Chapter 4 - Journey to Esseria
Kaze doesn’t remember anything that happened to him after he blacked out. His next memory is of him waking up in a car being driven speedily by Fukusei. As Kaze comes to consciousness, he is confused as to what has happened and where he is.
“Where am I?”
Fukusei looks over and is relieved that Kaze is still conscious and not dead. Fukusei recalls how he found Kaze.
“I saw your body being tossed into a dumpster and brought you here.”
Fukusei is curious about one other thing. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to find Chikaku.
“Where’s Chikaku?”
Kaze has a flashback of the Eternity Dragons taking Chikaku away. Kaze’s eyes begin tearing up however he is unable to move as he is still suffering from severe exhaustion and injuries.
“They took him.”
Fukusei begins to realise the severity of the situation further. Fukusei knows that his power can’t stand against Rai, and Kaze is too injured to even move. Fukusei can see that Kaze is incredibly upset and decides to shut down the conversation.
“We’ll talk about this when we get inside.”
“Just get some rest.”
Kaze begins to shut his eyes. Kaze falls into a deep sleep that some could confuse with a coma. They eventually arrive at Fukusei’s house after Fukusei decides it would currently be safer here then at Kaze’s house. After Kaze has rested, they both sit in Fukusei’s home as Kaze explains the situation. Fukusei is shocked by the events that have unfolded as Kaze finishes telling the story.
“…and then I passed out.”
“So that happened huh?”
Kaze is puzzled at how to respond to Fukusei. For the first time in a very long time, Kaze is not sure about what course of action he should take.
“I’m not sure what to do.”
Fukusei looks at Kaze with a fierce expression. Fukusei knows that Kaze’s mind and heart are at conflict. Fukusei gives Kaze stern advice.
“You can’t leave him behind.”
“You need to defeat Rai.”
Kaze recounts his fights with Rai. The memories of these fights are a burden to Kaze. Kaze appears defeated. Kaze’s power is ineffective when facing Rai.
“I can’t.”
“My power doesn’t work against him.”
Fukusei stops for a moment and thinks about what could be done. Fukusei wonders if there’s a power that could help them in this situation. If only there was someone who knew what course of action needed to be taken.
“If only there was someone who could tell you everything you need to know.”
Those words echoed in Kaze’s head until Kaze had a realisation. Who could tell him everything he needs to know? Kaze thinks back to his journey to Pariah Village. The woman on the mountain who has knowledge of all things. She would know how to beat Rai. Kaze’s expression instantly changes and he is no longer gloomy. Kaze quickly turns to Fukusei.
“Can you do something for me?”
“Of course.”
Kaze has a plan in mind and Fukusei knows this. Fukusei nods his head and waits to hear what Kaze has to say.
“I need you to make a clone of me.”
“It needs to behave like me for as long as possible.”
“How long?”
“I don’t know but the Eternity Dragons will be watching it.”
Kaze clenches his fist and stares at it.
“I know someone who can tell me how to beat Rai.”
“But it could take a long time.”
“Very well.”
Fukusei extends an arm to either side of his body. Fukusei touches Kaze’s shoulder with his left hand.
“Go Human Assimilation!”
A clone of Kaze appears with Fukusei’s right hand on its shoulder.
“Thank you.”
“I might be gone for a while.”
Fukusei looks confused and looks at Kaze for orders.
“What shall I do while you’re gone?”
Kaze bears a serious expression. Kaze is not about to let Rai get away with what he has done.
“Find anyone dissatisfied with Rai.”
“Cause a rebellion from the shadows.”
“But don’t let him suspect me…”
“…or he will kill Chikaku.”
Fukusei understands the gravity of the situation and continues to look at Kaze.
“I promise I will come back.”
Fukusei gives Kaze some words of encouragement before he heads out of the door.
“Just remember that Chikaku’s counting on you.”
Kaze leaves Fukusei’s home. The first thing that Kaze does is get on the next plane to Pariah Village. When Kaze arrives, he heads up the mountain, repeating the trail that he once took with Chikaku. Kaze’s serious expression doesn’t change for a single moment of his journey. He eventually reaches the hut of the mountain woman. Kaze enters the mountain woman’s hut without saying a word and sits on her floor.
“You’re back already.”
“I have something I need to know.”
The mountain woman smiles at this.
“Knowledge is very addictive.”
“That is why I live on the mountain.”
Kaze remains seated in silence as the mountain woman continues her meditation.
“I know why you’re here.”
“But I cannot show you how to beat him.”
Kaze is surprised by this. Kaze knows that the mountain woman knows everything. If someone with unending knowledge cannot find a way for Kaze to beat Rai, then all hope is surely lost.
