Then Akihira and Ichitsu see a mysterious man, come from atop the beast holding two swords. The same place where the giant sword had pierced it.
"Who in the world are you?!" Both Akihira and Ichitsu ask.
"None of your business." The Stranger says to them angrily.
Akihira and Ichitsu then try to stand up but fail then the stranger reaches his hand out to help them stand.
"Take my hand." the man says.
"Thanks." Ichitsu Says.
"But we're in no condition to get back to the camp." Ichitsu thinks.
"MAN, YOUR POWER IS AMAZING! SO COOL!" Akihira says in amazement.
Akihira seemed to remind the stranger of someone from his past.
The stranger then has a flashback.
"WOOOW! THAT WAS AMAZING!" A mysterious man said with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Something wrong?" Ichitsu asks.
"Huh, no. It's nothing." the stranger says.
"Why does this kid resemble him so much?" The stranger thinks.
"Alright-" The stranger says.
"What?" Ichitsu asks.
"I'll help you get back to wherever you live." The stranger says.
"But we don't live here." Akihira says with a dumb face.
Ichitsu then smacks Akihira on the head with an angry expression.
"We literally do, you damn idiot." Ichitsu says angrily.
"OW! OW! OW! That hurt!" Akihira says.
"Anyway, there's a campsite nearby set up by the town's people of Farvein, It'll be great if you can help us get there." Ichitsu says.
"Why? Did something happen to Farvein?" The Stranger asks.
"Yeah, It was attacked and burned down. It was a massacre." Akihira says sadly while looking down and clenching his fists.
"BURNED DOWN?! BY WHO?!" The Stranger suddenly asks.
"Some demon just attacked the town out of nowhere." Itchitsu says.
"Demons? Here?" The stranger thinks.
"They were being led by a guy who had a dark green aura, he said his name was 'Rolgith'." Ichitsu says.
"One of the 'Thorns of Hell'. DAMMIT! I never should've believed that monstrous bastard." the stranger says in an angry tone.
"It was horrible, they burned down everything in their sight, and people were being mercilessly slaughtered. We tried to help as many as we could, but a lot of lives were also lost." Akihira says as he clenches his fists, thinking about Kushi.
"If only we were stronger, we could've prevented this disaster." Ichitsu says in a sad tone.
"You did all you could, and I'm very grateful. I'll help you get back." The stranger says.
The Stranger then lends a shoulder to Akihira, and they start moving towards the campsite.
"So, who are you anyway?" Ichitsu asks.
"My name is Ishihaya Tsuraseki, and l was on my way back to Farvein." replies Ishihaya.
"Why were you going to Farvein?" Akihira asks..
"It's where I live." Ishihaya replies.
"Wait, you live there?!" Ichitsu and Akihira both ask in a shocked tone.
"Yeah, I was actually heading back from a long journey from another continent. Haven't seen the town or its people in four years or so.
"Must've been one heck of a journey. What's it called?" Akihira asks.
"Sure was." Ishihaya laughs off Akihira's question.
"Looks like we're almost there." Ishihaya says.
Ishihaya, Akihira, and Ichitsu approach the cam,p and as they arrive, Sugita rushes towards them. Ishihaya puts down Akihira.
"Ishihaya, you're back home!" Sugita runs towards him and hugs him.
"Sugita, I'm back." Ishihaya replies.
The town's people welcome Ishihaya home and carry akihira and ichitsu into shelter. Sugita follows and starts to heal them again.
"Thanks, Sugita!" Akihira says while groaning in pain.
"Don't do something so reckless ever again!" Sugita scolds them.
"Come on, you know I wo-" Akihira stops talking as he sees the look of genuine concern on sugita's face.
"Okay fine, I won't do something as reckless as that ever again." Akihira says to sugita.
"Promise?" Sugita asks.
"Promise." Akihira says as he sighs.
Just as he says that, Ishihaya walks in the tent.
"So, they all healed?" he asks Sugita.
"I'm all done." Sugita replies.
Ishihaya: "Good, I need to talk to you for a moment."
Sugita: "Um... sure."
Ishihaya: "I heard what happened to the village from those two. Do you know where Kus—?"
Sugita cuts him off, her voice trembling.Sugita: "He's gone, Uncle... They killed Father."
Ishihaya: "Wh... WHAT?!"
He staggers back in disbelief.
Ishihaya: "But—how?! Who did this?!"
Before Sugita can respond, his eyes widen in realization.
Ishihaya: "...Rolgith. That bastard..."
His fists clench as rage fills his voice.
Ishihaya: "So this is how it begins... The first step in their plan to wipe out the population. Damn it! I didn't think they'd strike so soon. I'll make him pay—I'm heading for the Central Plateau."
Just as he says that, Akihira and Ichitsu step out of the tent, having overheard the conversation.
Akihira & Ichitsu: "Wipe out the population?!"
Akihira: "Wait—what's the Central Plateau?"
Ichitsu: "I think it's more commonly called the Shadow King's Plateau now."
Akihira: "The Shadow King... But why would the guy who attacked the town be connected to him?"
Ishihaya says nothing, his silence heavy.
Ichitsu narrows his eyes.Ichitsu: "He's working for him... isn't he?"
Akihira: "What?"
Ichitsu:"Rolgith works for the Shadow King."
Ishihaya still doesn't respond, but the look on his face says it all.
Ichitsu: "...I knew it."
Akihira: "You mean to tell me that green freak works for the Shadow King?!"
His voice rises, filled with anger.
Akihira: "If this is just the beginning... then what happened to Farvein could happen to the rest of Esharia."
Ishihaya: "That's exactly what's going to happen. They call it the 'Esharia Wipeout Plan.' In four months... it begins."
Akihira: "No. No way! We can't let that happen! Take me with you, Ishihaya!"
Ichitsu: "Yeah! I want to fight too!"
Ishihaya: "No. You'll only get in the way."
Akihira: "Damn it!!"
He slams his fist into the ground, frustration burning in his voice.
Ichitsu thinks to himself, clenching his jaw."If only we had control over our powers..."
Ishihaya lets out a long sigh... then smirks slightly.
Ishihaya: "...I'll train you."
Akihira & Ichitsu: "Wait—seriously?!"
Ichitsu: "But... how? Your powers are totally different from ours."
Ishihaya: "I have my ways. I'll give you a week to recover. Rest up. Then your training begins."
[A few days later...]
Akihira and Ichitsu approach him with determination in their eyes.
Akihira: "We're ready to train."
Ichitsu: "Our wounds are healed. Let's do this."
Ishihaya raises a brow, surprised.Ishihaya: "Only three days... Huh. You two might just have what it takes."
He turns, leading them toward a vast, open field just outside Farvein.
END OF CHAPTER 6