Chapter 6

Leaving one home is one thing; coming back to an old one’s another. I’m both excited and nervous coming back to Tsurugi. Especially seeing my old friends, never knowing if they had forgotten me already. I’m afraid to be forgotten. The reason why is ‘cause I’ve always had this thing: people should know who you are and not just some figure out there in the world. Being forgotten is worse then death. Having someone knowing that you’re there is more than just being some nameless shadow.

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Mark and Gatz zipped through the air like a knife through butter in the blue sky. It was the afternoon since their takeoff from Yadar. Filling with nervous anticipation, Mark constantly adjusted his goggles to make them as snug on his eyes as possible. Gatz was too busy keeping a lookout for any upcoming island on the endless ocean from below.

“Hey, Gatz,” Mark spoke up. “We there yet?”

“Sorry Mark,” affirmed the Machina. “No upcoming island on my sensors yet.”

Suddenly, Gatz spotted ships from below them.

“Mark!” he shouted. “I’m picking up some ships, and they appear to be well armored, carrier transport ships.”

Mark loomed down and saw them. Long, white ships sailing on the same path as they were.

With extreme confidence Mark yelled, “Let’s go pay them a visit.”

Gatz flew down, looming over the sailing ships. Most of the passengers were screaming their heads off in fear of being attack.

“They appear to be Spellcasters, Mark,” Gatz declared as he continued to fly along with the ships.

He tipped sideways, skimming the water below them while Mark laughed. Some of the Spellcasters conjured up thunder spells to ward them off; others gave them blessings and healing spells to aid them.

“Thanks, I love you all!” Mark shouted at them. Then he pointed to one. “Especially you with the nice rack!”

The women began to giggle and point at the Machina he was riding. Before long, Gatz balanced himself and began to ascend further up into the air.

“I’m sensing an island a couple miles ahead, Mark,” the Machina declared.

Mark spoke silently to himself as they came closer.

“Home…”

They flew over to get a good look at the land. The island was mostly covered in trees, and more and more forests grew over the ruined cities from 500 years ago. It was a lush and habitable island with new villages like patches a grass on a dirt field.

“Doesn’t look like there’s any place to land, huh Gatz?” Mark wondered out loud.

“I’m unable to find a good landing zone Mark,” affirmed Gatz. “I could drop you off over there in the dirt road if you like.”

Gatz slowly hovered over a patch of what was an old road leading to a village nearby. Mark took hold of his things and Gatz gently tipped sideways so Mark could slide off. Mark looked around and saw a vastness of trees, vines, old buildings, and Machina wrapped up in moss.

“Gatz” he yelled up at the flying Machina. “ Could you circle around the island and gather up some data?”

“Yes, Mark,” answered Gatz. “Umm.. Where should I meet you again?”

The young man put his fist under his chin as he thought. He snapped his fingers and pointed out in one direction.

“The village I’m going to should have a square,” he told the Machina. “Meet me there.”

Gatz nodded his long neck and flew over him into the sky, carrying out his duties.

Mark strolled down the old road, remembering all the old times he and his friends would come around looking for scrap to sell for new cards. As he walked, he noticed crumbled up buildings and rusted Machina halfway buried into the ground. He came across a sign saying:

Tsurugi Village ahead. Proceed with caution.

I wonder why it said ‘with caution’ on it? he thought, confused.

Suddenly he heard a cry for help. Mark raced down the path and saw an old man being attack by a ferocious green monster. A young girl fighting it with her sword was his only defense, as well as a club that he possessed. Mark pulled his goggles over his eyes for battle.

“Attack mode,” he exclaimed as he pulled out his katars and met with the poor merchant.

“Get the hell away from me!” the young girl screamed as she continued slashing at the monster with her twin swords, blockings its powerful blows left and right.

The merchant spoke out to Mark from under his cart.

“Please!” he begged. “Help my caravan and I’ll make it up to you.”

“What the hell is that thing?” asked Mark in wonder at the monster.

“It’s a Drooling Lizard,” answered the man. “A blood-sucking snake in human form that attacks any living being that passes nearby. It’s a real threat to us merchants.”

The young girl gave it a good slashing on its side. She noticed Mark and looked back at him.

“Can I have a hand here?” she yelled at him.

Mark went into action and helps by kicking and slashing it with his twin katars. The wounded monster ran into a lushly green brush and then suddenly a swarm of them came out, three groups of three. With their lean and hungry looks, their eyes glowed with their blue tongues hanging out of their jagged mouth.

“I’ll take these guys,” the girl affirmed, gripping her swords.

“You can’t do this alone,” said Mark.

“Shut up!” the girl spat back at him. “Yes I can!”

She lunged forward attacking them in her wave of fury. Mark was swarmed and was able to dodge and cut his way through the group of lizards. Blood spewed everywhere, along with limbs, torsos, and a couple heads. Mark and the young girl began to fatigue.

“They just keep coming!” Mark said sourly.

