"So that explains why Master's here…" Faya muttered as his eyes turn to the owner's voice with squinting eyes.
Although he tried his best trying to catch a glimpse of a monster-like beast to enter his sight, still a girl appeared. He really wished it was a monster, though.
A girl stood 170cm tall despite the age of 16. Her hair dyed black which covered a few of her eyes almost looked like a curtain. At the back, the hair stretches not too far below her waist. Her hair might be pretty long amongst the girls Faya knew.
Looking at her can be seen eyes smiling with pride which glowed in citrus yellow color. With beautifully trimmed eyebrows that are almost drawn to perfection, long dark eyelashes, well-painted red lips, and fairly toned white skin, this girl can be easily recognized for her beauty.
She wears light metal breastplate and within it was chainmail. She's also equipped with armguards protecting between her hands and elbow and within it can be seen two glistening stones; Lumiere stones.
Anything under her torso is covered with leather and the only metal that can be seen is located only at her shin. From her hip can be seen as a weapon. It was a sword with a slender feel and thin to boot, a rapier. Everything metal on her body is made with light metal materials.
Just seeing her made him squint his eyes with annoyance. He can say for sure. Indeed, a beauty in vain. Not to mention what she is currently carrying right now made her look more unladylike.
At her back was a coiled huge yellow metal tube looking thing that she soon rested on the ground. It sounded like metal when she puts it down. It's probably a huge signaling horn for long-distance communication.
...This girl always makes sure that she's sneering at me.
...Wait, did they just save me after completing another mission, or something? Damn, if so, that's really infuriating.
...Is that?
Faya's eyes rolled below Seth at her back. Every now and then from her back can be spotted a petite girl with her total limelight of shyness. Her eyes would have contact with him here and there that would make her hide again. Contradicting as it may seem, but she really stood out despite being bashful.
She's not as tall as the first girl for about 160 centimeters in height. She's equipped with pure leathered armor set from neck to toe. Her hair was dyed brown that's been cut just before her neck.
"You know you're not good at hiding secrets, Faya." The taller girl smirked at him.
"…And are you, Seth?" Faya sneered at her.
"Well, at least better than likes you?" Seth retorted.
...What's with this girl and her annoying smiles? She really pissed me off. Of course, I can never say that. Not in front of this witch.
"Instead of complaining, you should be grateful that we're here." Seth sticks out her right index finger pointing towards Faya who is still resting his butt on the ground.
"Oh? Yeah? I'm grateful really…." Faya muttered looking sideways. It sounded otherwise just like his ungrateful face.
He crossed his arms sighing but regretted it later. A quick jolt hinders him. Pain from a wound reminded his current situation. He's still wounded all over. It may be just an exaggeration but even standing would be a difficult task.
Now that he's saved, a huge medicine called 'relief' entered his body. All strength and persistence of his muscles gave away. Looking relief at his current situation may be the proof that he's still that such a weakling. Just talking to Seth gave his senses a reason to prolong its activity. If not for Seth's harassments, he would be long gone out silent.
"Of course, you are," Seth said.
...If only her attitude is good as her looks.
"Saying something, Faya?" Seth said gleefully yet a hidden gleam can be seen between those yellow eyes that made Faya retreat like a whimpering puppy.
…Wha?!
"You heard it wrong. I mean no, nothing…" Faya muttered. Looking sideways, Faya gave a 'Seriously? How did she hear that?' look on his face. This girl can be sharp, sometimes.
"Anyways, it's reaping what you sow, that's what you get for taking the job alone. You never learn your lesson." Seth puffed her face as she crossed her arms. The girl at her back peeks a bit then hides again.
...Said the one who was reckless herself, I can't believe Seth's telling me off. Just the other day she took on the same swarm of creepers herself alone. I can't believe I call these guys my siblings. At least, Risa and the others are, but this girl. Ugh! No way!
The other girl who showed to be at Seth's back is Risa, Faya's sister. They are all orphans at birth so they treat themselves as siblings but there's only one he cannot bring himself to call a sibling and that is Seth. She's just an existence he can't stand.
"Okay, okay, I'm reflecting on it. It's my fault. Okay?" He said while still on the ground.
"Hmmmm..." Seth arc her body leaning in front of Faya. Her face, no, her eyes look directly at Faya. So close… Too close at his face. It made his eyes bulge a bit.
...W-what now? Uhm… Seth? What are you doing? Y-Your face… it's too close. Is something wrong? Hey! She's still not stopping. Is she checking me? What's with her eyes? W-What now, should I say something first? I mean. I-I can see it. I can see her neck and. Should I say something about her? Shut up! This mind of mine! This witch... What is she doing, letting her guard down? I mean… in just a matter of seconds I can almost see …it.
