Chapter 4: The Village in the Trees

“Wake up.” An unknown voice cuts through the pure white silence. The environment is blank, no definite features. It goes on and on, never seeming to end.

A calm ambience can be felt in the ethereal horizon, the ground not solid, but a liquid. Instead of being opaque it is reflective, fluid and mirror-like, the sky and the ground one and the same. There is something, not nothing, not everything, but at least something. A person lying on his back, his clothes submerged in the liquid, but dry.

“Wake up.” It repeats again, firmness in its voice.

“Wake up. Hero.” The voice commanded.

“Huaaah!” A gasp is heard from Hasegawa. His body jerking straight up from its position. The surface sloshing around due to his movements.

“…Where am I?” He asks to himself.

“In my domain.” The voice answered.

Obviously not answering a reply Hasegawa stumbles for his weapon, the dagger, unsheathing it and swings it towards the origin of the voice. To see nobody there.

“Behind you child.”

Turning around to meet the culprit face to face. Hasegawa sees a regally dressed man. Wearing a red suit accompanied by black highlights, white hair and ethereal glowing skin, the face staring back at him.

“How was the nap?” The being asked.

“Who are you?! Answer me!” Hasegawa clutches his dagger in one hand tightly around the waist, the other hand poised in a defensive position.

“Qhyrros, I’m a god. The one who summoned you here.” The entity answered.

“Well then Qhyrros, what do you mean by summoned me here? What is here?!” Hasegawa points out his surroundings.

“I grabbed you from your plane of existence and placed you in mine.” Qhyrros smiles.

“Just like how I took you from your world.” he continued. Disappearing from Hasegawa’s line of sight.

“Took me from my world? Are you saying you brought me to this shithole! Also didn’t Nuarin bring me here?!” Hasegawa angrily replied to thin air.

‘This man doesn’t make any sense… well he isn’t a man per say isn’t he.’ His mind rambled.

“Do not be angered by me, I am not your enemy. While it is true that Nuarin summon your class, she didn’t want to summon you.” Qhyrros appeared to his left, straightening his tie. “It is by my choice that you are in this other world.”

“If you are a god and it’s true your fault that you brought me here then why didn’t you help me! Why did you not give me any special abilities in this world?!”

“Child, it’s okay to be irrational, as long as you have the right person.” Hasegawa scoffs at that.

“Baz.”

“Eleanor.”

“Sophia.”

“Trevor.”

“Hero stop.” Qhyrros ordered.

“Those names belong to nice people that shouldn’t have died. All because they acquainted themselves with me. Somebody without any ability, someone so useless!” His eyes poured out tears.

“And more people will die if you won’t act. Whether those death were or weren’t in vain, it’s all up to you to make it so.” Qhyrros pulls out a handkerchief out of mid-air and gives it to him. “Do you understand?”

Silence.

The boy in front of him starts to shake in anger, only for it to subside.

“I understand.” Hasegawa replies through his teeth.

“Good, and don’t use that stupid pseudonym.”

“Why not?”

“Halbert sounds stupid. About special abilities and all that class nonsense, I did give you one with a little freebie.”

“What the tank?”

“I knew choosing you was the best choice. Sharp minds are important for leaders.” Qhyrros praises Hasegawa with a bit of sarcasm.

“Leaders? What do you mean?”

“Hasegawa Kazuki, there is a reason why I summoned you here. You are to prepare this world for warfare by any means necessary.”

“Warfare? Prepare? You’re not giving me any answers here.” Hasegawa quipped.

“You’ll know your purpose in time. For now, this is all I can say. Master your weapon and hone your skills.” Qhyrros approaches Hasegawa. His palm glowing. His eyes a shade of scarlet red.

“Hey wait!” Qhyrros places his hand on Hasegawa’s chest as another blinding light takes over them.

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“Mystery man! Wake up!” another unknown voice calls out. This time though it sounds very feminine.

“Hey wake up!” The unknown voice walks away for a minute before returning.

