Mettanica "You idiot! What did I say?! Why have you disobeyed my orders?! We had them beat! We had their village in our grasp! With this village gone it would have been easy to take the rest of the world, but your selfish ambitions cost everything for us! What do you have to say for yourself?!"
Hirishoja "I- I almost had him!"
Mettanica "How dense can you be! If it wasn't for me all of you would have died today! Do you even understand that!"
Obnimi" I understand that we need to get stronger."
Mettanica "What?!"
Obnimi "You tell us to be weary of certain people, but you don't give us the tools to confront them. Tell me this, why is it that I must avoid Asuna and Toko? Why is it do I have to keep the Nakamura alive along with the Chikara? I ask myself these questions and in my head I think it's because you could be a traitor. Either you're a rat we can't trust, or you have some sort of plan you wish to come true and you just need the pieces of the puzzle placed. Well, now that I say it aloud, either way you sound like a traitor."
Mettanica "I see, be angry with the palm that feeds you."
Obnimi "I am not angry, I am just showing my disdain towards you."
Mettanica "You say you don't trust me, but if you were to have this power. How would we be sure you can be trusted yourself."
Obnimi "Not saying you can, but if I had the power to destroy worlds I would have done it by now!"
Mettanica "Are you saying you disagree with the way we- I mean the way Sela is going about things?"
Obnimi gets scared and starts sweating, as soon as she said that, Sela walks over. Everyone falls to one knee out of nothing but fear.
Sela "What is going on?"
Mettanica "Obnimi thinks you are weak and afraid of acting."
Sela "What??"
Obnimi "No! That is not what I think! I just want to be stronger because then I will be able do more!"
Sela "Do more than me?!"
Obnimi "No! Well, yes? I would be able to go do what you can't. Since you have that seal and earth isn't like this place I would be able to speed up the process faster than Mettanica."
Mettanica "What?!"
Sela "So you are saying that if you were stronger everything would fall into place."
Obnimi "I'm certain!"
Sela "Come this way."
Obnimi walks over to Sela slowly, Mettanica scared, as she just slowly shakes her head no. Before Sela could give more power to Obnimi everyone and everything is put to a halt.
Cyro "Just hold on, we don't have to do any of that. That is if you are willing to wait."
Sela "I'm tired of waiting!"
Cyro "I know, but the darkness that shadows the earth isn't gone. It may be hard to see or feel, but it is still there. If we wait, the humans will continue to train and fight. This means the more we wait the more their hearts get corrupted. If their hearts are completely dark and destroyed from the inside, then they will fight and kill each other."
Sela "A good plan, but who's to say I need them to kill each other? If they do that what fun is left for me?"
Cyro "You will still have your fun, more than you know. This would have the Gods intervene and when they do only the strongest humans will survive. What's left would be nothing but the strong. Your fun and quests would still be in tact, even more so."
Sela "You know how to talk, I like you."
Sela walks over to Cyro and caresses his face. After caressing his face and brushing through his hair she grabs his hand and walks with him.
Sela caresses his face again and then when she gets to his neck she stabs him with her nail. Cyro falls to the ground in pain with his eyes turning white, his mouth salivating, and veins all over his body pulsating.
Obnimi to himself "No! That should have been me, I deserved that power!"
Mettanica can't believe what she's seeing as Cyro was seen as the third weakest who knows just how strong he became and just how much power Sela gave him.
When the boost is done, Cyro stands to his feet looks over at Mettanica and Obnimi and just smiles. Sela places her hand on his shoulder and then kisses him on the cheek and then the neck.
Sela "We can wait, but now I have someone to pass the time with."
Other than that small hiccup the village goes back to normal with everything falling back into place. They make the medicine and end up curing most of the village. Although it was late for some, most end up healing and getting better. Natsumi is the only one that is taking awhile to recover. Her sickness isn't due the plague anymore, it is something else that the doctors can no identify. But since her anatomy is that of a Nakamura is makes it hard to pinpoint exactly what is causing this illness. When Ziku goes to see her, he just remains by her side holding her hand and tending to her better than her nurse.
Natsumi"Ziku, I want you to leave me here and go train."
Ziku "I'm not leaving you here by yourself, they don't care about you."
Natsumi "What are you talking about? What do you mean?"
