Chapter 29

May 13, 2021; Thursday

Kyuto High; Classroom B-2

(Morning)

"And so, America being America, sails up to our country with their white fleet, points their cannons at our face, and demand that we sign their treaty!"

The male teacher at the front slammed his chalk piece down onto the ground and begins panting heavily. Johei leaned over to Kazuhiko and whispered to him.

"Boy does Mr. Jaaku hate the U.S."

"And I have perfect reasoning for that, Mr. Shiroka!"

Johei jumped in his seat and brought up his notebook to shield any oncoming chalk pieces. Kazuhiko sighed and scooted his seat away from Johei.

"The U.S. is insufferable! No matter what they already have, they won't stop taking from us! I swear, whenever they hear that land is available, they just jump onto it and point their guns at anyone who wants it!"

Mr. Juuka turned back to the chalkboard and continued to furiously write on it. Iselin laid her head down and started to doze off until Mr. Juuka readied a piece of chalk again.

*bonk*

"Ah! Ow…", Iselin said as she rubbed her head.

Daichi scoffed and continued taking notes.

"Don't act innocent; You deserved it."

Iselin hit the top of her desk with her fist and turned to him,

"Nobody asked you, birdbrain!"

"Another outburst? Absolutely unacceptable! Please stay behind after school for some more time here!"

Iselin sighed and slunk in her seat. Kazuhiko felt sympathetic and took out his phone.

Kazuhiko: We'll wait for you at the mall.

Iselin: Thx kaz.

Daichi: I'll stay behind with her; See that she doesn't get into anymore trouble.

Iselin: dis was yor fault u know…

The gang put back their phones and continued to soak in the rage-filled lecture.

(After School)

"Hm… alright, that's enough", Mr. Juuka said.

Iselin got out of her seat and packed up her belongings.

"And if you ever happen to fall asleep, Ms. Bjorn, make sure it isn't in my class."

Iselin winced and walked out as soon as she could.

"Make sure it isn't in his class, as if I actually learn anything in that class except for how turned on he'll get when the U.S. falls", Iselin muttered as she walked out of the classroom.

"Oh, come now, you don't really mean that. I'm sure you get something out of his lectures", Hildr said as she floated right behind Iselin.

Iselin waved her hand.

"Whatever, let's just find the Grammar Nazi and get out of here."

Iselin turned in the direction of the shoe lockers and opened up hers. As she grabbed for her shoes, she knocked something over onto the ground.

"Hm?"

She knelt down and picked it up. On it was several lines written in quick succession. Iselin recognized it as a haiku.

When you feel alone,

Think of your friends, Don't let go

I'll be there, always

Iselin's hand started to shake.

"How… how did this get here?…"

Hildr looked at the poem and read it.

"Ah, a Japanese haiku. Quite simple meaning, but it does cover a lot. Iselin? Are you alright?"

Iselin quickly stopped and put the poem into her pocket.

"N-never mind."

She closed the locker door and quickly walked out of the school. Daichi was waiting for her.

"So, you ready for some tower climbing today?"

Iselin hesitated to answer, then simply nodded. Daichi took notice, but shrugged it off.

"Eh, we don't have time right now. Everyone else's been waiting for us; Let's go."

Daichi broke into a steady running speed with Iselin close behind.

"Master Daichi, don't you think Mistress Iselin is acting… strange?", Hugin asked quietly.

Daichi shook his head.

"I told you, we don't have time for tha- why did you call her Mistress?"

The two crows quickly turned away.

"Um, no reason really."

Daichi sighed and continued to run while Iselin stayed a ways back.

"Yeah… you're right… not right now…"

Nuzoko Mall District

Johei sat on the bench checking his phone for any messages.

"Okay, Daichi said he's on the way. Shouldn't be too long before they get here."

Mikan nodded.

"Okay, so we can finally start getting past that chained door."

Skadi looked a bit uneasy.

"But do we know enough about him?", She asked.

Mikan rested her head on her hands. She had been able to get close enough to him, but she doubted that she knew the entire story. He definitely had more that happened to him, but…

"I know the major reason why he's so depressed, everything else can be found out at a later time. Right now, however, we're just trying to cut our way through the shadows and find our way up."

"Sorry for the tardiness!", a voice called to them.

Daichi slowed down to a jog with the crow brothers behind him.

