Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 6

Chapter 21: A Tangled Silver Hair

(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language)

I was overseeing the efforts of the local officials and the Medical Corps as they were tending to the wounded after the suicide bombing that occurred here in Zetian three days ago. Still, I noticed that the fighting from our forces drove out what was left of the volley that Clegenny Marquand brought with him as they were nothing but lifeless bodies with their heads severed. Even though the Executive Division's forces were scaled back, that didn't mean that wouldn't make a comeback as I dreaded their presence more than anything. By the time I left towards the train station, I was welcomed by Carly and Kanna as they were ready to go, for they were coming with me to Anzu Village to look at the castle near there.

"So, are you two ready to go?" I asked.

"I wonder what Anzu Village looks like…," said Carly.

"They say that it's similar to Kanto Village on Alecrast and Tenzo Village on Westeros, but from what I heard, some of the dirt roads had a black ooze problem."

"I hope that the castle is safe, Mr. Sam."

"You worry too much," said Kanna. "From what I saw in the travel guide, Anzu Village is the home of a famous dumpling stand, which is similar to the ramen stand back in Kanto Village."

"Then we'll savor it when we get there," I said.

I was ready to go on the train with the girls in tow as I stepped into it. By the time we all stepped inside when the train rolled away, I noticed Castiel sitting in one of the seats as he had his crutches with him. Even when the girls were going into one of the passenger compartments, I was eager to check up on my angelic friend as he was adjusting with the prosthetics that were glowing. With his new limbs functioning properly, he was getting used to them after he lost his old ones at the hands of Clegenny Marquand three days ago. Still, he had a long way to go, but he wasn't out of the picture yet, for he was concerned about the backlash coming from Yashamaru, who was fully concerned about what was going on so far.

"You decided to come along after all," I said.

"I came along because of what will come next," answered Castiel. "I can't let you take the full brunt of further lashing since your house arrest after the Sol-1 exploded, but I won't let you carry the burden alone right now."

"You fear Yashamaru's wrath on me, don't you?"

"This isn't the first time that Yashamaru lashed out at you for snipping some of your hair, but we all know that you're connected with the universe than what we know."

"What he doesn't know is that I have become a new god in my own right just now due to the status that Chuck had given me before he vanished forever."

"I already know about how you ignored my warning about cutting your hair, Sam."

I heard the familiar voice of Yashamaru as he was standing in front of us. Still, he wasn't too happy with me as he noticed my hair back to its normal length to my feet. He even noticed Castiel's new arm on him as it was glowing with the raw power that was infused with the prosthetics that were issued to him. I sensed both disappointment in Yashamaru as he was ready to let me have it after what went on under his nose.

"I told you once not to cut your hair, but you did anyway," he said to me in a stern tone.

"I saved Castiel from being a double amputee and this is the thanks I get?" I said as I was starting to defend my angelic friend on the spot. "Clegenny Marquand came there to Zetian and chopped off his right arm and left leg, but it was a godsend that the Medical Corps had some spare prosthetics to add onto."

"And you cut part of your hair to add into an incantation just to make the prosthetics sturdier by fusing them onto him. I told you once that chaos would ensue if you cut off a part of that hair of yours, but there's been reports about how black ooze kept bubbling up in the dirt roads of Anzu Village. You should answer to what you've done, Sam! Therefore, the locals that live in the towns near those roads are happy that they closed up, but if you ever try to cut off your hair just to help those in need, then-"

I was ready to attack Yashamaru on the spot as I used my long hair to tangle him up against the wall of the train. With some of it near his neck, I was ready to give him a taste of his own medicine as I was not about to be swayed by his stern rhetoric right now.

"Damn it, release me!" I heard him say as he was struggling for air.

"You think that you can sway me of not helping those in need, but my hair always has a tendency to grow back!" I yelled. "If I hadn't infused part of that silver hair on my head to save Castiel, he would've been trapped in a wheelchair for the rest of his days! For the record, I remained patient for the long haul of the trip, but even my own patience has limits!"

