Cold water clashed in waves, its strength pushing both Tanjo and Mizuki away from Gimu. Tanjo had never felt so relieved before, his gaze finally landing on the cloaked woman above, riding the water she conjured mightily.
"I'm sorry, Tanjo—I was unable to step foot within the village without being forced back!" Asami yelled, her blue hair swaying in the wind.
Off in the distance, falling through the air, Gimu grew furious at the sight of the new appearance. Just as the bandaged swordsman was going to show the masked brat what real speed was, it was interrupted by someone who greatly reminded Gimu of a certain fiery abomination.
"She's one of those freaks… Dammit!" Gimu muttered, briskly turning and dashing back to Furusato.
As Gimu rushed out of the area, the water continuously poured down to the ground, pushing Tanjo and Mizuki down with it. After a few flooded moments, the masked boy finally made it to land, the water slamming into the dirt and quickly disappearing as it was drained by the earth.
Tanjo immediately freed Mizuki and carefully set him down on the grass, disregarding the fresh moisture in his cloak. His heavy breathing could be sporadically heard from beneath his mask as his eyes scanned the toddler closely.
"Do you feel pain anywhere, Mizuki?" Tanjo asked, not ceasing his search.
Mizuki's voice was hoarse, perturbed, "N-no, sir."
Behind the two, Asami landed on the ground silently. Cautiously, the blue-haired woman ambled toward Tanjo, attempting to maintain the peaceful quiet emanating from the two boys before her.
The moment Tanjo recognized that not a single scratch had managed to lacerate him—not even a miniscule bruise was visible—he crossed his legs, positioning himself comfortably. Slowly, he wrapped his hands around the child's head, pulling him close.
"I… almost thought that I wasn't going to save you. I thought that I was going to continue to let you suffer from my mistakes…" Tanjo revealed, every bit of energy in his body dwindling posthaste.
Asami watched on in sadness, but her countenance stayed steady; however, it did not stop her eyes from softening. It was disheartening to observe as a teenager broke down so quickly, clinging on to the very thing he swore to rescue.
Mizuki did not move a muscle, but his eyes were wide open. He felt too much fear; at any second, the brown-haired child could blink, and he would be back in his cold, pungent cage underneath the castle.
As the wind started to pick up, it gave off a chill that prickled Mizuki's skin, making reality apparent. He was safe, no longer constrained by the evil rogues that had locked him up and killed his only semblance of a family before his very eyes. If only Father and Gabriel could see his current circumstances now.
"Hey," Asami called out to Tanjo, "It's time to take him home, don't you think? We still have to go to Shanti, after all."
In truth, Asami was not simply impatient—but she did not want Tanjo to sit in his own guilt over past mistakes or to potentially pass out from his inner turmoil.
Regrettably, Tanjo removed his hands from Mizuki, standing up on his feet. "You're right,"
The masked teenager tentatively put a hand on Mizuki's shoulder, looking him in the eyes. "Mizuki, would you like to see your siblings again?"
Mizuki's eyes broadened, tears trickling down his cheeks. Instead of his tears being spawned from pure fear, the salty droplets were prompted by the brimming happiness that swelled within his heart and mind.
"Sona and Toshiro…?" Mizuki inquired softly, his body shaking.
Despite the fact that Tanjo had only known Mizuki for a short stretch of time, it felt surreal to have the child safe once again. His journey was not only to save a helpless child lost in the tide of life's cruelty but also to correct his mistakes of being too hesitant and too naive and truly become a dependable warrior, one to score a gleeful smile across the face of anyone who felt his presence.
"Now. Let's not stick around too long, before anyone who spotted your explosive fight starts coming this way!" Asami urged the two to become prepared, walking in the other direction.
With a smile under his mask, Tanjo shifted his body to the side, showing Mizuki his back. With a subtle motion, the masked boy encouraged Mizuki to cling to him, enabling Tanjo to stand and travel efficiently.
