As morning dawned, Rito sounded the horn once more, rousing everyone from their slumber as they hurried out of their rooms.
Gram: WHAT! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!
Akira: (Rubbing her eyes) Nothing's happening; it's just this asshole waking us up.
Zodiac: I hate this shit.
Ohma: AHHHHHHH!!
Himitsu: OHMA, SHUT UP!!
Rito: That's the spirit, Ohma!
Ohma: Today is going to be an excellent day for training!
Rito: It sure is! Alright, everyone, get back to what you were doing yesterday; everyone is waiting for you on the battlegrounds.
Gram: Yeah, yeah…
Rito: Gram, you're up first.
Gram: Me? First for what?
Rito: For your training.
Gram: Oh right... You know, Rito, I've been thinking—
Rito: Save it for the battlegrounds.
Gram makes a disgruntled expression.
Rito: Alright, everyone, prepare and hurry up!
Everyone returns to their rooms to get ready while Rito descends the stairs and finds Hanzo observing the battlefield from the castle.
Rito: Hanzo! Good morning!
Monk Hanzo: Oh, good morning, Rito.
Rito: How did you sleep?
Monk Hanzo: Rito… I don't sleep.
Rito: (Laughs) Oh, I know; it cracks me up every time.
Monk Hanzo: Yeah, really funny...
Rito: Anyway, how's he doing?
Monk Hanzo: He still hasn't moved; he's been sitting against that boulder all night.
Rito: Hmm, still, huh? Thanks for the update, Hanzo.
Monk Hanzo: No problem. I am heading into the city. I will return later.
As Hanzo turns to leave, Rito calls out.
Rito: Hey, Hanzo…
Hanzo turns and looks at Rito.
Monk Hanzo: What is it?
Rito: I never had the chance to thank you.
Monk Hanzo: Thank you? For what?
Rito: For everything you've done for me. My parents passed away, and I know they entrusted you to look after me all those years. I realize I wasn't the easiest child to raise, but you still did it, so thank you.
Monk Hanzo: You don't have to thank me for that, Rito. I would have done it even if I didn't know your parents. I'm glad you came back when you did, and I'm glad you got to experience the world and all its dimensions.
Rito: I'm glad I came back to Hanzo… I'm glad I returned as well.
Hanzo and Rito share a meaningful glance.
Monk Hanzo: Alright, I'm off. I'll be back later.
Rito: Hey, when you're down there can you—
Monk Hanzo: Pick up some more beer. Trust me, that's why I'm going.
Rito: My man!
Twenty minutes pass as everyone resumes their activities on the battlegrounds. Gram and Rito stand together.
Rito: Alright, Gram, you were saying something earlier.
Gram: Oh yeah! So I've been thinking!
Rito: Oh boy, this isn't going to be good.
Gram: No, it's not bad! I promise.
Rito: Okay, just spill it, you idiot!
Gram: Okay, jeez… I've been thinking about this training you want to put me through, and I don't need it.
Rito: You don't need it?
Gram: Yeah! I don't need it because I just use the book.
Rito: The spellbook?
Gram: Yeah, this one. (shows the book)
Rito: And tell me again why you don't need training.
Gram: What is there to tell? I just say the spell and BAM! Enemies are dead!
Rito: Is that so?
Gram: (smiling) Absolutely! BAM! Dead!
Rito: Okay…
Rito walks away.
Gram: Huh? S-so is that it?
Rito does not respond and continues walking.
Gram: O-okay, I'm taking that as a yes. I'm going back to the castle to get something to eat, okay?!
Gram starts to sneak away.
Gram: I guess my trick worked… Not a trick. I can defeat anyone with this book; it's called a spellbook for a reason.
Rito: Gram!
Gram jumps and slowly turns around.
Gram: Damnit!
He sees Rito standing a few meters away, both looking at each other.
Rito: Go ahead, hit me!
Gram: Hit you!? Why?
Rito: You said you could beat anyone with that book, right!?
Gram: Uh…?
Rito: BAM, RIGHT!?
Gram: I mean… yeah.
Rito: Then hit me!
Gram: O-okay, but if I hurt you, don't blame me.
Rito: Just hit me, you asshat!
Gram: Fine!
