Astro's Threats

Astro headed back to the village where he grew up. Ronkon was actually prospering since he had left. Houses were being fixed and food was being distributed to people in even amounts. People began to look happier, and Astro would usually care, but at this moment, his mind was foggy with a single goal in mind.

He waltzed down to the middle of the village where Kanji was giving out apples. Astro grabbed him by the clothes and thrusted him face to face with him.

Astro: “Tell me you stupid excuse of a human being. You have powers far beyond what people would die for. Tell me! Where are they?!”

The people in the village panicked.

They knew Astro and respected him, but they worshipped Kanji like a god. Some started to throw rocks and sticks at Astro in an attempt to get him to go away, however most could not lay a finger on either. They appreciated both of them.

Kanji; “Ah, hello Astro. Why don’t we head up the hill to my domain. We can sit down and have a chat.”

Astro: “Did you find them?! Did you find them?!!”

Kanji: “I-”

Astro: “You have 5 seconds to tell me before I put you in a grave and those powers will be useless.”

Kanji: “I know you will not do that, but please relax.”

Astro: “1! 2!”

Kanji: “Please, Astro. Try to calm down. People are watching.”

Astro: “3! 4!”

Kanji: “Astro!”

Astro: “5!”

Kanji: “Stop! I did and I didn’t! I found one, but I couldn't find the other.”

This was one of the few times that Astro had ever seen Kanji lose his temper and the first in front of this many people. He was not like this, but Astro had provoked him enough in frustration to call out. Kanji did not like to not know things, especially when it came to his ability. It was extremely frustrating.

Kanji: “The young boy with the strange sword and abilities that you departed with that had white hair. I found him finally through the eyes of someone else. He’s still impossible to find with my eyes, but I watched through someone else’s. Iki, the leader of The Association. He fought him with many others, however this was not the boy you ventured with. This was someone that has lost his way of life. I cannot read his thoughts nor enter his eyes, but he is not who you think he is anymore. I saw through everyone’s eyes what he was like.”

Astro: “Where is the other one? Lucky! Where is he? Where is Dante? Think!”

Kanji: “I told you Astro. I…Do…Not…Know. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. It is like 2 ghosts have passed right through me and I wouldn’t even acknowledge it. It is like a foreign language or teaching a baby how to use a metal sword. It just doesn’t work. I cannot find either of them for some reason and I cannot go back to the Infinite Library. The only person that can do so is the boy you brought to me. He is currently up there studying many books about the Infinite Library that I granted him, along with many books on swords and chaplets and the secrets of this world. If you wish to get him there and waste the one wish he gets, then that is your choice, but that man that I saw…He is the boy you’re looking for.”

Astro didn’t really understand what Kanji was saying. It didn’t make any sense to him, but he also was just ignoring the truth of what Dante had become. All he could do was go to the Infinite Library with Octavious.

Astro: “Bring me to him.”

Kanji: “Sure…Everyone, please do not worry. Just a little differing opinions between friends. We all know each other here. Astro would never hurt a fly unless it has harmed his fruit…it is a metaphor for those who do not understand. More food will be coming and water wells are being put in also soon. I will be back later to check on the house.”

Kanji took him to the top where the room was all too familiar to Astro. Octavious sat in the corner shaking with excitement from what he was reading. He didn’t even turn when they walked in, as he was too mesmerized by the books that captured his mind. He retained the information like a sponge soaking up water.

Astro: “Octavious! Turn around and face me. You were with Welpen. You understand how he cared for you, right? You cared for him too. We fought side by side even to protect him. I need a favor that I can pay back later on.”

Octavious finally looked up from his books, but only slightly, still reading some words, but multitasking and listened to Asro’s words. “What do you mean?” he responded. “I am enthralled in knowledge right now, but Astro! I owe not you, but everyone favors! I have been gifted with so much that I cannot fathom it!”

Astro: “Yeah, good to see you haven’t changed a bit. You’re still as crazy as before.”

