Ryu and the three students stood within the Ark. Ryu and the three students stood within the Ark.
"The first two parts of the tale concerning the History Of Dreams And Reality chronicled the intertwining of the fates of three families and the Battle Of Black Water Bridge that was fought in later years between the forces of the Dream King and the forces of the Nightmare King. You are about to witness the third and final part of this tale chronicling Zan and Ayumi's discovery of the Seven Elemental Stones Of Virtue and their confrontations with the Seven Souls Of Evil. This final part of the tale comes in Seven Parts" Ryu explained as the scene transitioned.
THE STONE OF FORTITUDE VS THE SOUL OF COWARDICE
In the scene that appeared, Ayumi stood before her father, Sir Ryuuji Kirisawa.
"Welcome home Ayumi" he greeted.
"Have you discovered anything new?" Ayumi asked her father.
"Yes, we investigated the only area in Dream City that we had left unchecked. By persuading the poor folk with some little cash, we discovered that a man called Wanye Mwinwule found a child eighteen years ago. According to the people, the child fell from the sky" Mr Kirisawa informed his daughter.
"So what do you want me to do father?" Ayumi asked emotionlessly.
"Go to Lower East Side Dream City and find the man called Wanye. I'm sure he is aware of the capabilities of that monster he is protecting so I don't need to tell you what to do if he refuses to turn in the Dreamweaver" Ryuuji said.
"I understand father" Ayumi said as she departed.
The next scene showed Wanye cooking. There was a knock on the door and Wanye opened the door. He found Ayumi clothed in Dream Knight armour and baring a sword.
"I'm sorry but this isn't the address for a costume party" Wanye said.
"Hand over the Dreamweaver!" Ayumi demanded.
"I don't know what you are talking about" Wanye attempted to shut the door but Ayumi stuck her foot in the doorway.
Wanye attempted to escape but was stabbed by Ayumi. He blacked out after muttering the word 'Dream'.
"This makes no sense. Why would the man who helped Wanye and the Nightmare King's family later turn against them?" Harry asked.
"You will find out the reason soon enough" Ryu explained.
In the scene that followed, Zan sat sadly in class. Ayumi sat beside him glancing at him every now and then.
"Zan, what's wrong?" Ayumi asked nonchalantly.
Zan remained silent.
"It's okay, you can tell me" Ayumi answered Zan.
"People can be really cruel. Why would anyone want to hurt an old man like Wanye?" Zan muttered.
"What do you mean Zan?" Ayumi asked.
"My gramps has been murdered and it's my entire fault. If only I had gone home early instead of thinking of funny drawings to make you laugh, he'd still be alive" Zan muttered and banged his fist on his desk.
Ayumi had a look of surprise on her face.
"You stayed in school to try and make me laugh?" Ayumi asked.
Zan remained silent.
"How did he die?" Ayumi asked.
"He was stabbed" Zan said.
A look of suspicion showed on Ayumi's face.
In the scene that followed, she was trailing Zan home after classes. Mixing in with the scene was a scene of the Nightmare King watching them through the Mirror Gate.
"I believe my son needs a little encouragement. Dream Banes! I have a job for you. Deliver my greetings to my son!" the Nightmare King ordered with a sinister laugh.
Suddenly, a number of creatures leapt through the Eternal Mirror Gate. Zan suddenly froze in his tracks.
"His senses are really sharp" Ayumi thought from her hiding place.
"Prince Ayzan Nightbane, your father wishes to see you" a sinister voice said.
"My father? Why do you call me prince? And who are you?" Zan asked the strange voice.
Almost immediately, he found himself surrounded by ten evil human sized bunnies with red eyes.
"How would you like to become everyone's nightmare?" they chorused together.
In an instant, Zan was running as fast as he could.
"Don't run Zan! FACE THEM!" Ayumi ordered but Zan grabbed her hand and pulled her away.
"You've got to fight them Zan!" Ayumi said.
"What?! Are you crazy?!" Zan yelled.
"Let go of me!" Ayumi yelled and broke free of his grasp.
"Ayumi, what's wrong?" Zan asked.
