Jin sat on a wooden chair in a quiet corner of the palace, his elbows resting on his knees, his head slightly bowed. The weight of everything—his losses, the war ahead, and the uncertainty of his own power—pressed down on him like a storm cloud. The map lay on a nearby table, its markings glowing faintly in the soft light of the room.
Rebekah walked in, her boots making a faint sound against the stone floor as she approached. Her sharp green eyes locked onto Jin, and she stopped a few steps away, crossing her arms.
"So," she began, her voice firm but not unkind, "what's your plan?"
Jin looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers. "Plan?" he echoed, his tone quiet but laced with frustration. "I don't have one. I'm going to find the base, break in, and get Rex out. That's it."
Rebekah raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "That's it? You're just going to 'burst in' and hope for the best? That's the stupidest plan I've ever heard."
Jin's jaw tightened, and he looked away, his fingers curling into fists. "It's all I've got," he muttered.
Rebekah sighed, shaking her head. "You really don't think things through, do you?" She leaned against the wall, her gaze softening slightly. "What about what my father said? About you having some kind of ancient power? If it's so strong, why not use that to save your friend?"
Jin flinched at her words, his fists unclenching as he looked back at her. "You don't understand," he said, his voice quieter now. "That power… it's not mine. Not really."
Rebekah tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
Jin hesitated, his hands resting on his knees as he tried to find the right words. "It's… a demon," he said finally. "It's something inside me. Something I don't fully understand. And I'm scared of it because I can't control it. Every time I've tried, I've lost myself. And when that happens, the demon does whatever it wants."
Rebekah's eyes narrowed slightly. "Have you ever tried controlling it? Really tried?"
Jin let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "A few times," he admitted. "But it's always the same. Once I lose control, it's over. The demon takes over completely. The only reason I've survived it before is because of Jon's compass magic. He could reverse the possession, force the demon back. But Jon's gone now. If I lose control again…" He trailed off, his voice trembling slightly. "There's no one left to stop it."
Rebekah studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "So that's it?" she said finally. "You're just going to keep running from it? From yourself?"
Jin didn't answer, his gaze dropping back to the floor as silence settled between them.
Rebekah leaned against the wall, studying Jin's face carefully after his confession about the demon inside him. She straightened suddenly, her green eyes sharp with resolve. "Come with me," she said firmly.
Jin frowned slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Where?"
"I need to show you something—and someone," she said, already walking toward the door. "Someone who might actually be able to help you fight differently."
Jin stood reluctantly, following her through the winding corridors of the palace. They descended a long staircase into a dimly lit chamber that radiated an air of quiet intensity. As they entered, Jin's eyes were immediately drawn to a man seated cross-legged on a raised platform in the center of the room.
He was tall and lean, his presence commanding despite the calm serenity of his posture. His jet-black hair was tied back, and his piercing amber eyes flickered in the faint light like flames. Though his face was youthful and unlined, there was something ancient in his gaze, as if he'd seen centuries of life pass by.
Rebekah stopped a few paces from him, gesturing toward the man. "Jin," she said, "meet Iguchi Seiji. He retired from the Sentinels at the age of 20, but that was over 60 years ago. He doesn't age. And in his time, he was known for countless brave fights and victories. His alias was the Dragon Tamer—or the Dragon Slayer, depending on who you ask."
Jin's brow furrowed as he studied the man. Seiji's presence was almost overwhelming, not from size or force, but from an unshakable stillness that seemed to fill the entire chamber.
Rebekah turned to Seiji, her tone respectful but insistent. "Master Seiji," she said, "this is Jin. He's in desperate need of guidance. His powers… they're dangerous, but I think he has potential. I'm asking you to take him under your wing and train him."
Seiji opened his eyes slowly, his amber gaze locking onto Jin with an intensity that made him feel exposed, as if every secret, every fear, was laid bare.
"I've been out of the fight for decades," Seiji said, his voice deep and steady. "I have no need for a student. The world no longer needs me."
Jin took a step forward, his voice firm. "Please," he said. "I'm not asking for you to fight for me. I'm asking for the chance to learn. I don't want to rely on my darkest parts anymore. I want to fight on my own terms. To stand on my own without it."
Seiji's gaze didn't waver. "And what makes you think I can teach you that?"
"Because you've faced the impossible before," Jin said. "They call you the Dragon Slayer for a reason. If there's anyone who can help me learn to fight differently—to survive without relying on something dark—it's you."
Seiji studied him for a long moment before shaking his head. "No," he said simply. "I have no need for a student, and no interest in fighting again."
Rebekah stepped forward, frustration flashing in her eyes. "Seiji, you can't just—"
Seiji raised a hand, silencing her. "If he wants my help," he said, his tone measured, "he'll have to prove he's worth it."
Jin straightened, his jaw tightening. "How?"
Seiji stood slowly, his movements fluid and deliberate. "Defeat five fighters in the Collision Pit," he said. "If you can survive there, I'll consider taking you on."
Rebekah's eyes widened in shock, and she turned to Jin. "The Collision Pit?" she said, her voice rising. "That's suicide! The fighters there are insane—monsters, criminals, people who live for blood and chaos. You won't last a second!"
Jin interrupted her, his tone calm but resolute. "If that's what it takes," he said, "then I'll do it."
Seiji gave a faint smile, his gaze still locked on Jin. "We'll see," he said quietly. "You might not survive, but if you do, we'll talk."
Seiji folded his arms, his amber eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Jin. "Come with me," he said, his voice steady and firm.
Jin hesitated for only a moment before nodding, his determination unwavering. He began to follow, his steps purposeful, but behind him, Rebekah grabbed his arm.
"Jin, wait," she said, her voice low but urgent.
"You don't have to do this. This isn't just a fight-it's madness. People die here, Jin.
They don't walk out."
Jin turned to her, his expression calm but resolute. "If this is what it takes to get stronger, to stop relying on that thing inside me, then I'll do it."
Rebekah's hand dropped to her side, her green eyes searching his face. "You're insane," she muttered, but she didn't try to stop him again.
The three of them continued down a dark corridor until the faint hum of noise turned into a deafening roar.
The walls seemed to shake as thousands of voices screamed in unison. "Kill him! Kill him!" the crowd chanted, their cries echoing through the pit.
Jin's steps faltered slightly as the sheer intensity of the sound hit him. "Is that..." he began, but Seiji cut him off with a faint, knowing smile.
"That's the pit," Seiji said, his voice almost amused. "It's how it functions. Welcome to the Collision Pit, Jin. I hope you survive it."
They reached an open door that led into a small, dimly lit room. Behind a desk sat a stern-faced man who barely glanced at Jin before scribbling something down on a clipboard. "Name?" the man asked.
Jin glanced at Seiji, then back at the man.
"Jin," he said firmly.
The man didn't react, continuing to write.
"You're next," he said without looking up.
"You'll be facing a man called Faceless."
Jin frowned slightly. "Faceless?"
The man finally looked up, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You'll see," he said simply, before gesturing toward a hallway.
Seiji placed a hand on Jin's shoulder, steering him toward another door. "Go prepare," he said. "Your first fight won't be easy."
They entered a small locker room, the noise of the crowd still faintly audible through the walls. Jin sat down on a bench, adjusting his blade as Rebekah paced back and forth, her arms crossed.
"This is a mistake," she muttered, mostly to herself.
Seiji leaned against the wall, watching Jin calmly. "This is your first test," he said quietly. "If you can't handle what's in there, you'll never survive the real fight out there."
Jin didn't respond, his focus entirely on the battle ahead.