The samurai: the love across time and space

Chapter seven: return to Earth

After Shiro's desperate action, he regained his senses, rushing to Keith's side as his friend collapsed.

"Keith...Keith!" Shiro called out, his voice filled with concern as he knelt beside Keith, gently placing his hands on his unconscious friend. "Keith, I'm sorry...please, open your eyes."

Alert to the approaching footsteps, Romelle quickly went on the defensive, positioning herself protectively in front of Shiro and Keith.

"Ironic, isn't it..." Allura's voice resonated as she neared them, her presence commanding attention. "The same situation... the same spot."

"You couldn't be more wrong. Shiro was able to stop himself," Romelle cut in, her voice filled with determination, her gaze fixed with an angry glare upon Allura.

"Perhaps you are correct," Allura acknowledged, subtly sidestepping Romelle, her focus shifting towards Shiro and Keith. "Now, take this and return to your world. You never belonged to this world, you are a foreigner who stumbled upon ours."

"I can't leave Keith," Shiro responded firmly, his resolve unwavering in the face of Allura's words.

"Allura, you are the one who injured him," Romelle interjected, her voice laced with accusation. "Listen to me...Hannya is utilizing the formidable power of the Tree of Ages to enhance her daemon powers."

Shiro's eyes widened with realization. "The Tree of Ages?"

Allura nodded solemnly. "Yes, it is part of the Great Tree, connected to different times and many worlds. However, Hannya's tree extracts energy from various eras and matures it in her own realm."

Confusion clouded Shiro's expression. "What does that mean?"

"By now, another time period has frozen over. In your world, it is currently trapped in an everlasting winter," Allura revealed with a heavy tone.

Meanwhile, Coran back in Aurs observed something unexpected. "Oh dear... it's suddenly gotten so cold," he remarked, noticing a flower bud being carried away by the wind. "All this time, as the flowers were about to bloom, this is what happened."

Shiro stood resolute, facing the well, with Allura following closely behind. As they reached the well, Shiro noticed the roots sprouting from its depths, growing at an alarming rate.

"New growth is forming..." Shiro observed, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"This well senses the wood from the Tree of Ages. Its vital life force has lain dormant all these years, and now it is being awakened by the Tree of Ages," Allura explained, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "If the well becomes covered over, you will never be able to pass through to your own time. You must return to your own world while you still have a chance."

Shiro felt torn between his loyalty to his friends and the desperate need to save Keith. "But I can't just leave my friends. I came so far with them," he protested, his voice filled with determination.

"You and Keith live in different worlds..." Allura began, her voice trailing off as she summoned her own powers, pushing Shiro forcefully.

Resisting against Allura's power, Shiro planted his feet firmly on the ground. "I won't... I made a promise to be at Keith's side, and I don't care who stands in my way!" His voice grew louder, his determination unwavering. "I won't back down anymore!"

Allura sensed Shiro's resolute power pushing back, briefly surprised by his strong will. However, she quickly turned the tide, capitalizing on Shiro's weakened state, forcefully pushing him through the well.

"Ahh!!!!!!" Shiro let out a cry as he fell into the astral depths of the well, his voice fading into the darkness.

"You must never be with Keith again..." Allura whispered, her voice tinged with sadness. "Nor I, for I am one of the dead, and as such... I too don't belong here."