"A coward like you has no right to hold the hand of a Dream Knight of the highest order" Ayumi said and glanced at Zan with a serious disappointed look in her eyes.
Zan appeared to feel hurt by her words.
"Oh, I see, a brave girl from the human world thinks she can face us? What can you do?" the bunnies mocked.
"I AM AYUMI KIRISAWA OF THE KIRISAWA CLAN OF DREAM KNIGHTS! OBEY ME SIGILS OF FLAME! I SUMMON THEE!!!" Ayumi roared as a powerful flame surrounded her.
In an instant, she was clothed in crimson armour and bore a fiery sword. The bunnies attacked her but she decimated them while Zan cowered on the ground.
"You are really pathetic Zan. I really expected more from you" Ayumi said as she stared at Zan in disappointment.
As she scolded him, he appeared to stare behind her in shock.
"Ayumi b-behind you" Zan stammered.
Behind Ayumi was a gigantic bunny.
"Don't disrespect the son of the Nightmare King!" the creature said as it grabbed Ayumi and squeezed her in its massive paws.
Zan ran away screaming.
"DON'T RUN ZAN! IF YOU DO, YOU'LL DIE!!!" Ayumi screamed loudly.
Zan ignored her cries and kept running.
"You are aware of the stages that lead to the Ultimate Unconsciousness. Stage one, the victim is blinded by fear. He runs away from the nightmare hoping to escape. Stage two, the victim falls to the ground and loses all hope. Stage three, the final stage, the victim faces total paralysis as the nightmare engulfs his mind. His mind snaps and his body dies" the giant bunny said.
At that moment, Zan fell to the ground in fear. Ayumi's screams seemed to pierce through his heart.
"That rule applies to ordinary humans. If you are the Dreamweaver, it's an entire other story" a voice whispered within Zan's ear.
There was no one around but the three students knew whose voice it was for it was the voice of the Nightmare King, Zan's father.
"I know my dad is scary but Zan's father is way over the top" Harry said.
Buern nodded.
"HELP ME ZAN! PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!!" Ayumi screamed in pain.
"He appears to be testing the sort of person Zan is. Will he run away and leave Ayumi to perish or will he save her even as powerless as he is now?" Harry noted.
Zan stood up and turned to face the giant bunny.
"So you are still alive" the bunny laughed.
"If you value your life, you will let her go now!" Zan ordered.
Ayumi stared at Zan.
"His attitude has changed" Ayumi noticed.
"What will you do Prince Ayzan Nightbane?" the bunny mocked.
"A person can be killed by running away from nightmares right? So what if instead of running away from my nightmare, I run towards it!" Zan said with a cunning smile.
"You wouldn't dare!" the bunny roared angrily.
"Try me!" Zan challenged and charged towards the bunny.
"WHO THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" the bunny roared.
"I AM PRINCE AYZAN NIGHTBANE! HEED MY CALL SIGILS OF LIGHT!!!" Zan roared as golden light cloaked him in golden armour and provided him with a flashing golden blade.
"Impossible! That Sword is Hikari No Fukushu known to us as Light's Revenge but feared by all nightmares as the Nightbane!" Ayumi exclaimed in shock.
Zan charged towards the bunny filled with indignation. When close enough, he evaded a massive swipe of its paw by leaping into the air.
"I'LL SAY THIS JUST ONCE! LET AYUMI GO!!!" Zan roared and slashed the bunny through from head to foot.
It roared in pain, fell to the ground in two halves and disappeared. Ayumi fell to the ground. Zan rushed to her side.
"Ayumi! Are you alright?" Zan called and helped her to her feet.
"I'm fine Zan, thanks to you. I'm really sorry for calling you a coward" Ayumi apologized.
"If you hadn't, I'd have probably remained a coward for life" Zan panted heavily.
"Are you alright?" Ayumi asked but Zan collapsed.
"I guess this was his first time summoning sigils and controlling their power. For a beginner, you are really amazing" Ayumi said as she lifted him into her arms and walked away.
