Tsubasa's Departure
That afternoon, Han returned to Rudes's house carrying shopping bags he had bought at the market. In front of the house, he saw Tsubasa sitting alone with a gloomy expression.
"Hey, Tsubasa," Han greeted while approaching. "You look gloomy."
Han looked around. "And where's Rina?"
"I haven't seen her this afternoon," Tsubasa answered in a soft voice. "This morning I saw her playing with Alice. Then I went to the neighboring village to sell medicine recipes with Ensei. He's already returned to the orphanage now. When I came back here I didn't see them."
Tsubasa paused, then continued in a more serious tone. "Master Han, I want to say something. Last night I had that nightmare again."
Han furrowed his brow. "That nightmare again?"
"Yes," Tsubasa nodded. "I want to visit my village now. Visit the remaining memories. I feel there's something I need to settle there."
Han smiled, but there was sadness in his eyes. He understood Tsubasa's feelings always haunted by the past. "Alright, I understand."
"See you, Master Han," Tsubasa said.
Han smiled faintly, eyes slightly dim. He placed his hand on Tsubasa's shoulder, feeling the strength attached slightly to his hand. "May your steps truly free your heart, Tsubasa."
Tsubasa nodded with full conviction, then walked away toward the path leading out of the village.
---
Han entered the house and placed his shopping bags on the table. He saw Rudes lying on the bed, looking much better than a few days before.
"Rudes, how are you?" Han asked while sitting in a chair near the bed.
"I feel much better," Rudes answered while trying to sit up. "Maybe tomorrow I can train again."
Han paused, then asked, "Rudes, tell me about the heroes. And maybe you know where they are now?"
"The heroes huh..." Rudes thought for a moment. "Seven heroes known in this world. Loid who's already dead, Parli and Zenya are at the kingdom as main officials."
He continued while counting on his fingers, "Elina manages her orphanage, but she occasionally comes to the kingdom to check the situation there, making sure they don't do as they please.
To the point that Ranga was harshly expelled by Elina before, when he was caught conducting human experiments in the kingdom."
"Human experiments?" Han was shocked.
"Yes, very horrible," Rudes nodded. "Who knows where Ranga is now. Then there's Saphira, the fire hero. She took her chosen soldiers for an expedition to a new continent she discovered."
"And the others?" Han asked.
"Carla, the ice hero. She built her own country in the northern region. A very strict country in terms of politics and trade. Almost all needs are there—the entire country's trade center is at her place."
Han was interested. "So that place is paradise for merchants and buyers?"
"Yes, but there people with special powers will always be watched," Rudes answered. "Before, I went there with my friend Andre to buy rare medicine for my sick mother."
---
That Time on the Journey to Carla's Country
Several years ago...
Rudes and Andre walked on a dusty road toward Carla's famous country. In the distance, a large city with gleaming high walls began to appear.
"Andre, there!" Rudes exclaimed while pointing. "That city is already visible."
"Yes, I'll also buy vegetable seeds there," Andre replied.
Suddenly, they were attacked without warning. A lightning-sparkling spear shot toward them. Both dodged agilely.
"Tch, he's probably a robber," Andre muttered while taking a fighting stance.
The attacker attacked them fiercely, swinging his spear skillfully. Lightning flashes kept striking, but Rudes could block them with his fire sword. Despite two against one, the attacker was very trained and not easily defeated.
With no choice and not wanting to take too long, Rudes finally activated his Divine Mark. With full power, he attacked and pushed back the attacker.
But something surprising happened.
"Hmm, interesting," the attacker said while rising.
Rudes and Andre were shocked when the attacker also activated his Divine Mark. The spear and his entire body were enveloped by sparkling lightning.
The fierce battle continued, neither willing to surrender.
"You have great power and you use it to rob people huh!" Andre snapped.
The attacker retreated and stopped the fight.
"Robbing?" his voice turned angry. "You're the ones who deserve to be suspected! You think with that special power, you can freely steal in this country? I won't allow that. For the sake of Her Majesty Carla, I swear to maintain fair trade flow!"
"We came to this country to shop, with no bad intentions at all," Rudes explained while extinguishing his Divine Mark.
The attacker also extinguished his power.
Andre relaxed his fighting stance. "Seems we misunderstood. Explain yourself."
"I'm Cais, the third of the five Crimson Eclipse—direct subordinate of Her Majesty Carla," the man said while making his spear disappear.
Andre nodded understandingly. "So you're one of the Crimson Eclipse, the Faction feared in many countries. No wonder you're very dangerous."
"You can continue your journey," Cais said, "but I'll keep watching you from afar. Don't dare to mess around."
They finally could enter the ice country safely.
---
Rudes took the drink Han gave him and gulped it. "So that's the story, Han."
"So seven heroes, each with different powers," Han murmured. Then he asked carefully, "What about the Water Hero?"
"Water hero?" Rudes looked confused. "There's no water hero."
"What about Zed?" Han asked more specifically.
"Zed? Is that a person's name?" Rudes shook his head. "Never heard that name."
Han was now certain of his fear while in the time dimension. Zed had truly been erased from history. "Forget it," he said.
"By the way, where are Rina and Alice? Tsubasa said he didn't see them this afternoon, before he left."
"So he's already left, Tsubasa," Rudes murmured. "Alice and Rina were reportedly summoned by Elina to the kingdom, through a soldier. I guess Elina found a new healing recipe and wants to teach it to Alice, though I'm confused why Elina didn't just come to the orphanage."
Han was shocked, but tried to stay calm in front of Rudes. "So they went to the kingdom..."
A bad feeling began controlling his mind.
"Hmm, I'll go out for a bit. It's getting dark and I forgot to buy one fruit," Han said while getting up.
"I can accompany you," Rudes offered.
"No need, I'm just going to the nearby market," Han declined. "See you then."
---
After leaving the house, Han stopped in the middle of the road. In his heart, he realized something was wrong.
Elina would never invite Alice to the kingdom—that woman hated that place because of the heroes' corruption. And why was Rina also invited? Rina had absolutely no connection with Elina or the kingdom.
Han felt the newly acquired time power vibrating in his body, as if warning him of approaching danger.
"Wait for me, Rina... Alice," he whispered with determination.
Without wasting any more time, Han ran toward the kingdom. He knew the most important people in his life were in great danger, and this time he wouldn't let anyone he loved get hurt.
Night began to fall, and the race against time to save Rina and Alice had begun.
---
TO BE CONTINUED...