A scene of devastation greeted the eyes of police officers as they came to investigate an emergency call. Everyone in a Shibuya corporate building was found dead with no visible wounds or signs of struggle. Police are investigating further into the cause of death…

Naste looked away from the TV, shock, horror, and worry in her eyes.

"It doesn't seem like a mass suicide. People from many different companies work in that building."

"Do you think it may be something…supernatural? Not terrorist activity?"

Shin sighed. "If it IS supernatural, that means that we'll be fighting again…"

Shu grinned. "Great! I've been bored."

"What are we going up against, though, that can kill so many people with nobody noticing until it's too late?" Toma's question brought immediate silence.

"But…we have no information other than what's on the news. How can we research without any clues?" Ryo asked, looking at Naste, who nodded.

"He's right. I'm good, but I'm not that good."

"But how are we going to find out anything?"

Shin withdrew his armor ball, which faintly glowed.

"Maybe following these can help? Heaven knows they've led us to trouble often enough."

Ryo shrugged. "It's an idea. Why not try it?"

The next day produced another case of mass unexplicable demise.

"We have to do something soon," Seiji stated with conviction.

"Where do we start, though?"

"Both attacks have been in Shibuya. Let's start there."

After a brief consultation, the Ronins decided that by splitting up, they had a better chance of discovery. They set a time and place to meet, then split into five different directions.

Ryo walked through downtown Shibuya, thinking.

'If I were a mass murderer, would I go after a place like this? I could easily get lost in the crowds, and it's not like anyone would live to tell the tale…'

He fished his armor ball out of his pocket to find it glowing a steady red.

'They're near…' he thought uneasily. He knew he could call on the guys for help, but what if they came too late? His sight was drawn upward, and he saw someone standing on top of a building.

'That's an apartment complex!'

He felt, rather than saw, energy dripping off the figure, which decided his actions. He ran to the building and clambered up the fireladders, panting. He was winded when he reached the roof, but the person hadn't moved. The only difference from what he had previously seen was there was now a softly shimmering globe in his hand.

"Too late, firebug," the man said, his voice a soft purr that made Ryo shiver.

"Who are you?"

"Come here, Ryo."

Ryo felt himself drawn forward, even though his more sensible part screamed at him not to. An arm's length away, he was able to discern features. He was clothed in black subarmor. He was tall, not under 8 feet and his deep black hair slithered down his back to his knees. But his eyes were what captivated him. They drew him in, depthless as space, cold, cruel, and hauntingly beautiful. The world dissolved around him and he moved closer, touching the cheek beneath the eyes, fascinated. He distantly heard someone call his name, but he was drawn away by strong, firm hands pulling him close.

"Come with me, my little flame," the man whispered in his caressing, melodic tenor.

Ryo's mind and heart were caught, and he longed to go. Reality entruded, however, when he and the man were assaulted by bright green lightning which the man deflected. Ryo's conciousness came slamming down on him. The concrete roof, the open air, and the battle cries of his friends reformed around him, and he pushed away. The captivating eyes flashed hurt, then annoyance, then resolution. As Ryo, in a daze, was being pulled away, a voice floated through his mind

I will be back for you, my Flame.

Ryo felt suddenly, alarmingly, alone.