THE STONES OF PURITY AND GOODNESS VS THE SOULS OF DECAY AND SLOTH PART I: SAITO KIRISAWA'S ORDEAL
MAY 25TH, 2006…THE HUMAN REALM
The three students noted that this was the Day the Battle Of Black Water Bridge began. They were now in a room within the Kirisawa mansion. Saito Kusanagi sat on her bed, her health had waned a lot and she appeared to realize that she didn't have much longer to live. Saito looked very uneasy.
A maid walked into Saito's room.
"Dinner is ready ma'am. Would you like to come down to the table or would you prefer it if I brought your food upstairs?" the maid asked.
"Is there any news regarding my husband and daughters?" Saito asked.
"No ma'am. We haven't heard anything new concerning them. Last we heard, Ayumi had engaged the Nightmare King at Black Water Bridge" the maid said.
"I see" Saito said downheartedly.
"Pardon me ma'am, it would be out of place for me to say this but…you look really scared" the maid said.
"Of course I do. I don't have much longer to live" Saito said with a sad laugh.
Some tears escaped her eyes even though she tried to look strong. She wiped them and struggled to speak while maintaining her composure.
"Forgive me for showing you this weakness of mine" Saito apologized.
"It's not weakness ma'am. It's 'human'. It may sound naïve and insensitive to say this at this point in your life ma'am but…though fear is inherently an evil force and a terrifying one at that…I don't believe all forms of fear are evil. At times, fear can help one grow" the maid said.
"Why do you say that?" Saito asked.
"I'm not talking of the kind of fear we've come to know ma'am. It may sound conceited coming from a maid like myself but…sometimes humans just need to know their place. When we realize that we're weak alone, when we realize that we can't go it all alone and that we need someone to support us when we lose balance…then we can be truly strong" the maid said.
"You must either be pretty bold or simply too inexperienced to say such a thing. I once believed in that as well…but no matter what we say, some forms of fear are just…too crippling!" Saito said as she burst into tears.
"Ma'am, I'm not as inexperienced as you may think. I've been called a lot of names because of my Christian faith…and because I try to be kind to as many people as I can be…even if it brings me disgrace. I've been denounced many times and betrayed because I keep on trusting people. I'm not naïve ma'am and every single day, I fear betrayal but I know there is one person that would never betray me, my own God. That is why I can keep on reaching out no matter how many names I'm called…no matter how disgraced I'm made to look in the eyes of others. It may sound stupid to you and though this may surprise you…even we Christians fear death…but not as you do. We constantly worry about whether we'd be prepared to give our lives in sacrifice if our God demands it. We worry about the future, when we'd be forced to choose between our mortal lives and the souls of the people our deaths are meant to bring into Eternity. We realize we're 'meek'. Yes, to you we're weak. We're supposed to look weak in your eyes…but the difference between meekness and weakness is that of ignorance versus knowledge. A weak person is ignorant of the strength he possesses. A meek person willfully suppresses his true strength in order to avoid hurting others. And more than anyone else, I know you're not weak ma'am but you're afraid, afraid to trust someone you've never known but that's also the same reason you fear death so much. It's because to you…it's a finality and everything after is unknown but we see what's beyond death ma'am. But even then, we're still human…and we still fear death to be honest with you; but not 'death' in itself but 'the process of transformation' it brings. Whether the process be for an eternity of bliss or torment though depends on the person who undergoes that transformation. It's the second baptism…by fire" the maid said.
Saito stared at the maid in awe. She stared at her and noticed certainty in the maid's demeanour.
"What would it take to understand the things you understand in a single day, to be able to view things from your perspective?" Saito asked.
"It takes one to forsake oneself and others…for the sake of oneself and others, and most importantly, for the God who loved us so much that he died for us so that we could enjoy an eternity of happiness with him" the maid said.
Saito acknowledged the maid's certainty as well as the risk the maid had taken to speak of the topic of death to Saito's face but Saito was beginning to feel more hopeful after speaking with the maid.
"Do I have to abandon my family and everyone I love to gain what you have?" Saito asked.
The maid chuckled slightly.
"I can see you're quite the manga fan aren't you Mrs Kirisawa? Fortunately, it's quite the other way around. It's not people you have to forsake. It's the things people have come to place their trust in like say…money, insurance, security and a ton of bodyguards, maybe an awesome badass sword or rocket launcher. I'm quite a fan of rocket launchers myself!" the maid laughed.
