THREE DAYS HAVE PASSED BY since Yukan, Ite, and Kadaina left Kashikoi’s house for Acophis. Yukan sat upon a motel bed while Ite and Kadaina interrogated him.

“So, you found this sword at the bottom of that pit,” began Kadaina, “and it marked your wrist with that rose.”

“That much is clear,” Yukan replied.

“And this sword, despite being several times larger than the greatswords at Kashikoi’s house, is somehow easier for you to lift?” the mage continued.

“More than that,” Yukan added. “It’s several times lighter.”

“But when Kadaina and I try to lift the sword, it’s impossibly heavy.” Ite pondered this strange discrepancy.

“That’s where it starts to make no sense,” the swordsman said before remembering something. “Unless…”

“Unless what?” the archer chimed in.

“Maybe it has to do with this bedtime story I heard,” Yukan continued.

“A bedtime story?” Kadaina interjected.

“Exactly,” the last Kenshi began. “According to that story, the Omega Blade would weigh a ton and a half for anybody that isn’t the rightful owner.”

“So anybody except for you,” Kadaina said.

“I suppose so,” Yukan answered.

“Well then,” Kadaina began. “Our journey should be complete tomorrow. You can make your way to Acophis without me, right?”

“Without you?” Ite responded.

“I did what I needed to, didn’t I?” their guide continued. “I made sure that you made it to Acophis to do…wait. What was it you were wanting to do there again?”

“It’s the only place that can help us now,” Yukan answered, inspecting the Omega Blade, still sharp as ever.

“I don’t get it,” Ite remarked. “You’ve never been this serious about anything. You’d be quicker to make a joke about your work than to joke about this journey. What is it about Acophis that makes it a sanctuary? What’s driving you to keep going after you almost died?”

“It’s not that simple,” Yukan started.

“We both thought you were done for, Yukan,” Kadaina continued. “We thought you miscalculated your gambit and your king had fallen. Even after all of what we’ve been put through, why do you press on like this?”

“It’s because of what we’ve been put through that I press on,” Yukan interjected. “I should have died from falling for that long, but I didn’t. Kashikoi directed me to the Omega Blade for a reason. And, just as there’s a reason for him giving me potentially deadly advice, there’s a reason why we’re heading to Acophis. We need to speak with King Yokina.”

“The king?!” Ite shouted, even more confused than before. “That’s almost impossible.”

“She’s right, Yukan,” Kadaina joined in. “What makes you think the King would see us? We’re worse than pawns on his board. We’d be lucky to be the tiles he plays on!”

“Stop with the chess references, you nerd,” Yukan retorted.

“We both want an explanation,” Ite began. “For almost two weeks you’ve been dead set on going to Acophis and for what reason? This isn’t rhetorical. You need to explain yourself. Give us something, anything to get into that head of yours.”

Yukan took a deep breath in to collect himself. Now was as good a time as any to reveal his intentions, even if he feared their response. After a few seconds, Yukan broke the momentary silence.

“I wish to talk to King Yokina,” he began, unloading the burden on his mind, “because he is the only man that can declare war on Aotoshi.”

Yukan knew the moment that three-letter-word passed his lips that the complaints would begin to file in from his two comrades.

“War?!” Ite exclaimed. “Yukan! This is insane! Thousands, maybe even millions, could die if war broke out! Do you want the blood of so many innocent lives on your hands just to take out one man that wronged you?”

“Insane isn’t a strong enough word to describe what this is!” Kadaina yelled out. “I would say ‘deranged’! War isn’t how you solve problems.”

“This is the best way to-”

“Yukan, listen to me,” Ite interrupted. “You’re grieving. I know what you’re going through, I’ve been there. I was angry at the world when my parents died too, but resorting to violence isn’t the answer. We don’t need to do this. Everything will turn out just fine. You could kill Kunshu, but that won’t bring them back.”

“Is that what you think this is?” Yukan began once more. “I’m trying to bargain with Death and bring them back to life? I know you may not agree with me completely, but this isn’t about my family anymore. I’ll admit, it was at first, but that changed when Kunshu murdered Kashikoi. Back at Kadaina’s house, I went onward, uncertain of the right thing to do, but what happened three days ago has confirmed that I was right the whole time.

“This war is the only way we can kill Kunshu. With him still living, still killing, still strutting from town to town, wreaking havoc upon the poor souls that dare cross his path, I can’t face the reality that he may never be punished for his crimes. It’s on my mind constantly, each life he’s torn apart. It keeps me awake at night, trapped in nightmares of hell. If not us, then who? Who’s left to step up to the plate and stop his reign of terror? Aren’t you angry, Kadaina?! We can’t let Kashikoi’s sacrifice be for nothing.

