Chapter 10:Father
Back at the palace,Kurisu has been training Irai.
"Ok,you want to keep running around until you cannot run anymore."Kurisu stated.Irai nodded as he began to run around the room.
His pace got quicker,his skin got redder and his body got more exhausted.
"COME ON.RUN FASTER,DO YOU WANT TO LEARN THIS?"
"YES.YES I DO FATHER."
"THEN SHOW IT."Irai remembered when he made a new technique,although he did not know what to name it.
Pain leads to anger,anger is rage,rage is energy and you need energy.That was exactly what Maku said to me.
"I can do this…I can do this ...I can do this."Irai was too tired to speak, his heart got faster.Adrenaline began to build up in his body.His legs began to shake vigorously.His hands began to shake.
His pupils got smaller,he felt his muscles tightening.Irai's eyes began to glow.He ran and ran around the room hundreds of times,doing multiple laps in seconds.He was getting too fast.
"Slow down now Irai."But the wind was so loud,he could not hear his Father properly,just mutters coming out of his mouth.
"What?"
"Stop now."But he wasn't stopping,as if he couldn't.Suddenly,He stopped right in his tracks.
"OUCH."Irai fell right to the ground,cutting his arm.
"Are you ok my son?"
"I'm not sure."
"Let me have a closer inspection on this."Kurisu examined the cut carefully.
"Well,I know it is bleeding fast.Stay here while I find some bandages."
Kurisu left as Irai looked down at his arm.The cut was all over it,from the elbow to the wrist,it was bright red.Irai then heard a horn coming from outside.He rushed to the door and opened it forcefully to see finely dressed people on horses with horns.Some were talking,saying,
"Everybody,this is a message from the head chief of Tokyo prison.20 men have escaped from their cells,including the Red Bandit and Ryoshi.If you can find one of them,you will be reward with 5000 shillings,find all of them?10 thousand shillings.Please report anything to me or any of our staff members as it would be very appreciated and vital for us.Thank you."
All of the people whipped their horses for them to gallop to the next section of Tokyo.
"I recognize the Red Bandit ...I KNOW WHO HE IS.I HAVE TO WARN FATHER."
Irai stood up and ran out of the room to see his Father with the bandages.
"FATHER,FATHER."Irai ran towards him with no hesitation.
"Why are you so active, my son?"
"THE…THE…"
"Well?What are you exactly trying to say?
"The Red Bandit,he…he…he escaped."Irai struggled to breathe.
"Slow down and take some time to breathe."Kurisu reassured Irai so he wouldn't get too overtired.
"The Red Bandit has escaped prison, 21 other men as well."
"Gosh,let me put this bandage around your cut.We then go get everybody else to form a plan."
Irai nodded as Kurisu put the bandage around his arm.He tightened it slowly.
"Ouch."
"It will sting at first,but let it heal and it will be better."
"Ok Father."
"Now,Maku should be somewhere in the palace, correct?"
"Yes he should be."
"You go find him,I will get Aizakku and all the others."
"Yes Father."Kurisu ran towards the front door as Irai went the opposite direction of him.
Irai barged through a door to see a group of women sharpening knives.They all glared at each other,then him.
"I am so sorry."He closed the door carefully and ran out to check more rooms.
The footsteps echoed through the walls every step he took.
A large wooden door could be seen in sight,it had a rusty knob along with the fact there was dust on the door frame.
I opened it cautiously,the door creaked open.It was the dinning hall.There was a ruby red carpet from where i was standing,all the way to the table.I saw a lady putting some of the dirty plates away from people who had breakfast earlier today.
"Hello!"I waved at her.She looked towards me and waved back.It was strange she did not speak for a reply.I looked to my left to see a vent which had eternal darkness behind it.But then,I saw something in the vent.
It was a shadow of something small,it had a tail and was making an elusive shrieking noise.Walking over slowly,the maid looked in my direction.
"What are you doing?"She questioned.
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"There was a shrieking noise coming from this vent."
"No,I did not hear anything."
"That's a bit strange."
"Well,children do get a bit intense with their imaginations."
Children?I'm sixteen but still a minor.The vent suddenly bursts.
