Exchanging Words With Unknown Figure

The long and pale hand started to reach out for Ryuma, but Ryuma instinctively backed out from the suspicious hand out of wary.

"W-Who are you! And... Where the hell you brought me!" As the figure heard Ryuma, he started to laugh lightly.

"Fufu... Where did I bring you, you wonder? That's... Wrong question... The real question is... How I bring you to this place..." The more words the mysterious figure said, the more suspicious Ryuma was towards him. 

"This place is... Inside your very mind..."

"Inside... Of my mind...?"

"Yes, currently, I'm entered inside your very consciousness, like germs searching for a home. But do not worry. I will leave here once we've finished exchanging our words..."

As Ryuma acknowledged this very entity that was speaking to him just said that he entered his mind. But he feels no lie from the figure's words. Even so, he's still wary of him since this is the first time they've exchanged words.

But, even if Ryuma himself tried to show a threatening look, there was nothing he could do. In this dark world, he didn't know how wide and big it was. From his thought, this figure is probably the one who brought him to this very darkness. The one called 'his own mind'.

Even if Ryuma were to fight him, he doesn't know how strong this entity is. Plus, how to even get out of here? At the same time, a memory clicked to him where Vestine held Line in his hand as he slowly burned her existence.

"That's right! I need to get out of here!" Ryuma turned around and ran into the darkness, only to stumble upon the wall as he fell on his back. The mysterious figure spoke once again as he lightly laughed at Ryuma's misfortune.

"Fred not, my child. The time outside and the time in flow differently. In other words, you might be able to save that girl in time once you go back to reality." Even so, the comforting word didn't bring any good in Ryuma's mind. He's still anxious about Line's well-being. He then looked at the figure with an agitated look.

"Tch, then... Why are you bringing me here?! What do you want?!" Ryuma couldn't see the face of the figure, but he knew its gender was a man based on his body curve and rough voice.

"Like I've said before. My child, what do you currently wish for...? Be it the Great Power, or the massive strength enchantment... I'll give it to you with no price... Anything..." Once again Ryuma doubted the figure's words. But again, he felt no lies within his words.

"Anything... You say?" Ryuma for one knew at first glance, that this entity before him his strong but held a mysterious air. But he doesn't know the depth of his strength. Maybe, he's on par with 'The Sage'. But maybe, even stronger. Ryuma gulped his saliva as he told the figure his wish.

"Then, please save Line!"

"Save... That girl?..." The figure thinks deeply in the confused state.

"Why... Did yourselves did not wish to save her?... Why the responsibility... Goes to me?"

"Because, I'm not worthy..." Ryuma greets his teeth as he looks at his palm.

"I myself am the one who put her in danger, right in Vestine's hand. If I were to ask you the power solely to save her, then the savior title did not lie to me, but to you instead. If I were asking for power to save her, I would be the one to get both power and Line's safety. That's why I wished for one thing, that's it for you to save her..."

"Hmm... Very well. But, I have a question for you, Ryuma Ochirou... Do you really, really really not regret to ask for power upon our farewell? Just to tell you, this might be our last time exchanging words, and you yourselves... Wish for power all 16 years you've lived. Do you... Truly won't regret this?..."

"If karma decides this, then yes... Also, I do not wish to search for an easy path. My strength, only lies within me. If I were to accept your proposal, then the karma of luck would bite me equal to how strong I've gotten from your proposal." Hearing Ryuma's words, the figure laughs lightly.

"Fufu... Then so be it. I'll save the girl, and you'll get nothing." The figure taps the tip of his long finger on Ryuma's forehead, making Ryuma feel drowsy in an instant.

"But, it's not fair compared to how much you'll get from our encounter. So I'll give you the word from the wise... Embrace the flame... Embrace the rain... Embrace the mother earth... Embrace the fresh air... Embrace the..."

Every second goes by, and Ryuma finally falls into unconsciousness as he falls into the pool of darkness, leaving the mysterious figure behind.

"Fufu... You're the second person to not wish for power but for the safety of those you love. Child, I know what you're thinking about me. If you think I'm the devil that is gonna give you power in exchange for something close to you, you're wrong. I merely would give you power with 'no price' at all. As you are one of 'many' of my children..."

...

Ryuma opened his eyes as he was back to reality. The first he sees is the sight of Vestine's arm that holds Line has been blown off by the mysterious force. At the same time, he vividly remembers the words he exchanged with the mysterious figure inside his mind.

With an instinct, Ryuma jumped forward as he charged towards Vestine whose arm were blown off and sent him far. Line gets up as soon she's been released from the hand of Vestine, but can't muster any energy as she falls to her knees.

But at the same time, she saw the sight of Ryuma's back as she protected her.

"Kid..."

At the same time, a word comes into Ryuma's mind as he sees Vestine get back up.

'Embrace the red flame...'

With that word, there's one thing that comes into Ryuma's mind. The wise words that give him the power to defeat Vestine.

"RULE: Last Stand Of Flame Crimson!"