Chapter VI: Grandma's Story
Immediately, the teen's grandmother opened the box. Tsubasa, who had been very curious was amazed when he saw that what there was were six pebbles, each one of a different color, a white feather and a small glass sphere.
-I know it doesn't seem to be much, but each stone is a fragment of the elements in its maximum purity. They are earth, fire, water, wind, light and love. This white feather is a feather of the wings of the being whose fate is to protect the Earth from any harm. It has passed from one generation to another, since it's said that the last time the White Archangels and the Black ones faced each other, one of my ancestors that was there was able to pick up one of the feathers of the Kami no Tsukai.
-Grandma... Do you know about the Kami no Tsukai? -Tsubasa asked. Although Shiro had told him before, he was no less surprised.
-Of course I know it, my boy. As I already told you, this story has been passed on by the women of my family, that is to say, yours. However, you're the first man that listens to it, and you'll also have to tell it to the girl that you like. However, I want you to answer me something.
-Sure, Grandma.
-Are you one of the Archangels?
-I thought you'd know it, Grandma. No, I'm not an Archangel.
When she heard that, the old woman's eyes filled with tears.
-Then it is true... What that being in white told me when I was sick.
-You're talking about Shiro, right?
-Yes.
-My mother told me that between your deliriums you had said I was in great danger, that I was facing my fate and that I possessed an unimaginable power. Shiro told you that?
-Yes. However, that being didn't tell me who you really are. It only told me what I said.
-Typical. It never gives a clear answer -Tsubasa said, drying his grandmother's tears lovingly. -Nonetheless, everything that helps us will be very welcome, because the Black Archangels are much stronger that us. They're looking for the Messenger of the Shadows, and we're still missing three Archangels.
-My boy... -the grandmother said. -I believe that now I will have to tell the complete story. You will be the first man that listens to it, but you will narrate what I tell you to the youth you love, since her life could depend on that.
-According to what Sara, ancestor of my family, saw, passed from mother to daughter... Those were hard times; Japan was in war, and everything was chaos. However those wars among shoguns were mere kiddy fights compared with what would happen. Sara was engaged with a young samurai, who possessed a secret. However, after the couple married and lived together, she noticed a strange mark on her husband's back; a golden mark that without a logic reason reminded her of a dagger. And just in that moment, a brilliant light filled the sky of Nara. The samurai told Sara to wait there and promised to return, but Sara had the feeling she should be there. Hiding, she followed him, and she just saw the final battle between the White Archangels and the Black Archangels. The first were radiant as the Sun that lights the earth, each one representing the elements of earth, water, fire, wind... and love, which was not controlled by a man, but by a young woman.
-Besides, her husband was there, seizing a sword of great power, with a pair of white wings as those of a swan on his back. He controlled the light and all that represented the good of the world. Meanwhile, the Black Archangels were cold as moonlight, with black crow-like wings of and hatred and solitude in their auras. They were darkness, hatred, ice, thunder and chaos, guided by the shadows, practically the opposite to the white beings. It was an impressive battle, in which no one survived. Sara was witness of the moment when the Kami no Tsukai and the Kage no Tsukai thrust their swords in the body of the other one. She was so terrified she couldn't utter a single sound, but she never forgot the last look her husband dedicated her before a brilliant explosion dazzled her. When she could see again, Sara saw a white feather just in front of her, along with six colored pebbles and a glass sphere. Carefully she took the feather, her husband's last memory, who secretly was the envoy of the heavens, the Kami no Tsukai. She swore to keep what had remained of that great battle and maintain in her memory how the Archangels and her loved one had sacrificed their lives for our world's sake.
Tsubasa got the goose bumps. That chronicle, that is to say, the origin of his fate had been to extraordinary to him.
-If the Kami no Tsukai had died, how is it that you and I are here, Grandma?
-I'm going to it, my boy. Sara had her husband's legacy within her, and some time later gave birth to a girl, to whom once she was a woman told her what happened with her father, and she told it too to her daughter. However, when a daughter wasn't born, it was the mother's obligation to tell the story to the daughter-in-law, since not always the same case of our ancestor was given. Now I have to break in some way the tradition since no man had listened to this legend, and you are the first one, as you're the one that will save us all.
-But it's necessary to continue with it and for that reason I have to tell this to Sanae, or am I wrong? This history cannot be forgotten, since the Earth's fate depends on it –Tsubasa said, determined.
-Yes, you're right, my boy. That's why I give my greatest treasure to you. And by the way, that glass sphere is some kind of talisman. That sphere doesn't only protect that person that without being an Archangel helps them, but is also the key to find the most powerful Archangel and predicts what will happen.
