Chapter 14 New Path
Lost in The Echo by Linkin Park
Kaito walked along the dirt road path towards the Empire with his face obscured by his trench coat's hood. He carried the short sword he had recently bought on his back, a broad sword he got off of dead bandits on his right hip and a makeshift spear he made beside the blade on his back. Lastly, a medium-sized supply bag was attached to his shoulder.
The path that would lead to the answers he seeks was ahead of him.
Kaito had been traveling for a week in hopes of reaching the center of the Nox Dynasty. Even now he could not remember who he was, but a feeling in his gut told him that the answers he pursued were in the kingdom ahead of him.
Upon arrival, he was overwhelmed. The capital of the kingdom was massive, filled with businesses, large mansions, and a sprawling urban jungle. Nevertheless, Kaito kept walking while making sure to keep his head as to not draw any unwanted attention. Further, he entered various shady alleyways to avoid patrolling guards. However, his attempts at being subtle would epically fail when he seemingly bumped into someone.
His hood fell, revealing his features. But more importantly, his heart skipped a beat when he saw the person in front of him.
A young girl with long pink hair tied into twin-tails on the right and left sides of her head looked up at him with her mouth gaped open. This was Night Raid's great sharpshooter, Mine, and she looked just as shocked as the young man in front of her.
Be it fate or merely a coincidence – Mine was out shopping for a few things and thought of taking a shortcut through the alleyway in order to avoid groups of people. She didn't expect to meet someone, much less a handsome young man. However, she could tell this was more than just love at first sight.
Memories from another world had begun to spin out of control, and her heartbeat followed along. Somehow it felt as if it had been years since they stared into each other their eyes.
"Mine?" Kaito tested, making sure this was not an illusion. She responded by hugging him tightly around her slender arms. Tears leaving her eyes as the weight of her memories came back in full force. Likewise, Kaito felt that same weight. At first, it was like something or someone was grasping his heart, but soon afterward he felt sadness over his failures, and a deep longing for the girl. This caused the young man to cry tears of happiness and hold on.
"You…?" Mine tried to say his name but she just couldn't. Every time she reached for the truth a fog clouded her every thought.
"I don't remember my old name either, but you can call me Kaito. That's the name I accepted as my own," Kaito explained whilst holding onto Mine like she was his girlfriend.
"Kaito, Kaito," Mine tested a few times before crying out in happiness.
The pair parted ways for a second, leaving some space for each other to start talking.
"Kaito, what happened? The last thing I saw was a white flash and here I am in this kingdom… it's just so different," Mine explained the best she could but it was all far too complex.
"Same here Mine… but for some reason, I can only think of you right now. It's like whenever I approach pieces of my past the closer I get to being whole again," He muttered. Mine blushed slightly at this.
"How much do you remember?" she inquired.
"Not much I am afraid… I know that I was part of a rebellion and that a flash of light changed the world around us. Plus, the name Nox makes me sick for some reason."
"I see. Do you remember saving my life and what happened afterward?"
Kaito thought for a second. "I do actually, and I vaguely recall you saving me as well form soldiers trying to take us," Kaito answered. As a result, turned red in embarrassment as she recalled the events.
"Kaito…" Mine started before letting go of him for a second and grabbing his cloak only to pull him towards her. Kaito's eyes widened at her actions as suddenly his lips were up against Mine's who was kissing him passionately with her eyes closed. On instinct, his arms wrapped around her waist to hold her close.
"I-I-I…really like you Kaito. And you should be grateful for that! I'll never leave you again! I did once, but not this time," Mine vowed when the kiss broke apart.
"Thanks, Mine. I promise the same thing," Kaito said. The pair stayed in each other's arms for a while before they left the alleyway holding each other's hand.
"You sure you don't remember anyone else?" Mine asked.
"Yeah which is weird as I remember you just fine. I think the pieces are coming together, slowly, but I still can't put them together," Kaito replied, doing his best to gather up what little he knew.
