The scene opened with a flickering memory—a memory soaked in tension. Loko stood in a grand hall filled with golden pillars and futuristic ornaments, facing Argeus, who sat arrogantly atop a throne made of Zenssai-forged weapons.
"I won't be a part of this, Argeus. I can't let you use artificial Zenssai to rule over the world." Loko's voice trembled, not with fear, but conviction.
Argeus smiled coldly. "You're a fool, Loko. Power is meant to be taken, not gifted."
Loko turned his back. "Then I shall no longer serve under you."
The memory faded, replaced by the dim, eerie glow of Shinji's underground lab. Kai turned toward the fuzzy figure beside him.
"Charlie... what exactly is a Zenssai?"
The teddy bear straightened up like a professor preparing for a lecture. "Ah yes. Zenssai. It is the power bestowed upon us humans by the great almighty—the Sun God—during the dawn of the Solar Era. It is what helped us survive, thrive, and evolve in a time when the world was bathed in solar chaos."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "So, what? Zenssai is like a magic weapon?"
Charlie puffed up. "Hmph! Don't insult it like that. Each Zenssai is a living weapon born with the user. It contains a soul—a shard of the meister's own essence. That's why every Zenssai is perfectly attuned to its wielder. You don't choose your Zenssai. It chooses you."
Kai's eyes widened. "So... it's alive?"
"In a way, yes." Charlie said, hopping onto a nearby stool. "That's why forging one artificially was considered impossible. But Loko… he did the impossible."
"How did he manage that?"
Charlie scratched his fuzzy head. "It was complicated. He found a method to separate a sliver of a person's soul, enough to forge a Zenssai from it. The process is extremely risky. And painful."
Kai crossed his arms, deep in thought. "But why would Argeus want that power?"
"Because if you can create Zenssai... you can control people. Shape armies. Build tyrants." Charlie's button eyes narrowed.
Then his expression suddenly shifted. "Also, let me ask—how exactly are you planning to rescue Shinji when you're too weak to even rescue yourself? You tripped over three floor tiles just getting into this lab!"
Kai rolled his eyes. "Those traps were rigged to kill, not stub toes. Big difference."
Charlie snorted. "Still, your odds are about as good as a snowball in a solar flare."
Kai stepped forward, voice calm but firm. "I can't just sit here while Shinji is tortured by those animals. I owe him. He saved me once. It's my turn now."
Charlie was silent for a moment, then mumbled under his breath, "Finally... that kid has someone who'd fight for him."
Kai tilted his head. "Did you say something?"
"No, you're hallucinating from all the trap dodging." Charlie grumbled, waving it off.
"Is there a way I can stand a chance against Argeus and his men?" Kai asked.
Charlie's tone turned dead serious. "Your mission is to rescue Shinji. That's it. Avoid Argeus and his Ten Gold Bandit Commanders. They're monsters. You, in your current state, wouldn't even scratch one of their hairs."
Kai frowned. "That's reassuring."
"But—" Charlie stood tall, tiny fists clenched. "I can help you."
Kai blinked. "Help me? How? You gonna throw fluff at them?"
Charlie growled, "No, wise guy. I'll help you forge your own Zenssai."
Kai's eyes widened. "Wait, seriously? Like the process Loko invented?"
"Yes. But we only have seven days until your departure to Outlaw Town. So, from tomorrow onward, you'll come down here every day at 7 A.M. sharp. No excuses. No oversleeping."
"What if I hit the snooze button?" Kai smirked.
Charlie pointed a stubby paw. "Then I'll hit you with a titanium-coated encyclopedia on the anatomy of failure."
Kai held up his hands, laughing. "Okay, okay. I'll be here. 7 A.M. sharp. Deal."
Charlie nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now get out of my lab. I need to fluff my fur."
End of Chapter 8