Henry stands infront of the X shaped tree while holding his book under his shoulder. Alice and a young boy with short dreadlocks walk from the trees while grinning
Henry: "There you guys are! I thought we agreed to meet at noon! It's almost sunset…"
Kuan: "We tried but Alice wanted to take forever getting ready!"
Alice: "I couldn't figure out which Kimono to wear! And I had to feed muki!"
Henry begins walking through the forest while huffing to himself
Henry: "All that matters is that you guys are here! Now let's head towards town the festival should have started by now!"
Kaun and Alice follow behind him while grinning
They arrive at the village of Lukein. The village is lit up with green and orange lanterns scattered around the streets of the village. Henry's eyes light up at the sight of the village.
Henry (Mimoria): "In my original life we had festivals like this every year…but in this world…it feels different. It feels special…"
The group walks into the village looking around at the bright lights and laughing people walking around in bright Kimonos. The large river next to the village shines from the reflection of the sunset behind it.
Henry: "This is beautiful…"
Kaun: "Eh it's alright. Where I'm from we have grander festivals than this…"
Alice: "Oh yeah? Where are you from?"
Kaun: "My family's from the country Arcirfia! That's why I look different from you guys"
Henry (Mimoira): "If you haven't realized by now, the land of the souls is just the normal world flipped upside down. So Arcirfia is just African Africa…"
The group arrive at the banks of the river. Alice crouches over and runs her fingers through the blood red water of the river.
The water begins trembling and rippling as the sounds of large horns erupts from the horizon of the river…Four large war boats slowly drift down the river catching everyone's attention
Henry: "Hm? What the heck is that?"
Kuan: "Dunno looks like fun though!"
Alice looks up and her face drops. She stands up grabbing the two by their collars dragging them away
Kuan: "What the hell Alice?!"
Alice: "Do you guys seriously not know what those are?! Those are the king's personal war ships!"
The ships slowly make their way to shore, dropping their heavy anchors into the blood red water below. Guards in dark red uniforms holding large swords march down the plank of the ship.
Following behind the guards is a tall man with long white hair and blood red eyes. His red and white uniform catches everyone's attention.
Alexander: "I am Count Alexander Tempest. The kingdoms commander in war and other affairs. The king has created a personal order for a man named Edwin Mono Saikyo."
Henry's eyes widen as his fathers name is mentioned. He steps forward nervously while clutching his fist behind his back
Henry: "T-that's my father!"
Alexander walks over to Henry while clutching his sword. He looks down at him with an expression that can freeze Hell over several times.
Henry can feel the immense pressure from Alexander's Yawe. His knees give way and he falls to his knees while shaking nervously.
Alexander: "And who may you be, boy."
Henry: "H-Henry…m-mono Saikyo."
Alexander: "Take me to your father."
…
..
Henry sits outside of the small cottage staring at the festival happening at the village. Fiona walks outside and sits next to Henry
Henry: "Is dad in trouble?"
Fiona: "No he's not…Your father and Alexander go way back. They were war buddies before me and him got married.."
Henry: "Then what are they talking about?"
Fiona: "I don't know…but your father seemed…upset."
Henry: "Upset? I thought father was all for helping the king and stuff…"
Fiona: "He is…but he was told we're at war with his home country…"
Henry lowers his head in disbelief…Fiona stands up and dust her dress off slightly
Fiona: "I hope your father doesn't do anything stupid."
…
..
Edwin: "You want me to do what?! I refuse!"
Alexander: "Refusal isn't an option. It's an order from the King. Refusal is an act of treason against his majesty."
Edwin: "Are you even listening to yourself?! You sound like an asshole!"
Alexander: "You have your orders. You will create 10,000 swords, bows, spears and knives writhin the next 5 months. Or you and your village will be executed."
Edwin: "I refuse."
Alexander gets visibly annoyed. The grip on his sword tightens as he steps forward. Edwin backs up and grabs a sword that's hanging from the wall.
Alexander: "Maybe I haven't made myself clear enough."
Edwin raises the sword to block an upcoming attack but Alexander's blood red sword easily snaps the blade in half and cuts Edwin down the chest
Edwin: "F-fuck!"
