“Kaori... Kaori wake up.”

  Kaori sits up slowly after opening her eyes tiredly and scans the area wearily, realizing she was surrounded by the aura and scenery of Twilight woods. “What happened?” She says to herself as she stood up, placing her hand gently on her head. “Twilight woods?” she murmurs with confusion. “How did I end up here?” She looks over her body for injuries, satisfied as she failed to see any. “I don’t have any way to let Keiji and the others know where I am. If I signaled out someone closer might come. I don’t know if I can fend for myself,” she moves down, hugging her knees. “I guess I should just stay put.”

  “Kaori,” calls out a male voice through the woods, too far away for Kaori to accurately identify.

  She stands quickly as she heard her name, unsure of what direction it was coming from. “Hello?” She steps forward but stops hesitantly, worry settling into her expression, yet not feeling any sense of danger from the voice that called out to her.

  “This way.”

  She nods to herself and makes her way through the woods cautiously until she reached a dark half of a tree that no longer glowed, even as she stepped closer toward it. She looks at it curiously noticing a bullet hole that never healed over. “Strange...” She reaches over lightly and touches the tree, backing away as it started glowing brightly, coming back to life at her touch. She turns behind her as she heard Ryota’s voice echoing around her, heavy with regret.

  “I wanted to help you. Not for you but for those I couldn’t protect in life. Lady Goddess... Please, I will give every bit of strength I have and more if at all possible as long as you promise to help me in return.”

  “What do you want from me?” She asks worriedly.

  “Please stay...”

  She shakes her head, uncertain of what he was asking for only to jolt in fear as she hear Aduro’s voice directly behind her.

  “Proof that no matter what race, those on Noroc will always beg for favors from the gods. Treating us as their servants,” Aduro says emotionlessly.

  She turns sharply, facing Aduro directly while he remained calm and expressionless before her. “I’m no one’s servant,” she says seriously even as she stepped back.

  “Yet you wed a human? Grieve him even,” he replies. “You’re blinded by your weak heart,” he holds his hand out, a dark orb forming slowly above it. “I’ll open your eyes.”

  She shakes her head and turns to run, falling backward as Aduro had appeared in front of her despite her creating a distance.

  “Just accept what you cannot change.”

  Kaori winces, raising her hands in instinctual defense.

  “Trust me!” Ryota’s voice calls out, now closer to Kaori, yet unseen.

  She opens her eyes as a sphere of water encased Aduro before turning to solid ice. She scrambles to her feet and runs through the woods as fast as she could, tears falling down her face from fear until she ran right into Breeze who held onto her tightly.

  “Kaori!! There you are! We’ve been looking all over for you!” Breeze says quickly holding onto her in a loving embrace. “Are you alright?”

  Kaori clings to Breeze, now apparent that she was tired and afraid. “Breeze!!”

  She places a hand on Kaori’s head lightly, trying to comfort her. “It’s alright. We’re here now,” she says soothingly as Keiji had walked up near them.

  “What has you so out of breath?” He asks with concern.

  “It’s Aduro,” she replies shakily. “He’s here and he tried to attack me, but I ran and-” her voice trails off, realizing her weaknesses once more.

  Breeze nods understandably. “We should hurry back to the ship then. Shomei and Vicious are waiting. They’ll be happy to see you.”

  Keiji nods in agreement, beginning to lead the two cautiously through the woods.

  ?

  Vicious hurries to the door from the inside of the control room as Kaori and the others had walked in. “Kaori!”

  “Kaori are you alright?” Shomei asks worriedly.

  “I’m fine,” Kaori replies, glancing around before noticing Tai wasn’t there.

  “We lost communication with him about two days ago,” Breeze answers before Kaori could even think to ask. “He left looking for you as soon as you went missing,” she walks toward the holographic panel in the control room and presses a few buttons thoughtfully. “We were hoping we’d find the two of you together but unfortunately we didn’t.”

  Kaori’s eyes widen. “Two days ago? How long was I gone?”

  “Nearly a week. Tai can be... Impatient,” Keiji responds kindly.

  “So what?” snaps Vicious coldly. “That sounds like his problem. We’ve got Kaori, we should just keep going. We know where the rest of the lost souls are.”

  Breeze turns around and looks at Keiji, weighing his reaction. “Well?”

  “We do have the information we need...” Keiji says quietly in thought.

  “Won’t it be difficult without him?” Shomei asks. “He is the only one who knows how to get in and out without serious harm.”

  Kaori looks down, her thoughts taking over once more. “He went missing on my behalf. He can’t be killed, but it doesn’t stop him from hurting like the rest of us... But if we don’t end everything soon then the world could tear apart.”Kaori shakes her head frantically and looks at Keiji. “I won’t continue without him!” She says suddenly, taking Vicious by surprise.

