Disclaimer: I do not own Musashi and the characters. They are all from Sqaure Enix and Tetsuya Nomura. The characters Harukaze, Minka, and the "Voice" are mine.

A/N: WOOT! Finally, a new chapter! And look, my favorite reviewers are back! Yes, Metaldix and Neverclaw, I think this chapter might be better than the others, thanks to your critiques. :D See if it's ok, ok? Thanks! Enjoy!

Somewhere in a cold, dark, and dampy place, the princess of Allucaneet Kingdom, Fillet, lies in a misty glass cube. She tried to get up as she sat up weakly. She was panting and wheezing. She then gasped as she kneels down on her knees and bowed her head, as she supported herself by laying her palms flat on the ground. She then coughed numerous times. She then looked up and saw a weird figure behind the misty glass. He vision was blurry, but she somehow recognized the figure.

"Why?!" Princess Fillet asked. "Why do you still have to do this to me?!" The figure replied in a deep voice, "Forgive me for placing you in this experiment. After all, you are the only human here…"

The glass then broke into pieces. They then disintegrated. The princess then began to breathed heavily, still on her knees and hands. A purple slime then crawled near the Princess Fillet. It then turned into an antidote herb. The princess took it and placed it in her mouth and gulped it down. After that, she stood up slowly and said, "You won't get away with this! No mater how many or how hard the trials are, my friends and Musashi will rescue me!"

"Maybe…" the figure said. "But… we'll see if they can withstand… the DARKNESS…"

CHAPTER 25: THE THIRD DEADLY TRIAL: DYING LIGHT

Someone's stomach grumbled. The sound echoed through the walls of the Dungeon. It was already 11:00 AM.

"All that shopping was really worth it," said Mycella. "Yey! Food!" said Kojiro. "Thank God, the Restaurant cooked some better foods," said B.F. Musashi. "And why would you say that?" asked S.L. Musashi, as he munched his hamburger. "Weren't they good the last time you dropped by?" B.F. Musashi just munched his porkchop, as he remembered the porkchop before was filled with some roundworms. He then muttered as he sweatdropped, "... Don't ask me, please. You're losing my appitite..."

Suddenly, the "Voice" was heard.

"WELL, WELL, WELL... TAKING SOME LUNCH, I SEE..."

Kojito was so surprised by the sudden voice of the "Voice", he choked and coughed.

"OOF! KOFF! KOFF!"

"Kojiro-kun!" said Harukaze. "Hey, look what you've done!" said S.L. Musashi. "You made him gulp down into the wrong pipe!"

"AS IF I CARE..."

"Baka (Idiot)..." muttered B.F. Musashi. "Here, Kojiro," said Mycella, as she gave Kojiro a glass of water. Kojiro hurriedly grabbed the glass and drank up quickly. He then sighed heavily as a sign of content.

The "Voice" then said:

"WELL, IF YOU'RE DONE WITH YOUR LUNCH, YOU MAY PROCEED TO THE THIRD TRIAL, WHICH IS LOCATED AT..."

"Lemme guess... the west of this dungeon..." says B.F. Musashi dully.

"CORRECT... BUT YOU MUST ENTER THE DOOR TO THE EAST... ENTER IT... IF YOU DARE..."

With that, the voice faded away as it echoed through the walls.

"Huh. It's like he's trying to scare us!" says Kojiro. "If he is, he's makin' a BIG mistake..." says B.F. Musashi. "And I don't care if the next crappy trial will be dangerous!"

So, after they all packed their stuff, Musashi and Co. followed the "Voice"'s directions. As soon as they entered the room, all they see is total darkness. They only hear the sound of dripping droplets and some small noises.

"W-Whoa..." muttered Mycella. "I-It's pretty dark in here..." Mycella then held Samurai Legend Musashi's hand. "Dang, I have never been into this kind of room," said Kojiro. "It's so friggin' dark!"