-It's a talisman, a shield, a key and an oracle. You don't know how much I thank you, Grandma. I assure you I'll never forget what you've done for us.
-I know it, my boy. However, there is a favor I wish to ask you. I want to see you as the Kami no Tsukai even if it is for an instant, and if it is possible, I'd like to have one of your feathers.
"May my grandmother see what I really am... May my wings extend, my sword shine and I can grant her what she has asked –Tsubasa thought, and immediately the itch on his back began. While that itch happened, he concentrated its power, made the magatama, the bracelet and the sword appear and finally, when his wings sprouted completely, he rose a little in the air. Her grandmother was absolutely amazed. Her grandson, her adored grandson was a being of light, born to protect the earth. After that, with the tip of his sword, the Kami no Tsukai pulled off one of the feathers of his wings, and after going back to normal, he gave it to his grandmother, smiling.
-Here it is, Grandma. Take care of it just as you did with my predecessor's feather -the boy said, putting the feather in his grandmother's delicate hands.
-Yes, my boy. And there is also something more I have to tell you. According to what I told you, our ancestor's husband, that is to say, the first Kami no Tsukai, was called... Tsubasa.
A moment later the bedroom's door opened, and Natsuko, Koudai and Grandpa were there.
-What was that light? -Koudai asked.
-Are you all right? –asked Koudai's father.
-Nothing wrong has happened here –the old lady said, getting up with the help of her grandson. -Tsubasa only wanted to see my greatest treasure and that's what I did.
-Nothing serious happened, mother? -Natsuko said, concerned.
-I can assure you that.
-I thought that something serious had happened, but I already see that nothing happened at all; everything's in order -Koudai said, examining the place. –Don't scare me like that, Mom.
-Oh, I assure you it won't happen, again Koudai. Come on; help me in the kitchen, Tsubasa.
-Sure, Grandma -and the teen followed his grandmother to the kitchen. They brewed the tea, served some of the cookies Natsuko, Koudai and Tsubasa had brought and took everything to the room. While they drank the tea they talked about Grandma's recovery, school and well, everyday issues, until it was time to leave. Natsuko and Koudai had already said goodbye and went for the car, but Tsubasa had one more question for his Grandma.
-Why doesn't my mother know about the story you told me?
-Although I should've done it, the truth is that I was afraid that your mother didn't believe it. Now go with them, my boy, and take care.
-I will –Tsubasa said, with the brass box in his hands.
They arrived home, and immediately Tsubasa called Sanae.
-Good afternoon, is Sanae at home? Ah, I see. Can you tell her that Ozora Tsubasa called? I need to talk with her. No, not that much, but I thank you for giving her the reason. Very well, thank you, good-bye -and hung the phone, disappointed. Sanae had gone out with her mother to buy some things for the soda fountain the Nakasawa family had.
-Who did you call, son? -Natsuko asked when she saw her son's frustrated face.
-Sanae, mom. It's just that I have to tell her something very important and she wasn't there.
-Something very important? Do you like her or something?
In that instant, although Tsubasa wasn't really in the mood to speak about those things, he blushed deeply.
-What are you talking about? Er... I...
-You like her. Honey, it's normal that you like her remembering that you and Sanae are friends ever since we got here.
-But I didn't call her for that, mom -Tsubasa said, nervous and red as a beet. –It's something related with school... That's all –and Tsubasa fled to his bedroom.
-Why did I get so nervous when my mother told me that? Well, I know I like Sanae, but now everybody bothers me because of that. It's tough to be a teenager, no doubt.
-Tsubasa, you have mail! -Natsuko said from the base of the stairs.
-From who? -Tsubasa asked, peeking out of his door
-From your friends in Europe.
"Misaki-kun and Wakabayashi-kun! It's great to hear from them!" -two of Tsubasa's friends, one of them his best friend lived in Europe, so they wrote to each other frequently, although he had to send the letters for both boys to the same address: to Wakabayashi Genzo's, his first rival and now great friend who lived in Hamburg, Germany, since Taro and his father traveled through Europe. Tsubasa went downstairs as quickly as he could, and retrieved the letters. He returned to his room, locked himself inside and opened the envelope that contained Genzo's letter first. This time it was a bit too heavy just to contain a letter.
"Tsubasa: How's everything going in Shizuoka? I hope it's OK, because here things change little, just to not say they don't change at all.