The screws came loose because of the thing in the vent.
I got a good look at the thing,it turns out it was just a rat.
A very odd looking rat.It had bruises all around it's body,a white eye,which I presumed was because it was half blind.Its tail looked like dynamite.
The rodent itself looked very messed up,as if something hurt it badly.
"Oh no…what did this to you,poor creature?"The maid bent down and put her hands in front of the rat,hoping it would go into her palm.It looked scared.The rodent began to shake,adrenaline was building up inside of it.
The rat slowly crawled towards the maid,resting onto her hand.She stood up and turned towards me.
"I will go help this rat,in the meantime,please clean up the table."
"Yes Ms…"She left with no trace.I started by putting the vent door to the side,while I cleared everything else.
After some time,the plates were away,the seats were in the correct place,the table didn't smell.
Everything was cleaned up.Except for one thing.A candle,still alive and blooming after all that time.Walking over,I grabbed the candle and glanced at it.Slowly,pulling it towards my face.
"Ouch!Too hot!"I dropped the candle which ended up on the floor.The ground began to burn,the fire began to rise.
"NO NO NO,JUST WHEN EVERYTHING IS RIGHT,SOMETHING BAD HAS TO HAPPEN."
In my mind,I thought to myself that nobody would hear because the dining hall was an isolated place,but just as I picked up the candle,it went out.
The fire on the ground blew too.Something had blown them out clearly,there was just nothing to see.I tilted my head up to hear a familiar voice behind me.
"A close to death experience is always fun.But that is one nasty cut you got there.I mean I have experienced it before but I just haven't quit yet,BECAUSE I CAN'T."
It was Sosu,he started laughing maniacally.I turned my head around,with a slight frown on my face.
"Out of all the places,why are you here Sosu?"
"I just wanted to ask,where is your Father?"
"Why would you need him?"
"Let's just say…he hurt me pretty and the least I could do is give him a gift in return."
"No,why would I tell you where he is?"
"Because I can give you all the power in the world.Like I said,in the note"
"No…I would want to work hard to earn power."
"Work smarter,not harder."He smiled brightly.
"There are no elevators in life,you must always take the stairs."
"And who told you that?"
"My Father."
"Well guess what I told him that!"I then remembered something.
There were chains in the same room I cut my arm.Strangly,the book was there too.
I then rushed out of the room,turning left and right as my heart's pacing got higher again.Sweat began to roll down my face as I heard laughter from the halls.
"I do love a chase."Sosu began to catch up with me.With adrenaline,I burst through the door,gathering the materials that were needed.
"That won't give you much help."Sosu teleported right next to me.
"STAY,AWAY."I opened the book to his outline.
There were some words that had to be said in order to get him absorbed into the book.
"In the word of Genshi,you shall be erased.
Back into the book you go,without a single trace.
Vanish foul creature,you shall not return.
Your punishment;shall be locked up and burned.
You are growing too powerful Sosu and we must let you go."
The sound of Sosu screaming faded as I closed the book tightly.I then grabbed the chains and wrapped them around the book carefully but rapidly.
At last,the book was sealed.I ran around the palace to try find Maku.I checked his bedroom,the training sections,the kitchen.
Everywhere.But he was nowhere to be found.
So I decided to go ask some of the women.As I was walking up to a door,I heard swords being sharpened,as women laughed,giggled and chattered.The reason why women are only good with swords because they simply cannot fight.
That's what Aizakku said at the Shakespeare play.It sounds a bit sexist if you ask me.But unfortunately,the law is the law.
Slowly,I knocked on the door.There was no response.They must have not heard me.I knocked on the door once more.
This time, footsteps approaching the door.I was nervous because I tend to get nervous around women if I am alone with one.
She opened the door and looked a bit surprised,probably because men rarely visited them,to give them money or just to see how they are doing.
"What brings you here,young man?"
"I was wondering if you have seen Maku,he's my dad's friend."
"Well,what does he look like?"
"Black long hair,white skin,hazel eyes,about 5 and a half feet tall."
"No,I am afraid not.I haven't seen him."
"Well ok..thanks for your help."
"No problem."
She shut the door as i turned around.So i thought to myself.Where could Maku be in the palace?
