(Rewritten so Mira goes to Sable's palace, NOT Lira)
Satoro Tries to Explain What He Saw
As soon as Mira left to retrieve the book, Satoro sat down heavily, trying to process everything.
Nova sat beside him, touching his shoulder gently.
"Satoro… are you okay? You look like you saw death."
He laughed shakily.
"I might've."
Nova frowned.
"What did she show you?"
Satoro ran a hand through his hair.
"Mira… she's cursed by Death. Literally. She made some kind of bargain with him thousands of years ago."
Nova blinked.
"…Thousands?"
"She… fought with Sable and someone who looked like him but younger. His brother."
"His… brother?" Nova whispered.
Satoro nodded.
"And Arkhamis… wasn't born a demon. He was a human mage. An evil one. They killed him. And Death took his soul."
Nova stared at him in disbelief.
"I don't… what are you even talking about?"
Satoro shook his head.
"I don't fully understand it either."
Before Nova could reply—
The tavern doors burst open.
Sable Arrives — Mira is Gone
Sable walked in calmly, the Dreaded Knight and the spy behind him.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just cold purpose.
Sable looked around.
"…No Mira. Interesting."
Nova's heart dropped.
"Satoro," Sable said, "I'll make this simple."
He raised two fingers.
"One: give me the book.
Two: give me the boy."
Haruto trembled behind Nova.
Satoro stepped forward.
"I don't have the book."
Sable smirked.
"Then I'll take your brother."
Nova grabbed Haruto tighter.
"No—!"
Satoro drew his sword.
Sable slowly drew his own.
"Do you truly want to do this?"
Satoro's hands shook, but he nodded.
"Yes."
Sable smiled thinly.
"Then let's begin."
Sable vs Satoro — Completely One-Sided
The clash lasted seconds before it turned brutal.
Sable didn't just overpower Satoro—
He played with him.
Every strike blocked perfectly.
Every counter flawless.
Every hit designed to humiliate.
Satoro was thrown into tables, walls, beams.
Haruto screamed.
"SATOROOOO!!"
Nova held him tight.
"Haruto— DON'T MOVE!"
Satoro coughed blood, barely able to stand.
Sable didn't break a sweat.
"You have talent," Sable said softly.
"But you were born in the wrong era."
He raised his sword to finish it—
Ren Stands Up
"No."
Ren stepped forward.
Crystal spreading across his skin.
"It's my turn."
Nova screamed, "REN STOP—!"
Ren cracked his neck.
"Dad needs me."
Satoro could barely talk.
"Ren… get back…"
Ren ignored him.
Ren vs Sable
Ren punched—
Sable blocked—
BOOM!
A shockwave shook the tavern.
Sable stumbled back, eyes widening.
"…You're not human."
Ren grinned.
"Neither are you apparently."
Sable swung—
CLANG!
Ren blocked with his crystal arm.
Sable's blade cracked.
The Dreaded Knight stepped forward.
"My king— allow me."
He infused his sword with ancient magic—
Swung at Ren—
KRRAAASH—!!
The strike hit Ren straight in the chest—
Crystal skin cracked—
Then—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!
Ren REFLECTED the spell at full power.
The explosion blew Sable, the Dreaded Knight, and the spy through the tavern wall, sending them flying through several buildings outside.
Dust.
Silence.
Destruction.
Ren stood trembling.
Then looked down.
Ren's Death
A massive hole burned into his chest.
He wobbled, knees shaking.
Satoro crawled toward him, blood all over his face.
"Ren— REN— stay with me—!"
Ren smiled weakly.
"Hey… Dad…"
Satoro froze.
Tears spilled.
Ren fell to his knees.
"I did good… right…?"
"You did amazing. Please— stay—"
Ren gave one small smile.
Then fell forward into Satoro's arms.
Still.
Gone.
Haruto screamed into Nova's chest.
Lira broke down crying.
Nova held them both as tears streamed down her own face.
Satoro leaned over Ren's body and screamed a broken, shaking cry.
Lira Heals Satoro — The Group Mourning
Lira rushed to Satoro.
"Move— let me heal him—!"
Her hands glowed as she pressed them to Satoro's chest.
"He's bleeding inside—! Hold still—!"
Satoro was barely conscious, whispering Ren's name over and over.
The others wept around them, grieving, shaking, unable to breathe.
It was the darkest moment the group had ever faced.
Mira Gets the Book… and Heads to Sable's Castle
Meanwhile…
Mira arrived at the tavern's secret floorboard hiding spot.
She lifted her cloak…
Reached inside…
Pulled out the book.
She closed her eyes.
"…Death… I know what you want."
Then she turned—
Not back toward the tavern.
But toward the distant silhouette of King Sable's palace.
She whispered:
"It's time."
And she began walking.
Straight toward the king.
Straight toward danger.
Straight toward fate.