"Well, Dark, I'm impressed." Krad rolled his head back to gaze up at Dark. "Still, you were right when you said I didn't plan on being captured. Honestly, I'm surprised you went to such lengths for a human."
"I'm not in the mood for small talk, Krad," Dark stated, "you're at my mercy so I suggest you tell me what I want to know."
"I see…no funny business."
"I'm glad we understand each other. Where did you put Daisuke?"
"Haven't you found him? I didn't lock the door."
"Yeah, I found Daisuke's body, but you know what I mean. Where's the rest of him?"
"If I told you that, it'd be cheating."
Dark folded his arms, "this isn't a game, Krad. We're talking about a kid's life." Krad sat up against the wall behind him, but did not respond. Dark asked the question a third time with a degree of anger leaking into his voice. Again, Krad refused to respond. He sat silently as he watched Dark expectantly. Dark knew reacting angrily would only amuse Krad, so he sighed to keep his temper in check and glanced at the wall to think. Although he couldn't see Krad, he could feel him watching. Finally, he walked a few steps closer.
"I'm going to be honest, Krad," Dark stated, stretching his hand toward Krad, "I'll probably end up enjoying this." Dark's hand began to glow. Krad responded with a little grin.
"You shouldn't use your magic, Dark…not anymore," he suggested.
"Are you going to tell me why?"
"I suppose you wouldn't listen to me if I didn't."
Dark lowered his hand. "I can't promise I will if you do," he muttered.
"Suit yourself," Krad replied, shaking his head once. "You shouldn't use your powers because the more you do, the sooner you will disappear."
Dark was shocked. Of all the things Krad could have said, this was the least expected. "What?"
"Just think, Dark. Neither of us can survive in this human world alone; we were never meant to. Unlike little Daisuke, you don't have a body of your own."
"I don't? So I suppose me standing here before you right now is just my imagination. Is that what you're saying?"
"No, Dark. You have some time. However, unless you find some way to return to the Niwa body, you will cease to exist…dissolve into nothing."
"I knew it," Dark exclaimed, "this was all an elaborate scheme to kill me! Fine, kill me, but I don't see why you can't let Daisuke have his life back."
"Settle down, Dark," Krad murmured calmly, "I don't want to kill you. If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have bothered to tell you about your predicament. After all, I tell you what I want you to know and nothing more."
"You don't want me dead, huh? Then why don't you tell me how to get back? Being near him isn't enough."
Krad pretended to consider Dark's request. "Alright. You can't."
"Excuse me?"
"You see, the body is just that. A body. Without Daisuke's spirit, it is just a sack of flesh and bone and your connection has been severed."
"Is that why I couldn't sense his body while it was so near?"
"Very good, Dark. I'm glad I don't have to tell you everything," Krad smiled pleasantly. Dark scowled at him.
"Let's say I believe you," he proposed, "where is Daisuke and how do I get him back? If you truly don't want me dead, you'll tell me."
"No," Krad replied stubbornly. Dark growled at him through clenched teeth.
"Why the hell would you bother to tell me all this if you don't want me to do anything about it?" Dark was incredulous. "If you didn't want me dead, you wouldn't have let this happen! Are you really that stupid or are you just playing with me again!?"
"Dark," Krad began.
Dark interrupted him, "I don't want to hear more of your crap, Krad! I think you were lying throughout this whole conversation. What are you stalling for?"
"Dark," Krad started again, this time with more force.
"What!?"
"There is another solution to your problem."
Dark glared at him, "and why didn't you mention what before?"
"My, Dark, you don't have to be so impatient," Krad replied casually.
"Oh, forgive me, your highness," Dark said, his statement dripping with sarcasm, "forgive me for being slightly upset, I just heard my time is running out. It's no big deal." Krad laughed quietly to himself. Dark leapt forward and grabbed the collar of his shirt. He yanked him forcefully. "Don't you dare laugh at me, you arrogant bastard!"
"Now, Now," Krad said calmly, "I haven't told you the alternative."
Dark didn't let go, but he nodded slightly, "I'm listening."
"I'll give you a hint. 'Two halves make a whole'."
"What're you getting at?"Dark demanded.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Oh, no you don't," Dark muttered as he slipped his hand in his pocket, "you can't clam up now." He pulled a blade from his pocket. It looked like it had been sharpened recently. He held it in front of Krad. "I usually use this to foil traps and cut wires, but," he pressed it against Krad's neck, "no one's here to stop me from using it on you."
"Ooh," Krad breathed. He looked more concerned than frightened, but Dark was glad to see it had an effect on him. "That's quite…sinister of you, Dark. I'll admit I never expected you to be so drastic."
"Thinking about telling me what I want to know?"
"Could you be more specific?"
"Don't piss me off, Krad," Dark warned, applying a little pressure and drawing a miniscule bead of blood, "after all these years, I can tell you with surety I won't hesitate to slit your throat right here."
"Oh, I don't doubt your resolve," Krad whispered, "I'm glad to see you take this very seriously."
"Feel like talking yet?"
"I must ask you to think this through. You're so convinced only I can give you this information, yet you're going to kill me?"
"Actually, Krad, I believe what you said…that I'll 'find out soon enough'…I'll find out one way or another, but I'd prefer it if you told me…it's faster that way."
The two froze when they heard footsteps on the stairs leading down the basement they now occupied. The door opened a crack and Kosuke peeked in on them. His eyes went wide and he opened the door all the way to enter.
"Dark, what are you doing?" he asked.
"You wouldn't understand, Kosuke," Dark stated without looking at him, "this is between me and Krad." It was apparent he had little respect for Daisuke's father.
"Dark, please," Kosuke said quickly, "I want Daisuke back just as much as you do, but I can't let you kill that boy."
"Why not?" Dark snapped.
"Because you'd be killing that Hiwatari boy as well. I know this one is your enemy and he may deserve to die, but the other does not."
"Great," Dark sighed. He lowered the knife and stowed it back in his pocket. "Now I know where Daisuke gets it."