A warm afternoon shined through Tsushido. Walking through the main streets from the southern gates, the newly arrived Supeshāru had their questions jumping out of their minds of brick.
"I'm out of lines. I can't do this anymore."
"Same, but I got a question. Isn't Tsushido a military city? If so, why do people here look like civilians?"
"Those are soldiers, reysu."
"Eh? Then how would you explai—" Bumps!
She gets hit by kids running at joyful speeds; playing tag with their shirts and shorts patterned with circle designs that are elbow and knee length respectively.
"What the— Sighs. Not going to curse at them but how could you explain that then?!"
"Those are children of soldiers. Most of the 'civilians' here are soldiers that serve the battlefield when called upon."
"Correct. The current numbers are about ten or eleven thousand."
"Where do you even get that information?"
"Based on the size of the city."
". . . Well, shitū."
The other groups talked about,
"Weird, their clothing styles are mainly different back from Honkasūri."
"Yē right. We got four big circles then the rest are smaller with less space between each other, that is what ours are like in Hon Kā regions."
"And? Roysans, that's basically just circles. The ones we see here in Tsushido are just compromised of five big circles. It's not that differen—"
A shout from the other group of Special Units disrupted the rest.
"Oh, shit look! Is that candy? YĒSUUUUUU!"
"Wait what?! Where!?"
"No way, there is a candy shop in this Military Place? LET'S GOOOOO!"
The Supeshārus' feet dashed menacingly to the said candy shop — a thousand steps ahead of them towards the center of the city. However, they stopped in their tracks after they witnessed something glorious,
"What the? There are lots of fellow Zōjin People inside!"
"Tē'kī! And here I thought I would be able to taste some good food— wait, that small girl inside seems familiar."
"No way, that's the girl with the dagger! How did she end up there quickly?!"
"Burning crops, even at these she's the best?" Clenches both fists before screeching randomly.
"Well, waiting for it is then if we want a taste of food. But keep in mind that we have three hours left before we need to be in the actual camp sight in the southern parts outside of Tsushido."
"Eh? Then why did our carriages bring us here in the first place?"
"We have extended time due to some untold thing in the front and thus giving us some time to explore remember?"
"Is . . . that . . . so . . ."
Sighs. "Wan Kō Siksukī told us before right? You wood-huggers don't listen huh? Additionally, we march to that camp as a warm-up. The Siksukī also SAID."
◆
While the Supeshāru were chattering and gazing outside, the time eventually gave way to the young girl in front of the wooden counter. Coal-Kojin's eyes were rotating in different directions where various candies are shown.
"Welcome, young lady! You seem to be a new one here so let me give you an introduction to this place if you would like?" The young boy's voice reached through the Coal-girl's ears.
Nods.
"Oh. Can't speak? Hm . . . But with that Nod of yours, I think it's a yes." The young rōjin sparkled his eyes with his mouth releasing an introduction of jaunty.
"Hello there again, this is the Tsushido Candy Restaurant which is the only one in this city! You are quite lucky today since the number of customers here is usually twice as much as it is now. Like the name says, our primary food choices here are candy! These ball-shaped food are very beneficial in regulating your energy as the Zōjin People say. We have lots of amounts of candy recipes here but I will make it into two most basic categories here that are the most common in all three kingdoms in our lands."
Reaching into a menu carved in a sheet of wood before continuing,
"We have the 'Guwi' and the 'Pero' Candy. The first is simply a ball of candy that is coated with a wet-slimy substance called Guwi. On the other hand, the second one is coated with a special powder called Pero. If you want to have the most basic candy meal of all, you can choose either the Classic Guwi or the Classic Pero."
The Coal-haired girl did the same response, she nods while looking at the more complex menu with nostalgic whispers in her ears. Looking back at the basic wooden menu, she points to her desired food.