It was a pretty big place,so I wouldn't really know where to go sometimes.
There was the main room but he hasn't been there since Sosu possessed Father.I spent the next 4 hours looking for him.
But Father had not returned with the others.I then heard banging coming from the main door.I stood up from where i was sitting and trotted towards the door.
The door creaked open.It was Father!He was with Aizakku and Yanagi."Sorry for the long wait, my son."
"It's fine Father."I came in for a warm hug.
"Where is Maku?"Father asked.
"I am not sure,I've looked all over the palace but I just couldn't find him.I even asked the ladies!"
"Ok,where is the book?"
"I chained up Sosu +inside the book."
"INCREDIBLE!."All of them shouted.
"Ok everybody,come in for a family hug."
Aizakku smiled brightly.We all hugged.The warmth of everyone comforted me.I was proud of what I did.
"I knew there was power in you."Aizakku said.
"Thank you everyone."Suddenly,thumping could be heard inside the walls,there was something,or someone coming.
"Everybody,get ready!"We all raced back into the main room.The wall had some dirt come out of it.
Thump.
THump.
THUmp.
THUMp.
THUMP!
The wall crashed as several men came out.It was Red,he had a group of people to assist him.
"I never thought you would escape!"Aizakku shouted.
"Well I did,now I'm gonna break your arm like you did to me."
Everybody stood in silence.Maku then came out of the hole the men created.
He had bruises,cuts and scars all over his body.His clothes were ripped and he had a purple eye.One of the men grabbed him by the neck.
"Now where do you think you're going?"The man laughed.
"He…hel…help….guys…please…"Maku struggled to talk.Everybody nodded at each other and we all started to attack.
I bolted towards a man,he punched me in the face but I got over it and punched him back.
I tried kicking him but he just grabbed my leg and threw it back.
One by one,each of the men fell down,defeated.Yanagi grabbed a sword.She slashed her sword into one of the men's chests.
She waved her sword around and cut some of their arms off as blood rushed towards the ground.
Father brought his sword too.He swung the sword towards one of the men,but their hands gripped on it,pushing it away.
Swiftly,he slashed back so the man had no time to react,just then,he had a massive cut in the middle of his neck.
Blood gushed out as he fell to the ground.
SWISH.SLASH.Swords and quick movements were all to hear.
I looked to my right and saw Yanagi slash a man's head off.His body fell to the ground as blood covered his neck.His head went flying into the shadows of the room.
But there was no thud.Everybody looked in that direction,all looking confused.A crushing sound could be heard.Blood splat out from the darkness.
A foot came out,then another,then a whole body.
It was Rida!Father widened his eyes,he began to sweat as his face turned red.The rest of the group just looked in horror.Rida was very tall,let's say 6 foot tall.
He had clothes that could not be described.He had a Kitsune mask on him,which had dust on it,meaning it was old.
Rida wiped the blood off his hands which went onto the floor.
"Get out."Father demanded.
"No."
"I said,GET OUT."
"I trained for 20 years and then travelled from China to Japan and you're telling ME TO LEAVE?AFTER EVERYTHING I DID?"
Rida rushed towards me.I didn't know what to do.I froze.He ran like a cheetah and pounced on me.
Aizakku ran towards Rida and grabbed his leg.He then spun him around until he got very dizzy.Aizakku then bashed his head into the floor.
Rida stood up and attempted to scratch Father but he missed.Yanagi ran out the room,probably because she were scared.
"You stay away from my family.The past is the past and we both know that it doesn't matter."
"Doesn't matter?DOESN'T MATTER?No.Not until I have what is mine."
Rida ran towards Father like a bull but he missed,Father took out his sword,which made a zing sound.He then tried to cut through Rida,but it only made a scratch,Rida grabbed the sword and threw it into the distance.
Aizakku grabbed Rida by the waist and downslamed him into the ground.
"You know,I was never in that war but I already hate you."
"SO…DO…I."Rida kicked Aizakku in the stomach,which sent him flying into one of the pillars.
"Agh.."Aizakku struggled to stand up.Father hit him left and right,punch after punch.
He then used his sword as hard as he could to slash Rida,this time,a small cut was on his eye.
