Asahi sits staring as the fire crackles in front of him casting a golden glow upon his face. He sists alone with nothing but darkness behind him. His emerald eyes sparkle against the moonlight, but they seem damp with a hint of sadness and loneliness behind them.
Before he has any longer to be alone, he hears arguing off in the distance. Out from the darkness appears Hiro and Isamu. Hiro carries a load of firewood as Isamu carried a bunch of dry leaves. Hiro walks along with a huge red mark on his face while Isamu berates him for something as Asahi watches on silently.
“What did you think was going to happen if you scared me in the dark?” Her tone is harsh as she places the leaves beside the fire.
Hiro slowly places down the wood as he touches the pulsing side of his face, “I don’t know… laugh?”
Isamu sighs aggressively while rubbing the side of her eyes, “Have you ever met a woman before?”
Hiro sits down beside the fire still holding onto his cheek, “I’ve never met a woman who slaps someone an hour after they met.”
Isamu laughs proudly as she sits beside him. “Well, congrats, you just did”
The two continue to bicker as Asahi watches from across the other side of the fire. A small smile creeps onto his face as he watches the two.
As time passes the fire grows dim and the moon hangs above the three of them.
Isamu stretches as she yawns, “So you two are headed to the capital?”, Hiro nods emphatically as he chews on the food they all made. Isamu looks at him slightly annoyed, “Why the hell would you want to go there?”
Hiro tilts his head in confusion, “What do you mean?”
She sighs “You mean you don’t know about the monsters that live in the capital?”. Hiro’s interest is peaked as he raises both eyebrows. Asahi continues eating as he feigns disinterest in what she has to say.
“You mean to tell me you haven’t heard of those villains?”, Hiro just stares back at her blankly. Isamu pets his head proudly, “Oh you poor boy… I guess I can tell you”
Isamu coughs as she lies back on the grass, “The Yoshida are bad people…” Hiro leans in slightly intrigued by the story. “They are one of the asshole families chosen by the four gods but they’re the worst of the worst” She takes a bite of her food as she continues, “Even if it means killing, cheating or stealing they’ll do anything to get more power”. Asahi’s eyes sullen as he looks to the ground.
Hiro scratches his chin as he looks deep in thought as he lies back and looks up towards the stars. “What’s a god?”
Isamu lifts herself off the ground in shock as she stares at Hiro with widened eyes, “You mean to tell me you’ve lived this long without hearing about the gods?”
“That makes it sound like I’m old” He pouts slightly as he looks away from her.
She laughs slightly as she lies back down, “Well there was one god and he split into four blah blah blah they got greedy and wanted power again so they each chose a champion and decided to give them a little power and have them fight” Hiro nods along giving the impression he’s keeping up, “For whatever reason instead of fighting they decided to split the land into four and rule over”
Asahi looks at Isamu as she continues, “The power ran through each of their bloodlines a few wars happened blah blah and then obviously the great war just ended ten years ago when they decided to go back to peace.”
“So there was five gods who got their power stolen…”, Isamu looks at him unimpressed,
“So you didn’t listen to a thing I just said”
Asahi stands slowly, “I’m gonna head to bed…”
Hiro’s face turns serious as he looks to his hands, “So it was one of these families that destroyed my village…”
This takes the other two by surprise as Isamu looks at him with sympathy, “You’re village was destroyed? By what?”
Hiro looks to the sky as his eyes seem to lose a little colour “I don’t know… a huge beast… It felt like it wasn’t even really there”
Asahi turns to him, “What did it look like?”
Hiro lifts his hand in the air, “It flew up…” He slams his hand to the ground, “And slammed down leaving nothing”
Isamu looks at him with slight guilt, “Sorry… I just kept going on and on about powers and stuff… I didn’t know”
Hiro looks over at her and smiles, “Nah, it’s good”
Asahi sits back down in front of the two as he sighs, “You know each god is different”
Both Hiro and Isamu look at him confused as he continues, “Each of the four of them passed down a different type of power”
Isamu sits up listening to him, “There’s the god of enhancement… The Yoshida’s, The god of manipulation which is King Alexander’s god, The god of elements which is the Maximillian family and then lastly the god of creation which is the god of Edward.”
