Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Hearts in Conflict
—Shiro!? —Kaien shouted, running down the hallway with tousled hair.
—He's not in his bed! —Akari alerted, checking every room.
Kumo sniffed frantically while the kids searched under futons, stairs, and even empty pots.
—Look! —Haru shouted, pointing out the window.
Everyone peeked out... and fell silent.
Shiro was perched on a tree branch, fighting with a monkey throwing rotten fruit at him.
—I got here first! That doesn't count, you used your foot! Aaah, that was a betrayal!! —Shiro yelled, dodging a moldy mango.
—Is he arguing with the monkey...? —Akari asked.
—And losing? —added Kaien, bewildered.
—Nyaaa... —Kumo snorted, bringing a paw to his face.
The kids burst out laughing.
—Win, Horny! Don't give up! —Mei shouted.
—Kick that furry butt! —Riku added.
—Use your horns as a tree hook! —Haru suggested enthusiastically.
Shiro dropped down with feline agility, landing on his feet.
—I'm fine! I just needed some air... and to teach that fruit thief not to mess with me.
Kaien ruffled his hair with a smile. Akari sighed with relief. Kumo circled around in a welcoming gesture.
Suddenly, Shiro looked at Hanzo seriously.
—Thanks for saving me... but... do you really think it was a monster who attacked my village?
—What do you mean? —Hanzo asked.
Shiro lowered his gaze.
—What if... it was me?
Silence hung heavy.
Hanzo crouched down, placing a hand on his shoulder.
—No child is born a monster. But some carry wounds the world doesn't see. And even so, they are still children.
Shiro nodded, but his eyes shone with doubt.
—
Kaien looked at Shiro.
He thought about Raiko... about his gaze before he was lost.
We both wanted to protect something...
He closed his eyes with sorrow.
I just hope I don't make the same mistake he did.
Later...
Kaien, Akari, Shiro, and Kumo got ready. The next ingredient for the potion: the heart of a creature with magical essence, only found deep in the Stone Forest.
Hanzo gave them supplies, and before they left, he placed a white flower on the altar where his wife's portrait rested.
—Now you protect them —he whispered.
The path was tough: sharp stones, thick fog, branches like claws.
—Look, Kumo found a shortcut! —Shiro announced.
—Nyaa-meeeow-row —Kumo meowed, jumping among the rocks.
—You mean this smells like foot soup? —Shiro asked, scratching his head.
—Mraow! —Kumo protested, whiskers bristling.
—Hey! Don't insult me just because I don't speak feline!
Akari laughed.
—At least they don't scratch each other anymore.
—Not yet —Kaien replied, dodging both just in case.
—
Finally, they reached a clearing.
A majestic creature awaited them: a deer's body, hawk wings, big eyes, and an expression... deeply serene.
—That is... —Kaien whispered— the being of magical essence.
—Why have you come? —the creature asked with a voice like wind through leaves.
Shiro stepped back, alarmed.
—It can talk...?!
—I can talk, think... and feel —the creature said—. Does my life matter less because I can't express it in words?
Akari stepped forward, eyes lowered.
—We need your heart. To save my mother.
The being looked at them... and there was no anger on its face. Only compassion.
—Saving someone you love... at the cost of another who also loves?
Kaien tried to speak, but no words came out.
—I have lived centuries. I saw war and peace. Witnessed hatred... and noble acts. But it never stops hurting to be treated as just a means to an end. Do what you must, I know I cannot defend myself from you.
Akari trembled.
—I'm sorry —she whispered—. We are not killers.
She took a step back. Shiro and Kaien followed.
The being watched them, and its eyes softened.
—Then there is still hope for humans.
They said no more. They left... without what they came for.
—
That night, they camped under a clear sky.
Shiro slept face down, with Kumo on top like a furry blanket. Kaien stirred the fire. Akari sat silently, apart.
Kaien approached her.
—You did the right thing.
—What if that kills my mother? —she said without looking at him.
Kaien sat beside her.
—I don't have the answer. But if your mother taught you to fight for what's right... she also taught you there are battles you don't win with a sword.
Akari broke down.
—I don't want to lose her... I don't want to...!
Kaien hugged her. Strong. Human.
—You won't lose her. Not as long as you're willing to keep trying.
She didn't answer. But she didn't move away.
—
High above, the moon shone. Silent. Witness to hard decisions.
And to the invisible weight... they leave in the heart.
| Author's Note |
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