Chapter 3
(I apologize for this really short update. Been juggling a bunch this week and I really wanted to get some progress on this story done. So here's a small preview of the upcoming chapter. This is not a complete chapter 2.)
Chapter 2
Rei's eyes slowly fluttered open, her vision was blurred as she blinked to clear her view. She could see that she was in her room of all places. The dull light filtered through the room's tattered curtains, casting eerie shadows on the peeling wallpaper. In shock, memories of what happened came flooding back to her, and she shot up to sit in her bed. Her sudden movement sent a sharp pang of pain through her body, and she winced, clutching her arms around her chest and stomach. The pain was a cruel reminder of the ordeal she had endured.
As Rei took in her surroundings, she couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability. Her room, once a place of comfort and solace, now seemed like a fragile sanctuary in the midst of chaos. She noticed her bandaged wounds, evidence that someone had cared for her in her unconscious state. Her gaze traveled down to her pajamas, and she realized that her torn and tattered clothes had been replaced.
There was still a sense of panic as she scanned her surroundings, her eyes darting from one dilapidated corner of the room to another. Worried that whoever this stranger was might have done something to her place or her, her breath quickened. She could hear footsteps coming down the hallway, and her heart raced in her chest as her gaze turned to the doorway.
The door creaked open, revealing a figure silhouetted by the hallway's dim light. Rei's eyes widened as she saw the man who had come to her rescue. "Oh, you're awake. I was just coming in to check on you."
Rei's voice trembled as she replied, "Y-Yes, I am. Did you bring me all the way here and take care of me like this?"
The man stepped closer, and his presence was oddly comforting. "Yeah, I couldn't leave you there in that condition. Before you passed out, you told me where you lived. So, I brought you here to clean and treat your wounds. Your clothes were all torn apart. I found those and managed to get them on you. I'm…sorry if that's weird. I promise nothing happened." He spoke softly, his eyes reflecting sincerity.
Rei turned slightly red, realizing just how much of her he had seen. Normally, she might be furious at something like that, but given the circumstance, she knew he was only trying to be helpful. "No, it's okay… thank you…" Her voice wavered with a mix of gratitude and lingering anxiety. "I'm sorry I was such trouble."
The man, Katsuro, shook his head gently. "Don't say that. You weren't trouble at all. I couldn't let someone be tormented by those bastards like that."
"But you risked your life and sustained injuries yourself. And you don't even know me, or my name. Why would you put yourself in danger like that for someone? You must want something in return. That's it, isn't it?" Rei's voice quivered as she spoke, a reflection of the harsh world she had come to know, where kindness often came with a hidden agenda.
Katsuro's gaze met hers, and he gave a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, I promise. I've sort of grown accustomed to this sort of stuff. You're right, I don't know you. I'm Katsuro. Katsuro Takahashi. What's your name?"
"Rei… Hino."
"Rei, huh?" Katsuro's smile remained warm. "Oh, and to answer your question, I don't want anything in return. I'm just relieved I was able to help."
Rei's eyes filled with gratitude as she whispered, "Please lay down and rest for now." She was still reeling from the trauma she had experienced, and the comfort of her room was a stark contrast to the nightmares that had haunted her.
Katsuro helped her lie back down and pulled the covers up, tucking her in gently. He couldn't help but notice the state of disrepair in her room. "I'm going to see if anyone in town can come make visits to help you out. You'll need someone to help you with those wounds at least for a week, maybe more. I just wanted to stay long enough to make sure you were taken care of properly. I'll be getting out of your way now." He moved toward the door, ready to leave.
Rei's hand shot out and grasped his, her fingers trembling. "P-Please stay..." Her face flushed with embarrassment, her voice shyly pleaded with him. "Please don't leave."
Katsuro looked down at her, his heart aching as he saw the vulnerability in her violet eyes. He understood the pain she had endured and the fear of being alone in this unforgiving world. "You want me to stay…?" Hesitantly, he asked, being unsure of what he just heard.
Rei slowly nodded, tugging his hand gently for him to sit back down near the bed. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't contain them any longer. "I'm sorry. I know that's so forward and sudden. I-I-I don't want to be alone any longer." Her tears flowed freely now, a testament to the emotional turmoil she had kept hidden for so long.
He wiped away her tears with his free hand and held her other hand firmly, providing the comfort she desperately needed. "I won't leave your side then." He assured her. "You do need to rest more though. Tell you what. I'm going to take care of some things, and we will talk more when you wake up. Alright?" He gave her a reassuring smile, before giving her hand a squeeze then standing up.
Rei simply gave a nod as a small breath left her lips. "Thank you again…" She pulled the covers up more and closed her eyes, finally allowing herself to drift into much-needed rest.
Katsuro turned the lights off and slowly closed her door as he left the room. She had seen and been through so much, and it weighed heavily on his mind. Her tearful plea not to be alone echoed in his thoughts. This world had torn so many lives apart, and as he sat down on the couch, his arms propped on his knees and his face buried in the palms of his hands, he couldn't help but reflect on his own journey through this desolate existence.
The relentless cycle of battles had left his body battered and pushed to its limits. His fiery red hair, now matted with dried blood and dirt, obscured his face, which was buried in his hands. When was the last time he had truly slept? It was a distant memory, a luxury he couldn't even recall. The burden of upholding the image of a hero, a symbol of hope, had become an exhausting and lonely endeavor.
The haunting image of her tearfully pleading with him not to leave replayed in his mind like a broken record. In a world that had shattered so many lives, he sat on the tattered couch, arms propped on his knees, and his face hidden in his hands. Sleep, elusive and forgotten, had been replaced by an unrelenting reality. The weight of mystical powers only added to the chaos, and he couldn't help but think, "Welcome to the damn circus."
