Strength of Heart Chapter 26

Before anything else happens, Ziku goes home to talk to his mom. He hasn't seen her all day. While he's going home Kame and Aiko try and come up with ways to wake them up. Before ultimately running out of ideas and leaving them with no other options, but to find Mettanica. Izumi goes to Asuna and talks to him about how they go about executing their plan to help everyone.

Izumi has to wait awhile before she can talk to Asuna. After becoming emperor it's way harder to talk to him on a daily basis. She waits 2 hours and then finally gets called in to talk.

Asuna: "Izumi? Why are you here?"

Izumi: "Asuna! The same woman that attacked me and Tora came back! Mettanica was here!"

Asuna: "How come we can never pick up her presence? What was she doing here?"

Izumi: "She wanted Aiko and Kame. Well Ziku too, but she was more fixed on taking Aiko. She put those who visited Yumi in some kind of trance and now their all asleep and we can't wake them up."

Asuna: "Wait we?"

Izumi: "Oh, well Ziku, Kame and Aiko are the only ones who didn't fall under her trance. As of now we're trying to figure out how to wake everyone. Well actually we came to the conclusion that, we need her in order to wake them."

Asuna slams his fist on the desk, breaking it.

Asuna: "This is exactly why I didn't want to be emperor! It prevents me from actually protecting the village! Instead of fighting I'm stuck in here doing paperwork and arranging village orders! Huhhhhh, but the village chose me for this job, so I must be the right man for it. Here's what I'm gonna do, take Hiroyuki and the four of them will go to find her."

Izumi: "What do you mean by four?"

Asuna: "Hiroyuki, Ziku, Aiko and Kame."

Izumi: "Asuna I respect your judgement more than anyone else's , but I'm asking to trust me on this and allow me to handle this my way."

Asuna: "You came to me...."

Izumi: "I came to inform you about what has happened, but my plan only involves me and Aiko."

Asuna: "Just you and Aiko? Are you sure?"

Izumi: "Yes. I'm sure, you gotta just trust me Asuna."

Asuna just nods his head and watches as Izumi bows and then takes her leave. When she leaves Asuna looks up at the ceiling and thinks to himself.

Asuna: "Izumi is strong, but just her and Aiko won't be enough to stop Mettanica. I don't know what her plan is, but it must be a good one as I have all my faith in her. Izumi, just please find Tora."

Ziku walks inside his house to see his mom in the kitchen cooking. She looks at him as they both just stare at each other. Then Ziku runs to her and hugs her tight.

Natsumi: "What's wring Ziku?"

Ziku starts crying as he tries to talk.

Ziku: "Why do bad things only seem to happen on my birthday?"

Natsumi: "Ziku What are you talking about?"

Ziku: "When I was born that's when the war broke out. Dad came back and on my birthday, the village was attacked and he was killed. After that i never cared for my birthday at all. That's why I isolated myself from you and the rest of the village I felt like it was best to not have anything happen on that day. I've done it for so long, but still something always happens. Aiko and Yumi got seriously hurt and most of our friends are unconscious and we don't even know if they will wake up. Again this happened on my birthday, but it's different because maybe if I was there this wouldn't have been the outcome. It's just....."

Natsumi: "Ziku! It's ok. It's not your fault. None of it is. Yes things happen, it makes us feel irrational emotions sometimes, but you have to know how to handle them. I've told you before that this world is cruel and unfair, it's no use being sad about it. Live for the day you could make a change. People are too busy living in the past, we must live in the now. Be grateful for the life we are able to live because who knows how long you have left. Don't count the times you've been hurt just take a minute to count your blessings Ziku."

Ziku: " My blessings. You, Omoi, my friends, And Asuna."

Natsumi: "See doesn't it feel good to have someone. Even if it's not everyone, always be glad if there's someone."

Ziku takes what she said to heart as he just sits there thinking.

Then Kame walks in and just stares. Then he knocks on the door after already opening it.

Ziku: "Really?"

Kame: "Izumi told me that we are not going with her and Aiko and that she has a plan."

Ziku: "So she just wants us to stay here?"

Kame: "She said be ready to fight."

Ziku: "She must have a real good, but crazy plan."

