Tattoo
"Forgive me my son. The weight of my burden must not force you towards the depths. Discard the locket I entrusted you with for the natures of so are cursed. I bid thee a farewell."
These words played in a continuous loop within the realm of Taiyo's mind. He started to whisper them gently from his lips in disbelief. The room around him began to grow cold and silent. Taiyo stood paralyzed reading the note.
Taiyo: Forgive me…..forgive me….. forgive me….. I bid thee a farewell…. I bid thee a farewell.
Taiyo's stomach started to turn from the inside. He felt a sharp pain in his chest forcing him to his knees dropping the letter.
Taiyo: Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Taiyo let out a painful yell of despair. The tears flowing down his face began to fill his lip. The sight tortured him to the core. He lifted his head to view his father once more. His body dangled from the rope lifeless. Taiyo remained on the ground for a few moments until he rose and untied the rope releasing his father.
Taiyo: How could this have happened? I got the medicine today from the healing vendor…YOU DID NOT HAVE TO DO THIS?!
Taiyo had never felt such pain. He clinched his fist aggressively while a single tear fell from his face. Taiyo had spent a life of suffering but this day was one of his worst. A few hours passed and the moon began to emerge through the wooden windows of Taiyo's hut. He covered his father's corpse with a woolen sheet and prepared to rest.
Taiyo: I shall give you a proper burial tomorrow.
He remembered his father's words about the locket around his neck as he lied on his mat.
Taiyo's Mind: How can I discard something so precious to me? Is it really cursed?
He removed the locket and sat it beside him.
Taiyo: I remember the day you gave me it. It was around the first year we moved to the slums of the Sector Of Emerald.
Taiyo reminisced the day that his Father fixed the locket around his neck. It happened 8 years prior while Taiyo was only 10 years old. His father had returned from a long shift at work to find young Taiyo attempt to make a fire with the wood he collected during the day.
Child Taiyo: Papa I'm sorry! I tried to get the hut warm before you returned but I could not do it papa, I could not do it!
Taiyo's Father: Haha! Do not fret my son. I have worked a long day and this cool air relieves me of my exhaustion.
Taiyo's Father notices Taiyo's quivering body as the air breezed by.
Taiyo's Father: Why don't you sit down…. I want you to pay attention to this.
Taiyo's Father put his hands together closely. A large flame arose from the pile of wood in front of them. Taiyo's eyes opened wide in awe.
Child Taiyo: Woah! How did you do that!? Please teach me father, please!
Taiyo ran over and jumped in his father's lap.
Taiyo's Father: Put your hands together and concentrate.
Taiyo conjoined his hands and closed his eyes. He put all his strength into his arms; the veins in his muscles started to show.
Taiyo: Arghhhhhhhh !
Taiyo screamed with all his might….until he passed gas in his garments. The embarrassed Taiyo turned around at his father and blushed.
Taiyo's Father: Hahaha! Such a bright energy! You can release your hands now. I will explain this world to you and how I am able to cast my powers.
Taiyo's mind glued on to his father's every word.
Taiyo's Father: I guess I should start with this.
A blue aura circulated around his hand
Taiyo's Father: This is called rei my son.
Taiyo: Rei?
Taiyo's Father: Yes, we all have this inside of us; some more than others depending how strong they are. This is how I can cast fire or water or even heal. If you practice with your Rei enough, you'll be able cast new spells or enhance the ones you know. I'm sure you heard of Densetsu?
Taiyo: Densetsu! Of course, he saved the entire world with his sword! There are statues of him everywhere!
Taiyo's Father: Densetsu is the father of rei and is to be known the strongest man to ever live….Are you aware of the time we live in my son ?
Taiyo: Sa-sa-kee
Taiyo's Father: Yes the Sekai Senso Era. This is a time period where all sectors are at war with one another creating chaos and death of many innocent people. There are five sectors in this world. We now live in the Sector Of Emerald. We have an alliance with the Sector Of Ruby.
Taiyo: The one with big big buidings and pretty lights?
Taiyo's Father: Yes, that is the one. We traveled from there not too long ago. This sector is infamous for its poverty and crime yet there are millions of yen spent on what happens over the wall.
Taiyo: What is over that wall? It's so big I can't see over it. I bet even if there were ten of me, we still could not see.
Taiyo Father: That is because they do not want us to see my son. Over that wall lies the academy of Gados.
Taiyo: Ga..do?
Taiyo's Father: So you do not know what a gado is? Ever since Densetsu had fallen as ruler of the land, sectors are in constant battle for power. Power is everything in this world. A sector's power is measured in the strength of the warriors in their land called Gado. The Gados are extremely powerful beings with a considerable amount of rei within them. Each one has different jobs within the sector depending on which division they get into.
