[The Next Day...]
[At the blue tree organization]
(Focusing the inside was a hospital and Saku sat on a bed with a tray filled with sandwiches and tea. But he wasn't eating it, he was reading a magazine while making a comical defeated face flipping the pages. The magazine he was reading was a mucky magazine)
(As he was doing that, a knock was heard at the door and he quickly hid the magazine under his pillow and started eating his sandwiches. The door finally opened as Yami came in)
YAMI: I was asked to check on you. So how are you doing?
SAKU: I'm doing well. It was just a little scratch on my belly.
YAMI: I see. Well get well soon. (He said while was about to leave)
SAKU: Um... Wait. Do you also work here?
YAMI: Yeah.
SAKU: Really! Because I also work here.
YAMI: Wow good for you (he said with a bored tone)
SAKU: So do you know why?
YAMI: I don't remember.
SAKU: (Looked shocked at Yami on what he said) Huh?
YAMI: I don't remember my past event. All I remember was me stepping in to this organization as a newcomer. I was thinking if I was suffering for amnesia but I don't know. Until I remember them a little by their names but not about them.
SAKU: Who's them?
YAMI: Eito, Hiro and Yuuto. Those people were the ones that killed my friends, Nate and Tasha.
SAKU: Oh I kinda know them. They were superior to the lesser aoks in the fifth department.
YAMI: Yeah and... they killed them! (he said while clenches his fist)
SAKU: Hey you better calm down. It's okay. (Yami sat down on a chair placed close to the wall) Try forgetting the saddest moment and replace it to the funny ones.
YAMI: It's that so. (He tries to remember one as he thinks for a while and he chuckles a little while smiling) Yeah. I remember one.
SAKU: See I told you.
YAMI: Yeah. Anyway, I heard you went for a mission to collect some goods in Hashimoto warehouse but you failed.
SAKU: Mmm. I got encountered by four people on mask... Say, you know XO, don't you? Why didn't you mention his name among the people who killed those two siblings?
YAMI: I don't know him like that. How do you know he was among them?
SAKU: I just thought of that because I know that he is a friend to those three guys name you mentioned.
YAMI: (Sighed) We don't know what will happened next since Taichi is dead.
SAKU: It's not a problem. We can hire somebody else as a new leader of the blue tree's armorer. Taichi was just a piece of trash ever since he turned his back away from this organization and I pretended to be on his side.
YAMI: So what do you think the next step will be?
SAKU: I don't know but it's all a matter of fate.
YAMI: Okay if you say so. (He said as he stood up while making his way to the exit and he forgot to say this) I almost forgot this. Mr. Ito will like to see you.
SAKU: Crap, I'm dead. Is it about what happened last night?
YAMI: I don't know. More like a father and son conversation.
SAKU: Right. Before you go, I'll like to know your name.
YAMI: Oh sorry for being impolite. The name's Yami Takahashi.
SAKU: Okay. I'm Saku Enkai.
YAMI: Alright. See you around, Saku.
(He left while shutting the door waiting for Yami's footsteps to stop for a while. After that, Saku brought out his magazine back from where it was hidden as he continues to flip through pages. And surprisedly...)
YAMI: (Opens the door unexpectedly) I almost forgot this again. (Shocked while looking at the magazine) Is that...?
SAKU: Yeah. Yeah, you know. Anyway, what was that you almost forgot?
(After that, Saku was seen walking with Ito, who was still on his Corvus uniform)
ITO: You know what happened last night, Saku...
SAKU: (Thought) Damn, I knew he will say that.
ITO: After disobeying my orders, infact not only me one but the entire Corvus as well.
SAKU: I thought you said I wouldn't join your group until I work harder.
ITO: And to know your responsibility.
SAKU: How will I do that?
ITO: Being responsible is all about taking action. Taking actions in what you do and not doing stuffs awkward.
SAKU: You think I messed up that night?
ITO: You messed up big time. Master instructed you to get those supplies. And you got caught with XO and his teams, instead of you to fallback and forget about the mission. You send the aoks to be in assist, not only that you fought against them while making us to come after you.
SAKU: What if they may come after me while retreating and what if I may be killed on the way. Don't you think that's my responsibility? (Ito didn't say anything but looking at him) You are not my dad, sir. My parents died of a car accident when I was only twelve. And that was how I saw you as a passerby and you helped me.
ITO: Look even though it's your responsibility, you can still try to make things better. Better as usual.