"Wait a sec…is this…a Christian expressing love for weapons?" Saito wondered.
"I must sound pretty weird. But you know, I've always found it cool how some movies combine guns with acrobatics and some games are just awesome! I sooo love Devils May Die!" the maid said.
"Hmm, how did a serious topic about life and death suddenly turn into manga, movies and videogames? I must say this girl is quite interesting. Are all Christians like you?" Saito asked.
"I can't speak for all of us but I'm just me" the maid said.
"Well, you seem like quite an interesting person now that I've had the chance to talk with you like this. At first I just thought you were either extremely introverted or just dumb" Saito said.
"That's pretty mean Mrs Kirisawa" the maid said with a tearful look.
Saito patted her on the head.
"Sorry, sorry. You know, you remind me so much of my daughter Ai. She endures so much from her sister Ayu. She really has a strong heart and I know if anyone can pull Ayumi out of darkness, she definitely can" Mrs Kirisawa said. "I know! Since I have nothing more to lose anyway, why don't I just follow you to Church! You will be going today won't you?" Saito asked.
"We don't really have an official service today and it's probably too late already…but why not. Let's go see what's going on there. You can be sure something interesting's always going on there if your eyes are opened" the maid said.
"And there she goes dropping off one of the most hated Christian bylines" Saito sighed.
AROUNG 2:30 GMT…
Mrs Kirisawa and her maid sat in Church listening to the priest. The priest spoke of Jesus' sacrifice and his homily was centred on the two kinds of baptism every Christian would have to undergo…coincidentally.
"John The Baptist said of Jesus; I baptize you with water as a symbol of your repentance but the one who will come after me will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Spirit!" the priest said.
Saito raised her hand suddenly, her mind being drawn to her daughters after hearing of the two elements. Her maid slapped herself on the forehead but chose to remain calm.
"What is this baptism you speak of and what does it signify? And how is it logical to be baptized by two contrasting elements that stand in opposition to one another constantly" Saito asked.
The priest smiled, impressed by her curiousity.
"To answer your question ma'am, I'd first like to ask you…what makes you think water and fire are contrasting elements. They may actually be two elements of a similar nature. Can you explain that?" the priest asked.
"I think you might be wrong there. Water is a gentle element. It is soothing to touch and it almost never hurts. It cleanses almost everything in nature and can almost always be seen through. Water allows us to see ourselves" Saito said.
The priest smiled.
"That is true and I'm amazed at how much you know. However when water becomes mixed with too much dirt, it is a disgusting thing to look at is it not? It can be violent and destructive and at times, it can be very unpredictable" the priest said.
"But it's always soothing to touch" Saito said.
"I don't quite agree with you ma'am. Even without the presence of fire, water can still 'burn'. When water becomes too cold, touching it almost feels like a sting especially when it's frozen. If you drink it in that state, it can feel as though all your teeth are about to fall out and your brain feels like exploding" the priest said.
Saito laughed.
"I can't argue with that" she said.
"And what do you think about fire?" the priest asked her.
"Fire is a destructive element even when it is calm. It is energizing though and is the reason we can live. It is warm and beautiful in nature but very destructive as well" Saito said.
"You've admitted that both Water and Fire are destructive and at the same time soothing elements" the priest said.
"But water purifies almost everything" Saito argued.
"True, yet fire purifies that which water cannot. It is only through fire that the beauty of the elements in nature, the minerals can be fully revealed. Fire burns away dirt. Water washes it away. But for the dirt to be gotten rid of…it must either be completely immersed in water or consumed by fire…by drowning or burning…and in both cases, something of a nature dies so that another nature, even more beautiful can be revealed" the priest said.
"I think I understand…" Saito said.
"However, in the case of us Christians, we must both be drowned and burned for the beauty inside us to be fully manifest" the priest said.
"What?! Suicide?! Don't tell me you all attempted suicide in order to become Christians!" Saito exclaimed in horror.
