(The scene begins with Itally sitting outside a room with Hibai and Mrs. Eben, when a man in a big leather coat walks in.)
"Ah, Dr. Hick, I'm gladdened by your arrival. Ra'ell is inside." Mrs. Eben said as she pointed to the door behind her.
"It's good to see you again too Mrs. Eben, please follow me inside and tell me what happened." The doctor said.
"Okay, he's being affected by a paralytic venom. He's unconscious right now." She said as they walked into the room, shutting the door behind them.
(Inside the room)
"Ahh, it's him again, I'm shocked he's still kicking. Why does he still stay in his line of work despite the risk?" Dr. Hick asked as he saw Ra'ell's unconscious body on the bed.
"Actually, he has stopped doing that, but now he's a contestant, and..." Mrs. Eben said
"Thus still in the line of danger, these scars I remember them vividly, what could he have been through at such a young age to be covered in holes, cuts and bruises... To be a mercenary?" He said as he traced the scars along Ra'ell's body with his fingers.
"But still, the only reason you called me was to feign an act. You know that he can't be treated with conventional medicine, and I've seen your garden. You have all the herbs needed. Why do you choose to keep up this lie? Is it just to scam your husband out of his money? " He asked.
"No!, I would rather not spend any of that bastard's money." She shouted.
"Then why?" He interrogated.
"He reminds me of my son." Riya said with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Armen! Riya, how can you desecrate their memory, my uncle's memory?" He asked with rage in his voice.
(Outside in the hallway)
"Yeesh, things seem to be getting pretty intense in their, I can hear it even through the soundproofed walls due to my abilities, but if they keep getting louder, even Hibai will hear it." Itally thought to himself.
"Hey Hibai, you want to listen to a song?" He asked while holding up his lute.
"No, I don't wanna do anything till Ra'ell wakes up." Hibai replied.
"You sure?" Itally says as he plays a note and suddenly lines akin to those seen on musical sheets, grab a hold of Hibai, and start to twist him around.
"Whoa, how are you doing this?" He asked as he got spinned around.
"With my lute, Grecca, I can do lots of stuff when I play music, there's a lot of specifics but that's the scope, and if you think this is crazy, wait till when I play a whole song. So, do you want to listen." Itally said as he freed Hibai from the spell.
"Fine, are there any lyrics?" Hibai asked as he sat next to Itally on a darkwood bench.
"Not yet. The song was taught to me by my sister. She said I should come up with the lyrics, but I haven't yet." Itally answered.
"Okay, you can start playing now." Hibai said as he began to pay rapt attention to Itally.
A mellow tone begins to play, and due to its magical properties, it can be heard even in the other room.
(Inside.)
"I always knew you never loved them, and their death was the perfect opportunity, that accident sure was lucky, eh!" Dr. Hick shouted.
"It wasn't like that. Their death was no accident. This is what really happened..." Riya cried as she began to explain something from the distant past.
(11 years ago, 59 A.U.)
(The scene changes to an overshot of Portland, but despite its age, it was more beautiful and refreshing than it's present. The city was in its glory days. Four well-dressed men can be seen chatting at the docks of a large port. Itally's melody takes the form of background music)
"Well done, Hibachi, the port is functioning at full capacity. It's never been better." said an old man with a cane and top hat.
Hibachi, who now has a slimmer appearance and a less flaunting outfit.
"Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I couldn't have done it without your funds, and my good man, Oppo." Hibachi said as he outstretched his arm, pointing to the man beside him.
Oppo was a dashing young man wearing a vest and a beret.
"Ahhh, there's no need to give me any credit, I just followed your orders, sir." He said as he pulled his hat over his face in embarrassment.
"He's right, you know, you should give yourself all the praise. You're perfect for the position of Portmaster." said a man dressed in a fancy long trench coat.
"These fools, they fall for my acting again, just a few more years of boot licking, and I will be at the top." Hibachi thought to himself with a grin on his face.
"You're so good at this job that I'll be happy to have you work for me when I'm the mayor." The man said with a smile.