Gram pulls out his book and begins to cast a fireball spell.
Gram: Alright! TAKE THIS!
He throws the fireball at Rito, who observes as it loses its flame mid-flight.
Gram: What?
As the fireball reaches Rito, it vanishes into thin air.
Rito: Just as I suspected.
Rito performs the sudoshi step and appears right in front of Gram's face.
Gram: (startled) AHH! You scared me, you idiot!
Rito: So, what happened there?
Gram: Yeah, I KNOW! I saw it; it went away…
Rito: No, not that!
Gram: What? That's what happened!
Rito: Gram, do you understand how a spell works?
Gram: What? (laughs) Of course I do. You say the spell, and it works.
Rito: You are really clueless…
Gram: Hey! That's rude!
Rito: Gram, a spell has to come from your heart! Most importantly, you have to believe it will work! Without that, your spells are useless.
Gram: Okay! If they're so useless, how did I fight off a creature stronger than Daru and Zodiac!?
Rito: Because, as I said, you believed it would work, and it did. If you're not focused, you'll never get anywhere. Plus, all your training relies on the book, and when you're done, you'll be able to BAAM!
Gram jumps slightly, startled.
Rito: Your opponent! (laughs)
Gram: That's not funny, Rito!
Rito: It's so ridiculous you have to laugh at it. BAAM!
Gram jumps again.
Gram: STOP IT!
Rito: Anyway, I want you to practice on this rock and break it with any blast-type spells you have in that handy book of yours.
Gram: FINE!
Rito: Alright, I'll leave you to it! (laughs)
Rito starts walking away.
Gram: Baam is my word…
Gram pulls out his book and starts casting blasts at the rock, visibly annoyed. Meanwhile, Daru is hunched over on a boulder, breathing heavily and bleeding from his hands.
Rito: Man, you look terrible!
Daru looks at Rito.
Daru: Thanks… jackass.
Rito: You're welcome. So, I see you moved it a little, but not even six meters?
Daru: Yeah, I know… I can't do this… It's too hard.
Rito: Training is supposed to be hard, but it's doable.
Daru: Maybe… for you…
Rito: Did you think about what I said?
Daru: (stands up straight) Yeah, I tried your stupid pain method, and it didn't work; it just made me weaker.
Rito: Yes, I can see that.
Daru: So I can't do it, I giv—
Rito: What did you feel when you were at the village?
Daru: What?
Rito: When you returned to the village, what emotions did you experience when you saw everything destroyed?
Daru: Hmm… I don't know… I felt anger.
Rito: And?
Daru: I felt sadness.
Rito: And?
Daru: And… pain.
Rito: Exactly.
Daru: What do you mean, exactly!?
Rito: Were you physically hurt?
Daru: Well… no.
Rito: Then whose pain did you feel?
Daru: The pain of the people who died.
Rito smiles and nods.
Daru: But how!? That doesn't make sense; they were dead!
Rito: One thing I noticed during the Prisma War was that when a Zatarian ally died in battle, we could feel their pain, which fueled us to fight harder. I guess it was true, but your pain is different in many ways. I can feel it, so use all the pain you've felt from others and turn it into your power!
Daru: Use the pain of others to fuel me?
Rito: Exactly! Now give it a try.
At that moment, Hanzo shouted from the castle.
Monk Hanzo: RITO, YOUR BEER!
Rito: My BEER IS HERE!!! SORRY, KID, MY BEER'S HERE!
Rito rushes off to the castle.
Daru: Use the pain of others to fuel me… Okay, let's try this.
Daru advances toward the boulder and places his hands upon it.
Rito: AHHH! Thank you, Hanzo! This is amazing!
Monk Hanzo: You're welcome—
Rito: HOLD THAT THOUGHT! WATCH DARU!
Monk Hanzo: Huh? (Looks at Daru.)
As Daru places his hands on the boulder, he closes his eyes and allows the pain of others to flow through him like a stream. He envisions Aimi in tears and feels her anguish. He experiences the sorrow of the children and parents who perished at the school and in Sampostis during the Minus One disaster. Daru shakes his head as his body trembles. A dark aura begins to emanate from him, gradually enveloping him.
Monk Hanzo: Wh— What is that!?
