Hiro stands in a black plain. Nothing but darkness surrounds him. He begins to hear whispering from the unknown. He tries to shout out, but he can’t speak. Hiro begins to hold his ears as the whispering grows louder. A pair of eyes slowly open behind him. Black arms slowly form around him clasping and grabbing onto his body pulling him harder and harder towards those eyes. He wriggles around trying to get free until he sees a woman across from him clear as day.
Hiro’s mother stands across from him smiling. His eyes widen as he tries to break free and get to her.
“Take good care of him for me… please” Hiro is slowly pulled into the darkness as he watches his mother get further and further away. Her voice becomes distant as he tries with everything to get to her.
“Mother!” Hiro awakens with sweat dripping all over.
Hiro looks around to see Isamu sleeping soundly beside him. The carriage is empty and the sun shines in from the windows. He looks out to see Zero and Asahi carrying bags back from a nearby village towards the carriage. Zero’s armour is still wrecked as people give her stares.
“Do you really still need to wear that?” Asahi laughs slightly as he speaks.
Zero stares forward silently. Her piercing blue eye shines in the sun as she walks. Asahi just sighs and looks to the sky with slight guilt in his face.
Hiro lies back and closes his eyes. His breath is heavy as he wipes the sweat from his head. The door to the carriage opens as Asahi smiles at him,
“You’re awake… good” His voice is soft as he sits across from Hiro.
Zero looks away from Hiro as she gets in. She doesn’t look at him at all and the carriage lies silent.
“How long has it been?” Hiro’s voice is hoarse as he speaks.
Asahi unpacks some food as he hands him something. “It’s been a couple days…”
Hiro looks at Isamu with worry, Asahi laughs “Oh don’t worry she woke up a couple days ago this is just her usual thing”. Hiro smiles and starts eating.
Hiro gives Zero a look, “Are you ok?”
“Yes” her response is fast and short. She doesn’t stop looking away as she speaks.
Isamu groans as she accidentally kicks Hiro in the face, “I’m eating!” She lets out a laugh as she slowly gets up.
Isamu hugs Hiro, “You’re awake!” she then punches him in the arm, “Took you long enough… She was way more hurt than you how’d you stay out longer?”
He shrugs as he looks over at Zero, “I don’t know what happened but thanks… you ob-“
“Don’t… I didn’t do anything special”
Hiro smiles as he continues eating, “Sure.”
Zero’s eye is filled with relief as she stares out the window.
Large stone buildings line a lively street. A large symbol hangs down from the large walls surrounding the city. The symbol is red with two hands clasping a ball. The god of creations’ champions’ home. A large building sits at the back of the city towering over all other buildings. Knights surround the base clad in red armour branded with the symbol of creation.
Edward yawns as he lies on a large sofa. His blue eyes sparkle under the golden flame from the chandelier above. The room lays silent as two knights stand guarding the nearest door.
A young man walks in with long tied back blonde hair. He wears expensive clothing as he is let in by the guards.
“Father…” The man smiles as he holds out a piece of paper to Edward.
Edward doesn’t open his eyes as he asks, “What is it?”
“A letter… from Yoshida”, The mention of the Yoshida forces Edward to open his eye for his son.
“What does it say?” He slowly sits up stretching.
“He wants to set up a meeting between both our families…” The man’s face grows worried slightly as he speaks.
Edward leans back as he smiles. “A meeting… it’ll be the first since the war between just us two”
“So, this is good?” The man tilts his head pondering as Edward laughs.
“Either it’s good or he wants to kill us… either way I’m going” he laughs loudly as the young man nervously chuckles.
“Oh come on Jonny get in the spirit… let’s train” Edward jumps out of his chair and heads outside as Jonny sighs and follows.
The sun hides from them behind the clouds as Edward fully stretches his body. Jonny stands across from him smiling slightly.
“You ready my boy?” Edward gets into a fighting position.
“Sure, why not?” Jonny smiles as he imitates the same movements as he gets ready.
“Now remember the Yoshida are the champions of the god of enhancement and being the sneaky bastards they are they often hide their true power” They walk in circles as Edward continues, “No one knows what Kenji’s actual ability is…. And the same goes for his two sons”
Jonny charges at his father as Edward smiles. Jonny swings punches as Edward dodges,
“And now remember doesn’t matter who they are… If you get someone close enough to death, they’ll reveal who they truly are” Jonny grows frustrated as Edward talks like normal while getting out the way of his attacks.
“And the same goes for you dad?” Jonny talks through heavy breaths as he stands across from his father.
“Of course…” Edward pauses before dashing towards his son. In the blink of an eye he is right in front of him. Edward slams his fist into the stomach of Jonny before throwing him to the other side of the grass.
