The warehouse seemed frozen in time. Rain still drizzled outside, but inside, silence dominated—except for the distant hum of the city, creeping through broken windows.
Arata Kurogane stepped forward cautiously, every sense alert. He could feel it: the human inside the Ribbon Reaper was surfacing. The golden eyes, the subtle tremor in Kane's stance—Lucian was trying to break free.
"This is your only chance," Arata whispered under his breath, aiming not just at the body, but at the consciousness within.
Lucian gasped, golden eyes wide and shimmering, heart racing against the storm of Kane's control.
Please… don't let him see me like this…
Kane's voice thundered through the recesses of his mind:
"Do not falter. Do not hesitate. Justice will not wait for weakness."
But Lucian forced a flicker of defiance. His hand twitched toward Arata—not in violence, but in recognition, a silent plea.
"I… I'm here…" Lucian whispered internally, fighting to push Kane back.
Arata advanced slowly, every step measured. He didn't raise his weapon; he didn't rush. Instead, he spoke calmly, deliberately:
"I know you're in there, Lucian. I know the man behind Kane. You don't have to do this alone."
Kane's ribbons twitched violently, lashing outward as if sensing the threat, but they faltered, snapping just short of their intended target. Lucian's consciousness surged, fueled by Arata's words.
The first direct connection between hunter and prey's human side was made.
Above, Sera Kurobane's breath caught. She could see the internal struggle mirrored in Lucian's trembling form. She whispered under her breath:
"Hold on… Lucian… fight him… you're stronger than this."
Her eyes darted between the flicker of gold and the overwhelming blackness of Kane. She realized now that this was more than a battle—it was a war of identity.
Kane roared internally, fighting to reclaim control:
"You will not weaken me! I am justice incarnate! I will finish what I began!"
Ribbons shot forward, snapping dangerously close to Arata, forcing the detective to step back. But the golden eyes held fast for a heartbeat longer—a flash of vulnerability, a glimpse of the human side.
Lucian's mind screamed, golden light blazing within the darkness:
No… not now… I won't let him…