PREQUEL: TALE OF MUSASHI (CHAP4)

Musashi started screaming. It was the first time he ever did such a thing. Musashi started to feel an emotion he had once forgotten about. It was when he was inside his dead mother. The feeling of loneliness. Musashi started to get cold and got goosebumps. He sat down, hugging his knees in that empty dark hole.

Days had gone by. Koji had a campfire and everything nearby. He got curious and wondered what happened to Musashi. He then went to take a sneak peek. Getting closer to the hole, he heard no sound. It had been like that since Musashi got inside. Then, Koji went back to his campfire.

A few days after that, Koji decided to get Musashi out and see what happened. He grabbed a rope and threw it in the hole.

‘’Yo, kid. Grab on to the rope, and I’ll lift you out.’’

No reply from Musashi. Not even a grab. Koji started to think whether Musashi died from hunger.

‘’Brat! Don’t make me come down there!’’

Then, the rope was thrown back to Koji. Surprised by that, he didn’t have time to grab the rope.

‘’You…’’ Then it hit Koji. ‘’are you saying you want to stay there?’’ No reply from Musashi.

‘’Kid, I will throw the rope once more, and if you throw it back, I won’t throw it back again.’’

He did as he said. Musashi once more threw it back up, which got Koji mad. Yet, for a reason he couldn’t stay angry; he rather got excited.

‘’Alright, kid. I won’t interrupt you anymore. I am looking forward to seeing the new you.’’

Two weeks had passed since Musashi got inside the hole; Koji continued to train in the foggy Death Forest near the hole. Then, two members from the Karasuyama Clan came to see him.

‘’Lord Koji!’’ Koji stopped his training and looked behind.

‘’Yami and Kou.’’

Yami was a young teenager with a long, straight black hairstyle identical to the Head Family. He had a tall, skinny build. His Kimono was black like all Karasuyama Clan members, but he had two big white flowers on each side as they meet in the middle. Kou, however, was short and had short brown hair, wearing the traditional Karasuyama garment.

‘’What are you two doing here?’’

‘’We came by request from the Head Master. He wants updates on your mission.’’ Kou said as he pushed his glasses up.

‘’I guess it’s time. Let’s check all together then.’’

The three went to the hole.

‘’Musashi!’’ Koji yelled.

‘’My lord.’’ Yami spoke with his quiet calm voice.

‘’What is it, Yami?’’

‘’You might want to step back.’’

As soon as Koji looked back at the hole, a shock wave of air burst from the hole. Koji unintentionally stepped back one step.

‘’What the hell?’’

The three sensed a dark aura behind them. They looked behind to see none other than Musashi.

‘’Kid… You did it.’’ Koji smirked. ‘’Not only did you survive, but you got adapted to the darkness. Impressive at such a young age.’’

‘’My apologies, my lord.’’ Yami interrupted him. ‘’He didn’t adapt to the darkness. He became darkness.’’ Koji was speechless.

Musashi looked towards them, and as soon as his eyes met with Yami, everything went dark as if nobody was there to hear them or see them.

‘’Glad to see another brother.’’ Yami spoke.

The four went back to the castle to meet with the Head Master.

‘’Now, excuse us, Lord Koji; we will leave you.’’ Yami and Kou bowed down.

‘’It was good to see you two again. Keep training.’’

‘’Yes, my lord!’’

Yami and Musashi once again locked eyes with each other, which even Koji noticed. Then they bid farewell.