"Wow. It has certainly gotten a lot darker out."
Tanjo could be heard voicing his thoughts out loud. Currently, every single first-year student was grouped outside a concession stand. Most of the students were holding sticks of yakitori, casually munching on them as they conversed.
Akogare looked toward Tanjo, nudging his shoulder lightly. "Don't you think we've been out here a little too long? I wonder if we have anywhere to stay for the night. We will probably be staying here in the village for more than a few days."
"I doubt that they just planned on us sleeping outside." Naderamu stated, her tone sounding as condescending as usual.
"Perhaps it's a test of survival!" Suddenly, a bright-orange-haired student joins in on the conversation, confusing Tanjo, Akogare, and Naderamu. The orange-haired student noticed their stares, prompting him to clear his throat and address himself, "The name is Isho Fumetsu! I'm a part of Class 1AR." So it was a student from the other class.
The three Class 1 AB students merely nodded in acknowledgment. Naderamu then spoke up, "Back onto what we were saying," She then looked at Isho confusingly. "How could it be a test for survival if we're in a village?"
"Our instructors could be busy. We haven't seen them nearby in a while." Another student butted into the conversation. This student was the glasses-wearing Kuchu Kakudo.
Tanjo, standing in contemplation, took a bite out of his yakitori. At least it tasted good. Smelled good too.
"Students of Buraun!" An unfamiliar voice called out to all of the nearby students. One of the students named Jigyo Tsukideru, who had grey, spiky hair, looked out toward the owner of the voice, being able to instantly identify who it was.
"It's the damn warriors." Jigyo loudly noted in an annoyed tone, continuing to lay his upper body against the concession stand.
Akogare squinted in the warriors' direction in befuddlement. "What would the warriors need?"
Upon the warriors' arrival, a female warrior with brown hair stood in front of the group, looking at the students with a serious expression. "You are all going to go somewhere safe! We currently have a situation that'd be too much to handle for first-years!"
A female student with walnut-colored hair that reached down to her collar bone in length, perked up at the warrior's words. "Why? What's goin' on?" She hastily questioned, raising one of her eyebrows, signifying her curiosity.
Kou, the female warrior, looked toward the walnut-haired student, parting her lips to speak, "We have no time to discuss it! Where are your instructors at?"
The blonde-haired Naderamu shrugged, replying, "We have no clue. They just disappeared a while ago."
Kou's eyes widened in shock. She quickly had to think of an alternative. Leaving the students here while unknown chaos was ensuing was a horrible idea. So, Kou opted for another idea. "Then all of you are to stick by us! We can't afford to leave anyone behind until the situation has been identified."
All of the students adopted unsure and hesitant expressions. All are clearly confused about the situation at hand. But, without any other choice, the first-years accepted the idea, safely tagging along with Kou and her colleagues.
XXX
"Where the hell did Haishi and the others go?"
A stumped Oshieru and Akushon could be seen walking down the same trail within the village, looking all about for a particular group of people. With the night already set in, they had no choice but to search for their group of aiding warriors. But, they had been away from the students for far too long due to having had no luck in finding the warriors from Buraun.
Akushon then spoke up, "We need to head back. We'll search again later once we have all of the students in one group." The red aura sense instructor reasoned, an expression lacking any emotion could be seen on his face. A typical sight for Oshieru.
The blue-haired instructor sighed, raising one of his hands to his hair, ruffling it a bit in contemplation as he walked. They really had been wandering about for too long. It wasn't nearly as dark out as it was when they first departed from the training grounds. Without a moment's notice, a figure leaped from above them, halting directly in front of them on the path.
Oshieru and Akushon quickly studied the foreign figure. He was a man with white bandages concealing the majority of his face. However, his short, brown hair was still visible on the right side of his face. The man wore a long black cloak, hiding his whole body from the chin down. There is no possible way to tell if the man is armed or not.
Both Akushon and Oshieru placed their hands on the hilt of their blades. Oshieru with his tachi blade and Akushon having both of his hands on opposite sides of his body, having two leather sheaths for two smaller blades strapped around his waist. Akushon took the liberty of stepping forward, slightly glaring at the bandaged man before him. "Who are you?! No normal villager travels by rooftop, and you aren't concealed in any Ryakudatsu armor!"
Gimu, the man who is unknown to the two instructors, merely glanced in their direction by turning his head, his body facing sideways from the instructors' point of view, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "Have either of you seen a male with red hair, notably having three little brats around him?"
