As morning arrived, everyone gathered in the living room when Gram and Daru entered.
Himitsu: Gram! You're back!
Zodiac: Where did you go?
Akira: Start talking before I rip your legs off!
Daru: Calm down! He just came to get me. I left three days ago to clear my head, and this idiot picked me up.
Gram: YEAH! I went to save Daru from a major fight.
Daru: Gram, shut up.
Ohma: So, how are you feeling, Daru?
Daru: I feel much better now, thanks for asking, Ohma.
Kono: I know the school really took a toll on you, Daru.
Daru: Yeah, let's just move on; it's in the past now.
Kono: Right! Well, guys, today is the day.
Gram: TO RELAX?!?!
Kono: No, for the rift mission.
Gram: (Upset) Damnit! I forgot about that!
Daru: Weren't you the one who said you couldn't sit around doing nothing?
Gram: Okay, but that was back then! Now we have everyone here. I thought we could relax together.
Zodiac: Gram, you're being ridiculous.
Gram: Wh—NO!
Kono: So, should we head out in an hour?
Daru: Sounds good to me.
Zodiac: Whatever…
Akira: I'm going outside. I smell too much stupidity in here!
Akira walks outside.
Ohma: Really? I smell crap and pee everywhere.
Himitsu: (Sighs) Ohma, just go outside and do something.
Ohma: Yes, Himitsu!... uh, Daru, are you coming to do some push-ups?
Daru: Sure, I'll be out in a sec. I gotta take a dump first.
Gram: Wait, didn't you just train for like three days straight without any sleep?
Daru: Yeah? Training doesn't require sleep, Gram.
Gram: You guys are crazy!
Everyone splits up to pursue their individual activities. An hour later, they are all ready to depart.
Kono: Okay, does everyone have what they need?
Ohma: I believe so (smiles).
Gram: (Upset) No.
Zodiac: Gram, suck it up before I slit your throat in 17 different places.
Gram: Why are you all always so angry and dark?
Himitsu: I'm ready, Kono!
Kono: Okay! Let's head out then, shall we?
As everyone exits, Daru notices someone peeking from beside the house and looks back.
Daru: Hmm…
Ohma: Are you okay sir Daru?
Daru: Stop calling me "sir"! I'm fine… just move it.
Ohma: Yes, sir!
Daru sighs. As everyone walks through Hemdel, they see Kora and Koda's crew approaching the Order association building.
Kora: Oh, look who it is! Kono and her spicy crew!
Koda: (Bows) Hello again, friends!
Zodiac: We're not your friends.
Koda: Ahh! Zodiac… long time, huh?
Zodiac: Yeah, I'd say the same, but I feel like I keep running into you.
Koda: (Laughs) You were always funny!
Zodiac: I wasn't trying to be funny.
Kora: So, what are you guys doing today? More missions?
Kono: Actually, we are here for our rift mission!
Kora: Rift mission! Already?
Kono: Yeah, we got there pretty quickly.
Gram: Of course, that's because of me! Leading my team to vic—
Daru flicks Gram on the head.
Gram: Ouch!
Daru: Gram, shut up.
Gram: (Mocking Daru) Gram, shut up.
Koda: That's amazing! You get to do your rift mission! I heard they're difficult.
Kono: I'm sure we're ready for it!
Ohma: Yeah, I'll beat it in no time!
Akira: I just don't want to waste time not looking for my brother!
Kora turns to one of her crew members.
Kora: Alana, how many missions have we completed?
Alana: We've done 22 missions so far!
Kora: And how many do we need to complete the rift mission?
Alana: We need 50 missions!
Daru looks behind him, sensing that he and his crew are being observed.
Kora: 50 MISSIONS!? AND WE ONLY HAVE 22! WHY HAS NO ONE TOLD ME WE WERE SO FAR BEHIND!?
Alana: Well, Princess Kora, you're always talking to guys and going shopping.
Kora: Huh… that does sound about right. Well, girls, we gotta step up our game! LET'S GO!
Kora glances at Kono and her crew.
Kora: Best of luck on your rift mission! We'll see you soon—in the next district!
Himitsu: (With dreamy eyes) S—see you there, beautiful!
Akira: Eww.
Gram looks at Himitsu with a puzzled expression.
Gram: Man, since we went to that club, you still don't have the guts to talk to her.
Himitsu: Shut up, Gram!
Akira: He has a point.
Himitsu: Ugh…
Koda: Well, I think it's time for my crew and me to get going!
Koda looks at Zodiac.
Koda: And Zodiac.
Zodiac: What do you want?
Koda: Don't forget about that rematch I want.
Zodiac: Yeah, yeah.
Koda and his crew enter the building.
Kono: Well, guys, this is it!
