Blood, sweat, and agony. That's what the last week has been like for Tokita. It got to the point where he didn't even have the energy to return to the hideout, he'd simply sleep under a tree and hope he wasn't taken out by the elements.
Tokita lay on the ground, his back pressed against the rough bark of a tree, staring up at the starry sky. His body ached with every breath he took, and he felt like he had been drained of every last drop of energy. He had been pushing himself to his limits every day for the past week, and it was taking a toll on him.
The forest was quiet except for the rustling of the leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. Tokita closed his eyes, trying to block out the pain and exhaustion that coursed through his body. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that engulfed him.
Leo had just left to take care of Mitsugi, leaving Tokita alone with his thoughts. He didn't mind the silence, but it also gave him too much time to think. His mind wandered to the events of the past week, the training, the battles, and the injuries. He had pushed himself harder than he ever had before, and he wasn't sure if he had anything left in him.
As he lay there, Tokita's mind drifted to his family, his mother, his friends, to Akane. He wondered how they were all doing. "I wonder if Akane is adapting well to this world...hopefully better than I am." He said with a chuckle, wincing in pain as a sharp pain shot out of his ribs.
The darkness was like a soft, velvet blanket, draping itself over the world, a canvas for the beauty above. The stars twinkled like tiny diamonds, each one a shining beacon of light. The moon hung low, a crescent of light that illuminated the sky.
He wasn't often staring up at the sky, but today was different. He watched as a shooting star blazed across the sky, leaving a trail of glittering light in its wake. The stars seemed to shimmer and dance, as if performing a secret celestial ballet just for him.
As his back sunk into the grass, the world around him faded away, and he felt as though he were suspended in time and space, drifting among the stars. It was a peaceful, serene feeling, one that filled him with a sense of wonder and awe. He felt as though he were a part of something much bigger than himself, something infinite and eternal.
And yet, even in the midst of this celestial beauty, there was a hint of sadness. Tokita was alone, despite the fact he had entered a Knight division, despite the fact he had people he felt like he could call friends in this world, here he was, alone.
As he continued to stare up at the stars, he wondered if there was someone out there looking up at the same sky, feeling the same sense of loneliness and isolation. Maybe someone he could gain a true connection with, something he thought he had with Akane.
The night sky was a reminder that there was more to life than just the struggles of the moment, that there was a greater purpose and meaning to everything. It was a reminder to keep going, to keep pushing through the pain and the struggle, to keep striving for something greater.
It was beautiful, shining like a diamond, but it was also a symbol of hope and possibility, a glimpse into a world beyond the mundane, a reminder that there was more to life than what lay on the surface.
But then again, perhaps he was just being melodramatic. Maybe he was just tired, his mind playing tricks on him in the late hours of the night. He tried to push the thoughts aside, to focus on the beauty of the night sky and let it fill him with wonder and awe.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the crisp night air. For a moment, he allowed himself to forget his troubles, to simply be present in the moment and let the beauty of the night sky fill him with wonder and joy.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted off to sleep beneath the stars.
Leo carefully stepped through the forest, holding Mitsugi in his arms like a precious treasure. The moon cast its gentle glow over the trees, highlighting their path. Mitsugi stirred slightly, her blue eyes peeking open to see Leo's worried expression.
As if sensing his concern, she lifted her small hand to his face, her touch light and comforting. Leo offered her a small smile, hoping to ease her worries. "We'll be at the hideout soon," he reassured her.
"It's not that," Mitsugi spoke up, surprising Leo. "You just... look so worried," she continued, her voice soft and gentle.
Leo's smile faltered for a moment, his eyes betraying the weight of his thoughts. "It's nothing," he lied, trying to hide the anxiety that gnawed at him. But Mitsugi knew him too well, and she could see the signs of his distress.
He had a small reflex, a twitch under his left eye, that gave it away when he was lying.
"Leo... please don't lie to me," Mitsugi implored, her hand still resting on his face.
Leo hesitated, his mind racing as he debated whether to confide in her. Finally, he sighed and relented. "It's Tokita," he admitted, his voice heavy with guilt.
"What about him...?" She said as her words slurred slightly.
"While I believe I got close, I couldn't get his Catalyst to come out, no matter what I tried," Leo said with a look of guilt on his face. "The more we trained, the realization that he may never unlock it seemed to be more likely."
Mitsugi nodded slowly, her eyes sad but understanding. "Well, you know how it is," she said softly, her hand returning to her chest. "His Catalyst potential is abysmally low, so of course awakening it would be difficult."
Leo sighed, grateful for her understanding but still unable to shake the weight of his failure. As they continued through the forest, the night sky above them seemed to echo his thoughts, beautiful but tinged with a hint of melancholy.
Leo lowered his head, his expression heavy with concern. "I can't bear to send him on any dangerous missions, not with his potential still untapped," he said. The memory of Charles, the young Knight who had been under his tutelage, came to mind. Charles had been in a similar position to Tokita, but the difference was that Charles had already unlocked his Catalyst at a young age, Leo simply helped him hone it. Despite that, Charles met his demise.
Leo's mind raced with the possibility of Tokita meeting the same fate, and he couldn't bear the thought of it. "I'll do my best to keep him safe, but I don't know how long he'll be content with that."
"I know you can do it." Mitsugi stated, her eyes glimmering, being more beautiful than the stars above. She smiled, giving Leo a small bit of hope.
Leo smiled back, rubbing her head as he whispered into her ear. "Go to sleep now, you'll be in your bed soon enough." He said with a chuckle.
The smell of damp earth mixed with the sound of rustling leaves filled the air as they walked through the forest. The distant sight of the hideout slowly came into view, the flickering light from the lights inside barely visible through the thick foliage.
Leo stopped in his tracks, his eyes fixed on the hideout as a sense of relief washed over him. "We're almost there," he said, his voice cutting through the silence. He could feel the weight of Mitsugi in his arms, her soft breaths against his chest.
As they got closer, the sound of twigs snapping beneath their feet echoed through the forest. Finally, the hideout was in full view, its sturdy wooden structure illuminated by the warm glow of the lights.
Mitsugi snuggled closer to him as they walked, her eyes growing heavy. "Thank you for taking care of me, Leo," she murmured, her words slurring slightly.
"No need to mention it," Leo stated simply, a hint of exhaustion in his voice as he looked down at Mitsugi, making sure she was comfortable.
As the nightfall deepened, the rustling of leaves from the swaying trees added to the symphony of nature. The chirping of crickets and croaking of frogs in the nearby pond were the only sounds that could be heard. The sky was a canvas of dark blue hues and the stars twinkled like tiny diamonds, creating a mesmerizing sight.