Chapter Ten

The trio were zapped to another location at day time. They looked around, realizing they were back in Ottawa. And the sun was coming up as well.

"I think we're finally home." said Rook.

Buzz exhaled in relief. "Yeah. No more demons chasing us. Let's celebrate with some pizza, guys."

"Wait a minute. Look closer." said Patrick pointing at the floor.

As the sun bathed the scenery, the gang found out that everyone was asleep, either on the ground or in their cars. It's as if the whole city, or maybe the entire country, was populated by comatose people and animals. But the trio had no clue how this happened while they were gone or why.

Rook said "What the hell! Everyone's asleep? But Ottawa's never like this in the morning."

"You're right." said the mysterious voice. The gang turned to the right and saw Akuma appearing from a dark alleyway. "Your people are still alive. They're just in a coma."

"Akuma." Buzz said.

"Now look." Akuma said smoothly to the boys. "I don't wish to fight. I think you boys are exhausted from this quest. If necessary, I would have the honour to finish it for you."

Patrick denied "Not a chance, demon."

"No? Then I have another proposal you would accept."

With the snap of Akuma's fingers, Chelsea appeared beside him roped up by shadowy energy and grabbed by winged Dreadful.

"Chelsea!" Patrick cried, shocked. Then glared at the Oni Daimyo with anger. "You son of a bitch!"

Akuma immediately said "She's unharmed. I told her about your quest. She was worried for you, so we made a deal. She sticks with me and I would bring you home. Here's my deal for you: You recover the final piece of the sword before sunset, and she's free. If not, she has until sunset to live. I think it's wrong for her to die before her 'birthday party', right?"

"Do what he said, Patrick." Chelsea cried. "I'll be fine."

He was so angry, Patrick wanted to pound Akuma on the face. But now Chelsea's been taken hostage by him, he had no choice.

With frustration, he said "Fine. We'll do it."

Akuma replied "Good. But remember, Patrick-san. I may be a demon warlord, but I was born a human. I can be a man of my words."

The gang started to search for the last piece in front of the National Art Gallery. Suddenly, Patrick saw another arrow pointing at the Alexandra Bridge's sidewalk.

"Across the bridge." he said leading the way.

"Hey." Rook said. "I was right. Akuma knows everything about us."

"I happened to notice. Now let's get our quest on."

They traveled far to Patrick's home town: Aylmer. Even the people there were in a coma. The gang reached the first school on Avenue Frank-Robinson. Entering the recess yard, they found a circular, sapphire gem up on a tree at the school railing.

Buzz asked "Hey Patrick, we-"

But Rook and Buzz turned and saw Patrick sitting on the floor with a sad face.

"Patrick," Rook said, "we need to do this together. The final piece is up there and we're almost done with this quest."

Patrick took a few seconds of silence, then said "I can't."

Rook corrected "Sure, you can. You can just-"

"I'M SERIOUS!" Patrick interrupted by shouting. Then he calmly said "Look, I'm sorry. But I can't do this shit anymore."

Buzz chuckled "Patrick. You spent days under a hot sun. You must not be thinking clearly."

"No, Buzz. For the first time, I am thinking clearly. I did all of this with too much confidence. I dragged you guys in without asking, I awakened a demon, and now my girlfriend's been taken hostage. It's all because of my stupid idea to change my life. Like being a hero. I should never have gone on this stupid quest."

Rook and Buzz can see that their friend has lost all his hope for Chelsea's rescue. They didn't want that from him at all. Not when there's a life at stake and, maybe, when the world would soon be at the mercy of a demon. They were now feeling so sorry for him, for the first time in days.

"Patrick. It's all okay." said Rook. "It's normal to make mistakes. You may have done all this, but you need to man up. Back there is a girl who needs you. She probably made that deal cause she loves you too. And it's not because you're a loser. It's because you're open; sensitive. That's what every girl likes for any boy to do. She might've looked into you as her hero."

Without any hope in him, Patrick asked "But why would she see me as a hero when I did nothing?"

"Why?! Look at yourself. You have compassion and motivation. That's what every hero has. But you did a lot of things this week. You actually showed us what it feels like to have adventures! You led us around the globe for just a few days! You should feel lucky. In fact, none of us has ever felt so alive. We would like to thank you for everything you brought us."

"And I've got things to say too." added Buzz. "I followed you to this day because to me, you're cool, even though you've always been looked down on by everyone else. But I didn't. Because I knew someone like you would do great things. What do I have against someone like you? All I do is memorize every anime I've watched. But we all need you, Patrick. And so does Chelsea."

Patrick turned back at his friends, seeing how much they're depending on him. He knew Chelsea's probably depending on him too. And finally, his hope for helping his girlfriend has come back. He smiled and stood up realizing what he and his friends have been through together.

He said "Buzz. We'll give you a boost and you climb to the gem."

"Yes sir." Buzz saluted.

Patrick and Rook gave him a boost in order for him to climb up the tree and fetch the Ryu Sword's final piece. Rook's iPhone, now all dried up, rang. He picked up to see the time.

"Guys." he said. "It's ten passed one."

"We gotta get a move on now!" Patrick cried.

Buzz climbed up high to reach the gem. But the tree's stump was about to snap due to his weight. Patrick and Rook looked worried that it would fall and Buzz would tumble down with it.

"Buzz!" called Rook. "The tree's gonna snap!"

"Almost there!" said Buzz nearly about to grab the gem.

Suddenly, the tree began to fall down. Patrick and Rook rushed out of the way where it fell down on the ground. However, Buzz jumped into a sandbox and he was safe and sound. He had the gem in his hand. He rushed over, offering it to Patrick.

"C'mon, Patrick." he said. "There's a girl back there who needs you. Now let's get you back to her!"

"Alright!" said Patrick. "But first things first..."

He inserted the gem on the sword's hilt then it made a bright flash for three seconds. At last. After many centuries, the Ryu Sword has finally been reconstructed. The weapon's revealed to be a generic two-handed sword with the sapphire on the hilt and a blue handle. The pommel was simple and golden in colour.

Patrick said "Let's go shopping. I've got a plan."