Blue rings flared to life around Reiji's eyes.
Bobbin stepped back in alarm.
"Bobbin!"
The little girl called out for her.
She stepped in.
"What is happening?"
The little girl started citing her spell.
"Everything is moving too fast." Bobbin thought.
"Sekhemu Netjeri, shamru Ani'i–"
She blinked.
When she opened her eyes, Reiji was already close.
Too close.
Reiji lunged across and shoved a chunk of meat straight into the little girl's mouth, cutting her off mid-incantation.
*GULP.
"Behold! Reiji's Special Grilled Meat No. 1—bon appétit!" Reiji announced proudly.
"Hey, rabbit. Relax," Reiji commanded.
"Tatiana!" She screamed in her head, worried sick about the little girl.
Her fluffy ears lay flat against her head.
She raised her paws.
Her claws extended.
She hissed exposing her teeth.
But before she could pounce.
*THUD!
She suddenly tripped, crashing onto her back.
"I told you to stay put," Reiji said, voice calm, gaze unwavering.
She was stunned.
"I'm not the same punching bag you beat up yesterday."
"He's become even more dangerous…" she realized.
"If I wanted to hurt anyone, I would've done it already." Reiji stated.
She held herself still, her nose quivering with anxiety.
"I must do something!" she told herself.
Reiji turned to Tatiana.
Meat was still stuffed in her mouth.
"And you, little girl," Reiji said, his feet still pressing Bobbin down. "You need to answer me."
She just observed Reiji as he began asking Tatiana about the strange power he awakened.
But Tatiana wasn't listening.
Bobbin held on for as long as she could.
She knew this version of Reiji was different.
"The dark aura he has. It is still as powerful as it was, but now it's flowing more controlled."
Tatiana suddenly dropped to her knees.
Her expression melted from shock to bliss as the flavor hit her tongue like fireworks.
Her hands cupped her cheeks, letting out a suppressed squeal.
Reiji chuckled.
Bobbin looked at Tatiana and Reiji deeply confused.
"She gave in to the flavor." Reiji stated, leaning towards her while pointing at Tatiana.
She looked at Tatiana's cheerful, embarrassed reaction.
Aside from Tatiana's affection for her, this was the first time she saw her in this state.
"He could change her without much effort!"
Bobbin was frozen.
Unsure.
Reiji pointed at her. "You red-eyed, white bunny."
Her fur bristled.
Her crimson eyes dimmed under the sophisticated, strange aura surrounding Reiji.
She panicked. "I have to kill him. I have to save Tatiana."
"Do you have any idea where I picked up this curiosity, hope, and empowerment that came along with this power?" Reiji asked.
She struggled.
No use.
"Stop, please." Reiji said. "I can see your movement."
"Your balance."
"Your intent."
He continued quietly.
"I didn't even need to look to feel your killing intent. But I'll let this slide, bunny."
"He has the same Ibilamesh as Maestro?!" Bobbin's breath hitched, figuring out Reiji's power.
"T-Tatiana… this one's a monster! We need to run!"
Before she could scramble away, Reiji shoved meat into her mouth.
"Bon appétit," he said with a grin.
"Huh—?"
Her ears shot straight up.
Flavor erupted across her senses.
"YUUUUUUUMY!"
Bobbin melted onto the floor, drooling, legs sprawled, eyes unfocused in food-drunk bliss.
"That's just something I whipped up from whatever looked edible," Reiji explained. "Plus leftover meat from yesterday."
"What is this feeling…?! So delicious!" she moaned.
Reiji smirked. "Seems like you're enjoying it."
Tatiana eventually recovered and wiped her mouth, trying, but failing to hide the pleasure on her face.
"What… was that? How did you make that thing?" Tatiana demanded.
Reiji took his control over her.
Then he shrugged.
"Ask nicely next time."
Tatiana did not say anything.
"It's made from those small disk-shaped harvests, and that violet bulb in the corner."
Tatiana squinted.
"Those are Rocallini and Cipombole. We use them for everything except cooking. Don't lie to me."
"I'm not lying," Reiji replied. "They taste like a stronger version of something from my world. But the high-quality meat you fed me balanced it out."
She over heard and gripped her stomach.
"I've eaten Rocallini and Cipombole before. They're horrible. I couldn't eat for three days…"
Tatiana scowled.
"It's toxic to humans. What did you really do?"
"It's just a test of this power."
Tatiana crossed her arms, unconvinced.
Reiji turned to her with a smirk.
"Don't think a little power won't intimidate you?"
"Yes," Tatiana replied bluntly. "Because it won't."
"You can't tell, huh?" Reiji whispered.
The two kept the exchange.
"Tatiana. Please don't"
She looked at Tatiana trying to communicate with her eyes.
"This guy… he changed too much in one night."
Reiji exhaled slowly.
"Aside from this power, do you want to know what else I discovered?"
"Tatiana!"
She crawled closer to her.
Reiji lifted one finger.
"This whole place is covered in an illusion."
Tatiana's eyes sharpened.
She stepped back in shock.
"He knew?!"
Tatiana began chanting.
"Sekhemu Netjeri, shemsu Ani sagkot kawsara. Halekin!" (Hasten)
Tatiana's body glowed, yellowish-white energy swirling around her limbs.
Reiji smirked. "Oh?"
"Bobbin!" Tatiana called her.
Her thoughts raced.
"We have to run… we have to run…"
In a blink.
Tatiana vanished.
She shrieked, a deafening cry that made Reiji clutch his ears as blood leaked down his neck.
"This bunny."
He wiped the blood away, lips forming a cold grin.
"I tried to be friendly. But if this is how you want this to go."
His aura exploded.
"I'll give it to you."
Blue rings pulsed around his eyes.
Dust lifted from the floor, and the air felt heavier.
She shrieked again, pushing every shred of power she had.
The hut shook its every corner.
The glass window shattered.
The sound forced Reiji down on one knee.
The moment he dropped, she propelled towards Tatiana.
"No!"
Tatiana had started chanting a more advanced spell.
She grabbed her.
"Kick him out of the rift!" she pleaded. "You haven't fully restored the guardian's Ibilamesh!"
Tatiana's eyes widened.
"Bobbin. What are you doing?"
She didn't slow.
She held Tatiana tightly.
Bobbin wasn't trying to fight Reiji anymore. She was focused on protecting Tatiana.
Tatiana inhaled.
"Sekhemu Netjeri, tahara'e nga'ri hiwaga sagkot Ma'ati." Tatiana cited.
Bobbin turned once more.
Her final glance met Reiji's.
Then the world flickered.
Then.
Silence.