While Ichigo sprinted in the dark with a young girl sleeping on his back and baby in his arms, the contra that was being felt across the continent slowly faded away. The demons invasion had finally ended in their defeat.
"So they were capable of holding them off. That's great. I can feel some of the generals' ki in the royal palace. But, the number of the people who live far from the palace are in the hundred of thousands if not millions. And they don't have anyone on the level of a captain to help them fight. The death toll is going to be ridiculously high around those areas."
He cringed at the thought.
The young girl on his back awoke from her sleep to see that they were still on there way to the woman known as Thalia. The girl remained still with the wind blowing her hair and a look of nothingness in her eyes. Due to how sudden the events of that day took place, she hadn't yet processed all that had happened. But now in silence of the night, there nothing else for to do but to replay the events in her head over and over. The image of her parents being mauled alive while hiding in a covered hole, the chilling of the air, the feeling of fear and helplessness and the scent of iron from her friends and family stained her mind.
"Martha, you're shaking. Are you alright?"
Martha shot up her head.
"Oh….sorry, I didn't mean to be a bother," she said in a weak voice.
"Don't worry about that. It's just that you've been through a traumatizing experience and I just want to make sure your alright."
"Of course..I..I'm alright. You don't have to worry about me. Just worry about getting Asuka to this Thalia lady. I can't be worrying about my own well being at this time."
"Martha. Its alright to grieve. "
"NO! I have to remain strong for Asuka's sake."
She began shaking more violently. Ichigo noticing this stopped in his tracks. The surrounding area was covered in dead trees with leaves scattered on the ground.
"Hey, why'd you stop."
"We are not to far off from Thalia's place and the demons seem to have retreated from there attack, so it should be safe out here."
He then set down Asuka and Martha down next to a tree.
"I'm going to set up a room for you with Thalia. She doesn't like unexpected visitors. Especially when the home is a mess," saying that last part with a bit of a chuckle. Ichigo then stood up.
"And Martha. It's okay to show a little vulnerability."
Ichigo then walked off into the direction of Thalia leaving behind Martha and Asuka.
Martha sitting looked down at the baby in her arms.
"I'm sorry Asuka. Even with all the training. Even having gotten stronger. I couldn't protect my parents. I couldn't fight with your father. And your mother disappeared ."
Martha's eyes began to water as the frustration started overwhelming her.
"I'm a failure….and I'm weak. I was…so scared…and useless. Damn it. DAMN IT!"
Ichigo was running through the forest.
"I hope you can recover Martha, but right now you need to let out and accept all your emotions. Otherwise, you will never be able to grow."
He then arrived at a rundown, slightly larger than normal house. When Ichigo walked on the porch, it produced a loud creak slightly startling him.
"Man, this place is not in good shape. Must have been months since she's done maintenance."
He then walked to the door and before he could knock, someone had already opened the door. At first Ichigo was confused as there was nobody there, until he felt a slight tug on his cloak. He then looked down and saw a child with blond hair and green eyes.
"Hello sir."
Ichigo gave the kid a small smile.
"Hey kid. Could you call Ms. Thalia so that I could talk with her please."
The young boy nodded his head and went to do as asked. Ichigo then entered the house. He walked into the house looking at the walls with different color handprints and names under them.
"Nostalgic isn't it," said a middle aged woman with graying hair, slightly wrinkled face, purple scarf over her shoulders, dark purple shirt, dark pants and walking cane.
"Your hand is right over there Ichigo."
Ichigo then looked at the navy blue hand print the lady was pointing at. A small smile appeared on his face. All the memories or when he first arrived here till his eventual departure flooded his mind.
"You used to be so quiet. Always hiding in your room, only coming out to bathe and for food. Even then you'd only eat in your room," the lady said with a slight chuckle.
"Yeah."
"Anyway, enough with the sentiments. I presume you're here because of the invasion."
That comment brought him back from his nostalgic trance and his face grew serious.
"Yes I am. I everything alright here. Any kids gone missing," he asked in a concerned tone.
"You underestimate me boy. Do you really think I would ever allow any of my children to be killed. I may not be a part of the royal guard anymore but my proficiency in anima control has not diminished in the slightest. Now, what other business so you have here."
"I was wondering if I could bring two kids from a small village north from here to live with you and the kids."
The lady let out a small sigh.
"You know I hate surprises. You visiting is one thing. But bringing new kids. The house us still a mess."
"Sorry, but I can't just leave them alone. Plus, one of them is special."
"Special? In what way?"
"She's a trinity."
