The last thing Zane saw before he ripped Phoenix into two was his twisted smile. That grin, that oh-so terrible grin, a facade hiding the true nature of Luis' scorn and spite. [i]"I stopped being your brother as soon as the Dojo exiled me for trying to keep it alive. I hope you remember that."[/i] The darkness took the remains of Phoenix's burning body, leaving only Zane in the shadow. And then blue fire ignited, burning away the darkness and revealing the Dojo around Zane. Zane was no longer in his black clothing. He was in the same clothing from before, the apparel he was wearing when him and Phoenix started to fight. Millions of arrows made of pure darkness were embedded in Zane's body, making him look like some warped porcupine with the amount of black shafts protruding from his body. He could not move. He could not summon any weapons or armour. Everything was numb, and all was shadow. Phoenix stood in front of him, clad in his runic Venom armour once more. [i]"That arrow I shot into your shoulder from before was no ordinary arrow. The Nightmare Arrow of Likritus O'Nirim, a power I helped Jams obtain. The more trauma the nightmare causes, the further the damage. It is truly interesting to see that beneath that thin veneer of love lies a hatred almost as deep as mine. You really are a killer at heart, Zane. This battle was over as soon as I revealed your true self."[/i]

"Tch, all you did was see the powers of my past. I use to be an assassin on my home world, until I awoke here with Mira."

[i]"Assassin, warrior, soldier, gladiator... All killers in the end, Zane. The Dojo was a haven for us killers to do what we do best: fight. Fight for honour, for that would be the last thing killers like us would have. And that honour is now dead, along with the true spirit of the Dojo. You're a warrior. Accept that."[/i]

He sighed, and continued to be frozen in place. "So what now, you just gonna leave me here?"

[i]"Killing you would be a waste. But know this: the true Dojo is dead. The only way it can truly live now is within us, the last of the honourable warriors. Family or not, take care in remembering that. Remember honour so you do not turn into the hatred-filled being I am."[/i] The fire around the two men begins to dissipate, as well as Phoenix's fire wings and extra arms. [i]"You now know that the greatest enemy is the one lurking within ourselves."[/i]

He accepts luis's words, burning them into his mind. "You uh, gotta remove these arrows or not?

The arrows disappear along with the numbness, leaving prickling points of sharp pain all over Zane.

He winces as he picks up his blade, sheathing it and walking up to Luis. "I take it your gonna leave again huh."

[i]"I am no longer a son of this Dojo. I am a spirit of the dead, days past long ago. Yet I shall life through this vessel of mine. Goodbye, Zane."[/i] The armour burns away, revealing the burnt corpse of a man different from Phoenix. His skin begins regrowing as he groans in pain, whispering one word. "Alister..."

More and more questions race through his mind, but he puts them aside for now. He winces as he picks up the burnt man, and carried him to the infirmary. After doing so, he returned home and spent the rest of the day with his wife, silent. [spoiler]End[/spoiler] [spoiler]Master of mind fûckery[/spoiler]