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So, how about these concept artworks? I haven't been this interested nor pissed off in a long time. I'm vehemently against spoilers, yet hungry for even a shard of new Shenmue information. It's a shame we have to see such major spoilers before playing the game (IF we ever do see it in action), but it's oh so intriguing. On the bright side however, these concepts may slightly differ from the final version. Even if they don't, they're vague enough that much is still left to be discovered.
On to the topic at hand... I posted about this on the 500K Facebook page as well, but I figured it was time to reappear on the Dojo because this theory is worth spreading. My theory is that a deceased Ren is being carried off by Akira (Ryo) in the 10th concept image. More importantly, Ren has been killed by the hands of his friend, Akira. Firstly, at the top left corner of image 9, that's an alternately dressed Ren. In the background, a horde of people appear to be charging after Akira for an epic battle. Is Ren leading these people into battle, or is he there for Akira? Remember the concept art of Ren on a horse? It's possible that the Chiyoumen could entice Ren with promises of riches if he joins them. I would say he's there to support Akira, but who knows. They succeed in this battle apparently, defeating Lan Di as Yu Suzuki so wonderfully spoiled for us. That's assuming Lan Di didn't already meet his demise long before this scene.
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So what next? As you can see by the map, this epic battle depicted in image 9 occurs somewhere in Western China. In concept image 10, Akira is holding someone's apparent lifeless body. I'm convinced by the clothing that it's Ren as seen in image 9, minus the bandana. If you'll notice, Akira is now ironically wearing a white headband (to honor his former friend?). What happened? If the epic battle is over and Ren didn't perish there, what killed him in the following chapter 10 that appears to take place far away near Beijing (?). I'm thinking after Lan Di's defeat, Ren and Ryo now have access to both mirrors, and Ren's desire to unlock the treasures of the Qing Dynasty overcomes him. According to Master Chen, there will be trouble if those two mirrors come together. Whether that's in the form of a mythical beast resurrecting on Earth, or that's simply a metaphor for something else very grim, I think it's something that needs to be avoided. Akira may have no choice but to stop Ren, which is why he's still honoring his friend with the headband, and the fact that he's clasping his body doesn't signify a hate-filled battle.
If you'll remember, there's a flashback scene in Shenmue I where little Ryo gets into a fight with a friend at school. Iwao tells him, "A friend you can trust is a true friend indeed." I believe this flashback has a lot of significance, since everyone warns Ryo that Ren isn't exactly trustworthy. It shows in his incessant talk of money, and his giddiness towards the Qing Dynasty treasure. It's obvious that Ryo and Ren have grown closer by the end of Shenmue II, but Ren still may not be the most honest and loyal friend in the world. Thoughts?