At night in a small village, Yura is in her room sleeping. Her mother sits in the kitchen on a wooden chair, turning to her father.
"Our daughter has friends with that boy who's cursed. Now she won't listen to us, and we have to do something about that boy," she says coldly.
The father's eyes widen before he slowly grabs a candle, lighting it with a trembling flame. "And what is it? You didn't just push that boy away? If I were you, I would've pushed him and told the people. He's just going to kill our daughter."
The mother nods firmly. "We better do something to that boy before he kills our daughter. He's just a boy his family left him after finding out he's cursed. He never had friends back then. When people see him, they lock their doors and close their windows."
The father lets out a low laugh. "I have an idea for that… but I'm going to make that boy something people will be scared of. So tomorrow, the world will be peaceful, and Yura will be safe."
The mother raises an eyebrow. "What is your plan then? I want you to make him dead and disappear."
The father's smile darkens. "Let's make him suffer… to the fire."
They both laugh quietly, an evil tone lingering in the dim kitchen light.
The next day, Yura can't go outside. She stares through the window, waiting for Doro, but he never comes. She glances at her mother, who is cooking lunch.
"Mom… can I go outside to train?" Yura asks softly.
Her mother pauses and looks at her sharply. "No. You can't. You're just going to hang out with that boy again."
At night, the village is silent. Deep in the forest, there is a cross made of sticks and rocks, surrounded by firelight.
Yura's father looks around nervously. "I'm going to find him… trust me, I'll get him."
He stands up and walks through the dark forest, heading toward a small house. He calls out, "Doro!"
After a moment, the door slowly opens. Doro looks up, nervous. "H-hey…"
The father forces a kind smile. "Hey buddy, don't be scared. Tonight, I'll let you hang out with Yura. Come with us."
Behind his smile is a hidden lie.
Doro hesitates… but trusts him. He smiles slightly and steps forward.
That smile disappears the moment they trap him.
Flames ignite.
Doro screams for help, his voice echoing through the forest but no one comes.
The mother and father stand at a distance, laughing as they turn away and walk into the darkness.
The next morning, villagers gather around the forest in shock. A dust-covered body of Doro lies there.
Yura arrives at the scene. Her eyes widen in disbelief. Her mind struggles to accept what she's seeing.
"Doro…" she whispers, her voice shaking.
She kneels slowly, her hands trembling. That's when she notices the snack they once shared still lying in the dirt nearby.
Reality crashes into her.
She realizes her own family did this.
Her whole world breaks in that moment.
Back in reality…
Himiko stands behind Yura.
Suddenly, Kyle leaps through the air, black Spartan energy surrounding him. He dives down, determined to stop her from harming Yura. With a burst of power, he activates Reikou and stabs at Himiko.
Her eyes widen as she turns slightly
Tatsuo rushes in, forming a katana and slicing at her arm.
Seiyan jumps high and drives a blade into her back.
Dracula summons a spear crackling with electricity and charges forward.
Reji spins his kusarigama rapidly, the chain wrapping around Himiko's body before he throws it toward her with full force.
Himiko's eyes widen. "You… let it go."
Kairo's face tightens in anger. He steps forward and stabs her again. "Don't you dare hurt my friends!"
Himiko smirks faintly. "To be honest… from the beginning when I appeared in this world… when I appeared behind Yura that day… it was all an illusion."
She tilts her head.
"Me? I'm an illusion. The real me was never here. I was just testing you all…"
Her body begins to fade, her form breaking like glass in the wind.
The illusion disappears.
Everyone freezes.
They stare down into a deep empty hole where she once stood.
All their attacks… all their struggles… were aimed at something that was never real.
They can't believe it.
Even the illusion was that powerful.
Reji slowly drops down his kusarigama. The chain wraps carefully around Yura's unconscious body, lifting her gently without harming her. He pulls her closer.
Kairo rushes forward and kneels beside her, checking her condition.
In the clinic, Yura lies on a bed. Tyouro rests on another. Shougo's arm has been restored by Judas, but his expression is tight and heavy. He stares at them, jaw clenched, unable to believe he let his students go through something like that.
Griffin places a hand on Shougo's shoulder. "Don't worry… they're growing now. I'm surprised by Yura's strength."
Shougo nods silently and walks away.
Inside the room, Kairo still looks traumatized. He can't believe they just faced such a powerful illusion.
Beside him, Reji slaps his back. "Hey, idiot. Stop overthinking we're all traumatized by that illusion lady. Now eat breakfast made by Seiyan."
He winks and sits down.
Kyle slowly takes a plate and eats in silence. "I'm surprised too… I was traumatized as well. But I noticed Sensei Shougo wasn't in a good mood. I never knew about his past…"
Kairo looks at him, then glances toward the door where Shougo left.
Dracula kicks Seiyan lightly. "Hey, your food tastes bad. Never cook again."
Seiyan grunts and glares. "Hey, idiot! At least I tried my best!"
Tatsuo calmly watches them, eating macaroni and cheese then suddenly throws up. "Hey Seiyan! Don't cook again!"
Seiyan snaps, eyes wide. "Hey! Don't eat it then!"
"How can I know if it tastes bad if I don't eat it?!"