Chapter 7 is now up, and for some reasons, I saw that the reviewing function of to be buggy today. In any case, I just hope it wouldn't pose too much of a problem to those who are interested, so... read and review!

Chapter 7

The final challenge

The creaking sound of the swinging hammock and the smell of freshly harvested hay blew Sukaku back to reality. And here he was now, away from Blizzard's Howl, away from the memories of fifteen years of working tirelessly with his comrades with the sole aim of creating something being able to tame the temperament of gods, away from it all. his last day in Blizzard's Howl was well twenty years back in the past, and yet the memories of the olden days still manifested as vividly as it could be in the old smith's mind. They would probably say that elderly and retired people would often spend a good portion of their time in reminiscence, but none would find Sukaku's reasons for dwelling in the tales of his past days unsupported or unjustified. For it was Blizzard's Howl and Kuraodo that helped made him who he was now.

The soothing chirping of summer nightingales and an ever rhythmically rocking hammock, just like a baby's cradle, as well as the sluggishness of old age and a good dose of hyacinth scent was sufficient to douse the old man's sense back to his semi-slumber of memories, where the memories of the days past continued its playback in the smith's mind. The scene now switched to the very day when the blade was completed, when fifteen years' work had paid off, and when Sukaku could immerse himself in his own vanity and pride as he wished. In any aspect imaginable, that was the most joyous day of Sukaku's life, yet the most mysterious one, and the memory of the festivity paled in comparison to the great secret that he would probably never find out in his lifetime...

The four residents of Blizzard's Howl celebrated the day as if it were the first ever Independence Day. A party was held up in Kuraodo's private quarters just a short walk from Sukaku's own to make the day even more memorable as if it hadn't been already. For just four people, the feast was exceptionally huge, as Kuraodo and Dr. Mayakovskaya got the tables laid for a dozen at least. What was more special, for the first time in the whole chain of event did Kuraodo call off his ban on alcoholic beverages, and vodka, martini and sherry were free to flow, as the leading figure took his share as well, in contrary to his normal teetotaling habit. Sukaku enjoyed himself heartily, as he observed his three partners with increasing interest.

It was hardly believable that those who were often uptight and serious, as well as shrouded in an atmosphere of science, learning and cosmic mysteries like Dr. Mayakovskaya and Professor Newton could ever enjoy a festivity. They truly were, as besides consuming a whole pint of fully matured Vodka, Professor Newton made sure that the entire room heard his less than acceptable singing for over half an hour, while Dr. Mayakovskaya got herself set with another half a pint, giving out both punny and funny remarks throughout the party. And when the unceremonious eating and drinking was to end, Sukaku realize to his horror that the table had been fully emptied with the two scientists having consumed the majority.

If there was someone who didn't enjoy himself so much at the dinner, it was probably his leader, project chief, as well as one he has been regarding as a friend for quite some time now, the ghastly, pale shadow of a man called Kuraodo. After taking a few drinks and a little food, Kuraodo silently left the room for the corridor, where he stood there, leaning against the balcony, looking at the flying snowflakes outside with a faraway sight. Noticing this, Sukaku quietly left the table and trailed after the young man, to see if there was anything he could help. What good would it do anyway? Sukaku sighed, I don't even quite know if this effort is worth the trouble. Yes, for someone having been working with the mysterious figure for such a long time, it was rather unacceptable to find out in the last minute that he knew way too little about the person he had been working under the command of, not to mention the substandard size of the community. And yet the smith somewhat felt a hint going on in the air that his friend and direct superior would rather not have people know too much about him, however close and trustworthy they were.

Racking his memories, Sukaku realized that the more they worked together, the more he felt that his comrade was inhuman, and was trying his best to make sure that people did not inquire him ore than he would like to answer. While everyone else in the tiny sub-community had aged in the length of the past fifteen years, Kuraodo had hardly changed, and he looked still as young and innocent as the day they met. He talked little, and when he did speak, used but honorifics to address the rest of the crew, apparently keeping his distances.

