Forgotten Memories

The Reawakening

There was a big celebration in the village that night. The Shaman Fight had come to a conclusion which meant the ending of the busy months for the Patch tribe. Although no king was declared, everybody was joyous because the biggest threat that ever existed had been successfully exterminated. The man, Yohken Asakura, who should have been Shaman King if not for his untimely death was able to defeat his greatest foe. The original Hao was said to be a member of the famous shamanic clan, the Asakuras. They said Hao was the reincarnation of one of the Asakura clan members who sought the annihilation of ordinary humans. They said also that he had the ability to reincarnate himself whenever, wherever and whomever he chooses.

While everybody drunk and danced around a huge bonfire, Argon withdrew himself from the crowd. He walked towards his hut pondering on the recent events that took place in his life. He had lost both the man he had known as father as well as the woman he had loved to an evil priest who had just died recently. Justice had been served but he was not entirely happy. He couldn't bring his father back and his one true love was far away -- never to be heard of until he flicked open the lamp to illuminate his hut. There she was sitting on his straw bed and crooning a little infant to sleep.

"Anya, you're back!" Argon hurried to her and enclosed her in a tight hug.

"I've come back to see my husband or what remains of him…." The woman broke from the embrace and closed her eyes as tears began to flow down her cheeks.

"They threw his body out in the desert. I tried to convince the council for his proper burial but they objected."

The young woman let out a bitter sob upon hearing the inhumane decision of the tribal council.

"Why did you come back, Anya? He left you there to save you. You and your son are in grave danger here."

"I want to be closest to Hao as much as possible and my home is here Argon. There's nowhere I could run to."

"Up to the very end, it is Hao that you still longed for…" Argon's voice trembled with hurt. "Although my father made very unpopular decisions, the council always respected him. But alas, my father is gone because of your husband…" Anya lowered her head in shame and despair. "Nonetheless, I will fill in the position and will try my best to persuade the council to let you stay here."

Argon brushed off the hair covering the fainted girl's face before he placed his right palm over her bleeding forehead. His master, Hao Asakura had laid her by the bonfire so she can be dried without removing her clothing. The shaman had ordered him also to heal her wounds before retreating into the deeper part of the cave. It was a rather odd instruction coming from Hao since he was enemies with the itako and her friends.

Hao must have liked this girl really well. Argon thought. He remembered the first time Hao showed him a picture of the girl he was going to haunt in her sleep. There was a great resemblance between Anna Kyouyama and the troubled young woman who came to him 15 years ago. Argon smiled when realization had dawned on him. This is her fate. Ayako's daughter would continue her unfinished business.

Anna's wounds had finally healed. Argon stared at her tear-stained cheeks and caressed them lovingly. Anya, it's been more than 500 years since we last saw each other. We will never part again….

Anna jolted upwards when she heard angry shouts coming from outside. She was lying on a straw bed in one of the Patch village huts again although this one was smaller than the previous. There were no divisions or rooms much like a bachelor's pad in the current days. She felt a bit dizzy and there was a throbbing ache in her right temple. She went to the hut's entrance and hid behind the wooden door so nobody could spot her snooping around. She saw again the young woman called Anya crying hysterically while being held firmly by a man who looked a lot like Hao's new spirit, Argon.