SHADOW

Episode 07: ECLIPSE

(As Sora was training with Seth's clone it disappears abruptly, he knows something bad might have happened. He quickly gets ready to return.

Takashi carries Seth's dead body home placing him on a bed with a cloth over his body. The symbol of hope has disappeared. Everyone at the realm is full of heartache. Outside the house everybody is mourning Seth's death and Tsume sits in one corner with her face swollen and eyes full of tears. A portal opens Sora steps out from the portal. A few minutes later Saki who was visiting her mother came back)

Sora: Hey old man where's Seth?

Takashi: (says nothing)

Saki: What happened here? (looking at everyone)

Tsume: (wipes her face and stands up) Seth is . . . .

Takashi: (interrupts her) Shut up child!

Saki: Father is what? (beady eyes)

Sora: Seth's dead. Right? (Deadpan)

Saki: (looks at him) What do you mean Father is dead? If this is a joke it's not funny (looks at Takashi) I want to see my father. Where is he?

Takashi: He. . . He is dead

Saki: (falls to her feet crying repeating the same word) It's not true. It's not true

Sora: Who killed him?

Takashi: Saito. . . Seth sacrificed his life for us

Sora: I see

Saki: I see? (holds him by the shirt) The man that took you in and gave you a name is dead and all you could say is "I see"

Sora: (Says nothing staring at her with no emotion)

Saki: (Lets go and runs off)

Takashi: Saki! (calls for her)

Tsume: Why must you always have to be rude? (angry)

Sora: (Sighs and walks away)

Tsume: Sora!

Takashi: (stops her) He is also hurting. He might not show it but deep down he is

Tsume: (grits teeth) Tsk!

                 *********************************

(The next day, Seth is being buried. The King of the Realm; King Jefferson says a few words before the statue they made in his honor was unveiled and Takashi starts to carve Seth's name on the Great Tree in the Realm. The Great Tree has been in the Realm for many years and the tree is like record of everyone that gave their life in protecting the Realm. Sora's mother's name is also engraved on the tree. Not many people were left to stay as Takashi carves the name on the tree. It's just Saki and Sora that's still left and once Takashi was done he stares at it for awhile before going over to where Sora stood and hands him a black case)

Takashi: He wants you to have it

Saki: (Looks at them)

Sora: (opens the case and pulls out Seth's scythe) How come Saito didn't get this after he killed Seth?

Takashi: (sad face) I arrived in time to stop him

Saki: (angry) You didn't arrive in time to save my father but got there in time to save his stupid scythe huh Sage Takashi?

Takashi: Am sorry (looks down)

Saki: (tears drop down her cheek) Sorry won't bring him back. All you do everyday is sit around watching young women take their bath. They call you a Sage but the easiest job you could have done you still failed at it. You are just a pervy old man. I hate you! (runs to punch Takashi)

Sora: (stands between her and Takashi as he clinch her fist) Get yourself together, Saki!

Saki: (takes a step back) Don't tell me to control myself when you don't know how I feel. You have never felt pain in your life so shut the f**k up Sora!

Sora: I was ten years old when I lost my mother. I stood helpless and watched as the only being I have ever loved die. You don't know how damaged that can make you. Not to mention the schmuck that got her pregnant wants nothing to do with her or me so don't talk to me as if the world is only cruel to you. The world doesn't stop just because you are in a bad mood or something bad happened to you, Saki

Saki: Don't call my name. He gave you his scythe, why? Does he think less of me?

Sora: (tilts head) Oh this thingy? (swings it around) You want it? (serious look) You know Saki it's okay to lose your s**t sometimes because if you keep your s**t, you'll end up full of s**t and then you'll explode and they'll be s**t everywhere. A s**t storm. And nobody wants that

Saki: (opens a portal) A s**t storm huh? Watch your back Sora cause from henceforth you don't need to worry only about Saito coming for you for that scythe

Takashi: Stop Saki! This is not the path Seth would want you to choose

Saki: Seth is dead and dead men want nothing (looks at Sora) You'll join him soon (disappears through the portal)

                            xxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Two months after Seth's death, no one has heard or seen Saki. Takashi continues Sora's training. In the middle of their training someone appears beside Takashi telling him the Kings seeks for his audience, he stops the training and heads for the palace. On reaching there he bows to the King)

King Jefferson: I told you many times not to bow at me Takashi. We are in dire situation of finding a competent person to the Realm's Guardian. What about Saki Render the daughter of Seth Render?

Takashi: She's a great fit for the position but no one knows where she's right now

King Jefferson: What about the bratty son of that woman, what's his name again?

Takashi: Are you talking about Sora Render son of Sakura Render?

King Jefferson: That's the one. Do you recommend him?

Takashi: I'm afraid he won't accept. Moreover he can't protect something he doesn't love

King Jefferson: There was a time when men fought over the title of Guardian now look at us... Look at how far we've fallen. Now even the Demons Realm mock us. I want you to persuade either Saki or Sora into becoming our protector

Takashi: Leave those two. I will be the Realm's Guardian

King Jefferson: (laughs hysterically) You are way past your prime old friend. Am not saying you are not capable of protecting us but age is no longer on your side

Takashi: I will be the Realm's Guardian until Sora has a change of heart. I believe one day he will want to protect this place

King Jefferson: hmm You really think so old friend?

Takashi: Am sure of it

King Jefferson: I will believe in you then (the next day Takashi invites Sora to his house hoping to change his mind)

Takashi: It's two months since Seth died, what do you plan to do?

Sora: Am going to seek out Saito. It's time he pays for his sins

Takashi: Is revenge all you think about?

Sora: (laughs) What else do you want me to think about?

Takahi: Why don't you become the Guardian of the Realm?

Sora: There's no way am risking my life for this Realm

Takashi: You can have a life here

Sora: That kind of life isn't for me

Takashi: The life of a loner, an avenger that's what you think is made for you? Seth couldn't defeat Saito, what makes you think you can kill him?

Sora: Seth was weak. He saw Saito as a friend and fought him as a friend that was why he lost and am not gonna make the same mistake he did

Takashi: You know you can't hide your true feelings when you are with me

Sora: (Says nothing)

Takashi: Seth wouldn't. . .

Sora: (stops him) Don't tell me what Seth would or wouldn't want. He could have killed that bastard a long time ago but he chose to die a miserable death. (tilts head) I will not end up like him (leaves the house angry . Sora climbs up a cliff. On top of the cliff you could see everyone in the Realm and the view is amazing, Seth used to bring him up the cliff. Something about being there seems to calm him down. He sits there till night falls and the following day he starts getting ready to leave the Realm. Takashi pays him a last minute visit hoping to change his mind

Takashi: It's not too late to think about what I said

Sora: My answer is still the same. Once my mind is made up there's no going back you know that (covers half of his face with a red scarf. The scarf was his mother's)

Takashi: And Sora?

Sora: (Stops and looks over his shoulder)

Takashi: Don't die

Sora: (Smirks as his body is covered with black flame as he disappears)