Chapter 9: There's a Storm Coming
"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey." - Kenji Miyazawa
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|KOJIRO|
"Azrael!" Urgh... What just happened to me? I should be outside right now fighting the demons with Azrael-chan and Ro-kun...
I have to move fast! They might be in trouble right now!
I quickly get up on my bed and carry my sword in my back. My grandchildren is still asleep, this might be the perfect time to back Azrael-chan and Ro-kun up.
As soon as I opened the door, it's already morning. The miasma that was coming from the outside is also gone. And even the suffocating aura of the enemies...
What in the world just happened? Is it over? Did they seriously won on their own? But where are they? Are they still reporting to the King?
I walked around and there, I saw Ro-kun's familiar, the Eagle of Fate. It is carrying a note on its mouth while tears are building up in its eyes...
My heart started to pound real hard, I'm having a bad feeling about this. There's something inside me saying that I shouldn't read that note, but I know I'll regret it later if I ignore it.
With my shaking hand, I slowly took the letter from the eagle's mouth and it flew away when I took it.
My hands were still shaking, but I mustered all of my strength and read the letter.
*Dear Father, Lionheart, Shin, and Aria.
By the time you read this, Roland and I must've been in a far away place now, so far that you can't reach us with your eyes. But don't worry, father, the two of us will always be looking after you and the kids.
Father, thank you for being with us through thick and thin, thank you for taking care of us even though there's no relation in our blood. Thank you for helping me fulfill my dreams and show me how it really feels like to be a human. I can't thank you enough for all the things you've done for us. Thank you for accepting me as your daughter. We love you, father.
To Lionheart, my dear brother. I thank the High Heavens that they allow us to meet. Continue to become the savior of this world with your sword. Take good care of yourself. Your brother and I will always look after you. Keep the flames in your heart, burning with love.
Aria, my lovely daughter. Continue to smile even if everything gets dark. You, who holds the power that can shine even in the most darkest night. You're our little angel, continue to support your brother and grandfather, and always be a good girl. Your father and I love you so much.
Shin, my dear son. Be a man full of justice, pride, honor, and courage just like you father. You can be anything that you wanted to be, don't forget the things that you learned from me and your father, and use it in the name of justice. Take care of your grandfather and little sister. Fulfill all of your dreams, our little hero. We love you so much.
We're sorry that we won't be able to wipe all of your tears, all we can do is guide you from above. I know someday we will see each other again, but please take your time. Take care of yourselves. Roland and I will be waiting at Valhalla's gates.
With love,
Azrael*
I dropped both of my knees to the ground while sobbing nonstop.
Why?
Why does this have to happen?
If only I was there...
If only I was with them during that battle...
I could've save them...
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Why do they have to die!? Why does my children have to die in that battle!?
I can't accept this! I will never be able to accept this!
"Azrael-chan... Ro-kun... I'm sorry... Your Father was useless... I wasn't able to save the two of you..."
I don't know if I will be to forgive myself... I'm so useless...
In the middle of my sobbing, I felt a warm touch wrapping my whole body... I remember this feeling... It's them...
I can feel the two of them embracing my very being...
My tears starts to fall even more faster...
My children... Will you be able to forgive me?
Will you be able to forgive your father who weren't able to save you?
I... I don't know anymore...
While I was in the middle of crying my heart out, I noticed someone standing infront of me, so I looked up...
"Sword Saint, Kojiro Sasaki. We're deeply sorry for your loss." The Grand Sorceress, Merlin stated. "We weren't able to find their body, but we have this."
My tears continues to fall even harder as I saw the broken sword of Ro-kun, and the scarf of Azrael-chan...
Atleast their belongings were able to come home...
I took Durandal and the scarf from her hands and smile. "Thank you for bringing them back home." I said as I walk in the middle of the dandelion field where the two of them usually stands and pierce Durandal to the ground and wrapped the scarf around it...
