WORDS STYLE:

Flashback

(Leo Voice)

Thinking

[Words from the Past]

SHOUTING

TwIsTeD

Chapter 5: Prologue Part 5

—YEAR 412K—

-412K YEAR

-LOCATION: GREAT FOREST

Leo monologue

The group of over 20 children moved together, following after the sacred Beast Leo who trotted next to an expressionless Madara who still appeared in deep thought yet the thing that stood out wasn't the blood stuck to him but the fact he now had a cloth over his demonic eye to conceal it.

"I hear running." Muttered Pursena who was standing next to him and holding onto him closely, after her crying had finally stopped she appeared very tired and held onto Madara like he was her life support.

"GĀDIAN!" It was at this point he looked ahead to spot numerous beastmen running towards them in a hurry which included Gustav Dedoldia his grandfather/Chief of the Dedoldia Tribe, Gyes his uncle and head warrior of the Dedoldia Tribe as well as the Bulldog Chief of the Adoldia who was in fact Pursena's father and also her brother was there, Tertelia the head warrior of the Adoldia Tribe. It wasn't just them but many other adults from both tribes and others from different tribes that appeared to match some of the other beast folk kids who almost immediately started crying as soon as they saw the worried-looking adults who rushed towards the kids and past Madara, hugging the kids.

"Dad!" Pursena said, tears filling her eyes as she let go of Madara and rushed towards the Chief of the Aldoldia tribe who hugged her closely as she cried once again. While that was happening, Leo turned towards the same expressionless Madara who didn't seem to react, not knowing that the entire time Nina Farion was watching him yet looked around at all the kids reuniting with their parents and relatives, the sight causing her tears to form in her eyes before turning back to see Gustav approaching Madara and placing a hand upon his shoulder.

"Gādian, you've done well. Rest, you can leave the rest-" He was cut off as Madara brushed off his arm, something that surprised him as he watched the young boy walk past him, the mere sight confirming he was more than just exhausted with Leo trotted next to him yet he was stopped by smoke speaking.

"Thank you!" That sudden shout gained Madara's attention to see the chief of the Aldoldia tribe hugging Pursena and staring directly at him, trying his best to appear strong.

"As Chief of the Aldoldia Tribe, I thank you Gādian Dedoldia for saving not only my daughter but everyone's children from those slavers!" As he spoke those words, one by one others spoke up.

"Thank you!"

"I am in your debt."

"I will never forget what you've done for my family!"

"I will always be grateful to you."

As he heard those words, Madara simply turned away and started walking back towards the village with Nina staring at his back in wonder about just who he was while Gyes could only stare at his nephew's back sadly, clearly seeing he was hurting.

It was later that night, that the rain had finally stopped with Madara having washed himself before heading to bed where he lay yet had not fallen asleep but lays there, due to what happened, Gyes and Gustav were in the middle of a meeting with other tribe heads to discuss the current issues with the attacks and how to better prepare.

(Madara...)

Leo gained no response from the reincarnated one, the Sacred Beast lying next to his bed in worry at his partner's unresponsiveness.

"Big Brother Gādian?"

If he had looked he would have seen standing at the entrance to his room was Linia, his younger cousin as well as the dried tears in her eyes.

"Go away, Linia..." That was all he said, not even bothering to look at her yet she still enters.

"Big Brother, I'm sorry about-" At that point, she was cut off.

"Linia, for the last time I am not your brother. I never was..." He told her yet she shakes her head in denial.

"But dad-"

"Linia, that's enough..." As he spoke, the young Beastman sat up in bed and turned to her with clear annoyance on her face. "I have never once considered you as a sibling, not even as a family to begin with..." It was with those words that Linia started taking steps back before she ran out of the room, leaving them by themselves with Leo turning towards his partner with clear anger, baring its teeth at him.

(What was that all about, why would you-)

"So it will hurt less when I leave." It was when Leo heard that, he was surprised to see his expression change from moments ago of disdain to one that shows struggle.

(You're going to leave your home?)

