The ruins of a massive building stood on the edge of a hill. There were many holes in its walls, and the fence that once made its gate lay broken. Karna pointed to it. "You sure this is it? It's just an old building. There are tons of them in the Chasm." Velvet shook her head. "No, this is it. I've visited this particular place quite a lot. Follow me." She led Karna through the entrance and to a stairwell that led underground.
When the two reached the bottom of the stairs, Karna thought his surroundings were surreal. There was grass beneath his feet, and flowers and bushes were planted in large circles. Karna could feel the wind brush softly on him, despite the fact they were underground. Fireflies flew around, emitting wisps of light, enough to see the black pyramid, which radiated blue light. Velvet motioned for Karna to follow, and the two headed into the pyramid.
There was no entrance into the structure. Karna looked around. "Um, how do we get inside?" Velvet pressed on a circular piece of silver. "This is how."
The ground shook as the pyramid opened up, revealing a prismatic room with two more silver buttons. One showed an arrow facing upward and the other downward. Velvet pressed on the one with the downward arrow. "Did this inspire the elevator?" Karna asked. Velvet shrugged. "Maybe, but this is way more advanced than the ones we have."
"Why are we going down?"
"Oh, that's because there's nothing but corpses in the upper floors. The interesting stuff is down below." The two stepped out of the elevator when it stopped moving. Blue lamps illuminated everywhere the two could see. There were five doors, two on the right and left, and one in the middle. Velvet headed for the one in the middle.
On the door, there was a handmark on it. Velvet pressed her palm on it. A voice spoke. "Identification of the key confirmed. Access granted." The door opened, allowing the two to enter the room.
"Velvet, what just happened? You were called a key, a key to what?" Velvet wouldn't meet his eyes. "Just keep walking. I'll explain everything to you later."
The room was large, but most of the space was occupied by enigmatic capsules marked with some symbol. Velvet pointed to one of them. "When my father first came here, he took one of these capsules home and found me in it." Karna's eyes widened. "You mean... you're not a human?"
"Don't know. All the other capsules contained artifacts except for the one that had me in it. So my father assumed that I was a descendant to an ancient race that once lived on the Earth. I guess that's what made me stand out. Everyone always kept a distance from me ever since I was little. To me, they acted as if I had some disease." Tears began to form in her eyes. "I started to question whether my father loved me, or he just saw me as another antiquity. I tried to earn their attention by being the best possible daughter I could be. I earned the highest grades in school, got out of college four years early, and learned how to play the piano. When I became a barong, I thought finally, maybe this will get them to love me. But my mother only said that I really was different from everyone else. Now I'm being married off to a prince from a foreign land, and they've never once asked how I feel!" Karna grabbed her hand. "That's really awful. But you're parents aren't so bad. Even though they left you on your own, they still raised you. Most people would just run away." Velvet sobbed. "They are running away! They picked me because I'm the oldest daughter in the family. My father's gone bankrupt. He's in it for the money. It's also convenient that it's Arcadia's prince. It will stabilize relations between the two countries. "
"Maybe he is. But wouldn't he have married you off sooner if he was? He may have made tons of mistakes he probably doesn't even know, but I don't think he's that heartless. Besides, if I win the duel, you won't be getting married."
"I know you're tough, but Kai's never lost a duel to anyone. It won't be easy." Karna smiled. "But it's not impossible. I promise that I won't abandon you."
"But I don't want you getting hurt because of me!"
"Yeah, well, I'm the Cahaya. It's my job to break my neck to protect people and be a savior to humanity. Do you want my help or not?" Velvet sighed. "You're persistent, you know that?"
"I could say the same about you. I'm going to help you, so just let me." Velvet smiled. "Thank you. This means a lot to me. But you do know what happens if you win the duel, right?"
"You won't be marrying Kai?"
"Yes. There's one more thing." Velvet gave Karna a peck on the cheek, making the latter blush. "If you win, you'll be marrying me," she whispered in his ear. "Shall we get going then?"
Kai flexed his arm as he sat down in a chair. "Does it suit you?" It was the Takau from before. "How does it feel?" Kai smiled. "It's incredible. I'm surprised I became a jahat without turning into a Kegare."
"Your heart is filled with darkness. It was the only reason you were able to fuse your soul with a Warui so easily. What about the Cahaya?" Kai smiled. "Oh, he challenged me to a duel. I'm amazed that frail boy took down a basilisk. But no matter. I will win. Your expectations will be met, just as promised."
Velvet knocked on the door. "What is it?" Sora asked. "How is he?" Sora looked over to the bed. "Oh, he's sleeping soundly." Velvet nodded. "That's good. I'll be off, then." Sora grabbed her wrist. "Wait! Are you sure this is what you want?"
"What do you mean?" Sora rolled his eyes. "Don't play dumb with me. Do you seriously not want Karna to get involved?