In the scene that followed, Zan awakened and found Ayumi looking after him.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"You've been unconscious for three whole days. My father and I have been taking good care of you" Ayumi said.
"WHAAAAT?!" Zan exclaimed in shock.
"You must be hungry" Ayumi said and motioned to one of the servants to bring Zan breakfast.
Zan struggled to his feet.
"What are you doing?!" Ayumi yelled angrily.
"I'm not supposed to be here and I think I've overstayed my welcome. I'm outta here" Zan said stubbornly.
"You can't just leave!" Ayumi argued.
"Watch me! Thanks for everything Ayu but I'm not some kind of leech to depend on you for everything!" Zan said.
"What did you just call me?!" Ayumi roared.
"I didn't say anything dear little Ayu" Zan said with a sly grin.
"CALL ME AYU AGAIN AND YOU'RE DEAD!" she yelled angrily.
"Why are you so angry Ayu?!" Zan provoked her even more.
"THAT'S IT! YOU'RE DEAD!!!" Ayumi roared as an attack from her tore a hole through the wall of the room.
Zan escaped through the hole and Ayumi chased after him.
They eventually ran into her father, Sir Ryuuji Kirisawa.
"Ayumi Kirisawa! Behave yourself! That is not how guests should be treated in this house!" Mr Kirisawa scolded.
"Yes father" Ayumi said obediently.
"Your sister wishes to see you Ayumi" Mr Kirisawa said.
In the scene that followed, Ayumi stood beside a bed. In the bed was her twin sister, Ai.
"How are you today Ai?" Ayumi asked worriedly.
"I feel weaker and weaker with each passing moment. It's been exactly five years since I was cursed by the Nightmare King. You know what that means don't you Ayu?" Ai said sadly.
"It's all my fault. You took the curse that was meant for me. I should be bedridden, not you" Ayumi said sadly as she sat beside her bedridden sister.
"I've always told you not to blame yourself" Ai said. "I heard you brought a stranger home. I'd like to meet him" Ai said.
"What makes you think it's a guy?" Ayumi asked.
"Because the look on your face just now is exactly the same look mom used to give dad whenever he was about to go on a dangerous mission" Ai said.
"Well, you're right about him being a boy. His name is Zan and he's the most annoyingly stubborn being I've ever met!" Ayumi growled angrily.
In the next scene, Zan was having a chat with Mr Kirisawa.
"Ayumi told me you have control over one of the most powerful sigils" Mr Kirisawa said.
"Sigils? What are you talking about?" Zan asked.
"Ayumi exposed her sigils to you and you revealed yours to her. Tell me boy, which clan of Dream Knights do you belong to" Mr Kirisawa asked.
"The Lion Clan" Zan said almost immediately but the way in which he said it almost made him sound sarcastic.
Mr. Kirisawa seemed to be in deep thought.
"Is anything the matter?" Zan asked.
"It's funny. The Lion Clan Of Knights are descended from the royal family. I thought they were all killed" Mr. Kirisawa asked in a way that seemed to suggest that he was beginning to get suspicious.
"My sigil is light natured. Your daughter called it 'Hikari no fukushu'. I don't know what it means though" Zan said.
"Light's revenge? Your sigil then is the Nightbane isn't it?" Mr. Kirisawa asked.
"Yes, it is" Zan answered.
"I see. It's an honour to meet you…uh…what was your name again?" Mr. Kirisawa asked.
"My name is Zan, just Zan, I don't have a surname" Zan said.
In the scene that followed, Zan stood before Ai's bed with Ayumi. He looked shocked.
"What's your name?" Ai asked.
"I-I-I-I…How can there be two Ayumis" he said.
"You're such an idiot Zan, she's my twin sister, Ai" Ayumi said emotionlessly.
Zan frowned at Ayumi but she ignored him.
"My name's Zan, just Zan, it means 'Dream'" Zan introduced himself proudly.
"Nice to meet you Just Zan. I'm Kirisawa Ai" Ai introduced herself.
In the scene that followed, Zan and Ai lay on the grass. Ai was staring into the sky and breathing deeply.