Isamu looks at him shocked by is knowledge with a hint of suspicion in her eyes, “How do you know all that?”
Asahi looks back towards the fire, “I’m from the capital… you hear it all the time there”
Isamu thinks for a second, “I guess that makes sense… I didn’t even know they each had different powers”
Hiro exaggerates a smug chuckle towards Isamu, “I guess he knew more than you… that’s ok you’ll get them next time”
Isamu grows annoyed, “And a brick could know more about it than you”
Asahi looks up “A brick could also read better”
Hiro turns red as he stutters his way to a comeback, “W-w-well I can’t read either so…”, He trails off as he realises what he’s saying.
Isamu and Asahi give each other a look before bursting out laughing, “What the hell was that?”
Isamu rolls around on the ground as Hiro’s pout slowly becomes a smile as he sees Asahi laughing.
The three head to bed waving goodbye to one another as they turn in. Asahi gives Hiro one last look as he waves. Asahi thinks there may be more to Hiro than an idiot that fell on hard times as.
The birds chirp as the cold air blows through what was once the setting for a fire side laugh. The frost lays across the black firewood and across the grass. The sun pierces through the clouds glimmering off the plates lying in the once glowing campsite.
Asahi slowly gets out of his makeshift tent as Hiro sits staring outwards to the forest. Asahi sits beside him and joins him in looking outwards towards the trees.
“You lost a lot of people then?” With each soft word comes a blow of condensation from his breath. Hiro nods as he smiles half-heartedly.
“I know it doesn’t compare but… I lost my mother during the great war” Hiro turns to him slightly taken aback as Asahi stares out, “She was everything to me and my brother…”
Hiro turns back towards the forest letting Asahi continue, “My father took it hard too.” He fidgets with a frosted leaf. “What I’m trying to say is that I can’t imagine how it felt… Losing my mother was awful so I can-“Hiro interrupts him by placing his hand on his shoulder. He smiles to Asahi as they both stare at one another.
“Thanks…” Hiro’s voice is soft through the harshness of the cold as Asahi blushes slightly,
“I-It was only fair since you had said your past… I wasn’t opening up or anything!” He clears his throat trying to compose himself.
Hiro bursts out laughing as causing Asahi’s face to flush with embarrassment. He loosens up as he hears Hiro’s laugh chiming in his ear, and he begins to chuckle along with him.
Asahi begins making food on the fire as Hiro yawns, “Oh Hiro you should probably wake her up huh?”
Hiro rubs his eyes as he heads towards her tent. Asahi smiles as the food sizzles above the fire. He slowly places the food onto three separate plates and gets ready to serve them.
A screeching scream is followed by a loud slap from the other side of camp interrupts Asahi as he places the plates out. Seconds later Hiro sits down completely red in the face both from embarrassment and a smack across the cheek.
“You scare her again?” Asahi laughs as he eats.
Hiro slowly turns to Asahi and in a quiet voice whispers “Women are scary dude…”
Isamu storms towards the two with a flushed face. She stomps across the cracking grass and sits down in silence.
Asahi looks the two and chuckles, “He see you naked or something?”
Isamu stands and slowly walks over to Hiro. She grabs him by the collar and whispers something in his ear causing Hiro to go pale and his eyes to widen in fear. Asahi watches on confused as Isamu sits back down with her arms crossed in anger.
Hiro leans towards Asahi as his eyes shake in fear, “She said if I tell you what happened she’ll tie my balls to a tree and leave me hanging… my balls” Hiro shudders as Asahi looks over at Isamu who gives him a piercing glare right back.
“S-so Isamu where is it you’re actually going?” Asahi tries to dispel the tense atmosphere.
Isamu gives an exasperated sigh as she eats her food, “Back home”
Hiro goes to speak but she instantly gives him a death stare causing him to cower back into his shell.
“Is that the capital or…?”
Isamu scoffs, “You think I’d live with those assholes… no offense”
They continue eating as Asahi laughs slightly, “Well are you just heading after you finish eating?”
