The planning session

Aiko and Sozen patiently waited for Asuka and Sylas to arrive, sitting in front of one another on the podium as they waited. Aiko was still troubled over meeting Ayoko at Chupa Cabra's, and Sozen simply did as he always did and waited.

Asuka arrived at exactly noon, her eyes even more sunken than usual, weary from a restless night. "Hello, Aiko. Sozen."

Aiko looks at the older Death Scythe, smiling halfheartedly. "We assumed Sylas would be with you, given his current need for assistance."

Sylas calls out from behind her. "No need...I found my own way up." His wheelchair bumps against the bottom of the stairs up to the podium and he sighs. "Right...Once more...." Sylas rises from the chair, standing on his good leg. Both of his arms become long poles, and he uses them as crutches to climb up the stairs. "So...shall we begin?"

The pole that replaced his good arm extends, and he uses it to pick up his wheelchair and bring it onto the podium, taking a seat and wheeling over to the three. "Right...let's begin." Aiko, Sozen, and Sylas all turn to Asuka expectantly.

Lord Death appears in the mirror, stretching. He looks at the assembled group. "Wow. Four of my Death Scythes calling me. Something important must be happening."

Lord Death tilts his head. "Oh? And how did you come across this information?"

Sylas flushed with embarrassment, wheeling himself back slightly. Lord death rubs one of his hands along his 'chin'. "That is certainly troubling. And we're sure he's ok now?"

Lord Death sighs. "You just seem to be the herald of bad news these days, Asuka..."

The Death Room itself seems to darken, with some of the markers shaking lightly. Sylas looks around, confused, as do Aiko and Sozen. Lord Death's eyes widen. "This is very serious. If he can bring back Asura, there will be problems."

Lord Death nods. "Asuka, I'm putting Aiko, Sozen, and Sylas under your direct command. Find this problem and get rid of it, before something bad happens."

Lord Death disappears from the mirror, leaving them. Aiko and Sozen look at one another and Sylas stares right at Asuka.

Sylas continues to stare at her, his thoughts unreadable in part because of the blackness of his eyes. Aiko and Sozen simply sigh at one another. "We fought against him once...not directly, of course, but we fought against Arachnophobia." Sozen nods. "And we weren't even Death Scythes at point..."

Sylas looks directly into her eyes. "It's simple. I'll kill him. Saca, and Asura if he comes back. And then I'll be free of my past."