"Thank you Zan. I was wrong about you, Ayumi was too" Ai apologized.
"Could you guys leave us alone for a while?" Zan asked the servants.
They left.
"Ai, everyone thinks you're gonna die today don't they?" Zan asked Ai.
"It's what the Nightmare King said. 'This curse will slowly eat away this 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'. So far, everything he said has come true" Ai said sadly.
"Aren't you scared to die?" Zan asked Ai.
"I'm not scared to lose my life. What scares me is the fact that if I die, this family might forever be torn apart" Ai said.
"You're really brave Ai. I won't let you die. Close your eyes Ai and we will face this nightmare together" Zan promised.
"I can't. Whenever I shut my eyes, I see the Nightmare King" Ai said.
"If you really love your family then you must run towards your nightmare instead of away from it" Zan said.
Ai shut her eyes.
The next scene presented Ai and Zan before the Nightmare King.
"Don't fear him Ai" Zan whispered as he confronted the Nightmare King.
As Zan battled, the Nightmare King created false images of Ayumi and Mr Kirisawa to torture Ai.
"Ai! Don't listen to them! They're not your real family! Ai, don't doubt that Ayumi loves you" Zan said.
Ai nodded and wiped her tears.
"You're not really Ayumi and my dad! They would never ask me to give up on life!" Ai roared.
"No! She's finding her courage!" the Nightmare King seemed distressed.
"I AM AI KIRISAWA OF THE KIRISAWA CLAN OF DREAM KNIGHTS! OBEY ME SIGILS OF WATER! I SUMMON THEE!!!" Ai roared.
In an instant, she was surrounded by twisting pillars of water. She was clothed in sea blue armour and a sword made of ice crystals appeared in her hand. Ai attacked the false images and defeated them easily. Then she battled the Nightmare King.
"You can't defeat me Ai" the Nightmare King said.
"This is my mind and my body! You don't belong in my dreams. NOW GET OUT!!" Ai commanded as a blinding flash of light illuminated the darkness.
In the next scene, Zan and Ai were standing on the grass.
"Zan! I can walk!" Ai exclaimed excitedly and hugged Zan.
In the scene that followed, Zan was lying in bed in a hospital. It appeared he was dead because the sheets had been drawn over his head.
"ZAN!" Ayumi was crying over him bitterly. "It's all my fault, I always mess everything up. Ai got cursed because of me. And you Zan, you died because of my stubbornness. You are the first person to make me laugh in ages. Please don't die Zan!" Ayumi cried and pulled back the sheets to find Zan staring at her with wide open eyes.
"Hi Ayu!" he greeted eerily.
"AAAAAAHHH!!!" Ayumi screamed.
"AAAAAHHHH! A GHOST!!!" Ai screamed.
Zan leapt out of bed.
"A GHOST?! WHERE! WHERE!" Zan screamed in terror causing everyone to burst into laughter.
Now Zan and Ayumi were alone in the hospital as Ai and Mr Kirisawa had left to give them some time to talk.
"How can you be laughing?! You nearly died!" Ayumi yelled angrily.
"Are you sure you want to know Ayu?" Zan teased.
"I told you to stop calling me that. Now tell me why you're laughing" Ayumi asked in a rather friendly tone.
"It's because I found it funny to see your scared face and hear you scream" Zan said.
"You jerk!" Ayumi growled.
"But most of all, I'm glad you're here with me and you just showed me that you care about me" Zan said.
"You misinterpreted my feelings" Ayumi frowned and turned away but she was blushing.
Zan noticed this but pretended as though he hadn't.
"Fine, so you don't care about me so why are you here?" he provoked an argument.
After arguing for a while, Ayumi finally apologized.
"I never held anything against you to begin with. I already serenaded you didn't I? So though you don't care about me, I'm crazy about you so I don't hate you" Zan confessed.
Ayumi stared at him for a while and smiled.
"What? You think I'm weird?" Zan asked.
"No, just different" Ayumi said.
"I've heard you laugh but this is the first time I've seen you smile and I need to tell you, you may be beautiful when you're angry, but you're even more beautiful when you smile" Zan said and fell asleep.
