Chereads / Strength of Heart / Chapter 4 - Life and Death

Chapter 4 - Life and Death

Tatsunori only seemed to delay the inevitable because when he died it gave rise to those seeking more power. At a young age Mino Toko took it upon himself to carry out Tatsunori's will. Toko has the capabilities he was trained by Tatsunori himself being that he was going to die soon. At that time he was the only one who's potential interested Tatsunori. Toko thought of Tatsunori as a father, looking up to him and following his every move. When Tatsunori died Toko was 17 and already he was given the difficult task of maintaining peace throughout the countries. Toko battled with constant thought, whether or not he would be brave enough to fight if the time came.

Toko: " I lived with my sister her kids and her husband. Our parents dying in the previous war trying to save me. I live with the constant distraught that I was the reason my parents died, why was I so weak? Why was I so scared? It came to the point where I constantly thought if I was going to be able to fight if it came down to it. Would I be able to lay my life down for others? Would I be able to accomplish what my master entrusted in me, it all seems like so much of a heavy burden to put on someone my age."

From that point on Toko trained, he trained so one day he could be able to protect those he loves and not be overwhelmed by fear and lose anyone else. Toko's sister Temah had 5 kids (Takeo jr, Akuma, Azuma, Asuna, And Hitomi). Asuna took an early liking in Toko always playing with him and only smiling when he's around. Toko was still only 17 at the time and the oldest child of Temah was Takeo jr who was 10. It was a big family as they enjoyed being around each other, they loved each other and just seemed to live life to the fullest even though the world was a harsh place. At this point Temah is pregnant with Hitomi and just mere seconds after she had her she gave her to Toko for him to hold. When Toko started to stare at her he began crying, when Temah asked what was wrong he told her that he's happy for her to be alive and well, but he's also sad that she has to live in a world like this one. Temah grabbed Toko holding him close and told him that she hates the fact that she was born at a time like this, but it makes her happy to know that she has the chance to make the world a better place for her kids before she leaves. Toko smiled after hearing that because he loved how his sister was an optimist and found the bright side in everything.

2 months go by and Temah is with Takeo jr and they're grocery shopping ,just when they walk out the village engulfed in black flames everywhere. They're under attack and Temah grabs Takeo pulling him as they go back to the house. When they get there they see Toko on the ground unconscious because he saved everyone in the house with the risk of losing his life. Temah went to wake him up when he got up they all notice a huge dark figure coming towards them. When it became visible they saw the it was a man named Satur and he was holding Takeo(father) by the neck. Temah tearing up yelling for him to let him go. Satur smiles as he engulfs Takeo's body in flames burning him; killing him. All his children watching as they just witnessed their father die. Toko can't move his body, he is frightened as he just watched someone die right in front of him as he just starts breathing rapidly. He starts thinking to himself saying "why? Why am I scared why can't I move? More people I care about are gonna die because I'm too scared to do anything. I've let down so many people I can't keep being so soft!" Temah grabs him snapping him out of it telling him to take the kids and go get as far away as possible. Toko starts to tear up as he grabs the baby and start to run. Temah tells her kids to follow him they all try to hug her she pushes them away yelling at them saying, "go now!" They tear up and run after Toko. Temah fights with Satur only to be caught by the neck. Satur tells her, " First I'll kill you and go after your kids, don't worry they won't die as long as they obey me and my demands". As he starts laughing, but then Temah's eyes glow white and she's about to kill her self and Satur, when he notices his eyes get big. He can't escape because Temah clinched onto him.

Satur " you can't be serious, if I die it will only give rise to people with the same convictions as me and then no one in this world will have peace it'll be nothing but war and death!"

Temah " I don't care, I will not let my children be slaves; instead I am giving them a chance to grow, get stronger, fight as one and fix what you've caused!"

Satur " wait, no!!!"

Toko and the kids running but then a huge explosion nothing but white light blinding Toko and the kids. When it clears Takeo looks at Toko crying and asks him if his mom was ok. Toko holds in his tears and says, " she... she'll be fine". They start walking until Toko finds a lone cabin. They decide to take shelter there. All the kids and Toko about to go to sleep, but Toko sits up and goes outside to sit on porch. He starts crying thinking of his sister. Toko starts shaking saying, " I'm not even sad, I'm more mad than anything, I'm mad at myself. My master took interest in me for my potential but I just don't see it; what made me special?"

Just as he says this, he realizes how valuable his life is. It's fate that kept him alive, he is kept alive to evolve and to complete being the person he was intended to be. Toko stands up puts his fist on his chest vowing to become the strongest warrior and fulfill his masters legacy and will.