"So, Sekai, repeat after me: 'I'm Jessyka's beloved husband, Sekai, and no one can mess with my queen!'"
"And which kingdom are you from?"
"Good thing you asked. Let me explain. It was the year 410, the Romans were leaving Britain…"
"Oh no, not that story again, Jessy."
"Okay, but you have to add this line to your presentation."
"In your dreams."
Jessyka and Sekai were walking down the street toward the bus station on their way to the second day of school.
"Sekai, everyone has to know about our love!"
"What love? We're cousins! There's no love here…"
"What? So you don't love me? After all these years, you're saying you don't love me? I'm deeply hurt! I think I'm gonna cry!" Jessyka said, forcing tears into her eyes.
"That's not going to work on me again. You know what I've said—we're family, and of course I like you. But you're not tricking me just so you can get a new ringtone." Sekai sighed, clearly uncomfortable.
"Tsk," Jessyka clicked her tongue. "But I wanted a new one…"
"What?!"
"Nothing, my love!" Jessyka said cheerfully, making a heart with her hands.
As they walked, they heard a loud argument around the corner.
"I don't know what you're talking about, man! Stop speaking so weirdly so I can understand! What do you want from me?!" a man shouted angrily.
A tall, muscular man was gripping another man's arm tightly. The smaller man squirmed, clearly distressed.
"Where… do I… find it… I need the key… I need the collar…" the tall man muttered without ever closing his mouth.
"Collar? Key? What are you talking about? You're hurting me—stop!"
"I need to find it… I need to find it…" The tall man squeezed even harder.
"Stop it! You're going to break my arm!"
"Oh no, there's a fight over there," Jessyka whispered.
"His eyes… they look like that man's eyes from that day. Remember?"
"Yeah… we were lucky things worked out back then," Jessyka said thoughtfully.
"Wait—you're not planning to try that again, are you?"
"I don't know exactly what happened that day, but I can do something now." Sekai pulled out the golden collar, shaped like a sword, from beneath his shirt. It gleamed faintly.
"Sekai! You don't know what that will do to you—it could be dangerous!"
"It'll be fine, Jessy. Trust me," he said with a wink.
Jessyka blushed faintly.
"Why are you only like this in moments like that…" she muttered under her breath.
"Okay… but please, be careful. I'll do everything I can to support you."
"Thanks, Jessy!"
Sekai gripped the collar firmly.
"Lion Heart!"
A golden light burst from the pendant, engulfing Sekai. A bronze armor materialized across his body; his hair grew to shoulder length and turned white. A curled sidelock fell across the right side of his face, braided with a tiny golden sword. In his hand appeared a shining blade of iron.
This sword can cut anything I will it to… but if there's a spirit inside his body, it will cut only the spirit, Sekai thought, holding the weapon tight.
The tall man froze, as if sensing the power. He dropped the other man's arm and turned toward Sekai.
"It's here… it's here…"
The smaller man seized the chance to escape. Sekai charged forward, pointing his blade at the stranger. Jessyka remained at a safe distance.
"You're not human, are you?"
"Human…? I think… I was… but no longer am…"
"Then what are you?" Sekai demanded, frustration in his voice.
"Key… collar… I must find it…"
"Who are you?!" Sekai shouted.
"Occlestone," the man replied.
"Occlestone? What a strange name."
"I am… angry… I NEED THE COLLAR!" he roared, lunging at Sekai.
Occlestone… I think I've read about him, Jessyka thought, hiding nearby. A minor knight known only by name… his main trait was uncontrollable anger.
"Give me! Give me! GIVE ME!" Occlestone bellowed, throwing a barrage of punches. Sekai struggled to block them with his sword.
He's too strong! Without this sword and armor, those hits would have crushed me! Sekai thought.
He shifted his stance and slashed upward, trying to break Occlestone's guard. Occlestone leapt back, then lunged forward with a powerful punch. Sekai barely dodged aside, and the man's fist smashed straight through the trunk of a tree.
Occlestone blinked, confused, trying to free his hand.
"I've got you!" Sekai shouted, slashing downward.
"Please… work… please!" Sekai prayed desperately.
The blade cleaved Occlestone in half, releasing a burst of radiant light that engulfed him. When the glow faded, the man collapsed. His size was halved—but he was alive, unharmed.
Jessyka rushed forward and held the weakened man in her arms, gently tapping his cheek.
"Sir! Sir! Are you okay?"
The man stirred, opening his eyes to see the vision of a high school girl with reddish hair swaying in the breeze. He blushed.
"Sir! Are you listening?" Jessyka asked impatiently.
"S-sorry, miss. I'm a little confused… where am I?"
"You don't remember anything?" Sekai asked.
"Oh boy… I don't remember a thing after leaving home for work. Everything just went black… and now I'm here." He hesitated, then whispered to himself, "Though it's not such a bad place to wake up…"
Jessyka sighed, annoyed, and helped him to his feet.
"We found you fainted here. You should see a doctor—it could be serious," she advised.
"Ah, okay. Thanks. I was lucky to find such kind… and healthy… young people," the man said, flustered as his eyes lingered on Jessyka.
"Alright, take care," Jessyka said abruptly, turning away. "Come on, Sekai, or we'll miss the bus."
"Have a good day, sir," Sekai added with a polite smile before hurrying after her.
The man stood alone for a while, looking around.
"Strange… this isn't the way to my job. How did I…" His words trailed off as his eyes widened at the massive hole in the tree beside him.