Dark. Darker. No sound or slumber, only pain.
The ogre's reflection stares at Kaito. Kaito looks into the pool before him, a black empty abyss filled with a thin line of water that reaches out beyond what Kaito can see. In the center near his feet, lays the reflection of the ogre Kaito and the elves had slain. Kaito stares in shock at the beast. Before he can say anything, the ogre speaks. Its mouth is unmoving, yet its deep and heavy voice fills Kaito's ears.
Ogre: You will see…
Kaito: What the hell…?
Ogre: You will listen…
Kaito: You're supposed to be dead… we killed you…
Ogre: Come closer, their voice calls out to you…
Kaito looks at the reflection in confusion, then goes down to touch the image, slowly moving his finger towards the water's surface. Kaito nervously pokes the pool, causing ripples to run through the surface of the water. A ring of white energy flows out from his finger and into the vast pool of darkness. Kaito watches as the white ring continues on for as far as he can see. He hears something of a whisper, something that calls out to him. He stands and steps forward into the pool to get closer to the voice, but his foot falls through the water's surface and he is suddenly enveloped beneath it. Kaito tries to swim up as he feels himself being pulled down further into the pressing void. The white ring of energy is now gone. Nothing but emptiness and darkness remains in his vision.
Kaito brings his head above the water and breathes out, gasping for air, coughing out the water that had entered his lungs. He opens his eyes to look around. The room is lit with a calm and relaxed orange hue. He struggles to bring himself out of the warm water that engulfs him and finds a stone bench on the edge of the pool that he can rest his tired body on. As he sits up, he notices two elf girls who rush over to where he is, a worried look on their fair and pretty faces.
Elf Girl 1: Sir Kaito! Are you OK?
Elf Girl 2: You should have propped him up more, Selia!
Selia: He was propped up, Klia!
Klia: Then how did he slip?
Selia: I dunno, maybe you put too much of the healing cream on his back?!
The elf girls turn to face each other, their pretty faces now marred with an angry expression. Kaito then speaks, trying to calm them both down.
Kaito: Hey, hey! I'm fine! Don't get mad at each other.
The two elf girls look down at Kaito, then smile with excitement.
Selia: You're awake, Sir Kaito!
Kaito: Yeah, I am… Where am I?
Klia: Why, the baths, of course. This is a private bath owned by yours truly!
Selia: And me too, Klia. Mom left it to BOTH of us.
Kaito looks around the room. The baths are covered in marble tiles, with decorative nature murals drawn on the walls. Kaito then looks down into the water to find himself completely naked. He blushes, then covers up the exposed region with his hands.
Kaito: What the hell?!
The two elf girls giggle as Kaito freaks out over being nude. The one called Klia walks over to the other side of the bath, then pours some more water into the already filled pool.
Selia: We were told to put you in the bath to speed up your healing process, and to let your body relax.
Klia: Yep! You almost bled out from the battle, so we put you here to recuperate!
Kaito: I appreciate you guys healing me and everything, but I'm naked!
Selia: Well of course! You can't bathe in your clothes, silly!
Kaito blushes some more, his face now a deep shade of red.
Kaito: Well I'm fine now, thank you!
The two elf girls give another quiet giggle, then Klia grabs Kaito's clothes, which sit on a counter near what Kaito assumes is the exit. Klia then motions for Selia to come over to her, giving her sister a smirk, before turning her gaze to look at Kaito.
Klia: We'll be in this room so that we can wash your clothes, just yell if you need anything!
Selia: And be sure to rest! We don't want any more damage to your body while it heals!
