Chapter 12：Agreement (1/2)
”Sier, what did you see in him?” Under the moonlight and the gazes of endless constellations, Master Ronin's voice breached the silence of the night. It traveled slowly to the ears of the young man sitting in front of him, who had his eyes closed as he enjoyed the tea in his hand. Sier opened his eyes and they reflected a serenity unbefitting of his age.
”I know what you saw, old man. That young man's fate.”
”I told you to stop doing that.” Master Ronin's brows furrowed as the uncomfortableness was genuine. The young man in front of him was someone he feared and cherished even though he was a lot weaker than himself. However, his ability was a peculiar one.
Sier shook his head and placed the cup on the rock in front of him. He met Master Ronin's eyes and for the briefest moment, they turned bizarrely violet. The latter's body shook as his hand trembled, clearly losing his composure.
”You…”
”I don't have much time left until it happens. The ability is already activating on its own.” Sier's voice was weak, yet alienated. Master Ronin felt the familiarity of the boy he once raised and the unfamiliarity of something far more horrifying. He wanted to say something but Sier's words didn't stop there. ”These eyes… Whatever lies inside of them… It feared that young man.”
”Then, are you going to ask him?”
”Well, it'll depend on how far he's willing to go for the truth.” Sier smiled as he remembered the report that he received this morning. With it, he'll be able to gain a reliable ally and maybe even avoid a terrifying enemy.
***
”Is it another nightmare?” A woman he didn't know asked him after he opened his eyes crying. He looked around absent-minded trying to figure out where he was. As he studied the woman further, her gentle appearance struck a chord in his heart. As she began to worry, he finally remembered the love of his life, Elisa.
”I don't know. It feels like… I was just crying about something.” He looked around as he remembered his room. Their room. His wife, the one he married three years ago, Elisa. Someone, he felt grateful just to be with. She was the only person who stayed by his side even after the death of his parents.
”Jizo, this has been happening a lot lately. Are you sure there's nothing wrong?” Elisa asked, her hand trembling as she held him and whispered his name. He felt warmth rush in as he smiled and hugged her tightly.
”There's nothing wrong, darling. Everything is just fine. Lily is about to wake up, let's make some breakfast.” Jizo stood up and got dressed. The two then started making breakfast before Elisa went over to Lily and woke her up.
”Good morning Papa!” Lily rushed and hugged him as she woke up. He could see she was still half asleep so he carried her and washed her face. She struggled as she felt the cold water but he didn't get angry, simply finding her too adorable with her puffed cheeks and twin-tails hairstyle.
As the three sat down and started eating, Jizo looked over the affair of his village. As it held no more than 300 houses, it wasn't that complicated to address. Only some issues listed by the people he needed to resolve.
”Chief! Chief!”