Purpose

"Ready? You mean... ready to leave Goldhaven?" Yoichi inquired.

"Ready to leave Tentochu if necessary. I'll never run away again until I see you through my window. The guards will stop keeping an eye on me day and night, and I will sneak away easily. This is what you can do to help the Emperor's daughter for good," Sui concluded. The beautiful, young woman stepped back.

In the movements of her hands, Yoichi was able to read a strong emotion: it was as if, moving away from him and Enatsu, Sui wanted to keep on hoping to be saved.

"Princess, forgive my intrusion. I don't think it's a good idea," Enatsu interrupted, forcibly entering the conversation. "All of us will become outlaws, bandits! Yoichi and I would be accused of kidnapping the Princess of Tentochu, and your father's men would hunt us for life! The consequences of such a reckless gesture would be catastrophic, to say the least..."

The merchant's fearful voice did not belittle the truth of his words. Yoichi and Sui reflected for a few seconds in silence, thinking back to that phrase.

"What my companion says is true, Princess. Helping you escape the Imperial Palace would be like buying a one-way ticket to the afterlife. An event that would forever change the course of our lives", Yoichi said. Enatsu breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that, for once, his words were worth something.

"However..." the young tamer added, generating sudden suspense.

Before continuing to speak, Yoichi's eyes remained pointed on Sui. Her hopeful expression and her hands clenched to her chest forced him to make the only decision that would save his soul from damnation.

The consequences of that gesture came before Yoichi's eyes in the form of sharp images. He was fully aware that he would become an outlaw, but the Princess's freedom had no price.

If I were to reject her proposal, I would be just a cowardly opportunist. Right now, she is not a Princess but a simple girl desperately asking for help. Which ignoble being would refuse to reach her out? He thought, hesitating before giving his definitive answer.

"However, I have decided that, for the first time, I will obey my heart. Strong mixed feelings grip my soul; I won't hide it... but... I'm not selfish. I'm not like your father. I will help you, Sui," Yoichi stated with conviction, breathing deeply.

"I can't believe it!" Enatsu boomed, turning the other way. Looking towards the wall at the end of the street, the merchant grabbed his head with both hands, desperate.

Sui jumped into Yoichi's arms. A warm hug wrapped around his neck while her face rested on his cheek.

Trying to act carefree, he reciprocated the hug. He let his hands slide down the lower back of the Princess, closing his eyes and trapping that moment of sincerity in his mind.

Time seemed to have stopped. The thin dress of Tentochu's finest silk allowed the young tamer's hands to follow the perfect curves of her back. The Emperor's daughter, the nation's most desired woman, was right there, in his arms.

"One last thing!" Sui whispered in Yoichi's ear. "There is an inn called 'White Rose' about two miles from here. It belongs to an old friend. You can spend the night there if you want."

When the magic of that hug was broken by the next moment, Yoichi and Sui looked each other in the eye for one last time. Her feet crawled backwards on the floor of that anonymous street. Step by step, the Princess began to move away.

"Don't forget me, brave Yoichi. I will be within the four walls of my room, ready to run away with you", she repeated, continuing to move with gracefulness. Her sinuous movements were close to perfection, imitating those of a true goddess.

Yoichi once again tightened her hairpin to his chest. "I won't forget you, Sui. When I'm ready, you'll see me."

After the last exchange of words between the two young dreamers, Sui Nishiyama walked down the street. Under the incredulous and confused gaze of the two adventurers, she disappeared among the palaces of Goldhaven.

"Screek?" Kenji suddenly asked, breaking the silence. Sora flew over Enatsu's shoulder, intending to comfort its master. He was visibly shaken by what had happened.

"What the fuck just happened, Yoichi? Do you have any idea how serious that is?" the merchant murmured. Sora's small feathered face petted his cheek.

"You are free not to follow me, Enatsu" Yoichi unexpectedly responded, drawing the gaze of his companion. "I mean it. I made up my mind without considering your opinion. If I really help the Princess escape from the Imperial Palace, they will look for me everywhere and... if you tell me you don't want your life to be turned inside out, I understand you."

"Grr... dammit... dammit!" Enatsu barked aloud, moving his head and turning on himself. "The fucking daughter of the Emperor! What are the odds?! One in a million!" he grunted, venting all the thoughts he had held back in Sui's presence.

"Evidently, my destiny in this life is just that, my friend..."

"Eh? In this life? What are you talking about?"

"Of my new life, Enatsu. This life. My memories don't go beyond my awakening. I can only rely on my instincts. They will tell me who I am," Yoichi affirmed. "Until recently, I was frightened and confused. That's enough. I finally know what I have to do. I have a serious purpose."

"And what is is? Become an outlaw? Nice purpose!" the merchant countered, spreading his arms wide. Emphasizing his physical gestures helped him to express his dissent more easily.

"No, my friend. I'm going to be a true tamer. If fighting is my destiny, I will travel the world and fulfil it. Whatever the cost."

A different light shone through Yoichi's eyes as his mouth uttered those words. With the help of his Oracle and exploiting his knowledge, he was determined to climb the rankings of that society, fighting for his ideals.