Akira: Can you skip the chit-chat and just head inside?
Kono: Alright, fine!
Ohma: AHHHHHHHHH!!!
Everyone covers their ears.
Gram: OHMA, DO THAT AGAIN AND I'LL CAST A FIREBALL IN YOUR MOUTH NEXT TIME!
Ohma: I'm sorry, guys! I'm just so excited to do this with you! That guy said rift missions are hard!
Himitsu begins to look around.
Akira: Yeah, no. I'd rather get some exercise than sit in that shithole you call a house.
Kono: That hurts my feelings!
Akira: That's the point!
Kono: (Upset) Let's just go inside.
Himitsu: Wait, guys!
Everyone turns to Himitsu.
Akira: What now?
Himitsu: Daru isn't here!
Gram: What? No, no, no! I just got him back!
The scene shifts to Daru walking toward a hotdog truck.
Daru: Yeah, can I get a hotdog with everything on it?
Trucker: Absolutely!
Daru receives the hotdog. As he walks to a bench, he sits down and takes a bite. The same person who was peeking at the house is behind the bench in the bushes, observing him.
Daru: (Eating) This is actually pretty good.
Daru discards the hotdog as the person watches it fall. She looks back at the bench, but Daru has vanished.
???: What the hell! Where did he go?
Daru: Looking for me?
The girl turns around as Daru stands by the bush, regarding her.
???: Uhhh…
Daru: Get out before I pull you out.
The girl climbs out of the bush, wearing a mask.
Daru: Start talking. Who are you?
The girl removes her hood and mask.
Haruka: My name is Haruka, and I've been sent to retrieve you.
Daru: Get me?
As they converse, Ohma spots Daru.
Ohma: I found him! He's over here!
Everyone rushes to Ohma as they head toward Daru.
Kono: Who's Daru talking to?
Gram: I don't know, but it's a girl!
Gram begins running toward Daru.
Gram: Daru!
Akira: Gram, you fool!
Gram: Daru!
Daru notices Gram running toward him just as Haruka punches Gram in the face, causing him to fall.
Gram: AHHHH!
Daru: What the hell!?
Haruka: Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see him coming!
Gram gets up, glancing at Haruka, who is very attractive, before looking back at Daru.
Gram: Okay, DARU! I SEE YOU, MY BOY!
Daru: What?
Gram: If I were you, I'd run after her too!
Daru: Gram, shut up before I put you on the ground too.
Gram: Okay, okay. But does she have a friend?
Daru prepares to strike as the others catch up.
Kono: Gram, I saw you get hit!
Akira looks at the girl.
Akira: Who's the goth girl?
Haruka: My name's Haruka!
Zodiac: Yeah, we don't really care.
Haruka: Are they all idiots and disrespectful?
Daru: Yeah, I can be too. So keep talking.
Haruka: As I was saying, I've been sent here to retrieve you.
Kono: Sent to retrieve… Daru?
Gram: Oh yeah, she did!
Zodiac strikes Gram in the face again, causing him to fall to the ground.
Gram: Not again!
Daru: Who sent you to retrieve me?
Haruka: I can't share that information.
Daru: The hell you can't! If you're not going to tell me, why should I follow you?
Haruka: He knew this would happen.
Daru: Who? Who knew?
Haruka: The person who sent me told me to say, "It's not my problem."
Daru and Gram exchange knowing glances, their eyes lighting up as Gram rises to his feet.
Gram: It's not my problem!?!? Daru—
Daru: Yeah, I know.
Zodiac: Who the hell is that?
Daru looks at his companions.
Daru: Guys, Gram and I have to go with her. I'm sorry; I need to see this for myself.
Haruka: Oh no, you can bring them along too!
Daru: I can?
Haruka: Absolutely!
Gram: LET'S GO!!!
Ohma: I'm so confused.
Kono: Well, I guess the rift mission is off to the side again.
Daru: I'm sorry, Kono, but I ha—
Kono: Don't worry, Daru; we've got your back.
Zodiac: How do you know this isn't a trap?
Daru: Like you said before, if it is, then we kill them.
Zodiac: (smirking) Fine by me.
Haruka: Then that settles it! Follow me.
Haruka leads them to her ship, which is black and dark red.
Gram: You like dark colors, huh?
Haruka: Oh no, this isn't my ship; I borrowed it.
Akira: From where?
Haruka: From the place we're going.
Everyone boards the ship, which is entirely black with red seats.
Himitsu: I feel like this is death.
Gram: Yeah, I was feeling the same way.
Gram looks at Daru.
Gram: Do you still think this is a good idea?
Daru: Just sit down and be quiet.
Gram: But what if Zodiac's right? What if it's a trap? Maybe they actually want me!
