Lucem
Ten Thousand Club
[SIZE= 20px]The Land of Iron[/SIZE]
Kouki
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]It felt as though he was drowning. No sound entered his ears, and his eyes were offered nothing but the sight of darkness. His body was almost completely numb, only feeling the heavy weight within his chest. It were as though iron blocks had been placed on him, dragging him deeper into the black abyss.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Unable to move his body or take a single breath, he resigned himself to this, knowing that any struggle was futile. Upon doing so, he was filled with an odd sense of comfort. While he found none of this to be pleasant, he accepted that there was nothing that could be done. He had tried his best before leaving himself to an unavoidable fate. Perhaps that was why he felt a small bit of relief, which managed to outweigh grief and fear.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]While he indulged in that feeling, a small ray of light broke through the darkness. As he reluctantly opened his eyes, wishing to keep them shut, a voice could be heard. [/SIZE] [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"W.....p."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Initially, it was difficult to comprehend what was said, the words sounding as if they were spoken from a great distance. However, the voice grew louder with each passing second, repeating its message. Eventually, it felt as though the owner was speaking directly into his ear.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The feeling of hearing another's words resound within his mind, as if they were his own thoughts, was nostalgic. There was only one voice in the world that could provide this familiar sensation. Upon realizing this, the eyes that had been hesitant to open would quickly grow wide.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]His previously numb hands reached out for the light. While he had resigned himself to something he deemed unavoidable, he now desperately struggled to escape. He desired to greet the voice that called from the light, yet the void would not have it, dragging him even deeper as he resisted.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Feeling the pull at his back growing stronger, he made one final attempt to reach out to the light. He now answered back to the one who spoke to him. With outstretched hands, he called out to the voice. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Wake up."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Kurama!"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]As the name left his lips, Kouki quickly found himself in an unfamiliar setting. Rather than the impenetrable darkness, he was surrounded by walls adorned with various metalworks and covered by the shadows produced from a roaring fire at the room's center. Instead of sinking into a void, his body was tucked into a large futon, blankets cast aside as his arm was unconsciously brought into the air.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Bringing down the outstretched limb, Kouki raised his back, palm resting against his head as he sat up from his resting position. Upon doing so, he noticed that his movements were unusually sluggish. His thought process was also slowed, as if he were in a daze.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Looks like you finally woke up."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] Turning his head to the source of the voice that had suddenly been raised, Kouki's eyes rested upon the figure that sat a short distance away. Across from him was a dark-haired young man that wore what looked to be a smock, hands filled with an iron dish that resembled the color atop his head.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Where...am I?" [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]His voice soft, Kouki questioned the room's other occupant. In his current state, he found it difficult to remember the events prior to awakening. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"The Land of Iron."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] As he spoke, the young man set down the dish in favor of the kettle at his side, pouring its contents into a small cup. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"I found you unconscious, buried underneath the snow. That hair of yours is like a natural camouflage, so I didn't spot you right away. A little longer and you might have frozen to death."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Pausing once again, he reached for another object. "I only found you because of this." Quickly recognizing what it was that the man carried, Kouki darted forward, intending to reclaim his possession.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"That's-"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] Before he could say anymore, Kouki came to a complete halt, frozen in place as his hand reached for the ebony sword in front of him. His body refused to do as it was told.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Hey, take it easy! You shouldn't be moving right now. Your body hasn't recovered yet."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] The words fell on deaf ears, as Kouki was completely focused on retrieving his weapon. The action earned a sigh from the man before he set the blade at his side, now taking hold of the dish once again.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Kouki's sight was now obstructed by steam, his body pushed back into its previous position as food was placed into his hands. Confused, he stared back at the man who began to fill a second cup.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] "Eat first. You need to get your strength back. I plan on asking you some questions too."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]His gaze rested on the man for a few more moments before it was redirected to the offered meal. Hesitantly, Kouki took the accompanying spoon into his hand, yet he did not eat. He simply continued to stare at its contents, remaining silent.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"What? Not good enough for ya?"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] The somewhat annoyed tone managed to capture the boy's attention once again, causing him to quickly raise his head.