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Chapter 3
"…Where am I?"
Reaper woke up in a pitch–black room, eyes scanning for any sign of light.
Only the unsettling sound of something moving in the dark.
"Awake already…?"
The voice came from Null, who stood there smiling faintly.
"Wait—why did you capture me?!"
Null just chuckled and left. Reaper shouted for help, but no answer came.
"Shut up already… I'm trying to sleep here…"
The grumble came from Flower. Turns out they were in the same room, but the darkness hid them from each other.
Meanwhile, Null was staring at an odd suit of armor.
"Hey… help me test those two idiots, will you?"
A creaking sound echoed from the armor, as if it were an answer.
"Alright then… let's get ready."
He returned to the cell—where the two idiots were now arguing over Flower wanting just a few more minutes of sleep.
Null didn't bother to say anything. A single tentacle struck, knocking them both out.
Too noisy. And besides, there were plenty of others to deal with here…
After all, ghosts were still people, right?
This was an arena, a place where ancient kings once threw prisoners into battle.
The armor was a knight—guardian of this place—ensuring no spirit escaped.
Most who ended up here were criminals with heavy sins.
…
They woke again.
Reaper looked up at the stands—dozens of glowing red eyes stared back, accompanied by laughter.
"I want to see what you two can do… good luck." Null grinned.
The shadows smiled strangely. A creak echoed once more.
The door opened slowly.
A strange knight stood there, wielding a rusted sword older than time.
"Wait—where is this—?!"
Before Reaper could finish, his arm was sliced clean off.
Blood coated the sword, and the rust vanished, revealing steel etched with strange runes.
Null's grin widened.
"Wake up… my friend."
Flower glared at Null, but a flying sword sliced past him.
The knight charged forward, striking relentlessly—sap flowed instead of blood.
"Help me—!"
Reaper rushed forward, but an axe intercepted him.
The knight ignored Flower—what could a plant do, anyway?
Blows came in rapid succession.
Reaper dodged, but a kick to the stomach slammed him into the wall—blood dripping down.
"My… body…"
He could barely breathe. Flower tried to help, but a slash cut straight into his chest.
…
But then the axe was caught.
Reaper's eyes glowed a twisted red, his head snapping unnaturally.
Flower crawled backward, only to be hurled into the wall by Reaper himself.
"Damn it…!!" Null yelled.
The knight seemed to grow more serious—now it was two against one.
For a brief moment, the knight looked at Null with concern.
A tentacle grabbed Reaper's leg—but instantly burst into flames.
Reaper charged… and collapsed on the spot. Out of energy.
"Seriously…? I thought he'd be stronger than this."
But the knight placed a hand on Null's shoulder and shook his head.
They knew—Reaper's power was still sealed.
If it wasn't… this whole place would have been destroyed.
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