"I'm really glad you're okay Zan, I'm honestly glad" Ayumi said as tears she had held back for so long finally flowed down her face.
In the scene that followed, Zan lay on a couch groaning in pain.
"Are you okay Zan?" Ai asked.
"I feel like I just got run over by a jumbo jet" Zan groaned in pain.
He looked like he was on the verge of crying.
"Ayumi sure gave you a hard time, didn't she?" Ai asked.
"Yeah, it's almost as if she has a personal vendetta against me" Zan said sadly.
Ai responded to his words by giggling.
"What's so funny?" Zan asked seriously.
"I think Ayumi actually cares for you" she said.
"WHAT?! IF YOU CALL THAT CARE, THEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN SHE ACTUALLY HATES ME?!" Zan exclaimed in disbelief.
"Can I tell you a secret Zan?" Ai asked.
"Sure" Zan said.
"You must promise not to repeat this to anyone especially not Ayumi" Ai said.
"Well, that's the whole point of keeping a secret isn't it?" Zan said rhetorically.
"You're right. Okay, so here goes. Ayumi is not the kind of person that is good at displaying her feelings. It's mostly because since mom died, Ayumi tried to be mother, sister and Dream Knight all at the same time. She never had the privilege of making friends, and whenever she did, she always ended up scaring them off. Part of her is scared of forming new relationships. I'm sure by now, she's frightened by the fact that you'll eventually abandon her so she has put up this massive wall of defense to ensure that she doesn't ever get hurt again. She cares about you but she's just scared that she'll scare you off so she's being extra hard on you and pretends to hate you. She doesn't want to be shocked when you leave and now more than ever, she wants to make sure that you're strong enough to protect yourself. This new world you're about to face is unlike any nightmare you've ever encountered. Ayumi doesn't want to be hurt when you either decide to quit and leave or fall in battle" Ai explained.
"Whoa, sounds like Ayumi's got a lot of issues. I understand her now. I'm gonna try my best to become the strongest Dream Knight and I'll always protect Ayumi and the Kirisawa family. That is a promise" Zan swore.
Ai turned away.
"You really love Ayumi don't you?" she asked.
"Huh? Where did that suddenly come from?" Zan attempted to hide his feelings.
"There's no hiding it Zan. Your eyes are suddenly filled with light whenever you see her and you always want to make her angry" Ai said seriously.
"And how does that prove anything?" Zan asked.
"You're a really good guy Zan. One of the best guys I've ever known. Please take good care of my sis" Ai said.
Zan nodded.
Suddenly, Ayumi's loud voice broke the silence calling to Zan to resume his training.
"I expected you to have packed your bags and left by now" Ayumi said once Zan was on the field.
"You don't scare me Ayumi. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not. We are going to be partners for a long time. We will find the stones together, beat the seven souls of evil together, defeat the nightmare together, get married and have kids together" Zan said with a sly grin.
"If you're trying to anger me, then you've succeeded! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Ayumi charged to attack Zan.
He evaded her attacks for five minutes but was disarmed on the sixth minute.
"You've actually grown a bit stronger" Ayumi complimented.
"And I'll grow much stronger! Strong enough to disarm you! Strong enough to protect you! A-a-and strong enough for you to actually fall in love with me" Zan said with a sly grin.
In the next scene, Zan was back on the couch.
"Was I dreaming?" he asked Ai who was staring at him.
"Nope, that was real" Ai said just as the backlash from Ayumi's retaliation began to catch up with him.
In the scene that followed, Zan sat watching an anime.
"A strong sword doesn't make its wielder strong. Why do Dream Knights always call out their identity before their sigils appear? It doesn't make sense…unless…?!" Zan seemed to have realized something important.
In the next scene, it was late afternoon and Ayumi was waiting for Zan with an unpleasant smirk.
"I've got to admit Zan that I'm really impressed with you. No matter how hard I beat you, you always keep coming back for more" Ayumi said.
"I told you Ayu, you're stuck with me whether you like it or not" Zan said.
"Don't you value your life Zan? It's almost as if you're begging for death" Ayumi said worriedly.
