CHAPTER TWENTY: The Homecoming

DAKU"MISS HANAKA!""Trying to intervene? I'll deal with you later once I'm done with your friend.""STOP! Stop hurting Mister Daku!"I gradually pulled my eyelids up hoping to see that everything that had happened was just a product of my slumbering mind—a dream. But I knew for myself that it wasn't a dream. It really happened and it sent a sudden pang of guilt and helplessness upon realizing the loss last night."Miss Thelah! Mister Daku is awake!" screamed a girl's voice. I immediately recognized her as Kana. Just saying her name saddened me. What would happen to her now that her mother is dead?Two faces suddenly appeared in my vision: Miss Thelah and Kana. Miss Thelah had this reassuring and calm look but her eyes spoke melancholy and mournful. On the other hand, Kana had her brows met at the center, wrinkling her forehead out of worry. She looked exactly like her mother.Miss Hanaka.I kept myself from tearing up for Kana. I knew that she was already hurting inside and she needed someone strong who she could lean her head on. I needed to be firm for her.I pushed myself up with my right hand while the two assisted me."Easy now. I may have healed your wounds but your body is still in the state of trauma. The injury may be gone but the feeling is still there," Thelah advised and I only nodded. Even my voice box was too scared to release a sound.I wandered my eyes through the messy horizon. Houses were in shambles, signs of battle were evident in the soil, and the atmosphere felt heavy. Then I remembered someone and immediately looked for him. When I turned my head to my right, there I saw the man who saved me last night."He exhausted himself so much that he'll need a couple of days before waking up," Thelah informed."Was it because of what he did?" I asked. Thanks to the gods I could finally talk. "I saw him use magic. That was not what a typical swordsman could do.""I saw it too. It's no doubt that he received a second awakening as a mage.""A reawakening. I heard that it rarely happened?""A second awakening is a response to the person's greatest desire. Whatever Kenshi wished last night, it must be so strong that it granted him additional power. Only those who are true to themselves receive such a rare gift."A person's greatest desire. What could Kenshi have wished for?Thelah also mentioned that she performed a mass healing on the entire village, mending the injury and damages of those who survived. Meanwhile, those who were unfortunate to live were laid to rest... and that includes Miss Hanaka.I turned my gaze toward Kana who had been quiet since earlier. Her head was down but her hands were restless. Her clothes were soiled by the dirt and blood stains. This little girl was too young to deserve something like this."Such a brave girl," Thelah praised. "She never cried when we buried her mother. She only has this stern look throughout the deed. As if she was determined on something.""Mister Daku," Kana called wearing the same look Thelah had described earlier. Her hands were still restless and the way her chest rose and fell implies that she was anxious. "I want to join you on your adventure!"My eyes gaped as she said those words. I never expected Kana would say such a thing. I anticipated something else."I promise I would do anything you say, Mister Daku. I can cook for you, wash your clothes, run errands for you, anything! Just please let me join you!""But Kana, the life of an adventurer is a dangerous thing, and you're too young for it.""I know, Mister Daku." Kana lowered her head and dropped her hands as a sign of defeat. "But I also know that I'm not alone." Kana looked at me again, more determined than before. "I have you and Mister Kenshi. I know you two will protect me. And I don't want to spend the rest of my life here when I could do something...like avenge my mother."So that was what she wanted.Revenge. It's a strong word for a little girl like her. But she had the right to be vengeful. Her thirst for justice for her mother was valid.I heaved a sigh of defeat and placed my hand on her shoulder. "Our journey will never be easy but I promise you that they will pay for what they did to your mother."Kana's face lit up upon hearing my reply and launched herself for a hug. I hugged her back as tight as I could while silently taking an oath to Miss Hanaka, wherever she was right now, that I would take good care of her daughter."Since things go this way, allow me," Thelah said and tapped my forehead with her index finger. In an instant, information suddenly flooded my brain. Techniques that are not present in the book Kenshi gave me. With this, I could be more useful than before. This could make our journey easy."But why, Thelah?" I asked her.Thelah discussed with me about what happened. I found out that Greygor was tasked to hide one of the artifacts needed to revive the God of Darkness and his disappearance suggested that he was taken hostage along with the artifact. Thelah confirmed this when she saw how destroyed Greygor house was."So what happened here in the village was just a diversion? Who are these people?""If I'm not mistaken, they called themselves The Dark Order and their leader is no other than my former apprentice, Hirako, the Harbinger of Darkness.""But I still can't figure out why this has something to do with me?""You know that Hirako or Ren learned Rupture Magic. Only a healer can win against this forbidden magic. Only you can stop Hirako. If you manage to stop him, then you can also stop the revival of the God of Darkness."Hearing those put heavy pressure upon me. I didn't know if would feel honored or scared. What Thelah was asking me for was a huge responsibility. A tremendous one. As if she was telling me that the safety of the entire Nudom was in my hands."I know this is too much to ask, Daku, but there's no other way. With your healing magic and Kenshi's reawakening, you both have a better chance of winning this fight. Don't worry, I'll be watching you and assisting you as much as I can."I didn't know how to respond to her. Parts of me wanted to accept the challenge but there were portions of me as well that wanted to decline and refuse the responsibility. I thought we were just looking for a way to lift Kenshi's curse. I thought that was my only purpose."Don't worry, Mister Daku. I'll help," Kana reassured but the burden was too heavy that I could only fake a smile.***"Thank you so much for your help! If it wasn't for you too, all of us would probably be dead by now," said Chief Rhogan. He was elected as the new Chieftain after they discovered that Sage Greygor had gone missing."We're just doing our job as adventurers, Chief Rhogan," I replied. "In fact, we would like to thank you as well for letting Kana be in our care.""It was her decision and if that's what she wants then who are we to stop her? Besides, you can protect her more than us.""Worry not, Chief Rhogan, we'll take good care of her," Kenshi reassured."I know you will."The three of us sent our goodbyes to all the remaining villagers. It hurts to see their numbers decrease significantly. This village was once brimming with joy and laughter every day but today, it was replaced with pain, grief, and sadness. Not to mention that aside from rebuilding their houses, they have to rebuild themselves as well to move on from the tragedy. What happened last night would definitely be in the history of the Thorn Kingdom."How are you feeling?" I asked the man beside me. It was strange to watch him without his sword."Nothing strange," he replied. Looked like he was back to his usual self. "How about you?"I don't know.That was what I wanted to say. I really didn't know if I was doing well or not. But after what Thelah said to me earlier, I knew for myself that I was scared."It's only a matter of time before Hirako discovers your existence. Once he knows about you, he'll do everything just to end. Be prepared, Daku." That was what she said."Never better," I finally responded.I knew he was worried about me. After learning what Thelah told me, he looked at me with so much worry. It was kinda weird actually for him to react that way. But I was grateful to him to immediately agree on helping me to stop the revival of the God of Darkness. He never hesitated to say yes to my favor.

