Chapter 5 – Reunion
Templar
Zed stepped down on to the lush, green grass, his eyes wandering over the scenery before him. I'm really here again?
Then he stumbled and nearly fell as someone tackled him. Groping about for his sword, he stopped and started in surprise. "R-Roia?!"
"Zed!" Roia gasped as tears soaked his jacket, holding him tightly. "You're really back…I…I missed you…"
Zed's eyes softened and he awkwardly returned her embrace. "Yeah."
"What are you doing here?" Noa asked, surprised. Sagiri bit her lip. "I came to see you," she answered, and looked down at her feet guiltily. Noa stared at her for a moment, then smiled. "Oh, of course! I don't see anything wrong with that." Sagiri shifted from foot to foot. "There's something else, Noa…"
"What?"
"I…I don't really know," Sagiri admitted. "But I've had dreams, bad dreams, of something terrible that's going to happen…"
"Why are you back?" Roia asked quietly, sitting down on the grass. "I thought you missed me," Zed answered, smirking, with a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "I do!" Roia retorted, flushing. "Just…I know you wouldn't have returned without a reason."
Zed remained silent for a while, then grimaced. "I can't say," he said at last. "But I'm…needed again."
"For what?"
"Who knows? Saving this world a second time, I guess."
Tusk
"J-Jimu, sir!" A messenger stepped nervously toward the masked man.
"What is it?"
"There have been reports, sir, that Templar's savior has returned. Someone by the name of Zed."
"Zed, huh?" Jimu's eyes narrowed, and his sword flashed out.
"W-What are you doing?!"
"You aren't needed anymore." Then the blade sliced down and the unfortunate man collapsed, choking on his own blood and reaching futilely toward his attacker, only to have his hand raucously kicked away.
"Finally…I can have my revenge!"
Maniacal laughter rang out in harsh bursts within the gloomy confines of the tunnel and never seemed to stop.