"I'm sorry," They said in union, voices overlapping to create a tangle of echoes. They avoided the other's gazes, each lost in their own mind.

Aichi swallowed and spoke up, quietly. "Don't apologise... I should be the one."

Kai shook his head softly, voice dead of emotion. "No, it was my fault. You were trying to protect me, but I..." He stopped abruptly, lips parted, seeming at a loss of words. He bit his tongue, the familiar metallic taste of blood spreading through his mouth. He lowered his head, tears dripping down in the pond before him, creating ripples.

Aichi noticed the way orange coloured fishes danced around beyond the gleam of the water. Everything was too bright that the exaggerated light stung his eyes. He bit his lip, eyes glistening with tears.

Kai continued his words in a whisper, big green eyes widening in fear. The child let out a shaky breath and spoke slowly, tentatively, the words fell out of his tongue in a ramble of despair. "Where will I go now? Will you leave me?"

"Kai-kun!" Aichi cried, legs feeling weak. He crouched down next to the child, quickly pulling him into a deep embrace. Kai struggled, surprised eyes bolting open widely. "I'll protect Kai-kun! Definitely... I'll protect you, Kai-kun! So... so... don't cry, Kai-kun. It was my fault... if I was stronger... I would have stopped you! I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

"Aichi...?"

"It's alright. I'll protect you, Kai-kun."

Chapter 9

Truth

"Hey, before we leave this city, there's a place I would like to go to. Mom and Dad's graves."

"Is this... alright?"

"Yes, I hope Mom and Dad are happy."

"Yeah... I'm sure they are. Kai-kun, we are now going to meet a friend of mine. He seems to know about your condition more than I do. He might... help you regain your memories."

"That friend of yours... did I know him, too?"

"Yes! You two were best friends, at some point."

"What? I can't believe I have a best friend other than Miwa!"

"You're thinking that you betrayed poor Miwa-kun?"

"H-Hey! Don't read my thoughts!"

"Ah! Oh no, bad news, Kai-kun!"

"What is it now?!"

"We're late for the train!"

"We'll be riding a train? Amazing! Cool!"

"You're pretty optimistic, huh, Kai-kun...? Even though this isn't the time to be happy..."

Because... the truth is scary.

They stood in front of the Headquarters building, its windows gleaming in the sun, shimmering with light. Aichi let his gaze wander around, from the glass doors protected by guards to the surroundings. Despite it being in the immediate vicinity of the busy streets, the area was quiet. Aichi smiled as he watched birds settle in a nearby tree, though his frown returned when he faced the building once again, debating whether he should go inside or not. What if Ren would pretend to be oblivious and turn them away with a nugatory, underlying message of figure it out on your own!

Aichi sighed and covered his face with his hands. He could clearly imagine the scenario unfolding in front of him... but he trusted Blaster Blade's judgement... right?

Kai watched Aichi silently. The way he kept avoiding the entrance made Kai hesitate about whether to point it out for him and tell him that it was directly in front of his face, or just pretend that he didn't see it at all, although that was difficult to do as the gates were glistening and Kai couldn't wait to go inside and explore the entire building. Aichi's nervous shifting, and his occasional sheepish chuckles whenever he realised Kai was watching him intently, increased Kai's reluctance to meet this Aichi's friend.

Aichi smiled down at him, sensing his stare again, though Kai's concern did not fade. "Aichi... do you not want to see your friend?"

"That's not it..." His gaze shifted back to the door, momentarily freezing in place. "I'm just thinking if... Um, should we go inside?"

Kai blinked at the sudden change of topic in the middle of his sentence, but he said nothing, simply nodding obediently.

Changing his mind, Aichi stepped away from the door and laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. The guards seemed to be getting impatient as well. "U-Um... I'm suddenly hungry! Should we go eat something first?"

Kai's eyes widened. Pursing his lips, he nodded again, wordlessly. The child watched as Aichi winced from non existent pain then halted, and turned back around to face the door as though it was an enemy. Kai blinked, anticipating Aichi's next move. Was he going to break the door down?