Isamu finishes the last bite as she grins deviously, “Oh no no no no… You guys will be taking me”
Hiro and Asahi look at one another confused, “Huh?”
Ismau stands unmoving as she stares down at the two, “It’s only fair”
Hiro conks his head to the side, “Fair for wh-“ She stares at him once again sending a shiver down his spine. He turns to Asahi and shakes him back and forth, “We gotta take her…”
Asahi sighs, “Fine…”
The three trudge along as Asahi carries Hiro’s large bag on his back while Hiro has Isamu on his.
“You can’t walk this last part?” Hiro speaks through heavy breaths
Isamu smiles arrogantly, “Nope”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Hiro sighs as they continue walking through the forest. “Why’s your house so far out anyway?”
She places her finger on his lips, “That’s a secret”
The forest seems deeper than ever as Isamu hops off of Hiro’s back, “Ok, That’s us”
Hiro and Asahi look at one another confused as nothing but trees and greenery sit in front of them. They give each other a look and then back at the vast number of trees in front of them.
“You live in a tree?”
Isamu turns away from them and looks towards a gap in the trees above. “Hurry up Marco!”
Asahi leans in close to Hiro, “Is the tree called Marco?”, Hiro turns to a tree standing just by them, “You think he has a name? or is it a woman?” Just as they begin laughing, they hear a click come from the trees in front of them.
All of a sudden the illusion reveals itself as the large amount of greenery begins to shift and move. Hiro and Asahi are shocked as a whole village is slowly revealed to them. People laugh, drink, work and drink within the trees. Tents line the tiny streets. The place is no bigger than a clearing, yet it seems filled to the brim with life.
Isamu crosses her arms proudly as she welcomes the two to her home,
“Welcome to the home of the rebels!”
Hiro looks on in amazement not even listening to her as his eyes glisten at the sight.
Isamu laughs pompously, “Impressive right?”
A man not much older than the trio walks towards Isamu, “Should you really bring a couple of guys in here?”
Isamu scoffs, “It’s fine they were only dropping me off”
The man raises his eyebrow at her, “Well why has one of them already walked in?”
Isamu gives him a confused look before noticing Hiro was already deep into the middle of the base. Her eyes widen as she chases after him shouting for him to get back. Asahi is left alone with the man standing by the entrance.
“So… my name’s Marco” The man wears a ragged bandana. His face is dirty and his clothes look worn. A smile paints his face as he reaches out a dirty hand to Asahi.
“Uh… my name is” Asahi pauses as he looks at Marco, “Asa… mane”
Marco slaps him on the back, “Well nice to meet you man!” Asahi gives him an awkward laugh as Marco begins guiding him into the base.
Hiro stares in awe as the tents are almost being welcomed into nature. Leaves wrap and warp around the small buildings. The people are all ragged and worn down but smiles are seen all around. It reminds Hiro of his old village. He watches as a family by and his smile falters slightly before Isamu catches up to him.
“When did I say you could come in?!” She breathes heavily
“This is so cool!” He regains his smile
Isamu quickly falls into her proud attitude, “Well of course i-“she snaps out of it as Hiro begins walking away. “If you’re gonna distract me with compliments at least stay for my reaction!”
Isamu sighs as she walks alongside an amazed Hiro, “So this is your home?”
“This is the rebel base… I guess I probably shouldn’t have told you that, but I’d already know if you were bad guys.”
Hiro turns to her, “What’s a rebel?”, Isamu looks at him unimpressed.
Marco guides Asahi through the village. They walk past small tent homes, a tiny market stall and a small play area. Everything seems so small to Asahi but the people are all happy. Something that seems odd to him.
Marco points towards the larger tent at the back of the small, caged village, “You want to meet the big man?”
Asahi looks towards the large tent enveloped in vines and a crowd of people standing outside. “The big man?”
Marco laughs, “Yeah, the leader of us rebels”
Asahi grows weary, “Rebelling against what?”
Marco smiles and grabs Asahi’s hand and pull him through the streets. They walk past young children training in swordplay and another group of children sitting in a circle around a woman with long white hair as she reads to them. Asahi only catches a glimpse of her until he is pulled into the large crowd forming around the leader’s tent.
