Ren advanced slowly across the stone floor. His hand was ready to summon his Pact Blade in case the situation called for it, but for now, he made no reaction that would betray any aggression. He wanted to understand things before forcing a fight.
The figure ahead, Takuma, stood still at the exact center of the hall, wrapped in his usual bandages that covered every detail of his face. He kept watching with an icy expression that Ren was unable to translate into anything clear.
He slowed his pace as he reached what he thought was a reasonable distance between himself and the bandaged Takuma. He then opened his mouth in an attempt to say something, but the attempt was cut short by something else echoing violently into the open space.
"Welcome… Ren."
The sound of it struck him hard, sending a shudder down his spine.