"I had to stop on several occasions cause Forest Gump here needed a rest."

Iselin glared daggers at Daichi.

"How come you're giving me nicknames now?!"

Daichi ignored her as he walked towards the mirror.

"So, are we gonna go or what? We don't have all day."

Mirror Dimension; Niflheim, Floor 24

The group finally reached the gate where they had been stopped at before. It still stood there, the same as ever; the chains still preventing it from opening.

"This is it. Okay, Mika-senpai, you're up."

Mikan nodded and reached out to the chains. She gave it a hard tug and felt it giving way until they snapped clean off and dissipated. Johei pumped his fists into the air.

"Alright! Let's get going then!"

"ROOOOOAAAAAAR!"

Daichi jumped back and readied his rapier.

"Should have expected an attack right off the bat! PERSONAS!"

He shattered his chains and sent Hugin and Munin towards the giant shadow.

"Hama!"

"Mudo!"

Hugin and Munin blasted the shadow head on before it attacked anyone, kicking up a blast of dust into the air.

"Did I get it?", Daichi asked.

"No! Look out!"

Daichi raised his weapon just in time to deflect an attack and was sent several meters away from where he originally was.

"Damn, a direct hit and it's still standing. Guess it repelled it."

The smoke cleared and the shadow revealed it's true form. First, a large fore-arm bone was seen, then a spine. Although it was connected to the ground, the shadow could still reach the others with it's long arms. Then, the skull appeared and pierced into all of their souls.

"I-is that?", Johei started.

"It's Gashadokuro!", Mikan yelled as she nocked an arrow on her bow.

She let loose the arrow, but it harmlessly bounced off the shadow's skull. It turned it's head in Mikan's direction and let it's mouth hang open.

"Agidyne"

The fireball in it's mouth launched into Mikan's direction at a high velocity. She attempted to dodge but was caught in the shoulder.

"Augh!"

Thankfully, there weren't any serious burns, but she couldn't draw her bow very far. Kazuhiko changed his Personas.

"Alright then, Lilith! Bufula!"

"Aww, come on, why don't we have some fun?", Lilith said seductively.

Loki jumped up and raised his hand.

"Oh hell yes!"

*Clonk*

"Never mind, I'm good."

"Just do it."

Lilith pouted and cast a Bufula in the direction of the Gashadokuro. The large shadow was sent back but quickly regained it's posture while casting Heat Riser to ready for another attack.

"Okay, so if brute force isn't going to work, time to use strategy", Kazuhiko said as he changed back to Tyr.

"What do you have in mind, Kazuhiko?", Tyr asked as he drew his sword.

"First, somebody heal Mikan and find cover. We'll need her in this fight."

Kazuhiko broke his chains and sent a flash of lightning at the Gashadokuro, stunning it for a brief amount of time. Iselin hurriedly ran over to Mikan's side and brought out some medicine.

"Alright, she can move now. What's next?", Iselin asked as she cast a sukukaja for the team.

"Tell Mikan to cast a Bufu at it's hand. We need to keep it in place."

Mikan shattered her chains in response.

"Alright, Skadi; Bufu!"

Skadi sent a freezing wave towards the hand of the giant skeleton and rooted it to the ground. The shadow struggled fiercely but did so in vain. Kazuhiko readied an attack.

"Alright, Daichi, you're up!"

Daichi nodded and sent Hugin and Munin to the monster.

"Twin Assault!"

Hugin and Munin dove towards the skeleton and smashed into it's skull, sending it back and breaking it free of the ice. It reeled back, looking damaged, but still willing to fight. Johei walked up to kazuhiko and tapped his shoulder.

"So, what now?"

Kazuhiko sighed and answered.

"Looks like we've got a long fight ahead of us…"

Later…

"*huff* *puff* *huff* That took way too long", Johei said as he leaned on his spear.

"Tell me about it. Well, at least we got some sweet stuff", Daichi said as he picked up the Gashadokuro's dropped items.

Mikan looked as if she was about to faint.

"I don't think I can go much longer. Call it a day?"

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Yeah, that would be best. Let's come back tomorrow to search the higher up floors. Looks like we won't have to face him again", Kazuhiko said as he jerked his thumb back to the already dissolving shadow matter.

Suddenly, they heard clapping from above.

"Well done, everyone of you. Although that was a good strategy, It's going to take a lot more than that to defeat me", Mijuku said as he stood on top of a pillar.