"You may be a new god, but even gods need to have restraint or else they end up behaving badly."

"Let him go, Sam," said Castiel cautiously. "This isn't like you to strangle Yashamaru like that, for there will be consequences for your actions if you don't comply."

I released Yashamaru as he was gasping for air in which I decided to let him off for the time being on this train ride. Still, my actions were proven to be dangerous as I felt guilt leaking out for lashing out at the one ally who was much sterner than Reuben. For the record, I should've never lashed out like that as I didn't say another word on that train ride. Luckily, Carly and Kanna were asleep in their seats as I was also thankful that I didn't lash out completely with the few passengers that were on board the train that was going to Anzu Village. By the time I returned to my seat, I saw Yashamaru sitting on the other side of me as he was concerned about what was going on so far, for he was still glaring at me for cutting part of my neverending hair so far.

"I don't mean to lash out at you, but I won't be told what to do with the hair on my head," I said.

"You may have tried to strangle me, but you overstepped your boundaries by trying to do so," said Yashamaru. "I told you once that your hair is connected on a universal scale and there's no way in hell that you'll be trimming off the bottom inch by inch."

"Well, his hair was a tripping hazard," said Castiel.

"It's not the point here. For the record, the universe is connected to the new god and we must keep balance of what remains or else all will plummet into chaos."

"With the hair on Sam's head that was cut to infuse those prosthetic limbs I have, I'm blessed that I move freely again. As for Clegenny Marquand, he's still out there and itching to kill just like his mistress. I know exactly what he does best and that is to cut down his enemies by either maiming them or killing them altogether. As for what I've been given due to the infused raw power emanating from those new limbs of mine, I am also thankful that Sam infused his silver hair with an incantation spell just to make them adjustable. And another thing, you shouldn't be scolding him for cutting his hair, for it always grows back with a vengeance."

Yashamaru didn't say another word as he saw the replacement arm on Castiel glowing with the raw power that was infused into it. Still, he didn't want any more catastrophes occurring with the start of a haircut as he was aware of how the balance of things were once tipped off course many times right now...

Minara arrived to assessed the damage as he was the only Elder to be late in the game. The ungodly sight of families grieving for their loved ones became troubling as he saw a mass funeral procession in the form of a somber marching band walking down the street. With some of the snow melting, it was the sign of spring as the start of March was lingering in the distance. Minara noticed several of the fallen were being taken towards a furnace to have their remains cremated as it was a tradition for those in the Order to do so just to prevent the uptick of vengeful spirits coming back. By the time he approached the hotel where Ryosuke was staying at, he spotted him coming out of there as he was most likely to assess the damage that was done by the Executive Division and their allies in such a grave ambush here in Zetian.

"You're late, Minara," he said.

"Sorry, but I had to deal with a nuisance that refused to back down," he answered.

"It was Jethro again, isn't it?"

"According to what was reported, that meddling angel, Miriam, intervened into getting his ass out of the Citadel of Silence on Cirith Ungol, but he got put back in there at the last minute."

"Jethro Braddock may be a loose cannon, but that angel who busted him out of his prison keeps saying that Sam must adhere to that prick's protection. Still, no matter how many times we try to keep Jethro away, he'll stop at nothing to keep Sam under lock and key just 'for the greater good.'"

"From the 'greater good' he spoke of, he only wants to keep Sam from danger by isolating him from everyone and his mental state is already fractured long enough. It's time that we do the legwork instead of having him do it himself. We can't let him fall through the cracks right now and having a couple of naysayers say that he can't do what he wants is adding fuel to the fire of what he suffers from on a daily basis. I also know that his being of all things are connected to the universe in which I heard a silly story about Yashamaru scolding him for trimming his hair one time."

"For the record, Yashamaru is strict when it comes to keeping the balance within Sam, but what he doesn't know is that there are times that he is beckoned to help those in need, including our allies. As for what we're about to go up against, there have been reports all over the galaxy in which there was a gush of wind wiping out what was left of the enemy soldiers who nearly destroyed Zetian's infrastructure three days ago. Still, we can only wait until-"

"Lord Ryosuke! We've found something!"