"In a way, we do…but then again…it's not quite an accurate way to put it. To put it in a way you can understand better, take the 'drowning' and 'burning' as symbolic processes meant to kill something…and that thing…is our individualistic nature. Baptism in a way portrays the wisdom of God in the law… 'for one thing to be gained, another must be lost', 'for one to live, another must be sacrificed'…but in this case…in following the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 'for the sake of ourselves and others, we forsake ourselves and others. A sword has been placed between our spirits and our minds. An enmity over confronting wills. At the same time, that same enmity between Light and Darkness can tear us from our loved ones…and that is precisely why Jesus said of Himself that…he came not to unify but to place enmity between even relatives. For every Christian is faced with a moment in life where he or she would have to choose between God and family. It's like some sort of riddle, a tricky riddle, but the beauty of the riddle is that the answer will not be realized immediately. Making one choice will mean forsaking the other…but there is the chance that making a choice between one and the other will save the one making the choice as well as the choice he/she decides to forsake" the priest explained.
"But why do you need to be baptized by both water and fire? One of the elements could just symbolize a cleansing. Do you really have to burn yourselves as well?" Saito asked.
"We 'drown' ourselves through baptism to symbolize the perishing of our selfish nature…but we don't burn ourselves. It is the Holy Spirit Of God that burns us" the priest said with a smile.
He seemed really happy but there was a sorrow mingled in his smile that made his smile even more beautiful.
"Why would your God burn you if you worship him? Shouldn't he always protect you and grant you the power to trample your foes?" Saito asked.
"He has given us all that power you speak of ma'am" the priest said.
"Call me Saito" Saito introduced herself.
"But…what good would it do us…if our God shielded us from every single evil thing in existence? What good does it do a parent to raise his child by hiding his child from every evil thing in the world? If you give the child everything he desires, you will give the child the things that will hurt him even more in the future but if you give the child the things he needs…even against his own desire, you will heal his wounds and strengthen his heart. However, that will not change the fact that the child will have to suffer and endure pain first. A chick only becomes a bird when it risks its life to flap its wings…and there is no guarantee that it will not die. If it doesn't die, it will be injured several times by falling…and even when it doesn't fall, it will have to endure the strain on its wings. A cub only becomes a lion after being cast into a crevice and finding its way back up. No matter how cruel it is, it is parental love. The offspring of many a spider feed on the flesh of their own mother to survive, then they have to live as orphans for the rest of their lives and a human child endures falling many times…and the strain of weight before learning to walk effortlessly. No matter how cruel it may seem, it is God's way of showing love…and that pain is the baptism by fire every human must face. However…only few can truly understand the significance of the suffering this world endures…but as Christians…we've come to believe that…a victory is more enjoyable after suffering many trials and defeats. For the sake of ourselves and others, we must forsake ourselves and others" the priest said.
Saito stared at him in surprise, then she frowned.
"Isn't it all wishful thinking? Isn't it your way of running away from the cruelty of death? Your way of justifying death and trying to escape the finality of our lives?" Saito asked.
The priest smiled.
"We've never seen God with these human eyes but we know…we don't need to see him to believe in him. We feel him within our very hearts…and that is why even when we endure pain, we can shed tears of joy. Tears are a symbol of sorrow…but why does extreme joy lead to the shedding of tears? The joy of the Holy Spirit isn't fanciful pleasure…or a happiness without sorrow. It is a sorrow that can be expressed in the language of happiness…or the happiness that can be expressed even in the language of sorrow…but does the existence of God really have to matter in this case? Just think about this Saito. Which sounds more logical…if God exists, accepting him means eternal life and bliss. It means eternal happiness even in this fractured human world. On the other hand, even if God doesn't exist…isn't it better to want to believe he exists so that you don't have to endure a death even worse than death…which is the fear of complete erasure; than to endure the fear that you could die any moment, and be forgotten forever? Why do you choose to believe your existence is meaningless even if…deluding yourself into giving your existence meaning will make you happier than facing a harsher truth that you're just a random accident? And even then…chances are that harsh truth you've decided to accept might even be a lie" the priest said.
"But there is no scientific proof that supports any theory of the afterlife!" Saito roared.