"Is it even my home, I never once truly considered this place my home, and the one person that connected me to it...she's gone now. Right now, all I feel is I want to understand this world I'm in and not continue to think like Madara Uchiha...if I want to understand who I am at my core and what I want, I need to travel."

Upon hearing this, Leo only wines.

(Yet you decide to hurt her, what will she think when she finds out you left, she'll hate you and Pursena-)

"They will be fine, far better off than me. Plus, you'll be there to watch over them, since you are the Sacred Beast you cannot come with me." It was after that that Madara just looked at the entrance to his room and stood up, walked towards the opening, and entered the main room, where he turned to see Linia's room empty.

"Guess she ran out..." He stops thinking of her and turns towards the entrance to their home.

"Come on out, I know you're there." It was at that point Leo tilted his head upon seeing someone stick her head out which was the older girl amongst the kidnapped children, now wearing clothes of his tribe as well as having washed herself, her dark-blue hair was now tied in a ponytail.

"S-Sorry, did I come at a bad time?" She asked, a bead of sweat falling from her face as she recalled the scene moments ago of a kid running out in tears yet all Madar did was sit down on a nearby chair, placing a hand on the armrest to hold his head up. Yet unknown to the reincarnated one, the girl was staring at him with wide eyes, seeing him now washed up from all the blood and wearing new clothes, it was because of this that Nina got a good look at Madara for once and she couldn't stop but stare at him, despite the fact he was a boy his facial features looked quite feminine but to Nina, he looked quite beautiful.

"It's fine, what did you want to speak to me about since you coming here alone means it's something you wish to speak to me about, plus I'm surprised you managed to get up here without getting stopped so it must be important." When he finished saying that, Nina was surprised at how fast he looked into what she did and was correct about it.

"It's um-" As she tried to speak, she could see the look in his eye turning to less patient ones. "I wanted to thank you earlier for saving me and those children, but that's not the full reason I wanted to speak to you... I heard you are Sword King Ghislaine's Son." The moment he heard that name, the surprise was all that was seen, surprise at hearing a name spoken by someone he just met and a title no less yet that surprise disappeared.

"Do not refer to me as her son, she chose to abandon me when I was born so she's relinquished her right as a parent. Now continue, why do you bring her up?" His reply left Nina going silent for a few seconds, taking in the fact she may have found herself in some family issues she shouldn't have involved herself with.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up any..." She stops when she felt a sudden push and turns to see Leo nudging her before looking up, tongue out. Slowly, Nina unconsciously started to raise a hand before she was stopped.

"You touch him I will have to throw you in our prison, it's against the rules to touch the Sacred beast unless you clean him." This causes her to freeze while Leo glares at his partner.

(Why you gotta ruin my cuddles.)

"Now if this is all you wanted to talk to me about, leave..." This snapped her out as she immediately spoke.

"He killed my teacher, who was a Sword Saint, and captured me from her a month ago." When he heard this, his single eye widened. "I couldn't do a single thing but wait to be rescued yet you, you killed all of them by yourself." This was nudged again, looking to see Leo just staring at her with a blank look.

"Leo helped me and don't worry, you will be returned-" She immediately spoke, a more determined look appearing on her face.

"He knew how to kill a Sword Saint, yet you two managed to kill them all including the North Saint...that's why, I want to ask you to come with me to meet my father." When she said that part, he merely tilted his head.

"Your father?"

"Yes, my name is Nina Farion, I'm the daughter of the Sword God, Gal Farion." When he heard that, Madara and Leo just stared in shock. "My father trained your m-trained Ghislaine in the way of the Sword God. I want to thank you by taking you to my father to learn from him." When she had finished saying that, she was stared at by the two before Leo turned to look at Madara who stared at her, knowing she was not lying. Slowly he crosses his arms, staring intently at her now.

"What makes you think he would teach me?"

"You killed a North Saint, even with help you did it when my teacher, a Sword Saint could not. Not only that you're only ten years old, but if my father finds out about that and the fact your mother-he will likely be interested in training you. I want to thank you for all you did..." With that said, he stares at her for a few seconds before looking away.