Daichi turned around in annoyance and glared at the hooded person.

"What do you want now?"

Mijuku feigned shock and crossed his arms and turned away.

"Why, to think that I came all this way to greet you and you treat me like this? It makes me regret ever stepping out of mission control center."

"Wait, did you just say, 'Mission Control Center'?", Kazuhiko asked.

Mijuku stood silent for several moments until…

"… No I didn't",

"Yes you did!", Loki shouted.

"Did not."

"Did too!"

"Not."

"Too!"

"Not."

"Too!"

"Both of you, shut up!", Skadi yelled (mostly at Loki).

Mijuku waved his hand.

"Yeah, besides, I didn't come here for the show. I'm here to tell you that your schedule should be updated as of late."

Iselin raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that?"

Mijuku jumped down and landed on the ground with a slight sense of finesse.

"Well, sweet cheeks-"

"Don't you dare call me that."

"Since you so politely asked, I'll give you another hint. Your phones."

Kazuhiko pulled out his phone and jumped at the new schedule.

"He's right, it says we only have four days left", he said worriedly.

Johei jumped at the statement.

"What?! But we had, like, another week or so!"

He looked at Mijuku accusingly.

"Wait, this has got to be your doing! You're just trying to stop us from saving him!"

Mijuku shook his head.

"What? Trying to stop you? I would never do something like that; We need him for the plan, anyways."

Once again, Kazuhiko questioned him.

"And what plan is that?", Mikan asked.

"Nothing that you need to know right now. The point is, pull your shit together, and save Japanese Doctor Strange. It'll be better in the long run. Now that that's over, toodles!"

Mijuku threw a smoke bomb onto the ground and disappeared as soon as everyone opened their eyes.

"He's gonna be a real hassle."

(Evening)

Nuzoko Mall District

"Man, I hate that guy", Johei said for, what seemed to be, the hundredth time after they had encountered Mijuku.

Mikan sighed as she slung her bag over her back. Skadi rolled her eyes in annoyance as she heard Johei grovel on some more.

"Will you ever shut up?", She asked, although didn't expect an answer.

Iselin sighed as if she was disappointed.

"And here I was looking forward to fighting a lot of shadows today. Oh well."

She took out a cigarette and lit it with a match. Daichi cringed and put his bag down on the bench.

"Well then, I guess I'll go back to the dorms. See you guys tomorrow."

He waved to everyone as Hugin and Munin followed behind him. Iselin nodded as she followed him as well to the dormitory.

"I'll catch you guys later", she said as Hildr followed her.

Mikan suddenly stumbled down onto the ground where she quickly caught herself.

"Senpai!", Johei said as he rushed over to her.

She waved him away and slowly got back up.

"Don't worry. I'm just a little tuckered out."

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Yeah, that last fight really sapped you out."

He turned to Johei.

"Hey, go get some rest at home. Leave Mika-senpai to me."

Johei nodded.

"Alright, be careful Kaz."

As Johei walked off, Kazuhiko could hear Loki protesting.

"What?! You're just gonna give up a golden opportunity like that?! Get back over there soldier! Fight your battles! Earn your medals! Make your way to her bed!"

"Really not helping, Loki", he said.

Kazuhiko slung Mikan's arm over his shoulder and let her lean on him as he walked her back home.

"Thanks for this; I didn't think I'd be able to make it back on my own."

"Don't mention it. Besides, you guys nominated me as leader, right? I should take care of you guys when you need help."

Mikan smiled as they continued to make their way back to her house.

"So", Kazuhiko started,

"How are you doing, ever since we save you from their?"

Mikan's expression downed.

"Well, I've been working on being more self-dependent, but I don't know what I should try. I mean, I'm thinking of trying self-defense classes since I won't have to rely on anyone else."

Kazuhiko stopped so that she could catch her breath and continue.

"I talked with Skadi on several occasions on how I could be stronger, and she told me if I focus more on my physical strength, I would view myself as a more stronger person."

She paused for a moment and turned to him.

"Say, what do you think makes people strong?"

Kazuhiko looked at the ground for a moment, thinking to himself.

"In all honesty," he started,

"The people I know make me stronger. I guess they kind of root me to my goals."

Mikan nodded.

"Yeah, I kind of expected that response from you. You really do understand people a lot. But should I try going for self-defense?"