"I am a scientist as well Saito…and you are wrong. There is indeed scientific proof that supports the theory of the afterlife…and to reveal your ignorance, that truth is universally accepted and at the same time…its spiritual fulfillment and completion is denied. That truth is the law… 'Energy can neither be created nor destroyed…but can be transformed from one state to another'. If energy is neither created nor destroyed but 'transformed', then even when the vessel containing the said energy wears out and disappears for good…the energy itself continues to exist in a renewed transformed state. More can be added to energy…and energy grows by borrowing from other energies…but nothing can ever be taken away from energy. For such a thing to occur, a thing known as 'minus energy' would have to exist and that thing is what we commonly refer to as resistance...but even resistance is never negative is it? If resistant energy is indeed negative…then by adding resistant energy to the flow of positive energy…energy can be cancelled out yet you accept that energy cannot be destroyed? The chances of destroying energy are very much the same as the chances of erasing a memory completely. Yet you know, memories can never completely be erased. Memories can be rejected…and they can be altered…but they can never be erased. If memory can be erased…then knowledge can be erased. If knowledge can be erased…by implication, the human soul can be erased. If the soul can be erased, then energy can indeed be destroyed…and if energy can indeed be destroyed by anyone but God, then that would make God a liar in effect, rendering his claim as God void, but then again, that would make humans liars as well since we've all come to accept that law as truth. Yet if humans can find a way to destroy energy, that means that the means to destroy energy does indeed exist…and if it does exist…it means God is indeed truthful since it is humans that declared the law of energy…thus in humanity's efforts to render God's existence and claim as God null and void…we endlessly contradict ourselves all the while proving God to be truer and truer and exposing his magnificence even more. We willingly decide to stand in opposition to God and declare ourselves intelligent, yet our intelligence exposes God's wisdom to the truly wise and makes we the discoverers look like fools when we deny God's existence. If we end up proving the power and wonders of a supreme force even we cannot comprehend…in an attempt to deny him…that must tell you that…one of us, between God and humans is a liar and I don't need to tell you which is the logical pick" the priest said.
Saito was silenced.
"Saito…you may have lost some precious friends…many of them in fact, but you remember them don't you? How do you remember something that doesn't exist? You remember them…their names, and how they looked. These memories last for a long time…yet you will realize that the very first thing you forget is 'how they looked', their physical appearance. That is why we keep pictures and paintings to remind ourselves of our loved ones. You cannot remember anything that does not exist…even when we forget form…we carry the memories of a smile, of a happy unforgettable moment in our hearts forever…even to death and beyond. It is also precisely why a grudge can carry on even after death. After vengeance…bitterness and dissatisfaction remain; even after taking away the life of the object of our hatred. This dissatisfaction is simply because… 'Though our minds tell us that our foe is gone forever; our spirits tell us that our enemy continues to exist in some form…somewhere'. Memories cannot be destroyed because the soul cannot be destroyed. You cannot create something that doesn't exist. Everything man has ever made reflects something already existing in nature, and applies rules existing within God's creation. It carries on even into art and literature. The depths of good you can portray in any work created by your hands…portrays the good you yourself are capable of. Needless to say, the worst character you could ever create in any literary work only portrays the very depths of evil you yourself are capable of" the priest said. "For that reason we continue to endure, realizing that though we dwell in weak suffering bodies, within each of us dwell the spirit and soul of God himself…and each of us has the power to reflect his divine attributes" the priest said.
Saito was shedding tears by then.
"I'm dying…" she confessed.
"I know" the priest replied.
Saito stared at him in shock.
"You were seeking comfort when you walked into this Church and right now, more than anything, I can see that you wish to be baptized…but it is not the will of my father that your baptism occurs here and now" the priest smiled as a dazzling light flashed all around the Church.
Saito looked around and saw many heavenly beings. Many of them held musical instruments. They smiled and waved. Some even winked and some were daring enough to blow kisses.
"Saito…I am Jesus Christ…the Creator Of Everything that exists and the Light darkness can never comprehend. I am the Son Of God and the same person that died as a human…so that you and all your family can live" the priest said with a smile.
Saito opened her eyes in shock.
"It may be hard to believe Saito but through you…I will redefine my will for all of humanity" Jesus smiled.
"I…" Saito burst into tears.
"I know I am nothing like the image of the 'gods' you've come to know. I did not create you for the sake of entertainment and I did not create any human for the sake of entertainment either. I am God so I can't ever be bored…however…I can feel the aching need to express my love…and that was the sole reason I created everything. So I could display my love…in and through everything. It's true as well, I do love writing epic dramas…and of course I am the Chosen One, that's hard to dispute…but in this story…every single person gets to write out how they wish to contribute to the Eternal Kingdom I am about to establish and the Ultimate Defeat Of Evil. My Kingdom is a large one built upon the foundation of the good deeds of my people and their deeds never fade. You asked why I don't share my power with humans and protect them no matter what? But you are wrong about that Saito. It is not just my power I share…I share nothing less than my very own self. You have everything that I am;
A Soul bestowed upon you by My Father;
A Body modeled after my very own;
And a Spirit that never ceases to move…just like the Spirit My Father and I share. You are everything that I am…and everything I've ever wanted to make. You are a perfect image of me, and an aspect of myself I want to show through you, more than through anyone else.
