Ryu opened his eyes not knowing how long he had been asleep and he saw blinding light from the sun which was hanging just above his head.

Suddenly the cute and innocent face of Emiko who was Hanaka’s younger sister came just over his face and this startled Ryu…

The little girl screamed, “Dad, mom…Ryu is awake…”

Then Ryu sat up and he found himself lying in the house of Hanaka or at least what remained of it after last night’s battle. Then he came out and saw that most of the houses were completely razed and the few that survived were badly damaged.

The village chief entered the room and said ,”Thank god Ryu…You survived…we had limited sources and didn’t know if we could save you or not…”

“I am extremely sorry…about your village” said Ryu with guilt filling up his heart again.

“No Ryu don’t be sorry, if you hadn’t been there we all could have died…” said the village chief hiding his sadness.

“But it’s because of me that those brutes attacked your village…” said Ryu.

“Actually Ryu they didn’t know you were here…our village has been getting kidnapping threats from that Kagekami since a long time and it was only a matter of time before he attacked…” said Hanaka’s father.

“But all your flowers have been destroyed, how will you make medicines…” asked Ryu with concern…

“Ohh don’t worry about that… flowers we can grow again but if someone’s life had been lost that would have caused us so much more pain….” Said The Village Chief.

“One last question…any idea where I can find at least one Black Rose plant?” asked Ryu longingly.

The village chief thought for a while and said “Well I have heard rumors that Black Roses grow wild near the Castle of No return but that would mean complete suicide now because that rogue has taken over it…”

“Just one more reason why I should go there now….” Said Ryu casually.

“Ryu, you have gone blind with revenge…you are not able to think straight…your walking right into the trap laid by that Kagekami…” said The village chief now worried about Ryu.

“I don’t care about myself anymore…just tell me instructions how to go there…” said Ryu now a little serious.

“I am not understanding how to make you stop from going there Ryu…it’s just too dangerous for you to perform another magical move in this condition…Its pure luck that you survived this time…” said Hanaka’s father.

“I don’t need another time…one battle with that Kagemaru and I will be satisfied…” said Ryu with oozing confidence.

The village chief gave in to Ryu’s demands and told him the instructions how to get to the Castle but requested him to take a few medicines which might be of little help to Ryu on his travels…

Just then Hanaka came into the room and said, “Dad, I want to go with him…”
Both Ryu and her father out rightly rejected her offer.

Then she pleaded a lot with her father and Ryu but still they were not convinced…

Then she said, “Dad, if Ryu needs the potion of black rose… it needs to be made on the spot and consumed and as you I am very good at such things…”

“But Hanaka it’s too dangerous…” said her father.

After another round of argument between finally Hanaka’s father agreed to send his daughter along with Ryu but Ryu told him “I can’t guarantee you anything Chief Medico…”

This kind of scared Hanaka’s Mother but her father was sure that Ryu would take good care of her.

Finally in the evening it was time to say goodbyes and Hanaka’s mom was emotional…tears flowed down her cheeks and this saddened Hanaka. Her father though was very proud of his daughter because she was now getting ready to face the world…

Ryu just hung in there with his grim expression. Emiko came to Ryu and said,”Ryu kun please take good care of Onee san (elder sister)”

Ryu just gave a weak smile and said to Hanaka,”If you are finished, we need to get going.”

Then still waving back to her parents she started walking backwards and just then tripped on a small stone and was about to fall down but Ryu was quick to react and with his sheathed sword he prevented her from falling.

This small gesture was enough to satisfy Hanaka’s parents that he would care for her.

As they were walking through thick forests sometimes even encountering dangerous creatures which were no match for Ryu’s Shadow Katana, Hanaka was going on and on about various trivial things which ranged from her favorite fruit to the history of her family.

Like that they walked for almost 3 days taking rest only for small intervals of time mostly because of Hanaka who had to rest, sleep, and eat at correct times.

They reached the half way point and again Hanaka said she wanted to rest. But this time Ryu became cautious because he sensed a strong presence in the vicinity and told Hanaka to be close to him and removed his sword from its sheath and uttered the words “Shadow Katana Activate”

“Ryu, what is wrong…” said Hanaka quietly with a slight tinge of fear in her voice.
“Just be silent and let me focus here.” Said Ryu.
Then he closed his eyes and after a few moments he went and struck a nearby tree cutting it in half.

Suddenly the tree became an icy glass like form of a man and melted away.

Hanaka sighed and said, “Phew, that was close, how did you know Ryu?”

“Don’t get too excited, he is not gone yet.” Said Ryu.

Suddenly from behind the trees appeared a Blonde haired, tall, well built muscular boy.

“Who are you, why were you spying on us?” were the first words that escaped Ryu.

“I am really sorry if I had shocked you…you are pretty good you know…it’s just that I needed some money and wanted to challenge worthy fighters who could see through my basic magic.” Said the blonde boy in his dreamy voice.

“What makes you think I want to fight you…” said Ryu and was getting ready to leave.

But he was stopped by Hanaka who said,”Ryu, we need some money to buy a few ingredients for your potion in the next village…finish him off quickly so we can go.”

“Even your friend wants you to fight…why don’t we start or are you too scared that you would lose to me.” Said that blonde boy.

Ryu had never been in an official competitive duel…all his duels were death matches.

After thinking for a few minutes Ryu said, “Fine…I agree to your challenge”

“Good choice…allow me to introduce myself…my name is Nouvel Von Hrolfer…I am the leader of the Great wolf clan from Norway.” Said Nouvel.

“But your Japanese is very good.” Said Hanaka suddenly.

“I always learn the language of the country I am travelling to…” said Nouvel.

“My name is Ryu…let’s begin our duel.” Said Ryu.

“That’s it…your introduction…no clan name and all that…” asked Nouvel.

“You came here to talk or to fight?” asked Ryu and Nouvel became silent.

“By the order of Odin…I will win this duel…Icy Wolf fang attack” bellowed Nouvel and suddenly his staff gathered water vapor from air and converted it into solid ice and that ice was projected in the direction of Ryu at extreme speed.