"Yes. I wish not to get him involved any further. I can take the rest from here." She closed the door before Sora could respond and left.
Kai looked up at the sky, stargazing. He saw Velvet approaching. "Oh, where's the Cahaya? Shouldn't he be accompanying you?"
I sent him off," Velvet said sternly. "Is there a problem with that?" Kai shook his head. "No, but it would have been fun to trounce him. Are you ready?" Velvet nodded. Her hair and eyes changed color to dark brown. What Kami have you fused your soul with? Kai asked. "An Earth Kami. What about you?" Kai smirked. "Well, you see, I have a dislike for Kamis. They don't mix well with me." He extended his arm, and a black substance formed in his hand. It kept growing until it eventually covered his whole hand. "Just so you know, I won't be holding back."
Kai lunged at Velvet, who did a backflip and swung her foot at him. He grabbed her leg, but let it go when he got hit by a pillar made of rock. Velvet moved her arm upwards, and a rock pillar rose from the ground. She hurled at Kai, who crushed it with his hand. "Gonna have to do more than that if you wanna take me down, sweetie." Velvet brought up chunks of the Earth and had them surround Kai. She then brought them all together, hoping Kai would get crushed inside of them. To her surprise, Kai was unscathed. Kai lunged at her again, but this time caught her arm. "Is this all you could do?" Velvet punched him in the stomach. "Shut up!" Kai threw her far from him. Velvet landed on her feet. She tried to bring up more rocks, but for some reason, she wasn't able to. "What the..." Kai seized this opportunity and kicked her in the stomach. Velvet spat out blood. Kai swung his fist at Velvet, sending her flying until she rammed into a tree.
Kai walked up to Velvet. "I'd appreciate it if we ended the fighting here. Your ribs are broken. There's no way you can keep going. Besides, that fragile belly of yours is one day going to hold my child. I can't have it damaged." Velvet's eyes blazed with rage. "You act as if you care about me."
"Oh, I do. Enough to care about your condition anyway. As a key, you will be quite an asset to me." Velvet's mouth dropped. "You bastard... how did you know?"
"Is that important? All you need to know is that you're a tool, nothing more. Even the Cahaya left you. He probably saw how hopeless you are, too."
Kai stumbled back, barely managing to avoid a ball of fire. "Who's there?" Velvet looked towards the sky, tears rolling down her eyes. "Why?"
Karna hovered in the air. Kai's right arm took up most of his attention. "Visavi, is that what you meant?" Visavi spoke in Karna's head. "Yes. Even the Kami are not immune to the darkness. Those who succumb to it become the Warui. However, they can still fuse their soul with that of a human, becoming a jahat. This is the first time I've seen a human become one willingly. The darkness in his heart may help to explain it."
Kai grinned when he saw Karna. "Well, if it isn't our glorious savior, as majestic as ever! Although I have to say, if you've come here just to save this tool, you're a bigger fool than I thought." Karna glared at him. "She's more precious than you think she is. I won't hand her over to you." Kai laughed. "Oh, is that so? If I beat you, will you then tell me how precious she is?"
Karna hurled multiple balls of fire at Kai, some of which he dodged, and some which his right hand absorbed. Kai brought up rocks from the ground and hurled them at Karna, with the latter burning them to ash. "I understand it now," Karna murmured. "Your Warui has the power to absorb the abilities of other Kami. You used the power of Velvet's Kami to hurl those rocks at me. But it seems that doing so drains the energy of the Kami you stole the ability from." Kai nodded. "An observant eye. Yes, everything you say is correct, although knowing that won't help you now." Kai hurled a massive chunk of rock at Velvet. Karna intercepted it and broke it to bits. However, Kai grabbed on to Karna's arm. "I've got you now, Cahaya!" Kai began absorbing Karna's power. He could feel the massive energy flow into his body. "Get off of me!"
Karna threw Kai away from him. The black substance on the latter's arm began to expand until it covered his whole body in thick armor. A black sword formed in his right hand. "I knew you killed a basilisk, but I never thought you'd have this much power." Kai lunged at Karna. The two sparred, continually meeting each other's blows. Karna parried and blocked, but he couldn't land a blow on Kai. Kai, meanwhile, slashed Karna in the legs and arms multiple times.
"What's the matter, Cahaya? Can't keep up?" Kai taunted him. "If you want to save her, you're gonna have to do much better than this!"
Karna panted. He was exhausted, and Kai draining his energy only made him more so. Karna was about to charge, but Velvet grabbed his ankle. "Wait!"
"Velvet, I can't talk to you right now. I'm in a fight here."
"You've done more than enough, Karna. There's no need for you to keep going. Please, just stop." Karna shook her head. "I can't. I don't want things to end like this."
"I don't want you to risk your life because of me! We were never even dating anyway. It's as he said. I'm nothing but a tool."
"How could you say that?"