Jonny spits as he slowly gets up holding his stomach. “You didn’t use your power…” Edward looks slightly disappointed.
Jonny smiles, “Well that’s because I know you won’t kill me”
Edward stares at him sternly as he slicks his hair back. “Anyone could backstab you at any moment… don’t be naïve”
Jonny looks towards the ground, “Sorry, I wasn’t reall-“
Edward sighs loudly as he falls back onto the grass, “Don’t worry kid you were backstabbed too”
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Jonny sits down with his legs crossed as he looks to the sky, “Yeah…” He looks over at his father as he lays staring upwards lying on the ground. “Do you think she was happy when… when it was the end”
Edward’s blue eyes dampen ever so slightly as he places his hand on his forehead. “I hope so…”
Silence lies as Edward slowly stands, “Set the meeting for spring”
Jonny’s eyes widen slightly, “Right before the Yoshida festival?”
Edward smiles, “Sure”
A huge palace sits directly in the middle of a huge city. Buildings are huge in stature covering the night sky for those below. People wear expensive clothing as they walk the stone streets. Large marble statues sit at various points of the city as they all point towards the giant building in the centre with the yellow symbol of the god of the elements hanging from the large tower.
On the huge flag draped down the tower an eye is surrounded by a huge array of different symbols representing all the elements.
Within the tower sits Lily and Leo. They sit beside each other in the huge marble hall. Leo looks alert and ready as Lily yawns annoyed.
“It’s just a letter why did we have to leave the room?” Lily leans back against the wall as they both stare at a large door standing across from them
“This could be a declaration of war for all you know Lily”
“Declaration of love more like”, Leo coughs in embarrassment as his face grows red at her comment.
“Well, I for one hope she’s happy… I guess”
“Don’t be weird Leo” Lily rolls her eyes as she stands
“Where are you going?” Leo stands in front of her stopping her from going anywhere.
Lily pushes past him as she walks down the corridor, “I’m gonna go train or something”
Leo looks at the door and back at Lily a couple of times before groaning and running after Lily, “Wait!”
Beatrix stands leaning against a window overlooking the large city. Her whole room is almost one big window as a whole wall looks out towards the large buildings. Her face is slightly red as she lets her long brown hair hang. She holds her chest as she smiles.
“You think this is the time to move my dear” Beatrix watches the starry sky, “I’ll do whatever you say.”
Sand blows far from Beatrix as the harsh sun beams down on a desert. A large crowd gathers around a large building. A large stage sits in front of the people as they cheer and chant. Alexander walks out of the building and towards the stage with his son Caesar. They both play to the crowd garnering huge reactions.
“Welcome all!” Alexander stands tall above anyone else. His huge stature creates an intimidating atmosphere.
His son Caesar is much smaller and much scrawnier as he has a far less intimidating look. “How are all my people!”
A woman sits tied up with a bag over her head beside Caesar. She doesn’t scream or shout she just sits.
Alexander shouts to the people, “We have seen many scoundrels walk these streets… and today we get rid of one of the most rotten!”
Caesar rips the bag off the woman’s head to reveal a young woman with short hair beaten and damaged but smiling.
Her smile seems to annoy Caesar as he kicks her in the chest. The people cheer as he beats her to near death. Alexander laughs but eventually pulls his son back,
“We’ll get to that soon my boy don’t worry” The crowd laugh in response
“This woman has done awful things to our territory and will pay tremendously… nothing worse than the disrespect towards my rule and my great wife!” The people let out their anger by throwing things at her. A stone smashes against her face drawing more blood.
“As you may know my wife was killed by rebels… her memory will forever live on in my son…” Caesar smiles smugly as Alexander places his large hand on his shoulder.
“And to see her legacy disrespected in this way… means only death” The people are like animals as they chant for the woman’s last moments to be brought to a bloody end.
The woman stares out to the crowd on the verge of death. Blood drips from her head as her short black hair hangs over her face. Her eyes seem to stay on one subject as she says nothing.
Caesar laughs out as he leans down towards the woman, “And do you have any last words… You could always just get into my bed and this will all go aw-“She slams her head into Ceasar as he falls back screaming. She spits up her blood on him as Alexander lifts her up to the people,
“This is a traitor! Take it in…” Her eyes remained trained on someone in the crowd as she gives up.
In one big crash the people cheer out. Alexander stares viciously out to the crowd with blood splattered on his face. “I hope you’re watching… Daughter”
Alexander lifts up his son as walks away as the crowd chants his name. Caesar screams out in pain as he’s dragged along the ground.
“A letter from the Yoshida’s” A small courier walks up to Alexander shaking.
“I don’t give a shit” He grabs the letter and stomps it into the sand below his feet.
Kenji stands staring up at the painting on the wall. His eyes are full of determination.
