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[Kana]

"It's a dead end !" Magnus yelled, kicking the wall in frustration.

"No, it's not." I said. "There's a hidden door behind the trash bags. There's two pathways, one goes down to the sewers while the others go straight to the roof. I suggest goin' down. The sewers lead to everywhere in this city. We can escape easily."

WEEEEE-WOOOOH-WEEEEE-WOOOOOH

"What the- They're here already ?" I shouted, shielding my face from the siren lights.

"Even if we go down now, they're goin' to catch up."

"What should we do ?" Magnus asked.

I looked at him with a somber expression.

"No, Koroshi." He shook his head.

"It's the only way." I smiled sadly.

"No, it isn't ! I can think of something. Just give me some time-"

"We don't have time." I stated calmly.

"You think I can leave you here while you fight off cops ?" Maggie screamed while shaking my shoulders.

"You underestimate me, Maggie. Go first. Ethan's men parked a car at an abandoned parkin' lot nearby. If I am not there in 10 minutes, go back to Oklahoma."

"No-"

"Aw, are you worried about me, Maggie ?" I cooed. "That's a first."

"When you're nervous, you smile and laugh a lot." Magnus uttered. "Even you're doubting yourself. If you're staying, then I will too."

"Stop bein' so damn annoyin'."

"Seize them !"

"Go !" I pushed Magnus, but he wouldn't budge.

"I said-"

"I don't care what you say ! You think I can stand losin' another family member ? You better get your ass down the sewer right fuckin' now or I won't hesitate to knock you out and hurl you in there, you idiotic piece of shit !"

He pinched his eyebrows and exhaled forcefully.

"Just… stay safe." He whispered, tears pooling in his eyes.

I nodded before facing the police.

"You guys lookin' for someone ?" I asked.

"Where is Magnus Takahashi ?" One of them asked. "We know you're his accomplice."

"He's gone. I might know where he is. Who knows ?" I shrugged.

"You have the right to remain silent. You-"

"Yeah, yeah. I know, I know. I get it."

"Move out of the way. Or we will use force."

Maggie…

I'm sorry for lyin' to you.

But I'm not goin' to be there in 10 minutes.

I was ready to sacrifice myself for you and Erika in the first place.

Whether that's bein' captured…

Or killed.

Don't be an idiot…

Escape without me.

Maybe…

Maybe I can see mom again.

Though that's pretty unlikely.

I'll be in Hell.

I spun my blades and grinned at the cops, "Guess you need to force me, then ! Come on, I was just gettin' bored !"

BANG ! BANG ! BANG !

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I breathed in difficulty as I finished off the last cop.

Ow, ow, ow, ow…

How many gunshot wounds do I have now ?

I'm bleedin' out-

"What a… dumbass…"

"Huh ?" I glared at a wounded cop.

"You risk your life for a serial kill-"

BANG !

Shut up.

"You think you know everythin' ?" I seethed, shooting her again and again.

"You think you're in the position to talk shit about my siblings ? I was the one who annihilate that irritatin' gang. Look at you…"

I laughed sarcastically, gripping the gun.

"You look and sound like a dumbass. Tch."

I checked the gun.

Out of bullets.

I shouldn't waste them on a piece of-

WEEEE-WOOOOH-WEEEEE-WOOOOOH

Are you kiddin' me…

This is horrible timin'.

They called for backup ?

"I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I think of that ? I'm losin' too much blood to function properly…"

"Put your hands up !"

I slowly raised my hands.

It's been about half an hour since that idiot left.

More than enough time to escape.

"You're Koroshi, am I correct ?" The police asked while searching my body.

"…"

[Voice]

Oh, this isn't over yet, Kana…

[Kana]

No.

No. No.

No.

Not you.

Not now.

"Koroshi, you are under arrest." a police officer slapped a pair of handcuffs on my wrists.

I looked at her with fear in my eyes.

"Something wrong ?" she questioned.

"H…help.." I breathed out.

"S-she…she's-"

"Who ?" she glared at me.

"Don't play games with me."

"V-Voice is coming…" I stammered.

"There is no times for games, Koros-"

I felt a surge of energy flow through me, and at the same time, my eyes turned silver.

"What the fuck ?" the police officer pointed her gun at me.

"Stay still !"

[Voice]

"Miss me, Kana ?"

I laughed and snapped my fingers, a flash of lighting rippling through the sky.

"Ah, it's been a long time."

I cracked my knuckles.

"Koroshi's been keeping me inside for too long-"

The police officer kicked me, causing me to kneel on the ground.

"Don't move. I'm taking you to prison." she wrapped a metal chain around my waist and tugged me towards the police car.

"Oh come on, officer ! You think arresting me will solve anything?"

"You want another bullet in your bullet, psycho ? Shut the hell up."

Present time…

[Kana]

"Kana ?" Phyu called. "Kana !"

"Huh ? What ?"

