Ziku is just sitting next to his mother pondering. He's biting his nails and his leg is shaking.
Natsumi: "Something wrong Ziku?"
Ziku: "It's just, I don't want to leave your side. But part of me is kind of mad at how weak I've become."
Natsumi: "Weak?"
Ziku: "Kisaiju has been training and it feels like I've been slacking. He beat both me and Hiroyuki at the same time."
Natsumi: "Really?! Hiroyuki is the boy training with Asuna right? And also part of the Core?"
Ziku: "Yes, and Kisaiju just made us look like we were little kids."
Natsumi: "Well your guys are kids."
Ziku: "You know what I mean mom, but I think the worst part is that when I was beaten I didn't want to fight anymore."
Natsumi: "What do you mean?"
Ziku starts shaking some more as he looks at Natsumi.
Ziku: "I was just glad it was over. Fighting him made me realize how weak I am. Instead of wanting to get stronger. It made me more afraid of fighting and not want to be apart of it anymore."
Natsumi: "There is nothing wrong with being afraid. Just like there is nothing wrong with losing. I kind of don't want to tell you this, but you know your father lost every fight growing up."
Ziku: "What?! Really?! But I remember him being so strong!"
Natsumi: "Well yeah, but how do you think he got to that point? When we were kids, he was also afraid of fighting. He told me before every fight he was terrified. He also told me what motivated him to keep fighting was the fact that he didn't want to ever be afraid again. He wanted to be able to fight confidently and protect his loved ones. That fear is what made him stronger, he held on that feeling and was able to finally break through. He was 17 when he won his first fight, I was there because it was a small tournament we had in the village at the time. Me and him were talking right before and I could just see him shaking, he was still afraid. This was also the time he really didn't have any friends, but me. I was in love at this point, not sure if he was. Anyways before the fight he comes to me still shaking, I grab his hand and it stops. He places his other hand on top of mine and then leans in. His forehead touching mine, and for some reason I could just see all his worries, all his fears, just go away."
Ziku: "It was you."
Natsumi: "It was, to this day I still have no idea what I did. I've always wanted to ask him, but just never remembered when it came to it."
Ziku: "I also wanna know."
Natsumi: "But like I said it's alright to feel fear, and it's also alright to not want to fight. No one should ever force you to do something you don't want to do. Just remember, whatever you choose to do, however you choose to live your life; I will still love and be proud of you."
Ziku just looks at his mother who is smiling with her eyes closed.
Natsumi: "Besides, it puts a lot of stress on me knowing you're out there fighting anyway. So if you don't want to fight it's ok with me because then I don't have to worry so much."
Ziku: "Yeah."
Natsumi: "Ziku."
Ziku: "Yes?"
Natsumi: "I know I'm your mother and you will listen to me, yes I worry and yes I don't want you fighting. Ziku look at me. You will have to, it's just the way the world is. You still might be scared, and like I said before it will be ok, but just know that you won't be afraid forever."
A tear falls down Ziku's cheek as he leans in to hug his mom.
Ziku: "I'll be right back."
Natsumi: "Where are you going?"
Ziku: "I have to go check on Yumi. I brought her in here before coming to see you."
Natsumi: "Oh, ok."
Ziku walks down the hall to Yumi's room. He knocks and doesn't hear anything. He tries knocking again and still doesn't hear anything. He opens the door slowly; only to find Yumi sitting up on her bed staring down at the blanket.
Ziku "Yumi? Is everything ok? It's me Ziku. Me and Hiroyuki saved you from whoever that man was and I brought you here."
Yumi "And my book?"
Ziku "Your book is gone. The man took it."
Yumi "Leave me alone, get out!"
Ziku "Ok, I will, I just wanted to see-"
Yumi "Get out! Get out! Ziku get out!"
Ziku just turns around and leaves not saying another word.
Hiroyuki: "I don't get it, how did he get so strong?"
Ava: "I don't even know who he is, but he doesn't seem right."
Hiroyuki: "I wonder if Ziku is as mad as I am about losing. It's annoying to train as much as I do and still lose like that."
Ava: "Its ok."
Hiroyuki: "It's not, I'm weak."
Ava : "You're the strongest person that I know. It's one loss, besides you're alive and that's all that matters. Cause I don't know what I would do if you- never mind."
