Chapter 5 ~ Michaelis~
It was a beautiful, sunny day. The family spent little time inside; their favorite place was outside, under the sky. Toshi had made a hearth close to their dwelling. Over the years, their house has changed from what it used to be. They had added a sleeping quarter in the corner of the house, a space for their son.
Chizuru sat near the fire, warming herself after a bath. Her hair had grown longer and reached below her back. Still, she refused to trim it as she had grown to like this style. Loud giggling echoed through the air, and her heart fluttered at the sound. It was her joy, her music. She tilted her head slightly to look outside.
Near the lake stood a boy with his arms open, welcoming the sunlight. His dark hair was like a glistening shadow. A crimson butterfly flew around him; her chaotic movements seemed like she was calling him. The boy lowered his arms and giggled again.
"I'm going to catch you today."
He laughed and started jogging after it. His slight frame made it easy for him to jump over the rock in the lake that created a path to the other side of the valley.
"Kondo, darling, be careful not to fall in the lake," Chizuru called.
The boy stopped and gazed back at her; his eyes were hauntingly dark orange. "Yes, Mama," he replied and waved at her before returning to chasing the red butterfly.
It had been a routine for him. That butterfly had shown up almost daily to play, almost like a friend. The chase had led him near the waterfall, where he could hear nothing but the waterfall thundering down into the lake.
Kondo stopped in his tracks, confused. There was a dull ache in his heart. With every breath he took, the discomfort increased with it. He tried to hold his breath a bit. He wanted to cry out for his mom and alert her that something was wrong with him.
"Ma-"
A clattering cut him off. The sound came closer and closer. The boy gazed at the top of the waterfall and saw rocks sliding down his way at an alarming speed, threatening to rain down and crush him. The butterfly was right in front of him, fluttering chaotically.
"No!" Chizuru screamed from the other side of the lake.
Kondo felt his blood freeze. He wanted to move, but his legs wouldn't listen to his brain's command. The rocks were almost upon him when suddenly something happened. He could hear his mom's rushing steps, invoking a sense of suspense within him. Reality faded away as time stood still.
Instead of crushing him, the rocks froze in the air, the bubbles from the waterfall floating around him as if he were underwater. The crimson butterfly had stopped with its wings pulled back.
It took Kondo a moment to realize what had just happened.
He placed his hand over his heart. The pain subsided, and his eyes still focused on the sight above him. He felt Chizuru's arms wrap around him and pull him as the two fell to the side into the grass. The rocks fell and slid into the lake when his eyes drifted away from them.
Chizuru pulled him in front of her and examined his face and arms frantically. His eyes were bright red, like the eyes of a fury. "Are you okay, baby?" she asked, almost crying.
A smile graced his baby face as his eyes returned to their usual color. "I'm okay, Mama. I did that!" he exclaimed, pride in his voice.
It took Chizuru a moment to calm down and think about what he had just said. She had seen it, of course, like time itself had frozen long enough for her to pull him out of harm's way. Worry settled at the pit of her stomach. His powers were beginning to appear.
"How did you do that?" she asked.
Kondo raised his head slightly and explained. "Right at that moment, I was terrified, my mind was yelling for time to stop before the rocks could harm me, and it happened."
He said it so casually, like he didn't realize such power existed for her, his father, or any other demon she had heard. No one could freeze time like that.
"Did I do something wrong, Mama?" Kondo asked. "Are you scared of me? I see it in your eyes."
Chizuru's face softened, and she gently tapped the top of his head. "No, baby, it's alright. Be careful, and don't come too close to the waterfall, okay?" She gestured for him to go on and continue playing.
Kondo was about to go when he remembered - he didn't tell her about what he had felt. "Mama," he said.
Confused, Chizuru answered with a smile. "Yes, darling?"
He bowed his head and started fidgeting with his fingers like he was unsure how to say it. "Before that happened, I felt…. pain. In my heart," he said.
Chizuru drew closer to him again and asked, "What do you mean a pain in your heart?"
He glanced at her again with glistening eyes. He was about to cry. "My heart was hurting," he whimpered. "Am I going to die, Mama?"
