SHINJI TAKERU
I rushed to Takumi's side as he laid unconscious on the floor, the Demon's Blade still glowing faintly. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, and I exhaled a sigh of relief when I confirmed he was still alive. Rykeru Goro quickly arrived, his face a mask of grim determination. He wrapped the Demon's Blade in a cloth, handling it with an almost reverent care before setting it aside.
"Pick him up," Rykeru Goro ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. I moved swiftly, lifting Takumi's limp body and carrying him to the room where Rykeru Goro would tend to him. The others followed, their faces a mix of concern and anxiety.
Once inside, Rykeru Goro worked with meticulous care, examining Takumi and applying treatment. I stood back, my mind racing with worries about what might have happened if the situation had escalated further. After what felt like an eternity, Rykeru Goro finished and turned to us, his expression hardening.
"The damage was severe," he said. "The electrifying energy from the blade has taken a toll on him. If he doesn't wake up soon, we'll have to select someone else to replace him for the mission. And even if he does wake, he'll face consequences for his reckless actions."
The words hit like a punch to the gut. I saw the determination in the faces of Yumi, Kiyomasa, and Ayumi. They were adamant that Takumi should not be replaced. I agreed silently, understanding that he had been driven by something beyond just his quest for strength. Rykeru Goro left us with a terse "Pray he wakes" before walking away.
We entered the room where Takumi laid, his body covered with blankets. Yumi whispered softly, "He needs to wake up. Wake up, Takumi. I need him." I could see the distress in her eyes, and it mirrored my own feelings.
As everyone else prepared to leave, I noticed something odd. There was an electrifying aura emanating from Takumi's hand—the same hand that had held the Demon's Blade. It was as if some of the blade's power had transferred to him, and it worried me. The last thing we needed was for Takumi to be consumed by whatever dark energy that sword had held.
I decided to stay behind. The night was long and quiet, punctuated only by the soft sounds of Takumi's breathing and the occasional creak of the old building. I sat in a chair beside his bed, my eyes fixed on him, hoping that he would wake soon. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the walls, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were on the edge of something dangerous.
Takumi had been reckless, driven by his thirst for vengeance, but beneath it all, he was our teammate. I needed him to recover, not just for the mission, but for all of us. As I watched over him, I silently vowed to be there for him, to help him through whatever lay ahead.
I had fallen into a light sleep, my exhaustion getting the better of me, when I heard the door creak open. Rykeru Goro stepped inside, his movements deliberate and stealthy. I pretended to remain asleep but kept my eyes barely open, watching as he glanced around the room with a furtive expression.
He pulled out a small vial filled with a mysterious liquid and approached Takumi's bed. Just as he was about to administer it, I couldn't hold back any longer. My hand shot up, gripping his wrist tightly. The sudden movement startled him.
"Why are you still here?" Rykeru Goro demanded, his voice a mix of surprise and irritation.
"What are you trying to give him?" I asked, my voice low but firm. I was fully awake now, adrenaline sharpening my focus.
Rykeru Goro tried to maintain his composure, but his eyes betrayed his unease. He attempted to deflect, "It's nothing. Just a precaution."
I tightened my grip, aiming to cause him discomfort. "Don't lie. What's really in that vial?"
Rykeru Goro chuckled darkly but quickly relented. "No one has ever managed to wield the Demon's Blade like Takumi did. It's a dangerous weapon, one that corrupts its wielder. If Takumi had fully embraced its power, he would have become a bloodthirsty killer, a threat to everyone, including his own allies."
He continued, "This liquid is designed to suppress the energy from the blade. If we don't use it, he might awaken with uncontrollable power, endangering all of us."
I stared at the vial in disbelief, anger flaring within me. "So you're just going to drug him? What if it makes things worse?"
Rykeru Goro's gaze was cold. "If he wakes up and goes out of control, there will be no stopping him. This is our only chance to contain the threat."
I took the vial from his hand, my resolve hardening. "I'll make sure he doesn't become a danger to anyone. If Takumi ever loses control, I'll handle it."
Rykeru Goro shook his head, his expression a mix of frustration and pity. "You can't keep him contained forever. If he turns into a monster, don't blame anyone but yourself."
"I'll keep that in mind," I said. "Now, leave."
With that ominous warning, Rykeru Goro turned and left the room. I sat down beside Takumi, my mind racing with the implications of what I'd just learned. The vial was now in my possession, and though I was uncertain about its contents, I knew I had to act carefully.
I looked at Takumi, feeling a renewed sense of responsibility. He was in a precarious state, and I needed to protect him from both external threats and the internal chaos that the Demon's Blade had unleashed. The weight of my decision felt heavy, but I resolved to do whatever it took to keep him and everyone else safe.