Daru: Why would they want you?
Gram: Because I won the Newbie Event, and they might want to see what makes me so great and powerful!
Kono: You watch too many movies.
Gram: I'm serious!
Daru: Gram will be just fine.
Ohma: Plus, we have Daru, Zodiac, and Akira on our side!
Gram: And me!
Ohma: Sure… and you.
Himitsu begins to laugh.
Gram: Enough!
They all take a seat in the ship as Haruka powers it up and initiates the lift-off.
Haruka: Just so you know, we're heading out of the solar system, so hold on.
Gram: (Yelling) What did she say? I couldn't hear her.
Akira: She said to shut your ginger ass up!
Gram: I WAS BORN WITH IT!
Haruka pushes the lever forward, entering hypersonic speed as they approach the Voidless End and witness a spectrum of colors.
Kono: This never gets old.
Himitsu: Kono, is this the Voidless End you mentioned?
Kono: Indeed!
Haruka: It's like you guys have never seen the Voidless End before.
Kono: Because they haven't.
Haruka: What!?
Everyone looks outside to see a stream of vibrant colors.
Ohma: (Eyes wide) AMAZING!!!
Akira: All these colors are making me sick.
Daru: I feel like I've seen this before.
Zodiac: Yeah, I get that feeling too.
A few minutes later, Gram presses his head against the window, gazing outside.
Gram: I could look at this for hours.
As Gram continues to stare, the scenery suddenly shifts to black and red, revealing a skull at his window.
Gram: AHHHH!!!! AHH!!! AHHHHH!!!
Ohma: What happened!?
Gram: I saw a skull!
Haruka: We're here!
Daru and everyone looks outside their windows, seeing nothing but rocks and a red moon.
Zodiac: Doesn't look like much.
Haruka: That's because you're not looking at the front of the ship.
Zodiac: Hmm…
Everyone turns to the front of the ship and gasps at the sight of a massive castle.
Gram: Is th—
Himitsu: It's a castle!
Ohma: AH—
Akira quickly covers Ohma's mouth.
Akira: I'll break your neck if you do that again.
Ohma nods as Akira releases him.
Ohma: This is so cool!
Haruka lands the ship at the docks, and they exit.
Kono: Wow! What is this place?
Haruka: Follow me, and I'll show you.
Everyone follows her to the main doors.
Kono: These doors are like 100 meters tall!
Haruka: They're actually 102 meters tall (laughs).
VGuard: Name, please.
Haruka: Haruka Sentrey.
VGuard: Granted.
Haruka: Alright, let's proceed.
The doors begin to open, causing the ground to tremble.
Gram: (Struggling to maintain balance) My goodness!
The doors finally open, revealing a vibrant scene filled with people walking, laughing, and children playing.
Haruka: Welcome to Vergus City, everyone!
Daru: Vergus City?
Haruka: They literally have everything here!
Gram approaches two young women.
Gram: (Smiling) Hey, ladies, how are you?
Himitsu: Here we go again.
Akira: Great!
Girl 1: Aww, a human! He's so cute!
Girl 2: We should take him; he'd make a good drink!
Gram: Yeah, I would be… WAIT, DRINK! WAIT, CUTE! (Sighs) Sorry, girls. I just don't see anything between us.
Girl 1: Aww, that's unfortunate.
Girl 2: It really is!
Gram returns to his companions.
Gram: Did you see that, guys? They wanted me so badly! But I had to say no because I thought of you all; I put you first!
Akira turns to Haruka.
Akira: Continue.
Gram: WOW!! I see how it is.
Ohma: Gram, it's okay; I care!
Gram: Thanks, Ohma.
Everyone resumes following Haruka as they navigate through the city.
Daru: So, did you grow up here?
Haruka: Me? No. The people who run this place saved me… well, one in particular saved me and brought me back here, taking care of me until I got back on my feet.
Himitsu: That's so nice of them.
Haruka: Yeah, these people are amazing!
Four young children approach Haruka, speaking in a different language. Haruka responds in the same language and hands them candy as they run off to play.
Zodiac: What language was that?
Haruka: They call it Vergusnmanes; it's an ancient language.
Daru: They taught you?
Haruka: Yes, they taught me a lot! They even taught me how to fight and be stealthy.
Daru: Well, obviously you need to work on that.
Haruka: How do you know I didn't want you to find me?
Daru: Hmm…
Gram: That was a burn…
Daru glances at Gram, who promptly falls silent. Haruka guides them to the top of the castle, where they enter and encounter ten monk-like figures standing on each side of the red carpet.
Kono: Uhhh…
???: Haruka, you've finally returned!
Haruka: (Kneels) Yes, sir, I am back!
Haruka looks at the others.
Haruka: Everyone, please kneel!