"That's not right," Aichi frowned, determinedly nodding to himself as he closed the distance between himself and the door. "We should go in first and meet Ren-san!"

"Okay," Kai agreed simply, though he had a feeling Aichi was not talking to him any more but to the automatic door. The thought alone made Kai wonder what kind of person this Ren-san was to make the usually calm and sweet Aichi behave like this.

Aichi's face flushed at the child's response and the fact that he was about to enter dawned on him, making him suddenly nervous."K-Kai-kun, why are you agreeing on everything I say?"

Kai sighed; Aichi was hopeless. "Because I have nothing to do with it."

"E-Eh? That's not fair!"

"It is," Kai pouted. "It was your idea!"

"I know, but..."

"Hey, Aichi-kun!" A cheerful voice broke through their telepathic altercation of stares. "What have you been arguing about?"

Aichi looked up, startled. "Ren-san!"

Kai, by reflex, moved closer to hold onto the hem of Aichi's shirt, eyeing the person addressed tentatively.

"What's wrong? The door just doesn't seem to open these past days, right?" Ren placed a finger on his chin, his eyes focused on the sky outstretched above them in thought. "Maybe I should get it fixed..."

"T-That's not it... the door really does work! But... um, I was looking for you..."

Ren, pretending to be oblivious to their unease, laughed and patted Aichi on his shoulder in a repeated manner. He smiled as if he had just spotted the child peering from behind Aichi, green eyes wide with curiosity and alert.

"Ah~ how cute!" He beamed. Kai avoided his gaze and shrunk further behind Aichi, who gave him encouraging nods and words, which Kai found himself focusing on to try to ignore Ren's intimidating gaze under the layer of smiles he put on. Kai was eager to meet a person Aichi considered a friend but this person was just... weird. He seemed to be able to tyrannise the situation just with his presence.

"So this is where you were, Kai?" Ren frowned and pouted childishly. "Man~ after I went through all the trouble to try to find you... I'm sleepy." He complained, rubbing his eyes to emphasise his point.

Kai blinked at the odd behaviour of the taller male, and tilted his head. "Who are you?"

Ren seemed to tense, for he gave no answer. Aichi glanced hesitantly at him, and then back at Kai to give the confused child a weak smile. When Ren spoke again, his voice sounded too cheerful.

"Ah, that's right! I forgot that you don't remember," he extended his hand as a greeting, even though he knew the child wouldn't return the gesture. "I am Suzugamori Ren!"

Kai furrowed his eyebrows in concentration as he slowly repeated, "Ren?" He looked up for confirmation, unsure.

"Yes!" Ren beamed, and without warning, he scooped up the protesting child in his arms, cuddling him. "I never imagined I'd see a tiny Kai... You're so small! I want to hug you all day~"

Aichi sweat-dropped. "U-Um, Ren-san..."

Ren turned his gaze to Aichi, the same smile plastered on his face. "What, Aichi-kun?"

"How did you know this was Kai-kun at first glance?" He questioned, motioning to the child who was desperately trying to break free from Ren's embrace, green eyes pleading Aichi for help. "And... you're not surprised?"

Ren laughed, and let Kai down before patting his head, to which the child responded by moving further away from the weird person, hissing like a cat when he was sure he was within a protected range from the other's reach. Ren paid the child no mind, acting as if he wasn't noticing the open hostility directed toward him. "My PsyQualia can sense you from a faaar distance!"

Aichi laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head. Can it really...?

Aichi shifted his attention to Kai when he felt a familiar tug on his sleeve. Smiling, Aichi bent down to let Kai whisper in his ear. "He is Ren?"

"Yes, this is Suzugamori Ren-san," he carefully added. "Our friend... remember?"

Kai's face darkened, breaking out in an incoherent monologue of self-pity. "I can't believe I used to be his friend..."

Ren's smile brightened. "I can hear you."