  “Kaori,” Vicious says with a concerned frown.

  Kaori looks at everyone seriously. “I can’t do this without him. We shouldn’t... After all he’s done for the sake of Noroc already, it would be wrong to leave him behind and forget him so easily.”

  Keiji looks at the intensity in Kaori’s eyes with a serene look in his own.

  “I’ve already lost someone because of my own carelessness... I can’t be the reason someone else is lost. Not without any effort put into saving them,” Kaori’s voice lowers at the memory of Soujirou, feeling a tightening in her chest at the thought.

  Keiji sighs with a kind smile. “There’s no way I could ever tell you no,” he says simply, then turns to Breeze. “Try to find where he was last seen.”

  “You can’t really be so willing to waste time like that?” Vicious protests in response to Keiji’s quick acceptance.

  “We can’t deny the wishes of a goddess,” Keiji says simply.

  “Why can’t you be honest and admit you’re doing this so she can pity Tai?” Vicious says frustratedly.

  Kaori turns and looks at Vicious sternly. “I don’t pity him,” she says strongly. “I just think it’s time everything stops. All the hate, the anger... Everything... I can’t stand it any longer.”

  Keiji smiles with a slight sense of relief in his eyes. “Breeze?”

  “It’ll be a while, but I’ll see what I can do,” she replies positively as she turned to the control board.

  “It would do you well to rest while you can, but also feel free to do as you please on this ship,” Keiji says turning to Kaori compassionately.

  “Thanks,” she says with a simple nod in agreement, turning and walking out of the control room and down the hall until Shomei had stopped her just before she could enter her room.

  “Kaori. Mind if I speak with you?” Shomei asks politely.

  Kaori looks at Shomei curiously. “Is something wrong?”

  “That’s the same thing I wanted to ask you.”

  She stares at Shomei questioningly.

  She sighs as she crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful yet concerned. “It seems as though you’re really concerned about Taiichiro.”

  “Shouldn’t we all be?” She asks somewhat nervously. “I mean, he’s a key part of this, isn’t he?”

  “In more ways than one...”

  “What?”

  She relaxes and looks at Kaori and speaking in a foreboding tone. “I was told that back in their home lands you were asked a question... Do you know the importance of your answer to that question?”

  “I... I do...” She says looking down slightly. “It’s my decision though...”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “It is... Make sure you choose correctly.”

  “Is the right answer to forgive him above all others?”

  “It may or may not be depending on what it means to you. Forgiveness is just a word, not an action until you decide otherwise. It’s true importance lies between the two of you.”

  She frowns at Shomei’s response seeming confused.

  Shomei smiles knowingly and shakes her head. “In the end, whatever your decision, know it will always be the right one.” She turns away, her smile not fading. “So says the scripture...”

  She watches Shomei leave with a concerned look on her face then looks to the door of Tai’s room, not minding as she heard Yogen’s voice speak softly from behind her.

  “She’s right you know.”

  Kaori looks down before turning to look at Yogen. “I really am a burden aren’t I?”

  “I don’t believe so.”

  She inhales deeply, centering herself before she speaks. “I would like to ask, if you know where he is?”

  “I can say where I’ve seen him, but not where he is.”

  “Where was he last seen?”

  “Breeze will find that his last known location was in the Valley Paradise just before the ruins.”

  “And after that?”

  “I unfortunately was unable to see what has happened clearly, only that he was in pain.”

  She frowns, her silence filled with racing thoughts. “Yogen...”

  “Yes my lady?”

  “Does...” Her voice trails off and she shakes her head lightly. “Never mind,” she says, no longer wanting to ask.

  He smiles warmly and nods with understanding. “The answer will come to you in time,” he whispers softly, knowing what she wanted to say. “Just stay strong through it all.”

  She smiles, closing her eyes for a peaceful moment before the silence was broken and her attention centered on Keiji as soon as his voice spoke, Yogen no longer remaining near.

  “Miss Kaori, Breeze has found where he was last... We are heading there now and should be there shortly,” he looks at her curiously, noticing a sadness deep in her eyes. “Is everything okay?”

  She nods with a reassuring smile. “yes. Sorry I was thinking too deeply. Where was he last?”

  He returns the expression before he spoke once more. “Valley Paradise. Once we reach the area we will look for signs of his whereabouts, but we will not enter the Ruins without him.”

  “Alright.”

  “I’m sure we’ll find something.”

  “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “We should be the ones thanking you. Tai is nearly family to us, and the first of his kind. We cannot afford to lose him.”

