Ryuji could not sleep that night, every time he closed his eyes he would see the forest that was trying to swallow him in. And the moment he was saved from death, but at what price? He has never felt so guilty about anything before. He was weak and helpless, He was unable to take care of himself and as a result, his father is gravely injured.
All kinds of thoughts were flowing through his head like a river. The storm outside seemed endless. He got up and went outside. It was in the middle of the night. Everyone in the village was probably sleeping. He just sat in the rain reflecting on what he had to do, what he had to change, and everything that happened to that point. There was a voice in the back of his head whispering in a malicious tone.
Power. . . All you need is power. I can offer you the power. . . Come. . . Come to me, my poor child. . .
Ryuji had to resist the temptation to have the so-called power. It was clear as day that the grief and pain he was suffering at the moment the evil forces were trying to take advantage of him.
*Drop*
*Drop*
After a few hours, the rain stopped.
*Step*
*Step*
*Door opens*
*Shocked*
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - Oh dear god!
In the morning his mother found him laying down in the mud crying.
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - What happened?
Ryuji could not find any words to describe how he was feeling.
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - Let's go inside, you need to change before you get sick.
He could not move, he was frozen in place. All he could do is cry. His mother helped him get inside and change his clothes. She was worried about him.
*Knock*
*Knock*
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - I am coming!
*Step*
*Creek*
*Door opens*
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - Oh . . .
(Itsuki Toya) - Good morning!
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - This morning is anything but good.
(Itsuki Toya) - I am sorry about your husband.
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - I am more worried about our son, he does not seem to take it too well.
(Itsuki Toya) - Let me talk to him. Where is he?
(Yoshimoto Akiko) - He is in his room, probably sleeping. I found him outside laying down in the mud.
(Itsuki Toya) - Oh . . .
*Chattering*
*Step*
*Step*
*Creek*
*Door slowly opens*
(Itsuki Toya) - Ryuji are you awake?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Yes.
(Itsuki Toya) - May I come in?
*Nod*
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
*Step*
*Door closes*
*Sit*
(Itsuki Toya) - I heard from your mother that you are not too well after what happened yesterday.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji - Who would be? We almost died, and my father is severely injured.
(Itsuki Toya) - We did not die, that is what matters. And your father will make it.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - How would you know?
(Itsuki Toya) - I went to the doctor's house before coming here. He said it will be fine.
*Sigh*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Will he be able to walk again?
(Itsuki Toya) - That is uncertain at this moment.
*Crying*
*Pat on the shoulder*
(Itsuki Toya) - Stay strong! You are going to represent your family from now on.
*Sob*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I am too weak to do that.
(Itsuki Toya) - I will do my best and help you, everyone from the village will help you.
*Rub*
*Rub*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Why would anyone help someone like me? I am worthless.
(Itsuki Toya) - You are still young, and what happened yesterday in the forest is unheard of.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What is this forest?
(Itsuki Toya) - This forest is said to suddenly appeared near our village, but there is no other information about it than it was used for resources ever since.
*Stands*
(Itsuki Toya) - We will start training from tomorrow. Get ready, and wipe out your tears.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Ok!
Every word he said gave Ryuji hope and a reason to keep living. He had to become stronger and learn more about the forest. While his father was resting at the doctor's house, he had to help his mother with the house, do the groceries, feed the animals, and find time to train.
One day he went to the village to buy some vegetables and meat for lunch. There was an old man with a dirty brown cloak in front of the vegetable stall, that was arguing with the vendor.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - May I help you?
(Vendor) - This old man is not from here and was asking me to show him around. But I can not leave my stall in the middle of the day.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I can show you around after I buy the groceries if you don't mind.
(Old man) - Thank you, young man!
*Step*
*Step*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What brings you to these poor lands?
(Old man) - I heard stories of a forest around here and wanted to see if the stories match her beauty.
*Raised his voice*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Beauty? This forest almost killed me, and my father lost both legs saving me.
(Old man) - I am sorry to hear that.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Sorry that I raised my voice, it just happened recently.
(Old man) - I understand.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji - I can show you the way to the forest, but I will not enter it.
(Old man) - That sounds great!
*Step*
*Step*
*Stop*
*Point*
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - It is over there, you can see it from here.
(Old man) - It does look quite terrifying.
*Nod*
(Old man) - I noticed your hands are bruised, did anything happen?
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I am currently training, I was weak and careless when I went to the forest and caused trouble for everyone.
(Old man) - Hmm . . .
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I have to head back home. If there is anything else I can help you with ask the vendor to send word for me.
(Old man) - I will, thank you!
*Step*
*Step*
The old man went to the forest alone, but no one knew his intentions. He was searching for a lost ancient book, and all clues lead to that forest. But what was in the forest was not only just a book, there was something more to it.
After Ryuji got home he couldn't stop thinking about the old man. He continued his training with Itsuki Toya and then waited for a new day to come.
All night Ryuji felt a presence in his room, but no one was there. In the morning when he prepared the food for the animals, someone was waiting for Ryuji at the door. The old man was patiently waiting for him with a bag and a staff.
*Step*
*Step*
*Cough*
(Old man) - Good morning, young man!
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Good morning.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I haven't got the chance to ask you your name yesterday.
(Old man) - My name is Hitashi Olaf.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - Mine is Yoshimoto Ryuji.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - What brings you here so early in the morning?
(Old man) - When I went into the forest, I felt an ominous presence and had to find out more about it.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - No one knows any detail about that forest.
(Old man) - Then we will just find out ourselves.
(Yoshimoto Ryuji) - I will help you out, but I still have to do the chores.
(Old man) - We will help each other.
And from that moment Ryuji's journey began.