***

"You're finally back!" Yukio greeted us when he saw us enter the city entrance. "So how was it?"Kenshi and I shared a look. The three of us decided not to tell anybody about what happened at Geiya Village. We would let the merchants spread the word because that was how it had always been. Merchants didn't only carry goods but also information. It was them who kept the kingdom updated about the news happening outside the city."It was quite a journey but we managed," I answered."It must be scary for you since it was your first time but looking at you now, I could say that you somehow enjoyed it." Yukio beamed a smile and received our identifications for our entry. "Oh? You're Miss Hanaka's daughter, right? I thought you were going home?"Kana was prepared for this."My mom sent me back here for an apprenticeship under Mister Daku's guidance," the little girl responded confidently."Really? That was fast of you, Daku, to take an apprentice.""I couldn't say no to her mother and she was really determined to be one," I lied and messed Kana's hair."So what stuff are you gonna teach her? Please tell me not as an adventurer," Yukio jested and we both laughed."More like apothecary stuff.""Taking Grosi's path, I see." Yukio stamped the Letter of Entry after confirming our identities. "Well, that old man is not getting any younger and someone should take his place if the time comes. Anyway, here's your identifications, and you're allowed to pass. Welcome back, once again!""Thanks, Yukio!"We bid farewell to Yukio and made our way toward the shop. On the other hand, Kenshi went in a different way back to his house. But he did say that he would pay a visit. We still have something to discuss about our future adventures.Kana and I reached the front door of the shop. It looked exactly like how we last saw it. The noises inside told us that a few customers were procuring some items inside."Will it be okay for Mister Grosi?" Kana suddenly asked before I could touch the door handle. Her brows were furrowed and his mouth was in a frown.I smiled and patted her head. "Of course."Kana returned the smile and faced the door before us. I finally held onto the door handle and pushed the door inwards opening a path into the shop. As the front door bell rang, two heads poked out of the crowd: Grosi and Shiro."Mister Daku!" Shiro exclaimed and ran toward us. He immediately went in for a hug which somehow surprised me. He was still timid when we left but now he was hugging me as if we'd known each other for a long time. "You're back!""We're home."