Seven Years Ago,
"Thank you so much, sweetie," an old lady says warmly.
Prince gently sets a heavy bag of groceries down on the porch. He wipes the sweat from his brow.
"Would you like to come in for some water, dear?"
Prince waves his hands, politely declining. "Oh, no, thank you. I'll be on my way."
The old lady smiles as he leaves. Once he walks a short distance, Prince slouches slightly, staring at the ground.
"Prince L'Arc."
The voice calls from behind him.
He stops. Slowly, he turns, removing his hands from his pockets.
"Who are you? I don't go by that name anymore."
A hooded figure steps forward, revealing his face. It's Jovi.
"I've been looking for you, Prince."
Prince tilts his head, keeping a cautious distance. "Looking for me? Why? What do you want?"
"I heard your family banished you. I'm here to offer you a spot in my organization, so we can make things right."
Prince scoffs, hands returning to his pockets. "I don't know what you heard, but I'm fine."
He turns to walk away.
"Did you find your little brother yet?"
Prince stops in his tracks.
"My brother?"
"I heard what happened. With the priest. Noza Ginova's corruption is spreading fast. I can help you find your brother. You just have to join the family."
Jovi extends his hand.
Prince turns around.
Present Time,
Jovi and Prince lunge at Nas from opposite sides. They throw simultaneous punches, but Nas catches them both.
"Let's do this, Prince" Jovi says.
Prince nods.
Jovi places his palm on Nas's forehead, marking him with a black hieroglyph.
"Stupid little-!" Nas growls, kicking Jovi away with force. He turns around and runs straight into a massive golden punch from Prince, sending him flying.
"This is the end for you," Prince says.
Jovi catches Nas midair and holds him firmly.
In the distance, Prince begins gathering golden Mana, his eyes glowing fiercely.
"No more dancing, Nas." Jovi whispers,
Nas thrashes, trying to break free, but Jovi's grip holds him firmly. The mark on his forehead starts glowing a haunting purple.
"W-What? What is this?!"
Jovi chuckles. "One of my old friend's Curse Style. It ages you rapidly. And with your disease worsening... it's checkmate."
Nas barks, panicked. "You think this is how to beat me?!"
Jovi smiles. "Either you die by the curse... or his attack. It's over, Nas."
Nas turns forward. Prince stands ahead, golden energy roaring around him.
"A-Are you crazy?! Release me! He'll kill us both!!"
"At least it's my friend killing me…"
Six Years Ago,
Inside a dim warehouse, Prince munches on an apple alone.
Jovi arrives, his robe soaked from rain.
"Prince, I found everything you need. The priest who tainted your brother... and the orphanage he's in."
Prince tosses the apple and walks up.
"You sure it's him?"
Jovi hands him some photographs. "I'm positive. He'll be near the capital tomorrow at six."
Prince nods. "I'm gonna kill that motherfucker"
Jovi smiles faintly, taking the photos back.
"In this world, you can search for everything except love and death... they find you when the time comes"
He walks away.
Prince frowns. "What the hell does that mean?"
Present Time,
Time slows.
The air thickens. Skies turn gray. The elegance of the ruined auction building contrasts with Prince's radiant glow.
The ground trembles.
Nas's eyes widen.
"Rule Style: Cancel!"
Jovi's eyes widen. 'He cancelled his own rule?!'
"Rule Style: Choose Life!"
Nas screams, embracing the impact,
Prince finally lunges.
His golden Mana obliterates everything in its path. Dust, debris, even shadows disappear.
"I am... the Prince."
A forward kick crashes down. The explosion creates a massive crater with concussive energy,
Saint, and the others feel the impact from afar. Wind blasts against them.
Six Years Ago
August 16th, 5:47PM. Capital Area.
Prince arrives alone. Buildings burn. Citizens panic. Smoke and destruction everywhere.
"Wha-what the hell is going on..."
He walks forward. His footsteps on a necklace. A photo inside shows the priest and his family…
Present Time,
The impact fades. Prince lies unconscious, his body wrecked.
Under rubble, Nas stirs, missing an arm and half his face. He laughs.
"What a kick! I've never been hit like that!"
Not far away, Jovi groans, barely able to stand.
Nas's eyes shoot open. "YOU! How did you?!"
Jovi's face is stern.
Nas tries to heal, nothing happens. He ran out of Mana.
Jovi stumbles forward, "I'm sorry… Prince…" then collapses.
Saint and the others arrive in front of Nas.
Saint scans the area. He sees Prince's damaged body. Jovi's fallen form and Nas, still standing.
"No..."
Saint's heart races. His breath shortens.
Jane rushes to Prince. Mari tends to Jovi. The others assume battle positions.
Saint stares at the ground. Then, he charges head first, no red Mana, just blind rage,
"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT!"
Nas, too weak to move, shuts his eyes.
Suddenly,
Renai appears, landing a heavy kick that knocks Saint unconscious.
Nas blinks.
"The Artist of Justice is here!" Renai poses.
"Renai?! What are you doing here?"
Renai, thumbs up again, "I'm here to bring peace to the world"
Mari grabs Saint. He slowly stirs.
"Everyone, we got what we came for. Let's go"
The team nods. Capone and Skai lift Prince. Jane helps Jovi.
Renai prepares to chase, but Nas grabs his shoulder.
"Don't."
Renai tilts his head. "Don't? Uhh... alright."
"Just... get me out of here…"
Renai nods, then rapidly speeds away with Nas.
Mela sighs. "Mari, they left."
The team lowers their guard.
Carmelo and Ana close in on the scene. They land nearby.
"I see him!" Carmelo shouts.
Ana and two instructors spot Saint, injured, a shadow beginning to rise.
Carmelo rushes over.
"Son!"
Saint looks up weakly from Mari's shoulder, "Dad...?"
Mari glances at Saint but stays quiet.
"Come with me, son. I've been looking for you!"
Ana and the instructors arrive.
"Saint! We've been looking for you!"
Saint sees the Sangre De Reyes instructors, he clenches his jaw.
"Mari... just go."
Mari nods.
"Son? Where are you going?!"
"Saint! Saint! Don't go!" Ana cries, tears falling.
Jane looks between Saint and Ana.
They vanish.
…
On a distant hill, two figures watch the scene.
"Hmph. He really is one of us," the young man says.
"Is he? Is he? Reallyyyy? Let me see!" the young woman responds, giddy.
"Well, he's gone now. Doesn't matter. We will soon find him again…"
…