Hanashi 22 - Ripple Effect!

Like the magician Kenzo has always been, he changes the sky to a beautiful orange and red sunset with a flick of his wrist. This leaves him in a state of awe but not for long. To change the sky like this wasn't his intention. As he tries to change it back to his favorite color, the sickening red, he found that his powers were not responding. Kenzo began to glitch, and his Tourika fragment was starting to conflict with his current self, causing confusion and annoyance. Jun, who was watching with complete astonishment, turns to Atsuko, "What's happening to him, Atsuko?" He asks, not knowing if he should worry or feel excited. "Kenzo has a soul fragment that isn't the evil and corrupt one you have grown to know. The other Kenzo I met is more calm and enjoys cooking." Atsuko explains, no longer being tired. Jun puts her down, "Stay close to me." 

"Got it." Atsuko agrees, being near Jun's side yet behind him. Kenzo spots Atsuko and Jun, having a look of pure hatred on his face, especially towards Jun, "I won't permit you or her to leave me! You both will die!" Jun walks towards Kenzo with no fear in him anymore. As he stretched his hand to the side, a golden and sharp sword formed in his hand, glinting in the sunlight. Atsuko watches intently, her heart racing with anticipation. Kenzo scowls and backs away from Jun. He used his powers to create a sword that was identical to Jun's, but it was the color of silver, which made it look more deadly. Kenzo disliked that Jun was not fearful and that he was completely different, no longer being a mere human. Jun was a Full Daten-shi, just like Kenzo, and he had a newfound confidence that made him more dangerous than ever before.

Jun and Kenzo are both running towards each other with swords in their hands, their eyes fixed on each other. As they meet, their swords clash in the air, creating a metallic sound. Jun's eyes are filled with intense rage as he speaks, "I won't let you win! Not this time!" Kenzo lets out a menacing laugh and attempts to strike Jun with his sword, but Jun effortlessly blocks the attack with his sword. "You're going to lose." Kenzo taunts Jun, then quickly butt-heads him, causing Jun to wince and jump back. As Jun tries to regain his balance, Kenzo seizes the opportunity and stabs Jun in the shoulder with his sword. Atsuko, watching the fight with deep concern, shouts, "Come on, Jun! Don't give up!" 

“Silence!” Kenzo yells at Atsuko, using an unseen force to knock her off her feet and send her crashing to the ground. With gritted teeth, Jun frees his shoulder from the sword and butt-heads Kenzo back. "Hey! Leave Atsuko out of this!" he screams, jumping back as he gives himself distance from Kenzo. He then stands in a sword-fighting stance, ready to defend himself and Atsuko. "Are you okay, Atsuko?" he asks her, keeping his eyes on Kenzo. "I'm fine!" Atsuko replies, standing up from the ground. She glares at Kenzo with anger, which Kenzo adores. He teleports towards her and away from Jun. "The weaker link." Kenzo remarks, and with no mercy, he thrusts his sword into Atsuko's heart. Atsuko becomes frozen in place, pain coursing through her body, as Kenzo holds her by the waist and pulls out the sword. In a fit of deep rage, Jun unleashes his full power, his body transforming into his true form. Kenzo, taken aback by the sudden change, drops Atsuko to the ground. "Now that's more like it." he says, readying his sword for battle. 

The two warriors engage in a fierce sword fight, swords clashing with a deafening sound. But this time, Jun moves with precision and grace, not making any mistakes in his movements. He expertly deflects Kenzo's attempts to strike him, waiting for the right opportunity to make his move. Finally, he sees an opening and strikes Kenzo with a swift and powerful slash to the chest. Atsuko stares up at the beautiful sky in horror, shutting her eyes tightly as she tries to ignore the pain. A new memory of another traumatic event from the past floods her mind.

Memory Flash: True Recollection (Atsuko's POV) ~ Birth and Death

I stir from my slumber, my eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room. It's plain and unremarkable, but it's mine, and I'm grateful for it. My dry throat reminds me of my thirst, and I reach for the glass of water on my bedside table. The soft glow of my lamp illuminates the room as I take a sip, savoring the coolness. Leaving my bed, I tread softly across the hall, closing the door behind me. The quiet of the hallway is soothing yet eerie, and I can't shake off the feeling of melancholy. I wonder if Melissa, our caretaker, is awake. She usually keeps an eye on us kids. I approach her door and knock, but there's no response. I turn the knob and peek inside, but the room is empty. I shrug and head downstairs. The stairs creak with each step, and I wince at the sound, trying to be as quiet as possible. But my efforts are in vain as I hear a muffled scream and whimpering coming from the kitchen. I follow the sound, my heart racing with fear. The noises become louder as I approach the storage room. I fling open the door and step inside, taking in the rows of shelves stocked with food. But what catches my eye is a light emanating from the floor, leading to a set of stairs descending into darkness. My curiosity piqued, I began my descent down the concrete stairs. The cries grow louder, and I feel a knot in my stomach, a foreboding sense of danger. I reach the bottom step and gasp in horror at the scene before me. 

