The air was heavy. Oppressive.Ikku lay unconscious, his body limp and breath shallow. Though Zeno had arrived, bringing a wave of relief, none of the young warriors dared to relax. The danger hadn't passed, not yet.
Zeno stood still, calm and unreadable. His face carved by years of battle, he stared down Kolio with a gaze as cold as steel. Kolio, by contrast, wore a twisted grin amused, playful even.
— Well, well… Death's Angel himself, Kolio said mockingly. You sure are rude. How about coming a bit closer to say hello?
In the blink of an eye, Zeno was standing right in front of him, only two meters away. The two men locked eyes, each one radiating deadly intent. A silent standoff between two predators.
— "Despair" Kolio, Zeno muttered. So the rumors were true. I heard you escaped Guatera.
— Let's just say I was done resting, Kolio replied with a smirk.
— Guatera? Carla asked, confused.
— Guatera Prison, Kenny explained, his voice tense. Also known as the point of no return. There's only one sentence there : life. No executions. They keep you alive… just to break your body and your mind. No one ever made it out. Except him.
— What did he even do to deserve that? Yumé asked, visibly shaken.
— I told you earlier, Kolio is beyond dangerous, Kenny said.To end up in Guatera, there's only one reason: being labeled a threat to humanity.
The words sank like a stone in their hearts. Yumé and Carla both felt a wave of dread wash over them. They understood now, this wasn't someone they could face. Not now. Not even close.
Zeno glanced to the side. Ikku was still out cold. He needed treatment, fast.
— You're not here for my head, are you? Kolio asked, his grin never leaving.
— I'm done with that life, Zeno replied coolly. I serve Nexus now.
— Nexus? That's a surprise. So those kids...?
— They're recruits. Nexus apprentices.
— Master Zeno, what do we do? Kenny asked, his voice tight with nerves.
— This man isn't part of the mission. He's far too dangerous. Grab Ikku and the others, head for Dadinio's. I already sent word for backup. They'll be here soon. I'll hold him off.
— No need for that, Kolio said suddenly, turning away. I only came looking for some cash. Heard the Mafia had a stash nearby. But I'm not interested in fighting Nexus, not today. Let's call it even. Best for all of us.
Before leaving, Kolio turned to glance at Ikku one last time.
— I've got some juicy info about the Jewels… Might interest you. Get stronger and come find me, Nemuri Ikku. I'll be waiting to crush you Hahahaha!
And with that, he disappeared into the horizon.
Zeno turned back toward the group, who still stood frozen by what they had just witnessed.
— Are you alright, kids? he asked, voice as calm as ever.
— We're fine, Carla replied. But Ikku needs help badly.
— There's a clinic in the Pleasure District. It's abandoned, but it should still have what we need for first aid.
— What about the mission? Kenny asked. You mentioned reinforcements were on the way. What now?
— That was a bluff. There are no reinforcements. And the mission… is over.
— Wait, what? Yumé blinked, confused.
— Just before I arrived, I got a call from the Mafia leader. Kolio showing up spooked them. They wanted to renegotiate.If I could get him to leave, they agreed to withdraw from the city, no strings attached. So yes your mission is a success.
— For real?! YEEEAAAAAH! Yumé yelled, jumping up in joy.
— Don't get too excited, Kenny muttered. Zeno did half the work.
— I wouldn't say that, Zeno replied.Surviving Kolio is a feat in itself especially for apprentices like you.
Kenny grunted, unconvinced.
— Then how did you even find us? Our phones were off… Was it through spirit energy?
— I could've tracked you like that, but I didn't need to. My Brand lets me teleport, but only to locations I've marked beforehand. I'd placed one on you, Kenny. And another on Yumé.
— Makes sense now, Kenny nodded.
— Let's go. Ikku needs treatment. Once he's stable, we'll head back to Dadinio and deliver the good news.
— Right! the group answered in unison.
They carried Ikku toward the clinic, unaware that his awakening would soon spark the next step in their journey.
Four Days Later
A faint breath. Eyelids fluttering.
Ikku slowly opened his eyes.
The room was quiet. Dim. Foreign. As his vision adjusted, he saw a figure beside him, a girl sitting in a chair, reading a newspaper.
— Carla...? he whispered, still dazed.
— IKKUUUUU!!! Carla cried out, throwing the paper aside and leaping into his arms.
She wrapped him in a hug, her relief flooding out in waves. Ikku, still confused and stiff, didn't return the embrace right away.
— Where… where are we? Where's everyone else? What happened? What about the calamity?
— Relax. You're safe now. Everyone's fine, and it's all thanks to you. Master Zeno arrived in time and scared him off.
— Thanks… to me?
The memories returned in fragments.Facing Kolio. Falling. Then… being saved.
— You came back… You all came back for me…
— We never would've made it without you. You gave us the strength to fight again.You were incredible, Ikku. Where did you find that strength?
Ikku didn't answer right away.Instead, he smiled faintly and lifted his arm, showing her his armband.
Carla looked at it… and understood.Her lips curled into a soft smile. She nodded.
The door creaked open. Zeno entered.
— You're awake, at last.
— Yes… sorry to keep you waiting.
— Don't apologize. You acted like a true Nexus soldier. Be proud.
Ikku lowered his head, a trace of sadness behind his eyes.
— But… I didn't defeat anyone. I needed help every step of the way. I'm still too weak…
— Of course you are, Zeno said flatly. Your journey's just beginning.You only just awakened your spiritual energy. You created your Brand recently. Don't rush it. True growth comes from failure.
— You're right… Thank you, Master Zeno.
— By the way… Before he left, Kolio mentioned something. Said he had information about the Jewels.Are you after them?
Ikku's eyes lit up.
— He said that?! Damn… Then our paths will cross again.Yes, I'm going after them. I want to complete the Millenium Quest.
Zeno gave him a rare, approving look.
— That's a bold goal. A hard one, too.But remember: a man willing to give everything for his dream… will always find a way.
And in that moment, Ikku's heart burned with determination.His journey, his real one, was just beginning.
Closing Scene
After regaining his strength, Ikku rejoined his friends. Together, they returned to the Commerce District where Dadinio and the villagers waited.
The moment they arrived, a wave of cheers echoed across the square.
— Zeno, Ikku, Carla, Kenny, Yumé… Dadinio said, bowing with deep respect.We owe you everything. Thanks to you, Kaslow is free again.The name Nexus now echoes across this land. No one will dare trouble us again.
Ikku stood there, stunned.He had never been celebrated. Never thanked.For the first time… he was seen.
Children ran up to him, grabbing his hands with bright, eager eyes.
— Thank you, mister ! You saved us from the bad guys !
— I wanna be strong like you one day !
— Pfft, no way ! You're too weak, the third one teased.Watch this ! TURBOOOO ! That's how you do it, right mister ?
They laughed, play-fought, and danced around Ikku, treating him like a hero.And as they did, a single tear fell from his cheek.
He had always been invisible. A nobody. A shadow.
But not anymore.
Now, every step forward meant something.Every effort mattered.He hadn't been wrong to believe in himself.
It was time to go.As they headed to the airport, the children waved and shouted.
— Mister Turbo ! Wait ! What's your name ?!
Ikku turned back, smiling wide.
He raised his arm high, index pointing to the sky, the other hand gripping his elbow.
— My name… is Ikku. NEMURI Ikku !Don't you forget it ! because I'm the one who'll complete the Millenium Quest !
And so ends this chapter.Ikku has come a long way. But his adventure is just beginning.
Even greater challenges await.
Don't miss a single step of your hero's journey.