"Well, I have, duh," said B.F. Musashi. "But why this dark, Musashi-sama?" asked Harukaze. "Well, this IS a trial, isn't it?" said B.F. Musashi. "Yeah, but what the heck are we suppose to do?" asked S.L. Musashi.

The "Voice" was then heard.

"YOU WILL HAVE TO COLLECT THE POWER OF A FIREFLY. EACH OF YOU MUST HAVE THAT POWER TO PASS THIS TRAIL."

Brave Fencer Musashi thought for awhile and asked, "You mean like this?" Musashi then summoned the ability "Firefly" into his Fusion. It looks like he is the only glowing.

"YES. THAT'S THE ONE... SINCE ONLY BRAVE FENCER MUSASHI HAS THAT POWER, THE OTHER FOUR OF YOU MUST GET ONE FOR YOURSELVES."

"But, how are we gonna do that?" asked Kojiro. "And how are we going to get it?" asked Mycella.

"YOU MUST FIND SOME BATS CARRYING LANTURNS. LET THOSE CREATURES DROP THEIR LANTERNS ON ANY OF YOUR DESIRED ITEMS."

"Hah! No sweat!" says S.L. Musashi. "I'll just Duplicate!"

"BUT BE WARNED: SOME VAMBEES MIGHT COME OUT TO BITE YOU. AND ALSO, IF YOU STILL DON'T HAVE THE FIREFLY'S LIGHT, YOU MAY BE HAUNTED BY VISIONS OF YOUR DEEPEST FEARS..."

"Now that's scary..." muttered Haruakaze. 'I'm getting the heebie-jeebies...' squeaked Minka.

"WELL, I'LL LEAVE YOU ALONE NOW... OH, AND THERE'S NO TIME LIMIT. BUT REMEMBER: THE PRINCESS IS WAITING..."

The "Voice then faded away.

... Princess... B.F. Musashi thought.

"Well, since Musashi's the only one with the ability, we might as well stick with him," said S.L. Musashi. "Right, dude?" he asked B.F. Musashi, as he gave him a nudge. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure, pal..." said S.L. Musashi.

So they began to travel into the darkness, with Brave Fencer Musashi leading the way. They try to be careful not to be separated in the eerie darkness. Then, as they walked further into the dungeon, Brave Fencer Musashi was suddenly attacked. "AH!" His Firefly Ability was deactivated. "Crap. Who did this?!" demanded B.F. Musashi. "Could be a Vambee!" said Kojiro. "We better watch our backs!" said S.L. Musashi. Suddenly, Brave Fencer Musashi felt like someone has grabbed him. "What the-?!" he exclaimed. "What?! What's going on?!" asked Mycella nervously. "A Vambee must've got him!" exclaimed Harukaze.

Sure enough, Musashi can feel a hot and stinky breath near his neck. The Vambee was ready to bite Musashi, but he wasn't going to let it. Still gripping his Fusion, he plunged it through the chest of the Vambee behind him. With that, the Vambee backed away and let Musashi free. It was then gone. Musashi stood up on his feet and brushed himself. He then reactivated his Firefly ability. "Man, the Vambees are starting to get better than I thought..." says B.F. Musashi. They then continued walking. They then ended up in a protal.

"Huh? Only one?" B.F. Musashi asked himself. "Eh? What's wrong?" asked Kojiro. "Usually, there were two portals. One leading to the next room; the other, back to the beginning..." S.L. Musashi then said, "Looks like the trials have really changed. But for now, let's step in that thing."

So they did. They then appeared in the next room. The first thing they saw was a small black bat with a lanturn on its tail. "Hey! That's the one! The one with the Firefly Ability!" exclaimed B.F. Musashi. "Alright!" says S.L. Musashi. "Now all I have to do is to Duplicate it..."