Aiko comes out.
Aiko: "Well if you want to stay here for a few days you can. I don't mind, I just had to clean a few things."
Hiroyuki: "Thank you Aiko."
Aiko: "No problem."
Airi: "You shouldn't be letting people stay here like this."
Aiko: "It's just Hiroyuki, besides he's a friend."
Ava and Hiroyuki both just stare.
Hiroyuki: "Who-."
Ava: "Yeah it's fine. Hiroyuki is no trouble at all."
Aiko: "Well make yourself at home and if you need anything just let me know."
Hiroyuki: "Hospitality is not needed, I'm fine."
Tora: "They've gathered again."
Asuna: "I know, it won't stop until I can do better."
Asuna gets up and takes a step outside. There is a crowd of villagers all yelling and throwing things. Not such a peaceful protest anymore. As they are enraged at Asuna for how he has handled everything.
Tora: "Want me to-."
Asuna: "No, this is on me. Let me take care of everything."
Chu: "You haven't done your part! People are dying still! We made you emperor for change, and yet there has been none!"
Asuna: "I understand your frustration, but the doctors told me that they are trying their best with what they have. It wasn't enough for everyone and it pains me not knowing what to do. It's hard having to deal with this decision on what to do. Because I do not want to make anyone a priority because no one is above anyone. Just please be patient so we could figure this out."
Chu: "We are done listening to you! In just the past year, we have been invaded a numerous amount of times! We've lost so much of our people, agriculture, and homes! You want us to be patient?! Hell no! We've been patient enough! And to top it off what is this alliance we heard of?!"
Asuna with a confused look as he looks over at Tora; who also has a face of bewilderment.
Asuna: "How do they know? I haven't told anyone yet? The only people who should know are you and Hiroyuki!"
Tora: "I told no one. And I doubt Hiroyuki did. There must be something else we're missing here."
Asuna: "Who told you that?!"
Chu: "Why does it matter?! It clearly wasn't you! We have an emperor keeping secrets! If this isn't a democracy anymore than what is it?! We won't stand for it any longer!"
Asuna: "Please, I ask all of you to return back to your homes and be patient."
Chu: "We won't be leaving!"
Asuna: "I'll make you a deal. Give me 24 hours to resolve all the issues. If I can't get it done by then, I will step down as emperor."
All of the people look at each other and mutter amongst themselves. They all look back at Asuna and in unison have a nod of approval.
Chu: "You have 24 hours. Nothing more, nothing less. We will go, for now."
Asuna: "What makes this all worst is that Chu is Chief of Power. He regulates what goes in this village and what goes out. If anyone gets in they go through him now. He is a powerful man, so it makes sense why they follow him."
Tora: "So what will you do?"
Asuna: "I don't know. We got a day. It's unfair of me to ask you, but can you help me out."
Tora: "Of course."
Vina: "You handled that well I'm proud of you."
Chu: "You told me civilized, that was the best I could do."
Vina: "I know, thank you."
Chu: "Sure."
Ruki: "What do we have here?"
Chu: "Who are you? How did you get in? Shit, it's cause I'm not at my post."
Ruki: "Oh trust me, even if you were it wouldn't have mattered. I can come and go as I please."
Chu: "Lies!"
Ruki: "Are they?"
Chu: "Screw it, why are you here?!"
Chu says this as he slowly grabs Vina's arm and puts her behind him.
Ruki: "I just want to help?"
Chu: "With what?"
Ruki: "It seems you are unhappy here, what if I told you I can give you the power to change everything yourself?"
Chu: "How?"
Vina: "Chu no! We can't trust him."
Chu: "I just wanna hear him out."
Ruki: "Good choice."
Chu: "Go on, before I change my mind."
Ruki: "Well you are strong, but nothing I can't handle. Anyways, I can make you stronger. You want this village to change? You want Asuna gone? I can give you what you need to make it happen."
Chu: "Like a Coup? A coup D'état?"
Ruki: "Precisely, power could be yours, the village could be yours."
Chu: "I don't want to kill Asuna, I just want him out of the chair and replaced."
Ruki: "Replaced by who?"
Chu: "Me."
Ruki: "Then let me give you the power to dethrone him. You know he won't go peacefully."