Kaito: Wait! I need those clothes! I'm naked—
The two elf girls open a door to a small room off to the side of the baths, then close the door, leaving Kaito alone in the bathhouse. Kaito sits still and continues to cover his privates with his hands, a sour look rests on his face from the situation he finds himself in. Kaito then leans back onto the edge of the bath, taking a second to relax and get his bearings. He looks around the room and studies its artwork and craftsmanship. Not only is the room entirely made up of marble with murals drawn on the walls, but multiple vines and trees are planted around the bath without even a crack of sunlight inside the room. Around the walls and trees sit multiple crystals that are attached onto wall hooks to hold them in place. Kaito notices a small orange glow emitting from these crystals, and assumes that they are for the vegetation within the room, as well as to act as a light source for the room itself. Kaito then stretches, a few cracks of his bones and a grunt comes from him as he does this. Once he is finished stretching, Kaito stands up out of the bath. He continues to cover himself and looks at the door to the laundry room to make sure the two elf girls aren't spying on him. Kaito walks over to the counter where his clothes once sat and picks up a cloth towel, which is neatly folded and placed on a nearby stone shelf. Kaito dries off with the towel, then wraps it tightly around his waist to form a makeshift skirt.
Kaito: At least I have something covering me up…
Kaito then walks over to a mural on the nearby wall to study it further. In this mural, he sees a picture of what he presumes to be the elves of Foritia. The elves seem to be looking at a large tree, the tree itself is glowing a bright green color. In front of the elves stands a figure. The figure is devoid of any features, but Kaito can still tell that it is humanoid. The key features of the figure are its colors. Its body is colored a pale shade of white, with small yellow patterns inside of its design. Aside from its arms and legs, Kaito can make out what looks to be a pair of wings on its back. The way this mural depicts the figure, it seems the people of this land hold the angels in high regard. The angel stands almost front and center with the large tree that glows green. The two drawings are center stage compared to everything else in the mural.
Kaito: I see… makes sense why they freaked out when they saw Abi…
Abi: It's God's gift to them!
Abi yells out from behind Kaito. Kaito jumps against the wall and turns to face Abi in a fighting stance while also trying to hold the towel as it almost flies off his body. Kaito breathes rapidly, then yells out.
Kaito: Abi! Don't sneak up on me like that!
Abi: Sorry, sorry! I thought you heard me come in. You must have been pretty deep in thought.
Kaito looks at her angrily, then calms down and sighs. His eyes notice that something is different about her, she isn't wearing her armor. Instead, she wears a white cloth shirt, matched with a well-made skirt. Her feet are covered by neatly decorated sandals. However, Abi's hair is still in a ponytail, with a familiar green leaf still residing next to her left ear.
Kaito: You OK?
Abi nods, answering him.
Abi: Of course! But what about you? You're the one who took a beating.
Kaito: I'm fine. Those two elf girls weren't lying about the bath, I feel a lot better now.
Kaito walks over to the mirror next to the counter and looks into it. The young man stares back at his reflection. It's the first time he had seen himself since he passed away. Kaito runs his fingers through his messy black hair and looks over his features with great care. His gentle green eyes stare back at him through the mirror. As he studies his own eyes, he starts to get the feeling that someone else is watching him through the reflection, which causes him to shake his head and return to studying the rest of his complexion. Kaito notices a small scar on his cheek and studies it curiously.
Kaito: Huh, that scar wasn't there before… must have gotten it from one of those creatures…
Kaito runs his hand over his cheek, then turns to Abi, who walks up to him and grabs his face forcefully. Kaito tries to break her grip, pulling away from her but to no avail.
Kaito: Let go of me!
Abi: Lemme see! Hmm, you're right, but it's only a little scar… I'll fix it.
Abi raises a hand to Kaito's cheek. The familiar yellow energy comes from her palm, flashing as its warmth covers his face. She soon finishes her treatment, then backs away slowly from Kaito.
Abi: There, now take a look. I can fix scars, but only if they are recent.
Kaito looks into the mirror again and puts his hand back up to his cheek, noticing that the scar is indeed gone. He lets out a sigh, then turns to Abi.
Kaito: Thanks…
Abi: No problem! It's the least I could do for ya.
A short moment of silence falls between the two of them. During the silence, the two angels stare at the marble floor of the bathhouse. Kaito starts to speak up, but Abi speaks first, her arms locked behind her back as she talks to Kaito.
Abi: To think that you have helped so much, on your first day no less… the people here are very thankful, Kaito.
Kaito: Well, I just wanted to help. Where I come from, there's enough suffering to go around, and not enough helping hands…
Abi: Speaking of which, can we talk about that for a second?
Kaito: Talk about what?