Zenshi observes from her room.
Zenshi: What is happening to Daru?
Daru begins to absorb the pain and sadness from Akira, Zodiac, Himitsu, Ohma, Kono, and everyone on the battlegrounds.
Daru: AHH!! AHHHH!!
Haruka: What the hell is that feeling?
Akira: I don't know, but I felt it too.
Everyone experiences a peculiar sensation and starts looking around.
Zodiac: Daru?
Ohma: What is that?
Himitsu: Huh, what the hell?
Kono: Where's that coming from?
Monk Hanzo: No… is that!
Rito: Yep! It's everyone's pain down there on the battlegrounds!
Daru: AHHH!!
Daru opens his eyes as the bleeding from his hands ceases, and the veins in his neck begin to darken.
Daru: UAHHhH!!
Daru presses his hands against the bottom of the boulder.
Rito: (Excited laughter) Watch this!
Daru lifts the boulder above his head and catches it.
Monk Hanzo: Wh— But how!?
Daru begins running with the boulder, covering 60 meters, then returns, places the boulder down, and starts doing push-ups.
Daru: 7! 8! 9! 10! 11! 12!
Rito: I really am the best teacher!
Monk Hanzo: Rito, just be careful. Daru's pain seems to be stronger than any I've seen—maybe even stronger than yours.
Rito: I know, I know. Don't worry, I've got it under control.
As training progresses, Rito returns to the battleground. He observes everyone engaged in their activities and gathers Himitsu, Akira, Zodiac, and Ohma together.
Ohma: (Waving) Hey, guys!
Himitsu shakes his head.
Akira: Just shut up before you make me mad.
Ohma: (Smiling) Okay!
Zodiac: Why did you bring us here?
Himitsu: Yeah. Shouldn't Kono, Gram, and Daru be here too?
Rito: No, they should be fine on their own. I brought you four here because I want to try a special game.
Akira: (Confused) A game? I thought we were training.
Rito: Oh, we are, but I'm making it a little game.
Zodiac: (Arms crossed) So what kind of ridiculous game are we playing?
Rito: If you can be quiet for a second, I'll tell you.
Zodiac turns his head.
Zodiac: Whatever. This is going to be some nonsense anyway.
Rito retrieves a beer from his pocket and takes a sip.
Akira: I swear, all you do is drink.
Rito: (Wiping his mouth) Okay, as I was saying, you guys will be playing a game that requires teamwork.
Himitsu: Teamwork?
Rito reaches into his other pocket and produces a shiny red ball.
Rito: Do you see this ball in my hand? Your objective is to retrieve it and return it to me.
Zodiac: That doesn't sound hard.
Rito: Maybe, maybe not. But this ball will be guarded by a creature.
Himitsu: So, we'll work together to get it from the creature and bring it back to you?
Rito: Are you going to keep talking, or can I finish?
Himitsu: Sorry!
Rito: (Shaking his head) Yes, you'll be a team, but a team of two.
Akira: What?
Rito: You'll be competing against each other for the ball. The teams will be Himitsu and Ohma on one side, and Zodiac and Akira on the other.
Himitsu: What!?
Zodiac: (Sighing) Why is my day always ruined…
Akira: You must be out of your mind if you think I'm working with this idiot!
Zodiac: I'm the idiot? I think that's you.
Akira: (Angry) Don't you dare test me!
Rito: (Laughs) This is going to be exciting. Yes, those are the teams. You will need to collaborate to retrieve the ball and return it to me.
Zodiac: And let me guess, no powers…
Rito: Yep. No powers or techniques. You can only use your fists and weapons.
Akira: Hmph, good thing I can fly.
Rito: And no flying.
Akira: What! Why!?
Rito: Because I said so. I make the rules. Now let's get this game started.
Rito whistles, and a monk appears beside him.
Rito: (Hands the ball to the monk) Place it near one of the Vierlox over there. (Points).
Monk: As you wish.
The monk vanishes, heading to the location Rito indicated.
Himitsu: A Vierlox? What the heck is that?
Rito: (Smiling) You'll find out soon enough. The game will begin when you see a red beam shooting from the sky. Prepare yourselves.
Zodiac: This is going to be stupid.
