Gaiden 2: The quiet man who follows deep darkness
(外伝2 深い闇に従う静かな男性)
Near death in the Third Temple, Dragon Ryuho had a flashback. He had a friend, who wanted to see him in private.
"I am a messenger of the Underworld, and Suikyo, I've come for you."
"That's him, the demon!"
It was night. The crystal mist feathering from the falling Rozan Waterfall pulled the training grounds into a ghostly ambience. Creeping out of the grove was a short homo-sapien in black, protruding armor. The appearance invited a deepened brow from Ryuho; by his side was a tall man with dark hair and solemn looking eyes.
"Are you harassing my friend?"
The Specter cackled. "Not at all. As the one with an invisible body, even with the sealed Specters, I remain behind as the protector and voice of the Dark Lord himself. In other words, I know his will. I know you, Suikyo. Your fate.
"My fate?"
Suikyo, a trainee under Ryuho, kept remote due to a…particular problem. It came as a surprise to Ryuho when he was told by Suikyo-known for his reticence- that a monster or demon had been following him. A monster named the Terrestrial Guardian Star, Gargoyle Rouen, the creature who died against Genbu.
"I suppose you don't know, but your heart is telling you isn't it? You belong to Death's Kingdom. That is His desire."
"Enough foolishness. Are you saying that I'm dead?!"
"You are pretty much alive, but your spirit is connected to a dark star. Your star radiates quite brightly."
Nothing seemed to make sense, but what was clear was a threat: "Exchange your life for the safety of your brother." Ryuho moved with anger, but his dragon fist could not break anything. The Invisible Gargoyle Rouen? The Surplice seemed hard like a diamond beyond imagination. As Gargoyle kept still, no offense seemed to make him budge.
That was when spears of ice pierced him. The Gargoyle was forced into retreat.
Ryuho was aghast, "Suikyo….?!"
The quiet man stared at his palms, an expression of disturbance upon his face. "I'm sorry. I must…leave." Despite Ryuho's wails, Suikyo left Rozan in a stupor and never returned.