*Drip*
*Drip*
*Drip*
Opening his eyes to the sound of water droplets, Yasushi found himself in a faintly lit cave, surrounded by an ominous darkness enclosing him from all directions. The cold, damp air clung to his skin, sending shivers down his spine.
Suddenly, a light broke through the darkness at a distance causing Yasushi to squint. As his eyes adjusted, his heart leapt recognizing the figure standing in the middle of the illuminated area.
"Etsuyo!" he cried out running towards her, feet pounding against the damp ground, his voice echoing in the cavernous space.
"It's me! It's Yasushi! I'm so happy to see you're okay?!! I-"
His voice silenced as he came to an unsteady halt upon hearing a familiarly sickening sound that filled the air – one of flesh being sliced, of blood splattering against stone. Reaching his hand out, eyes trembling, Etsuyo's body swiftly slashed in half, her torso diagonally separating from her legs. The blood sparkled in the light, spraying outward as it splattered across his face.
Yasushi stumbled backward, his mouth open in a muted scream of terror. He hastily turned, running desperately to escape the darkness. As he fled, another light appeared, revealing the Elder standing before him.
"E...Elder!" Yasushi shouted racing towards her, heart pounding in his chest, breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Please... Please help Etsuyo! She's hurt...She's bleedi-"
Upon reaching her, he stumbled forward at the sickening sound rippling through the air again. The Elder's throat slowly transitioned pitch black, patches of burnt flesh peeling off. Flames visibly ignited within her throat and eye cavities, her tears evaporating from the heat. Smoke exhaled from the Elder's mouth leaving muffled grunts and agonizing mutters.
Terrified at the sight before him, Yasushi reached his hand out, summoning his water ability. In that moment, as the water thinly swirled around his hand, it simultaneously burst in tune with the Elder's body crumbling into ashes and powdering his face.
Yasushi dropped his hand stunned, replaying the deaths of his mentors.
That's Right... Their... Their DEAD... I couldn't help them...But... Did I even try to help them...?
His mind reeled at the thought. He stepped backwards, wiping the ash from his face with his hands. Catching a glimpse of another light from the corner of his eye, he instinctively turned towards it. The presence casually standing at its center flickered a mixture of hope and dread within him, body responding in a frantic sprint in her direction.
"KANA! KANAME!! he shouted, voice raw with desperation. "What are you doing here? It's dangerous! Leave Now!"
I HAVE TO SAVE HER OR SHE TOO WILL...
Before finishing his thought, he quickened his pace, legs pumping furiously, heart pounding loudly. Despite his speed and effort, the distance between them remained the same, as if an invisible force held him back to prevent him from getting to her side.
WHY AM I SO FAR AWAY FROM HER! NO MATTER HOW FAST I RUN, I CAN'T CATCH UP! I...IM ..I'M TRAPPED! LIKE I'M RUNNING IN PLACE?!
As he struggled to push past this unseen barrier, a chilling voice whispered in his ear, the sound sending sensations of terror throughout his body, turning his blood cold.
"Lesson #1..." the voice hissed, words dripping with malice. "Ears that can't listen to advice will always accompany the head when it's chopped off!"
Yasushi screamed in agony as the bones in both of arms twisted and shattered, fragments piercing through his skin.
"Lesson #2...It's easier to build a strong child..." the voice chuckled, "Than to mend a broken man!"
His right leg then snapped, shifting outward as he collapsed to the ground.
"Please... I beg you.... Please Stop! STOP!"
IT HURTS ! IT HURTS! IT HURTS ! IT HURTS!
Responding to his echoed pleads, the voice rattled in agitation. "... Lesson #3...False confidence is a weak man's vice!"
A strained yelp escaped his lip as his left leg shattered, bone splintering beneath his skin. Yasushi rolled onto his back, blood pooling around him. Lying there, wallowing in agony, he looked to the side gazing upon Kaname who stood motionless. Her eyes, cold and distant holding no trace of interest or concern, stared into his. Desperation clawed at Yasushi's heart, deepening his gaze into her unfeeling depths, searching for any hint of warmth and affection.