Taiyo: Wow! These Gados you speak of sound really cool! Do you think I can become one?
Taiyo's Father: Hahaahaa!
Taiyo: Why do you laugh father? Am I not good enough?
The young Taiyo begins to shed tears and pout.
Taiyo's Father: Settle Taiyo…I laugh because you remind me of myself at your age. I can see the passion in your eyes.
Taiyo: So you do think I can be a Gado!?
Taiyo's Father: The road of becoming an official Gado of a sector is not an easy one. Every year, the gate to the wall opens momentarily for a few minutes without any warning. This is the main cause why most people cannot get through.
Taiyo: So what day does it open?
Taiyo's Father: Nobody knows for it is a secret. They open the gate for a few minutes every year on a different day. That is why when you walk past the gate to go towards the shopping districts, you see many sleeping right next to the entrance so they do not miss their chance for the annual opening.
Taiyo: So, all I must do is wait by the gate every day, then and I will be a Gado!
Taiyo's Father: It is not that easy. This is the Sector Of Emerald, there will be hundreds flooding right through that gate when it opens but only the ones who already possess enough rei may stay in the academy. And even then, they must attend the classes and maintain exceptional grades to get a chance to attempt a final test which would put them in a division.
Taiyo: So it would be impossible for me to get in ….
Taiyo's Father looks at his son's melancholy expression and wipes his tear away.
Taiyo's Father: Here…I want you to have this.
He takes a silver locket out of his pouch. The locket resembles a seashell with rigid edges.
Taiyo: Woah….Where is the key for it father? I would like to see what is inside.
Taiyo's Father fixes the locket around Taiyo's neck and points towards his heart.
Taiyo's Father: I cannot tell you for this must be something you find on your own. Now put your hands together like before and really concentrate this time. Focus my son…I can sense the rei inside of you.
Taiyo put his hands together and closed his eyes once more. Suddenly a small flame burst within the wood.
Taiyo: I did it! I really did it!
Taiyo's Father: This basic fire spell was Densetsu's specialty making elite spells from it and even using it to save our world. Practice this everyday and never lose that locket. Protect it with your very life if you must.
Taiyo: Okay, I promise father!
That was one of the best days Taiyo had lived. His discovery of Rei became an obsession. The recollection of that memory brought a tear down Taiyo's eye as he began to fall asleep in his hut.
Taiyo: I really thought I could become a Gado…this was all for nothing.
He closed his eyes and fell into slumber. Suddenly a mysterious dark figure crept into the home of Taiyo. He blissfully approached without making a single sound. He leaned over and reached for the lockette. The lockette jingled as he scooped it into his palms. The jingle awoke the disoriented Taiyo. Taiyo grabbed the hand of the intruder.
Taiyo: Who are you….?
Intruder: Do not follow me or I will have to kill you.
He slapped Taiyo's hand away and quickly escaped from the hut almost appearing as a shadow as he dashed. Taiyo ran out of the hut in haste looking where the intruder could have escaped.
Taiyo: Where could he have gone?
Taiyo notices a dark figure running and leaping roof to roof.
Taiyo: There you go, I will not let you get away.
Taiyo spurts past the huts drawing closer to his target. He started to see a clear view of the thief but could still not make out his identity. Taiyo started to put his hands together as he ran.
Taiyo: Okay so there is no one around to get hurt. It's time to put my skills to the test.
A fireball started to form in the palm's of Taiyo. The light from the fire illuminated the darkness of the night. Taiyo stopped when he got close enough to the figure and hurled the fireball towards him.
Intruder: Arghhh!
The fire hit him spot on from the back knocking him off the roof. Taiyo ran towards the direction which he fell. He found the intruder recovering from the fall next to a dark alley. Taiyo approached him with rage. That's when the dark figure removed his hooded attire and revealed his face.
Intruder: I told you I will have to kill you if you followed me.
The sight of the thief's face left Taiyo in awe. His mouth dropped towards the ground in disbelief. The identity of this thief turns out to be the best friend of his very own father, Mr. Okata.
Taiyo: Mr. Okata!? But why….? Why are you doing this?
Mr. Okata: I did not want you to find out Taiyo….There is so much you do not know…and so little time to explain. I am truly sorry for what I have to do.
Mr. Okata's rei circulated around his body as he started to gather his energy.
Taiyo: No I do not want to fight you, I just want to know what is hap-
Mr. Okata flashed in front of Taiyo and smacked his face sending his body flying back. Taiyo felt the rei behind the smack. Taiyo had never been in a fight with another rei user before. He collected himself and rose to his feet.
