An Old Friend

???: “A-Astro? Is that you buddy?”

Astro: “H-Huh? Wh-What?”

Astro wasn’t drunk, but he was still recovering from the previous night and had just woken up to a weird person in front of him.

???: “It’s your friend, Zai. Remember me? I enrolled in the Royal Forces of Algeron with you. Remember? You taught me how to properly hold a sword. We ate together a few times.”

Astro: “Z-Zai?! What the hell are you doing alive?”

Zai: “I could say the same for you, but what are you doing laying out here? You were getting some looks from people and when I passed by, I had to get closer to see if it was really you.”

Zai was a little older than Astro, although he was still in good shape. When he had enrolled in the Royal Forces of Algeron, he really did not know what he was doing, but he did so in order to make a living for his family because they were promised large amounts of petals before betraying each unit.

He had short black hair and wore a richly embellished tunic, braided leather belt, and a pair of sturdy boots. A mixture of Earthly tones soothed the colors together with brown, green, and grey, coupled with vibrant hues of royal blue. He wore a gold bronze necklace around his neck that resembled three small keys intertwined.

Zai: “You don’t look so hot. Can I invite you to my place? My wife is making lunch as we speak. Please, I insist you come with me.”

Astro: “It worked out with Rinaya, huh?”

Zai: “Yeah, we are happier than ever. I’ve got 3 little ones too. Arisuka, Yunari, and Kaesora. Come on, you can meet them in person.”

Astro: “Yeah, sure.”

…

Zai: “Hey honey, sorry, but can you make food for one more? We have a guest.”

Rinaya: “Sure, who’s with you? A-Astro?! Is that you? It’s been 20 years! H-How are you doing?”

Astro: “You still recognize this old face?”

Rinaya: “Old? Get out of here. If you're old, then we are ancient. Please, sit, sit. Lunch will be done in a little bit. I’m making sushi, just waiting for the rice to be done.”

Zai: “Where are the kids?”

Rinaya: “They fell asleep, but I will wake them soon.”

Zai: “That’s okay. I will get them. Let me know when everything is done. I’m going to show Astro around…There isn’t much, but it's enough compared to what I had. Let’s go upstairs. Just be quiet though, so they can sleep a little longer. They all sleep in one room for right now. Hopefully I can afford a bigger place when I get older.”

Zai brought him into the shared room for them while whispering. Astro looked at the three of them, peacefully sound asleep. Memories flooded into him of his times with Zai 20 years ago.

Astro: “They look just like you.”

Zai: “I know right. Arisuka is 5 now, Yunari is 3, and Kaesore is only 7 months old. Rinaya has taught me how to properly wrap diapers after all these years. I sure got an earful about it early on haha. What about you? Did you ever end up with anyone special?”

Astro: N-No, not really. Nobody special. Just trying to find my way.”

Zai: “Ah, I see. Nothing wrong with that. Finding yourself is the greatest gift of all. You’ll find your way. Don’t worry. Please, go downstairs. Lunch is almost done and I need to wake them.”

Astro slowly headed off downstairs to the table where Rinaya had almost everything ready. He sat down at the side of the table, not really knowing what to say, but tried to start a conversation.

Astro: “H-How’s everything been?”

Rinaya: “We are fine, Astro. Thanks for asking. What have you been up to all of these years? Please don’t take this the wrong way, but did something happen recently? You surely do not look your best.”

Astro: “Th-That…Yeah, kind of.”

Rinaya: “We honestly did not believe that you were alive. Zai hasn’t gone 1 month without bringing your name up at least once. He even checks in at the local ministry in town to see if your name ever shows up. He always knew it probably wasn’t the case, but the ministry here houses names all across the world as a keepsake honor for people, but your name never appeared. Would you like some water?”

Astro: “N-No, I’m okay. I actually don’t live far from here. Isn’t that crazy?”

Rinaya: “What?! Where do you live? He could never find you!”

