Cold stone pressed against Ryu's back.
He gasped awake, lungs burning as if he'd been dragged from deep water. Shadows clung to the air, thick and heavy, whispering in a thousand broken voices.
"Where… am I?"
He sat up.
Before him stretched an endless hall—pillars carved from black obsidian, chains hanging from the ceiling like spiderwebs of iron. Ghostly flames burned without heat along the walls, illuminating countless carvings of Reapers locked in eternal battle.
"This is the Reaper Citadel," a voice said.
Ryu turned.
Morrigan stood behind him, hands folded behind her back. Hana was nowhere in sight.
"Where's Hana?" Ryu demanded, scrambling to his feet.
"She is safe," Morrigan replied. "Human souls cannot remain here for long."
Ryu clenched his fists. "Then send me back."
Morrigan's eyes hardened.
"You nearly erased yourself from existence," she said. "If you leave now, you will die before sunrise."
Silence settled between them.
Ryu exhaled sharply. "Then teach me."
Morrigan studied him.
"Training a Reaper is not mercy," she said. "It is survival."
She gestured forward.
The floor cracked open.
A massive circular arena descended from the darkness, its surface etched with ancient runes. Chains rattled as spectral figures emerged around the edges—Reapers, old and scarred, watching with empty eyes.
Morrigan's voice echoed.
"Lesson One: You cannot wield death if you fear it."
The shadows in front of Ryu twisted.
They rose.
They formed—
Him.
Same face. Same body. Same scar on the collarbone.
But the eyes were hollow, black voids bleeding smoke.
The Dark Reaper smiled.
"Hello," it said. "Did you miss me?"
Ryu's breath hitched.
Morrigan stepped back.
"This trial cannot be interrupted," she said. "If you fall… you will be consumed."
The Dark Reaper tilted its head. "No scythe? No wings? How disappointing."
A blade of shadow formed in its hand instantly.
Ryu swallowed.
"Why do you look like me?"
The Dark Reaper laughed softly.
"I am what you want to be," it replied. "Strong. Unafraid. Willing to kill without hesitation."
It lunged.
Ryu barely rolled aside as the blade tore through the stone floor. He scrambled up, heart pounding.
"I don't want to be you!"
The Dark Reaper moved faster than thought.
It struck Ryu across the chest—sending him flying into a pillar.
Pain exploded through his ribs.
"You already are," it whispered, suddenly behind him.
Ryu coughed, blood dripping from his lips.
He forced himself up.
The voices of the dead grew louder, screaming encouragement… or warning.
Fight.
Survive.
Accept.
Ryu clenched his fists.
Shadows stirred around his hands—not violently, but obediently.
"I won't become a monster," he said, standing his ground. "I'll carry death without losing myself."
The Dark Reaper froze.
For the first time—
It frowned.
"Interesting."
Ryu stepped forward.
No scythe.
No wings.
Only will.
The shadows responded.
They wrapped around his arms like living armor.
Morrigan's eyes widened slightly.
"He's not resisting the darkness," she murmured. "He's… guiding it."
The Dark Reaper snarled and charged again—
Ryu met it head-on.
Their fists collided.
The impact shook the Citadel.
Shadows erupted like a storm as Ryu roared—not in rage, but resolve.
"I decide who I become!"
The Dark Reaper was thrown back, skidding across the arena.
It stared at Ryu in disbelief.
"Careful," it said slowly, smiling again. "Every victory makes me stronger too."
The arena began to crumble.
Morrigan raised her hand.
"Enough."
The Dark Reaper dissolved into smoke, its laughter echoing.
Ryu collapsed to one knee, gasping.
Morrigan approached him.
"You survived your first trial," she said. "But understand this—your shadow will never disappear."
She extended a hand.
"It will either follow you…"
"…or one day replace you."
Ryu looked up, eyes burning with determination.
"Then I'll make sure it follows."
Far away—
In the mortal world—
Hana woke suddenly, clutching her chest.
She felt it.
Something had changed.
Something dangerous had taken its first breath.
---