Abi walks over to the side of the bath and sits down, then dips one of her fingers into the bath to check its temperature. She then takes off her decorative sandals and sets them aside before dipping her feet into the warm bath water.
Abi: You went into that battle like you knew what to do, like you have had combat experience before, but from what I know, you lived a pretty docile life back on Earth. I don't know a whole lot about you, but I learned what I needed to in order to find a worthy candidate. And with that comes knowledge about the life you used to live.
Kaito: Well… what do you know?
Abi puts her hand to her chin and ponders on what to ask him.
Abi: Well, I know you were still in school… and you lived with your adopted family… and you didn't know what you wanted to do in life but still went ahead with schooling anyway. You have a brother you love very much, and from what I remember, you have some self-defense training. But with that kind of life, I don't see how that can translate into knowledge about combat on a battlefield.
Kaito: Well… throughout my life, I've had martial arts training off and on. I was sorta born into it. My adoptive family wanted me to continue my training, and part of me wanted too as well. My adoptive parents have always been very supportive. There's that, plus I'm kind of a huge nerd, so I do a lot of studying about history and war in my free time. I guess that's part of where the combat knowledge comes from.
Abi: Oh, OK. Well tell me more! I'd love to get to know ya better.
Kaito: Oh uh, let me think… OK. I wasn't born in Japan which is where I lived with my adoptive family on Earth. I was born in Tibet and lived with a group of monks at a monastery until I was eight years old. That is how I was exposed to self-defense and martial arts at an early age. Then, I got sent away…
Abi: How come?
Abi looks at Kaito, her eyes focused on him.
Kaito: They wanted me to experience the world, the monks who raised me I mean. So, I got sent to Yokohama, a city in Japan, and was placed with a family who wanted another son to raise. That is how I met my brother Khan. My brother Khan and I may not have been related to each other by blood, but we got along really well. He, along with my adoptive parents, were very kind to me, and taught me a lot about the world, as well as my many teachers in school…
Kaito falls silent, his gaze drops from Abi to the ground, with a sad expression now lying on his face. Abi can tell that he really misses his old life back on Earth. She then speaks to him, trying her best to derail his negative thoughts.
Abi: Ah, well that makes sense, but why would you have to train in a mostly peaceful life? It didn't sound all that dangerous, and yet when I looked at my options, you seemed to be the most capable candidate.
Kaito: Well, for the most part life is peaceful there. You wake up, go to work or school, learn or work the hours you need to, then come home to be with your family. Each day is pretty much the same. But there are some people who take advantage of others and either steal from them, or much worse, take the lives of others for personal gain. They thrive on a sense of power over people they see as being weaker than them. It is sometimes very hard to know who is dangerous and who is not. People on Earth, for the most part, look pretty much the same. I've noticed that here it's a lot more black and white when it comes to good versus evil.
Abi: You'd be surprised… Besides, people here can shoot energy from their hands, pretty dangerous if you ask me.
Kaito chuckles a bit.
Kaito: Yeah, hasn't been the most welcoming start to a new place…
Once again, the young man falls silent. Abi understands that talking about this now might be too much for him, and once again she speaks up to change the mood.
Abi: Well, you'll have to tell me more sometime!
Abi gets up and dries her feet off, wiping them thoroughly before slipping her decorative sandals on.
Abi: You ready to go?
Kaito: Go where?
Abi: To the party! The town is holding a feast for the victory they had today, and we need to be there!
Kaito: Ahh… I see, angel stuff?
Abi nods.
Abi: Yep! Angel stuff, now come on.
Abi grabs Kaito's wrist and starts to pull, causing the young man to speak in a frantic manner.
Kaito: Wait! I don't have any clothes on!
Abi: Oh, right… uh, well your other clothes are being washed. Let me ask the two girls if they have any spare clothes.
Abi skips over to the door that the two elf girls had entered before and sticks her head into the laundry room. Kaito watches as Abi nods her head, then opens the door all the way so that she can walk into the room. Abi stays in the room for only a moment, then walks out with what looks like a white hooded shirt, one that has clearly been tailored by hand and done rather well. Following the shirt, Abi holds up a pair of black pants, a pretty bland set of clothes compared to his Earthly attire. With Kaito not having many options, he'll take what he can get.