"Oh. You like the Classic Pero Candy. Good for you! Now since you are the fiftieth new customer to enter our restaurant, you are to be given One Classic Pero Candy for Free!"
Raisin-tinted Eyes shimmering whilst the food is given wrapped in a leaf — Coal-Kojin stood still as if she was waiting for something memorial. Then the young rōjin raised both of his hands at head level, palm facing forward while he looks into the girl's raisin-colored iris.
"The first king is grateful for your visit, Fyū Go, Eighteen Years of Age."
After introducing his name at the end of his thanks,
"What about you? You seem familiar after I saw a closer look at you." He reached out for a piece of wood that can be written with bare hands; it is suited for writing the names of Zōjin People who come by.
. . . . .
"Oh. I see. Then I hope you have a nice day." He pulls back out of the unwritten wooden sheet as he gently smiles at the Coal-Kojin whose feet slowly leaving the Tsushido Candy Restaurant. A last batch of thoughts formulated from Fyū Go before his customers drag him to work.
' Familiar, that quiet girl really seems to be seen years ago. A . . . carriage? Nevermind. Back to work for your nineteenth day of birth.'
Leaf unwrapping, Coal-girl's gulps were preparing for a feast. Classic Pero Candies sized like a tennis ball, she was given the regular five-piece order. Eyes glared at her during her first steps outside the restaurant.
"Look . . . It's the Classic Pero Candies . . ."
"I can smell it . . . The sweetness and squishiness of that candy."
"Sob sob. It's beautiful, roysens."
Silently Screeches.
"Oy, we got three hours left; two of it is used for marching to the camp."
"Yēsu, sir."
Upon seeing her fellow Supeshāru drooling, Coal-Kojin gave them a sweet blessing.
Tosses
"Huh?! The Candy!"
"Let's GOOOOO!"
"Only One?! Oh, that's mine!"
"No Mine!"
"We got three hours left so it's MINE NOW."
Down-charge the bunch of rōjin and rējin Special Units with scenery of sloth-speed motion.
◆
One or Two-story buildings sniffed the exploring Coal-Kojin and her Sweets along the streets of Tsushido. On the exterior, walls were designed with web-shape patterns of five edges — cone-shaped roofs on their heads. Continuing her stroll toward the center of the chattering city, she found an alley similar to her previous home. Abandoned, the alley was nothing but grim and filth — somewhat a place used to throw garbage before piling up. As similarities lay in the eyes of Coal-Kojin, little hips sat down on top of a blanket, given by the military. Imagination defeated reality in a blink of an eye: she was back again in her alley home in Honkasūri. Left-over bowls beside her while the Sun blethered with smiles. The Coal-haired girl never understood the smile but a warm welcome. Each munch of Classic Pero Candy was full of squish and vivid sweetness; lips were covered with a powder of purple. Thirty minutes felt like a thousand in her visions whilst munching. Although truly a fantastical afternoon snack, she returns to reality with a stride directing back to the Southern Gates of Tsushido.
◆
Thirty minutes flung again and Supeshāru exited the Candy restaurant,
"Fi . . . Munches . . . nally! This is what good food tastes . . . Munches . . . like!"
The rest kept devouring it like animals.
"Oy! Munches . . . Straight to Camp. Munches . . . Two hours left! Munches . . ."
"BUURRRPP! Yēsu, sir."
". . . Ahhhhh. Tē'kī that was delicious."
"All of you, start walking to the gates. We don't have a whole day to reach the Tsugā's Camp."
Gates of Tsushido began to look smaller; eyes crystal clear with the Pero Candy they have shared and eaten. Cricket-like sounds began entering their ear tunnels. "Well, another Zorian Night Again" as most of the Supeshāru thought of that phrase. Quiet winds contrasted chirps and were barely touching the marcher's skin. However, the grass brushes the Zōjin who were hiking near the trail edges.
