Chapter Five

Chapter 5: Pressure of Death

5-3: Darkness Revealed

An immense pressure clouded the town as the skies became darkened but not pitch black. Amane’s body was acting on its own as it shambled quickly through town looking for the guys he passed along on the way. Tears still streaming down his face. His sword was drawn quickly and randomly as he walked while dragging the tip across the ground causing sparks behind him as he walked.

“Where are you? I know you’re here somewhere.” Amane said in a dual toned voice as he kept searching for the group from earlier. There was no stopping him from his search.

“Something doesn’t feel right here.” Fujimoto stated in confusion and uneasiness.

“I haven’t felt this type of presence for many years.” Toshin added, his eyes darting around the room as was feeling out the energy.

Toshiro was confused,"  What is this exactly? It feels like the night the war started but a lot darker and stronger.”

“This is a feeling of dark power being unleashed upon our town. Only one person has the power to use this much darkness and that would be the Sorcerer.” Toshin stated.

“We have to get to Amane.” Fujimoto said as he darted up the stairs followed by Toshiro and Toshin.

Not much time had passed since the attack on Jade, but the group of murderers were compelled to return to the scene by an unseen force. A power of deep darkness that propelled them to go back against their wills. Immediately upon entering the localized area around Amane, they were stuck in a well of pressurized force preventing them from moving. With nowhere to go and the ability to move taken from them, a jolt of an even stronger pressure knocked them down to their hands and knees, then flat on their stomach. The pressure intensifies as they struggle to breathe even the most shallow of the breaths.

Dread loomed heavily over the town of Yama Zengo.  Only three were able to hone in on the feeling in town; Fujimoto, Toshin, and Toshiro. Knowing that a force that could be felt from one end of the town to the other wasn’t a good sign for any of them. To their knowledge only one person had the ability: The Sorcerer, as Toshin had assumed earlier. They waited for Toshin to pick up his swords and immediately left to run towards the source of the power.

While the three of them ran to the power, they could all feel the change in pressure fluctuating through the town. The variance in pressure was very noticeable: hard, no pressure, more pressure, and no pressure again. There was absolutely no way that this was the power of the Sorcerer, since it  wasn’t staying at a constant pressure due to fluctuations. Whoever this was had no control over the power they were exerting.

As the three of them continued towards the source of the pressure, Amane had begun his own task. His task was to make whoever did this to his mother pay the harshest cost he was capable of at this moment. The cost was going to be paid in blood and souls. He, himself, was already paying with his tears and broken heart.

“You killed Jade, didn’t you?” Amane spoke, in his dual toned voice. A voice that was deeper than his natural voice while sounding similar but not exact to his own.

“What of it?!” The leader of the group questioningly exclaimed.

“Then you’ll just have to die.” His eyes narrowed, as a brief spike of grief overwhelmed his body causing the pressure to release, momentarily. His eyes switched back to normal. “WHY?” He shouted angrily at them.

“To demoralize Fujimoto and his army.” Another spoke up as sweat dripped down his face as he realized who they were talking to. “...it..it’s..”

“What are you trying to say?” The leader asked his friend.

“IT’S AMANE!” He shouted in fear as he became distraught with worry that they all may die here now.

The realization hit the leader and he smirked as if he had the upper hand. With the pressure gone they all managed to stand back up and removed their daggers as they circled him. They were serious about killing him now too...but he wasn’t going to make it easy on them. “Circle him.” He ordered his crew.

“Are you crying? Over a whore?” Another shouted.

His eyes sharpened and changed back to red and black as his anger rose higher causing the pressure to return. They were all stopped in their tracks again. “My mother was many things but that wasn’t one of them.” 

“What are you going to do about it?” The same guy asked in a harsh and mocking tone.

“If you’re going to tell lies with your tongue...” He slunk over to the guy and forcefully kicked his left shin, snapping it in half and forcing him to the ground. He removed the dagger from his enemy’s hand and spun it so the blade was facing towards the man instead”…I’m going to remove it from your mouth.” Unable to move, the man just sat there as tears of pain ran down his cheeks. “Are you crying over your tongue? Amane mocked him; then shoved his hand into his mouth and pulled his tongue out quickly, removing it with the stolen dagger, and throwing it on the ground. Amane took a breath and stabbed the dagger into the man’s shoulder. “Just hold that.”