You…are courageous…
You…are kind…
You…are strong…
And above everything else…you endure…and one of your daughters has taken after you wonderfully" Jesus said.
In an instant, Jesus revealed to Saito what the true image of a human looks like. The beauty made Saito cry.
"Why can't I be baptized now?" Saito asked.
"That is because…it is My will…to baptize you with fire, water…and My Spirit at the same time" Jesus said.
"But what is the point of that…if I die before learning more about you and the gifts you've given me. On top of that, my husband refuses to accept you…and Ayumi, well…I hate to say this but…she becomes more and more bloodthirsty every single day" Saito said sadly.
"In every family Saito…there is a black sheep however…regardless of whether a sheep is black or white or multi-coloured like the rainbow, a sheep remains a sheep…and not every black sheep is a bad omen, or a failure" Jesus said.
"I dreamt of so much when I was young…but…I'm not even…going to see my daughters get married" Saito cried.
"You probably wouldn't have…however thanks to the stubborn nature of your husband…I promise you…that you will indeed live to see your daughters get married. You will see Ayumi happy and Ai united with the man of her dreams…and your house will become one of laughter again…and in time people will come to call you, the Sister Of The God Who Is So Pacifistic He Even Threatens Threats. I must say, I am very fond of some of the names humans have come to call me by. I will keep this promise, after all…I was challenged by a man making a desperate plea that put his very soul on the line…and as a fellow man…raised by my earthly father Joseph…who taught me…a real man never runs from challenges…I say bring it on Ryuuji Kirisawa" Jesus said with a laugh.
MAY 26TH, 2006…THE SECOND DAY OF THE BATTLE OF BLACK WATER BRIDGE…THE HUMAN REALM…
While the Battle Of Black Water Bridge raged on in the Dream World, Saito monitored events on the news as rumours of a mysterious ailment that caused people to die in their sleep was being broadcasted. It was an ailment that annihilated several families but Saito knew that these were symptoms of the Ultimate Unconsciousness that befell Human Dream Knights that had fallen in battle.
There were many conspiracy theories and wild assumptions. Nations were just one step away from martial law. Mistrust was breeding quickly for fear of the detonation of unidentified biological weapons and international threats were being broadcast everywhere. Deadlines were already being issued and the Christmas Season was already becoming a Nightmare.
Saito watched anxiously.
"Ryuuji, Ayumi, Ai, you need to end this war quickly" she said weakly.
Her health had waned even more since the previous day and she was still unsure of the experience she had had the previous night. She couldn't tell whether it was a dream or real…but her spirit told her, it was too real to be unreal. She got up and decided to walk to the gardens. She felt it would at least cheer her up to think of her daughters and husband there. She didn't want to imagine that they could end up as casualties of 'The Ultimate Unconsciousness'.
MAY 28TH, 2006; THE FINAL DAY OF SAITO KUSANAGI'S LIFE
Saito had finally received some news from the Battlefield. Her friend Arlene was kind enough to keep her informed. The battle was becoming desperate but her husband and daughters were still alive. Saito breathed a sigh of relief as tears flowed down her eyes. That was all she wanted to hear.
Arlene had talked with Saito a bit, returning to Saito a bit of her cheerfulness. The two ladies talked about their dreams for the future, though they both were unsure of whether they'd live to see those dreams accomplished. After Arlene left, Saito called some of her maids together and asked them to fetch the chauffeur. They obeyed without question.
When the chauffeur arrived, Saito suggested they all go shopping together. According to her, they'd been working very hard lately and she wanted to give them a treat. They were all excited of course. Eventually, it took about five different cars to move everyone out of the house. Saito and her servants, now renamed her friends, headed out into Dream City.
They went shopping, went to the classiest of restaurants, watched movies together, and even had a picnic on the mountain Ryuuji had proposed to Saito at around sunset roughly about fifteen years ago. Saito felt much happier though she felt the last of her strength would probably leave her soon.
As night drew nearer, the servants begged permission to go prepare the evening meal for Saito and her family in case they were to return that night. The maid Saito had spoken to much earlier decided to remain by her side.
