Ryuta and Vespera clashed, their battle shaking the very fabric of the realm. His glowing white aura pulsed with power—his hair, eyes, and sword radiating brilliant light. Yet, no matter how fiercely he fought, it wasn't enough.
Vespera weaved through his attacks effortlessly, her movements precise and controlled. The golden threads of fate shimmered around her, shifting reality itself. With each strike, Ryuta felt his strength slipping.
Then, in an instant, it happened.
A force beyond his understanding seized him. His body stiffened, his vision blurred, and before he could react—death claimed him.
Everything faded to black.
With a gasp, Ryuta's eyes shot open. He was standing in front of the fountain again, its water glowing faintly under the ethereal sky. The realization hit him like a thunderbolt—he remembered everything.
The battle. His struggle. His death.
And yet, here he was, alive once more.
His hands trembled as he clenched them into fists. Anger bubbled inside him, mixing with confusion. His voice came out in a hushed, frustrated whisper.
"Why am I back at the fountain again?!"
This wasn't the first time. He had died before—struck down, only to return. It was the cruel cycle of Return by Death.
Suddenly, a sharp pain seared through his chest. He staggered, gripping the spot where his sword had once pierced him. A vivid memory resurfaced—the moment he drove his own weapon into his heart to defeat Joker.
But this time, something was different.
His power—his aura—was still there.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I am back... but my power isn't gone. I still have the advantage."
Determination replaced his frustration. He had failed once, but now he knew what lay ahead. He wouldn't let fate control him.
With renewed resolve, Ryuta stepped forward, weaving through the chattering crowds of the Center World, the heart of existence itself. Somewhere in this world, Jay, the enigmatic leader, still ruled.
And this time, Ryuta was ready.