The deal
1994 Words
after tying both of them with chains, the guards start heading for the castle to meet azeyl. azeyl was shinagou chief sorcerer, he was also one of the sorcerers that helped in ending the war between the humans and the spirits, he is the founder of j'iden academy and also said to be the wisest person in the kingdom so in a situation like this azeyl was definitely the right person to meet. finally they arrived at the castle and brought azaki and tashima out of the wagon but azaki was still unconscious.
Captain : carry the boy and let's go, we don't have much time and who knows when he will wake up.
Tashima : where are you taking him.
Captain : none of your business. throw her in the dungeon.
with that said the guards threw tashima in the dungeon and the captain accompanied with the other guards brought azaki to see azeyl.
INSIDE THE CASTLE
Doorkeeper : who are you looking for?
Captain : I'm looking for azeyl.
Doorkeeper : I'm afraid I can't let you in, he and his majesty are having a meeting.
Captain : this is more urgent, I need to speak with azeyl now.
Doorkeeper : I'm afraid I can't let you in.
Captain : listen to me you mutt, I am the captain of the royal guards and you will do as I say or else I'll shove my boot so far up your mouth that you won't be able to eat for weeks.
He said with a furious look.
Doorkeeper : very well you might proceed.
he opened the door and met azeyl talking to the king.
Captain : my lord, sorry to interrupt but I need to speak with azeyl.
Azeyl : what is it captain?
Captain : it's about him.
the guards presents an unconscious azaki before the king and azeyl.
Azeyl : what about him?
Captain : I think he's a zekai.
Azeyl : bring him to my chamber.
AT AZEYL CHAMBER
after lots of inspection and examination, azeyl finally spoke.
Azeyl : this is incredible.
Gorato : what is it azeyl.
Azeyl : this boy, I don't know how but he possesses the spirit of yaranu.
Captain : you mean the spirit that waged war against shinagou.
Azeyl : yes
Gorato : this is wonderful.
Azeyl : what do you mean?
Gorato : this boy is carrying the spirit of yaranu, finally we'll have our revenge for what they did to us.
Azeyl : you're not going to do what I'm thinking are you?
Gorato : think of it, if we kill this boy we can put an end to the spirits once and for all.
Azeyl : but he's still a child.
Gorato : a small price to pay for peace.
Azeyl : this isn't just about bringing peace or putting an end to the spirits is it. you just want to get even for what they did to you. I'm right aren't I?
Gorato : think whatever you want but I've made my decision the boy must die.
Azeyl : I never thought you could stoop so low. killing a little child just to get even and covering it up in the name of peace.
Gorato : AZEYLLLL!!!!!
He yelled in a furious tone.
Gorato : do not forget who you are talking to, know your place. besides you heard what he did. he killed 10 (ten) of my best soldiers despite his little age. imagine if he grows up.
Azeyl : then why don't we let him.
Gorato : what? you mean I should grow him?
Azeyl : it's not necessary you grow him. I mean what if we train him, make him a soldier in shinagou. you said it yourselves he killed 10 (ten) of our best soldiers despite his age. imagine if he's fighting for us.
Gorato : though it's a good idea I stand by previous decision.
Azeyl : come on gorato, think of it.
after few minutes
Gorato : fine I'll allow him to be trained only if he accepts to join us willingly. but if he doesn't he dies.
Azeyl : thank you my lord.
gorato exits the room
Captain : so what are you going to do now? there's no way he's going to agree to join us and fight for shinagou willingly.
Azeyl : then I'll give him a reason why he has to join us.
after their meeting azaki was taken to a different dungeon where no other prisoner were kept. not too long after tashima came to see him.
Guard : you've got two minutes. make it quick.
by this time azaki was awake
Azaki : Tashima what happened? the last thing i remember is that we were at the market and then some guards came and that's it. that's all I remember.
tashima stared at azaki in amazement to what happened earlier and was surprised that he remembered nothing that happened. she really wanted to tell him what happened but she remembered that azeyl had a discussion with her before coming to meet him and warned her that if she told him anything about what happened his life and the life of her father will be in jeopardy.
Tashima : a guard hit you in the head with a stick and you fainted.
Azaki : man I'm sorry I couldn't stop them.
Tashima : don't worry, it isn't your fault.
Azaki : what of dad?
Tashima : I talked to him, well they brought him here any way. they also said he's going to be staying in the dungeon with me because apparently "he assisted you during your criminal activities". she said while doing bunny ears with her fingers.
Azaki : no this isn't fair. we didn't do anything wrong, you didn't do anything wrong. if anyone has to pay it's me for taking what does not belong to me. I'm so sorry I put you and dad in this mess.
