CHAPTER 9: “INTERNAL AFFAIRS”

Walking down a dirt pathway with a breathtaking glow, the obscure deity grew plants with each footprint; resulting in beautiful silver roses. Nearing the Forbidden Forest, Kinzo found a sturdy cobblestone gate that bordered the two territories. Having spent several hours on the path here, this would be the second time he walked in on a large group of people. There were merchants lined up with carriages attempting to gain entry in either direction. Many praying eyes were fixed on his person; however one thing was clear, It felt like nothing could possibly ruin his mood.

{{Well, The walk here was nice. I really got to see more of this world.}}(Kinzo)

“Hello there!”(Kinzo shouts out to a border guard.)

Instead of the friendly greeting he was expecting, Kinzo received several grown men bowing in worship as he passed by the gate. These intelligent men were likely informed from merchants or refugees who had crossed prior. They did not dare speak a word, or even bare a look at the figure. Passing freely through the border, Kinzo was a little perturbed by their reaction.

“Am I that scary looking?”(Kinzo mutters to himself.)

{{Well it’s not like I’m in combat any more. I have no reason to keep this form up.}}(Kinzo)

Releasing his Divine Form, and reverting to his human appearance, Kinzo placed his empty hand on his face once more. His hair quickly lightened in appearance, now a dark brown that could easily be passed off as normal.

[{Conjure: Hand Mirror}](Kinzo)

Swiftly a decently large hand mirror with steel handle appeared in front of him. Peering into the mirror to witness his change, he realized why the people had been inching away. His now human face, was wet with blood; it was soaked in his hair, covering from his forehead, down his eye and off his cheek.

“Huh…?”(Kinzo)

In a state of emotional shock Kinzo wipes his face with his sleeve, revealing the still dripping chain he had been carrying. The sound of the chain was enough to have him drop it to the floor with a jump backwards onto the ground. Wiping his face and hair in repeated fast motions, he scrambles to make sense of what happened.

“That’s…”(Kinzo says staring to the collar.)

In a series of lightning fast images Kinzo, re-experienced the past day in horrific clarity. Ayumi, the girl who needed his help, gone in an instant; as well as the many deaths that followed. Leaning over to spew his guts, he was paralyzed in the sheer face of the circumstance. Breathing heavily, to the point of almost fainting. Perhaps perfect memory isn’t what it’s cracked up to be?

“I shouldn’t be here…”(Kinzo wimpers)

[{Warp: Home}](Kinzo)

A large magic circle appeared on the ground, instantaneously taking Kinzo and anything in two meters back to his apartment. Other than the grotesque mess on the side of the path; only the steel mirror still suspended in midair, and silver flowers remained.

~~ ~~ ~~

[5:20PM]

South-East Dalhurst - Noble’s district.

Seated at a large oval table, the remaining six members of the Dalhurst Council held a meeting on Ichki’s residence. Having supported the search for survivors, they were now deciding their next move.

“From our current reports; Dulan has fled southwest towards Sontinia. If his intention is to cross the ocean he will require some sort of transport. For the time being, we should send our troops to intercept. ”(Ichki)

A silent nod of approval circled the room, and as a result the meeting had met its conclusion. Leaving the large table, Ichki followed down a large decorative hallway to a room closed by double doors.

*Knock* *Knock*

“Akari-sama, are you well?”(Ichki asks, kneeling towards the closed doors)

“Who dares disturb Kami-sama’s slumber!?”(A small shout resides from inside the room.)

The two double doors swing open inwards, revealing a young dark elf boy adorning a glistening smile. Pointing downwards at Ichki, the boy’s pose was unexpectedly galliant.

“Hey, now that’s no good.”(Akari scolds the young boy)

Picking up the youngster with both hands around his waist, Akari moves the nuisance out of the way before extending a helping hand down to Ichki. As he looked up from his knee, the old man was once again reminded of her importance. Her entire person oozing, divine power. Hesitating for a moment, he reaches out his hand and is assisted to his feet.

“I’m glad to see you are unharmed Akari-sama; May I ask who... that is...?”(Ichki asks)

Shrugging and confessing quite bluntly, Akari shakes her head.

“Not sure, He was here when I woke up. Hey kid!, What’s your name?”(Akari asks the Dark elf child.)

Ichki’s demeanor became more protective than before, putting an obvious tension in the air. Peering the boy unscrupulously, waves his hand as a gesture to fess up. Looking nervously around, the boy responds with a stutter.

“Ru..to.. I’m Ruto..”(Dark Elf Boy)

“Well Ruto, Why were you here when I woke up?”(Akari asks with a friendlier smile.)

“um…”(Ruto)

The small boy’s knees started to sway in and out in an unconscious fidget. Akari, crouches over and leans over his shoulder.

“It’s alright. I know your nervous Ruto. But you have to tell me what happened or I can’t do anything.”(Akari whispered into his ear)

With a sudden jolt of attention, accompanied by a large gulp, Ruto whispered back to Akari leaving Ichki, with a tense expression; even more on edge.