"I do value my life Ayumi, more than anything else but I'm not afraid to lose it because my life is strong enough to protect itself" Zan said with a smile.
"You're not making much sense" Ayumi sighed in exasperation.
"Don't you get it already Ayumi? You are my life!" Zan declared and summoned his sigil.
Ayumi stared at him in surprise.
"Don't make fun of me Zan!" Ayumi roared and summoned her sigil.
"You are my life Ayumi and I must be strong enough to prove to you that I'm strong enough to protect you!" Zan declared with determination.
There was no trace of the usual sarcasm in his voice and Ayumi noticed it.
"Here I come Zan!" Ayumi roared and charged to attack.
She took her first swing and Zan leapt back so she would miss but she paired her strike with a turning kick. Zan shut his eyes. He ducked much to Ayumi's surprise. Ayumi thrust her blades forward quickly as though she intended to stab him but he evaded to the right. Ayumi responded by turning her blade and initiating a lateral strike. Zan leaned back so far that her blade passed over him.
"I don't know how you're able to dodge all of my moves but now I'll no longer hold back!" Ayumi roared and performed a reverse somersault landing a distance away from Zan.
"FLAME SIGILS OF THE KIRISAWA CLAN, GIVE ME THE POWER OF THE BURNING FLAME OF COURAGE!!!" Ayumi roared and her sigil disappeared.
"Huh? What's going on?" Zan asked in a puzzled tone.
"You know Zan, the sigil you've seen me fight with isn't the actual form of my sigil. It is actually the dormant form of my sigil" Ayumi said.
"Great, just great! So now, you're not just strong, you're freakishly strong" Zan said in sarcasm.
"I'll show you the true active form of my sigil. I AYUMI KIRISAWA OF THE KIRISAWA CLAN OF DREAM KNIGHTS, HEIRESS AND TRUE SUCCESSOR TO THE BURNING PATH OF FLAME SUMMON THEE! PYROGEYSERS! TWIN SCIMITARS OF FURY!!!" Ayumi roared.
In the next moment, Ayumi stood before Zan clothed in flaming crimson armour. A crimson fiery headband was tied around her forehead and in her hands were two wicked looking Arabian swords.
"Am I scary enough now Zan?" Ayumi asked.
"How can you be scary? Being scared of you is like being scared of myself, it just makes no sense" Zan laughed.
"Let's see for how long your optimism can last Zan!" Ayumi charged with great speed to attack Zan.
"There is just one fatal flaw with your power up Ayu" Zan said and evaded her first strike.
"Why can't I hit you?" she complained.
"Here's the thing Ayumi. I'm sensing your attacks by predicting the path of the wind. The stronger the flame, the hotter the wind and the more easy it is to evade your attacks" Zan said confidently.
"You've got to be kidding me" Ayumi said in disbelief.
"No, I'm not. I also realized something else. The reason why Dream Knights identify themselves before their sigil appears. It's not just to sound cool. It's because the sigil isn't just a weapon. It is a manifestation of its wielder's nature. The sigil is the identity of the Dream Knight and in knowing that truth I've gained another power" Zan said with a laugh.
"Stop kidding around Zan! Just knowing that can't give you power" Ayumi said.
"You said the stone of light is the symbol of truth and that it seals lies right? You also called your power the burning path of courage. My sigil is light-natured and so…I walk the path of truth and I have only one truth and it's that I want to protect you with all my strength. If my truth is to protect you, then that truth becomes part of the Nightbane. I won't lose to you Ayumi! I PRINCE AYZAN NIGHTBANE ACKNOWLEDGE THE NIGHTBANE AS A MANIFESTATION OF MY WILL! MY WILL! MY TRUTH IS TO PROTECT AYUMI SO PLEASE SIGILS OF LIGHT, GIVE ME THE POWER TO PROVE TO AYUMI THAT I CAN PROTECT HER!!!" Zan roared.
