Ambition

Toshiaki didn't put me down as we came back to our place. I can feel the power of Regalith near us. Hov was given an order by Toshiaki to know what was going on with the kids.

"You can now put me down," I said to Toshiaki. I'm embarrassed by how he carries me. I'm not a young girl. 

"You hurt your feet. Think you can walk with that?" I didn't notice the blood coming out of my foot. Maybe because the impact I got from that fall hurt my feet.

He uses a healing ability to heal my wounds. But he looked like he needed that more than me. I only gazed at my foot.

"No, I'm fine! You can heal yourself first" I said as I struggled. But his strong arms wouldn't let me go.

"Stay still. Mouie will take care of me later" He sighed.

I couldn't do anything but to do what he said. I envy Toshiaki. He is strong, confident and reliable. He is kind too. A little… But no matter how I look at him he looks more of a royalty than a commoner. I wonder if I can be like him one day. 

"Nyxius?" He touched my forehead. 

"Ahh!" I flinched. I didn't realize I was out of my mind for a second. 

"Sorry, what?" I said.

"I said is okay now? Do you still feel the pain? Does it still hurt?" He released his touch from my forehead. 

I shook my head as a reply "No, it does not hurt anymore. I'm fine, thank you so much" I smiled. 

Toshiaki sat down on the ground. My position was very uncomfortable for me as I was sitting on his lap. He still won't take his arms from me. I know I'm light, but I just don't feel comfortable like this.

"I can sit beside you if you want. It seems that I am not comfortable like this. Am I allowed?" I asked for his permission. He stopped for a moment and looked everywhere as if he was checking if it was safe. He now let go of me. I sat beside him as I said.

"Say…Toshiaki. What happened earlier? What happened several hours ago?" I want to know what happened. And why are they aiming at me? They can't be from the palace, right? I got all curious because all the possibilities can happen.

Several Hours Ago

"Hey, do you think he will join us?" Toshiaki said to Mikhail while in the laboratory, still taking a good look at the Chronostone.

"No. I don't think so…" Mikhail replied. 

"Toshiaki, what is it? What's on your mind? What is it that you desire that Nyxius held on like a key?" Mikhail said straight from the point. She asked what's been bugging her head.

"He is from a royal family. I'm only treating him nicely because that's what your actions want me to do. But I'm not as nice as you think to a stranger I'm not that close with. We still don't know about him" Mikhail complained to Toshiaki. But Toshiaki only let out a smile on his face and a loud laugh.

"That's so like you, Mikhail. But, I can't answer your question. Because neither do I know what's the answer to that question. The moment I saw his incredible action that time, there was something inside of me that lightened up. I don't know what, but… I just felt like having him beside me" Mikhail looked at Toshiaki deep in his eyes while crossing her arms.

"What?" Toshiaki asked.

"Nope, nothing. If that's what you said then I don't have the right to complain then" she sighed.

Toshiaki faced Mikhail with seriousness written on his face. "It's not what I think… It's what I believed" Toshiaki accidentally released his Aura ability.

"I got it! No need to do that! Geez" Mikhail panicked. 

At that moment, a scream was heard coming from the living room. Mikhail and Toshiaki were alarmed and hurried to get there. But they were stopped by someone. They immediately attacked them without hesitation to make sure the kids were not harmed. 

"Who are you? You better lay all your filthy hands to my little brothers and sisters" Toshiaki released his Regalith. The Shadowlight Aura weakens the enemy's body.

"The Shadowlight Aura: Gravity of Resolve. I know well about your ability, but it looks like you are still not fully aware of the capability that Regalith can give to you. In other words, you're nothing but a clueless man about your power" The enemy has a Regalith on how to read other's ability and what rank of that person when it comes to using it.

"Shut up, outsider!" Toshiaki attacked and surprised the enemy with his sword coming from his back. 

The enemy successfully dodged it. He can see now how frustrated Toshiaki is. This made Mikhail to attack too. As she attacked, the enemy was shocked to see a ghost figure behind Mikhail. He backed out for a bit, taking a little moment to read her Regalith. But Mikhail wouldn't allow what he was about to do and laid siege to the guy.

The guy was blown away by the attack Mikhail gave. He was thrown off in the living room, which made it easier for them to rush to the kids who were in trouble. 

"Kids!" Mikhail shouted as she was running to the living room. She was horrified by what she saw. The living room was a mess, no one was there, and not a single thing was left there. Including the kids. 

"What the hell?" Toshiaki appeared behind Mikhail's back. 

"Ha! They've outsmarted you two. We are not just nobody or outsiders. We are from the Joue Organization. We are here to fulfill our mission" The guy still had the strength to talk that made Toshiaki pissed off. 

