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Part 24: Searching for answers brings more questions

Info

Writer

Dougurasu

Character Introductions

The Mystery Man reveals himself to be Baku

Character Deaths

-

Arcs

Hikari Crystals Arc

Timeline Entries

The Story

Endless Rain

Part 24: Searching for answers brings more questions

© Dougurasu

“Nagata?” Hitori cried out, “What’s wrong?”

The rain seemed endless. Luckily the Mikomi Tribe’s village has its precautions against flooding. Most of the buildings rest on poles and the roads in the village are a meter higher than normal ground level.

After capturing the Pearl of the Ocean, Nagata had been thinking if he should tell others about the mysterious old man, who had told him about the Hikari Crystals and had used a stone in a pot full of water to show the entrance to the cave. Eventually he decided.

“There’s something I need to tell you, Lady Hitori.”

Hana was still sitting with Hitori. Hitori got up and approached the young council member.

“About the Crystals?” Hitori guessed.

“Yeah…” Nagata started, “The opening of the cave that led to our finding the Pearl. I know who opened that cave.”

Hana got up too, “What did you say?”

Nagata looked down to his feet, “He is the one that gave Zesshou weapons when we were fighting the Sendo. Shuhan told me he was his friend. Shuhan was going to explain everything to him, but he never got the chance."

"He knew Shuhan?!" Hitori asked, "I really like to talk to that person."

Uninterrupted Nagata continued, "The only problem is that person… doesn’t want to be seen. He’s an old friend of mine. In fact I’m his only friend and he likes to be left alone. He loves his privacy.”

“Yes, yes. That’s not all that important. Where is that person?” Hana yelled.

Hitori looked up, “Hana, that’s not like you at all!”

Hana stopped and looked at her friend with wide-open eyes, “You’re right… I – I’m sorry.” She looked at Nagata and apologised to him too.

“Heh, it’s okay.” Nagata said casually, “I think this whole crystal business is getting the best of us. We’re getting way too serious over this.”

Hitori nodded, “True, but I do believe we need to go see that friend of you, now. We need to find out where the other four crystals are, before the Sendo do so.”

Nagata smiled, “Agreed. But only the three of us can go. I don’t want to startle him, and I don’t want anyone else to know where he lives.”

“Is anyone home?” Kino asked.

One of his neighbours opened the door, “Yes, I’m home. What do you want?” Kino’s arrogance was widely known among the villagers.

“Well… I have a problem…” Kino tried hard to cover up the truth. “I seem to… uhm… have pooped… on the carpet…”

His neighbour blinked a few times. “You… what?”

’I don’t want them to know I found a child in the forest! I don’t want them to take away the child I never had! So… I absolutely can’t tell that she… pooped on the carpet. This is so sad’ Kino thought.

“Mister!” Nagata yelled.

Hitori and Hana had joined him to search for his old friend. All three were soaking wet and were standing in the middle of the forest.

“Are you sure… this is the place?” Hitori asked.

Nagata nodded, “Yeah, this is the place I always meet him, when he asks me to come. I don’t really know where he lives. I'm afraid I don't know his name either... He never mentioned it to me. Mister!”

An armored man emerged from the bushes. “Yes, I’m here,” He said.

“Mister!” Nagata smiled, “We found the Pearl of the Ocean!”

“I know you have.” The mysterious man answered, “And I know why you are here.”

Hitori approached the man, “That’s good. Then you can tell us where the other four crystals are, can’t you?”

The man sighed, “I gave you a sign. The next crystal is already near you. You just have to look for it.”

Hana piped up, “But we don’t know where to look! You have to give us some sign if you can!”

The mysterious man turned away, “My father has told me… not to give you a sign. The sign has already been given in the form of an arrow from an old tribe.”

“Hey, didn’t Zesshou mention something about an arrow?” Hana said.

“Your father? Who is your father?” Nagata inquired, “And why does he know about the crystal?”

“My father?” The man grinned, “You all know my father.”

“We do?” Hitori asked unbelieving.

The man laughed, “Yes, because… my father’s name is Afrain. My name is Baku.”

“WHAT?!” Nagata cried.

Sitting in her tree Moyasu pondered on what she was going to do when suddenly Wevli, Wevles and Wevlum walked by.

“Hey!” Wevlum said, “Aren’t you the girl who treated my injury?”

Moyasu froze, “You must be mistaking me for someone else.”

The crowd that had gathered looked at her in amazement.

Moyasu couldn't take it anymore, “By the hand of Afrain, have you never seen a Chi Tribe member in a tree before?!”

Realising she had mentioned she was a Chi member she knocked herself on the head, lost her balance and fell down ten meters into a bush.

“She’s from the Chi Tribe? Impossible!” Wevli said.

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