Splash.

Hasegawa picks himself off the ground at lightning speed. He obviously wasn’t expecting that kind of surprise.

“Okay! Okay! I’m Awake!” Hasegawa looks through the wet locks of his hair to see a tall elven beauty looking back at him. Her long blonde hair an obvious contrast to the white linen dress she was wearing, her feet barefoot.

Holding a wooden bucket still dripping with water, she busts out into a smile and laughs.

“Haha. You look so funny mystery man.”

“An elf.”

“What. Haven’t seen one before mystery man?”

“Can you stop calling me mystery man. I have a name you know.”

“What’s your mysterious name then mystery man?” She asked.

‘Well I guess there’s no more pseudonyms for me.’

“Hasegawa.”

“What kind of name is Hasegawa?” She tilts her head in confusion.

“A cool one that’s for sure.” He replied. Hasegawa checks his satchel for any ‘lost items’ making sure that she didn’t do anything inappropriate with his belongings, before slinging it back on his shoulder.

“I found you in this metal carriage you were riding in, knocked out for a good while.” She points at the tank. The tank looking a bit disfigured and crunched up probably due to the teleportation. She taps her hand on the side of the hull. The tank resonating for a moment.

“Oh, by the way my name is Myr.” She answered.

“Follow me.” She hands him a wool towel. Which he takes gratefully, using it to pat himself dry, he follows her. Leaving the tank behind.

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“So Myr what is this place?”

“This is the never-ending forest.” She says nonchalantly.

“Oh, is that so?” He answers slightly perturbed.

“I’ve never seen a nice human before.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well humans in helmets and big armor used to take things from us, so we had to fight back.”

“Fight back?”

“Why are you such a dummy?” She laughs.

She continues “Fight as in battles, A long time ago there was a human army and we had to fight back.”

“I suppose what happened wasn’t very nice.” He remarked.

“Not really, we lost a lot of good people that day. Including my mother.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. My condolences, if it helps, I know what it feels to lose nice people too.”

“It’s fine, three hundred years is a long time to be so mopey about it. I was young when she died.”

‘Three hundred years? How old is she?’

“Once again, I’m sorry.”

“I said it’s okay” She fumes.

“So Myr, how exactly did you find me?”

“I was just running around as usual, that’s when it happened. I saw a flash of light and I went to follow it.”

‘That must’ve been Qhyrros. That sadistic bastard.’

“That’s when I found you in your metal carriage all bloodied up. But it’s all okay now! I healed you up.” She motions the entirety of his body.

“Myr. Where am I?” He asks her, hanging the towel around his neck. Myr not answering the question.

They followed a dirt path into a forest of tall and large trees, with Hasegawa struggling to keep up with her. This continued on for a while until they stopped at a large clearing in the forest.

“We’re finally here!” She tells him.

“What do you mean?” ‘Maybe I followed the wrong elf.’ He doubts her.

“We’re in my village Dummy! Look up!” She grabs the sides of his head and turns him towards the tree canopy. Finally, he sees it.

Myra lets go of his head. “Welcome to Wyst Fylola!”

An interconnected network of treehouses and wooden bridges scattered amongst the leaves. Vibrant colors scattered in the landscape as lights ranging from red, green and blue scatter throughout the canopy. Elves scattered along in groups.

It was a sight and beauty to behold.

“Amazing…” Hasegawa breathes out.

“Hey everybody, look! Myr returned!” One elf boy cried out.

“Hey Myr!”

“People look it’s Myr!”

“Is that a human?” One elf points out.

“It is! Quick! Sound the alarm!” An elf quickly jumps down from the tree tops and lands on his two feet. Wearing what seems to be heavy armor he pulls out two short broadswords.

“Human you have trespassed elven territory prepare to die!” He shouts.

The elf charges at Hasegawa. His swords poised to take his life he was about a meter away from Hasegawa’s throat when Myr places herself between them.

“Uncle Gaspar I order you to stop!”

The blades stop around an inch from her neck.

