Miyamoto spun around, his cloak whipping with the air as he pressed the seal from his storage chain against Amanda's neck. His fingers were steady, his movements quick—but Amanda was quicker.
Her eyes burned with rage, black and crimson Renshi swirling violently around her frame. With a snap of her fingers, a Renshi Shadow Warrior erupted from her aura—its figure dark and jagged, wielding a massive sword shackled with rattling chains. The warrior's blade came crashing down, cleaving the air in two as it aimed to split Miyamoto in half.
"Tch—!" Miyamoto twisted, his form flickering. In the blink of an eye, he activated Switch Mode, disappearing from the strike zone. The ground split open where he had stood, chains burying themselves deep into the dirt.
From behind the warrior, Miyamoto's straw hat spun through the air. With a faint glow, it sliced through the shadow construct, shredding its torso apart with a sharp wind-like force. The creature dissolved into a haze of black mist—only for the particles to whirl back together, reforming its monstrous figure once more.
"The hell…? This kid—" Miyamoto muttered, narrowing his eyes. His voice carried a mix of surprise and irritation.
Amanda's glare met his. Her body trembled, her aura climbing higher and higher, reaching into the night sky like a storm ready to split the heavens. Her breath came heavy, her hatred unrelenting.
"You're leaving me no choice, Amanda…" Miyamoto growled, his figure blinking forward with Switch Mode until he stood directly in front of her. His fist lit with concentrated Light Renshi, the brilliance burning like the morning sun.
The Shadow Warrior swung again, chains rattling as its blade tore downward. But Miyamoto's punch landed first—his glowing fist driving into Amanda's stomach.
The instant his light clashed with the writhing blackness of her aura, the ground shook. A violent burst of force ripped outward, scattering dust and rattling the buildings around them. The black storm of Renshi died down instantly, collapsing like shattered glass.
Amanda's body fell limp, collapsing into Miyamoto's arms. The shadow warrior shrieked without a voice, its form unraveling into nothing before fading into the night.
Miyamoto sighed, steadying her unconscious body.
"Lucy—we're leaving. Right now. Powerful Shinras will be on their way. Our destination is the Kingdom of Eminence. Keep close."
He bolted through the ruined streets, Amanda cradled in one arm while his other hand pulled Lucy forward. The girl panted heavily, sweat dripping down her forehead as she struggled to keep pace.
But then—
Figures flickered into existence.
Four Shinras in polished capes appeared in front of them. At the same time, another four materialized behind them, blades drawn and smiles spreading.
"Che… this is bad," Miyamoto muttered, clicking his tongue. "sorry kids No time to waste."
The leader stepped forward, his aura dark and suffocating.
"Don't make us laugh, old man. You're not leaving. Our master—the one they call Mr. Death Stare—wants to see you. You don't get to refuse."
The others chuckled, their eyes gleaming with arrogance.
Miyamoto exhaled, calm but tense.
"Sorry, kiddos. Not in the mood for chit-chat. And I hate repeating myself."
He leaned closer to Lucy, whispering so only she could hear.
"Hold onto me. Now."
Lucy's hands clenched his sleeve, her head nodding quickly.
Without a chant, without even a hand sign, Miyamoto drew a circle of light beneath his feet. The Shinras' eyes widened.
"Teleportation… without casting!?" one of them barked.
"Don't let him escape!" shouted another.
They lunged, Switch Mode flaring as they blurred forward in a deadly pursuit. But they were too late.
In a single flash, Miyamoto's form—and Lucy clinging to him—vanished into pure light. The Shinras' blades slashed only empty air.
---
The Kingdom of Eminence
The trio reappeared within the heart of the abandoned Mansion, shadows dancing along crumbling walls and shattered towers. Miyamoto strode swiftly into a massive, long-forgotten mansion, its halls echoing with silence.
He laid Amanda carefully onto a dust-covered bed, her breathing shallow but steady. Lucy followed, silent, her eyes fixed on her unconscious sister.
Miyamoto closed the door softly, then descended into the mansion's wide sitting hall. The place smelled of rot and age, the couches covered in dust. He lowered himself onto one, the cushions groaning under his weight.
Lucy hesitated at the doorway. "Master, are you sure it's safe… sitting there? It's filthy."
Miyamoto's gaze sharpened, his tone heavy.
"Don't change the subject. Tell me clearly—what happened back there? Why did Amanda lose control?"
Lucy's lips trembled. She lowered her head, her bangs hiding her expression.
"She… she's drowning in revenge, Master. It's the only thing she breathes for."
Miyamoto's silence pressed her further, his stare unmoving.
"We argued," Lucy continued, her voice breaking. "It was about the jade. The one that got us teleported. I didn't want to push it, so I let it go and walked inside. But then… then I heard her scream." Tears welled in her eyes. "By the time I ran out, her aura was already tearing the ground apart. I couldn't even get close. And then… you came."
Miyamoto's jaw tightened.
"Did you mention her obsession during that argument?"
Lucy sniffled, clenching her fists.
"I… I told her she's changed. Ever since I disagreed with her decision for revenge, she's been… different. Cold. She hates me for it."
He leaned back, deep in thought.
"This is dangerous. Just a few words, and already her dark Renshical side takes control. The hatred she carries for the Kingdom of Berserker is swallowing her whole. If that darkness wins… even I may not be able to stop her."
Lucy froze, her tears dripping to the floor.
"Then what can we do…? Is there really a way to bring her back?"
Miyamoto rose from the couch, his footsteps echoing as he approached her. His shadow loomed, but his voice was calm, firm.
"Listen to me carefully, Lucy. From now on—you cannot let Amanda fall deeper. Do not make her sad. Do not make her mad. Every word you speak, every action you take, must guide her away from the darkness. Violence and force will only break her further. Only her heart can save her."
He placed a hand gently on Lucy's shoulder, his eyes steady.
"If her dark Renshical side wins, she'll be lost forever. But if we can shift her mentality… if she finds something, anything, worth more than revenge… we can win her back."
Lucy's tears fell harder, but she nodded.
"Yes, Master. I'll do whatever it takes. For Amanda… for us both."
Miyamoto's gaze lingered on her a moment longer, then drifted to the ceiling where faint moonlight broke through the cracks. His thoughts, however, were elsewhere—locked on Amanda, and the storm brewing within her soul.