Rida growled as he dashed forward to my Father.
The two were dodging their attacks rapidly,almost as if i couldn't see them.Rida was punching,Father was swinging and slashing.WHOOSH.
A glamorous shiny blade sliced Rida's hand in half.
He was outnumbered.Rida vanished in a blink of an eye. No trace of him was ever found later that night.
I sighed in relief.All this mess though. We spent the next few hours cleaning up and preparing a dinner to have together just between the 5 of us.
"Let's go set up the dining table and get something to eat."We all stood up and left to have some dinner.
Inside,I put a white sheet of cloth across the table while Aizakku lit some candles.
Kurisu crumbled up some mash potatoes while Yanagi prepared all sort of fruits and vegetables.
I crushed some beans and then cooked them in the oven.Kurisu was preparing Onigiri,which was a traditional food in Japan.Onigiri are rice balls,they are like sushi but slightly different.
The crunchy rice covers most of the food while it's coated in seaweed.
The best part about it is that you can put almost anything you want in it,it's basically a Japanese sandwich.
Personally I prefer; medium rare beef topped with salt,cucumber and avocado and some soy sauce to dip it in.
Meanwhile,Aizzaku was preparing curry rice.I saw him boil some potatoes while mixing different spices to wrap the curry in.
He took out some peas and carrots and chopped them finely.
"Can you pass me some oil Irai?"I nodded,then opening a wooden cupboard.It smelt of spices.
It smelt so good,when I opened my mouth,it was as if the flavours were being fed to me.
Vegetable oil,vegetable,oil.My eyes scanned through the section of items,I then spotted a bottle labelled,'vegetable oil.'
I grabbed it and closed the cupboard,then giving it to Aizakku.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Irai,can you get the plates out please?"Yanagi asked
"Where are they again?"I replied,looking around the room.
"Top left cupboard,5 plates please."
I opened the cupboard and took 5 wooden plates out,serving them onto the table.After 10 minutes,the whole feast was ready.We all sat down,with joy on our faces.
"Well,thank you everybody for helping me prepare the food."
We all smiled,but just as we were about to dig in,Yanagi then said,
"Wait,wait…we are forgetting water!"
"Oh yes,let me go retrieve some from the well,I will return soon."Father stood up and left the room.
"We can't eat without him,it'd be disrespectful"Aizakku said.
"We must wait in the meantime."
Outside in the blizzard like cold,the wind whistled in the steps of snowflakes descending from the cloudy sky.
It started to hail.It was now becoming winter.
Crunch crunch crunch.
That was the sound of Kurisu's footsteps,stepping onto the stones of the hail.
He was scared.All his life,he's been afraid of the only lasting Kitsune.
Ever since the war,he has had PTSD.
Nothing could change that day,nothing.Kurisu approached the well,carrying a bucket he found in one of the rooms of the palace.
Placing it down carefully,he attached the bucket to the rope and dropped it down.
Swoosh!
The sound echoed through the walls of the well all the way up to Kurisu.
"Why is this bucket so heavy?"He muttered to himself.With all his might,he pulled the bucket up.
Kurisu walked away with a bucket full of fresh water that was just enough for everyone.
Footsteps approached the door.It was Father,he had returned from the well.
"I will get the cups!"I exclaimed,standing up from the table and walking towards the cupboards.
After getting the cups out,Father poured some water in each one.At last,we were able to have a proper feast.
I began with the curry rice.The tender juicy taste sat on the surface of my mouth,before I gulped the chicken.
Just because we were important people,didn't mean we had to eat as respectfully as the posh people did in Britain. This was a good time to enjoy food for once in my life.
I rarely eat dinner so making the most of it would be the good thing to do.I then grabbed an Onigiri and chewed on it with haste.
The fresh flavours filled my mouth as I chowed down on the scrumptious meal.I grabbed my cup of water and gulped it right down my throat.It no longer felt dry and sore anymore,as it became moist and wet.
The food was just amazing,amazing.After 20 minutes of eating,we all felt full.That's when the door opened,the maid from earlier came in with some pudding.
"I kept it a surprise for later."Kurisu smiled.
"Thank you."We all said to the maid.