“Myr?! Why would you do that!” Gaspar removes the blades around her neck.

“You were about to kill him.”

“We don’t protect the enemy! Myr, as my duty of commander I want you to move aside.”

“No.” She refuses

“Myr.” Gaspar looks more and more frustrated.

“No.” Myr refuses again.

“Myr.”

“Uncle why do the elven warriors attack outsiders?”

“Have you forgotten child?! They attacked us first.” Gaspar tries to move around her. Which she blocks him again.

“Uncle Gaspar, I want you to bring me and Halbert to the council. To father.” She pleads him. “That’s what mother would’ve wanted.” She says in a solemn voice.

“…Damnit, why do you look so much like her. Fine, but that human must be cuffed.” Gaspar moves a step back, producing a rope from one of his pockets.

“Is that okay Hasegawa?” Myr questions Hasegawa.

“It’s not like I have a choice, do I?” He responds placing his hands out as Gaspar ties him up.

“Okay. Both of you follow me.” Gaspar orders them.

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In a large wooden room at the tallest tree in the forest. There stands, thirteen elven leaders and one chieftain ready to give out judgement to the two of them. The elders are known for being walking, talking beings of wisdom and knowledge. Amongst them is one Strynhld the chief of the elven village of Wyst Fylola.

“The chief will question the defendant.” One elder states.

Strynhld starts.

“Human. Why are you in this area?”

“My name is Hasegawa, frankly I don’t even know where this place is, Myr brought me here sir, Chieftain may I ask you something?”

“Yes human?” Anger seethes through Strynhld’s voice

“How far am I from Grapafeuse?”

“Hahaha are you joking human?” Strynhld laughs at him.

“Hehehe… is it a joking matter?” Hasegawa nervously laughs with him.

“Since you obviously don’t know what I am talking about, let’s get this straight. Grapafeuse is in the continent of Arcenaga right?”

“Yes?”

“Well there is an ocean separating Grapafeuse and here. You are currently in the southern continent of Rallosa.”

“What?!” ‘Qhyrros why did you put me here?!’

“So, I ask you again human. Why are you here?” Strynhld stands up from his seat. “Answer truthfully or perish.”

Gulp.

‘Ah shit.’

“Well chieftain I didn’t intend to come here, as I said before Myr brought me here.

“Is this true my daughter?” Strynhld asks Myr.

‘Daughter? So this is her father. He seems pretty interesting.’

“Yes father. I found him in a weird metal carriage without horses.”

“Without horses? Metal carriages? Daughter I don’t believe you. Humans don’t come here unless it is a raid.” Strynhld approaches Hasegawa pulling out a short sword from his seat.

“But father please.” Myr grabs her father’s hand. Looking at him straight in the eyes. “Mother wouldn’t want this.”

“Daughter, your mother isn’t here anymore. It has been one hundred and nine thousand five hundred and seventy-five days since she died, she was the most perfect woman I have ever met and humans took her away from me when they attacked this village. I count every day she has not been at my side.”

“I know father but-”

“Silence!” he shouts at her, his eyes reflecting the soul of a man who has lost someone important. At this Myr visibly shakes.

“Elders! I demand a trial by combat!” Strynhld points the tip of his sword towards the elders. At this display and the chance to take revenge against humans the elders agreed.

“What!” Hasegawa exclaimed.

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“Sorry about this.” Myr told Hasegawa, currently they were in one of the preparation huts. Hasegawa straightens out a leather chest piece, the only equipment the elves gave to him.

“It’s fine… hey Myr. Can you leave me alone for now?”

“Okay.” At that Myr walks out the door.

Hasegawa hits his fist onto the table in front of him.

‘Shit. Shit. Shit. I did not expect this to happen. Fuck. What can I do, I can’t run away that’s for sure, the elves are faster and know this place more than me.’

‘The only option is to fight against Chief Strynhld which is Myr’s father. Oh god Qhyrros screwed me over.’ He complains.

