The three students stood within the Ark with Ryu.
"Prepare yourselves for you are about to witness the second part of this world's history. The history of the son of the Princess Of Dreams and the Nightmare King" Ryu said with a smile.
The three students nodded.
"This tale begins with the trials the twin sisters had to face in their youth…" Ryu said as the scene transitioned.
He saw two girls who were almost identical in appearance and very young in age being stoned by a number of children who surrounded them. As the three students watched, they could discern the figure of a humanoid flame approaching the girls.
"…the twin daughters of the two knights, Ryuuji and Saito Kirisawa who aided the Nightmare King and Princess Of Dreams. This trial was also the prelude to a battle that would be fought twelve years after the birth of the girls and thirteen years after the birth of the son of the Nightmare King and Princess Of Dreams, a battle fought on May, the 25th of 2006 in their homeworld's timeline, a battle between the girls who would be allied with the Dream King's forces and the forces of the Nightmare King. A battle that would come to be known by all in later years as The Battle Of Black Water Bridge!" Ryu declared as the scene transitioned.
Now they were on the scene of a battlefield. Destructive elements flew all around and many bodies littered the ground. There were a total of forty fortifications surrounding the borders of the Dream King's domain. They looked almost impenetrable however, the students watched in awe and shock as the Nightmare King marched with his army right into the Dream King's territory shattering all forty fortifications and eventually coming face to face with one of the girls.
"Hey Buern, I have been wondering but doesn't that girl seem familiar to you? It feels as though we've met her before" Harry said.
"It's probably just your imagination" Buern said.
"I don't think so Buern. She does seem familiar to me" Josec admitted.
Mixing in with the scenes was a scene of Saito Kusanagi in a sacred place. Then the scene transitioned back to the battle. The Nightmare King and his army finally stood before the fortification defended by the girl. The Nightmare King witnessed the brutal slaughter of his subordinates.
"You are the daughter of Ryuuji and Saito Kirisawa…are you not…Ayumi Kirisawa?" the Nightmare King asked.
"That has nothing to do with this battle" the girl replied.
"Wait a sec…did he just call her Ayumi Kirisawa? That's Master Ayu's full name and if I recall…Zan was the name of her husband. How could I not see it before?! This is her history!" Buern exclaimed in excitement.
"How pitiful, your parents were such loyal friends too. It is sad to see how you dishonor them Ayumi Kirisawa" the Nightmare King said seriously.
"Do not insult my parents!" Ayumi roared.
"So you do have a shred of humanity nested deep within that icy heart of yours now, do you Ayumi Kirisawa?" the Nightmare King asked.
"I'll destroy all my enemies…without any hesitation! It does not matter who the enemy is, as long as he stands in my path!" Ayumi roared.
Buern recalled Master Ayumi's words to her in her cave during her trial.
"You remind me of my past self. Reckless, always jumping into situations without thinking of a way out first. Sometimes…you just need to know your place. I have neither the time nor energy to expend on a brat" she recalled Master Ayumi's terrifying aura.
"I see. The things she said back then…it was almost as though she knew me. It must have been because she had also been where I was in the past. She and I are not so different after all" Buern thought as she began to feel a newfound respect for the person Master Ayumi was now.
"Hmmph! It's ironic to hear a Dream Knight repeat he words of Zanfar in exactly the same manner! I see you've chosen your pride over moral virtues. Well then Ayumi Kirisawa…as my final duty to your parents…I will end your life here!" the Nightmare King said.
"It's ironic to hear all that come from a Nightmare! You sure know how to crack a good joke! I haven't had such a laugh in a while" Ayumi laughed.
"But before I take your life…tell me Ayumi Kirisawa. Is there any justification for this cruel slaughter? Do you have a good reason for slaying my citizens…in this way?" the Nightmare King said as the shadow around his face extended.
"Do I need any justification? They're nightmares! They harm people and you are their king. Anything that threatens humanity will meet its end by my hands!" Ayumi roared.
"Beautiful words for such cruel actions. You say you want to protect humanity…yet you despise humans even more than these nightmares. All the anger within you that…you cannot take out on humans…you take out on these nightmares. Nightmares exist to be defeated…that I will not deny…however…such cruel slaughter…even of nightmares is something…I cannot forgive!" the Nightmare King said.
"Haah?! Am I supposed to understand what you are saying?" Ayumi asked with a smirk.
"It is precisely because you ignore understanding…that I will force you to experience the pain of all the hatred within you! There are four types of flame…do you know that Ayumi Kirisawa?" the Nightmare King asked.