"No problem,I'm always at your service,Lord Kurisu."She then left right after that.
"Well,I am not certain about all of you but I do want some pudding."
"I will have some later.I'm tired right now."
"You can return to the guest room back in Tokyo."
"Yanagi it's time to leave,let's go."
"I don't want to go though!"She exclaimed.
"DO NOT TALK TO YOUR FATHER IN THAT WAY,"The whole room went silent.Tension began to build,
"ALL THE TIME,I KEEP IT IN.YOU DAMN PEOPLE DON'T LISTEN TO ME.I AM ALWAYS THE ONE TRYING TO BE CALM BUT I CAN'T HOLD THE DISRESPECT ANYMORE!"
He slammed the door so hard,it broke.
SNAP.It fell into 2 pieces.Everybody's faces turned red.
"Sorry,I am so sorry Kurisu."Yanagi said.
"Please go deal with him."Father whispered.Yanagi nodded as she stood up.
"Come on,we are leaving."
"No pudding?"
"You can bring it with you,now grab your stuff and let's go."She had started to raise her voice.
But in a blink of an eye,they left.It was just me in the opposite direction of Father,just the two of us at the table.
"We should clean this up."
"Yes."We started to put away the plates.
"Why are they acting all strangely?"
"I'm not sure.We will figure it out…later."
Father and I took some time to clean the room.After a few minutes,it was clean.
"Let's go get some sleep.You need some training tomorrow."
The two of us trotted up the stairs into both our bedrooms.I didn't have a bath yesterday so I thought I might as well have one today.
I runned some warm water and rested in there for a while.
After that,I changed into my pyjamas and crawled into my bed,putting the covers onto of me.
As I shut my eyes,I thought of all the exciting yet dreadful things that have occurred today.
Rida showed up,Red came back and it was all an awful mess but it worked itself out at the end of the day.
At least it was all over,I can't change the past,the only thing that I can change is my future….
Inside the palace,I saw Kurisu and Irai sleeping through the looking glass on the roof.
But I wasn't aiming for him,not yet at least;my focus locked onto the Moonstone.I thought to myself,where would a Genshi hide such a sacred treasure as this?
I knew looking all over the palace would take long,but if I looked at the unexpected places,I could find it easier.
"Now…what's the quickest way to break into the palace?"
I muttered to myself.I could take the front door,no that would be too obvious.I could break in right here right now,no that would attract too much attention.
But….the horses.If I can get past them,there should be a door that leads inside.
I jumped off the roof and ran towards the horse pen.
My feet began to slow down because of the intense sticky mud.Then I realised something was wrong.My feet were slowly sinking into the group.
This wasn't mud…no no no.This was quick sand.It was heavier than I could escape out of of.400,500 pounds of quick sand.
I grunted,twisted and turned in anyway to attempt to get out of it.The horses turned in my direction,neighing for something.
As I was turning,my hand accidentally unlocked the door to the pen.
Horses began charging out of the door into the abyss.Luckily,it wasn't my problem.
I managed to free myself from the quicksand and sprinted towards the palace.There was a door in fact,blocked off with planks and chains.
Using my claws,I ripped off the boards as they rained with splinters onto the floor.The chains slowly got coated with snow flakes.It started to freeze.
I broke the chains while ice shattered everywhere.Without hesitation,I kicked down the door the see it lead to a basement.
Inside,was a candle.Next to the candle was a wooden board which read,'TAKE IT AND RETURN IT PLEASE'
Now was not the time for rules.I broke the board and smashed the lantern,causing some noise.
I had night vision so I could see anyways.
Footsteps could be heard from the floor above me.
Somebody was awake,it was Kurisu.My vision helped me see him through the floorboards.
I quickly paced my steps across the room the the door,opening it without hesitation.
The door led to a hallway,which had pitch blackness covering it like a blanket.The moon outside illuminated over the window,being the only source of light I could see.
The door burst open.A shadow emerged.
It was a guard,about the size of me.He turned my way,
"INTRUDER,GET OUT."
He shouted.I ran towards him with all my might.
He pointed his spear at me.Still, no fear.He lunged towards me as I did the same.We bashed into eachother.I felt a slight cut in my stomach.