Minara and Ryosuke saw a group of excavators digging into something that was found near a ruined building. When they got a closer look, they noticed an unusual secret basement as they also spotted a mural that was painted on the wall many centuries ago. They never saw anything like it before as it was a find that was covered up for years until it was found recently. With the excavators uncovering more of what was once there, Ryosuke went ahead as he continued to look for clues until he noticed an altar that was untouched for a long time. He never expected to see something like this before show up under an abandoned building before as he was most likely to be summoning me back towards Zetian, for there was a duty that Reiko and I had no other choice but to attend to so far.

"This is an altar of lovemaking here," he said.

"From what the excavators said, it's more like a sex room than a find," said Minara as he made his way through the underground room where the altar was. "And Sam just left Zetian not too long ago, but he won't abandon his calling just yet."

"According to Kevin, he was on his way to Anzu Village with Castiel and those girls in his care. Also, he could also expect company in the form of a certain lady who recently gave birth to the second set of twins in his family as well."

"Reiko is still recovering right now. In her condition, she's in no form of having Sam plow her belly in this place right now. She had a caesarian section a month ago and she needs to rest. She's also feeding the new arrivals back home, but she's not fully up to par yet."

"If Sam and Reiko don't do their duty by making love to one another before the upcoming full moon, then this entire planet will suffer from an upcoming drought, which was read on the walls of this place. And another thing, Sam will return to Zetian in which he'll have no other choice but to fulfill his duty by making love to Reiko on here in this place or else we suffer the biggest water shortage since the California Drought. Above all what's been put in front of them, Sam and Reiko will have no other choice but to make love to one another in this place that was unearthed not too long ago. And if they don't fulfill their duty, then the Executive Division pounces and ruins our future for good. We can't let that happen nor can we allow our enemies take advantage of Sam and what his raw power will do, are we good?"

Ryosuke made his point clear as he was aware of what was found here in Zetian. As for the rest of the agenda against the Executive Division, it was getting worse as those who served Julilla were not about to give up their piece of the pie just yet…

Later on in the day, the train stopped near a highway sign as I got up from my seat and began to see what was going on from outside. What I noticed was that a group from the Garrison Corps arrived on the scene as they blocked the train's path. Getting out of the train, I was ready to know what was going on as I also noticed a familiar nuisance in the group that refused to go away quietly. It was none other than Dvora as she was there with the group of Garrison Corps soldiers in which they were ready to take me back to the warzone that I recently fled from.

"Sorry about the detour, but Ryosuke wants to speak with you back to Zetian," she said.

"I just got out of Zetian and I'm on my way to Anzu Village," I said.

"I hate to burst your bubble, but the head honcho around these parts demands you to get back over there on the double."

"Ryosuke can wait, Dvora. Right now, it's unsafe to go back to Zetian."

"Do as they say, Sam," said Yashamaru as he stepped out of the train. "You may have the gall of becoming a god, but even a new deity has to obey their calling."

"There's already too much on Ryosuke's plate right now," I said.

"If there's already too much on his plate, then how come there was a temple of lovemaking built under a condemned building? It was found when a gust of wind blew away the enemy forces before they ransacked the city entirely. For the record, I suggest that you take a look first before taking off. Besides, there's already a certain someone that's been put there from your home turf."

I had a gut feeling that Reiko would be there in that terrible warzone as I had no other choice but to comply with the ruling that was put in front of me. Still, I was at a crossroads as I was most likely to be put into a very worse situation indeed, for I had no other choice but to obey this duty that was tossed in front of me. For the record, I was ready to speak out as I was concerned about how Reiko would react after she had a caesarian section a almost two months ago, for I was concerned about her health after what she went through.

"Well, what do you say, Sam?" asked Dvora.

"You're playing with fire there by hauling Reiko against her wishes while recovering from her pregnancy," I said.

"If you're talking about Reiko, she's waiting for you at the White Rose Pavilion Hotel where Ryosuke's staying at. Luckily, you won't say no to a mere night's pleasure, can you?"