Taiyo: Okay…You leave me no choice then.
Taiyo's red fiery aura then burst around him and he collected his energy. Mr. Okata seemed surprised to witness all of Taiyo's hidden rei. Taiyo rushed towards him throwing fireballs one by one. Mr. Okata swiftly dodged each one as he made his way to Taiyo for another attack. He concentrated all his rei to his left arm to punch Taiyo right in his gut knocking the wind out of him. Taiyo fell to his knees coughing blood.
Mr. Okata: You have grown so strong Taiyo. I can see now that you definitely are the son of Xomoto The Swift.
Mr. Okata clutches his fist full of rei for one final blow to end Taiyo's life. Taiyo looks at Mr. Okata with desperation.
Taiyo: I can join you now father….
Taiyo looks at the face of Mr. Okata and notices something strange. A single tear was beginning to fall from Okata's eye.
Taiyo: … huh ?
Mr. Okata: It is too late…they are already here.
Taiyo: Who is here? Why are you crying? Are you sparring my life?
Mr. Okata: I was trying to protect you. I never wished for you to die. Now there are people coming right now to end your life.
Taiyo: Why….. I do not believe you, why would anyone want to kill me? I am just a commoner from the slums of the Sector Of Emerald.
Taiyo had begun to get hysterical.
Taiyo: I do not want to die…Not yet, I have to know what happened to my father.
Mr. Okata: I will not let you die Taiyo, I will protect you. And then I will tell you everything I kn-
Right before Mr. Okata could finish his sentence, his arm had been sliced clean off his body. Taiyo did not believe anything that was happening as he saw Mr. Okata's limb fly into the air. Mr. Okata gripped his newfound wound in utter pain. Blood spattered all over the street.
Mr. Okata: So they are here. Taiyo go now!
Taiyo: I won't leave you!
Mr. Okata gave Taiyo a terrifying glare.
Mr. Okata: GOOOOO !
Taiyo ran off into the darkness with fear inside his heart.
Mr. Okata stood there with his one arm severed from his body. A group of men appeared through the shadows all wearing dark hooded robes. The leader who had cut Okata's arm off removed his hood and stepped forward.
Mysterious man: We warned you that the lockette should be in our possession by yesterday. You have violated your code with our sector and now we question where your loyalty belongs.
Mr. Okata: hehehe….You mean this lockette.
Okata pulls the lockette out of his pouch to present in front of the men.
Mysterious man: Yes I see that you have fulfilled your duty. Consider your arm to be punishment for delaying our mission. Now hand over the lockette.
Mr. Okata: The only way you will get this is if you can rip it off my corpse.
Mr. Okata smirks in front of the mysterious group.
Mysterious man: An old fool. Your worthless life could have been spared today.
The group of men all charge towards Mr. Okata. Okata puts up a fight dodging and evading attacks and countering with his fist of Rei. One of the men unsheathes his sword and slashed a big cut through Okata's shoulder. Okata leaps a great distance backward and powers up for a devastating attack.
Mr. Okata: I'm much too experienced to let you young Gado's get the best of me. I have not used this in quite some time. Arghhhhh !
Mr. Okata released an explosion of Rei wiping out the wave of men. The only one left was the leader.
Mysterious Man: I can see how you had such a high ranking in our division. You still have an immense amount of Rei left, even as an elder.
Mr. Okata.: I have not fought in quite some time, judging by how fast you took my arm, you should be more interesting than your friends.
The mysterious man started to chuckle.
Mysterious man: Consider yourself blessed old man. You will be the first person to see the first form of my active site.
The mysterious man joined his hands together and an immense amount of Rei flooded his body.
Mysterious Man: I really cannot help but feel sorry for you. I will make your death strenuous and painful for betraying the Sector of Diamond.
Mr. Okata felt startled by the amount of rei the mysterious man was building. A illuminous green aura revolved around the man. Just being around his rei had put Okata on edge.
Mysterious man: Witness the power of the first stage of the active site, my progod phase!
The man flashed in front of Okata slashing him on the opposite side of his shoulder.
Mr. Okata: Arghhh ! His speed dramatically increased! I did not even see him!
The man let out a barrage of quick slashes to Okata's body. Okata leaped back in an attempt to heal but the man appeared right behind stabbing him through his back, pulling the sword out, and kicking him meters in the other direction. Okata's body poured blood. He could feel his body no more as he drew near death.
Mysterious Man: You should have done what you were told. Now you will die here.
Suddenly a ball of fire struck the mysterious man forcing him to his knee. Taiyo emerged from the dark alley.
Taiyo: I do not know what is happening but I will not allow for you to kill him. Get out of here now.
