Gram begins to grow increasingly agitated, stands up, and directs a fierce glare at Shamasu.
Gram: YOU!
Shamasu turns to face Gram.
Shamasu: I forgot you were still alive.
Gram extends both hands outward.
Shamasu: Huh?
Small rocks and sand begin to levitate as the blue gem in Gram's pocket radiates a brilliant glow.
Gram: You're going to pay!
Gram conjures fire in one hand and ice in the other, then unleashes a powerful blast towards Shamasu.
Shamasu: UHH!
As the blast nears, it transforms into an ice spear enveloped in flames. Shamasu raises his hands to defend against the attack, which strikes him with immense force.
Gram: (breathing heavily) You… piece… of shit!
Gram turns away but is suddenly struck by something.
Gram: Ugh!
He collapses to the ground. Looking down, he notices an ice spike protruding from his leg and turns to see Shamasu's hand emerging from the smoke. Shamasu steps forward, brushing ice from his shoulder and grinning.
Gram: B-but how?
Shamasu approaches and crouches down.
Shamasu: I must say, I haven't seen anyone cast an attack like that without a book in years. You surprised me. I'll grant you your wish for how you want to die.
Gram: Go to HELL!
Shamasu: Painful it is!
Shamasu reaches for Gram, but suddenly something strikes him on the head.
Shamasu: Huh?
He turns and sees Zenshi holding a pan, tears glistening in her eyes.
Zenshi: N-now you let him go! You let all of them go!
Gram: Zen-Zenshi, don't run!
Shamasu: Ah, so your name is Zenshi? Well, Zenshi… if you can provide a more compelling challenge than these fools on the ground, I might consider your offer.
Zenshi grips the pan firmly.
Zenshi: If that's what it takes to make you leave them alone, then so be it!
Gram: No, Zenshi!
Zenshi swings her pan at Shamasu, who stands there grinning.
Zenshi: Ugh!
Zenshi continues to swing repeatedly.
Zenshi: JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE! THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO LIVE THEIR LIVES!
Zenshi swings again, but Shamasu effortlessly flicks the pan from her hands.
Shamasu: Sorry… You failed to impress me.
Zenshi's eyes widen as Shamasu backhands her, sending her crashing into the castle wall.
Zenshi: Ugh!
Daru's hand twitches. As Zenshi slumps against the wall, a metal pole falls from above, crushing her legs.
Zenshi: (screams) AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Shamasu laughs as dark clouds gather overhead.
Shamasu: Hmm? What is happening?
He turns to see Daru rising from the ground.
Shamasu: (laughs) Oh, look who's up! Ready to play again?
Daru keeps his face concealed.
Shamasu: Not going to say anything? Very well!
He charges at Daru, his fists surrounded by mist, but Daru blocks the punch with his hand.
Shamasu: Wh-what?
Daru looks up, a wicked smile spreading across his face.
Gram: Daru?
Daru: (in an ominous tone) I thought you wanted to kill me!
Shamasu notices Daru's veins darkening as a black aura begins to envelop him.
Shamasu: What is this power?
Daru: Power? This is not power… THIS IS PAIN!
Daru punches Shamasu in the face, sending him crashing to the ground, where he lands 20 meters away, also putting him in a hole.
Zenshi: AHHHHH!!!!!
Daru snaps back to reality.
Daru: Ugh! What the hell was that?
Gram: Daru!
Daru looks over at Gram.
Daru: Gram?
Gram: Help Zenshi!
Daru: Zenshi? Wh—
Zenshi: AHHHHH!
Daru looks toward the castle and sees Zenshi screaming.
Daru: ZENSHI!!!
He rushes over to find her pinned to the ground by a metal pole.
Zenshi: PLEASE, HELP ME!
Daru: Okay, okay!
He grabs the metal pole and begins to lift it.
Daru: I got you, Zenshi! I got you!
As Daru frees her legs, Zenshi screams even louder.
Zenshi: AHHHHH! AHHHH!
Zenshi then loses consciousness.
Daru: Zenshi! ZENSHI!!!
Furious, Daru crushes the metal pole and throws it aside.
Daru: Zenshi! Zenshi!
Tears well up in his eyes. Zenshi slowly opens her eyes and sees Daru's tear-streaked face.
Zenshi: D-Daru…
Daru: Zenshi?
Zenshi: Are you crying?
Daru: (wipes his eyes) What? No…
Zenshi: I think you were.
Daru: Zenshi, no, I wasn't, okay?
Zenshi: It's alright… real men do cry. Plus, your secret is safe with me.
Daru smiles faintly.
Daru: We need to leave, come on.
Zenshi: Daru…
Daru: Yes?