"Welcome home..." My tears are starting to build up again, but I decided to let it all out... This is all I can do to express the grief and sadness I'm feeling inside right now...
She hugged me tight while tears are starting to fall from her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Master Kojiro... I chose my duty over their lives... I could've saved them if I was there... I'm sorry, Master... I'm very sorry..." I caress her back and let her cry. I know she's also mourning to the death of Ro-kun and Azrael-chan. Even the greatest sorceress feels sad for the loss of the two great heroes...
"It's fine, Mer-chan. You fulfilled your duty, your mourning is enough... Even Azrael and Ro-kun would say the same thing if they were here."
She continues to cry for a long time, the death of Azrael-chan and Ro-kun not only affects me, but also to all the people who loves them...
Knowing that many people loves and admires the two of then, is enough for me to accept the fact that they're gone...
After a few hours, when both Merlin and I manage to calmed down, she asked me something...
"What are you planning to do now, Master?"
I looked up in the sky and took a deep breathe...
"I'll return to my hometown with my grandchildren." I answered and showed her the hilt of my sword.
"We'll be going home to the land of the warriors, the great Kingdom located in the East."
"We're going to Reishen..."
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|SHIN|
It's already afternoon by the time I woke up, I must've overslept.
I get up in my bed and look around the house, it seems like Mom and Dad is not here, I can't feel their aura either.
As I walk around the house, I saw gramps packing up his things inside his room so I decided to approach him.
"What are you doing, gramps? Why are you packing up?"
He looked at me and pat my head and say. "You should pack up too, Shin-kun. We'll be traveling to the East."
We're leaving? Why? I don't understand? Our life here in the Kingdom of Enthopia is peaceful, why do we have to leave? But I can't go against his decision can I?
"I understand gramps, I'll wake up Aria first, then I'll pack my things."
"Good. Hurry up Shin-kun." I left his room when gramps said those words.
I decided to wake my little sister up first then I'll pack my things. Seems like gramps made up his mind already. I wonder why are we going to the East.
"Aria, wake up. Gramps told us to pack our things. It seems like we're going to the Kingdom in the East."
She rubbed her eyes, and looked at me with her pouty lips. My little sister is as cute as ever.
"Okay, brother. I'll prepare myself, you can go to your own room now." I nod at her and went back to my room to prepare the stuffs I'll be taking with me.
After I finished packing, I went out of the house and there, I saw gramps standing near the tree while looking at the sky.
I slowly walk towards him and stand by his side to look at the sky where he was looking.
"I'm done preparing gramps, and looks like Aria is almost finish as well."
"Is that so? Then let's get going." He uttered as he turned around and went inside the house, but he stopped when I say something.
"I've been meaning to ask, gramps. Where is Mom and Dad? Aren't they going to travel with us?" He looked at me with a faint smile while tears falls from his eyes.
"Your Mom and Dad went ahead of us, but their destination is too far from where we're going."
I understand... I'm not stupid enough not to read between those lines... afterall, I saw Durandal and Mother's scarf in the middle of the field, filled with flowers and grass not too far from where I'm standing...
"I understand, gramps. The two of them must be happy to where they are now..." I said and forced myself to smile but I still can't stop the tears falling from my eyes...
Gramps went inside first to carry all his things while I decided to stay outside...
I walk towards to where Durandal and Mom's scarf resides...
I feel like there's thousands of needles piercing my heart... It hurts so bad... Seeing how beat up Durandal is proves that the battle is fierce, but they manage to return...
My tears started to fall on it's own once more just by looking at what remains to my parents... This is the proof of their love for this Kingdom and its people...
I feel the burning anger towards the Demons who killed my parents and love for the both of them who risked their lives protecting everyone...
I will never forget this feelings. This strong emotions will be my fuel to move forward and become stronger to stop this never ending war against humans and demons which made my parents sacrifice their lives in order to achieve.