She pulled him close for a hug. "Don't talk like that. I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this." She looked him in the eyes again. "If you feel like this again, immediately shout for your father or me."
Feeling slightly relieved, Kondo nodded and started looking for his butterfly friend again. Chizuru remained sat there for a while. She always prayed this wouldn't happen for at least four more years. So it begins.
It was mid-afternoon when Toshi finally arrived home. He was pushing a cart filled with medicine. Over the years, he returned to selling the medicine his family was known for to make ends meet. His sister Aiya helped him out a couple of times, and he earned a good living. On the other side of the valley was a dirt path leading to the other side of the road. He explored it alone and discovered another village. At first, he was worried they might know of him and whatever Prophecy people knew about his son. They seemed not to know anything, so he could buy supplies every once in a while and sell his medicine among them.
He placed the cart down and heaved a sigh. It had been a long day.
"I'm home," he shouted.
"Papa!" Kondo yelled as he bolted toward him with his arms wide open.
Toshi chuckled, kneeling to welcome him, and Kondo jumped into his arms. It had become their routine. "Hello, Kondo, have you been good to Mama?" he asked with a chuckle.
The boy nodded with a broad smile on his face.
Chizuru strolled toward him and lightly pecked his cheek.
"Hey, darling. Was it a productive day?" she asked.
"Yes. I did buy some good outfits," Toshi said, patting Kondo's head again. "For our little man."
She helped carry the bags toward the house as he went to wash up and relax in their bedroom. When she placed the last one in their room, Toshi was silent on his back on the bed. She knew this would annoy him, but she was worried, and he could help.
"Toshi, something happened today with Kondo," she blurted before she could change her mind.
He pulled himself to a sitting position, stress lines evident on his face. "What happened?" he asked.
She closed her eyes for a moment before she told him everything she had witnessed.
"...then he told me that he felt pain in his chest and wondered if he was going to die," she finished.
Toshi started scratching his head in frustration. "So it is real. He has powers like no one ever knew before," he said. "We have to watch over him no matter what. I'm sure with time, we can understand this power and guide him on how to manage it."
His logic was sound; it was their responsibility, and they could not fear it nor seek someone else for help.
Toshi smiled his signature smile. "From what you described, he may control time under extreme fear. That's a cool power."
Chizuru chuckled in response; it was indeed a unique ability. "I told him to call for us anytime he felt something."
Her face fell once again, though. She didn't forget how the villagers called him a false god. Maybe they were wrong, and he was just simply a demon like the others of her clan, just gifted with more. There was no way he would be the monster people portrayed him to be.
"Are you thinking about the Prophecy again?" Toshi asked. He knew all too well what she had been worrying over. He leaned over and touched her cheek. "There is nothing wrong with our child. They can label him a monster all they want - he is just a living, breathing kid - a demon like the two of us."
Chizuru placed a hand on her heart and exhaled. She could still remember how troubled her self-esteem and identity were back when she didn't understand her true nature. Now it was up to her to be there for her son and make him feel valued no matter how different he was from others. Finally, she corrected her posture and smiled.
"You are right. There is nothing to fear."
A wicked smirk grew on Toshi's face. "I'm going to need a special meal tonight."
Chizuru followed with her wicked ideas. "Oh, yeah? Maybe you could use ropes this time. They are interesting."
…..
The family prepared to leave close to nightfall with horses Toshi borrowed from a nearby villager. He wanted to take Kondo to Edo to meet his aunt. It had been a while since he traveled. Kondo had changed into a slightly warmer green kimono for the trip.
He ran toward his parents. "Let's go!" he cried.
They traveled from sunrise to sunset, only stopping to rest the horses and eat some dried meat and cheese. Kondo couldn't remember the last time his body had felt a futon. He had never thought riding a horse could cause such agony, but he was wrong. Chizuru felt terrible and tried to carry him several times to let him rest in her lap; however, it was apparent the rough road took a toll on him.
It was nighttime when the family settled to rest around the fire.
