Days Passed.
Rai sat in a council room, alone. The clock ticking. The noise was driving him insane. The constant ticking was something he had grown to hate. In his older age he wished he had more time to explore instead of taking the responsibility of being a king so early..but it was for the world's sake.
His world's sake.
Without the events of Tairiku he knew he might have been a complete wandering swordsman to this day or even dead. With the boredom though he grew thankful for his family and friends that had survived this long… and so he waited for an old friend to arrive in the palace and meet with him for the first time in a long time.
The distant steps of a man echoed in the palace. His steps matched with the ticking of the clock. Scars covered his face, the same ones that told his story. He sported a beard, he didn't really mind it after so long. His missing eye now had a white glass eye to replace it. He was wearing a white button up with the sleeves rolled up, his hands were course and rough. His presence was felt but it was a calm one, he had no hurry to arrive but also no hurry to leave just yet. He approached the nearest seat, the one opposite of Rai and placed a hand on the backrest.
"Rai…"
"Welcome, it's good to see you brother. I noticed you weren't present for the council gathering…"
Rai's eyes wandered to the corner where his sword rested at.
"That mark still working?"
"There was no reason for me to be there." He pulled the seat back before sitting down. "I don't know if it is, ever since Geo it hasn't activated."
"That's also because there wasn't a need to use it even if it was permanent…"
Rai twidled his thumbs, his left arm still covered in bandages from the battle of Tairiku. It wasn't a perfect looking arm. That just meant he had to keep it coveredz
"It would've been appreciated, everyone was annoyed that you hadn't showed up but I guess it's only natural."
Rui got a little defensive at the mention of them.
"Is this what we're here to talk about? I'm sorry, Rai. But if you want to talk about the council or what everyone else thinks of me, I'll be on my way."
"No of course not, I didn't share their opinions either though. I wanted to talk to you about your kid. He's been seemingly getting into a little bit of trouble in Ashina as well as Yoshiwara. Now I have high hopes for the kid but there needs to be some sort of correction."
"My kid? What are you talking about?"
"The one you took in, he's currently enrolled at Yoshiwaraz. He acts a lot like you when you were younger… there's no point in hiding it. He's been causing trouble over the two kingdoms… don't forget I have agents everywhere Rui."
Rai chuckled with a smile after dropping the news that he had known, just as much as he had known about a lot of the other kids and their origins.
"You must mean Matsumi…That little brat…he was just supposed to get something for me and come back. I should've known he'd get distracted."
He rubbed his head In annoyance.
"That 'brat' sure does take after you… he could be strong someday just like you too, he just needs the right drive and proper training. I'm gonna have a chat either way with Ashi about getting him into special courses for mana training."
"What?…No. No, absolutely not."
"What do you mean? Why not? He could use it for the good of humanity and help people."
"I don't want to thrust Matsumi into something like that. We don't even know if he wants to. Fighting is serious, he could get seriously hurt trying to be a fighter."
"Rui we train them for that. It gives them options for careers. With the surge of mana it's made life easier for doctors, scientists and all sorts. The warriors are a different selection and they choose that path so we let them."
"Mana is dangerous and unstable sometimes for people to handle. Matsumi knows nothing of something like that. Kids can come out of exams with injuries that they'll always remember. I don't want to see Matsumi like that."
Rui stopped himself, running his hand through his hair and inhaling.
"Sorry…You invited me here, and I don't want to argue…"
He put his hands together, the fingers interlocked. Rui's voice growing softer.
"I can hear you out on anything, but not this, Rai…" He was stuck on his thoughts. "How's Yami?"
Rai chuckled and shook his head.
"No, it's fine and I understand your concern with it all." He looked over at the pictures over the years of his children and family. "He's good, still strong as ever and living more peacefully than the rest of us."
"That's good, great even. Is…everyone else alright? I don't really have the chance to know about outside news."
"Yeah everything is mostly good… Noelle's kid got kidnapped and we're having people look into that now, I haven't seen the boys anywhere today but they're also doing alright. I know they threw a party at the boathouse and the other kids were there as well so it seems they're getting along fine."
Rai laughed knowing a party couldn't be hidden forever from him. "They think they can get away with everything but I don't think they realize I can sense everything in Ashina…"
"I think I misheard, I thought I heard you say one of your children is missing. What was it you said before?"
"No none of my children are missing, I've been keeping a good track on them but Cynil is missing… there was an attack on the school and she got taken in the crossfire, we're thinking two separate parties were involved in this attack as well."
"What?! Noelle's?! There's still no news of her?"
"Yes, they got Cynil. Currently the kids are gathered together… I won't allow them to go off and be in grave danger. If I have to step in myself then I will. However; this is also the reason we still need warriors to be trained… our work even with great impact isn't done yet. The issues of the world are not as prevalent as before but it seems chaos follows us wherever it goes and that also tacks onto our children."
"Warriors to be trained is fine, but it's exactly because of this that children need to be far from danger like this."
"That is exactly why the adults are stepping in on the matter. Nothing is going to stop danger like this from reaching us and their lives. We are chosen to face this destiny. You don't need to step in since it's already getting handled as is and if it isn't handled soon enough then I'm going to step in myself. The other children will be safe and nothing will come of this development to harm them in any way."
"That's what I hope, that this attack was a one time thing. But, you can never be sure about these things."
"It's the first time this has happened and it will be the last time it happened. You won't have to worry about that for any of the other kids."
"What does Noelle think of all this?"
Rai shook his head thinking about Noelle's reaction.
"She didn't take it very well but we also used that to help with the decision to send task forces out to investigate."
"I figured, who can blame her?"
He looked around where they sat, the room, the palace.