◆
Two hours marched and the Supeshāru arrived at the camp. Observing their surroundings, a new atmosphere enveloped their dry mouths. Wan Kō Siksukī and the other officers weren't there anymore. 'Actual' soldiers layered with scars looked at them with an underwhelming thought — some even said "New Idiots" that the newcomers only heard. Deep Bleats of Horusu were heard around the camp as they smelled the scents of unfamiliar Okonfē Soldiers. All of the unwelcoming pressure halted when the General of the Camp finally went to greet them.
◆
Midnight was approaching, the Supeshāru walked to the enemy camp unheard. Quiet as their first objective, a whispering discussion flew by,
"Cold shits, so this is our first mission. To kill enemy commanders located in the recently built military camps in our previous borders of Tsushido."
"Yē, I've heard that these commanders are one of the best in their army."
"Well, then why the Tē'ki shits are we doing here?! We're gonna die. . ."
"We're not sure about that. We are forty in number while the other forty are on the other edge of this camp. We are tasked to kill these soldiers after their celebration of winning. They're probably drunk by now considering our scout reports, the enemy has drunk booze and all of them are sleeping deeply."
"Correct. But still, be careful and 'prioritize' the commanders, most notably the ones with the sign of Fairukā and Siksukī."
"Yeah, the largest heads here are those two ranks, possibly holding a thousand to half five thousand units."
"Heh, although true. I still think Wan Kō Siksukī is superior to them Ogōshi Mangkōjin."
"Not to mention the mute girl on our side, she's a monster, to begin with."
"Don't forget Ridākurashā as well."
"Roysen, he's at the other group in the west."
"Oh . . . yeah, right."
"I'm sure Mute Girl is going to kill more commanders this night considering the enemies are handicapped."
"High chance yē. However, I expect she would have some difficulty like a lacerated body part again so we better look after her. She's a gem."
"We kno— wait. Where is she?"
"I think she's peeing behind the bushes base on that sound."
"Oh . . . I guess that's better than her suddenly disappearing."
The Supeshāru arrived, waiting till midnight fell before unleashing their first assault. The army of Ogōshi snored through the night with its guards seemingly about to dream — they wore undershirts, sleeves at bicep length. With their chance being as easy as catching turtles, the New Special Units of Okonfē rushed through the enemy camp containing slits and slashes. Ears never responded well to the soldiers since they were killed without screaming in agony by the swift Supeshāru. Coal-Kojin was in a state of bloody frenzy, lacerating dozens of rōjin and rējin foes who are in a state of slumber. Then the golden seconds came: the hexagonal tent where a commander resides was in sight. Quiet steps took place at the tent's entrance then followed by a gushing strike to the resting rōjin Commander.
CLANG!
Gasp! The young girl labeled special unit jumped backward with no hesitation. She rewound in time, this Ogōshi Foe blocked her attack with a metal shaft in the middle of a night's rest. Despite the rōjin standing slowly, Coal-Kojin felt the threat that she is about to confront. In the minds of the Supeshāru girl, it was like a second duel Wan Kō Siksukī. However, upon exiting the tent where the nightlight saw, she reminds him of Dan Dū with his wielded weapon. It was a blunt weapon used one-handedly — mainly had an essence of a flanged mace.
◆
Turning tables around the western camp. Special Units were battered by an awakened commander.
"Ughh! Is that Ogōshi bichakū some sort of Wanugō?! Half of our group was killed by her—" the Okonfē Soldier's head fell: slashed by a barely sobering enemy troop.
"Jun Se Siksukī! Is your status okay?"
"Yāru, everything is all right." Jun Se replied to her subordinate. "I'm glad some of you have awakened or else our whole drunk camp is going to be slaughtered. Are you not drunk? Hiccupu!"
"Not much, Siksu—" Stabbed back in the throat by a Supeshāru; a presence that the opposing Siksukī acknowledged with her guards up.
