"You know they're coming."

Shadousutōkā glared at Tadashi. "A group of teenagers," he said. "They're no match for me."

"My lord! You know that they defeated two of your minions. They're a lot stronger than we give them credit for." Tadashi protested.

"This would be easier if Kenji never betrayed me," the demon lord said. "He was a great assassin."

Kenji. Tadashi shivered at that name. 

Oh, how he missed Kenji! The purpled eye assassin who always joked about what he was doing, but was also so serious. There had been no reports that Kenji died, but that he simply switched sides. 

But Tadashi couldn't betray Shadousutōkā, his name meant loyal, and Tadashi wanted to be true to his name, no matter how much it hurt that he'd never see his best friend ever again.

Or could he?

He stared at Shadousutōkā. Maybe he could betray his master. 

But not now, not when he's alone.

He'll wait for the others.

They might not accept me, but I have to try at least. If I want to see Kenji again, this is what I'll have to do.

Tadashi drew out his axe.

When the others came, he'll be ready.