Zenshi: I can't feel my legs…
Daru: What?
Zenshi begins to cry.
Zenshi: I can't feel my legs. I can't even move them. I can't—
Daru: It's okay! I've got you. On the count of three: one, two, three!
Daru picks up Zenshi as she screams.
Daru: I'm not letting you die!
Gram helps Zodiac to his feet.
Zodiac: Get off of me!
Gram: Sorry, I was just trying to help!
Zodiac and Gram see Daru approaching with Zenshi in his arms.
Gram: Oh my goodness! Zenshi!
Gram rushes over to Daru, who is holding Zenshi.
Gram: (Tearing up) Zenshi! I'm so sorry!
Zenshi: It's alright, Gram. I'll be fine.
Gram: But I left you in the tower. I should have been there for you.
Zenshi: No, it's okay. Don't worry. You went to help your friends.
Zodiac: We need to get out of here.
Daru: I agree. There's too much at stake standing here.
Rito: AKUMA!!
Akuma: RITO!
Akuma and Rito clash fists, their auras creating shockwaves that shake the ground. Rito headbutts Akuma, stunning him.
Rito: YOU ASSHOLE! DIEEE!
Rito forms a red sphere in his hand and presses it into Akuma's chest, causing him to spit blood.
Akuma: AHHHH!
He locks eyes with Rito and smiles as he begins to fade away. Akuma starts clapping; Rito slowly turns to see Akuma clapping and smiling.
Akuma: You really are quite the fighter.
Rito: Shut up!
Akuma: I would if you could kill me… but it looks like you struggled against my clone, so clearly you can't defeat me.
Rito: You haven't even seen me try.
Akuma: Oh really?
Rito: (Smiling) Trust me, you haven't. I was taking it easy on you.
Monk Hanzo: AHHHHH!
Rito glances to his right and sees Hanzo in the distance, holding his chest where he has been stabbed.
Rito: Hanzo!
Akuma: Better help him before he dies, or it may be too late.
Rito: TCHHH! I'm coming for you when I'm done!
Rito teleports to Hanzo, swiftly dispatching 40 guards as they collapse to the ground. Rito catches Hanzo before he falls.
Rito: Hanzo!
Hanzo: Ahh… (coughs up blood) Rito… my boy.
Rito: You're okay! You're going to be okay.
Monk Hanzo: Rito.
Rito: (Tearing up) No! Don't say that! NO!
Monk Hanzo: Rito… we both (coughs) know I'm not okay.
Rito: No! I can't lose you! I've lost someone dear to me, and I'd be damned if I lose you too!
Monk Hanzo: Zodiac and Daru are at the castle fighting. We need to get to them fast.
Rito: What? Fighting who?
Monk Hanzo: (Coughs) The one beside that crazy girl.
Rito: Shamasu! Okay, we gotta go fast!
Monk Hanzo: Mhmm…
Rito: Alright, come on, old man, you can do this!
Rito picks up Hanzo.
Monk Hanzo: UGH!
Rito runs toward the castle while the other monks provide protection. He reaches the entrance and sees Daru carrying Zenshi, with others gathered around them, noticing Hanzo in Rito's arms.
Gram: Hanzo!
Rito: What the hell! Zenshi! Your legs!
Zenshi: Yes! I know, but I'm okay. Daru saved me.
Rito: Where's Shamasu?
Gram: Daru slowed him down for a couple of minutes.
Zodiac: He did?
Daru: I did?
Gram: Yeah! Don't you remember, Daru?
Daru: Well… no, I don't.
Zodiac: Seriously, you don't remember fighting him?
Daru: I do, but I remember getting my ass handed to me.
Rito: Shamasu is the second strongest Nitharian out of Akuma and Hinoka, so if you slowed him down, that's a miracle.
Gram: Are you going to be alright, Hanzo?
Monk Hanzo: I'll be just fine, Gram. Do not worry.
Ohma: GUYS!!!
Daru: Huh?
Everyone turns to see Ohma, Akira, Kono, and Himitsu rushing toward them.
Gram: (smiling) Hey guys, it's Ohma and the others!
Gram glances behind them and notices Hinoka fighting off the monks to reach Ohma and the others.
Gram: She doesn't look happy.
Himitsu: It's because she's not. The monks told us they saw Rito running with Hanzo and that we should follow, so we did.
Rito: Okay, we better get inside.
Everyone turns to see Shamasu emerging from the hole Daru had placed him in.
Gram: OH CRAP! HE'S GETTING UP! NOW WHAT?!
Akira: Great! What's the plan now?!
Monk Hanzo: Rito…
Rito looks at Hanzo; Hanzo produces a bright glowing blue crystal that's producing overwhelming power, then an advance crystal.