“I’ve accepted that they’re dead. It’s hard to deny it when you see it happen. But I cannot sit idly by while so many others may face the same fate. I refuse to stand down until we can finally bring Kunshu his comeuppance. I don’t need my family back for that, but I need you two.”

A silence filled the room after Yukan stopped speaking. Ite walked up to her boyfriend and held him close, holding his head against her shoulder as a few tears fell from Yukan’s eyes. Time seemed to slow down even further for the two of them. Yukan felt a warmth that he’d only known from his past, a time that seemed so long-gone in contrast to today. He felt a once constant feeling of harmony that had since become foreign. He wished that he could remain in this embrace, assured in the care of Ite, free to let his defenses down, but he knew, deep down, that this would have to wait. So long as Kunshu was after him, such a life was impossible.

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“I guess I’m outnumbered,” Kadaina sighed. “If there’s no changing your mind, I will be your loyal friend from here on out. I’m willing to suffer with you to win this board over.”

“Thank you both,” Yukan replied. “It’s good to know that we have each others’ backs.”

“The sooner we see King Yokina,” the mage interjected, “the sooner we can get done with this charade. Now, let’s get going.”

The three of them checked out of the motel at sunrise and got back onto their horses. They knew they were about to reach their first checkpoint in a long quest to bring their foe to justice.

❒︎❒︎❒︎❒︎❒︎❒︎❒︎

The next day, the three of them reached the gates of Acophis. People from all across the nation of Akuni had come to the city, as a small festival was happening that day. Stalls lined the boulevards in tidy rows and children could often be seen playing in the streets. Buskers could be seen on the corners of the streets, playing all varieties of music, their instrument cases left open in front of them for any donations. It seemed very clear to Yukan, Ite, and Kadaina that Acophis was unaware of the struggles the less defended areas of the country had faced.

“We usually didn’t have the time to stop by here during the festival,” Kadaina remarked. “It’s a shame, really. I’m sure Ani and Shisuta would love this. Granted, they’d love the food more than the festivities, but I can hardly blame them.”

“Is the food here any different from Shirotaun?” Yukan asked.

“I’m not sure,” Kadaina began. “I guess that the food is a lot saltier. In fact, some foods have so much that it almost loops back around to being sweet again.”

“That doesn’t sound appetizing,” Ite replied.

“Oh, but it is,” the mage continued. “Of course, if you’re not careful your mouth will dry out entirely, but otherwise it’s actually not half bad.”

“Maybe we’ll try it someday,” Yukan added.

They continued on their journey through the town, eventually reaching a modest gray house with shingles on its roof. It seemed to only have a few rooms on each of its two floors so that it could fit in the otherwise tight-knit cityscape.

“Ah, here we are,” Kadaina exclaimed as he snapped his fingers and walked toward the house. “This is our new base of operations.”

“You’re joking, right?” Ite interjected. “Surely we can’t just go up to these people and demand they take us in. Wouldn’t an inn be better?”

“Inns cost money, Ite,” the mage explained, “something that we don’t have much of now. And this isn’t a random house either. I know the family that lives here well. We helped heal their daughter of a grave illness and since then we’ve been able to look out for each other.”

“That’s all well and good,” Yukan chimed in, “but are you sure we want to rope them into this? If Kunshu finds out-”

“Kunshu is never going to know,” Kadaina interrupted. “This is Acophis. He knows better than to charge into the capital city of Akuni with any troops. Just trust me on this, okay?”

After a brief pause, Kadaina walked up to the doorstep and knocked upon the house’s door. When the door opened, they were greeted by a man with a rosy face and a broad frame. His head was bald and he had a large jet black beard with a few stray strands of gray. Once his brown eyes fixed on Kadaina, his expression grew kinder.

“Ah, Kadaina!” the man exclaimed in a gaudy bass voice as he took the mage in for a bear hug. “Long time no see!”

“Hey Mr. Maynard,” Kadaina wheezed. “It’s good to see you, too.”

“You’ve really let your hair grow out, haven’t you?” Mr. Maynard carried on as he released the hug. “I’m surprised Oba didn’t make you cut it yet.”

“Yeah,” the mage laughed. “I guess so.”

“David!” a somewhat throaty alto called out from inside of the house. “Who’s at the door?”

“It’s the Meiji kid!” the man shouted into the house.

“Kadaina?” the voice gasped as footsteps came toward the door. Soon after, a stockier woman stood beside David Maynard. In contrast to her husband, her hair was instead a light auburn shade, frizzy and tied up in a bun. The back of her neck was sunburnt, as was all of David’s visible skin.

“My goodness!” Mrs. Maynard continued. “It really is him! Quick, come in, dear.”

