"What a wonderful day" I said.

twitting of birds, whistle of the wind, such a relaxing scenario I am witnessing.

Just like the vast sea, we wondered what's beyond those what we see.

Here I am alone, talking to myself about life and such thing, asking questions like a fool which I myself would answer.

I stood up and walked away. Turning my back from the picturesque scene. "Time to face the trouble yet again"

people address me as Haruki, it became my second name. Little did they know that my background was far more bold than they could imagine. No one in my current subordinates knew who I really was, where my main house is, nor where I grew up. I am currently staying in a village, staying here along with the villagers (of course a villagers, as if I could live with zombies 😑). I arrived here while the village was under attack by mere bandits. I kicked their asses out and I killed most of them. Seeing their subordinates fall through the ground one by one made them retreat. they suck, "what a weakling ants" I applied. The villagers praised me looking like wet chick. I saw their eyes full of courage. I took the opportunity and I act like a boss "what are you guys waiting for? your village won't get fixed by looking into my face you know?". They snapped, they grabbed some food and offered me some, I am not dumb to not be able to realize that it's their only remaining food. I didn't cared and I ate it. I was starving through my long journey...I was bold for some reason, it's because of trust issues. I don't trust anybody that quick.

I don't really have a clue about what happened after that, turned out they don't have a chief. They decided to make me their leader. They must've realized that they need my help in order to live longer. I took over the small village. I ordered them around and they'd exactly do what I'd tell them to do. I didn't expect them to be this obedient.

First thing I did was order them to cut off trees in order to repair the village's buildings, some was to collect wood and some was to rebuilt the houses. Women was to prepare them food and do stuff like watching over childrens, pretty relaxed you can say. I gave them their tasks one by one so they'll finish quickly, it's for my own sake though lmao.

I hunt some animals in order to feed the whole village. the villagers was strong and Independent indeed but the path was too dangerous for them. it's not that I care actually for them, I still don't trust them. I was just being cautious that they'd be a drag and would slow me down. hunting was a piece of cake for me as I am more experienced than any of them. I used to be the leader of an assassin organization afterall.

whenever I come back to the village they would be delighted to see me carrying a lot of dead animals for food, "dead, because I can't possibly carry a living animals who'd run away and would struggle, that's abvious", I muble to myself.

I cooked for everyone. I also used to be a great cook before I became an assassin. Everyone had a feast that night, I sat in a stone facing the moon quite far from where everyone is while drinking liquor. A young boy about 15 years old approached me "aren't you gonna drink with us chief?" asked the young guy. "No thanks, moreover isn't it too early for you to drink at such age?" I applied. he didn't spoke for a moment, he remained standing behind me. "sit down" I said, while patting the rock beside me. He sat down as I told him to. "at what age did you start drinking liquor chief?"....

"twelve" I said. he kept talking and is unstoppable, I was wondering why I didn't got bothered by him somehow. "let's head back, and join the others shall we?"

*BACK TO THE PRESENT*

I need to set out for a journey because of some issues and problems. All of them gathered and had wished me luck to my journey

"be careful on your journey Haruki" said the old man.

everyone wished me luck with a big smile on their faces.

afterwards i saw the young boy in the crowd, he gave me a big smile and he wave his hands as fast as he can "good luck chief" he shouted. I somehow felt weird because I've never heard him shout before.

I set on a journey and left them all behind. "they've grown to be independent that they can hunt alone now, even little children" I said. something seems off.

I need to find my loyal subordinates that time. my companions when we used to be assassin under the assassin's organization.

week have passed but I got no clue about them nor have I heard a thing about them. I came across another village, it was ruined and there's a lot of coal on the ground. It's from the houses, I can see corpses on the ground and not a single living soul can be seen. I knew right away that it was the Leona organization who did all this. I can tell based on tracks left behide, the arrows, the knives, it's theirs. it didn't rain for weeks so footprints of horses are left on the ground. I followed the footprints, the Leona group are headed to north. It crossed my mind in an instant as fast as the lighting "the village is In danger"

I ran as fast I can, my only destination was to come back at the village. A single horse are not to be seen.

Three days later I reached the village finally.

"too late" I said with a very low tone.

everything was ruined, everyone are dead. I walked closer clenching...

I saw someone moved a little and I walked closer as fast as I can. It was Aoki the young boy who shouted me a good luck, the boy who talked to me the time everyone had a feast.

I used the very bit of my power to heal him. yes, I have power, a lot of people in this world can use magic but not everyone has one. My power was limited since most of it was sealed away by someone before. He didn't healed completely because of power lack, he's asleep infact.

I don't have much time to stay in the village as the leona group would come back. I carried Aoki and got away quickly. "We've gone quite far" I said and i made a campfire. afterwards Aoki woke up and he asked what happened. I explained and I told him everything, I wasn't expecting his expression, he seemed calm, he got silent for a moment then he cried. He told me about what happened beforehand...