"Kondo, honey, I know you hate this, but this is good. You get to see parts of the country," Chizuru said, trying to cheer him up.
Kondo still pouted and refused to look her in the eyes. "If I knew it would be like this, I would have stayed home."
"Son," Toshi said. "I'm saying this in the sweetest way possible - I'm not in the mood for your complaining tonight."
Kondo crossed his arms angrily. He could say nothing to that.
While Chizuru started to prepare their dinner, Kondo sat against a nearby tree slightly far away from his parents, who sat in a clearing. His eyes watched the foliage, the way the light of the moon snuck through.
Oh, how he wished to be home at this moment.
...
"Michaelis."
A voice broke through his train of thought. It startled him and made him jump to his feet. The boy observed his surroundings, but he could see nothing but darkness. His parents were still around the fire talking.
'Maybe I'm imagining it,' he thought as he rested his back against the tree trunk.
"Michaelis."
The voice spoke again right next to his ear as he fell flat. He could see nothing but pure darkness. When he tried to locate his parents again, there was nothing but the harsh sound and sensation of the wind rushing past his ears. He couldn't see anything. More than that, he felt as if he'd lost his senses altogether. It was absolute darkness, a never-ending abyss. He thought he was dead.
"What's happening?" he whimpered." Mama? Papa?"
"Do not be afraid," the voice hissed. "I have been waiting for you. You are the King of Corruption."
King? He couldn't comprehend such a word. This had to be a nightmare from exhaustion. He closed his eyes tightly and whispered, "Wake up, wake up."
"Listen to me, Michaelis. There was a time when I thought you didn't exist, and I am joyous to be proved wrong."
The pain in Kondo's heart returned once more, choking him. Why wasn't he waking up? What kind of nightmare was this?
"Danger follows you. Do not be afraid to lay waste to those who stand in your way."
Kondo bolted upright. In pitch darkness, he felt a cold sweat wash over his skin. He was covered in a blanket, lying next to his sleeping mom. Toshi was sitting a few feet away, watching over them. Like usual. It was his turn to stay up late.
Lately, most nights hadn't been at all kind to Kondo. Ever since that day at the lake when he stopped the rocks from falling. He hadn't told his mom about the nightmares, even though he promised to tell his parents if anything happened. He wanted to say something, maybe warn his father about the possibility of something following them. But how could he say it?
He breathed and laid down again, watching his mom sleep. He reached over and held her hand. It was comforting to feel her warmth. Slowly, he drifted back to sleep.
...
"Cowards! He is just a child."
The shout pierced through the night, jolting Kondo awake. It took half a second for the grogginess to clear from his mind. His eyes were still in a hazy blur. The ringing shrieks of steel colliding with steel brought him back to the waking world.
He leaped to his feet, only just stopping himself from tumbling to the ground as he tripped over a loose tree root near their fire. His brain was still in a scattered daze. He saw flashes of fighting in front of him, and Toshi held back a group of men circling him. He felt Chizuru's hand pull him back.
"Stay back, baby," she whispered.
"But mama," he cried out. Fear started to consume him.
"It's the demon!" one of the men screamed as he pointed at Kondo.
"The monster has been born."
"Take the monster."
Monster? The word stung. Why were they calling him that? One by one, they started to yell while parrying against Toshi's rough strikes.
"Who are you calling a monster?!" Kondo screamed with all his strength, though it sounded like a kitten trying to be a lion.
Chizuru could feel it - he was about to cry. Her arms tightened around him. "Leave us be," she screamed.
Two of the men broke free from the battle with Toshi. The bigger man of the two spoke first, addressing Kondo.
"Shut up, monster. How dare you speak to your superiors like this."
The other one charged toward him in the blink of an eye. "Hand him over now."
Kondo hit the ground faster than he understood what was happening. His head collided with something. Hard. A piercing pain bloomed from the spot, and he saw stars. A blurry haze clouded his vision. He could only see Chizuru standing between him and the two men with their swords raised high. She was holding her Kodachi.
"You want him? You will have to go through me first."