“Why not?”
“There’s an artefact in the museum in Esseria”
“A golden cube with the imprint of an animal on each side.”
The artefact is a beautifully gilded cube. It sits securely and well-guarded in the grand museum of Esseria.
“If you bring me this...”
“…then I can show you how to defeat Rai.”
Kaze understands this request but is unsure of how some random artefact will help him beat Rai.
“Why do you need it?”
The mountain woman refuses to elaborate any further with Kaze.
“All will be explained when you have it.”
“Then I guess I’m travelling to Esseria.”
Without even a slight doubt in his mind, Kaze travels to the barren wastelands of Esseria. Esseria is one of the few surviving countries in the desert lands of Kaze’s home continent. However, the land of Esseria is rife with civil unrest. It was a once thriving tourist destination that is now a shadow of its former self. Kaze arrives in the land of Esseria without anything going wrong. Upon arrival, Kaze utters a few basic words.
“Here I am.”
Kaze moves on to his first order of business. There is no time to relax.
“I guess I should find this museum.”
Kaze begins his search for the grand museum of Esseria. After looking around for a while, Kaze finds the museum.
“The grand museum of Esseria.”
“This has to be that one.”
Kaze queues up for the museum but notices that there is an incredibly long queue. The queue doesn’t move for a while and Kaze wonders why it’s taking so long.
“Why’s this queue so long.”
Upon hearing this, the elderly local resident standing in front of Kaze turns around with an agitated look and stares at Kaze.
“Typical tourists.”
“I bet you don’t even know what is happening in Esseria right now.”
Kaze is unaware of what the local is talking about. Kaze did not think anything significant was occurring in Esseria. Kaze decides to question the local. It would be good to get knowledge on the area.
“Why?”
“What’s going on?”
The local is in disbelief. The local looks around the area and begins pointing.
“Did you not notice the soldiers?”
Kaze notices heavily armed soldiers all around the museum. It is almost like they are expecting an attack. As Kaze continues to look around he notices soldiers all over the city. The elderly local continues talking.
“Esseria is in a period of unrest.”
“The district of Cairn declared its independence from Esseria.”
“The Esserian government can’t let this happen.”
“Now the Cairn Liberation Army are bombing everything valuable.”
Kaze begins to comprehend that the country is like a powder keg waiting to be lit. Kaze recalls that Esseria is made of many different districts and is sure that many districts will try to follow Cairn and declare independence if Cairn is successful.
“That explains the wait.”
“I wonder why this wasn’t in the news.”
Kaze waits patiently in line. Kaze believes the best course of action will be to find a way to get the artefact and then leave Esseria as soon as possible. As Kaze gets to the front of the line, security gets even tighter.
“Any dangerous items on you?”
“No.”
Kaze gets brushed across his body with a handheld metal detector.
“All clear.”
“This way sir.”
Kaze gets through the line. Kaze has finally entered the museum. Kaze begins to look for the artefact. Kaze has a difficult time finding it.
“No.”
“Nope.”
“Not this one.”
At this point, Kaze has looked through most of the museum. Kaze continues looking until a bright gold artefact in a cube shape catches his eye. Kaze notices that this object matches the description the mountain woman gave him.
“This is the one.”
“It has to be.”
Kaze thinks for a moment. Kaze is no thief and doesn’t plan to openly steal an artefact, even if it would only be for a temporary amount of time. Kaze at least now knows the location of the artefact.
“How can I get this though?”
“It’s not like the museum will just give away its artefacts.”
After some deliberation, Kaze decides that he needs to get a hotel in the city and give himself some time to think of a good plan.
“I should go back to the hotel and think of a plan.”
Kaze leaves the museum and begins walking to a hotel. As Kaze walks through the streets, a woman comes running past him while screaming.
“Everyone get out of here!”
“Cairn insurgents are coming!”
As Kaze looks down the road, he notices a man on his knees pleading with the group of insurgents. One of the insurgents cuts the man’s head off and everyone begins to run away. Kaze readies himself to fight but another man with a brave face walks past Kaze and towards the insurgents. The brave man grabs the attention of the insurgents but he is smart enough to keep some distance.
“What you’re doing here isn’t very nice.”
The insurgents are quick to respond to the brave man.
“Neither is occupying our land.”
“Get out and we’ll stop the bloodshed.”
One of the insurgents gets scared as he recognises the brave man.
“That’s… Sabaku!!!”
Sabaku pulls his boomerang shaped sword from his sheathe. Sabaku proceeds to throw his sword in the air towards the insurgents.