Izumi: "Aiko are you ready?"

Aiko: "Yes!"

Izumi and Aiko both get startled as Yumi and Hiroyuki walk up.

Yumi: "I want to come with you guys!"

Izumi: "Yumi? When did you get up?"

Yumi: "Not too long ago, I went to get Hiroyuki and both of us want to help."

Hiroyuki: "Want to? Making a lot of assumptions right now."

Yumi: "Come on Hiroyuki come with us!"

Izumi: "Yumi, we don't even think it's a good idea if you came along."

Yumi: "But why? I want to help!"

Izumi: "I understand that Yumi, but I honestly feel like it's best if just me and Aiko go."

Yumi: "No! I'm sorry Izumi, I have all the respect in the world for you, but Tora also means a lot to me and helping her anyway I can is important! You have to let me go, you just have to!"

Aiko: "Izumi, I think it's a good idea if she came along. She's very talented her skills are a necessity if we want to succeed in this battle."

Izumi: "Hmmm fine. What about you Hiroyuki?

Hiroyuki: "I'm busy, I have a team to report to."

Hiroyuki turns around and starts walking away. Yumi grabs his arm and is looking down.

Yumi whispers: "Hiroyuki please."

Hiroyuki looks away and thinks about it. Agrees and nods his head at Yumi as she smiles.

Aiko: "Great, we have our team. What's the plan Izumi?"

Izumi: "I think I'm just going to make a new one on the way. I have to accommodate for Yumi and Hiroyuki now."

Yumi: "Sorry."

Izumi: "It's fine. Let's just stop Mettanica!"

Mettanica watches them as they prepare to find her. While she watches Izumi can sense her chi since she's not far.

Izumi thinks to herself: "Gotcha!"

She pinpoints exactly where Mettanica is and leads everyone to her.

Mettanica: "They're looking for me? How could these humans be so stupid! I guess when I have Aiko I'll go after Kame. Or I might just hold off on that."

Then Mettanica realizes that Hiroyuki is with them.

Mettanica: "Thats Hiroyama's boy! I could capture him and turn him into something better than his father. He could be mine!"

Mettanica gets greedy and ends up going towards them through a warp gate. Right In front of Yumi and Hiroyuki Mettanica appears smiling. Izumi dashes past Aiko, Yumi and Hiroyuki to land a strike on Mettanica that makes her fly back. Mettanica gets up from the attack and is confused and frightened.

Mettanica: "How?! You were so weak before! What happened to you?!"

Izumi: "It is said that warriors become strong to protect the ones close to them. I'm here to protect my village and get Tora back!"

Mettanica: "All this hero and righteous stuff gets really old and annoying!"

Izumi: "Then why don't you do something about it?"

Mettanica gets angry and dashes towards Izumi as they both clash Mettanica grabs Izumi by the throat and starts smiling, but then Hiroyuki freezes Mettanica's arm and Izumi breaks it off. Mettanica screams as she's in excruciating pain. Mettanica backs away and then opens up her warp gate to escape again. Only thing is she goes back to their village. Right before she goes through Izumi tackles her through it and they both end up at the village. It closes and Hiroyuki, Aiko and Yumi all have to go back the way they came.

Izumi: "You are not going to run away and hide this time!"

Izumi gets angry as her eyes glow again with the same aura as before. Mettanica just lays there with no arms frightened. Izumi punches her chest as she breaks through the ground falling 12 feet underground.

Asuna senses the aura that is being emitted by Izumi and he has no choice but to rush over and see what's going on. Ziku as well also feels it as he tells Kame to follow him as they both head to where it's coming from. Shizuko can see the light from his home as he also goes towards it to see what it is. Asuna arrives first of course. He just stares at Izumi as she looks back at him staring back. Asuna has this confused look on his face, he can't believe it's Izumi.

Asuna: "Izumi?"

Izumi: "I want to save Tora! I told you I was!"

Then Kame and Ziku arrive as they both just stare in awe at Izumi. Shizuko gets there late as everyone just stares at Izumi all shook at her amazing power. Even Hiroyuki comes back with Aiko and Yumi. Asuna looks over at Hiroyuki and gets even more confused. Izumi looks into the hole where Mettanica lays and threatens her.