"What about you?"
"It's my niece so of course I'm worried, her blood is strong and she is stronger. I know she can handle herself. However, it also brings in the question, should we be checking everyone that enters Ashina? Should we not let the freedom of the nation and the people who enter continue? It's a lot to think about…"
"I wasn't just asking about Cynil, I was asking about you. You're the king, but how are you?"
"I'm fine, my body is holding up well and my spirits aren't down. You can't be a ruler for the people and show emotional weakness or it could be taken advantage of." Rai's pale skin was oddly white from the constant years of decay from his own body.
"Once I'm gone the world might delve deeper into darkness than ever before. I only hope Shion and my children will be able to survive for the dark future I forsee."
"You know just as well as I do how unreliable that fate talk can be. Don't let it bring you down even more."
"It's our defiance of fate that created this new world. Im my dreams I see other worlds. My body is dying but my soul is ascending,. Fate is merely a concept but this is quite the future I've seen. It is undeniable."
"Then, just like before. Don't tell me what it is. I'd rather not know the future you see. We pushed through before, didn't we?"
"Of course but it is not just us I'm worried about. It's everyone else. A dark force is upon us. I've already started preparation behind everyone else. I didn't bring it up at the council as there was no need for it then, it's something I myself will bare alone."
"You'll bare it alone? That never ends well, I've tried."
"Ive been baring it alone most of my life without anyone's knowledge… just be ready… everyone will be the same age we were at Tairiku when it happens…"
"Just…don't focus too much on it, ok? There are people to help you, don't forget that."
"Of course there is, but I'm afraid it's too late for all of that… in the physical world you are all here but it's actually not that way where I wander in my sleep."
"What?"
"You'll figure it out in time Rui. Our journey is only just beginning. Just like when we were at Lindor all those years ago."
"You don't have to remind me of back then…feels like it wasn't that long ago."
"Seventeen years is a long time for me haha!" Rai chuckled and smiled always making light of his dark situation.
"Well, you are right. But, time feels like it moves faster the older I get."
"Well that's also true. If you live a normal life from now on your lifespan is guaranteed one hundred years give or take. You'll be able to meet my great great grandchildren!"
"I highly doubt I'll live that long, humans don't live that long these days..sadly." He gave a small laugh. "I'll be lucky if I get thirty five more."
"The release of Mana into the world has affected a lot of strange things. Creatures live longer. People are living longer now as well due to soaking it up and taking it into their blood stream."
"Really? Although, mana has rejected me even after it spread out."
"It might reject your body but your soul houses mana from birth. A byproduct of the dimensions merging together brought mana to the world. Due to the merge it ALWAYS existed within us now even if we know what came before…"
"Ha. You barely resemble who you were all those years ago. All this knowledge on mana must've been necessary to run this place."
"Things change and so do people… being put in this position makes you learn and adapt fast. I am responsible for everyone in this nation. We got the peace we deserved but it was only effective for ourselves, the next step is saving the world in helping it achieve true peace."
"I'll be rooting for you, but that goal you chose, it won't ever be easy…or complete."
"Not everything can be complete with one man but numerous men and women that believe in the same ideal can bring that peace ever so closer. Don't lose hope in something even if it doesn't seem realistic. We've overcome unrealistic circumstances before."
"That we have…but always at some cost."
Rui moved his thumbs while his hands were interlocked. Thinking back on their previous subject.
"A cost that I always worry won't fall on to others. A cost that I don't want Matsumi to experience, he's a little brat…but he always means well. I don't want to keep him defenseless, far from it. But it's always something I can't help but worry about."
"But I guess some things are going to change. He isn't as young as you think he is anymore. He is not like the kids back home. In a week he'll be 18. He is not a kid anymore."
"Yeah. He's going to be allowed to make his own choices soon. Raiden and Gharma are still young and not able to make their own real decisions yet so we guide them somewhat. However, we also let them decide their own fate. Giving them that freedom gives a lot of room to work with."
"It probably does. It was nice to catch up, but I should get going. I shouldn't be away for too long."
"Alright just be careful in the badlands. The route too Leordoba without guards lining the roadways is dangerous and not for the weak. You probably know this by now but my nation can't spare any protection."
"I appreciate it, but I don't need them yet."
Slightly laughing as he pushed the seat back. He stood up and paused, thinking of something important. Rui then walked over to Rai around the table they sat. Leaning forward and giving him a hug, he was a little on the fence when he first arrived but who knew when he'd see him again.
"Please…take care of yourself. If you need anyone to talk too…you know where to find me. Even if I'm not close by."
…It was obvious what he was referring too, and trying to avoid with Rai.
Rai returned it with his arm wrapped around him, letting go and smiling "Of course brother anytime. Just let me know if you need any favors down in Leordoba. Stop by and see dad when you get the chance."
"You two are the only people in the world besides the sages I can actually sense, I'll be sure to do it."
He stepped back to continue leaving.
"Sorry about getting so defensive earlier. I don't get out much anymore. I don't want Matsumi to fight…but if he wants too and his father lets him I have no right to say no, just worries of a geezer as he says it. Do try and keep an eye on him while he's around here, if you can. Unlike me, he does have mana through his veins. I saw it. I don't know what it was, but a few years ago when I was playing tag with all the kids, we took longer than I expected. Night started to roll around with Matsumi still running from me, and it was there I saw it. He was…fast. Even I had some trouble trying to catch him, I still haven't figured it out…"
He turned his back to leave the room.
"I'll see you."
Leaving as his footsteps sounded just as when they came in.
Rai sat in thought of Matsumis potential and what the kid could offer the nation if he took advantage of that power as well.