Ch.9-Again Trouble
A Farewell to Yukinu Village
The biting cold wind howled through Yukinu Village as Blade Taizuka, Kagami Hanera, Kibito Akammi, and Suntaro Akammi stood at the village entrance. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the gray sky, coating the rooftops and streets in an unbroken sheet of white.
Fuzimura, the one-armed healer who had helped them recover, gave them a firm nod. Beside him, Ajiso, the elder who had revealed the truth about Kamikaze, watched them with deep contemplation.
"Be careful on your journey," Fuzimura said, his voice carrying a warning. "The snowfields ahead are dangerous. The cold is the least of your worries."
Blade adjusted the strap of Kamikaze, the legendary sword now feeling heavier than ever on his back. He still hadn't fully processed the revelation—that his blade held the power of five elemental dragons, sealed away for generations.
"We will," Blade said, bowing slightly. "Thank you for everything."
Ajiso's piercing gaze lingered on him. "Remember, Blade Taizuka… your sword is more than just steel. One day, you will have to face its truth."
Blade's fingers twitched slightly at those words, but he gave no response.
With a final glance back at the village, the group stepped into the vast, frozen wilderness.
---
The Weight of Kamikaze
The snow crunched under their boots as they trudged forward. The windswept plains stretched endlessly before them, broken only by the occasional frozen tree or jagged rock formation.
Kagami pulled her cloak tighter around herself, shivering slightly. "It's colder than I expected."
Blade remained silent. His mind was locked in deep thought, the weight of Kamikaze's truth pressing heavily on him.
"The Five Elemental Dragons... I never realized the sword had such power."
He clenched the hilt of his blade instinctively. If what Ajiso had said was true, then Kamikaze was far beyond his current understanding.
Kibito, walking beside him, raised an eyebrow. "You've been quiet. Thinking about Kamikaze?"
Blade exhaled slowly. "Yeah… I need to understand it better. This power… it feels overwhelming."
Suntaro, leading the group, suddenly stopped in his tracks. His sharp eyes focused on something up ahead.
"Hey… look over there."
Blade snapped out of his thoughts and followed Suntaro's gaze.
A small figure lay motionless in the snow ahead.
---
A Child in the Snow
Kagami gasped. "A child?!"
Kibito rushed forward, kneeling beside the small body. He placed a hand on the boy's chest, frowning deeply.
"He's barely breathing," Kibito muttered.
Blade knelt down, his fingers hovering over the child's frozen skin. His breathing was shallow, his lips turning blue.
"We need to find shelter, fast," Suntaro said, his lightning aura flickering faintly. "He won't last long in this cold."
Kagami's sharp gaze darted through the swirling snowfall, searching. Then—she pointed ahead.
"There! A cave!"
Without hesitation, Blade lifted the child onto his back, and the group rushed toward the darkened entrance of the cavern.
---
The Flickering Fire
Inside the small cave, warmth slowly returned to their bodies as a fire crackled in the center. The flickering glow illuminated the rough stone walls, casting long shadows.
Blade removed his coat and wrapped it around the boy, trying to help him regain some warmth.
Minutes passed. Then—
The child stirred.
His eyes fluttered open—dark brown, filled with confusion and fear.
Kagami leaned closer. "You're awake! Are you okay?"
The boy looked around frantically. "Where am I?"
---
Jen's Story
The boy sat up slowly, still shivering. "My name is Jen… I got separated from my parents during a storm."
Blade knelt beside him, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Jen. We'll find your parents."
Kagami watched Blade carefully, her gaze softening.
"He's always so kind..."
Outside the cave, the storm had begun to clear.
Blade stood. "Let's move while we can."
---
The Search for Jen's Parents
The group moved cautiously through the snow-covered plains, Jen clutching onto Kagami's hand as they navigated the frozen landscape.
"I hope they're okay…" Jen whispered, his voice filled with worry.
Kibito ruffled his hair playfully. "Don't worry, kid! We're strong."
After nearly thirty minutes of walking, Blade saw something ahead.
A disturbing sight.
---
Bandits and Captives
A group of bandits stood near a wagon, guarding two tied-up adults—Jen's parents.
Jen gasped. "That's my mom and dad!"
Blade's expression darkened. "We're taking them back."
But before they could act, the bandits turned, sensing something.
---
Suntaro's Thunderous Entrance
A shadow descended from the sky.
Suntaro grinned. "God of Thunder, lend your power to my Raitaro!"
Lightning exploded around him as he landed in the middle of the bandits.
BOOM!
Shockwaves rippled through the ground, sending several bandits flying.
Kibito and Blade moved next, cutting through the ropes binding Jen's parents.
The woman gasped. "Jen! You're safe!"
The remaining bandits surrounded them.
Suntaro cracked his knuckles. "Too easy."
---
Battle in the Snow
Suntaro dashed forward, his Raitaro crackling with electricity.
One bandit barely had time to react before Suntaro's punch sent him flying.
The others froze in fear.
Jen's eyes widened. "You guys are amazing!"
Moments later, the fight was over.
---
A Shortcut to the River of Dawnlight
Blade turned to Jen's father. "Is there a shortcut to Mount Akatsuki?"
The man shook his head. "No, but I know a shortcut to the River of Dawnlight."
He pointed toward the horizon. "Cross these snowy fields, and you'll find three paths. Take the Waterfall Shrine Path."
Blade nodded. "Thanks."
---
The Frozen Waterfall
The group traveled for another hour, moving toward the frozen riverbed leading to the Waterfall Shrine Path.
As they approached, Blade's instincts flared.
A man sat on a rock, waiting for them.
His black cloak fluttered slightly in the wind, his presence suffocating.
Blade narrowed his eyes.
The man stood, smirking.
"Hi," he said casually. "Time to Bye-Bye."
---
A Sudden Overwhelming Pressure
Blade's hand moved to Kamikaze's hilt.
Then—the air changed.
An overwhelming aura pressure crashed down on them, making the very ground tremble.
Kagami staggered. "W-what is this… pressure?"
The stranger took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with something dangerous.
Blade could feel it.
This wasn't just some random enemy.
This was something far worse.
---
The ground cracked beneath the man's feet.
The weight of his aura was suffocating.
The man smirked.
"You're not ready for this fight."
---
To Be Continued...