Both of the instructors remained quiet for a moment, only for Akushon to speak up once more, saying, "What if we have? What is your affiliation with them?"
Gimu sighed exasperatedly. 'I'm going to take it as a no.' Gimu prepared to run off, crouching slightly in preparation to leap off. But, as soon as he crouched, both of the instructors drew their blades. Akushon was finally revealed to be carrying two bowie knives, gripping onto the hilts tightly as he assumed a small stance. Oshieru did the same. "Hold it!" Akushon ordered Gimu.
Oshieru's eyes squinted as he analyzed the man once more. "Hey, Akushon. I think I recognize that cloak he's wearing. The people who attacked the Kodaina forest at the beginning of the year were dressed in the same exact cloak."
Akushon nodded in acknowledgment, remaining unmoved as he glared at the man even more.
Gimu looked back at the two instructors, an amused glint in his exposed eye. "What if I don't 'hold it'?" Gimu daringly asked, raising his exposed brow as well.
Oshieru's expression hardened as, he too, took a small step forward. "I don't think that's something you'll want to find out." The blue aura sense instructor retorted sternly, gripping the hilt of his tachi blade tighter.
Gimu smirked slightly. 'I could spare a few minutes, right?' The Furusato Unit member stood up straight, turning his body to face the instructors completely. As he was doing so, he suddenly said, "Nice swords you got there," He complimented in what appeared to be a mocking tone. Gimu then brushed his cloak to the side, enabling the instructors to view the rest of his body, including the threatening sword with kanji on the length of the blade. "But, I'm pretty sure my own sword can top yours in every way." Gimu bragged, snickering a little bit afterward.
Oshieru cast a sudden look toward Akushon, calling out to him, "Akushon."
Akushon stayed put, twirling his two bowie knives in his hands. "I know, Oshieru."
Gimu proceeded to twirl his own kanji-marked blade. "So," the Furusato Unit member began. "Who's going first?"
XXX
Haishi could be seen still running toward the scene of the fire. Once he made it to the burning buildings, he called out, "Hello!? Is anyone here!?" Haishi frantically checked some of the buildings, looking for either trapped villagers or any nearby local warriors that are currently present.
As Haishi was looking through the fire, he saw the silhouette of a person standing behind the burning buildings. The chief warrior rushed through, attempting to reach the potential villager who was unfortunately stuck. But, as Haishi got closer, he was able to distinguish the supposed villagers' features. He had long, brown hair, was wearing a black cloak that covered the majority of his body, and had a serene expression on his face.
"Hey!" Haishi called out to the man. "You need to get out of there!" Haishi slightly struggled to get through the fire and debris.
Suddenly, a board from the building Haishi was looking through, fell. It blocked Haishi's view, causing him to lose sight of the villager. In response, Haishi unsheathed his sword and filled his arms with enough magic to enable him to slash through the wooden board. Once the board was gone, so was the villager. It was almost as if no one was even there. 'Shit.' Haishi mentally cursed.
In the distance, local warriors could be seen rushing to the scene, somewhat relieving Haishi. 'It appears that I did beat them here. Damn it! I doubt none of them will know what happened either.' But also slightly angering him.
'I have to get back to the students.'
XXX
A red light could be seen appearing out of thin air, only to reveal a crimson red pentagram. Exiting the pentagram, was Yuso and the three kids. Mizuki, Sona, and Toshiro. The three kids were clinging on to each other as if their life depended on it. "A-are you all okay?" Sona questioned the two boys, looking up to see their fearful expressions.
"I think I'm okay…" Toshiro managed to respond, still slightly shaking from the recent events. Mizuki, however, remained silent. Still stunned from fear.
Upon exiting the pentagram, Yuso looked out in front of him, observing where he was transported to. 'I never expected to be residing somewhere holy any time soon.' Yuso thought in an amused tone, as he and the three kids were currently standing at the very top of the Montgomery Church, giving them a perfect view of the entirety of Ryakudatsu. 'Now, I only need to escape without being seen.'
Yuso glanced at the cowering kids. He then looked back up at the village.
'I'll be returning soon, Master.'
XXX
Hello! I hope you enjoyed today's chapter! What might happen between the two instructors and Gimu? Was that Regashi that Haishi saw? And how might Yuso escape Ryakudatsu with limited distance to travel, and having three kids to keep under watch? Stay tuned for more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_