Francis stands in front of the train tracks. As he does, he stares at it blankly. He takes a quick look at the timing of the trains, ensuring that one is coming soon.
He continues to think. As he does, feelings of discomfort flood him. He feels as he is compelled to move forward. All he waits for is the right timing, so that one one will disrupt his plan.
He thinks to himself in English. "That's right… All this will end soon…"
"Train is incoming. Please stay clear of the tracks."
The announcement feels like it's pushing him to move ahead. He takes a few steps closer, bringing himself close enough that he can make it to the tracks in time.
As he looks at the tracks, he remembers the pain he felt. The anger. The hatred. The shame and guilt. As he is flooded, he thinks in English again.
"It will end soon."
Soon, he hears the trains coming. He closes his eyes and steps forward.
"No! I want to live!"
The thought forces him to open his eyes. As he stares blankly, the train comes to a stop in front of him. After the doors open, the person inside speaks to him politely in Japanese.
"Excuse me."
Francis makes his way for the exit. As he walks, a voice talks to him in English.
Thou hast faced thy darkness and gained the key to true power…
"Brother… no…."
Francis finds himself looking at a bearded man who is lying in his arms, with the latter bleeding to death. Francis had just called out to his man in a tongue unknown to him.
The bearded man, who Francis regards as his own brother for some reason, has red hair and beard. He has one eye, with the other injured in combat, and wears thick fur clothing, with armor underneath.
They are currently in what seems to be a snow covered plain. Prior to this moment, they were fighting a fierce battle, one in which his brother has slain a powerful foe, in return for his own life.
At the side of Francis' brother lies a bloodied spear, the weapon he used to slay his foes.
As he eyes his brother, Francis feels unimaginable sadness coursing through him. Both he and his brother seem to be shedding an untold amount of tears.
"Spider…"
Francis looks desperately at his brother, who just called him by a name unfamiliar to him. As he speaks, Francis can hear his brother struggling to speak. Having his attention, his brother keeps talking.
"Tell them this is for the gods… Please…. We cannot lose this battle… For…"
Francis somehow knows his brother is referring to the latter's family, whose names he can't make out for whatever reason.
"Brother…"
"Take care… Spider… I know how capable…. You are…"
With those final words, Francis', Spider's brother takes his last breath. Despite Spider's sadness, he makes a strong face.
"You!"
Spider turns over to see a man dressed in thick fur clothing.
"Your brother just killed that monster! What is he?!"
The man questions Spider with fear and anxiety. With plenty of other Spider's and his brother's allies behind him. Seeing this, Spider stands up, holding his spear and shield. He then raises his spear and says triumphantly.
"He is the avatar of the gods! He is the sign that they are on our side! With death in battle, he has earned glory in the afterlife! All those who fight shall join him! For the gods!"
Seeing Spider, seeing Francis roar with strength, the others join him. "For the gods!"
Time passes after the death of Spider's brother. Soon, the widow of his brother, the widow of the Crow, weeps for her husband.
However, a male elder comes to her side.
"Do not weep, my lady! For your husband is an avatar of the gods! With his death, he has earned unmeasurable glory and rewards in the afterlife!"
Crow's widow speaks sadly. "He was my husband! And he is now dead!"
The elder responds with annoyance. "Foolish woman! Do as you please!"
The scenery then shifts, with Francis, with Spider eying Crow's son as he trains. Both his trainers and peers bully him, with a trainer shouting at the boy as he struggles during training.
"Come on, boy! Your father is an avatar of the gods! Your might should rival that of a storm!"
The boy responds with fear. "My father is a mere man! And so am I!"
"Heresy!" The trainer responds with anger. With a hard punch, Crow's son is forced to exert himself once more.
As the sight fades to black, Spider's voice speaks sadly in the unknown tongue. Luckily, Francis understands what he speaks as their thoughts are connected.
"They no longer remember Brother… Just the gods…." He then speaks angrily. "Just the damned gods…."
Francis finds himself lying on his bed. Despite what happened yesterday, he had a restful sleep.
"Francis! Time for school!"
His mother calls out to him in English from outside his room. Despite his unwillingness, Francis brings himself up.
Four months later….
Francis' mother eyes him sadly as the young boy holds onto his luggage. His mother speaks kindly to him in English.
"You don't have to go. You can come with me."
Francis glares at his mother. Seeing this, his mother comes in for a hug. Despite his reluctance, Francis simply lets his mother hug him.
Soon, the train comes. As he gets on, his mother says kindly, tears streaming from her eyes as she does.
"I know your uncle will take good care of you. Goodbye, my dear son. I love you!"
"Bye." Francis replies coldly before he makes his way for his seat.
After he sits, Francis mutters to himself in English with irritation, confident nobody would understand him even if they heard.
"Inaba, huh? I really am heading for the slumps."
He then sighs and eyes out the window, continuing to talk to himself as he does.
"At least things can't get worse…"
Soon, tiredness pulls him to sleep.