  ?

  Breeze hurriedly goes through a few screens above her that were displayed on a hologram in the control room of the ship. “What in the hell was he doing over there?! That inconsiderate, no good, little-,” she stops as the door had opened and turns looking at Keiji.

  “How long until we arrive?” Keiji asks calmly as he walked in with Kaori right behind him.

  Breeze sighs irritably. “A few minutes. The surrounding area is eerily clear for some reason.”

  “What does that mean?” Shomei asks with curiosity as she stood next to Breeze.

  “Well...” Breeze pushes buttons with concentration on her face. “It means that usually there’s people there and today there’s literally no one there.”

  “You keep tabs on people?” Vicious asks with a raised eyebrow.

  “Eehh...” Breeze’s voice fades lightly as she laughed nervously.

  Shomei looks at Keiji. “Hm? How is that possible?”

  “I can see them, but not in detail... I know there are entities of life but not those who own them,” Keiji says simply with an innocent smile.

  “You would think Taiichiro has his own type?” Shomei asks, unsure of why he wouldn’t easily be found if he did.

  “The thing about him is; he isn’t technically alive nor dead so unless he communicates with me I cannot communicate with him,” Keiji smiles a little to himself. “The only one who I can see clearly more than any other is a very particular person,” he glances back at Kaori kindly. “As she is above all beings.”

  Kaori looks down awkwardly. “That’s probably why he keeps us together... He does always need to know where he is after all, and it’s not like he communicates openly with Keiji as it is.”

  “Why doesn’t he just tell you where he is?” Vicious asks, bitterness clearly heard in his tone. “He must not be in need of help if you can’t find him.”

  Breeze shoots an angry glare at Vicious, Keiji cutting in before she could think to speak.

  “As one of his conditions for staying on as part of my crew, he will continuously let me know his whereabouts, but as for this time... I believe he left in such an emotional state the thought had slipped his mind,” Keiji answers calmly.

  “Either that or...” Breeze’s voice fades as she looked down, finding it difficult to say what she wanted.

  “Or?” Shomei looks at Breeze with serious curiosity.

  “It’s not common to happen since he’s usually so careful, but he could be knocked out,” Breeze says worriedly.

  “So he really never sleeps,” Shomei says with a thoughtful nod.

  “Never sleeps?” Kaori looks between them curiously only for Keiji to gain her attention just as quickly.

  “It’s possible, but we will save the answers for that question for a later time,” Keiji interjects.

  Breeze turns as she heard the monitors behind her beep lightly. “Ah! We’ve arrived anyway! No time for anymore chit chat! Let’s go!” She grabs her familiar rod that controls the ship and hurries out with everyone close behind her. She leads everyone to the familiar room where an empty space was where Tai’s hover bike usually stood and kicks the floor, causing it to open and a rope that was secure to the ship to flow down. “Let’s go!” She grabs the rope and slides down, Vicious and Shomei following behind, Keiji; who held onto Kaori securely, soon after.

  Kaori stands securely on the ground as Keiji had released her, looking up to see a dark barren valley that was covered in black ash. “Was it always this way?” She asks looking saddened by the sight of it.

  “Unfortunately, since the start of the war... But usually scavengers roam around like they own the damn place,” Breeze places her hands on her hips as she looked around as well and groans a bit to herself. “Let’s look around to see if we find anything he may have left behind or something.”

  “We’ll scour the place,” Shomei says in agreement.

  Keiji takes Kaori’s arm gently as he held her back while the others hurried into the valley. “Please do not wander far,” he says with caution for her safety.

  “I won’t,” she replies with a nod.

  He releases her with a kind smile and starts looking around the valley with the others.

  Kaori walks in a separate direction from the others, her slow pace mirroring her careful gaze on the ash covered ground. “I wonder if he really would have left something behind... What made him think I would be way out here anyway?” She sighs as she stopped walking and looks up at the grey, cloudy sky above sadly. “Where are you...” She says quietly to herself. She shakes her head and looks back down to eye level, seeing the others at various distances from one another, searching the grounds.

  Breeze looks behind her and around at the others. “Anyone find anything?!” She yells loudly, attempting to be loud enough for them all to hear.

  “I don’t see anything!” Calls out Shomei.

  “There’s nothing here!” Vicious yells in reply.

  Keiji shakes his head lightly.

  Breeze groans loudly and suddenly kicks the ash near her hard. “That stupid, idiotic, good for nothing asshole!”

  Keiji sighs to himself as he saw Breeze throw her fit out of frustration and signals everyone to gather around him. “Regroup!”

