Silence fills the area. No one can believe what just happened. For the first time in over a decade, someone has actually completed the Hundred Battles Trial. Just then, roaring applause begins, and the silence is replaced with booming cheers.
[Sakyo] (pant) Yes, I... did... it...
Sakyo can't take another step before falling to the ground with a thud. The world around him shifts from blurry to black as his consciousness fades.
...
In a space of emptiness, Sakyo can't see anything around him. There's nothing but an empty space as far as the eye can see. He's not awake, but not entirely unconscious either. Sakyo can only float there, surrounded by the blinding white around him.
[Sakyo] Where am I?
[?] The Mindscape.
The voice answers, one that sounds familiar, but Sakyo can't place where he's heard it from. He turns around quickly, not seeing anyone else.
[Sakyo] Who's there?!
[?] I see, so we're not strong enough yet.
[Sakyo] What are you talking about? Who are you?
[?] We've only unlocked two, and that was already a most satisfying meal. I can't wait to feast when we have all nine.
[Sakyo] Nine? Nine of what?
[?] Quiet. I am not our polymath. Figure it out on your own.
[Sakyo] (Prick.) Alright, but you should at least answer my first question. Who are you?
As the voice speaks, a certain darkness begins to engulf the space around until half of the blinding white is replaced with an ominous black.
[?] That distain in your eyes, so intoxicating. I feel everything. Your pain. Your anger. Your fear. All the negative emotions you wear like a second skin. So thin. So transparent.
The surrounding area begins to change, as if both light and dark are separating from each other.
[?] I've always been a part of us, but this is the first time I've been given a voice. You ask who I am, but I have no answer. For I am not a who, at least not yet. I am the shadow that lingers when the light leaves your eyes. The weight behind every regret you have. Born in the pause before your anger, living in the echoes of your weakness.
Finally, the surrounding realm calms down, light on one side and darkness on the other.
[?] Every doubt you swallowed. Every truth you withheld. All the anger you buried. With every second you hurt, you believe you're broken. No... We're unbalanced. You're the part that hides from everyone. I'm the part that doesn't lie. When you strip away the mask, the excuses, the mercy... I will be there. I may not have a name, but you have always known what I am.
[Sakyo] (This... thing. He's dangerous.) I see.
[?] Tell me, do you find me dangerous because you don't know what I am, or is it because you know I'm not something you can control?
[Sakyo] (How did he...?)
[?] I told you, we're in the Mindscape. Your thoughts echo because they're our own.
[Sakyo] Crap.
[?] I'd love to continue this little chat, but it seems we'll be waking up soon. I do hope we'll be seeing more of each other from now on.
[Sakyo] Not if I have anything to say about it.
[?] You will be powerless to stop it. It's a force of nature, or should I say, we are.
[Sakyo] I'm not so weak that I'll just let you do what you want.
The darkness that took over half of the surrounding space begins to take form. It begins to take a body-like form, shaped from shadows.
[?] It's exactly because you're weak that you will. You need me because together...
As the shadows peel away from its form, Sakyo can clearly see a mirror of his own face staring back at him with a devilish grin.
[?] ...We can be one.
[Sakyo] I see, then I know exactly what to call you.
Their conversation is cut short as Sakyo finally wakes up for real, finding himself back in his own bedroom.
[Sakyo] Akuma.
Lumi, now grown into a strong young tigress, pokes his face with her nose.
[Sakyo] Hey, I keep forgetting how big you've grown.
Seeing that he's ok, Lumi climbs off the bed, revealing Ren sitting next to it and Garm standing at the door. They're both sound asleep, seeming like they've been there for hours. One look outside shows the full moon, illuminating the stary night.
Just then, the door opens slightly as Reika enters the room, accidentally pushing Garm to the ground where the thud jolts him awake.
[Reika] Hey, you finally awake?
[Sakyo] Yeah. What time is it?
[Reika] Almost midnight. You've been knocked out all day.
