Ryuji returned to the village as the only survivor with no resources and a horrifying picture of Raiden split in half. But somehow Ryuji managed to go through the night. In the morning the villagers were mourning their loss and Fugaku took the hard decision of burning the forest. Everyone from the village was asked to participate. Ryuji had to refuse to go into the forest because of his father's condition. But he did tell them briefly what happened, now that the decision was taken.
This action was to supposed to happen the next day. Being so early in the morning Ryuji was helping everyone get ready.
*Step*
*Grab*
*Throw*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Do you think this will be enough to bring the forest down, and the creature with it?
(Itsuki Toya) - We don't know until we try it.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I am still against it, but there is nothing I can do alone, not now.
(Itsuki Toya) - Everyone is scared, but we don't have where to go.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I know.
*Sigh*
*Grab*
*Step*
*Step*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - This should be the last one we have. I hope it will work.
(Itsuki Toya) - If worst comes the worst, we will leave the village.
(Villager) - But we will not go out without a fight.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I do like to see this kind of spirit.
Although there were some encouraging words coming for Ryuji, they did not know the horrors of the forest. They could only imagine the things he had told them. Ryuji was somewhat reassured that they would reconsider if the plan of burning the forest will fail. All he was hoping is that they will not end up like the others.
*Horse neighing*
*Trop*
*Trop*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - May I help you?
(Old Woman) - Yes, please.
*Grab*
*Step*
*Step*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Everyone is busy today, isn't it?
(Old Woman) - Yes.
*Sigh*
(Old Woman) - I heard you are not going.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I decided to remain in the village and help around this time.
(Old Woman) - You are such a young boy, yet you are so dependable.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - If only I could do things right.
(Old Woman) - What do you mean?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Nothing, nothing.
(Old Woman) - You had a lot on your shoulders ever since the incident.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I still feel guilty for what happened that day.
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(Old Woman) - You don't have to, there are people that did nothing their whole life after such an incident.
(Old Woman) - And yet you made this village thrive more than we were able to in all those years.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Thank you for the kind words. But now I must go and help everyone else prepare for tomorrow.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - If there is anything else you need help with, do not hesitate to ask me.
(Old Woman) - I will, thank you!
*Step*
*Step*
Not even the words she said were able to heal the wound I have in my heart.
If only there was anything I could do.
*Horse neighing*
*Trop*
*Trop*
*Drop*
Ryuji started feeling dizzy all of a sudden and fell down in the cart. The horses stopped.
Awaken. . .
My poor child. . .
The voice from the temple started to say the same things again, Ryuji could not move. He had no idea what they meant, he had no idea what to do. All he could do was lay down in the cart.
Not after too long Toya came by and saw Ryuji unconscious in the cart.
*Shake*
*Shake*
(Itsuki Toya) - Wake up!
*Shake*
(Itsuki Toya) - Are you fine?
*Slap*
(Itsuki Toya) - Hey, can you hear me?
Ryuji opened his eyes, but he could not speak. He was in a trance hearing the voice. Toya took him to the doctor as fast as he could. And after a few hours, Ryuji woke up.
*Grunt*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Where am I?
*Get up*
*Sit*
*Step*
*Step*
The doctor came in and was happy to see Ryuji well.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What happened?
(Doctor) - Your uncle came worried sick that he found you in the cart not breathing.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Not breathing?
(Doctor) - We thought you are gone.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I did not. . .
(Doctor) - How are you feeling?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I feel fine.
(Doctor) - I recommend you rest for the rest of the day, maybe you did too much effort.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - But I can't, I need to help everyone for tomorrow.
(Doctor) - You will help them more, knowing you are well, rather than finding you passed out in a cart.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I understand.
*Stand up*
*Step*
*Step*
As Ryuji was leaving Toya was passing by.
(Itsuki Toya) - Look who decided to wake up.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Glad to see you as well.
(Itsuki Toya) - Care to explain what happened?
Toya walked Ryuji home. Ryuji told Toya about the voice. Toya thought he is crazy, and because of the tiredness, he imagined it.
(Itsuki Toya) - Get some rest and leave everything to us. We will solve the forest issue once and for all.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - See you tomorrow.
Ryuji was still thinking to go and help them, but he could not leave his family behind, especially knowing what dangers could come in the village. That night Ryuji stayed up and prayed for every single soul in the village that they will come back all alive and well tomorrow night.
After that, he lay down in bed and tried to sleep, but instead, he woke up in the forest right in front of the cottage. It felt unreal, and it really was. Raiden was waiting for him inside.
*Step*
*Door close*
*Creek*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Am I dreaming?
(Raiden) - Yes.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What is the meaning of this?
(Raiden) - This will probably be the last time we will see each other.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - When we first met, I never thought it will come to this moment.
(Raiden) - Me neither.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I hope you will rest in peace.
(Raiden) - I will, but I am still disappointed that I could not defend the forest. And because you could not keep your word of leaving the village.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - It was not up to me.
(Raiden) - I saw that, yet you had a word to say when everything happened.
*Sigh*
(Raiden) - Now, everyone is going to disappear tomorrow because of you.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Stop, please.
(Raiden) - It is your fault!
Ryuji did not realize it at that moment, but Raiden's voice started to sound more and more evil with every word he was saying. Blaming Ryuji for everything that has happened. And then, the door slowly opened.
A white hooded lady appeared casting a spell in the ancient language and making Raiden disappear.
(Lady) - Do not listen to what they said.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Who were they? And who are you?
Ryuji was confused and scared. But there was nothing he could do but listen.
(Lady) - They are the forces of evil.
*With a slow soft and gentle voice*
(Lady) - Awaken, my poor child.
*Shivers*
*Kneeling*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - It was your voice all along?
*Slowly nodding*
(Lady) - You can wake up now.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - But, but, I want to know more.
(Lady) - Not yet, you are not prepared.
(Lady) - But do not worry, we will be by your side.
When Ryuji opened his eyes the sun was waking up along with everyone in the village. Ryuji wanted to know more, he was eager to find out more about that lady. But now, he had to pray everything will go well with the villagers.