Some time had passed since Shura entered the festival and played a few of the games. He was walking through the festival looking for something else to do. Admiring the sights would only go so far. Maybe he had become so accustomed to all of the fighting and strife in his life he didn't know how to truly relax. Then again how could one relax with all of these things happening to them? At that point, it would feel a bit forced. Relaxing was something that had to happen naturally and this festival was supposed to be that escape. But his demons chased him here to this point.

Walking through the crowd he noticed the cat-girl from earlier sitting on a bench. Once again he found himself staring at this girl wondering who she was and why he felt like he knew her. Versus just staring at her like a creeper approached calmly. He cast a shadow over the girl and her companion. He said nothing at first, not because he didn't want to. He didn't really know what to say at first. Usually, he was quick to speak but once again he was at a lost for words. A sensation of panic overcame him as if he was that little boy all those years ago trying to talk to a crush. 'Say something idiot she is going to think you are weird.'

“Who are you?” His voice came off aggressive in nature. He was cutting to the chase unlike his usual banter before getting to the center of a problem. Shura had a blank expression on his face as he retreated to his thoughts once more. He coughed and recomposed himself before speaking again, consoling himself on how he began the conversation.

'Seriously? Couldn't you have said something a bit smoother? Way to be an asshat.'


“I mean the name is Shura, I just dunked you at the booth. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

The girl looked up from her hands at Shura. He was pleased to hear that she didn't have to rig the game for him. Her tone was a bit cold, like his initial tone. Which he deserved that, so he didn't get mad. If anything he smiled at the girl's tenacity. She made a comment about his one arm, which made him chuckle at it. “Well, you asked for full power. I am not one to turn away from a challenge.” He didn't want to go into details because he did not know this girl fully. It wasn't wise to spill out full details about his past with someone he just met. Even though, he felt like he knew her.

Then she said something that caused Shura to raise an eyebrow at the comment. “Did you just say Nameless?” He was trying to comprehend her name. 'Chi said something about a Nameless. Is this really her?' Then she said something right after the name drop that made him tense up all over.


So much to the point, his demonic energy began to seep out. His presence would be known to anyone within a twenty-five-meter radius who looked him in the eyes. Shura was unknowing becoming angry at the realization that Chi might be dead because of this being directly in front of him. Nameless was someone who Chi spoke about. The rotting flesh that she kept attached to her back. The voice in Chi's head was now sitting directly in front of him. Was Chi sacrificed for Nameless? Did Chi willingly give herself to give birth to another? So many questions came to his mind in an instant.

He was becoming more like a demon each passing moment without realizing it. His humanity slipping bit by bit just through the twist of an emotion. Someone else who knows of the Ranzu lineage, someone who has met Geno. “Miss Manji? I knew a Manji, I am curious does the name Chi ring a bell Nameless? I am going to call you that until I understand who or what you are.” She would noticeably see Shura's anger seep out and her vision would become blurry. He didn't want to do this, but his real nature was becoming more noticeable each day.

Shura said nothing as Nameless made her initial reply. He was aware she was not human. The kicker was, he wasn’t fully human neither. As each passing day passed his humanity was slipping away. That was becoming more evident with each passing day. He let out a sigh before relaxing his body. Shura’s demeanor turned back to normal as Nameless stood up and got down on a knee. This created an awkward moment where people passing by were staring. Others were watching all of this unfold. Shura kneeled down so he could look at the Neko. “Get up we are making a scene,” his words came out as a whisper. Only loud enough for him and Nameless to hear.

Shura stood up and continued to hear the words of Nameless. “Yea she was important to me, and I knew her by just Chi.” Shura wasn’t completely filled in by the relationship between Chi and Nameless, this was just more to think about. Then again orders were orders, even though Shura had a nasty disposition towards authority. Maybe it was fate that saw fit for Nameless to be here and not Chi. That was something Shura did not meddle in when it came to others. He won’t accept his fate but he has no right meddling.

As far as being a descendant of Geno that only confirmed that Nameless knew a little of what Chi knew. “Ya, he is my great grandfather or some shit like that.” He chuckled at the idea of Chi ordering Nameless too help Shura in any way. Shura did not like the idea of someone being in service like this. Especially when he was not right in the head at the moment. “Look you have a new life, what you and Geno shared does not concern me. New Ranzu, new slate you owe nothing to me. You are no slave, you have your freedom to do as you please.” He saw the brand on the back of her neck. A Phantomlord tattoo burned into his flesh. He frowned at it knowing he did that. They were connected regardless of how they just met.

