When Naraka entered with Nujah cradled in her arms, she found Ren—blue-haired, ice-colored eyes—bound from head to toe in chains of light. Without touching him, Naraka released the bonds.
"Thank you, Mother," Ren said, exhaling heavily. "She was furious this time. If you hadn't come, I don't know what would've happened. And you…" His gaze shifted to Nujah. "Our new little Shinrei… I wish our first meeting wasn't like this, but it could've been worse. No need to dwell on it."
The chains of light unraveled from his arms and legs, dissolving away. Ren stood, flicked back his hair, and struck a confident pose.
"My name is Ren! The coolest man in the universe—after our mother, of course," he added with a grin and a wink.
Then his expression shifted, his voice softening:
"One of my worst habits is stirring up the city's energy and teasing my siblings to spend time with me. Everyone's so focused on their own paths and goals… everyone except Maria, our eldest sister. But even she isn't always available. Disturbing her feels wrong. It leaves me…" His shoulders sagged, eyes falling to the ground, his face clouded with gloom.
Nujah turned to Naraka, whispering softly, "Mother, please put me down." She gently set him on the ground. Step by small step, Nujah walked over, placed a tiny hand on Ren's shoulder, and shouted with all the strength he could muster:
"MY NAME IS NUJAH! IN MY FREE TIME, I'D BE HAPPY TO PLAY WITH YOU! I HOPE WE GET ALONG, REN BROTHER!"
The cry was so loud that Ren's perfectly styled hair fell apart—and the house shook to its foundations.
Ren froze, eyes brimming with tears, then broke down. "You… you're an incredible little brother!" He pulled Nujah into a tight embrace. "Let's spend much more time together."
Nujah patted his head. "Come on, Ren-nii, someone as cool as you shouldn't be crying," he said with a small smile.
In that instant, Naraka snapped her fingers. Nujah was whisked safely to her side as Ren unleashed a surge of frost, coating the house in ice.
Moments later, multiple magic blasts erupted inside.
"What were those, Mother?" Nujah asked, wide-eyed.
"That," Naraka answered calmly, "was your brother Muzan. He is the most gifted of you all when it comes to curses."
Ren scowled. "You'd better leave. Someone wants to play a game."
From outside, a voice boomed—deep, commanding, yet brimming with charisma:
"Reeeeen! How many times have I told you—stop meddling in my library!"
Nujah looked up at Naraka in worry. "Mother, what should we do?"
"This is how they communicate," she said evenly. "And as I've told you before—they cannot truly harm one another."
Still uneasy, Nujah whispered, "But… please, let it be as gentle as possible." He turned toward Ren, offering a faint smile.
Ren reassured him: "Don't worry, little brother. We'll only break unimportant things—then rebuild them better than before. And maybe toss each other around a bit, nothing more."
Just then, a massive sphere of cursed energy crashed down from above. The same stern voice rang out once more:
"Ren! You really should go now."
Naraka wasted no time. With a snap of her fingers, they were suddenly standing on a mountainside.
Nujah looked up at her. "Did we do the right thing, Mother?"
Naraka stroked his head gently. "Every being has its own way of communicating. For them, it's through battle. But if you feel troubled… don't. Listen closely." She leaned down, whispering into his ear:
"No matter how angry Muzan looks, he enjoys it—he just never shows it on his face. That's why I leave them alone."
Nujah smiled faintly. "I see." He looked around, curious. "So… where are we now?"
Naraka spread her arms. Before them appeared a quiet plain veiled in silver mist, filled with a serene glow.
"This is one of the places in Shiora where innocent souls wander. The rest… you will learn from your sister Vercurius , once we find her."