SAKU: Yeah. I try to make it up to you (he said while Ito was looking at him waiting for him to say more) And to master and the Corvus as well.
ITO: Better.
SAKU: Yami told me I will be coming to stay with the Corvus during this week.
ITO: Oh yes, that's true. I almost forgot that. You and Yami will be staying with us in other for you two to get along.
SAKU: Yeah sure. It's fine to me.
(Later, in the room where the Corvus were. Saku was helping Ito out in the kitchen while cutting a ginger and Ito was putting the seasonings in the pot)
SAKU: I wonder why master don't show up all the time. (He said as he then cuts the onions)
ITO: That's because he's a busy man. He doesn't show up but tells us to get the job done.
(Saku kept quiet after hearing that)
ITO: Well, to me it's not easy in becoming a boss. You will have to go for one meeting to the other or coming up with your next step in boosting the organization.
SAKU: Hmm I see. Ito, there is something I'll also like to ask. What are the Corvus. I know they are group of people in working together in something but don't know their goal.
ITO: You know how this city is. The manipulators go on killing innocent ones and so on. That was how master set up his own army and named them "The Corvus".
SAKU: So what are their aims. Don't we have the aoks by our side to take down the evil manipulators?
ITO: Yes we do. But for master Kuragari's sake he formed them to make them... extinct.
SAKU: (Shocked) What do you mean extinct? Does he want to wipe out all of them.?
ITO: That's our aim and objective. The extinction of evil manipulators to make the blue tree better as well for the country and to the world at large.
SAKU: Is that why we are against XO?
ITO: (It takes them a little flashback on when Kaaru changed some manipulators life like when he changed Isogai the gunman and Karin when being trapped on his dream while he continues to say this) XO know nothing about them. He thinks changing them can make them better or to go on with their life by giving them a new lease of life. (Then the flashback ended) Is that what you want, Saku. People refuse to do good things with their manas. So?
SAKU: Yeah, I know that. But you can't just wipe out manipulators in the entire world.
ITO: It's our fate. What do you think the Corvus are? They are the hunting hook and known as the hooded crow that represents symbol of justice and we hurt down those good for nothing, that's what master said. And as for the blue tree, blue represents freedom, love and blissful. And the tree represents a shelter for the innocent ones. So we are the shelter. So get that. (He said while stirring the soup inside the pot) Now prepare the plates down. We will be having udon this evening.
(Note: Udon is a Japanese wheat noodle)
SAKU: Okay, I'll do that. (He left)
(At the dinning table, the Corvus were seen eating and Saku sees Keisuke's book close to him while he was eating)
SAKU: What's this? (Reads the name) Invisible Man.
KEISUKE: Yeah. But he is not actually invisible.
SAKU: What do you mean?
KEISUKE: The main character actually said, "I am invisible; understand because people refuse to see me." It's something that has to do with racism and searching for his identity in the white society.
(Author: Well, the book is real. Respect to the author, Ralph Ellison who finally accomplished the book "Invisible Man" for seven years)
SAKU: Because he is a black man. That's why they refuse to see him. Right?
KEISUKE: Yes.
(After that, Saku looks at the book for a while)
NARUO: You need to put that aside. You don't talk while eating or doing after stuffs instead of eating.
SAKU: Okay, Sorry. (As he dropped the book)
YANO: But you just talk Naruo.
NARUO: I'm just warning ya. Have manners, okay?
YANO: Man, you are too rude when saying that. You can't tell us what to do. So Keisuke what is your relationship with master?
(Hearing that question, Keisuke sighed and said)
KEISUKE: Why did you ask? Did anything hit your head or something?
YANO: It actually came out of nowhere. I see you by his side. You are an acting leader of the Corvus. So can you tell us that?
KEISUKE: I'm tired of questions today. All I can see we are just friends that's all.
YANO: Now I knew it.
KEISUKE: So what's the problem? You wanted to become the leader?
YANO: No. It was just a question. We are all here to get along asking each others questions. I'm I right?
YAMI: Yeah. And I have a question for you Yano. How do you have the power to turn yourself to a beast?
YANO: Glad you told me that. After the meteor crashed fifty years ago, I didn't became a manipulator. I didn't wanted to be and good thing, I wasn't. But all I have a disease which infected my skin making them to peep off. I needed a cure but it didn't work as it turned me into a monster. So this is all I can do. Nothing to make me feel better.