"If it makes you have confidence in yourself, go ahead", Kazuhiko replied.

They continued to walk until they stopped in front of Mikan's house.

"Thanks for hearing me out, Kazuhiko-san. Sorry for taking so much of your time."

Kazuhiko waved his hand away and smiled.

"Oh no, it's nothing, really."

Mikan smiled and suddenly, a flash of light resounded. Kazuhiko began to hear a voice in his head as a card appeared before him.

You sense Mikan's gratitude; You feel like your bond has grown deeper!

"Kazuhiko-san? Are you alright?"

Kazuhiko blinked for several moments until he was brought back to the time. Mikan stopped waving her hand in front of his face and let out a sigh of relief.

"You weren't responding to anything back there. You sure you're alright?"

Kazuhiko nodded.

"Well, I'd better get back. I'll see you tomorrow, senpai!"

And with that, Kazuhiko headed back towards the Hotel.

Yoichi's POV

Yoichi's House

Yoichi held his phone in his shaking hand. In the other, he held the scan code that Shiroe had given him. He had been in this position for quite some time now, just sitting on his bed, waiting for the burst of courage he needed to take action.

He checked the window again to see if his mother was just arriving home, but he didn't see anyone. Ever since last night, his mother hadn't come home. He did get a few text messages from her, saying how she was fine, but she told him that she had to spend a few days away from home because Issai wanted her to stay behind. His hand trembled again, but this time, it was out of anger.

"Damn asshole. What the hell is he doing to you, mom?"

He opened up the camera on his phone and scanned the code without another thought.

"I swear, I'll protect you, mom. No matter what!"

Then, he saw an app that suddenly appeared on his screen. Hesitantly, how opened it and saw the instructions.

"Mirror Dimension… Navigator?"

He swiped around to try and make sense of the functions, until something caught his eye.

"Suicide Order? What's that?"

He tapped it, and up popped a new screen. He scrolled to the instructions and read a few lines.

"To initiate the suicide… of another human being? This is… kinda messed up…", Yoichi said as he went back to the home page of the app.

Then, he checked some other functions until he got down to what he was looking for.

"Ah, here it is. Entering the Mirror Dimension."

As soon as he tapped the icon, his phone started to make some noise.

"Congratulations! If you are watching this video, you have the eligibility to enter the Mirror Dimension! Not only that, but you can also unlock the power of your Persona!"

Yoichi looked confused.

"Persona…? I just want to get that same power that Shiroe had."

"So, here's how you enter the Mirror Dimension."

Yoichi tensed up.

"Alright, this is it! Once I'm in the Mirror Dimension, I can find this power and I'll go back here. It probably has a complex process so I should be ready for anything! Let's do this!", He thought to himself.

"Find any random mirror and walk through it. It's that easy!"

Yoichi stayed silent for several seconds until…

"Are you serious…?"

He walked over to the bathroom and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He stood there for several seconds until he turned down to look at his hand.

"I mean, it's just crazy, right? There's no way this could work."

Yoichi began to doubt himself. Maybe Shiroe was just some drug dealer that snuck something into his drink while he wasn't looking. Maybe t was all just a dream. It couldn't be real… could it?

His phone continued the video.

"Oh, and one more thing: If you think that we're lying, Just go ahead and see for yourself"

The video ended with Yoichi picking up his phone again. He held up his hand to see any difference, but nothing had changed.

"Well, it wouldn't hurt just to try at least once…"

He stuck out his hand…

And pressed it firmly on the solid glass.

Yoichi let out a sigh.

"Why did I even believe this crap for a second? Huh?"

Yoichi suddenly felt a liquid-like sensation under the palm of his hand. He turned and saw his fingers sinking into the mirror. At first, he felt like panicking and pulling away, but then he stopped himself.

"This might be my only chance; I can't stop now!"

With a more confident look on his face, Yoichi stepped closer and went deeper into the mirror until his entire arm was inside. Then, he stepped onto the table and entered.

May 14, 2021; Friday

(Morning)

Kyuto High, Classroom A-3

Mikan sank into her seat, still feeling the effects of yesterdays so-called 'work-out'. She felt someone walk next to her and turned around.

"How's it going, Mika-chan?", Shita asked her.

Mikan mustered up a smile and sat up.