[Sakyo] I see.
[Reika] In case you don't remember, you passed the trial, though it took a lot out of you.
[Sakyo] I remember, it's still a little hard to move right now.
[Reika] Then I won't keep you. Keep resting, you earned it. Come on you two.
Lumi and Garm try to stay, even giving Reika a double combo of pouting eyes, but she doesn't falter. With a stern face, she makes the two of them leave before following shortly after. Sakyo sits up, being careful not to wake Ren, though only a few minutes pass before she wakes up.
[Ren] Noooo! Why would they leave me drooling like that in front of you?!
Sakyo can't resist a small laugh escaping his smile as Ren tries to hide her blushing face.
[Ren] Gosh, you shouldn't laugh! It's not nice to make fun of a lady like that. (pout)
[Sakyo] Sorry, I couldn't resist. You're just too cute when you blush like that.
Ren's blush intensifies even more, steam coming out of her now red ears. She's too embarrassed to even look Sakyo in the eyes anymore.
[Ren] T-that's not fair.
He pets her head, thankful for her always being by his side. Once she feels better, Ren leans her head on his shoulder.
[Ren] Don't scare me like that again. I was so worried when you passed out after your fight.
[Sakyo] I guess I did push myself a bit too far. Sorry for making you worry about me.
[Ren] That's not good enough. I won't forgive you without a kiss.
[Sakyo] A kiss? Is that really the only way?
[Ren] Yes. If you don't give me a kiss for at least five seconds, I'll never forgive you.
She leans in expectantly, her eyes closed as she waits for a kiss. Sakyo, now blushing a bit himself, leans closer. Ren jumps slightly when she feels his hand on her cheek. Her body tenses up, but she doesn't pull away. The heat on her cheeks intensifies as the moment draws near. Finally, she feels the warmth, but not on her lips. A kiss that lasts for five seconds is placed on her cheek. Both are blushing even more than before when they finally pull away.
[Sakyo] T-that's all I can give you right now.
[Ren] Mmm. Tease. Alright, I'll forgive you just this once, but I expect a proper kiss next time.
[Sakyo] Oh, next time, huh?
[Ren] Of course, it's only natural to want my future husband to kiss me.
[Sakyo] ...Ren, about what you said earlier during my fight.
[Ren] I meant it. I love you, Sakyo.
[Sakyo] ...Ren, I don't know if I can return your feelings for me, but I do care about you.
[Ren] It's ok, I know I'm pushing my own feelings onto you, but that doesn't change my feelings. I love you Sakyo, and I always will. So I'll keep waiting for the day you say it back to me. We'll get there.
[Sakyo] Jeez, I can't say I'll definitely be your husband, but for now, maybe we could start off as boyfriend and girlfriend.
Ren raises her head, eyes wide with complete surprise before filling with tears.
[Sakyo] W-what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?
[Ren] No, I'm sorry. (sniff) I just didn't think you'd accept my feelings like this. I'm so happy.
She can't contain her happiness anymore as she leaps into Sakyo's arms.
[Sakyo] Wait, I'm still recovering from earlier. (Damn it, I love her already.)
...
It's been a few days since the Hundred Battles Trial, and I missed quite a bit while I was recovering.
First and foremost, Hendrix stepped down from his position as Vice-Captain of the royal knights. Apparently, after all his outbursts during our fight, he ended up losing the respect he'd earned from the other knights over the years. Once they saw his true colors, he couldn't take it anymore and left his resignation written on his bed along with his armor. Since he left without telling anyone, no one's been able to find where he went.
Secondly, Ren and I officially told everyone that we're together now. I thought they'd be surprised, but apparently everyone else thought we were already a couple. The only on who really believed we weren't a couple before was Kaya. I'm lucky she knows Ren and what she's usually like.
Finally, the knight's all agreed that I'd be allowed to join their training once again. While I appreciate the offer...
[Reika] Sakyo, it's time to go!
...I got another offer for more intense training.