#15: Night of Confrontation 4

"Hmff..."

Ren open his eyes, but only to be greeted by darkness. The drowsiness when waking up is uncomfortable.

"Hrmss?"

He tried to move, but he was tied. He shoves his body back and forth, struggling to escape, but the tie won't even budge.

"Ykkrr!"

He tried to shout, but only muffled sounds come. His tongue then touch something, he licks it, that something is soft, and wet because of his saliva, he noticed that he was gagged by a cloth coiled around the rope or something to shut him up.

Then Ren realized that he can't even muster his enchanted power.

For now, Ren gives up resisting.

Can't see because of the blindfold, Can't scream because he was gagged, Can't move because he was tied, and no enchanted power to enhance his physique, or using any other technique to freeing him.

The things he can do is just waiting idly surrounded by the darkness accompanied by the eerie silence and the cold temperatures.

How much time has passed?

What about Nee-san?! I swear if I can get out from here, I'll kill them all! Especially that scar face!!!

Veins pop on his forehead, fist clenched that his nails cut off the flesh.

Palm wet of the blood, but it can't untie him.

Khring~

Ren snap and lift his head. He heard a cracking sound like the door's lock had been opened.

The door unlocked, and pushes out. Hearing the hinge's sound, he believes the door is quite heavy and old.

Then, the sound of the footsteps gradually become closer until it stop.

Ren calm his mind, he twitches his fingers, prepare to strangle whoever in front of him.

"Ren Sasaki... Let's talk"

A deep and shrilled high pitch voice resonant throughout the room, Ren realizes that this very distinctive voice is belonged to a girl.

Unlike his sister who is more soothing, this voice is more brash.

And the only girl he knew who had this voice is...

An image of a well-endowed girl with raven black hair including a yellow streak like Seigen, along with the noticeable scar on her left eye, enters his mind.

Scar face!

He wants to shout, but he can't. His muffled mouth make a strange growl like a barking of an old dog.

Yuzuru then untie his blindfold, Ren's vision is still blurry because he was blinded but surely his vision become clear.

He saw Yuzuru, there's contempt when she looks at Ren.

Ren is also the same, he looks straight Yuzuru in the eyes like a wounded animal making his last stand.

She then proceeds to untie his mouth gag.

Kachi!

Just when Yuzuru finally untie his mouth gag, Ren try to bite her hand with his teeth.

Yuzuru were startled by Ren sudden movement, but fortunately she reacts much faster, pulling her hand.

Like looking at a perverted molester, Yuzuru slap him.

A red hand like mark stamp on his face, but the pain of being slapped didn't even flinch him, and gradually the mark faded.

Ren glares at Yuzuru, his eyes like a guard dog looking at an intruder, "What do you want?!" Ask Ren with ascending tone.

"Simple. I want you to help Seigen-sama"

Ren raised his eyebrow, "Huh? Say that again?"

"I say, I want you to help Seigen-sama"

"Why?"

Yuzuru then told Ren what happens after he and Yukari were caught and imprisoned, she also told him what happen when Seigen met his father.

"So, you want me presenting Yukari-nee san and my head to him?! ... Heh! What a joke" Scoff Ren.

Yuzuru shake her head, "No. That wasn't Seigen-sama want" say Yuzuru looking down

"Oh? So what is he wanted?" Sneer Ren.

"Seigen-sama, he...", Yuzuru bit her lip, "He wants to help you two escape"

"Escape? Why? You just told me, he was ordered to execute us, and I remember it was his duty to protect the safety of the island, and killing us is also included in that criteria"

Yuzuru glare at Ren, "What do you know about Seigen-sama?"

Ren confused by her word, he then thinks about whatever he knew and his opinion about Seigen.

But Yuzuru start speaking before Ren could answer her, "Seigen-sama... despite his look and demeanor, he is truly the kindest exorcist"

"...." Ren listening to her about Seigen.

Yuzuru smirk, "Do you know why he got his dark circles?"

"Eye shadow?" Joke Ren.

