Aftermath(2)

Sara had fallen into a deep slumber. Her mind unconsciously tracing the few memories she had of her childhood.

As a child she lived alone in a hut deep in a secluded forest. Her days were filled with hunting animals that she would take home to eat while listening to the singing of the birds that nestled near her home; or playing with the bake-danukis that liked to prank on her.

The peace in the forest would be eventually broken by berserk creatures running amok. Even with her strength, she found it increasingly difficult to prevail against them as their numbers grew in the forest.

One day, when faced with certain death, a man appeared and saved her.

"A young girl that deep alone in the forest? Just what in the world …"

Ever since then, he would always drop by to check on her regularly. Acting as her teacher, he helped her to improve on her archery style; as well as teaching her how to cook delicacies and read. While the man would never stay for more than a few hours each visit, it was the first time Sara experienced a warm and fuzzy feeling radiating throughout her body from being cared for.

She still however had no name; having survived in the world all on her own for as long as she could remember. In the stories that the man would bring for her to read - she learned the idea of family. Sara found herself envying the children who had parents in the light novels - how they would bring them out for meals and celebrate festivals together and their birthdays. Filling this void, the man unconsciously became a fatherly figure in her mind.

Time flew by, and before she knew it. She was fighting in a forest alongside him - surrounded by silhouettes of huge monsters.

"You must get away! No matter what!" the man yelled as his blade fought against a gigantic claw; barely being able to hold it back.

"No! I won't leave you … Dad!" Sara shook her head violently, droplets of water swelling in the corner of her eyes; before she called the person her father for the first time.

"I'm glad … you think of me as that ..." The man's katana turned purple and unleashed a shockwave of electric current; drawing a perimeter between him and his foes. He walked towards her. "I'm just a nobody who failed to ever protect anything, not even my family. But this time I …!"

"?" the girl's eyes widened, clutching the man's arm tightly. "W-what are you saying?"

The person stretched his other hand out towards her and gently touched her cheek. "I'm sure the mighty Narukami Ogosho will watch over you … I won't let you fall into the hands of those monsters, no matter what!"

A purple layer of light then began enveloping her, and her body felt strangely light. Then she saw the man, tears flowing down his eyes, pushing her away.

"Go! Live well! And find your own happiness! No matter what, keep running forward! That is my final task … and order for you." the person then turned his back, confronting the creatures that had resumed their onslaught.

"Pass thy final sentence, and grant your lowly subject the strength to vanquish evil - O great Narukami Ogosho."

He finished his prayer, then raised his katana high above his head; both hands clasped onto its hilt.

"Art of the Seven Lightning: Martyr's Vigil!"

Amidst his roar, the pouring skies parted to bathe the man in a shower of radiant purple light that pierced through the darkness - seven amethyst bolts thundering behind him as his figure rose majestically into the air. Then, a thick purple barrier descended, separating the man from her - she could not see him anymore.

Sara didn't know how long she kept on running since then, but soon she found herself at the edge of a cliff and surrounded by the monsters that the man had fought against earlier. Upon seeing the torn, bloodied kimono that rested amidst the gigantic beast's horns, she let out an anguished scream and charged recklessly at it with her blade raised.

However, it was like pushing against an immovable boulder, the beast simply flung her away, and she found herself falling down a cliff that seemed to have no end. She tried to fly, but her damaged wings made it impossible to do so.

"No! It can't end like this! I … I always believed I could protect this place forever with my strength …"

The world around her began to dim, and she saw a ray of purple light shooting right towards her hand ...

"Ah!"

Sara opened her eyes, awaking to find herself lying alone. Eyeing her surroundings, she realized she was in her own tent; then remembered the events that led to her ending up here.

"H-how embarrassing."

Her attire was in a mess, and the faint feeling of something sticky and wet still stuck to her hands and the tender spot between her legs caused her cheeks to heat up.

The events of what transpired replayed vividly in her mind. When she pinched her pebble-hard buds on her chest back then, it never felt so sensitive before and sent pulsating waves of ecstasy rippling through her.

The feeling of her body being consumed by pleasure as she slipped a hand into her black undergarment, exploring the area until her thighs that sandwiched it shuddered uncontrollably alongside her moans and gasps. It was incredibly frustrating how she had completely lost her self-control and completely gave in to pleasure - as a commander she was supposed to be disciplined and yet ...

