A Demon and a Ghost walk into a bar...

[Kuzuru]

Shortly after Chad’s departure Renji called closing time, shooing away the drunks and the laggards left behind. There wasn’t much left to do besides clean and shut everything down. A sleepy end to a sleepy night. Lamont and Renji worked in relative silence, only exchanging words when necessary. The anthropomorphic bull was not much of a talker, and after a long night of work Renji appreciated that quality above all else. They worked fast and finished cleaning the bar in record time. Renji grabbed his sword and offered a good night to the hardworking bull.

“Seeya Lamont, good work today,” he said and locked the door as Lamont began to walk away.

The bull spoke over his shoulder, “Thanks, have a good night boss-man.”

“You too.”

The night was calm and quiet. Shadowed clouds swallowed the moon, and kept the world dim. Even the ever-present ghost that followed him was oddly absent. He breathed deeply and thanked the stars for the moment of quiet. Ever since his arrival to the Omniverse serene moments were painstakingly difficult to find. Not that he necessarily minded, but a moment of peace was certainly appreciated. But as with all moments, this one did not last. Above the city a pale blue glow rocketed down towards Renji. Wanda stopped mere inches away from colliding with the bartender and exclaimed, “Renji, there’s going to be another murder!”

“What?” Renji asked.

“Yeah!” She shouted, more excited than distraught, “Near the edge of town I saw two guys fighting.”

“And?” Renji asked.

“And one of them annihilated the other’s weapon! That’s gotta be the serial killer,” Wanda pointed towards the outskirts of town, “If you hurry you might get there before he takes off!”

The swordsman unbuttoned the top two buttons on his shirt before saying, “Alright, go get the detective. I’ll handle the killer.”

Without another word Renji broke into a sprint, sheath in hand. A certain twinge of excitement danced through his body. His last true fight had been over a month ago, against a demon named Retane. Adrenaline sparked across him like a live wire, and with every step he hastened his pace. His professional attire strained as his legs stretched to accommodate his gait. Tailored clothes hugged his joints tight, restricting movement ever so slightly, and for a perfectionist ever so slightly was a huge deal. Ambrosia was a small city and Renji reached the outskirts. Before him stood the killer, looming over the crumpled corpse of Treshtog.

“Chad?” Renji asked, recognizing his friend as the killer.
“Ah Renji,” Chad spoke, flicking a bead of blood of his sword, “I’m glad you’ve decided to join me.”

“So you’re the murderer?”

Chad shrugged and glanced over at the mangled body of Treshtog, “I suppose there is no point denying it.”

Renji unsheathed his sword and pointed the blade at Chad, “Why?”

“I think you know why, aren’t you a swordsman?”

“What are you getting at?”

Chad began to walk towards Renji, stepping over what was left of Treshtog. There was no moon to witness the night’s bloodshed. All that was left were the two men and the silent demon watching them both. The killer spoke as he leisurely walked towards his next victim, “Barring the Underverse and the Oververse, I’ve killed in every verse. You were one of the lucky few to survive a battle with me, and had that bounty hunter not came along you probably would’ve died. But I did learn something that day, I learned your name Renji Kiyomasa. Ever since that day my life has been dedicated to ending yours, I’m somewhat of a perfectionist I can’t leave a battle unfinished.”

“Stand down Chad.” Renji commanded.

Chad laughed and responded, “Oh come on, I know you want this just as much as I do. Can’t you feel that scratching at the back of your skull? That desire to bang swords with me and see which one of us is the top dog?”

Chad lunged forward stabbing his blade towards Renji’s heart. Without the aid of the demon Renji moved slow and sluggish, barely sidestepping the piercing attack. He slashed outwards, forcing Chad to pull back and create breathing room.

“You moved awfully slow there,” Chad remarked, “don’t tell me you’re out of practice.”

Another dash precipitated another onslaught of strikes. Renji struggled to keep up, adopting a defensive stance and deflecting blow after wicked blow. A clean blow sent a line of red across his shoulder, tearing through his suit vest. Red quickly invaded his clothing as the wound poured his life onto the ground. Renji swung desperately, but his attack was deflected into the dirt. Chad kicked Renji’s chest, sending him sprawling onto his ass. Before Renji could even think to react he was staring down several feet of steel, the point painfully close to his pupil.

“I’m disappointed,” Chad said, glaring at the fallen swordsman, “It’s only been about a month since our last fight and you’ve become worthless.”

He’s right you know.

Kuzuru?

The world seemed to freeze as the demon’s familiar voice whispered between Renji’s ears.

The one and only.

I thought you were gone?

Not gone, waiting. Your little friends in here locked me in the basement so-to-speak.


Waiting for what?

A moment like this one Renji-boy. You can’t beat this guy without my help, without me you’re just a kid playing swordsman.

I don’t want your help.

Fine then, die. I don’t really care, you shouldn’t either to be honest. You’re a prime you’ll just come back to life. Although…

Although what?

Although you’ll come back to life as a loser. A second rate swordsman who couldn’t even beat a secondary. You’ve already lost one to that bounty hunter, you going to lose again? Just give me control, I’ll kill this guy then you can go back to playing bartender with your weirdo friends.

I…

“Well Renji Kiyomasa?” Chad asked, bringing the swordsman back to reality, “Are you really going to die so easily?”

I don’t wanna lose!

A surge of demonic strength pumped through Renji’s veins. With every quickened heartbeat Kuzuru’s power revitalized the fallen warrior. An aura of crimson energy enveloped his hand and with a cobra-like strike he smacked Chad’s sword away. Sensing the sudden reprisal Chad leaped backwards, narrowly avoiding a wild slash. Renji crawled to his feat and raised his sword high. With a flash of steel the demon swordsman stabbed himself in the chest. A twinge of muddy red flushed across his skin and his bones creaked as they grew slightly taller. The whites of his eyes flooded red with blood. He began to laugh. He began to laugh a throaty laugh as his sword was absorbed into his body.

“Oh man, it feels fucking fantastic to have a body again,” The demon spoke through Renji’s mouth.

“What’s going on?” Chad asked, “You changed, what did you do?”

“You made a mistake,” Kuzuru said as he reached for the fresh wound across his shoulder.

“What?”

“You made him bleed,” The demon licked the slick blood from his fingers, “I get all riled up when he bleeds, makes me all kinds of anxious.”

“What - what are you?” Chad asked, edging slightly backwards.

Kuzuru laughed, “I’m the one that’s going to rip you apart.”