"What are you talking about?" Ayumi asked.
The warm fire, the kind flame, the unyielding blaze…and the raging inferno. The warm fire is the flame of life; the warmth humans experience…the warmth of emotion, the warmth that keeps the world alive. The kind flame is the flame of courage, the flame that shields and protects and at the same time, the flame that hurts most…the one strong enough to stand up for others…the unyielding blaze marks the point where flame splits into two paths…the unyielding blaze or…the raging inferno. The unyielding blaze is the flame that has the power to burn away evil…no matter how terrifying or powerful the evil is…and it is a combination of fire…and light! However…the raging inferno is darkness itself. It consumes everything…irrespective of good or evil…and in the end…it consumes its very own self. An inferno will destroy everything and everyone around it…and that is the path you have chosen Ayumi. Be it for good or for evil; if you are willing to sacrifice a life to protect a life…then you are no different from Zanfar for life did not come by your hands. Taking a life you did not create is theft of an abominable scale. It is attempting to steal from God himself! So before you become completely engulfed by the dark path you have chosen…I will steal your life here! It is not a good thing…but in the face of two evils…I'll choose the lesser evil over the greater evil" the Nightmare King declared.
"Then aren't you just doing the same thing you're accusing me of?!" Ayumi roared.
"Hmmph! That's true Ayumi Kirisawa! But there are two differences between us! One, the difference between the weights we must carry is far too great to be measured on any human scale! I'm fighting for people I care about, people I've come to love…no matter how ugly they may look in your eyes! At the same time…I must protect the creatures I despise the most and give them the strength they need to face their own lives and become organisms worthy of the lives they possess while dealing with you Dream Knights and your senselessly instigated wars. And at the same time, ensure that my son is protected from your stupidly prejudiced miscalculations and worst of all; I must watch you become more and more stupid with each passing second! However, you Ayumi…fight for the people you hate, tell yourself you do it to protect them; your only reason being that you must carry out orders when in fact you're afraid of your own life! Your naivety runs much deeper than the emptiness of a black hole. This is reason one. Reason two is…I'm already recognized as an evil presence to begin with so nothing I do should surprise you…moron" the Nightmare King said.
"You'll pay for insulting me! Your army has already been…!" Ayumi suddenly froze as she noticed something strange.
"My army has already been what?! I already told you… the weight you and I have on our shoulders is different. No matter who my subordinates are…whether they are ugly, hideous, beautiful or otherwise…the fact remains that…I AM THEIR KING AND IT IS THE DUTY OF THE KING TO PROTECT HIS CITIZENS! I have lived much longer than you have Ayumi…and you are mistaken about a lot of things. I did not become the Nightmare King because I was the most terrifying monster in existence at the time. It is quite the opposite actually. I became the Nightmare King by defeating the most terrifying creature in existence, the previous Nightmare King…the evil dragon that took the form of an abominable rhinoceros to terrify my village! The animosity known as Ziri, the King Of Lies! My name Sanziri is also my title as 'Destroyer Of Lies!' and as such…every Nightmare in existence that contains even a fraction of truth yields to my call! Who the hell do you think I am?! When I began to battle…you were not even born…no…even your great grandparents had never even imagined they'd be married. Your strategy is impressive Ayumi Kirisawa Of The Pyrogeysers…your fortifications and barriers are almost invincible…but who is foolish enough to pass through a danger he can fly over?! The only reason Black Water Bridge has remained standing is because I never considered you Dream Knights a threat to begin with. Then I married Ariel…and she taught me how to forgive. However your cruelty took my wife from me…and now you've chosen to go after the life of my son as well. I hid my son well enough to prevent his discovery and I didn't think you'd be foolhardy enough to instigate a war by attacking me a second time at the borders of my very own territory. When a kitten catches a mouse…it thinks it is a cat. When a cat attacks a dog and escapes unscathed…it believes it is a lion but when this cat in its overly inflated pride threatens a real lion…it will learn that a lion does not need to start a war to win one! How nostalgic Ayumi Kirisawa…after almost five generations…I will get to utilize my sigil to a greater level than I've done this past century.