Yuzuru smirk disappear and shake her head again, "No. You better stop joking", she continues, "... It's because he can't sleep"

Yuzuru cover her eyes, "Seigen-sama... he had difficulty to sleep. Whenever he sleeps, the image of his victims would haunt him... and wake him up"

Yuzuru grit her teeth and keep explaining, "... Seigen-sama, he truly hates The Amawaka way of doing things, and wish to change it"

"But because of his duty, and the LAW he must protect and obeyed... He's still doubting himself, and makes him stressed, and it keeps repeating, making his health deteriorated!"

Yuzuru pull out her hand, she looks at him in the eyes, "and you know why he hates it?" Question Yuzuru.

Ren shake his head slowly, "I don't...".

"It's because he saw his own mother executed before his very eyes"

Ren flinched hearing that, "... why? Don't tell me!"

Yuzuru nod "Yes. Just like your brother, Seigen-sama's mother also infected by Jugon Monoimi, and what makes it worse that his own father... Shigen-sama killed her... right in front his eyes".

Ren tremble hearing Yuzuru explanation.

Ren knows the feeling of losing family members, moreover if that family members died by being killed.

But in his case, his mother is dead, killed by an impurity, not another family member, especially by his own father.

Same as Satoshi, it's true he was killed by Seigen, but he didn't witness it.

But Seigen? Not only he had to witness his own mother's death by being killed by his own father, he also must kill or executes other who is infected by Jugon Monoimi like his father do to his mother.

For good or not, that would leave a trauma.

Yuzuru start speaking, "But lately he mellowed down... and he is more lively than usual, I don't want to say it, but think it's thanks to the two of you"

"I'm sure... even if Seigen-sama were ordered to kill you both, he probably won't do it"

Ren avert his gaze from Yuzuru. "But, even he wants to help you two, doing so alone would be difficult, that is why I decide to help you" say Yuzuru.

After pondering it, he turns to Yuzuru, "Fine. I don't know if I can help someone like him with my strength, but I try"

Yuzuru nod at Ren's reply, she then undid the surrounding talismans, and finally untie him.

Ren stood up, and doing slight stretching.

"Here" Yuzuru throw a talisman holder to Ren, "Thanks" appreciate Ren.

"Now follow me, we're going to meet Seigen-sama"

"Kay..."

Both of them get out of the room, but when outside, Ren become tense because there are two unknown exorcists.

But then they make way for him and Yuzuru. Ren who is confused by it was answered by Yuzuru, "Don't worry those two are like me, they also want to help Seigen-sama", Ren nod at her reply.

Both of them then run toward Yukari were held imprisoned.

The place where Ren is imprisoned is inside a cave on a hill further back on The Amawaka family manor.

Just then.

"Where are you going?"

In the middle of the road, they've met with a middle age man wearing black gauntlets with big and sharp talons on each finger.

Yuzuru eyes wide open seeing him, "Shigen... sama", Ren who is vigilance bring out his enchanted weapon, his body can't stop trembling in his presence.

"Hmph! Damn tra-"

Before he finishes his word, Ren dash forward to attack him, "Stop!" Scream Yuzuru, trying to warn him.

But it's useless for Ren already in the range to attack him, and so he strikes Shigen.

But Shigen casually block his punch with his palm, not even flinched.

"It seems you are weaker than the report say", scoff Shigen.

Shigen Amawaka casually swing his hand, and attack him.

Ren step back and raise his arms to block it.

Shing~

Many lines simultaneously appeared like cat's cradle.

But Ren still standing with his arms raised, successfully blocking Shigen's attack.

Shigen squinted his eyes, "Useless..." Scowl Shigen.

CRASH!

Like a broken glass, Ren's enchanted weapons are shattered, cut wounds appears on his body, and blood sprouting from the wounds, dyed him in red.

His bloodied figure etched onto Yuzuru's eyes.

Her brain's though process seems to be halted, the word stuck in her throat, and her heart were gripped by an unknown force. Yuzuru watching Ren covered in blood is terrified.

Like staring at a fool, Shigen scoff at Ren, "Brat... know your place"

In just one move, Ren's completely defeated.