~ Time Travel ~
Warnings: AU, OOC-ness, one own OC, Centered around Fubuki x OC.
Italic = thoughts
Chapter Four: The adventure begins
Normal P.O.V.
The next morning Fubuki woke up, he didn't fell sleepy at all. In fact, he was full of energy. He stood up from his bed, splashed some water drops in his face and looked into the mirror.
''Wow, I had such a creepy dream last night. Time travelling … that's impossible.'' He said laughing to himself.
That was the moment he realized he wasn't in his own bedroom. He looked around and his eyes widened. Then, he looked at himself and saw the outfit he was wearing
''Oh god … it wasn't a dream.'' He said.
He sighed.
''I already was afraid for that…'' He added.
He remembered Maira and what she said about a quest.
''Oh yeah. We're leaving today.'' He mumbled.
He walked to the living room.
''Ohayo.'' Fubuki said, while he stretched out his arms above his head.
''Good morning.'' Maya replied.
She looked exactly the same as yesterday.
''Ready for the quest?'' She asked.
''A bit,'' Fubuki replied. ''You?''
Maira looked a bit nervous.
''A-Ah.'' She replied.
Fubuki saw a glint of sadness in her eyes.
''Are you okay?'' He asked concerned.
Maira looked up.
''Y-Yeah, don't worry about me.'' She replied.
Fubuki still wasn't sure, but he decided to keep his mouth shut.
''I made you some breakfast.'' Maira said, changing the subject.
''Thanks.'' Fubuki replied with a smile.
They ate breakfast together and after that, they did the dishes and looked at each other.
''Let's go.'' Maira said determined.
Fubuki nodded. They left the house and admired it for a while from the outside. Maira took a deep breath.
''Bye house.'' She said with a smile.
Then, she walked over the beach and spotted Reka.
''Maira-chan!'' Reka shouted, when she discovered Maira.
''Reka.'' Maira replied.
''Good luck on your quest.'' Reka said with a smile.
Then, while she still smiled, tears ran down her cheeks.
''Come back safely, okay? You promised you would eat my self-made apple pie one day.'' She added.
Maira laughed and ruffled the girl's dark green hair.
''I'll promise I'll eat it one day.'' She said.
Reka smiled through her tears. Maira kissed her forehead and gave her a smile.
''Be a good girl, okay?'' She said.
Reka nodded. Then, she looked to the right, to the ocean.
''Onii-chan already left. And now, you're leaving too.'' She said soft.
''Don't worry, Reka. When we return, Aculis will be a safe place again. No more dark creatures.'' Maira said.
Reka smiled bright.
''I can't wait.'' She said.
Maira hugged Reka one last time.
''Bye, Reka-chan.'' She said.
''Good luck, Maira-chan.'' Reka whispered back.
Then, Maira let go and slowly walked backwards, while she waved. Then, she and Fubuki turned around and walked towards the forest, leaving Rain Eden behind. Fubuki saw Maira had a hard time, but refused to cry. Fubuki looked compassionate.
''It's okay if you want to cry.'' He said soft.
Maira smiled a sad smile.
''No, I'm good.'' She replied.
Fubuki smiled a small smile too. They walked through the forest and listened to the chirping of the birds. The rustling of the bushes and the crackle of twigs underneath his feet calmed Fubuki's mind. Maira already looked focused around her.
''Relax, we just left.'' Fubuki said.
''We already need to be sharp from this point.'' Maira replied.
Fubuki sighed and smiled.
''Whatever you want.'' He said.
The two continued their way through the forest and after ten minutes, they already saw the end nearing. Fubuki already could see the mountain tops and the rocky landscape.
''The rocky passage.'' He whispered.
Maira nodded.
''The most dangerous spot of our first day.'' She replied.
''Is it really that dangerous? Yesterday, nothing odd occurred.'' Fubuki said.
''Believe me. I've known the rocky passage since I was born. I know what I'm talking about.'' Maira replied.
She hold on tightly to her weapon. It was the first time Fubuki noticed it.
''Hey, I didn't know you had a weapon.'' He said.
Maira smiled and looked at her bright blue sword with silver handle.
''I thought you only had to learn magic.'' Fubuki went on.
