"So… are you going to explain where we're going?"
Ever since their brawl outside the tavern, the figure cloaked in gray conceded, agreeing to take Tanjo to find Asami.
The cloaked figure didn't bother to look back as they spoke, "She tends to appear far from civilization. Should be just up here."
Tanjo huffed, tilting his head to the side as he took a gander at the wildlife around them. Birds chirped in the sky, small animals like rabbits hopped across the grass, and insects flourished around the plants. A small smile formed across his face.
'Once everything is all said and done, hopefully, this peace can stay maintained.' Tanjo wished, admiring the surreal view of nature.
The two continued to travel through the woodlands, heading in a straight line. Tanjo ceased his questioning, trusting the cloaked figure. However, not once has Tanjo relinquished his guard, his eyes tracking the disguised person before him.
"If I wanted to attack you, I'd have done it by now." The figure abruptly said, making Tanjo jolt in surprise.
Tanjo frowned. "I think I'm in the right to be suspicious of you right after we fought, especially since you're still a stranger."
"You attacked me. You also nearly blew up the tavern, potentially killing everyone inside." the figure refuted. Tanjo could hear the grin on their face.
Folding his arms, Tanjo redirected his gaze, staring down in the direction they traveled in. The boy briefly recalled the recent events, dating back to the attack in Ryakudatsu. Those rogues were strong—their abilities were so different, each being versatile in their own way. It would take an entire village or more just to defeat those rogues. Finding Asami is Tanjo's top priority, for both saving Mizuki and following through with his goals.
"Hey," Tanjo called out to the figure, "have you heard of the recent attacks on several villages?"
The figure craned their head slightly. "It's all people have been talking about across the nation. Furusato, or whatever. Just a bunch of looneys."
Tanjo dipped his head down, his mind clinging to the cloaked figure's words. With the rattling of his armor, he scratched the back of his head.
"Do you think—!"
As Tanjo was about to speak, the cloaked figure threw her arm up, halting the jet-black-haired teenager instantly.
"Hold it!" The figure ordered, looking around.
Tanjo became perplexed. "What?"
Suddenly, Tanjo felt the presence of multiple people in a matter of a second, his face contorting from confusion to shock. He bent his knees and snapped his head in every direction, his eyes wide open.
"Damnit, it's a bunch of bandits. Wouldn't be surprised if they were heading to Tani." The figure beside Tanjo claimed, her voice gruff.
From the top of the trees, a voice rang through the area, catching Tanjo and the figure's attention:
"Hands up!"
Standing atop a tree branch, a man covered with satchels smiled grimly down on Tanjo and the cloaked figure. Despite being unarmed, the bandit extended his arm and pointed his palm at the ground.
"You're surrounded!" The bandit exclaimed, his eyes glowing with malicious intent.
The cloaked figure sighed. "A bandit with control over their Aura Sense?"
"I don't know if you heard him, but we're surrounded! How are we supposed to get out of here?" Tanjo asked frantically, turning to the cloaked figure.
The figure cloaked in gray looked around. "I doubt all of them have control over their Aura Sense. But…"
*WHOOSH!*
As the cloaked figure was speaking, an arrow dashed through the air, making Tanjo step back.
"...I wouldn't be surprised if they have weapons."
The bandit on the tree branch, arched an eyebrow. "What's it gonna be? Are you gonna surrender, or are we gonna have to—!"
Without warning, a tendril of water impaled the bandit through the chest, prompting his body to fall to the ground lifelessly. Tanjo's shock brimmed, his mouth gaping. Turning to the cloaked figure, Tanjo could see that their hand was pointed upward.
"What was that for!?" Tanjo hollered, anger becoming apparent in his features.
The figure turned away. "If you don't want to be on the receiving end of an arrow, I recommend that you make another one of those Genso-Kyu's and start shooting where your senses tell you to shoot."
True to the figure's words, arrows proceeded to rain down on the two, warranting a barrier of water to act as a shield, catching every arrow.
Tanjo flexed his hand, focusing on the magic that flowed through his arm. All the boy could do was trust the cloaked person, so he quickly attempted to conjure a Genso-Kyu.