Ohma: Oh!
Ohma kneels, followed by Himitsu and Gram. Daru, Akira, and Zodiac remain standing.
Haruka: What are you doing? Kneel!
Daru: Sorry, not happening.
Zodiac: I'm not kneeling to a guy in a robe.
Akira: I'd rather die than kneel!
Haruka: I'm serious! Kneel!
Daru and the others fall silent.
Gram: Yep, Himitsu, this is it. We die here today, but we die as men!
Himitsu: Gram, shut up!
The man descends the stairs, and just as his foot is about to touch the ground, he appears right in front of them.
Ohma: Whoa!
Gram: Please, if there is a God, help us!
Monk Hanzo: I am Hanzo, and you must be Daru Yoshido.
Daru: Uhh… Yeah, that's me.
Hanzo leans closer to Daru's face.
Haruka: Dammit!
Monk Hanzo: (Laughs) YOU'RE JUST LIKE HIM… HAHAHAHAHA!
All the monks standing by the carpet begin to laugh. Daru and the others look confused.
Monk Hanzo: Please… follow me! There's someone I want you to see.
Daru: Uh, okay?
Zodiac: What just happened?
Akira: I have no clue.
Everyone follows Hanzo inside the castle.
Haruka: Well, I didn't expect that at all.
Gram: (Hands in the air) Thank you, God!
Daru: So, who are you bringing me to, Hanzo?
Monk Hanzo: Wel—
Zenshi: Daru…?
Daru's eyes widen as he recognizes the voice. He turns to his right and sees Zenshi.
Zenshi: DARU!!!
Daru: Zenshi!?
Zenshi runs to Daru, embracing him tightly.
Zenshi: (Crying) Daru! Oh my gosh! I've missed you so much!!
Daru: I knew you were alive!
Zenshi: Alive?
Gram: Hi, Zenshi!
Zenshi: Gram!
Zenshi hugs Gram.
Gram: (Smiling) Oh yeah, this is what I like.
Akira: You're so disgusting.
Daru: Yeah, alive because Gram and I went back to find you, and the whole village was destroyed, and your da—
Zenshi: My dad! Did you see him? Is he okay!?
Gram: Zenshi… Greg didn't make it. I'm so sorry.
Zenshi begins to cry as Gram holds her. She wipes her tears and notices the others standing behind them.
Zenshi: Uhh… hi?
Himitsu: Hi!
Ohma approaches Zenshi and kisses her hand.
Ohma: Hello! I'm Ohma!
Gram: Hey! Don't do that! Only I can!
Zenshi: (Laughing) It's alright, don't worry. Hello, Ohma!
Zenshi looks at Zodiac, Kono, and Akira.
Zenshi: And you guys are?
Zodiac: Zodiac.
Akira: Akira.
Kono: (Smiling) Hi! I'm Kono!
Zenshi: Well, hi to you all! It's a pleasure to meet you!
Daru: Zenshi.
Zenshi: Yes?
Daru: Where is Rito?
Zenshi: Oh right! He's in his room.
Daru: Great! I can't wait to see him.
Zenshi: Listen, Daru, before you go up there, just know Rito is… umm, different.
Daru & Gram: Different?
Zenshi: Just be careful, okay?
Daru: Okay…?
Daru began to ascend the stairs, followed by everyone except Haruka and Zenshi.
Haruka: Does Daru not know about Rito?
Zenshi: No… I'm afraid not.
The group continued to the top floor, arriving at Rito's closed door.
Gram: Daru, what did Zenshi mean about Rito being different?
Daru: I don't know, but he'll tell us.
Daru knocked on the door, which opened on its own, revealing complete darkness.
Gram: Daru… I don't like this.
Daru: Rito?
Zodiac: Are you certain he is in there?
Ohma: That's what Zenshi said.
Daru: Rito!
As Daru called out, everyone noticed two red dots in the darkness, and an overwhelming aura enveloped them, forcing them to their knees.
Zodiac: (to himself) What the hell! I can't move!
Akira: (to herself) My body won't move!
The red dots advanced closer to the door.
Daru: Rito, listen, I'm sorry I left and everything, but I'm just gl—
Daru was abruptly kicked in the chest, propelled through the castle and out the back, landing in the training grounds where others were engaged in practice. Everyone turned to witness Daru's arrival.
Daru: (in pain, spitting out blood) Aughhhhh…
Akira: Holy shit! He went through the other side of the castle!
Ohma: Guys… he's not here anymore.
The group scanned the area, realizing Rito was absent.
Kono: Where the hell did he go!?
Daru struggled to rise, coughing up blood as he noticed two feet in front of him.
Daru: (sighs) Just wonderful...
He looked up to find Rito gazing down at him.