Rito: Wh—You had a crystal all along! Where does this lead?
Monk Hanzo: It leads to Smapostis… This is one of the most powerful crystals as it can go beyond a solar system. I always kept it with me, just as you kept yours to come here.
Rito: Like father, like son.
Monk Hanzo: Haha (coughs). Break it now!
Rito seizes the crystal and smashes it on the ground, causing the portal to open.
Gram: Let's go!
Daru: You'll get better soon, Zenshi.
Zenshi: Okay…
Gram jumps through the portal, followed by everyone else except Rito and Hanzo. Suddenly, Akuma crashes down right in front of them. Rito releases Hanzo and stumbles a few feet away. Akuma seizes Hanzo by the throat.
Monk Hanzo: UGHHHHH!
Rito: Let him go, AKUMA!
Akuma: Why do you care for such a worthless man?
Rito: He's not just any man! He's a father to me!
Hanzo sheds a tear.
Monk Hanzo: (choking) H-he's going to kill you…!
Akuma: Oh, is he now?
Akuma thrusts his hand into Hanzo's wound.
Monk Hanzo: AHHHHHHHHH!! UGHHHH! AHHHHH!
Rito: NOOOO!!!
Hanzo kicks off Akuma and falls into the portal. As he descends, he looks back at Rito, switching places with him.
Rito: Wh- NOOOOOO! HANZOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Monk Hanzo: Stay safe, my son. Goodbye, Rito…
Rito falls through the portal as it closes.
Akuma: Haha! You pathetic piece of shit!
Hinoka and Shamasu appear before Akuma.
Akuma: Where the hell were you two?
Hinoka: They slipped through MY HANDS!
Shamasu: That kid… I'm going to kill him.
Hinoka notices a black mark on Shamasu's right eye.
Hinoka: (laughs) HE GAVE YOU A TATTOO!
Shamasu: Shut up before I rip your heart out!
Hinoka continues to laugh.
Shamasu: Why, you!
Akuma: Enough, both of you! We need to leave and find out where they went! Start searching.
Hinoka: What about this city?
Akuma: Get Jax to handle it.
Shamasu: And what of this dying old man? (looking at Hanzo, who is clutching his chest)
Akuma: This old man… well.
Akuma bends down and places his hand on Hanzo's face, driving a mist spike through it.
Akuma: Worthless piece of shit…
The Nitharain burn down the area and begin eliminating the remaining monks, transitioning the scene to Daru and the others in the hospital in Sampostis. A few hours later, Doctor Blackley Lips arrives with Zenshi in a wheelchair.
Doctor Blackley Lips: Mavielance Crew?
Zenshi: Hey guys!
Gram: Zenshi!
Kono: You're okay!
Ohma: I'm so glad you're okay!
Rito: Well… you're looking good, I guess.
Zenshi: Really?
Rito: I'm joking.
Akira: Good… you're alive.
Zodiac observes Daru exiting the hospital.
Zodiac: Hmm?
Zodiac follows Daru outside.
Zodiac: Daru! Where are you going?
Daru halts.
Daru: I can't stay there! I can't even look at her!
Zodiac: You'll get over it.
Daru: Move past it…
Daru steps directly into Zodiac's personal space.
Daru: Get over it! No, I'm never going to get over it! Once again, I wasn't there in time! I don't expect you to understand. If this happened to Muzida, maybe you'd understand!
Daru walks away. Time passes as they all gather at Kono's house and settle in.
Zenshi: (disgusted) This is where you guys stay?
Kono: (sighs) Yes… Yes, this is where we stay.
Zenshi notices that Kono is upset.
Zenshi: It's not that bad, really.
Daru: Zenshi, stop… it's very bad.
Gram: It's late; we should rest.
Zodiac: You always want to rest.
Gram: Hey! Only sometimes!
Akira: More like all the time… Anyway, I'm going to bed. I need my rest.
Akira starts walking outside.
Rito: Where are you going?
Akira: To my bed… You really think I'm sleeping in this place?
Himitsu: I'm tired too. I'm going to rest!
Everyone heads to their beds.
Daru: Zenshi.
Zenshi: Hmm? Yes, Daru?
Daru: You can take my bed. I'll take the floor.
Zenshi: What? No, I can't—
Daru: Zenshi, you're taking my bed.
Zenshi: (sighs) Ugh… okay.
Daru helps Zenshi into bed, bending down to pick her up and glancing at her legs.
Daru: (to himself) Tch! This is my fault!
Zenshi: Daru? Are you okay?
Daru: Uhh, yeah… I'm fine.
Daru lays Zenshi on his bed and tucks her in.
