The room echoed with button clicks and the familiar sounds of in-game combat. Alex sat comfortably on his living room couch, eyes locked onto the screen, controller in hand. The day had been peaceful—just another casual morning filled with video games and manga.
A knock at the door broke the immersion. Alex paused his game and stood up to go check who it was.
Knock knock knock.
"Yo, Serena?" Alex opened the door with a grin. "What's up? This is a surprise. You don't usually come by my place."
Serena crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Back to your usual routine—playing games all day and reading manga like nothing's happening in the world."
Alex chuckled. "Well, I can't let you stay outside roasting me. Come on in."
Serena stepped inside without hesitation. "Actually, I came here to tell you something. Kojin's looking for you. He seems... unusually demanding. Said it's important."
Alex let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, give me five minutes to get ready."
Not long after, Alex and Serena stood outside Kojin's office. The heavy atmosphere was undeniable.
Alex opened the door. "Hey Kojin. Serena told me it was urgent, so... what's going on?"
Kojin looked up from his desk, his expression calm but serious.
"I'm fine, Alex. First, before anything else—I want to thank you. For saving the city three months ago. It takes real bravery to fight like you did."
Alex laughed softly. "Aw, come on. It's nothing, really... but thanks."
Kojin nodded, the smile quickly fading from his face. "Alright. I have two things to tell you. One of them concern Diablo."
Serena's expression shifted. A faint trace of worry appeared in her eyes. "Yeah... it's true. I haven't heard from him since. At first, I figured he was just goofing around, hiding somewhere as usual, but... it's been almost four months. He's just gone."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "It's about time I heard something about him. No sightings, no message... I was starting to get worried too."
Kojin took a deep breath. "I hate to break it to you both—but Diablo has been sealed away."
Serena blinked in confusion. "Wait... sealed? What do you mean, sealed?"
Kojin continued, his tone growing heavier. "I sent Diablo on a mission, it was too stop the leader of the dark sign from some certain plans. I trusted Diablo to stop her. And knowing him, I couldn't imagine him losing. But... I asked Veronica to investigate when he didn't return. She brought back a report. Diablo was trapped inside something called... the Reality Sealer. A sealed box. He's gone silent ever since."
Serena's voice cracked slightly. "Wait... someone actually sealed Diablo? I'm starting to get really worried now."
But Alex, unfazed, smirked. "Come on, we're talking about Diablo here. I bet he's just sitting in that box making sarcastic jokes or meditating or something. He'll be fine. We just need to figure out how to bring him back. Besides, that goofy twenty-nine-year-old teacher of mine is totally overpowered. He's not going down that easily."
Veronica smiled quietly to herself, listening from the corner. "Diablo really has a student who understands him well," she thought. "Alex reminds me of Ichiki... back in our days under Kazuma."
Kojin's expression softened. "I'm glad to see you processing it like this. But there's... something else. And honestly, you won't believe me unless someone else tells you."
A voice spoke from the far side of the room. Calm, familiar.
"Alex, boy... how have you been? It's been a while."
Alex turned quickly, eyes lighting up. "Old man Fugaku! What's up? You're looking sharp! Were you able to take care of that mysterious lady and that bird that appeared?"
Serena glanced at the older man in confusion. "Who...?"
Veronica stepped forward. "That's Lord Fugaku. The third lord of the city before Kojin."
Serena's eyes widened. "Wait, are you serious?!"
Fugaku chuckled before his tone became grim "Alright, Alex. There's no easy way to say this. But... Ranpo is dead."
The room fell silent.
Alex blinked. "Wait, what? That's a joke, right?." He smiled nervously. "Okay, now that was a good one. Seriously though—what did you really want to tell me?"
Fugaku's tone grew firm. "I wish it was a joke. But it's true. Your grandfather is gone. When you flew off to the city to stop the attack, Ranpo and I stayed back. I fought the Divine Beast. He faced Ukina. The entire Mount Law was obliterated. I rebuilt it using my earth techniques... but I couldn't save him."
Alex's expression changed. His smile disappeared. His face dropped, eyes darkening, voice low. "You're not joking... are you?"
"I wish I were," Fugaku said quietly. "I could've died too. Ukina wasn't after me. She was after him. I'm sorry, Alex. I truly am."
Alex's eyes began to shimmer with tears. His fists trembled at his sides.
"I see how it is..." he muttered, turning away. "I'll be going now."
He walked out of the room, the door slamming behind him.
Kojin exhaled deeply, a heavy look on his face. "I'm the one who should be crying... Ranpo and I have been friends since day one. Damn it... I still can't believe it. What the hell is Ukina thinking?"
Serena stood there, stunned. Her voice was barely a whisper. "It can't be... a lot must be going through his head right now..."
End of Chapter.