"Wh..wh..what? You're going to be the next mayor?" Hibachi asked with a confused face as he lost his composure.
"Ah, yes, I forgot to tell you I have chosen Mr. Crus to be my successor, as the one who I'll support in 3 years for his political run for mayor of this fine city." The old man said as he placed his hand on the man's shoulder.
"But, Mr. Hark, I mean, Mr. Mayor, isn't it a bit too early to pick your successor?" Hibachi asked with shock in his voice.
"Yes, it is, but I see no one more qualified than Crus, so why not support him now, or do you have any objections?" Mr. Hark said.
"No, sir, I was just voicing my opinion, I too believe in Mr. Crus." Hibachi said as he regained his composure.
"This old fool, I can't wait that long to be mayor. I can wait 3 more years, but no more, not 8 nor 13, no no no, I must do something, do they really expect me to just remain the Portmaster." Hibachi thought to himself.
"Good, cus I'll be making a public announcement next week." Mr. Hark said with a smile.
(There's then a shift in the tune of Itally's song as it shifts to a more vibrant note. At the same time, a young lady can be seen walking at the outskirts of the port.)
"Oh my, oh my, who's that damsel, I've not seen her around here before. Is she a tourist?" Mr. Crus asked as he admired her beauty.
"She's actually the town jewel, her name's Riya, you haven't seen her before because she used to be bedridden, but after the amazing work of the young Dr. Hick she's back on her feet. She works as a gardener for Mr. Hibachi." Oppo explained.
"Oh well, she's a looker. Do I have a shot?" Crus asked as he combed his hair.
"No, you don't. She's a married woman, and you, Hibachi, better not be trying something, I've been hearing rumors of you trying to seduce her." Mr. Hark said as he wagged his cane in their faces.
"Don't worry, sir. I'm already working on clearing up those rumors." Hibachi replied.
"Good, well I'll be going now." Mr. Hark said as he arranged his wares and began to leave the port.
(The group then exchanged pleasantries and separated. Hibachi can be seen going into his office and making a call.)
"Hello, Sevega, it's Hibachi, were's the assassin I asked for, I need him 3 weeks earlier than intended, and I need him to kill an additional person." Hibachi said with sweat covering his face.
"Ahh, Hibachi, I can not do that. The man you selected will not be able to arrive by then, but I can sense your desperation. Would you like a new assassin." said a man with his face shrouded in darkness with only a burn scar covering the entirety of his lower jaw being visible.
"Yes, I'll take anything at this point." Hibachi answered without a second thought.
"Just one question then, this new third person you want dead, he too isn't a pathfinder?" Sevega asked.
"Yes, no powers, a regular human." Hibachi replied.
"Well then, my boss does have a newbie, a kid he wants to give some field experience, so this will be useful, and since it's a kid, it will be a lot easier to sweep under the rug." Sevega said with a smile.
"I don't care if he's still in the womb, as long as he can kill them!" Hibachi exclaimed.
"Then consider it done. He will be there in 2 days." Sevega said as he ended the call.
(Elsewhere in Portland)
"I'm home!" shouted a beautiful young looking Riya as she entered a house where a dark skinned man can be seen playing with a boy of about 10 years of age, who was clearly his son, they were identical.
"Mommy, mommy, you're back. Did you get what I asked for?" The boy said as he hugged her.
"No, sorry, the toy is just a bit too expensive for us to afford right now, but I'll buy it for you later." She answered as she patted his head.
"Okay, I understand. You're more important anyway."The boy said as he hugged her tightly.
"Armen, how about you go play by yourself while I help your mom out with dinner?" The man said as he took some bags out of Riya's hands.
"Okay, Daddy." Armen said as he went back to his toys.
"Hello honey. How was your day?" Riya said as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Riya, you need to talk with Armen." He said.
"What happened?" She asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"When I came back from work, I caught him packing all our clothes and stuff, not just his." He answered.
"What? Why?" She asked with concern in her voice.
"You should ask him." He replied.
