping it anyway.

As Yuugi was about to grab it, Ryuken pulls his hand away.

RYUKEN: Um, then... can I- can I keep it?

YUUGI: ... really?

RYUKEN: Uh, y- yeah...

YUUGI: ... it's just a useless piece of metal.

RYUKEN: Y- yeah, but I... kinda want it, if that's okay.

YUUGI: ... I was just tossing it for fun.

RYUKEN: Yeah, but I don't mind having it. L- like you said, it's trash, so the owner wouldn't mind it at all, right? Who- who knows? I might get some... good luck from it.

YUUGI: ...

RYUKEN: (sweats anxiously)

YUUGI: Hmm... I didn't know you were into coin collecting.

RYUKEN: I- I need... better hobbies.

YUUGI: Well, I was planning to- I mean, I was just gonna... throw it out.

RYUKEN: Well, it's... mine now. (smiles nervously)

YUUGI: (smiles) Alright, Ryuken. Do whatever you wanna do.

Yuugi brushes Ryuken's hair and walks to the door.

Ryuken looks down at the coin in his hand and focuses on it.

It starts to stand up.

YUUGI: Morning tomorrow?

Ryuken quickly closes his hand.

RYUKEN: Ah! Yeah! We- we can leave by 10.

YUUGI: Gotcha!

Yuugi walks away from Ryuken's room.

YUUGI: You still have time to call Sayuri, you know?

RYUKEN: W- what?! No...

YUUGI: Don't worryyy. When the times right, I'll leave you two at it.

RYUKEN: (blushes) That- that's still a no!

...

Your vision is blurry. A pair of hands reach out to you.

Someone is holding your small body. You can't seem to tell their face, but you feel calm and warm in their arms.

An explosion appears out of nowhere. A huge and sparkling creature with lightning flashing around its body appears out of it.

You fell to the ground and see nothing but the black, starry sky above.

"... take the sword..."

The creature looks down on you.

"... put me back..."

You see its red eyes, staring back at you.

"Leave me be..."

It widens up its jaws as flashes of lightning sparks out of it.

"Leave me be..."

Its breath, its roars, the crackling of lightning, you can hear them all at once.

"Leave me be..."

Its mouth gets closer and closer to you, and-

"... I am sorry."

...

RYUKEN: GAH!

Ryuken wakes up in the middle of the night, lying flat on his bed, drenched in cold sweat.

He slowly catches his breath as he stares blankly at the ceiling.

RYUKEN: (pants)

After finally calming himself down, he turns to his side, trying to get back to sleep.

RYUKEN: ...

He turns and turns, but his mind is racing with thoughts.

The dream.

The Demon.

The sword.

The Demon in the sword.

RYUKEN: ... mmf...

After minutes of trying to sleep, he finally lays flat on his bed and lets out a worried sigh.

He couldn't stop thinking about his dream and silently wonders to himself.

RYUKEN: ...

Without a second thought, he peeks under his bed and pulls out the sword bag.

He opens it and pulls out the katana sword while sitting on his bed.

He quietly stares at it and holds it closer to his face-

RYUKEN: ...

-to try again.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: ... Bond with me.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: Bond with me.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: Would you... Bond with me?

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: Can you... Bond with me?

He feels and thinks as hard as he can-

RYUKEN: ...

-still nothing.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: ... can you hear me?

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: Can you hear me?

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: ... I don't know if you can hear me.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: (sighs) I...

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: ... I know that you want me to... put you away somewhere safe...

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: ... but, I- I just can't.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: I still... I still don't know who you are and...

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: ... I don't know who I am. Or... what I am.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: And I know you know.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: So, please... tell me.

KATANA: ...

RYUKEN: I need to know.

He closes his eyes and rests the sword on his forehead.

RYUKEN: ... I need to know.

...

Under the blood-red sky and the thick, dark clouds, a vast desert of black sand with vile, green rocky structures erects from the ground as the wind blows a nasty breeze.

In a dusky and dreadful cave with purple smoke fuming everywhere, a fiery portal slowly opens up.

From inside, a swarm of small, scaly, devilish creatures flood out of the portal, screaming and huddling together.

IMP LIZARDS: KII!!!

All of the Imp Lizards exits the closing portal and as they slowly disperse from one another, from inside the swarm reveals a young, teenage boy, wearing a cap and a hoodie.

BOY: Gah! Get off me! Get- get off!

IMP LIZARDS: KII!!!

BOY: Wha- what are you- where did you take me? Why-

The boy looks up and sees a tall, green, muscular Demon standing from the shadows, staring ravenously at him with its bright, yellow reptilian eyes.

BOY: (terrified) ... ah...

The Demon walks closer and closer to him, but the boy could only stare quietly in fear.

BOY: (sweats fearfully)

The Demon looks down at the helpless boy and cracks a devilish grin.

BOY: (shaking)

RAGGRIK: ... you hungry, boyyy?

BOY: Ah?

RAGGRIK: Cause I am.

BOY: G- GYAHHH!!!

The boy crawls away, but Raggrik quickly grabs his leg and pulls him up with ease.

BOY: Ah!

As a metal button drops from his hoodie, the Demon lifts him up high till they are face to face.

RAGGRIK: (smiles wickedly)

BOY: P- please... d- don't-

RAGGRIK: Don't what?

BOY: J- just... just don't-

RAGGRIK: Tell me... what you don't want.

Raggrik raises up his hand to the boy's face and extends his sharp, black claws.