"Do you even know how to get to your father?"

"Yes, it's a long journey but I know the way."

There was silence as Madara turned to look at Leo who stared at him, the two not needing to say anything with only Leo looking down sadly while Madara stood up.

"To introduce myself, my name is Gādian Dedoldia...and fine I'll join you." This caused her to look at him in surprise.

"You do? Than-"

"We leave now." This caused Nina to stare at him in shock at the sudden decision.

"Wait, now? But shouldn't you rest-" He merely shakes his head and turns to Leo.

"Leo, I'm going to leave a message for Gyes."

With that stated, Leo just wines and looks down with Madara looking up at her.

"I'll be out in a few minutes so mentally prepare yourself, this is our only chance because I doubt they will expect now of all time someone to leave the village, they are more focused on the children that were rescued giving them a perfect chance." With that stated she only nodded in understanding and walked out of the room with Madara walking past Leo and towards a table, grabbing his dagger he holsters it before taking out a piece of paper and started writing down on it.

(You're going to leave?)

"Don't stop me, this is a journey I need to take. This message will tell Gyes I'm sorry that I'm just like my mother, but I can't stay here...I need to travel to know myself, this message will also let him know to keep an eye on Lilia, just in case she realizes what I've done to stop her from following me." He thought before he rolls it up and sticks a small knife through it and into the table before taking out a sack and placing some food in it, only enough for a few day's travel that was wrapped up for him to eat which he never did. With that done, he holds the sack over his shoulder and walks towards the exit with Leo just sitting there.

(Are you really going to leave me?)

"I never told you this, but I'm grateful for you always being there for me. Even tho you got on my nerves and read my mind, it was still nice having someone who knows me. I leave Lilia and Pursena in your care." With that said, he walks out of the room with Leo just sitting there before it looks at its feet while Madara meets Nina standing outside his door.

"Follow me." With that said, he starts to hurry down a different path with Nina following yet as they do so, she stares at his back in wonder how he could just leave his home like that

"We're almost at the edge of the village borders." Muttered Madara as he and Nina had made their way to the ground and sneaked around the village to escape the sight of any guards nearby, now they ran away from the houses quite a distance away towards the way he came from with the children with Nina following, staring at Madara's back.

"Are you fine just leaving without a word?"

"I am, this is a decision I have already decided on before you asked me so no need to dwell on my situation." He said, yet his words didn't reassure her, and could only wonder why he wanted to leave now after what happened yet all those questions ended when he came to a stop and turned, causing her to do the same as something was heard fast approaching before the bushes burst forth Leo and with him, Gyes who had a large wooden container under his left arm yet something about it felt familiar. With the sight of them, Madara glared at Leo who avoided his gaze while seeing them, Gyes expression turned somber.

"Gādian."

"Gyes."

The two stare at one another with Nina looking between the two of them while Leo remains silent.

"You're leaving..."

"Yes."

As the seconds went by of silence, Madara finally spoke again.

"I'm sorry, but I need to go..." Hearing those words, Gyes could only look down as he grits his teeth.

"So...you're going to leave the village...following in my sister's footsteps and abandon your duty." When he looked up he met his nephew me gaze. "I thought I had done everything I could to keep you from becoming just like her...but...in the end I was only fooling myself." It was after saying that, a sad smile formed on his face which caught him off guard.

"After raising you all these years, I'm not a fool to not notice your disinterest in the Great Forest and the tribe, your interest always aligned with what's outside the village. I thought I did everything I could to keep you connected to the village but it became obvious, the moment you saw Shīrudo's corpse...she may have been the only true connection you had to our tribe, to our home." Gyes looks right at his nephew who stares back.

"Even if I tried to stop you, I doubt I could at this point nor could I ever convince you to stay. Gādian, when your mother was your age she showed none of the talents you possessed, she wouldn't learn to speak properly, she wouldn't train, and ended up getting into fights when she was in a bad mood...I honestly thought she was a monster rather than my sister. I can't tell you how relieved I was when a wandering swordsman took her away from the village, I was relieved I wouldn't be lumped in with my failure of a sister anymore. That was until...you came along." He walks forward and approaches him before standing at arm's reach.

