"Hey, Marcel... Hey. Are you listening to me?" Jackson shouted.
"I can hear you perfectly fine," Marcel replied, his face still pale with fear.
"Then what's with that look? Don't give up yet. There's always a way to find them. I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve, but first, we need to get the hell out of here. Once we're safe, we can figure out our next move."
"Whatever you say... I just don't want to die here or get lost forever. I can't imagine living without finding our way back home. That would be a living hell."
"Don't worry, Marcel. I've got this under control. Now, let's deal with this wind freak first."
"Are you two finished with your little chat?"
The man who had emerged from the tornado approached them with a calm expression.
"It's time to go home."
"Who the hell are you?" Jackson snapped. "We're not going anywhere with you."
"It's not a request, children. I'll take you with me, whether you cooperate or not."
He raised two fingers.
Before either boy could react, a powerful force enveloped their bodies. Their muscles locked, leaving them completely unable to move. A moment later, their feet lifted off the ground as an invisible force dragged them toward him.
"What's this oppressive pressure?" Marcel gasped. "I can't move."
"This is bad..." Jackson muttered, struggling against the invisible restraint. "I knew he was strong, but not this strong. He's almost on Papa's level."
The two boys were pulled closer until the man seized them by the neck.
"Smile, kiddos. We're going home."
Suddenly, Renshical arrows shot through the air from multiple directions.
The man's expression changed.
"Annoying pest."
He immediately summoned a tornado around himself and the boys. The swirling winds deflected the incoming arrows, sending them flying into the surrounding trees.
"You persistent fool!" he roared. "What the hell are you doing here?"
A figure stood beneath the trees, holding a bow.
"Don't get angry, Daimo. I had no choice."
"If you interfere again, I'll kill you without hesitation," Daimo threatened.
"I'd love to see you try. If you remember anything about your past, you'd know you've never beaten me in a duel."
Daimo clicked his tongue.
"I don't have time for your nonsense. I've got a delivery to make."
"And that's exactly why I'm here... to stop you."
The newcomer stepped into the clearing.
He drew an arrow, channelled Renshi into its shaft, and pulled the bowstring taut. Blue energy gathered around the arrowhead, growing denser with every passing second.
"Let the kids go, Daimo," he demanded. "Nobody else needs to get hurt."
"If anyone's getting hurt, it's you, Bash."
Daimo released Jackson and Marcel, sending them tumbling through the air.
"AHHHHH!"
Bash reacted instantly.
He fired two arrows, which expanded in midair and swept beneath the falling boys. Their descent slowed until both landed safely on the ground.
Marcel stared at the arrows in disbelief.
"That was incredible... I never imagined someone could use arrows like that."
"Those aren't ordinary arrows," Jackson explained, his eyes fixed on Bash. "They're formed from Renshi. Controlling their size and movement like that requires advanced control. He's probably a Pro Darkside Knight."
"Of course I know they're made from Renshi. You don't have to explain everything like I'm blind."
Bash rested his bow against his shoulder and smiled at Daimo.
"Looks like we're still a terrible matchup for each other. Your wind against my arrows."
"Don't smile too much, Bash," Daimo sneered. "I'll put an end to that miserable expression soon enough. You're pathetic. All you have are arrows, and you can't even fight properly at close range. What a disgrace to the Shinras."
"Don't get cocky. You know nothing about me."
Daimo's expression twisted with anger.
"That smile of yours disgusts me. I want to see it disappear. I want you to understand the difference between us... to feel the fear of standing before someone superior."
He spread his arms as the wind gathered around him.
"I am Dan Daimo, the Son of the Wind. Your arrows will never pierce me."
The swirling air condensed along his arm, forming a razor-sharp sword.
Bash's smile widened slightly.
"So that's your plan? Sorry to disappoint you, but you weren't the only one who trained in close combat."
His bow transformed into a blue sword. Electricity-like sparks crackled along its blade as he tightened his grip.
"Let's see who's better in a real fight."
Daimo roared and launched himself forward.
"Hey, kids," Bash called without taking his eyes off his opponent. "You might want to get out of here. Things are about to get rough."
"SWITCH MODE."
Bash vanished.
In the same instant, he reappeared directly in front of Daimo, their swords colliding with a deafening clash.
CLANG!
A shockwave burst between them, scattering leaves across the clearing.
Daimo's eyes widened briefly before he twisted his wrist and forced Bash's blade aside.
"Still relying on that trick, huh?"
"It's worked pretty well so far."
Bash disappeared again.
Daimo swung at empty air, but Bash reappeared at his flank, slashing toward his ribs.
Daimo barely raised his wind sword in time.
CLANG!
Their blades locked.