Izumi: "Bring Tora back, or you will lose limbs one by one until she's here."

Asuna to himself: "She wouldn't! Would she?"

Ziku just has a concerned look on his face.

Izumi gets even more angry, but before she can move Mettanica's eyes glow as a seal comes from her eyes and lands on Hiroyuki and Shizuko. Then her whole body expands as she blows up and nothing but light covers the village.

Asuna: "Is everyone alright?!"

Izumi: "Yeah.....

Aiko: "Where's Ziku?!"

Everyone looks at where he was standing and immediately get confused. Even Omoi at the hospital wakes up from the trance before anyone else sweating as he can feel something happened to Ziku. He looks at everyone else asleep, but goes to find out what happened. Natsumi also just felt his presence disappear so sudden. She becomes instantly worried as she rushes to where she last felt it. Along with Omoi. Everyone else is just looking at each and all around trying to figure out what happened.

Izumi: "Mettanica is gone! She just exploded!"

Asuna: "Yeah that explains her, but what about Ziku?!"

Izumi: "I have no idea, but I feel Mettanica isn't even dead. After all she is a demon. That could have been apart of her plan."

Asuna: "Are you saying she trapped Ziku in the same dimension as Tora?!"

Izumi: "It's possible."

Natsumi: "My son is trapped in another dimension?!"

Omoi: "Ziku no!"

Asuna: "Natsumi!"

Just as everyone is getting riled up, Shizuko and Hiroyuki walk slowly towards each other as they both begin to fight. Both of them trying to kill each other. Asuna grabs Hiroyuki and Kame grabs Shizuko. Both of them end up getting free and attacking each other again. Asuna hits both of them knocking them both out.

Asuna: "What the hell is going on?"

Izumi: "Why did they just?"

Natsumi: "Asuna do Hiroyuki and Shizuko hate each other?"

Asuna: "Well, dislike yeah, I don't know about hate."

Natsumi: "it's the Kirai curse."

Asuna: "The what?"

Natsumi: "Kasai came home one day after a mission and he told me about meeting this man who told him that he's immortal. The man told Kasai he's been alive a long time, and that he's seen so much. He explained the "Kirai curse" saying that it takes two people who hate each other and makes them fight. Every time they see each other the curse takes over and both of them will want to kill each other."

Asuna: "So she placed a curse on these two and trapped Ziku in her dimension with Tora?"

Natsumi: "Lets hope for Ziku that's the case."

Asuna: "I guess for these two I'll just keep them away from each other as best as I can. I'm going to need all of your help for this. I can't have these two kill each other."

Izumi: "Is there a way to lift the curse."

Natsumi: "Kasai told me that for it to be lifted, one of them has to die and come into realization of what they've done."

Asuna: "Well that's not going to happen. Forget it!"

Izumi: "Omoi. You're awake. Does that mean everyone else?"

Omoi: "When I left they were all still asleep. What happened?"

Izumi: "This must mean her previous curse wore off due to the new one and her not having enough power to hold both. I'll tell you later Omoi, just come with me."

Omoi follows her back to the hospital.

Asuna: "What are we going to do about Ziku?"

Izumi: "Follow me, I have to have time to think. All of this is just too much."

Natsumi sheds a tear and looks up into the sky.

Natsumi to herself: "Ziku we'll save you! I won't lose you too!"

They all follow Izumi and head to the hospital.

When they walk in the hospital they see that everyone else is up and fine. No one remembers anything that happened though. Only thing is they are all kinda traumatized from the nightmares they were having of their fears.

Izumi: "All of you were placed under a curse that made you sleep. While you slept your chi was draining, it was killing you, but slowly. As of now the curse of lifted, but now it's even more destructive since it's only attacking two of your peers. Shizuko and Hiroyuki have a curse that causes them to want to kill each other every time they see each other. We can't do anything, but prevent them from doing so. We need to work together on this, but while doing that we also have to come up with a plan to get Ziku and Tora back."

Chiori: "I can stop the problem between Shizuko and Hiroyuki. After all I can negate their abilities."

Asuna: "That's right, you can nullify elemental abilities."

