In the Laybirth Kingdom, the aftermath of a massive explosion, buildings destroyed, the ground cracked, and thick black smoke rising into the sky. Despite the devastation, the sun still shone brightly above.
Sara's eyes widened in horror.
"No way…" she whispered, terrified.
Garreth calmly sliced his own arm. Blood began to drip slowly from the wound.
"Let's get started," he said, smiling darkly as he looked down.
Everybody's dead, Sara thought. I don't know what to do. I'm all alone. I don't stand a chance against Jinko or the Four Generals. This… this is the end for me.
Garreth raised his bleeding arm, shaping the blood into a sharp arrow.
"I don't got all day," he said coldly. "So I'm gonna handle you now. I need to see my sister."
Sara dropped to her knees, clutching her head.
What should I do? she panicked. It's over. Everybody's dead. Lara, Judo, Karo… all gone. I need to run. I need to run!
She suddenly bolted.
"Bloody Arrow!" Garreth shouted, launching the arrow at her.
The projectile pierced through Sara's leg.
"Ahh!" she screamed, staggering before leaping away, leaving a trail of blood.
"Well, looks like she's gone," Garreth said casually. "I'll just get Jinko to go after her."
High above, Sara soared through the air, glancing down at Garreth.
He's not chasing me, she thought, relieved. She pushed herself forward, leaping over the massive kingdom walls and escaping.
"Damn… my leg hurts so bad," she groaned, limping through the wilderness. "But I must make it to the Jinkawa Village… now."
Back in Laybirth Kingdom
Garreth walked calmly toward Jinko, who sat upon a towering throne.
"Mission complete," Jinko said with a wicked smile.
"Nah," Garreth muttered, sounding completely uninterested.
"What do you mean the mission isn't complete?!" Jinko snapped, rising from his throne.
Garreth casually picked his ear.
"Well, I shot her in the leg, but she escaped. She can't have gotten far, and I don't really feel like chasing her. You move at light speed—just catch up and kill her."
Jinko sighed in frustration. "Man… I get real tired of you."
Garreth's attention shifted. He spotted Saye and Que sitting on the ground, surrounded by Golden Armor Guards.
"Saye!" Garreth shouted joyfully, rushing over with a huge smile on his face.
Saye looked up at him, unfazed.
"What, you want a hug or something?" she asked.
"Yep," Garreth replied proudly.
Saye stood up, and Garreth hugged her tightly.
"Okay, enough," she said, squished in his grip.
"What kind of brother-sister relationship is this?" Que muttered in disgust.
"He just loves me that much," Saye said smugly.
"Watch over things for me," Jinko ordered, his body turning into shimmering light particles.
Still hugging Saye, Garreth looked around and asked Que,
"Where's Hiro?"
"You know where he always is—his spot," Que replied.
Outside the Kingdom
A tall tree overlooked the peaceful Jinkawa Village, with open fields and grazing animals in view. Hiro sat quietly on a branch, eyes on the horizon.
"It's always beautiful when the sun's out," Hiro said softly. "The animals are so pretty…"
Meanwhile…
Sara limped down a dirt path, blood dripping from her leg. She gritted her teeth through the pain.
"Damn, my leg hurts. Once I get back to the village, I've gotta tell the Spiritual King to send an S-Rank ninja over here," she panted.
"You won't be doing any of that."
The voice came from behind her.
Sara froze. Her eyes widened in fear.
"No… no way…"
"You thought you could get away?" Jinko said with a cruel grin. "I won't let you."
He kicked her wounded leg.
"AHH!" she screamed, collapsing to the ground.
"Bye-bye," Jinko said coldly.
He extended his arm.
"Divine Sword!"
A glowing blade of light formed in his hand.
With a single swing, he sliced off Sara's head.
"Hmph," Jinko smirked.
In an instant, he vanished into light and reappeared in the Laybirth Kingdom, calmly walking past the stunned and whispering civilian in the ground.
"Okay," he said darkly, "since the spies from the Jinkawa Village are all dead now… we can finally get to the fun part."
To Be Continued