Aichi immediately flushed and straightened himself as he apologised on the other's behalf, but Kai's face remained impassive, watching Ren's cheerful smile. There was no need to apologise; it seemed as though nothing would hurt this person. Although Kai did not entirely dislike him, he felt the need to be distant and cautious around him. In a way... it didn't feel as though it was his own thoughts telling him this.

"I-I'm sorry, Ren-san! Kai-kun just doesn't like to be hugged by people."

Indeed, he detested being hugged by strangers. Perhaps that was the reason Kai felt cold toward this person, but whenever he glanced at Ren's face- a tight ball of joy- Kai couldn't prevent guilt from creeping into his heart.

It felt as though his lungs were filled with water, instead of air.

"Aichi-kun."

"Y-Yes?"

Ren's deep wine coloured red eyes narrowed, and when he sternly commanded with a cold, serious tone, there was no room left for arguments. "Come with me for a little while."

"That's what you said... but why are we at an amusement park?"

"Silly Aichi-kun~ It's not the amusement park... look over there!" Ren grinned and waved at the person waiting for them.

Aichi followed Ren's gaze to fall on blond hair and sharp violet eyes. His sudden appearance staggered him and in surprise, Aichi exclaimed, "L-Leon-kun?!"

"You finally came, Sendou Aichi," he paused briefly when he approached the group, eyes scanning the child next to Aichi. When their eyes met, Kai blinked and forced his eyes to look down, his gaze causing him to feel intimidated and somehow... he felt guilt seep through his heart, as if he had done something horrible to him, similar to the feeling he first felt when he met Ren, or Aichi, for that matter.
Leon observed the shrinking child in front of him, a look of disbelief passing his eyes, though he closed them, as if shielding his emotions from being shown. "Ren, please."

Ren instantly beamed, turning to Kai, who was holding onto Aichi's hand with immense force, afraid to let go, though Aichi didn't seem to mind. In fact, he seemed to squeeze back with equal power. Aichi was afraid himself, though he didn't show it. Ren's eyes saddened for an instant before he relaxed, letting his smile grow brighter. "Sure! Let's go, mini-Kai! Aichi-kun needs to speak to Leon-kun about something important."

When Aichi let go of his hand, Kai turned to him, eyes wide in fear. He reached to quickly grasp his hand again, afraid that the other was going to leave him. He didn't know these people. He was terrified and confused. Aichi pulled his hand away and instead placed it on the child's head, smiling softly. "Aichi...?"

"It will be alright," he said, feeling his chest constrict. He wasn't sure himself if it was going to be alright. "They are our friends."

"Aichi..." Kai looked down, feeling dejected. He wanted to be with Aichi. If he didn't stay by his side, he had the frightening feeling that he would never be able to see him ever again.

Like Mom and Dad.

Kai held onto his sleeve, avoiding his gaze. He opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated, so he stood silent, aware that Aichi was waiting for him to speak. Aichi would always wait for him, and forgive him, no matter what he did. He would protect him. The child needed to tell Aichi something he had really wished to, but wasn't able to tell his mother or father after they died.

He looked up to see Aichi's warm smile. Eyes wide with innocence, he breathed out, "Aichi... I love you."

Because he was afraid that if he told them, they would leave him.

Aichi's reply was instant. "Of course, me too."

"I love Aichi..." He said, voice a quiet whisper. His lips quivered, even when he pursed them together, the shaking did not stop. His eyes, clouded with loneliness and desperation. "I love you, so... don't leave."

Don't leave... please.

"I'll be right back," Aichi crouched down to the child's level and used one finger to gently wipe away the tears that were starting to form.

"But Mommy and Daddy..."

It shattered his heart to see Kai sound so uncertain and broken, despite everything they had been through. "I told you before, right Kai-kun? I'm sure your father and mother loved you too."

Kai nodded, though Aichi watched him sob and rub his eyes in concern.