Alexander grabs him by the throat and holds him up above him.
Alexander: "You will not defy me. My word is absolute. My word is authority. My word is power. Do you understand me."
Edwin pulls a small blade from his pocket stabbing Alexander in the hand. He drops Edwin as blood slowly pours from the wound
Edwin: "Get out of my house! Get out of my village!"
Alexander stares at the blood pouring from his hand…he slowly licks the wound drinking his own blood.
Alexander: "What a shame. I really wanted to spare you."
He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small flare. He shoots the flare through the roof and it explodes in the air above the cottage
Edwin: "What did you just do…"
Alexander: "This village is done for."
Horns begin blaring from the village below. Smoke and explosions erupt from the village. Screams of women and children echo through the forest as the guards begin slaughtering the village.
Henry stares at the wide scale massacre spreading around the village. Kuan and Alice run to the cottage with wide and afraid eyes
Kuan: "What the hell is happening dude?!"
Alice: "The village is under attack!"
Fiona: "Okay okay! Everyone calm down…we're gonna make our way to the forest to get awa-"
Edwin flys through the wall of the cottage covered in blood and missing one of his arms. Alexander slowly walks out as his eyes glow red and his sword vibrates with power.
Fiona: "EDWIN?!"
Fiona runs over and hugs Edwin tightly. Henry stares in disbelief and confusion. He turns and stares at Alexander who is staring at Fiona and Edwin
Alexander: "You should have listened to me Edwin. Now you and your family shall pay the price."
Alexander steps forward, slowly making his way toward Fiona and Edwin. Henry steps back attempting to use his foresight to predict the outcome
Henry: "I-I can't see it…his power is too strong to predict…"
Alexander: "This is goodbye."
Alexander dashes forward. His sword cuts through the air creating a small whistling sound…
…
..
.
Clash!
…
..
Edwin clashes with Alexander. Alexander's eyes widen at the sudden fast counter attack from Edwin
Alexadner: "You used your cloning technique. Smart."
The Edwin laying on the ground slowly melts into a sludge. Fiona stands up and grabs the kids running them toward the forest next to the cottage
Edwin: "I'll catch up with you in a bit! Just get as far away as possible!"
They run through the forest running away from the burning village and destroyed cottage. Kuan stops running and catches his breath
Alice: "What are you doing?! We have to keep running!"
Kuan: "I-I can't…my mom and sister are still in the village"
Henry: "D-don't be stupid! We have to go!"
Kuan shakes his head as he slowly backs away and begins running back toward the village. Alice and Henry stare as he disappears into the darkness. Fiona shakes her head in disappointment but continues leading them through the forest.
Henry: "Mom is dad gonna be alright?!"
Fiona: "I don't know…all we can do is pray…pray for his safe return…"
The explosions from the village continue to grow closer and closer…soldiers begin closing in on the three as they reach the river at the end of the forest
Fiona: "Your fathers fishing boat should be around here somewhere…you two get in that boat and go as far as you can down the river!"
Henry: "W-what?! I'm not leaving you here!"
Fiona: "I'm not some weak woman Henry…just trust me! Now go!"
Alice grabs Henry's hand dragging him away.
Alice: "You heared her now let's go!"
After a few minutes of searching they find the boat. Henry pushes the heavy boat into the water. They begin floating steadily down the river….
Henry watches as guards march from thr forest into the beach where Fiona is standing. They rush forward attacking her. She fights with all of her strength but she's overwhelmed and stabbed through the back multiple times
Henry: "MOTHER! NO! ALICE STOP THE BOAT!!!!"
Alice: "It's too late Henry! All we can do is watch…"
…
..
A few hours later they continue floating down the river…Henry stares at the sky with dried tears on his face. Alice is fast asleep as the moon shines above them…
The river continues to drift them endlessly until their out at sea. They continue drifting through the blood read ocean…the land where they once called home now disappearing over the horizon…
Henry (Mimoria): "This is how aunt Tatski must have felt when Father died. This is the second time I've lost my father…and now my mother. I wish I could die…to reset everything…."
…
…
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