Ridākurashā was making brief impressions with tense. ' Calm Down, I've killed several Eitorā and Seburō just now so I'm sure it wouldn— Gasp!' the Siksukī was right in front of him, eye to eye. Her first punch shook the young rōjin who dodged. However, the second punch connected. Ridākurashā's light armor was bent, pushed backward with his pressing foot marked ground straight. The young rōjin clutched his stomach, legs shaking from the blitz punch of Jun Se Siksukī. Agonies of his comrades were heard by his barely conscious ears; each and every one of them perish through the midnight sky.
' Bi . . . kur . . . ō . . . . I took one of her strongest punches, haven't I? I don't know if that's an achievement, heh. The most embarrassing part here is that she's Tē'kī Drunk without any . . . weapons. If she wasn't drunk, she would have killed or knocked me out during my monologue here. Tē'kī . . . forget my Twentieth Birthday, I'm going down. Right here, right now.' Ridākurashā's only option was to lift his sword in front of him for the last brace. His comrades, on the other hand, ran away. The soldiers of Ogōshi already slaughtered every opposing enemy they had seen.
"Jun Se . . . Fesukā . . . It is an honor to at least fight you for a mo . . . ment." Panting. "Ugh, I can't feel my stomach anymore," Mouth slowly dripping with the blood of regrets.
"Is that so?" The Siksukī smiled. "Then tell me your date of birth like the traditional ways do—Hiccupu!."
Schwing!
Blood came out from her left forearm after dodge-blocking the swift blow from nowhere.
"Fucking Shit!" Wan Kō muttered scorchingly. "What kind of Ta Rō's Bitch would order Juvenile Units to slay some of the best Fairukā and Siksukī in the land?! MANGKŌJIN Zōjin, the fact that this Ren Tē Tsugā keeps ordering suicidal missions makes me want to take his head off in front of Ryō Ken Wanugō when I get back!" Her face was a pure reflection of rage.
"Charge!" Spears thrust towards Wan Kō. With the use of her feet, specks of dust flew into the sights of Ogōshi Soldiers, breaking their uniformed charge and giving the Okonfē Siksukī ample amount of time to vanish bringing the beaten young rōjin. The drunk opposing army had no choice but to surround their drunk commander that slept midway through Wan Kō's quiet grumble.
◆
The lone commander dashed away from the Military Camp of Ogōshi. Wan Kō sprinted so fast: she was surpassing the full-on speeds of an Ostrich. Despite her hasty retreat, hands grabbed one more rōjin while the camp was more distant in sight. About three special units were saved by the Siksukī as she arrived in her bush-hidden Horusu. Retaining her lost breath,
"Hah . . . Hah . . . you got to be joking. After twelve seconds of thinking about it, that Siksukī was Jun Se." she continued to catch her breath.
' That Rējin is not the type of person I would fight on one and one combat. Never in my life, not going to unless I'm ordered and ready to break my ribs again.'
She retrieved more air before continuing her thoughts.
' But still, I'm glad that the West only has Jun Se Siksukī in it. If they were to encounter that Fairukā Monster then—' her hands went cold after realizing what may lay upon in the east part of the enemy military. Her feet were hot then began to dash ba—,
"Wan Kō Siksukī." Jo Rā Eitorā spoke. "We can't perform another save. The army of Ogōshi has finally built enough resistance to stop the pursuit. Additionally, the injured Supeshāru would die. The fact our mission is beyond orders would really put the both of us in grave danger." He was shaking, trying his all to convince his commander.
Clenching her fists, "Retreat now." The Siksukī was at last persuaded, galloping with her subordinate while carrying the shattered soldiers.
Her final wish of good luck gazed at the views covering the West Enemy Camp . . .