'😨😨😨'
Once those words crossed Ichigo's lips, the ladies face had a look of shock and horror on her face. Her palms began to shake and sweat started dripping down her face. Her breathes became heavy and she sat on the nearby couch.
"Are you out of your mind?! You want that child to live here with me? And you thought I was just gonna say 'yes'? You must think I have a death wish."
"I understand your concern and the danger that she presents to the world, but I couldn't just leave her alone. She was only born recently. How could I leave a new born baby with no one to look after here."
"Then you should have just put her out of her misery. If she ever learns how to utilize her dormant power, then it could spell the end of the world. Last time this happened, it took the combined efforts of humans, demons and the great aeons to even consider taking her down. Even then the only reason why we defeated her was because of her own arrogance. And now, you bring another one here. I'm sorry, but I must decline. I can not risk it."
"And yet you so easily took me in despite me being a hybrid."
"You were a special situation. I could see it in your eyes. You were only a broken child who had already seen the horrors of this world, yet I could see regret and sorrow in your eyes. But that girl is a blank canvas who could be dyed any color."
"And I know you will paint her the right color. All she needs is to be brought up right and I think she will turn out alright. I mean, I did. And I was way closer to the edge than she will ever have to be."
Thalia scratched her forehead trying to thunk of what to do.
"You do know that if anything happens, that I will not take the fall for you."
"It was my decision to rescue her, so it's only fair."
Thalia sat there for a few moments contemplating her decision with a serious look. Then, she had her answer.
"What do you plan to do with her after she gets older, especially when she is a teenager and her emotions run high?"
"The other girl with her already has some basic ki control. She will be able to teach the younger one and in 12 years I'll take her to train her. After all, there is a time where I won't be able to protect this kingdom."
"Well, it's not a bad plan I suppose."
Thalia took a couple more seconds to make her decision.
"Fine, I will take her in to live with me. What are their names."
'Yay 😊'
"The older one is Martha and the infant is named Asuka."
Thalia then gestured for Ichigo to go bring the girls and in a flash he was gone.
"I hope your right about this Ichigo."
When Ichigo arrived at Martha's location, the sleeping Asuka was being held tightly in the arms of Martha.
"Martha, Thalia is allowing you both to live with her and her children. And I'm sure your worrying about how the she and the other kids will treat Asuka but I can guarantee she will do right by her, alright."
"Okay. I'll trust you."
So, Ichigo, Martha and Asuka made there way to Thalia. Before even opening the door, Thalia was hypnotized the presence of a power that was beyond her understanding. A power that was evil yet divine. She was then awakened from her trance with knock on the door. She opened the door to see Ichigo standing beside a blonde haired girl holding a baby.
"Hello there young lady. I assume you must be Martha and the baby in your arms is Asuka. You don't have to worry about trying to get Asuka to fit in. I will make sure that the other children play nice," Thalia said with a sympathetic smile on her face.
The blue eyed could only give a slight nod as she enter the house.
"On the second floor, at the last door I prepared a room for the both of you to sleep in. I hope it is to your liking."
Martha did not respond and silently walked upstairs to her room.
"Please, pay no mind to her not responding. She's been through a lot."
"You really think I don't know that Ichi boy. It will take her a while to fully accept the events that transpired today. Its best that she gets good rest."
Ichigo gave a slight nod and started to move outside the house.
"Your not staying. I really could some company from someone who won't assault me with flying peas."
"No. I need to get to the royal palace fast. I'm already running way late. The king and the captains are probably waiting for me right now."
"Yes, and I suppose the generals won't be to pleased with you being this late."
"Alright then, I'll be on my way now. I'll make sure to visit from time to time check up on Asuka and Martha."
Ichigo started to dash off towards the kingdom, picking up quite a bit of dust while doing so.
It took only four minutes for Ichigo to make it to the royal palace, and the sight he saw was a grim one. Many of the tall white, gold, black and sky blue colored buildings were destroyed or barely holding itself together.
Many of the citizens were either in a panic trying to find loved ones who were buried under the rubble, holding there dead family members in their arms, desperately trying to get out of the immediate area, or trying to find a way to put out the black flames that engulfed both their houses and their families.
Ichigo at that moment raised his arms in the air and absorbed all the black flames in the royal palace. At that moment all the people began staring at him and their eyes changed into multiple emotions. Rage, sorrow, hatred, fear, contempt, all those feelings were shown on the faces of the people.
"You bastard, look at what your kind have done!"
