The room twisted.
Walls stretched like melting wax, the floor dissolving into a sea of shadows. Hana's bedroom no longer existed—only a fractured space where the living and the dead overlapped.
The Collector screeched, chains dragging across the darkness as it lunged for Hana again.
"HER SOUL IS UNBOUND," it rasped. "SHE BELONGS TO US."
Ryu stepped forward, scythe raised.
"She belongs to herself."
He swung.
CLANG—!
The Collector blocked the strike with its chains, sparks of black light bursting outward. The impact sent a shockwave through the realm, knocking Hana off her feet.
"Hana!" Ryu shouted.
She crawled back, pressing her hands over her ears as the screams of trapped souls filled the air.
"Ryu… they're all crying," she sobbed. "I can hear them… every one of them."
The Collector laughed, a sound like rusted metal grinding bone.
"She hears truth," it said. "She is a Listener. A bridge between realms. Rare. Valuable."
Ryu's grip tightened.
"So that's why you came."
The Collector's form shifted, growing larger, more grotesque.
"Give her to us," it whispered. "And I will leave this city untouched."
The words struck harder than any blade.
Ryu froze.
Images flashed through his mind—
The destroyed streets.
The screaming civilians.
The rising shadows.
One soul…
For thousands.
Morrigan's voice echoed faintly in his memory.
Judgment defines a Reaper more than power.
The Dark Reaper's laughter followed.
Do it. Be practical.
Hana looked up at him, tears streaking her face.
"Ryu… what does it mean?"
He met her eyes.
It would be so easy.
One swing of fate.
Ryu lowered his scythe.
The Collector leaned closer, delighted.
"Yes… choose wisely."
Ryu exhaled slowly.
Then he lifted the scythe again—steady, unwavering.
"No."
The Collector shrieked. "FOOL—!"
Ryu slammed the scythe into the ground.
"REAPER SEAL — JUDGMENT CIRCLE!"
A glowing sigil exploded beneath them, runes spiraling outward. The shadows screamed as chains of light and darkness wrapped around the Collector, binding it in place.
"I don't trade lives," Ryu said coldly. "I protect balance."
The Collector thrashed violently.
"You doom this city!"
Ryu stepped forward, eyes burning.
"Then I'll save it again."
He turned briefly to Hana.
"Close your eyes."
She obeyed instantly.
Ryu raised the scythe.
This time, he didn't hesitate.
SHRRRRAAASH—!
The blade cut through the Collector's core.
Its scream shattered the realm as its body collapsed inward, chains dissolving into ash.
Silence followed.
The twisted space unraveled, snapping back into Hana's bedroom. Posters on the wall. A ticking clock. Moonlight.
The boy's spirit stood near the window, smiling softly.
"Thank you," he said. "I can rest now."
He faded into light.
Hana fell to her knees, shaking.
Ryu rushed to her side, kneeling.
"It's over," he said gently. "You're safe."
She looked up at him, eyes filled with fear… and wonder.
"What am I, Ryu?"
He hesitated.
Before he could answer—
The air grew heavy.
Morrigan appeared, stepping out of the shadows.
"She is a Listener," the High Reaper said. "And now… she is known."
Ryu stood instantly. "You said humans couldn't stay in the Citadel."
"They cannot," Morrigan replied. "But they can be hunted."
Hana swallowed. "Hunted… by who?"
Morrigan's eyes darkened.
"By those who want to control death."
Ryu clenched his fists.
Morrigan looked at him.
"You made the correct judgment," she said. "And now the consequences begin."
Far away—
In the depths of the Shadow Realm—
The Dark Reaper smiled.
"A beautiful choice," it whispered. "I wonder how long you'll keep making it."
---