Chapter 4.5: Reunion
"If you don't know what you should hold onto, then your life is just a journey without a destination."
Ryoma stood in front of the bottom steps of the throne as Kamui walked into the throne room along with Mikoto and the others.
Mikoto was the first to speak, "Ah Ryoma, what news do you bring?"
"We just received word that one of our northern villages is being threatened by a group of monsters," Ryoma reported, "Sakura and Hinoka are there so I'm heading there personally to help them."
"I see…" Mikoto replied, thinking for a moment, "Then why don't you take Kamui with you?" He can provide support."
"As you wish Mother," Ryoma agreed as he turned to Kamui, "For proper introductions I'm Ryoma, your older brother. I hope you begin to trust us as family in due time Kamui."
"O-Oh of course Ryoma," Kamui stuttered, his mind a mess, "I'm sure I'll get used to this in no time."
What am I saying? I don't even know these people.
Ryoma smiled, "Well then we're heading off now. Bring your two allies as well."
"Of course!" Kamui responded.
"Be safe you two." Mikoto cautioned as the two brothers left for their mission.
"HOW IS THERE SNOW HERE?!" Kamui shouted as he stumbled along the snow field on their way to the village.
They had traveled to the northern part of the Hoshido Kingdom to assist Hinoka and Sakura, but… maybe they traveled too far north as the snow began to fall.
"Come on Lord Kamui!" Rinka boasted, "This isn't so bad."
"You… You amaze me Rinka," Kamui sighed
They had just reached an old temple when they heard a loud roar close by. As if on signal, a dark hulking beast came into view. The monster had some sort of mask on and his hands were chained.
"This is where Sakura and Hinoka were supposed to be..." Ryoma grunted, "But if these monsters are here…"
"They probably had to retreat Ryoma," Kamui interrupted, "From the sound of it, there are more of these things."
"Of course," Ryoma said, reassured, "Take your group and search for them up ahead. I'll deal with these monsters."
"Sounds like a plan," Kamui answered back as they moved forward while Ryoma.
"You haven't seen Lady Sakura or Hinoka yet Kamui," Suzukaze commented, "Lady Sakura usually carries a staff with her and wears white robes. Lady Hinoka is a Pegasus rider, so you should be able to tell the difference."
"Thank you Suzukaze," Kamui said as they ran towards a snow hill. However, as they neared the snow hill, Kamui's hand began to glow red.
"Wait a minute…" Kamui muttered, "What's happening?"
Rinka's eyes widened, "Oh! You have Dragon Vein! From what I heard, you're able to transform the terrain or something."
"Dragon Vein?" Kamui asked, "How do I use it?"
"How should I know?!" Rinka remarked, "Just point your hand… and use it."
At that comment a giant fireball manifested in Kamui's hand before shooting itself at the mountain of snow. On impact, the snow began to melt until only mist remained. It would've been a breath-taking site if only four of those hulking creatures weren't hiding behind that now melted mountain.
"Well damn."
*READY? SET? FIGHT!"
Kamui unsheathed Ganglari as the four beasts rushed them. As they got closer, Kamui decided to attack the one leading the charge. Kamui flipped forward slashing the creature's chest, but the monster just gave off a snarl as it broke the chains that were binding its hands.
"Oh crap."
"Lord Kamui!" Suzukaze yelled as he rushed in to block the punch, knocking him back a little.
"Don't forget about me!" Rinka called as she bashed the monster's face with her mace, fire erupting on impact.
"Whoa…" Kamui gasped as the beast fell heavy on the ground, motionless.
"We're not done yet," Rinka smirked as the three other monsters surrounded them.
"We'll create an opening for you Lord Kamui," Suzukaze said as he signaled Rinka, "Make haste and find Lady Sakura and Hinoka."
"Right!"
Rinka dashed to one of the monsters as she swung her mace at the side of the beast. The thing grunted as it lost balance, letting Suzukaze take the opportunity to get in a few slashes before the monster raised both of its arms to smash down on the man.
"Now my Lord!" Suzukaze yelled.
Kamui dashed to the wounded monster, slashing clean through the monster's stomach. The monster stood still for a moment before falling forward. Kamui rushed forward as he left the rest to Suzukaze and Rinka.
"They've got to be close now…" Kamui muttered as he ran between the various snow hills.
Kamui was passing a snow hill when a giant fist appeared out of nowhere, striking at his side.
"Urk!" Kamui gasped as he flew a few feet to the ground, the wind knocked out of him.
Struggling to recover, he could see that two of those monsters had found him, but the one that attacked him seemed to be a shade greener than the rest. It had the same mask and chains, but Kamui could see red eyes staring at him. This one seemed stronger than the other ones as well.
"You must be the leader," Kamui sighed as he prepared to attack, "This should be fun."
Kamui side stepped as he slashed the red-eyed creature's side. In retaliation, the monster tried a shoulder bash, but Kamui was able to doge it. However, the second monster took the opening and landed a strike on him.
"Tch…" Kamui grunted as he recovered. The punch wasn't that strong in comparison to the other one, but it still hurt, "That's hardy fair guys."
The red-eyed monster snarled as his minion charged Kamui. However, before Kamui could react, a shadow passed over him as a Pegasus intercepted the creature. The rider dispatched the monster swiftly with two quick attacks.
"Amazing…" Kamui praised before realizing the red-eyed monster was distracted, "You're finished!" Kamui yelled as he thrusted his sword into the monster's chest. The red-eyes fading as it fell before Kamui.
*VICTORY! YOU DON GUD*
Kamui turned around about to thank the Pegasus rider before he saw that she was standing before him with widened eyes.
"Um… thank you for the assist," Kamui smiled, "You really saved me back there."
"It… it can't be…" the red-haired rider gasped, tears beginning to form.
"Oh, uh… um sorry," Kamui stuttered, taken back from the girl's reaction, "You probably don't even know me haha. I'm Kamui and you must be… Hinoka right?"
At the sound of her name, Hinoka rushed over to her brother and hugged him, unable to hold the tears any longer…
"After all this time, I kept believing that we'd meet again…"