Maira smiled again.
''I already know the basic stuff of the five powers I have to learn. I only need to become a master in them. Until then, I have a sword as a back-up plan.'' She explained.
''I didn't know you could handle a sword.'' Fubuki said.
''There are a lot of things you don't know about me.'' Maira replied with a wink.
''That's true, but I've only known you for a day.'' Fubuki said.
''Good point.'' Maira replied laughing.
They set their first step in the rocky passage.
''At least I already know one thing.'' Fubuki said.
''What?'' Maira replied smiling.
''That you're a nice girl.'' Fubuki said, while he smiled at Maira.
Maira blushed heavily.
''T-Thanks. You're sweet too.'' She replied shy.
Fubuki smiled. Suddenly, their conversation got interrupted, because the ground started to shake.
''What's going on?'' Fubuki asked.
Stones were tumbling down from the high peaks.
''Look out!'' Maira said, while she pushed Fubuki away.
On the spot Fubuki stood on a second earlier, landed a giant rock. Maira and Fubuki lay on the ground and quickly crawled up.
''Thanks.'' Fubuki said, still a bit in shock.
''Let's keep moving!'' Maira ordered.
They both started running forward, while dodging the dropping stones. Somehow, it reminded Fubuki of the snowboard practice he used to do when he was younger. With Atsuya and the Inazuma Japan members by his side. Fubuki's senses went on sharp and his reflections got faster.
''Watch out.'' Fubuki said, while he gave Maira a hard push.
The girl stumbled sideward. Three inches beside her, a big boulder dropped and broke in a few pieces.
''Wow… that was close.'' Maira said shocked.
Fubuki pulled her back on her feet again.
''Who is causing this?'' He asked, while the two young adults ran further.
''I don't know. But let's keep going forward.'' Maira replied.
Then, they suddenly heard a loud roar. The two young adults froze.
''What was that?'' Maira asked, looking a bit panicked.
They heard loud footsteps.
''I think that's our first enemy…'' Fubuki said slow, while he pointed at a giant, made out of rocks. His eyes were glowing red and he roared again.
''A dark creature! The first one is already here, close to Rain Eden?!'' Maira asked shocked.
''Let's battle it!'' Fubuki said determined, while he pulled out the Crossblade, which hung on his back.
Maira held her blade in position too and narrowed her eyes. The dark creature roared and dropped his giant arm, made out of rocks. Fubuki and Maira jumped away, Maira to the left side and Fubuki to the right. Maira jumped on the giant's arm and started to dash forward, heading for it's head.
''Maira, be careful!'' Fubuki shouted.
''Don't worry about me! Just keep it distracted!'' Maira shouted back, while she had reached the creature's elbow.
The creature had noticed Maira running on his arm and started to shake his arm. Maira planted her sword between two builders and held tightly onto it. She barely could hold herself down. Suddenly, the dark creature made an unexpected move and Maira rolled over, hanging at her sword, now in the open air.
''Fubuki!'' She shouted in panic.
''Coming!'' Fubuki replied, narrowing his eyes.
He made a high jump and hold onto the thumb of the giant monster. He pulled himself up and landed on the hand palm. He ran forward, closer to Maira. In the mean time, Maira was losing her grip and was only holding her sword with one hand.
''Fubuki … I can't … hold on … much longer.'' She said, while she had one eye shut.
''Almost there!'' Fubuki replied.
Just when Maira lost her grip and started to scream, Fubuki leaped forward, landed on his belly and grabbed Maira's right wrist.
''Hold on!'' Fubuki said, while he had one eye closed due to effort.
He pulled Maira back on the arm.
''Thanks.'' Maira said, panting from the shock.
''How do you defeat a creature like this?'' Fubuki asked.
''You must reach the virus chip. Destroy it and the monster will turn to crystal.'' Maira replied.
''What will happen to the human soul trapped inside?'' Fubuki asked.
''It will disappear forever…'' Maira said sad.
''It won't go to the World of Faith?'' Fubuki asked.
Maira shook her head.
''But we have to defeat it anyway.'' Fubuki said, gritting his teeth.
''Right.'' Maira replied.
