Joining the group is paranormal for them. Before Takumi could mentally catch up with what happened and how he got there, his father walked out of the temple and down the cobblestone path to his adoring students. “Good morning, Master, Raiden!” Each of his students bowed in respect as his features brightened, nearly obscured by his unruly beard. He drifted across the pathway toward them, his robes spotless. A delicate pink canopy hung above the footpath, created by cherry blossom trees swaying gently in the morning breeze. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, and the soft chirping of birds added a serene melody to the tranquil setting. Under the dim light, the ground was covered with a scattered light pattern as Raiden approached his eager pupil. Yes, Raiden was a man from the east. The wind teased the edges of his dark hair, carrying with it the stories of a war-torn past—of a boy who once journeyed from a distant land called Yamakawa. Years ago, his father told him of Yamakawa’s emerald hills, rich fields, and tranquil rivers—now stained with conflict. Takumi pictured his father as a young boy with wide, curious eyes. He wandered the bustling markets of Yamakawa, where vibrant silks shimmered in the sun and the air buzzed with laughter. But shadows loomed closer with each passing day. The tale deepened with thunderous hooves and cries that shattered his homeland's tranquility. War swept through Yamakawa like a wild wind, turning vibrant markets into ghost towns and laughter into despairing echoes. In search of safety, Raiden fled to the west. He left behind a tapestry of dreams and his childhood essence wrapped tightly in his mother’s silk kimono. Raiden relayed this journey as a living memory. The escape through thick, enchanted forests that whispered secrets and sheltered him beneath their sprawling canopies; the clear streams that sang with a silvery voice, urging him forth. Where others felt fear, his father felt the pull of adventure, fueled by hope. But it was not easy. This was when he met Clover, the man who had taken Raiden in and raised him as his own making him a part of his adventures and teaching him life lessons.

As Takumi reminisced, he realized that his father’s escape had shaped him. The values of honor, resilience, and kindness were etched in his essence. Each retelling ignited something deep within Takumi, both familiar and new. “The sight of your smile when I wake up is always a blessing. We all know what today will be, right? Hmmmm?” Raiden said, his voice soft. Ashton was the first to raise his hand, making the older man smile. Takumi watched Ashton intently, curious to hear what his fellow student had to say. Raiden motioned for Ashton to proceed ahead as he asked “Yes, Ashton? Are you aware of today's objectives?” Ashton exclaimed in an elated tone "We're traveling to the Wolfmen clan's village to party!" The old man almost laughed out loud. His head cocked to look back as he replied, "in a sense." Ashton was a huge man with dark brown eyes and short, mud-brown hair. His boisterous demeanor and infectious enthusiasm often brought energy to the group, making even the most mundane tasks seem exciting. Despite his size and strength, Ashton had a gentle nature and was always the first to offer help or encouragement to his peers. His optimism was contagious, and he had a knack for lifting spirits with just a few words. Despite being the most grounded person Takumi ever met, his lack of brain function capacity was apparent in his physical attributes. "We embrace our neighbors' customs. Regardless of their backgrounds, we must understand our peers on a mental and spiritual level to help them in times of need.” Takumi enjoyed traveling to various towns, even though he struggled with them. He had never been to this village with his father, so it was nerve-racking to meet new people. His father smiled serenely at the gathering." Thus, I impart my wisdom to every one of you. I can only aspire to provide grace and knowledge in the future. So, let's party. It is important to remember to be open-minded but aware of their costumes." Paused for a moment "Ah! Takumi, visit your mother's and aunt's graves," he added. “Honoring people who have departed is a wise discipline.” The young man nodded and scowled. After a few minutes, Ashton and Henry returned to their cabins to collect their belongings. He bows to him as Raiden leaves toward the stable. Fiona was still by his side. "Do you want some company?" she asked the celestial before nodding.

The celestial believed that their home in the forest was the center of the universe for nineteen years. For some reason, he always felt at ease when surrounded by forests for miles on end. As the two picked up their packs for the journey, his thoughts drifted to those memories. Before she brought him back to reality, he became absorbed in thought. "Hello, are you okay?" She asked, looking at him. "You've been behaving oddly today. After spending the entire morning lost in your thoughts. She touched his forehead. Do you have a fever? We may have to cancel if you cannot attend. The man shook his head and gave her a sluggish look while tying his robe around his waist and concealing his tail. "No, I had this weird dream. But it appeared to be a memory. It was depressing, to be honest. Then I had a vision of a person with elk horns." He leaned back on the cart and examined it. “Oh! Oh! Tell me everything! Hurry up! You need to tell me!” Fiona would lean forward and push in his direction. With a distressed look on his face, he turned away. "Oh my god, you're like my sister! Do you have to be in my business?” She had huge puppy dog eyes, which caught his attention as he turned to face her again. He turned his head and moaned, covering his eyes. He would not have seen it if he didn't. Among the strange things about his race were their strange dreams and visions. Yeah, it was creepy, but it was also normal in a way. The world did not end because you saw a man steal a piece of bread. It took him some time to get used to the idea that there was a fine line between letting go for the moment and reacting to it. He didn't realize it at first but today was different. He yelped and ran around the yard as she jumped on his back. In addition, she said, puffing up her chest, "Then you can give me a piggyback ride." He paused, trying to regain his balance before the two fell. He sat up slowly when she laughed, accusing him, "Ugh, why torment me so?" She lay on the ground laughing, "Even though you're one of the top students in class, you can't support me." Do you see how awful that is? He stood up, brushed himself, and turned to the path, snorting as she chuckled. "I'm not surprised you snack so much," he said, then fled when she threatened to hit him for his rude comments. "You shouldn't talk to a woman like that, Takumi!" She screamed and ran after him down the path. He laughed now. On the way, he sneered, "When I see one, I will remember that." She agreed to accompany him, and he had one more duty to complete before the trip.

