Akihiko Ishikawa = LindaAI-CUE

It's been a while ever since I left Kasu Village. I started walking away from the village just a little bit after afternoon striked. Looking at the position of the sun, I think it's already around 3 hours after afternoon, and the only actual landmark I've actually noticed was Shimizu Village. Is the world really this empty or something? If only I had a map to guide myself with, damn it.

You may wonder which direction I'm going. For starters, I've always believed that west was a lucky direction go in, so after seeing Shimizu Village I immediately turned left and walked straight from there. I don't really have a compass with me so I don't know if I'm really going west, but my perception is actually "west of the village" and not "west of the world". I really just hope I can get somewhere before I starve or thirst...

I try my best to take my mind off the dullness that is walking to somewhere you don't know by imagining the things that could be waiting for me. What sort of other creatures will I encounter? Will other people accept me for who I am? What sort of glorious objects will I find along the way? And more importantly, will I find Senpuu's compass? Will I be able to find Senpuu by embarking on this journey? I haven't been outside of our area much, so I don't really know answers to these questions, for my reference would only be the books that I've read before, both academic and fiction. But my expectation of the world is that it is totally different, and just reading and studying isn't enough to know what is real or what is not.

As I continue to walk, I suddenly notice how much sweaty I am already. The wind is a bit weak in the path I'm going in, and that really bright star that's giving power to the world is kind of raging at our surface for some odd reason. I can usually adapt to hot environments; I like it in hot places, actually. But in this case where there isn't even a sign of wind to compliment the rays of that star, this is an unreasonable degree of hot.

It now seems to be five hours after afternoon, and the sun is already beginning to set. Even though the surface is already cooling off a little, the lack of wind is really getting to be troublesome. I look ahead and still don't see any landmarks, so I took a towel from my Supplies Bag and replaced the red cape, just so I could dry myself up. I also brought out a small container which had drinking water, which isn't as troublesome as neutral water in that I actually have to intake it, so I drank a few just so I could take my mind off the heat; I don't actually know when I get the chance to refill this with water anyway, so I actually have to save up on it. After a few minutes where I felt I could go on, I put on my red cape again and continued to walk in the direction I was still facing.

It was almost night as the sun had almost disappeared. It was getting kind of difficult to see, so I was considering whether I should stop and camp out here in the middle of some unknown territory for the night. It's a shame I didn't even get to see any landmark that I could take note of for the first day of my journey, but there's still tomorrow to continue exploring.

I put down my supplies bag to pull out some covers. As I opened it, however, the wind suddenly blew strongly, which kind of startled me. In fact, it startled me so much, I accidentally waved my hand and hit a really hard tree with it. As natural reaction, I flinched in pain. It can't get any worse, right? Or so I thought... after flinching, a branch fell on my right foot which made me flinch in another direction. With my instincts confused as to whether to relieve the pain of my hand or my foot first, I eventually tripped forward and rolled quite a distance... I'd say around 12 steps away from where I placed my supplies bag. After I stopped rolling over and stood up, I suddenly saw what seemed to be a 2-story building to the distance. "Finally, somewhere worth going to" I thought, so I quickly stepped back and got my supplies, then continued to walk in the direction I was facing; this time I was walking faster as I already know I'm going somewhere.

Just before the sun completely disappeared, I finally arrived at the place. Looking at the two-story building that I saw from before, my first impression was that this place was supposed to be some sort of town. But as I got to what seemed to be the entrance of this 'town' (the walls were made evident enough to be the border of that landmark), it actually looked like a series of abandoned residences, more like a ghost town with nothing in it. "Well, it's better than having to sleep outside", I told myself, so I went in.

A basic layout for a town, really: a main street, houses to the side, and alleys just in between the houses. I walk along the main road, looking left and right repeatedly, looking for signs of life anywhere. Well, it was already night so it was a bit hard to see, but oddly enough even this abandoned town have the nightlights working. I continue to walk, and if I don't notice any sign of life here when I reach the otherside of the town, I'll just go inside one of the houses and try to sleep there. Maybe I can even find some leftover supplies, too.