“I will see you again…” He places his hand on the frame and closes his eyes. He places his head softly on the base and sighs.
Gou stands at the door watching his father with sadness etched onto his face. He locks eyes with his mother as he tries to smile. Gou nods to her and leaves with purpose.
“Why just me?” Hiro stares confused into the carriage as e holds a sleeping Isamu on the side of the road.
“Look we can meet back at the capital but just take her home” Asahi hangs out of the door as he directs Hiro who pouts in response.
“Fine.” He stomps off with Isamu around his shoulder as her arms swing from side to side still asleep.
Asahi sighs as he leans back in his seat. Zero looks over at him with a glare of seriousness in her exposed eye.
“What?” Asahi says with a sigh
“I told you I don’t want him coming with us next time…” She watches as he walks into the forest nearby.
“I just said we’d meet. I didn’t say he could come…” Asahi closes his eyes as he tries to sleep.
Zero looks back out the window, “He’s going to get hurt…”
The carriage continues along the road slowly as it gets closer to the capital.
Hiro mutters and grumbles as he walks through the forest towards the rebel camp.
“Hiro I’m sorry…” A faint voice comes from Isamu who still hangs over his shoulder
“Huh?” Hiro stops
“Keep walking” Isamu speaks quietly and seriously as Hiro continues walking.
“Sorry for what?”
“I’m sorry I got you hurt twice…”
Hiro smiles as he stops. He puts Isamu down. His eyes widen as he realises she is crying. She pulls her goggles down to hide her tears as Hiro stares at her shocked.
“I-I told you to keep walking” She looks down to the ground as her goggles barely hide the stream of tears flowing down her face.
Hiro leans down smiling, “Isamu… don’t worry”
Isamu pulls her legs into her chest as she plants her face into her knees, “I’m sorry”
Hiro places his hand on her head as she looks up to him, “Really… I’m ok”
He pulls her into his chest to her shock, “I’ve been through worse… plus I promised my mother I’d be able to smile with her again”
Isamu looks up at him as he pulls away smiling. She blushes slightly as she gets up wiping her cheeks below her goggles. She smiles to Hiro as they walk deeper into the forest.
“You don’t want me to carry you?” Hiro looks over at her as they walk.
“n-no” She looks away as she hides her blushes from him. the moon peers through the trees above.
“Isamu! My baby!” The large and intimidating atmosphere Giichi, the leader of the rebels, brings is completely broken when he sees his daughter again.
Isamu still wears her goggles over her eyes as she hugs her father, “A hug from my baby! I couldn’t ask for more!”
Rose hugs into her sister with force as Isamu reels back pretending she isn’t overjoyed to see her family.
Giichi looks at Hiro as he smiles in the dark of the entrance. “I guess I should thank y-“Rose runs over to Hiro smiling causing Giichi to stop in his tracks.
“You used the book?” Her hair is tied back as her skin sparkles in the glimmering moonlight.
Hiro nods as he smiles, “Thank you…” Rose hugs him as they smile, “Of course”
Both Giichi and Isamu raise an eyebrow as the two interact.
Giichi whispers in Isamu’s ear, “What’s happening…” Isamu just stares forward at the two.
“Will you be staying?” Rose says invitingly
“O-oh no sorry I need to get back to the capital… thank you though” He ruffles his hair as he smiles.
Isamu looks at him with a furrowed brow, “You’re going back?”
“Yeah?” He looks at her confused, “Why wouldn’t I?”
She looks to the floor disappointed. “Just stay safe, ok?”
Hiro holds his thumb out as he smiles. He swiftly turns and begins to walk away.
“You better come back you idiot!” Isamu screams as he walks into the greenery laughing.
“I can’t have these two women walking around freely…” Kenji speaks to Asahi and Zero as they stand before him.
Asahi looks across to the newly suited out Zero as she sits silently. He looks back up to his father and brother as they glare down at the two seriously.
“Father… we just got ba-“
“Asahi!” Gou interjects quickly as he stares down at his brother. “This is important… if you aren’t up for it I’ll come along”
Asahi shakes his head as he stands, “I… We can do it”
Zero stands alongside him yet she stays silent. She nods to Kenji and Gou.
“Good.” Kenji turns in his chair, “Now get some rest… you’ll leave in a few days.”
Zero quickly leaves as Asahi follows slowly. He yawns as he gets out to the hallway. Zero is gone by the time he looks around.
In the darkness of her room Zero sits on the edge of a small bed in the corner. Her helmet sits by her side as she holds her necklace in her hands. She looks out towards the sky. A tear rolls down her cheek and taps against her armour.
“I’m sorry…”
Hiro stands outside the large gates of the capital with his head held high as trickles of snow begin to fall from above.
“Just wait a little longer Kyoko… mother… I’ll be there soon”.