Mysterious man: You have made a grave mistake boy. You must be a fool to think you can actually defeat me. I will have your head for this.
The mysterious man rushed towards Taiyo lunging his sword towards his heart. Mr. Okata flashed in front of Taiyo pushing him out the way. The man's sword went through Okata's gut. With the last of Okata's strength , he held on to the man's wrist.
Mysterious Man: What are you doing old man? Let go of me!
Mr. Okata: Taiyo now! You have to kill him now, use everything you got into one attack and finish this! I don't have much strength left.
Taiyo looked at this struggle between these two men and found it difficult to choose what he must do.
Mysterious man: This kid could not hope to slay me even if he trained his whole life. Stop wasting time and unhand me you bastard!
Taiyo knew only one spell that was lethal enough to kill the man, but he knew that it might also kill Mr. Okata as well.
Taiyo: Okata, I….. I can do it but I do not wish for you to get hurt.
Mr. Okata: Do not waste our time on me, if he breaks free, then we will both die. You have to make a move now Taiyo, your father is watching you trust me!
Taiyo knew right there what he had to do. He closed his eyes and put his hands together. Taiyo concentrated every drop of rei inside of him and focused it on the man.
Mysterious man: I will not die here!
The man breaks free of Okata's grip and charged towards to Taiyo.
Taiyo: I can do this, I can do this, I CAN DO THIS !
The man stops his charge as he noticed his leg caught fire, then his arm , next his face. His body soon became engulfed into flames.
Mysterious man: Noooooo! How could a boy attain such an elite spell !
The mysterious man burned into ashes in front of Taiyo. Taiyo had never killed before but the thrill from the fight excited him. Okata lay on the street with a pool of blood surrounding him.
Taiyo: Mr. Okata!?
Mr. Okata: Come here….I need you to listen to everything I am about to say before I die.
Taiyo: No! I will not let you die, I have a healing spell.
The desperate Taiyo put his hands together.
Mr. Okata: No stop…save your Rei. It is too late for me Taiyo….I do not have much time left so pay attention.
Mr. Okata pulls Taiyo's lockette out of his pouch and handed it to Taiyo.
Mr. Okata: This lockette is the reason why all of this happening to you. Your father had stolen it from our enemy, the Sector Of Diamonds. After he stole the lockette, he abandoned his sector in fear we would find him and moved here with you. I was originally a spy for the Sector of Diamonds. I was sent here to look for Xomoto The Swift and when I did, I befriended him hiding my true identity. Your father was one of the strongest men alive so I know I could not defeat him and reclaim the lockette back. That was when I decided to poison him….every chance I had, I would infect his food or something in his gin.
Taiyo grew furious inside.
Taiyo: You are the reason why my father had fallen so ill these last few years! How could you do something like that? He trusted you !
Mr. Okata: Yes that was all me…..It was all part of the mission so I had not thought twice about it until….until I became Xomoto's best friend. I had no family of my own but Xomoto and you quickly welcomed me into yours. I never had been so happy than I have been in these last eight years. I was there as Xomoto passed away today. I had confessed everything to him as he took his last breath. Even then , he told me he forgives me and left me one last request…to protect you.
The tears started to pour from Taiyo's face.
Mr. Okata: The plan was to kill you as well but I decided to make my own plan. I faked his suicide and wrote the note so you would forfeit the lockette without struggle. Unfortunately, things do not always go as planned.
Mr. Okata began to cough out blood and his body started shutting down.
Mr. Okata: It…..is so cold….
Taiyo: You have to tell me, you have to tell me what is inside this lockette that is so important that my father paid his life for!
Mr. Okata was falling in and out of consciousness.
Taiyo: Mr. Okata!
Mr. Okata:….Taiyo…there is someone else who could lead you to the truth. You must join Gado Academy and become a gado. That is the only way….the gate will open tomorrow at exactly noon. You must go there.
Taiyo: No…I am not strong enough yet.
Mr. Okata points to Taiyo's heart and gives him one last look before taking his last breath.
Mr. Okata: Thank you Taiyo...I now must join my best friend.
Mr. Okata's eyes shut and he dies on the street. Taiyo takes a moment to process everything that Okata said. He then wipes away his tears and picks up his body; he makes his way home from a horrific night. The next morning , Taiyo buried his Father and Mr. Okata next to each other in his back yard. An accidental smile appears on his face as he thinks of the two in the afterlife drinking gin as they usually would do. Taiyo throws down his shovel and gazed at the giant wall that separated him from the Academy Of Gados.
Taiyo: It should be noon soon…this will be the last time I look at the outside of this wall.
Chapter Fin