“Oh by the way do not mention you came with Isamu!” Marco shouts back at Asahi but his voice is drowned out by the multitude of laughter and cheering all around them.
The two of them push through the crowd towards the tent. As they burst through the sea of people Asahi takes a breath. As he looks up his eyes widen as the reason for the crowd becomes clear.
Asahi’s face quickly fades from curiosity to embarrassment as he sees a large man with long dark red hair standing over Hiro. The man’s face is the picture of anger as his face was within an inch of Hiro’s face. Hiro’s expression is the complete opposite as he smiles back at him. The man is a tank as he towers over Hiro. His face is decorated in scars as he stares down Hiro. Isamu stands behind the man with her face buried in her pals in embarrassment.
“I’ll kill you boy…” The man growls at Hiro with his eye twitching in anger.
A few minutes earlier Hiro and Isamu are walking around the place as Hiro sparkles in amazement at everything.
He points to the large tent, “Can we go there?”
Isamu tries to ignore him and points away, “I’ll show you this…”
Hiro keeps his eye on the tent as Isamu tries to pull him away, “Isamu let’s go there!”
Hiro basically drags her along instead as she tries pulling him back. “Y-you’re stronger than you look”
They both stand in front of the tent as Hiro looks at it amazed. Isamu looks around nervously as if trying not to get caught.
“Wow it’s built into a tree? That’s so cool”, As Hiro stands taking it all in Isamu begins pulling on him to get him to move.
“Ok we’ve seen enough of this le-“ Isamu is interrupted by a rumbling voice from inside the large tent. A large man appears from behind the wall of leaves covering the entrance. His face lightens up at the sight of Isamu as he shouts, “You’re back!”.
Isamu smiles nervously as the man runs up to her and lifts her up. Isamu can’t help but smile ever so slightly as the man cheers out. Hiro laughs out which completely changes the man’s face. His head slowly turns towards Hiro his eyes run cold as he stares at him.
“A boy?” His voice is cold and rough as he stares at Hiro. Isamu sighs as he steps closer to Hiro, “A boy and Isamu?”
Hiro smiles and waves causing the man’s eye to twitch with pure hatred. Isamu nervously laughs as she slaps Hiro’s hand stopping him from waving.
“D-don’t worry daddy he just helped me get back home”. The man’s eyes remained trained on Hiro.
He steps closer slowly, “You helped my daughter?”
Hiro nods, “I guess…”
The man’s face softens to a smile, “Well thanks kid! Did you meet today?”
Hiro begins speaking but Isamu slams her hand on his mouth and interrupts, “Y-yep today!” she laughs nervously.
Hiro looks at her confused as he pulls her hand off his face, “What about us camping last night?”
A deathly silence falls on the camp as people begin to look over. A pin dropping could be heard as Hiro looks around confused. The man’s eyes freeze over as he stares daggers into Hiro.
“What happened?” Hiro looks at Isamu, as he looks back towards the man he is face to face with him once more
He stares straight into Hiro’s soul as his voice tremors in anger. “You… spent the night with Isamu?” His words are quiet, but they weigh on everyone heavily apart from Hiro.
“Sure why?”
The man clenches his whole body as he struggles to get a word out through gritted teeth. “You slept beside one another?”
Isamu instantly goes red and protests. The man quickly shuts her down still staring at Hiro, “I’m asking him”
Hiro laughs, “What? Nah”
The man’s relief is clear to see as he begins to lean back slightly away from Hiro. “Thankfully it seems you aren’t like that….”
Hiro looks at him confused, “Like what?”
Just as everyone relaxes Isamu begins speaking, “I mean it was late so we had to camp… I mean the only time he was in my tent was in the morning wh-“The surrounding area once again falls silent as Ismau slams her hand against her own mouth.
“Oh, you mean when I walked in and saw you naked… I still feel bad for that” Everyone’s face drops in pure shock. Jaws hit the floor as all eyes lock back onto Isamu’s father.