Sara had no time to shower. Ignoring the vulgar liquid and smell that clung on to her body; she rushed to change into a new set of clothes and walked towards the exit. There were still duties awaiting her as a general to attend to - The outcome of the battle, dispensing the appropriate rewards, and personally seeing to the wounded. Anything less would be a dishonor and failure of her duty as a general towards the Raiden Shogun.

"Eh?"

Pushing aside the curtains at the entrance, she saw a soldier snoring away by the side. It was that man who saved her from Taheiji!

"Did he actually stay here all the way to keep guard for me?"

A warm feeling, one she had not experienced in a long time, enveloped her.

-------------------------------------

Jason rubbed his eyes, letting out a loud yawn.

"G-general Sara?" Recognizing the person looking at him, he hurriedly stood up. "It's good to see you're awake. Um ... I shall take my leave now."

He turned and walked away; not giving her the chance to reply. Upon taking a few steps, strength left his body as he collapsed onto the ground.

The general ran over and put her arm around him to support him, helping him up.

"You're too fatigued. It's my fault."

"It's not. I just kicked against a rock and fell." Jason tried to struggle, but the general grip tightened, locking him down.

"No." The general replied in a firm voice, and she placed a hand on his forehead. "This body temperature … you're down with a fever!"

"Like I sai-"

"No."

"..."

Jason soon found himself hauled into the general's tent and lying on her bed. He tried to stand up and leave.

"Rest - It's an order. Disobey and you will be punished." The general pressed his shoulders, pushing him back onto the bed.

Submitting helplessly to his fate, he closed his eyes.

It was only when he awoke to the sound of drizzling outside that he realized he had fallen asleep without even knowing it. He looked up to see the general seated beside him, her golden eyes meeting his gaze.

"How long did I sleep for?"

"It's already night. You've slept for several hours - it just goes to show how tired you are ..."

"And you were here all this while?"

"I-I wasn't! I was busy doing work, and happened to just return."

As Jason propped himself up, the general passed him a cup.

"This is?"

"Sakura Tea. It's probably cold by now … but you should still drink it. It's good nourishment for your body."

Jason accepted the gesture, letting the liquid run down his throat. Even though it was no longer hot, the fragrant scent and refreshing sensation of it was soothing.

"It tastes really good, did you make it yourself?"

"I was feeling thirsty, so I thought I'll brew some for you as well while I was at it. It's a commander's duty to take care of her sick subordinates."

"Wow … I didn't expect a general to be able to brew such amazing tea."

Jason passed the cup back to her. He'd truly imagined that given Sara's prowess in fighting and responsibilities, she would probably not have time to hone her craft in any other areas. It was the first time he had enjoyed such an outstanding drink.

"I'm glad you liked it."

A faint smile emerged on Sara's face, betraying a hint of relief hidden in it.

"Thanks." He stood up. "I really should get going now, General Sara."

"W-wait! I still haven't asked for your name."

He squinted his eyes. Was it just his imagination, or was the supposed icy-cold general now looking slightly flustered and shy? He probably had been letting her kindness get to his head. He was just a commoner in Inazuma, and General Sara was someone from the Kujou Clan. There was no way that the general would look at him in such a manner.

She was like a beautiful flower, aloof on a high peak that he could only gaze at. Fate had allowed them a chance to cross paths, but their statuses and positions in Inazuma were worlds apart. It was like a beggar dreaming of marrying a princess.

Perhaps it was due to the terrible life he used to have in his previous world that he was thinking this way?

His schooling days in Japan were not pleasant memories - being bullied and mocked at was daily bread and butter for him. He never recalled a single girl that had confessed to him, and his average looks and horrible grades only made his self-esteem worse.

Which was why the very idea that any form of relationship could form between them was ridiculous; he probably had read too many light novels from the Yae Publishing House that he started entertaining such notions.

The general was definitely doing this out of gratitude; not that he was complaining about it though - being thanked by a pretty girl was a nice feeling. He didn't dare to dream about more.

"My name's Jason. I truly appreciate all the kindness you have shown. Please do not feel you need to be indebted to me. You have already done more than enough." he replied, then added another sentence to try and make the point clear. "It was all for the glory of the mighty Raiden Shogun."

"Jason … yes. It is all for realizing the Dream of Her Eternal Excellency for Inazuma" The general placed a hand to her chest and closed her eyes briefly.

"Urm, farewell."

He gave another bow and left. Judging from the way she was acting, the general must have really adored the Electro Deity. There was no mistaking the reverence and worship in her tone when she spoke about the Supreme Ruler of Inazuma.

In his previous world, they would have called her a simp … a Raiden Shogun simp.

(1913 words)