It had officially been an entire day since the invasion occurred. People started to progress back to their normal, everyday lives slowly. The village hospital started releasing more patients every hour, and the entire village of Buraun gradually reverted back to its original state. Every damaged building and pathway was already on its way to being repaired.
As it turned out, it was Saturday, leaving Tanjo to meander through the busy paths of his village, a borrowed blue hoodie concealing his face. The teenager hardly craned his head upward, his vision locked onto the ground. Several thoughts flashed through his mind, making Tanjo distant from the world.
Before setting out to travel through Buraun, Tanjo had met Kit at his gravesite, only to leave after a brief ten minutes. To others, it would seem childish to grieve over a mere kitten to such a degree—but the jet-black-haired boy just couldn't relinquish the guilt that filled his conscience.
Looking up from under his hoodie, Tanjo listened closely as people conversed with one another. It was obvious that people were tense from the invasion, but that didn't stop them from living their lives.
"One, please!"
Tanjo halted momentarily, his eyes shooting upward. Standing before a concession stand, Naguru Akogare bought a stick of dango balls. A smile was plastered on the blonde's face, appearing as if nothing had happened the previous day.
After reaching out and grabbing his stick of dango balls, Akogare spun on the balls of his feet and proceeded to stride toward Tanjo thoughtlessly, munching on his delectable treat.
Tanjo didn't move a muscle as his classmate passed right by him, only to hear as his blonde friend jolted where he stood. Akogare turned his head, the stick of his dango hanging in his mouth.
"Hey," Akogare called out to Tanjo, who flinched slightly. "Why do you feel familiar?"
Ever since he trained in the Kodaina forest, Akogare had been continually working on his senses—identifying people was one of the many things he was trying to hone.
Tanjo shrugged and attempted to walk away, but was stopped as a hand clutched his shoulder. Turning to look. Tanjo could see the hardened expression of his classmate, no smile to be seen.
"Are you…" Akogare started, narrowing his eyes. "...Tanjo?"
With a heave, Tanjo pushed his hoodie back slightly, revealing his face. "Hey, Akogare?"
Instantly, Akogare's face lost its serious countenance, morphing into a look of shock and glee.
"Tanjo, I haven't been able to thank you for saving me yesterday! If I had known that you'd be out in the village, I would've gotten Naderamu and others!" Akogare proclaimed, wrapping an arm around Tanjo's shoulder.
Putting his hood back down, Tanjo smiled lightly. "You don't need to thank me. I'm just glad we finally got to put our training to the test!"
Akogare couldn't tell that Tanjo just lied through his teeth, simply smiling at his friend. "Well, I'll get everyone and—!"
"No, no need!" Tanjo interrupted his blonde friend frantically, ducking his way out of Akogare's hold.
Akogare grew confused. "Why not?"
Tanjo began to stutter. "I-I just want to relax for today."
Akogare took multiple seconds to respond. But, fortunately for Tanjo, his eyes gleamed in happiness. "That's alright!"
With a quick pat on the shoulder, Akogare turned around and resumed his walk from before.
"See ya later, then!" Akogare shouted, waving backward.
Tanjo hesitantly raised one hand and waved.
The jet-black-haired teenager wasn't completely lying. Tanjo wanted to do nothing more than convene with his classmates, but the teenager couldn't bite back at the thoughts that raced through his head.
Tanjo's eyes shifted to his right, where a stack of newspapers lays folded neatly. In bold print, sitting on the cover of the newspapers, the headline read:
"Boy With Aura Amalgamation Running Rampant Throughout Buraun; Successor of Reiwa Takuetsu?"
XXX
Footsteps radiated through the quiet halls. Very few torches could be seen, producing dim light to repel total darkness. Several cells stretched throughout these corridors, seemingly empty due to the deafening silence.
Imawashiki, the fiery abomination, walked leisurely down the hall—torches flickered from his presence, illumining with every moment he was near. The man emitted a soft, melodic hum, which bounced off every stone wall.
"Hmm, hmm, hm, hm…"
Soon, after a few moments of walking, Imawashiki stopped upon reaching a particular cell. Forcing the barred door open, the fiery abomination entered the cell.
Then, Imawashiki extended one arm, his palm facing the ground—*fwoosh!*—warranting a cyclone of fire to emerge, making everything in the cell bright as day.
As the fire rapidly dispelled after a few short seconds, a body appeared, slumped lifelessly on the cold, stone floor.
"You must've been quite interesting for Regashi to want to keep you nearby. I had heard you were strong, but I wonder how you would've fared against me." Imawashiki sounded, curiosity lingering within his words.
On the ground below him, the body of Lord Phoenix was visible. His face was completely observable, his kitsune mask long gone.
"Guess it doesn't matter," Imawashiki muttered. "Your strength will come in handy in the near future."
With those words, Imawashiki turned around and left the cell, shutting the barred door. As he left the deceased form of Lord Phoenix, a new thought swarmed his head.
"Oh, that's right," Imawashiki said abruptly.
Swiftly, Imawashiki ambled down the dark halls, realization dawning upon him.
"I had nearly forgotten: Regashi did want to relinquish Mizuki of his… curse."
XXX
This may have been short, but I don't want to prolong a chapter that doesn't need extra length. This chapter was heavily dire to me and the continuation of The Village Disciples. So, if you feel like this was too short, think about how this small chapter practically built the rest of this volume—and potentially the novel as a whole. Besides, I only ever let chapters end around 1,000 words at the bare minimum. Just enough to add plot! Why did this chapter help so much? Stay tuned to find out more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_