They looked at each other, gave each other a nod and dashed forward, while they let out a battle cry. Maira jumped up and stabbed the creature with her sword in it's neck.
''Akua!'' Maira shouted, while water started to spill out of her sword.
The beast let out a cry and Maira smiled victorious. In the mean time, Fubuki had pressed the purple stone on his weapon and his blade changed into a crossbow. He aimed for one of the two eyes of the creature and released his arrow. The arrow hit the eye perfectly in the middle. The creature did a few steps back, while it roared.
''Nice on, Fubuki!'' Maira praised.
''Let's find the virus chip!'' Fubuki said.
Maira closed her eyes and focused, while bright, white light surrounded her.
''My father says the chip is located in the forehead.'' She said, while she opened her eyes again.
Fubuki grinned.
''Let's destroy it!'' He said.
''Right!'' Maira replied.
They both started to make their way to the top of the beast, by hopping from one boulder to another.
''How do we destroy those boulders? They're massively big.'' Fubuki said.
''Let's cut the path free.'' Maira replied.
''But my blade hardly goes through those rocks!'' Fubuki said.
''Maybe wind will be enough.'' Maira replied.
She took her blade in her hands and closed her eyes. Then, she swung her sword with amazing speed from the left side to the right. A massive gust appeared.
''Burīzu!'' Maira shouted, while the gust cuts it's way through the boulders.
The stones crackled and Fubuki smiled.
''The rest, we can destroy with our blades.'' Fubuki said.
''Right.'' Maira replied with a smile.
She and Fubuki both let their blades hit the stones, so they all broke due to the force. Then, they discovered a green, blinking chip on a builder.
''Found it!'' Maira said with a smile.
Fubuki raised his sword and tried to cut the chip in two pieces. Nothing happened.
''Wow, that's a fierce chip!'' He said.
''But of course. Do you think they would let a dark creature get defeated so easily?'' Maira replied.
''N-No, of course not.'' Fubuki said.
Maira thought. Then, her eyes lit up.
''I got it! Maybe we won't have to destroy it. Just let it crash!'' She said.
Fubuki smiled too.
''Let's do this!'' He said.
Maira connected her sword with the chip and closed her eyes.
''Akua!'' Maira shouted, while water started to flow out of her sword once again.
It connected with the chip and electric sparks were seen. The creature they were standing on let out a loud roar. Then, the boulders started to fall apart.
''Let's get outta here, before we smack to the ground!'' Maira said.
They both made their way down, while they dodged falling boulders and jumped over gaps. Then, Maira and Fubuki stood on a boulder who fell apart. They both fell down. Maira screamed and Fubuki grabbed her in their fall in a reflex. He placed her head against his chest and embraced her, to break her fall. Then, they smacked into the ground, Fubuki taking the most damage. He gritted his teeth in pain.
''F-Fubuki!'' Maira said, while she freed herself from his grip and sat down on her knees.
Fubuki looked at her with a painful smile.
''Are you all right?'' He asked.
Maira nodded.
''Yes! How are you?'' She asked.
''Fine. Just a few bruises.'' Fubuki replied, while he stood up.
A sharp pain shot through his right shoulder. He closed one eyes and gritted his teeth, while he clenched it with his left hand.
''You're injured!'' Maira shouted out.
''It's nothing…'' Fubuki replied in pain. ''Besides, it's my job to protect you, right?''
Maira nodded slowly.
''But still…'' She said.
Then, a big boulder made their way towards the two young-adults.
''Watch out!'' Maira shouted, while she pulled Fubuki away.
The boulder missed his target with just a few inches.
''We gotta keep moving.'' Maira shouted.
Fubuki nodded, still clenching his shoulder.
''We must reach Symperia as soon as possible.'' Maira said in panic.
She couldn't think straightly anymore, since she witnessed her first fight and Fubuki injured.
''Maira …'' Fubuki said with a smile, while he looked in her bright, grey eyes. ''Relax.''
''I can't.'' Maira replied.
Fubuki smiled and turned her around, so she could look at the creature. It was slowly turning into crystal and then, it snapped and crystal dust was everywhere.
''Look. It's over. We defeated it. We're both alive. Let's move on.'' Fubuki said.
