Chapter 14: The Price he paid

How far would you go?

Listening to this question, one can already tell that there's a catch. Mainly because, the question does not go by "how much is this", instead it's "how far can you". With that said, the one on the receiving end of this question, should ponder what will be the sacrifice to be made.

As far as everyone's knowledge of how this question goes, the inquirer seldom asks for money in exchange. The price often comes with regards to the mental state of the person being asked. Though, in any case, how much would a father really go for his loved ones?

"What would you have me sacrifice?" Akimitsu inquired.

"Let's see…how about, the helm."

Gwyn can't help but to interrupt after hearing Shimono's demand. "Lady Shimono! The helm is not something to be given to lightly even with the other Heralds! Even you, know that!"

Akimitsu raised his hand to stop Gwyn. "Lady Shimono, I might not know that much about you, but I know that you are not the kind to have such an interest in masks anymore…what is it that you mean by your question?"

Shimono's avatar nodded. "I cannot indulge myself in prying into your future. But if you do this, you will understand where my point leads."

After a brief pause, Shimono continued. "Herald of Fervor, have you heard of the Nankō Hanabi?"

Akimitsu only attempted to open his mouth as he doesn't know what this Nankō Hanabi is. Though, it sounds like some kind of a rare medicine.

Seeing his reaction, Shimono figured that Akimitsu had no idea what it was. And so she explained.

"It was just a normal petal, stemming its origins from a kodama; a sacred tree. It so happens that it was being tended by the shrine priestesses in the subtropical island of Osaka, where the Fox Herald does her shrine duties. There is a custom, where every time a cherry blossom starts to bloom, only one of its leaves will be blessed by the spirits inhabiting the tree with the assistance of the Fox Mask. It is said to be able to perform miracles. But alas, taking a single leaf from thousands of its kind scattered from the wind proves to be impossible."

Shimono pauses for a moment.

"But then, someone actually found a way and managed to get the blessed leaf. It was now called Nankō Hanabi, the miracle leaf."

Akimitsu inquired: "Lady Shimono. Are you saying…that this leaf can heal my daughter…? And it has not yet been used?"

Shimono replied: "Some individuals tend to doubt miracles. But then those who believe, do not have a miracle in mind to wish upon yet. It is human nature to think of what they wanted the most before actually praying for that certain wish, given that they only have one shot at it. As observant as I am, I did indeed know where it's being kept today."

Akimitsu's eyes finally saw some ray of hope for her daughter. It is not the nature of Lady Shimono to lie, after all, she hates liars the most and knows when someone is lying.

"Please, Lady Shimono, if the miracle leaf still has the blessing of the spirits, I must find it to cure my daughter….I will pay for any price!" He speaks from the heart. Gwyn does not dare to interrupt their conversation after having felt that Akimitsu regained some hope.

It was by then that Shimono entrusted Akimitsu with the information regarding the Nankō Hanabi. There was a small town, near the borders of Hiroshima where a vagrant merchant finally settled down. As for the reason, no one would dare search for him there as he was a bona fide thief, selling stolen goods. One such item he stole was a glowing sakura leaf, safely stored in an antique jar.

It was just recently put up on sale before Akimitsu and Shimono's exchange. Right now, there are talks about it circling around the town. What's worse is that the said town is lawless, citizens there are expected to put up a fight. But this merchant has his connections, he has some of the best bodyguards that money can offer, but of course, this cannot stop a Herald.

Before vanishing, Shimono's avatar would see the two off without giving much word after their thankful goodbyes to her. Instead, she did not accept their gratitude and told them that there is no reason for appreciation if there will be a consequence.

To give note of, while on their way, Akimitsu hasn't engaged much in conversation. He chose to be silent but whenever questioned, he will answer Gwyn.

A day has passed, and the two finally reached the entrance of the said town. It has a filthy stench surrounding the whole area. One can tell just by a glance that there are no pillars supporting this town's ordinance. Before entering, Akimitsu speaks:

"Gwyn, you can return to the city now. I will do this on my own."

Gwyn reacted to his statement. "Wait Akimitsu! What the hell are you talking about, I'll–"

"This is an order!" Akimitsu shouted with a commanding tone. "Gwyn, let me shoulder this alone." As soon as he said that, Akimitsu walked towards the town, then suddenly, a wall of flame was erected, blocking the entrance.

