SHIRO
"Let's go home, Mister Daku! Master Grosi won't like it if he finds out we're not at the shop!" I begged as I tried hard to pull him back with me. But it was unfruitful. Mister Daku's adult body was too much for my strength.
"Argh! This is annoying me so much!" Mister Keiro cried before slamming his right hand on Mister Daku's left shoulder. The moment their bodies made contact, an unknown force released from Mister Daku's body, pushing us backward.
For the third time, Mister Daku looked at me, and even though his face showed no emotions at all, his eyes said it all.
"Must... go..."
***
DAKU
Seven days earlier...
I never thought that the one thing that could trap me for this long was not those set up by bandits nor guarded by dungeon wardens, but my own body. And gods forbid, I would rather be trapped by the former than the latter.
Being trapped in your body felt similar to getting possessed. But the only difference was that neither spirits nor demons were taking over your body. It was like your body stopped responding to your command.
The only thing that I still had authority over was my vision. I could see through my eyes how the scenes unfolded before me. Though I was grateful for having this left for me at least, sometimes I wished I couldn't see at all. Because the more things I saw—especially those I really wanted to meddle with—the more I couldn't help but feel this unknown and overwhelming emotion.
And my eagerness to have my body back intensified when the vision came—a premonition delivered to me by fate. As someone who has the power to deal with them, I couldn't just sit back and let them fulfill their devilish agenda.
Although the vision was vague, the emotion I felt when I first saw it was enough for me to discern that it was not good. Also, this confirmed that rumor of why the kingdom in the west, the Wset Region, became what it was today.
At first, I thought of waiting for Kenshi. With him by my side, I knew I would be well protected. But the journey alone to Aste City could take a week and another week to return. And it was uncertain when they would be able to leave Aste City, which I presumed would take days.
So, no. I couldn't wait for him. I had to leave as soon as possible. The moment I would have the slightest control over my body, I would depart... even if they didn't like it.
Following my plan, I spent these last few days reclaiming my body. Little by little, I was able to see an improvement. Until finally, I was fully able to move around.
With the ability to roam, I had made a decision that would make Shiro worry and disappointed: I left the shop in the middle of the night.
***
SHIRO
"Are we really doing this, Shiro? I don't know! Do we have a choice? Definitely yes, but somehow no? But isn't this wrong? Technically yes, but with Mister Daku around, it is also no?"
Hearing this conversation with myself made me sound crazy, and maybe I was crazy because of what I was about to do now.
"Let's see..." One by one, I checked the items in my bag, ranging from a week's worth of food to somewhat necessary tools. "I think that's it."
After concluding the contents of my baggage, I ran down to the shop's floor, placed the letter I wrote for Mister Grosi to read once he came home, and locked the shop's front door before meeting with Mister Daku.
I was wearing the only fur coat Mister Grosi gave me because for some unknown and irrational reason, we had to travel in this dark, cold night.
"I really hope we're doing the right thing, Mister Daku," I mumbled to myself before clutching my bag's straps and hastening my pace.
It didn't take long for me to reach Mister Daku's waiting spot. When I saw him, I mistook him for a creepy guy who stood unmoving in one spot like a tree—if it wasn't for the three nice strangers who accompanied him while I grabbed our stuff for our journey.
"Thank you for waiting, misters," I thanked when I neared them.
"Are you sure about this, Shiro? Going to that rumored ghost town is one thing, but traveling to go there at this hour? I don't think it's a good idea," the archer explained, and they were the same reasons I wanted to tell Mister Daku.
But...
"Mister Daku wants to go there, and I don't think he'll change his mind," I pointed out, and even if I didn't see them, I was certain they thought of the same thing as well.
"I'm proof of that," Mister Keiro grumbled, referring to what happened to him earlier when Mister Daku eyed him with a threat.
"But still, it's too dangerous. And besides, you won't be able to go outside the city with the sentries guarding the gate," the mage pointed out as well.