Zenshi: Thank you, Daru.
Daru: Yeah… you're welcome.
Zenshi: Come closer.
Daru: What?
Zenshi: Just come closer.
Daru leans toward her as she grabs and hugs him.
Zenshi: (tearing up) Thank you so much for saving me, Daru… I-I was so scared I was going to d—
Daru: Zenshi… I would never let that happen to you… ever.
Zenshi lets go of him.
Zenshi: Thank you, Daru… you really take after Rito. (chuckles and turns over in her bed).
Daru: (chuckles) Hmm.
Daru walks out of the room and sees Ohma struggling with something.
Ohma: Come on! Go ON!
Daru: Ohma, what are you doing?
Ohma: Huh? Oh hey, Daru! I'm trying to put my mask on.
Daru: What did I tell you about the 'sir' thing, Ohma?
Ohma: Sorry! I forget sometimes.
Daru: Yeah, I know… but what's this about your mask?
Ohma: See, when Kono, Akira, Himitsu, and I were fighting that girl, my armor evolved!
Daru: Oh really?
Ohma: Yeah… but I can't seem to put it on at will.
Daru: Try it in the morning; it's too late for this now.
Ohma: I thought it was never too late for training.
Daru: It's never too late, but your body needs rest, and after a fight like we've had, we need it.
Ohma: Right, okay, I'll head to bed now.
Daru: (Sighs) Ugh…
Ohma starts getting ready for bed as Rito enters the house.
Daru: Oh hey, Rito…
Rito: Daru, let's go for a walk.
Daru and Rito stroll through the city, where people are enjoying the night, both couples and friends.
Rito: That's cute.
Daru: What?
Rito: That couple over there appears to be in love.
Daru: I wouldn't know.
Rito: So, where's yours?
Daru: What? Where's my what?
Rito: Your little lover?
Daru: I don't have one.
Rito: What about that fiery girl?
Daru: Akira! Eww, no way!
Rito: (Laughs) I'm just busting your chops.
Daru: I can't believe you'd even say that.
Rito: I know, right? (Laughs.)
Daru begins to chuckle.
Rito: There he is!
Daru: Hmm?
Rito: The smiling Daru I used to know.
Daru: I'm not that kid anymore, Rito.
Rito: You may think that, but you still are.
Daru: Hmm. Rito, why'd you bring me out here? You said you wanted to talk.
Rito: You're always the one to get straight to the point, aren't you?
Daru: Yeah… I guess I was.
Rito: (Sighs) Daru…
Rito and Daru walk onto a bridge, and Rito stands on the ledge.
Rito: I'm leaving.
Daru: Leaving? Like leaving Sampostis?
Rito: Yes, there's some stuff I need to do.
Daru: Then let me come!
Rito: I knew you'd say that, but I can't let you.
Daru: What do you mean?!
Rito: Listen, I thought about it. I was going to ask you, but… you need to stay here.
Daru: Rito, no I don't! I can come with you!
Rito: No, Daru… they need you here. Gram and the others need you. (Looks around) This place is nice and suits you.
Daru: Rito, I just found you. I can't lose you again.
Rito steps off the ledge and approaches Daru.
Rito: Listen, kid… I'll always be right here (pointing to his heart), and here (pointing to his head), and here (pointing to his hands).
Daru: I just don't understand why I can't come with you after everything we just went through!
Rito: Did you think about what we talked about?
Daru: What?
Rito: About Beorn?
Daru: Yeah, I said I would do it.
Rito: Yes, I know, but is this the path you want to take?
Daru: Well… I don't know.
Rito: Daru, you need to discover who you are! Learn more about yourself. You said you do missions here! You can learn about yourself while doing them and maybe even find others like you. And if you ever need me, I'll be there. I promise.
Daru: Yeah… I get it.
Rito: Don't stop training either.
Daru: Don't you worry.
Rito and Daru share a light laugh. Rito embraces Daru.
Daru: I always say I don't like hugs anymore, yet you guys keep giving them.
Rito: I know!
Rito releases the embrace.
Rito: One more thing.
Daru: Yeah?
Rito: Those purple veins of yours are your true Zatarian power. It's your own, just like how Zodiac has that hand thing.
Daru: Wh—How'd you find that out?
Rito: I had Hanzo look into it for me.
Daru: Huh… Well, that makes sense now.
Rito: I'm sure you'll find a way to use it.
Daru: Yeah…
Rito: Well, Daru, I guess this is it.
Daru: Yeah, I guess so.
Rito: I'll see you around.
Daru remains silent. Rito shakes Daru's hand and begins to walk away. Daru observes as Rito raises his hand and gives a thumbs-up.
Daru: Until next time, Rito…