'' … Right …'' Maira replied.
She still looked a bit worried. Fubuki smiled.
''Why are you so scared?'' He asked.
''It's nothing… It's just that, … this was my first battle.'' Maira said.
Fubuki smiled.
''Mine too,'' He replied. ''And we succeeded.''
Maira smiled a small smile.
''Yes. Still, if all our opponents are going to be that strong, I'm scared...'' She admitted honest.
''Don't worry. We're together, right? I'll protect you. That's my job.'' Fubuki replied.
''Fubuki…'' Maira said, while she stared in Fubuki's blue-grey eyes.
Fubuki wrapped his arms around the girls and hugged her tightly for a short moment.
''Remember, you're not alone.'' He whispered in her ear.
''Thank you...'' Maira replied soft.
When, they let go of the hug, Maira had that familiar blush on her cheeks again. She truly was a sweet and shy girl. Unless she had to battle. Then, her strong personality and determination came out. Like she switched from personality, just like Fubuki used to have. Maira smiled at him.
''Let's continue our way to Symperia.'' She said.
Fubuki nodded. They both started to walk and talked about each others life's, so they could get to know each other better. At a certain point, Maira turned her gaze down.
''Hey, what's wrong?'' Fubuki asked worried.
''I … haven't told you something.'' She replied.
''What?'' Fubuki asked, while they stopped walking.
''Do you actually know why we're on this quest?'' Maira asked.
''Yeah, so you can find the five artifacts and perfect the five powers.'' Fubuki replied.
''But do you know why I have to do that?'' Maira asked.
Now that Fubuki thought about it, he didn't.
''No … why?'' He asked.
Maira smiled.
''I told you about the fact that I can talk with the World of Faith, didn't I?'' She said.
Fubuki nodded.
''Yeah, with your father, who's in the Angelix rank.'' He replied.
Maira nodded.
''Right. There's also something else that I can do.'' She said.
Fubuki listened silently.
''I … can perform a 'Gishiki o gisei', a sacrifice ritual.'' Maira explained.
''What does that mean?'' Fubuki asked.
Maira took a deep breath.
''I can only perform it once, though. And only the female Chosen One can perform it. It's a special ritual whereby you can wipe out someone's soul.'' She said.
Fubuki fell silent.
''Basically, you can take someone's life.'' He replied.
Maira nodded slowly.
''I want to perform it on the one who made the dark creatures go wild, Vaenan. If he's dead, the Goddix of the World of Faith can gain control again of the Dark Realm and make Aculis a safe place forever.'' She said.
Fubuki smiled bright.
''I don't see the seriousness of this problem.'' He said.
Maira looked suddenly sad.
''Hey…'' Fubuki said.
''There is a … side issue, when you perform the sacrifice ritual.'' She replied.
''Which is?'' Fubuki asked.
''… I'll die …'' Maira replied.
There was a total silence. The wind blew, making Maira's knee-length, dark blue hair wave to the sides, while her bangs moved a bit too. Fubuki just looked shocked at Maira for three full minutes.
''… You'll … die?'' He repeated shocked.
Maira nodded.
''If I perform the sacrifice ritual, I'll take my own life too.'' She said.
Fubuki shook his head.
''No no! That's not going to happen!'' He said. ''We'll fight that bastard with our physical power.''
Maira smiled a sad smile.
''I don't think that's enough. I HAVE to do it. It's my destiny… I'm The Chosen One. I don't have a choice…'' She replied.
''They can't just decide for you that you have to die!'' Fubuki shouted upset.
''Fubuki… stop. You can't change my mind…'' Maira replied.
''Maira, I'm NOT going on a quest, only to see you die at the end. I can't go on with those thoughts. You need to stay alive. I can't take this…'' Fubuki said.
His eyes stood so sad, that Maira felt a lump in her throat.
''Fubuki… don't do this.'' She said.
''No, I won't let you die! It's my duty to protect you. I'm willing to take that very serious. What for protector am I if I have to watch you die at the end? Then, all those protection beforehand didn't matter.'' Fubuki replied.
Maira turned around and the first tears started to fall.
''I don't wanna die either… There was so much I still had wanted to see.'' She said.