I was pigeon-holed by Dvora's razor-sharp wit as I had no other choice but to cut my train ride to Anzu Village short for a little bit. As for what could happen next, I was in hot water as I wasn't about to hear the end of it so far.

"I'll go," I said. "As for Carly and Kanna, they stay with Castiel to Anzu Village without me. I'll catch up with them as soon as I get back to them."

"That's good enough to hear," said Dvora.

"Wait! Don't go, Mr. Sam!"

I heard Carly's voice as I spotted her sprinting out of the train towards me. She was concerned about me leaving without her as she didn't let go of my hair. She wanted me to be with her and Kanna as she was feeling insecure about the change of plans. This was the worst detour, but we had no other choice but to obey the command that was put in front of us, regardless.

"I don't want you to go, Mr. Sam," she said. "Who's gonna be with me and Kanna?"

"Castiel will be with you, fusspot, but you need to be on your best behavior," I said.

"But you're going back to where those meanies blew up those people, aren't you?"

"I'll be fine, but I will come back to Anzu Village when I finish my business in Zetian. I'll be with you after that, so I suggest that you behave, alright?"

Carly didn't say another word as she stood next to the train. When I followed Dvora towards a ship, I got inside as the rest of the soldiers in her group followed suit. With Yashamaru standing next to Carly, he escorted her back in the train as the ship took off back towards Zetian as planned, for there was a duty to fulfill against my wishes…

Ryosuke was waiting in his hotel room as he spotted a ship that was approaching back towards this city of Zetian. When he saw it land in a clearing that was designated for small shuttles, he spotted me coming out of it as he was most likely to be directing me to where I was supposed to go. When he left his hotel room, he walked into the hall as he went towards the elevator when it opened up. Getting inside, he took it down as he was on his way to the lobby in which he was most likely to meet with me by bringing an unexpected surprise in front of me. By the time the elevator reached the main floor, he got out of there as he spotted me arriving at his presence. Still, I had a bone to pick with him about being brought here as I was concerned about the safety of Carly and Kanna, who were in the care of Castiel and Yashamaru on the train to Anzu Village. Still, I was confident that everyone would make it to Anzu Village without me as I had to see to what was put in front of me, for it was a duty that kept me on my toes (or on my back during lovemaking, that is).

"You called me back to the warzone, Ryosuke," I said.

"You should be getting prepared for your duty, Sam," he said.

"Is it about what you found here?"

"The temple of lovemaking was hidden under the old Lucky Cat Brewery until it went belly-up and go out of business twenty years ago. All there is left is nothing but shrapnel and years of neglect, but the find underneath will be to your liking soon enough."

"There's no time to be giving Reiko my fullest at a time like this, but she's not recovered from her caesarian section yet."

"The Medical Corps kept scanning her while you were gone and her body recovered from what she went through in which she's also a Nephilim like her mother and maternal grandfather. For the record, you should be thankful that she's fully recovered and ready to fulfill a night of pleasure before this planet becomes an eternal dust bowl."

"Sammy!"

I saw Reiko approaching as she was dressed in Drakonar clothing in which it resembled that of the ancient Chinese and Mongolian garb during the Elder Days. I never expected her to show up here before as she was waiting for me to fulfill our up and coming duty to unleash a blast of raw power to give Drakonus a sigh of relief soon enough.

"You should've stayed at home," I said.

"Mother said that we should stay here after the Medical Corps and their patients kept filling up the castle," said Reiko. "She even said that we needed some quiet when we get towards Anzu Village after this."

"Are you sure?"

"Mother also told us to be there in Anzu Village after this, for we found a castle that is similar to the one back near Kanto Village. The locals are also awaiting us there after we get done here in Zetian."

