The rain intensified, each drop hammering the surface of the shallow river where Yakoza and Muraith trudged onward. The earth trembled beneath them, mirroring the heavy, storm-laden air. Muraith, his face wrapped in bandages, paused and turned back.
In the distance, a massive creature formed from an amalgamation of countless Oleynos bodies barreled toward them. It grew in size and speed with each passing second, like a relentless, encroaching storm.
The dim light of their surroundings caught Yakoza's sharp, shining white diamond eyes, his calm demeanor unwavering.
"We should probably run…".
Behind them, it continued to swell. It had become Oxalos, the king of their swarm. The rain-soaked ground dissolved into thick mud, and the terrain churned with Oleynos creatures rising from the ground.
The two ran as Oxalos pursued. Its massive body ejected sticky, writhing appendages that burst from the earth. The Oleynos surged around them in greater numbers, herding them towards the edge of a vast cliff.
Before them, the river they had been walking along fell over the edge. It formed a tremendous waterfall. The bottom of the waterfall was lost in a shroud of unfathomable mist.
Yakoza tied the straw hat tightly to his head. With Oxalos closing in, they leapt away into the abyss alongside the roaring waters of the waterfall.
The wind roared in their ears as they fell. From the sheer rock walls of the waterfall, massive hands and disembodied heads emerged, reaching and snapping.
Yakoza twisted and turned, evading the figures, while Muraith drifted effortlessly. The creatures seemed to shy away from him, leaving his descent unchallenged.
As the hands and heads multiplied, they filled the air, leaving no room to dodge. Yakoza, his path blocked, drew his sword. He let gravity carry him as he slashed through every obstacle in his way. The force of his descent, combined with the strength of his muscles, cut clean paths through the swarming figures.
But the relentless air pressure, combined with his exertion, tired him. His breaths grew shallow, his vision blurred, and his strength faltered.
Through the thinning mist, the surface finally came into view. The river continued below, its waters teeming with Oleynos.
The two struck the swarm of Oleynosses on the river's surface. The clouds above parted. Light pierced through, and the Oleynos began to retreat. One by one, their forms dissolved, sinking back into the earth.
Yakoza floated on the river's surface, too exhausted to move. Nearby, Muraith crouched at the river's edge, washing his face with cool water. Without a word, he moved to a fallen pine tree and sat.
For a moment, silence reigned. The storm had passed, leaving only the gentle lapping of water.
Muraith glanced skyward briefly, then spoke, his tone cold and detached.
"I can't waste time on you."
With that, he began walking away.
Yakoza, still lying in the river, watched his father's retreating figure. After a moment, he sat on the shore. Clear river water dripped from his straw hat. He rinsed his face, washed his arms, and drank a handful of water. The cool water revived him enough to stand. Afterwards he took the suitcase from beside the pine tree and followed.
By passing through tall pine trees, they entered the forest. The sky had started to get dark. Fog appeared slowly. While climbing uphill between the trees for a long time, Yakoza seemed concentrated.
"Since you know the way, why did you ask me about it?"
Muraith calmly replied.
"To emphasize your weakness. Physical strength isn't true power. Arrogance is nothing but weakness."
Upon this, Yakoza thought sincerely.
"Ahh… Beings with potential for evil are never purely evil. A lack of mercy doesn't equate to the absence of mercy. True evil lies in the absence of potential itself."
He gathered his breath.
"Why do you cover your eyes and ears?"
Muraith's voice was calm, hiding his surprise.
"Weren't you informed about their sensitivity?"
Yakoza answered calmly.
"Thats misinformation."
"Prove it."
Muraith challenged calmly.
Yakoza inhaled deliberately.
"If they were really sensitive, you would change the bandage with the possibility of infection when rain and river water wet your bandage. The promise you made me to stay away from you when you are unarmed, and your appearance like an oleynos after I fell from the sky are oddities. Like the oddity of your eyes and ears being covered. The matching of oddities shows they are connected. In loneliness, the cover is lifted."
Muraith replied.
"The necessity of asking questions highlights ignorance. The matter is quite clear. Because you are an idiot, I might answer you later."
Yakoza sighed, not caring.
"No need anymore, thanks."