Abi: Found something that might fit you! What do you think?
Kaito walks over to Abi and takes the shirt, inspecting its size. Kaito then nods and puts the shirt on.
Kaito: It fits rather well actually.
Abi then hands Kaito the pair of pants. Kaito notices that there are no undergarments to go with them. He looks up from the pair of pants and gives Abi a disappointed look.
Kaito: No underwear?
Abi: Oh! Let me ask! They didn't give me any.
Kaito sighs and waits patiently by the stone countertop. Abi soon comes back out of the room with a pair of underwear, only they are not boxers like Kaito was expecting. The underwear was more akin to something of a speedo than a regular pair of underwear. Kaito looks at the underwear in disgust as Abi holds them up.
Kaito: Really…?
Abi: What? I think they'll be great! More flexibility—
Kaito: No, no! Don't they have something else in there?
Abi is taken aback by his pickiness and goes back into the room, then comes out with a sad expression.
Abi: Nope… it's all they got…
Kaito can hear the two elf girls giggling in the room behind Abi. Kaito angrily grabs the underwear and starts to walk off, hearing one of the elf girls speak to him as he leaves the main room.
Klia: Perfect attire for the warrior and his sword!
Kaito's face turns red, causing him to storm off toward the changing room of the bathhouse. Abi's face is one of confusion as she looks back and forth from the laundry room to Kaito. Kaito steps into the changing room and gets dressed. Once he is finished, Kaito walks out of the changing room where he is greeted by Abi, who stands patiently by the doorway, holding what seems to be a pair of socks and leather shoes. Abi looks Kaito up and down, then smiles.
Abi: That look suits you.
Kaito: You think so?
Abi: I do! Oh, and here are the socks and shoes to match.
Kaito takes the socks and shoes from Abi and puts them on.
Kaito: Thank you.
Abi: No problem! Now let's go, we're gonna be late!
Abi shoves Kaito out the room in a hurry, her stomach audibly grumbling as she does. Kaito suspects that her urgency is probably more about being hungry than being late to the festivities.
Kaito and Abi make their way through the bathhouse. The place is quite heavily adorned with tapestries and silk curtains of red and orange and is seemingly untouched from the battle earlier. Kaito wonders if the building is even near the town at all. The two angels step outside of the bathhouse. Kaito follows Abi, who hums as she walks down a dirt path. After a few minutes of walking, the town slowly starts to creep into the forest around them. Kaito notices that the town is quite lively, with people coming and going despite the violent battle earlier. It's as if nothing happened, though the scars from the battle still remain. Kaito and Abi travel down the dirt path, passing citizens and soldiers as they walk towards the center of town. The two are greeted with the same destruction they saw when the town was ablaze, only the flames are now gone and the citizens are rummaging through their burnt houses to reclaim what little belongings still remain. Near a fountain stands the three leaders, the purple-robed elf, the black-armored archer, and the white-robed mage from earlier. A few of the soldiers are spread around the perimeter, guarding the area from any potential threats. People are hugging and kissing their children and family members as they are reunited with one another, grateful that they were not injured in the fight. A large area near the courtyard is filled with rough-hewn wooden tables and chairs for the feast. Some of the people in the town are already seated in the chairs, talking quietly amongst themselves as they wait for the ceremony to start. Kaito notices the two elf soldiers from earlier, Pricil and Javan, sitting down as well at a lone table in the middle of the courtyard. The two knights talk and drink some weird brown liquid in tall metal goblets that are decorated on their stems with gold and silver filigree. Kaito and Abi walk past the three leaders on their way to Javan and Pricil's table, the archer in black leather armor staring at Kaito as he walks by them. Kaito quickly turns his gaze away from the archer and looks towards the two knights seated at the table in front of them. Pricil laughs at something Javan says and takes a big gulp of her drink, then turns to see Abi and Kaito walking up to their table.
Pricil: Well, if it isn't the runt! And the Lady Angel.
Pricil bows her head in respect towards Abi's direction, causing Abi to smile and bow as well. The two warriors notice that Pricil's face is red with blush, and soon the smell of alcohol floods their noses.