Astro: “About 3 miles down in that small row of houses that are stacked on top of each other. I live in one of the bottom ones, but I’m never there. Actually, I haven’t been here in a long time prior to the past month. It’s been years since I came back and it isn’t under my name. Is that what you call fate or a coincidence?”

Rinaya: “Well, we certainly know that you don’t believe in fate, Astro. Neither do we, so let’s call it a coincidence that brought good people together. Still, I can’t believe we’ve never seen you and you have lived here all this time.”

All of their daughters ran down the stairs at once and hugged their mother before feasting their eyes on the delicious food that they smelled from upstairs. Kaesore could only waddle like a baby, but she eventually followed in her older sister's footsteps.

They sat down without acknowledging Astro and all said simultaneously, “Thank you for the food!”

Zai: “Ah, ah, ah! What did I say upstairs? You are supposed to say hello and introduce yourself to people that you have just met.”

Arisuka: “Do I have to daddy? I mean, he kind of smells.”

Zai: “Arisuka! Apologize to the man.”

Arisuka: “I’m sorry for saying you smell mister.”

Astro smirked and shrugged it off responding with, “That’s okay. Eat up as much as you can. You need to grow nice and strong to protect your parents here.”

Rinaya: “Yes, you all should listen to the nice man who you rudely cast aside before even saying hello. Isn’t that right ladies?”

They all shook their heads as they continued to devour the sushi in front of them. Rinaya sat down to help the baby eat some rice and Zai joined them at the head of the table.

Zai: “Everyone, this is Astro. We worked together in the past. He’s joining us for today…Say Astro, I didn’t even ask, but what are you doing for work? Anything new? After all these years, I don’t even know what you have been doing since then.”

Astro: “I’ve been at the guild here sometimes taking requests, but mostly at other guilds that take me from place to place.”

Zai: “You’ve been here?! At this guild?!”

Astro: “Only a few times in the past few years. That’s why I haven’t seen you much.”

Rinaya: “Honey, Astro said that he has a place not too far from here also. He just doesn’t use it very much, so it was unlikely for us to see him.”

Astro: “Yeah, I’m always moving around usually. Selling swords and chaplets goes for a high price. What is it you do nowadays?”

Zai: “Well, I couldn’t give up what you taught me, so I harnessed it throughout the years. I do take quests every once in a while for certain D or F tier missions to earn some cash, but I am at the Lion Temple teaching people how to use their sword. It’s mostly for kids, but every now and then we get some older people who still want to learn before they pass on. I admire that from them. The majority of the world would just say screw it and not try to continue to learn when they know their time has come, but those that still carry a passion is what keeps my passion alive.”

Astro: “What happened after that night if I may ask?”

Zai: “Ha ha ha, maybe I can explain that outside when we are done. Let’s enjoy the food for now. I still have a lot of questions to ask you. After all, I got 20 years worth.”

Astro, Zai, and his family conversed for over 2 hours before they finished talking. Rinaya and Zai truly loved talking with Astro even about the little things, but he just felt out of place mentally and even they could tell. She knew how much of an influence Astro was in Zai’s life and she thanked him over and over before he went outside with Zai.

Astro: “Sorry if I asked too many questions. My head isn’t in the right spot right now.”

Zai: “No, you are perfectly fine. That was lovely. My wife really enjoyed your presence. She wishes for you to come back every week for lunch. The kids really liked you too once they got to know you. Sorry, I know they can be a pain sometimes and say things that they shouldn’t. Say Astro, I want to answer your question, but before that, tell me, what are you hiding? I haven’t seen you in forever and then all of a sudden you are sleeping against a wall on the sidewalk. What’s going on? What happened to you? Do you need Petals?”

Astro: “No it’s not like that. It’s Nothing. I’m fine.”

