Time: Day of attack of Devil's Hand
After the revelation Tiho wanted to go fight the Devil's Hand and clear the misunderstanding but he knew he couldn't do much this time, he'd sensed them right when they arrived, and they were too strong right now. So he was going to get the artefact that could definitely turn the battle to the village's side, the "Kin No Ryujin"
He entered the temple where it was located. Not wasting any time and simply jumping over walls and fences he got into the temple.
The Ryujin was glowing golden and it almost seemed as if it were calling out to him. He reached it and held it in his arms, surprised that despite being a direct descendant of the ancient devil, he wasn't hurt at all while holding it.
He was about to go but two ninjas were blocking his way, obviously misunderstanding the situation.
Tiho made a sad face," I don't have time for this." He sighed, releasing a wave of energy knocking them away.
"I'm sorry but I have to hurry.", he mentally said as he ran as fast as he could.
However as he was approaching the battlefield to protect his beloved and the ninja clans, the 2nd rank officer that he had defeated earlier.
The evil warrior smirked slyly," I believe we have a score to settle."
Tiho was anticipating some divinity but the Ryujin only glowed, nothing else.
Realizing it was upto him before the Ryujin did any of its miracle, Tiho launched at the bad guy with a fist charged with energy. The 2nd rank officer caught it easily, he smirked,
" Do you know why football players aren't allowed to have sex when matches are approaching ? I had heard it hinders their perforformance. Now I see it actually is true."
For a moment Tiho heavily blushed, "Wh-what ? H-how ?"
The officer repliled with a shrug," Spycams!" He launched again at Tiho.
The battle continued, the officer had a slight upper hand.
…
They both were bloodied and breathing heavily," You're one of us Tiho. In fact you would even be our leader given the size of that mark on your body. Join us, brother."
The officer added the last part mockingly, "I'm not your bro…" he couldn't finish his sentence as a sword infused with demonic energy cut through his stomach from the back.
The 2nd rank officer laughed," Took you long enough Mr. E [ Mr. E ~ E for enigma : pun on 'mystery'!]".
"The ninjas are really tough you see, and besides I get paid according to how many I kill."
"S-scum.." Tiho manged to spout despite his consciousness fading.
The officers laughed evilly cause of their inevitable victory.
Mr.E approached the Ryujin, "I'll be taking this."
"AAAHH!" He winced in pain as he was electrocuted upon touching the Ryujin which now glowed britghter every second.
"Destroy it!" The other 2nd rank officer shouted, and both of the villains started pouring their demonic energy into their hands ready to launch attack on the holy artefact which exploded with blinding energy.
Tiho saw it through a blurred vision and he heard the sound," Father!"
And somehow he was flying away, probably due to the violent release of energy.
His head struck a hard rock but he could feel his stomach healing slowly, a divine essence that had spread, and he dropped down into the sea right before falling unconscious.
Meanwhile a streak of light made its way towards the direction of the battlefield.
….
Several years later….
Tiho was now taking shelter under a building in Kathmandu, for the rain seemed unstoppable. He was looking at the vehicles passing by on the street, wondering where they were going, they probably needed to go somewhere for they had a purpose, unlike himself.
He didn't remember who he was or where he had come from, he had been found ashore somewhere near the place called," Bay of Bengal."
The only clue he had was some sort of a gold pendant that had a map in it, he clutched it tightly, for it was his only key to figuring out his identity.
A speeding truck was approaching from his left but that wasn't his concern but a boy running across the street was, the boy would definitely get hit.
Even if the driver applied brakes, the road was slippery and judging by the speed of the truck the boy had no hope left.
Except him proved fate as Tiho rushed to grab the boy to safety swiftly catching him and narrowly avoiding the truck.
The truck went away as its sound dimmed as distance increased and the terrified boy was now crying in Tiho's arms.
