Burn Black

Inside the Gravetread, the men throw Kami to the floor, presenting him to their captain—who sits atop a chair resembling a throne.

The space around him is shrouded in darkness. Kami can barely see his face. It's not just the shadows—it's the haze behind his own eyes. Everything is a blur.

The bandits speak to their captain, but Kami can't register their words. All he notices is how excited they seem.

"Okay then, mmh... pick him up. Let me see him."

"Yes, Captain." Two bandits hoist Kami by his arms and drag him closer.

Now the captain's face comes into view—wide grin stretched across it. Several teeth gleam gold. Jewelry hangs heavy from his neck, rings flash on each finger.

Still smiling, the captain reaches out toward Kami.

"Yes... mmh yes. I like this one. He'll fit well with my crew," he says with delight.

Kami blinks awake to an ugly man grinning at him. It startles him. He scans the room, disoriented, unsure where he is.

"Oh, you're awake... mmh." The captain rises from his throne, motioning for his men to release Kami. "I'm Shark Burne—captain of the Burne Bandits, mmh. My men say they found you strolling through the forest... mmh."

He strolls the room slowly, hands clasped behind his back.

"Listen... mmh. I have a proposition for you."

Kami doesn't answer—still confused, still watching.

"My men tell me you aspire to be a bandit... mmh. Well, we're bandits too... mmh. What I'm saying is—I want you to join my crew."

"No thank you." Kami replies with a grin.

The bandits and Burne stare at him, stunned. Kami dusts off his clothes and rises.

"I don't think I'll ever join a crew that isn't mine. I'm sure you understand."

Burne steps forward, drawing his revolver and pointing it at Kami's head.

"You see... mmh. I don't get rejected when I offer someone a place in my crew. If they refuse... they choose to die."

Kami remains calm, still smiling.

"Come on now, you don't have to do that."

Bang! Burne fires.

"Wipe that stupid smile off your face!"

But no one falls. Burne looks down—nothing.

All eyes turn upward. Kami is on the ceiling, hanging upside down, legs coiled around a pole.

Burne fires again. Kami dodges—again. More shots ring out. Kami springs across the room, evading bullets with monkey-like agility.

"What the—? That must be a Relic power."

Kami possesses the Simkara Relic Power (Beast Relic): it grants agility and grip like a monkey, plus enhanced strength for grappling and striking.

He lands in front of them, laughing. More bandits rush into the room, alarmed by the gunfire.

"Captain! What's going on?"

Kami looks around, surrounded.

"Oh my… I've landed myself in a real mess."

He bolts forward—leaping from head to head like stepping stones.

"Kill that bastard!" Burne shouts, aiming his gun.

Kami laughs, bouncing and weaving between the chaos, the bandits now fully focused on him.

He makes it out of the room—only to face more of Burne's men. Swords drawn, they charge.

Kami dodges gracefully, fending off blows from every direction. Despite the clash, he seems relaxed—laughing through it all.

Eventually, they corner him. His back hits the wall. Slowly, the bandits close in.

Kami waves, then leaps—a massive jump that takes him over the heads of the crowd, out of the Gravetread.

He glances back at their shocked faces, then bolts into the forest.

"Those guys are in a really foul mood. I swear." He laughs.

"Don't let that kid leave the forest alive!" Burne growls, fury etched across his face.

"Yes, sir!"

The Burne Bandits flood out of the Gravetread, chasing after Kami.

From a distance, Kami hears their shouts and grins.

"Come on, guys... is it really that hard to just let me go?"