(A few minutes later, Riya sits down next to her son, who is busy playing with his toys.)
"It would be fun to have a sibling, wouldn't it?" Riya asked.
"Yeah, we would play all day and night, every day would be so full of fun it will be the bestest." Armen replied with joy and glee.
"Umm, son, can you explain why you were packing our stuff?" She asked with a soft voice. Her motherly presence could be felt.
"Some kids were saying that we're all in danger that your boss was going to do something to us." He said with a sad face.
"And you believed them?" She asked.
"Yes, even I've seen how he looks at you, he can not be trusted, we should leave Portland." He replied.
"Armen, we didn't leave Portland when we had you, or when I was sick, or when we spent everything to take care of me, or when we pulled you out of school due to the lack of money, so we can't let some silly rumors scare us away. Don't worry I won't let anything bad happen to any of us and so will your Dad, you hear me, so give me a big ol' smile and hug." She said with a heartwarming smile.
"Okay, mommy." He said as he hugged her while grinning from ear to ear.
"Now, let's get ready to go to service today before we have dinner. Do you wanna go pray to Logus?" She asked as she held her son's cheeks.
"Yeeess!" He shouted.
(2 days later)
(Hibachi can be seen in his office talking to a young boy with a white wolf mask hanging off the side of his face. The boy has silvery white hair, red eyes, and a skin tone akin to dried mud.)
"So this is the assassin. You're no older than the kid I'm trying to kill. Are you sure you can do this?" Hibachi asked.
"Er..er.. Yes, sir, I can..nn... do this. I'm a tier 2 pathfinder, so according to d.. the bosss, I can do thisss." The boy stuttered.
"Arghh, whatever, I need this man killed within the next 4 days. His name is Crus Ann, and every Karday, he takes this route. He doesn't have any work today or tomorrow, obviously, so that's your best chance." Hibachi said as he brought out a photo and a map of Portland.
"O-okay, but you said there are, uh, 3 people you wanted dead." The boy said.
"Yes, these are Lenn Murl and Armen Murl. They live in this district, which is coincidentally along Crus' route, do with that as you will, kill them, and anyone who tries to stop you, most of the people here are powerless, just don't lay a finger on this woman here, Riya Murl, or soon to be Riya Eben, you got that?" Hibachi said as he pulled out their pictures.
"Yessss sir, I'll, uh, start with C-Crus." The boy said as he arranged his mask onto the front of his face with his shaky hands.
"Just get the job done." Hibachi said as he turned away.
(Later, the boy can be seen sitting alone inside a carriage.)
"Come on now, get a grip, I can't keep stuttering, and shaking, I'm not like this, it's just the thought of killing someone for real is scary, but if I don't do it, 'He' will not be proud of me." The boy said as he slapped his cheeks.
(Then suddenly Crus steps into the carriage, he is initially shocked but decides to enter regardless, as soon as he entered the carriage began to move)
"So what business does a kid in a wolf mask have to be in my carriage." Crus said as he looked at the child who was frozen still."
"Umm, umm." The kid mumbled.
Crus then notices two daggers behind the child.
"Ahh, so you're an assassin who hired you. Let me guess, Hibachi?" He asked.
"Umm, I can't say." The boy replied with shock after hearing the man's guess.
"I know, I know, still can't believe the old man was right, Hibachi really is a bastard. He actually went and hired an assassin, a kid no less. Boy, how old are you?" Crus asked as he leaned forward.
"Uhh, uh-hmm." The boy mumbled.
"Look kid, I can see you're new to this. You haven't even taken your first life, so let me tell you this, I'm not dying today, especially not to A CHILD!!!" He shouted as he charged across the carriage to grab the boy.
(The music them changes to a rapid face paced sequence of notes, marking the climax of the song.)
The two are stuck in a struggle as they both grab unto each other, with each trying to best the other. But the boy's superior strength starts to give him an advantage. As he breaks out of the bind, he then reaches for the dagger.
