Shinjiro Satoshi broke into a run, and he picked up speed fast.
His goal was Riko Yokoyama.
She stood ready and called up her scythe in a flash.
She turned its sharp edge right at him.
Ash rushed in next, gripping his two daggers tight.
Shinjiro dodged every swing with pure grace.
He lashed out with a kick and sent Ash crashing to the dirt.
Shinjiro yanked his own dagger free from its sheath.
Antares charged forward and slammed into Shinjiro hard.
The force hurled Shinjiro away and rolled right through a mountain side.
Rocks cracked and flew as he went.
Dust settled.
Shinjiro stood up smooth, no sign of pain or hurt.
Like the crash meant nothing.
Antares growled low and barrelled toward Shinjiro again, his eyes caught the dagger slip from Shinjiro's grip, it hit the ground with a clang.
Shinjiro moved quick.
He lifted his arm high and then he smashed it down.
The earth shook under the blow.
Ash spotted the danger.
"Antares, look out!" he yelled.
But the warning came too late.
A deep slash ripped through the air, it cut Antares clean in half.
Blood sprayed.
His body split apart.
"Antares, NO!" Ash screamed.
His voice cracked with shock.
Antares lay there for a second until his wounds knit back.
Flesh pulled together and healed in seconds with no scars remained.
Riko stared hard.
Her eyes grew wide.
"That was just like my magic power," she said, the move matched her own skills perfect.
Shinjiro turned to go.
He took a step away.
Riko lunged forward.
She wrapped her arms around his waist in a tight hug.
"Shinjiro, you're up," she said soft. "I didn't recognize you."
Ash and Antares froze and shot Riko looks of pure confusion but then it hit them.
She had been Shinjiro's girlfriend.
That was back before the experiment changed him.
The shock took its toll.
Shinjiro's eyes rolled back and his body went limp.
He passed out cold in her arms just for Riko to protect him.
***
Shinjiro's eyes fluttered open and he found himself deep inside the Monarch of Death's palace while his head rested right on Riko's lap.
Her tiny soft fingers ran through his hair in gentle strokes.
Instinct kicked in hard and he bolted away from her.
He scrambled back across the cool stone floor.
Riko reached out fast and wrapped him in a tight hug, warmth from her body chased away his panic.
Shinjiro calmed down at last.
"Sorry, Shin-kun," Riko whispered.
Her voice held a calm edge, the tone stayed soft and kind. "It has been an entire year since I last saw you. I just did not know it was you."
Shinjiro took a deep breath, he scanned the vast chamber around them.
Dark walls loomed high, Shadows danced from glowing crystals.
For the first time since the test tube spat him out, words left his lips. "So, the host steps up and becomes a monarch, huh?"
A pout twisted his face.
Riko's eyes widened in a quick gasp and laughter bubbled out of her.
It echoed off the palace stones.
She wiped a tear from her eye. "You're still that same jealous boy I remember so well."
Her laughs died down slow. "Tell me, how did you even get trapped in that chamber?"
Shinjiro shrugged.
His voice came out steady and calm. "Well, Hypnocranites grabbed me first. Those creeps kidnapped me out of nowhere. Then after they shoved me into twisted experiments. Locked me in that tube for good measure."
He pushed up to his feet, steps took him straight to the heavy door. "I can't stick around these worlds much longer, Riko."
Confusion creased her brow. "Why not, Shinjiro? What is wrong?"
He turned to face her, worry laced his words. "My body cannot manage this flood of power. It is too much. Only a true monarch host could contain it without breaking."
Riko smiled soft.
Her voice smoothed back to calm. "No need to fret. I lined up two hosts for you. Pick one or take both. They are my kids, remember."
Shinjiro's eyes popped wide open, shock hit him like a wave.
He had no clue Riko even carried a child and let alone two.
She crossed her arms and sass sharpened her tone. "Wipe that look off your face. They are yours too. No doubt about it."
He blinked hard.
Then another question tumbled out. "By the way, I caught wind that all 11 other monarchs show up at the ritual. You think they will pitch in or what?"
Riko nodded easy, calm flowed in her reply. "They sure will. Everyone hands over a chunk of their power. It flows straight into the child. Turns it into the perfect vessel for you."
Shinjiro shook his head firm. "Hold up. I do not need some vessel for myself. I want this power gone for good. It stirs up the murder deep inside me. I lose control every time."
She rolled her eyes.
A pout puffed her cheeks. "I never said the vessel's for you, dummy. It is for your power to live in. When did you turn this dense, moron?"
Light shifted as they moved. Shinjiro and Riko finally stepped toward the door.
"Riko, I pick Paulo Satoshi to be the vessel of my overall murderous power," Shinjiro said with a smile
They headed out side by side and into the light that they will follow for they will soon be getting rid of his power.