Dark, Leona, and Tier wander through a vibrant marketplace, teeming with life and brimming with the noise of countless conversations. The modern market is a fusion of cultures, where futuristic gadgets and ancient relics sit side by side, offering something for everyone. The crowd is as diverse as the products being sold—from rare food spices to the latest high-tech devices. There's a rhythm to the place, a hum of energy that captivates its visitors.
Leona, walking beside Dark, is immediately drawn to something sparkling in a nearby shop.
Leona: (eyes wide) Dark, look at that ring! It's gorgeous. Let's get it.
Dark, ever pragmatic, raises an eyebrow, knowing full well his financial limitations.
Dark: I'd love to, but I'm not exactly swimming in money, you know.
Before Dark can even finish, Tier steps forward, casually waving his hand as if dismissing the concern entirely.
Tier: (grinning) No worries, I've got this.
Dark blinks, clearly caught off guard by Tier's sudden generosity.
Dark: (skeptical) Wait, since when are you rich?
Without answering directly, Tier approaches the vendor, cool and collected. His calm demeanor contrasts with the bustling energy around them as he engages the vendor.
Tier: How much for the ring?
The vendor, a middle-aged man with a glint of pride in his eyes, leans forward slightly, ready to share its value.
Vendor: Ah, you have a good eye. This is the Ring of Eight Seas. It's a rare piece, priced at 120,000 yen.
Tier doesn't even flinch. He opens his backpack and, in a swift motion, pulls out a small, intricately carved box and hands it over to the vendor. The vendor's eyes widen, pleased by the transaction, and happily hands the ring to Tier.
With the ring in hand, Tier turns back toward Dark and Leona, a casual smile on his face, completely unfazed by what just transpired. Dark, on the other hand, stands there with his mouth slightly agape, clearly astonished. Leona, blushing and shy, glances between the ring and Tier.
Tier: (smirking) Heyo.
Tier walks over to Leona, gently taking her hand and slipping the ring onto her finger. Leona's cheeks flush an even deeper shade of pink, her heart clearly moved by the gesture.
Leona: (softly) Oh...
She stumbles over her words, a bit flustered.
Leona: T-Thank you...
Tier, ever relaxed, shrugs.
Tier: (grinning) Anytime.
Dark, still processing the situation, stands there in confusion, his face a perfect mixture of bewilderment and amusement.
Dark: Eh?
Tier, enjoying Dark's reaction, places his hands casually into his pockets and starts to walk away.
Tier: I'll be right back, guys.
Dark: Alright.
Leona: (playful) Mhm, okay.
After Tier leaves, Leona's gaze lingers on Dark for a moment, her eyes soft and reflective.
Leona: You know... your eyes... they're really beautiful.
Dark, slightly taken aback, but trying to play it cool, simply nods.
Dark: Hm, thanks.
Inside Dark's mind, Sukojo's mischievous voice suddenly breaks the silence.
Sukojo: (urging, playfully) Go on, Dark. Kiss her.
Dark: (thinking) No.
Sukojo chuckles darkly, almost teasing.
Sukojo: (amused) Heh, fine. Endure this agony, you loveless brat.
Dark, clearly exasperated, mentally retorts.
Dark: (annoyed) Shut up, Sukojo.
Shaking off the internal tension, Dark attempts to shift the conversation.
Dark: So, Leona, what are your plans in a few hours?
Leona giggles softly.
Leona: Well, I am royalty, so I have to attend to some annoying royal duties later on.
Dark: Ah, I see. Wanna walk with me to my house for a bit before then?
Leona hesitates, considering her schedule.
Leona: Uhh, not today. I've got quite a bit to handle, to be honest.
Dark, understanding, nods.
Dark: No worries.
After a brief pause, Leona's curiosity gets the better of her.
Leona: So, what's Sukojo up to inside you?
Dark: Sukojo? Probably sleeping. Who knows.
Leona seems satisfied with the answer, nodding as she looks away.
Leona: Alright then.
The scene shifts to a more traditional setting—a Japanese dojo bathed in serene tranquility. At its center sits a samurai master, deep in meditation, his posture straight and dignified. The silence is profound, as if the very air around him has stilled to honor the moment. The technique he practices, "Tenkai Zen," is revered for its ability to bring practitioners to a state of heavenly peace, bridging the gap between the mortal realm and the divine.
Dark and Leona quietly enter the dojo, their presence contrasting sharply with the quiet atmosphere. The peaceful energy of the room envelops them as they take in the scene—the meditating master, the ancient feel of the space, the weight of something deeply spiritual.
