"All right, Mizuki. I believe that it has been long enough."
Sadness overtook the child's emotions, prompting a depressed countenance.
After several minutes of conversing, Mizuki reconnected with Gabriel—his only brother figure—Imawashiki had to remind himself of his own responsibilities. Despite him getting information from Laurence and enabling Mizuki to live out a wish, he was not above his lord; no one was.
Gabriel hotly scorned the dragon vessel's words, "He's been under too much pressure! How long are you going to treat him like a rat!?"
Imawashiki looked at the golden-blonde thoughtfully, his eyes tracked to the child as his brain contemplated thoroughly.
"Not for much longer," Imawashiki said pensively, extending his right hand. "Come, Mizuki. I trust that you know what we're planning to do."
Laurence perked up, his eyes locking to Imawashiki. "What are you going to do to him? He's too valuable to be toyed with!"
Steeled eyes met Laurence's. "We plan to free Mizuki of his curse. Something I never had the chance to do, 'Father'." Imawashiki retorted, feeling as a small hand grasped his own.
Reluctantly, Mizuki left Gabriel's side, following Imawashiki with every step. Before Imawashiki closed the cell, the fiery abomination craned his head to glance at the two chained individuals. "Don't worry: your time to leave will be very soon."
With those words, Imawashiki guided Mizuki away, leaving Laurence Gabriel to their morbid thoughts.
XXX
"That took longer than expected."
Arriving in an entirely different room within the Furusato castle, Imawashiki and Mizuki stared at the brown-haired king, Regashi Ketsueki. The dragon vessel bowed his head slightly.
"I apologize, Lord Regashi," Imawashiki said sincerely, lifting his head.
Regashi raised one hand. "Just Regashi, Shiki."
Imawashiki scolded himself for forgetting, then casually transitioned to a new set of thoughts. "Our appearance had a slight delay due to some of the prisoners—everything has been taken care of."
Off to the side, a different voice rang throughout the room. "I don't see why we don't just kill them."
Gimu walked out from the shadows, his arms folded. His only eye glinted arrogantly, a flash of fear crossing Mizuki's face.
Regashi grinned, folding his hands together. "Everything has its purpose, Gimu. They have a very special role to play, and soon."
"And what would that role be?" a green-haired man, Itami, asked, accompanied by his brother, Doryoku.
Regashi shifted his gaze to Mizuki, his eyes sending a chill down the child's spine. Mizuki couldn't determine whether it was his curse or not, but Regashi was a complete anomaly. The man felt as if he didn't even have a presence. Mizuki could not feel a soul within his body.
"Everything resides on this very hill. This is the key to our future, Itami." Regashi stated, smiling. "I know everybody is watching, so I ask that you be silent"
Slowly, Regashi ambled toward Mizuki. The child attempted to step back, which failed immediately as Imawashiki held him in place. With every audible step, Mizuki shook, goosebumps forming all over his skin.
Kneeling on the ground, his eyes level with Mizuki, Regashi flattened his hand against the kid's chest. Every second that passed, Mizuki's body shook violently.
"Regashi, if possible, please allow Mizuki to survive the extraction." Imawashiki interrupted, warranting a questioning gaze from the brown-haired king.
Regashi knitted an eyebrow at the fiery abomination. "Any particular reason, Shiki?"
"The cells are already pact. I suggest that we store him elsewhere, or, perhaps, allow him to observe the test trials shortly after." Imawashiki reasoned, his voice amiable.
Silently, Gimu smirked at the new suggestion, his eye narrowing at Imawashiki. 'I know that's not all, you freak.'
Regashi lowered his gaze back to Mizuki, who still vibrated with trepidation. "It certainly wouldn't hurt. It would only be a pleasure for someone to witness the power that could solve all of the world's problems... and potentially more."
Imawashiki nodded, closing his eyes diligently. "Then, please continue."
Heiki Shototsu stood in one corner of the room, curious about what would occur. Regashi had only given brief explanations of his ambitions, which still seemed quite inexplicable. The amethyst-haired rogue, like everyone else in the Furusato Unit, could only wait.
Regashi gradually focused his attention on his hand, causing a green glow to emit from Mizuki's chest.
"This will only take a second…" Regashi claimed, his eyes shimmering with excitement.
In a mere moment, Mizuki lost his breath, a numbness radiating throughout his chest. The child gasped for air, unable to move. Regashi's hand only continued to glow, the illumination proceeding to course through his arm.
*Vrrrrm*
Shortly after, Regashi retracted his hand back, revealing a bubble of green Aura Sense that still sought after the brown-haired king, entering through his palm. Soon, the green Aura Sense dissipated, completely leaving Mizuki. From this, the child fell limp, being quickly caught by Imawashiki.
"Did it work?" Doryoku asked, standing dumbfounded from the anti-climactic ending.
Regashi, who stared at his palm for several seconds, smiled. "Only one way to find out." The king then looked up at Imawashiki.
"Shiki, please fetch me those prisoners you were previously mentioning."
XXX
Tanjo never stopped lunging from the trees, hellbent on arriving at the small town as soon as possible.
"Sheesh, I never once thought about how effective the Aura Sense is when traveling like this. Super efficient." Tanjo murmured, entertaining himself with moronic thoughts.
More had been explained to the jet-black-haired boy after speaking with Kronos. He apparently had not been strong enough in the god's eyes—especially for the task Kronos had stuck him with. But, if he were too weak, how would he rescue Mizuki?
Tanjo had an excellent intellect, one that surpassed many. But it was his naivety that triumphed when he decided to pursue the rogues that kidnapped Mizuki so quickly. Whether it was now or soon in the future, Tanjo would have to mature and work to make his goals realistic.
After all, a High-Class warrior does not become strong overnight.
"Huh…?" Tanjo suddenly uttered, straining his eyes to focus on the sight in front of him.
In the distance, small structures could be seen, the absence of perimeter walls enabling the teenager to observe the small area clearly. Tanjo's eyes widened in realization.
'That must be the town! It sure is small and unprotected—why would Asami want to be here?'
With that in mind, Tanjo hurried forward, jumping from the trees at a rapid pace. The teenager wanted to cease his incessant hopping. Not from exhaustion, but from leisure. Ever since he departed from Buraun, he had stayed in the trees in an attempt to stray away from any nearby warriors or rogues that may lurk in the forests.
A smile spread across Tanjo's face. Several thoughts flooded the boy's mind, supplying him with seemingly infinite energy.
"You'll be seeing me soon, Asami! And when you do, I'll have you teach me everything you know!"
XXX
Hey! Things are going smoothly plot-wise. Regashi is continuing his plan(Hope for Mizuki's safety!) and Tanjo is on track to finding his new teacher, Asami! What will happen next? Stay tuned for more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_