Chapter 134 Weavers

Walking through the woods, Yasashi eventually found herself in a campsite filled with people in uniforms.

Even though they are wearing the same uniform, everyone did not look the same.

Some are perfectly okay, some are wrapped in bandages, some have lost some limbs, while some are just laying unconcious under some shade.

After seeing the sorry state that the people are in, Yasashi formed a frown and an angry expression.

Just then, Shiro walked up to her, saying. "You have finally arrived, Yasashi."

Turning her head, she asked. "Is it really this bad?"

Nodding his head while wearing a solemn look, Shiro replied. "Unfortunately, yes... Come, Yasashi. You might be able to help."

"Lead the way."

After that, Shiro led Yasashi and some able bodied men deeper into the forest.

After a bit of a hike, walking past many injured soldiers and some signs of attacks, they stopped just before a rocky, yet calm river.

"What are we doing here, Shiro?" Yasashi asked.

"Yasashi... You have seen the state of our men on the way here... We don't have a choice." Shiro replied with an apologetic tone.

Looking a bit angry, Yasashi stated. "What are you trying to say?! You want me to destroy the entire forest?!"

Gesturing towards the others with them, Shiro responded. "We only want you to blast open a path. The area ahead has already been evacuated. Only traps remain further up."

With a defeated sigh, Yasashi stated. "You have thought this through..."

Shiro then said as Yasashi entered a stance before the river. "I'm sorry that it has to come to this, Yasashi. The enemies have left me no choice."

While still in her stance, Yasashi gazed upon the clear river water before her, staring at her reflection while saying. "There's always a choice."

Then, pulling it out of her sleeves, a simple, wooden rod with a wind chime on one end now rested upon Yasashi's hands.

Shiro then stated to the people with them. "Brace yourselves. We will charge immediately after her attack is done, got it?"

"Yes, Commander Shiro!"

Then, with a heavy exhale, Yasashi rung the wind chime in her hands while saying. "Rest."

Then suddenly, a devasting, hurricane-like wind came out from the wind chime. Causing everything in front of her to be blown, thrown, and evicerated.

The winds raged in such a powerful, booming way that it caused the air to heat up and scorch it's surroundings.

After the wind ceased, the river that was before Yasashi was no more, as well as a large portion of the forest before her.

The trees that once stood tall was nowhere to be seen or have been turned to mere twigs. 

The ground, which was a lush forest floor, is now a lifeless, scorched piece of land.

Soon, the water from up the river finally came. Slightly soothing the damage that was done.

Just as the water returned, Shiro yelled. "Now! Don't let them sneak away and set up more traps!"

"Yes!"

As Shiro and his people ran past her, Yasashi just stood still before the damage she caused. Her face, looking like she did something irredeemable.

While Shiro and the rest ran across the scorched land, Yasashi just took a seat at the bank of the river, dipping her legs in the crystal clear water.

Meanwhile, somewhere else in the Sun region. Nuno was casually taking a stroll through the Sun capital's palace.

Then, Kinu came up from the side of a balcony before rushing to his side, saying. "Brother! We have a problem!"

Looking surprised yet ready for action, Nuno asked. "Where are they?! Who's looking for trouble?!"

"It's uncle! He's the trouble!"

"What?! What does he want now?!"

"He said wants to see us!"

"Then, say no! He's probably going to try and make one of us the family head! Do you want to be the family head?!"

"No! It looks incredibly boring and tiring! I'd much rather just lay down somewhere!"

"Yeah! Me too!"

"Why are we yelling?!"

"I don't know!"

"Ahem."

"Ahem."

After regaining their composure, Nuno then asked. "So, how are you doing this afternoon, sister?"

Kinu then replied in a calm, composed manner. "I am doing fine, my dear brother. How are your wounds?"

"Fine. But, I can still smell burning wherever I go... That stupid fireball!"

"Are you okay, brother?"

"Yes... I am fine."

As they continued to walk through the halls, Nuno then stated. "I feel restless, sister. I'm going to help Master Makoto search the Oboete family's records for clues."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Do you want to read old records of menial stuff?"

"Me asking was only a sign of kindness, brother. I couldn't care less about what you are going to do."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just go assist the Queen instead. Shiru went out a little earlier, so you are the only one of us here."

