In the night.
The beautiful and peaceful town before is now stench in blood.
The tragedy caused by the demon's turned many residents house into a pool of blood. Some intact. Some ruin beyond recognition.
At the cover of the moonlight, amidst the rubbles caused by the explosion, a figure could be seen walking at the road.
This figure is the old man, the one who defeat the demon behind this tragedy the town faced, beating it to death.
The direction the old man walked to is the south of the town.
Looking around, he could see the horrible things the demon left behind.
A weak willed person might froze on the spot by such sight.
However, the old man is unperturbed by this scenes. After all, such sight is not his first, and he sees more than this in his life.
Turning into an alley, what ahead is a youth kneeling with it's head down.
The youth's long hair covered both side of his face.
The gray robe of the youth is in a mess, with blood could be seen.
What in front of his kneeling posture is a dead body of a bald youth, laying down.
This youth is Ikari, who had just lost his dear friend at the hands of the demon.
Ikari's eyes is fixed on Yoku's face.
Faint killing intent emanate from his eyes.
The old man arrived at Ikari's side and stand there.
Looking at the youth's state right now, he couldn't help but praise in his heart.
An average person might lose the will to live in this world once a person they cared about died at their sight. Especially if they know that they can't do anything about it.
But staying sane and keeping a strong mind in this situation often have a chances to be the greatest.
The old man turned his gaze away and look at the dead body laying on the ground.
After looking for a while, he said: "If you blame yourself at the death of your friend, don't be. It's his fate to die at this place for being weak."
"Weak people are destined to die early in life. One just doesn't know where and when."
"In this world, being weak is like a curse, their only good outcome is death. The only way to break the curse is within oneself. With the demon's existence in this world, one's own life and death is unpredictable."
"Having power, one can barely fight for their own life and death."
The old man said in a deep voice.
Ikari still keep his eyes at Yoku's face, staying silent at the old man's words.
"Without strength, what one can do is limited. Gaining justice is impossible."
The old man pause and turned his gaze at Ikari.
"However, with sufficient strength, nothing is impossible."
The old man looked at the silent youth in his eyes. After a while, he turned his gaze away and looked at the distance.
"Are you determined?" The old man ask in a calm voice.
"Of what?" Ikari eyes is still fixed at Yoku's face. Hearing the old man's question, he responded faintly.
"The demons."
The old man replied casually. Not adding more words for him to understand what he's talking about and just looked at the distance.
Hearing the word 'demons', Ikari's shoulder shook a little and the faint killing intent in his eyes intensified.
"I'll destroy them!" Ikari grit his teeth and said in a deep voice.
Ikari already hate the demon's to his bones and swore to destroy them for killing his friend.
Besides, remembering the corpse of his parents in his early years, his will to destroy them intensified.
Seeing the demon's massacre before, he was sure that the one behind his parents death is a demon.
Hearing Ikari's response, the old man nodded and faintly smiled.
"With you're current strength, there's nothing you can do. Going against a demons now, it's no different than giving yourself to them."
The old man turned his head and looked at Ikari.
"Though, I can prevent that from happening. I'll give you a chance to fight against them." He casually said and smiled.
Ikari cast his gaze away from Yoku's face and raised his head, looking at the old man standing beside him.
"How?" Ikari said in a serious manner.
"Hoo.. I like that. By making you stronger, of course. Are you willing to?" The old man sarcastically said before giving a hand.
Ikari ignored the sarcastic tone by the old man and looked at the hand.
After a while, he grab the hand of the old man and bring himself up from the ground while looking straight to his face.
Clearly, he was not happy of the old man's last tone.
However, he didn't show it to his face.
Ikari let go of the old man's hand and looked at the dead body on the ground.
"How can you help me to become stronger?" Ikari ask.
"Helping you... you can put it like that... and I have no reason to." The old man respond. Then, turning his head away and looking at the distance, he add: "I'm not helping you. I'll teach you."