“I don’t negotiate with terrorists.”
Kaze recognises instantly that Sabaku also has a power. As Sabaku’s sword moves through the air, Sabaku uses his power to control the direction of the sword. The sword continues spinning and kills all of the insurgents. The sword then returns to Sabaku’s hand.
Once Sabaku had finished, he turned around to notice Kaze staring at him. Sabaku turns to face Kaze. Kaze begins to speak.
“You used a power to do that.”
“Didn’t you.”
Sabaku smirks and invites Kaze to the local coffee shop. As Sabaku and Kaze sit down over coffee, Kaze explains his situation to Sabaku.
“…so I need that artefact.”
Sabaku thinks for a moment. Sabaku wonders if there is a way that him and Kaze can help each other.
“I see.”
“I can help you with that.”
Kaze immediately expresses his excitement as he is in surprise that Sabaku would be willing to help him.
“You can?”
“Yeah.”
“But I need you to help me with something first.”
Kaze knew there would be a catch. Kaze wonders what Sabaku could possibly want. If he really is powerful enough to get museum artefacts easily then he must need help with something serious. Kaze decides to question Sabaku on what he needs.
“What’s that?”
“I need you to help me take down the Cairn Liberation Army’s leader.”
Kaze’s face immediately turns to one of immense shock. Kaze thinks that this has to be prank of some kind. Kaze cannot help but to verbally express the insanity of Sabaku’s request.
“Are you insane?”
“How can we even find him?”
Sabaku looks confident in himself. As Sabaku drinks his coffee, he smiles as he reveals some details that will sway Kaze’s distrust.
“We know his identity.”
“We just need to know where he’ll turn up too next.”
As Kaze appears to now be interested, Sabaku’s expression turns to one of annoyance as he prepares to tell Kaze a crucial piece of information.
“I should probably tell you…”
“…he has powers like us.”
Kaze is shocked by this fact. Not only are they after the commander of an army but they are after someone with powers. Kaze is in disbelief. However, before Kaze could respond, a figure walked into the coffee shop. This figure stands over Kaze and Sabaku’s table.
“But we won’t be alone.”
Sabaku faces the man standing over the table. The man begins to talk to Sabaku. They appear to know each other.
“Sabaku.”
“Yogan.”
Sabaku extends his arm and offers Yogan a place at the table.
“Please take a seat.”
Yogan proceeds to sit down and face Kaze.
“With all three of us together he won’t stand a chance.”
Kaze is curious about Yogan. He noticed that Yogan and Sabaku seemed very close. Kaze wonders if Yogan also has an ability. Kaze decides to question him.
“Do you have powers too?”
“Indeed.”
“I can manipulate fire.”
Yogan is also curious about Kaze’s powers. Yogan wonders how useful Kaze will be.
“What can you do?”
Kaze proceeds to show off his power by transforming his hand into bugs and reassembling it. Sabaku was unaware of Kaze’s power before but realises that with their combined strength, the leader of the CLA will be no match for them.
“This should be easy.”
Kaze spends a lot of time in Esseria. Kaze, Sabaku and Yogan battle the CLA often and foil their plans. After three weeks in Esseria, they are finally coming close to catching the CLA leader known as Bakugeki. They now sit back at the same coffee shop where they first met. The only difference is that Kaze now dons traditional Esserian clothing. Sabaku has finished laying out the plans that will be taking place over the next few days.
“We should have Bakugeki in a matter of days.”
“Any questions?”
“Nope.”
“None.”
“Then that concludes today’s meeting.”
“I’ll let you know if I have any updates.”
The three of them leave the coffee shop. Sabaku walks in the opposite direction to Yogan and Kaze as they part ways. Kaze is unsure of the certainty of their plan and begins to converse with Yogan.
“Do you think we’ll catch him?”
“I have absolute faith in Sabaku.”
Two roads away from Kaze and Yogan, the man known as Bakugeki is walking down the road. Bakugeki is of a somewhat muscular build and bears an expression of satisfaction. Bakugeki is throwing a stone in the air and catching it with his hand repeatedly.
Bakugeki looks at one of the windows of a home that sits above a small store. Bakugeki makes the motion of pulling a pin on the stone almost as if he had just pulled the pin on a grenade. Bakugeki proceeds to throw the stone through the window. The family inside of the home proceed to look at the stone. The husband is confused as to why a stone was thrown in their home.
“What the hell?”
Before any further action could be taken, the stone explodes and Bakugeki begins to walk away from the explosion as it destroys the glass window and smoke and flames seep out of it.
“My ability ‘Pin Pull’ allows me to turn any stone into a grenade just by making the motion of a pin being pulled.”