So Musashi sets his eyes on the creature. However, the creature swooped down at Musashi, making him lose his concentration. "Careful! That little devil can attack you anytime!" exclaimed B.F. Musashi. "Well why didn't you say so?" asked S.L. Musashi calmly. Musashi sets his eyes once again. He made sure he makes the right timing to evade the creature's attacks. After a few turns, when he was finally focused, he waited for the bat to attack him. The bat then dropped the lanturn towards Musashi. With that, Musashi has learned the ability Firefly,. As he dodged the falling lantern, his katana glowed brightly, just like Brave Fencer Musashi's Fusion. "Alright! I've got the ability!" cheered S.L. Musashi. "Now we just need to find four more lanturn bats!" says Kojiro.

Just then, Mycella felt a little cold. She began to shiver, and then chattered lightly. When Samurai Legend Musashi faced Mycella, he noticed her movements and asked, Mycella? Are... you alright?"

Mycella didn't reply. Instead, her eyes grew large, as if she looked shocked. Then, in her own mind, she sees herself in a room. She seems to have laid down on a strapped table. Then, she saw Gandarke and his directors glaring at her. Then, they brought her to a weird-looking machine. She heard Gandrake saying, "Now, Princess Mycella, we shall extract your Mystic Powers out from your life!" Mycella looked bewildered, but nothing comes out from her mouth. She wanted to shout, but it's too late. She was in the machine... and Malbec threw the switch on.

"N-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!!!"

"MYCELLA?!"

Sh was shaking, and then she kneeled down. Her eyes were wide open with a great fear. Musashi was shocked by Mycella's condition. "Shoot, what's happening to Mycella?!" asked S.L. Musashi with great fear. "Maybe she's been haunted! By her deepest fear!" said Harukaze. "Oh crap! If she doesn't get the Firefly ability soon, she'll really get into her own nightmare!" exclaimed B.F. Musashi.

Just then, 3 Vambees appeared out of nowhere, and they seemed ready to take Mycella. However, Samurai Legend Musashi won't let them have their way as he said loudly, "GET YOUR CRAPPY HANDS AWAY FROM HER, YOU MAGGOTS!" He then used Karmic Circle ("KARMIC CIRCLE!") against the Vambees. The sword-thrown-like-a-boomarang cut the heads of the Vambees. They then backed away, leaving their heads on the ground.

Musashi then went near to Mycella, who is still trembling on the floor. "Mycella! Mycella, can you hear me?" he asked, as he intertwined the fingers of his hand to hers. "... Musashi...?" she whispered in a trembling voice. "Don't worry... I'm right here..." S.L. Musashi whispered gently. "It's gonna be alright..." Mycella just squeezed his hand lightly. They then got up. Mycella felt a little ok, but she was still terrified by her nightmare. Musashi allowed her to hold hands while walking. "... We'd better find another Firefly ability, fast," said S.L. Musashi.

They all nodded and continued walking out of the room. They stepped in the portal at the end of the room to proceed to the next room. As soon as they stepped in the next room, they see a bat with a lanturn. "There! There's one!" exclaimed Harukaze. "C'mon! Let's get it!" says S.L. Musashi. However, the bat flew higher and higher. "Hey, what gives?!" exclaimed B.F. Musashi. Then, to their surprise, a group of Vambees started to surround them. And they all seemed ready to bite the group.

"Uh-oh..." muttered B.F. Musashi. "This looks bad..."

"Crap, why now?!" complained S.L. Musashi.

He then looked at Mycella, who was still by his side. She still looked unresponsive. He then placed his katana, which was still glowing, back in its sheath. To his surprise, the sheath glowed as well. Huh, how convienient, thought S.L. Musashi. He then carried Mycella. "What's your plan, Musashi?" asked B.F. Musashi. "Can you even fight back with Mycella in your hands?" he asked. "Aw, don't worry," replied S.L. Musashi. "I've done these things a lot of times..."

Then, without any warning, the Vambees started to attack the group. Kojiro mangaed to slice some baodies of the Vambees to half. Harukaze casted an anti-Undead spell to repel the Vambees away from her (and Minka). Brave Fencer Musashi attacked with his Lumina to wipe out the Vambees. As for Samurai Legend Musashi, as four Vambees started to surround him and attack, Musashi threw Mycella up in the air. The others saw his actions, and they were rather surprised. "H-hey, Musashi!" exclaimed B.F. Musashi. "What the heck are you doing?!"