"It's going good. I just stayed up a little too late yesterday studying, so I'm a little tired."

Shita looked impressed at her friend.

"Wow, you really are studious about your work, aren't you?"

"Attention class! Let's get into our seats!", Ms. Yuko said as she clapped her hands to gather attention.

Shita walked back to her desk and set her stuff down as Ms. Yuko was getting an attendance sheet.

"Huh, looks like Miryoku-san isn't here today…"

Mikan sat up straight; Skadi hovered closer to her.

"What do you think happened to him?"

Mikan quickly took out her phone and opened the Mirror Dimension app. Yoichi's deadline showed that there were only two more days left until time ran out. Mikan gritted her teeth and quickly put her phone back into her pocket

(Lunch time)

"What?! He's already in there?!", Johei exclaimed.

He had been chewing a melon bread when Mikan told everyone the news. The result was melon bread scattered all over the ground and anyone within a three feet radius.

*conk*

"Ow!"

Mikan hit Johei upside the head with her book as she continued.

"We need to get to him as soon as possible; He won't last very long by himself."

Iselin nodded.

"But what troubles me is the deadline; We still had two more weeks and somehow it jumps to two days. What happened in that time?"

Everyone looked frustrated just thinking about it. Eventually, Daichi broke the silence.

"Well, whatever it is, let's find out after we rescue Yoichi. He might have some idea about what's going on."

Everyone turned to Kazuhiko who sat quietly.

"Looks like everyone has come to a decision", Tyr told him.

Kazuhiko nodded.

"But for now, let's just get him home after saving him. We can ask him questions once he feels up to it."

Everyone nodded and heard the lunch bell ring.

"Alright then. See you guys at the mall?"

Mirror Dimension; Niflheim, Floor 30

Kazuhiko placed his hand on the chains to open the last door. Daichi had notified the group that Yoichi was most likely going to be behind it and that they should get ready.

"Don't worry, I'm all topped up on energy right now", Mikan said.

"It's gonna take a lot to sap all the life out of me."

Kazuhiko smiled reassuringly and pulled the chains off.

*clang*

The doors opened slowly to show Yoichi standing up. His clothes were slightly ripped, but he seemed fine altogether.

"Miryoku-san! Are you alright?" Johei asked.

Yoichi turned around and greeted them with a smile.

"Well, other than a few scratches, I'm fine! Wait, how did you guys get in here?"

His gaze wavered over them until his eyes stopped at Mikan.

"Echihiro-chan…? So you knew about this place?"

Mikan nodded.

"Yes, and it's very dangerous here! Just come with us and we'll help you get out."

Yoichi frowned.

"Get out? I mean, yeah I understand it's dangerous, but that's just the toll I need to pay for strength."

Kazuhiko raised his eyebrow.

"Toll?"

Yoichi sighed and shook his head.

"You guys really don't know that much about this place, do you?"

He placed his hands at his sides and faced them.

"To gain a Persona, one must interact with their Reflection. Whenever the Reflection deems that their owner deserves this power, they will turn into a Persona and accompany heir user through life."

He stopped and put his hands in his pockets.

"Now do you get what I'm saying?"

Johei looked quizzically at Yoichi.

"Wait, so you came in here by your own free will? How?"

"Ah…"

Yoichi held up a finger and dug into his back pocket. He pulled out something very familiar.

"That's-"

"Yep!", Yoichi said.

"I met a guy who was kind enough to give it to me. He said, if I want to be stronger, I should just follow these rules and it would lead me to the power I sought."

Daichi shuddered.

"Who gave you that…?"

Yoichi waved his hand aside to avoid the subject.

"It doesn't matter right now. The thing is, I just want that power-"

"STOP!"

Daichi started to breath heavily.

"Was the person who gave you that card called Shiroe?"

Yoichi sighed as he gave in to the second-year's demands.

"Yes. That's his name. Anyway-"

"Don't go any further. That man is evil; He just wants you to do this so you can be consumed!"

Yoichi's face then scrunched up.

"What are you talking about?"

Iselin stepped forward to try to get closer to him.

"What he's saying is that Shiroe didn't do t out of the goodness of his heart. Just doing this is giving him what he wants. Come with us and you'll be safe."

Yoichi's eyes started to darken as he turned his head down.

"So… you're telling me to run away?"

Iselin felt as if she hit a nerve, but continued on.