"Please remember that your mother and father didn't leave you because they hated you, Kai-kun," he said. "I am the same, so I won't leave you."

The child's eyes lit up and he wiped away the remaining tears with trembling fists. "Promise...?"

"I promise," Aichi smiled gently and ruffled the light brown locks.

Leon watched the exchange with interest, noticing how their relationship had grown different. Ren kept his innocent smile throughout, and when he realised that Kai seemed to be happier, he interrupted, "You know that I love you too, right, mini-Kai~?"

Kai let out a shriek, sounding horrified. He buried his face in Aichi's shirt, who let out a yelp of surprise. "No! I don't love you!"

Aichi winced when he realised how harsh that actually sounded, peering at Ren to see his reaction. Ren was still smiling, whether in shock or in amusement, he did not know. Hopefully, Ren wouldn't take any offence to that. He chuckled nervously; even as a child, Kai was as blunt as ever.

"You got rejected, huh, Suzugamori?" Aichi wondered how Leon could say that with a perfectly straight face.

"I guess~ For some reason, mini-Kai seems to hate me."

"It's not for some reason, it's for many reasons."

"Aw, Leon-kun too? Even though I love everyone here?"

"Yes," Leon and Kai replied in union, causing Ren to make that heart-broken expression filled with fake sadness. At that point, Aichi was tilting his head, not following the conversation any more. It was a mystery how the little Kai managed to fit in the odd group.

Through the synchronised laughter and screaming made from the area's different people and through the roaming crowd, he disappeared. Although Ren had a firm grip on Kai's hand, and the unease dissolved into excited chattering and laughing; although he seemed so happy and sad at the same time, Aichi doubted he would see Kai again.

"You seem rather attached to him," Leon observed, perceptive eyes seeing through Aichi's wavering smile. "More than the old Kai Toshiki."

"Yes... he's a child, after all, " He paused, hesitating only for a second. "Also... I understand Kai-kun in a way I never did before. Kai-kun is... normal. He is just lonely and hurt, like I was. That's why... no matter what the truth is, I..."

"You're going to protect him, right?"

"Yes," when he faced him, his blue eyes shone brighter than he had ever seen them, determination painting them a deeper blue. He carried the unswerving eyes of a leader. "Definitely."

Leon sighed, knowing that talking wouldn't change his mind after he had made an adamant decision, and a big one too. "Sendou... I understand where you're going with this, and I won't interfere." He paused, casting a quick glance to his surrounding before motioning for Aichi to follow him to a more desolate place.

"Is your leg alright?" He asked, voice toneless, though his eyes held slight concern. He stopped, waiting for Aichi to catch up to him, which only took a few moments before he was right beside him.

"Don't worry about it."

"What happened?"

"There was a little accident..." He started in a weak voice, unsure of how to explain it. Now that he thought about it, it was weird how the truck driver had not noticed them crossing the road, and the traffic light was red. It should have stopped anyway. Leon stayed silent, observing Aichi's unassertiveness and nodded, slowly.

"I see," he said, and continued carefully, as if reading his mind. "The driver of that truck... he was a soldier controlled by Void, or Link Joker, to be more precise."

Aichi stopped. He tipped his head back so he was facing the other, blue eyes wide. "What...?"

When Leon said nothing, yet looking as though he tried to say something- anything, Aichi attempted to smile; he stood there watching his own mask crumble, piece by piece. The thick sound of clanking of rides moving, the shuddering of rails and tracks, and the screams of people filled the silence. Clanking of chains pulling the carts ground his lungs, and he suddenly felt as if he was being dragged into deep, cold water.

"I thought this was over," he said very quietly.

"No, it's far from over. You have to be careful, Sendou. After all, Void's objective is not as it was before. It's target is you, Sendou," Leon closed his eyes, "Link Joker wants you dead."

Ren observed Kai during the short glances he cast at him, eyes narrowing. He tried to console him, and although at first Ren had believed that the different rides had succeeded in doing so, he was rather devastated to find out that Kai had not been smiling genuinely. Lured by a child, Ren mused bitterly.