One road away, Yogan and Kaze hear the explosion. Both of their natural instincts kick in as they prepare for action.
“Let’s move.”
Kaze agrees and the pair begin to run towards the site of the explosion as they pass terrified people running away from the location. They arrive at the street and Yogan is struck by fear as he notices something.
“It’s him.”
Yogan notices a lone Bakugeki staring them down from the site of the explosion. Kaze and Yogan face Bakugeki and ready for battle.
“Are you sure you want to fight me?”
“I won’t make this easy.”
Before he can respond, Yogan utters a serious expression as he pulls a miniature petrol bomb out of his pocket. Yogan proceeds to light the miniature petrol bomb at then throw it at the wall next to Bakugeki which creates a small fire.
“That’s it?”
“Now it’s my turn.”
Bakugeki pulls a stone of his pocket and proceeds to do the pin pull motion. Bakugeki throws the stone at Yogan and Kaze. Both Kaze and Yogan jump away from the stone and proceed to dodge it. However, when the stone explodes, some shrapnel flies towards Kaze but he is able to turn the afflicted areas into insects upon contact and negate most of the damage. Yogan proceeds to then stand up.
“My turn!”
Yogan then proceeds to rotates his arms clockwise, crossing them over. The small fire that Yogan lit earlier suddenly becomes large and throws itself at Bakugeki who very narrowly misses it. Bakugeki’s left hand was slightly burnt by this attack however.
“Now that I’ve seen both of your powers I know this is serious.”
Bakugeki proceeds to pull what appears to be a hundred miniature stones from his pocket. Bakugeki grips the stone firmly as he faces Kaze and Yogan.
“You stand no chance…”
Bakugeki readies his throw in a stance similar to that of a baseball pitcher.
“…against my secret ability ‘Cluster Strike’.”
Bakugeki then throws all of the miniature stones at once which surround the air around Kaze and Yogan. Kaze realises what is about to happen and quickly turns his entire body into insects which begin dissipating around the area in order to negate as much damage as possible.
Yogan does not have an ability like Kaze’s and is paralyzed with fear. Within the brief two seconds it took for the explosion to go off, Yogan knew he had to accept his death.
Hundreds of miniature explosions go off in the air and kill Yogan. The aftermath proceeds to fill the area with a thick black smoke. Bakugeki uses the thick smoke to make his escape.
In the distance, Sabaku is running towards the site of the extreme explosion.
“Yogan!”
“Yogan!”
The insects all begin reconstructing themselves into Kaze. The smoke begins to fade away and as Sabaku continues to look around, the smoke fades away enough for Sabaku to notice Yogan’s dead body.
“YOGAN!!!”
Sabaku begins tearing up and quickly dashes to Yogan’s lifeless body. Sabaku kneels down and holds Yogan’s corpse. Kaze stands near Sabaku.
“He was my oldest friend.”
Kaze tries to show his sincerity.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
Sabaku responds to Kaze’s sincerity with anger. Sabaku looks at Kaze with an expression of hatred. It is clear that the death of Yogan has broken Sabaku. Sabaku lashes out at Kaze.
“This is your fault!”
“You could have saved him.”
“You’re a useless fighter.”
Sabaku stands up. Sabaku is filled with rage. Every time that Kaze tries to speak, Sabaku shuts him down. Sabaku gives Kaze some parting words.
“I’m going after him myself now.”
“You’re finished.”
“I don’t even want to see you again.”
Sabaku begins to walk away. Kaze is annoyed. Kaze is upset at the death of Yogan but knows his end goal has now become even less achievable. With Sabaku refusing to cooperate, Kaze has no chance at retrieving the artefact he came to Esseria in search for.
“I’ll never get that artefact now.”
Kaze rests for a while. During the next day, Kaze heads back to the local coffee shop. Kaze sits down and all that comes to his mind is Sabaku calling him a useless fighter. Once Kaze shakes this off, Kaze begins to try and think of a plan to retrieve the artefact. None of Kaze’s plans are viable and he knows it. However, something unexpected was about to happen.
Kaze sighs as he knows he has no more options.
“What can I do now.”
Kaze looks out of the coffee shop’s window. Kaze notices a well-dressed man in a suit talking to two very sketchy looking figures. Kaze gets a brief look at one of their faces and his heart drops. Kaze recognises one of the figures. It’s the hitman from the mountain… Kemuri.
“I know him!!”
The well-dressed man in the suit begins running away from Kemuri and his friend. Outside the shop, Kemuri begins to speak to his friend.
“I guess we’re doing this the hard way.”
