Volume I. Chapter VIII. - See you later

[March 30th, 1215]

I woke up a short while ago. The dreams I had still make me feel unwell. Though, the first one seemed too genuine…what was it about? Apparently, there’s also this weird mark beneath my right eye now that my sisters made sure to point out. However, I didn’t get the chance to see it myself just yet.

I’m resting my head on Charlotte’s thighs - they are like pillows. We are currently located in one of the underground shelters. Honestly, we were lucky to get out of the battlefield at all. What were we thinking? Taking on a monster like that. As a result, Himari is gone and Lena is covered in bandages with a broken leg.

I inspect the area with my eyes and scout for familiar faces. What about Hidiku and Enmei? Are they alright? There’s not that many people here, I would say around thirty or so. After some time of looking around, I see them sitting next to each other before one of the four walls. Their pitiful expressions are a direct reflection of how they are feeling, Enmei's forehead being covered in bandages doesn't help either.

Should I try talking to them? I could cheer them up, even if just a little bit. I pause and start thinking about how I left Hidiku alone, subconsciously reaching for my heart. Suddenly I don’t feel too optimistic about talking to them anymore.

“Let it be, Yuuna. They need some time alone.”

Lena remarks as she sees me giving them a wary look in my eyes. Her leg is being supported by two sturdy sticks wrapped around it. It should keep her bones in place.

“How’s your leg?”

“It’s nothing serious. Though, it will most likely leave a scar.”

I flinch a little after hearing her say that. Lena likes to wear skirts, but she giggles in response.

“Don’t worry about it. Nobody is going to see it anyway.”

I guess that’s true. Still, it is a shame to have her smooth skin tainted.

“So… what happened to Himari? And what are we waiting for? Can’t we just leave?”

I express my curiosity, but at the same time, I’m eager to get out of here. The air is awful, and it's freezing.

“I’ve moved her with Hidiku’s help into our basement. He wanted to make Himari a proper burial once we are able to get out of here.”

Charlotte replies with a slightly displeased look. But we don’t know how long we are going to stay here.

“But what if they don’t let us out soon enough? What will happen to her…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve made sure to freeze the whole place. Nothing should happen to her now.”

She reassures me almost immediately. Charlotte’s gift allows her to control elements, and unlike me, she isn’t restricted to a single one like myself. It wouldn’t be wrong to call her a mage. On the other hand, I can generate electricity from within my body, while she needs an object with a special core embedded within it. The core isn’t small or light either. It’s just about the right size to fit into a staff, ultimately hindering her mobility.

I gaze upon her large magic stick, made out of some kind of metal, lying next to her. Charlotte and Hidiku made sure to pick up our gear on the way back. They got my Katana too. I then redirect my gaze toward a book strapped to my eldest sister’s waist.

It’s her summoning book. With her gift, Lena can summon weapons from God know’s where. They are nothing like your everyday weapons. Some closely resemble knives, or other blades with a much more refined look. Some can also be used for long-range and let out a really loud sound, almost deafening. I think she said she can pull them out of alternate worlds or something like that. I can’t remember. Nevertheless, her gift isn’t one I’d want to mess with.

“And then there’s this fancy guy claiming to be one of the commanders from the capital’s military base who ordered everyone to stay in the shelters. If I have to guess, I’d say we'll probably be transferred to the capital. Some of us at least.”

Charlotte adds with her now carefree attitude. Then I realize something. Something significant to me and my sisters has escaped my mind as a result of all of the troubles. I'm hesitant to ask my sisters about it because I'm already bracing myself for any negative answers.

“Hey, Charlotte. When you were back home, did you see Mom and Dad?”

A hand gets placed on the top of my head. I look up at Lena; she wears a gentle smile with a hint of sadness. Charlotte’s once lighthearted demeanor now includes it too.

“I haven’t, but I’m sure they are safe. You know what they are like, there’s nothing that would beat them this easily.”

She says that, but both of them give me the impression that they are past the post of acceptance. I don’t dare to respond. From the nearby stairwell, footsteps can be heard filling the hallway. It’s a group of three armed guys, most likely soldiers. Among them walks the young boy that has saved us from certain death.

“That’s him, the guy I told you about earlier.”

Says Charlotte as she looks at a tall man standing before the other two. He peers through the open area before him and yells.

“Attention, please!”

All eyes are on the three soldiers.