With the sun not visible anymore, I didn't know how to tell the time. It was at this time that I suddenly remembered that I could tell the direction I was going to by looking at where the sun was setting. Since the sun was setting to the left of me while walking outside, I must have been walking north all this time. I brought out a paper and brush and started to somehow plot out a map from there: I first drew the NESW compass to the upper-right, then I drew Kasu Village and Shimizu Village near the center, then a few distances 'north', I drew this nameless town. Just when I was finished plotting it out, however, I noticed that I was surrounded. There were suddenly a number of bandits that were surrounding me... well, at least they somehow look like bandits. Their stance however wasn't like one, for they took on stances that are familiar to me as martial arts, and their weapons were actually still sheathed. Not really panicking here, though it just startled me that I'll be attacked in such an odd place... well, not really 'odd'; I'm walking alone in an abandoned town, I should really be expecting this.

Time passed and they still didn't do a thing to me. Nothing was going on. Then later another entity showed up from behind the circle of 'bandits', which I assume would be their leader, or something like that. She had (author's note: this part may change due to the reference picture being very unclear at the moment) feline-like red ears that were kind of pointy, and she seemed to have long yellow hair which was straightened perfectly, but curved nicely back by some black object attached to the back of her head. She wore a violet vest which allowed for a great deal of mobility, and she was actually kinda tall. Coming from behind the crowd, she walked up to me.

"Hm, we don't get visitors here often, and less likely people not from the town." she said to me. "I haven't seen you anywhere, so how did you get to this place?"

"I just... got here? I was just walking in some direction, and I eventually ended up here." I replied. She seemed to have then taken notice of my supplies bag.

"Going on an adventure or something? It's kind of odd to see people here that have no idea where they're going."

"Something like that, yes. Since it was night time, I figured I needed to look for a place to at least spend the night in comfortably. I almost settled for sleeping outside, but then I saw this place, so I walked here."

"How long have you been walking?"

"Maybe around 6 hours."

"6 hours! Some trip you're going on, here."

"I came from Kasu Village, which is just 6 hours south of this place. By the way, my n~"

"I did not ask for your name yet."

"why are you so pushy?"

She didn't answer me after that, as she suddenly swiped the supplies bag I had, opened it, and dropped everything in it. Of course this frustrated me.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" I exclaimed. She seemed to scan the contents of the bag carefully, very carefully. My first impression was she was looking for something to take from me.

"Oh you wouldn't dare!" I shouted at her, then assumed a standard fighting stance just to defend myself if ever I needed to, in which this situation actually kind of calls for it. After she was finished skimming through my things, she threw the bag wide open in front of me. After that, she proceeded to kick my things one by one back into the bag. Well, so much for being stolen from, so I assumed a normal standing stance again as I was assured that she wouldn't steal something from me. Eventually, all of my things were back in the bag.

"So... just a place to stay huh. Can't say we own this place, anyway, so feel free to use this house over here." she said, as she pointed out a specific small residence that seemed to be well clean enough for someone to live in. "I always take care of this house just in case there was a time that I needed to find another residence, but I guess you can use it for now." she continued. "My name is... no, rather, you can call me Kiluna."

"Ryougen. Ryougen Mai of Kasu Village.
Thanks so much for letting me stay here." I replied.

"However, you must leave this place early tomorrow, for this still isn't your house, as it is not mine as well. It's kind of a bad habit to just take houses like that, you know. I'll make sure that I kick you out early tomorrow morning."

"Fine by me, I'll continue going tomorrow morning anyway...
Just a quick question, are there any other landmarks nearby here where I can hopefully resupply?"

"Well, Ugoshi Town isn't far away from here. This place used to be Ugoshi Town, but due to some accident from long ago, the place had to be relocated. Now this place just serve as the faraway slums of the town. The walk isn't that far from here. I could take you there tomorrow morning if you want."

"That would be great, thanks. If you'll excuse me, I really want to rest for now."

"No problem. Just don't do anything stupid."

"...do I really look that type of person?"

"Well, you're a complete stranger, how would I know?"

"...true. Anyway, thanks again."

"You're welcome. Don't cut the light in your eyes, now."

"...what's that supposed to mean?"

"...just go to sleep -_-"

"...whatever."