Kaito: Hey you two! How are you guys holding up?
Pricil: Us? We're doing fine, but you?
Javan: Yeah, I'm surprised you aren't passed out from all the healing you went through.
Kaito: Well, whatever you guys put in the bathwater here really helps. That, and Abi here is pretty good at healing.
Abi nods and gives them a confident smile.
Abi: Yeah, if it weren't for me, he'd be dead already!
Kaito looks at her with a "what is that supposed to mean" sort of look. Abi simply chuckles in response.
Pricil: I'll say, downright suicidal. Though he gets the job done!
Javan: Can't argue with that. But you better take care of yourself, don't want the Lady Angel without backup now do we?
Kaito: Trust me, I don't plan on dying anytime soon.
Pricil: Of course, no one does…
Pricil looks towards a tent that had been set up near the outskirts of the town. There were sheet-covered bodies on the ground with groups of people standing over them. These people were either crying or staring blankly at the bodies. A few elf soldiers stood outside while others were trying to console the families who had lost their loved one in the battle.
Kaito: Yeah… I'm sorry—
Pricil: Sorry? There's no need to be sorry, runt. We're here to celebrate victory, to celebrate the lives of those who remain, and those who have died. To celebrate their sacrifice! And to celebrate the hope of a better tomorrow!
Javan: There's no need to feel bad, Kaito.
Kaito: I'll try my best not to, but…
Javan: At least enjoy yourself tonight, and keep out of trouble! I'd say Lady Evis has been keeping an eye on you, at least from what I can gather, with all the staring she has been doing in our direction.
Javan turns his gaze over towards the group of leaders. Kaito turns his head as well, noticing that the black-armored archer is still staring him down. Kaito does his best not to make eye contact and turns his gaze back towards Pricil and Javan.
Kaito: Yeah, it's starting to freak me out. Do you know why she keeps doing that?
Pricil: Not sure. Maybe she just doesn't like you. Did you know she is a Ranger, one of the highest military ranks you can hold? Highly decorated. She is an expert at her craft.
Kaito: Wow, that's impressive. I would love to be able to train with her… I mean, you know, to improve my skills. I hope I haven't done anything to offend her.
Javan: Well, you are human, aren't you?
Kaito: Yeah… Do you guys already know about humans? I thought you said they wouldn't know who or what I am, Abi?
Abi goes to defend herself, but is then cut off by Pricil, who does the defending for her.
Pricil: Lady Abi told us, we needed information on everyone's status who had fought in the battle today, that includes you two.
Kaito: Makes sense, but does she not like me simply because I am a human?
Pricil shrugs.
Pricil: Not sure. So either she doesn't like ya, or she REALLY likes ya and can't stop looking! Ha ha!
Pricil laughs out, causing Javan to laugh as well. Their humor falls flat on Kaito, but he laughs with them, although more nervous than amused by the whole situation.
Pricil: Well, come on! Why don't you two join us at the table?
Pricil places her hand on the table and pats it, motioning for them to sit down with her and Javan. Kaito and Abi look at each other, then nod. Kaito sits down next to Javan, while Abi sits down next to Pricil. Abi and Pricil start talking amongst themselves, leaving Javan and Kaito alone to their own conversation.
Javan: I know Pricil can be a little harsh, Kaito, but she means well, I promise.
Kaito: Yeah, I didn't really sense any hostility in her words, well, other than the word runt.
Javan: I wouldn't let it bother ya, she gives nicknames to every new person she meets.
Kaito: Is that so?
Kaito looks down at the table, studying its rugged and worn surface.
Javan: I will have to say though, today was eventful, and to be honest, I was quite scared. I didn't think we were gonna make it, we were on that roof for what, at least two hours? Hell, if it weren't for you and Abi, we may not have defeated those beasts.
Kaito: I didn't really do all that much. I mostly got injured and almost bled to death.
Javan: But through all that you gave The Elder and the other warriors an opening, you can't deny that.
Kaito: Well, let me say this, if I didn't have you and Pricil guarding me, I would have been cut down before I even got to the trebuchet.