He kicked the guy's face with all of his power "Talk. Tell me what kind of bullshit mission that is. That even my innocent little brothers and sisters were brought up in this kind of situation" He grabbed the guy's neck and squeezed it instantly with a lot of force. 

"Ugh! Augh!..." The guy was already on the verge of his death. "O-ok-ay…I'll-I'll tell you" He was begging for his life by telling what's the mission of the Joue Organization.

While coughing he then again got kicked by Toshiaki. "Don't waste my fucking time!" The guy was frightened to death as Toshiaki was giving him the death on his face.

"They gave us the order to find the name Nyxius Yamiozu. They said they would show mercy on this country if we were able to find that guy. Luckily someone reported to us that you guys got him" He was shaking while telling Toshiaki and Mikhail important information. 

"P-please, don't kill…me-" Toshiaki was done listening to the guy's irritating voice. He slaughtered the neck. The head fell off and rolled near Toshiaki's feet. He stepped onto it. They can still see the furious looks on the guy's face even though the head was already cut off from the body.

"Bullshit," Toshiaki said with a sigh. "Mikhail, check his room. Now."

"Yes," She rushed right away without any further questions or complaints to Toshiaki.

"This guy. He was a fake Regalith user. I can't believe someone like this is taking a Regalith Drug just to make themselves look superior to others. They know how to make me laugh" A bottle of liquid drug rolled on the floor coming out from the guy's coat.

"Toshiaki! He is safe and sound. Jzo used her Regalith to cover a safe Invisible barrier to him before the attack" A great relief came to Toshiaki. The information made him calm from all the stress and the pressure he felt.

"Did you double-check the surroundings? Was there someone else roaming around here?" Toshiaki asked.

"Nope," Mikhail replied.

"Then let's go. We have to help the kids"

Back to the present

"So? What happened?" I asked again. There, he just looked at me directly into my eyes. As if he was reading something on it.

He then looked away and grabbed me closer to him. "I forgot" A short reply from him.

"Wha-!" That's it? Gosh. 

He could've at least not held me like this. I'm not a girl. I don't deserve to be treated this way. Everyone is in danger, and yet I am here in a safe place where Toshiaki is protecting.

After a minute, we heard a loud noise near our place. 

"Did they already catch up to us?" I held onto Toshiaki's shirt on his back while trembling with fear.

He shook his head. "Nope, that was a signal noise. They're done. It's safe now, we can now go outside" A smile flashed to me. He carried me outside while looking for the others. 

"Big brother! Nyxius!" Someone was shouting our name. We saw the kids covered in blood. Including Mikhail carrying someone with a serious injury. I got worried so much, especially the young ones. I got off Toshiaki's grasp and rushed to check on the kids who were very Injured.

I can see myself in them. Which broke my heart. I tried to heal them, Especially when I put my attention to Mouie. Hoping the power of a regalith would miraculously come to me to save them. But that was the dumbest thing I did. I knew I was worthless. I never once dreamt of having the power of Regalith this greedy. But this time, I'll do anything just to help them.

"Don't put pressure on yourself anymore. We can take care of them, okay? Listen to what Mouie told you to do" Mikhail stopped me from the stupidest thing anyone in the world could do.

"Thank you, Brother Nyxius. This happened to me because I wanted to protect you. I want to be Big Brother Toshiaki… I want to be able to protect someone important to us" Mouie used her last strength to talk to me. I cried as she held my hand and smiled.

"Thank you too. You did such a great job, Mouie" She smiled and finally rested her eyes.

"Mouie is the only professional healer here. That's why someone who can perform basic healing ability may come with me to help the casualties, and those with serious injuries" Mikhail led all of them during the healing preparation.

I saw Toshiaki just standing in the corner watching them. I know he is hurt too. He used his healing ability on me earlier instead of him. He must be in pain right now. 

"Excuse me" I confronted Mikhail. "Is there an extra medical kit I can use?" I asked. Mikhail gave me the extra medical kit. 

I tapped Toshiaki's shoulder as I got near him. "I'll treat your wounds" He was shocked by the words I said. What? It's normal for everyone to know basic performance on how to treat wounds, right? 

He laughed at me before letting me treat his wounds. I only know a little because I'm the one who usually treats myself after getting beaten by my mother. I took care of Archie's face bruises whenever he came back from a mission. Thanks to that, I could use some help for Toshiaki.

"What happened… That was about me, right?" I said in a serious tone while putting some antidote on his face.

He flinched after he heard what I said, and I accidentally pressed hard into his bruises. "Ouch!" He groaned. 

"Don't make unnecessary movements! I'm trying to be gentle here" I warned him.

"What? Trying to be the big brother, now?" He scoffed. 