Dark: (whispering) Did we come at a bad time?
Leona: (whispering) No clue, but it definitely feels like it...
They step back from the entrance, exchanging a glance filled with silent understanding. Their expressions—a mix of amusement and awe—capture a moment of connection between them, a shared appreciation for the quiet power in the dojo. It's a fleeting moment, but one that carries depth.
Dark: Hell no, I'm not stepping in there.
Leona: Same...
Leona grins at the thought, lightening the mood.
Leona: Can you imagine him asking us to fight his students with swords?
Dark: (grinning) If it's that, I'm all in. I could use the training.
Leona playfully nudges him.
Leona: You're already strong as hell, and don't forget, you've got Sukojo in you.
Dark's expression shifts slightly, his tone more serious.
Dark: I won't rely on him. He could turn on me any time. No, I'm going to get strong on my own. Strong enough that with one swing of my katana, I could cut a mountain in half.
Leona blinks, taken aback by his ambition.
Leona: Uh—
Dark: Sukojo, the Multiversal Samurai... How did they become so powerful?
He looks directly at her, his voice filled with conviction.
Dark: They endured pain, fought to survive, and emerged stronger. That's what I'll do too. Nothing can stop me—not you, not Tier—when it comes to becoming powerful enough to destroy entire universes with just my hands or my sword.
His eyes light up with excitement as he continues.
Dark: Can you even imagine how cool that would be? A mere human destroying universes?
He scoffs slightly, reflecting on Yuno.
Dark: Even when Yuno held back, I struggled. But one day, I'll be beyond that.
Leona, slightly overwhelmed, manages a small smile.
Leona: Well, I'm here to help you on your journey.
Dark: Thanks, I—
Before he can finish, a large obsidian rock flies through the air, smashing into Dark's head with incredible force. The impact knocks him to the ground, blood seeping from the wound as he lies unconscious. Leona gasps, rushing to catch him before his head hits the floor.
Leona: (panicked) Dark?!
She looks toward the source of the rock and sees the dojo master, Clausius, standing there with his long katana in hand, flanked by his students. His voice, deep and calm but tinged with impatience, echoes through the dojo.
Clausius: You dare approach my dojo uninvited?
Leona's expression hardens, her face a mask of controlled fury. Slowly, she stands and unsheathes her katana, a weapon she hasn't used in years. Her eyes narrow as she starts walking toward Clausius.
Leona: Purple Haze, First Sea: Titan's Breath.
In a flash, Leona leaps into the air, unsheathing her blade as a titan formed of water materializes beside her, mist billowing from its mouth. The screen cuts to black before returning, showing Leona standing behind Clausius. She calmly sheathes her katana, and in an instant, Clausius and his students drop to the ground, their bodies glowing blue as they collapse.
Leona: (quietly) .....
Dark suddenly stands up behind her, clapping slowly with a smirk on his face.
Dark: Well done, Leona. You leveled up through pure emotion.
He rubs his head, still a little dazed from the impact of the rock.
Dark: No idea why that old man thought it was necessary to throw that boring rock at my head so hard. Knocked me out cold for a second.
Leona, turning to him, exhales in relief.
Leona: (still catching her breath) I thought... I thought you were seriously hurt.
She glances down at the fallen enemies and sighs, her grip on the katana tightening slightly.
Leona: That move I used... it's called Purple Haze, First Sea: Titan's Trapverse Breath. It's a technique passed down in my family. My mother used it to turn an entire universe into a blue orb.
Her voice falters slightly, reflecting the weight of what she's just unleashed.
Leona: I... never thought I could do it.
Dark's expression softens slightly, offering reassurance.
Dark: (calmly) And you did. You'll only get stronger, Leona. Keep training, and soon you'll surpass even your mother.
Leona looks at him, a glimmer of hope in her eyes as she sheaths her katana.
Leona: I will. I promise.
They both stand silently for a moment, the aftermath of the battle and Leona's newfound strength hanging in the air. As the weight of what just happened settles in, Dark pats her on the shoulder, his tone shifting to something more lighthearted.
Dark: Now let's get out of here before someone else decides to chuck a rock at me.
Leona chuckles softly, nodding as they begin to leave the dojo behind.
Leona: Yeah, let's go. I think I've had enough excitement for one day.
As they walk side by side, the camera pans out, showing the quiet, defeated dojo behind them, and the two of them moving forward, stronger and more united than ever before.
End of chapter 7.