Kemuri begins to form a gun in his hand from smoke. Before he could finish assembling the gun, Kemuri’s friend stops him.
“We need him alive.”
Kemuri’s friend pulls a throwing nail out from his pocket. Kemuri’s friend readies the throwing nail. He then aims it at the well-dressed man who is still running. Kemuri’s friend throws the throwing nail. The throwing nail hits the well-dressed man who then proceeds to fall to the ground. Kemuri and his friend walk over to the man.
“No.”
“Please.”
By this point, Kaze has left the coffee shop and is watching them from a hiding spot. Kemuri’s friend picks up the well-dressed man and throws the well-dressed man over his shoulder. The two of them begin walking away. Kaze follows them. After a while of following, Kaze watches them enter into a decrepit house. Upon entry of the home, there is a staircase leading up to the rooms in the property.
After they shut the door, Kaze waits for a moment. Kaze then transforms into insects which pass through the letterbox on the door. Kaze then reforms himself on the other side of the door. Kaze quietly heads up the stairs. Kaze can’t help but wonder why Kemuri is in Esseria. Kaze hears the sounds of a man being punched.
“Please.”
“I don’t know anything.”
The well-dressed man is now tied to a chair and being interrogated by Kemuri while his friend sits on the kitchen counter and smokes a cigarette. Kaze comes to the realisation that he shouldn’t mess with Kemuri again.
“I’m in way over my head here.”
“What was I thinking?”
“I shouldn’t get involved.”
Kaze begins to leave the property. However, before Kaze could begin to head down the steps, a shadowy hand comes out of the shadow of the wall and grabs Kaze’s foot and prevents him from moving.
“What the…”
In order to try and escape, Kaze begins to turn his feet into insects. However, as Kaze began to do this, shadowy arms came out from the other side of the wall and the hands then proceeded to grab Kaze and pull him into the wall.
“Ouch!”
Kemuri’s friend walks into the hallway.
“What is it Ryukku?”
Ryukku looks at Kaze with a menacing expression.
“What do we have here?”
“Get off me you psycho!”
“I told you someone was tailing us Kemuri.”
Kemuri walks into the hallway. As he does this, he recognises Kaze. Kemuri is relieved that it’s just Kaze.
“Well it’s always good to see a familiar face.”
Kaze looks annoyed. Ryukku turns to Kemuri.
“Should we tie him up?”
Kemuri finds this statement amusing.
“Nah.”
“That wouldn’t work on him.”
“He’s got the power to turn into insects.”
Kemuri then turns his attention to Kaze.
“Remember my little talk.”
“I realised that the gun doesn’t always win.”
“So I got myself a partner.”
Kemuri then wonders to himself why Kaze is in Esseria. Kemuri decides to ask.
“So why are you here?”
Kaze knows there is no point in lying to Kemuri. If he did lie, then Kemuri might suspect that Kaze is trying to ruin whatever plans he may have.
“I need an artefact from the museum.”
“It’s got nothing to do with you.”
Kemuri instantly becomes more relaxed.
“Then I guess you’re not my enemy this time.”
“I’d offer my services for the right price but I’m not a museum thief.”
“I wouldn’t be very good at it.”
Kemuri turns to Ryukku.
“Let him go.”
Ryukku proceeds to release the shadows and Kaze then takes a sudden step backwards. Kaze is curious as to why Kemuri is here. Kaze reluctantly decides to ask.
“So why are you here?”
“I’m here hunting a very valuable bounty.”
Ryukku jumps into the conversation.
“Valuable is an understatement.”
Kemuri does not like talking about his missions so decides to switch the focus of the topic back to Kaze.
“Enough about us.”
“You want to heist a museum?”
Kemuri laughs as he finds the idea amusing. Kemuri did not expect Kaze to willingly commit a crime. Kemuri thought of Kaze as overly self-righteous.
“The insect man becomes a crook.”
Kaze takes this in a hostile manner. Kaze can see the twisted mind in Kemuri’s eyes. Kaze refuses to be compared to him. They are nothing alike and to Kaze they have no similarities at all.
“I’m not a crook.”
“I’m nothing like you.”
Kemuri does not understand why Kaze took his comment in a hostile manner.
“Chill out. I was just being nice.”
Kemuri thinks for a moment but then remembers that he owes Kaze for letting him go on the mountain. Kemuri has thought of a way that he can pay Kaze back.
“Either way, I think I can help you out.”
“I think I know the guy for the job.”
Kemuri then looks over at Ryukku.
“Hey Ryukku, who was that kid we bumped into.”
“The one we spared with the electric power.”