Being disgusted and angry the leader managed to escape the pressure and tried to kick Amane out of the way, but he was stopped by one hand. “YOU BASTARD!” He yelled loudly, as he drew a sword from his waist “HE DIDN’T DESERVE ANY OF THAT.”

Angry, Amane shouted back,"  JADE DIDN’T DESERVE ANY OF THAT AND YOU’LL GET WHAT’S COMING TO YOU. When you attack civilians in a war time, after everything was agreed upon to get out of town, you’re lower than anyone at war. You choose to cut down an innocent mother and wife because you’re afraid of fighting.” Amane squeezed his foot in his hand and applied an immense amount of pressure to it. The man shouts in pain as his foot crumples from the force before Amane can continue speaking. “Now that one of your friends is being injured you want to fight. Bring your best, but I can guarantee you that it won’t be enough.”  Amane spoke more confidently than he normally did as he pushed him back by his foot. He was prepared to make the tough decision of removing their lives from their bodies. Taking a deep breath, he removed all the pressure around them in a small radius to allow them to fight, even though it would be useless for them to try. He wasn’t aware of how he was able to do it, he just did it.

On this day, Amane became broken. His heart, his soul, and his personality. He had become a light of hope and a beacon of destruction. Inhabited by two different personalities from the loss of his mother. The normal Amane who was the joyous optimist and this darker more confident version of himself who had no qualms with ending anyone in his way.

The four of them, since the guy with the cut out tongue wasn’t moving, remained who wanted to continue this altercation got on their feet, ready to attack. Each slicing and stabbing with the daggers except for the guy with a sword who was attacking with quick slashes. Going on the defensive, Amane caught one guy by the arm and placed him in front of himself. As he did so, the man was stabbed by one of his accomplices; who ended up with a broken arm from a quick but powerful chop to his elbow. Amane kicked another in the chest without a care and cracked several ribs and his sternum. The next guy cut Amane’s arm and was quickly set on fire for doing so.

“What are you?” The leader asked timidly and terrified.

“Pissed off...” Amane retorted. “and your nightmare.” He continued while he drew his blade, finally.

The clanging of swords and steel could be heard as Fujimoto, Toshiro, and Toshin ran to the battlefield and hit a wall of pressure. Toshin and Fujimoto could still get through but Toshiro was struggling causing them to go slower. Fujimoto and Toshin grabbed him then pulled him through using their own power to negate it from his body more.

“We’ve gotta be getting close, Toshin.” Fujimoto stated.

“Definitely.” Toshin added. “The pressure is the hardest here.” 

Toshiro sighed,"  I just hope Amane is okay.”

Fujimoto paused in his tracks at the realization in his mind,"  That’s what this is.” Sweat rolled down his face and his eyes widened.

“What’s wrong?” Toshin asked with a deep seriousness in his voice.

“This is Amane…well mostly. This is also; darkness from the Underworld.” Fujimoto replied as his face became pale. His strong and determined attitude shattered into worry and despair, but he had to keep going. For Amane and the town.

Toshiro was confused,"  Why aren’t you being affected?” He asked.

“It’s not from my side, it’s from his mother’s.” Fujimoto stated with worry before continuing,"  I didn’t think it was this strong. People are in danger.”

“That can't be! Amane’s got a good heart, he’s one of the good guys.” Toshiro shouted in support of his closest friend.

“That doesn’t matter any more Toshiro.” Toshin interjected quickly. “He’s not himself.”

“I hope we make it in time.” Toshiro said worriedly while looking down.

“So do I, Toshiro, so do I.” Fujimoto replied.

The fight continued on as the three of them continued running towards the sound of battle. The battle itself was almost over as Amane kept his sword on his enemies. His eyes twitching and flickering between black and red to his gray natural color. The power wasn’t staying steady in him as one side was breaking down and the other was trying to break out.

Amane stood with his sword in his hand. The blade was glowing red and flaming. “Any last words before I end your disgusting and pathetic life?” He harshly and directly to his point.

“Don’t kill me. Please. Spare my life.” He replied to him while tears flowed freely from his eyes. The same action they had mocked him for.

“Like you did hers?” Amane stated calmly while looking down at his prey.

“I’M SORRY! PLEASE LET ME GO!” He pleaded for his life.

“You aren’t sorry you killed her, you’re sorry you got caught. However, you will be sorry. I’LL SEE YOU IN THE UNDERWORLD.” Amane shouted as his sword cut through the man’s arms and legs. His limbs flopped to the ground as he made his final sweep of the blade, decapitating the man. The body fell over limp as blood flowed through the street from his lifeless corpse like a five pointed star.