When I turned around,the guard was laying on the floor,stuttering as if he was going to say something.
A fine red cut thrashed through his skin.
The blood spread onto the floor quickly as I stepped through the pool of liquid.
Grunting in despair,the guard spoke once more,
"Hope is still out there.I know somebody will kill you.Somebody will always be out there to kill you."
He shut his eyes as his head rested on the wooden floor.I turned my head back to see Irai standing there.
He widened his eyes and attempted to punch me in the face.I grabbed with my hand.Irai threw another fist at me which i also grabbed.
His hands began to shake as i slowly pushed him back,kicking him through the wall.
"AHHHH."
He crashed onto the floor in pain.Mist began to form around the hole I created.
Cries could be heard from the other side of the room.As I stepped onto the surface,another figure had appeared in sight….
From what I could see,Rida was….alive?He looked very healthy as if he was never stabbed in the first place.
I could see Irai crying from the ground as the mist spread around the room.
"IRAI,"I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards me.
"Listen.I might not make it,so take the Moonstone with you,"Softly,I cried as I took off my hat and cape,
"Take them.These were my Father's belongings before he passed them to me,"I put them into his hands.
"Clothes are in one of the rooms,"
"No…no no no.You can't leave me.You won't leave me.You're all I have left,after…after the fight at the dinner table."
He began to cry as well.
"Listen to me.You are not some weak puny boy.Your Mother would be very proud of where you got to.What you and now and what you will become."
"I cannot complete my life without someone to accompany me."He turned his head down.
"Look at me,"I saw the tears fall onto the floor.
"I said look at me."Irai tilted his head up slowly.
"Yes,Father?"
"You are tougher than anybody I know.Now run.Run far away.You can take care of yourself.I know it."
He nodded and ran into the distance.When I glanced back at the hole.Rida kicked me into the face.
I fell on the floor but stood back up quickly.I threw a punches,he dodged.The second punch hit him,causing a small crack in his mask.
"Is that all you got?"I questioned.We both bolted towards each other.Rida's fist turned red.My fist turned blue.
We both collided,sending each other back.The palace collapsed,well some of it atleast.Rocks went tumbling down,crashing into the ground.
More mist emerged into the room.Rida's mask was cracked.He stood up as cuts were around his face and body.Rida had a white face,he was a Kitsune.He had a red swirl on his eye and razor sharp teeth.
Rida's eyes were ember red,they reflected across the room.As I stood up,my vision began to get blurry.My body felt so tired as if had drunk some rum.
"I kill you,then your son."
"No."I muttered
"Then the moonstone,"
Dust flickered around the room.We both stared at each other for a minute.Rida then pounced towards me.
He grabbed me by the neck and slammed me again the wall.
"I can finally accomplish my goal."
Rida's hands clutched around my neck as his claws dug right into my flesh.My face turned purple.
Suddenly,I felt a sharp object cut through my skin.A spark ignited which made a fire in the corner of the room.
When I looked in the direction,it was a cursed crow.Purple electricity flowed through it as violet eyes shined.
The creature must have gotten into the palace due to the destruction.Rida grabbed the sword and pulled it out of his chest.
No blood came out,no blood on the sword.Just intense pain in both our stomachs.
They were turning into stone quickly.Rida fell into the as his pupils got bigger,
"NO.I WILL NOT DIE LIKE THIS,"The reflection of the fire went onto his eyes,
"SOMEBODY,WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO KILL YOU.ALWAYS,"He looked at us and showed his sharp teeth,
"I WILL AVENGE MY SON.I W-"His face froze into stone.He was no longer a Kitune,he was a statue.Dead forever.
I packed as much as I could.Clothes,food,water.All the things I needed for surviving the rest of my life.Losing my Father?
The only living parent would be at my loss.Suddenly,I saw a shadow.It looked like a plague doctor.I put on my bag and jumped through the window.
The crow started chasing me until I got to Jasper.
"HOW GOOD IT IS TO SEE YOU!"I said.He neighed in response.A thought came to my mind.
