attack on luala, kenji's hope, and a disaster

it has been a week since ventris had come to see him. kenji sighs in frustration. he stands, walking into his home. his mom is standing by the fire coughing while stiring something in the pot over the fire.kenji runs over to his mother, forcing her to sit in a nearby chair.

"Mom, you need to rest!!!" kenji says with frustration. his mom puts a hand on his cheek.

"I'll be fine, my sweet little Ken. i-" she starts coughing more blood coming out. kenjis eyes flicker with a mix of emotions. he runs out of the house, grabbing his sword.

he rushes to the forest. [I have no choice mom Needs this medicine.] he jump into the forest as the sun starts to set. running towards the mountainous area.

the demon standing on top of a pile of bones bites down on a giant boars neck. the demon has torn wings. with his one remaining eye, it sees kenji rushing into its domain. it drops the boar. blood dropping from its mouth.

??? -h-human MeAt" it clamors excitedly

the one remaining eye glows red. it starts to go towards where kenji is headed. "T-too long h-hungry" it turns walking toward the village.

"must e-eat need to h-eal" the sounds of its voice geow clearer as if it hasn't spoken for awhile. "Human meat this way." it starts running towards the village.

in the village, a small child is playing near the forests edge. a hand slowly reaching out from the bushes misses the child by an inch. his mother calls the small child

???-"Okay, mom, I'm coming." The kid yells

after the child leaves a voice wrong yet similar to the boys comes from the bushes. "M-om I- I'm coming, okay?" Just then, a boy steps out of the bushes. it is the same child as before.yet twisted somehow.

Meanwhile, kenji rushes through the forest. " I have to get that herb. my mother doesn't have much time left. A giant boar rushes out, and kenji grabs his sword running forward. The boar falls to the ground as kenji slides to a halt. kenji swings his blade out the blood, flicking away globs of blood. his blade glows faintly in the forest. kenji looks at the faintly glowing blade. "must be a trick."

Kenji runs forward running into an open are at the base of the mountain. he sheathed his sword. he has cuts and bruises from the tough forest terrain. "why? why was there only one boar on the path? this forest. it's so..quiet." he starts to climb after sheathing his sword. "I am close there should be a cave up ahead. there will be herbs inside. I just need one.. just one, please!" he frantically climbs into the cave almost slipping off the ledge.

"I need it to save mom!! hurry, I have to hurry."

his blade and sheath start to sparkle. a field of herbs covered in blood awaits him in the dim light of an ore filled cave. Kenji kneels down, slamming his fist into the ground.

"Tainted, it's all tainted!! arghhhhh" he screams out. a small wind blows as a Lone herb is left untainted in the center. he smiles, tears rolling down his face. "I will thank whatever God or demon allowed this."

he bends down to pick it up, wrapping it in a cloth taken from his pocket. lovingly, he holds it. tears falling to the ground. " I don't know what else changed." however I know one thing for sure." he looks up, wiping his tears. I will protect them this time."

a flash of memory from his former childhood appears. twelve people bathed in a golden light casting shadows over their face. " I must grow strong. strong enough to kill the Demons without sacrifices."

kenji walks towards the mouth of the cave but is stopped. his blade glowing a bright brilliant light.it pulls him towards the field. kenji looks at it baffled. " What is this blade?! I don't have time. I have to go." kenji pulls on it. However, the blade shakes loose from the scabbard flying off in the direction of the blood field.

kenji looks at it and then out of the cave. "Damnit, I need that blade, but what is going on?"

kenji runs towards the direction the blade went, recalling his last conversation with ventris.

[Back at the forge in luala]

Ventris swings his hammer down again and again. the blade kenji had attached to his waist. kenji stands his eyes intently, staring at the sword. ventris reaches up, pulling a chain that releases water, dousing the forges flame.

"You can't have it boy, give up. it's a special blade."

kenji looks at ventris. " I think I can we both know you'll give it to me. I think you're just sentimental. Besides, i feel like the blade is calling me."

ventris eyes go wide, his complexion turns pale. "Calling you? what does it sound like?" ventris screams while grabbing kenjis shoulders.

Kenji is slightly taken aback. he sighs before contemplating. the excited ventris clearly waiting.

"It sounds like a sweet yet vengeful melody." ventris pulls the blade out, moving it towards his ear." Hearing nothing, he sighs sheathing it.

"I once tried to awaken the blade. it never came to be... maybe just maybe it was waiting for you." he hands the sword back to kenji.

kenji unsheaths it his silvery steel eyes reflecting off the freshly cleaned blade. he sheaths it, walking toward the door.

"Protect my mother while I'm gone."