 What's the point of wasting time? He pondered. He would stop when he became preoccupied by something else; this pattern continued until she approached him. He raised his arm but remained still. He asked the furious young lady, "Did you see that?" as she stomped her foot. "Don't change the subject—wait, did you hear that?" He scanned the tree line. They stood still together, and he closed his eyes to focus on the sounds. He raised an eyebrow at what he heard, and the odd feeling returned. Like he had heard it before? "I feel like I know what that phrase is, but why?" His face was puzzled as he spoke. “How come I can't find it?” When Fiona approached and started talking softly, he frowned. "I am certain that something uttered your name." He almost turned around and softened his voice to match hers. "What?" He watched as she puffed out her chest and proceeded toward the tree line, nodding. "Fiona! Wait! What are you doing? She took a moment to look around, took a deep breath, and screamed. The young man gazed at him in amazement. The sounds of wings and creatures skittering prevented him from taking another look. When he said to himself, "I'm embarrassed for her," she turned to look at him with pride. "Generally speaking, it's all gone," she murmured, placing her hands on her hips. "Yo-you don't have to thank me.” He stood staring back at her from the edge of the woods. She grew bashful and took his hand before running down the walkway. "I mean, if it was a dangerous animal, you might have scared it away, if it was a threat, you might have told it where we were," he remarked. It was a long walk to his mother and aunt's location, but she stopped and nearly passed out when they reached the halfway mark. "I think. We. lost. It." He joined her before flopping into the nearby empty flower field. “I think I'm dying." He gasped out before hitting the ground. The field was a vibrant tapestry of colors, with wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. Bright yellows, deep purples, and soft pinks dotted the landscape, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Despite their exhaustion, the beauty of the scene offered solace and peace. They both paused to catch their breath. Fiona picked flowers while Takumi looked up at the sky. Soon ensnared by thoughts of what this route always meant to him.

He didn’t remember his mother or aunt, but when he was old enough, he was told the story. A light mist seemed to cloud Takumi’s vision as he thought back. He was a child sitting by the fire as his father made them warm tea. Raiden sighed as he felt it was time to tell the truth. A story told it all one stormy evening, the man who had taken Takumi in raised him with strict yet loving hands. “They fled from chaos, my son, from a village, turned mad, Raiden had begun. Takumi remembered his deep voice weaving through the thunder overhead. Men, driven to darkness by hunger, sought power through blood. Your blood. I do not know what drove them to such madness. But your mother and aunt were wise. They ran!” Takumi had always envisioned the scenes painted in his father’s words: his mother, a radiant silhouette amidst disappointment and despair, holding the swaddled bundle—him—close to her chest, her heart pulsing strength into his tiny form. And next to her, a figure cloaked in determination, hands gripping the fabric of their destinies—a fierce aunt, protecting her sister-in-law and the precious newborn against the dark tide. Raiden continued, his gaze distant, as if peeping through time's veil. “They fled toward the forest, where the celestial walker, Clover, resided. Legends whispered that he was a guardian, the protector of those in need, and even in death he could still be called upon. But the men could not be deterred; they followed, corrupted by their dark desires. Only the forest stood between them and their wicked intentions. Bound to nature, it felt like Clover himself hovered near their path, unseen yet omnipotent. It might have been him who cut off the men's plans with thunder cracks and wind sweeps. The very trees seemed to come alive, roots like serpents creeping around the hunters' legs, pulling them back into the underbrush where they lost their way, their shouts devoured by the forest. But it was not without cost. Your mother and aunt had barely crossed into the safe realm when a cruel blade of fate struck. They fell, wounded yet resolved. While the forest howled, your mother shielded you with her own body. Your aunt climbed to the fractured arms of the ancient trees, clutching the last piece of the love they fought for. By the time I found them, the light of their lives dimmed like flickering candles in a storm.”