“Thank you for patiently remaining present. Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Gerald Losk, and I am one of the military base commanders in the capital city of Taiyo. We have come here under the order to escort everyone to safety. Sadly, due to the limited space on our transporters and the potential risk of being attacked, we prohibit any kind of luggage. But first, I will need you to form two groups.”

The two soldiers accompanying this man step forward as the commander first extends his arm to one of them and then to the other.

“Those who are at the age of fourteen or lower, pregnant, suffer from any disabilities or major illness, please stand here. The rest of you, please move here.”

Few people disobey their orders and those who do tend to murmur discreetly. The morale is low; everyone is desperate to escape any potential threat that may still linger. Commander Losk resumes his speech as he addresses the latter group.

“Thank you for following my instructions. You can now follow us outside, where the convoys are waiting. Escorts for the second group will arrive shortly after.”

This means my sisters will be leaving me behind. Both of them walk up to me and I look at them with a slight discomfort present in my gaze.

“I guess I will see you later.”

I say as I try to force a smile. Lena takes my hand as she nods to my comment.

“Take care of Hidiku while we are gone.”

Me? Oh, right. Enmei has to leave with them. Charlotte then slaps my shoulder with her usual carefree attitude.

“Try not to cry once you start missing us.”

I stare her down with an unamused look; Lena lets out a sigh.

“Alright, Let’s go. We don’t want to be left behind. Later.”

My older sisters wave at me and just like that I’m left behind. Now Hidiku is the only person I know here. He’s standing just a bit further from me. Quite a few people separate us, but I manage to reach him.

“Hey, Hidiku, how are you feeling?”

He looks at me sadly with a hint of surprise.

“I will be alright.”

Yet he doesn’t sound ‘alright’. I want to apologize to him, but maybe this is not the best time to bring it up. I’ll do it later. Another two soldiers wearing our town’s uniforms interrupt us as they request our attention.

“Attention, please!”

Guess it’s our turn. It’s still pretty early in the morning. The sun is barely showering the land with its light’s warmth. The crowd of town’s people marches out of the hideout and continues heading down a valley with the two soldiers serving as our guides. I then notice we are walking down a path leading outside of the town.

I assume that’s where the convoys are headed, until making a turn that would contradict that idea. So then, where are we headed to? - That will soon become clear as our advisers show us a seizable edifice constructed of the same material as everything else nearby. It’s the orphanage, and from the looks of it, they are using it as a home for refugees.

It seems we will have to wait a bit longer. Wait, something very important has slipped my mind! Himari is still resting in our basement! If we enter here, they will most likely keep an eye on us, making it difficult for us to go home without getting caught. And if we tell them Himari, they’ll probably try to do something about her themselves. I won’t allow it! I grab Hidiku’s arm and pull him out of the crowd.

“Yuuna, what are you doing?”

Hidiku queries how I respond to the shift. I look at him with a tad of anxiety.

“Let’s get out of here. We still have to take care of your sister.”

His clueless expression remains. I know he can’t help it right now, but It’s kind of starting to tick me off.

“Just come! We can return later.”

I drag him away from the original destination.

———

As we walk through the destroyed streets, the sky is slowly filled with the color of gray, adding to the Hikone town’s feel of ruin. Building after building. We walk through the town, pass a structure that used to be our school, and even further until we finally arrive at where I used to live. Hidiku’s home is somewhat further, but it can be seen from here. Both of our houses are still standing. I look at Hidiku; he can’t take his eyes off his home.

“Hey, do you mind if I go check out my place?”

I don’t answer him, only react with a nod; He then walks off on his own. I enter the building and locate the trapdoor covering our basement’s entrance. I then grab the handle, but It’s unusually heavy and freezing. Charlotte might have jammed it with her magic. I pull the knob with all of my strength and eventually, it opens.

A sudden wave of frigid air hits me directly in the face and my body is now covered in goosebumps. I let out a sneeze, I might have just become sick. Thanks for that, Charlotte.

As I descend the stairs, my eyes are met with an unforeseen scene that leaves me shaking with its temperature as well as astonishment. The basement is reflecting my own image on the glittering icy surface - I can now see the mark beneath my eye my sisters were referring to earlier. It’s like some kind of symbols aligned beneath each other. I wonder how did I get that.

Though, I have to say. Charlotte’s magic is something and as she has told me, nothing has escaped her frostbite. I continue walking through the basement and locate the wooden table Himari is lying on. She’s placed within a coffin of thick ice, the image brings in thoughts of discomfort I never wanted to think of. Now I just need to get her out of here.