I couldn't say no to Reiko as I found her to be a much more better comfort than all the bickering about my hair being slightly snipped for no reason. Still, I was most likely to be going for what I missed for so long after Reiko gave birth to Zia and Zoran almost two months ago. I was ready to look into the discovery here in this city as I noticed the sky turning into dusl with the snow melting due to the spring that was coming. By the time we left the hotel, we set out to where the condemned building was at as we were being escorted by several members of the Garrison Corps on their way to where we needed to get to. By the time we saw it, we noticed it very carefully as it was similar to the sets of ruins that bore our namesake. Going downstairs, we went towards an altar as it was also similar to what we have seen during our travels. When I spotted the mural that depicted me and Reiko, I was now aware that we had no other choice but to do our duty by making love to one another on this night before we faced consequences for our hindrance.

"This place is new, but was once buried," I said.

"Sammy, I know that we haven't done anything since Zia and Zoran were born, but we can't pull off a sexless union forever," said Reiko.

"There's writing on this mural..." I spot the inscription in the Draaza language as I translated it carefully. "'On this moonlit night, the Destiny of Worlds will shower one another with the most sensual pleasures imaginable or else this planet will suffer from a neverending drought if not doing so."

"I'm ready to allow you to take me on this night, Sammy..."

"But what about the repair after your caesarian section? There could be complications if both of us aren't careful about this."

"Don't forget; I inherited my mother's Nephilim powers in which my body heals after bearing our children. I am strong, for I will always be there by your side."

"Reiko..."

"I also heard that you trimmed part of your silver hair again, but you used it to help with what happened to Castiel, didn't you? You also tried to strangle Yashamaru after he made you angry, but you would never do so after that. I know you very well that your kindness is the strongest that will never fade away."

"He was pushing me to do it, but I spared him in which I can't let my temper get the better of me in this form of a god I'm becoming. Still, even gods have to have restraints or else they will end up behaving badly. I can't do that again and I won't let my temper get the better of me, but if-"

"Not another word, Sammy..."

I felt Reiko's finger touch at my lips as she was aware of the consequences that I endured if I flew off the deep end. Still, I had to forget about my outburst towards Yashamaru as that will forever haunt me till the bitter end. He was a staunch ally to us as he was also brilliant in his work as a doctor. By the time Reiko and I saw the sun go down, we spotted Yashamaru standing in front of us as he was ready to escort the members of the Garrison Corps out of the area.

"It's almost evening soon," he said. "The both of you should prepare for this night, for the full moon is coming."

We agreed as we saw everyone leave with only the two of us remaining in this hidden place. When we began to look for other things, we saw a pool that was pure and untouched as it was also similar to the hot pond in the Dabb Mountains on Shiganshina. There was also a wash basin near it as we did the usual stuff by stripping off our clothes and began to clean ourselves with what was there. By the time we rinsed ourselves off, we stepped into the pool as it was warm underneath. This was yet another temple of lovemaking for us as it was also our duty to do our part.

Even though we were in there, I was seeing Reiko in all her glory in which her body was the same before and after bearing the children that we had. I was seeing her without any stretch marks no scars as her proof for the truth was posted in front of me in a nutshell. In a great epiphany, I felt a much more greater urge to take my beloved on this night as I took her by the hand and left the pool and went towards the stone altar that was smooth like obsidian. What I didn't expect to see was a small box of condoms that were there as I opened it up like usual. Still, I wanted to be gentle with Reiko as I noticed her grabbing at my member in which her touch was arousing me a lot more just to take her the rest of the way. I couldn't argue as I began to kiss Reiko's soft lips with such a heightened moment of desire.

Something was happening to me as I felt a renewed energy welling up inside me while I fondled at my wife's soft breasts. It wasn't long until I laid her down on her back while I felt the urge to give my all on this moonlit night. By the time I got a condom out, my swollen member was ready to go forth as I tore it open and slipped it onto what I had between my legs. I was ready to dive in while I fondled at the soft flesh between Reiko's legs the moment I spread her legs open and entered deep inside of her. For the usual part, my normal mode of lovemaking was common, but it changed as I began to feel all that raw energy within me coarsing with excitement. I was giving Reiko more than what I normally did as I was curbing the itch that she had during this moment of excitement.

