This is a book about my anime story of me, the writer, Joshua. My book The Tenth Akatsuki combines mystery, saga, love, and intrigue into a complex and atmospheric novel. Joshua Oldt, an empathetic individual growing up in the Hidden Rain grows a fr...
I walked deeper into the cave hoping I can find an end to this exhausting tunnel. It felt like I have been walking for hours on end and the stretch of this cave was getting more and more pungent with a humid moldy smell. The ground got more slippery and I used the wall to level myself hoping that Konan and Aislinn were alright by themselves. "Konan!"
I heard someone calling my name from deep within the cave in the form of an echo - could it be that Konan had found a way around? "Konan! I'm right here!" I called out but there was no answer, so I hurried my pace towards the voice. I was too reckless because this rush made me slip and slide down a slope scraping my elbows. I recovered quickly and got up seeing that I reached a closed cavern with a glowing blue pond in the center. It didn't look like regular water because it was glowing like it was made of some sort of condensed chakra. I heard my name again but I realized it was a man's voice and it was coming from the pond. I neared it looking slightly into the water seeing my reflection, trying to see where the sound was coming from, until something weird happened. My reflection changed.
It wobbled and I squinted trying to make out what it was, until a hand emerged from the water startling me. I quickly jumped back, preparing myself for whatever was there. The figure got out of the water and coughed as if they were trapped in there for a while, however that is not what scared me. This person - he looked like Yahiko.
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The Yahiko look alike stood up, coughed a bit of water, then looked at me. "Joshua? - Is that you?" I stepped back in shock, seeing my deceased best friend alive in front of my own eyes. I thought it was a form of Genjutsu, so I tried to undo it but nothing changed. Yahiko looked at me with a sad look and teared up.
"Yahiko? - Is that really you?" I couldn't believe my eyes. He was there in front of me almost in tears. I walked up to him and hugged him tight. "Yahiko! You are here." He hugged back equally as tight and burst into tears. "Joshua - I'm sorry for leaving you and Konan alone - I'm sorry for pushing you to live by my ideals - I just wanted us to be happy," he cried breaking my heart. It was really him - he was really here with me. "Don't blame yourself Yahiko - Konan and I made our own decision in walking in your footsteps - you told me I could do it - that you were that bridge for me - I couldn't let you down."
He pulled away looking into my eyes. "You would never let me down - you were the brother I never had Joshua - I've been watching over you all these years and I don't blame you for what you have tried to achieve, but you need to know that some people can't be trusted - they walk into your life and offer you things only to achieve their own selfless dreams, with you as a cover for their plans," he said then froze and stepped back - "My projection is weakening," he said faintly and stepped back treading into the water, then coughed a bit. "I wanted to stay with you a while longer Joshua - I also have something to tell you." I didn't want to let go of him and stepped into the water to stay by his side. "Yes?"
"I met your parents - they are really sweet people - your mother wants to tell you that you should take care of yourself and stay healthy - she is very proud of you - and -" Yahiko's words started to get weaker and weaker as he stepped back to the center of the pond, while I trudged towards him, trying to understand what he was saying. He smiled, taking my hand. "Come talk to them - come with me Joshua," Yahiko said with the calmest smile. I really wanted to see them so I nodded and followed him, but as I stepped forward I fell down into a hole in the center of the pond with Yahiko. He hugged me tight but I didn't have time to hold my breath and we sunk down as quickly as a heavy rock. My lungs couldn't take the pressure and my ears started to throb with unbearable pain at the pressure of the water the more we dropped down - I looked to Yahiko and my eyes widened at what I saw - this wasn't Yahiko - it was a serpent looking creature with shining eyes and sharp teeth. What have I gotten myself in to?
