Daigo approached his son's lifeless body with heavy steps. His knees felt weak, as if the earth were slipping away from his feet with every step. Ren's head had been severed from his body… Seeing the horrific sight, Daigo finally collapsed beside him. He placed his hands on his son's bloodied shoulders and, his throat constricting, gave in to the tears. He refused to face this truth, inwardly he refused. But the truth remained: He had lost his son.
Anger dominated Akira's face. His eyes shone as if his very soul were burning. His lips trembled, his breath grew heavy. The accumulating rage could no longer be contained.
The brown-haired, stern-faced man opposite them burst into a loud laugh. There was a sinister mockery in his voice. Then, in a grave tone, he said:
— Kael… you're starting to look more and more like him.
Kael, short white-haired, curled his lips into a smile.
— I suppose that's true. Showing my power to the weak… it makes me like him.
The brown-haired man responded now with a harsh voice:
— Let's finish them.
Kael tilted his head and grinned.
— Why ruin this sorrowful scene, Takeshi? You're cruel.
Takeshi answered without hesitation:
— You'll kill them anyway.
Kael's eyes were as cold as ice, but he nodded in an indifferent tone:
— Yes… but not now.
Daigo couldn't take his eyes off his son's lifeless body. His heart was shattered. Meanwhile, Raiga and Yui, though aware of their loss, had not broken their battle stances. In their eyes were both anger and fear.
Finally, Akira could no longer control himself. He sprang up, drew Setsuna from its sheath with the shine of anger in his eyes.
— I will kill you!!!
Just as he lunged forward, a hand touched his shoulder. When he turned, he saw Daigo. Akira shouted in shock:
— What are you doing?! They killed your son!!
Tears still streamed from Daigo's eyes. Yet despite his pain, he understood the gravity of the situation. He wiped his tears with his sleeve, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice:
— Akira… believe me, I want to kill them too. Right now, it's the only thing I desire. But…
Akira snarled in anger:
— But what?!
Daigo's voice grew more serious.
— But if we act recklessly, we'll die too.
The words hung in the air. Everyone fell silent for a moment. The silence squeezed Akira's heart. He ground his teeth and calmed himself.
— Fine… you're right. Then we must attack in an organized way.
Takeshi laughed with a treacherous smile on his lips.
— Kael, I think they believe they can beat us.
Kael stepped forward with heavy steps.
— I will fight them alone. Don't interfere.
Takeshi silently nodded in agreement.
Daigo turned to his team and called out:
— One against four… we can win!
Akira immediately agreed.
— Okay!
Yui closed her eyes and gathered all her energy. The surrounding trees were uprooted and rose into the air. Kael was momentarily surprised.
— So this is how it will be…
Flames began to rise from Daigo's body. His entire form was suddenly covered in crimson fire. Then, moving with incredible speed, he lunged forward. As his fist rushed toward Kael, Kael did not move an inch. Just when the blow was about to land, Kael vanished—and instantly appeared behind Daigo.
In a cold voice he whispered:
— One of your legs is gone. Be careful.
When Daigo drew back, he realized his left foot had been severed. Still, he formed a leg and arm of fire.
Akira cried out:
— Are you okay?!
Daigo confirmed he was, but it was clear their chances were slim. Kael still wasn't even taking it seriously.
Akira wanted to charge again, but Daigo stopped him. His face remained steady.
— In that final move I realized… winning this fight is impossible.
Akira gritted his teeth.
— But… we have to defeat him!
Raiga supported Akira.
— If we don't beat that ice man, we won't get out of here anyway!
Daigo's voice was calmer, heavier.
— Then you run. I'll stall him.
When they heard those words, they were stunned.
Akira shouted:
— That's nonsense!!! If we fight together as a team we can win!!!
Raiga objected as well:
— If we leave you here alone, you'll definitely die!
Tears streamed again from Daigo's eyes. His lips trembled as he spoke:
— Please… go. There's no need for more losses.
Akira's voice cracked.
— B-but…
Yui lowered her eyes and tried to think rationally.
— I think we should leave. If we stay here we'll get in Daigo's way.
Daigo nodded.
— Yes. While you're here, I can't unleash my strongest technique, the dragon, at full power.
Akira took a deep breath and bowed his head.
— So that's why…
Yui turned her back.
— Come on, let's get out of here quickly.
Raiga hesitated but eventually agreed.
Akira forced a smile through his tears.
— We'll wait for you at the castle…
Daigo returned the smile.
— I'll come right away… and we'll celebrate the victory.
