Onigumo slowly woke from the darkness, his mind still groggy.
But the searing pain from his wounds jolted his nerves at once, startling Onigumo fully awake and making him instinctively assume a defensive stance.
Yet when he opened his eyes, he found the sea and sky utterly calm. Brilliant, multicolored sunset clouds filled half the heavens, and the only sound around him was the soft murmur of the sea breeze.
"Where is Dark King Rayleigh?"
Ignoring his weakened body, Onigumo scanned the surroundings for that vicious enemy.
Rayleigh was nowhere to be seen. Onigumo only spotted a familiar figure standing quietly atop the bow some distance away.
The armor on his body reflected the dusky orange glow of the setting sun, while the greatsword planted at an angle in the deck shone brilliantly beneath the evening clouds. From afar, he seemed to possess a solitary pride that stood apart from the world.
Clutching his wound, Onigumo struggled over. His heavy footsteps immediately alerted Garen, who stood proudly ahead.
Garen turned to look at Onigumo and greeted him kindly. "You're awake?"
Onigumo had no time for pleasantries with Garen and urgently asked,
"Where is Rayleigh—"
The rest of his question caught in his throat as his horrified gaze fell upon the sword clenched in Garen's hand.
It was a jagged-bladed katana about four feet long, black and heavy, as unyielding as stone.
It was the famed Black Blade Shusui, and Dark King Rayleigh's sword.
Having only just been defeated by that very blade, Onigumo's eyes widened as he asked in shocked disbelief, "Why do you have that sword?"
"..."
Garen remained silent.
He had stood spacing out at the bow for so long just now, yet he still had not figured out how to make up an excuse.
But Onigumo swiftly