At that moment, his heart began to pulsate with light, a very strong light that flowed through his veins into the Nightbane. The Nightbane responded by pulsating till it was in sync with the beating of his heart. A sudden burst of angelic silver light engulfed Zan and the golden blade of the Nightbane shattered to reveal a shining silvery white blade made of light. The Nightbane rose from his hand and floated before him. Both Zan and Ayumi stared at it in amazement.
"PRINCE AYZAN NIGHTBANE! SON OF THE DARKNESS! SON OF THE LIGHT! TAKE THIS NEW SWORD IN YOUR HAND AND KNOW THIS! YOUR LOVE HAS CHANGED THE NATURE OF THE BLADE! IT IS NO LONGER A SWORD OF VENGEANCE BUT OF LOVE! FROM NOW ON, HIKARI NO FUKUSHU CEASES TO EXIST! THIS NEW SWORD SHALL BE KNOWN AS AI NO HIKARI! A SYMBOL THAT DREAMS ARE A SIGN OF HOPE AND NOT DESPAIR! TAKE THIS SWORD AND PROVE YOUR STRENGTH TO THE ONE YOU LOVE!" an invisible voice from heaven said.
Zan shuddered at the voice.
Ayumi smiled.
"The name of your sword means 'The Light Of Love'" she explained. "Show me just how strong you are!" Ayumi roared and charged to attack.
Zan stared at the sword.
"This sword is sworn to protect Ayumi so it can never hurt her. Now I can fight without holding back. Thank you God" Zan said gratefully and charged to attack Ayumi.
She raised her twin scimitars and aimed for a strike. Just before she could strike, Zan stomped the ground hard and charged in with all his might. His sigil shattered Ayumi's and passed right through her. Ayumi screamed in pain as a massive amount of flame began to escape from her body.
"HOW DARE YOU INTERFERE ZAN?!" a sinister voice roared.
Zan frowned.
"Who are you and what are you doing in Ayumi's body?!" Zan yelled angrily.
"I am Cowardice, the first soul of evil!" the flames declared.
"Cowardice?! That doesn't make sense. Ayumi has been brave, she's the bravest girl I know so how could you possess her?!" Zan roared.
"Well you have defeated me so before I return to my imprisonment within the Mirror Gate, I will tell you. Ayumi may look brave to you but she is actually the biggest coward in this family. She is afraid of virtually everything, from relationships to losing the people she loves. To cowards like her, I am strength. I gave her a heart that could not love and with that came her fearlessness but make no mistake Zan, fearlessness is not courage for he who fears nothing will become nothing" Cowardice said.
"It still makes no sense! Ayumi is brave! She risked her life to save me from my nightmare!" Zan declared.
"I admire your faith in her but she did call you a coward and a weakling and ignored her own cowardice" Cowardice said.
"She ignored her fears, she is brave!" Zan argued.
"Foolish human, you are more ignorant that I imagined. But soon, very soon, you too shall face true fear for the greatest form of Cowardice in this world is denying your fears! I will see you again Dream and then we will see just how brave you are. For now, you can have the gem of fire" Cowardice said as a gem dropped from the flames.
Ayumi collapsed from exhaustion and Zan caught her in his arms. She opened her eyes and smiled at Zan.
"Zan, you saved me" she said.
"It wasn't easy. You beat me up a lot before I could finally reach you" Zan said with a laugh.
Ayumi began to weep. Zan stared at her in surprise.
"Why are you crying Ayu? If I said something to offend you, I'm really sorry" Zan apologized.
"You won't abandon me like everyone else will you Zan?" Ayumi said.
Her words appeared to confuse Zan.
"I won't, I promise" Zan swore.
"I'm glad" Ayumi said as she lost consciousness.
Zan carried her to her room and lay her on her bed. Then he gave her a goodnight kiss to her forehead and left her room. Then he headed to his own room having a short conversation with Ayumi's father and handing him the stone of fire.
In his room, he dropped on his bed but before he drifted off into sleep, he sat up suddenly.
"If I fell in love with mean Ayumi and Ayumi was nice to me after Cowardice left her…then the one I really fell in love with…WASN'T IT COWARDICE?! WHAT THE HELL?!" he screamed in horror.