Tashima : no worries it fine. so you remember nothing that happened?
Azaki : nothing at all.
Tashima : that guard really got you good. well if you were strong enough you won't have fainted that easily.
Azaki : hey why don't you get hit in the head with a stick and see how it feels.
Tashima : sure thing weak boy.
Azaki : I'm not weak.
they begin to laugh but tashima laughs with worries in her heart as she is concerned about him and what they will do to him since they know what he's capable of.
Guard : ok little girl time to go.
Tashima : what?
Guard : your time is up, let's go.
he opens the door to azaki cage and drags her out. azeyl was coming to meet azaki when he heard the guard trying to get tashima out of azaki cage and decided to wait and see what happens.
Guard : come on let's go.
Tashima : let go of me.
as she tries to free herself of the guard's grip azaki yells at the guard with a totally different and intimidating scary voice
Azaki : let her go.
Azeyl : interesting, the girl seems to be able to control his emotions which in turns controls his powers.
azeyl leaves were he's hiding and steps in.
Azeyl : that's enough, take her back to the dungeon.
he tells the frightened and intimidated guard. immediately after tashima and the guard leaves he approaches azaki.
Azeyl : hello young man I'll like to talk to you.
Azaki : what do you want?
he replies with his voice back to normal.
azeyl speaks to himself in his thoughts
Azeyl : i was right the girl does control his powers, his voice is back to normal.
azeyl didn't want to ask him any question like how did he get out of the forest so as not to jog his memory of what happened at the market so he pretended as if nothing happened.
Azeyl : in a word you.
Azaki : what do you mean?
Azeyl : well since you stole from countless civilians according to shinagou rules you and your family are to be prosecuted but I'm going to give you a chance to change that.
Azaki : but I didn't do those things you're accusing me of. I'm not the snatcher.
Azeyl : I believe you but it doesn't means my king will.
Azaki : ok what do you want me to do?
Azeyl : excellent choice, now what I want from you is very simple. in order for you to save your family you'll have to attend j'iden academy.
Azaki : isn't that the school for kihatsus in training? ( kihatus are soldiers that mastered the art of j'iden, the explanation for both kihatus and the art of j'iden will extensively explained in chapter 6 ).
wait so you want me to attend the school so that I can become a kihatsu.
Azeyl : not just an ordinary kihatsu, captain of our elite strike force. I've seen you. you've what it takes.
Azaki : why do you even want me to become a soldier anyway?
Azeyl : that's for me to know and for you to not know. you have until the end of this day to make your choice. I'm sure that you will choose wisely.
azeyl leaves azaki cage. after lots of thinking and contemplating azaki finally came to a decision.
Later in the day
azeyl returns back to hear if azaki has made the choice he's expecting.
Azeyl : so what's your answer?
Azaki : I accept your offer. I'll join the academy just don't hurt my family ok.
Azeyl : ok but since you took so long to make a choice the deal has changed a little.
Azaki : what do you mean? you told me that If i joined the academy you won't hurt my family.
Azeyl : I did but the thing is that now your sister is also going to be joining you at the academy.
Azaki : that wasn't what we discussed.
Azeyl : I know but the deal's changed.
hearing this azaki twist his fist as his eyes glows slightly red. thinking of how to calm an already pissed off azaki azeyl quickly reminds him that if she doesn't join him their father will pay the price, hearing this azaki suppresses his anger and relieves his fist.
Azaki : fine tashima will join me.
Azeyl : good you two leave first thing tomorrow morning.
azeyl leaves azaki to Inform tashima of the news.
THE NEXT DAY
before leaving azeyl presents azaki with a bangle.
Azaki : what's this for?
Azeyl : nothing, it's just a gift from me to you.
Azaki : thanks but I don't want it.
Azeyl : I wasn't asking if you want it, I'm telling you to wear it.
Azaki : why.
Azeyl : so that I can keep an eye on you.
Tashima : what do you mean?
Azeyl : I mean while he's wearing with that bangle I can see his every move.
Azaki : seriously?
Azeyl : seriously.
Tashima : this isn't necessary, we already agreed to the deal.
Azeyl : I know but this will help you maintain the deal.
Azaki : this is messed up.
Azeyl : it is but what can I do, anyway I better leave you alone so that you can get going oh and just so you know if you try to get rid of that bangle I'll know because I have eyes every where so don't even think about it, well with that said it's time for me to say goodbye.
azeyl waves them good bye then leaves.
unknowing to azaki that the bangle was meant to suppress his powers and yaranu control over him.
Guard : all right have you both got your things ready.
"yes" they answer in unison.
Guard : ok next up j'iden academy.
- Writer