Zodiac draws his katana, preparing for the game. Himitsu looks at Ohma as he takes out his nunchucks and assumes a running stance.
Himitsu: Ohma, you can talk now.
Ohma: Wait, I can?
Himitsu: Yes, yes, you can.
Ohma: Ohhhh. I thought I couldn't talk until Akira said I could.
Himitsu facepalms.
Rito: Alright, here we go.
They all adopt a running stance as they await the beam. After a few seconds, the red beam shoots into the sky, prompting them to run toward it. As both teams sprint side by side, Akira leaps into the air and attempts a leg kick at Himitsu and Ohma.
Himitsu: What the!? Ohma, watch out!
Ohma sidesteps as Himitsu blocks Akira's kick with his sword. Akira then uses her other leg to strike Himitsu in the face, sending him to the ground.
Ohma: Himitsu!
Akira: I'm not getting beaten by a bunch of losers!
Akira races back to Zodiac, taking the lead. Ohma rushes to assist Himitsu.
Ohma: Are you alright?
Himitsu: Yeah, Ohma, I'm fine. Let's hurry before they get it!
Himitsu and Ohma resume running toward the location of the ball. The scene shifts to Zodiac and Akira advancing toward a rocky hill.
Akira: Looks like we're getting closer to the ball.
Zodiac: Yeah, no kidding.
Akira: Why do you always have an attitude?
Zodiac: I don't.
Akira: Yes, you do! Ever since I met you, you've had an attitude. Even at school!
Zodiac: That's pretty hypocritical coming from you when you do the same.
Akira: Well, that doesn't change the fact—
Both Zodiac and Akira hear a loud scream emanating from the top of the rocky hill.
Akira: What the hell?
Zodiac: Sounds like it's up there. Let's take the car—
Akira disregards Zodiac's suggestion and climbs to the top of the rocky hill.
Zodiac: Or you could do that.
Upon reaching the summit, Akira encounters a massive Vierlox, black with large wings and sharp claws, sitting down. The red ball is also positioned in front of the creature.
Akira: So that's what you look like.
Vierlox: (Rises) Rahhhhhhhh!
Akira lunges toward the Vierlox, aiming to deliver a punch. The Vierlox swiftly seizes her hand and throws her aside. Before Akira hits the ground, she lands on her feet, regaining her balance. Zodiac ascends the hill and spots the creature.
Zodiac: There's the ball.
As Zodiac rushes toward the red ball, Akira unexpectedly punches him in the face, knocking him a few feet away.
Zodiac: What the hell are you doing!?
Akira: Stay back! I've got this!
Zodiac: Our goal is to grab the ball, you idiot!
Akira sprints back toward the Vierlox, preparing for another strike. The creature retaliates with a claw swipe, but she ducks and counters with a punch to its chest, pushing it back. While observing, Zodiac notices the red ball lying unprotected.
Zodiac: Now's my chance.
Just as Zodiac is about to dash forward, he senses movement behind him. He turns and blocks Ohma's nunchucks with his katana.
Ohma: Awww, I almost had you!
Zodiac retaliates with a kick to Ohma's gut, sending him back as he spots Himitsu racing toward the ball.
Himitsu: Yes! This ball is ours!
As Himitsu reaches for it, Zodiac leaps in front and swings at him. Himitsu quickly dodges the attack.
Himitsu: Whoa, calm down!
Zodiac: There's no time to calm down.
Moments later, Akira flies toward Zodiac and Himitsu, colliding with them and sending them both to the ground.
Himitsu: Aghhhhh!
All three collide with the red ball, causing it to roll toward Ohma.
Himitsu: (Glancing at Ohma) Ohma, grab it!
Ohma: Yes, sir!
As Ohma reaches for the ball, the Vierlox charges at him, seizing him and ascending into the sky.
Himitsu: Ohma!
Ohma struggled to free himself from the creature's grip, but it maintained its hold with formidable strength. The Vierlox then plunged downward, forcefully slamming Ohma face-first into the ground, resulting in a cloud of dust. As the dust settled, Rito's fist was observed embedded in the Vierlox's chest.
Akira: Rito?
A moment later, the creature exploded, and Rito shook his head.
Rito: You guys really suck ass.