"You were supposed to track and hunt the demons. Now because of you my child has lost one of his legs. How are you going to take responsibility for this, you monster!"
"My wife was eaten alive because of you, you demon!"
"Where were you? Why weren't you protecting us from those 'things'?"
"You were in cohorts with them weren't you, you demon piece of filth."
"Yeah, that has to be the only explanation. You betrayed the kingdom didn't you demon."
"My whole family was burned alive because of you demon, BECAUSE OF YOU!"
The people then started to surround Ichigo, but then a man in torn white clothes stained in blood and sky blue stripe across his chest appeared on the roof of one of the still remaining buildings.
"Ichigo. You are called to the Emporer Julius' throne room immediately."
"A royal officer."
"I understand."
Ichigo then jumped over the crowd of people and landed on the roof next to the officer. But when he landed and saw the man's face, he realized that he lost one eye and all he saw in his eyes was a look of disgust.
When he arrived right outside the throne room, the officer walked away but not without whispering curses. Ichigo then took a deep breath and opened the doors to the throne room and in. There, stood only five individuals and one man seated on top a throne. He then walked in and knelt down in front of the throne.
"You called for me emporer."
"Who do you think you are to just barge in and talk to the king you demon," said a voice on the far right.
Then, the man on the throne raised his hand and spoke calmly.
"Please, Lt. David. I understand your frustration after losing your general, but please do refrain from raising your voice. You might lose control of your anima and terrify the citizens."
"B..but my lord, he's the one who.."
At that moment David felt an enormous pressure surround him and he brought onto his knees and strained his breathing. The man next to him with black hair and sea green eyes looked down at the boy with anger.
"You were given an order from your king and you dare question it brat?"
The pressure on David then lifted off him and he took deep breathes before he staggered onto his feet. The king only watched with an smirk.
"Thank you general Thomas. Now, back to you Ichigo. Where were you before the demons invaded?"
"At home, cooking dinner alone."
"And after the invasion began?"
"I went around to different small villages and tried to save as many people as I could."
"Did anything of importance happened during that time?"
The king looked keenly at Ichigo to see any hint of trickery.
"A group of the demons attempted convince me to betray the kingdom. I refused and killed them."
The king looked at Ichigo for a few more seconds.
"Are you sure that is all?"
"Yes, my king."
"Alright then. It seems the rumors about you betraying our kingdom was nothing but that. I believe that settles it for now, right captains and lieutenant."
"Yes my king," all five saved in unison.
"Then I suppose that's that for. Return to yours squads and wait for further instructions. But, I'll need a private chat with our friend Ichigo if you don't mind."
Even if the generals didn't show it on there faces, Ichigo could still feel the emotions coming from all of them.
"Well, that was quite tense now wasn't it Ichigo," the king said with a smile.
"Yes I suppose it was, my king."
Ichigo was a little confused as to why the king wanted to talk with him privately, but he still had to keep his guard up so as to not give up any information on Asuka. He was well aware of the kings cold calculating nature and needed to be prepared.
"Now since everyone is gone," the kings look turned serious, "why are you trying to hide the trinity?"
A look of shock and disbelief crossed Ichigo's face.
"Oh, don't look so surprised Ichigo. Have you forgotten already. The Divine Kingdom was founded by the marriage between the human and aeon. You couldn't have really thought that the gods of our world would not notice. After what occurred 1000 years ago, you should have known that they would be patiently waiting for the day that another showed up."
Ichigo then readied himself.
"Whoa, whoa. There is no need to be so tense. For some reason the aeons have declared the trinity will not be executed. So she is safe for now. Though the next time you try to hide something from me, that little orphanage and your friend Mei, are going to suffer greatly for that. Now go be a good boy and wait for my orders."
The words of the king were not filled with hatred like the citizens or the lieutenant. Instead, they had arrogance and a feeling of superiority to them. Ichigo did his best to hide the people close to him away from the king. But now, he knows all the people who Ichigo holds dear and all he can do is listen and obey.
"Oh, and you'd better get going. Your friend doesn't have long left."
That's when fear invaded Ichigo's heart and he bolted towards Ben's shop only to find it completely destroyed. Ichigo then desperately tried to find Ben under all the rubble but only found a pool of blood and a small note.
Dear Ichigo
I wish the best for you kid. I promise you that one day the world will see you as I and Mei do. A kind boy who just wants to be loved. Don't falter and don't give into pain. You must push forward. And marry that girl for crying out loud.
Even with that small comment at the end, Ichigo couldn't smile. He just balled his fist and cried for his friend.
"Damn it."