Cole watched as Xenudah and Yakunan conversed, his heart pounding in his throat. He could tell Xenudah was on edge and wanted to leave to save his wife and daughter. Cole was surprised that Xenudah wasn't trying to leave yet. At one point, Yakunan had even set aside his katana and sais, and was begging for his son to let him in his head and help him.
It would have been fine if Xenudah had let his father in. Cole doubted that he could have done much at the time. He was again and again stopped from saying anything.
Xenudah suddenly walked over to Cole, looking away from his father slowly.
"What is it?" Cole asked.
"I'm going to go out there and save my wife and daughter," Xenudah replied. "Even if I have to sacrifice my own life to do it, I'm doing it. I will not let them suffer. Not for a second longer."
"I understand," Cole said. "I may not like it, but you have to do it. I would do the same thing, if my family was out there."
"Thank you, Cole. I will always remember you." With that said, Xenudah put his helmet on and walked past him to the door of the Temple of Fortitude.
Cole froze. He wasn't sure what to do, if he should follow Xenudah or stay here. Xenudah already had a head start on him. Cole walked to the door and opened it. He was looking at the door, his back to Xenudah, and heard a large number of footsteps stomping. Cole looked back to Xenudah and realized that Xenudah was gone. He had already left.
Xenudah heard the yelling of someone behind him. The voice was familiar, yet he could not make out what it was saying. Even if he could, he doubted that he would not care. He was too focused on surviving and saving his wife and daughter. Xenudah would not stop, even for a second. He would not falter. He would not even care when his sword was destroyed. He was going to save his family, and that was the way it was going to be.
"You there!" If Xenudah could turn back, he would see that it was Kai. "Can't you see that you are in no shape to help your family right now? If you go out there now, you are going to kill yourself and won't be able to help them!"
Xenudah could not respond as he slowly made his way towards the forest near the edge of the city.
"Well?! Answer me!" Kai yelled.
Xenudah could not answer. He didn't have anything to say, he only had one purpose on his mind. That was to save his family. He could not do anything else.
Xenudah slowly turned his head to the side. Kai was standing there, blocking his path towards the forest. He was saying something else, but Xenudah couldn't make out what it was he said. The only thing he could hear was the rushing sound of the Oni marching in his ears. He was not too interested in anything Kai had, or was going to say. He would not ask why Kai was cornering him. He didn't care. All he cared about was getting to the forest. It was too far away.
Oni feet stamped the ground in the middle of a cloud of dust and grass. He saw an Oni warrior marching ahead of the rest of them.
Xenudah ran towards the Oni warrior. He drew his sword and started swinging, slowly at first but then more rapidly.
The Oni warrior swept its sword back and forth, knocking Xenudah back. The swings were powerful and the hits were quick. Xenudah's sword was slowing him down.
Before he knew it, the Oni warrior was behind him. He turned around, trying to defend himself. The Oni warrior pushed off with one foot and nailed Xenudah in the chest with its other foot. Xenudah was thrown back, falling to the ground. His sword was sliding away from him.
The Oni warrior picked up his sword, then walked to Xenudah as he scrambled to get up. Xenudah managed to get to his feet and held up his energy shield. He pointed his sword forward. The Oni warrior swung his sword down, but faster than Xenudah could react. The Oni warrior knocked the sword away and knocked Xenudah back with his shield.
Xenudah hit the ground on his back with a groan. The Oni warrior walked towards Xenudah, who was struggling to get up.
Yakunan looked out the window. Xenudah was in the center of the field. The Oni warriors were surrounding him. They held his family hostage. He knew Xenudah loved his family, but he couldn't let them suffer.
"No!" Yakunan roared, tears streaming down his face as he did.
The Oni warriors stopped marching and looked back at Yakunan. They all started shouting at once. Their booming voices echoed all around him.
Yakunan calmed himself down and thought for a moment. He closed his eyes and waited. He did not scream or shout; he remained quiet. Even so, all of the Oni warriors were staring at him. They only stopped once Epsilon spoke.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"I'm going to end this war," Yakunan said with a solemn face. "It will end right here. Leave my son alone."