"What's wrong ? You seem out of it." Phyu studied me carefully.

"It's nothin', I was just… rememberin' somethin'. Where did you get that jacket ?"

Her face turned a deep shade of red.

"I… bought it…?"

"Did Ale-"

"Yeah, it's Alex's. He gave it to me because I seemed cold."

"Aw, I didn't expect that weirdo to have manners !" I grinned. "Just date already. Ask him out. The slow burn is gettin' cold."

"Ha, what makes you say that ?"

My eyes drifted behind Phyu, "Oh, look, Fire Boy is over there. Shirtless."

Phyu stood up so quickly that she knocked herself over.

"Where ?" She peeked her head halfway up, her face red.

"I lied." I snorted in amusement.

"What ? Why ?" Phyu balled her tiny fists.

"To prove a point. Why else ?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about-"

"See, look at your face." I squished her right cheek. It felt hot to the touch.

"Red as a tomato."

"Fine ! So what ?" Phyu backed away from me.

"Look at you ! You finally confessed." I smirked. "And no need to be hot-headed; there's nothin' wrong about likin' or lovin' someone. In my opinion, that makes you more human."

"Tell me, how you are so knowledgeable about this ?" Phyu squinted at me.

I arched a brow, "Common knowledge."

"Yeah, but you make it sound like you experienced it. You remind me of those super wise grandpas from cartoons. Tell me about your love life !"

"I refuse to talk about my past relationships with you." I said, my face deadpan.

"Pleaseeeee ?" She pouted.

"No."

"Dang it." She crossed her arms. "Well, I need boba. I'm tired from all that reading. What do you want ?"

"Hm. Surprise me."

"Got it !" She stood up and ran towards the kitchen.

"Oh ! Look here ! Is that Kana ?" Alex sat down next to me.

"Anyone sitting here ?"

"Why would you ask right after you take the seat ?" I sighed.

"Oh damn, you are right !"

Sigh

"Where's Phyu ?"

"You just missed her. She went to get boba. Nice jacket you gave her, huh ? Aren't you cold ?"

"I'm a fire spirit. I don't get cold."

"Why don't you ask her out already ?" I leaned towards him, smiling eagerly. "I'm sure Phyu will be happy with that… Although I don't understand what she sees in you."

"Rude."

"Besides, it's obvious that you like her too… Or perhaps even…" I paused for the effect.

"Love ?"

"Ah, Ha, ha." Alex scooted backwards. "W- what makes you say that ?"

"Oh look. Phyu's comin' back-"

Alex hid under the table immediately, "Where ?"

... Proof that you guys are made for each other.

Later that night…

I've been practising for hours now.

Today's a pretty good day.

I almost got the hang of it.

"Do you mind if I use this room with you ?"

"What the- What are you doin' here ?" I asked in shock.

"What, shocked ?" Jackson grinned sheepishly.

"Well… kinda. Yeah. You disappeared for about half a year."

"I'm actually more surprised to see you here. You were so eager to leave. What happened ?"

"No reason. Why would you care ?"

"It's called curiosity." Jackson laughed.

"There's a fairy at the borders… And she has the power to control sickness. She's been guarding the borders for the past 6 months and I can't leave. Plus…"

"Plus...?"

"Nothin'. It's nothin'."

He teleported himself next to me.

"What have you been doing the past 6 months ?"

"Hung around. Trained. Showered. Never slept. What about you ?"

"Mm. Well. I went to the Supernaturals Realm to find someone dear to me."

"Did you… Did you find them ?"

"No… I searched non-stop and I couldn't find any signs of her. Wait ! Did you get taller ?"

He pressed his hand on my hair, "Oh my God ! You did ! Remember you used to be this tall ? Ah, good times, good times. Now you're-"

"Stop."

"Ah, fine. Sore subject. You didn't answer my question from before. Can I train in this room with you, love ?"

"Stop callin' me 'love'. And… sure. Just don't get in my way." I jumped off the sandbag and opened my palms.

Focus.

Focus.

A bright red flame bursted from my hand and sent the sandbag flying across the room, exploding halfway.

…I did it ?

I… did it ?

"I did it !" I pumped my fists into the air. "Oh, finally ! a night of endless trainin' finally paid off !"

"Love, where did you learn how to do that ?"

"Oh… I think Phyu mentioned something' about how demons and chaos spirits can easily control their energy a few days ago… And since I can already shape my energy into objects…I was wonderin' if I could manipulate it into somethin' like an explosion ! And it worked."

I yawned and plopped on the floor.

"I haven't felt this exhausted in months. Definitely worth it."

[Jackson]

She truly is special.

She really is Robert's daughter…

Her potential exceeds his.

It's hard to see that she's only a half.

*What a beautiful and terrifying monster.*

"Hey, love…"

"Mm ?" She replied groggily.

"Can I be your sparring partner ?"

"First, there's somethin' I want to talk to you about."