Isamu hides her face in her palms and squeals in embarrassment. The man stands frozen in place. His face unchanged from the smile yet his eyes told a different story. The man walks close to Hiro, “I’ll kill you boy”
Asahi watches on as the behemoth stomps his way into his large tent. Just as everyone looks surprised it was over he slams a huge hammer against the floor in front of Hiro. Hiro realises the nature of the situation as he watches the man slowly lift the large hammer from the small crater it left.
“You die today boy”, The man’s face is one with not an ounce of mercy as he lifts the hammer above his head once again.
Hiro’s eyes widen as it comes down again. He jumps out the way as it crashes against the spot he was standing. Isamu sighs as she looks on. Hiro turns to her in pure shock, “You aren’t going to help me?!”
She smiles and lifts up a thumb, “He probably won’t actually hurt you… probably”
Hiro quickly looks up as the hammer hurtles back down towards him. Asahi’s eyes glow as he sighs in relief.
As the hammer is about to wack Hiro he jumps out of the way. He stares down at the damage done to the ground.
Hiro jumps up and points at it screaming, “That would’ve absolutely hurt!”
Just as the man gears up for another swing everyone hears a voice scream out, “Giichi!”
He instantly stops in his tacks as the hammer sits just above Hiro. Everyone looks over at the source as a woman with long white hair stands in front of the two.
She stares at the man sternly, “You could’ve killed him!”
He looks at the crater on the ground and awkwardly laughs, “H-he could’ve survived that…”
She stomps her foot, “Maybe if they were built like you dad! Apologise now!”
Hiro looks at her in awe as her hair blows in the breeze and her eyes sparkle as the sun hits them. Hiro thinks she’s beautiful as she looks over at him and her expression softens. “I’m sorry for my father… I pr-“ Her seriousness is completely broken the second she sees Ismau.
She gasps and runs over to her. She grabs her and nuzzles her face into her cheek. “Oh sis you’re back!”
Isamu stares forward unimpressed, “You had a vibe there…”
She continues to squeeze Isamu tight to everybody’s relief. Her tough exterior was melted at the sight of her sister.
The crowd disperses as Hiro is welcomed into the large tent. Giichi apologises to Hiro under the scowl of the woman with white hair. Hiro laughs it off as Isamu lets out an exasperated sigh.
She rubs her forehead, “fifteen years of being a rebel and this is the angriest you get”
Marco welcomes Asahi in alongside Hiro. “So… you guys are the rebels?”
The man stands proudly, “That’s us… although this is a new generation of sorts.”
Asahi looks at him confused, “Rebelling against what?”
“Are you better than me?” He stares at Asahi who looks at him confused, “On a basic human level… are you better than me?”
“N-no?” Asahi looks at the man curiously as he sits down.
The man smiles, “Exactly… We are all human. All the same”
Isamu leans against the table, “Apart from those chosen by god of course” Her face grows frustrated as she finishes her sentence. The place lies quiet with a sense of anger filling the room before Hiro breaks the silence,
“People chosen by god?”
Giichi looks to the floor with a burrowed brow, “they think they’re better than us because their ancestors were the champions of the gods… I say bullshit”
The woman with the white hair sighs loudly “let’s not do this now shall we?” she walks towards Hiro and Asahi “you guys need a place to stay for the night right?”
Hiro looks out at the darkening sky. “I guess it is a bit late…”
She smiles and begins pushing Hiro to the door, “Then let’s get you guys in bed as soon as possible.
Asahi stays as he looks at the man sitting on the ground. “So, the attacks on the Maximillian and Alexander’s family was you guys?”
Giichi’s eyes widen slightly as he speaks, “How would you know about that?”
Asahi rubs his neck, “Well I’ve lived in the capital my whole life so…”
Giichi winces as he slowly stands, “Feel bad for you kid… you’ve been close to the worst of the worst. The Yoshida’s”
Asahi’s eyes lose a little bit of light, “Yeah…”
The woman pulls Hiro along as Asahi and Isamu follow behind. Isamu yawns as Asahi looks towards the ground.
“Something wrong?” Isamu looks over at him while stretching.
He shakes his head, “Nah…”
“Well, you were travelling with that dumbass so you can’t be that fine”. Asahi laughs as they are stopped by the woman with white hair.