"Don't you get it?! He was trying to let your guard down so we could attack."
Yakunan's heart clenched at the Oni's remark. Did Xenudah just– He couldn't think. His emotions were too strong. He couldn't handle such a betrayal. He couldn't even open his eyes.
"Leave him be," Epsilon ordered the other Oni.
"But you heard him-"
"Leave. Him. Be." Xenudah heard voices around him. They were talking about something, but he couldn't make out what the voices were saying. He ignored them, even as the voices got louder. He was too focused on surviving, fighting the Oni warriors.
Soon Xenudah was swarmed by Oni. Xenudah had entered a zone, where his body was moving on its own. He had become numb to what was happening around him. His sword was in front of him as he tried to block the Oni in front of him, holding his shield above his head.
Many of the Oni who were blocking were taken down by Xenudah's sword, which was blocking the Oni warriors from getting close to him. Xenudah swiftly moved his blade from side to side, taking down anyone who came too close to him. For every enemy that was with him, many more would rush forward.
Xenudah was not afraid. He knew that he would never give up. He knew that he would get to the forest, and save his family. His heart would not falter, even if all else did.
The Oni kept attacking Xenudah as he managed to kill them. They pushed him back, step by step, for each one that died. They were taking too long. He had to get to the forest. It would not wait for him. He was wasting too much time. After a small while, Xenudah would no longer sense the Oni. He could feel them, but not see them.
Xenudah had no idea what was happening around him. Was he winning? He could not tell. He did not stop to check. He only continued to fight as if he was still surrounded by the enemy. He would not lose his composure.
Xenudah kept fighting for himself. Eventually, Xenudah was able to reach the forest and stepped into the forest. He blocked what held him back. He'd find his family one way or another. But he was growing tired.
"Xenudah!" Yakunan cried. "A-Are you okay? What happened?! Are you hurt?"
Xenudah scrambled to his feet, but he was too exhausted. "F-Father…you were right… I should've let you help…"
"Xenu…" the former Overlord knelt by his son's side, holding him close.
"The Oni have Shiren and Kymika, they won't let them go…" Xenudah struggled to maintain his composure, his voice becoming shaky—he was too devastated. "I have to…find them. I have to save them...before it's too late…"
The former Overlord grabbed his son's shoulders, holding Xenudah in place. "You must hold off, Xenudah. You cannot rescue your family right now. You have to be in top shape if you want to save them. They won't wait for you. Your heart and mind must be clear. You cannot be swept away by your emotions. Not now. I know you are dedicated and strong, but now is the time for you to let go of those feelings. Your family still has a chance."
Xenudah tried to ignore his father, struggling against him. "S-Save my family…!" Xenudah begged. "I'm begging you, please…!"
The former Overlord hugged his son close, wrapping his arms around Xenudah's back. "I know you want to save your family, I do too," Yakunan said with desperation. "But you must focus. You cannot save everyone. Not now."
The other Oni cleared the area leaving only the father and child. As the space around them cleared, the former Overlord wrapped Xenudah close in an embrace.
"They will be okay, Xenudah. Everything will be okay."
The words were embedded in Xenudah's heart. They resonated with him, calming him. He felt his head resting on his father's shoulder. I have to believe in my father's words. I have to believe in my father.
Xenudah's breathing slowed and he fell limp in his father's arms. Yakunan let go of his son and managed to lift him up. "Let's go. But you have to stay awake. Please don't leave me… I just cannot lose you again..."
As they walked out of the forest, Xenudah looked around and watched as the sky grew dark. Soon, he would be asleep.
That was when Yakunan realized he was exhausted as well, even though he was trying to remain awake. It was too much for him, this heavy load placed on his shoulders. He picked Xenudah up and carried him the rest of the way. He wouldn't give up on his son. They would find a solution, no matter how long it would take.
That, he could assure.