He was seeing probably the gap between her almost pale neck and her chest. It was too sudden and he himself didn't expect it would happen. Her neck is indeed pale but a sign of life can be seen from its rosy-tinted color. Her collar bone wasn't exposed yet a part of it was to be seen as if teasing his eyes.
"W-What?" Somehow, Faya manages to say something looking sideways. His breathing was ragged for a while there. Just before saying anything, Seth scanned Faya's face and body with her eyes.
"Nothing…" Seth said, pouting her lips.
"O-Okay…" Faya hung her head down letting a huge sigh quietly.
…What's that about?
Faya asks in his mind.
"Can you stand up?" She asked.
"I can manage" Faya tried to move his legs as he replied to Seth's query. It moved. He tried to stand supported by his sword. His hands were wobbly. The sword didn't put a stable pillar for him to stand. He tried but he can't muster his strength to stand.
"Big brother…" A small worried voice came from a person hiding at Seth's back.
"Here…" Seth offered her right hand. Seth may be surprisingly kind in times like this.
"Thanks" Faya managed to stand on his feet still with his sheathed sword supporting him.
"Big brother… will you die?" The girl peeked from Seth's back.
"Huh?" Faya took a moment to realize what Risa said.
"No, no, no, I'm not dying. Of course, not! I won't, really." Faya replied with a panic. Just for a moment, there's a vein bulging at his temple as he attempted to smile.
...Ugh! There it is! Risa's weird way of words! I kind of know what she meant but the way she said it and the face she made gets me thinking she really means it. See? As I said, don't make that worried face and say ominous things at the same time.
"O-Okay. I'm glad…" The small girl said softly and peeked. She then nodded at Faya. Seth patted her head slowly.
...I can't believe she became this close to my sister. Including her nasty attitude for me, that is.
"Still, It's strange how'd you found me this quick? How did you know I took this job?" Faya asked as he stood back on his feet tapping his cloth at his back removing dirt from it. Still, his wounds are hindering his little movements making it harder for standing.
...I have many things to say right back at her but I guess it might just make her happier that way. She's a girl of many words after all. She'll be more delighted if I give her a time of day. Okay, Faya, first breathe then everything comes after.
Seth just smirked and never said anything. Faya's eyes began looking at the person hiding her back, Risa who immediately hides after seeing Faya's eyes who caught hers. Occasionally, she would peek like a child as Seth and Faya argue. She's just like a child despite her age.
...So that explains why Master Rokusai got here too fast.
"Risaaaa!" Faya yelled as he squint his eyes at Risa. Risa at the back shrugs while frantically held Seth's left sleeves.
"Hiiiiiih!" A scared cute voice squeals from the back of Seth. Faya crossed his arms anticipating a reply.
"At least she feels sorry for it, Faya" Seth smiled egoistically while rubbing Risa's head.
Irritating as it may seem, Faya tried to calm himself by taking a clear long breathe. As he was about to exhale a sudden tap from behind startled him. It was a huge hand from behind. A hand grabbed him above at the air raising him like a small child.
"Hiiiih! You're scaring me, Master!" Faya gasped. Looking relieved after seeing it was just his master, Faya sighed. He really thought it was someone else.
"Scaredy-cat!" Seth whispered leaning her face towards Faya. Faya exhaled frustratingly avoiding Seth's gaze.
"And you Faya? At least be feel sorry for what you've done." A manly yet mad intended sinister voice came from behind can be heard. He really is angry. Seeing his master's angered face, Faya replied with a low tone voice.
"…Hey! Let me down! …Geez" Faya muttered.
"I was just doing fairly. You shouldn't have come. I have it all under control"
"Look at yourself and say those words again," Master said.
"Yeah! I'm doing great at first! They're like two at first but I never expect them to grow in numbers…" Faya shook his shoulder upwards then lowered it down in annoyance. Avoiding their eyes he sighed.
...It's always been that way since the beginning. I will always be the one being saved and being ridiculed by my own siblings. I can never take a spotlight. A break. A break from these chains is called a "weak self."
"Faya!" The master said angrily.
"O-Okay, I admit it. I was wrong coming here alone. I'm being conceited. S-Sorry…" Faya said briskly.
"Well, fine. At least you understand. Risa's worried sick, you know?" The man put Faya down. The girl hiding at Seth's back peeked.
"Uh-uh…" Risa nodded.
"I-I'm sorry. Risa." Faya said with apologetic lips, letting his shoulders down.
"Oh? Faya? Are you perhaps, tearing up?" Seth interrupted with a smile reaching ear to ear.
"I-I'm not… Tsk!" Faya instantly raised his head up looking at Seth with 'about to tear' eyes.
Well, can't blame him. He really did die a few times. You can see in his worn-out and bloody leathered armor. Proof of cuts here and there can be seen all over his body. He sure did live through. Faya didn't die.