“We were too late.” Fujimoto said as he looked around at the carnage before them.

“AMANE, STAND DOWN.” Toshin yelled from beside Fujimoto.

“Please?” Toshiro asked. “No one wants to hurt you. Just stop.”

“I can’t, there is one left.” Amane spoke in his dual tone while looking at the guy who had his tongue cut out. He stared at him angrily as he caught fire.

“ENOUGH.” Toshin yelled once more. “Stand down or I’ll force you to stand down.”

“If you think you can.” Amane retorted, changing his gaze to Toshin ever so slowly from the burning man.

“Fujimoto, stay back. Toshiro, stay here.” Toshin stated. “Amane, you don’t want to do this. Stand. Down.” He added in a commanding tone.

Toshiro focused hard on his cryomancy abilities and was trying to keep Amane from doing something dangerous, for them all. “Freeze, freeze, freeze.” He repeated to himself and suddenly ice formed around Amane’s wrists and ankles.

Toshin locked eyes with him and activated his stronger, more powerful version of the Cold Stare that Toshiro used. “You cannot resist this. These murderous thoughts will be turned against you for good. Amane, I asked you politely to stand down; now there is nothing left I can do. It’ll be over soon.”

Amane laughed while staring into Toshin’s eyes with an uncaring look of defiance.”It’s not working because I don’t have murderous thoughts; my thoughts are purely JUSTICE!” He shouted the word while breaking the stare lock.

“Who are you?” Toshin asks in a sweat. No one had ever broken his version of the Cold Stare in the many years he had been using it. Older and more experienced people had never found a way out of it but Amane at the age of eighteen with minimal experience broke out like it was nothing.

Amane’s eyes flickered black and gray instead of black and red, as if the two powers were coming together. “I am an omen who will bow down to no man.” He replied quietly while keeping his eyes locked on Toshin. He was ignoring the ice on his body knowing somewhere with him, Toshiro meant no harm to him…and couldn’t harm him.

Fujimoto rushed in quickly to restrain him by wrapping his arms around him. “Amane, come back. Tell me what happened.”

Hearing the sound of his father’s voice and feeling his embrace, Amane snapped back to the current reality, his eyes going gray fully as the power started to fade. “Mom…they killed her, murdered her in cold blood.” The energy exhaustion caused him to pass out in his father’s arms while pressure dissipated, allowing everyone to move again.

“I hope you don’t hold that against him.” Fujimoto said quietly while holding Amane in his arms.

Toshin shook his head,"  I can’t overlook this. This is beyond serious, Fuji. These were civilians…”He pointed down at the burning man,  “...and now that they’re gone, we can’t question them. It will be seen as Amane attacking civilians to our justice system.”

“Really Toshin?” Fujimoto said, shocked. “After everything we’ve been through?” 

Toshin sighed,"  I’m not going to execute him.” 

“Didn’t you just try to have him do that to himself?” Fujimoto said questioningly.

“Technically, yes, but this is the only time I’ve ever been glad to see it fail. The Cold Stare has a secondary function if you can manage to use it. The basic is suicide while the more advanced requires intense focus to do less damage by making them pass out.” Toshin explained to them quickly. “I wanted that one but the focus of the ability was broken before even getting to the first ability.”

Fujimoto nodded his head,"  I didn’t know there was a second part to it.”

“Best not to advertise all your skills.” Toshin replied. “Anyway, he can’t stay here in Yama Zengo. We’ll have to exile him for the safety of the town.”

“If that’s for the best…''Fujimoto added with the quietness and somber tone in his voice. Tear drops dripped onto his son as he continued holding him.

“If that’s all we can do...it’s for the best. Let’s go see the house.” Fujimoto tossed Amane over his shoulder and began walking towards his home.

Toshiro remained quiet and within his own mind. His thoughts were changing about Amane and he could no longer view him as a warrior fighting a war. He had become a monster capable of destroying men. A monster that he needed to grow stronger than; to slay. He watched as the last man was still burning into cinders and the other four’s blood made a river going down the street.

“Father.” Toshiro added meekly. “I’m going to head home. I can’t…I can’t handle this.”

“Get some rest and I’ll see you there. As the law enforcement in Yama Zengo, it’s my duty to see this through.” Toshin added with confidence and understanding.