Ryukku looks confused as he doesn’t appear to know what Kemuri is talking about. It’s evident that Ryukku and Kemuri have both killed and harmed so many people that a single life doesn’t stick in their memories. Kemuri tries to jog Ryukku’s memory.
“Don’t give me that look.”
“He was in the Cairn Liberation Army.”
Ryukku recalls someone who matches this description.
“Shokku?”
“Yeah, him.”
Kemuri looks back at Kaze with a menacing expression.
“With your powers combined, you can be master thieves.”
Kaze is now alert and knows that he must find Shokku. Kaze can’t stop thinking about the horror that Chikaku must be enduring back home.
“Where can I find him?”
Kemuri looks confused as he has no clue where Shokku could possibly be.
“Beats me.”
Kemuri notices that Ryukku appears to knows as he lets out a smile.
“Might as well tell him Ryukku.”
“Shokku is of no use to us anymore.”
Ryukku then walks out of the hallway and back into the room with the well-dressed man. Ryukku tears the corner off of a piece of paper and then proceeds to write an address on it. Ryukku walks back into the corridor and hands the piece of paper with the address written on it to Kaze.
Kaze looks at the piece of paper and notices the writing on it.
“It’s his address if you couldn’t tell.”
Kaze appears to find Ryukku’s attempt at humour very unfunny as he looks on with a blank facial expression.
“Thanks.”
Kaze is confused as to what situation he is currently in. He is not sure what business Kemuri or Ryukku now have with him. Kaze turns to Kemuri to check that everything is ok.
“So I can leave now.”
“Nobody’s forcing you to stay.”
Kaze begins to head down the stairs and leave the run-down property. As Kaze begins to leave, Kemuri has some parting words.
“If we ever decide to dabble in museum heists we’ll give you a call.”
Kaze appears to not be flattered by this comment. Kaze does not want to affiliate himself with these two criminals more than he has too.
“Not in your life.”
Kaze leaves the hitmen’s hideout. Kaze knows what he must do next. He looks at the piece of paper and begins to head to the address. Kaze arrives in a dangerous-looking neighbourhood. Kaze holds the piece of paper to check that he is at the right address. Kaze realises that the home in front of him belongs to Shokku.
Kaze knocks on the door but receives no response. Kaze proceeds to knock again but still receives no answer. Kaze can hear the faint sound of a television and is sure that someone is inside the property. Kaze uses his ‘Hive Mind’ to transform into insects which enter the property. Kaze then reforms himself inside the property.
Kaze walks around the property but doesn’t notice anyone.
“Hello.”
“Is anyone here?”
Before he knew it, Kaze was hit with a metal baton from behind. This knocks Kaze out. Kaze wakes up on the floor with a man standing over him.
“Who are you?”
“Esserian military?”
Kaze is confused as to what happened. Kaze needs a moment to process the situation.
“Where am I?”
The man refuses to answer Kaze’s question and immediately responds in a serious tone.
“I’m asking the questions here.”
“Answer or you die.”
Kaze responds to the man’s questioning without fully understanding the situation that he is in.
“I’m looking for Shokku.”
“Why do you want to know where he is?”
Kaze finally realises the situation that he is in. Before Kaze can continue to talk, the man has more questions.
“Why are you looking for me?”
Kaze realises that the man standing over him is Shokku.
“You’re Shokku?”
Shokku is annoyed with Kaze. Shokku is still concerned that Kaze is potentially a bounty hunter or someone who wants to capture him.
“Answer the question!”
Kaze needs to get on Shokku’s good side. Kaze knows this and decides that the best course of action is to be honest with Shokku.
“I need to steal something from the museum.”
“I hear your power can control electricity.”
Shokku can see the honesty in Kaze’s eyes. Despite this, Shokku finds Kaze’s proposal uninteresting. Shokku wonders what Kaze can offer him in return for his help.
“And what do I get out of helping you?”
Kaze remembers Kemuri talking about Shokku being in the CLA and decides to try and use this to his advantage.
“A chance to piss off Esseria.”
Shokku finds this amusing but is still uninterested. Shokku reveals that he left the CLA and no longer cares for any of the conflicts between Esseria and Cairn. Shokku has seen war first-hand and wishes to remove himself from it.
“I’m not in the CLA anymore.”
“I couldn’t care less.”
Kaze is getting desperate. Kaze knows that without Shokku, Chikaku will likely die if he has not already died. Every moment of time is crucial. Kaze begins to plead with Shokku.
“I need this.”
“I’ll do anything you want.”
Shokku looks intrigued by this idea.
“Anything?”
“Yes.”