Placing the boy on his feet, Tiho put his hand on the boy's head. Speaking in a soft voice," Don't cry! You're not meant to." The boy looked at him in confusion," You see… I didn't jump to save you… I was questioning god if my life even had a purpose, otherwise there'd be no point of living. And look God answered yes. I have to find the meaning of my life, and you too." The child was absorbing his words well," You have a great purpose. A destiny you have to fulfill, you'll be a great person someday and great people don't cry, do they?" Tiho smiled.
The child was keeping his head down still sobbing but obviously not in fear anymore because of his newfound confidence.
He noticed something on the ground, a pendant of some sort.
Thinking it belonged to the kind man, he spoke," Sir…" He noticed he was nowhere to be found.
"He saved me and disappeared…was he an angel?" The child picked up the pendant.
Apparently it had some kind of map in it. "Meaning of your life…purpose…" etc. words echoed in his mind as he picked up the pendeant and put it in his pocket and went to his home, the bullies that picked on him saying he was weak, the teachers that scolded him saying he was useless, his drunkard babysitter that beat him always when his mother wasn't around saying he was a pain. He realized they had been lying to him, he wasn't scared anymore, they were fake, after all he had a great mission, that he was sure the pendant's map meant something about it.
And he would find that out someday and he'd be like the angel that saved him, and he'd save every other like him.
-Meanwhile-
Underground, in the drains, a poor monk that had lost his memory was slowly getting up," Ouch! Not one of those manholes again."
He came out of the hole he fell in," Now where did that kid go?"
He looked around but couldn't find him.
But most panicking, he couldn't find the pendant. Searching frantically around he was almost going to burst into tears but a cry for help caught his attention.
He went to the direction and saw a man lying motionless bleeding, and there were two females behind him terrified who could most probably be his wife and daughter. He suddenly had a faint glimpse of a woman's memory, he must have been getting his memory back, she was dressed like the princess of Chinese folk tales and smiling like a goddess, but it didn't last long as his memory went away in an instant. The goon was about to attack the females but he intercepted and what he thought would only knock him unconscious, he instead completely bent the man's neck. Presumably killing him, he stared in shock at his own strength.
He knew he was strong compared to most people but..this..this was too much, and now that's not just it he'd even killed a person unknowingly. The women were staring at him in shock but their look almost became grateful until their attention returned almost immediately to th bleeding man. They sobbed but Tiho interrupted," He's still alive." The women looked at him in shock and almost pleaded him to do something.
-Some days later-
A nurse approached Tiho," The patient wants to talk to you." Tiho entered the room.
The victim, a business man from overseas had finally woke up from unconsciousness.
"I really thank you for saving me sir." The man pleaded.
"Please don't! It was my duty sir." Tiho replied.
"How's my little daughter ?" He asked sadly.
Tiho made a grim expsession," She seems to think it was her fault that she was weak, I told her she's just a kid but she wouldn't listen. But now you're fine so I'll be leaving you guys."
"B-but where will you be going? Can't you stay?"
"I don't know! I-I need to find my purpose…" Tiho said.
"Sir! Because of the incident my daughter's broken, but she seems to feel secure with you my wife said, and to top it off she is constantly under threat because fo our wealth and her uncle's ties to the Mafia."
The man gritted his teeth when mentioning her uncle.
Tiho listened to his words.
"I wanted to request you to become her guardian, her protector… and a surrogate father. While I do love her, I have too many enemies because of my brother, she's in danger, my family is..." He joined his hands to prove his desperation.
"We fled to this distant country so as to let her enjoy childhood like she deserves rather than being surrounded by guards and policemen but those demons found us even here but hearing about you I feel like you can always be there to protect her. Please! I'll offer you anything you want."
Tiho thought for a moment, maybe she'd eventually lead him to his purpose." I don't need your wealth, I promise I'll protect her forever. I do!"
The man gave a sigh of relief and smiled warmly," Welcome to the family."
Tiho grinned, for the first time in weeks.
Outside the hospital, a man in white shirts and black pants, holding a small notebook in his right palm fixed the position of his reading glasses.
And gave a smile that made him appear all-knowing.
"And so the tale begins!" He said softly to himself.