"Look man it's not funny. I'm not playing games here." Miles away an explosion happened that shook the ground. Douma observed to see if Atashi would react to it but he didn't.
"I just want to protect my sister."
So he can hear me. Douma stopped in his tracks waiting for what Atashi was about to say or do next.
A wall of fire rose from the ground enveloping Atashi in the scorching flames. The teen stood there embracing the hold of the fire not moving.
He was getting furious the impact of the fire wall sent vibrations to the ground that almost lifted Douma off his feet. If Atashi wanted he could probably light up the entire district. There was no going back now this Atashi has been consumed by his own hatred.
"Nobody takes me seriously. I want my sister to look up to me. But I don't think I've done the best for her," Atashi continued standing there as flames from every corner were moving towards him getting ready to join the fire wall that was causing the building in front to shake violently.
"If she's mad at me for my stupidity I can understand. She must be so embarrassed to have me as her brother I can't even stand up for myself let alone protect the ones I love."
"Atashi you're a good brother. I'm sure Eiko looks up to you I can see that and she tries her best to protect you too." Douma reassured him slowly walking towards the fiery wall that was increasing in height, reaching out to his friend who was trapped.
"Cause I'm weak." There was a sudden change in the tone of his voice, like a spite of venom. It sounded like Atashi had become a completely different person.
Douma was taken aback by Atashi's sudden lash of anger. What was going on in Atashi's mind right now he was only trying to help.
The flames darkened in color leaving only the silhouette of Atashi standing in the fiery walls. If Atashi continues holding the growing anger within him, the flames will eventually consume him. What happens next is the bigger question.
"Listen you're not. Stop degrading yourself like that," Douma tried his best to sound calm this was difficult because he was both genuinely trying to help and overlapping with the vague feeling in his chest. It reminded him of the time back at Reiji's when they were arguing about the fire totem. "Eiko wouldn't want to see you like this, nobody would."
There was no response just the sound of burning debris and flames spreading. Douma was surprised that the crowd of people were still attempting to break through despite seeing the fiery wall that could engulf them in minutes. Nothing had any senses in this realm.
Hesitantly, Douma reached out to Atashi attempting to get his arm through the fiery walls. It won't hurt him but if this escalates who knows what could happen to the actual Atashi this wasn't just some dream response. He had to get the boy to his senses.
Suddenly the flames erupted into large waves that shook the ground again this time way stronger. Douma's iridescent orbs responded and started glowing upon seeing the flames and fiery walls merging together, casting a luminous light that swallowed everything in the area including the buildings and Atashi.
The same universe identical to Douma's orbs flashed for a split second before erupting into total brightness, revealing a new environment that Douma immediately recognized.
This is Miho Beach. It's been a longtime since I stopped by the vast ocean of Mount Fuji's shores.
Two figures stood by the shore, admiring the view like how he would during his time there. Waves illuminated a crystal clear blue and the sound of birds chirping echoed throughout the atmosphere.
"Hey Atashi when are we going to Nara Park again?" The voice belonged to Eiko who was holding a hermit crab she found in the sand.
"I'm not sure Eiko I think Mom and Dad have other plans." Atashi replied watching the sun setting in the horizon.
"It's getting late Eiko we better get going."
"Goodbye my little friend stay safe out there." Letting the hermit crab crawl to shore, Eiko watched the crustacean one last time before following her brother.
"Just where do you think you're going?"
Both siblings and even Douma who was standing a few feet away turned around to see three boys approaching them, the biggest among the group cracking his knuckles. Atashi stood in front of his sister eyeing them.
"What a bunch of rascals just let Atashi and Eiko leave already." Douma quietly said to himself though he knew there was more to this.
"If you're so scared of this particular spot, why are you even here?"
"What are you talking about we're just admiring the view!" Atashi clenched his fists this kid was getting on his nerves.