YAMI: Hmm even though you tried everything to make it gone, it was no use.
YANO: Yes, and it was a hard time for me. Frightening and killing people out of rage. It wasn't easy (he said while he was feeling sad)
ITO: Don't feel too down for yourself, Yano. You tried everything that was best for you. So eat up, you don't want your food to get cold, would you?
YANO: Nah. (he said as he eats up his udon with a chopstick and something came up on his head as there was flashback)
(Flashback)
(In this flashback, which took place back at Hashimoto warehouse. We can see Yano is still on his beast form and Yuuto were staring at each other after Yuuto asked him a question)
YANO: What question do you want to ask me about?
YUUTO: Manipulators don't have that type of manias, right?
YANO: No, this is a gift. This is what they gave me.
YUUTO: What are you talking about?
YANO: Gift are given to a person for free and without charge. This is something I want to forget from the past. But I suffered trying to cure myself even though it was at risk. So I fight till they are perished under my condition.
YUUTO: Hey if you think of killing people, you got to stop. I may sometimes have anger issues, but that doesn't mean I gotta continue. If you are mostly like that, I say there is a monster inside you which make you also a monster.
(Yano didn't say anything which his face remained serious and was a little surprised at what he was hearing)
YUUTO: We all have a monster inside us, so don't let that come into your head and I hope one day there will be a cure to your madness.
(End of flashback)
YANO: (had a thought) I hope so.
SAKU: Hey Naruo. Tell us your story. How do you became a cyborg?
NARUO: I was formerly a scientist and I was working on a machine. All of a sudden, it got problem and the beam cut off my arms and my right leg. I decided to fixed them by giving myself mechanized arms and leg. My wife and my son hated me for that, so they ran away without telling me and I didn't see them again.
(After that, the rest were shocked on what he said and...)
ITO: Hmm I see.
NARUO: Yeah I know, just because you didn't see that before.
SAKU: (Who bursted into laughter after hearing that from Naruo)
ITO: Huh! You think that's funny, Saku.
YAMI: I didn't know you were also a scientist, Naruo.
KEISUKE: And you have been hiding it from us.
YANO: Sorry, My bad.
SAKU: Okay. I guess that's all from hearing the two non-manipulators' stories. (He said while he stood up from his seat and carried his empty plate he finished as he heads to the kitchen)
KEISUKE: Thank you for the food. (He said as he also stood up from his seat and followed Saku)
(Then the alarm rang as a voice came and said...)
"Everyone should assemble outside the building right now! The coronation is about to start!"
ITO: Outside! Wait, right now?
YANO: I thought it happens every four years.
YAMI: What's happening? What coronation. Are we crowning a king or prince?
NARUO: This don't have to do with them. Today we will be welcoming our new commander of the aoks.
YAMI: You mean the person will be the superior over all the aoks in this organization.
YANO: Yeah, you can't wait to see it?
YAMI: I just wanna know who will be.
(Saku, who heard everything was surprised to hear all that)
KEISUKE: You happy to see the person.
SAKU: Kinda. But I wouldn't know the person.
ITO: Come on guys. Let's go. (He said while he walked passed them)
(They all left and went outside the building and a man came in as he faces the front of the aoks and the Corvus)
SHIORI: We are all gathered here today to welcome the new commander of the aoks.
Shiori Hara
Rep. Kuragari Fujita
SAKU: (Thought) Then I wonder who will it be.
SHIORI: May I present to you... Kin Tanaka.
(The person comes out, ignoring the audience while climbing the arena, face the audience and Saku looked at the person in shock while taking the hood off to see that the person was...)
SAKU: (Thought) A girl.
(She was revealed that she had a white short hair that reached her neck and has a black eyes. And was seen on an Aok uniform)
SAKU: (Thought) She looks like my age mate.
1ST MAN: Hey, this isn't fair! Right from time this wasn't like this. Making a girl our commander. Who does master think he's joking?! Huh!
(Suddenly, someone stab him from the back and the person said...)
YUAN: It's that an order telling Kuragari's representative what to do. Speaking of that, I'm not complaining since I'm now the ex-commander.
Yuan Mitsuru
Former commander of the Aoks
(Yuan brings out his sword and the man fell to the ground as he was dead. Everyone were shocked after seeing that. Yuan looked at everyone and said)
YUAN: Anyone want to go with him.