"Mom, Dad, please continue to guide us from above... I promise I will make this world a better place for me, gramps, and Aria." That's all I could say... That's all I could promise...
"I will carry your will and become the sword that will pierce the evil and bring peace to the entire world... That's the only thing I can promise as the Hero's son..."
I kissed both the sword and the scarf and run back to the house.
That's right... I will end this war with my strength... I promise I will return and take the head of the demons' ruler...
They took my parents away from me, so I'll take all of their heads in return... an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a sword for a sword...
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|MERLIN|
Two days have passed since Sir Roland and Lady Azrael passed away. The whole Kingdom is still grieving over their deaths, even King Luther hasn't come out from his room yet since the incident happened.
"Grand Sorceress, Merlin. Someone is looking for you." One of the Royal guards stated and I went out of the castle to see who it was.
Outside the castle gates, there was a man, standing tall with his heroic aura. That Silver hair and gallant figure...
"Sir Lionheart Pendragon, how may I aide you?" He looked at me and smile.
"Will you please accompany me to where my Brother and Sister is." I bowed my head to him and stated.
"As you wish, Sire."
Sir Lionheart and I traveled to the outskirts of the country, to where the remains of the great hero and his wife lies.
By the time we get there, there was noone inside the house. It's completely empty and only a letter remains which was addressed for Sir Lionheart.
I took the letter and gave it to him. I thought that he'll read it immediately but instead, he decided to hide it first.
We walked towards to the place where The Sword Saint pierce the sword.
"I'm sorry for you loss, Sir Lionheart." I uttered but he remained silent for a few moments.
He stares at the sword and the scarf which became the grave of Sir Roland and Lady Azrael.
"Where's Father Kojiro? Is he safe?" He asked...
"Yes, he is safe. He said that they will go to a Country on the Eastern part of the continent called Reishen."
"How about my niece and my nephew?"
"The two of them are with their grandfather."
"I see..." He uttered and went back to being silent.
"I was tricked..." He uttered out of nowhere which made me look at him "I received an information that Camelot will be attacked by the demons but there was none, and the next thing I knew was there was letter from the Kingdom of Enthopia's Minister saying that my Brother and Sister died in battle."
I can feel the pain in his eyes... He clenched his fist in frustration so hard it starts to bleed...
I can't utter a single word... I don't know what to say right at this moment...
Sir Roland, Sir Lionheart, King Luther, and I have known each other since we were kids... Seeing one of my most treasured friend died made me feel so helpless...
Sir Lionheart tapped my shoulders and showed me his smile. "Don't worry, Merlin. Knowing him and Sister, I know that they died protecting this Kingdom with a smile on their face while standing on their ground."
There was no signs of sadness in his voice, but I know deep inside his heart, he wants to shout and cry...
"It's up to us now to fulfill the dream of peace he's fighting for." He stated and looked up in the sky and closed his eyes.
"It's raining... There must be a storm coming..." I looked around but I don't but I don't feel like there's a rain and the sky is clear.
I looked at him and saw the rivers of tears rushing through his face... It made my heart ache... I can't suppress my emotions anymore and let my tears fall.
"Right... The rain is indeed strong today..."
The two of us remained silent for a long time as we mourn to the death of the Kingdom's savior... And our friend which we treated as our own brother...
Lionheart brushed off the tears in his eyes. "I guess it's time for me to start moving. Tell Luther that he must remain strong. Our Brother won't like it, if he keeps on shutting himself in his room." He said and walk away as I remain here still standing infront of the hero and his wife's grave.
"And hey, Merlin! Hold this for me!" He shouted and threw a necklace at me as he continues to walk away from my sight. "I'm about to do something foolish! When I return, please marry me!" He added as he run fast, far away from where I could see him.
"I promise I will return!" I can still hear him scream even though I can't see him now.
"Atleast let me reply before running, idiot..." I said to myself and look at the sky...
"I'll be waiting for you... please be safe..."
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End of chapter 9