The crowd looked at each other confused as to what was happening. They saw the Reaper stare at each one of them as if he was looking for someone. "There's no need to be frightened, as long as my volunteer is here your lives should be spared." assured the Reaper. Some people caught the hint and tried to run away but the ring of green fire prevented them from going. "Come out, come out wherever you are. I know you're amongst them, Fallen Prince, would you prefer I use them instead?" he asked and the ring of fire started to shrink around the people.
"Please, spare us," cried a woman.
"I will if the Fallen Prince shows himself unless he's a coward like always." stated the Reaper. The ring was now very close to the people as they feared what was going to happen to them.
"Let them go, Reaper!" shouted Zhōng and he cut through the ring and it disappeared. His cowl was down and his hair back revealing his temporary tattoo.
"It's the Fallen Prince!" cried one of the people and they cleared away so that Zhōng and the Reaper could face each other.
"My, oh my, you are much scarier than before." awed the Reaper as Zhōng slowly came closer to him.
As Zhōng walked, he glanced over to the people and saw terrifying faces upon them. Their bodies pushed against those behind them and crouched down in fear. "How did you hear I was in town? I could have been somewhere else for this holiday." he growled as he turned his attention to the Reaper.
"I have my ways, I know you come back here often so I just had to predict when you will return." replied the Reaper as he spun to test the weight of his scythe.
"May I ask if the empress hired you to kill me?" asked Zhōng, he stopped walking and was ten meters away from the Reaper.
"No, I'm hunting you for personal reasons." replied the Reaper.
"I figure," said Zhōng, he returned his attention back to the people as they remained terrified of him. "Leave now, you don't want to see this." he growled. The crowd understood and ran away in all directions. During the chaotic flee, Captain Howin quickly hid in one of the alleyways to watch what Zhōng would do next.
"I thought you like performing in front of an audience." jeered the Reaper as his scythe was tucked underneath his arm.
"No one should see what we're about to do." growled Zhōng, the Ninja Sword was already out as he drew his Longus and got ready for the battle.
"Perhaps, but they should know who they should fear more based on this duel." stated the Reaper. Without warning, Zhōng lunged forward and the two began the duel.
Two katanas and a scythe crashed violently against each other. Every time the scythe came for the attack, Zhōng had to deflect it away and force one of his swords for a plunge. But like the duel he had with Captain Howin years ago, the Reaper deflected the blade and went on the offensive. Captain Howin watched in the shadows, he could see they were two powerful forces that collided with each other. They were filled with violence and suffering as each increased their levels of intensity. If he went against one of them, he would be no match to quench their thirst for violence.
The Reaper jumped back after Zhōng tried to side-cut him. He panted and he could see Zhōng's chest rise and fall as he breathed through his nose audibly. "I can see your endurance is infinite." stated the Reaper.
"I'm just getting warmed up." growled Zhōng as he swung his blades in circles. Sparks flashed from the stones as his blades came to strike them. He could see he was winning and wanted to make the Reaper doubt himself.
"So am I," replied the Reaper. He called a chant just as Zhōng pounced on him. But before Zhōng landed a hit, he was sent flying backwards into a stall. Food toppled and buried him as he tried to figure out what happened.
When Zhōng recovered, he threw his throwing knives only for them to turn into bats after the Reaper called for another incantation. "This is going to be fun." stated Zhōng as he smiled.
"For me, that is," agreed the Reaper, he called the first chant and had Zhōng be his puppet as he sent him flying from stall to stall, damaging any goods left behind.
Zhōng grunted after he tumbled away from the damaged stalls, he was badly bruised. As he tried to stand back up, he felt a cold blade on the back of his neck. "Well, well, I figure you had to be in town considering Captain Howin stayed behind." stated a female voice he recognized.
"If you can't see, I'm busy right now, princess." grunted Zhōng, he then stood up as Princess Zhen's sword guided to his shoulder so he could see her.
"Getting your butt handed to you I can see." growled Princess Zhen, her eyes were darkening as if she hadn't forgiven him for kidnapping her the last time.
"Princess Zhen, what an honor to meet you." shouted the Reaper, his words had Zhōng spin around and stood between him and the princess.
"Run, princess, you don't know what he's capable of." ordered Zhōng.
"I don't remember giving you the authority to tell me what to do." said Princess Zhen.
"I agree, your majesty, he has no authority in the darkness anymore. Besides, the more I have, the stronger he becomes." stated the Reaper.
Zhōng quickly threw a dozen smoke bombs, he then grabbed Princess Zhen's arm and took her into one of the alleyways. "What do you think you're doing?" stated Princess Zhen after Zhōng shoved her to a wall.
"Stay here and don't face him." growled Zhōng. His eyes were furious at her before looking out into the smoke street.
The Reaper chanted another spell, dispersing the smoke, he saw no one was there as he scanned for movement. "You can't protect her forever, everyone knows you two are destined to be enemies like your ancestors before you." sneered the Reaper. Zhōng soon popped out and threw more smoke bombs heading towards him. He chanted one more time and when the smoke cleared, a throwing knife appeared slicing by his right cheek. "Very clever," applauded the Reaper, he then blocked Zhōng's attack coming from behind.
Zhōng knew as long as the Reaper didn't speak, he couldn't call his magic. He pushed his attacks high at the Reaper's head, this would overwhelm his enemies much more since his blades flew past their ears. However, the Reaper was too skillful to be frightened by his attacks. As Zhōng came above one more time, the Reaper ducked and slammed the blade side of his scythe into Zhōng. Fortunately, Zhōng was wearing armor but it still took his breath out as he tumbled backwards and his swords clattered on the stone.
"Finally, the great dynasty of the Ninja Empire has come to an end. Tragically, it took the New with it." stated the Reaper. He chanted just in time, freezing Princess Zhen who was trying to surprise attack him. "You should have listened to him." he stated as he turned around.
"You won't get away with this." growled Princess Zhen.
"Oh? I think I already have." shrugged the Reaper. The clock tower nearby began to ring to indicate the time as he started his chant. A green mist came out of Zhōng and Princess Zhen as they cried in pain. The Reaper chanted louder and louder as the mist swirled into a jar he had with him. Suddenly, a spear pierced the Reaper's shoulder, he cried in pain and turned to see Captain Howin as he was armed with his sword. Knowing he couldn't take him, the Reaper chanted a different spell and he disappeared in a puff of green smoke.
"Where are you?!" cried Captain Howin as approached where he last saw the Reaper. "This isn't over! Come out and let's finish this fight!"
"Howin?" a boy's voice cried out, Captain Howin turned to see where Zhōng was but he wasn't eighteen anymore.
"Your majesty? Is that you?" cried out a girl. Captain Howin turned the other way and saw Princess Zhen wasn't eighteen anymore as well.
"What sorcery is this?" asked Captain Howin as the clock tower dong for the final and seventh time.