Ryukage had allowed evil to contaminate his heart. His soul. As much as Ryuichi had hoped his father retained a shred of humanity, he knew better.

I can’t hold back. The world depended on him.

He readied his battle stance.

This was for Mahō-jō. For Hanzō. Takara, Kato, Pim, Koichi, Keiko, the Kai-dan, Masaru, and everyone else who had helped him get this far.

For their sakes, he would not fail.

For his sake, he refused to falter.

His father pulled a blade of fine steel out of his shadow. Neat trick. He’d give him that, but a trick nonetheless. One even Ryuichi could do.

Before he could think another thought, his father rushed him.

Ryuichi’s first instinct was to run.

Don’t you dare! He would never allow himself to be a coward. Not for anything.

But that was easier said than done when a giant dragon was rushing toward him. One with bloodlust in its eyes.

One who appeared to have no paternal instinct at all.

“Masaru?”

He felt the demon awaken inside him as Masaru merged with him in order to fight.

That was a first.

Want some advice, kid?

“All I can get.”

Run!

Great. Now he had two voices screaming at him to run away.

Masaru and Ryuichi-kage.

Saddest part? He agreed with them and wanted to run.

“I can’t. We have to see this through.” Even if it ended with his entrails being used as a dragon sling.

So he held his blade at the ready.

One strike. One kill. Just as he was taught. Not a single ounce of energy wasted.

He could do this.

At least that was his thought until his father dealt him a stunning blow so hard that he swore he could feel it all the way to his soul. Rolling head over heels, he twisted and sprang to his feet.

Granted, he was a little wobbly, but he was standing. Shaking his head to clear it, Ryuichi lifted his sword and charged his father.

Unsurprisingly, Ryukage blocked his strike effortlessly. After all, he was a master swordsman who had been renowned all through the worlds before he’d been contaminated. Now he was stronger than ever.

Much stronger than Ryuichi.

I can do this . . .

Remove all doubt.

Battles were won or lost in the mind. He had to stay focused. Keep his thoughts on winning.

You’re an idiot.

Maybe, but his friends needed him. He couldn’t fail. And for once in his life . . . for a single moment, Ryuichi had no fears.

“I know I can do this.” With a deep breath and with the help of his yōkai, he struck true.

He wasn’t sure who was the most shocked.

Him . . .

Or his father.

But it would take more than surprises to win this battle.

You’re not alone. He smiled at Masaru’s voice in his head.