Zai: “Tch, that damn mind of yours always closing things off. Well, I don’t blame you. I saw your eyes back then and it was tunnel vision, although…I see something different in them now. I wish you would’ve taught me more than the sword. I could’ve learned a lot from you. Still can. When I see you again, you better have an answer for me. You know that I always liked to expose your weak side even though you hated it, but I’ll answer your question from earlier for now. Let’s see, where do I start? I guess, 20 years ago when we were split into different groups, I hadn't seen you since that day. Our group of 20 did not do well. Needless to say, we were killed off because of King Lucian Valen’s decision to do away with us.”

A flashback occurred in Zai’s head of back then, as he continued the story, visually remembering what had happened on that night…

Zai: “We need to head to the barracks! We can hide in there!”

Zai fought alongside his friends and colleagues in the midst of a stormy night where rainfall pelted them like gunshots. Hail poured down, soaking them along with the ground that caused the battlefield to become slippery and uneven.

Zai, Renji, Toma, and a few more of his friends headed off to the barracks while others died fighting against the king’s forces. Innocent people were killed too, screaming in agony of their deaths. Some civilians fought back, but it was no use.

Zai: “This town isn’t bad at all! These are regular innocent people. There is no reason for us to even be here. This was the king’s plot all along! We were never meant to do a job. They were planning to slaughter us all this time.”

Renji: “Zai! Duck down!”

A sword came flying at him quick enough to where he couldn’t move in time. Even hearing Renji’s words wasn’t enough as he stared death in the face before one of the men jumped in front of Zai and took the sword on his behalf.

Zai: “No! Everyone! Help me pick him up, we can still save him!”

Renji pulled him off of the limp body that was beginning to fade and screamed at Zai, “Zai! We have to go now! Get up!”

Zai’s eyes teared up so badly that they could distinguish them from the water that dripped down from the clouds in the night sky. The rest of the five of them hurried inside the door and started to close it before another one of their own was running towards them that had slipped on the ground in the muddy rain, but they did not know. “Wait! I’m almost there!”

Renji: “Close it! They are going to get in here with him! Close it now!”

Toma: “B-But, Renji he is–”

Renji: “Close it!”

They closed the door, shutting out their own fellow companion who they heard wince at the sound of a blade stabbing through his torso. Nobody said a word to each other about it, but yelled, contemplating where they wanted to go.

Zai: “Wh-What about the basement? We can hide down there.”

Renji: “No, we’d be sitting ducks. We’re going to the roof. We’ll block off the stairwell so they can only get up the sides. Use every weapon you have to fend them off.”

They all headed up the stairs before Zai stopped halfway and stood there. Renji yelled at him to hurry and that they didn’t have much time, but Zai assured them that he would sacrifice himself to help them all escape. “Are you insane?!” Renji shouted. “We don’t have time for this!”

Zai assured him once again that he would do whatever it took and headed down the stairs. “Stupid idiot!” Renji shouted once more, but ultimately headed up the stairs.

This was not Zai’s intention though.

Although these were his friends, his companions, his comrades…All he could think about on that stairwell was the girl he had met a few months ago. They had been going out since then and he could not get the thought out of his mind.

Although it was selfish, it was the decision he made at that moment. He abandoned his friends in hopes of a better life and headed off downstairs to the basement before the men surrounded the building from the outside and busted through the doors and windows on the first floor.

Zai couldn’t hear what was going on, on the top floor, but he assumed the worst. A stack of fish barrels lay in the corner of the room where he hid inside of one and kept the tops off of all the barrels and to the side to not draw any attention in case they came down. Also, he did not know how much oxygen he would have if he fell asleep by accident. He prayed for the safety of his men as well as his lover who he would run after as soon as he escaped this place.

Zai fell asleep without knowing and woke up surprised that he did not have men staring down at him or that he even woke up at all. He waited for a moment and tried to listen. The rain had stopped, but he couldn’t tell if it was morning or not. As he made his way up the stairs to the main floor, he heard a noise and became startled. ‘A stupid rat,’ he screamed out in his head.