Javan: You're probably right about that. We'll call it a team effort then?
Javan looks at Kaito with a hearty smile. Kaito smiles back, then looks down at the empty plate in front of him.
Kaito: Kind of weird, I never thought a knight would tell me he was scared. I never thought I'd meet a knight to begin with, but hey, today's been full of surprises.
Javan is confused by Kaito's statement.
Javan: Is that weird? To be scared?
Kaito thinks for a moment, back on how he felt before he died, and how he felt when the reptile creature was on top of him, ready to kill him.
Kaito: No… it's not, I guess.
Kaito continues to think to himself. He was scared during the attack that took his life, he was scared when the creature in the woods pounced on him, but not when they reached the town. It was almost like he didn't care about all the death or harm he had endured. He charged through anyways without a care in the world, and he had never felt like that before. Kaito then feels his body shake back and forth, causing him to look over in the direction of the pulling motion. He sees Pricil with her hand reached across the table. Her hand grips his shoulder tightly, rocking him back and forth to get his attention.
Pricil: Hey, runt! Stop spacing out, we're about to toast!
Kaito shakes his head and looks toward the far end of the courtyard where the three town leaders still stand. The three leaders stop talking among themselves and turn to face the many tables in front of them. Kaito notices that the tables are now filled to the brim with people, all focusing their attention on the three leaders at the end of the courtyard. Soon, an elf knight who stands beside the purple-robed elf stands up on a chair and speaks out to crowd in front of him.
Elf Knight: Alright everyone, may I please have your attention! Elder Keizan wants to make a toast!
The elf knight steps down from the chair. The Elder walks up to the seated crowd of people in front of him, before speaking up for everyone to hear.
Elder Keizan: People of the town of Arbor. Today we have won a great victory over the Scourge. The first REAL victory in months. The days have not been kind to us, but with every attack, we have held our own, and we have endured. We have prayed for assistance in these dark times and have been rewarded. We prayed for victory when times seemed so bleak, we thought all was lost, and yet our prayers have been answered. So let us toast to those of the living, and to those who have given their lives so that we may keep living. Let us toast to the brave who have contributed today, for the fight against the Scourge. For the restoration of peace, not only in Foritia, but across all realms! To the brave, with heart!
The People of Arbor, raising their glasses up into the air: To the brave, with heart!!!
The townsfolk all yell at once. The Elder waits patiently for them to calm down before speaking again.
Elder Keizan: Now, let the feast begin!
The townsfolk once again yell out, cheering loudly enough for all of Foritia to hear. The Elder then walks away from the many rows of tables, and a parade of elves dressed in white aprons and hats, holding large metal plates of food, flood the area with delicious aromas. The servers visit every table, putting a generous helping on each plate. There were foods that Kaito recognized such as chicken or pork, rice and bread, but there were also exotic vegetables and fruits that he had never seen before. Kaito waits patiently as the food is served. After Kaito receives his food, he puts his hands together, giving thanks for the meal. He is about to take a bite, but before he does, he looks over at Abi and Pricil's direction. Both girls are already halfway through their plate, eating quite audibly.
Kaito: You guys might wanna slow down or you'll choke—
Pricil and Abi (muffled): Can't talk… Eating!
Kaito shakes his head, then turns his attention towards his plate. He starts to eat, only now realizing how truly hungry he is. As Kaito eats, he looks around and notices a great number of tiny lights flickering all around them. He is confused at first, but soon figures out that it's just the local fauna. They look similar to the fireflies on Earth, only these fireflies don't just flicker with a low green or yellow hue, their colors range from blue, red, green, white, all the way to orange, like moving Christmas lights. Kaito eats quietly as he watches the insects dance with their bright display of color, admiring their beauty as they put on a show for the whole town. If Kaito didn't know any better, he wouldn't have believed that the battle today had taken such a terrible toll on these people only hours before. Kaito turns to say something to Abi, but she is currently downing her own cup of the mysterious brown liquid that Pricil and Javan were drinking earlier. He watches as she gulps the drink down quickly. Abi then burps loudly, putting her fist against her chest after her ill-mannered display.
