In the warehouse, a strange silence lapped at the walls like a distant wind whistling through shattered panes. Kaito's silver eyes remained on the dark figure hunched in the shadow. The figure's presence was chilling, more deadly than any foe he had fought before. Even in the face of Tatsuo and his underlings all standing before him, Kaito couldn't help but think that this newcomer was what was truly dangerous.
The figure stepped forward, gliding, as though its movements were not its own. Even in the midst of the almost all encompassing darkness, Kaito could tell how strong the masked man was. This was no ordinary Shinigami. This one was in a whole other category.
"You said you've come here to make an offer," Kaito spoke slowly, voice breaking the tension in the silence. "What kind of offer?"
The figure tilted its head slightly, as if pondering Kaito's words. That mask was smooth and featureless, concealing its true nature. Only its eyes — cold and alien — pierced the mask, glimmering with a pale and disturbing light.
"A gift of power," the figure replied, its voice low, haunting, carrying a chill authority that seemed blurred in the madness of the room. "An offer of survival."
Kaito tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, instinctually tensing his body. "I don't need your power or your offers. "I've made it this far without outside assistance, and I will continue to do so."
The figure made a quiet, almost amused sound. "You misunderstand me, Kaito. This isn't about whether you live or die. It's about hers."
Kaito's heart raced and his eyes flickered quickly to Emiko. She had stayed quiet, a little shaken but still behind him. She could feel the gravity of the situation on her chest, but did not know enough to help. She felt her pulse race and wanted to speak, but the fear inside her kept her silent. But only Kaito could protect her. But the uncertainty was hard for her, so she had no choice but to trust him.
"What do you mean?" Kaito's voice was low, dangerous calm wrapping around him. "If you're threatening Emiko—"
"I'm not threatening her," said the figure, a voice that sliced through the air. "I'm offering her a chance. An opportunity to gain power, to live in a world that will eat her alive if she's not ready."
Kaito's grip tightened. "And what's your price? There's always a price."
The masked figure's eyes appeared to brighten, as if it were glad Kaito was cautious. "Ah, you understand, then. The price is simple. The girl must agree to the pact. She will wield power unlike anything she can fathom — strength, protection — but in return she must sacrifice her ties to you."
Emiko's eyes widened. She didn't really get what the proposition entailed, but something inside her screamed that this was not right. She had only just started to trust Kaito. How easily she could give him up?
No," Kaito growled, advancing, his body taut with fury. "She's mine to protect. You can't take her from me. Not now, not ever."
The figure's eyes narrowed. "If you resist, then both of you shall die. You can't keep her safe forever, Kaito. But your history is all about failure. That's why you wander this world by yourself."
Kaito's expression hardened. The image hit a nerve; the history writhed inside Kaito like a wound. The loss of Hikari, the first master he'd ever betrayed, had cut him deeply and never quite healed. And now he was about to make a similar mistake with Emiko. The fear of failing again, of allowing yet another person who had entrusted himself to him to die, poisoned him from within.
But Kaito was no longer the man he used to be. He had studied from his failures. He had grown stronger.
"I don't care about your offer," Kaito replied, his voice even and steady. "I won't let you use her as a tool. Emiko is not your game piece to use! She's a person and she has the right to forge her own path."
The figure paused, tilting its head as though contemplating Kaito's words. "I knew you were stubborn, Kaito, but this is worse than I thought. But you will learn. In the end, everyone can be bought. It's like everyone has their breaking point."
Emiko took a small step forward, voice tremulous and yet resolved. "What do you want from me?" what, she said, her gaze on the figure. She didn't know whom to trust anymore, but her instincts told her to take charge. She could not allow herself to be just another powerless pawn.
The figure's mask appeared to sparkle as it spoke. "I just want you to make the choice. You can decide not to make the offer or to accept refuse it. But mark this—if you will not, you shall be hunted." "There are those who would stop at nothing to take your life for their own, to steal all that Kaito is too weak to defend."
Emiko's heart raced in her chest. She wanted to ask more questions, to demand more answers. But the panic that overcame her was stifling. She didn't know enough about this world, about the dynamics at work. What if she didn't agree to it? What would happen if she did?
"I'm not weak," she said quietly, more to herself than anyone. "But I feel at a loss what to do."
Het Shadow stood quietly for a long moment before looking down at Emiko. It felt like it was waiting for her to choose, to pick her destiny.
Kaito's tone was steady, firm, yet there was an underlying sense of strength. He looked to Emiko, their silver eyes locking. "Whatever you choose, I will support it. You are not alone in this. I will protect you."
Emiko gulped down, her fear still chewing on her, but there had been something about Kaito's words that bolstered her. She wasn't alone. She had Kaito. And she was not ready to abandon that yet.
She inhaled deeply and looked at the masked figure. "Nope," she said, shaking but resolute. "I won't deal with you."
The eyes of the figure flared into something unreadable. "So be it," it said softly. "But remember, you chose it." There is no going back now."
And with that, the figure stepped back into the shadow, its presence fading like a bad dream. The air fell tense and then, for a second, silence.
Kaito exhaled a breath he hadn't known he was holding. "You did well," he said in a quiet voice, directing a soft, approving look toward Emiko.
Emiko nodded, her body still shaking from the terror that had nearly overtaken her. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she knew one thing for sure — she had made her choice.
And she wouldn't back down.