Arc 1: Kumoshima Part 4
1880 Words
CHAPTER 9
It was normal for humans to have something they wanted for themselves. Whether it was their favorite food, clothing, or someone to love, humans usually wish for those things.
When Nephrite heard that travelers gave up the big chance for successful reincarnation by sacrificing their vessels for revenge, he always wondered what kind of request a person has to gain this kind of courage. How strong was their vengeance to be able to give up the chance to live?
So when he saw Keisuke's past, he felt a warm hand on his heart. Keisuke never wished for revenge nor something he desired for himself. He only had one request when he formed this contract with the Core. It was to save his nephew, the son of the Rose Valley Lord, so their bloodline won't end. How can a person be so selfless?
Nephrite thought the kind young master deserved more than what he wished for.
When Nephrite heard Keisuke's father's name from the servant, he felt the residual feelings left behind by the original soul like a huge tremor. Kuro had to assist him for a while but even till they met Chunan, his hands were still trembling.
He vowed to see things through for Keisuke. He won't let this person down.
Some citizens told them that they saw a carriage rushing to the North-East gate of the City.
Following the lead, the three of them hope it was the right direction.
Nephrite tried to calm himself as their horses galloped despite the purple sky getting swallowed by darkness as nighttime fell.
"Young Master, they probably rest somewhere. It is dangerous to continue during the night," Chunan said.
Neither Nephrite nor the original vessel was knowledgeable in this kind of thing. "Do you have any plans?"
They looked for a place to leave the horses. When he asked why Chunan and Kuro did not tie the horses, they kindly explained that those horses won't run unless wolves attacked them. Tying the horses was like giving them a death sentence. Then Chunan showed him a whistle, "We can call them using this."
However, Nephrite realized another problem. Though Keisuke was trained in sword-fighting, he didn't know how to stealth.
Chunan made a 'pffft' sound and offered to carry him instead.
In one swift motion, Chunan put Nephrite on his shoulder like a sack of rice.
Nephrite was flustered but didn't complain. They have a mission to accomplish.
Like in some ninja movies, they jumped from one tree to another. However, Kurokami moved a bit faster than them.
Without the moon shining through the leaves as they go deeper in the forest, their senses had been doubly alert. Every sound, from the flapping of unseen wings, snapping twigs, howling from the distance, or even cricket chirping, nothing was missed as they checked every possible place the abductors might go to.
After quite some time, Kurokami suddenly signaled them to stop.
He made a sniffing gesture then jumped to the tree branch where he and Chunan were.
"The air smells of blood," then Kurokami nodded at them before he jumped down from the tree.
Chunan then found Kurokami touching the detritus as if looking for something. After a while, he abruptly stopped, as if he found something, and showed his hand to them, "Fresh blood."
Without another word, they started tracking the trail of blood.
Nephrite did not speak, but his heart was pounding rapidly. Whether it was another residual feeling of the vessel or his own worry, he couldn't tell anymore.
All he knew was that whatever happens, he must save Saikyu Keichi.
A loud shriek broke his train of thoughts. Without further delay, they dashed towards the direction of the voice. Sounds of swords clashing getting clearer as they got nearer their target.
In an instant, Chunan deflected something. Nephrite barely saw it was a dagger, or even when Kuro dashed in time to stop the sword aimed at Keichi's head with his sword. It all happened in a flash.
Chunan put down Nephrite on his feet as they observed their foes.
Five men in black clothing, face covered, were repelled away from Keichi in a few seconds. If it was just a movie, Nephrite would love to watch the battle.
He knew these two guards were strong. Even if they fell to disadvantage from the bandits on their way to Silver Rain City, it was only since the enemy outnumbered them and they still had to protect the goods and the people with them.
These two, and even Shier who was left in the city felt so ashamed they couldn't protect them properly.
However, it was different this time.
Even if they were still outnumbered, their movements didn't have many restrictions anymore.
A warrior will always be a warrior. Adrenaline rushed through their veins as they exchanged attacks with their enemies.
It was a beautiful sight, however, Nephrite wasn't an audience at the moment. Right now, this was his reality. One wrong move and a life lost.
The three of them encircled the wounded Keichi, protecting him.
Nephrite wasn't as strong as the two guards, but the adrenaline rush boosted his strength. He can feel his blood coursing through his veins as he fights with his enemy.
He was both happy and afraid. Happy that Keichi was still alive. Afraid of what would happen from then on. Right now, all he could feel was that this person was his real father, not just a part of some borrowed memories.
Nephrite wanted to check Keichi but the latter signaled him to focus on the enemies first. He did as he was told.