The wind surrounding Daimo exploded outward, forcing Bash to retreat several steps. Before Daimo could follow up, Bash switched positions again, appearing behind him with his sword already descending.
Daimo spun around and blocked the strike.
The two exchanged a rapid series of blows, their weapons colliding repeatedly as they moved across the clearing. Whenever one gained the advantage, the other used Switch Mode to break the exchange and attack from a different angle.
Neither could land a decisive hit.
From a safe distance, Jackson and Marcel watched in amazement.
"Let's get out of here, Jack," Marcel urged. "This is our chance."
"I want to, but that man might be able to help us find Papa. If we leave now, we might never get another chance."
"Are you serious? What happens if he loses? We'll be next."
"Look carefully. They're evenly matched."
Marcel glanced back at the battle.
Bash's Renshical sword clashed against Daimo's wind blade once more, sending sparks and compressed gusts in every direction.
"Evenly matched or not, I don't want to get caught in the middle."
"Just stay alert," Jackson replied. "If things turn against the Bash man, we'll run."
The two boys continued watching as the battle intensified.
---
IN THE KINGDOM OF SUNFLOWER
Lyon and Sasaki arrived in the capital after teleporting.
"Come on, Exca. Put that nose to work. The sun's going down," Lyon said as they stepped down from a rooftop.
"Okay, let's do that," Sasaki replied.
Lyon glanced at the bustling streets below.
"We're in the capital now. I'm sure the Special Darkside Knight has already sensed our arrival."
Sasaki closed his eyes and concentrated, searching the surrounding area for traces of the boy's Renshi.
After a few moments, he opened them again.
"I can't detect the kid's Renshi. He isn't here yet. We'll have to wait."
"Finally, a break..." Lyon sighed. "Let's get something to eat."
"Not a bad idea."
"Then let's go, Exca."
"Are you actually hungry, or are you just wasting time?"
Lyon stopped.
His expression darkened as Sasaki's voice changed. The subtle shift in his tone was unmistakable.
"Stop doing that..." Lyon muttered. "If you keep switching in and out like this, Sasaki will eventually notice something's wrong."
He turned toward a nearby restaurant.
"I'm getting food. Suit yourself."
Lyon walked away, leaving Sasaki standing on the rooftop.
"Damn that Lyon..." Exca muttered before releasing his hold.
Sasaki blinked and looked around.
"Wait for me, partner," he called, walking after Lyon. "How long have I been standing here?"
"A few seconds," Lyon replied casually. "You just spaced out."
"Really? Strange. I don't remember doing that."
"Don't worry about it. Let's eat."
The two entered the restaurant and ordered ramen and beef.
As Lyon picked up his chopsticks, his thoughts drifted back to the reason he was there.
Exca, what exactly are you planning? And how much longer am I supposed to keep playing along?
He glanced at Sasaki, who was already enjoying his meal.
---
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Eminence
After a long day of travelling, Alfie, Rebekah, and Lucy finally stopped at a hot spring. Lucy had also booked a room at a nearby inn for the night.
Unfortunately, Alfie wasn't enjoying the experience.
"This is so unfair... I don't want to bathe anymore. This place is full of old men."
He plunged his head beneath the water before resurfacing with an irritated expression.
On the other side of the dividing wall, Lucy relaxed in the women's hot spring and sighed.
"I think Alfie dislikes this place. That's why he's acting out."
"He just can't do anything on his own," Rebekah replied. "He's too used to having us around."
"Oh? Does that mean you want him to join us in the bath?"
Lucy burst into laughter.
"W-What? No... That's not what I meant, Master."
Rebekah's face turned bright red.
Lucy tilted her head mischievously.
"Then why is your face so red?"
"It's nothing... Don't get the wrong idea."
Unable to endure the teasing any longer, Rebekah climbed out of the hot spring and stormed away.
Lucy watched her leave with an amused smile.
Perhaps I went a little too far.
Outside the bathhouse, Alfie spotted Rebekah approaching.
"Hey, honey badger... You're out already?"
WHAM!
Rebekah punched him squarely in the face, sending him flying across the ground.
"OW... What the hell was that for, you psycho?"
"You ruined our bath with all that shouting. You're absolutely hopeless without me or Master."
Alfie slowly pushed himself up, rubbing his face. His usual playful expression had disappeared.
"Don't act like you've been keeping me alive, Rebekah. I survived ten years without you or Master."
He looked directly at her, his voice turning cold.
"Don't think I've been holding on just because of you two. You don't know the first thing about me."
With that, Alfie turned and walked toward the inn alone.
Rebekah stood frozen, watching him disappear down the path.
A moment later, Lucy approached from behind her.
"That wasn't nice, Rebekah..."
Her expression softened.
"I think you went too far this time."
Rebekah lowered her eyes, unable to find a response.