◆
Pain and Demise darkened the natural lights of midnight. Nearly Fourteen Minutes already since Coal-Kojin stood in her position, unmoved. Air surrounding the rōjin was heavy. She knew this nearly six-foot Zōjin was something to keep watch of. The place was nothing but moving nature, making them the only two Zōjin People who were currently breathing within a 7-foot radius. While the young girl's comrades were busy with other drunk Ogōshi, she continued to hesitate her resolved dash until minutes proceeded to tick until,
"Are you done observing?" the rōjin asked. "You seem to be a fourteen-year-old that killed twenty soldiers around my tent." he adjusts his weapon grip in an optimal manner. Slightly placing his dominant right foot behind.
Shined through the night light on the tent's flag head. There, the girl with a raisin-colored iris saw the sign written on it.
"Tent of Tun Rei Fairukā," floating words flew between the two opposing foes before dissipating.
"Floating letters? Tsk! Being drunk is just Tree-burning," Tun Rei looked to the ground.
Coal-Kojin sensed it. Doubts hid behind the young girl: something is with them nearby. Heartbeat started jogging: her visions knew those materialized words float even before she could read the flag above. However, she went for a deep inhale, all those doubts were left behind as Coal-Kojin dashed through the Fairukā. The one-handed mace swung from her left side. She slipped under it, swinging her triangular dagger with a draw-in of air after.
Gasp— Thump!
The Supeshāru girl flew after blocking the right knee kick by Tun Rei. It was fast, the Kojin barely stopping the Fairukā's blow. Despite that fast fact, landing on both feet at mid-air speed was nothing but an easy stunt.
"I see. Now that feeling better, you're a prodigy, a 'special' one at that," Tun Rei praised the young girl. Lofty voices sketched her contemplations from within,
' Shitū, this rōjin is strong . . . my blade was bent from that. My fellow Special Units are still doing great. I wonder if the other camp with that Ridākurashā is doing the same. Anyways, this really feels like Wan Kō Siksukī by the impression this Tall Ogōshi bastard has.' hands shaking since the explosive block.
The Fairukā asked, "What is your date of birth? Unmatched Kojin."
Only the sound of breathing in and out was heard from the Coal-girl's mouth.
"Can't speak? Then that's that." he went straight front for his shorter foe.
"Eh?" The first expression that the young girl released before witnessing something unseen: her left leg flew sideward off her. Blood scattered. The girl couldn't voice the sensation, only her eyes vein-crawling red like never before. Dropping to the ground while biting her teeth,
"That foot-ground connection of yours seems strong," Tun Rei said. The next set of blows came from above. The one-legged victim felt it like a monstrous rock. The first strike broke shattered her bent dagger. Both Forearms of left and right were destroyed by the second blow. Fairukā's third flanged mace strike disfigured her face, skin-twisting to look upon. The left eyeball burst out of her socket — all teeth from her left cheek were ghastly ripped out paired with spills of dark red fluids. She restrained crying out a scream, only tears of begging to stop were visible. Not a single sound of an Okonfē Supeshāru entered her ears; all that remained was the footsteps of closing soldiers shouting Tun Rei's Fairukā's name. Then unleashed the fourth blo—
"Halt!" A mounted rōjin released a thundering yell.
The commander lowered his mace as he perceived the written signs on both of its armored shoulders.
"You've done enough. Recall all of your troops against more possible attacks!"
Tun Rei moved his legs as he sighs to his superior, "Yēsu, Den Goro Wanugō."
Coal-Kojin continued her quiet weep. Lying down in despair,
' So this . . . is . . . War . . . Reality . . . I . . . don't want to die . . . yet . . . I want . . . more . . . mo . . re . . . memories . . .' gleaming eyes rewound her whole life — a vague scene of her old home, her family, Ryō Ken, her dirt alley, her comrades, her last Pero candy, the night sky. One last view was the Ogōshi Wanugō who gave her time to pack up her memories. The Coal-Kojin heard a dying question from him,
"What is your name? Mighty Kojin."
She softly replied, "Mē . . . Ri . . . . . . . . ." as her fading right raisin sight began dissipating in the cold blood-soaked night.