At the Mizuhashi mansion, the two adults became slightly frantic upon seeing the Vessels come home with an unconscious Kanako in Eichirou's arms. They put her in one of the spare rooms and let her rest there while Hideoki and Nanami tried to find a way to heal her.
As the two adults did so, all the Vessels could do was watch. In some ways, it was frustrating for them. They truly wanted to help but they didn't know how to do that. More than that, it was surprising for them to learn that Kanako knew about the Vessels.
How did that happen?
But for Eichirou, that fact wasn't the only thing that worried him. He didn't know that, even if he didn't say anything, Itsuki's observation of his movements was enough for the younger boy to realize what exactly was bothering Eichirou.
"Is she going to be alright, Hideoki-san?" Misae queried hopefully as she approached the said man.
"Thankfully, she wasn't injured. Only her energy was taken. A long rest is all she needed. But just to be sure—" he paused and faced the young archer. "—why don't you heal here, Misae?"
Of course, what Hideoki said had surprised not only Misae but also the other Vessels.
"Me? Heal her? I can't do that! I don't even know how."
"You can, Misae. From your training a while back, I managed to observe your abilities awakened in each of you," Nanami informed with a smile. "Just by looking at the ball of Hasureiki you summoned earlier during your training, I learned of your healing powers using the combination of your Hasureiki and your wind powers."
Though still feeling a bit hesitant, Misae knew that there was no way Nanami would lie to her about her abilities. Besides, she also had to heal a friend. And if she truly could heal, she might as well try doing it.
But before she could start, the sound of the door suddenly opening startled her. They all turned around to know who did that.
"Akira-kun! Natsume-kun!" Erika exclaimed but later frowned. "What are you two doing here?"
"We heard about what happened in the city. A total of 47 people, including Kanako-san, fell victim to Cyone's scales. The paramedics took them to the nearby hospitals to recover," Akira, the son of Nanami, informed as he watched his friend Natsume approach the unconscious Kanako that Misae was trying to heal.
"Cyone? That's the Triske Monster's name?"
Akira nodded in a response to Shuichi's question. "He was listed in the old records of Triske Monsters created during the ancient times. Though if you would ask me, I'm still surprised as to how someone managed to get ahold of those records."
"Kanako-nee, can you hear me? It's me, Natsume." The 18-year-old friend of Akira and cousin of Kanako could only say as he tried to call out to the girl.
"Cyone got her. It must have taken a great deal of energy from Kanako-san," Erika muttered.
Silence surrounded the room for a few moments. At that time, Itsuki remembered something. "Natsume, does this mean you knew about the Vessels, as well?"
The said boy faced the composer and nodded somberly. "Kanako-nee and I knew about it for a long time now. Her father told us about it when we were still kids."
Could that be the reason why Kanako stayed by Eichirou's side all this time?
"But we didn't know that you guys are the chosen Vessels up until now," Natsume continued. "We were only told that even though the previous Vessels lost their powers during the great battle, we still had to do our best to support the next chosen Vessels—whoever they might be. We must support the Vessels with all we got, after all."
None of them could say anything after hearing all that. Seriously, who would've thought that the people they knew all this time would have a great connection to the Vessels that Shuichi, Eichirou, Itsuki, Misae, and Erika had become?
Misae heaved a deep breath and did her best to heal Kanako. Just as she was told during the training, she just needed to concentrate her Hasureiki on one point for her to achieve the result she wanted. With that, she placed her hand right above Kanako's chest, and almost immediately, a yellow glow surrounded her hand.
'Please... Help me heal my friend. Help me heal the person that is special to Eichirou-san.' Misae doesn't know to whom she was praying to, but she hoped someone would hear it so she could do her job well.
= = = = = =
Cyone filled the gigantic statue of Emperor Darshao with the energies he collected from the humans earlier. The stone sword that served as a measuring device lighted out but only for a few seconds. The light raged on for just a few seconds and revealed that only a sixth portion of the sword—from the tip of the blade going up—remained lighted.
It only meant that the energies collected only filled a sixth part of the statue.
"This is amazing, Cyone... but not enough. His Majesty needs more than just this. We also need the energy and this amount could only sustain two of the Shadow Defenders," Karkino stated as he remained eyeing the statue.
"Of course, Lieutenant, I know that. But I didn't even say that I'm done collecting energies and negative emotions," Cyone responded as he bowed. "I'm also doing this to appease Siriso-sama's rage. He'd make sure to see the end of the Vessels once and for all."
But all Cyone got as a reply to that was a scornful scoff. It didn't seem to bother the Triske Monster as he left the Great Hall.
"See the end of the Vessels? With those puny skills? We'll see about that." Through Karkino's words alone, one would truly think the said Lieutenant doubted if it would happen anytime soon. They must not underestimate the Vessels. After all, Hideoki was the one guiding those kids.
And they knew how formidable Hideoki could be.
= = = = = =
Kanako felt she was knocked out badly as she opened her eyes. Another darkness greeted her as she looked around. At the same time, she knew she wasn't in her room at her house at all. The four-poster bed alone proved it. She would usually sleep in a futon.
Then where the hell was she?
It took a few moments before her eyes finally adjusted to the darkness around her. She later saw a shaft of dim light, probably coming from outside. The moon, perhaps?
Come to think of it, there was supposed to be a full moon at around 11 PM on that particular date.
"How long have I been asleep?" Kanako mumbled as she sighed.
She was supposed to rise from her bed when she felt something that was placed on her left hand. When she looked to her side, her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her. Despite the extremely dim light, it was more than enough to let her know who was holding her hand.
"Eichirou..."
Kanako didn't know what to do or even what to say. How long had this man been asleep and holding her hand like that? He was sitting on a small chair with his head on his right arm placed beside her left hand that he was holding.
She couldn't help smiling at the sight as soon as she recovered from the surprise she felt. This kind of thing doesn't happen every day and she knew that.
Then she recalled the events that made her lose consciousness. That's right... She remembered how Eichirou dealt with the Gargonema all by himself and how transformed into SeitenBlue. It was true that she wasn't oblivious to the legend and existence of the Vessels chosen to bear the powers of the Heavenly Spirit Guardians. Her father said that it was important for her and her cousin Natsume to know that.
She believed the story since she had seen at least a few proof and documentation. But she never realized that she would be able to witness someone become a Seitenger in front of her. And it was her friend and photography mentor Mizuhashi Eichirou, at that.
But she witnessed it at the worst time.
Who would've thought that she would personally see a Triske Monster or even a group of Gargonema? Now she knew it was right for her to believe her father's story about the Vessels and the Tareans.
Upon learning that her friend was among the Vessels, she had this urging feeling that she would do what it takes for her to help them. It was just a question of how she'd do that, though.
"Hmm..."
That sound startled Kanako and disrupted her musings. But it was okay. She knew the sound came from Eichirou. And it looked like he was waking up. She didn't know what came over her to decide on closing her eyes again and pretending to sleep some more. But she still did it.
She felt Eichirou's hold on her hand tighten, but still with the hint of gentleness. She heard him sigh heavily as if burdened. It made her frown—albeit inwardly. What in the world was going on?
"I'm sorry, Kanako," she heard Eichirou softly say. Yes, it was said sincerely but something felt more to it.
A feeling of regret somehow accompanied his voice as he said those words. And to think he didn't say her nickname...
Somehow, she didn't like the feeling at all.
Another heavy sigh from Eichirou before he let go of her hand and he placed it on the bed. Kanako heard footsteps that seemed like walking away. It ended with the sound of the opening and closing of the door.
That was when Kanako opened her eyes.
What had just happened?