Ziku "You know what I mean mom! Every time you were in here they never really helped you. It's like they want you gone."
Natsumi "Ziku, you're overthinking. I trust them, and you should too. It's fine, I'm telling you to go train. This village is going to need you more than you know."
Ziku "And I need you."
Natsumi "I know Ziku, but just this time I'm telling you to just leave me. Go help Cayde and especially Omoi. Everything will be ok, I love you."
Ziku "Love you too mom."
Natsumi smiles and then a tear falls down her cheek.
Natsumi "You finally said it back to me."
Ziku smiles and then closes his eyes, as he puts his head on his moms and walks out.
Natsumi, thinking to herself as she gets memories of Kasai who used to do that to her. Whenever he did it, Natsumi was happy.
Night falls and Ava finds herself leaving Aiko's place and just walking around. All she can think about is what she gotten herself into. She debates to herself whether it's her fault or not. The more she thinks, the more sad she becomes. Then out of no where the air around her gets thick and she starts to sense an overwhelming presence. She starts to panic, but then feels at ease when the presence isn't dark and cold. It's more warm and full of light. Ava gets confused because she doesn't know why she can even sense this presence in the first place.
Ava " What is this? What is this feeling? And who is that?"
Before Ava can do or say anything she ends up just seeing a blur and feels a huge gust of wind. When she looks up her and Ziku are making eye contact.
Ava "You must be Ziku?"
Ziku "How do you know my name?"
Ava "I remember Hiroyuki talking to me about all of the people he knew. He was very hesitant on calling them friends, but when he talked about Ziku he said he's the one he respects the most."
Ziku "He said that?"
Ava "One thing that stuck with me was when he told me that I would know when I have met you."
Ziku smiles after hearing that.
Ava "Don't even get me started on your smile."
Ziku "Haha thanks! It is always nice meeting new friendly people."
Ava "Definitely, you are way nicer than most people I already met."
Ziku "Everyone else isn't too bad, just might have to be with them longer to really understand them."
Ava "Yeah, guess so. It's just…Never mind."
Ziku "What is it?"
Ava "No, it's fine."
Ziku "Are you sure?"
Ava "Yeah, thank you, but I'm fine and it's ok."
Ziku " Well can I know your name?"
Ava "Oh, I'm so sorry! It's Ava."
Ziku "No it's fine. It just would have been weird if I left without knowing your name. Then we end up seeing each other again and it's awkward because I have to ask for it."
Ava "Oh yeah that would have been bad haha."
Ziku " Wait so where are staying."
Ava "With Aiko."
Ziku "Aiko! Really!"
Ava "Yeah, it's been fun. She's so nice and very clean. Got no complaints haha."
Ziku " That's good, yeah Aiko was never someone anyone disliked. Well I would think. Want me to walk you. I want to go see her."
Ava "Yeah sure."
Aiko "Hey Airi have you ate?"
Airi "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks though."
Aiko "I never see you eat, are you sure?"
Airi "I mostly eat first thing in the morning and late at night. Both times when you're asleep. Just what I prefer."
Aiko " Well alright."
Airi "You know Ziku is on his way here right?"
Aiko "What?! He is?! But why?!"
Airi "He wants to see you."
Aiko "He wants to see me?! But why?! He can't! I can't! Ahhhhhhhh!"
Airi "What is wrong with you? He's just checking on you. Must be because he hasn't seen you in awhile."
Aiko "Yeah, but it's Ziku!"
Ziku ends up sneezing as he's walking.
Ava "You ok?"
Ziku "Yeah, just fine."
Ava "So how long has it been since you seen Aiko."
Ziku "To be honest, I don't know. I feel like I don't see her as much as before."
Ava "What happened?"
Ziku "Life happened."
Ava "You mean like everything that has been happening?"
Ziku "Pretty much, but it's my fault. I knew it was going to be hard trying to have a normal life. Whenever we get just a little bit of peace and quiet, I let down my guard and more stuff end up happening. It's like there is no time to catch up with anyone and you mostly meet back up in a fight."
Ava " I guess I kind of know what you mean."
Ziku " You do?"