His red hair covered his face like a curtain, concealing the toll this world had taken on him. It was a miracle that he had clung to his sanity, considering the brutality of his battles against demons, all while wearing his worn and blood-soaked clothes. He was no different from those he fought, monsters in the eyes of the world. His journey out of the rebel faction was proof of that, a path he had taken for multiple reasons.
Then, a voice pierced the silence. "Something troubling you, young warrior?"
Startled, he jerked his head up and scanned the room. There was no one in sight. "Who's there?"
"Right here, Katsuro," the deep voice sounded again. Katsuro's gaze shifted toward his jacket pocket, where a faint glow emanated. It was the phoenix-shaped jewel, Suzaku.
"S-Suzaku? Is that you?"
"Yes, Katsuro. I can use the jewel to communicate with you from the dimension I currently reside in. I sense your doubts, your uncertainty about your abilities."
Katsuro's fists clenched tightly, and tears trickled down his cheeks. "I just don't understand how you see me as worthy of wielding these powers to fight for humanity. I've fallen so far from grace, and there are so many more noble-spirited individuals out there. I'm nothing more than a feared figure, a monster in the eyes of this world. I'm just as monstrous as those that plague this planet."
"Would a monster shed tears for the fallen?" Suzaku's voice held a solemn tone. "I have only just been able to manifest the jewel in this world. I've observed you for some time. I've witnessed how you risk your life to save even a single innocent soul. While you may view yourself as broken and defeated by this world, I see the fiery determination burning within your soul. There's no mistaking it—you are worthy."
"Please, I need to know more about these powers. You mentioned that everything would be revealed in time. What will be revealed? How am I supposed to face all of this alone? Even with these powers, I'm outmatched and outnumbered." His gaze fell to the ground.
Suzaku spoke with unwavering resolve, "You must seek out three more warriors, each represented by one of the other celestial gods. In a previous life, the four of you were comrades, knights chosen by us to protect this world. A mysterious force wiped you all out and destroyed our physical forms, severing our connection to your world. These warriors have not awakened yet. My powers are limited, but I will do what I can to teach and train you to harness your abilities. However, this mission is one you must undertake alone."
"Three other warriors, each tied to the other celestial gods," Katsuro mused. Weariness weighed heavily on him, exacerbated by his travels and recent battles. He lacked a true place to call home, merely setting up camp, washing his clothes, and eliminating demons before moving on. Everything he owned was worn and tattered, emblematic of his journey's hardships.
Suzaku's voice reassured him, "Stay strong and maintain your faith. I must go now; using my power to communicate through the jewel is taxing. Most of my energy was expended pushing your transformation jewel through the dimensional barrier. Rest and prepare for the tasks that lie ahead."
With those words, the jewel reverted to its ordinary orange appearance, no longer emitting a soft glow. In the midst of Katsuro's contemplations, a sudden thud interrupted his thoughts. His instincts flared to life, and he scanned the room for signs of danger. His gaze fell upon Rei, who had somehow fallen to the floor, her breathing ragged and pained. Concern etched deeply into his voice as he rushed to her side, unable to bear seeing her suffer any longer.
Amidst the tumultuous sea of his own inner turmoil, a sudden, resonant thud disrupted Katsuro's brooding thoughts. His instincts, always on high alert in this unforgiving world, surged to the forefront of his consciousness. Swiftly, he scanned the dimly lit room for any signs of danger, sapphire eyes darting like a predator hunting its prey. His acute senses picked up on the source of the disturbance—the fallen form of Rei.
Without a moment's hesitation, Katsuro closed the distance between them. His voice, laced with genuine worry, cut through the silence as he knelt beside her. "Hey, what are you doing up? You need to be in bed recovering." His hands, calloused from countless battles, reached out to gently touch her, a tangible manifestation of his concern for her well-being. He couldn't bear to witness her suffering any longer.
With great care, Katsuro gathered Rei's fragile frame into his strong arms, lifting her with a tenderness that belied his battle-hardened exterior. Her body, a testament to the recent trauma it had endured, felt delicate and frail against his chest. Her labored breathing was a painful reminder of the physical and emotional wounds she carried.
Rei, her face contorted with pain and fatigue, clung to her bandaged wounds as though seeking refuge from the world's unrelenting cruelty. Her gaze, vulnerable and filled with emotions too profound for words, locked onto Katsuro's crimson eyes. In a voice barely audible, she whispered, "I... I'm sorry."
Katsuro's response was immediate and reassuring. He shook his head softly, crimson eyes reflecting unwavering compassion. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Rei. Your body needs time to heal." With great care, he settled her back onto the bed, ensuring her comfort and security beneath the covers. "I'll stay here with you, just like you asked."
A faint, tired smile graced Rei's lips, her gratitude shining through her weary expression. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice growing weaker as exhaustion enveloped her like a gentle embrace.
Remaining faithfully by her side, Katsuro continued to watch over her as she succumbed to the realm of slumber once more. The room, bathed in the soft, early morning light, seemed to hold its breath, suspended in a fragile moment of tranquility amidst a world ravaged by chaos and despair.
As Katsuro sat there in his silent vigil, his thoughts wavered between the grim reality of their existence and the fragile glimmer of hope that had unexpectedly bound their fates together. Despite the uncertainties that loomed on the horizon, he couldn't deny the profound connection he felt with Rei—a connection forged by the shared burden of pain and suffering that had molded their lives.
With the arrival of dawn, its feeble rays casting a tentative glow upon the room, Katsuro silently made a solemn promise to himself. He would do whatever was within his power to aid Rei in her recovery, both physically and emotionally. Yet, even as he nursed this determination, doubt gnawed at the edges of his resolve. 'How could I possibly hope to keep her safe?' he pondered, his eyes bearing the weight of his own battered existence. 'I'm barely making it myself.'