Raising his fists, the boy laughed along with his two friends. Douma wanted to jump in and help but he was afraid it might affect Atashi's cognitive senses. It seems like the teen was replaying an event that happened to him and Eiko, one that was mentally draining him for a longtime.
Douma could be the hero in this situation. Instead of seeing the two brawl which likely happened in the real world, he could create an alternate version of this incident in the dream to help Atashi get over this mess. Right now he's watching this whole event like it's a movie, having Douma save the day could cheer him up, right?
"Is that your sister tough guy? Why does she keep looking at my friend here." The biggest jerk of the group wrapped his arm around the shoulder of another seemingly lesser jerk but still titled one. Both of them laughed and snickered at the siblings especially Eiko which made Atashi's blood boil.
Eiko looked away shyly hiding behind her brother who was getting ready to defend her at all costs. "I'm sorry Atashi I didn't mean to..." The girl whispered to him.
"Looks like someone's got a crush on ya!" Slapping his friend's shoulder, all three boys laughed loudly walking closer to Atashi and Eiko who took a few steps back.
"Leave my sister alone you punks!" Atashi yelled.
The leader of the group ran towards Atashi and punched him in the face, sending the ravenette flying backward landing near his sister who was seeing all that helplessly.
"Atashi! STOP IT LEAVE US ALONE!" The girl shouted breathing heavily with a look of horror on her face.
A kick landed on Atashi's side causing him to get up and throw a fist at the larger kid who screamed in agony. The other two boys hurried over to the spot and elbowed Atashi's chin shoving him into the sand that almost seeped into his eyes that witnessed the nightmare happening up close.
Douma was very worried, since this was a dream things could take a turn for the worse. Sequences could happen differently from the actual event. Maybe it was about time Douma helps the younger Atashi and Eiko there was no way they were going to win this fight. They were both outnumbered.
Does he know I'm here? This is his dream everything is under his control he should be able to see me in the background. Could it be that Atashi is waiting for me to do something? Douma looked around to see if there was any decoy or sign that Atashi was aware of his presence in the dream. That way he'd know if it's time to do something about the fight. Angering Atashi would only resort to the realm vanishing and Douma wouldn't be able to direct the message since he'd already be in the shrine.
"I guess he's only watching. Not surprised if he can't really do anything about the situation I think he's stuck in a trauma response state." The sky was rather dark and quite murky which means there was something actively going on in the realm.
Holding his fan, Douma looked at it for a while this dream could go on for a while until it reaches the end of the event. If Douma steps in he might change Atashi's perception on his current self but there was no guarantee it would lead to satisfactory records for Atashi's wellbeing.
"What's going on here?! Stop it you two!" A group of onlookers rushed to the scene helping Atashi up and holding the kid who was beating him to a pulp.
"Someone help please." Eiko cried out as the group stood between the children to keep them from fighting again.
Finally they're safe. Douma kept his fan and slowly started walking towards the scene emerging from the shadows of the trees.
Just as he was about to reach them, the place started spiraling into the void leaving only a shimmer of light before bursting into various colors that merged together revealing a room with movie posters, figurines and a stack of books on the table.
The familiar figure of Atashi was sitting on the chair looking down at the floor in grief while Eiko stood beside him saying something along the lines of "It's not your fault."
Douma walked towards them careful not to make a sound. There was a letter Atashi was holding. From where he stood, the young founder could make out the words 'Warning' along with other notices on the page like 'Please be informed', it sounded really serious.
A police report? Why would Atashi be in possession of that he didn't do anything, unless...
"Mom and Dad are trying their best just be patient I think they managed to confront the station about this. We should be getting more details from them soon. There's still hope brother," Eiko reassured him.
"Why am I the bad guy in this situation?!" Atashi suddenly yelled. "I was just protecting my sister! Protecting YOU Eiko!"
Oh dear this is not good. Atashi was wrongly accused? Who's running the investigation? Douma narrowed his eyes no wonder Atashi was constantly bashing himself. This wasn't fair and nobody spoke the truth about it? How cruel.