"Why don't we take a stroll through Lower East Side Dream City? I don't think I've been there in over ten years now" Saito said.
The maid nodded.
The two women were driven by the chauffeur to the outskirts of Central Dream City. There, the chauffeur dropped them in accordance with Saito's request. He waited patiently as Saito and the maid headed out of sight.
The two women walked on. As they trudged the dangerous streets alone, they slowly felt the air grow thicker. It was quite humid. The moon was not glowing as brilliantly as it normally did and gloomy clouds hid the stars. The most fearful thing at the time was the thick mist that seemed to envelope them.
As they walked on, Saito could hear her maid utter a string of words she could not hear. She assumed they were prayers.
"Sa-a-a-ai-i-i-ito" a sinister voice beckoned.
Saito and her maid held each other closely out of fear.
"S-a-i-to, Saito Kirisawa" the voice called, becoming clearer and clearer with each passing moment.
As the two women walked on, they gradually became aware of voices crying for help. There were two voices screaming desperately for help! The voices of children, and then…the feet of the two women touched the edge of a river.
"Your baptism begins now…Saito Kusanagi…" a kind voice whispered within Saito.
Her trembling slowly began to cease as a sad smile spread across Saito's face. She turned to her maid.
"Wait for me here. I'm going to find myself…and a hope for everyone. Tell my husband and daughters this…I WILL DEFINITELY RETURN!" Saito said as she ran ahead into the mist.
"Ma'am! Saito!!!" her maid called after her as Saito slowly faded into the mist.
There was utter silence as the water returned to its murkiness. The Grave Of Unforgiving Souls had finally claimed its final victim.
AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE BATTLE OF BLACK WATER BRIDGE
The Kirisawas arrived home to discover that Saito was in critical condition in Second Chance Hospital. She appeared to be one of the many people whose case could not be explained but the Kirisawas knew the truth right away. Their beloved Saito Kirisawa…had finally fallen to the Ultimate Unconsciousness.
Ryuuji tried his best to comfort his daughters and he knew it wasn't Saito's wish that he take it out on the servants.
"I won't accept this!" he roared once the extended family had gathered in his home to talk to him.
He charged into the Dream World and headed straight for the Nightmare King's castle.
"You can restore her consciousness, can't you San?" he asked.
"You seem to be mistaking me for someone else. I share your grief…but I'm not God" the Nightmare King said…almost coldly.
"You understand my pain Sanziri Nightbane! Why won't you help me?!" Ryuuji roared.
"I can probably restore your wife's consciousness…but it is not my place to decide. Her life was harmed by Zanfar…true; but she died very naturally. There is nothing I can do" the Nightmare King said.
"What do you mean?" Ryuuji asked.
"The usual Ultimate Unconsciousness is triggered by immense spiritual fear and results in the death of the mind. It is caused by Despair. There are those that give in to it…and those that accept it on their own terms. Saito was cursed by Zanfar to experience a far more intense form of that Despair…but though she feared…she bent the curse to suit her own terms. Firstly, she saw her daughters become strong women capable of fending for themselves, secondly…though it might sound strange to the point of being sadistic, I must say she might have felt a bit happy to see the worry she was causing you" the Nightmare King said.
"Yeah, no kidding" Ryuuji muttered.
"But Saito wasn't destroyed by Despair like many others. She held on hoping to save you as well. She accepted the curse finally but chose to use that curse to bring hope to others…and that was what purged the evil in the Grave Of Unforgiving Souls" the Nightmare King said.
"Rotten River?! Do you mean Saito drowned?!" Ryuuji roared in anger.
"Yes…and no. She drowned in water, true…but at the same time it was not water. She broke the surface; the still fearful calm of the surface of that Grave" the Nightmare King said.
"TEMAE! I DID NOT COME HERE FOR A LESSON IN THEOLOGY OR PHILOSOPHY!!! CAN YOU SAVE MY WIFE OR NOT?!" Ryuuji roared.
"I won't" the Nightmare King said calmly. "It's about time you grew up Ryuuji…you're becoming an eyesore" the Nightmare King said and disappeared before Ryuuji could cook him alive.
"You're not dead Saito! I won't let you die!" Ryuuji roared.
The three students also now understood Ryuuji's resentment for the Nightmare King and why he allied with the Dream Knights in later years.