I continued to thrust inward and outward as I heard Reiko crying for more of my unhinged pleasure that came from what I had exhibited since the destruction of the Sol-1 almost a year ago. I was all over her in which I was feeling more calmer in this moment of pleasure. I felt the energy aura spiking up more than normal as I was doing this until our moment of climax appeared. We were in the final moment of our interlude as a surge of raw power burst through where the condemned building once stood. The light of the raw power turned the sky into an array of colors as I was feeling exhausted from giving Reiko pleasure. By the time I pulled out of her, I removed the spent condom as I threw it away in the wastebasket while I laid back down with her. She was radiant as she was fully sated with what I had done during our time of pleasure, for it would be back to normal after this night.

"I never expected you to go this far into giving me more pleasure than what you normally would," said Reiko as she looked at me. "You're more like a god than a normal Terran man when you took me on this night."

"This form that I have became permanent since I did away with General Wetzel a few months ago, but this is what I'm forced to become," I said.

"You used to have light brown hair, but I love the silver hair even better, Sammy. I know that Yashamaru says that your hair is connected with the universe, but it's also known to be trimmed to help others in need as well."

"Yeah, but I have to be careful into trimming it or else I'll get another stern lecture from Yashamaru if he sees me doing so."

"The angels in the Order's service are thankful that you saved Castiel from despair."

"A few days ago, Clegenny Marquand came here with his men in which they caused havoc in the streets. Clegenny himself was going after me in which Castiel and I were running for our lives until the latter got his right arm and left leg severed off by that monster's sword. Luckily, I used my raw power to blow Clegenny and his men into the water in which it was beneficial to have it or else Zetian would've been trashed even further. I couldn't let them do that. I won't let them enslave the galaxy in their insatiable thirst for power. Even if it means by not allowing myself go get in touch with my own self-love, I won't let anyone suffer from the Executive Division's lustful advances. I do this because I care about everyone who is in need and-"

"Are you almost done down there?!"

I heard a familiar voice from above as Reiko got up and dressed up in white robes with overrobes in which I spotted a certain White Lady standing near the hole. When we scurried upstairs to where we saw her, she was expecting us to be there as she was on business with what was yet to come so far. With our remaining clothes gathered up, we were ready to leave as we were most likely to be enduring further danger from our enemies after this. By the time we walked upstairs to see the White Lady, she was the same as she was since we parted ways during the affair with the Elect, but she was most likely to be giving me a warning of danger ahead.

"It's been a long time since the Gale Canyon incident, Sam," I heard her say.

"You've come a long way, Charlie," I said.

"Don't get the wrong idea, but I was sent at the behest of Old Lady Sybil to bring your ass to Anzu Village."

"That's where we're going after this."

"That's not the point here, Sam, but next to the castle near that place is a spirit pool in which you've got a date to go there soon."

"The last time I went there, I had to deal with Sylvanus in which he was being used by Sawney Masbath the whole time. As for what I struggle through, it's-"

"-Hard to love yourself? I heard it from Sybil and her family in which they're very concerned about your mental state."

"Well, we all were put under house arrest after the fall of General Wetzel," said Reiko.

"For the record, you two may have saved this planet from an impending drought, but that doesn't mean that the Executive Division is still after you. And have you seen Julilla and her forces lately? They're so tacky that they remind me of an episode of Doctor Who. The soldiers in that blend of tackiness all have blank faces, but they aim to do one thing by carrying out the bidding of their main handler. And if you thought Dick Roman was bad, the queen bitch of chaos is a lot worse and she goes in and ride the pony until they suffer and die. It's not fun, but after what her group did to destroy the towns of Sgriccia and New Hanover, part of the refugees left for the ghost town of Piper Canyon, the the main bulk of them still stay put in the Kingdom by the River until they find another place to live in. War is never fun, but there's no way out of it right now."

"It's sad, but we can't lose hope right now..."

"Now, then; are we ready to go to Anzu Village?"

