18 - Hidekazu
Hidekazu woke inside a world of white. Subtle shadows in the slow clouds overhead, enveloping the platform where he knelt. Different from the white brought on by the ghost stone, more solid.
The Ikai. This time, arriving here didn't disturb him like last time when he came believing he was dead at Naoji's hand. Now Hidekazu knew better. He had flirted with the brink of death.
On the other side of the platform, Naoji held a look of contemplation. "I did not expect you to successfully lock me from your dreams. But when competing with your superiors, clever tricks require permanent solutions, or they will rebound."
Hidekazu tried to lift his hands from his thighs, but he couldn't move. "You almost killed me."
"Oh, Hidekazu, you impress me far too much. You almost killed your