Ava " It is kind of like the opposite for me. In my life I've known nothing but peace, I don't know how, but somehow our village did it. We were able to stay away from all the violence and nothing bad would ever happen. Everything that has happened here so far is horrible and of course I don't know what to do. I'm not like you all, I can't fight I don't have any abilities. All of this is truly terrifying and I feel at any point that I might...."
Before she can say anything else Ziku places his hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
Ziku " You won't."
Ava just stares into his eyes and then gets drawn into his smile.
Ava " Not even 15 minutes into knowing him and yet I already trust him with all my life."
Ziku " We're here."
Ava " Knock knock Aiko we're here."
Aiko " He's here he's here he's here, what do I do."
Airi " Umm let them in."
Aiko " Oh right. Come on in you two."
Ziku " Aiko! Feels like forever since I've seen you, how are you."
Aiko " I'm fine, you've been real busy haven't you."
Ziku " Yeah, so much has happened since we last saw each other. I mean other than that I'm fine, just taking it one day at a time."
Aiko " That's good, and how's Omoi?"
Ziku " I don't know, I haven't spoke to him either. I saw Kame before I saw him."
Aiko " Oh then how is Kame."
Ziku " Strong I guess, we just fought together didn't exchange any words."
Aiko " It's just so weird to me, not being with everyone."
Ziku " Yeah, all of this fighting and everything has really separated us. We should do something!"
Aiko "Like what?"
Ziku " Ava I'm sorry, we haven't really been including you huh?"
Ava " Oh it's fine, it's cute watching you two catch up."
Ziku " Well would you want to help us organize something? Could be your chance to meet everyone. Also get us all to catch up and have fun."
Ava " Oh that does sound fun, but it might be hard since Christmas and New Year's has already passed."
Ziku "Christmas?"
Ava " That's funny, I thought you were serious for a sec."
Both Ziku and Aiko look at her with a puzzling look.
Ava " No way you two are serious."
They continue to look at her both heavily perplexed.
Ava " Wow, you are serious. I can't believe you don't know what Christmas is. It's not like your village is completely hidden or uncivilized."
Ziku " True, but this village has history of only battle. We rarely have peace. When we do it's used for training and preparing for what's to come. We don't even celebrate birthdays the right way."
Ava " That is so sad. Are you sure we even have time for something like this, I mean we just finished battle no?"
Ziku " We don't, after what just happened it would be childish. Doesn't matter though we are still young."
Aiko " He's right, we're young. We should stop, take time and enjoy the little things before life moves too fast and we miss it."
Ava " Right! Well let's gets started. How about we combine Christmas and New Year's since we missed both."
Both Aiko and Ziku pull pens and a notepad.
Ava " Where did those come from?!"
Ava " Forget it, anyways let's just call it a New Year's Christmas party we are going to celebrate both."
Ziku " That sounds so cool."
Ava " About the details, hmm Christmas comes with one of the most wonderful time of the year. Everyone is happy, you get to decorate, and you get to show people how well you know and care for them with a gift from your heart."
Aiko " Happiness, decorations, and gifts?! It sounds amazing!"
Ava " It truly is ,Christmas time is just the best time. Allowing you to spend time with those close to you and enjoy every second with your family and friends."
Aiko " When do you plan on having this?"
Ava " We could say a week? Unless you think it's too soon?"
Ziku " I think a week is good, gives us enough time to decorate, invite everyone, and then get the gifts."
Ava " Perfect. Me and Aiko will get started on the invitation cards and when we finish you can deliver them."
Ziku " Because of my speed?"
Ava " No, you might be the only person who can get everyone go come."
Aiko " Agreed."
Ziku " Oh. You think so?"
Ava " Definitely only you."
Ziku " Hmm , so many people to invite. Who and where should I start?"
Aiko " Well does that mean Kame is back?"
Ziku " No, he ended up just leaving after the fight."
Aiko " Oh, that sucks, was looking forward to him being there."
Ziku " Yeah me too."
Aiko " Well I guess you can start with whoever is closest and work your way down from there, that way no one can say you were playing favorites."
Ziku " That's actually a good idea. But umm who is the closest to you?"
Aiko " I actually don't know."
Ziku " Wow, great start!"
Ava " Hiroyuki is closest, since he is with your emperor."
Ziku " Ahh you're right."