Chu: "He would, I know Asuna. He is strong and a very good man. It just seems being emperor might be too much for him. It could all not be his fault, we don't know the full story, but we ride for him. I let my anger get the best of me, I've lost so much. Maybe in the 24 hours he said, there will be significant change and I can back to trusting the man I follow."
Ruki: "You are willing to gamble."
Chu: "I'm willing to trust and wait."
Ruki: "I can see the hate in your heart, what you say is true, yet you're still spiteful of him."
Chu: "I'm spiteful of him for allowing what he has. Nothing more nothing less."
Ruki: "That's all it takes."
Chu: "What?"
Ruki speeds towards Chu and grabs on his head and does what he did to Kisaiju, but also tampering with his mind and make that tiny bit of hate turn into something greater.
Ruki: "Now I can put that hate to use."
Ruki turns to look at Vina, who is scared. She tries to run, but he grabs her also and does the same. Ruki turns every person that was with Chu to a minion. As he turns he realizes he will need more. So he puts his hands out, the ground starts to tremble, and as he slowly raises his arms above his head. Demons, hellhounds, Cerberus, and chimeras come up from the ground.
Ruki: "Now that I have my army, shall we dethrone Asuna?"
Asuna stops in his tracks and then turns his head.
Tora: "What's wrong?"
Asuna: "Someone is coming. Grab any Core members you can!"
Tora runs to gather, Asuna walks back outside and just stands on the edge waiting for the threat.
Ziku: "Mom do you feel that?"
Natsumi: "I do, I understand if you don't want to go."
Ziku starts shaking again and breathing heavily. Natsumi grabs his hands and looks him into his eyes.
Natsumi: "You can stay, they will handle it."
Ziku just nods his heads.
Tora comes back
Tora: "I can't find any of them, I think I they are all off on missions right now."
Asuna: "Damn."
Tora: "Don't worry I'm here."
Asuna: "Thank you."
As the threat gets closer and closer Asuna and Tora get ready. Asuna folding his arms as his aura is released. A beam of light emitting from him and his eyes glowing. Tora has her claws come out, her teeth get sharper, and her muscles increase.
Asuna: "Been awhile I haven't seen that form."
Tora: "Get a good look."
Asuna smiles and then slightly turns back to focus. Ruki finally arrives as he is hovering with Chu and Vina behind him. And the horde behind them.
Asuna: "No! What have you done?!"
Tora: "Is that Vina?"
Asuna: "Release them!"
Ruki: "Why? I wanna see a good fight."
Asuna: "If you want to see a fight, then come see me."
Ruki: "Ah, ah , ah. You will be fighting Chu here. Obviously your lady friend will fight my lady friend."
Asuna: "You can't expect me to believe you will just watch."
Ruki: "Oh I won't, when I see my opportunity I will do what I need to. In the meantime I will enjoy watching you die!"
Before anyone makes a move, a bunch of blocks cut off Chu and Vina from progressing and then separate them from the horde.
Ruki: "Tch! I knew I should have took over your mind as well. I was blinded by your foolish ambition to just be better than them."
Kisaiju: "Yeah, thanks for the power. Now I'm going to use it to kick your ass."
Asuna: "Kisaiju? Your strength? Did you?"
Kisaiju: "Don't think too much about it old man, I'm here. That's all that matters."
Asuna: "Old man? I'm not even 30 yet?!"
Tora: "Really Asuna?"
Asuna: "Yeah you're right, alright I'll focus."
Tora: "Do you think Ziku will come?"
Asuna: "I want to think so."
Tora: "He's able to sense this right?"
Asuna: "Yes, but his mother comes first. Besides I think just the three of us could definitely handle this."
Ruki: "Definitely? They said you had an ego. Let me shatter it for you."
Asuna: "They? I knew it, it's really me you're after. That makes everything easier."
Ruki: "What?! How?!"
Asuna: "Kisaiju you take care of Chu, don't kill him just incapacitate him. Tora, you go for Vina, and I'll handle him."
Tora: "What about the others and then his horde?"
Asuna: "Shit."
Ruki: "Hahahah, too confident you forgot all about them huh! I can just have them terrorize and kill everyone in this village! That way they don't get in our way!"
Asuna: "No!"
Ruki: "I think that is exactly what I'll do-."