Then suddenly an idea hit Mine. Without explaining a thing she started to drag the silver-haired man through the streets and towards a small building.
"Where are we going?" Kaito asked unsure where Mine was taking him.
"We are going to meet someone I know, she'll help you relax and maybe recover a few memories," Mine explained as she continued to drag the young man.
Mine lead her knight into a shop that was empty at the moment. The two into a room where nothing but a lonesome massaging table stood.
"Take off your shirt, lay on your back on that table and wait for me," Mine declared while pointing at the table before she walked to another room. Kaito did as he was told, trusting Mine on this and really hoping her plan would work.
He took off his cloak and shirt before laying down flat on the table. The young knight closed his eyes and waited. He then felt a pair of warm hands rubbing his shoulders down to his back. Kaito soon felt a warm breath hitting his right ear as a chin rested on his right shoulder.
"Missed me, Kaito?"
Kaito froze as once again that feeling warmth overwhelmed him alongside a flow of memories. The good memories caused him to remember the moments he shared in bed with this female.
"Leone," Kaito spoke shortly before his lips were captured by the blonde.
"And there is more…" Leone teased only for Mine to then walk into the room wearing a pink bikini.
"Let's enjoy the moment…" Kaito declared as he brought a blushing Mine into a hug.
This threesome was sure to keep him busy for a while.
Hours later the trio sat outside of the kingdom on small stone rocks atop verdant hills. Mine had her Teigu, Pumpkin in a silver case by her side and Leone had her Teigu-belt on.
"Let's go over some things," Kaito started before speaking again, "The three of us were members of Night Raid, but for some reason, we can't remember much and only know that Nox is somehow behind this."
"That sounds about right. Also, you can't remember anything but only us and a few other things," Mine noted.
"Anyway… it brings up some questions. Like where is everyone?" He continued. Mine and Leone also thought about the same thing until something got their eyes — a sword sheath.
"Where did you get that sword?" they asked in unison.
"Oh, this?" Kaito said before taking the sword out, showing it had some damage to it.
"I traded for it. The shop keeper told me he found it and could never fix it. So he gave me a good deal to trade it for some fishes. I did my best to repair the damage, but I can't seem to fix it."
"Hmmm… Kaito, that sword you are holding is a Teigu," Mine finally said, not believing the knight's luck.
"Really?" Kaito questioned.
"Yep. And from the looks of it, it has seen better days," Leone commented.
Kaito felt something building up within for some reason. He remembered how the Teigu got his attention back in the village, almost like it called to him.
"Let me try something…" Kaito remarked before crossing his legs and placing the sword on his lap. He closed his eyes, calming his heartbeat and clearing his mind. He felt an unknown energy building up within him.
"Remember." A voice spoke in his mindscape, being female and holy that sound like a mother kind of voice and caused the young knight to have this strange powerful magical energy within him.
Theme of Infinite
Kaito's eyes snapped open as a strange and powerful energy rush within him. Blue flames surrounded his body and the sword, not harming him as they flowed.
"Goddess Bliss."
The whole sword was repaired in a flash.
"Grand Chariot!" Kaito shouted with fire in his eyes. A powerful blue flame shoots up and a massive dragon surrounded him as the armor materialized onto his body. Leone and Mine were shocked upon seeing what happened before their eyes. They had heard of Carnage Incarnate: Grand Chariot before but seeing it in person was extraordinary.
Before a word could be spoken, the armor faded away in a cloud of smoke leaving Kaito with Grand Chariot's key in hand.
The three then watched the sun setting. While this world may be hollow and have dark secrets, it was still nevertheless breathtaking.
"Sooo, what do you want to do next, Kaito?" Leone raised a question.
Kaito smirked before putting Grand Chariot's key back in its sheath. "We're going to find our friends and get answers out of this Nox," He declared.
With that said, the trio got up with their supplies and headed out. A new path awaited them.
