Leo awoke with the early light streaming in through the cracks of the farmhouse's dusty windows. The smell of dew and earth greeted him, the same as it always had in his childhood summers spent here. But now, everything felt different—he was no longer the carefree boy running through fields. His heart was heavy with loss, weighed down by the reality of Dan's death and the burden of his family's absence.
Outside, he could hear the rhythmic sound of metal clashing against wood. He stepped out of his room and found Fiona practicing her sword techniques, her movements precise and calculated. She hadn't noticed him yet, fully immersed in her training. Leo took a moment to watch her, admiring her dedication and skill. Her katana danced in the air, slicing through invisible enemies with ease.
He approached her, his own sword strapped to his back, glowing faintly in the morning light. "You've been up for a while," he said, breaking the silence.
Fiona paused, catching her breath, and wiped the sweat from her brow. "Couldn't sleep," she replied, turning to face him. "This place... it brings back memories."
Leo nodded, understanding the feeling. "I used to come here with my family. We'd spend days working on the farm, and at night we'd look up at the stars. It was peaceful. Hard to believe it's been abandoned for years."
Fiona sheathed her katana and glanced at Leo's sword, Destroyer, still glowing as if it were alive. "You know, I've been thinking about what you said last night. About revenge."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"
"I get it now," Fiona said, her voice steady but serious. "When you held back during our sparring match yesterday, I saw it. That rage inside you, the need to make things right. It's not just about Raizen, is it?"
Leo didn't answer immediately. He stared out at the distant mountains, the same ones he used to admire as a child. "No, it's not," he admitted. "It's about my family. My friends. Everyone Raizen has manipulated, controlled, or killed. I won't let him keep doing this."
Fiona nodded, her face unreadable. "I understand that feeling. I'm after Raizen for my own reasons. My father… well, he was a sword master, but he fell under Raizen's influence. I've been hunting for answers ever since."
A silence hung between them, heavy with shared pain. They both had their reasons, and their paths had now intertwined. Leo had come to trust Fiona, and he sensed that their alliance would grow stronger as they faced the trials ahead.
After a moment, Fiona broke the silence. "So, what's the plan?"
Leo turned toward her, his eyes sharp with resolve. "We need to find my family. They used to have a base on an island far from here, in the southern seas. It was a safe haven for us, away from the main world. If they're anywhere, they might be there."
Fiona crossed her arms. "That's a long journey. You sure they're still there?"
"I don't know," Leo admitted, "but it's the only lead I have. And even if they're not, there might be something left behind that can help us understand Raizen's plans."
Fiona thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright, then. Let's get going."
By mid-morning, they had packed what little supplies they could find in the abandoned farmhouse. There wasn't much—just a few old clothes, some tools, and a couple of food cans that hadn't expired yet. The island was far, and without proper resources, they'd have to rely on their skills to survive the journey.
Leo contacted a flying cab service using a worn-out communication device he had salvaged from the farmhouse. The cab would take them to the nearest coastal city, a three-hour trip that would have taken ten hours by a regular vehicle. From there, they'd have to find a boat to reach the island.
As they waited for the cab, Leo found himself staring at the photo of Dan's family that hung on the farmhouse wall. His heart clenched painfully. He hadn't told Fiona the full truth yet. He hadn't told her what had happened to Dan. That guilt still ate away at him.
"You ready?" Fiona's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Leo turned, nodding as he placed the photo back on the wall. "Yeah, let's go."
The cab arrived soon after, a sleek, metallic vehicle that hovered a few feet above the ground. They climbed in, the doors closing with a soft hiss. As they sped away from the farmhouse, Leo looked back one last time, wondering if he'd ever return. The memories of his childhood here were fading, replaced by the grim reality of his present.
The journey to the coastal city was uneventful, but the closer they got, the more Leo's thoughts drifted to the island. He hadn't been there in years, not since his parents had set it up as a base before he left for the Nether World. It was remote, isolated from the rest of the world, which had made it the perfect hideout for his family.
After arriving in the city, Leo and Fiona made their way to the docks. The city itself was bustling with activity, a mix of futuristic technology and traditional coastal life. Fishermen hauled in their daily catch while drones flew overhead, monitoring the area. The air smelled of salt and fish, a sharp contrast to the sterile, mechanical scents of Tokyo.
"We'll need a boat," Leo said as they walked along the docks, eyeing the various vessels moored there. Most were small fishing boats, but a few larger ships caught his attention.
Fiona raised an eyebrow. "You know how to sail?"
"I've sailed before," Leo replied. "My father taught me. It's been a while, but I can manage."
After some negotiation with a local captain, they managed to secure a small motorboat for the journey. It wasn't much, but it would get them to the island. They set out just before sunset, the boat cutting through the calm waters as the city lights faded behind them.
The sea was vast and quiet, with only the sound of waves lapping against the boat to accompany them. Leo steered the boat, his mind focused on the island ahead. He hadn't been back in so long, and he wasn't sure what to expect. Would his family be there? Or would it be another abandoned relic of his past?
Fiona sat across from him, her katana resting beside her. She was quiet, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Leo had noticed that she was often like this—lost in her thoughts, carrying burdens she rarely spoke of. But in her silence, Leo found a kindred spirit. They were both chasing ghosts.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the outline of the island came into view. It was small, barely a speck in the vast ocean, but it was unmistakable. Leo's heart raced as they approached. The island had once been lush and vibrant, but now it seemed dark and foreboding. The trees were overgrown, and the structures that had once stood proud were now crumbling ruins.
They docked the boat on the shore, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks filling the air. Leo stepped onto the sand, his eyes scanning the familiar landscape. It was just as he remembered—yet different. The years had not been kind to the island, and it showed.
"We'll camp here for the night," Leo said, looking up at the darkening sky. "We'll search the island in the morning."
Fiona nodded, unsheathing her katana as she glanced around. "Something feels off about this place," she murmured.
Leo felt it too—a strange energy lingering in the air, like a presence watching them. But he pushed the thought aside for now. They had a long journey ahead, and they needed rest.
As they set up camp, Leo couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was waiting for them on this island.
Tomorrow, they would find out.