This girl really had me rough. Someday I'll get this back at her…
"Okay, that's enough chatter. For now, we should go back. We've been staying here far too longer than we should have. It would be bad to feel comfortable to this place." The man patted both Seth's and Risa's heads then looked around the area.
Dark surrounds them.
The chilly moist wind brushes their cheeks leaving a quiver in their backs. The rustling of leaves will be heard here and then.
"We'll go on ahead, master. Let's go, Risa…" Seth gently pinches Risa's cheeks. Risa began letting out a 'muuuh' sound as she nodded in agreement. Then they proceed in moving forth leaving Faya and his Master behind.
When venturing outside, having a companion is a must. Seth's been above all other warriors Master Rokusai had so he already knows she is capable. Seth can be trusted with life. Risa, on the other hand, is lower in fighting capabilities than Seth but she's weak. They're both going to be alright. After seeing the two go, Faya let a thought inside his head.
...Seth really is more capable than me. She's way much stronger than me. I guess that's just the things are and always have been. I've been at the bottom since the beginning and average at best. No matter how I talk big, in the end, it's just lip service.
"Never let guard your down, any of you. Until we reach the village safe and sound, make full use of all of your senses." Just before the two vanish and their sights, the Master left them with a final caution.
Silence began to surround the two who were left behind as they started walking at their own pace.
"Can you walk?"
"I can manage…" Faya said with a low tone limping his left foot.
...I said this twice, haven't I?
...I really am pathetic.
"I'm sorry…" Faya said with a much lower tone as he looks down while walking.
"Hahaha! Becoming too apologetic aren't we, Faya? I thought you'd be more like –" The man let out a huge laugh.
"…W-Well, now that I'm thinking about it, reflecting about my actions. I'm ashamed of my actions."
"It's not bad to push yourself to be strong but being strong alone isn't always the answer. Strength has many shapes after all." Master Rokusai showed a small smile.
"But I want to be like you… Strong and capable of protecting others…" While looking down, Faya lifts his hands up to his abdomen looking at it. He then spread his fist then clenched it hard. His hands are convulsing.
He tried to stop his mind but he can't prevent it from recalling the moments from earlier; the moments he should've died. It quivers him. He experiences near death. Right now, he can still feel an arm wrapping around him.
It was death, he thought. He almost died and now he's alive kicking the ground, walking with his master by his side. At that moment he was prepared to die.
Realization, just as the word sounded, he is recollecting his thoughts, his experience, and emotions at that moment. What would happen if he died at that moment? The first that came to his mind is Risa.
...Why would Risa come out? And Seth and soon after his master's face appeared.
All of his family members came out in a picture square looking at him.
"Like I said…" Rokusai took a scratch at his temple looking away at Faya. After grasping something within his palm, Faya looks ahead then looks at his master.
"Okay, I will find my own strength in my own way…" Faya said. With a face that says 'that was fast' Rokusai cracked a weird smile.
"Well, not that I object. But hear me this and never forget" His master come to a stop then crouched towards Faya's way. He looked Faya in the eyes then rested both his hands on Faya's shoulders. Soon he pointed his index finger at Faya's chest.
"What's with my chest?" Faya said quizzically.
"H-hahaha! N-No… not… I mean… Much further within you…" Rokusai cracked a forced smile.
"Your heart…" Rokusai added before Faya can say something he didn't want to point out. He probably senses, Faya's nonsensical words coming through. Rokusai pointed his chest and taps it with his index finger.
"What do I do with my heart?
"Trust the true voice of your heart…"
"Uhm… Voice of the heart…" Faya nodded slowly looking at his master.
"Faya, there will come a time where many voices will stray your way and also a time where no voices can be heard. Darkness will form in your eyes but remember this, trust your heart."
"I… understand," Faya replied with questioned eyebrows. He wouldn't lie about getting it all. But he can grasp a bit of what his Master was saying. His master soon stood and as he taps Faya's shoulders again then smiled. They started walking again.
"Did you break your promise, Faya?" Rokusai suddenly asked.
"I-I never broke it…" Faya replied in his master's query as he was checking the braided bracelet he was wearing at his right hand. It made him remember the voice that was bugging him earlier.
...I wonder who's that voice came from. Why am I only the one hearing it?
"Then that's good. I hope you'll continue to honor your oath with me" He said with a smile.
Surprised by his pupil's wounds, the master taps the boy's head. All his cuts and wounds are starting to heal themselves. Small and faint but the man saw it. Strange steam coming from the wound can be seen oozing as it heals continuously. The master then gave Faya a stone that's been dropped earlier in the fight.
"Here, you dropped this earlier," Rokusai said.
This may be the most bliss moment of Faya's life seeing his master smile at him. Faya really respects his skills and admires his strength but the attribute he honors him most is his master's kindness.
...Someday I will be like him.