Kiseki and his grandfather followed the directions provided by the villagers and merchants, which led them to the grand clock tower situated at the far end of the village. As they stood before the imposing structure, Kiseki's grandfather nodded, "All the directions we've received point to this location."
Kiseki's eyes widened as he gazed up at the towering clock, "Into a giant clock?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.
His grandfather chuckled, "That's called a clock tower, Kiseki."
Kiseki's face lit up with realization, "Oh!" He turned to his grandfather, a hint of concern in his voice, "Is it safe?"
Kiseki's grandfather smiled reassuringly and began walking towards the entrance. Kiseki followed closely behind, his eyes fixed on his grandfather's back.
As they reached the wooden door, Kiseki's grandfather pushed it open, revealing a metal structure within. He stepped inside, beckoning Kiseki to follow. Kiseki hesitated for a moment before stepping into the unknown, the creaking of the wooden door echoing behind them as it closed.
Deep within the tower's second floor, the village head, Hikari Indomu, toiled away in his workshop. A legendary blacksmith, Hikari's imposing figure was a testament to his craft. His dark skin glistened with sweat as he sharpened an almost-finished blade, his brown eyes fixed intently on the metal. The scythe-like weapon began to take shape under his skilled hands.
Just as Hikari was adding the final touches, a voice echoed through the workshop, sending a ripple through the air. "So the legends are true... Hikari." The voice was familiar, yet distant, and it belonged to Hikari's father – and Kiseki's grandfather.
Hikari's focus remained unwavering, his hands moving with precision as he replied, "Father... What brings you here?" His tone was neutral, devoid of emotion, but a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes.
As Hikari set the finished scythe aside, Kiseki's gaze drifted to his grandfather, who was struggling to hold back tears. Kiseki's eyes widened in concern as he asked, "Grandfather, you're... crying. What's going on?"
Kiseki's grandfather closed his eyes, a relieved smile spreading across his face as he replied, "Kiseki, that's my other son."
As the minutes ticked by, Kiseki's grandfather and Hikari sat across from each other, engaged in a heated conversation. Kiseki watched with curiosity, his eyes darting between the two.
Hikari leaned back in his chair, his expression neutral. "So, let me get this straight. Ganja was raided by a terrorist, and now it needs military support. That's why you were sent here... to recruit soldiers?" His eyes narrowed as he gazed at Kiseki, who was slowly unsheathing a katana. "Don't touch that!"
Kiseki's face fell as he reluctantly returned the katana to its original place. "Aww..." Hikari's gaze returned to his father. "What I want to know is, why did they send you? You're not exactly... diplomatic."
Just then, Kiseki picked up a metal staff, his eyes shining with excitement. Hikari's voice turned stern. "Drop that!" Kiseki pouted, but eventually dropped the staff. "Fine, I didn't want to touch it anyway."
Kiseki's grandfather chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Don't let him get to you, Hikari. Kiseki has a fondness for weaponry. I know someone else who used to get excited whenever he saw a new weapon..." Hikari's face turned slightly red as he fake-coughed, attempting to change the subject.
Kiseki's grandfather's expression turned serious, his voice taking on a somber tone. "To be honest, Hikari, we didn't know if you'd survived all these years in Battleground Territory. There were rumors, of course... rumors that you'd become a monarch, ruling over the entire territory." Hikari's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Rumors."
Kiseki's grandfather continued, his voice unwavering. "The village Board decided it would be best to take a chance, to see if they could secure military assistance from a powerful man who once called Ganja home... even if there was a chance you'd already perished, and Battleground Territory was nothing but a wasteland."
Hikari's expression turned cold, his voice laced with venom. "So, you were sent here to die." Kiseki's eyes widened in alarm as he looked down from the stairs, where he had wandered off to. "Die?! What are you talking about?" Hikari's gaze snapped towards Kiseki, his voice stern. "Get down from there!" Kiseki pouted, his face scrunched up in displeasure.
In the depths of the Masked One's foreboding hideout, a woman with an aura of sadism emerged into the dimly lit base room. Delilah's dark skin seemed to absorb the faint light, while her blue mid-length hair appeared almost ethereal. Her glasses glinted with a hint of malevolence as she approached the Masked One's throne.
"Father, you summoned me," Delilah said, her voice laced with an unsettling confidence.
The Masked One's voice echoed from the shadows, "Delilah, your brothers have successfully crippled Ganja village's army. The village is now vulnerable to territorial war."
Delilah's expression remained unchanging, her eyes gleaming with intensity. "Understood, Father. May I inquire as to why I've been summoned?" Her arms folded across her chest, exuding an air of quiet confidence.
The Masked One's response sent a chill through the air. "Ganja may have unknown allies. You will ensure that they do not interfere."
Delilah's gaze seemed to pierce the darkness. "And if they do?"
The Masked One's voice dripped with malevolence. "Sabotage their alliance. I trust that I don't need to elaborate further, considering my choice in sending you, my daughter."
Delilah nodded, her expression unwavering. "Yes, Father."
The Masked One's voice dismissed her. "You may leave."
As Delilah departed, her sadistic aura seemed to grow thicker, like a dark cloud spreading its influence. The shadows themselves appeared to twist and writhe in her wake, as if sensing the malevolent force that had just been unleashed.
Delilah's memories replayed in her mind like a haunting melody as she approached the imposing great wall surrounding Battleground Territory. Her gaze locked onto the entrance, where a chaotic battlefield seemed to unfold before her eyes. Her thoughts dripped with skepticism: "I could've sworn I saw the old man and that child walk in here... What were they thinking, seeking help in this godforsaken place?"
Her expression transformed, like a mask slipping into place. Sadism gave way to suspicion and annoyance, etching deep lines on her face. Delilah had no inkling that the chaos was merely an optical illusion, cleverly concealing the village within. Yet, her suspicion grew with each passing moment.
Inside the village, Kiseki wandered the streets, exploring every nook and cranny. "Uncle Hikari's as dull as Grandpa. I'll die from boredom in that tower. Wonder if there's some Action Lebo around here?" His curiosity drove him to roam the streets, drinking in the sights and sounds of the village.
Meanwhile, outside the great wall, Delilah's curiosity had reached a boiling point. Her eyes narrowed, and she strode through the entrance, her presence commanding attention. As she walked further into the village, the chaos she had witnessed earlier gave way to a bustling village, filled with people going about their daily lives. Delilah's expression twisted in disgust. "The Battleground I saw was nothing but a farce, hiding this... village. How revolting."
With a sadistic glint in her eye, Delilah navigated the village, her presence drawing admiring glances from the villagers, merchants, and passersby. Her striking features and captivating aura seemed to mesmerize everyone she walked by, their eyes following her every step. Even the children and pets couldn't help but stare, entranced by her presence. Delilah's gaze swept across the village, her eyes searching for any sign of the old man and the child.