Come to think of it. I don't know their age. But I think I know Toshiaki is a little older than me.

"I'm 15, you?" I said to him while patching up the bruises.

"Well, looks like I'm a year younger than you" He smiled and stretched his arms after I treated his bruises.

"Wait, really?" My eyes widened, knowing how old he was. You wouldn't realize him as a 14-year-old young man. He had a big body, tall and mature. 

"Yup. Should I call you Big Brother from now on?" He teased me.

"Shut it" I laughed.

Maybe staying a little longer here will only cause them a lot of trouble. I want to stay though to show my gratitude to them by helping them a little. But catastrophe may come again. And I don't want that to happen because of me.

"I don't know what happened. But If it's about me, I should go now. I wouldn't want you guys to be caught in trouble just because of me" 

It's a serious matter when it comes to me. I know how powerful my brother can be. He will not stop unless he gets what he wants. I don't want to drag them into the black hole full of problems. I want them to smile and to remain as is what they are. They're just kids. Kids who have plenty of years to dream what they want. 

"I'm gonna leave tonight. I'll just pack what I need for my journey" I stood up. But Toshiaki snatched my hands and grabbed me closer to him. Both of his hands were locked to my waist.

"W-What?!" I was surprised.

"Are you really…going? We don't mind you being here. We will protect you no matter what it'll cost. I'm strong! I can protect everyone" He anxiously said. I don't know what's gotten to him. But letting him do only the work will only break my heart. 

"I can't…I'm sorry. This is for your safety too. As well as for the kids. You guys should've lived longer and peacefully. You have to prioritize how to protect your family. That is the most important than anything in this world" 

That's right. Toshiaki had a family to protect. And I'm not part of them, 'cause I know I'll only cause them trouble.

"I know you're strong and smart, too powerful. Maybe one day fate and destiny occur between us. I'm pretty sure we'll get to be together again" I took off his arms that kept holding tightly at my waist.

"I hope to be part of your family one day" I smiled. 

I felt the love within them even in a short amount of time. They tried to accept me with all of their hearts. Although I still don't know more about them. I want to be part of them… I want to be part of their family. I never had one… And I wish to have one big family like them.

THE LAST NIGHT

I spent the night with Toshiaki. He told me a story about their journey for the past few years. It turns out it's normal for them to fight like that. It's almost a war for them. Toshiaki told me how he recruited all the kids. Most of the kids have bad background stories.

"I have a question, Nyxius" He said. 

"Yes?" I replied.

"What's your ambition? What do you want to do after this? Where are you going to stay now?" Toshiaki didn't hesitate to ask. He played with his finger like an anxious little kid.

"Well… My ambition. I think I want to explore MotherLand. It's been a dream of mine to go out and see different scenery and new things that I never saw in my life before" I tilted my head a little and giggled a little bit.

"Ever since I discovered that I can decipher the Pentarchivium, I have wanted to know more about them. So I tried so hard to study archaeology. And some books about our history. And someday I want to discover more Pentarchivium and become an Archaeologist. I wanted to explore the MotherLand with my little sisters" 

I proudly said. I never told anyone my ambition in life before other than Archie. But, all ll I know is that it is impossible. Now that I am in a situation where the queen might execute me for breaking her law. My life could end sooner than I thought.

"You have a wonderful ambition in your life," Toshiaki smiled.

"Really?" I laughed. "So, before I go. Can I ask you one last question?" He nodded.

"Mikhail once told me that you saw something in me. I got curious too. The moment you knew I came from a royal family, you pointed your sword at me. It looks like you have some grudge from the royals. Then, why are you this kind to me?" I asked. After what Mikhail told me, that thing kept bothering my mind.

"Well. I do believe it's because it's in my blood. I guess?" He mumbled and was not very sure about what he said. Toshiaki is trying to get the right words to come out of his mouth.

"Rather than it is in my blood. My family used to feel this kind of thing to a certain person. I can't really recall what it is exactly" He scraped his cheeks. "Sorry, was that weird?" He nervously said.

"Nope, I believe that may be true. I'm now curious and more interested in you" I laughed and so did he.

This is gonna be the last time I'm gonna see his face, his laugh and his smile. We might as well enjoy our last moments together.

Hours have passed, and it's time for me to go now. I stood up and picked up my bag. I'm ready to go and leave them without saying a word other than Toshiaki. They might not forgive me for that, but this is the only way I can finally move forward without giving a second thought about my decision.

"When you- When you come back. You're gonna be one of us, okay?" Toshiaki's last glance and last touch to my hand makes me want to cry. 

I just nodded and smiled. That was the best thing that happened to me in just a short amount of time. It's good to experience something new. I hope this was a better decision, I can't just slow down myself, I have to move forward.

"Move forward…"