And so, we followed Charlie out of the old condemned building as we were on our way towards a clearing where a ship was parked at. The interior and exterior design was similar to that of any designated Order ship as it was also different than what we were used to. By the time we went inside, we noticed Sibyl standing in front of us as she was most likely to have a bone to pick with mainly me in the forefront. Still, she was disappointed in me for not going towards the spirit pool in the station, but she was determined to convince me to do so in order to find the root of the cause in my mental state.

"Well, Sam, I welcome you aboard the Miyazaki," said Charlie as she was sitting in the captain's chair of the ship. "For the record, we'll be stopping in Anzu Village so you won't have to wait on the long train ride."

"We're honored to be here on this ship," I said.

"Hold it! You're still not wriggling out of your appointment in the spirit pool, Sam," said Sybil.

"I didn't forget, but I had business to attend to."

"Yeah, and all that talk about Yashamaru bitching about you cutting part of your hair to infuse the prosthetic limbs that Castiel has didn't cause chaos this time, but the exact opposite of it. When you trimmed part of that silver hair of yours, there was a report in which one of the fallen towns was being restored without warning and it's the same place where your wife saved you from Masbath's humiliation towards you."

"It was Sgriccia, wasn't it?"

I never expected to hear those words from Sybil before until now. With news about the town of Sgriccia being restored to its former glory, I was relieved that even Shigeru and Futaba wouldn't have to take in too much refugees from that seaside town for much longer. It was a miracle that occurred from the chaos that was once perceived as I was grateful that life was returning to the fullest so far, for hope was returning once again. With the Miyazaki taking off from Zetian, we were ready to go towards Anzu Village as there would be a castle waiting in the wings…

The train going to Anzu Village made a stop at the station as Carly and Kanna got out of it first. With Castiel and Yashamaru getting out of the train next, they escorted the girls into Anzu Village as they found it different than Kanto Village on Alecrast. With the architecture of the houses and buildings built in the style of Chinese and Korean artistry, it was home as everyone noticed the townsfolk going about their business as usual. When they got towards a path that was similar to the castle near Kanto Village, they took it as they walked towards a different one that was stylized in the usual Chinese and Korean architecture that was used in the houses and buildings. It was different in many ways as everyone spotted a ship landing in a clearing next to it. Yashamaru was aware that Charlie's ship, the Miyazaki, landed as he saw it open up to find me and Reiko being escorted by both the White Lady and Sybil respectively. Both of us were most likely to enter this castle as I was also thankful to see Carly and Kanna safe along the way.

"Mr. Sam," she said as she ran towards me. "I knew that you would make it.."

"I'm glad that you've been good, fusspot," I said as I went towards the castle gates. "So, it seems that we've got company here." I noticed the gates opened up as pushed them wide the rest of the way in. "There is excitement here, but we'll stay here for the time being."

"This place is different than our original home," said Reiko.

"It probably has some of the townsfolk in it," said Kanna. "Castiel did say that we would be expecting company soon enough."

I went towards the doors of the main house as I opened them up to see a certain quartet all taken care of in which I even noticed a familiar squatter standing firm while helping out with the daily chores. It was Aelfric as he was hard at work settling in the castle that we were in, along with the rest of my family in tow.

"It's about time that you showed up, Sam," he said.

"It's relative that you squat in one castle and roost in another," I said.

"Don't get the wrong idea, but from what Kevin said in a letter, there's been talk about that big shot Chieftain from the region of Tovar trying to cut funding for these people. The guy's a douche, but he can't last forever on his throne over there."

"The last time we parted ways, we saved the spirits of your family from a poltergeist. Therefore, did Kotori give you approval to be here from your stay on Essos?"

"She's been busy non-stop, but she also told me that I had to face the further threat the rest of the way."

"If you're here, don't try to intrude on Mr. Sam while he's taking a bath!"

"I wasn't planning on it, but I know that Julilla and her forces won't back down so readily. This place, along with Kanto Village on Alecrast and those like it are known as the four pillars that house the Destiny of Worlds, but they're also places that are very important to the golden age as planned. I may not know much of it, but I also know that the people here are humble to have the savior and his family come here."

