[Ch. 9] First-Aid Treatment

Ryu went to the infirmary and grabbed a couple of medications. He rushed back to Panzram's cell with the medicine in his hands. When he walked in, he noticed that Panzram didn't move a muscle in response. Perhaps he was asleep?

However, even with his eyes shut, Panzram was actually awake and knew Ryu had come back in. He waited for Ryu to do something to him like those other guards.

In truth, Panzram liked to mind his own business and actually preferred his quiet cell. He never started fights with guards nor did he antagonize them. However, that stupid guard had a fight with his wife and wanted to take it out on someone. So, the guard knowingly antagonized and pushed Panzram so that he would attack him.

This gave the guard an excuse to attack, but unfortunately for the guard, Panzram was more beast than man. He beat the man into a pulp, then kicked him out of his cell.

The guard stumbled over to ring the alarm, calling more guards over. The three new guards ganged up to attack Panzram and although Panzram got in some good punches, he was still overwhelmed in the end. His face was wounded, he most likely had several broken ribs, and he was covered in bruises.

Ryu noticed the cuts and dabbed the cloth into the antiseptic. He scooted closer to Panzram to tend to his wounds. However, even though Panzram was hurt, he wasn't weak. Panzram flipped around, grabbed Ryu by the throat, and threw him to the ground.

Ryu's head hit the stone floor with a dull thud. His eyes widened from the pain as his vision was filled with black dots. He felt Panzram's hand tighten on his throat. Ryu struggled to breathe but didn't feel fearful. He met Panzram's crazed eyes not at all caring if Panzram would kill him.

...In fact, it was even a bit exhilarating.

Ryu could have used his illusions to escape or even used his guard's alarm to call for help. But he wouldn't do that. He knew Panzram hated Tamashii energy and Ryu feared other guards would hurt Panzram if he did call them. Ryu didn't care if he died if it meant not upsetting or hurting Panzram. Also, to him death meant nothing.

He was determined to at least treat Panzram's wounds before he passed on.

Ryu struggled to raise his arm that held the cloth. Nearly blacking out, he dabbed the cloth onto Panzram's opened wounds. Panzram stopped tightening his grip and glanced at the hand that was shakingly trying to treat his face. Panzram looked back into Ryu's eyes feeling confused and hesitant. He couldn't understand why Ryu wasn't even fazed as he was trying to kill him.

Panzram thought to himself: Who is this strange man? Does he not fear death? Why does he behave so oddly?

Panzram had been in several prisons so he had only heard of the rumored fourth young master of the Taira family. He didn't actually know who he was nor what he looked like.

Panzram slowly released Ryu from his grip and got off of him. His curiosity overcame his wariness. He glared at Ryu, "You. What kind of Tamashii user are you?"

Ryu coughed, gasping for air while he held his throat which now had bruises. He responded in a raspy voice, "Chaos."

Panzram's face grew darker, "I don't believe you."

Ryu made a nervous face in response. He wondered if he should prove it to him… But what if this just angered Panzram further?

Noticing Ryu wasn't going to respond, Panzram spoke. "If you were really a chaos user, then you would have defended yourself just now."

Ryu sat up and continued to rub his throat. He looked away blushing slightly, "I really am a chaos user. I would not lie to you. "

Panzram didn't believe him. "Prove it."

Ryu scratched his head, "What would you like to see?"

Ryu was hesitant to use his Tamashii power around Panzram in fear of upsetting him, but if Panzram told him to do it, he would naturally do it.

Panzram's eyes narrowed, "Just do something simple."

Ryu nodded, "A palm-sized white rabbit then."

Ryu held out his hand and a white rabbit materialized out of nowhere. It looked up at Panzram with its nose sniffing the air curiously. Panzram looked at Ryu's eyes waiting for them to change colors.

Ryu wasn't hiding them and they weren't glowing either.

Panzram couldn't help but feel more suspicious of him. "What is your game? Are you trying to trick me for some purpose?"

Ryu shook his head quickly, "No! I have no game… I only want… Well…" The rabbit disappeared and Ryu felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment.

Panzram spoke coldly, "Spit it out or I will kill you."

"I… I just want to help you achieve all of your desires."

"Haah?" Panzram raised an eyebrow in surprise. This was not the answer he was expecting. "Don't make me laugh. No one in their right mind would want that."

Ryu's eyes lit up, "No! It's true! I seriously want to help you out any way I can."

Panzram scowled at his honest face, "Then you are out of your mind."

Ryu chuckled awkwardly, "Well I don't suppose that's a lie."

"I've killed many people."

Ryu just smiled warmly at the steel-faced Panzram. "I know."

"If you know, then you should be afraid of me. You should hate me."

"Why? Death isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Panzram was speechless at this response. He could only scowl at the man in front of him that was smiling so warmly. He wondered how such a warm and friendly man could have said such a cold and heartless thing.

Panzram shook his head, "It is a bad thing. They are no longer living because of me."

Ryu laughed lightly, "There are things much worse than death."

Ryu's face darkened slightly as a memory crept into his head. In the vision, Panzram committed much more horrendous deeds than just killing. Luckily, he didn't do the worse of that until after he broke out of prison. If Ryu could prevent that… Then maybe Panzram could still be saved from the bleak future the Gods had shown to Ryu.

Noticing Panzram was waiting for him to speak, Ryu continued. "Death isn't something to be feared."

Panzram smirked, "Do you believe in the afterlife or something? I didn't take you for a monk."

Ryu shook his head and responded bluntly, "Nope. I believe in reincarnation."

Panzram's smirk disappeared. "Reincarnation."

"Yup! And well, not just believe. I know it's true."

"How?"

"Because the Gods showed me the truth."

Panzram just stared at Ryu who maintained an honest expression. In Panzram's eyes, Ryu just went from heartless to crazy in a brief moment. He clenched his teeth, "Don't make me kill you."

Ryu nodded obediently, "Alright."