"Is something bothering you?" He spoke up, feeling Kai tense beside him. Kai shook his head soundlessly. Ren chewed on his cotton candy, appearing to be in a trance of deep thought. "Are the rides not fun? Or perhaps... you don't like sweets?"

There was silence.

"Is this about Aichi-kun?"

Kai bit his lip and nodded hesitantly.

"Hmm..." Ren mused, then smiled brightly at him. "What's wrong?"

"Can I ask you something..." Kai seemed to pause, and he softly added his name. "... Ren?"

"Sure! What do you want to know?" He then carried on to list off ridiculous possibilities, each making Kai cringe. Before Ren could go on any further, Kai grabbed his arm and hastily he interrupted,

"Who is Aichi?"

Ren stopped speaking and he turned to Kai, red eyes wide.

"Ren...?"

There was a slight hesitation, before it was quickly covered with a smile. "I'm sorry. I don't think Aichi-kun would like me to answer that question."

Kai said nothing.

"There is a limit to how much I can interfere," Ren spoke up, facing away from him. "If you want to find out the answer to that yourself, shouldn't you first know who you are?"

"Who... I am?"

"That's right," Ren suddenly leaned down to whisper into the child's ear. "Who is Kai?"

His grip loosened around his own cotton candy stick, and it dropped to the ground without a single clattering; it hit the path with the gentleness of a feather. Kai's big green eyes focused on Ren, and although he had imagined to find him smirking slyly, Ren's expression was serious, solemn, wine-coloured red eyes looking down at him.

Who is Aichi? Why does he continue to stay by my side? Why do I feel a sad, weird feeling start in my heart whenever I see him smile? Why am I starting to remember... horrible memories? Who... am I?

"Why...?"

Leon refused to meet his gaze. "I don't know, but one thing is for certain... Void is still inside Kai Toshiki."

"T-That can't be true! I defeated Kai-kun-"

"Think back closely," He calmly interrupted. "Did you really beat Kai Toshiki?"

Aichi paused briefly, eyes widening. "I..."

"No, Sendou Aichi. Half of what you remember is not true."

"What do you mean...? Leon-kun, I'm really confused! I don't understand anymore..."

"Calm down."

Aichi closed his eyes and breathed. His heart was beating in synchronicity to a caged bird's craving for freedom. He opened his eyes, wishing that he was dreaming; that this was not true- It was suddenly too quiet.

There were no longer people passing by, or the ringing laughter and words that they emitted. Swallowed in such a blackness that he could not see the cold path he stood on, the world was deprived of its light. The rain did not pound or sting, but it ran down to drop from his jaw. The rhythmic drip, drip, drip made his lung constrict until it would suffocate him.

"What I'm telling you is the truth." Rain pelted down, coating Leon's words. There was rain... yet he couldn't feel the sharpness of each raindrop puncture his skin. In this world, they were merely spirits. "Do you remember... when you and Kai came here, in Cray?"

"I... don't remember."

"This is the only way. My sin... and my punishment..."

Memories. He bit his lip, hands reaching to tug at his hair, eyes wide. A whimper escaped his throat as he breathed unevenly, hands curling into fists where he held on to his hair, feeling pain seep through his head down to his throat. He saw Kai's face through black and he knew it is him but he sees those dark eyes as though through the water; he can't breathe and if he tries to, he's afraid that Kai might disappear. "But... I... think Kai-kun... I..."

Leon's eyes were cold. "What's wrong, Sendou?"

"Kai-kun... this ... this isn't fair!" He screamed above the falling rain. "I don't want Kai-kun to disappear!"

"This is the only way. My sin... and my punishment..."

"Kai-kun..."

"Accept it, Aichi. I won't ask you to forgive me, or anything of that sort. I just want you to accept it. My punishment for choosing this power..."

"This... this isn't fair! I don't want Kai-kun to disappear! I want Kai-kun to stay forever!"