When he reached the village he was shocked and was filled with anger on seeing the village completely destroyed to small bits. He was full of anger. He saw a lady hugging her small kid and both were dead with their hands and arms tore into pieces. It was a horrible site. He just sat there blank full of anger and sadness until he saw something moving under some rocks. He ran towards them as fast as he can, he removed the rocks. He was surprised to see what is laying there. It was aoki the same little kid who he had a chat with before he left the village. The boy was covered with dust and had few small injuries. Shiki quickly take him beside a tree and laid him down. He tore a piece from his shirt and covered the wounds with it. He opened his mouth and poured some water in it. He then just sat beside him still in thought and full of anger.

The boy woke up after half a day. He was in shock from the attack and on seeing the village completely destroyed. He then looked up and saw shiki and started crying. Shiki hugged him and comforted him. He then asked what happened here. Aoki then started telling him what happened,

"after you left the village some men came. One men who looked as if he had a high position started destroying houses and was asking for the village elder" Aoki explained. The village elder came out from his house and came in front of that man. It came to know that he was one of the three executives of Leona mercenary group named jaye. He asked the elder about shiki. Upon hearing this, Shiki himself was shocked that what business do the executive of Leona had with him. Aoki continued that jaye asked the elder for shiki. The elder told him that he left the village 3 days ago and don't know about him. On hearing this jaye became more furious and ordered his subordinates to kill everyone in here. Luckily aoki heard all this from far away so he quickly went in a underground tunnel which was in his room. But from all the destruction the rock fell on the tunnel and destroyed it. And he was injured cause of it and when aoki woke up he was here lying under the tree with Shiki beside him. Shiki was full of thoughts, he is well aware about why leona's mercenary is looking for him.

"Vader, that bastard. I'll crash you to bits" Shiki said angrily.

Morning came with a bright sun setting up.

Aoki detailed everything.

The guy leading those bastards is named Jaye, he's under the leona organization and was ordered to finish Shiki

"Do you want to be stronger? Shiki asked to aoki. "I do" he replied as fast as light.

They walked quite far and the sun strated to set.

we sat and called it a night, once again witnessing the beautiful creation around us, NATURE.

aoki, starting today you'll be called aki.

"pardon?" Aoki asked while confused.

"we'll be headed back to my house, I'll train you there to be a fine assassin, you can eat everything and you can do everything you like. Just obey me, never betray me and I'll bring you to the top with me. From now on don't call me chief"

"yes che.........what should I call you Mr.?"

"shiki's my name"

we walked until we reached the nearer kingdom. We stopped by and earned some money as many as we can.

We rented a lodge in the certain kingdom

"shit, why am I doing this" I spouted.

I bought a pigeon to be our messenger bird.

I tied the message at the pigeon's feet and threw it to the air gently

"deliver it properly Mr. pigeon, you can't fail"

week later the pigeon came back along with a carriage.

a tall man came out wearing a blue shirt and black shoes. The pigeon is in his shoulder resting as if it's his long lost pet.

"nice pigeon you picked shiki, it's my pigeon. it got stolen from me months before" the man talked.

aki was staring at him like crazy, Shiki covered his eyes for 2 seconds and he stared at him for 3 seconds, he then came back to his senses.

the tall guy was an acquaintance of Shiki.

long time no see Holmes how's the others? Shiki asked.

"they're fine, and was expecting to welcome you back asap".

"you didn't come back home since you joined the assassin organization until it's attacked by some bastards, how are you?"

"what do you think?" Shiki replied boldly.

*sigh*

"aki, go pack our things"

"I've already packed our things shiki-san"

Holmes turned his head to Aki's direction and asked,

"ohooo who's this little guy? why's he calling you like that shiki?

wow once again you gave someone a consent in calling you "Shiki-san"?...how come you ain't angry?" Holmes teased...

"enough" Shiki said before Holmes could say onother word.

aki stared at Holmes confused as hell. He was wondering why Shiki's personality changed a bit.

"let us go" shiki said and walked towards the carriage.

Holmes patted Aki's head and whispered "you'll have to know him more young buddy"

They traveled day and night.

it's raining cats and dogs at a time, aki was tired as hell that he could sleep a year. while he was fast asleep, Holmes and Shiki talked about things. he asked Shiki what happened but Shiki didn't spill the beans. not even a little thing.

"things is how things are" says Shiki. the atmosphere changed, somehow it got cold. Shiki's expression changed in a flash from bright to dark. As they got closer to their destination. At the same time Shiki's appearance changed.

"His hair grew for about two inch longer, Eyes from grey to red as ruby. clothes from normal shirt to a fancy set of clothes designed by a famous designer personally made for nobles to wear."

"finally you're back Shiki-sama, welcome back your eminence" Holmes applied.

We finally reached the ruin. We stopped and we got out of the carriage. The hidden village of Alpha lay Infront of then. it's a village and is Shiki's territory.

"look around you, isn't the sun beautiful?"

"oh Holmes yes it is even though you can't actually see it"

"oh c'mon, have you wondered why it's bright and why is it hot?"

"NO....I'm not a scientist by the way, thus I ain't planning to be one"

"you're no fun at all Shiki"

someone's knocking on the door. Holmes stood up and opened the door. there, a man is standing "he's here Shiki sama" said the man.