Kaname looked away, shifting her head forward. Her indifference cut him deeper than physical wounds. Black tears streamed from Yasushi's eyes, the blood pooling around him turned black and boiled.
In a fit of rage, his sanity teetered on the brink. Anger and betrayal surged through his veins, dark lines appearing on his skin.
"WHY DO YOU LOOK AWAY! WHY DON'T YOU HELP ME?!!
CRY FOR ME! SCREAM FOR ME! WORRY FROM ME!
DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT ME?!
ABOUT MY LIFE?
ABOUT MY WELL-BEING?!
DO I MEAN SO LITTLE TO YOU!!!"
A debilitating agony exploded through his body. Nerves on fire, his mind on the verge of fracturing. At the peak of his madness, Yasushi's mangled body thrashed and convulsed around in the black pooled blood. Never looking back at him, never acknowledging him, the light around Kaname dimmed and the darkness leisurely swallowing her.
I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!
In the last reminisce of light, a foot shaped silhouette emerged, hovering above him, its shadow imprinting on Yasushi's face. He shifted his head upward, eyes widening in horror.
"NO NO NO NO NO... please... please. PLEASE!!!"
The foot came crashing down, descending towards his face. With a violent jerk, Yasushi's body spasmed, his eyes flying open thrusting back into consciousness. Sunlight streamed through a large window, forcing him to turn away against the sudden brightness.
A hand caressed his shoulder, triggering his body into panic. "Don't Touch Me!" Yasushi shrieked, smacking it away.
Heavily panting, body drenched in a cold sweat, eyes darted from side to side, frantically screening his surroundings as Yasushi cowered, fighting to catch his breath. The medical monitors beside his bed blaringly beeped, their alarms signaling the rapid increase in his heart rate and blood pressure.
A familiar voice, its tone soft and comforting, disrupted his distraught mind, bringing a wave of ease. "Yasushi... it's okay. It's okay. It's me, Haru. You're safe now."
Yasushi swallowed hard, mouth dry, his breathing still coming in ragged gasps. "Where... Where am I?"
Haru's face came into focus, his expression gentle and concerned. "You're in the hospital," he replied. "You've been in a coma for 6 months."
Yasushi scanned the room, his mind gradually subsiding as he took in his surroundings. Sunlight streamed through the massive windows, emitting a warm glow over the spacious, luxurious room. Beyond the glass, the meticulously maintained Tsukiyama garden stretched out, its vibrant colors and tranquil atmosphere further loosening his frayed nerves.
State-of-the-art medical equipment lined the walls, their sleek, modern design emphasizing the cutting-edge technology at work. Monitors beeped and hummed at steady rhythm reassuring to his environment..
Amidst the high-tech trappings, an array of get-well decorations and gifts scattered throughout the room. Balloons bobbed gently in the air, their bright colors a cheerful contrast to the sterile blues, whites and grays of the hospital decor. Fruit baskets overflowed with ripe, succulent offerings, their sweet scent mingling with the crisp, clean smell of the room.
Yasushi blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion trying to reconcile his surroundings with his last conscious memories. "Whaaa?" he mumbled, his voice hoarse from disuse. "B...But, weren't we just getting ready for the Fall festival?"
Haru pulled a chair to his bedside and sat leaning forward, his face lined with unease and eyes glimmered with relief looking at him. "No Yasushi, it's almost spring now," he responded gently. "You were hurt... badly... during the incident. We were worried you wouldn't ever wake up."
Listening to Haru's words, the memories flooded back, each one a jagged shard of pain and terror. Yasushi held his breath, his pupils dilating as the images flashed through his mind - the capture, Zei's cruel lessons, the deaths of Etsuyo and the Elder, and Kaname.
He gritted his teeth, his fists clenching the bedsheets with a white-knuckled grip. The heart monitor beside him insistently beeped, its shrill tone failing to mask his rising anger.
"...That's right..." Yasushi choked out. "We were... I was taken by Zei and his men. Etsuyo and the Elder are dead and... Kana..."
He trailed off, the name catching in his throat like a razor.
"Where is she now?!"
- - -