"Aichi!"

He took another step back, "No, no! Kai-kun can't disappear!"

His head hurt. He couldn't see or feel anything except pain. In the darkness, he reached out and held onto his coat, crying out in a desperate attempt to stop him from leaving him. His hands were freezing in cold, his fingers blistered though he buried his face in the dark coat, and he felt warm. Warm and numb. The rain above them pelted and buried his words in the tranquillity of water. In an instant, everything disappeared; Kai's face, the splitting pain in his head and heart, and the card gripped strongly in his fragile fingers. He could feel himself falling and his head collided against something hard and cold, though all he could think about was Kai's lonely eyes as he seemed to dissolve in the rain, further and further out of his reach.

Gasping for breath, he recited an old vow. "No matter what punishment... our paths will surely..."

"Never cross," He heard a cold voice under the surges of rain. "If Link Joker wants you dead, you'll live."

If his eyes are this warm, then why does he sound this cold?

"Kai-kun... I... I will definitely save you... so please... don't hurt everyone else... don't hurt yourself."

Why didn't you catch me when I fell?

Kai watched the motionless figure on the ground and laughed. His hand reached to cover his face and the red marks that went down his chin reminiscent of blood. He clutched his face with his hand, as though he was trying to remove a mask that did not belong to him.

"I was blinded by power... filled with the desire to become stronger than you and Ren," His voice grew softer, weaker. "I didn't know that Link Joker's main target was you, and now that Void's power resides inside me, Blaster Blade and everyone from Cray will help me protect you."

Unable to keep his eyes open any longer, he surrendered to the welcoming hands of the darkness. A few words reached his ears before everything disappeared.

"I'm sorry, Aichi."

"Kai-kun..." Aichi's body shook. He faintly remembers Kai's cold fingers on his skin, caressing his cheek as a parting gesture, and his eyes as he faces the sky, cold as a stone in the bed of the river, that might have been a dried crush of tears. He remembers now. That rooftop of the Headquarters building where the wind blew the strongest. The cold rain that pierced through his skin, through his bones, through his heart. Kai's bitter farewell- the final words he utters, and they ring in his mind, playing all over again.

"I'm sorry, Aichi.

Accepting this power in itself was a sin.

Because my punishment was decided from the start,

I have to forget... and you too."

"You were supposed to forget Kai Toshiki's existence after his age was reversed, and he too, but for some reason you still remembered," Leon explained."There's a reason to why Kai's age went backwards. If Kai Toshiki did not lose his memories due to his age reverting backwards, you'd be in eternal slumber by now."

"I would... be sleeping forever?"

"Sealed, to be more precise."

"Cray would have either sealed you somewhere safe from the evil power of Link Joker, or erased your memory along with Void's vessel, Kai Toshiki. Kai Toshiki chose the latter."

"Why?"

Leon closed his eyes and looked away. "He planned to die."

"Die...?" Aichi repeated slowly. "Kai-kun was...?"

"Yes, but fortunately, the Cray units on your side, namely Blaster Blade, found a way to prevent this. This is why he doesn't remember anything."

Aichi lowered his head. "What will happen to Kai-kun now?"

"There's a possibility that if Void awakens, Kai Toshiki will..." Leon grabbed Aichi's arm before he could run. "Wait, Sendou! Have you forgotten? It's dangerous to approach him right now-"

Aichi's determination faltered for a brief moment when he broke free of his friend's grasp. The sunlight broke through clouds as their surrounding collapsed, revealing their world. He turned around to smile at him gratefully before he ran away, his voice echoing, "I don't care what happens to me! Thank you, Leon-kun!"

The wind stopped blowing.

Everything... Kai-kun's re-birth, his memories, our bond... he sacrificed everything for my sake.

All... for my sake.

Yet I remained blind to Kai-kun's pain.

These lies, coated in fake happiness made me believe that everything would be alright as long as we carried on living normally.