Should I check up on my Father?I don't know.Maybe he was dead.The only way to find out was to go back inside the palace,
"Wait here."I told Jasper.As I stepped inside,the smell of fire spread in the hallways.
Debris covered my sight.Several rocks were on the floor,crumbling because of the heat.I heard a scream.
It sounded like Rida.I barged through the door to see both Rida and Father turning into stone.
Sosu then appeared out of thin air.
"Well,that's unfortunate!"
Rocks were everywhere,dust filled the room.Fires were all around the palace.The windows were shattered.Everything was destroyed.
Father's body was slowly fusing with the wall.Sosu looked at us with a sad expression.I have never witnessed Sosu in such emotion.
"Well,I will see you in the afterlife, I suppose Sosu."Father said.
"Yes you will."Sosu replied.He shut his eyes right after that.Now both of my parents are dead…
Father's head turned into stone,as well as the rest of his body.When I turned around,someone was running away.
"I am sorry for your lost Irai."
"Thank you,I mean after everything we've been through,you are still here for me.But did you see that?"
"See what?"We both looked at the doorway.
"Someone in a hood just ran away."
"Tick tock,my time is up for now Irai.I'll see you soon,bye!"
"WHAT?"He just vanished as he usually does.Sosu is weird.But focusing on that right now would make the situation worse.
Footsteps could be heard from the distance.Without hesitation,I ran out of the room,quickly putting on the hat and cape my Father gave me.
The figure,slowly becoming a shadow,could be seen in the distance.Rida was dead but so what my Father.Why would that person kill them?
As I turned around,smoke began to come out of the palace.Ash spreaded in the air.Catching fire.The palace was catching fire.I had to get the moonstone.
My feet moved in a blink of an eye towards the building.The ash filled up my lungs as I gasped for air,I couldn't breath.There it shimmered.
The legend,the mythical artefact everybody was talking about.It shone brighter and brighter every second.
"You're not 18,you haven't reached your full potential."A voice spoke.
"W…what?What are you talking about?"
"Child do you not know anything?"
"Yes,but my Father had told me quite little when he was-"
"Just wait until you're an adult."
"You didn't let me finish my sentence."
The voice faded away as I grabbed the Moonstone.
I ran and ran while rocks bashed into the ground,causing multiple waves of dusk around the area.It was like the sand storm.
Luckily,my eyes weren't swollen.But I had sand all over me.
A pillar broke in two and crashed right behind me.I couldn't think,just run,all I had to do was run.
When I got outside,the whole palace had collapsed.The building was filled with crumbled rocks,burning fire and loads of ash.
Looking down anxiously,the Moon stone shined at my face brightly,like an explosion.Which really was what had happened.
Behind,was a pathway that went down miles and miles in the abyss.
The horse pen,my horse was still there.It was mostly destroyed but my horse was still alive.He had bruises and cuts all over his body.
"I'm back Jasper!"He neighed at me in a friendly tone,I placed my bag beside him.
"Wait here,I am going to pack some things."Once more,the sight of the palace just gave me the feeling of horror.
My feet stopped on a variety of stones.There was wreckage everywhere.My resources wasn't enough.
Water,food,some outfits and the Tachi sword were the things to be collected.I walked back outside to see him still waiting.
Thinking about what had just happened would give me more trauma,so I did not.
There were no bodies to be seen,maybe they evaporated to the sand storm.Father told me that sand storms can do that.
I placed the bag on my back and off Jasper took.Then a thought came to my mind.
Who would take care of me?Sosu taking care of me?He's a universal threat.But with limits…
Well I guess he did say he would only kill one who is worthy to be killed.What about Maku?Is he dead?
Quite possibly.Maku was one of my closest friends,well my only friend.He was like an uncle to me.Speaking of uncle,I can't go back to Aizakku,not after the fight.I'm not sure to trust Yanagi either.
All I have is myself.It's a good thing Father taught me how to survive in the wild,just in case I got lost in a desert or in a cold climate or even in a jungle.
"Come on Jasper,let's go faster.I whipped him on the back and he just threw me onto the ground.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"Jasper kept on turning his head back and forth,as if danger was approaching.
"What is it?"Standing back up,he turned his head once again.There was fear in his eyes.I looked in the direction Jasper was telling me too.