FINALLY I SPEAK MY NAME! MY NAME AND MY DESTINY IS TO STAND IN CONSTANT ADVERSITY TO LIES FOR ETERNITY! I AM KING SANZIRI NIGHTBANE!!! WIELDER OF THE ULTIMATE SIGIL OF LIGHT…BEARING THE GRUDGE NESTED IN ZANVIEL'S HEART!!! I UNIFY THE POWER OF THE MAKERS, WEAVERS, SOLVERS AND BREAKERS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT EXISTENCE!!! I CALL UPON THE POWER OF THE WEAVERS! ENTRUST YOUR WILL INTO MY SWORD! HAND ME THE FAITH YOU HAVE IN ME…NESTED WITHIN YOUR VERY OWN SIGILS!" the Nightmare King called as the battlefield began to quake.
His army flew over the battlefield.
"Damn you Nightmare King!" Ayumi growled angrily.
"You do not have time to admire my army Ayumi Kirisawa. It's also about time I got serious. Unlocking the limiters I imposed on the Black Bane! Limiter one! The seal of Endregen…unlock!!!" The Nightmare King called as twin swords appeared in his hands.
One bearing the colour of the Sun, the other bearing the colour of Night!
"I hope you are not intimidated by this display Ayumi Kirisawa…I have six more limiters to remove!" the Nightmare King called.
"Limiter two! The seal of Kolmnid…unlock!" The Nightmare King called as his dark armour shattered and was replaced by bright rainbow armour.
His dreadlocks came undone and his hair grew wild like the mane of a lion. Seven elements swirled around him in harmony though they appeared threatening in the eyes of his foes.
"At this point Ayumi Kirisawa, two choices lie before you and both are cruel. First choice, you give up and die! Second choice…you fight me till my stamina runs out…however if your stamina happens to run out first…I'll curse your weakened body with the sum of all the pain you Dream Knights have forced me to endure all these years! Don't be surprised…if all that pain ends up killing you!" the Nightmare King roared.
Ayumi was trembling. Then she charged in to attack.
Then the scene transitioned. Ayumi's twin sister was surrounded by the Nightmare King's army. A warrior cloaked in Silver armour approached Ai.
"Listen to me Ai Kirisawa. We've been sent to hold you at bay. Today, your sister Ayumi Kirisawa is one step away from becoming a raging inferno. Before she turns into a force that supplies 'the ultimate evil' with a great amount of energy, the Nightmare King will sever her life" the Silver warrior said.
"Hey, isn't that warrior the psychoraged form we assumed in our battle against Gargolem?" Harry asked with a laugh.
"Can't forget that psychorage. He certainly made an impression" Buern laughed.
"Why is the Nightmare King after Ayumi's life?" Ayumi's sister asked.
"He isn't after your sister's life. He is after the soul of Cowardice that is nested deep within your sister's spirit!" the warrior said.
"What are you saying?" Ai asked.
"You may have already realized it Ai Kirisawa. Ayumi's character is slowly decaying and she has begun to lose sight of herself. The reason for that is her fear of abandonment and that of seeing the ones she loves hurt. Cowardice took advantage of that and filled Ayumi's head with lies about fearlessness. A truly fearless person has no attachment to anything, no sentiments for anything…no love for life…not even their own and that is the difference between self-sacrifice and meaninglessly throwing your life away" the Silver Warrior said.
Another figure stepped forward. He was a being with six wings and his features were a mixture of man and beast to some extent. He radiated light and warmth.
Josec, Harry and Buern stared at him in astonishment.
"I'd recognize that face anywhere! That's Master Pheisl! He's a psychorage?! For someone who doesn't like to interfere in the affairs of other worlds he appears to be everywhere!" Harry exclaimed in shock.
"I am Arälpheisl young Ai, the Wise One Of The Unison Courts, one of those that mediate between man and forces. Rikishin's words may sound harsh but they are true. Ayumi is fighting to protect humans, that I will not deny…as are a lot of you. However…regardless of this, you are very much serving Zanfar's purposes even without full knowledge of your actions and that is why even Celestial creatures like us sided with Sanziri, the Destroyer Of Lies. Your actions are true; all of you Dream Knights…but you are following false intentions. Think about it, Dreams and Nightmares have existed since time immemorial. Many Dream Knights have sacrificed their lives for the sake of humans…and many of those Dream Knights were in the first place human. Yet no matter how hard they fought, Zanfar only grew stronger until even Zanviel… the ultimate embodiment of Dreams succumbed to Zanfar's grudge against humans. Zanviel loved humans so much…and he sacrificed so much for them…but he was forsaken…and his pain was what created a force much more terrifying that Zanfar alone, a force called 'The Deplorable Dream'. Zanfar does not care so much for how you Dream Knights fight to protect humanity, and he doesn't view you as a threat at all. In the end, it does not matter to him young Ai. It is indeed shocking how naïve humans can be. Can you still not understand the difference between Self-Sacrifice and meaninglessly throwing your life away?" Arälpheisl asked.