"A-Akimitsu!!!" Gwyn yelled to stop him, but to no avail.

Akimitsu reached the place where the 'bidding' was supposed to be happening. Instead, what he witnessed there was a brawl, the place is on the verge of falling down and the people are killing each other. The merchant is nowhere to be found in sight, but for Akimitsu, he can tell that he's hiding underneath a counter while his bodyguards are busy fighting someone in the back. It seems like everyone is here to get the item by force.

Of course there were some rich men in the nearby towns that attended due to their curiosity about the item, but all of them got wasted by the violent lot.

There is no way to reach him unless he joins the brawl. Determined, he gritted his teeth and stormed inside. He is overwhelming. The other goons had no chance at all. In an instant, he closed his distance between him and the hiding merchant. By then, he sensed an immense amount of hostility directed towards him.

After being judged as the biggest hurdle, everyone ganged up on him where the majority wore their masks. He held his position and defended, but a human body can only do so much. All of them have wishes they wanted to be granted, so they will stop at nothing to obtain such an item even if there is no valid proof of its use. Noticing that some of them are passing over him to get to the merchant, he finally grows desperate.

What comes next is the price that Shimono was talking about.

Akimitsu, finally used his authority, and wore the Helm of Fervor.

Crimson flames rose like a whirlwind from where he stood. In the blink of an eye the stacked up goons ganging up on him were burned, leaving nothing behind. Every step he takes leaves a trail of scorching flames. Akimitsu effortlessly lifted the counter where the merchant was hiding. He was terribly sweating, and was on the brink of collapsing after witnessing what he left in his woke.

Akimitsu then forcefully took the jar from the merchant's hands and turned around. By then, a deafening shout reached his ears. It came from the man who was recently in a brawl against the merchant's bodyguards. It seems he settled his fight, but he seems to be weakened to the point that he can't properly stand anymore. The man begged desperately but to no avail. Akimitsu, just like the man, cannot go back anymore after all.

He left the area, but then got confronted by Gwyn who found a way inside. He witnessed what happened and was in a great shock. "A…Akimitsu…this…why…" Gwyn asked his friend with a shaky voice.

"....."

"Let's go home….my daughter needs her medicine…"

Akimitsu walked out of town as the fire from the previous bidding area was still burning bright. Seeing this, Gwyn clenched his fist, now he fully understood what Shimono meant by sacrificing the Helm of Fervor.

By the time they returned, the miracle leaf was applied to Akafuyu who was tiredly sick in her bed. As the day passed, the Nankō Hanabi lived up to its name. The sickly Akafuyu can finally run around without getting tired or lift a sword without getting encumbered.

Though she knows nothing of the price her father paid for it. A few days have finally passed by after that incident. Something has changed with Akimitsu.

When Gwyn visited Akimitsu, he saw him holding the helm with a disheartened expression. He walked towards him so they could have a talk.

"I have tainted the meaning of this sacred Helm." Akimitsu said to the approaching Gwyn. He couldn't retract…after all there is a truth with what he just said. It can be noticed that Akimitsu is getting thinner as well.

"I will not be able to face my people…let alone my beloved daughter with this feeling of guilt. But I don't regret saving her life." Akimitsu added, he kept on talking.

Gwyn on the other hand chose to remain silent. It's as if he's giving Akimitsu some time to talk about everything he wants to let out.

"Akafuyu is a smart child. She grows exemplary as each day passes by. She does not need me anymore to guide her, even more so with explaining the virtues of this sacred Helm."

It came as a surprise to him when Akimitsu safekept the Helm into their family vault instead of dematerializing it.

"Akimitsu?"

"I am not worthy of possessing it anymore, nor am I worthy of possessing any power at all."

After their talk, the people of the territorial city never saw their Ruler in public anymore, that he always relayed official announcements using a representative.

It was then when a year passed when a news broke out that Akimitsu vanished in thin air, that even Gwyn doesn't know where to find him. The last time he saw him was when he was indulging himself with the research regarding the masks.

After years of searching, they officially accepted that he had already passed away, leaving the Helm of Fervor.