Chapter 24
Summary
After the defeat of Jack the Ripper Jonathan, Zeppeli and Speedwagon exit the long tunnel and continue towards WindNights. During the hike, Speedwagon asks Zeppeli if he can learn the secrets of the Ripple techniques to which he says that it is impossible. Angered Speedwagon inquires as to why to which Zeppeli then gives a more lengthy explanation. He explains to Speedwagon that is it incredibly hard to keep the breathing rhythm of a ripple practitioner unconsciously and that only one in ten thousand can manage this and because of Jonathans sad life experiences when he was younger and the knowledge of his future he can manage this. Zeppeli then explains that he studied decades under a ripple master for until he mastered the ripple and then Zeppeli tells Speedwagon that he does not have the experiences needed to master the ripple.
Undeterred Speedwagon says he still wants to help so Zeppeli then proposes that he could give Speedwagon the ability to create light forms of the ripple to which Speedwagon jumps at the prospect insisting that Zeppeli do it immediately. Zeppeli then punches Speedwagons diaphragm much like he did with Jonathan but it doesn’t work because of Zeppelis finger slipping at the last moment thus causing Speedwagon to experience massive amounts of pain.
Unbeknownst to the trio though a figure watches them from afar and upon seeing them, he cuts a rope that causes a tree to fling him into the air! Catching them by surprise the figure now shown as a young farm boy takes the trios bag! However, because of his stunt he winds up in the lake. Getting out on the other side of the lake though the boy mocks them thinking that he is safe. Zeppeli then proposes that they follow the kid to the village. Next Zeppeli raises his hands and strikes the surface of the water with both of his hands causing several ripples to form. Speedwagon and the boy are then shocked as they see that Zeppeli is now walking on the surface of the water followed by Jonathan who is doing the same. As Jonathan and Zeppeli break out into a run Speedwagon tries to do the same but falls right into the lake.
Still shocked by what hes seen the boy still says that that the trio cannot catch him. Jonathan retaliates by simply punching the rock cliff. The boy thinks hes still safe but then the rock cliff seems to push him off and he winds up in Jonathans arms. After Jonathan catches the boy though his personality seems to completely change. Before they can question this to deeply though Zeppeli realizes that the boy was simply a pawn used to lure them into a trap as hands start coming from the dirt around them and surely, enough Dio is watching them from the top of the cliff. In addition, while as zombies rise from their graves Dio proclaims to Jonathan that night has fallen and it is time for him to die!