"Because it's true!" Velvet screeched. Tears ran down her cheeks. "That's all I am! So say it too! Say that I'm just a tool!" Karna shook his head. "You're not a tool. You're much more than that. Much more."
"What am I then?" Karna smiled. "You're my lover." Velvet blushed. "Wha-"
"Velvet, let me fight. This isn't just about you. I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't at least try to save you." Velvet glanced at his face and realized he wasn't joking. She let go of his ankle. "Good luck. I'll be waiting for you here." Karna nodded. "I will. I'll win this."
Karna charged at Kai. Karna thrust his spear, but Kai blocked it with no effort and slashed Karna's chest. Karna's wings radiated light, blinding Kai. Karna flew into the air and hurled fireballs at Kai, all of which hit him.
"Visavi, what should we do? I can't keep fighting like this."
"Master, call my name. Shoot him down with one arrow. We need to end this now. The more power he absorbs, the stronger he becomes. We won't be able to deal with him if the battle drags on any longer." Karna nodded. "Matahari!" Karna aimed his bow right at Kai's head. Kai laughed. "You think switching to arrows will do you any good?" He leaped into the air. "Die! Your naivety will be your undoing!"
Karna focused all his power onto the tip of one arrow. It grew bigger and bigger until it was as big as Karna himself.
That arrow flew towards Kai at an incredible speed. Kai swung his sword at it, but to his shock, the blade snapped in half. "Impossible!" His eyes bulged as the arrow pierced his head and exploded. Kai screamed as his body was engulfed in flames.
Karna flew to Velvet, smiling at her. "It's over now. Your life belongs to you again." Karna put his hand out. "Let's go home." Velvet nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Okay," she sniffed. She took his hand. "Thank you so much, Karna."
"What did you call me for, Velvet? Are more suitors coming after you?" Velvet smiled, shaking her head. "No, one suitor already made his case. He'll be marrying me very soon." She gestured towards a chair next to her. "Sit with me, Karna."
"Do you remember what I told you before?" Karna nodded. "Kai murdered your parents, and now your older brother is the head of the family." Velvet nodded. "Which is why I want to ask you something. Karna, could I travel with you?"
"You want to go with me?" Velvet nodded. "Thanks to you, Kai won't be causing my family any problems. I've already told my brother what to do. So there's no need for me to be here. I want to aid you in your quest."
"But why? You don't have to return the favor for when I helped you out in the duel. I won't ask for it." Velvet shook her head. "That's not it. I want to be with someone special to me." Karna raised an eyebrow. "Special? Are you going with us to find this person?" Velvet shook her head again. "No, I've already found the person. I just want to stay by his side, as his lover." Karna pondered over her suggestion. "Well, I guess it would be unrealistic to think just Sora and I, on our own, could get rid of the darkness. Welcome to the team, then, I guess." Velvet nodded. "It's a pleasure. Now, I want to discuss the man I mentioned."
Karna sat down. "You said you loved him, right? Who is he, exactly?" Velvet smirked. "Is that a joke? Or do you really not know?" Karna shook his head. "I'm in the dark here."
"Then how about I give you a hint?" Velvet cupped Karna's face in her hands and kissed him. Karna felt her soft lips gently touch his, and her tongue in his mouth. "Do you understand now?" Karna realized that she was sitting on his lap now. His face turned crimson. "Um... I'm the lucky guy?" Velvet chuckled. "Yes. In case you forgot, you won the duel, so I'm to be your wife." She fixed his tie. "Are you still not getting it?" She put her hand on his chest. "Do I need to give another hint?"
"Um, I - I don't," Karna stammered. He didn't know how to respond. "Alright, just one more," Velvet said. She brought her lips up to Karna's again, this time in a long, passionate kiss. Her tongue brushed his, playfully wiggling around in his mouth. "Have you forgotten? In the duel, you proclaimed I was your lover." She smiled. "Don't tell me you have a change of heart. That would be so devastating."
"Quit teasing me already."
"Seriously, how do you feel about me? Do you wish to marry me?"
Karna squirmed. "Well," he said nervously, "I don't know what to say. I've never been in a relationship before." Velvet put her hand on his heart. "How do you feel here?"
"I feel butterflies in my chest." Velvet shook her head. "I don't think you understand. I'll ask a simple question this time. Karna, do you love me?" Karna gazed at Velvet. For the past few days, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He thought it was because he was worried, but now he wasn't so sure. He was always allured by her beauty and had difficulty looking away from her. Karna pondered on her question and realized he did have feelings for Velvet, even if he wasn't sure he wanted to marry her so suddenly. "Yes, Velvet, I love you."
Velvet's eyes widened. Slowly, the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile. "Really? Do you mean it? Karna nodded. "Although I'm not sure whether I'm ready to marry you yet." Velvet moved in for a kiss, and this time, Karna kissed back.