Izumi: "That kinda takes care of the problem, still I ask for all of you to help with this because just nullifying their abilities won't assure that they still won't attack each other."

Jiro: "Don't worry we'll handle it."

Natsumi: "Ok and what do we do about my son?!"

Asuna: "Natsumi, calm down. We are all worried about Ziku, but as it stands we have no idea how to get to him."

Kanju: "Wait, so what exactly happened to Ziku?"

Izumi: "We have a feeling he's been sent to the same dimension as Tora."

Kanju: "What if he didn't?"

Izumi: "Our best bet is that he did, if he didn't then this may prove more difficult than we thought."

Kanju: "Well I have been thinking of a plan as it involves me, Yumi and Aiko."

Izumi: "What is it?"

Kanju: "Well I'm not sure if it will work, but it's worth a shot."

Yumi: "What do you need us for?"

Kanju: "You are the one that can contact Ziku and Tora, you've contacted with Tora before. You and Aiko have found her, if you could do it again maybe you can connect me with them so that way I can open up a transfer seal."

Asuna: "Transfer seal?"

Kanju: "My abilities allow me to create magic circles and transfer weapons through. I've never tried with people, but I'm sure I can do it."

Jiro: "Dont you have to place your transfer seal on the object in order to bring it?"

Kanju: "Yes, but I've come in contact with all of you at one point and I've placed my seal upon you all. Sorry for not telling you, but I've been working on this concept for awhile and I really think it could work."

Asuna: "No one is mad at you Kanju. You were looking out for everyone. You may have just saved Tora and Ziku."

Kanju: "When would you guys like to get started?"

Yumi: "Lets go for tomorrow, as of right now I still don't feel like I'm at 100 percent."

Kanju: "How about you Aiko?"

Aiko just looks straight ahead and keeps staring as she's daydreaming.

Kanju: "Aiko? Aiko?"

Aiko: "Oh Umm I'm sorry what was the question?"

Kanju: "Just asking how ya feel?"

Aiko: "Oh I'm fine."

Kanju: "So you'll be ready to go tomorrow?"

Aiko: "Yes, I should be."

Kanju: "Great!"

Asuna: "Well I would think everything is settled. I must go back to well uhh doing emperor things. Let's go Hiroyuki."

Izumi: "Emperor things?"

Natsumi: "Something tells me that either he has no idea what he's doing or he really hates being emperor."

Izumi: "Can we say it's both?"

Natsumi: "Jeez, no sugar coating huh?"

Izumi: "Hahahaha!"

Zitoshi: "This so called earth is crawling with demons. Mettanica has been beaten, but she still lives. Totsuki has been creating more and more. He still plans to destroy us."

Raijin: "So why don't we do anything to help them? We know Totsuki's, plan we could stop him."

Zitoshi: "We can't interfere."

Raijin: "And why not? We have all this power. For what? Just to sit and watch? It makes no sense to be called a god and not being able to help those who believe in us."

Zitoshi: "Raijin. I know how you feel, if it was up to me I would help. Sad part is that's it's not I have no say in this matter."

Raijin: "How?! You defeated Zepha, you became the ruler of the celestial kingdom. Why do you have no say in what goes on around here?"

Zitoshi: "Raijin! That's enough! I'm just an eternal God, you along with Fujin, Amaterasu, Chikyushin, and Susa are just Demigods."

Raijin: "Sorry to upset you Zitoshi, it's just."

Zitoshi: "I know how strongly you feel about this, trust me Raijin, we'll figure something out."

Raijin walks away from Zitoshi, but decides to visit the elder gods. He goes alone and thinks he could just talk with them to get everything straightened out. He gets to the middle of a temple and can see no one he looks around, but can't see or sense anything. There's no essence of any kind.

Raijin: "I need help, I call upon the elder gods for guidance."

In that same breath the essence of each elder god surround Raijin. He looks around and Immediately becomes frightened. It's obvious that they are defunct, but just their presence alone still gives Raijin shivers down his spine.

Elder God: "Who calls upon us in this time of need?!"

Raijin: "Oh, I do. I wish to speak with you on an important matter between these realms."

Elder God: "Go on."

Raijin: "I want to ask why we can not interfere and aid earth-realm in their battle for survival against the demons."