BOY: Ah!!!

RAGGRIK: Is this... what you don't want?

BOY: (sweats anxiously)

The boy tries to shake off his leg, but he couldn't slip from the Demon's grip.

As the Demon slowly reaches his hand to the boy's stomach, closer and closer, the boy takes off his cap and swings it at Raggrik's face as it transforms into a metal bat.

PING!

RAGGRIK: AH!!!

Stunned, Raggrik lets go of his grip and drops the boy to the ground.

The boy quickly stood up and runs away from his doom.

RAGGRIK: (rubs his jaw) ... feisty.

The boy runs around the many passages inside the cave, yet he can't find a way out.

BOY: Oh... god.

Panicked, he keeps on running and running-

BOY: Ah?!

-only to face a wall at the end of a passage.

BOY: No, no, no... I can't die here... I can't-

FWOOP!

BOY: Ah?

SHINK!

BOY: AH!!!

A giant battle-axe flies from behind and jabs on the wall, almost slashing his face.

He sees his frightened expression reflected on the axe, as the sound of deep, wicked laughter gets louder and louder.

The boy turns to the sound and sees Raggrik, coming in closer with a nasty grin.

RAGGRIK: That was close...

BOY: (sweats intensely)

RAGGRIK: Don't want to ruin that pretty face of yours.

His entire body is shaking in fear, but with every sliver of courage he could find, he firmly holds his metal bat and fiercely stares into the Demon.

RAGGRIK: (laughs) A fighter?!

BOY: Haaaa!!!

He charges at the Demon, jumps up and raises his bat to attack-

BOY: AHHHHH!!!!!!

-but Raggrik swiftly grabs his bat-

BOY: Ah?

-and squeezes it, forcing the boy to lose his grip and falls on his bottom.

Raggrik throws the bat away, all crushed and useless.

RAGGRIK: Was that it? Any more tricks?

BOY: ... gh...

RAGGRIK: (scoffs) You're boring. Let's get this over with.

BOY: Wa- wa- wait! You- you want food, right?

RAGGRIK: Hmm?

BOY: I- I- I can feed you!

RAGGRIK: ...?

BOY: You- you want their Souls, right? Those... those bright ones?

RAGGRIK: Oh?

BOY: I can find you them... tons of them! I have friends, and... they trust me. So, just... just let me go and... I'll bring them to you!

RAGGRIK: Hmm...

BOY: (sweats fearfully)

RAGGRIK: ... you would give your friends... to me?

BOY: Y- yes! Definitely!

After hearing what the boy has to offer, Raggrik cracks a wide, diabolic grin and chuckles deeply.

RAGGRIK: How sinister of you...

BOY: (breaths nervously)

RAGGRIK: ... I like you, boy...

BOY: Ah, so... do we have a-

Raggrik quickly chokes him by the neck-

BOY: Ergh!

-and lifts him up high.

BOY: Erghh... I- I promise... I'll give them to you...

RAGGRIK: ... I know you would.

BOY: ... gh...

RAGGRIK: But I'm too hungry to wait.

Raggrik raises his hand and slowly reaches to his stomach.

BOY: No, please! Don't, don't!

Closer and closer.

BOY: NO! I'll do anything! Anything, I swear!

His claws touch his stomach.

BOY: AH!!! I beg you! I beg you, PLEASE!

As the boy cries desperately for mercy, Raggrik silently watches in delight.

With deadly intent, Raggrik lunges his claws-

BOY: GAH!!!

-deep into the boy's stomach.

BOY: ... ah... ah... ah...

Yet there is no wound, no blood, no harm in sight-

RAGGRIK: (grins)

-as if his hand phases through his body.

BOY: ... hah...

Raggrik slowly pulls his hand away from the boy's stomach, and in his grasp, a translucent, fluid-like energy, filled with light, is stripped away from within.

BOY: ... ah...

From his stomach, to his arms, to his legs, to his head, every sliver of light is pulled away.

BOY: ...

Raggrik pulls it all out from the boy and drops him to the ground.

BOY: ...

His entire body looks pale and frozen.

His eyes are wide open yet cold.

His breathing gets softer and softer.

BOY: ...

With the energy in his hand, Raggrik brings it to his mouth and slowly consumes it, absorbing it into him until there's nothing left.

After finishing his meal, he looks back at the quiet boy with pure disgust.

RAGGRIK: Pathetic... not much to chew on that one.

A bunch of Imp Lizards starts gathering under his feet.

IMP LIZARDS: Kii...

RAGGRIK: You worthless scum!

IMP LIZARDS: Kii!

They scatter around, frightened before their master.

RAGGRIK: If you could only get Souls like him, you should have brought more!

IMP LIZARDS: Kii!

RAGGRIK: (scoffs) Maybe I should have taken the deal...

IMP LIZARDS: Kii...?

Raggrik opens up multiple fiery portals in front of them.

RAGGRIK: GO! Bring me more!

IMP LIZARDS: KII!!!

The Imp Lizards rushes into the many portals before them.

RAGGRIK: I need MORE!!!

IMP LIZARDS: KII!!!

More and more of them flood into them as the portals slowly shrinks and disappears.

Raggrik tightly clenches his fist as he impatiently waits for his scaly critters to return.

RAGGRIK: It's not enough... I need more power.

Under the Demon's feet, the boy's body disappears without a trace, leaving nothing but his crumpled clothes laying on the ground.

End of Chapter 17