They were right. They were absolutely and undeniably right. But what was I supposed to do? If Mister Daku didn't listen to Mister Keiro and even threatened him, how much more to a kid like me?
"I guess we'll just have to figure things out along the way," I lied. I didn't really know what to do. "We'll be on our way now, misters. Once again, I'm grateful for your aid earlier."
I held onto Mister Daku's hand and pulled him along with me. And knowing we were leaving, Mister Daku no longer resisted and allowed me to guide him even though it should be the other way around.
I heard Mister Keiro and his friends arguing about something. I didn't really pay attention to it because listening to them would make it hard for me to leave. So, I focused my mind on the journey ahead of us and didn't look back.
As we walked farther, their heated arguments diminished in volume until I could no longer hear them. Once again, Mister Daku and I were filled with the quietness of the night.
It was not long after when the city came into view. And with every step forward to it came an increase in my worry and anxiety. I'd been thinking since earlier of an excuse to pass ourselves through but couldn't find a decent statement that could justify our actions right now.
"It'd be better if Yukio was the one guarding. At least, I'd still have a slim chance of convincing him," I mumbled to myself as we approached the city gate's tunnel.
Just when we stepped into the mouth of the tunnel, a voice spoke behind us, slightly jolting us into fright.
"I didn't mean to scare you, Shiro," Mister Yukio apologized, and the shock I felt instantly vanished and was replaced by joy. The gods had answered my prayer.
"Mister Yukio! Thank goodness you're here!"
Mister Yukio's brows furrowed along with a bashful smile. "Where could I be? This is where I work. Anyway, what are you two doing here at this very hour?" He examined the bag behind me, creasing his forehead even more. "And why are you packed? Are you going somewhere?"
"Sort of," I answered.
"But it's only two in the morning! The road ahead is pitch black and monsters are more active in the dark," Mister Yukio explained, and I undeniably agreed.
"I know, but Mister Daku here really wants to go. I tried to talk him out of it, but with his current condition, I don't think we can have an agreement," I honestly said.
Mister Yukio's worried eyes shifted from me to Mister Daku.
"Where are you headed to?"
"Wset Region."
"But that's even more dangerous! There are rumors that people are disappearing in that place every day. Something bad is happening in that kingdom. Not to mention that Mister Daku is not in his best condition and you're just a kid. As a sentry who swore to protect the citizens of this kingdom, I suggest you two not to proceed with this journey."
"We are well aware of that kingdom's situation, but as much as I want to go home, I couldn't just leave Mister Daku alone. I also promised Kana, Master Grosi, and Mister Kenshi that I will look after Mister Daku."
"But still—"
"We'll take this commission," a voice interjected, cutting off Mister Yukio's sentence. When I turned my head to see the identity of the voice, my eyes slightly widened.
"What are you talking about, Arano?" Mister Yukio asked. So the archer guy was Mister Arano.
"As a sentry of this kingdom, it'll be much easier for you to issue a commission. I'm saying you should issue an escort commission for Shiro and Daku, and we'll take it," Mister Arano explained.
"Are you saying you, three, are going with them?"
"We can't just let these two travel on their own. They're too vulnerable. With us around, they are protected," said the mage.
"That is a good idea indeed—"
"The only problem is that in order for the commission to be official and verified, a deposit of half of the reward must be made along with the security fee."
"I don't have enough money with me," I mumbled.
"Don't worry about the reward and the fee. I'll handle it," Mister Yukio declared, surprising me.
"Mister Yukio..."
"I understand your situation. No one in their right mind would take a risk like this unless it is really important. And knowing that you have to leave at this hour means it is a race against time." Mister Yukio looked at Mister Arano and his friend. "Can I entrust these two to you?"
"You have our word. Right, Keiro?"
"Whatever."
"I'll talk to the other guards to let you leave," Mister Yukio looked at me and smiled. "Promise me not to leave Mister Daku's side. Now you have Kana, Mister Grosi, Kenshi, and me for you to keep your promise."
"I will, Mister Yukio. Thank you."