"Power is what that comes from within… You were a powerful man minutes ago, with all your dark energy... But now you have given it up for Riku. So quit sobbing and follow me…"
The Sage raised his voice after a short pause. His gleaming white robe matched the icy lakes that streamed all the way from the Frozen Mount. Even the warm weather had cooled, and the bright pink skies began to whiten with the mountains.
His blades and his broken armour was drying with the foul blood that had splattered from the fight...
As the sage turned to start heading towards the frozen mountain, he was suddenly interrupted by Henosha's voice. "I recall the first time I used my powers." He said. "I used it against a wild panther when I was just six, I think…" He was still sobbing, but spoke with a clear voice.
"Did you kill it?" The Sage asked.
"No. I was not powerful enough that time..."
The cold streams and the soothing winds gave Henosha the shivers as his robe was ripped by one of those creatures. At this point, he could obviously feel the sense of fragility running through his cold blooded hands. He had never been weak; strong and fearless was what he was...His body had been shaking ever since those powers exited from him...But there was nothing he could act to. He loves his sister a whole lot more than the powers he had possessed. Though it was the only thing that saved him and his ancestors so far, sometimes the medicine his sister provided had a greater impact. Those priceless medicines were her eternal love and affection...
"Now let's leave." The Sage ordered.
He stood up, clenching his fists tightly, accepting that he has to live a normal life ever after, without powers and battles.
"Your Father Was A Good Man." The Sage reminded him of a not so very pleasing memory.
"Why do you want to say that now…?" The phrase did not make him feel any better, instead he walked faster with a grim face. "Father.." He mimicked the raspy voice of The Sage, as his swords clashed.
Henosha's memories flashed back to when he was a kid and he could remember them like it was yesterday.
"Do You Remember When He Fought Off A Giant Four-Headed Beast That Came From The Underworld...? He was the strongest I have ever seen in all my life. Ahh...Those were the simpler times..." The Sage continued reminiscing.
Henosha only listened but chose not to reply. His body could now feel the freezing gush of winds from the mountains that breezed around here. It was like a thousand needles piercing at the same time. Every step he took, it grew more cold. He did not like the feel of the heavy armour. It was too cold, too heavy and the little scratches on his body burnt and bled, so he threw the heavy armour behind him.
Henosha gave a thought about how a lifeless body could instantly freeze, so he lifted Riku off of his shoulders and warmed her by hugging her tightly. One hand at the back of her silky hair and one on her waist; her legs wrapped around his hips.
He inquired, "How do you manage a weather like this...Don't you freeze?"
"Haha. The deeper the meditation, the faster you leave reality...For all those years, I used a power for my body to be warmer..." The Sage replied.
"Can you do it for me too? IT'S TOO COLD !" Henosha requested.
"I've already did it..."
It would get colder as they approached close to the mountains. There were no animals that roamed here...Not even a fly.
A few steps forth, The Frozen Mounts were finally reached. Henosha saw the great height. If he had the powers, he could have used Dark Flight to get up there in seconds, but he is a normal man now.
He looked up in at the visible peak where The Sage pointed out his fingers.
"Way up there is where we could perform the ritual. That's where I stay..." The Sage informed.
"Will this really work?"
"Kid...Anything is possible if given the right effort...And always remember...Everything comes with a cost."
"What does that mean? And why do you keep saying it..?"
Henosha asked.
"I meant sacrifices..."
"Sacrifices? But I have already done it...I gave up my powers." He argued with a confused face.
"Yes. That was one. There's one more..." The Sage replied.
"One...More? What is it?"
"Life." The Sage said strongly.
"Life...?"
Henosha was addled.
"Life..?" He repeated again.
"Indeed. The Art Of Resurrection Is Performed By Taking One's Soul And Giving It To The Victim, Which Ultimately Grants Them A New Life...But In Worst Case Scenarios, Both Might Die If They Have A Weaker Soul."
"What you're saying is that...I must give my life to bring her back...?"
"Are you afraid to?" The Sage asked him back with a smirk on his wrinkled face.
Henosha took a short pause..His eyes wandered through the foggy winds, Gazing solely at everything around them. The trees sprayed with snows showering from above. Sounds of the emptiness...
"I don't fear death..." He replied after a brief moment of silence. "I'll glady give myself for her. I had one thing in life, that was to take good care of her despite my dark sides...But I had broken it myself. I owe her my life anyway..." He added, looking down at her face.
"That's good words from an evil man..." The Sage stated, nodding his head. "I shall meet you above then..." He added.
"What? Where are you going...?" Henosha asked.
"Back to myself..." The Sage replied and he vanished into ashes, like he did twice.
"HEY !" He yelled at the fading ashes.
Thoughts ran over his head. Death. He never saw it coming. Death was never the solution to his problems. He would always kill away the problem himself. Either it's with his mind or his swords.
Swords...He had another thought.
Those two blades completed the half of his life. Forged by the hands of the half Demon Lord Rhinhidge himself, that was gifted to Henosha by his very own father. Perhaps the only gift he ever got...He couldn't recall exactly.
To him, these blades were more valuable than a diamond gem. It has survived through every battles he could think of and never failed to be victorious.
He looked at them in it's sheath, giving each of the two blades a short glance.
"Whoever it is that is going to hold you next will sure be a powerful man. But not as much as me..." He smiled.
He began to walk up the rocky paths of the mountain as the winds rushed against him. His eyes squinted. Legs trembled as he walked, carrying both weights of Riku and the swords.
His life flashed. The memories of his earlier days swooped in, but he had refused to cry once more. He was disgusted that he had cried, and he did not want anymore tears rolling down his face.
"Just hang in there Riku...A little bit...When I'm gone..It would be better if you could take my swords. Nothing will ever get you ill again. You will be stronger. Your going to be back...And Everything is over now. Your brother can finally rest in eternal peace..."