“Hold on one second, Mrs. Maynard,” the mage protested.

“You can bring your friends in too if you want,” she added. “You should’ve given us a bit of a warning so we would have some time to tidy up. I wouldn’t want anybody to think we lived in a sty and all.”

In truth, the house was not especially dirty in any way. Sure, there was a pile of dishes in the sink and several bags full of assorted papers were strewn across the counter, but the house was otherwise in fairly good shape.

“The house is fine, Linda,” David commented.

“It’s not fine for company, love,” Linda replied. “Leaving all of this clutter out in the open makes us seem lazy.”

“It’s alright, Mrs. Maynard,” Yukan began. “If anything, the clutter reminds me of home.”

“Yeah,” Ite chimed in. “I guess there is a charm to it. Although, if you want a hand with anything we’d be glad to help.”

“Really?” Linda asked, turning to the two visitors. “How thoughtful of you. Say, what’s your name, miss?”

“Ite. And this is my boyfriend, Yukan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Yukan said, reaching out his hand to shake Linda’s.

“As to you, dear,” the mother of the Maynard household replied. “Violet! We have company!”

A young woman came down the stairs after a few moments. She seemed to be about the same age as Kadaina and had shoulder-length chestnut hair and light blue eyes. Her frame was much more meager in contrast with her mother and father, but just as her parents had done, she too responded jovially to Kadaina’s arrival.

“Oh, hey Kad!” she said as she waved toward Kadaina. Yukan was barely holding back his laughter.

“Kad?” Yukan chuckled.

“It’s a nickname,” the mage groaned. “She couldn’t pronounce Kadaina when we first met, so she just called me Kad. I guess it’s just stuck since then.”

“It is pretty cute,” Ite remarked before turning to her boyfriend. “Hey Yukan?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you mind if I gave you a nickname?”

“Like what?”

“Hm…” Ite began to ponder. “Oh! How about Yu?”

“I thought you were going to come up with the nickname.”

“No, I mean Y-U. Like ‘Yukan’ without the ‘kan’.”

“Oh! Like my brother used to… That’s alright with me.”

The atmosphere went slightly sour for a moment between the three visitors, while the Maynards seemed none the wiser.

“Well then,” Linda continued. “It must have been a long journey from Shirotaun. Would you three like anything to eat?”

“Of course,” Kadaina replied. “What did you have in mind?”

“We were just going to make some potato soup,” David answered.

“That’s great!” Kadaina responded. “You two are going to love it. They grow all of the ingredients for it themselves here. It’s so much better than store-bought.”

“Well, let’s not just take your word for it,” Ite replied.

“Violet, dearie,” Linda began. “Would you mind chopping the chives while I skin the potatoes?”

“Could I skin the potatoes instead?” Violet petitioned.

“Sure thing,” her mother answered before the two of them went into the kitchen.

By the time the food was ready to be made, all six of the people in the house had helped make it in some capacity. David had harvested the ingredients, Linda diced the chives and green onion, Violet peeled and diced the potatoes, Ite prepared the broth, Kadaina added some extra salts and spices, and Yukan mixed the ingredients together.

Over dinner, the six of them talked amongst each other. And yet, this entire time, something lingered in Yukan’s mind. They still didn’t have a concrete plan for meeting with King Yokina. There was no chance of them bringing it up at the dinner table and bringing the Maynards into this, let alone risk them further berating him for suggesting the idea of going to war. The best course of action was to wait until they had an opportunity alone.

That time eventually came after dinner when Yukan, Ite, and Kadaina were shown to the guest room. Within the room, there was only a single bed, a desk, and a balcony. Several houseplants were placed in various locations throughout the room, with a vase of roses on a nightstand. Kadaina immediately claimed the bed for himself, laying his belongings on the ground beside it and flopping himself onto the mattress, falling asleep soon afterward. Yukan wasn’t quite tired yet, so he went to the balcony, laying down and gazing at the stars. He held the Omega Blade to the sky, gazing wistfully at the blade as it faintly shimmered.

“One day,” Yukan muttered to himself before resheathing the blade. Ite went over to the balcony to join him. Yukan sat up and Ite sat down beside him, her arms cradling her knees as she looked out into the cityscape in front of them.

“It really is a beautiful view,” she remarked. “I would kill to fall asleep to this every night.”

“Maybe one day,” Yukan began, “when this is all over, we can move here. And we can look out over a balcony every night to this city.”

“That sounds perfect,” Ite said as she laid down on the balcony. “Goodnight, Yu.”

“Goodnight, Ite.”

And it was with this view under the stars that the two of them rested, cradled in each others’ arms and in the gentle moonlight.