"I was filled with so many emotions that day she left you in the village yet one thing became clear to me. You were but a baby that had done no wrong and meeting you, I came to realize that maybe...maybe I could fix the wrong from all those years ago, maybe I could help you when I failed to help my sister. Right now I am filled with regret for not being able to do anything for her...but for you, I have not a single regret because I'm proud of you." Despite hearing his words, Madara hardly showed much reaction but remained passive and intently listened yet the moment he heard the last part, his reaction turned to shock.

"I failed in helping your mother...but at least I didn't fail in raising her son to be a Hero, a Hero of our tribe. I doubt she will ever come back here again but if you do leave..." As he spoke, a warm smile formed on his face while he raised his right hand and placed it on his shoulder. "You will always be welcomed back here because this is your home. You may not think of it as such a place right now, but maybe one day you will come to see this village as your home and when you do, I hope you'll come back." It was at this point that Madara appeared speechless before slowly Gyes lifted the large wooden box with symbols on it before them and slowly he opened it to the utter shock of his nephew whose eye widened in disbelief.

"This...this is..."

"It is said, Beast God Giger of the Doldia Tribe himself came upon this weapon that fell from a fractured sky during the First Human-Demon War. He used this weapon when the humans attacked, and with it in hand, he rallied all the tribes of the Great Forest together. I want you to take it with you on your journey...with Leo." When he hears that, he just looks up at Gyes.

"Why?"

"Because you are the one the prophecy has been waiting for. It was said that together, the Sacred Beast and its partner will be the savior that the Doldia Tribe has been waiting for. You have displayed the ability to communicate with the Sacred Beast on a level not seen before upon your meeting the day you were brought here, it only makes sense that you are that savior." It was with that said he just looks down at the chest.

"I can't take it..." When he said that, it took Gyes by surprise when he shut the box.

"It's not that I don't want it, I just...need time before I look at this again. It's hard to explain, but...I'm not ready to wield it...(I'm not ready to wield it again)." With that said, Gyes only sighs and smiles as he holds it in one arm.

"Then, when you return I can only hope by that time you will be ready to take it with you." When he hears that, slowly a smile forms on his face, and suddenly hugs Gyes might his surprise.

"Thank you for everything, when I-when we return, maybe at that point I will be ready..." He separated from him yet the man shook his head. "as for Linia and Pursena, keep an eye on them. I said some harsh things to Linia to make sure she didn't get the idea to follow after me."

"I will watch over them, but it won't be easy once they find out you left."

"I know..." With that, he turns his back to Gyes with Leo barking and walking over to his right while Nina joins his left.

"Where are you going if I may ask?" When asked he looks back at Nina.

"I was already planning on leaving after this but now I have a direction on hand and that's getting her home to her father, she lives far off so it will be a journey." With that said, Gyes nods and proceeds to take something out from behind him and presents him with an envelope.

"This was on you when I found you...I wanted to wait when you were older before giving it to you but I think now is the best time." When he hears that, he reaches out and takes it before looking past Gyes, once more looking at the village far off before Gyes once again. "Goodbye, Uncle Gyes." He told the beastman whose eyes widened as he showed a sad smile.

"Goodbye, Gādian." With that said he turns his back to his uncle and starts walking away with Leo and Nina, the youngest trying to take in the entire scene that played before her while Leo was staring at Madara who had opened the envelope to read its contents but as he did so, his lone eye widens for a few seconds before turning to normal and proceeding to place the envelope in his small pocket.

(What did it say?)

"An apology, an explanation, and the name of her lover... Paul Greyrat." After he thought that, Leo didn't respond as he knew he had a lot to think on, a new power, the box, and now his family yet unlike Madara, Nina as well as the rest of the tribe, only the beast saw it, he stared at a glowing symbol on the back of Madara's neck that took the shape of a Tree with six branches.

xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx

Author Message: With this, the prologue has come to an end and the story has begun. Let me know what you all think of this prologue arc so far.