~~ ~~ ~~

[9:00PM]

Kinzo’s Apartment

Sprawled across the bathroom floor; Head tilted over an amazingly clean toilet. Kinzo kneeled in shame and grief. Occasionally hurling his stomach contents into the basin, It would be mysteriously clean even after all the abuse. After exhausting all of his stomach, he laid on the floor, face up; staring at the ceiling. As the time passed he remembered each of those who he had encountered that day. In an instant, he knew them; better than they knew themselves. That connection, resulted in a large sense of grief, a weight. That not only mentally, but also physically affected Kinzo. As the thoughts continued to wash over him, the weight only grew; small creeks came from the floor and as he felt the pressure against his back increase.

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“Royuk.”(Kinzo)

Remembering each of their faces in great detail, Kinzo recalled each of their names.

“Tenmei.”(Kinzo)

As he thought deeply about them, the weight of his actions felt all the more real.

“Gordon.”(Kinzo)

The floor tile begins to crack underneath the weight of his figure.

“Luke.”(Kinzo)

Shaping itself to his figure the floor starts to sink downwards towards himself.

“Tina”(Kinzo)

The ceiling slowly distancing itself, before a large “crunch”. The floor under his figure had given out, leaving an outline as Kinzo fell into the void.

“and little Rose.. I hope she’s doing okay with her dad.”(Kinzo)

Kinzo was defeated. Closing his eyes, Images of his past life swam through his mind, interchanging his attackers and his own figure in a sick sense of self guilt. Fear of his own capabilities finally grew apparent. Curling up into a ball, falling through an airless void, Kinzo looked out into the darkness and asked.

“Izanagi-sama, What would you do….?”(Kinzo whimpered.)

[{You called?}](Izanagi said in a friendly manner)

*Thump*

Opening his eyes once more, Kinzo was seated across from the grey haired deity once more. Seated upright and in front of the small tea table. Izanagi reaches out and hands Kinzo a familiar cup.

“Watch out it’s hot.”(Izanagi teases Kinzo)

“It’s been two months since you’ve last been here, I was hoping to get to hear from you a bit more..”(Izanagi)

With the sudden change of environment, and the smell of the tea, Kinzo was able to give off a big sigh of relief.

“Looks like you’ve been having a tough time at it.”(Izanagi)

Kinzo simply nodded in response, while cooling the top of his cup with his breath. After a few sips Kinzo adopts a serious expression.

“How do you do it?”(Kinzo asks)

With a rather curious face, Izanagi replies.

“Do what?”(Izanagi laughs it off.)

His expression growing darker, Kinzo repeats himself once more.

“How do you decide who dies?”(Kinzo asks, in an extremely monotone voice.)

Izanagi intently stares at Kinzo for a moment, before mirroring his serious demeanor. Folding his arms together, and looking Kinzo dead in the eye.

“I don’t.”(Izanagi)

A little speechless about his reply, Kinzo couldn’t help but make a very strange face.

“uhh..?”(Kinzo)

Leaving his serious pose, Izanagi sticks one leg out and starts picking at his ear wax. Acting uninterested in the current topic.

“Is that all you’re here for?”(Izanagi says with a somewhat disappointed attitude.)

Kinzo, was a little disturbed. Thinking back to his actions and his guilt; it was unforgivable. In a fit of defiance he stood up and raised his voice.

“What!? How could you just act like it’s no big deal! This is life we’re talking about.”(Kinzo raves)

Silent for a moment, Izanagi was vigorously studying Kinzo’s face from his seat; before letting out a thundering laugh.

“Let me ask you this Kinzo-dono, Do you remember how you got here?”(Izanagi)

Thinking back 2 months prior Kinzo’s face turned pale.

“I was stabbed.”(Kinzo)

Izanagi nods empathetically, and gestures with his hands “annnddd...”.

“So… I died, it was painful and horrible… But... but also not gone… that means death is not the end? Is it the same way for me on that side?”(Kinzo)

*Ding**Ding**Ding*

“Seems like you’ve become quite busy. Come back with an actual story next time”(Izanagi smirks)

Izanagi rings a small golden bell with a hard mallet; Smiling at Kinzo kindly. As the sound disappeared, so did the room along with it. In its place, was Kinzo’s bedroom. Turning around for a moment, assessing the state of his abode, He gave off a large grin.

{{If you’re out there I’ll find you}}(Kinzo)

“[{Gate: Ayumi}].”(Kinzo)

Soon after his return, a large portal opened, overlapping his front door evenly. In it’s center, you could see a decently sized rectangular room with beige and brown tones. The sound of murmuring people emanated from the portal. Taking a deep breath, Kinzo steps through.

~~ ~~ ~~

[10:00PM]

Briniel Empire - Church of Maya

Taking shelter for the night; Kaito, and Riza were preparing their own separate rooms.

“Hero-sama, We will be departing after dawn tomorrow, Make sure to be prepared.”(Royal maid)

Eyeing her thoroughly as she exits his room, leaving him to his own devices. Kaito was spread out over the bed, staring upwards at the bed veil. Calling up his status screen, tried to assess his skill to no avail.

