Realization

He finally reached the island and landed in front of the house that belonged to Tsumugi. The noise awoke Tsumugi, who hastened out into the sight of Luca. He ran and hugged him tight without hesitation.

"I knew you'd come back!" said Tsumugi. "Come on in."

Luca and Tsumugi went inside the house, and forthwith Tsumugi offered him, "Will you eat something?

He waved it off. "No, no, I'm fine. I just ate."

"So, tell me what happened," Tsumugi asked, his interest now piqued.

"A lot," Luca replied.

"Do tell," Tsumugi urged.

Luca began, "First of all, I got stronger."

Tsumugi chuckled knowingly, "I knew that was coming."

"It's all thanks to Kenji. But… I got injured pretty badly," Luca admitted.

"What happened?" Tsumugi asked, concerned.

"I was hoping to find and kill the Naxon King in the Dark Continent, but instead I faced something else. A different race. I faced an Emperor."