I don't understand. I don't understand what Leon-kun was talking about, or what will happen from now on. My head hurts, my heart is beating so fast- I'm scared that the rest of my body won't catch up. I don't understand anything, but... I understand that there is something I should have done from the start:

I should have been Link Joker's vessel, sealed myself away where Kai-kun wouldn't have been able to find me. I should have been sleeping forever, with Link Joker sealed inside me...

... and, that's what I intend to do now.

"I'm sorry. I think I said too much," he solemnly said, eyes sincere. He placed a cautious hand on the child's small shoulder, surprise flashing across his face as he realised how fragile the child was. Kai was always confident and strong... Ren was almost afraid that he had hurt him just through this simple gesture. There was hesitation in his movement, before Ren glanced down at Kai, his eyes widening slightly. "Are you okay, Kai?"

The child was silent, and Ren wished he could force a nod out of him, or a simple sound. A concerned frown replaced the blank expression, and he shook the child's shoulder with more force.

"Kai? Kai!"

Kai blinked, and looked up at Ren.

"Are you okay, Kai?"

Kai nodded, though he could not understand a word that Ren was saying. He seemed to speak to him, and he looked so worried... would Aichi be sad if he saw his friend this worried? Who was Aichi? Was he the character in the story that Daddy once read to him? The little child reached out and grabbed Ren's hand, because he would always feel safe whenever he held someone's hand like this... but he couldn't remember whose. His memories were lost and his head felt numb...

There was a voice. It was warm and gentle but it also sounded pained. It sounded familiar... almost like his own voice, but he could only hear a few words being repeated again and again until it grew silent. He could feel his eyes close and the world spun around him. It was fun and confusing, almost like riding on a carousel.

"Kai?" Ren called out softly.

The lights behind flickered, and the happy music boomed out, piercing through eardrums. Kai covered his ears with his hands, trying to block out a voice.

Forget...

He cried out in pain. "M-My head... it hurts! There is a voice."

"... a voice?"

Ren gritted his teeth and held tighter onto the child . This is bad... Could it be Void?

"Kai? Kai!"

The scenery around him changed, differing from the artificial metal or people. Ren's eyes narrowed as he scanned his surroundings, realising that his grip loosened and he was standing alone in the desolate area. Where is this?

He took notice of the rain that drowned him and the ominous darkness that painted the sky in monochrome grey. Hesitantly, he extended his arm and opened his fist, crimson eyes softening as the rain pelted down and passed through his still dry hand. "Cray...?"

The sky rumbled, exploding into a fierce synchronised beat of a shriek and loud crackling, leaving a trail of light behind, bursting into the planet's dimensionless scenery. Ren looked ahead, shielding his eyes from the lightning to face darkness. Monochrome grey mixed with red- a colour of fire, and beyond it stood a silhouette of a person he knew very well: as tall as he was, eyes as green as his were and red marks scarring his chin, much similar to his.

"Kai... no, Void."

His eyes were cold, cold, like Ren remembered them being when they fought time ago; when he had tried to free Kai from Link Joker's control without avail. However, something was different, Ren realised. His face carried no expression, as though he had died on the inside. When he spoke, his voice was monotonous, empty, "You made a careless mistake in coming here alone, Suzugamori Ren."

"You've finally decided to show yourself, Void."

Um... anyone still alive? After my mysterious disappearance from this site, I have worked on this chapter and I'll admit one thing: this was the hardest chapter I wrote so far, thus you can guess why there are so many of these 'time skips', as some call them.
I hope the chapter was to your liking. Oh, and I do apologise if some parts seem a little off. I wrote some of these parts at completely different times and as blunt as it sounds, I am experimenting with different styles of writing therefore I hope it didn't feel weird reading this.

Uh... it's not like I caught the common flu also known as "Author/Writer's block" but I'd just like to say that I really didn't forget this story or you guys... and thank you for all your support as always.

It's a thousand years late but I wish you a Happy New Year nonetheless!