The following night, Musashi arrived at the abandoned building from the last address he had obtained, located at the end of a dark and desolate street.
The streetlights flickered, and the night air felt heavy. The building looked neglected, with broken windows and a wooden door that creaked as Musashi pushed it open.
Musashi: "Every step brings me closer to answers, but also to darker shadows. I know this place won't make things easy… but I've come too far to turn back."
Musashi stepped inside. His footsteps echoed in the empty room, and dust covered the entire floor. However, he noticed clear footprints leading toward an old wooden staircase at the end of the room.
Musashi climbed the stairs slowly, each step creaking under his weight. At the top, two masked men awaited him. One held a firearm, while the other wielded a large sword. They looked at Musashi with hatred in their eyes, ready to confront him to the death.
First Masked Man: "You're truly stubborn, Musashi. You should have stopped before it was too late," he sneered.
Musashi: "I'm only looking for answers. If you know where Aiko is, give her to me. There's no need to make this more difficult."
Second Masked Man: "The answer isn't for you, Musashi. This world is full of secrets, and you know too much."
Musashi tried to keep his emotions in check, knowing that this might be his only chance to get a lead on Aiko. He stared at the two masked men, showing he wouldn't back down so easily.
Musashi: "I'm not asking for much. Just one answer. If you won't give it willingly, I'll take it by other means."
First Masked Man (mockingly): "Go ahead and try, Musashi. But you'll regret it."
The first masked man raised his gun, firing several shots at Musashi. Musashi dodged quickly, taking cover behind a partially crumbled concrete pillar. As he tried to move closer, the second masked man swung his large sword, slicing through the air with deadly force.
The intense battle began. Musashi had to face two opponents who complemented each other—one with a firearm, the other with brute strength. Musashi moved swiftly, trying to approach the man with the gun, intending to disarm him. But the second masked man attacked with his large sword, forcing Musashi to retreat.
Musashi (muttering to himself): "This is more than a physical test. They're testing my resolve, forcing me to endure… or surrender. But I won't give up."
Musashi maneuvered skillfully, twisting his body to evade both bullets and sword strikes from every direction. One shot narrowly missed his face, grazing his left cheek, and leaving a trail of blood.
First Masked Man: "Stop running, Musashi. There's no use in fighting us!"
Musashi didn't reply; he just regulated his breathing and focused his movements. In a quick motion, he kicked a wooden chair toward the gun-wielding masked man, momentarily throwing him off balance.
Musashi: "You want me to stop?… I'm just getting started."
Taking advantage of the distraction, Musashi lunged forward, plunging his sword into the first masked man, disarming him and knocking him to the ground. But the second masked man didn't stand idle and attacked with his large sword.
The fight grew more intense as the second masked man launched a relentless assault. Musashi barely had time to catch his breath, yet he showed no signs of surrender. He blocked each attack with skill, reading his opponent's movements and waiting for an opening.
However, his opponent was incredibly strong. In a critical moment, the second masked man's sword nearly struck Musashi. Musashi deflected the blow, but the force sent him hurtling back into a wall. Pain shot through his body, yet he remained focused.
Second Masked Man: "Feeling tired, Musashi? Why don't you just give up?" he laughed mockingly.
Musashi (smiling weakly): "I've come too far to stop."
Musashi struggled to his feet, breathing heavily but keeping his gaze steady. He gathered his remaining strength and launched an unexpected counterattack. In a swift move, he drove his sword into the second masked man's side, causing him to gasp and collapse to the floor.
Despite his severe injuries, the second masked man tried to rise, refusing to give Musashi any information. He smiled bitterly, as if accepting this was the end of his fight.
Musashi: "Tell me where I can find Aiko. If you know anything, tell me now!" he demanded, his voice filled with anger.
Second Masked Man: "You'll never find her… she vanished into the shadows long ago. You're wasting your time."
The man lost consciousness after speaking, leaving Musashi without a clear answer. Musashi stood, breathing heavily, a sense of disappointment weighing on him. But then he noticed something glinting in the man's pocket—a pendant with Aiko's initials on it.
He took the pendant, holding it tightly in his hand, feeling a strange warmth flow through his chest. Although he hadn't received a direct answer, he knew this was another clue, bringing him closer to the truth.
Musashi: "Each clue, however faint, brings me closer. I won't stop until I find you, Aiko."
****
Musashi walked away from the old building, his body battered and weary, but his resolve unbroken. He kept the pendant as a new hope, a promise that he would keep searching until he found the truth.
Musashi: "These shadows will never consume me. I'll cut through the darkness to find the light hidden within."