I went inside that house that Kiluna said she's taking care of. Well, it was a really simple house with one room... in fact it was just enough for one to be able to do normal residence functions in except the lack of a dining room. There was a wooden bed with a small ragged cushion on top of it, a few shelves and a cabinet, with one lamp and an overhead light. This was enough to stay in properly, so I unloaded myself, locked the door, and jumped on the cushion due to me being so tired from that long walk.

The night was kinda dull in this abandoned town. The only signs of life here was Kiluna and her gang, so there was minimal noise outside at this time. Moments like these are when I wish I could still sleep in Kasu Village. Nevertheless, I tried to drift off to sleep as I continue my journey tomorrow. Who knows, I might even have to walk longer after I resupply tomorrow morning...

But just before I can fully drift off in deep slumber, I suddenly heard commotion outside, and I was suddenly disturbed. I couldn't get to sleep. Annoyed, I looked out the window to the left of the room to see what was going on. By the way, this house was just on the border of a tall upward part of the main road, so the corridor to the left of it was pretty much a bird's eye view.

At the dead end of the alley, I saw Kiluna, and her face seemed to be frustrated... or more of in a fighting expression, as she was also in some fighting stance and had some of her combat equipment drew out. I looked to see who was attacking her, and to my surprise, it was actually her group of 'bandits'! "What's going on?!" I wondered, so I stuck my ear out of the window and used my stronger-than-normal hearing to eavesdrop on the dialogue down there.

"We've been waiting for the full moon all this time, Kiluna! Now hand it over!"

"Hand what over?! Why are you guys suddenly attacking me like this?!"

"The hidden brooch of the full moon! Give it!"

"...since when did you know about this?!"

"Just a few moments before 'we' formed this group... We're just mercenaries, after all. It doesn't matter how long it takes to get the job done, as long as we get paid for doing it in the end!"

"So that's what you guys were after for, all this time?! This thing?!"

I proceeded to look down afterward, then I saw Kiluna holding up a brooch with a red gem in the middle. For some reason, it shone very brightly under the full moon's light. Judging from the conversation, these guys are after this brooch, in which they will either profit from it or they have been hired to take it from her. So in truth they were actually mercenaries, huh. Kiluna somehow does look like one too.

I was a bit confused as to what to do. This was going to be a bit bloody, and I didn't want to get in a fight that wasn't my business. However, my concern for Kiluna kind of dominated over me, so I wore my red cape and vest quickly as I ran outside the house, and to the mouth of the alley where Kiluna was cornered. It seemed like they were already rushing toward Kiluna to attack, so I ran in and grabbed one of the guys there, punched him fiercely on the face, and threw him forward, which took 2 other guys out as well. This suddenly startled the group as they suddenly looked at me.

"It's the 'visitor'! So Kiluna, you had us figured out all this time, didn't you?!" The mercenary directly in front of Kiluna shouted at her.

"What are you talking about? I don't know this guy! I don't even know where his so called village is!" Kiluna replied, but her heavy breathing actually kind of made her look like she was lying even though she wasn't; it infuriated the mercenary leader, and ordered a good number of other guys to stop me.

There were quite a number of them, and they had everything to attempt to take me out, even to go so far as injuring me, or maybe even killing me. I, however, although not that skilled in fighting, cleared my mind as I tried to think carefully of how to take them out. It was simple, really: using my techniques in the dances that resembled some ancient moves, I was able to anticipate the moves of the mercenaries, which I think I can rightfully call bandits now, and hopefully drive them to the wall one by one. Right now, my goal was to get to Kiluna and get her out of here, and fend off these bandits for good. Not necessarily knocking out the guys here, I continue to dance my way forward (which actually seems to have formed my fighting style... the warrior's dance, mostly, was especially helpful here), I saw Kiluna trying to combat that bandit leader and protect that brooch that she was wearing. Eventually after dancing all the way to the end of the alley, I stood next to Kiluna.

"Ryougen?! What are you doing, this is none of your business! Leave at once!" Kiluna shouted at me.

"It may be none of my business... but you guys are disturbing my sleep." I replied sheepishly. In truth, I was actually concerned about Kiluna. She may have only did a small deed for me, but anyone with common sense would be able to tell that Kiluna needed protecting here; even if I didn't know her, I would help her out anyway. "So to you guys... I suggest you back off away from her before things get really messy." I said to the bandits.