“Yes sir.” Toshiro replied and went the opposite direction. His mind continued to shift, viewing his ‘best friend’ as his new enemy, his opposite. Knowing that this darkness could override Amane at any time and he was going to stop him, no matter what it cost. There was going to be a  showdown of fire and ice, and it was imminent.

Toshiro couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. Never would he have guessed that Amane had that much power and when unrestrained would do so much damage to a group of people. He had only ever seen him when he was in control of himself. His speed and power were great already but that was something of the like he’d never seen before. At this point, Toshiro wasn’t sure if either of their parents could stop him if something happened.

Power from the Underworld. He thought to himself. It’s not something anyone should have. How did he happen to get it? How did Jade get the same power? Toshiro wondered as he walked home.

How would he stop him? He couldn’t keep up with Amane in his normal state. The thoughts of what just happened to those men disgusted him and to see his best friend being the one who did it, made it all worse. Civilians killed by a highly skilled warrior who trained in depth. Even if what Amane said was right, the Underworld power he had needed to be removed from the playing field, for the future.

Toshiro had  finally returned home and before he could enter; vomited on the side of the garbage can outside, just barely missing the opening. While he had seen dead bodies, he had never seen carnage like that, mixed with the pressure changing and disgust of his friend; he felt very sick to his stomach.

“TOSHIRO!” The female voice said as he stumbled inside and heard someone yelling for him. When he saw Kitanni running towards him with a worried look upon her face.“OH MY GOD! Are you okay?” She asked him quickly with a worried look on her face.

“I’m fine.” He responded. “Just not feeling well.” Toshiro stumbled inside his home and landed on the sofa after falling onto it.

Kitanni followed him in and shut the door behind her. “I’ll get you a towel. Where do you keep them?”

“The washroom is on the left.” He pointed out, as he laid on the sofa.

“I’ll be right back.” She replied hastily and ran into the washroom, found a towel,  then dunked it into some cold water in a bucket. She wrung it out and came back to the living room. Toshiro had rolled over onto his back after he managed to remove his swords. “Good you’ve rolled over.” She said laughing to herself. She walked over to him and placed the towel on his forehead.

“Just barely.” He responded softly before passing out on the sofa.

Kitanni smiled and stayed by his side as he rested. She had no idea what was going on and was far enough out of range that she didn’t experience any of the pressure and fluctuations from the situation. 

Toshin went with Fujimoto to the house and saw the blood trails leading to the backroom where Jade’s body was laid resting against the wall. Fujimoto broke down immediately upon seeing her there. His wife, his life partner, his best friend, and the mother of his child; and she was cut down in their own house. Depression filled his heart and mind as he cried over his wife.

Staying behind him, Toshin took Amane from Fujimoto,"  I’m so sorry, Fujimoto. Jade was a wonderful woman.” He sighed,"  I’ll leave you here to grieve but if you need anything I’ll be there.”

“Thanks...” Fujimoto replied quietly as he cradled his wife in his arms. “You can just set Amane in his room…” He stayed quiet after speaking.

“As you wish, my friend.” Toshin walked Amane back to his room and set him on top of the covers to his bed. “Rest well, Amane. I’m sorry about your mother and sorry that it came down to this outcome. You’ve become incredibly strong on your own and I hope that one day you’ll get this power under control. I hope we can meet again on better terms.” He left the home after seeing the disaster and setting Amane down on his bed.

While Toshiro slept he had a dream where Amane was hiding in a cave in the mountains and he was tasked with getting him out. He watched several men die in combat against him and when he had finally come out of the cave, Toshiro was his only remaining opponent. Fire had flared up over Amane like a burning aura; as ice covered Toshiro’s body in a final attempt to take him down. Steam formed from their clash and covered the area in a thick fog.

From within the fog, a figure walked forward cloaked in darkness with a bright green aura that surrounded him while looking like rising poison.“You are not seeing a dream, Toshiro. You’re seeing your future. This battle is going to happen and you will have to fight him. Though, at this point, you will lose to him quickly so you’ll need to raise your power. Forget that he is your friend. He’s an enemy of our world and an ally of the Underworld.”

“Who are you? How and why are you in my head?” He replied angrily with deep confusion.

“Who I am doesn’t matter but why I am, does; I’m here to help you overtake Amane. You’re disgusted with him and you don’t know who he is any more. The Underworld can take over whenever it wants too. While he can’t stop it, you can. You can remove him from this world as a courtesy to the Quadrants. If he’s not taken care of, he could destroy everything and bring the Underworld to the Quadrants once again.”

