No blood, no bone, no ash. It's a cry from the past, and it hits hard. A memory of red lifting, gathering into the sky to...
"I am the new Red King."
Munakata looks over his glasses to the teen before him. Barely out of high school, wearing fashion that can only be described as unrefined. Probably dresses as lazily as his work habits. And yet, there's a spark in his eyes, and the familiarity leaves a lump in his throat.
In the months succeeding the near repeat of the Kagutsu Crater, the Red Clan had been non-existent. The death of the previous King had taken away both power and motivation. And now-
"May I direct you to a previous member of the Red Clan?"
"No need. I just came by to greet a fellow king. You don't mind, do you?"
Humor me. "Not in the least."
"I just met Kusanagi-san. Said if I had major questions to bring 'em to you."
:::
:::
There's a loneliness that comes with being at the top. Watching everything below, unable to join. Maybe that's why the Kings are attracted to each other.
"Can I fight you?"
It's just... It feels like I have to do this before anything else.
:::
:::
The similar fighting stance, the Red Aura so fucking familiar it makes him want to choke in grief. He unsheathes his saber instead.
In the end, Munakata has him pinned with the sharp edge of his blade against his throat. The kid looks satisfied enough. Was there a point to this?
"Only a King can kill another King," Munakata tells him, lowering his blade. "I will not hesitate to end you, if need be it."
The new king's soft smile doesn't belong. And suddenly, neither does the spark in his eyes.
"I just came to visit a friend."
He flinches back as if burned, rubbing his eyes. When he looks up at Munakata, the spark is replaced by a new flame, burning just as bright as the previous king.
How is everyone coping with episode 13? /sobs quietly forever