The woman points to two small tents and smiles, “There it is… The guest tents”
Hiro smiles. “I don’t remember the last time I slept inside”
Rose chuckles, “If you need the toilet then just follow the signs.
Hiro looks around as Asahi heads into his tent. “Uh…”
The woman turns as Isamu quickly heads to bed. “Wh-what if I can’t read?”
The woman stares at him with a blank unchanging expression. The silence lingers for a little too long as Hiro begins fidgeting, “I-I’m not saying I can’t read or anything… well I can’t but…”
The woman steps closer, “You can’t read?”
He quickly chimes in, “I can’t write either!” He realises quickly that this isn’t better. “I guess that’s not a good thing…” He laughs nervously.
The woman holds his hand as she nods. “Well, if you need the toilet then I’ll be right there”
Hiro tilts his head in confusion. “You’re gonna stand outside all night?”
She laughs, “No, I’ll take the tent next to yours”
“O-Oh you don’t ha-“
She puts her foot down, “Too bad… I’m doing it”
Hiro smiles at her with gratitude as the woman lets go of his hand. “Your name is Hiro right? I’m Rose”
Hiro smiles wide as he waves her goodnight.
A small group surrounds Hiro and Asahi as they stand at the exit of the base ready to leave. Marco and Giichi alongside another boy all stand to see them off. Giichi still looks mad at Hiro, Marco smiles at the two as the other boy looks uninterested.
Hiro looks around, “Is Isamu not around?”
Marco laughs “She’s always a late sleeper”
Hiro lifts the large bag and swings it around his shoulder. Asahi bows as thanks to the rebels as the two get ready to go.
“Wait!” Two voices shout out from the distance.
Hiro and Asahi turn to see both Isamu and Rose running towards them.
“Hold on…!” Rose tries to speak through heavy breaths.
“You ran like fifty steps…” Rose weakly punches Isamu in the arm as she looks up at Hiro.
Rose leads Hiro away from the others and pulls a book out from her bag and hands it to him.
“What’s this?” Hiro looks confused.
“You can open it outside… It might help” Her smile radiates as he blushes
“Thanks…”
Isamu begins coughing obnoxiously as she lifts a small bag over her shoulder, “Let’s go!”
They all give her a look of confusion. “What?”
Isamu squeezes herself in between Hiro and Asahi, “I’m coming with obviously”
Everyone is taken aback none more so than Giichi, “You what?!”
Isamu begins walking as behind her Giichi drops to his knees, the picture of pathetic, as he looks to the skies, “He has stolen my sweet daughter from me!”
Hiro laughs awkwardly as Asahi sighs. Isamu grabs the two and begins walking through the forest. Hiro waves to Rose and Asahi to Marco. Giichi shouts after them as Rose comforts him.
Hiro, Asahi and Isamu walk along the brick road as they pass signs for the capital. The day goes on as carriages begin to roll by. More people surround them. The air begins to seem heavier, and the atmosphere grows tense the closer they get. Creatures fly overhead as Hiro and Isamu drink from a nearby river. Their small journey comes to an end as they stand across from the large gates of the capital.
The three stare upwards to the large walls. “I’ve never actually been this close before…” Isamu looks nervous.
Hiro’s eyes sparkle with excitement as he stares up in awe.
Asahi sighs as he turns to the two, “This is where we split up”
Hiro looks confused and sad as he turns to him, “Huh? Why?”
Asahi smiles and places his hand on Hiro’s shoulder, “Thanks for the small journey… It was actually… uh” He coughs unable to finish his sentence through his embarrassment. “W-Well anyway”.
He seems reluctant to say goodbye but eventually he leaves Hiro and Isamu standing alone at the gates unable to turn around and wave at the two.
“Wow some friend he is” Isamu doesn’t really seem to care as she turns to a saddened Hiro. She feels slightly guilty for just brushing him off. “W-welp are you ready to go in Hiro?”
He nods sadly. She puts her arm around his shoulder, “Hey you’ve got someone to find right?!”
He smiles and nods. The two look up at the huge doors as they begin to creek open. Asahi disappears into the sea of people, just another resident. Hiro looks forward determined to find Kyoko. Isamu pulls her goggles down,
“Let’s go”