“Quit whining!” retorted the girl, irritated.

The lizards realized defeat given the small numbers they have left and slithered back into the brush, leaving bloody trails behind. The merchant came out of hiding and congratulates his heroes.

“Well done!” he raved. “Thank you, young man. Who are you?”

Mark pulled down his goggles and gave his name out heroically.

“Mark,” he told the old man. “Mark Kazaragi.”

The young girl’s eyes widened in surprise at the sound of that name.

“No fucking way,” she slowly said out load.

The two males turned to her.

“You know this man?” the merchant asked curiously, pointing at Mark.

“I’m surprised you remembered me Kasumi,” said Mark with a smirk, quickly recognizing his old friend.

“Ah, so you both know each other,” uttered the old man. “Grand, grand. Why don’t we head to the square huh? Get something nice and warm to eat. Oooh, I can’t wait to put my cart out for all the goodies to sell!”

The merchant rambled on and on, pulling his cart of valuables. Meanwhile, Kasumi and Mark were walking behind, getting reacquainted again.

“How long has it been?” Mark began.

“It’s been what? Maybe ten years?” replied Kasumi as she put her swords in their sheaths. She couldn’t believe her old friend was back.

“Jeez, you grown last time I seen you,” said Mark. “I remember we were soo tiny, tiny.”

“Ha ha, yeah,” chuckled Kasumi. “I remember I’d beat the crap outta you and you’d go running like a little bitch.”

“Ugh, same ol’ Kasumi,” sighed Mark. “So, what’s up with this job? Is he like your boss or something?”

The girl began skipping along the old brick road, calming down.

“No,” she replied. “This is a job I’m pulling in now. I’m a body guard for most people who can afford me.”

“Ah, a noble hooker,” Mark bantered.

He began to laugh and ran.

“You little asshole!” she screeched as she began chasing him around like a child. “Come here so I could—”

The white mustached merchant stopped the two from fighting and announced that they’ve arrived to the village of Tsurugi.

“I’ll take it from here miss,” assured the merchant, giving her the money. “Here’s your pay. Thanks again.”

Making his way down, the old man accidentally trips on a stone with his cart filled with items rolling down and crashing into a building. Mark and Kasumi only watched and laughed at the man’s misfortune.

“It’s good to be back,” Mark declared happily.

Leaving the poor man, the two of them started to walk along the old road again to another, more familiar town. It was the same one they both grew up in, with some new features.

“Hey, I don’t remember those buildings there when we were little,” said Mark, noticing some unfamiliar additions.

Well duh,” Kasumi gave a disgruntled sigh at him.” That’s ‘cause they’re new, stupid.”

“Hey shut up,” defended Mark. “I just got back here and now I’m getting shit from you. Boy you haven’t changed at all.”

“Neither have you,” retorted Kasumi. “C’mon I’ll show you around.”

She led Mark down the stone steps and past the shopping arcades into the square, where a giant green gemstone gleamed in the sunlight like a star. She pointed out the new buildings.

“Those are now the new Spellcaster training schools and Summoner schools,” she explained, pointing to the big misshapen buildings surrounded by walls and vines. Some security Machina were put in place incase of monster attacks or assassins. The two buildings were fairly noticeable from the town’s point of view.

“I know you’re new and that’s okay,” assured Kasumi. “But if you notice the Salane Guard protecting the area, that’s because a new ship with Spellcasters came in not too long ago. In fact, last I heard, something spooked them while they were coming in.”

Mark stood silently, knowing that it was him and Gatz who spooked the ship, while Kasumi was in state of wonder with her thumb on her chin.

“ I wonder…” she uttered quietly. “Oh well.”

Not long after, the two of them ran into one of the Spellcasters, who recognized Mark.

“Hey, it’s him!” exclaimed the Spellcaster. “That guy on that white flying Machina!”

“Keep moving you noobies,” the guards spoke impatiently. “Registration begins in five minutes. Now move it!”

The guards carried pikes with their sword mounted. A group of elite red guards came in with a particularly young girl wearing a long white dress. She had long, jet-black hair in a decorative style and a magic staff. She began to scope around and sighed to herself.

“It’s like kindergarten already,” she groaned. “Not a familiar face in sight.”

“We should be going m’lady” a servant said as he gently motioned the girl along.

Mark noticed her bare backside as she walked along with the other students from mid range.

“Well, at least some aren’t that bad looking,” he commented and smiled. “Ooh look at the ass on that. And those—”

“Shouldn’t you be looking for your mom or something?” interrupted Kasumi, her angry tone indicating a sense of irritation as she watched her friend womanizing the Spellcasters.

“How’d you know?” Mark asked her.

“She told me one day you’d come back,” explained Kasumi. “You should visit her. She’s on those hills in the back next to the card shop.”

She pointed out the directions to him and then smacked him again for fun. She then started to run away waving back to him.

“I have things to do!” she shouted at Mark. “Later!”