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"No."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] Eyes briefly settling on the dish once more, an old lesson came to mind. Recalling what he had been taught, the words that were previously unknown to him came out in a gentle voice, as if mimicking his teacher. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Thank you."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Raising the utensil to his lips, the contents quickly slid down his throat, warming his body from the inside. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"When was the last time you ate? Slept?" [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]As the flavor left his tongue, Kouki took a moment to go over the last few days in his mind as his head became more clear. There was a brief silence before he finally gave his answer. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"I don't know."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]After the events of that day, he simply continued moving. He never took a moment to rest, the world around him becoming a blur. His body must have finally succumbed to fatigue, leaving him in such a weakened state.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Why did you come here?"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] The question brought back memories of that day once again. Before the final moments of the war, this was the place he decided that he would travel to. This was the land that Gin had spoken of. Surrounded by a fire like the one that burned at this room's center, he learned that this was the land where Gin first got his start. This was the land where his new life began, along with the mission that soon inspired those like him.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Kouki wanted to walk the path that he once walked. He wanted to hear that sounds that he once heard. He wanted to see the sights that he once saw. He wanted to visit the place that inspired him to walk a new path. He wanted to do so as he was prepared to walk down a new path of his own, having been told that it was possible. However, that path crumbled just as he had taken his first step. Despite what he had been told, the reality was that the goal was impossible. His decision resulted in the death of his friend. Once again, he was the cause of death. As a result, his motivations, aspirations, and will all became meaningless. Still, he came here. Why?[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"I don't know."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] He didn't know why he still came here, despite no longer having a reason. In the end, it held no purpose.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]As he unknowingly grew a somber expression, the man in front of him looked rather serious, as if taking the uncertain answer to heart. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"How about you start from the beginning. Tell me about before you came here."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]With no real reason to refuse the request, Kouki simply nodded, beginning to recount the events that occurred up until this moment. His tone never shifted and his expression never changed, memories taking him through the days that he lived. As he spoke, the man's gaze never wavered, listening attentively as the embers cast a glow over the pair, its warmth unable to be felt by one.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]When he finally finished speaking, there was a silence between them. However, it was broken when the man finally responded. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"You're an idiot."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Eh?"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] The insult made Kouki alert once again. Puzzled, he could only stare in confusion, waiting for his listener to expand on his previous comment. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"I don't really get any of the more complicated stuff you mentioned, but I do understand one thing. You're giving up too easily."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] Retrieving the sword at his side, the man looked over every detail, nodding to himself as if he had just confirmed something. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"You're just like Gin."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Once again, the man's words had caught Kouki off guard. His confusion now began to morph into surprise. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"What do you mean?" [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"This place is a forge. My family has a long history of crafting weapons in this country. Right now, my father and I are all that's left, but my grandfather was a blacksmith that surpassed both of us in terms of skill . This is his sword."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] Setting the blade down, the man took a deep breath, thinking back to time from many years ago.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"When I was a child, my grandfather and I found a stranger in the snow, unconscious and near death. We brought him back here and nursed him back to health. That man was Gin."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]As he spoke, Kouki remained quiet, filtering out the sound of burning wood as he payed close attention to every word that left the man's mouth.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] "Gin was no different from you. He had that same depressed look on his face that you do, haunted by the things he had done. Things he had come to regret."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]As he sank deeper into those memories, he began to sound more amused. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"My grandfather wouldn't have any of that in his work space. To him, it didn't matter if Gin felt he deserved to change himself, only caring if he had the desire. He didn't let him mope around about complicated things and took him under his wing. Taught him how to craft a sword and use one properly. How to control."