Abi: Excuse me!
Pricil laughs at her sudden outburst, then slaps her back.
Pricil: That was a good one, Lady Angel!
Kaito chuckles and shakes his head at the scene in front of him.
Abi: Man… what is in my cup? It tastes nothing like I've ever had before.
Pricil: That, Lady Angel, is mead.
Abi: Mead huh? Can I get some more?
Pricil: Sure! Uh, Server!
Pricil flags down a server carrying a large pitcher and several goblets of the brown liquid on a tray for Abi. Kaito turns his attention away from Abi and Pricil to look in his own cup, which is filled to the brim with the same brown liquid.
Javan: What's the matter, Kaito, don't like the mead?
Kaito: I'm not much of a drinker, sorry.
Javan: No need to apologize; at any rate, it's probably best if you use your energy too heal and gain your strength back. Let me get you some more water.
Javan flags down another server with a water pitcher and fills an empty cup for Kaito.
Javan: There ya go.
Javan sets the cup down next to Kaito's plate.
Kaito: Thank you! You know, you guys are awfully nice to strangers.
Javan looks at Kaito, then smiles.
Javan: After today, we're comrades, Kaito. In times like these, we need to help anyone suffering from the Scourge, that includes you and the angel girl.
Kaito looks at Javan and nods.
Kaito: And if there is any way I can help you guys, let me know, OK?
Javan: Sure thing! Now eat, Kaito. You need your strength.
Kaito nods again, then returns to stuffing his face with a huge piece of roasted pork and hunk of bread.
The feast was over. Kaito and Abi walked with Javan and Pricil, following behind the townspeople and soldiers, who were pulling creaking wagons loaded with the dead. They come to a large open patch, cleared out within the forest. It is here where the people of Arbor cremate their dead. As The Elder puts it in his speech, it is to "set their souls free into the stream." Kaito and Abi stand alongside Javan and Pricil, watching casket after casket of deceased soldiers and citizens being carried up to an enormous wooden platform in the center of the clearing. The cremation site sits near the edge of a cliff, overlooking a river running through a great valley that lies between a cascade of snow-capped mountains looming in the distance. The sound of instruments can be heard as the last of the caskets are stacked upon the platform. The Elder takes a piece of burning wood he has brought with him in a black cinder box and places it ceremoniously at the bottom of the wooden platform. As the flames engulf the caskets, sobbing can be heard from the families of the dead. The Elder stands in front of the burning platform, chanting in a language unfamiliar to Abi or Kaito. As the fire grows taller, so does the sound and crescendos of the instruments as they play their sad but hopeful melody. Kaito stares into the flames. The multicolored fireflies still dance in the night sky as the moonlight now casts its rays onto the cremation site. A weird feeling of both pain and hope fill Kaito. This was only the first day in Foritia. What would happen in the days ahead of the war angel?
After the ceremony, the group went back to the town and finished up the last of the mead left in the kegs. Abi and Kaito bid a goodnight to Pricil and Javan, who were both so drunk, they had to be escorted home by the other knights. Abi is a bit tipsy herself, but not nearly as bad as the two elf soldiers. Kaito was surprised that a girl like her could hold her alcohol that well. After leaving their comrades in the capable hands of their fellow knights, Abi and Kaito walk to an inn that had been spared by the battle. Their flat had two bedrooms that were separated by a kitchen and a sitting area, and a fireplace placed on the back wall. Abi sits, legs crossed, on the floor next to the fireplace. The angel girl goes through her things methodically, taking her time as she folds her armor and clothes neatly next to her satchel. Kaito studies the armor he took from the creature he had killed, looking over its design thoroughly. As he studies the armor's design, he gets a weird feeling from it. The dark energy within the armor almost reaches out to him. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Abi as she struggles to stand up.
Abi: Alright, well I'm gonna—
Abi yawns.
Abi: Gonna hit the sack.
Kaito: Yeah, I better get some rest too.
Kaito stands up with his armor in hand and is about to walk into his bedroom, when he hears Abi call his name. Her voice is hushed and slurred, most likely from being tired and tipsy.
Abi: Kaito…
Kaito: Yeah, Abi, what's up?