Kanji: “Octavious. I believe it is time for you. I have given you what I could, but you must make your way to the Infinite Library with Astro.”

Octavious: “I GET TO GO?! Yipee! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love everyone and everything. Astro, I owe you my life for introducing me to Sir Kanji. All my life I believed my world was real, but Kanji showed me the truth. Forget the past. Let’s move forward. I want to help anyone I can.”

Astro: “What the hell did you do to him?”

Kanji: “Nothing. He just learned true knowledge. It changes you more than you think.”

Octavious and Astro headed out the door, leaving Kanji behind who was almost done fixing up Ronkon. Kanji did not need to give any hints to what it entailed. Octavious knew everything from what he had given him, so he was destined to help Astro. ‘It shouldn’t pose a problem for you Astro. You better protect Octavious. Even with all the knowledge in the world, it doesn’t always grant you strength,’ he thought as he headed back down to the village to attend to the citizens.

Astro grabbed Octavious and dragged him through a shadow portal to someone close enough to the Infinite Library in a neighboring village a few miles away. It was along the same path as he had been heading down with Welpen to find Isara, but he was closer this time in a town known as Veluna.

They avoided suspicion and moved forward normally.

An old man was crying outside his white house. “I’ll never forgive those stupid kids. They ruined my life and killed all my animals! Dammit! Just take me God, would you?!”

Octavious: “Well, he certainly isn’t doing well.”

Astro: “Just leave him alone. He’s on his deathbed anyways. He wants to die.”

They headed through without any problems and continued until eventually reaching one more pitstop of a small little place with less than 6 buildings that provided items to be used at the Infinite Library.

Pilon: “How can I help ya boys?”

Astro: “Do you have a Tracker Chaplet here? We need a few of them.”

Pilon: “Sure. We just restocked yesterday. We got 2 of them. Lucky you.”

Octavious: “Wonderful! Hey you over there mister. Why are you shaking?”

Pilon: “Don’t worry about him. Everyone always asks that. I’m not hurting him or nothing. He just done lost his mind, that’s all. What else do you boys need?”

Octavious: “I am in need of nothing. I have knowledge beyond boundaries!”

Astro: “Just those 2 Tracker Chaplets. That’s it. We’ll be on our way.”

Before they left, Pilon called out to Astro.

Pilon: “Not that you need this advice, but you do know physical strength isn’t going to cut it in most of those islands when crossing to the Infinite Library. Be tactical. If your buddy here claims he has knowledge, then don’t mess up. Do it once and you both die. Although, even if you make it, knowledge ain’t gonna get you through the trials.”

Astro: “Yeah, sure.”

Octavious: “Don’t worry! We are well equipped! I cannot be stopped at this very moment!”

They ventured off to the beginning of the island chain of the Infinite Library. Octavious seemed to know what he was doing, but Astro stopped him before entering the water. “What the hell are you doing?!” he questioned, as Octavious almost dove in. “There are huge creatures underneath there. Can’t you sense that you dimwit?”

Octavious: “Ah, only a beginner like yourself would say such things. Look at it from this perspective Astro. We have two choices. Cross the bridge or cross the water. I am not as weak as you think. I can sense mana too, you know. So, what is the right choice? Are we doomed either way? No. I will tell you. If you step onto that bridge, then you will be attacked. Now, I do trust your skills enough that you could probably kill them and still cross the bridge, but this is a place that is far superior than most in the world, so I would not risk that. Those monsters might not be able to be defeated. Just watch. I will slowly go into the water and…”

Octavious dipped underwater fast, not like he had said. Astro jumped in after him, but when he did, Octavious was already a quarter of the way there. Astro looked on both sides to see huge creatures 100 times the size of him. He observed for a moment, but they did not budge.

Even seeing Octavious in the water, they didn’t do anything. He trusted him and continued to swim, but watched out for both of them. He activated his shadow technique and teleported to Octavious to swim with him, easily making it to the other side.

Octavious: “6 more to go! This is gonna be fun!”