"Back off? What a laugh! You're not even armed in anyway, and you fight like a sissy! Why should we fear some stranger such as you?" the bandit leader replied to me.

"Because... because...!" I was kinda infuriated by his statement. Moments later I suddenly lost track of my emotions here and suddenly let out a burst of what seemed to be spirit energy, the same energy I let out when I do my most powerful dances. I wasn't able to think straight here, as I just continued to do some hand motions that resembled a familiar dance technique of mine: I waved my hand quickly downward, then quickly pushed my palm forward with my arms crossing at the wrists. Then suddenly, red fire was suddenly coming out of my left hand, while blue fire was coming out from my right hand. Since I really wasn't able to think straight right now, I seemed to have pulled off a move that I was meaning to keep secret to myself... the Ryougen Beam. This was essentially it, but instead of using it for a fireworks-like display, I used it for combat instead. This suddenly prompted the group of bandits to back off as there were 2 enormous fires rapidly coming at them in alternate groups of 6 waves, colored blue and red. I was shouting a bit at this point, for I was exerting quite an amount of spirit energy. This moment of mine that took the spotlight seemed to have given me time to get my head straight, and eventually after I was conscious of my actions again, I stopped the Ryougen Beam. Everything suddenly feel silent after, except for my heavy breathing with a furious face towards the gang of bandits. A few moments later, I heard the bandit leader say "Pull out! Pull out!", which had all of them scattering away. The alley was clear again.

"...Ryougen..." I heard Kiluna speak. Still with my furious face, I turned to her and shouted.

"If you're going to give me a place to sleep, at least let me sleep in it!" was what I shouted. I then turned away from her and away from the alley, up the road, and back into the house that Kiluna provided for me. I jumped on the bed in hopes that I can finally cool off.

"...so much for the first event in my journey." I said, as I was finally able to sleep.

What happened in the middle of the night that I was asleep, I don't know.

Next thing I knew, morning already came. Sunrays were already evident, so I got up and prepared to leave the place and go to Ugoshi Town. Then I suddenly remembered that Kiluna was supposed to take me there today, so I fixed myself quickly so that I can find her as soon as possible. But while I was fixing myself up, I suddenly noticed that Kiluna was inside the house, which suddenly made me startled, tripped over the bucket of water that I was washing myself with, and the water splashed on me. So much for being awake in the morning...

Wait, WATER?! I suddenly stood up panicking, looking for a towel. Kiluna threw me one eventually, and I quickly dried myself with it. After I was done fixing myself, I finally approached Kiluna. How did she get in here in the first place? Oh wait, she has the keys to this house, duh.

"Apparently you don't know what privacy means, do you?" was my first statement to her.

"...how rude! I was gonna say good morning..." she replied.

"Still, you don't barge in to people's rooms without their permission. Anyway... you were going to take me to Ugoshi Town, right?"

"Yes I am. But... can we talk for a while, please?"

Hm, I'm pretty sure she won't forget what happened last night. So I sat down for what she had to say.

"Ryougen... I'd like to thank you for what you did for me last night. You protected a total stranger such as myself..."

"...don't be ridiculous! I just wanted to get to sleep, that's all!"

"Is that really so? Judging from how you reacted, it was like you were actually concerned as to what was happening."

Well, it's true... I just wanted to conceal the fact that I cared for a complete stranger. I wanted to retain that... 'cool' image of mine, like how most wanderers' personalities are. She could probably see through my facade the entire time, however.

"But I could conclude that you were eavesdropping on us, which prompted you to go and fend them off, isn't that right?"

"Yes, I heard the situation clearly. That brooch of yours is special, and basically those bandits wanted to steal it."

"They were thieves all along, those, imbeciles...! But my main concern now is that you know at least a bit of one of my biggest secrets..."

"The brooch? It's not like it concerns me, after all."

"It's still possible, however, that people may begin to ask you about it; since the guys got away, the possibility of them spreading out the news will be unavoidable...
So please... can you at least keep a promise? Promise me that you would act innocent about this... I'm sorry for getting you in this mess!"