‘The only weapon that I have is the dagger, I could probably dodge the first blow due to my training with Takezawa-kun, but after that I’m dead.’

“There maybe something in the bag that might at least help.” He rummages around his bag, before shaking its contents onto the table. That’s when he noticed something.

‘An envelope? I don’t remember something like this before.’

“What’s this?” He reads the writing on top of it.

- ‘Hello hero, I forgot to give you something, just open the envelope. It might be useful for when you’re in a pickle.’- Signed Qhyrros

Hasegawa opens the envelope and out falls a heavy metal object.

‘Is this a Luger P08? Did that god just give me a gun?!’

Hasegawa starts laughing.

“This might help?! Of course this would help it’s a gun.” He checks the gun and magazine for ammo, finding out there was only one round in the chamber. ‘Really man…’

‘At least it’s better than nothing.’

“I might actually win with this thing.” At that a plan formulates in his head.

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“The trial by combat will now start, between the defendant, Hasegawa the human,” at that boos come from the crowd “versus our great Chief Strynhld.” Cheers erupt at the mere mention of his name.

“This fight would end at one’s dishonor or death.”

The two combatants enter the room. Strynhld wearing the best bronze armor they had. The gloss of the metal shining and noticeable, his two short swords glinting in the sun. Whilst Hasegawa only had the leather chest piece and his clothes from before. His green coat covering his belt and dagger.

“The combatants are allowed to bring two weapons of choice that they want. The combatants are allowed to hide their weapon.”

‘That rule was probably in place for their penchant of dual wielding and bows.’ Hasegawa commented.

‘It’s a good thing that it goes well in my favor.’ He smirks to himself, his gun stored away in one of the back pockets in his belt.

‘I only have one shot. I need to make this count.’

“Are you ready Hasegawa the human?!” Strynhld

“As ready as you are!”

One of the elders drop a leaf from the canopy.

Ten.

The leaf slowly falls through the air.

Nine.

The two fighters tighten in their place opposite of each other.

Eight.

Strynhld’s blades take position aiming for Hasegawa’s vitals.

Seven.

“Hey chief?” Hasegawa chats.

Six.

“What?!” The chief answers irritated that his prey would talk before the battle.

Five.

“Can I ask you a question?”

Four.

“Is it about your last words? What is it?” Strynhld taunts him.

Three.

“Is ruthlessness a skill?” Hasegawa questions with a straight face.

Two.

“What kind of question is that?!” Strynhld is caught off guard by the stupidity of his question.

One.

The leaf touches the ground in the arena.

It all happened in a blur.

Hasegawa runs towards the Chief trying to slash him with the dagger in his hand, in one swipe he almost injures the chief. But the elven chief with his great speed manages to evade the attack.

Stumbling back, he regains his footing. Anger pouring out of his body at being tricked by the question. Strynhld starts his offensive running towards his opponent, swinging one of his blades, which was blocked by Hasegawa’s dagger.

“Die!” Strynhld shouted as his other blade came crashing down on Hasegawa’s head killing him.

But that’s not what happened.

Instead his blade only met air as Hasegawa rolled backward, his training with Takezawa activating his muscle memory. His coat flailing in the air as it revealed the item contained in his pocket. The Luger P08.

He fires the weapon towards the ground.

The bullet hits the chief’s foot, almost immediately immobilizing him. The chief falls to the ground.

“Arghhhh!” Strynhld cries out in pain. His foot bleeding profusely.

Hasegawa walks towards the chief kicking away the chief’s dual weapons before aiming the gun at Strynhld’s forehead.

“Please don’t kill me!” The chief cries out.

“Too late.”

Click.

The gun toggle pops up.

The gun doesn’t go off. There was no more ammunition. The chieftain’s head was still in one piece.

“Dishonored.” Hasegawa walks away. The crowd entirely silent including Myr.

He won this battle, but winning the people over wouldn’t occur overnight. That’s why he needs to keep fighting. So that bloodshed will occur for the right cause.