The three ran away. Kael narrowed his eyes and watched silently.
— As if I'll let you go…
Suddenly he materialized beside Yui. Reflexively, Yui hurled a massive tree at Kael. Kael recoiled while Daigo lunged forward and struck a heavy blow. Kael tumbled and recovered—untouched. Daigo cried out in fury.
Kael laughed mockingly.
— Alright… alright. I'll kill you first.
Daigo controlled his flames and formed a sword of fire. Kael produced a sword of ice. Thus, close combat began.
Each strike tore the surroundings apart, cracked the ground, and produced deafening clashes that shook the air. For a moment Daigo thought Kael was struggling, but Kael still didn't look serious. Cuts multiplied, blood loss increased.
Finally Daigo fell back. He had made his decision: he would use his dragon at full potential.
The area had emptied out. Akira and the others had retreated. Daigo spread his hands and released all his energy. A colossal dragon took shape behind him. The ground trembled; even the sky seemed to shake.
Kael crossed his arms and watched with a careless attitude.
— What's the matter? Giving up?
Daigo did not answer. The dragon behind him kept growing. Crimson flames shifted to a deep blue. The dragon swelled to the size of a skyscraper.
Takeshi narrowed his eyes.
— Kael… are you sure you can handle this?
Kael grinned.
— Of course.
Daigo roared:
— ATTACK!
The dragon lunged at Kael. Kael thrust his arms forward and formed an immense wall of ice. When they collided, earth and sky shook; shockwaves rippled in all directions.
Daigo guided the dragon and pushed the pressure with all his strength. At first Kael resisted as if unconcerned, but then he noticed his hands trembling.
— Are my hands shaking…? So this is better than I expected!
He clenched his fists and hardened the ice further. Daigo's face turned crimson, but his energy began to run out. He didn't have enough power. Finally, the dragon began to break apart.
Kael produced a gigantic sword of ice and split the dragon in two. The blue flames vanished in an instant.
Daigo was spent. Kael walked toward him and drove the ice blade into Daigo's chest. Daigo collapsed in a pool of blood beside his son.
Seeing his son's face, tears flowed from his eyes again.
— Ren… I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you. I'm a terrible father.
With a trembling hand he touched his son's cheek. His vision blurred.
— Noa… what did I do wrong? I think… I really am a weak man.
He looked up at the sky one last time. His eyelids grew heavy.
And his life flashed before his eyes.
Young Daigo ran out excitedly from Homura Palace. The bright summer sun outside dazzled his eyes. With childish joy he shouted:
— Mother! I'll roam the palaces, see you!
His mother replied in a calm, gentle voice:
— See you, be careful. Don't go too far.
Daigo ran, waving his hand.
— Okay!
While wandering among the twelve palaces he noticed a white-haired child sitting alone in the garden. Curious, he approached and immediately spoke:
— Hello, what are you doing here?
The child answered in a shy, timid voice:
— N-nothing… I'm just sitting.
Daigo asked, scrutinizing him:
— Are you from the Ice Palace? Your hair is so white.
The boy bowed his head.
— Y-yes… my name is Noa.
Daigo smiled and extended his hand.
— I'm Daigo. Nice to meet you.
A moment of silence passed. Then Daigo asked again:
— Why are you here? People from the palace usually don't come down to this garden. This is for the servants.
Noa's face fell; his voice trembled.
— I-I'm not like my brothers…
Daigo didn't understand.
— Not like your brother? What do you mean?
Noa continued, dejected.
— T-they're so talented and powerful. But I… I'm useless. A complete failure.
Daigo was surprised.
— Why do you think that? Maybe your talent just hasn't shown yet.
Noa shook his head and spoke firmly.
— N-no… I've been talentless since I was born. Everyone thinks so.
Daigo fixed his gaze seriously.
— Why do you care so much what people say? I think you're someone very capable.
Noa grew angry; his voice rose.
— Don't try to cheer me up!
Daigo raised his hands as if to calm him and said:
— Fine! But I want to be your friend.
Noa opened his eyes in surprise.
— Y-you wouldn't want that…
But Daigo spoke with determination:
— Then you're my closest friend from now on.
Noa's eyes widened. A happiness he'd never felt before lit up inside him. Daigo extended his hand and continued with a laugh:
— Also don't worry, I'm strong. I'll always protect you.
Now, that moment returned to him before he died. He whispered inside:
— I'm sorry, Noa… I promised I'd always protect you. But now my end has come…
And he closed his eyes. In that instant Daigo breathed his last.