A tall, brick building stood somewhere amid the three major nations of Adonai, Shanti, and Zebulun, surrounded by many smaller brick and wood buildings. The moon shines down from the night sky onto the earth's surface, bringing light to those on the surface.
Within the tall brick building, words could be heard ringing all throughout the walls. "Ladies and gentlemen, "the words grow louder as you approach the center of the building. "We are joined here today to pay tribute to our lords up above, who were so woefully purged by the hands of the Devil himself."
Upon entering a room that was illuminated by the copious amounts of burning candles, there were a high number of occupants in black masks that resembled an animal known as a fox. On the mask were four arrows in various colors, which resembled the fox's whiskers. The arrow-like whiskers were colored in each of the four aura senses—blue, red, yellow, and purple. Between the eyes of the mask, the color green streaked down toward the nose of the fox.
"For years, we have been rectifying the inhabitants of these lands, both heathens, and non-believers. Since the conclusion of the Keisan War, people have started to fear the tenets of a higher power." The voice rang louder, getting increasingly dramatic and emotional.
At the front of the room, an emblem that represented a green orb with four lines extending from it, attaching themselves to four other orbs with the color of the aura senses hung from the wall, portrayed on a broad flag. Below the flag stood a man with a similar fox mask to the occupant of the room, also wearing a tight black, long-sleeve shirt with black Hakama pants.
"I, Lord Phoenix, have brought you all here to declare something prodigious!" The man who was preaching exclaimed, pushing his arms out into the air, becoming more animated as the speech progressed. "Since our departure from Shanti, we have succeeded in our efforts to branch out into both Adonai and Zebulun—we now have the chance to enforce our dominion on the nations! We, the people of the Shinkaku Organization, can single-handedly cleanse the nations, becoming the empowering moral compasses for future generations!"
Sounds of amiable clapping ensued throughout the entire room in response to the man's subversive speech. After a few moments of clapping, the man preaching made a hand gesture, evoking silence from the crowd of people.
"However," The man continued, "before we can pursue such an ambition, we must obtain something of our own for the sake of our success!"
The entire crowd gazed expectantly at the man, clenching anything ranging from articles of their clothing to their own masks—although no one dared to take them off.
"We must acquire every last curse that remains hidden in this historic nation!"
XXX
*SLAM*
"Damn it!"
Currently, we have returned to the council building in Buraun. In a room at the very top, a table full of council members could be seen occupying each seat. At one end of the oval-shaped table was Shinrai Shutoku. This scruffy-bearded man had slammed his fist onto the table in immense frustration.
A bald member of the council named Shikko sighed, appearing to have obtained such a vexing emotion like Shinrai. "We are running out of time, Shinrai. The peace deal we tried to form between Buraun and Ryakudatsu only left us with a few casualties, as well as putting the students and instructors of Buraunmajikku at risk."
Shinrai scowled at the bald man's words. "I'm aware, Shikko." Never did anyone in the Council of Buraun expect Ryakudatsu, the sacred village that they desperately aligned themselves with in need of supplies and materials, to be a prime target of multiple rogues. After getting struck by the realization that Buraun was going to be nothing but a protective barrier for Ryakudatsu to keep away deadly rogues, they were back to square one.
"The main reason Buraun could maintain its structure was all because of the support we received from Asahi during the Takuestu Dominion. Without any sort of crutch, we'll be driven into the dirt, almost exactly like the time we were first considered a ranked village!" Another council member named Hiyo exclaimed, gripping his head in frustration.
"There is one thing we can do." A sudden voice spoke out, garnering the attention of every council member. In the corner of the table, an old man with raven-colored hair and no facial hair had his eyes closed, only to then open them and gaze at every occupant in the room.
Shinrai looked at the old man dubiously, parting his lips to speak, "What would that be, Douji?"
The old man, named Douji, had an apathetic expression, his eyes seemingly boring holes into everyone's heads. "I say we ditch our efforts to retain our anarchy-like rule. What we need, and always have needed, is a king. A ruler who can't be hindered by the ruin of another village. One of the most profound kings came from the most popular and strongest villages. Kokoro Kangae, a king of an old village named Furusato, could wipe out entire villages and organizations with a single command."
"We cannot do such a thing!" A woman with obsidian-black hair yelled angrily, glaring at Douji. However, the old man remained as apathetic as before. "You expect us to give so much power to one person!? Even if a renowned leader, such as one of the Furusato Kings, could easily stand alone, they would always lead to disaster! Ryakudatsu was a prime example of that!"
Shinrai cleared his throat loudly, disrupting the woman's hollering. "Calm down, Himari." Trying to be the most sensible adult in the room was quite taxing on his own health. Shinrai returned his gaze back to Douji, giving his own stern expression and saying, "But, she is partly right. How do you expect us to just abandon our way of ruling? We don't even have services that can groom an individual into a leader like a king or queen. The best we have would be someone like Chief Haishi from the village's warrior barracks. or someone with the strength of the Buraunmajikku Principal, Reberu Manabu."
Douji's expression hardened as he said, "Having a governmental figurehead would solve our issues of continuity and stability. Also, a residual ruler would act on behalf of our entire village population. That way, the council would only focus on the political commission, while the ruler would maintain our village status."
Tension had quickly entered the air, seemingly potent enough to cut with a blade. The table seems to be in a mental dilemma as the conversation progresses. Douji acknowledges such a thing and takes advantage of the situation by saying, "Well, then how about we settle this? If you're in favor of reforming our rule for the better, say I."
XXX
"H-how long do I have t-to do this, Mr. Oshieru?"
Tanjo can currently be spotted standing on the outdoor training field outside Buraunmajikku academy. The jet-black-haired adolescent was crouching with a wooden board slung over his shoulders. Seventy-five-pound weights were hanging from a rope line on each side of the plank.
