Mirai stopped when she looked through the fire and saw a figure. The figure looked like an older woman. It was hard to tell from where she stood. Mirai took a step closer and called out to the figure.
"Hello?" She yelled, hands cupped around her mouth to increase the sound. The figure turned to face her. Mirai couldn't make out the facial features. The figure turned their back to her and started walking away. Mirai started walking after the figure. She would easily catch up to the slow-walking figure. She placed a hand on the figure's shoulder. Mirai almost fainted when she saw the face of the woman.
"Ai?" That was all that Mirai could say. Ai smiled.
"Mirai." Ai said quietly.
"What happened? I thought you died!" Mirai yelled at her former master.
"I did." Ai told bluntly, "You are asleep, my dear."
"Ai, what am I supposed to do?" Mirai asked, accepting her fate knowing that Ai was never wrong. Ai smiled.
"Such a lost child." Ai told her. Mirai looked down. She was lost. She didn't know what to do or where to go. She needed guidance, "What you need to do is follow what you believe is right. Even if others may stand against you."
Mirai looked up, "But I can't. Not alone."
Ai smiled at her child-figure, "You won't be."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll know when you do." Ai told her. Ai turned her back towards Mirai, "You are waking up."
"Wait! Don't leave me!" Mirai cried. Ai just kept walking away, "Please!"
Mirai fell on her knees. Tears coming from both eyes. The area started to brighten. She was waking.
Mirai threw herself up from on the ground. There was man who looked familiar sitting across from her. His eyes were closed; he must be sleeping too. She looked around the camp. They were no longer in the city but outside of it on top of a small hill overlooking the burning wreckage. She saw her mask laying beside her. She grabbed it and put it on. She noticed the man was also wearing a mask over the bottom of his face. He seemed recognizable but she couldn't put her finger on it.
The man moved slightly before opening his eyes. His head moved towards her. When he saw she was awake, he stood.
"I trust you slept well." He said to her. She nodded. His voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
"Who are you?" Mirai asked.
"I'm the one who saved your life." He responded, "What were you doing in there anyway?"
She stayed quiet for a couple seconds, "I was trying to find out what happened."
"The village was attacked by Vikings." He paused for a few seconds, as if wondering if he should saw the next part, "It was the village of the Demon's Head clan."
Mirai looked at him, "Really?"
He nodded. Mirai stood and sighed.
"Now, that you are okay, I should go." The man took his pack. Mirai watched him as he started to walk away.
"Wait." Mirai stopped him, "Remove your mask."
He sighed. He put his hands on the brim of his mask and pulled it down. He sighed again and turned to Mirai. Mirai stood back almost in shock. He was the man she had helped.
"You're him." She whispered.
"Excuse me?"
"You're the man whom I found on the road." She said louder this time, "You're him!"
"You're the one who… saved me?" He asked. She nodded, "Well I suppose this warrants some thanks."
"I'm sure you would have done the same thing. Like you did." She chuckled quietly.
"What is your name?" He questioned.
"Mirai." She responded hesitantly, "You?"
"Otake."
Hey guys/girls, sorry if the chapters are getting very short. I just don't have too much time to right with things going on. I'll try to update whenever I can. The newer chapter will most likely be short. They will probably focus on one or two characters at a time instead of trying to fit all of them in. Again, sorry.
Crimson
