The Buried Soldier

Yuto was awakened by his brother just as daylight hit. Did he not sleep at all? Yuto groaned, refusing to get out of the covers. Sota kept pushing on him and soon folded his arms. Yuto sighed in relief as he heard the footsteps go away, and then heard the sound of running water. The footsteps returned, and Yuto’s eyes snapped open as he threw the covers off of him and pointed a finger at Sota. “Never again.” Yuto gave a smug grin, holding a bucket of water. “You’re gonna take a shower anyway, right?”

“I love you, but you’re asking for a punch in the arm. Are you ready?”

“Duh!” yelled Sota, putting a red blanket around his neck as a cape. Yuto sighed as he put on his pants, looking at his brother. “Sota. We’re going in public. You can’t...never mind, you aren’t going to listen to me.” He finished putting on his black pants, put on a white shirt, and left with his brother, leaving a note for their mom by the front door.

The air was fresh and crisp, and Sota happily walked by his brother’s side. “Just so you know, I read the book over and over. I know exactly what we need. The compass points south, which is near the beach at the bottom of the mountain. We’re looking for a magic tree. Come on, Yuto!” he jumped in front of his brother before running off.

Yuto widened his eyes. “Sota! Don’t run down the mountain; you can fall!” he chased after his brother in concern and annoyance. He knew Sota knew better. He knew this was a new adventure for him, but this was ridiculous!

As they ran down the mountain, several villagers waved to them, one yelling, “Be careful, kids!” with Yuto replying, “Tell him that!” with several of the villagers laughing in response.

The leaks of light rained down on them from the trees overhead as their feet stomped against the grass and dirt path. They continued to run, and in the distance, they saw the ocean, sparkling from the morning sun. Yuto caught up to Sota, both of them panting. “How...are you...so fast...with such tiny legs…?” Yuto huffed. Sota was ignoring him and darted his eyes around. “Over there!” he yelled, and ran off again. Yuto groaned at his brother’s abundant stamina and followed after him again.

Their feet kicked up sand while they ran. A single elderly man in striped trunks was lying on a towel, and got sand all over his face and beard as the brothers ran by. “HEY!” he yelled angrily. “Sorry!” the brothers responded in tandem, not bothering to stop.

Continuing to run along the coastline, there was a small bonsai tree in a pot. It looked like it was put there recently. “How did you even spot that?” Yuto questioned. Sota got on his knees and looked carefully at the bonsai tree, squinting his eyes. “No...this doesn’t look right.” He looked at the compass. It still pointed south. Was it broken?

“...NICE TRY MYSTERY MAN!” Yuto sprang up and yelled, running off again, this time back up the mountain.

“Sota?! What are you doing?! Wait!” Yuto yelled, chasing after his little brother again.

They went up the incline of the mountain, with several bricks inside the dirt for traction. Yuto looked up ahead, and he noticed some of the bricks in the dirt were new. Did Sota catch on to this as well?

They followed the path of the bricks, and it led them to a fence that spanned a new path, with a river on the other side. Up above, a large cherry blossom tree could be seen on top of a hill. The brothers ran ahead and finally stopped. Yuto collapsed and panted. But just as before, Yuto went on ahead. There was a shovel lying against the large tree, and Yuto grabbed it, digging into the dirt near the tree.

Yuto caught his breath and walked next to Sota. They looked down, and their eyes widened at a hand-made wooden coffin. They both gulped. “Sota...I’m not sure we should-” Sota steeled his resolve, grabbed the lid of the casket, and swung it open.

Neither brother spoke for a moment.

The wind moved through the branches above them, causing the cherry blossoms to sway gently. They both stared inside. They felt a sense of peace, but a bit of sadness.

Inside was a man with a strong jawline. His eyes were half-closed, holding a gun in his arms. He looked peaceful, with a folded paper note kept between his chest and firearm. His green outfit and skin-

“THIS IS JUST A TOY SOLDIER!” Yuto yelled.

Sota shushed him. “We need to pay respect to the fallen, Yuto.”

“...Right.” Yuto sighed in response.

Yuto gently lifted the toy soldier and unfolded the note. It read: “Well done. You saw the hint beyond the hint. This is the buried soldier. You are one step closer to the ultimate goal. Next you will need to find the cursed wand. It is guarded by terrors of the sky near the palace of beginnings.”

Yuto narrowed his eyes. “Palace of beginnings...could it mean?”

“BACK TO THE HOUSE!” shouted Sota.

Yuto sighed.