"Sorry...? I have no concern for the brooch, whatsoever. It's so easy to act innocent, for I am not concerned of it."

"...that's a relief to hear."

With those words, I finally stood up.

"Now, if you would please take me to Ugoshi Town, if you may."

"Wait, Ryougen! Now that I think about it, I have one really, really big request..."

"And that is...?"

She fell a bit silent for a while. She probably is going to request something so big, she's even having trouble saying it.

"...come on, say it, I don't have all day." I prompted her.

"...Ryougen! Please let me go alongside you on your adventures!"

What?! This was all too sudden. Kiluna, a mercenary that I only knew for less than a day, asking me to take her on my journey even though she doesn't know where I'm headed!

"What?! What kind of... do you actually know what you're saying?!"

"Ryougen, you said yourself that you didn't know where you were supposed to go, wandering wherever your instinct takes you. Well, I'd like to also go to places too! I have my own goals which I just can't settle because of my duty in Ugoshi!"

"You have your own goals? Is this duty of yours in Ugoshi that much that you can't let go of it?"

"TO tell the truth, I am actually under the impression that being a mercenary will also take me places... and it's also my only main source of income. However, I have objectives that require me to wander around places with freedom! As a mercenary, I can only do the job and report back quickly, so I'm basically still locked in a cage. But after seeing you, a wanderer that has no money of his own and only relies on supplies that he finds, it suddenly sparked the idea in me that I don't actually need money to do what I want to!
And... with the guys running away from me, I have no actual group now and I may not be able to perform my requests anymore... To tell the truth, I've been thinking all night about where I can go now...!"

"You can just embark on your own journey! Why cling to me?"

"It's just... you know, different when you're going in a group. You may be a total stranger, but I know even you have friends and family that you cling to in times of need, right?"

As she uttered those words, I'm suddenly reminded of Kasu Village.

"And as you fought yesterday... I saw that strength in you. And the fact that you are the first person I saw to actually display spirit energy... it's the perfect opportunity for my actual quest!"

Quest? She must really be actually after something.

"Let me journey with you, Ryougen! I feel that my destiny may lie along the path that you're also taking!"

Destiny's path? OK this girl is too identical to me now. It's kinda hard to turn her down now, so...

"...how could I say no after how you described yourself? You yourself found out that I am concerned about others, so..."

"So is that a y~"

"It's a yes, yeah."

"Ryougen! Thank you... thank you so much!"

"However! Since you're the one tailing on me and not the other way around, my decisions will be first priority. You're not the leader of the group this time."

"Of course... I worked my way up to become the leader of Ugoshi's mercenary group, anyway..."

"But unlike jobs, there's no 'rank up' system here; you go with my journey, you'll have to follow my path. Understood?"

"Yes, yes, of course!"

"However, since I don't necessarily 'own' you, you may leave and go on your own path during anytime. I won't stop you."

"Uh, okay."

"So... can we go to Ugoshi now?"

"Of course, of course! When we arrive there, just tell me what you need and I'll point you to the appropriate section that has them. I also have to do some things in Ugoshi so as to cut off all conncetions to me there, signifying my leave as a mercenary, so I really do need to go there anyway."

"Well alright, let's go."

I got my bag of supplies as we left the room, and Kiluna seemed to also have herself prepared on a journey too. We walk out of the slums of Ugoshi to go to the main town.

"After we're out of the town and just wandering around, would you mind telling me this quest you talk about? I'll also describe to you my quest, which is kinda mystical in nature as well."

"Yours too, huh? I have a feeling my own quest is also a bit fantastic by nature, so sure!"

"Alright, let's go then."

We now walk away from the abandoned town and on the way to Ugoshi Town, where we can stock up on supplies before leaving for a really long walk. To be honest, I feel kind of happier that I actually have someone accompanying me on a journey. Guess no one really is an island, huh. Shame I didn't get to see her abilities beforehand, but who said we needed to physicall fight on our journey? There may be some rough moments, but our objectives will always be at sight. Fighting is only for necessity, even though I do sometimes like seeing the fighting abilities of other people.

Let's go on an adventure, shall we?

lol Cookiezi orz