The coach man upon hearing the commotion opens up the window behind him, Crus takes the opportunity and pushes the boy outside the carriage through the window, but as he does so the boy draws a dagger and slashes him across the mouth ripping both his cheeks and cutting his tongue clean off.
The boy then falls out onto the back of the coach man, who he nervously stabs in the neck, causing him to lose control of the horses and crash into a house.
(With a loud crash, the whole carriage comes barreling through the front door, shattering a window and destroying the little furniture within. The boy comes crawling out of the rubble to see a man shielding a small child from the accident.)
"*Cough* *Cough*, Ahhh, I accctually did it *Cough* *Cough* Hey, are you two okay?" The boy said as he stood up.
"Armen, are you okay? You aren't hurt, right?" Lenn asked.
"Yes, Daddy, what about mummy?" He answered.
"She should be fine. She will be back any minute now." He replied.
"Didd youu, just say Arrrrmeen?" The boy asked.
"Yes, what is it to y..." Lenn said as the boy suddenly launched at a shocking speed towards him with two daggers.
He tries to dodge but is cut along his arms. The boy tries to attack him again, but Lenn catches his arms.
"Daddy! Please leave my daddy alone." Armen screams with tears in his eyes.
"Don't worry, Armen, I'll be fine, just run." He said to his child as he held his ground.
"No, I won't leave you." Armen refused as he cried.
"Just run! Run and find your mother!" He shouted at the top of his voice.
Upon hearing his father's words, Armen ran.
"Good. Hey you, I may not be able to match your speed, but I'm stronger than you." Lenn said as he began to overwhelm the boy.
Soon, he is able to force back his right hand and cause the young assassin to graze themself in the chest. The left hand begins to weaken and falter as well.
"Ha, I have you now. Ack..." Lenn said as his arms began to pour out copious amounts of blood.
In that moment, the kid was able to remove the blade from his chest and cut the man down. Suddenly, a scream is heard.
"Daddy!!!" Armen screamed as he ran into his dying father's arms, bawling his eyes out.
The boy just stood there watching the emotional moment when he heard a voice in his head, "Do what you must to make me proud." He then stabs Armen in the back,
"NO NO NO NO NO!!!" Riya suddenly screams from behind as she runs towards her family, pushing their killer away.She just cries and scream while embracing their lifeless bodies
"Master Crus, are you okay?" The coach man asked as he held onto his bleeding neck.
"Hibachi, that bastard so this was his plan." Said Crus, but no one could make out his words because of his condition.
Riya looks up towards the boy as his mask comes undone and falls, and she catches a glimpse of his face. He immediately runs away without saying a word. She just continues to cry and scream to no avail, with everyone around her dead.
(The song comes to a somber end in unison with the story.)
(Present Day, 70 A.U.)
"And that little killer was him, Ra'ell, you would expect me to hate his guts, but I saw on his face that he had to do it, not as a job or for the money, but because he was afraid of what would happen if he didn't. If he hasn't told anybody about his illness, it's because he knows instinctively that it would be bad for him, if I had listened to Armen's instincts back then, both him and Lenn would still be alive, so I will respect his choice." Riya said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"And you couldn't do anything, but how did you find out about everything." Hick asked as he felt sorry for her and his earlier actions.
"Not long after forcibly marrying and impregnating me within a month of the incident, that bastard confessed it all while drunk." She replied.
"But don't get me wrong, I love Hibai with all my heart, but he keeps reminding me of everything." She said as she held her chest.
"I understand." Hick said as he felt ashamed for his actions and anger at Hibachi.
"That scar, being his first gotten from his first victim, who was my first husband, isn't life ironic." She said as he pointed to an old scar on the right side of Ra'ell's chest.
(Outside)
"That was wonderful, everything about it." Hibai cheered.
"Well thank you, the secret to it, is that it's an unending song as each part of the song can loop on for as long as I like and I get to connect them however I want, it goes great with stories." Itally said with a smile, and he looked at the room.
"What's it called?" Hibai asked with a smile.
"Oh, uh, Winter's Melody." Itally answered as he held his lute firmly.