It started without warning. One second Riven was walking back like nothing happened, the next—his chest tightened. Not pain. Not normal pain. Something worse. It felt like something inside him was being squeezed… slowly… deliberately. He stopped mid-step, hand gripping his chest. "…what the—" The pressure spiked. His breath hitched. His knees almost gave out. It wasn't an injury. It wasn't from the fight. This felt alive. Like something inside him didn't agree with him existing. "…damn it…" He tried to steady himself, but it got worse. Sharp. Crushing. His vision blurred. The world around him faded at the edges. And then—everything went dark.
Water. Cold. Still. Endless beneath his feet. Riven stood there, breathing unevenly, his chest still aching faintly. He didn't need to look around twice. He knew this place. "…again…" A low sound echoed from the darkness ahead. Something massive shifted. Heavy chains rattled faintly. Then those eyes appeared. Large. Glowing. Watching him. The creature exhaled slowly. "…hey." A pause. Then, in a tone that sounded half irritated, half amused— "…shit head." Riven didn't react immediately. He just looked up. "…you again." The beast's eyes narrowed slightly. "…don't try to act familiar." He leaned forward just a bit, voice heavier now. "…and don't try to be him." Riven frowned. "…who?" The creature scoffed. "…don't play dumb." A pause. "…you're not Naruto Uzumaki." The name hung there for a second. The beast continued, tone deeper. "…he was the first one who actually became my friend." Another pause. "…after Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki." The chains shifted again. "…you?" The creature's gaze sharpened. "…don't mistake this." He leaned closer. "…don't try to tame me." A faint growl followed. "…I'm not a pet." The air grew heavier instantly. "…I am the true Nine Tails." Silence. Riven watched him for a moment, then scratched his head lightly. "…yeah, got it… nine tall." The beast froze. "…what?" Riven shrugged. "…nine tall." A second of silence— Then it snapped. "…IT'S NOT NINE TALL, IT'S NINE TAILS, YOU SHIT HEAD!" His voice echoed everywhere. Then—unexpectedly—he laughed. Loud. Rough. Real. Riven blinked once. "…okay… nine tails." A small smirk slipped through. Then his expression shifted slightly. "…still… that's not your real name, right?" The laughter stopped. Instantly. The atmosphere changed again. Quieter. He didn't answer. Riven looked up, more serious now. "…so what is it?" Silence. The Nine Tails turned his head slightly away. "…that name…" A pause. "…is not for you." Riven didn't push further. Something about the tone made it clear—this wasn't a joke anymore. Another silence passed. Then— The world cracked. Light broke through. The water beneath him rippled. And everything disappeared.
Riven's eyes snapped open. He gasped, pulling in air sharply. The ceiling above him was different this time. Cleaner. Brighter. "…medical…" he muttered weakly. Then he heard it. A quiet sound. Someone trying not to cry. He turned his head slightly. Lucy. Sitting beside him, head lowered, shoulders shaking. Riven blinked once. "…hey…" She froze. Slowly looked up. Her eyes were red. The moment she realized he was awake—she stood up so fast the chair behind her almost fell. "…Riven—!" And before he could react— She hugged him. Tight. "…you idiot…!" Her voice cracked. "…you weren't waking up…" Riven froze for a second. "…I'm fine…" he said quietly. Lucy didn't let go immediately. Then she realized—and pulled back quickly. "…s-sorry…" Both went silent. Awkward. Riven scratched his cheek lightly. "…it's fine…" A small pause. Lucy looked at him again. "…are you really okay?" He nodded. "…yeah." He didn't mention anything. Not the pain. Not that place. Not the Nine Tails. Lucy exhaled slowly. "…good…"
Later— They sat in her small shop. Warm light. Simple place. Riven sat quietly while Lucy prepared food. "…you still want that maggie?" she asked. Riven smirked slightly. "…yeah." A few minutes later, she placed it in front of him. Steam rising. Simple. But right. He took a bite. "…still good." Lucy smiled faintly and sat across from him. For a while, they ate in silence. Then she spoke. "…you scared me." Riven didn't look up immediately. "…sorry." A pause. "…something happened?" He shook his head slightly. "…just pushed too hard." Not a lie. Not the truth either. Lucy didn't press. She nodded slowly. Then her expression changed. More serious. "…can you find someone?" Riven looked up. "…who?" Her fingers tightened slightly. "…my brother." Silence. "…he went missing… years ago." Her voice softened. "…no one found him." Riven watched her quietly. "…and you think I can?" Lucy shook her head slightly. "…I don't know." A small, weak smile. "…but you feel like someone who can." Riven didn't answer immediately. Then—he sighed softly. "…I'll try." Lucy looked up. "…really?" He nodded once. "…yeah." Not a promise. But not something light either. Lucy smiled. This time properly. "…thank you." Riven picked up his chopsticks again. "…don't thank me yet." A pause. "…I haven't found him." Lucy laughed a little. The tension eased. Just a bit. And for a moment— It felt normal again. But in the back of his mind— That name he didn't hear… Stayed. Waiting. The chapter ends. 🔥