''Then don't do it! The answer is so simple!'' Fubuki replied.
Maira turned around again, facing Fubuki, and smiled through her tears.
''The answer IS simple, yet impossible. It's my vocation to die for Aculis. Everybody knows that.'' Maira replied.
''Reka … Kochiro … They also knew?'' Fubuki asked.
Maira nodded and smiled.
''Everybody in Aculis knows that the female Chosen One has to die.'' She said.
''Maira, no. Please… I don't wanna hear it.'' Fubuki replied.
Maira smiled.
''Then, let's not talk about it anymore. But I just want you to know. Please don't stop me in my tracks and let me fill my calling.'' She said.
Fubuki looked sad and worried.
''Maira …'' He said.
Maira looked down.
'' … Let's keep walking.'' She said, while she turned around and started to walk.
Fubuki quickly followed her and the rest of the travel, they didn't said a word. But they both were thinking about the same thing; Maira's death. They spoke for the first time again, when Maira spotted Symperia in the distance.
''Look! There it is! Symperia.'' She said happy.
''We made it to our first goal.'' Fubuki replied happy.
His shoulder hurt still really badly. He was glad they finally could rest. When they walked into Symperia, the citizens stopped with what they were doing and formed a triangle with their fingers, while looking at Maira with a smile.
''What are they doing?'' Fubuki whispered to Maira.
She giggled in reply.
''That tradition is called Oklawha,'' Maira replied. ''A sign of respect and love.''
''Do they know we're The Chosen Ones?'' Fubuki asked.
Maira nodded.
''I may not come out of Rain Eden, but news does.'' She replied with a smile.
Fubuki looked around. There were wooden sheds everywhere, a big market and a big city gate, made out of stone.
''This place looks pretty medieval.'' Fubuki said.
Maira nodded.
''This place is known for it's medieval living.'' She replied.
The two young-adults walked to a hostel. The owner formed a triangle with her hands and smiled.
''It's an honor to receive you both here. On behalf of all people, welcome in Symperia.'' She said.
Maira smiled.
''Thank you.'' She replied.
The owner of the hostel had a long braid with a flower in it and wore a green, medieval dress.
''My name is Hiroshi Yamaka. Welcome in the Hiroshi Hostel.'' She said.
''I'm Hanasaki Maira and this is Fubuki Shirou.'' Maira introduced them.
Fubuki smiled.
''Nice meeting you.'' He said.
''Likewise.'' Yamaka replied.
''Is there place for us?'' Maira asked, referring to the hostel.
Yamaka looked a bit troubled.
''Unfortunately, the hostel has been very busy, since our festive weeks starts tomorrow and lots of travelers from all different kind of cities have come to Symperia. But I still have one room left for you two.'' She said.
''That's not a problem.'' Maira replied.
''Well… there's only a double bed in it.'' Yamaka added.
Both Fubuki and Maira blushed.
''W-What?'' They asked in surprise.
''I hope you two don't mind.'' Yamaka said.
Fubuki and Maira looked at each other.
''We'll figure out something.'' Fubuki replied.
''Right. Here is the room key.'' Yamaka said, while she handed Maira a rusty, old key.
''Thanks.'' Maira replied.
Yamaka gave them instructions to their room and Fubuki and Maira thanked her. Then, they walked two stairs up and stopped in front of their room. Maira opened the door and stepped inside the room. It was really small and the double bed almost took all the space. There was also a floor lamp standing in one corner. There was a mirror and a small bathroom with a toilet and a sink. To their surprise, it didn't smell bad in the room. In contrary, it smelled like nature with freshly cut grass and flowers.
''This will do.'' Maira said.
They placed their blades against the wall and smiled.
''Let's eat dinner downstairs.'' Fubuki suggested, since it was already evening.
Maira nodded and they headed downstairs again. They asked Yamaka about dinner and she guided them to a small dining room, where a few other people were already eating. Fubuki and Maira sat down at a long table and Yamaka gave them some rice porridge. At first, Fubuki thought it looked weird and wouldn't be tasty. But once he had one bite, he had to admit it tasted really good. Maira and Fubuki finished their dinner quickly.