“Again?” Toshiro said, confused by the wording.

“This wouldn’t be the first time the Underworld was here. How do you think he ended up with it in the first place? His ancestors were infected by it and grew stronger by using it. His mother was one of the last few who could harness it. She had visions of his power and how he could dethrone the Sorcerer. What do you think he’d do after that?” The voice spoke in disgust of the Underworld as it spoke to Toshiro. It knew that he could be easily manipulated and swayed at this moment in his life.

“I don’t know.” Toshiro responded.

“Take the Quadrants for himself, rule them with an iron first. With no one able to oppose him.” The voice said in a thunderous boom.

“HE WOULDN’T DO THAT?!” Toshiro yelled back.

“Just like he WOULDN’T kill civilians.” The voice retorted by turning the events of the day into a weapon for its own manipulation.

Toshiro’s mind had begun to change about what he needed to do. The voice speaking to him was right; Amane did kill those civilians. What if he was just trying to remove the Sorcerer so he could be in charge? If he had more power what would stop him from being a dictator and ruling over everything? His best friend was going to be his worst enemy. “What do I need to do?” Toshiro asked, unsure that even he could take on Amane, but he had to try.

“Train harder and train more.” The voice behind the cloak handed him a small glowing package. “Take this.”

“What is it?” Toshiro wondered curiously.

“Power that is unfiltered, strong, and deadly.” The voice answered.

“Is it enough to beat him?” Toshiro asked as his eyes narrowed.

“With training, it’ll be enough to amplify your skills and when the time comes; he’ll fall before you.” The figure smirked under the cloak. “You’ll be even stronger than your father.”

Toshiro’s eyes widened as he heard that. He opened the box and saw an orb of power that enveloped in a bright light as the power entered his body. With more power, he could stop Amane where his father couldn’t.

On the outside Toshiro’s body began putting off a mist of ice. “What is going on?” She pulled out a small potion and poured it onto his body. The liquid was unable to be frozen before it seeped into his skin. She then jumped back away from him and stood at a distance.

The light inside his mind made the figure disappear but it was too late for the power to be removed, as it had already been absorbed. The process was beginning, now all he had to do was train and prepare to take out his previous friend.

Toshiro awoke roughly half an hour later. Kitanni was sitting down at the table keeping an eye on him from a distance. With the freezing mist coming from his body, she knew she was better off further away. He sat up and looked around seeing that it was still just him and her. He sighed to himself and saw his breath. “Are you okay?” Toshiro while watching her at the table. 

She nodded slowly,"  I am, just feeling cold at the moment. You were putting off a lot of icy mist from your body up until about twenty five minutes ago. I was afraid that if I stayed too close I’d be frozen.” She replied quietly with a soft smile on her face still, happy that he was alright after his ordeal.

“I’m sorry Kitanni.” He sighed deeply,"  I’m not fully in control of these powers yet.”

“Don’t worry about it, Toshiro. I was happy to be able to help you at all in your time of need. “ She added quietly.

”Thank you.” He nodded. “You should probably go so you can warm up. I’ll catch up with you in a couple days.” He stated. “I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to it.” She said jokingly. “Are you sure you’re okay?” She asked once more, still just worried about him.

“In time I will be, I just need to process things. I still can’t believe what I saw Amane do and the more I think about it the angrier I get. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” He was stern and blunt in his tone even maybe a little cold, though that wasn’t how he meant it towards her.

“I’ll wait for your word and I hope you feel better.” Kitanni said with a smile as she left his home.

“Thank you.” He responded before she exited the house. She smiled at him once more and nodded before leaving.

As she left, Toshin came home. “Be careful, Kitanni, these winds are changing. Please look after yourself.” Toshin asked with concern for her well being. He knew how much she meant to Toshiro, even if his son didn’t fully understand it. 

“I will, sir. Thank you for your concern.” Kitanni replied, bowing to him before she made her way home.

He looks to the skies; Icylyn, please look after her. He entered his home and saw Toshiro sitting on the couch.“Toshiro.”

“Father.” He responded.

“Let’s talk.” Toshin stated sternly.

