Daylight breaks over what remains of Remure, most of the night residents rummaged through the pile of burnt wood and hollow out house frames. Residents gathered in small groups for surveying and collecting materials needed for rebuilding. One of the homes still intact transforms into a temporary shelter for residents suffering from injuries. Even with all the destruction, everyone breathes a sigh of relief that there were no fatalities, only various injuries. Even James managed to survive thanks to Ryo and Axel’s intervention. However, that relief didn’t last long. A dark cloud hung over Remure because of the dark reality that the residents now needed to face.

“Remure is supposed to be isolated?!” Axel couldn’t hide his surprise. His left arm bandaged, and a few cuts still shown on his face. Besides him Ryo remains quiet.  “Why is it like that?!”

“For the protection of everyone who lives here.” Finn answers.

Both men sit across from Finn in his kitchen. A few residents including Theresa stand close to the doorway. Several of the windows remain boarded up and large cracks splinter the roof and floor wood. Finn casts his gaze down at a book opened on the table. Inside, a large drawn ship rocks over the rough seas, around it small ships catch other waves. Small print creates endless paragraphs of text.

“To the world, this place doesn’t exist and for good reason.” Finn admits. He flips the pages of the book. “But it seems nothing lasts forever.”

Axel tries to keep up with his words. “Wait wait…so everyone was lying this whole time? About what?” His agitation shows.

Ryo glances down at the book. Finn flips the page then stops. “I can’t tell you the reason now. But the power that the bandit’s leader showed plus also Ryo’s shows me that we can’t stop what has already begun.”

“Stop speaking in riddles! Tell me what’s going on!?” Axel shoots to his feet. “What power? And what happened during that battle!?” He stumbles over his words. “It was like…the wind just…and then for a moment I could…”

“You think that is connected, don’t you?” Ryo speaks up next. “All the power that was displayed during the battle.”

“I have no doubt.” Finn flips another page. It shows drawings of fire, water, wind, earth and one faded unknown image. “A power that can draw energy from the natural elements of the world. It’s something that just anyone could do. But you two seemed to draw it out unknowingly.” He points to both of their bracelets on their wrist. At the same time, they both crack and shatter into pieces.

“What the?” Axel looks from the pieces to Theresea.

Finn nods to her.

“I wasn’t lying when I said they were protection charms. “She admits. “I sensed an unknown energy and thought they could help. However, it seems it was so powerful that the charms ended up shattering.”

“I would tell you if I did. It was like it came so…naturally.” Ryo glances down at his hand.

Finn crosses his fingers on the table. “I can’t tell you boys what you experienced. It’s not my place to. The only thing I can tell you is that fate has begin to set the world’s gears in motion and you both may play a pivot role in it.”

“Now you are just talking nonsense.” Axel scoffs. “What role? It’s not like the whole world’s in danger from just a little wind. Never mind the fact that one of us has no memories.”

“That surprised me too.” Finn nods. “To be able to tap into that power without remembering its source is quite a feat. Are you sure nothing else came to mind when you unleashed it?” He directs his question at Ryo.

“Nothing, only the need to fight.” Ryo responds.

Outside one of the builders comes rushing in. “Finn, we have a problem. There is no way enough materials to rebuild everything we lost from the attack. Maybe only about thirty percent would be covered by it.”

“Only thirty percent?!” Axel shoots up. “That won’t even cover the homes completely devastated. Where is everyone going to live?!”

Uneasiness fills the room, but Finn breaks it. “We knew this would happen. We have survived worst, and we can survive this too.” His confidence breaks whatever uneasiness the others were shaken by.

 “Oh, I know how about we ask the neighboring towns. We do trades with them all the time.” Axel smiles at them, however it’s returned with big frowns.

“We can’t do that. Even with a little bit of trade, thanks you the attack yesterday any contact with other places could put us in more danger. We must isolate ourselves.” Finn tries to explain.

His words fall on deaf ears. “We can’t do that! We need help or else people in Remure will suffer! I’m going to go see if I can secure something!” Axel leaves his seat before he can be stopped. Just outside he rushes past a few workers, disappearing into the woods.

Finn falls back into his seat. “He doesn’t understand. The moment he mentions this place they will surely kill him.” He places his hand over his forehead.

Ryo stands up. “Continue with your discussion, I will go after him.”

“You have my thanks, Ryo.” Finn bows to him.

“No need. If everything is connected to fate as you claimed it is…I’m willing to take a chance on it.”  Ryo exits from the house.

After he’s gone Theresa walks up to Finn. “Is it wise not to say anything else?”

Axel pushes his way through the lower branches into a clearing. Smoke rises in the distance from various houses in the next town over. Renew determination, he strolls across the field but stops a short distance away from a large boulder. On top, Ryo sits with his legs hanging over the side. Across his lap, a silver sword gleams under the sun. He slides off, landing onto the dirt in front of Axel. A deep pressure washes over him.

