Ermac awoke to the sound of commotion in the kitchen. The sound of rustling pans and utensils followed by the smell of cooking food gave him fond memories of the palace.

He rose out of bed and stretched his new body. In his previous vessel, he would've had to worry about an arm ripping or an ancient bone breaking. Now, he could stretch his new muscular form with ease.

Deciding that he wanted breakfast, he teleported himself in a flash of green into the kitchen. There, he saw Misaki, still in her sleep clothes, with her back to him, cooking something on the stove. It smelt like eggs with some other ingredient.

Misaki suddenly turned around, presumably to grab something else for the eggs, when she saw Ermac. Startled, she shrieked and jumped backwards. She would have fallen if Ermac had not caught her with his telepathy. He thought that he probably should have announced his entrance.

"Oh, Ermac," Misaki said, calming down, "It's just you." She smiled at her fright.

"It is only us," Ermac confirmed, stone faced as usual. "What are you making?"

Misaki turned back to the stove. "Good morning to you too. I am making eggs with Tabasco sauce. I don't know what you like, but everyone likes this." She smiled at him.

"Hmm," he hummed. He peeked over her shoulder as she pouted a red sauce on four white eggs. A few of his internal souls rejoiced at the smell of it. Apparently, they had tried it before. "It smells pleasant."

"It's good," Misaki insisted, "Have you really not had Tobasco before?"

"In a sense," he answered as she put the red stained eggs on a plate and passed it to him.

"Then you get the first serving," she told him with yet another smile. She was certainly in a good mood this morning. Strange, considering last night's events.

"Thank you," he said and took the plate to the table. He had barely picked up his fork when Misaki stopped him.

"Wait, aren't you going to give thanks?"

"We have already given my thanks to you," Ermac was confused.

"No, I mean to the gods." That was certainly strange. The elder gods demanded respect and fealty, but thanks for food was never required. Then again, Misaki didn't worship his gods, and he was in her home.

"Ah, of course," he clasped his hands together and said, "Our thanks to the gods of Earthrealm and Japan who have graced us with this food." He felt that would suffice. Ermac looked up to her expectantly.

Misaki's face was red with stifled laughter. She had a hand over her mouth as though she could burst into hysterics at any time. Ermac raised an eyebrow at her in confusion.

Misaki, still giggling quietly to herself, grabbed her plate and knelt down at the table. She simply put her palms together, said "Thanks for the food," and began eating.

Ermac felt quite the fool, and merely began eating instead of saying anything.

His first bite of egg was interesting, to say the least. If he had to describe the flavor of egg and so-called Tobasco sauce in one word, it would be savory. He decided quick that he quite liked the food and dug in. He finished his four eggs before Misaki finished her two.

When they were both finished, Misaki looked up at him expectantly. "That was quite good, Misaki Ana," he sincerely told her.

Misaki looked pleased, "Good. I'm glad you liked it," she looked like she wanted to say more. "Hey, Ermac."

"Yes?" she was doing her eye magic again. That's what he thought of it now. There was no other explanation than magic.

"I wanted to know if you would like to go on a walk today?" she asked him nervously, "I mean, so you could learn the lay of the land. I have a few errands to run anyway."

Ermac considered this for a bit. He had seen the city at night,-- which would succeed in giving his new brain a terrible headache-- but it would probably be more peaceful during the daytime. Besides, he could keep an eye on Misaki as she shopped.

"Very well," he responded, wondering about that last reason.

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An hour later, Ermac found himself walking down a street with Misaki in clothes that were not his. Misaki would not let him out of the shrine wearing his sleep robe, and thankfully, she found some more extra clothes in a spare room for him. They fit him strangely and were afar cry from his usual attire, but he wore them all the same.

They walked in silence for a bit, until Misaki curved into a small shop filled with clothes. "Let's start here," she said excitedly before immersing herself in the clothing.

If there was one thing that Ermac did not understand about Earthrealmers, it was their sense of fashion. He cared not about what went on his body as long as he was able to fight in it. However, he did get quite attached to his cloak, so he guessed that he had little room to talk.

His thoughts were interrupted by Misaki pulling him into the shop with her. "Come on, Ermac. You may find something you like."

"We rather doubt that," he stated, "We have little interest in Earthrealm clothing."

Misaki gave him a pleading look. "At least give it a try. Look. How about this?" She held up a blue, sleeveless shirt. Whereas it wouldn't constrict his movements in any way, he would look quite idiotic in something like that.

"Certainly not," he answered bluntly.

"Okay," she put the sleeveless shirt back and picked out a T-shirt with a cartoonish lion design on the front. Ermac simply raised an eyebrow at her. "Yeah, no," she agreed and put it back on the shelf.

"This is foolish," he told her after the next two shirts she showed off. It seemed that the woman was desperate to get him to wear something different, but he refused all of the offered apparel.

"Just wait," Misaki asked of him, "I know we can find something you'll like."

"We have already said --"

"How about this?" Misaki held out another item; a black trench coat. It instantly reminded him of his old cloak, ruined in a dumpster. It even had a hood. However, nostalgic as it was, he would've refused, but he doubted that he'd leave the clothing store anytime soon if he did.

"Very well," he finally conceded. Misaki had a big grin as she bought the trench coat for him.

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The first thing Rain had done when he landed on the rooftop was teleport to the alley below. He believed that, if the amulet had been shot, everyone in it's vicinity would have been instantly transported to Earthrealm. Therefore, he figured he wasn't alone, wherever he was.

His suspicions were confirmed when he found a red and black cloak discarded in the trash.

The prince of Edenia smirked under his mask as he realized his chance for revenge was nearby.

He would make the soul reaper pay for his actions against him.

Chapter 32 DONE!

Everyone enjoying themselves so far? Please let me know if you are. I love me some feedback.

Next up on the board is The Kahn's Great Escape. This oughta be good, amirite?

That's all I gotta say for now, so, as always

Until later, my gators