"No, I'm not-"

"Remember what I told you Yoichi? You're already strong in many other ways. You don't need this power-", Mikan started.

"But I couldn't stop him with my strength right now."

Mikan stopped. Yoichi clenched his fist in anger.

"If I'm so strong right now, then why did I lose…? Why did I lose to that son of a bitch Issai?!"

Mikan stepped back in shock as the air around Yoichi started to darken.

"It's because I wasn't strong enough! This power isn't just for my selfish gains, but it's for those around me! And nobody's gonna stop me from getting it!"

Yoichi turned around and started to break out into a run. Everybody quickly followed him.

"Yoichi! Wait! We can help you! Just stop!", Kazuhiko yelled to him.

"If I need strength, then stopping here would defeat the whole purpose", a voice suddenly said.

Yoichi stopped and looked right in front of him.

"Right now, I'm not strong enough. But with the power a Persona can give me, now that's what I need…"

Kazuhiko's group stopped right behind Yoichi.

"What's going on?", Mikan asked.

Kazuhiko looked past Yoichi in horror.

"You want power? Well then, take my hand. I'll give you the power you need", Yoichi's reflection said.

Shadows started to climb onto his legs, but Yoichi didn't seem to care. He reached out and took hold of his reflection's hand. The shadows started to make their way onto his arm as well as they enveloped both him and his reflection into an ebony case.

"Alright, give me your power; Become my Persona", he said as he smiled.

Aaaaaand we are back! Sorry for the late update, guys. Just got so much work when I came back to school, but I know that's not an excuse. Lately, I've been working to get back in the groove, but rest assured; I'll be back in no time. Please review after you read this chapter as always; Your contributions are important to me! Thanks so much for all you guys have done for me and this fiction. See ya!

Body-swap world: Iselin and Daichi

"*yawn* what a night. Suddenly I feel more refreshed than usual."

She walked towards the restroom and washed her face. When she brought down her hands, the reflection in the mirror surprised her.

"KYAAAAHH!", she yelled as she fell back.

She heard some noise back at the bed.

"Iselin!"

"What's"

"Going"

"On?"

"Huh?"

She turned to see two crows near the bed, wobbling to get up.

"Why am I so dizzy? Did you sneak another cigarette last night?"

Iselin shook her head.

"It's gotta take more than a simple cigarette to make me hallucinate this much."

She stepped forward and looked at the two crows.

"I guess you're in the same boat."

"Huh?"

"What"

"Are"

"You"

"Talking"

"About?"

"...WHAT!?", both the crows cried and jumped away from each other.

Iselin sighed.

"Yeah, I was kind of surprised too."

The crows turned to Iselin and jumped.

"AH! Daichi! What are you doing in Iselin's room?!"

Iselin held up her hands.

"Hold on! It's just me! Somehow, I'm in Daichi's body!"

After calming down, Iselin went to the mirror and looked once more at her reflection.

"Now that I think about it, what does Daichi look like? I'm actually kinda curious…"

Meanwhile…

"Lady Iselin! What are you doing in Daichi's room!?"

"I told you! I'm not Iselin!", Daichi yelled at the crow brothers inside Hildr.

They had been going at this for about ten minutes, the crows continuously arguing with the Daichi in Iselin's body.

"But your chest is significantly bigger than Daichi's!"

"I don't even know how this happened, but I'm Daichi! Why don't you take a look at yourself!"

Hildr(?) looked in the mirror and paused for several moments.

"Brother…", Hugin said.

"What happened?…", Munin asked.

The brothers stopped talking again until…

"We have breasts?!"

Daichi face-palmed himself.

"That's the only thing you can think of?!"

He sighed and got dressed.

"Maybe the same thing happened to Iselin. I should go check on her…"

Daichi stepped out of Iselin's room and knocked on the door.

"Hey, Iselin, are you in there?"

There was no answer, but there were a few thumps.

"If you're in there, answer me! Something weird happened. Did something happen to you?"

"Yes!"

"Something"

"Happened!"

Daichi raised his eyebrow.

"Hildr? Is that you? Open up the door."

He saw the doorknob turn just a bit and he opened it himself.

"What the hell?"

He saw his body on the floor, shirtless with the nostrils streaming blood down.

"What happened here?", Daich asked the Hildr crows.

"Well, let's just say curiosity does kill the cat…"