“What the hell is dimensional rift?”(Kaito)

Thinking it over for a few moment’s the only spacial magic he could recall, was either summoning magic or, an Item box. Abilities far too common for a protagonist like himself to go without!

“Well you never know unless you try...”(Kaito)

[{Item box!}](Kaito exclaimed)

A small container lid with no physical body, slid open. About 30cm in both length and width, the container was relatively small; no more than 15 cm deep. Although looking at the bottom of a non-existent box was quite the spectacle. Placing his hand on the inside of the box, and taking a look from the side, it appeared as if his forearm, and hand were completely gone.

“Ho, crap… It worked.”(Kaito said with a devilish smile)

Looking at the edges of the box, Kaito attempted to pinch them from both the inside and outside. As he moved his hands together, the depth of the box increased. As he pulled his hands further apart, the depth of the box became shallow.

“So I can change the size of the opening, but the volume remains the same.”(Kaito rationalizes)

Playing around with the mechanics of the box, grabbing the opening like a plate, he was able to freely move it around in the air. Releasing it for a moment, without a complete stop, revealed that it would remain in the orientation it was thrown in. However, the deeper the box is, the faster it will slow down.

“So. How large can this thing even get?”(Kaito wondered)

Pinching the corners once more, Kaito expanded the box until his thumbs were pushed out by its bottom. Now just over 3 and a half meters on either side, the box could be used as a table, or platform of some kind.

“Wow. This thing actually got pretty big.”(Kaito)

Taking note from earlier, he slid the box-platform, away from himself into the large, and mostly open bedroom. Misjudging his aim, the box clashed into the bedpost leaving a significantly large gash as it sliced through.

“Crap.. “(Kaito said, as he examined the damage closely)

“But… Isn’t this like an awesome weapon?”(Kaito snickers to himself)

Reaching out, carefully touching the edge of the box, Kaito was not injured. Although after testing various items in the room, a candle, a chair leg, and even a small piece of metal, It was clear that he was the exception. Each, just as easy as the last were sliced clean through. Kaito was so surprised for a moment he couldn’t help but stare blankly at the sheer versatility of such a basic ability.

“Okay, now this is just getting dumb.”(Kaito exhaled, exasperated by new discoveries.)

({I don’t think anyone could stand up to this})(Kaito)

Placing the large rectangular table surface upright, Kaito allows it to sit openly in midair. Now taking various things from the room, and placing them on top the newly made surface. First some pillows, then a chair; however, no matter what he stuffed on to it, it supported the weight without fail.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore.”(Kaito sighed.)

Peering at the nonsense that is unraveling before him. Kaito collapsed onto the floor with a crackling laughter. Above him, the table suspended without need for worry. When looking up at the backside of the box, there was no discernable surface, It appeared as if everything was floating without reason. But there was one thing he did notice; a thin layer of every object’s bottom had disappeared from sight. Imagining, what his arm would have looked like earlier from such an angle made him cringe.

“Okay a few more ideas!”(Kaito exclaimed)

Working tirelessly into the night, Kaito was able to unravel many secrets that accompanied his item-box. He calculated, that if he made it as wide as one of his fingers, and about 1mm deep, he could in theory extend it 540 meters long. However, wielding such a long weapon with such a bad grip was ill advised. Frankly there was no proportion he could use, that would allow him to use it as a sword. At 3mm deep, is when the box appeared to stop cutting with its edge. Which meant that at a standard sword grip size, he would still have 270 meters of length. An absurd weapon to be swinging around. Kaito would have to think up ways to use his box in close quarters without such crazed modifications.

~~ ~~ ~~

Through the Portal -

“Kami-sama! Its you!”(Ayumi shouts as she hops up from her seat)

The decently sized L-shaped room, was filled with many different creatures, each race had a line which led to a single desk and clerk. Colour coded forms were on display to the back of the room, and were being taken by each entity. After seeing Ayumi, Kinzo couldn’t help but shed a tear and give her a hug.

“Time to go home Ayumi”(Kinzo says extending his hand.)

Grasping his palm, they both set out towards the portal, where they were abruptly stopped. A large earth elemental, dressed in security guard clothes, wielding a large obsidian club; Stared down at Kinzo and Ayumi, It extends its hand as if waiting for something.

“Papers please.”(Earth elemental)

“What?”(Kinzo asks)

“Unauthorized summoning of the dead. You require a T44-32B Form. In yellow.”(The guard responded)

The guard then points over to the desk of colour coded documents. Gesturing for Kinzo to complete them. Turning his head over to Ayumi, and assessing her moral, he kneels down and says.

“Hrm… What are we going to do... Should we bust out of here? Or can you wait to fill in a few forms?”(Kinzo teases)

Ayumi, who was happy just to have him come for her, nervously looked up and said.

“I can wait a little bit, since your here..”(Ayumi)

Gathering the form and filling it out; Kinzo and Ayumi waited patiently, occasionally moving forward in line. In an attempt to restrict himself, this time he had planned to be patient...

“What do you mean it’s the wrong form!?!”(Kinzo complains loudly)

But just how long will that last?

CHAPTER END