"Say no more Arälpheisl. The beauty of any riddle is in the quest for its answer, not the solution itself. Until you can understand the difference between Self-Sacrifice and throwing your life away, all of humanity's fate is inevitable destruction" Rikishin said.
"So what are you saying? I should just abandon my sister and all of humanity?!" Ai screamed.
"That is an interestingly narrow choice" Rikishin smirked.
Arälpheisl laughed.
"Young Ai, I will leave you with a clue that may save your life and those you love in the future. In every choice, there are not only dos and don'ts but there are 'intentions' to consider as well as empathetic feelings. Humanity isn't vulnerable to Zanfar's malice because it has no choice…but because you refuse to believe in the path that can heal all your wounds. It's always one over the other for you, get hurt for the sake of others…or let others get hurt for your sake. However, realize this young Ai that forsake is the only human word we know of that can simultaneously be applied to the subject of any action and the recipient of that action and then contradict itself" Arälpheisl said.
"I don't understand anything you're saying! Jeez, you're speaking to a kid as though you're talking to an adult! But regardless of the meaning behind your words, I'm going to save Ayumi!" Ai yelled.
"That is fine too but…why do you want to save her? Is it simply because you possess the same blood? You have no reason to risk your life for hers. You do not know what is in Ayumi's heart. There is no way of knowing what dwells within her heart when she smiles at you…but for years now…Ayumi has hardly smiled at you…has she? To say you wish to protect Ayumi…just because she is your sister is no different from washing your clothes because you need to or eating…or any other biological process. So why do you wish to protect with your life…someone that despises you…and clearly shows it?" Rikishin asked.
Ai smiled.
"Sister is just a word. I understand what you're trying to say Rikishin, even though I'm only twelve. Somehow I can understand what you're trying to say. Ayumi may be linked to me by blood now…or by a meal we shared once, or by lineage, by videogames, or even by debates and heated arguments…but regardless of the type of bond I share with her, it is undeniable…that there is a bond!" Ai declared.
Rikishin sighed and sheathed his blades changing his intimidating stance into one of surrender.
Arälpheisl laughed again.
"The beauty of a human child has beaten you again hasn't it Rikishin?" he asked.
"It is as Zanviel once said, 'babes are wiser than adults…but adults are more intelligent. However intelligence does not necessarily make one wise but he who possesses wisdom is always intelligent…and that is why the future of humanity is always rightly entrusted into the hands of its children. Ai Kirisawa, I praise your earnest nature. I've always said humans are naïve as is a common saying amongst us forces…but not all forms of naivety are evil. Trust…is a beautiful form of naivety…as is kindness and hope…and all the Souls Of Virtue that stand in opposition to the seven souls of evil. The element closest to your nature is the element of water symbolizing purity and kindness as well as birth and rebirth. Though unlike one of water's many attributes, you lack its attribute of mystery due to your earnest nature you seem to possess its power to cleanse. If you are set in your path I will not hinder you but I will at least warn you. The person you are trying so desperately to save now is closely tied to the fate of humanity, be it for good or for evil. In the future you will come to realize…that your greatest sin…was your kindness" Rikishin said as he motioned to his forces to pull back.
Arälpheisl walked to Ai and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. Ai was crying.
"Young Ai, Rikishin's words may sound like a curse now…but they are indeed a blessing for you. There are two ways to deal with any problem. The first is to avoid it, and the second is to solve it. An unsolved problem can become a hindrance in the future. It's the same as what is happening to your sister now. She wants to avoid pain by 'feeling no fear'. However it will lead her down a path of regrettable solitude in the future. 'Feeling no fear' does not solve the problem of fear but 'facing fear', Courage is what gives all of creation the will to proceed towards an unknown future. However, Courage cannot come without Trust…either in one's self, one's relations or one's God. Do what you feel is right young Ai, and have the confidence to face the tragedies that will confront you as a result of your actions. Regardless of the pain it may bring, kindness…is never…a mistake…for the kind are the truly strong…for they confront their own hatred…every moment" Arälpheisl said as he spread his wings and flew away.
In an instant, the Nightmares in Ai's path disappeared.
In the scene that followed, Ayumi was charging in to attack the Nighmare King. He stood watching her.
"What a pity. If circumstances had been slightly different…you'd have made a good match…for Ayzan" the Nightmare King said as he crouched and prepared to strike Ayumi.