Sukaku's only way of knowing what he thought, how he was feeling and what he was designing or up to by looking at his eyes and expression, probably the only thing in him that had changed through the space and time of one and a half decades. Although the vastly overshadowing shade in Kuraodo's eyes were a greenish color of hope, of youth and innocence, Sukaku could see various other things from his eyes. The bloody red glint of anger, the bluish shade of happiness, the encompassing green tint of hope could be seen in Kuraodo's eyes all the time. The every movement of his eyes were a tell-tale source of information to Sukaku as well, as the shadowy figure was naive enough to fail to cover up his eyes as he spoke. Quick batting of the eyelid would reveal an increasing interest as much as a closed and quickly reopening eye denotes a harsh inquiry. A fully closed eye when coupled with a smile would mean happiness while that followed by a tense expression would show speculation. But even that much knowledge wasn't enough to meet the standard for someone who has known Kuraodo for that long.

And now today Sukaku had to use the old strategy and observe Kuraodo's reaction to try to figure out what he had in mind. Yet, when Sukaku had taken a good look, he now wished he hadn't, as the tale he could tell from the investigation suggested anything but a jumbled mass of thoughts. Clearly, in Kuraodo's eyes at that time, Sukaku could see hope, as well as despair; happiness and contentment as well as unhappiness and disappointment; satisfaction as well as regret; and anger side by side with fear. The complexity was such that for the moment being Sukaku was unable to comprehend the depth of his comrade's mind.

"You are here at last, as I would suppose," Kuraodo's voice sounded softly- he did realize Sukaku was there.

"Well, Kuraodo, just wondering what was wrong with you all the while," Sukaku said soothingly, "Why aren't you in? For one thing, I am not quite for staying out in the cold after drinking something that could make you dizzy like heavy vodka, and for the other, it would be better not to spoil the others' fun, is it?"

"You don't quite understand... since the destruction of Nanatsu, I have been a killjoy," Kuraodo smiled sadly, shaking his head in what appeared to be a stroke of despair, "It is better if I just stay here for now..."

Kuraodo had always looked dreadful, texture-wise, as his face would bear an overshadowing shade of pale, unhealthy grey all the time. Yet never before had Sukaku seen Kuraodo in such a sorry state, as his pale skin was turning icy bluish, about the color of frostbites. That close look apparently brought Sukaku to the conclusion that unless his colleague received some warming soon, he would pretty much freeze to death.

"If you would like to commit suicide, do it some other time, everyone else is having fun here," Sukaku smirked with a joking glint in his voice, "Your death would bring about some unhealthy depression into the air"

"You don't understand, do you?" Kuraodo suddenly boomed angrily, "Should I tell you politely to let me be, or should I just be blunt and order you to get lost?"

Sukaku was nearly taken aback by the shock. Having been fair, reasonable, gentle and kind for all his life that Sukaku had known of, there was as few as no occasions when Kuraodo was ever annoyed, let alone furious. He always treated everyone else with absolute politeness and such caring gentleness that could hardly be seen in a leader like himself. Even during the time when everything was still in a mess, when the project was brought to a virtual standstill by the series of accidents that almost ended up with a handicapped Sukaku, Kuraodo was able to keep a cool head. Even when everything was an inch from collapse and failure, Kuraodo was still firm and optimistic. There was no reason for him to be in such a whim when everything had been over while having endured the painstaking process with such a staggeringly calm attitude, not one that Sukaku could think about.

Before long, Sukaku started to realize something was wrong wth his friend and benefactor, as Kuraodo turned back at his loyal warsmith, hands cupping his forehead in a pose readily translatable into anguish and inner pain. The ghastly man spoke nothing, succumbing to what appeared to be an aching head. His teeth clenched together as his facial muscles trembled out of discomfort, and needless to say, Kuraodo's behavior started to make Sukaku very anxious.