When everything is ready, Ava hands him all of the invitation cards and tells him that the one she gave him in his left hand by itself is the one she wants him to strictly give to Hiroyuki. Ziku nods and then goes on his way to deliver them to everyone.
Asuna " You need something Ziku?"
Ziku " Yeah, where's Hiroyuki?"
Asuna " He's training, he wishes to not be bothered."
Ziku " Oh, well this will only take a second."
Asuna " No, Ziku I really think you should...."
Before Asuna could get that last part out Ziku walks into the training grounds and is immediately overwhelmed by the cold and is shivering like crazy. When he looks down him and Hiroyuki make eye contact and Ziku walks towards him just shivering.
Hiroyuki " What?"
Ziku " S-so we're having this C-c-Christmas p-party thing a-and..."
Hiroyuki " Pass."
Ziku " Aww, but why y-you didn't even hear the rest?"
Hiroyuki " Just not interested."
Ziku " Come on Hiro!"
Hiroyuki " Don't call me that."
Ziku "Yuki?"
Hiroyuki " That's even worse!"
Ziku " Is it? I thought both of those names were cool. Get it? Cause you're an ice user."
Hiroyuki " I don't get it."
Ziku " No? Huh, that's weird."
Hiroyuki " Anyways thanks for the invite, but like I said I'm not interested. You can see your way out, so I can get back to training.
When Ziku looks down at the cards he notices that he shuffled them when he was shivering and now he doesn't know which card Ava wanted strictly for Hiroyuki.
Ziku " Ava wants you to come. She basically planned the whole thing. It would mean a lot to her."
Hiroyuki just stands there and doesn't say another word. Ziku places the card down and leaves not pressing the issue anymore. After he walks out he continues to shuffle the cards not being able to tell any significant difference between them.
Ziku " I hope I gave him the right one. Now let's see, who's next?"
Ziku finds himself roaming for awhile until he stumbles across Kotai and Bokutso also training.
Kotai " What's up?"
Ziku " Ava, Aiko and I are planning this big party and this is the invitation card with the details."
Kotai " I see, now who the hell is Ava?"
Ziku " Oh right, she's new. Guess it gives you a reason to go."
Bokutso " So this is a party to meet her?"
Ziku " No, it's more of party for all of us since we don't really hang out or do much these days since you know."
Bokutso " Ah, alright let us think about it."
Ziku " Cool! Hope to see you guys there!"
Kotai " Yeah."
Ziku heads further and senses some more chi.
Ziku " I don't know why I wasn't doing this in the first place."
Ziku's face suddenly changes and a hand goes across his face as he dodged it and pulls it towards him. When Senpu comes flying in Ziku dodges his entire body and then Isamu grabs him from behind and locks his hands together. Kanju lands in front of Ziku just smiling.
Kanju " We got you."
Ziku " You did, I'm impressed Isamu your reaction time has gotten better."
Isamu " You think so."
Ziku " Definitely. So, is everyone training or something?"
Kanju " Yeah, me and Limbo have been training lately and Isamu said he couldn't find you so he wanted to see if he could just train with us."
Ziku " Oh sorry Isamu, I've been kind of everywhere."
Isamu " It's fine, I know you can be busy."
Senpu" So why are you here?"
Ziku " Oh yeah, we'll there's this pa..."
Senpu" Let me guess, a party? A party with a bunch of babes?"
Ziku " A party yes."
Senpu" What about the babes? Please tell me there's going to be girls there with some wicked curves!"
Ziku " There will definitely be girls."
Senpu" I feel like you're doing that on purpose. Just give me what I want! Or tell me what I want to hear!"
Ziku looks over at Kanju and Kanju just shrugs with his eyes closed. Isamu just keeps looking back and forth even more confused.
Ziku " I promise that it is a party and there will be babes?"
Senpu" Good enough I'm in!"
Kanju " Guess I'll go too."
Isamu " Me as well."
Ziku " Great, see you there."
Ziku heads off again and suddenly comes across enormous chi. Not only enormous, but intimidating and radiating intense heat. When he gets close he sees Bezune training alone.
Bezune " Been awhile since I've talked to you."
Ziku " Yeah I know. Your chi is super strong, just what are you training for exactly."
Bezune " When the time comes, you'll know. So why are you here?"
Ziku " A party, you interested?"
