The hallway leading toward the arena was quiet—eerily so.
Bruce and Tsubaki walked side by side, the tension of the earlier announcement still hanging over them when a familiar voice cut through the silence.
"I greet the young master," Sato said, his tone dripping with its usual unruly arrogance as he emerged from the shadows.
Bruce didn't even flinch. "What now?" he asked lazily, his eyes half-lidded, voice flat.
Sato grinned, sharp and thin. "The announcer has requested your presence at the podium. For the unveiling of the grand prize."
Bruce sighed, glancing toward the colosseum. "Seriously?" Still, he didn't protest—until Tsubaki nudged his arm.
"Just go," she said, offering a confident smile. "I'll meet you on stage."
Bruce paused, then gave a slight nod. "Alright. Let's go." His voice shifted, more commanding now. "I'll see you later, Tsuba—"
"Tsubaki," she corrected, playfully firm. "See you soon."
With a grin on his face, Sato turned away, and Bruce followed him. Together, they disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.
—
The silence thickened as they entered a narrow, dimly lit passageway that veered far from the main route to the arena.
Bruce slowed his steps, glancing around. "Hey, Sato… have you seen Belita?"
No response.
Bruce's eyes flicked to him, but the servant kept walking. Unbothered. Unblinking.
"…Creepy place," Bruce muttered, his voice low and casual. "Really quiet."
Then—
"Hey, Naoya," Sato said suddenly, ignoring Bruce entirely. "We just need his blood, right?"
A soft ripple in the air behind them.
A portal opened in silence, and from its glowing edges stepped Naoya—calm, composed, and cold.
"Of course," he replied, voice smooth.
Before Bruce could turn fully, a sharp sting pierced his neck.
His body went rigid.
"Wha—" The words caught in his throat as paralysis sank in like thick oil. He staggered, fell hard against the wall, then hit the ground with a cough—blood dripping from his lips.
Sato stood over him, his usual grin now twisted with violent irritation. "Can't we just take his head?" he asked. "He's really been pissing me off lately."
Naoya's gaze snapped to him, voice cutting like a blade. "Are you planning on disobeying the boss?"
Immediately, Sato backpedaled, hands raised. "Come on now, bro. I was just joking."
Naoya didn't blink. "Some jokes can cost you your life."
He knelt beside Bruce, who was still convulsing slightly, his breath ragged, pupils struggling to stay focused.
"You dead yet?" Naoya asked with an unnerving calmness.
Bruce forced a whisper. "Who… are you…?"
Naoya smiled gently. "It's alright. You'll find out soon enough."
He reached forward and placed a palm over Bruce's eyes.
"Go to sleep now."
The world blurred.
Then—
Darkness.
---