(They were startled and by their fear, Yuan knows that they wouldn't join him in hell)
YUAN: Very well. (He then walks up to meet Kin and said to her) Congratulations.
KIN: Thanks (she said while making a sincere smile)
SHIORI: You are now grown up, boy.
(Yuan didn't answered him while he left)
SAKU: (Thought) Yuan isn't happy. He's no longer the commander. Why will master do such a thing, picking a girl. (He said as he looked at Yuan) But Yuan was a great commander.
YAMI: Yeah. It's really sad to you, right?
SAKU: Are you worried about Yuan?
YAMI: Well I don't care. I don't even care how he feels.
SAKU: You seem to have no interest with him.
YAMI: Yuan was a great leader for over three years. So that's all I can say to him.
SAKU: I'm thinking if he knew about his leaving.
YAMI: What makes you say that?
SAKU: He didn't seem to care. All he said to her was congratulations and then he left. He knew this years wouldn't stay to the very end.
YAMI: Guess you are right. But by the way, the girl is pretty.
SAKU: Shut up. (Then he had a thought) I believe with the help of Aok new commander, the Corvus can now get along, also this organization. And XO and his friends wouldn't stand a chance this time. (He said while smiling evilly)
(Author: While reading this chapter, I know some of you readers were like... Where is Kaaru? Don't worry I decided to add him)
(Now to Kaaru, he was seen sitting on a long chair outside Ippei's shop with Shin. He was seen on bandage tied round on his head and a bandage patched on his left face)
SHIN: Is there a problem you couldn't tell me inside.
KAARU: I only want to tell you in private. I can't actually put this, Shin-sensei and I don't still understand. Why me?
SHIN: Why... you?
KAARU: Ever since my parents died, things changed and it felt like I messed up for no reason.
SHIN: Don't only think of that. You saved a lot of people.
KAARU: And I have killed someone. Someone who tried to protect his sister and I killed him. Tell me did he deserved that?
SHIN: Death deserve everyone and there is no stopping. It isn't an accident but a final destination. There is no proper way to die, remember that and be glad to have the people that are always with you and also the ones you turned over a new leaf.
KAARU: I get it now. But you don't have any reason why they are after me? Just like how I got stuck in that dream. How I saw my whole past as it kept coming to my head. What is this problem?
SHIN: Sometimes the problem doesn't come from the people you face, it comes from you. No matter how long you face your problems, it doesn't go. You wouldn't understand it now because you are just a kid. A normal seventeen year old highschool kid. But you need to be strong and defeat those problems, Kaaru. You are still weak. Build up your self-confidence.
(Kaaru didn't say anything but was reflected on his teacher's saying)
SHIN: Sometimes it's not learning you lack, it's focus. That's just it. Build up yourself and fight evil manipulators. This world we are living today have just two opposite sides: the good and the bad. The good people die without any offence and the bad people die for their punishment. In those two opposite there is no change for that, which make death not proper.
KAARU: I see.
SHIN: I can teach you more. Remember you are now a manipulator, Kaaru Kagawa. You choose to save the people and that was a choice, so I respect that. (He said as he put his hand on Kaaru's shoulder, who was still in thought) I can make you as a leader. So decide what is best for your friends.
(After that, Shin walked away as he went inside the shop. As for Kaaru, he felt his hand shaking as he was full of emotions. He was thinking about what to do now as he thought that the blue tree are getting powerful now. He had a thought)
KAARU: It's time to think of something... since I'm now the leader. (He says in a sad tone) The blue tree now have an army, the Corvus and Keisuke is among them. What I'm I going to do? (While having it as a thought)
(After that saying, his friends came out the shop)
HIRO: Hey, Kaaru!
(After hearing that voice, he turned around and saw that it was Hiro and the rest)
YUUTO: (didn't mind him as he was seen operating his phone)
EITO: Let's go, Kaaru. It's getting late.
KAARU: Huh. Right (he said as he got up and followed them, so he had a thought) I'm not going to fail, this time. (He said while looking at his friends) I'm not going to let anyone die, so I'm not gonna lose (Then he continues to walks while his face remained serious and determine as he said one last thing) I'm going to face the person who's responsible for all this.
To be continued...
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This is the end of Part One!
If you are freaking out, please don't😅
Just tell me what do you think of part one?
Elemental Fate Part Two: Coming soon this year!
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading Elemental XO Part 1. If you like it, I will really appreciate if you could take a moment to go back and vote for all the chapters you enjoyed.