“I promise.”
Shokku smiles at this. Shokku then offers Kaze a hand to help him get off of the ground.
“We better make a plan then.”
Kaze and Shokku sit around Shokuu’s table. There is a layout of the museum on the centre of the table. As they go over the plan, Shokku is making sure that Kaze understands.
“…so then I’ll use my powers to switch of the alarm system.”
“Then you do your thing and get out in one piece.”
Kaze is surprised at the simplicity of Shokku’s plan.
“Sounds simple enough.”
“Hmph.”
Kaze and Shokku wait for the night to begin. Kaze and Shokku then head to the museum. They arrive on a particularly dark night. As the clock approaches midnight, Kaze and Shokku begin to try and get into the museum.
As Kaze and Shokku sneak past the guards, Kaze does so with relative ease. Kaze is able to use his ‘Hive Mind’ to create blind spots on the cameras so that Shokku may pass certain areas without being spotted. Kaze and Shokku eventually find their way into the museum.
As they stand outside the security room, Shokku nods to Kaze. Their plan has begun. Shokku uses his ‘Electric Conductor’ ability to electrify his baton. Shokku knocks out the security guard watching the CCTV cameras. Shokku then uses his power to overload the mainframe which cuts off all security cameras and alarms. Shokku gives Kaze the go ahead.
Kaze then turns into a hive of insects which go travelling through the museum. Because of Kaze’s unique ability, he is easily able to dodge being detected by the museum guards. Kaze makes his way to the gilded cube. When Kaze finds the gilded cube, he uses his leafcutter ants to cut a shape in the surrounding glass and remove the object. Kaze then uses the insects to carry it past the guards and back to the security room.
Kaze reforms outside the security room. Shokku looks at Kaze.
“You’ve done it?”
“That was fast.”
Shokku does not want to hang around the museum longer than they have too.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Kaze and Shokku then leave the museum. Once they have left the museum, they manage to sneak a few streets away. Kaze and Shokku thought that they had succeeded in the heist and were in the clear. They hear a voice calling from behind them.
“Oi.”
Kaze and Shokku are shocked by this. Kaze and Shokku decide to turn around. Kaze is shocked even more by what he sees. Sabaku is standing there, ready to fight.
“You think you can betray me.”
Kaze does not comprehend the situation at first. After spending a lot of time with Sabaku and Yogan, Kaze is just relieved that Sabaku is safe and unharmed. Kaze was sure that Bakugeki would have killed Sabaku.
“Sabaku.”
“I’m glad you’re alive.”
Sabaku does not take this remark nicely. Sabaku is currently in an extremely angry state.
“Don’t give me that.”
Sabaku points at Shokku.
“That man is a CLA agent.”
“Tell me why you’re working with him!”
Kaze realises that he is in a very bad situation and is caught in the middle of two dangerous people from opposing factions.
“It’s not what it looks like.”
Surprisingly, Sabaku speaks back to him in a calm tone of voice. Kaze finds this very strange.
“I believe you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Sabaku doesn’t stop here though. Unfortunately, this moment of calmness would only last a few seconds.
“But that changes nothing.”
“Shokku I’m placing you under arrest.”
“Failure to comply will result in your death.”
Kaze is in disbelief at this. Kaze knows that he owes Shokku a favour. Kaze decides to step in. Sabaku will not tolerate this.
“No!”
“This is your last warning Kaze.”
“Step away or I’ll have no choice but to kill you too.”
Kaze decides to try and reason with Sabaku. Kaze does not want to fight him.
“Think this through Sabaku!”
Kaze’s words annoy Sabaku. Sabaku then readies himself for combat.
“You have chosen your side.”
Sabaku unsheathes his boomerang shaped blade and throws his sword. Sabaku then uses his ability to manipulate the direction of the sword. The sword begins heading towards Shokku. Shokku dodges the sword. Sabaku quickly alters the direction of the sword. The sword then cuts Shokku. However, the cuts aren’t too deep. Kaze knows that Shokku will die if he doesn’t step in.
Kaze uses his power to throw insects at Sabaku. Sabaku dodges the insects that Kaze threw. The sword then heads towards Kaze. As the sword is about to make impact with Kaze, he transforms his body into insects so that the damage is minimalized and then reforms. The fight continues until Kaze’s insects are finally able to land on Sabaku. Sabaku then starts brushing the insects off of him. Shokku then electrifies his baton and hits Sabaku from the side. The high voltage of electricity is enough to cause Sabaku to fall over and die.
Kaze is annoyed by this. Even though Sabaku had tried to kill them, Kaze believes that this issue could have been solved peacefully. Kaze understands that Shokku acted in self-defence though and lets this slide.