"let him in" Shiki replied.

Holmes asked if who could it be, "secret" Shiki replied.

Minutes later a handsome guy with fancy clothes came in. He greeted Shiki and asked how he've been. Shiki replied that he's alright.

"what's your name?" he asked.

"My name's Holmes sir, nice to meet you"

the man smiled. He walked passed Holmes and he sat down. "Holmes get out, give us some time. check aki and see how he's doing " Shiki ordered.

"Ok sir" Holmes replied.

"what are you doing here big brother?" Shiki asked.

The man who just came in was his brother goes with the name Headless. That's not his real name but people address him as headless. He's indeed a Noble man no doubt about it

"you got a nice butler there".

Shiki nodded and added "hmm he's not really my butler though"

oh I apologize then, said Headless.

"where'd you go off to after the organization was attacked? are you really looking for them?" Headless asked with his eyebrow raised.

"Why'd you go off after the organization got attacked? you could have asked for my help. Moreover you can just order someone from here to look for your friends instead or maybe inform us at least. I've been looking for you since then, luckily you sended me a message using that ugly pigeon you idiot. I know there's a reason why you're looking for them yourself. I'm not expecting you to to tell me what it is but be careful. Leona's at move."

"I know that very well" Shiki replied.

"The Leona was looking for me. The fact that our organization was in their way isn't just the only reason why they attacked head to head. They were confirming if I really was in that organization. Now that they already knew, Leona's leader won't just step aside and let the fact pass that I was alive. I'm not just also looking for other members in the organization, I'm tryna figure out what they're planning to do and I've figure it out somehow.

"there's a traitor is all I could think of but anyway I need to go. I need to set off soon. I will go to several empires this week. I'll keep watch in them for you, be extra careful Shiki"

"yea, take care big brother".

Headless left as soon as possible since he also has some business to face up. As headless got out shiki mumbled,

"I'll make you suffer Leona, I will let an ocean of blood flow through your territory's ground, and I mean it".

Shiki got up to check on aki. Shiki pushed the door to the room where aki was sleeping. "you're awake, how are you feeling?"

"HUNGRY!!!" aki replied. Shiki laughed and ordered Holmes to grab some food. when Holmes left. Shiki asked aki something.

"aki, do you know why I changed your name?"

"because you want to?" aki replied.

Shiki laughed again and replied, NO!!

"it's because your name is ugly"

both of them laughed hard. "you're mean Shiki-san"

"No, just kidding. I changed your name for Aoki to be in the past. I know you're not yet healed mentally of what happened and so am I.

listen Aki. The pain you've experienced are not yet half of what's coming. People say that we need to bury our past but they're wrong. We cannot bury our past as it is part of us, no matter how bad, sad and dark it is, we cannot change it anymore. The only thing we can do is change the future so that the thing in the past, the thing you're afraid of won't happen. We need to nearby change the future. What is it that you desire the most?"

"I know it's not right, but I want revenge, and Justice" aki replied.

"justice don't exist in this world aki. those whose weak dies while those whose strong would stand on top. That's how this world works.

Those whose poor would be humiliated by those whose rich. poor people dies of hunger, would freeze to death, would be forced to serve people. They would be licking a shoe, and would be cutting of they're own fingers for money and food. They would beg for they're life that they'd act like a dog in order to survive. The world is not the one who's cruel. ITS THE PEOPLE LIVING IN IT."

aki remained silent for a moment and he replied.

"I want to be stronger" aki answered impulsively.

"that's what I am waiting for your to say little guy now c'mon stand up we'll start your training",

"right now? but....", "no buts young guy",

as they were walking, heading unto the training ground they heared a distractive sound. It's aki's stomach growling.

Shiki laughed so hard and said "you should it first idiot, I completely forgot about the food" Holmes arrived at the perfect moment. Aki ate and once again heading to the training ground.

there they walked past a tunnel. turns out the training ground was underground. Shiki clicked his fingers and the lights turned on. aki talked and talked, he never did a thing but talk. Shiki was listening to him.

"c'mon gemme a break, this is tiring" Holmes murmured.

"Holmes? we can hear you"

"I was just kidding, I'm completely hiped at all" he smiled and his eyes was sparkling but of course he's being ironic.

They reached the training ground.

There, various of weapons are stacked. it was organized and little bit of cobweb are not to be seen. Shiki looked at Holmes and raised a thumb. Holmes smirked proudly and said "cleaning's not a big deal at all"

"ok Holmes you get out and clean the bird's house. and don't forget about the snakes....."

Holmes stared at him with teary eyes "ok" Holmes replied with a disappointed voice.

"Don't worry Holmes, my man. cleaning's not a big deal" then Shiki smirked. "shiki do you know that there's...

before Holmes could finish Shiki interrupted "I won't be tricked by your little talk Holmes. It may work for others but not with me"

Holmes laughed, "dang it, no way to trick you",

"alright wait for me outside. I have something to discuss with you, It's important and forget about the cleaning"

Holmes smiled just like a beggar given by a lot of food and money.