Abi: Before we go to bed, let's talk about what we were discussing earlier.
Kaito looks at her, lost at what she is referring to.
Abi: About where you came from?
Kaito: Oh yeah. Sure, if you want to.
Abi nods and points to the chair next to the fireplace, gesturing for Kaito to sit down. Kaito sets his belongings near the door of his bedroom and walks over to the chair, sitting down, relaxing as he stares into the dancing flames.
Kaito: Now, what do you want to know?
Abi walks towards Kaito, then leans over behind him before putting her hands on his shoulders. She starts to rub gently, moving her hands around in a circular motion. Kaito blushes at this odd behavior.
Kaito: Uh, Abi? What are you doing?
Abi: Part of the healing process, a nice massage should wrap things up… do you not want one?
Kaito: I mean, I guess if it is part of the healing—
Abi: Great! Let me know if I get too rough or if I'm not hitting the right spots.
Abi continues to rub Kaito's shoulders and back, waiting patiently to hear his story.
Kaito: Alright, so where did we leave off last time?
Abi: You were talking about how you moved to Japan, to live with your adoptive family?
Kaito: Ah, yes. OK, well after the monks sent me to Japan, I was adopted. As I said, this is where I met my brother Khan and my parents, and over the years I grew to love them very much.
Abi: And what about your training?
Kaito: My training? It was just your average martial arts training. I did continue to train when I moved to Japan, but it was different, less strict than when I lived in Tibet. I still wanted to do the best I could though…
Abi: And your life in Japan, what was it like? Your average day I mean.
Abi continues to rub around Kaito's shoulders. Her hands start to emit a small glow around her palms as she continues to massage him.
Kaito: What was it like? Well, it was good. It was a modern life with cars and video games, restaurants and movie theaters. I attended school, and spent time with my friends and family, nothing too out of the ordinary, I guess.
Abi chuckles at Kaito's description.
Abi: I'm not sure what some of that stuff is… but it sounds fun. What was your school like back on Earth?
Kaito: It was good. I studied hard, and when I wasn't in class I was with my brother or with my friend Yuuta. Oh, and if we both had free time, I would be with Aiko of course. I think if you two met you'd really get along.
Abi: Really now? Who's that?
Kaito: She is… or was my girlfriend. You and she have a lot in common actually. She was one of those once in a lifetime people you meet. The kind of person that you instantly understand and respect.
Abi: I'd like to hear more about her sometime, and what about your brother? You talk about him a lot.
Kaito takes a moment to gather himself, his body starts to squirm, as if he is trying to fight something.
Kaito: My brother is a great guy. He's a big guy but a real softie. He cares a lot for people… even if he doesn't really show it.
Kaito's voice starts to choke up. Some tears start to fall from his cheeks as he continues to speak.
Kaito: I always wanted to do my best to… to protect him… and my family, my friends that I held dear… I… I wish I could still…
Kaito's body slumps over, as he has now fallen asleep. Abi sighs and stops the massage. The yellow light from her hands flickers softly before disappearing. She looks at Kaito with a worried expression and gently wipes the tears from his face. Abi bends down and picks Kaito up, carrying him to his bedroom, where she gently lays him down on the bed and covers him up. Abi puts out the energy crystal that lights the room and is about to walk out the bedroom door, before she turns to Kaito and simply mutters to herself.
Abi: I'm sorry, rest easy now, OK? You've been through so much in just one day.
Abi closes the door with a quiet clunk of its edge hitting the doorframe. Abi looks around the small sitting room, then puts her hand to her chin, now deep in thought.
Abi: Sure, he acts determined and positive on the outside, so why do I feel so much negativity within him? This day has been rough on him, some sleep should balance those energies out. We've got a lot of work to do in the days ahead. I'll have to get an extra pair of hands to help…
Abi stokes the fire that warms the sitting room. The glow from the fire mingles with the dim, pale moonlight coming through the window. Abi walks over to her belongings and puts on her armor. Once she is suited up, she walks to the front door of the room, opening it. With one more look behind her into the dimly lit living space, she closes the door, her footsteps fading out of earshot as she walks down the hallway.