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Sky Pirates.

Bang bang.



I make my way up the thousand steps of Hakutaku's land in Osaka, on the way to his mansion. My feet ache as I clamber over the rough rocks. The path winds through mountains and forest, all the while ascending higher than anything else around it. As soon as I step onto his property, I sense the serenity of the shadowy man's domain. No one seems to be here. It's too quiet for a house of this size. I can smell something sweetly floral coming from somewhere inside, but there doesn't seem to be anyone awake or about.

"Hello?" I call out to no avail. "Hakutaku? Is that you?" There is no answer. I continue forward until I reach the door, when I suddenly feel a blade against my throat. I stifle a gulp at the threat. "Don't move," says a voice behind me. I turn slowly to face him. His long hair falls across his shoulders like silk. He wears a black jacket with nothing underneath. Even though he has only half-open eyes, they still look right into mine.



"Hello, old friend." I say.

His gaze drops to my lips and then back up again.

"I came to wish you a happy birthday" I add.

He smiles,"Thank you. But I don't need any more wishes." He gives an exaggerated sigh. "Only actions- actions that will bring a new age of glory to Japan."



Hakutaku chuckles to himself. Seven years ago, when I first arrived here after being summoned by the Goddess, I was quite intimidated. I remember training on these grounds under the man standing before me, a sproutling with great hope for the world. But today, his eyes and mine mirror the same void of yearning within. We both have lost so much over time... Yet, we kept fighting towards what may never be. It was not because there is anything left that would make us want it anymore; it was just because we were too stubborn to give in. That's all gone now.

Hakutaku sheathes his blade in one swift motion. "It's been a while since I've seen you," he says quietly.

"Yes," I respond simply.

We stand together looking out at the forest surrounding us. "There aren't many people I can talk to like this," he says softly. "But I'm glad you're here."



"I'm sorry I don't have a gift for you" I say apologetically. "I know how much you like Gardenia flowers."

He chuckles. "I'd rather you join me than buy me a present."

I nod. "Listen, Hakutaku, about joining you..." I stop to look over at him directly, he's still gazing out at the forest stoically. "Or even about you joining me, I don't think it'll work this time. I've seen you in those other worlds from time to time, in passing glimpses of a dream, but this time I think it's permanent. I think I'll be gone for good."

Hakutaku turns his head to meet my gaze again. He smiles gently and puts his hand on my shoulder. He rubs my back, and my shoulders tense. "I'm glad," he says as he releases his grip. He places his hands at his sides, but he remains staring at me. "I'd hate it if you were stuck here forever, having to live with these people." His gaze drifts back across the land surrounding him.

"I don't think they're bad people or anything, it's just how it has to be." I say with a sigh.

He nods thoughtfully. "If we're to start a new age of glory, then we have to start with a new type of people." Hakutaku then looks over at the sky above him and the full moon shining down. "That's what you said when you were here before, remember?" he says with a hint of amusement. "I was very impressed with your thinking back then, but you've changed since then, haven't you?"

I don't know how to respond to that; so I just stay silent as we stand there in the silence.

"I'm not angry." He says, continuing to gaze up at the night sky.

"Then let's have a sparring match." I reply.

Hakutaku snorts at my comment and begins walking down to the training grounds off to the side of his domain. As I follow him, I look up at the moon again. "What happened between you and the Goddess?" I ask him quietly, so only he can hear.



He pauses and turns to look at me with a questioning gaze. "What do you mean?" he asks in return.

I smile and shrug. "You used to be able to see her before, and she would always tell you to fight harder... You had some sort of connection with her back then, didn't you?"

"Oh yes, we still have a great connection." he says, still looking at me curiously.

I smile again, and his expression softens for a moment.



He turns to face me, with a steely determination in his eyes, "Alright, it's time to fight" he says gruffly. He unsheathes his blade and assumes his fighting stance. He then tells me, "Fight for your life!"

I draw my sword and nod back to him. The tension in the air begins to rise as we each move forward, preparing to strike each other down in an instant. I keep my eyes locked on him as I approach. We both swing down in unison. The clash of metal echoes around us as our blades collide. We continue to attack each other for several seconds, striking and parrying with no clear advantage for either side. I thrust my sword into Hakutaku's chest, and he parries with his own sword, knocking my weapon aside with ease. I attempt another attack, but Hakutaku steps forward and uses the momentum of his parry to drive me back. He kicks me in the side and I fall to the ground. I scramble quickly back up and rush to meet him once again.

The battle is intense and exhausting, yet we both seem to be having fun with it. Our swords flash through the air, parrying and attacking at every chance we get, each one more creative than the last. After a few minutes, however, we both seem to reach a point of exhaustion and need to take a short break. Hakutaku begins to breathe heavily, while I feel completely drained. After a few moments, Hakutaku begins to chuckle to himself as he sees how much strength I still have in me.



...

...

...

I wake up in my room, in my house. What a nice dream. Nostalgic.

If only it were to really happen.