Some days ago, Misaki passed by Hamburg, and we met in a park while the team was running, myself included. You can figure out what happened. I stopped and we began to talk on one of the park benches. Taro commented me what had happened between his father, his mother his decision of staying at his father's side, since his other option was to live with his mother in Tokyo. We also talked how I've been doing in the soccer team, and I have to be honest: In the beginning it was terrible. It wasn't until they let me play that I got the place and I showed them that Japanese goalkeepers aren't puny.
On the other hand, I've had some very crazy dreams. I've dreamt of winged beings, as much with white wings as with black wings, battling for an unknown reason, but the strangest thing is that you were there. I am usually very skeptical (hey, I'm being obvious already...) but I have the hunch that it's a bad sign.
Well, there's not much to tell, so I report myself up to here. Greetings to all and take care from your friend, Wakabayashi Genzo."
-Wakabayashi-kun… Those dreams... No, I can't believe it. It may be mere coincidence... But, what if it's a sign that he has to do something with this whole matter? God forbid it.
Tsubasa revised the envelope that Genzo had sent him again, and it took out a bundle of pictures. No wonder the envelope was heavier than the usual. Taro and Genzo were in the pictures, as the boy that now resided apparently in some part of France had stayed some days in Hamburg. After that, Tsubasa opened up Taro's letter. This one was way lighter.
"Hello, Tsubasa-kun. How are you, your family and the other ones? I pray you're OK. Right now I'm in Paris. I've known a lot of people, I've learned many things and I've made friends, mainly a girl that's in my same Junior High. Her name's Hayakawa Azumi, and she's helping me to learn French more quickly, because believe me; French and Japanese are very different.
Some days ago I went by Hamburg, Germany, and I met with Genzo, although I suppose you already know it thanks to him. We talked for a while, I stayed some days and our good friend gave me a tour of the city.
I've also had a quite strange dream. Do you know if dreaming the same thing during nights is normal? I think not. I've dreamt of a battle among winged beings... and you were there. However, that battle didn't seem to be in this time, since I saw a young woman in an old kimono. I've dreamt this several times, but I try not to think about it. I told Azumi about it, and she says that maybe it's a sign of things happening.
I definitely need to see my friends in Japan. Send everyone a greeting on my behalf.
May we see each other again very soon. Greetings, Misaki Taro."
-Him too... And to finish it off, he also appeared in my dreams, with those wings... About Wakabayashi-kun I'm not sure, but something tells me that maybe Misaki-kun is involved in all this -Tsubasa told himself. And then he realized something: Had Taro dreamt exactly what his grandmother had told him, but, was it possible that his predecessor looked like him? Bad thing was that there wasn't a way to know it. Soon after he went down to have dinner, still thoughtful. He hardly ate what Natsuko had prepared.
-Tsubasa, do you feel well?
-Yes, mom. It's that well, I'm worried for something.
-For Sanae? -Tsubasa blushed immediately, and nodded negatively.
-Believe me, mom, it's not that. It's just some other thing.
-Well, it doesn't seem so -Koudai said, analyzing the situation. –Ever since we've arrived from your grandparents' house you've been very thoughtful.
-It's not important, dad. It's something related with the school.
-Well, if you insist... -and they continued eating. Tsubasa later returned to his room, annoyed because of his parents' remarks.
-Jeez. You're thoughtful because what you've received and they already believe that you think about girls. Definitively I'm jinxed -and without thinking he threw himself on his bed to sleep. However, while he was about to be sound asleep, Tsubasa had another attack, which not only woke him up violently causing the energy wave, but that among the terrible pain Tsubasa saw that somebody was attacking Ryou.
He waited until the attack ceased, recovered his breath, took the green stone that belonged to Ishizaki, opened the window and became a cat so he could arrive more quickly. He jumped to the branches of a nearby tree and ran towards where he foresaw that his friend was. However, he felt he wasn't advancing. He turned into a human again, and decided to try out his wings, hoping not to be seen. In the beginning he found it difficult to maneuver with his wings, but in the end he made it, just when he got to where Ryou faced another black-winged being. He made his wings disappear, landed exactly between Ryou, who was badly injured and the Archangel, whom he recognized as the Archangel of Darkness.
-You again, Tsukai. Haven't you learned to stay away from others' business?
-Fact is that you're the one who hasn't learned to stay away from my friends –he replied, making his sword appear.
"May everyone be safe and sound... May no one remember this... -immediately the Archangel of Darkness attacked the boys with her Sickle, but it was far from causing damage. Tsubasa had stopped the attack with his sword.
-C'mon, Archangel of the Earth, get up or we'll lose –Tsubasa said resisting as much as he could.
