Jiza, the fourth among them, lounged upon the sofa unlike the others. His back sank deep into the seat, both arms stretched wide along its crest. His chest rose slightly, and his legs sprawled apart in careless ease.
"I have awaited this moment for far too long," he uttered.
"Indeed…" His right hand pressed against the sofa's edge as his head dipped low. Slowly, he rose to stand. "Even before the Lady herself foresaw and prepared for this."
He stood tall, voice heavy. "Yet, there shall come a time too late for all."
One of the three turned toward him. "Too late… for what?"
Jiza lifted his gaze heavenward. "Should but a single hair's breadth of that crystal be touched by mortal hand — that soul shall truly return."
---
"CURSED WRETCH!" Jiza roared.
His blade's tip hung but an inch from striking — yet Hiro slipped aside, swift as lightning.
In but a blink, Jiza's sword — once missed its mark — he seized again.
"The boy's life…" he hissed, lowering himself to one knee, body bowed, chest bent forward, both hands gripping his blade tight. "…is but misery itself."
"FILTH—UNGRATEFUL FILTH!"
—SPLAAASHHH!
The strike landed deep upon Hiro's flesh — but what?
Why…?
"What—" Jiza's voice faltered, scarcely a whisper.
"Damnation…" His eyes widened. Hiro—healed?
The wound, gaping mere breaths before, now closed upon itself, flesh knitting whole. Hiro's arms spread slightly, his body trembling with unnatural vigor.
"What nonsense hast thou spoken all this while, hmm?" His voice — Hiro's, yet not. His eyes still pale and empty, void of will.
His head lowered, grin twisting cruel upon his lips.
"Thinkest thou I care, hmm?"
He shut his eyes. "For I…"
Both fists, once open, clenched tight.
"…have lived once more."
He ended the words in chilling calm.
Jiza rose slowly, sword drawn once again. Hiro stepped forth, stride heavy, almost mocking.
Jiza swung his blade.
"This—this is what I have long awaited!"
Hiro tilted his head slightly, a smirk ghosting across his face.
"Truly? Then entertain me! Entertain me!" His steps closed the distance.
"Dost thou not see the rot thy deeds have sown?" Jiza barked.
"And the curse it beareth, thou wretched fool?"
The two now stood face to face — Hiro's laughter cut through the smoke and silence alike.
"Entertain me!"