Nameless the mother to Chi, how the relation went Shura was not one too question. During all of this chatting Shura figured they were going to be here a while. He took a seat on the far side of where Nameless’s seat was. The snow fox moved out of the way as he sat down. Shura couldn’t be too mad at Nameless, what happened was not of her choosing. Whether or not if she was telling the truth lingered in the back of his mind. He chose not to dwell on it for good reason. Why get upset over something that has happened. What could he get out of hurting Nameless for information? Chi was gone, that was a bit unsettling too say the least. “Chi is gone, tell me was it painless at least?”

Shura saw the sword stab that took Chi’s life but gave life to another. The balance was demanded in this world. If one life was taken, another was brought into the world. This was the way of things and what Shura believed. He felt sadness in his heart, something that he had not felt in quite some time. Someone close taken from him without so much as a goodbye. That was the hardest pill to swallow for him. “We don’t know the day nor the time but when it’s time,to go its time.” Shura said calmly while he looked into the air. He did not cry for Chi, even though he wanted too. The last time he shed a tear for someone else’s sake was for his parents. That was the last time he allowed himself to feel that level of sadness. He accepted it quickly that she was gone. Not because of his lack of care, but because of who he was. It may not have been healthy to do so, but Shura knew Chi. He knew she wouldn’t want him to cry over her passing. If this is what she wanted all he could do was honor her memory.

“Who knows maybe I will see her down in the abyss.” He said calmly. Nameless may not have understood that comment but Shura knew full well that he was going to have to venture down there soon. He needed to find answers to questions that plagued him. Not to mention his demon heritage was becoming more evident and more public. That little episode just now was a good indication of that. He was a man of self-control, controlling his demonic instincts was no different from that.

“Indeed I do Nameless, one that surpasses even my own understanding. One may think it is outside of my heritage but this is how each Ranzu’s story has played out. Chasing a power greater than themselves to wield for their own purpose. And yes, it is safe to assume Chi found family here in her lifetime.” He replied.

Nameless seemed bothered by something that was embedded in her skin. “Yea you can blame me for that little mark then I guess.” Then Nameless wanted to ask a question. “I’m listening.” Then it came as quick as Shura realized. Nameless realized he wasn’t human neither. “By the Holy order, I am a blemish, a stain in the purity of this world. I made a pact with a demon after my defeat at the hands of the Red Queen. I am the in-between, a hybrid of human and demon. Yet, which each passing moment I feel less human.” He explained.

Shura was feeling less like a human each passing moment as he stated. With the visions and such, the demon half was taking over. He was not sure how it was going to affect him as a person. This was the trial each Ranzu went through. Geno warned him of this before he left this existence. Shura had a feeling he was going to have to make a decision here soon.

Shura did not say anything for a moment. He knew they parted ways for some time even though they were supposed to see the world together. Things in his life became so complicated he had become engulfed in all of it. Not to mention he had sitting on the verge of death in a coma. All of it just felt like excuses in his head for living her alone to deal with something of this caliber. Yet, this was the way life was at times. Events twisted for the worst at the drop of a dime. He knew that better than anyone. Tomorrow was not promised to anyone. Knowing Chi was lost to some unknown abyss was a bit gut-wrenching. She wasn’t lost in the abyss, she was lost in limbo. Wondering the in-between until some unknown time. That is a fate worse than hell. Shura knew what that was like in his coma.

“I am not waiting for a goodbye. Something told me it was going to come to this. I won’t pretend like I didn’t think that rotting flesh attached to her back had some sort of purpose. You must be very important for you to be here and she is gone. Make sure that life she gave isn’t wasted. Or I will send you to oblivion myself. So make sure you treat that gift she gave you with care.”

Shura did not have a cold tone or anything. He actually kind of scared himself of how casually he said that. He wasn’t usually like this, something was happening to him. Or maybe his true nature was coming to light finally. Normally he would apologize but that threat was very real. If she had to die so Nameless could be born there was a reason. There had to be a reason right? Death was mysterious in so many ways and could happen so suddenly. Shura just figured if she had to go at least it has been for something.

Shura was walking down a path he could not return from himself. Something told him he was going to have to face the demon he made a pact with to become the master of this power. Nameless offered help, but of her own will.

“If you want to help me do it because you want too, not because of some obligation. I rather you do not regret getting mixed up with someone that is prone to all sorts of danger and chaos. The path I walk is littered with death. Something tells me it's not going to get easier from here on out. Clearly, I am not too stable as a person, so best to know what you are getting yourself into.”

Even though he was becoming a Demon he was not fully losing his humanity. He was not one to use others as shields or pawns. That was not the Ranzu way.