As she approached, he charged towards her with incredible speed and initiated a lateral strike that could have torn Ayumi in two. However, at the last moment, he appeared to hesitate. With a frown, he reversed the edge of his blade striking Ayumi in the gut with the blunt edge of his blade, rendering her immobile. As she fell to the ground, he struck her with a backhanded blow to her spine. Ayumi fell down, paralyzed. The Nightmare King's back was turned to her.
"Why?! Why didn't you finish me off?!" Ayumi roared.
"Hmmph! I know I said I am evil. That is indeed true. But my pride surpasses even my evil. Besides, think of it as me extending your judgement. You really think you got off easy? Think again!" the Nightmare King said as he sheathed the Black Bane.
Ayumi's bones began to stiffen.
"Much worse than me cooking you alive isn't it? At least you get to die an honourable death. I will tell you something though. This is nothing…compared to the curse your mother had to endure for ten years. Your mother could only live that long because her kindness soothed the malice of Zanfar's curse. All I had to do was limit Zanfar's curse to a particular region in her body for a while. If your mother was just a bit stronger, she could have completely erased the curse…but she has to worry about you. Hmmph! Don't go thinking that the only one suffering is you. Some people are actually strong enough not to show their suffering to everyone…and they can still keep themselves from hating others. There are others that direct all the malice they feel for others unto themselves and have to be supported by others, and others yet comfort themselves by thinking of the greater suffering others have endured. You may have lost an eye, but you have both parents, you may lose both parents and still have your health. You may have all these and be in poverty and there are some that have to think of every single day they see…as a miracle, because war is all they've ever known. Humanity's suffering is balanced that way so that there is always someone with greater suffering…yet somehow, no one can find the one who has suffered the most…so that no one is selfish enough to think that their suffering is the only thing that matters. You hardly know what your parents have been through. You don't know the scorn they've had to endure from the other Dream Knights…and you call their suffering an 'insult'! I can only pray that you don't have to endure the same" the Nightmare King said scornfully.
Ayumi remained silent. It looked as though she were on the verge of losing consciousness. Mixing in with the scene was an image of Saito standing at the banks of a river.
"Is this…the Ultimate Unconsciousness?" Ayumi wondered.
Suddenly Ai appeared on the scene rushing towards her sister.
"YOU'RE NOT DYING HERE YOU HEAR ME?!" Ai screamed.
"No wait! That's not mom's voice! It's…" Ayumi said as she opened her eyes.
"HANG ON AYU! I'LL RID YOU OF THIS CURSE IMMEDIATELY!!!" Ai said as she enclosed Ayumi in an orb of water resembling a womb.
"Ai! What do you think you're doing?!" Ayumi yelled angrily.
"She's taking upon herself the curse meant for you. She's exchanging her grace and warmth for your suffering. She wants to share the pain meant for you. If she succeeds, she might die. If not today…I can guarantee you she'll live no more than five years. This curse will slowly eat away at that girl's spirit. In two years, she will lose the ability to walk. In three years, she won't be able to move her hands. In four years, she will only be able to move her neck and she will die exactly five years from now. Knowing that your sister will be forced to die a painful death for your sake, can you still allow her to carry through with it?" the Nightmare King asked.
"Ai!" Ayumi screamed.
"I'm going to save you Ayu!" Ai declared.
"Don't do it!" Ayumi roared.
"I will save you Ayu!" Ai insisted.
"Why are you being reckless?! Are you that eager to leave me alone?" Ayumi screamed as tears streamed down her eyes. "Ai! Listen to me! Mom is…!" Ayumi declared.
"I know…I felt it too. But she also said I had to take care of you and that…I am the Lady Of The Kirisawa House!" Ai said determinedly.
"Don't do it Ai" Ayumi pleaded.
"Have faith in me sis" Ai said as she focused her water around Ayumi.
A bright light flowed through her hands into the water and into Ayumi. Darkness began to seep out of Ayumi's body. Ayumi stared at Ai in shock.
"Ai…that's mom's…" Ayumi exclaimed.
"The power to purify; mom's power huh? We used to think that it worked by breaking curses. That it could break any curse. Do you remember Ayu? So when Mom began to fall sick we couldn't understand why she could not break the curse on herself. But to heal someone of a curse…you finally understand, don't you Ayu?" Ai said as she burst into tears.
Ayumi nodded with tears in her eyes.