Before he finishes a huge explosion of fire engulfs the entire horde leaving nothing but ash.
Ruki: "What?! No! What was that?! Who was that?!"
Asuna smirks.
Asuna: "About time."
Shizuko walks from the smoke along with Aurora. As they both have a tiny smirk.
Ruki: "No! No! No! I miscalculated?! No! You shouldn't be here!"
When Ruki turns around Asuna is behind him, Ruki tries to block, but Asuna still hits him. Breaking his arms and still hitting a staggering blow to Ruki's stomach. When Ruki falls, he makes a giant hole. When Asuna lands he doesn't see his body.
Asuna: "Shit."
Kisaiju cracking his knuckles as he gets to put his strength to the test. Tora grabs Vina and puts her head to the ground with an arm behind her back rendering her useless. When Kisaiju and Chu clash, a shockwave is created. Causing everyone to close their eyes slightly and block the debris. Everyone except Asuna as he just stands there unfazed. Asuna folds his arms as everyone else watches intensely.
Tora: "You sure this is smart?"
Asuna: "I just wanna see something."
Chu and Kisaiju fight going blow for blow, until Chu knocks Kisaiju back. As he is falling back he puts his fist out creating two big blocks and then flashes them together using his fist making them touch. The two blocks crush Chu from both sides as he coughs up blood. Kisaiju creates more blocks and puts them all around Chu surrounding him. Rendering him stagnant. He puts his hand in the air, as the blocks take Chu up, and then Kisaiju pulls his arm back down making the block crash into the ground. The smoke and dust settle as Chu is on the ground unconscious. But it appears the magic or spell Ruki put wore off.
Asuna: "I see, if they are knocked out, it ends."
Shizuko: "Damn."
Kisaiju: "Yeah! Damn right! You wanna go a round pyro?!"
Shizuko: "I'll grill you like a fish!"
Tora: "No, both of you stop! Now!"
Shizuko: "Hmph."
Kisaiju: "Tch!"
Asuna: "It seems to be over for now. Makes me wonder who he was. He kept saying "they", so I think some people want me dead."
Tora: "You say it so casually."
Asuna: "It's been the story of my life."
Tora: "Well I will take these bodies to the hospital. Shizuko thank you for not killing anyone. Those flames only took out the enemy."
Shizuko: "What are you thanking me for? It wasn't me."
Tora: "Oh, sorry. Just saw the flames and thought."
Shizuko: "My flames aren't blue. Yet."
Aurora: "You will get there."
Shizuko: "Shutup."
Tora: "Well thank you Aurora, how did you do it?"
Aurora: "It's a purifying flame, it only burns those who are evil. Those things were pure evil."
Tora: "And who taught you that?"
Aurora: "Myself."
Tora: "Really? You are something special then huh?"
Aurora: "You could say that, hard part is teaching someone like this fool how to do it."
Shizuko: "Hey!"
Tora: "I believe in you."
Aurora: "Thanks!"
Asuna: "You going to tell me about your little interaction with our guest?"
Kisaiju: "Do I have to?"
Asuna: "Yes."
Kisaiju: "He told me he could give me power. He made me stronger, but its power that's mine, just given early I guess."
Asuna: "So he unlocked an origin for you?"
Kisaiju: "You know about that?"
Asuna: "Of course, I have completed all of my origin unlocks. Naturally though."
Kisaiju: "Guess that makes sense why you're so strong."
Asuna: "Look, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be stronger. How you became stronger is the problem. He told you the risk right?"
Kisaiju: "No, well I'm not sure. I just wanted the power and to be stronger."
Asuna: "If not unlocked naturally through training, trauma, and stress. It takes years off your lifespan. Depending on how far you go determines how many years are taken. How far did you go?"
Kisaiju: "My second I believe."
Asuna: "Kisaiju it multiplies by 3. The first takes 5 years, second 15. Third is 45, the fourth doesn't matter cause by then you will dead. This is why no one does it this way!"
Kisaiju: "15 years isn't so bad."
Asuna: "Generally speaking no it isn't. It's just hard on those around you. You will succumb to illness and your body will give out sooner than others."
Kisaiju: "It's fine! None of these idiots are my friends anyway so I don't care."
Asuna: "Kisaiju!"
Kisaiju: "I said I don't care!"