"And that is ?"

She stood up, brushing herself off.

"I'm- I'm sorry."

"This is what I least expected from you. Wait- What are you even apologising for ?"

She grimaced, "I threatened you with a knife because you said you knew Robert…"

"Oh ! That !" I laughed. "You don't need to sound so sorry for a small thing like that. That wasn't even threatening to me. That alone wouldn't have killed me. Don't worry, love. It was still cute." I winked.

"I regret apologising." She muttered.

"Thought you were sorry about it, though ?"

"Well, I sound like an idiot and it's emabrassin', so now I'm not. You want to spar, Fox ? You might regret it."

"So that's a yes ?" I clapped my hands gleefully. "Wow… I really did not expect you to be this nice ! What the hell happened the pst 6 months ? Not gonna lie, I like this version of you-"

She suddenly appeared behind me and sent me crashing to the floor.

"Don't go easy on me." She snorted.

Not bad…

She improved immensely since I last saw her.

"This isn't even sparring. This is a straight up brawl." I said. "How about this; we're allowed to use our powers. First one down loses. The one who loses owes the victor."

"Sure." She nodded.

"Sweet." I snapped my fingers to teleport behind her and directed a punch to her abdomen.

She caught my throwing wrist easily.

She knew where I was going to-

When did she-

She threw me against the wall.

When did she get so powerful ?

"What an effortless win." Kana smiled, straddling my lap. "Were you even tryin' ?"

"I underestimated you." I admitted. "I didn't expect you to improve this much in just 6 months."

"Well, that's your fault." She smiled. "I told you not to go easy on me. Now… you owe me."

A wicked smirk danced on her lips.

"What ? Do you think I'm goin' to make you do somethin' embarrassing ? What's wrong ? Spit it out."

"It- it's nothin'. Love, is my lap comfortable or something ?"

She stood up quickly and stumbled, "Oh, would you look at the time ! Gotta shower !"

She rushed to the door.

"Love, wait !"

"What ?"

"What do I owe you ?"

"Well, I already kinda broke your hand…"

"Yeah… This isn't going to heal any time soon."

"…So I won't ask for much. Hot chocolate." She smiled.

"That's it ?"

"That's it." She nodded. "You better bring me some in every morning."

[Kana]

For the first time in six months, I felt exhausted.

So I decided to sleep.

[Voice]

So you're finally asleep !

Oh, how fascinating !

[Kana]

It was a bad idea.

Where am I ?

Great.

Another hallucination ?

I am sick of you, Voice.

"No, no. It is not a hallucination." An old man who looked like Robert appeared.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet face to face…Kana ?"

"I don't go by that name. It's Koroshi." I uttered. "Who are you ? Where the hell am I ? I was-"

"Your real body is still sleeping in the wretched little haven. This is only a vision, not a hallucination. But because only your consciousness is here in this realm, we cannot physically harm you, and you can't harm us."

Consciousness ?

Vision ?

I don't understand what this man is saying.

"As for where you are…

This is Hell."

He spread his arms and with a bright red flash, the podium was filled with devils.

In the centre, a man was chained and tortured, his face barely recognisable.

An uneasy feeling filled my gut.

"Is that-"

"Your father ? Yes, it is ! We're basically using him as a bargaining tool."

"For what ?"

"For you, of course ! I'll keep this short and simple, for the sake of time… If you don't leave this haven and come to us, we will kill him."

Snort

"Go ahead !" I giggled. "Do whatever you want with him."

"Interesting…" The man murmured. "You wouldn't care if your own flesh and blood is harmed, or killed ?"

"I couldn't care less."

"Fascinating ! You've really caught my interest now, half ! "

He turned to Robert, "As- Ah, you go by Robert now, correct ? I wonder what you did in order for her to depise you this greatly ?"

"None of you damn business." Robert croaked.

"Robert sure is a pain in the ass, am I right, Koroshi ?"

"He sure is." I nodded.

"Hm. Well, this is entertaining, but also a problem. If your father's life means nothing to you, then we can't force you to come here. Oh, I know ! I'll kill your entire family !"

What ?!

Is he talkin' about-

"Magnus, Erika, Ethan, and your grandparents. Yes, I am."

"What do you want from me ?" I growled.

"Oh, it's nothing, really. I just want you to come here, physically, in this realm. On your way here, I'll give a few obstacles to rest your strength and power. If you are caught, it is over. You fail the test, and your family will be dead. I won't give you a deadline, because it will be a long journey...

But you need to leave the haven tonight. Deal ?"

"Kana, don't ! It is a trap !" Robert shouted.

"I don't feel obligated to listen to you, Robert. I'll do it."

"Excellent !" The man clapped gleefully.

"But don't think you are gettin' away with threatenin' my family." I uttered, my tone dead. "When I get here, I'll kill you."

"Oh, how terrifying. I'm looking forward to it. Bye bye, now."