“He didn’t have to die.”
“He would have killed us!”
“Then I guess we’re now even.”
Shokku is curious as to what Kaze plans to do next.
“Where do you plan to go now?”
“I must finish my quest.”
“Then I’m coming with you.”
Kaze is confused by this remark. But Shokku knows that he has to leave the country now.
“I just killed someone.”
“If I stay in Esseria then I’ll be hung.”
Kaze thinks for a moment. He knows that saving Chikaku would not be possible if Shokku had not got involved. Kaze reluctantly agrees.
“Fine.”
“I suppose I should fill you in on the details.”
Kaze and Shokku then head back to Pariah Village. They arrive at the top of the mountain just as Kaze finishes telling Shokku about his situation.
“Then we met and you know the rest.”
Shokku weighs in on the situation.
“Rai is not a man of honour.”
“If he plans world domination then he will not subjugate me or my people.”
Shokku decides to wait outside as Kaze enters the mountain woman’s shack. Kaze heads into the mountain woman’s shack. She is surprised to see Kaze.
“Your back.”
“What will it be this time?”
Kaze places the artefact on the ground and takes a seat opposite the mountain woman. The mountain woman then puts her hand on the artefact and instructs Kaze to do the same. Kaze does so.
“Then let’s begin.”
“Now close your eyes.”
“Prepare to see the events of the past in Esseria.”
Many years in the past, the tyrannical pharaoh of Esseria sits inside his throne room. A merchant is kneeling in front of the pharaoh.
“A tribute to my pharaoh.”
The tribute in question is the same gilded cube that Kaze took from the Esserian museum. The merchant hands the artefact over to the pharaoh and then begins to leave the very long throne room. The pharaoh turns to his advisor.
“How pathetic.”
The pharaoh then proceeds to throw the artefact to the side.
“They offer me tributes in hopes that I will spare them any hardship.”
“Every man will build monuments to me until their hands break or they die.”
As the merchant is about to open the door and leave, the door flings open. The merchant is grabbed and his throat is swiftly cut. Three insurgents enter the throne room and walk towards the pharaoh and then stop. The advisor readies his ability.
“Pathetic pests.”
The pharaoh puts his hand in the air.
“Halt.”
The advisor stops in his track.
“There’s no need.”
The pharaoh then stands up and the three insurgents prepare for combat. The pharaoh walks a few paces towards the insurgents. Their leader begins to speak.
“The people have had enough of your tyranny.”
The pharaoh laughs.
“Do you plan to use your insects again?”
“Do you not remember that I am immortal.”
“Your attacks only create a few seconds of annoyance.”
The insurgent leader readies himself for combat.
“This will be our final fight.”
“I agree.”
“I plan to kill you and every rebel before dawn.”
The insurgent leader then proceeds to throw a bunch of flying insects in the sky which start circling the room.
“Locust Swarm!”
The pharaoh laughs at this. The locusts start attacking the pharaoh. The pharaoh regenerates so quickly that the attacks from the locusts do not affect him.
The insurgent leader stops his attack. Under the impression that the leader has lost the will to fight, the pharaoh pulls out his sword.
“Now you will perish.”
The insurgent leader looks at the pharaoh with an expression of pure rage, hatred and determination.
“NO!”
“I will not take your terror!”
“Behold my new ability!”
“Gilded Scarab!”
The insurgent leader then fires scarabs at the pharaoh. These are no ordinary scarabs; each insect bares a gold inscription on it. The gilded scarabs begin tearing through the pharaohs skin as the pharaoh begins screaming in agony. The pharaohs advisor is frozen in fear.
“What is this?”
“My flesh can’t regenerate quick enough!”
The pharaoh tries to walk forward but falls to the ground. The pharaohs muscles are being removed by the gilded scarabs. In some areas, the pharaohs bones are visible. The pharaoh gives some parting words to the insurgents.
“Through your hatred…”
“You have awakened…”
“A power made from evil incarnate…”
Nothing remains of the pharaoh but his bones. The pharaoh is now dead.
Kaze awakens with a deep breath. Kaze is shocked about the vision that he has just witnessed.
“What did I just see?”
The mountain woman answers Kaze’s question and gives him a warning.
“You have seen how to win.”
“You have seen a vision of the past.”
“Be very cautious with this power.”
“It is a power from a different age.”
“A power born from hatred, anger and fear.”
Kaze looks at his arm and sees a gilded scarab climbing on it. Kaze had hoped for a new power to help him beat Rai. However, Kaze is nervous as this new power frightens him to his core.
