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Part XXIV – The Void and
the Friend
The aftermath of the
battle was just as chaotic. Sirens blared in the distance. Medics ran. The
screams of the wounded filled the air along with the smell of smoke, blood, and
fecal matter. The Ura corpses were thrown into a mound and burnt.
Nearby in a quiet spot, Momotaru sat on the ground
with his legs crossed. He was absentmindedly stabbing his sword into the ground
over and over while his mind wandered in and out of daydreams. His team of
assassin sisters kept their distance and stood huddled together several meters
away. He was so distracted that he did not notice anyone approaching until two
shadows fell across him.
“Now do you see why we need you to join our forces?”
said Mayor Warren.
“Think long and hard about this offer Mo,” said Takeshi
Hakizimana. “Your people need you to do the right thing.”
“My people!” said Momotaru heatedly. He rose to his
feet. “My people are an ocean’s distance away from me.”
Takeshi stepped forward with his hands outstretched
while patting the air in a soothing gesture in an attempt to get his son to
stay calm. “Just relax Mo,” said the elder Hakizimana.
Momotaru slapped his father’s hands away. “Get away
from me you manipulative bastard,” said Momotaru. “After what you’ve done I
would never help someone like you. As far as I know, it’s your fault that I was
kicked out of Aver and banished to this demon infested land. Not only that but
you sent your wenches to spy on me. I knew that there was a reason why my
mother always told me not to trust you.” He spun around and walked away from
his father.
“Hey, you don’t get to walk away from me boy,” said
Takeshi heatedly. He stormed after his son and with a firm hand on Momotaru’s
shoulder tried to spin him around.
Momotaru reacted on instinct as his martial arts
training kicked in. He grabbed his father’s wrist and quickly twisted while
using the momentum to throw his father off balance, then turned his father’s
arm awkwardly and painfully behind the man’s back.
Takeshi
Hakizimana’s face contorted into a grimace yet he refused to cry out.
In seconds, Iris Longwing was by the side of her longtime
friend. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I know that you’re angry
Momo,” whispered Iris. “But let your dad go. Just think about this logically.
You’re the best martial artist in the world and have found no equal on the
whole of Threa. Not only that, but think about how privileged you are; no one
else on this planet has the opportunity that you have been afforded. Not only
are you the son of the elven princess, you also have the unique position of
having a father that could one day be emperor over the humans. The world is
your playground… but only if you accept your destiny and appreciate it for what
it is.”
Momotaru let her words wash over him for several
seconds before he released his grip on his father.
“I could have you arrested for assaulting a
government official,” said Mayor Warren who ran up to stand beside Takeshi. With
a wave of his hand, Mayor Warren summoned his security detail. They formed a
semi-circle behind the mayor.
The situation escalated quickly as the assassin
sisters quickly sprung into action and stood side by side behind Momotaru. Iris
was forced to jump in between both parties in order to keep the situation from
getting out of hand.
“Momo. Please don’t do this,” said Iris in a soothing
voice. “This has escalated too quickly. I originally came to this country to
help you and your mother, but most importantly to get my friend back.”
The words from Momotaru’s longtime friend soothed the
rage that was boiling inside of him.
“I don’t trust anyone here,” said Momotaru. “And I’ve
got no reason to trust anyone based on everything that’s happened since I’ve
arrived here.”
Iris approached her friend slowly. She gently grabbed
him by the elbow to lead him away from the group. Once the two of them were in
isolation, she whispered: “Look Momo,” said Iris with her eyes wide and
pleading. “I know that we haven’t always got along but to be honest… you’re my
best and only friend. I know that this may be selfish of me but I don’t want to
go back to Aver unless you’re with me.”
Momotaru looked at her with his mouth hanging open.
“Besides,” said Iris. “I’m getting tired of babysitting
your little run-away mage.” She giggled while nudging Momotaru in the arm.
They both shared a brief laugh before Momotaru closed
his eyes and took a deep breath. He strolled over to stand before his father
and the mayor.
“Fine,” said Momotaru with a grimace. “I’ll play
along with whatever nonsense that you have planned… for now. But I’m warning
you… father, you had better live up
to your word and get me back home so that I can see my mother again. Just so
you know, if anyone tries to spy on me again… I will execute them myself.”
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