However, Samurai Legend Musashi doesn't seem to mind. As soon as the Vambees attacked, Musashi attacked first by unsheating his katana swiftly and and swinging it around quickly. It didn't damage the Vambees much, but they backed away anyway. Then, Mycella fell back down, and Musashi caught her safely. The others were surprised by Musashi's actions. "Whoa. You do that during your adventure?" asked B.F. Musashi with awe. S.L. Musashi just grinned broadly as he said, "Like I said, a lot!"

"HEY, BEHIND YOU!" exclaimed Kojiro.

Musashi turned around to see a Vambee running towards him. Musashi reacted quickly by charging Mycella's feet towards it. It caused a fair but painful damage to the Vambee (probably because of the boots Mycella was wearing). When the Vambee disintegrated, the other Vambees seemed to be afraid, as they retreated into the darkness.

When the fight was over, B.F. Musashi said, "Pal, sometimes, you can be impossible, but cool." Kojiro then said, "Man, I can't believe you use her as a weapon!" Harukaze asked, "is it even ok for her?" S.L. Musashi answered, "Ah, it's ok for her," answered S.L. Musashi. "Besides, the people who I have carried said it's ok with them, 'cuz they said it's like they're helping me."

Then, the bat with the lantern lowered down near to Mycella. S.L. Musashi then asked, "Hey, what are you going to do with her?" Mycella's wand suddenly appeared. The bat then placed the lantern near the wand. The lantern then disappeared slowly. As it did, the wand glowed brightly. "I see, so the bat is transferring its ability to Mycella's wand," said B.F. Musashi.

As the wand glowed brightly, Mycella slowly regained her senses. She blinked twice, and looked at Musashi, who was still carrying her in his arms. "Hey, good to see alright, Princess," said S.L. Musashi. "... What happened?" asked Mycella. "Oh, a lot has happened," repiled S.L. Musashi. "Oh yeah. And you'd better thank the little dude for giving you its light."

"Huh?"

Mycella looked at the bat, which was near her wand. She smiled and said, "Thanks you, little one." The bat fluttered its wings, as if it's saying, "You're welcome." Then, it flew off, until it was out of sight. Musashi let Mycella stand up as she picked up her wand. Only two more to go... thought B.F. Musashi.

They all continued walking through the room. While they were walking, some Vambees would try to pop out of the darkness, but since Brave Fencer Musashi still has the ability and was leading the group, he would just punch their faces hard before they could even attack. When they reached the end of the room, they saw another portal, and Brave Fencer Musashi looked puzzled. Kojiro noticed it and then asked, "What's with the look, Musashi?" Musashi answered, "It's just that... there used to be 3 rooms. Now it has been added? How many rooms are there now?" S.L. Musashi then said, "Dude, the only way to answer your questions, is to find out."

A group transported into the nezt room, it was dark as usual. But there weren't any Vambees in sight. Just another bat with a lantern flying around the ceiling. "There's another one!" said Harukaze. 'C'mon! Let's get it!' squeaked Minka. Then, the bat swooped at Minka. Surprised by this, Minka started to run around as she whimpered. The bat then flew after her. Now that bat was chasing after the little Minku. "H-Hey! The bat is picking on my Minku!" said Harukaze. "What does that TWERP want with the SQUIRT?" asked B.F. Musashi skeptically.

Suddenly, out from the ceiling, a Vambee was dropped down onto the ground. "Whoa! Where did come from?!" exclaimed S.L. Musashi. "Now what does it want?!" asked B.F. Musashi. The Vambee then started chasing the bat, who was still chasing Minka, who was still running away. Everybody sweatdropped by the scene. "WHY would THAT VAMBEE chase the bat?" wondered Kojiro. "I don't know, but we should at least save the poor little thing," said Mycella. B.F. Musashi sighed with discontent and said, "Whatever.." He then said to S.L.Musashi, "C'mon, Musashi... Follow me..."