  Kaori hurries over toward Keiji, her steady run slowing to a stop as she saw something shining under the ashes before it was quickly covered up by a slight gust of wind. “Huh?” She goes to her knees and digs through the ash, finding a shimmering gold colored cloth, staring at it as she stood up with it in her hand.

  “Find something?” Keiji asks curiously as he walked over to her with the others behind him.

  Kaori hands Keiji the cloth. “Just this... It doesn’t look like it’s been here long. Still seems new even.”

  Keiji takes the cloth in his hands lightly, looking at it only for a moment before turning around and looking toward Breeze who was pouting lightly. “Breeze.”

  “Yeah?” Breeze answers, still looking irritated.

  Keiji shows her the cloth, a serious look in his eyes.

  Breeze’s eyes widen lightly and nods, understanding him.

  “What is it?” Asks Kaori as she looked up at them.

  “It’s part of the uniform of the Temple Elite,” Shomei answers before anyone else could.

  “Temple Elite?” Kaori asks in confusion.

  Breeze frowns worriedly. “They’re the strongest of the Guard, they’re warriors hand-picked from each region and are trained for years until they reach such a supposedly high status. They go on secret missions and do dirty deeds like kidnap and kill Yaban who have allegedly disgraced the Temple.”

  “Then...” Kaori looks down a little, processing the thought of Tai being captured before shaking her head in disbelief. “He couldn’t have been caught by them, could he?”

  “Only one way to find out,” Keiji looks at Kaori and holds out his hand to her. “Would you please follow me?”

  Kaori nods hesitantly and takes Keiji’s hand, following him to the center of the valley. “What is it?”

  “There is a way to recover a memory from a place, and it is something I humbly ask of you to do for us.”

  “Why do you feel the need to ask me so worriedly?” She replies in concern.

  “As it may take a toll on you. I would not ask of such a thing of you if I were not truly worried for Tai’s safety and-,”

  “I’ll do it,” she says suddenly. “No matter the cost to myself, as long as we find him.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nods with determination, her hands near her heart as her distant gaze lowered. “I’m sure.”

  “Very well.” He takes Kaori’s hands and holds them in his then kneels down to one knee as he lowered his head in deep respect. “Dearest Goddess of the heavens, ruler above all gods and those of Noroc. I ask of you to lend me the strength to see into the past... As retribution of your sight I shall-,”

  “Give nothing in return...” She moves a single hand above his and closes her eyes lightly. “I want nothing other than the safety of those who I care for.”

  Vicious’s eyes widen as he watched Kaori and Keiji from a short distance, finally realizing what was happening. “No, he can’t!” He starts to run toward them until he is stopped by Breeze. “Let me go!” He yells angrily.

  “Leave them! If you resist me I won’t hesitate to kill you,” Breeze says seriously.

  Vicious turns and glares at her hatefully, not caring that a soft blue light started circling around the valley. “You ask to use her power and you risk not only his sanity, but hers as well! She shouldn’t be used!”

  “You should have thought of that before joining the Temple! At least he’s asking her permission!!” Breeze yells angrily.

  “She doesn’t understand the risks!” Vicious protests.

  “Breeze...” Shomei speaks softly as she watched a familiar form of Tai fall to the ground hard, his appearance nothing but an airy blue mist of light.

  “Tai!” Breeze hurries closer to the image watching him closely as he held his heavily bleeding arm while struggling to get up, his face tired and covered in blood. “He really was hurt...” She says sadly.

  Shomei looks behind Breeze who stared closely at the image of Tai and notices the image of a man in clothes of the temple, the back of which holding the symbol as he held a gun toward Tai and pull the trigger.

  Breeze covers her mouth as she gasped in shock, watching Tai fall to the ground unconscious. “No!” She moves as the image of the man from the temple picks up Tai by his clothes to face him before moving the gun closer to Tai’s chest and shooting him once more, both images fading as soon as the trigger was pulled and the blue mist of light disappearing.

  “The temple... They... They’re knowingly torturing him,” Vicious says in disbelief.

  “They know it isn’t possible to kill him, so they must have taken him back. Meaning he’s probably being used as bait to lure Kaori there,” Shomei says thoughtfully.

  Breeze starts to say something but stops as she saw Kaori fall to the ground, and Keiji soon after, both unconscious. “Oh no!” She hurries over toward them with worry in her tear-filled eyes. “Shomei, Vicious, little help!”

  Shomei hurries toward them, gently getting Kaori up on her back. “Will they be okay?”

  Breeze helps Vicious hold onto Keiji. “I’m not sure. Keiji isn’t supposed to see into the past like this. It’s one of the most difficult things he can put himself through especially when he asks for help from a Goddess. We better get back to the ship as soon as possible.”