Elder God: "Why do you ask us? You are free to do as you please. Our only job is to maintain balance in all the realms to prevent total destruction. Our job is to keep the fallen Elder God sealed within us. If she is let free, total destruction is certain."

Raijin: "I don't get it. So you say that we are to do as we please? So who's side are you on exactly?"

Elder God: "We are neutral in this forever battle between good and evil. Like I said we are the ones who can't interfere. If we do, we leave an opportunity open for Idris to escape."

Raijin: "What about earth?!"

Elder God: "What about earth?"

Raijin: "The demon king seeks realm dominance, he wishes to gain total control of earth realm. Soon he may come for the heavens and seek out greater power. The power you all hold."

Elder God: "Earth realm have the capabilities to protect themselves, they do not need any help. This demon king may seek realm dominance, but there is no way he could overthrow thee Elder Gods."

Raijin: "So there's nothing you could do to aid earth?"

Elder God: "I have spoken, and I know I speak for all of us when I say you make take your leave."

Raijin disappears from in front of the Elder Gods and is put in front of Zitoshi.

Zitoshi: "You dare defy me and speak with the Elder Gods?!"

Raijin: "I wanted them to change their minds about helping earth and the mortals."

Zitoshi: "Thats enough! We are Gods! We are mighty! We don't worry about the mortals, as whatever happens to them is on them. We are to just maintain life in the heavens and finish this long fought battle with the demon realm."

Raijin: "How could you say that?" Without us they wouldn't have the power that consumes their world now! All of it is our fault! From the beginning we made them what they are today! To just sit here and watch as their world crumbles is not God like!"

Zitoshi: "What do you know of God like?!"

Raijin: "Those with the title of God or those blessed to have the power of God should have righteous hearts and the will to just protect! The Elder Gods told me their job is to maintain balance between realms, frankly I think they only care for themselves. Elder God, Eternal God, DemiGod all of it is just a title, none of it means anything!"

Zitoshi: "Raijin! That is enough! If it is just a title yours has been revoked!"

Zitoshi locks Raijin away in a place that removes all of his chi and God essence preventing him from doing anything, but watch as they go on with how they live as Gods.

Raijin: "You can lock me away, but there will come a time, where one of the mortals will rise against you. We are the enemy! We are wrong! Soon you will see that! He will make you!"

Zitoshi: "And who might he be?"

Transitions to Ziku as he's still trapped within the dimension of Mettanica. He just walks around confused. Then he notices lots of chi in front of him as if there are multiple people. He tries to focus his mind, but Tora tackles him and stays on him telling him to keep quiet. She waits and then finally picks Ziku up.

Tora: "You come here to help me get out?"

Ziku: "I'm trapped in here just like you are."

Tora:"This place is dreadful, I don't know how long I've been here, but I've had to keep fighting for my survival."

Ziku: "Fighting what?"

Once Ziku said that, he gets ambushed and has to dodge. He begins fighting and realizes that the chi is familiar. He takes a look and on the back of his attacker he sees a Nakamura crest. He gets confused and lowers his guard. He gets hit and falls to the ground. Tora picks him up and just runs away trying to find a secure place for them to hide. They get far enough to where they can calm down.

Tora: "What happened? Why did you just suddenly stop?"

Ziku: "The crest on his back. Did you see it? It's just like the one on my arm."

Tora takes a look at his arm and notices a shocking resemblance to the one on the back of the attacker.

Tora: "So what does this mean?"

Ziku: "My clan members who I thought were dead, don't get to Rest In Peace! Instead they have to be pawns for Mettanica! No wonder the chi here seemed familiar. This must have been Mettanica's plan from the beginning."

Tora: "That does seem likely."

Ziku: " I use to think to myself. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe one day we'll all be rescued by the Gods. I stopped thinking that as I started to despise the Gods. For causing all this in the first place. Then when we need them most, where are they? I never thought I'd hate anything in this world, but nothing drives my hatred more than the Gods. It's not in me to kill them, I just want to change them."

Tora just stares at Ziku, thinking to herself how for such a young age, the way he thinks is on par with that of an emperor.

Tora: "Ziku."

Chapter 26: The cost!

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Chapter 26: The cost!

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