"Got it! Have fun reading, brother!" Kinu stated as she began to part with Nuno, waving at him all the while.

"Yeah! Have fun trying to not get choked to death by Ms. Ame! You are not allowed to fight back, remember that!"

"Oh, shit... I forgot about that... Brother, after some thinking, maybe you can take me wit-"

"Sorry can't here you bye~!"

As Nuno ran away from Kinu, who looks extremely betrayed, in a place atop a cliff that over looks the entire Sun capital, Shiru entered the flowery entrance, saying. "Hanabi! Are you home?"

Hanabi, who was sweeping away the dead leaves on the ground, turned to her and said. "I'm always home, Shiru."

With a carefree smile, Shiru said. "Yeah... Here, I brought you some gifts."

Leaving her broom beside a tree, Hanabi then received the basket that Shiru brought, saying. "Oh, thank you. What's the occasion? Am I forgetting something?"

Shiru then replied. "No. I just came here to check up on you. This place is still as lovely as ever, might I say?"

"Yeah. Been in a good mood recently." Hanabi replied, staring at the leaves that danced in the air.

Shiru then looked at Hanabi, saying. "Are you not going to introduce me to your friend, Hanabi?"

Looking back behind her before returning her gaze onto Shiru, Hanabi then stated. "Well, she is a bit shy. You don't have to worry about her though."

"Well, if you say so..."

With a bright smile still on her face, Hanabi asked. "You didn't just come up here to say hello, now did you, Shiru?"

With a nod and a serious face, Shiru replied. "Yes. Still as perceptive as ever, Hanabi."

"Ahem." After clearing her throat, Shiru then stated. "I'm sure you have seen what is going on, Hanabi. Queen Ame just wanted to know if you saw something from up here."

With a shake of her head, Hanabi responded. "Sorry to disappoint, Shiru. But, unless I have gone blind, the enemy has yet to see the light of the sun."

"I see... I'll just have to ask your brother to see if he found out how the enemy got into the factory then."

With a smile still on her face, Hanabi stated. "Well, he is quite stubborn... Nevermind... Is that all, Shiru?"

"Yes. Just... keep watch okay? Send us a signal if you need us to do something, got it?"

"Got it."

"You're doing a great job, Hanabi. Keep it up. I'll take my leave then. Bye!"

"Bye, Shiru! Have a great day!"

"You too!"

After Shiru left, Hanabi grabbed her broom, set aside the gifts that she just received, before she continued to sweep away the leaves.

Then, another broom began to sweep the leaves alongside her.

Turning towards the person holding the other broom, Hanabi asked with a smile. "Why did you hide? She is a friend of mine."

Then, the blue-eyed woman holding the other broom responded. "I trust you. Not her."

"Still as dumb as ever, Mo-chan."

"..."

As they continued to sweep away, Hanabi then asked. "What's bothering you, Mo-chan?"

"What do you mean?"

"You seem... preoccupied."

"Like she said, still as perceptive as ever, Hanabi."

"Hehe! It's my specialty." She said with a bright smile.

"I've been thinking it's time to leave, Hanabi."

"What?! So soon?! I'm going to forever remember you, Mo-chan."

"Don't say it like I'm dying, I'm only going back home."

Hanabi's smile disappeared for a moment as she said to herself. "Home... huh..."

Seeing her reaction, Morgan then stated. "I think I will stay for another night. Don't know when I'm going to be back... Don't hold your breath for me."

With a teasing smile, Hanabi said. "I'll wait for you till the end of my life, Mo-chan! I will hold out my hand until you return!"

"Okay... I'll be leaving by morning... I guess..."

"Just don't forget to say goodbye."

"Isn't saying goodbye a bit... much?" Morgan said with a bit of hesitation.

"Well, it's better to say goodbye rather than just leaving, isn't it?"

"I guess... you're right."

As the two women continued to sweep away the leaves, somewhere far south, within the outskirts of the Eastern Quadrant, a roar was heard.

The roar emerged from the sea of trees, that spooked the birds that have nested around the area.

Then, as if replying to the roar, a great spire of pure white flame rose from the forest floor. Followed by an eerie silence, leaving not a trace of the roar earlier.