"Eh? What do you want me to do, Musashi?" asked S.L. Musashi.

"Just follow me..." replied B.F. Musashi.

The Vambee continued to chase the bat, as the bat continued to chase Minka, as Minka continued to run away. Then, as Brave Fencer Musashi went near to the chasing trio, he silently placed one of his legs forward after the bat has passed by. With that, the Vambee tripped. While in mid-air, B.F. Musashi said loudly, "Now, Musashi! Slice him up!" Then, Samurai Legend Musashi used the Slice and Dice technique ("SLICE AND DICE!!!") against the Vambee. The Vambee was then cut into four cubes. Despite that, the bat continued to chase Minka. "Eh? Still chasing the squirt?" asked B.F. Musashi.

Then, when Minka tripped, she squealed, and when she did, the bat threw the lantern in Minka's mouth. Minka gulped it down. Everyone looked surprised by this. But Minka looked fine. Only her body was just glowing bright. "EH?! The bat just chased Minka, just to give the lantern?!" said S.L. Musashi. "In her stomach? Gimme a break..." said B.F. Musashi with boredom. Minka then strottled to Harukaze's arms. "Good going, Minka," said Harukaze. "I almost felt a spine-tingling feeling awhile ago."

"Which means you were almost haunted," said B.F. Musashi.

"Well, at least we got one," said Mycella. "C'mon, let's go to the last room to find the last Firefly," she said, as she spotted a portal.

So they stepped in the portal to the next room. But as they transported to the next room, Kojiro flet strange. It's like as if some ice were on his back. He then heard a soft voice of a young woman, saying:

"You promised..."

Kojiro shook his head a littlem as he kept up with the group. He then called the girls. "Harukaze-chan? Mycella-hime?" The girls turned to Kojiro and Mycella asked, "Hm? What's wrong, Kojiro?" Kojiro then asked, "... Did... one of you girls said something earlier? I thought I heard someone talking..." The girls looked puzzled, and Harukaze said, "Kojiro-kun... no one was talking awhile ago..." Kojiro fell silent, and said, "... Is that so...?" B.F. Musashi then said, "C'mon, let's continue walking... This must be the last room, and I bet the last Firefly is here." So they did, with Brave Fencer Musashi punching some Vambee faces before they attack.

Then, they saw a bat with a lanturn. "There's the last one," said S.L. Musashi. "I guess Kojiro has to get it now," said B.F. Musashi. "Ok, I'll do it," said Kojiro. But as Kojiro took a step, he saw something strange. He saw a silhouetted figure in the way. It was faced back. Then, the figure looked at Kojiro. Kojiro hesitated, and he heard the figure, saying in a male's voice:

"Aren't you looking for me?"

"Wha-?"

"Hey, Kojiro! What are you doing?!" said B.F. Musashi. "The bat's getting away!"

Kojiro looked up. The bat was getting away, but it seemed to be flying in a cool motion. It flew towards a room. "That room must be the one leading the exit of this trial," said B.F. Musashi. "Well then, let's follow it," said S.L. Musashi. As they follwed it, Kojiro heard the woman's voice again. He stopped his tracks as he heard the voice saying:

"Kojiro... did you forget your promise?"

Kojiro turned around to see another silhoutted figure in front of him. The figure was a woman. Although Kojiro can't see her face (or even her whole body), he can see her eyes glowing with sadness. She then said, "Kojiro... why?" Kojiro then asked hesitantly, "W-Who are you? Why do you know me? And... why are you weeping?" The silhoutted woman wept and said, "Oh, Kojiro... can you not recognize me?" Kojiro then thought, Well, her voice sounds kinda familiar to me... When Kojiro looked at her glowing eyes, he thought about her voice. And when he did, her eyes grew large with full of shock. S-She... She can't be...!