There were these vivid colours in a glitching state.It went round the whole desert,from the floor to the hills and so on.
"What is that?"Jasper did not reply.I could see his body was shaking,showing he was scared.
There was nothing I could do about so we moved on.But my mind stayed on the same topic for hours and hours.What caused this?Why was it happening?
I had to focus on that later,right now,finding shelter was the main key.After hours of travelling, I saw a building.It was my house!I was in Tokyo.
"COME ON JASPER."I shouted in excitement.He galloped rapidly towards the town.
When we arrived,I jumped off his back and ran towards my house.
The knob looked rusty,I opened it cautiously.It was locked.So I bashed the window open,which resulted in the glass shattering all over the room.The house was messed up.Food left on the floor,rodents roaming around.
Flies everywhere.It was a dump.I knew I couldn't be here for long.So I rested on the couch and had some breakfast.
Steamed rice,miso soup and some grilled fish,along with a spoon(The fish is going to be eaten with my hands)and some water.
I formed the meal together and dug right in.
The rice was crunchy a mixed well with the miso soup.I dipped the fish into the soup and ate it that way.
I just like doing that way.The fish was salty and warm.I never really enjoyed seafood but this,this was amazing.Suddenly,a boom could be heard in the distance.
I devoured my food as quickly as I could and ran outside.Houses were being bombed with cannons.There were hooded crows wearing plague doctor masks.
I saw people being tied up and forced into the carriages,which horses were pulling.What were they doing?
Four masked men started walking up to my house with a cannon too.I picked up my bag and ran to Jasper.
"GO,GO,GO."The men destroyed my house too,debris came towards us.Dust spreaded around the town.Jasper was too fast for them.
The only way out was a wooden bridge collapsing.With all his might,Jasper leaped across the bridge to the other side.
"GOOD JOB."I yelled in excitement.Unfortunately,the men caught up with us.
The carriages almost split apart.Men were shouting as candles were lit.Children were screaming as I could hear galloping catching up.
I had to to look back every second to be aware of my surroundings.Some of the men had spear,some had bows and arrows.
They all aimed the weapons at me.WOOSH.One went flying by,just a little bit away from my head.
WOOSH.Another.SLASH.SLOSH.WOOSH.The men went on for a good minute until….SQUASH.An arrow hit my leg.Blood gushed out as I screamed in agony.
"AHHH.MY LEG."Jasper began to get worried.His body was shaking again.His pupils went smaller.
All of the sounds began to fade once more.The only things I could hear was my own heart beating and myself gasping for air.
There was a forest,it was the one with the magical tree.Jasper rushed towards it and went in a zig zag to confuse the men.We camouflaged in a large bush for a while.
Eventually,the men gave up and left.Why did they want me?Why did they have men,women and children in carriages locked up?Why were they destroying houses?
A million questions burst through my mind.Footsteps faded away.I heard the river moving like a soothing lullaby.I ran towards the river.
The magical tree looked as if his head was cut off.It was safe to ask for water.
"Magical tree,magical tree?May I drink this please?"
"Yes you shall,child."
"Thank you magical tree.The water quenched my thirst.I was no longer thirsty any more.
"I shall be on my way now,magical tree."
"Yes child,what was your name again?"
"Irai.Irai Korinzu."
"Mr.Korinzu,you are free to drink at any time,just ask."I collected large sticks to make a shelter.12 hours spent in total.A mini cabin.
Then,I made a fire and went hunting in the forest,using the Tanto sword to kill a fox.It wasn't the worst meal I've had but not the best either.
After that,I rested in my tiny cabin.The rest of my life I shall live here.
But the mystery remains of the hooded crows.The cursed crows infact.
They have this technique of producing their own energy somehow.It's interesting but the sight of a crow means bad luck.
I knew I couldn't just sit here and let those people die.I was certain that I needed a plan to save them.
If I see the crows again one day,I'll follow them to what base they are at.What master they serve.
Why did they capture those people?They killed my Father and I won't let them get away with it.I have Sosu and Jasper but that's not enough.
We need more animals,creatures,more soldiers in fact.If I was going to rescue these enslaved people,then I would need an army of my own…