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Kouki recalled how Gin would speak about control. Rather than a sword, it was about chakra and the ability to take lives. Using that power properly and not without reason. Not using it as a first resort. He had taken that lesson to heart. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"He stayed with us for a long time as my grandfather's student and I grew to like having him around. It felt like he was a part of our family back then. However, the things he did came back to haunt him and he ended up paying for it. As a result, my grandfather was killed. It was all his fault."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]His tone had become more serious, thinking back to an event he found to be unpleasant. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Even though he had worked hard to change and created a goal for himself, someone close to him died as a result of those past actions. Naturally, he let the guilt and sadness convince him that it was pointless, yet my grandfather continued to guide him in his final moments. He refused to let him give up. If he stopped halfway, then his death would have been meaningless."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Allowing the silence to return for a moment, the man came closer, as if to emphasize his next point. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Do you get what I'm trying to tell you here? It doesn't matter if you tripped on your first step. You need to commit to the path you chose and keep walking. If you don't, you're stepping all over the good will people have shown you. You make their efforts worthless. So, you can't give up. No matter what happens."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]When the words finally settled in, Kouki understood. He had let emotions cloud his mind and cause him to waver. If he allowed himself to stop, then it would be an insult to those that had helped him along the way and gave their lives to help him reach this point. Gin, Ryūma, Kei, Kyo, Hisha, and Kurama. Even if he didn't believe that was capable of pushing onward or deserving of a second chance to make up for what he had done, he owed it to them to do so.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Besides, Tailed Beasts don't stay dead forever. Until the day that your friend comes back, don't stop. Show him how much you're able to accomplish." [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Hearing the optimistic remark, a small, weak smile appeared on the former Jinchūriki's face, matching the grin that the man offered him. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Right." [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"So, how can I help?"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] Once again he was left confused by the man's words. He wasn't able to fully understand what was being said.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"You're the disciple of my grandfather's student, right? In a way, that kinda makes us family. Family members help each other. So, how can I help? Anything you think there'd be trouble with?"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]While Kouki still wasn't able to understand everything that the man was saying, he was able to follow the question properly. In truth, there was something that previously crossed his mind, posing as a potential obstacle. It would make what he set out to do difficult to achieve.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]He had wronged many people in his life. The majority of those victims had been killed by his own hand, as was instructed. However, if by some chance he was identified by someone, there could be complications. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Upon, informing the man, he quickly stood up, fist pressed firmly against his chest. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"No problem! Leave it to me..."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] While he spoke with enthusiasm at first, his voice quickly trailed off, going silent once more.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Sorry, what was your name?"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] It was only at that moment that the pair noticed that they had yet to formally introduce themselves. Both had been too preoccupied with their discussion to notice.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Kouki."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Tetsu. Don't laugh."[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] Kouki wasn't sure why the man would think he would laugh upon hearing his name, but he was glad to hear it all the same. [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Thank you, Tetsu."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]During the early hours of the morning, before the sun could be seen rising from the east, Kouki stood at the entrance to the forge. He could still hear the snoring from the nearby bedroom, the person inside having stayed awake late into the night. This was the moment he chose to leave.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]While he didn't feel entirely comfortable by setting off without saying a proper farewell, it was better to leave as soon as possible. He didn't want to stay here longer than he needed to, especially after being referred to as "family". Even though he had accepted much needed advice, that hadn't changed his opinion of himself. He believed that something terrible would befall Tetsu or his father if he were to linger. Death always followed him and he didn't want it to visit this place.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Before leaving, Kouki made sure to put what Tetsu made to use, gently sliding the recently crafted accessory over his face. The black material had been measured to be a perfect fit, resting comfortably against his skin. The mask was well-made, proving the claims pertaining to the family's skill to be true.[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Taking care not to wake those resting inside, Kouki opened the door, confronted with the sight of pure white. With the crunch of snow entering his ears, he took his first step. This would be the start of his new path, promising to himself that he would never stray from it again.[/SIZE]
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