Kojiro's thoughts were interuppted by Brave Fencer Musashi's voice, saying, "Hey, Kojiro! Why are you standing there?! C'mon! The bat's waiting!"

Kojiro then turned around to see the others near the entrance of the exit. "R-Right!" said Kojiro. "I-I'm coming!" He then turned around to talk to the woman. But to his surprise, she was gone. Huh?! Where did she go?! Kojiro thought wildly.

"KOJIRO!" called B.F. Musashi.

"R-Right there now!" said Kojiro, as he started to running towards to exit. But as soon as he did, four Vambees suddenly dropped down from the ceiling. They surrounded Kojiro.

WHAT THE?!

"Oh shoot! Now Kojiro's in trouble!" said B.F. Musashi. "What the hell was thinking?!"

Meanwhile, Kojiro hesitated a bit, but still managed to draw his nodachi. He began attacking the Vambees mormally. One by one, the Vambees were destroyed. When the last was standing, Kojiro exclaimed, "YOU'RE GOING DOWN! DIE!" But as he swung his sword to the Vambee, he thought he saw the shadowed figure of a man he saw earlier. The figure then said:

"Why aren't you looking for me? Aren't you afraid of what will happen to me?"

"HUH?! Kojiro thought, as he stopped his sword.

When the Vambee saw that Kojiro was distracted, it immidiately grabbed Kojiro by the neck. Kojiro was surpried by this, but he can't stop it, for now. "Oh, shoot! Why did Kojiro stopped his attack?! Damn it!" said B.F. Musashi angrily. "Kojiro-kun!" exclaimed Harukaze. "You know, I swear Kojiro's acting strangely lately," said Mycella. "But why?!" asked S.L. Musashi.

Meanwhile, the Vambee continued to grasp Kojiro's neck tightly. Kojiro gasped for air, and an idea hit him. Since he was still holding his nodachi, he began to hit the Vambees's crotch, with the use of the dull side of his sword. The Vambee reacted by losing its grip. As it did, Kojiro freed himself, and swiftly sliced the Vambee's head out from its body. As the head fell onto the ground, he heard the man's voice saying:

"I thought you promised her..."

HUH?! Kojiro turned around, and saw the shadowy figure of the man once more. He could hear the figure saying:

"You said you promised her to find me... And I know you wish to find me as well..."

Kojiro then exclaimed, "W-WHO ARE YOU?! AND WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Meanwhile, the others looked at Kojiro from afar with confusion. "Wh-What's up with Kojiro?!" asked B.F. Musashi. "He... He's talking to himself!" said Mycella with shock. "What's wrong with him?!" wondered S.L. Musashi. "S-Something must've affected him!" exclaimed Harukaze. Meanwhile, Kojiro demanded, "WHY ARE YOU TELLING THIS TO ME?!" The figure answered, "Because I know you want me to be found..." Kojiro's eyes glowed with shock. He then heard the voice of the woman saying:

"You said you promise not to break the promise ever..."

"But I...!" Kojiro tried to explain.

The man the said:

"You have to look for me, Kojiro... I might be... DEAD..."

Kojiro began to sweat, even though the environment around him was cold. Images of the man and woman began to fill his mind. He could see the man walking away, and the woman with tears flowing in her face while lying on a bed. Then, Kojiro can hear his childhood voice saying:

"I promise... I'll find him..."

Then, he screamed loudly, as he knelt down on the floor, dropping his nodachi on the ground, and clutching his head with his own hands.

"A-A-A-A-H-H-H-H!!!"

"KOJIRO!" called B.F. Musashi, as he went near to Kojiro. Kojiro was trembling as he breathed heavily. "Kojiro! Listen to me!"sais B.F. Musashi. "Whatever you think of, it's gonna be alright! Try to find peace in your mind!" said Musashi. "Kojiro!" But still, Kojiro's body shook as he sweated. His face looked pale and his eyes still glowed with shock and fear. He still clutched his head with his head bowed down near the floor.