Lying on a stone table and bound by rope is Melissa, who is no longer moving. There is a lot of blood and also the crying of a baby that Dr.Alistair is holding. Dr.Alistair is cooing at the baby and is also tending to it. I'm so confused. Did Melissa give birth, or is something sinister happening here? I recall earlier today that Melissa didn't feel well and was resting in her room...... As I stand still, lost in my thoughts, a voice calls out from behind. The sound sends shivers down my spine, and I turn around slowly, unsure of what to expect. My eyes meet a tall, muscular man with short white hair and glowing purple eyes. His face contorts in disgust until it changes to a sinister smirk. "Why are you here?" he demands, his voice cold and menacing. I take a step back, trembling in fear, and let out a scream that echoes through the empty room. Dr. Alistair, who was holding a baby in his arms, turns his head in our direction, a sickly smile spreading across his face. "Kenzo, I didn't know you invited Atsuko here to the ritual.” Dr. Alistair says, his voice filled with excitement. The man, Kenzo, glares at me, not even acknowledging Dr. Alistair's presence. "She came here of her own free will. Such a nosy pest, but now she can't leave." he says, his voice dripping with malice. "What happened to Melissa!? What did you do?!" I start to cry. Kenzo tries to reach out and grab me, but I back away, moving further into the room where Melissa's lifeless body is. Dr.Alistair hands Kenzo the newborn baby, looking back at me with a deranged smile, "My child, nothing is wrong here. Melissa is only sleeping. And for you, this is only a dream." 

The tears in my eyes blur my vision, and as I am too busy wiping away at them, I feel something sharp pierce the skin on my neck. Before I could move away, I was too slow, and I stumbled back, falling to the ground. I let out a loud cry of pain, feeling my body move about uncontrollably. Kenzo stares in deep interest, wondering what is happening to me. Dr.Alistair watches and says, "When you wake up, you won't remember this." He tells Kenzo, "Seems like I found you your new toy." Kenzo laughs, "Of course. Seems like you've given me a feast too." As the two continue to talk, I black out, recalling my deep anger. Kenzo has been around the orphanage ever since Dr.Alistair came to work here. But even so, Kenzo didn't show himself to many. Now I know what he truly is. 

Memory Flash: True Recollection (Atsuko's POV) ~ Birth and Death END

As Atsuko lay asleep, her subconscious mind takes her to a dark and eerie place. In the midst of the darkness, she finds herself face to face with Leonarda, and a melancholic smile spreads across her face. Without giving Atsuko a chance to speak, Leonarda takes charge and whispers softly, "Do not worry, everything will be set right soon." As she embraces Atsuko, a bright and radiant golden light envelops them both, bringing a sense of comfort and hope. Leonarda assures her that Kenzo will pay for all his wrongdoings, and the time for justice is fast approaching.

****

Back at the Somnus Facility with Remiel, as he has watched everything unfold, he hears more beast-like screams from Dr.Alistair. Dr.Alistair, the now Immortal creature, has found his way to his main control room door. Before he can even get inside, he is suddenly smashed by a wall that seals off the entranceway again. Dr. Alistair is now in excruciating pain, and his cries of agony fill the air. As Remiel watches, the entire facility begins to change back to normalcy, and the strange maze disappears. Remiel immediately contacts Seiko to provide her with an update. "Any progress?" Seiko asks. "Plenty. Please bring the S.W.A.T team here...." Remiel responds. He then reaches into his backpack and takes out a small capsule-like serum called Remedium. Remiel thinks to himself and decides to call Jun while Jun is busy fighting Kenzo. Jun picks up the call from his watch but remains silent as he backs away from Kenzo.
"Jun, you and Atsuko must enter that door. Forget about fighting Kenzo. He's bound to this realm and purposely stalling to keep you both here.” Remiel says. "Atsuko is dead." Jun yells. "Listen to me or else! She's not dead. Her vital signs are still active. If you both stay any longer, then you and her will die!" Remiel shouts. As Kenzo stares at Jun with a malicious intent, Jun becomes silent, pondering what to do next. He wonders whether he would want to go back to the real world, given that he has grown accustomed to this false one. Jun is torn between his desire to leave and the fear of leaving behind the only world he has ever known.

(Dear reader. You have a choice. Pick an option.)

C. Should Jun stop fighting with Kenzo and get to safety with Atsuko through the white door?