Leaping onto a tree, followed by Asami, Tanjo said, "Let's get you home, okay?"
XXX
It felt amazing, as Mizuki could rather exuberantly conclude. Feeling the rush of freedom, mixed with the gust of wind pushing his scruffy hair in all directions. Before he was abducted by the rogues, he vaguely remembered his savior being a member of a class for what appeared to be warriors—was that what he was, and why he had saved him?
The idea alone was comforting and shined a new light on the world for his young, malleable mind. How could he potentially become a warrior?
"Sir?" Mizuki voiced, looking at the back of Tanjo's head.
"Yes?" The masked boy responded, not halting his leaps from tree to tree.
Mizuki gulped. "...You are a warrior, right?"
That query made Tanjo question himself, reflecting on all of his actions. So far, he has struggled to control his abilities, failed to save Mizuki in Ryakudatsu, and deserted his friends and only family…
…but, he put much more thought into the question, leaving him with a final answer.
"Perhaps not a traditional village hero—but I consider myself an aspiring warrior fighting for a good cause. From what I learned growing up and trying to save you, it's that a warrior isn't made from the armor they adorn or the crest on their chestplate, but from the integrity and formidable strength that they exude when trying to accomplish difficult tasks." Tanjo proclaimed, his voice gradually deepening and stirring with confidence.
Mizuki blinked, his mind soaking in every word from the teenage boy. "Could I become a warrior?"
"You'd have to find out for yourself, Mizuki. Not everyone is well-equipped for such a duty, both mentally or physically; though, I believe that most could pull through if they harbored enough determination." Tanjo responded, his mind drifting to what Kronos had previously explained.
XXX
[Flashback]
"I wouldn't call your neverending determination 'luck.'" Kronos refuted, craning his head slightly.
Tanjo grew confused. "My determination? How does that key into my magic? The Aura Sense is a physical function in our body, like a heart that beats; my will to win or survive couldn't enhance it."
"As smart as you are, I'm surprised you have not understood the Aura Sense just yet. Your magic is, believe it or not, linked to your soul. If it were extinguished, you'd die; if it were affected, via determination, it can surge; the disadvantage of exerting too much magic, however, is typically felt immediately after." Kronos said, folding his arms behind his back.
"So... what do I do then?" Tanjo asked, his muscles relaxing.
Kronos hummed. "I think it's quite obvious: you have to get angry. You are a person of great conscientiousness and intelligence who refuses to do things erratically. But in this case, you need to utilize your emotions much better. I'm not saying the more emotionally driven you are, the stronger you are—but the more determined and stern you are, the more you can adapt to a higher level."
XXX
Tanjo smiled. Kronos may have been technical—the way Tanjo prefers—but he could feel the underlying message of never going back on yourself, to never abandon your own ambitions, as doing so would not only mock your abilities but also weaken you as a person, literally and figuratively.
Not far behind, Asami listened closely, her sense of hearing heightened greatly. 'I knew you weren't as dumb as you sometimes act; you're erratic moments do stem from intelligence afterall.'
"We shouldn't be too far from Buraun," Tanjo suddenly stated, focusing on their travels. "Get ready to reunite with your brother and sister, because they'll be elated to see you, Mizuki!"
Even though it was thought to be impossible, Mizuki could not shrug off the giddiness in his veins, his body shaking vibrantly.
"Me, too!" Mizuki replied, smiling.
XXX
One more chapter to go, and I have to say, I'm so glad for Mizuki. I know he's fictional, but to be so young and go through so much—I'm glad Tanjo pulled through, with the later assistance of Asami. But, when I say one more chapter, I don't mean the story—No, no, no. Of this volume! I have so much to write, and the Fifth Volume will be started after a one or two week hiatus, giving me more than enough time to evaluate my ideas and formulate a solid plot! I hope you enjoyed today's chapter and stay tuned!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_