"Are you okay, mate?" Sukaku asked, his tone showing an obvious degree of worry, "You don't look that healthy, do you?"

"We will talk again tomorrow, Sukaku-sama," Kuraodo tried to put up a polite face as he tried to contain his own pains, "As of now, please let me be"

As persistent as Sukaku may be, he would have no other choice in that situation. Reluctantly retreating back to the party and rejoining the two scientists as they enjoyed the most memorable day in their whole life, Sukaku couldn't help but worrying about what would await his friend and mentor, as well as himself, when the next day came upon the lands. When the fun ended and everyone retreated to his room, Sukaku backed to his quiet getaway, and the sleep that descended upon him shortly thereafter was turbulent at best- not a pretty sight for such a perfect day, at all...

The turbulent dreams and restlessness Sukku had in the night resulted in a near-comatose state when he finally got his much needed sleep. It was then common knowledge how absolutely startled he was when he felt someone opening the door, entering his room, and approaching his bed. As the sense of danger struck his subconscious mind, bringing it back to reality, the smith jumped out of his comfortable nest out of horror, only to realize that it was no one other than his friend and benefactor, Kuraodo Gaean, standing in front of him. That realization did not quite brought Sukaku back at rest, for the smith soon realized that there was something abnormal about the air, as Kuraodo did not turn on the light upon entrance, but instead, just drew the curtain a bit to let the dim sky provide the least illumination he could think of. Sukaku started to see that Kuraodo wasn't paying him a casual visit like he usually does.

"You have woken up, Sukaku-sama," Kuraodo said rather sadly, as he left the window, "I would say that this may be the last time that we would ever meet, and I wasn't quite able to come to the fact"

Sukaku looked at his companion closer as the dim light from the snowy sky shone weakly upon Kuraodo's form. The smith was surprised- unlike usual when Kuraodo would enjoy himself donned in the light blouse that the two scientists took as their uniform, in this instance, Kuraodo was dressed in exactly the same attire when they met, with a leathery set of pant and battle fatigue, with his hammer mounted on his shoulder in battle-ready position. Kuraodo's face could not be fully seen, but in the shadows of the four walls Sukaku was still able to figure out the crystal clear, innocent eyes of the childlike Kuraodo, those eyes that could never conceal anything. And this time, the shades tinting Kuraodo's eyes suggested something dire. There was a strong glint of regret and an apologetic flare, as well as a flaring, bloodthirsty flame that Sukaku had never seen in the young benefactor before, and an all-encompassing shade of sadness clearly visible as Kuraodo stared at Sukaku, slightly shaking his head in self-disapproval. This strange behavior rang a bell to the smith, and Sukaku almost immediately felt the threat from the man he used to call a friend.

"That hammer..." Sukaku sat there, mulling over the situation for some time. The serious look and tense air on Kuraodo's face sooner than enough brought Sukaku to what the ghastly figure had asserted fifteen years ago prior to his arrival at Blizzard's howl, that he would not survive to see his motherland once again. And more than once Kuraodo had openly mentioned since then that because the godslaying blade's nature, he would do anything in his power to keep the weapons in secret, if they were ever completed. Would that mean Kuraodo would dispose of him, the smith who had been working with him all this while relentlessly and tirelessly, in order to protect the secret? Shuddering at the thought, a large sweat drop rolled down Sukaku's cheek, though it was quite cold out of his warm blanket. Unconsciously and for no apparent reasons, Sukaku tried to maintain a calm impression as he looked at Kuraodo straight in his eyes.

"You came to get rid of me, didn't you?" Sukaku asked bitterly, partly trying to come up to the truth, and partly hoping that it wasn't true, "Was that because of the weapon?"

"I am sorry, Sukaku-sama. What we have at stake is too much to take any risk," Kuraodo shook his head, "No one who have known the existence of Limit and Reciprocal should be able to live to tell the tale, as a matter of principle."