''You two must have been hungry.'' Yamaka said.
''Yeah, we've had a tough trip.'' Maira replied.
''It's good to see you safe here.'' Yamaka said with a smile.
Maira looked worried at Fubuki.
''We're safe, but he's injured.'' She said.
Yamaka looked surprised.
''What's the matter?'' She asked.
''Oh nothing. My right shoulder just hurts a little, no big deal.'' Fubuki replied.
''Do you mind if I take a look at it?'' Yamaka asked.
''Sure, go ahead.'' Fubuki replied.
Yamaka took him and Maira to a special room in the hostel. Fubuki pulled out his hoodie and black T-shirt, revealing his highly muscled upper body, arms and six-pack. Maira immediately gained a blush.
''That's a nice body you have, young man.'' Yamaka said with a wink to Fubuki.
He blushed a little. Then, Yamaka focused on Fubuki's shoulder. It was red and swollen.
''Oh my, that's not good.'' Yamaka said worried.
She prepared a bag of ice and pressed it on the wound. Fubuki gritted his teeth.
''Come on, be a big boy.'' Yamaka said teasingly.
Fubuki smiled. After Yamaka had put the ice bag on Fubuki's shoulder, she smeared a green-colored balsam on Fubuki's shoulder.
''What's that?'' Maira asked.
''A special balsam, invented by our ancestors. The recipe has been in our family for centuries.'' Yamaka explained.
''Let's hope it works.'' Fubuki said.
''Thank you so much for healing him.'' Maira thanked Yamaka.
''It's nothing. Besides, I feel honored that I could help The Chosen Ones.'' She replied.
Maira smiled.
''You'll definitely make it to the World of Faith.'' She said with a smile.
Yamaka suddenly looked really emotional.
''Thank you so much.'' She said, while she bowed deeply.
Maira smiled. Fubuki realized that had to be one of the biggest compliments a person could receive in this world. In the mean time, it had turned dark outside.
''Let's go back to our room to catch some sleep.'' Maira said to Fubuki.
He nodded in reply.
''Are you two going to visit the festival tomorrow?'' Yamaka asked.
Maira looked at Fubuki. He smiled in return.
''It sounds like fun.'' Maira said with a playful smile.
''I think we will.'' Fubuki replied to Yamaka.
She smiled bright.
''Great! For now, I wish you a good night.'' She said.
''Oyasumi.'' Maira and Fubuki replied.
Then, they both headed back to their room. Maira stared at the bed and her face immediately flustered again. She looked back at Fubuki. He was still shirtless and it was keeping her more busy than it should.
''Don't worry,'' Fubuki said, who saw it. ''I'll sleep on the ground.''
''With that shoulder?'' Maira asked. ''You need a soft surface underneath you.''
''But I won't let you sleep on the ground.'' Fubuki said.
''Fine,'' Maira muttered. ''Then, we both will sleep in the double bed.''
Fubuki blushed.
''R-Really?'' He asked.
Maira nodded.
''U-Unless you're not okay with it.'' She replied.
''N-No, it' fine.'' Fubuki said.
They turned off the lights and both crawled into the bed, turning their backs at each other. They both had a giant blush on their face.
''G-Good night.'' Maira said to Fubuki.
''A-Ah. Good night.'' Fubuki replied.
Then, they both closed their eyes and fell asleep with a smile.
~ End of chapter ~
Mamera: Chapter Four is FINISHED! =D And, did you all liked the action scene? I wrote it, while I had some epic music on. It made it ten times easier to write and it was so much fun. You should all read the scene again, from where Fubuki says: ''Lets battle it!'' , while you have epic music on. It makes it so much more awesome! (Not that I want to say that my story is awesome. It's not! At least, that's what I guess. Tralala, I'm drifting off.) Anyway, the quest has begun! Did you guys all spotted the word Oklawha? I totally made that up, so don't check it on the internet or something. I don't know what the search results will give you. Oh my gosh, even I blushed when writing that shirtless –Fubuki-part. The next chapter will be about Symperia's festival and the travel towards the next city. I hope you all check out the next chapter! I'm completely open to tips, suggestions, criticism and sweet words! ~ Until next time! Bye! xoxo