They sat down at the table and talked for hours. Covering everything that Toshiro had dreamed of, how he felt, and what he thought he needed to do. Toshin didn’t want him to go after Amane but could see there was no stopping him;  his son had a conviction. If this helped him get stronger, he was going to help train him more. Toshin explained that he had only elected to exile Amane. After hearing what Toshiro thought; how he was seemingly convinced that Amane was going to do something bad, there was nothing he could do to stop him but he could prepare his son by teaching him more. There would be blood, one way or another Toshiro was going to stop his old friend.

The following day, Toshin had gone down stairs for training to see Toshiro already training on his own and fully equipped; as he should be. Toshin smiled at his son and prepared himself to the fullest extent possible. He came back out dressed in his full combat gear since this wasn’t a spar any more, it was a battle.

“Father, why are you dressed like you’re going to war?” Toshiro asked, his confusion clearly heard in every word he spoke.

“We are.” He replied sternly. “I will not go easy on you. If you’re going to fight Amane, I can’t hold back against you any more. If I do, you will more than likely not come out of it alive. I hate to say it but he’s far beyond you, myself, and Fujimoto when he’s under the influence of the Underworld. As you saw yesterday, he broke a skill that had never been broken, to my knowledge. He resisted the Cold Stare and broke the lock I placed on him.” Toshin explained. “By going easy on you I will have failed you, son. I have to push your limits so I have to fight you like an enemy.”

“NO! I WON’T.” Toshiro shook his head. “THIS ISN’T WHAT I WANTED.”

“It doesn’t matter, son, YOU need to be ready.” Toshin said calmly as he narrowed his eyes. He drew his blade and began his assault.

Toshin swung his blade down, nicking Toshiro’s armor slightly. Switching sides, he put another similar nick on the other side. He was attempting to get Toshiro to take this seriously by getting closer and closer to his vital areas. He slashed upward with a fast and powerful strike, scratching up his shirt and causing a cut through it.

“Ready to be serious, son?” Toshin asked, while he watched blood drip from the scratch he put on him.

“Fine.” Toshiro said coldly as his body misted at the wound that was closed by freezing it. He drew his blade and as he did so Toshin attacked. 

Toshiro blocked the attack and forced his father back with the frozen blade, created in his hand out of instinct, and continued on the defensive. Toshin continued to get closer and closer, chipping off the ice on the sword. Seeing as his son was finally getting serious, he finally picked up the speed of his attacks. Several slashes in a matter of seconds as the clangs were heard and the light from their clashes lit up the room. Toshin swung his blade from above and was blocked by Toshiro, who froze them together long enough to sling it out of his father's hands. 

Toshin removed a second blade and attacked swiftly. The blade is invisible to the eye due to speed, but was still blocked by a large chunk of ice in front of Toshiro. He smirked,"  A defense worthy of your ancestors.”

Toshiro was breathing hard from exerting so much elemental power but he couldn’t let up. Toshin wasn’t finished yet, he took a lunging stance with his blade being held by his right hand and steadied with his left. This was to be a lunge from point blank range. He shoved his sword forward with enough force to pierce through the ice wall and stop an inch away from Toshiro’s head. He jumped back as Toshin removed his blade and shattered the wall with enough power to have killed his son.

“FATHER, STOP!” He urged him.

However, at this point, it was too late to stop. Toshin had already lunged with a great speed and was coming at him. Instinct kicked in again as Toshiro locked eyes with his father...the Cold Stare activated. Immediately, Toshin stopped in his tracks and turned his blade on himself while he tried to fight it. Toshiro’s Cold Stare was stronger than his own now since he was a fully realized cryomancer. The sweat dripped from his face as the sword pierced his heart. 

Toshin only had enough time left to say one thing,"  I’m sorry, my son...I don’t know what came over me.” Toshin said as his life expired before Toshiro’s eyes.

“Father? FATHER!” Toshiro yelled while shaking uncontrollably. His powers went berserk as the entire house was frozen. Toshiro fell flat on the ground from exhaustion, as an image overtook his thoughts.

The image of Amane killing dozens of people who wouldn’t bow to his rule. His mind was being heavily manipulated and going into a dark lie of false pretenses, but he didn’t know that. Toshiro was going to blame Amane for everything since if it wasn’t for him; his father wouldn’t have needed to train him so harshly. No fault was placed on either of the Shigekazu men for what happened.

Days later, there was a double funeral being held; one for Jade, where only Amane and Fujimoto showed up and the other for Toshin; who had a full funeral with his clan present. Events were seemingly going wrong everywhere. Two people of great importance to the town had passed away within a day of each other, negative omens of events to come.