It had knocked over a can of beans that rolled across the floor. He listened again for another few seconds, but didn’t hear anything. He peered out the broken doors and glass to daylight shining in, but also dead bodies and red stained blood that coated the grass. Their friend that they had betrayed lay on the ground right at the entrance of the doorway. ‘I’m sorry,’ he thought over and over in his head.

He slowly made his way out of the building, stepping on his comrades dead body and headed left along the building still trying to find out if any enemies stayed behind.

Nobody was in sight.

Not a living creature or human remained.

He hesitated to leave, looking at the top of the building, knowing what was likely up there. He couldn’t bring himself to go up there and darted off south without taking a break for half a day until he reached Rinaya at her parents house.

Rinaya: “Z-Zai? What happened? Why are you covered in blood? Why do you smell like that? What’s going on?”

Zai: “Get your things now! We have to go. Hurry! I’ll explain later. Where are your parents?”

Rinaya: “They left yesterday for vacation at Central Descent.”

Zai: “The cliffs? Why would they go there? Agh! It doesn’t matter. Do you have a Yellow Egress Chaplet?”

Rinaya: “You’re not making much sense. I think my father has one stored away that he bought from a market a couple years ago. It should be in his closet.”

Zai: “I’m going to get it. Get what you need immediately. You have 1 minute.”

Rinaya went and gathered what she needed. It wasn’t much because she was confused about what was going on. When she followed the stairs to her father’s room, it was torn apart and Zai stood in the middle with the chaplet in hand. She screamed at him for wrecking the room and he apologized and assured her that everything would be okay.

Zai grabbed her and called out for Central Descent, teleporting them to the top of a large crater in the ground where ramps made out of rock descended down into multiple layers of towns and cities where they would go find Rinaya’s parents…

Zai: “After this all happened, I explained to Rinaya and her family what had happened. I made them move spots like what you had taught me Astro. Eventually, we were able to go back a couple years later and sell the house and gather all of our things. For some reason, they didn’t decide to target Rinaya and her family. They knew I wasn’t dead, but I covered my tracks throughout the years and disappeared until they were disbanded 10 years later. Now, I don’t believe there is much of a threat to be had. We’ve been safe all this time, but everyday I check the surroundings just in case, but I haven’t seen anything all this time. In fact, that’s what I was doing when I found you.”

Astro: “I see. I didn’t know. I’m sorry. You did the right thing. You wouldn’t have what you have now if you went back there. Don’t look at the past. Look at the future.”

Zai: “That’s easier said than done. I still think back to that night sometimes. My wife says I scream in my sleep whenever this happens. I wish I could forget, but it’s not that simple you know? I’m sorry I never looked for you Astro. I figured you weren’t dead. You and Yasuhiro were the top 2 in our organization. They needed three times the men to take you both down. I heard he was promoted to a top 10 Great Swordsman. Have you talked with him? How’s he been?”

Astro: “N-No, not really. We don’t keep in touch. We’ve kind of gone our separate ways.”

Zai: “I see. Well, I’m sure he’s doing good. Staying busy and all. Listen, I want to see you here next week for lunch or dinner. I’m serious. I’m going to be upset if you aren’t here. You hear me?”

Astro: “Yeah, yeah. I got it.”

Zai: “Alright, good. I’ll see you around.”

Astro: “Yeah.”

Astro didn’t really know where to go. He was lost, but he certainly knew that he couldn’t visit Zai anymore. He’d only put him and his family in danger if anyone around had a vendetta against him. Although it was true that the organization was shattered a long time ago, there may still be groups that despise them. He knew it wasn’t a good idea, but he thought back to Dante and Lucky all of a sudden. Even though he told Kanji that he would be back in a month, he would have to shorten it halfway. He couldn’t go and get drunk again. He needed to face reality and get back what was taken from him. He headed off back to the village that started it all.