Her words burned in Kondo as he leaped to his feet, screaming. Long black horns protruded from his head, and a great shadow erupted from within his arms like thick smoke from a fire.
Kondo sent the unsuspecting men hurtling through the air, snapping the tree trunk clean in half with the impact. The muscles in Kondo's legs seized, and he struggled to hold himself upright. His heart felt like it was about to explode in his chest. The pain was unbearable. Someone was approaching him, but he couldn't tell if it was his mom or another man trying to attack. They were running. At least, he thought they were running. It was hard to tell. His vision blurred as if he were underwater. He felt a crack of pain as a knee gave way. He fell to his back, hitting his head on something solid. The figure had almost reached him. They were definitely running.
….
There was nothing but complete silence after the boy fell. Toshi was lost in his own thoughts, an opening that allowed two of the attackers to escape. Did he see that? Did his boy send those men flying and crashing like that?
"Oh, my baby," Chizuru cried, holding Kondo in her arms.
He looked paler than a ghost and was so still, almost like he were sleeping. Toshi knelt and touched the boy's forehead; his hand burned as if he had just placed it in an oven.
"My god," he whispered under his breath. There is no way Kondo couldn't feel this kind of heat. Toshi placed his hand again on Kondo's forehead but couldn't help but remove it immediately at how hot it was.
Chizuru's sobs increased, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She held Kondo close to her heart while looking at Toshi. "Do something, please," she keened. "Our son is dying." She choked on the last word. Then she laid Kondo on his blanket.
His eyes were twitching nonstop as if he were in pain.
"Come on, baby," Chizuru whispered. Carefully, she used her Kodachi to cut through his shirt. She touched his stomach, and it burned her hand immediately.
Toshi went to retrieve the canteen he had carried with him. Unfortunately, they were not close to any lake. He stood over Kondo and removed the scraps of his shirt. Without hesitation, he spilled some of the content upon the piece of cloth and placed it on Kondo's torso.
Chizuru took the canteen and spilled some of it on his face. However, the boy didn't even flinch at that. Chizuru touched his forehead again, and it seemed like the water did nothing to help with the fever.
"It's not working," she whimpered. "We have to use more water."
"Chizuru, calm down," Toshi spoke at last. "He will be fine, we need to break his fever and have enough water for that."
There was no choice but to sacrifice all the water they carried from their last rest. Hakodate would be their best bit of help if he didn't recover. They were close, after all.
….
A time went by, and the family reached the shores of Hakodate. Kondo was half dead in Chizuru's arms. The parents had not gotten much sleep, sporting dark circles under their eyes. No one would understand what they had gone through in the nights.
As they stood in the harbor, Toshi came up with an idea; however, he didn't like it. But there was no other choice, and his personal feeling shouldn't get in the way of helping his son.
"Kazama," he said. "You do know where he lives, right?"
Chizuru's silent sobs subsided slightly, thinking about his question. "Yes. I know where he is."
Toshi held onto her shoulders and explained to her what they could do. They must quicken their pace and find Kazama; he might be the only one who could help Kondo. With that, they set out on their way immediately.
...
The enchanted forest beckoned them into its deep, lush heart. They couldn't resist the haunting ballad of its ancient song calling out to them. At the entrance were two arching trees with pink crowns covering the other side. Two armed men stood in the front, guarding the gate.
The men immediately pulled their swords out of their sheaths as the little family approached.
"Identify yourselves. Why do you seek out the Kazama village?" one said.
Toshi took Kondo from Chizuru's arms and hurried toward them, his face turning red from the amount of pain he hid within himself.
"I'm seeking lord Chikage. My boy is dying," he replied. "I don't know what to do."
Chizuru followed. "Lord Kazama knows me. Please let us through."
The two men didn't have to think about this much. Looking at the boy, pale as a corpse, convinced them of the situation's urgency. They moved to the side to allow them entry.
Toshi didn't hesitate and bolted toward the mansion in the distance, Chizuru following behind. They passed several houses, eyes following their every move. Around them, the inhabitants of these houses whispered about what was happening.
