The Land of Dawn (ML Fanfic)

5. whispers

He removed the red jixou bands that were strapped to his body ever since day one. His hands grew numb from holding the orbs that contained the red vile of Immortality.

Saber was expecting him about an hour ago yet here he is, stuck in the Muddy pit.

He was ambushed by Alice, the Demon Mage, the succubus, the enemy of all elves when he was on his way to the quarters.

Alice had a certain thirst for viles, especially those that would keep her alive forever.

Hayabusa was lucky enough to use his Shadow skill to escape from Alice's wrath. But even if he escaped the jaws of defeat, it would take him long enough to go back home.

The Muddy pit is a hundred miles away from the quarters and he has to stay vigilant for the leering Alice might ambush him again.

He placed one of his swords behind him and held only one on his hands. He placed the red vile inside the Glass orb Natalia gave him to secure it.

He started his reroute back home.

The sun was up and forest was dewy. He was sweating so hard that he was forced to remove some of his jixou straps. He wiped his forehead which was infested with sweat and he set a slow yet consistent beeline towards home.

He passed by a cherry blossom tree on his way to the Gem Alley. The tree reminded him of someone close to his heart, Kagura.

His childhood friend and his secret first love.

Kagura went after him when she learned that he was on a voyage towards the Land of Dawn. But they never saw each other, their paths never crossed during their way to the promised land.

Hayabusa almost got to the Land of Dawn but he realized, he was not worthy to enter it. He was not to enter that place alone. He needed to enter it with Kagura beside him but she... she was nowhere near him.

"Anata ga inakute sabishīdesu" I miss you, he subtly whispered, almost matching the wind's silent breeze.

He let out a strained sigh and continued his walk back to the quarters.

He was nearing home when a woosh of wind somewhat turned him deaf. He saw a pink umbrella with the yin yang sign emblazoned on its surface.

It only belonged to one person.

Kagura.

His breath quickened, his heart's rhythm turned erratic. His sight turned hazy. His palms were sweating profusely. He was hyped to see his childhood love.

"Kagura?" He shouted, sounding too hopeful.

He uttered her name again but no one responded, no Kagura appeared.

He shook his head and slapped his cheeks. Maybe he was imagining things. His longing for Kagura fed his fantasies and now he is beyond demented.

With shoulders slumped, he went on his way.

His last memory of her was her sleeping, with eyes closed, breath calm and her lips were supple and pink. Her cheeks were soft as the roses on a warm summer day.

She was sleeping when he left her. He snuck up to her room to say goodbye, even with hushed tones and hopeful whispers. His quest for the promised land rid him off his chance to be with the love of his life.

He longed for her and he knew, she felt the same way for him.

They will find their way to each other when the day comes.

The sun has set and dusk fell, his hope intensified; his heart warm and full of love for the woman that kept him going.

In the silence of his heart, he prayed that Kagura is safe; far from the grasps of his feared enemies.

With the daylight growing thin and his stomach grumbling, Hayabusa decided to rest under the shade of a street for a while.

He sat himself and picked the strawberries that were hanging on the vines that were near him.

"You still love strawberries huh?" A voice so familiar to him, said. He had goosebumps as he slowly lifted his head to see the owner of the sweet, poignant voice.

"Kagura." He managed to whisper.

Upon seeing Hayabusa for the first time since he left home, she gave him a sweet smile and instantaneously, ever so subtly, without a word, she disappeared.

(Art by David Tan)