"I see," Sukaku's heart sank upon hearing those words, as fear started to strike into his deepest corners, and he asked weakly, "What did you do to Professor Newton and Dr. Mayakovskaya?"

"Nothing. They are no longer alive to be disposed of in the first place, and neither am I," Kuraodo stated, shaking his head, "They are still here with me in Blizzard's Howl, and more likely than not, they shall never leave"

"What?" Sukaku asked back in disbelief, almost forgetting his own situation, "You mean..."

"We are the only one who survived the destruction of Nanatsu, in that we weren't annihilated, though yes, we did die," Kuraodo asserted, "But it is too long a tale to tell you right now, I am afraid"

Sukaku said nothing, which was quite a surprise on his part. Since birth, Sukaku was much less than the ordinary adventurer in terms of bravery and selflessness. He carried many vices of the sly merchants, including greed, calculation and cowardly. He was by no means the kind of person one could trust fully. Understanding that, it would be hard to comprehend why fear did not bring him to his knees upon hearing Kuraodo's dooming words. Sukaku failed to come to grips with his own self at this point- later on, he still didn't understand why he did not give way to fright and bend his knees begging for his life, like many other merchants would when their lives and money were similarly threatened. Maybe the life of constant danger, of challenges, and the friendly atmosphere of camaraderie there in Blizzard's Howl had converted the coward within him, perhaps. All what he could remember after that was that he had been looking at Kuraodo straight in his complex eyes for a long, long time, still keeping silence and eye contact in the meantime.

"Alright, it seemed that you have made it through," Kuraodo broke the silence at last, and it was good riddance, as his eyes started to appear milder and gentler, and his hammer was discarded to the ground. From the looks of things, the worst moments had passed.

"I don't get it," Sukaku said out of utter astonishment as he slowly made it to his feet, "What do you mean, made it through?"

"Did you remember the time I told you, nine out of ten you shall be unable to return to Lore again?" Kuraodo nimbly avoided the question, "Do you know what I meant by that?"

"At first I thought that meant I would never be able to complete the task in my lifetime," Sukaku said, calmness coming back to him after all, "Just now I thought you meant that I would not live to tell the tale. And now I am afraid I have failed to come to grips with it"

"You are originally a merchant, Sukaku-sama. You don't possess the innate sense of pride and courage that warriors and knights enjoy. On the contrary, a merchant's greed and cowardliness is quite obvious in you the day we met. As a friend and partner, I can trust you, but as one to share a deathly secret, no," Kuraodo said, "Today I have to confront that fact. I came here today to see if you are trustworthy, if you can stare in the face of death without begging for your life and if you can valiantly face your demise if it comes rather untimely"

"And if I can't?" Sukaku asked curiously.

"Then I would have asked you for your forgiveness. Because in that case I myself will destroy you," Kuraodo said, his childlike and innocent smile reviving on his face as the benefactor approached the lamp and switched it on, "Now that you have survived the test, you are free to go home now. The chance was slim, but you made it."

"How?" Sukaku asked. The fact that after fifteen years of living far away from his home on a secret mission, he could finally come home again struck him as a joyful news. Still, the sound of "home" sounded rather odd to him after such a long time having seen Blizzard's Howl as his residence...

"We shall leave now, Sukaku-sama," Kuraodo said joyously, "Do you remember the wormhole from fifteen years ago?"

"I shall never forget that," Sukaku smirked, "Hopefully I shall not suffer as much as I did from the last time..."

"You wish," laughed Kuraodo heartily, as he led Sukaku out of his room.

Within another ten minutes, the ever-snowing sky of Blizzard's Howl came to the observation of two shadows quietly leaving the building, before entering the enclosure of the intergalactic traveling device known as the worm hole, and needless to say, one of them would never see the raging snowstorms and the metal gates of Blizzard's Howl ever again...