The next day, I woke up to find the rain had gone and I was feeling much better. Everyone was downstairs doing nothing but sitting around and talking. When I walked into the living room, Mai's father was standing by the window by himself. I walked to him and asked him why he stood by himself. He told me that he was thinking about his village and the missing members. I promised him that I would bring them back, but I don't know where they are. "Don't worry about it too much, I wish I knew where they were too." He said as he walked away from the window. He left the living room and I was alone.
I walked to the couch and sat, thinking about where they could be. I have only met Nazo one time and it was by accident, other than that I couldn't say where they could be. And on top of that, I have to find all the children of Yuki and possibly more.
I closed my eyes and used the nature around me to see what was happening. And as I surfed through nature, it spoke of the war growing and death prevailing.
Eqihr walked in and broke my concentration. He said that the town has received news that one of Nazo's forces is headed this way and is bringing a fight. When I apologized to him about last night, I knew he only meant to empathize. "Nazo's forces are strong fighters, they won't hold back," Eqihr said. I knew that much, especially since they were hunting the YinYang spirits. This was bad news. The heads of the town won't let us fight with them. They might need me for the more destructive types.
Mai walked into the room and she mentioned that she heard about the fight that was coming. She said that the town is under maximum defense. Eqihr had to make a quick run, so he left Mai and I.
"Crazy day, right?" Mai said with confidence. I agreed that the future is going to be confrontational. Mai would lean against the wall, looking out the window, and begin talking about how well she understood me.Mai was getting all nervous and she started talking about how she lost her only sister. She said that she was killed by an enemy village and that she tried to defend herself when she was little. That's actually terrifying. Imagine trying to defend your little sister by yourself. Mai didn't notice, but she started sprouting vines from the ground. I shouted, "Mai!" She regained her grip and apologized for freaking out. I didn't judge; I did the same thing. I could understand the way she felt.
Honestly, I have never been in this situation before. I wanted to comfort her, but she didn't seem in the mood, so I left her alone. Mai left the living room to cool off. She didn't say anything, but she was unsettled. I sat back on the couch and speculated about the coming battle. Most of it was doubt and some worry as well. I am strong, but without Manny, I can't focus. He is all I have left.
My body became stiff and aligned with the sofa, and I was transported to my mind's place. When I entered, my body was stiff from paralysis. Nagi was in front of me, my twin was standing in front of me. He had the mildest facial expression on. He then smiled before saying, "Hey brother, it seems you're in quite the bind, doesn't it?" I was speechless. Nagi was in front of me, and I didn't know how he was there.
"Nagi, how are you here?" I asked, trying to hold back my tears. He said that the thought of him brought him to me. I couldn't believe it. He died so long ago, and he is still in my head. Nagi became more serious and said, "Goshi, I have been close to you since I died. I know what's happening and it's not good. This war is going to be hard on you." I didn't know what that meant. He said that it was going to be hard on me. How would he know that? I kept asking myself this question, but nothing registered. Nagi said that he had something to tell me as my mind space was beginning to corrupt. It seemed like it was falling apart. Nagi and I were trying to keep our balance and Nagi tried spitting something out about who's behind the war. He shouts, "Goshi, it's Mo." And before he could finish his sentence, I was kicked out.
I jumped awake and no one was around me. It seemed kind of quiet. Usually, the sound of people's voices would be audible, but this isn't the case. I walked down the halls and I couldn't find anyone around. Then, I came around the corner and a voice began to pour into the hall. Everyone was whispering and they were talking about me. I could hear Eqihr whispering that I was not safe to be around and that this town might be in jeopardy. Sammi and Qui agreed with him and said that my power was too strong to be kept tame for so long. "His control is strong, but one day he will find grief and that will snap the control." Mai's father said.
I couldn't believe that they thought I couldn't control this power. Kalen then said, "Worst case scenario is, we have to give the other half to Manny if he returns." I couldn't understand why they were saying these things.
I rushed through the doors and everyone sitting at the table vanished and I could hear screams arising from a span. "Wake up!" I heard from all around me. The shouting continued and as I became even more confused, I came to the realization that I was still sleeping.
Finally, I woke up with Mai and her brothers hovering above me. My senses were dull and hazy and I was unable to move my legs for moments. "Goshi, what happened? Why were you sleeping for so long?" Mai asked me with full enormity. I told her that I was only sleeping for an hour. She corrected me and said that I was resting for two weeks. My numbness left my body and I jolted up and looked around me. I asked them what happened and they said that Haru was under siege. Mai added that another scaled sword user is here looking for Manny and me. I asked where Eqihr and the rest of the group were. Mai said that they are hiding somewhere in the town to avoid Nazo's forces.
"We have to find them," I said while standing on my feet. Mai said that it's impossible because the entire city is under battle and some parts are taken by the scaled sword user and their troops. I implied that we should find them, but she insisted we follow Eqihr's command and stay here. I walked to the window and saw the street was occupied by unknown troops with robes that had a fusion of circles printed on the backside of them.
I looked back at Mai and said, "I'll save this town."
*End Of Chapter 22*