"May my wounds disappear… -Ryou was desperate, but at least his idea worked. Immediately he stood up, seized his axe again and after making his wings appear he attacked the Black Archangel. She retreated a little, cursing.
-Here -Tsubasa gave the green stone to Ryou.
-And what's this?
-It's a fragment of your element's purest essence. I don't know how it works, but somebody that knows about this gave it to me.
Ryou took the stone, and although he knew that Shiro never gave a clear answer, he asked it mentally what to do.
"Be one with your weapon and undo what traps it with the fragment of the Earth -another time an answer amid riddles. Ishizaki looked at his axe, without knowing really what to do... until he noticed that it had some metal tapes crossing his axe's gem. Without thinking he placed the stone on the biggest tie... And what tied the axe's gem disappeared. Immediately Ryou felt a great current of power, and knew that somehow they would win.
-Tsukai, stand back! -the Archangel of the Earth shouted, flying up and seizing his weapon, whose jewel shone furiously. -Fury of the Earth! Maximum Power!
Still with the axe in his hands, the monkey-faced lad was able to do his main attack, and later he made a dive attack against the Archangel he was fighting. More dead than alive, after the attack, the Archangel of the Darkness disappeared, furious to death... And maybe something more to death.
-Gee, this time I hardly live to tell it -Ishizaki said, while Tsubasa and he went back to normal.
-How were you able to obtain such a power?
-Heh, how to say it? As Shiro would say in its mysterious wisdom: It's necessary to untie the weapon of each Archangel with the fragment that belongs to him or her.
-You're right. Well, I have to go back home. My mother doesn't even know that I left my room, and well, it wouldn't be a good idea to let her see my empty room -and Tsubasa teleported to his house. Ishizaki shrugged and walked to his house. Upon arriving, his mother asked him why his face was dirty.
I fell -he replied, looking at the roof. –I was distracted and I tripped.
-I see. You arrive late for the dinner, so you will have to heat it alone; I have to assist my business.
-Yeah, sure... as long as you don't make me work, whatever -Ishizaki entered the kitchen and heated its food, or better said, he caused a small disaster, because he burned his food and had to eat up that way, scorched. Meanwhile, Sanae had just arrived home with her mother.
-Sanae-chan, someone called you –said her father, receiving mother and daughter.
"Could it have been Tsubasa? I hope se... -the girl thought, while her heart made a cartwheel. -Who was it?
-Yes, give me a moment -the girl's father said, looking for the paper where he had written down the message. -Tsubasa called you. He said he needed to speak with you, although it was not vital.
-Yes, I get it. Thank you, dad -and Sanae went to her. Her little brother was sleeping, se she was careful when she closed the door. However, once she had locked the door, Sanae threw herself on her bed, in high spirits. Maybe she had not been able to speak with him, but at least he had called her. It could have been perhaps for something of the mess they involved, but she didn't care. After all, she was in love.
On the following day (luckily it was Sunday), Sanae rose rather early, and finished the bracelet for Ishizaki. She had thought of beginning one for Hyuga, but she knew she had to do something before: talk with Tsubasa. However, she knew he liked to sleep until late, so she was in a dilemma.
-Neechan, I want water -she listened to Atsushi's voice through the door.
-Coming, Atsushi -and Sanae left her room. She went down the stairways with her brother and gave him a glass of water. Everything was rather calm, and that made the girl feel OK. Soon after, Mrs. Nakasawa went into the kitchen, while Sanae prepared breakfast. A while later, when it was already a decent hour to go to the Ozora's house, Sanae changed clothes and left.
-Where are you going to go, sweetie? -her mother asked.
-To Tsubasa's, mom. Last night he called me and I couldn't return his call. See ya.
Sanae walked peacefully, without thinking, but suddenly she saw Shiro in an alley.
-Sanae... Come here... -that being said. In the beginning the girl ignored the voice, but Shiro appeared in front of her creating a barrier
-What's wrong, Shiro? Why do you stop me?
-I came to tell you once and for all to stay away from the Kami no Tsukai and from the Archangels. Maybe you are helping them, but you will suffer a lot when the last battle happens. If you don't want to suffer, stay away from them. It's for your own good.
-I won't leave my friends, Shiro. Maybe I don't have powers, but at least I can help them with what I do. I'm not chicken enough to leave this. I'm involved in this since the beginning, and I will go out ahead with my friends, or we will die in trying. Don't try to discourage me, because you won't achieve it! -Sanae said leaving and leaving Shiro stock-still with perplexity.