Kurokami and Chunan were facing five enemies. It was amazing how these two can handle them expertly.
The sounds of sword clashing break the silence of the forest.
Their opponents weren’t easy to deal with. Each of them was trained in battle, their attacks were fierce and ruthless, their blades seeking blood.
Suddenly, warm, wet liquid splattered on Nephrite's back, the metallic-like scent enveloped him. He froze, nauseated.
The moment he held a sword, he should have expected this, right?
He didn't know when nor how Chunan did it. As the latter took the enemy's life, the person's innards scattered because of force. One can imagine how violent the fight ended with those two. Chunan focused on his other opponent who was still in shock after he saw his comrade's state.
It got down to Nephrite that he had a huge disadvantage from the beginning.
He has no desire to kill.
Nephrite lived in a peaceful era. Though violence exists and the media was full of grotesque movies, he was never a fan. Even if he liked swordsmanship in games and fiction, it was only depicted to protect. In the end, there was no need to shed too much blood.
Witnessing actual death made him ask: Why do we need to kill? Do I need to kill this man, too?
Taking advantage of his distraction, one of the masked men went to his blind spot and raised his hand, ready to kill.
An arrow suddenly pierced through the man's chest. But because of his rage upon his comrade's death, his desire for revenge was so high. He kept moving as if his blood wasn't leaking.
His sword slashed at Nephrite. Before he could react, someone parried with his weapon, the collision created sparks because of strong friction.
Nephrite snapped out of his thoughts and looked at this person's back, "M-Miyazuya-sama."
Some people arrived with him. They drew their swords and fought with Kuro and Chunan's enemy.
"Go to your father," Kazuyuki said, as he kicked his enemy down, sword pointed on the neck. Some people brought a rope and tied the man.
Nephrite looked around hesitantly but after seeing everything was fine now, he went to his father's side.
"Keisuke, you need to save the Young Miss. I failed to protect her," his father said, forcing each word out of his mouth.
"Father, I can't. Look at how injured you are!"
"You must! Bring Kuro with you. This is nothing. I will recover soon."
Kazuyuki walked over, "Master Saikyu, I am a vassal of the Miyazuya Family, Miyazuya Kazuyuki. We are sent here to rescue Lady Takamine. She is a guest and her family is our friend."
His father tried to sit straight, "Young master, I hope you don't mind but let us offer our assistance. One of our guards has a great sense of smell. He can be a big help in tracking the Lady. "
"Then I will gladly accept the Master's kindness," he called over one of his men who turned out to be a physician and instructed him to check on Keichi.
Nephrite assisted his father. Kazuyuki called him, "Young Master Keisuke, do you have any wounds?"
"I am fine."
Kazuyuki removed his kimono jacket and handed it to Nephrite, "Remove your clothes and put this on for now. I will send someone to get you clean clothes. You should stay behind, it doesn't seem to me that you are well right now."
As if clicking the red button, Nephrite got annoyed.
"What are you trying to say?!"
Kazuyuki already walked away. Following Kurokami, some of the men left. Nephrite, eating shame, removed his outer clothing. His haori and kimono were soiled by blood. Remembering the scene, he suddenly had the urge to vomit.
Nephrite didn't understand how Kazuyuki touched his nerves. In reality, Kazuyuki was just worried about him and what the other said didn't even sound rude at all but it somehow got into him.
It felt like he called him weak.
He shook his head as if it could stop his brain from having unreasonable thoughts.
They waited outside the forest. His father was now resting in one of the carriages Kazuyuki's men brought earlier. The physician invited them to stay in the Miyazawa Manor but they insisted on waiting for the others.
Nephrite waited outside the carriage, leaning by a nearby tree. He was observing their horses which they brought earlier. Luckily, they did not run off from where they left them earlier so Nephrite took them.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he suddenly felt a weird sensation in his whole body. However, he ignored it.
Just then they heard a rushing sound. One of their look-out guards went down from a tree, "Master is back with the lady."
He went to check on the coming group. Aside from the people with Kazuyuki earlier, some men with swords were also walking with them. Kazuyuki leading the way, his expression unreadable. In the middle of them was a man who exudes nobility. With just one look, it was obvious that his character wasn't simple. He was carrying an unconscious lady in his arms.
The moment Nephrite’s gaze landed at the lady, a surge of pain suddenly hit his brain. So painful that his vision started spinning and he felt like his head was getting hammered. As they came closer, his vision grew darker and darker, yet the things he could see were like a whirlpool, sinking his consciousness.
A blurred figure ran towards him. He still felt the warmth from that person as he passed out.
- Writer