“You better not be here to stop me! Remure needs those supplies and I’m going to get them!” Axel snaps at Ryo. However, there is no response, only a deep stare in return. “Wait? You not going to say anything?” More silence. “Fine if you won’t move then I will just walk right through you!” He steps forward, but a bronze sword lands at his feet.

“You don’t take one more step until you defeat me.” Ryo says.

“Are you out of your mind!? Enough of this foolishness!” Axel proceeds with the next step but is cut short by a blade to his throat.

“It’s not foolish. One more step and this blade goes into your throat.” Ryo’s stare darkens.

Unable to tell the accuracy of the threat, Ryo slowly reaches down to secure his blade. A bubbling frustration builds inside him. Without warning, he lunges at Ryo swing downwards in wild swipes. Like a dual dance, Axel’s swipes were dodged by elegant evasive patterns Ryo picked up on. Left. Down. Up. Left. Right. And repeat. It was the same thing with the battle against Raull. Finally, Ryo could understand why Axel struggled and now its clear that he was only one battle away from death.

Still wounded from the prior battle, Axel’s movements stagnate as he tries to land direct hits. Ryo makes his move and unleashes a barrage of similar swipes back at him. Axel realizes the pattern but can’t keep up with the attacks. Each defection draws out energy putting him at a greater disadvantage. Frustration melts into a pure rage. Not from being beaten but from this powerless feeling of being unable to do anything. It shows clearly in Axel’s eyes. Ryo brings his sword downward, severing Axel’s bronze sword in two. It shoots outwards in two different directions, each section disappearing into the grass. Devastating defeat brings Axel to his knees.

“I told you. If you can’t defeat me. You aren’t going anywhere.” Ryo speaks over him, down at  him.

Inside, the reservoir on Axel’s feelings breaks. “An outside like you wouldn’t understand! It was me who brought this onto their lives! Everything that happened was because of me! What was I supposed to do? Nothing!? I need to do something! Anything!?” Unleash anger pieces each of his words. Nothing only attacking Ryo in front of him but also attacking himself. “I’m a useless person, who couldn’t even protect the one place close to a home! What good am I!? Huh!?”  His anger turns into rambling.

Ryo remains silent. Axel drops his sword then grabs Ryo by his shirt collar. “You will never understand!”

Slap!

Ryo hits him across the cheek. A red mark pulses in pain, shutting him up. Heat rises from the impact, and he brings his hand up to his face.

“I think that’s enough. Listening to yourself.” Ryo says. A stunned Axel looks up at him.

“I know what your problem is.” Ryo points his sword at him. “Look I may be an outsider, but it’s easy to tell how much you want to protect your home. The feeling of fighting and surviving even as others shun you.” Ryo stares at his sword, reflecting on his own words. “It’s a very familiar feeling, and you displayed that confidence in protecting Remure. It doesn’t fall all on your shoulders. Doesn’t Finn support you? I sure looked like he cares about you. Why don’t you try putting that trust in someone else instead of doing everything yourself?”  Ryo lectures him.

“I…” Axel looks at his hands.

“You need to cool your head and look at the big picture. There is a reason Remure is isolated. Why good would it be to go to another town? You would just put them in more danger. It’s that rash temperament of yours that is going to get you in trouble.” Ryo’s sword lower to his side.

Everything he says makes sense. None of the towns would help him. Not if Remure truly is supposed to remain in isolation. That powerless feeling fades from the pit of his stomach. Haaaaaa. Hooooo. Haaaaa. Hooooo. Axel breathes in and out to calm himself. The rage that clouded his thoughts dispersed. He stands up, dusting himself off.

“Nice lecture.” Axel snaps back at Ryo. “Are you sure you aren’t talking about yourself?” His sarcastic response lightens the mood.

“Well, someone needed to knock you down a peg.” Ryo retorts.

Their conversation is interrupted by someone from Remure. A man comes out of the bushes trying to catch his breath.

Ryo and Axel return to Remure to see everyone gathered near the foundation. Finn makes his way through the crowd, stepping in front of them. He holds up an envelope for Axel to take.

“You will need this to secure the supplies. Its for an acquaintance of mine currently staying in Milonite City.” Finn explains.

“Milonite City?” Ryo asks.

“Yep, it’s part of the mainland, a city just inside of the Kingdom of Lunestra borders. He deals with trades and has helped Remure in the past. This letter explains everything.”

Axel takes it in confusion. “I’m glad that there is a solution, but we still have a problem.” He motions his hands like waves. “Do you plan on having us swim across the ocean?”

Finn laughs. “Of course, not boy. There is one last thing I need to give you.”

“And what is it?” Axel asks.

Finn hesitates for a moment but continues. “It is the last gift left to you by your father.” He strolls off back into his home. A murmur rises over the crowd. Ryo looks to Axel for a response. However, Axel freezes in his tracks and it feels like the very blood in his veins turned to ice.