'Come on! I don't care of the color, just something to blast the bandits with!' Tanjo hastened his magic, instantly molding it into a yellow physical orb shape. 'Bingo!'
Aiming the yellow Genso-Kyu, Tanjo allowed his senses to guide his shot. He was immensely grateful to Mr. Oshieru for teaching him how to listen to his senses; otherwise he'd be a whole lot more vulnerable.
*BOOM!*
A small beam of yellow light tore through the trees, blowing several trees away. The bodies of the bandits started to fall to the ground, their screams cut off as they smashed into the ground violently.
The teenage boy smirked at his victory, only to shift his body and see an incoming arrow heading straight toward the cloaked figure. Before Tanjo could say anything, the arrow pierced through the cloaked figure, shooting through their back and into the ground.
"Hey! Are you… okay…?" Tanjo's voice died off as he eyed the cloaked figure.
Apparently, the arrow went straight through the cloaked figure, their body morphing into water. Shortly after, the hole in the cloaked figure's chest was sealed by the water, enabling them to glare at the bandit that shot the arrow.
With the flick of their hand, several lines of water darted to a tree—"ARGH!"—eliciting a painful howl from within the leaves. Soon, another body crashed to the Earth, painfully.
"There, problem solved." the cloaked figure stated, turning to continue their trip.
Tanjo stared wide-eyed at the cloaked figure, then ambled behind her awkwardly. Somehow, this person had the ability to both manipulate and become water, which surprised the teenager to no end. But, in a world of magic, anything is possible.
When Tanjo inhaled, preparing to speak, the cloaked figure beat him to it, "Yes, it was water; and no, I wasn't hit."
"I was actually going to ask how much further we need to go." Tanjo said, awaiting for a response.
The cloaked figure sighed once more, seemingly tired from the recent events.
"Just up here."
XXX
Within the castle of Furusato, both Laurence and Gabriel were on their knees, parallel to one another. Their arms were restrained by chains, as well as being surrounded by the Furusato Unit.
"I would've thought that they'd be dead by now." Itami said, rubbing his chin with his thumb. His wooden staff was propped up against a stone wall behind him.
Gimu, who stood a few feet away, shrugged. "I'd assume that's why they're here now."
Imawashiki, who stood in front of a huddled Mizuki, observed as his lord, Regashi, eyed Laurence and Gabriel. After the extraction, when Mizuki passed out, the two prisoners were fetched, and placed in the room. Regashi only smiled, thoughts clearly racing through his head.
Regashi glanced at his hand, his palm facing him. The brown-haired king could feel a new source of power flowing through him, as if it were in his veins.
"The Aura Sense is vital for a human's life," Regashi began, drawing his eyes toward the two prisoners. "It acts as the soul for us, despite the majority of people lacking the skills to control it. Master it, even."
Shototsu had his eyes closed, merely listening in on his lord's speech. The amethyst-haired rogue imagined the possibilities of what would ensue in the near future, albeit patiently. Nobody in the castle could confidently say what would take place.
"But, with the Kekkan no Sosei, I can practically grab a person's Aura Sense! It both steals and deposits the souls of mortal beings, enabling the user to kill and revive whoever." Regashi claimed, turning his hand to face Laurence and Gabriel.
Laurence's expression became grim. "You plan to take our souls."
Gabriel perked up at Laurence's words, tilting his head. "You're going to kill us!?"
Regashi's smile deepened. "Be happy, as this is the start of a new… reality."
In an instant, both of the prisoners became strained from pain—a green glow protruded from their chests, entering Regashi's hand. The brown-haired king didn't bother to watch as the two bodies collapsed, only staring at his hand.
"With the power to manipulate the souls of any being, our plan can finally start. Now may not be the time, but soon, the world will know of what's to come."
XXX
I wish to clarify one thing: Regashi having soul manipulation does not mean that it is his sole ability, or power! Regashi needed the curse to execute his plan properly, but he doesn't need it to take down opponents—his fight with Lord Phoenix was a clear example! But, with this in mind, what does this mean for everyone else? What will happen? How will Tanjo grow stronger? Will Mizuki be saved!? Stay tuned for more.
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_