Chapter 42
Reiko noticed Kael's presence.
The prison had two floors. The first floor was a normal prison. The underground level existed only for Reiko, a place where he tortured his captives.
"Think about it, Shinji. I am giving you a little more time," Reiko said.
He turned and began climbing the stairs toward the first floor.
At the same time, Kael noticed a group of prisoners. They were badly injured and completely exhausted.
A man spoke up.
"Hey, kid," he said, his voice breaking.
"What are you doing here? Le… leave this place now."
"I am Yui's friend," Kael declared. "I am here to help you all."
The man was about to continue when Reiko appeared in front of Kael.
Reiko walked toward him, hatred pouring from his eyes.
"Hey kid, who are you" He paused.
Then, with even more hatred in his voice and his eyes burning with rage, he said,
"Soul Prince. My greatest enemy is here by his own choice. What luck I have. I will crush you this time."
Kael jumped backward and reached for his sword.
Too late.
Reiko's fist slammed into Kael's stomach. The impact sent Kael flying out of the prison. His body crashed into the rocks outside.
The prisoners, who had shown no interest until now, suddenly rushed toward the iron bars the moment they heard the words Soul Prince.
"You all," Reiko said, casting them a cold glance, "I will deal with you later. First, I am going to crush him."
Reiko stepped out of the prison. He saw Kael getting up. Kael was barely injured.
He… he is too strong, Kael thought.
Reiko drew his sword. It was the mighty Night Sword, a blade that ruled over darkness itself.
"Let the fun begin," Reiko said.
Kael lunged toward Reiko. Reiko swung his sword, releasing violent wind pressure. Kael stopped and sliced through the compressed air.
"Aran Style: Perfect Impact."
Kael dashed forward again, but instead of striking Reiko, he slammed his sword into the ground. The earth shattered, fragments flying everywhere. The sudden destruction distracted Reiko for a moment.
Kael pierced Reiko.
There was no resistance.
The sword passed through Reiko's body as if it had struck nothing at all. No blood. No wound. Not even a ripple. It was as if Reiko's body was made of air.
Reiko smiled.
Reiko possessed the ability to gain multiple powers by absorbing the souls of others. One of those abilities was Pseudo Body. He could freely switch between a real body and a false one.
Kael retreated, but Reiko suddenly appeared right in front of him.
"Reality Shift," Reiko said.
Kael's vision warped. Fear crept into his chest. His surroundings twisted, and distorted whispers echoed in his ears.
Reiko slowly sliced Kael's left hand. Kael screamed in pain. His body wouldn't move. His mind was frozen.
Then Reiko cut his right hand.
Reiko moved closer and slashed Kael's face. He placed his hand into the cut and began tearing it apart.
Kael screamed.
Suddenly, Kael snapped back to reality.
His hands were intact. His face was untouched.
Reiko stood at a distance, smiling.
Kael was drenched in sweat, his heart pounding violently.
"Hm… Soul Prince, you took too long to break through that reality," Reiko said.
Reality Shift was Reiko's original ability. He created a separate space where he could do anything he wished. If the opponent's mental strength was weaker than his, the effects would reflect onto the real world, damaging both the mind and the soul.
(Trying to calm himself)
He is strong… damn. I say that too often. He is not strong. I am weak.
Think… think… My sword won't work on him. Getting close is dangerous. I can't use magic either…
Calm down…
I have to trap him in his own game.
(A faint smile forms)
I can do it… but I have to suffer…
Kael tightened his grip and rushed toward Reiko.
Reiko activated Reality Shift again.
Kael woke up in another reality.
Reiko stabbed Kael repeatedly. Kael grabbed Reiko's arm, trying to stop him.
"Useless! You can't stop me. It's so fun to stab my enemy," Reiko said.
Kael smiled and tightened his grip.
"Hundred Years of Peace…"
Kael adapted to Reality Shift for ten minutes. Reiko didn't realize it yet.
Kael was now in control of the alternate world.
He healed himself. Reiko continued trying to control the technique, unaware that it was slipping from his grasp.
A wave of swords pierced Reiko.
Kael walked closer, grabbed Reiko by the mouth, and said quietly,
"So now I'm having fun… What if I torture you and use Reality Change?"
He smiled.
"Let's try it. For the next seven minutes… I'll show you what torture is."
I have to make him believe I have full control. Otherwise, his strength is too much for me to handle, Kael thought.
Three minutes remained.
Multiple swords pierced Reiko's body. Even so, he was still alive.
"You… you can never kill me…" Reiko said.
"Well," Kael replied calmly, "let's test that."
Reality Shift will stop working any moment now. But I'll make him believe I can use it again, Kael thought.
Kael returned with Reiko to the original world.
Reiko collapsed, heavily injured.
Can he do it again…? Reiko wondered as he judged Kael.
I can't use it again. Stay calm. Don't show weakness. This is a game of mind and strategy, Kael told himself.
As the pressure between them rose, Reiro arrived.
"Reiro… so you're here too," Reiko said.
"What happened to Isamu and Kaede?"
"I took good care of them," Reiro replied.
Reiko still didn't know Kael's true limits, and now Reiro had joined him. The situation was no longer favorable.
"Warp."
Reiko sank into the Shadow Realm.
"Let's continue this later, Soul Prince. Remember, I will be the one to kill you."
Reiro tried to stop him, but Kael stopped Reiro.
Reiko vanished.
"Reiro… let him go," Kael said, his voice breaking. He collapsed, screaming in pain.
Though Hundred Years of Peace had ended, the mental strain and soul damage remained. His body was failing.
Reiro tried to heal Kael, but it had little effect.
"Reiro… free them," Kael said softly, struggling to speak.
"I'll overcome this. Go… that's my order."
Reiro hesitated, then entered the prison.
Kael lay on the ground, shaking in pain.
"Kid," a voice laughed, "looks like you're having fun. Enjoy yourself."
"Shut up!" Kael groaned. "This pain… it's killing me."
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have survived that cave," the Blood Beast said.
"I still want your body, so I'll heal you. For free."
"What do you want?" Kael asked weakly.
"I said free," the Blood Beast replied seriously.
"But kids these days don't trust anyone. So here's my deal. Kill Jean, Captain of the 3rd Division of NightRay."
"Heal for kill isn't enough," Kael said.
"You greedy brat," the Blood Beast scoffed.
"Fine. I'll help you until then, and during that fight too."
"Promise you won't try to take control of my body while the deal is active," Kael said.
"Promise," the Blood Beast replied.
The Blood Beast healed Kael completely.
Even so, Kael remained exhausted.