Bezune " A party huh, yeah alright."
Ziku " Alright?!"
Bezune "Yeah."
Ziku "Yeah?!"
Bezune "Yes."
Ziku "Yes?!"
Bezune "Ziku."
Ziku " Sorry, didn't expect you to say yeah that quick."
Bezune " I've been doing nothing but training. I could use some time off."
Ziku "Awesome! See you there!"
As Ziku continues to walk he sense two different chi's in one area. Both the complete opposite. When he gets close he comes across Limbo and Kisaiju. There not training, just sitting and having a conversation. As Ziku walks up, both of them stand up and acknowledge his presence.
Ziku " So what's up?"
Kisaiju "I could ask you the same thing Nakamura."
Ziku just stares at him into his eyes, it gets way too intense for Kisaiju, so he immediately changes the subject.
Kisaiju " What the hell is in your hand?"
Ziku "Invitations."
Limbo "For?"
Ziku " A party we're planning and would want you guys to come."
Limbo "We?"
Ziku " Me , Aiko, and Ava."
Kisaiju "Aiko? The one with the weird eyes? And who is Ava?"
Ziku "What do you mean weird?"
Limbo can see Ziku gets visibly upset and Kisaiju's comment so he brushes it to the side.
Limbo "It doesn't matter, I don't know about you, but I would like to go."
Kisaiju "A party full of idiots. Doesn't really sound to fun to me."
Ziku "You don't have to come."
Kisaiju "Is that right?"
Both Kisaiju and Ziku stare at each other again. Both letting off some intense chi. Limbo can sense the tension in the air and he tries diffusing the situation again.
Limbo "So what type of party?"
Ziku "Huh, you're actually the first person to ask that. It's a combination between Christmas and new years since we missed both apparently."
Limbo "Christmas?"
Ziku "Yeah apparently it's a major big deal for Ava and she was so surprised to find out we have never known of it."
Limbo "Hmm, actually sounds interesting."
Ziku "Right!"
Kisaiju "Hmph!"
Ziku "Well anyway, hope to see you there."
Ziku doesn't say another word as he just walks off.
Kisaiju "Why did you keep stopping us when things escalated?!"
Limbo "We are supposed to be getting stronger, not picking fights. Especially not with Ziku."
Kisaiju "Hmph, and what the hell does that mean?!"
Limbo "I can sense something in him. Underneath all that light and warmth lies a bit of darkness that is dormant. Who knows what it is and what it means. Just that tiny bit of darkness alone is greater than both of our chi."
Kisaiju "No way?!"
Limbo "Just as shocked as you are."
Ziku looks up and notices that it's starting to get dark and he needs to hurry. As he's walking he also notices that he is getting close to where Shizuko lives. The gates are closed and there is no way for him to get in. So he just puts two cards down the mail chute and hopes for the best. Right after he lets them go, he yawns. He tries to guess what time it is and then yawns again.
Ziku " I'll just finish tomorrow, everyone else lives so far."
When Ziku goes home and opens up, he notices that it is just completely dark and lonely. His mom still in the hospital and him not able to visit her at this time. Ziku ends up taking a shower and is just in his thoughts. After he's finished he makes himself something to eat and then goes outside to eat. He's on the front porch eating and staring at the stars in the sky. After some time has passed and he finishes his food he gets up to go wash his dishes and cleans the rest of the house. After cleaning, he washes his hands and then takes another shower.
Ziku "In hindsight, I guess I should have did all this before I even showered."
When Ziku gets out of the shower he dries his hair and body, gets dressed and then brushes his teeth. After brushing his teeth he gets ready for bed. Not long after he falls asleep, but then wakes up inside a void.
Ziku "Where am I? There's nothing here."
Silhouette "You can feel my power growing within you, I'm certain."
Ziku just stares.
Silhouette " Don't think you will be able to contain me much longer."
Ziku " I don't care who or what you are. As you are now is exactly how you are staying."
Silhouette "We will see about that."
The silhouette fades away, and once it disappears; another figure is shown just standing. When Ziku makes out who it is his eyes widen and he tries go run towards it. Before he gets close the figure places it's hand out, like it's trying to ask for help. Ziku gets close at grabbing its hand, but then it disappears and he falls to his knees.
Ziku "What is happening?!"