Mr. Oshieru, who stood idly a few feet away, had his arms crossed and a bland expression on his face. "Well, since you think of yourself to be capable of dealing with encounters of the mid-to-high warrior class, I'd like you to complete ten laps around the entire field." Oshieru then smiled slightly and said, "I'll be nice enough and not limit you on time."
That's considered being nice!? Just attempting this alone sounded exhausting. "Isn't this a little extreme!?" Tanjo asked loudly, fear becoming a visible visage on the jet-black-haired teenager's face.
Oshieru feigned contemplation by putting his palm to his chin and shifting his hip to the side slightly as his foot tapped the ground repeatedly. "Is it? I mean, if you believed that you could handle yourself in the middle of a group of dangerous rogues, something that not even the high-class warriors could accomplish, then you should be able to handle this exercise—or punishment—with relative ease."
Tanjo winced slightly at his instructor's words, causing the wooden plank on his shoulders to wobble. By quickly finding his balance, Tanjo looked back up to the blue-haired instructor. "I said I was sorry. I just wouldn't have been able to think straight if I didn't at least attempt to save Mizuki."
Oshieru stared at Tanjo thoughtfully before sighing and said, "Standing here will only add to your exhaustion. Go and complete your ten laps and head home. I bet your father wants to have a word with you."
Tanjo sighed, nodding his head and hollering, "Yes, Mr. Oshieru!" The teenager then began attempting to move forward—he will definitely be sore by tomorrow.
Oshieru continued to remain where he stood, his eyes trailing Tanjo as he watched him try to speed-walk with shaky legs. Oshieru isn't a fan of being too stern with his students. The 'Tough Love' strategy isn't a full-proof way of becoming an aspiring warrior's, much less a teenager's, role model. It could cause resentment between the teacher and student, as well as make the teenager less responsive to orders. Another thing when it comes to being a teacher is that you have to understand the students. How could you give them valuable and formative lessons otherwise?
Seeing one of his students run into the face of danger wasn't a pleasant sight to Oshieru. Part of him went numb when he realized that Tanjo snuck past him. It re-surfaced images that the blue-haired instructor will always have to live with.
—Flashback—
Within a huge forest stood a blue-haired man, standing completely still as his hair cast a shadow over his eyes. Miniscule bloodstains could be seen on his blue vest, as well as on his sword, which he gripped tightly in his right hand. Blood dripped off the edge of the blade, making a splash sound as it landed in a puddle of blood below.
You never know what could happen in a single day. All it takes is one singular, unfortunate decision that could haunt you for the rest of your life. As for this blue-haired man, he has experienced the feeling of that unfortunate decision.
"I…was too late…"
Six dead bodies of academy students lay before the blue-haired man, blood seeping out of every corpse. Every corpse he saw only brought back memories of their living selves.
The hellish emotion of guilt surged from within the man. How could it not? He was their instructor—the one who promised to keep every single student safe and away from harm. Everything seemed so foggy. His vision looked dim.
"...Mr. Oshieru…" A weak, feminine voice called out to the blue-haired man.
Directly in front of the grieving man was one of the students, hanging on by a thread. Oshieru immediately kneeled down, dropping his tachi blade as he picked up the female academy student gently. "You're going to be fine. Stay with me!"
The student's expression was one of pure horror. All of this was truly unexpected. Tears flooded the dying student's eyes, mixing the salty tears with the crimson blood that pooled all around her body. "...I don't want to leave…not yet."
How could Oshieru respond? It was the sad reality that she wouldn't make it. They were supposed to be living in a peaceful nation. All conflicts were supposed to have been purged. If that was the case, then why is there still hatred finding itself from within the cracks of everyone's mind.
Fear.
Fear is the most formidable feeling that everyone experiences. Even if there is no greater power attempting to conquer lands, no gods bestowing unknown power on humanity, and no unstoppable clan launching a bloody war across all nations—fear will always triumph. Even the smallest amounts of doubt or fear could ignite irrational decisions. Just merely knowing what could happen by looking at the past could prompt people to do the unthinkable.
It's just always proven over and over again. Humanity can never be righteous, free, and peaceful. There isn't a power in the universe that is capable of uniting every soul.
Suddenly, a few feet away, a foot could be heard stepping onto the dirt, forest ground. The owner of the foot allowed a sword to rest, flashing the blade at Oshieru, who remained glued to his spot. Shortly after, multiple footsteps could be heard as shadowy figures with swords locked their eyes onto the blue-haired man.
Oshiuru slowly lowered the student in his arms onto the ground, picking his tachi blade back up as he stood straight. If the people who killed his students weren't righteous. Why would he have to be?
That was the question that rang through Oshieru's mind as he took a step forward.
—Flashback End—
XXX
Tanjo constantly struggled as he pushed forward, the wooden plank on his shoulders swaying with every step. It was difficult. But, the entire time, Tanjo has had his mind preoccupied. He thought back to Mizuki, thinking back to how he failed to save him. Allowing the child to walk away from him.
Sure, the physical pain Tanjo is currently feeling hurts, but the emotional pain the recent events have inflicted hurts even worse. It doesn't matter if Tanjo realizes it or not, but his trip to Ryakudatsu was something that will affect Tanjo for the rest of his life.
"I have to get stronger," Tanjo declared, trying to walk slightly faster. "...so I can achieve my goal of making everyone smile! I told the old man that I would, and damn it, I will"
That was a statement that will stick with Tanjo forever.
XXX
Hey! This is the first chapter of Volume Three! I really want to make the direction of this novel subtle, but distinctive. This novel won't just be some unoriginal story where the Main Character gets stronger with his friends as he faces various adversities. I want this story to be as unique as possible. This Volume will be the start of that progression. Stay tuned for more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_