Toshi reached the mansion's stairs and halted at the door, cradling his limp child. He yelled out, "Kazama, please come out! We need your help."
Unable to stand still for a moment, he started to pace back and forth with his eyes watching the boy in his arms.
"Do you hear me, demon? The boy has fallen ill. Kazama!" he screamed again.
Chizuru cried on her knees, her hands clasped together as she called out his name.
The door slid open with a bang. A woman with long loose brown hair that reached her knees rushed outside, her pregnant belly making her movement slow but no less urgent.
"My dear Chizuru." She welcomed the other woman with a hug. "I'm so sorry for the circumstances."
Kazama rushed out after her. He wore his signature outfit, but in a different color, his blonde hair longer, below his shoulders. He immediately moved to Toshi and laid the back of his hand on Kondo's forehead. Then he slid it down to his chest to evaluate his breathing.
"He is ill," Toshi whispered. "I don't know why."
"Inside," Kazama instructed.
Princess Sen helped the grieving mother to her feet while she whispered encouragement in her ears.
Kazama escorted the parents to a room where they placed the boy on a futon. Sen called out for the servants to bring in cold water immediately.
Kazama knelt, touched the boy's eyelids, and then moved his fingers slowly in circles.
"This is no ordinary illness. The boy's true nature fights within him."
"What do you mean by that?" Chizuru asked, barely able to allow herself to sit still.
Kazama closed his eyes, apparent signs of concern evident on his face.
Sen patted Chizuru's shoulder. "It means the boy is too powerful for his own good," she whispered.
"Maybe I did this to him." Toshi paused as the truth sank in. "Will you help me?"
The plea in his eyes was the most sincere Kazama had ever seen from anyone.
"I know we aren't on the greatest of terms," Toshi continued. "However..."
Kazama raised his hand to stop him. "No. We might have had our problems in the past. But I will keep him safe and help all that I can. That's a promise from one father to another."
Sen couldn't help but be proud of her husband and his maturity over the years.
His words were what Toshi needed to hear. At last, he felt his stress ease up slightly.
Chizuru bowed before him until her forehead touched the ground, immensely thankful for his hospitality. "I will never forget this. Thank you," she said.
Kazama smirked before he replied, "Really? I would want you to join me for a threeway."
"Watch your tongue," Toshi replied in a deadpan tone.
Chizuru wondered if she should feel amused or annoyed. Typical Kazama attitude. It was almost comforting that he hadn't changed much over the years.
Sen's smile vanished, and she leaned forward to nudge her husband in the arm with her elbow. "My goodness, you cannot speak to our guests like this," she whispered.
"That was a joke," Kazama chuckled. "Sorry."
Sen rubbed her temples before she stood over him. "Chikage Kazama, how much will it take for you to learn some manners? I swear."
Kazama grinned wolfishly. "Well, I could think of a way or two."
Toshi cleared his throat, and the couple glanced at him.
"Excuse me, Guest, here," he said.
Sen heaved a sigh and chose to leave the room, amused and impressed.
"You two go get some rest. I'm sure your room is ready, and I will watch over the boy," Kazama told Toshi. Chizuru was already asleep on Toshi's lap. Finally.
Toshi glanced at Kondo one last time before he asked, "How are you going to help him?"
"I will mix my child's blood sample with an herb. It should do well," Kazam explained.
His child? Was Kazama willing to go that far to help him? He didn't know what to feel about this. It felt deeply unsettling to see Kazama be helpful like this.
"Yeah, I'm a good person." Kazama chuckled. "You are welcome. Now get out of here."
Toshi carried Chizuru in his arms and left the room.
…
Kondo tried to move but felt sluggish and heavy as if weights were attached to his limbs. He felt his head throb and noticed a slow aching pulse in his arms. Finally, he cracked his eyes open and felt a slight pain from the light. The dim light of the room was enough to hurt his eyes. When his eyes adjusted, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling. He didn't even know what time it was or how long he had been asleep.
'Where... am I?' he thought.
The last thing he remembered was an unimaginable amount of stress. Again, he attempted to recall what had happened. Outside the room, the wind bellowed like a roaring wolf. An unfamiliar voice broke the near silence.