"We would stay in our home, but it's been heavily occupied by the Medical Corps," said Kanna. "With the Order's main headquarters on Alecrast destroyed, I hope that the one here doesn't fall from the same fate..."

At that moment, I entered into the house a little further as I smelled the aroma of food cooking. The smell of the food was more than enough to bring me towards the kitchen as I noticed another familiar squatter cooking away in the kitchen. It was Taicho as she was busy making pork dumplings with some extra buns in the oven baking. Even though she was on a reprieve of her punishment for keeping me and my family isolated during our house arrest, I didn't lash out at her as she was hard at work in the kitchen, for she was ready to make amends after what she did to us.

"It's about time you came here," she said.

"I never expected you to come here, but at least you didn't force the children to go on exercises in the snow," I said.

"It was hard for Dirk and Gyatso to accept me back here after I was dispatched by Marshal Calvert to protect you and your family here. Still, the two karasu-tengu that stayed with you came along, but Herschel wanted to stay behind."

"He could've came with us instead of being in the other castle," said Reiko.

"He would've, but he didn't want to leave it due to his status as a steward while you guys are away."

"That's typical Herschel, but he's not alone," I said. "It also seems that being a steward can also be his calling into something more in which he'll bring out a rally to put the Executive Division in its place once and for all. Therefore, we can't fall flat or else we all fail in the end. It's the worst that could happen if we don't protect those we care about."

I made my point clear as I had my reasons to protect my friends and family. Still, we had work to do as we couldn't shirk our duties just yet, for we were caught in the crossfire of this ongoing war that no one wanted so far…

Later on in the middle of the night, I was in a room at the top floor of the pagoda as I was sleeping in a Chinese style bed that was near the wall. The bed itself was comfortable as it was big enough to fit both me and Reiko in it. Both of us were in the castle as we were here to stay for the time being. Although it was quiet, I began to miss the bustle of the Medical Corps as the liveliness was not here in the castle we stayed in. Getting up, I walked towards the window as I saw the moon shining brightly after the brief interlude that I had with Reiko earlier. The snow was slowly melting away as the time for spring was beginning all over this part of Drakonus so far. With the stars shining brightly, I was seeing them on a clear night as they were everywhere in the night sky.

Even though the stars themselves were a comfort, I was ready to get back into bed until I felt a nauseating vision that shook me to the core. At that moment, I found myself in that same white room as I noticed my past self still bound with the meathooks and chains that kept him prisoner. The sight of how emaciated he was sent a moment of dread towards me as I saw him reaching out towards me. When I walked slowly towards him, I was ready to free him until I was stopped by none other than Soulless Sam standing in my way. He was ready to attack me as he was adamant into leaving everything as is in this vision of terror, for he wasn't about to relinquish this dream yet.

"Hey there, Sammy," he said to me as he pulled a gun on me. "Looks like you've hit the last lap of the brutal ending version of This Is Your Life."

"Get out of my way," I said as I was standing firm.

"Aww, are you feeling sad for your friend who's got a guilty streak a mile wide? Well, he's not gonna be free from his own prison 'cause he's better off where he is."

"Let me through!"

"Not until you say that you no longer love yourself anymore. For a while, you hated the one person the most and that is yourself in a nutshell. For the record, you hate yourself more than any other foe you've encountered and that includes the late General Wetzel. And what about that journey towards the spirit world? Are you that desperate to undo the progress that you made so far after all that hard work you did? You have until tomorrow night to insult the piece of gutter trash all decked out like a cow carcass or else I'll cause damage to your family and friends."

Without warning, I was punched in the face as I returned back to reality. I realized that I was on the floor as I felt the blood trickling down my nose in which I rushed towards a shelf and grabbed a tissue to wipe it with. By the time I wiped away the blood and threw away the tissue in the wastebasket, I stared at the mirror briefly as I saw a bruise over my left eye. That sight scared me to the core as I had a terrible feeling that Soulless Sam wouldn't leave me alone forever. Still, his warning unnerved me as I was walking on a thin line for my sanity and purpose to have more time to myself, for I wasn't out of my personal id's crosshairs yet…

To be continued...