Then, the bat flew out hurriedly, and dropped the lantern onto Kojiro's nodachi. The lantern then disappered, as the nodachi glowed brightly. As Kojiro's senses cleared up, he stood up slowly and picked his nodachi and stared at it for awhile. B.F. Musashi then asked, "... Kojiro... are... you alright?" Kojiro was silent, then he answered quietly, "Yes... I am..." But when Musashi looked at Kojiro's eyes, he could tell that Kojiro still has fear within him... and also sadness. But Musashi didn't say a word. So they just went into the room with the others, and rang the gong to be transported back to the main Dungeon.

As they did, the first thing they heard was "Voice".

"WELL, WELL, WELL... I SEE YOU HAVE ALREADY COLLECTED ALL FOUR. NOW, I'LL BE TAKING THEM NOW, THANK YOU... WELL, EXCEPT FOR THE MUSASHIS, PERHAPS..."

Then, 3 lights came out from Mycella's wand, Kojiro's nodachi, and Haruakaze's Minka. They floated up, until they disappeared. The "Voice" then said:

"WELL NOW, MUSASHI... DO YOU WISH TO CONTINUE TO THE FOURTH TRIAL... OR WOULD YOU RATHER REST FOR AWHILE?"

Brave Fecner Musashi looked at Kojiro, who just fell silent ever since they were all transported. Musashi could still tell that Kojiro was not completely okay. So, Musashi said, "We'll rest for awhile. We'll be leaving to the castle now..."

"SO BE IT..."

Alluceneet Palace. The afternoon hours turned into night hours as the dinner was served on the table. Everyone ate quietly, but only Kojiro didn't eat. Instead, Kojiro stared at his food. The King noticed his behavior and asked, "Well, Sir Kojiro? Aren't you going to eat your dinner?" Kojiro didn't reply. The Queen then asked, "Sir Kojiro? Are you al-" She then interrupted by Kojiro when he stood up and said, "Sorry, Your Highness... I'm not hungry... I wish to be excused out of the dining table, thank you." He then left the dining hall without saying any word. The King then said, "Why, that's not a very-"

"Leave him alone, Your Majesty," said B.F. Musashi.

"What?" asked the King. "Sir Musashi, I do believe you know what's wrong with him. What is it then?" Musashi thought for awhile, then said, "It must be beacuse of the trial this afternoon..." The Queen asked, "And, what is the trial all about?" Mycella answered quietly, "It's... about confronting our fears in the darkness..." The King then said, "Well, I do believe you all passed, correct?" The group nodded. "Well then, why is Kojiro looking a little... upset?" asked the Queen. B.F. Musashi fell silent, and said, "It's probably because of his fear..."

"What about his fear?" asked S.L. Musashi. "It's no big deal, right?"

"I know," said B.F. Musashi. "But for Kojiro... the fear he confronted must've been affecting his own life." The group looked puzzled. "What do you mean by that, Musashi-sama?" asked Harukaze.

(Kojiro in his room.) "His fear must have been something about his personal life," said B.F. Musashi. (Kojiro looks at the moon by the window.) "You mean... his fear is concerning about his... life problems?" asked Mycella. (Kojiro looks away, with a somewhat depressed face.) "Could be..." said B.F. Musashi. (Kojiro lies down on his bed.) "But... I do remember something about him..." (Kojiro faces sideways.) "Something like... a promise... That's why I decided to come back here so Kojiro may have time to think about it..."

As Kojiro looked sideways of his bed, he then thought about the man and the woman he saw earilier. He then thought, Do not worry... I promise... I'll find him... before it's too late.

END OF CHAPTER 24

A/N: WOOT! Finally! A chapter well-done! I think... Anyways, my, what in the world is Kojiro thinking? What could his mysterious childhood past be? Well, I'll put that up sometime, cuz it's a little too early if I do. Anyways, my week-long vacation is almost done, so there! Be sure to keep an eye out of more updated chapters! ;D