"Are you awake?"
Kondo felt a rush of energy again as he bolted to a sitting position. He gasped, then bit down on a scream as pain tore through him. He felt the man hold onto him.
"Don't try sudden moves. You're only going to hurt yourself."
Once the pain lessened, he could see the man who helped him - a blonde man that seemed to be close to his father's age.
"Who are you? What happened? Where is my mama?"
Kazama smirked. The boy seemed to be attached to his mom, and he wondered if there was anything psychological behind it. Still, he couldn't help but be in awe of the similarities between him and Hijikata.
"You have been sick. Your parents brought you here to recover."
Kondo thought about it for a moment. His memory seemed hazy, and he couldn't recall what had happened. The last thing he could remember was a group of men attacking them. Something flickered in his mind.
"I don't… remember," he whispered.
Kazama patted the top of his head, which startled him a bit. "Take it easy, kid. You need to eat something and try to sleep again." He handed Kondo a tray filled with food.
Then he left him alone.
...
"Take the monster."
That word won't leave his mind no matter how hard he tried - monster. Was he a monster? As far as he knew, he was just a boy. Then again, other kids couldn't freeze time or cause people to crash into trees. Then there was that dream, the darkness that called to him. King of Corruption.
Hot tears streamed down his cheeks, and his breath became ragged as he played with the food. He was a monster. Those men were correct about what they said. He could no longer look at the world the same way. Something inside him had been switched.
He didn't have an appetite anymore.
He returned the tray to its place near the door and left his room. Outside, people he didn't recognize filled the hall. Some carried sheets and clothes, and others had baskets filled with fruits. He sighed and went for the opened backyard door.
The moment he stepped outside, he felt a slight chill. Cherry blossom petals danced in the wind. The house's backyard was far more expansive than his home's. In the distance, he could see a pond glistening. Maybe he could play there, pretend he was home with no worries. Maybe his butterfly friend would be there.
He reached the pond, and through the trees, he saw a white figure in the water. At first, he thought it was an illusion. It was a beautiful image of a girl with her sandy hair shining in the sunlight. Her dress, white as daisies, clung to her body, damp from the water. He could not tear his eyes away from this beautiful sight.
The girl noticed him and froze.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Um…" He stuttered slightly. "My name is Kondo."
"Oh." The girl chuckled as she pulled herself from the water. "You are the boy brought here." She offered her hand to him. "My name is Sara."
Kondo silently shook her hand. He didn't know what else to say.
Sara noticed the obvious shyness in his demeanor and tilted her head slightly. "That's cute. You may want to let go of my hand now."
"Um... Sorry." He let go, his face bright red, the most severe blush Sara had ever seen.
A young man passed them, heading for the field nearby. He wore dark green clothes and a helmet that looked familiar to Kondo.
"You want to get your brains dashed in already, milord?"
The man seemed like he hadn't seen the kids, but there was no mistaking her lilting accent, which she'd maintained through her travels. He had been assigned to protect her on many occasions. He enjoyed listening to her talk, even if some of her words made no sense.
Haru's smile broadened, and he turned his head.
"You may be standing too close to the edge of the water, lad," he said to Kondo. "She's just the kind of sprite liable to shove you in."
"You're more likely to trip and fall out of sheer clumsiness, Lord Haru," she said with a saucy smile. "We will be traveling again soon."
Haru's eyes brightened. "Oh yes. I miss our trips. I would prepare some meals and stories to tell."
She wrinkled her nose. "Are you trying for my hand, my lord? I'm only nine years old. Give me a few years yet before showing your ambition so nakedly. You're embarrassing yourself."
Kondo sputtered out a laugh, knowing it wasn't the man's intent, but she had a way with words and could turn someone upside down before they knew what had happened.
"It's almost creepy how you are a copy of Lord Chikage."
Haru waved goodbye and went on his way.
Sara sat again and dangled her feet to the water. "Come join me."
Thank you for Reading.
Thank you Samantha Novak for your help.