"You want me to become your disciple?" Ikari clarified.
"Of course." The old man said casually. "That's the only offer I can give you."
"Then, I'll gladly accept your offer." Ikari said casually, still looking at his friend's corpse with a glint in his eyes.
The old man suddenly realized and tilted his head and look at this youth beside him.
'This lad...' The old man smiled and shake his head silently.
Without him realizing, his was trick to give an offer. Giving an impression that they're doing business. Thus, looking as if his offering another person to become his disciple with his high status, getting the situation out of his control.
'I'd underestimate him.' The old man looked at Ikari's side profile and sigh in his heart for his carelessness.
Then, turning his gaze away and look at the dead body below, he said: "When are you gonna bury him? Your not really going to stand here all day and keep staring at your friend's face like that."
Ikari narrowed his eyes and nodded his head.
Then, bending his body, he picked Yoku up with his both hands.
Taking a deep breath, he looked ahead and walked out of the town.
The old man just watched and followed behind, hands behind his back.
....
The two arrived at the foot of a small mountain.
This mountain is usually where Ikari and Yoku shifted their worked to.
Stopping underneath a three, Ikari put Yoku's body on the ground and walked toward the small hut at the distance.
Arriving in front of the hut, he walked inside and find some tools that can be used for digging. After finding some, he walked out of the hut and go back to where Yoku's body is laying and started digging on the ground.
Digging a six feet hole on the ground, he stopped and got out of the hole he'd dug.
He bring Yoku's body's up with his hands, bringing it in the hole. After putting the body beneath the ground, he got out from the hole and stand at the side.
While standing there, he slightly raised his head and closed his eyes, remembering all the good days the two experienced together.
The old man just stand at the side and stayed silent. With its eyes closed and hand behind his back. Giving Ikari the peace he need at this time.
After a long while, Ikari got out of his reminiscing state. He took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes, looking at the still dark sky.
Then, turning his body to the side, he pick up the tool he'd used for digging and started covering the hole with mud.
Ikari keep his pace while burying his friends body, not hurrying in the slightest.
After a very long time, Ikari is finally done burying his friend and throw the tool he'd used to the side.
Looking at the grave of his friend, Ikari took a deep breath and close his eyes.
"Rest in peace... Yoku."
"Rest in peace... my friend."
"I'd really appreciate and enjoy your company." Ikari clasped his hands and bowed.
The old man, who was standing at the side with its eyes close, nodded in his heart.
Bidding farewell this way, one had already decided and completely move on, not thinking of this matter deeply in the future.
After a long while, Ikari raised his head and openedhis eyes. He looked at the distant sky on the east. The sky are bright without the sun, signifying the fact that is already dawn.
Still dmiring the beauty of the new day, Ikari turned his head and look at the old man standing at a distance.
The old man sense Ikari's gaze and slowly opened his closed eyes.
"May I know your name, old man?" Ikari said, looking straight at him.
"Himiru." The old man respond.
Ikari repeat the name of the old man in his mind, remembering it.
"Old man Himiru, can you tell me more about the demons?" Ikari ask seriously.
Himiru raised his brow at Ikari's question.
"What do you currently know about demons?" Himiru ask back.
Ikari think for moment and said: "I heard that they eat people at the cover of the night when I'm a kid. Witnessing the tragedy the town face, I now believe it. I'm asking if there's more to them."
Himiru slightly nodded his head and said: "What you know is enough. It's pointless for you to know more with your current strength."
"Then, when can I start to become stronger?" Ikari then asked.
Himiru slightly turned his head and looked at the beautiful shining sun showing a bit of it's frame. He then turned his body and walked west. Not giving a response at Ikari.
Ikari look at the departing back of the old man and immediately follow behind.
After walking for a while, Ikari couldn't help but ask: "Old man Himiru, where are we going."
"To a place where you can become stronger." The old man casually said and faintly smiled.