Amane and Fujimoto stood beside one another, watching as Jade was placed into the ground. The two of them cried silently while they watched one of the most important people in their lives being laid to rest. It was unfortunate that Amane and Fujimoto weren’t able to dress appropriately as they arrived in full armor, having to return to battle. They stayed  armored since the war was still waging on without them and they were potential targets, even more so now than before. Amane was a prime target for everyone in Yama Zengo who was aware of what happened.

Together, they  walked over to Toshiro who was at the head of the proceedings. Amane stood beside him,"  I’m sorry about your father, Toshiro.”

“Get away from me.” Toshiro harshly replied. “You’re the cause of this.” He looked up at him disgusted and angry with Amane.

“I didn’t do anything to him.” Amane said, defending himself while being deeply confused.

“JUST GET BACK, MONSTER.” Toshiro shouted.

Amane sighed somberly,"  Fine, Toshiro. You’ll always be my best friend and I’ll always forgive you.”

“I don’t want to be anything to you any more. Leave now because I’m coming for you as soon as I can.” Toshiro’s eyes were narrowed and full of rage.

Amane walked away in a dark depression that he couldn’t shake or see a light in. First his clan, then his mother, a mentor in Toshin, and now his best friend. He was alone except for his father. He stopped by his mother’s grave one last time. “Goodbye, Mom. I’ll try to visit when I’m able to again. I’m no longer wanted here and for their safety, I’ll leave.” Amane still didn't know what happened...no one told him. He couldn’t understand what was happening in his life and there was nothing he could do about it.

Fujimoto stood next to Toshin’s grave,"  I hope you rest well, my friend. One day, we’ll be reunited.” He took a sip of wine in honor of Toshin. “Keep up your training, Toshiro. It would be best that you let your feelings go on what happened.”

“I won’t, monsters have to be removed.” He said coldly as icy mist came from his body.

“Rethink your plan.” Fujimoto said sternly while placing his hand on Toshiro’s shoulder then walked away.

As the day progressed, the rain moved slowly and began pouring down in the cemetery where Jade and Toshin were buried. Raindrops froze into hail, as Toshiro’s energy poured out in waves of cold. His emotional state had begun freezing the surrounding area. His heart was buried with his father, he pushed his childhood friend away, and he felt entirely alone. He hung his head in sadness as he was drenched by the freezing rain and pelted by the hail.

Amane returned back to the encampment and to his tent, where he began packing everything he had including the tent. Scowls of hatred and anger penetrated his heart and mind. He could no longer return to his home. Shunned by the city and disliked by the inhabitants, his only option was to leave in exile.  As he was leaving, Amane was stopped by Toru.

“Where are you going?” Toru asked, confused but stern. He was the commanding officer of the Assassination Squad and he never approved of Amane leaving.

“I’ve been exiled from home and people here don’t want anything to do with me. The best thing I can do for all of you is; leave.” Amane replied.

Sighing, Toru hugged him,"  I wish you luck, Amane.” He whispered in his ear, “There is a compound in the mountains, a person named Blind lives there. If you think you can make it, I’m sure they’ll welcome you with open arms.”

“Thanks for those directions, Toru.” Amane smiled and hugged him back. “Thanks for everything.”

Toru pulled back from the hug. “I’ll see you again, kid.”

“Count on it.” Amane said with confidence.

Fujimoto had come up during their talk and stared at Amane,"  Where to son?”

“A compound in the mountains.” He replied with a shrug. “Nowhere else to go.”

“Ah, Blind and the mythical compound.” Fujimoto said jokingly.

“It’s worth a shot since I have no home or anything else.” Amane said depressed, as the darkness began taking over his mind.

“You may be leaving but you’ll always have me.” Fujimoto said as he hugged his son tightly. “Remember to keep your head up and keep training. When all seems lost; remember your basics and remember the good times. Your mother wouldn’t want you to be depressed, but I understand, it’s going to take some time to get over everything that has happened. Stay safe and stay strong.” He hugged him tighter.

“Thanks Dad.” Amane replied as he hugged his father for the last time, tears coming down his face. It was a somber note to leave on but he had no choice. He wiped his face off with his sleeve before walking off. “See ya on the other side.” He waved goodbye, as he made his way out of the gate.

Fujimoto’s eyes teared up as his son left him, for the last time. Everything started to turn around while he was fighting alongside him, then took a dive quickly. This was it, his son was gone. Exiled for avenging his wife, Amane had grown up and was taking responsibility.