Chapter 4: “Scars Of The Past, Seeds Of Dicord”

The Next Day

Yuri, his body stiff and sore, stepped through the doorway of his home, a wave of relief washing over him. "Woo... (relieved) (After being lost for a day, I finally able to get home)."

He raised his hand and knocked on the door, his heart pounding in his chest.

"?" a voice called out from within.

The door swung open, revealing Lin, her face etched with a mixture of surprise and concern.

"Shocked"

Yuri, his voice filled with remorse, whispered, "Mother."

Lin, her eyes widening with disbelief, cried out, "Yuri!"

With a swift movement, Lin wrapped her arms around Yuri, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Where have you been!?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

Yuri, his guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders, mumbled, "Sorry, Mother..."

Lin, her voice softening, replied, "It's good that you're alright. (Wait, I must be angry)."

Yuri, sensing the shift in her demeanor, replied, "Yeah, Mother."

With a sudden movement, Lin pushed Yuri away, her eyes blazing with anger.

"?" Yuri exclaimed, his face filled with confusion.

Lin, her voice rising in volume, demanded, "You must be out of your mind, Yuri!"

Yuri, his brow furrowed in disbelief, protested, "Mother?"

Lin, her voice dripping with disappointment, declared, "Why would you treat Yoona like that!?"

Yuri, his anger flaring, retorted, "Hah! What does she said to you?"

Lin, her voice laced with disappointment, replied, "You! I didn't raise you to be an ignorant like this, you have really changed."

Yuri, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing with defiance, declared, "Well, you must accept it now, Mother. I will never ever marry someone that I don't know!"

With a dramatic flourish, Yuri turned and stormed off to his room, slamming the door behind him.

Lin, her shoulders slumping with defeat, sighed heavily. "(He really change)."

With a determined glint in her eyes, Lin vowed, "I must call a help from Mister Lee."

At the Temple, Recently awake

Kei stirred, his body aching from the countless nights spent tending to Natsou's lifeless form.

"Uhm..."

Kei, his eyes fixed on Natsou's peaceful face, whispered, "It's morning again, Natsou. (I will not give up)."

With a heavy heart, Kei cast a portal, his mind set on finding a way to restore his beloved to life.

At the Study Room

Kei, his brow furrowed in concentration, muttered to himself, "(I must find another way to revive her)."

Suddenly, Netheyam entered the study, his face etched with concern.

"Kei!?" Netheyam exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise.

Kei, his head snapping up in response, asked, "?"

Netheyam, his hand outstretched, announced, "There's a letter, from the Emperor."

Kei, his curiosity piqued, inquired, "A letter?"

Netheyam, his voice filled with urgency, replied, "Yes."

With a swift movement, Netheyam handed Kei the letter, his eyes fixed on the Master's face.

Kei, his eyes scanning the contents of the letter, muttered, "Reading"

Kei, his face hardening with anger, exclaimed, "He wants permission, for Pier Taichi to attend their family meeting."

Netheyam, his voice filled with reason, replied, "We can't decline the Emperor's request."

Kei, his voice firm and unwavering, declared, "No..."

Netheyam, his face etched with disbelief, exclaimed, "Why!?"

Kei, his voice laced with urgency, explained, "The town Shirafurano needs to be guarded, especially in this time of winter. I need someone to protect that territory."

Netheyam, his voice rising in protest, argued, "But, it's the Emperor!"

Kei, his voice cold and dismissive, declared, "If I said no, it's no!"

Netheyam, his face paling with shock, remained speechless.

Kei, his brow furrowed in anger, continued, "You know, Kei. Ever since that day, you really changed. The other Masters had a family too, they need to..."

Kei, his voice cutting off Netheyam's protests, snapped, "Whatever it is you will say, it's a no, remember what they did!"

Netheyam, his voice trembling with emotion, pleaded, "It's only Kouta! Why are you punishing the others too!?"

Kei, his expression unreadable, remained silent.

Netheyam, his voice filled with sadness, declared, "Don't be like this Kei, your turning into someone that I will hate."

With a heavy heart, Netheyam turned and walked out of the study, leaving Kei alone with his grief and his guilt.

Kei, his heart heavy with regret, could only utter a silent, "..."

Meanwhile, Mister Lee, his face etched with worry, gazed out at the tranquil landscape.

Mister Lee, his voice barely audible, muttered, "(Gwangnan has been at peace for five years now, but things are not suppose to be like this)."

Mister Lee, his resolve hardening, declared, "Guess that I need to check on her..."

The Next Day at Shirafurano

Amelia, her face etched with concern, inquired, "Your mother's death anniversary is ahead right?"

Pier, his voice tinged with sadness, replied, "Yes..."

Amelia, her eyes filled with sympathy, asked, "Is there a notice that you can go?"

Pier, his face falling, replied, "There's nothing."

Amelia, her voice laced with anger, exclaimed, "He didn't allow you to leave right?"

Pier, his shoulders slumping with defeat, replied, "..."

Amelia, her voice filled with frustration, declared, "Looks like it."

Pier, his voice resigned, replied, "It's fine, we need to guard in this times. It's more important."

Amelia, her voice rising in protest, exclaimed, "But it's your mother's death anniversary!"

Pier, his voice pleading, replied, "Okay, okay, calm down Amelia."

Amelia, her voice filled with resentment, declared, "He became really heartless to us."

Pier, his voice filled with resolve, replied, "Even if Master Kei allowed me to go, I will not leave."

Amelia, her eyes widening in disbelief, exclaimed, "Are you crazy?"

Pier, his voice filled with tenderness, explained, "Leaving my lover alone? In this large town killing demons, just thinking of it I can't."

Amelia, her face flushing with embarrassment, murmured, "Blushed"

Pier, his voice teasing, declared, "I'm sure there's many people that will go there at the palace, and I'm sure uncle the Emperor will understand it."

Amelia, her voice filled with understanding, replied, "I get it, But. It's an important event you know."

Pier, his voice filled with sincerity, declared, "Yes, but what I can't afford is that, losing another important girl in my life."

Amelia, her face turning crimson, exclaimed, "Blushed You stop it already."

Pier, his voice filled with laughter, replied, "Giggles Haha, Alright."

End of chapter 4

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