"You don't break the curse…you share it…so that it becomes a blessing. So that the pain can become joy. But that's not what you're doing Ai! You're taking everything upon yourself!" Ayumi yelled and grabbed Ai's hand.
"What are you doing?!" Ai exclaimed.
"I can handle my own part of the curse Ai! I may be a coward…just like the Nightmare King said but I'm still a coward with pride! I won't let my little sister endure the pain that is mine!" Ayumi roared and pushed Ai away from herself.
"Ayu!" Ai called as the water surrounding Ayumi seeped into the ground.
Ayumi stood up.
"Thanks Ai. I might not have been able to handle him alone…but now you're here…I'm not going to lose!" Ayumi declared.
In the scene that followed, Ayumi appeared to be speaking with a voice only she could hear.
"After coming this far…turning back is not an option. The Kirisawa House was established to be the Blade that severs the chains binding Light. It's Guardian is The Spirit Of Courage, the embodiment of flame…Ryuuenjinn!" Ayumi declared as a huge amount of flame burst forth from her body.
"Amazing, at her age…she can summon a Living Sigil. If she is capable of this much, then humanity indeed has hope" the Nightmare King said as the flames materialized to form a huge dragon covered in bright orange flames. Frightening, but kind flames.
"At your age…you two sisters have already witnessed many of this world's hidden realities. I find no reason to add to your burden. You've won this battle. I'm withdrawing Ai Kirisawa. You are very kind but…your kindness will indeed come to be known by all…as your greatest sin" the Nightmare King said as he spread forth his cape.
His cape transformed into black feathery wings and he flew away.
The scene transitioned once more. This scene was the scene of a classroom. The students in the class were engaged in various activities as they awaited their teacher. Suddenly, the door to the classroom opened and a man walked in with a girl beside him. The three students immediately recognized the girl as Ayumi. She presently bore a more striking resemblance to the Master they knew now. The teacher briefly introduced Ayumi as a transfer student and asked both she and the class to introduce themselves to one another. Ayumi introduced herself in a rather nonchalant way. The students began to introduce themselves as well.
Eventually, a boy with dark skin, dark hair and golden eyes stood up.
"My name is Xan Bie! Nice to meet you Ayumi Kirisawa!" the boy greeted enthusiastically.
The entire class burst into laughter. The only unoccupied seat in class was next to the boy.
"An African boy and a Japanese girl, what a cute couple" a voice said and more laughter broke out.
Ayumi on the other hand didn't appear to find their jokes funny. She maintained a rather stern look.
"Ignore them, they're always like that" the boy said.
"That boy must be Zan. It is uncommon if not impossible to come across a human with golden eyes" Harry noted.
"I agree" Buern said.
There were scenes that showed Zan's attempts at drawing closer to Ayumi including a serenade. With each failure, the teasing of his classmates became worse until one fateful day.
That day, Zan sat in class, absentmindedly drawing in his jotter. He appeared to do everything possible to conceal what he was doing from Ayumi and that appeared to have an effect since she became very curious in what he was doing.
"What are you doing?" Ayumi asked.
"It's none of your beeswax!" Zan replied sharply.
"Please let me see it or do I have to say 'Simon says'?" Ayumi pleaded.
"No, you've never been interested in anything I do!" Zan stubbornly refused.
"Come on Zan. Just this once?" she said.
"Huh, fine" Zan said and showed her his jotter.
On one of its pages was an image of the Dream and Nightmare Kings fighting. The battle ended in the Nightmare King's victory. Ayumi suddenly burst into laughter.
"I'm glad to see you laughing. My real name is Zan, just Zan, it means 'dream'" Zan reintroduced himself.
Ayumi stared at him in surprise.
There were whispers around class that Ayumi had laughed and everyone wanted to see why. When they saw Zan's drawing, they also laughed.
"Do you believe in dreams?" Ayumi asked Zan.
"What do you mean? We all have dreams" Zan answered.
"What I mean is that do you believe that the Dream World is another reality?" Ayumi asked.
"Of course I do. I even believe that the Dream World and the Human World can be merged" Zan said with a laugh.
Ayumi remained silent for a while.
"What's wrong Ayumi?" Zan asked her.
"Don't you think I'm weird?" Ayumi asked.
"No, I think you're special" Zan blurted out with a look of embarrassment on his face.
Since that incident, it appeared that Zan and Ayumi were gradually growing closer.
"From here on out, Josec, Harry, Buern, you are about to witness Zan and Ayumi's struggle against the seven souls of evil and the discovery of the Seven Stones Of Virtue" Ryu explained.