The park became safe. Peace was restored once more after defeating those waves. The atmosphere turned calm when the dark cyclops vanished.
Meanwhile, the archer girl approached, removing the mask from her face. It was EmaKenjiro, their intelligent classmate and one who held a strong belief in justice. After lifting her mask, she bowed slightly toward them, placing her hand upon her chest and winking:
"Your one and only trusted friend, EmaKenjiro."
Vincy stood frozen in shock, like he had just been struck by lightning.
"N-No way... Ema?!" He stammered, wide-eyed.
Without a pause, Ema started scanning the area, making sure not a single creature remained. The park was finally clear and safe. She raised a confident thumb-up.
"You did a fine job defeating that wave," she said casually, "but it was kind of funny how none of you even tried to figure out its weakness. Only Abodo figured the critical spot, although he still missed the chance of the perfect strike. So, you all get a C+... be proud of yourself."
The others remained completely silent, feeling embarrassed and ashamed after her words.
"Cut it off, nerd!" Vincy snapped, already flustered. "You're coming with us! You've got a ton of explaining to do!"
"Stop being rude to everyone, baka!" Yukiko shouted at him.
"Shut the bak' up!" Vincy snapped back, throwing complaints left and right.
Taro and Enzo remained silent the whole time, watching the silly argument with blank and unimpressed stares.
That night, at Abodo's house, the four of them gathered to talk more about Ema's identity and her secret powers. She sat confidently on the couch, arms crossed. She didn't reveal much. She only said:
"I got this power even before meeting you guys. Over time, I became the mysterious moonlight archer you know today."
"Without telling us anything?!" Vincy exploded. "You're the worst, Ema! You're the worst!"
"Excuse me?!" She snapped back. "A secret identity is something you have to keep safe. You'd do the same if you were in my shoes, you know."
Vincy looked away, with an annoyed expression.
"Actually... you did the same!" She added. "You never told me anything about yourself either. Yet I still figured it out."
"Eh? Really?" Vincy said, pretending to be clueless. "And how exactly did you figure that out, Mrs. Genius?"
"You think I'm a fool?" Ema said confidently. "Before the camp trip, your hair was brown... just plain brown. Then it changed to red. That's not something dye can do. That was supernatural."
Then, she leaned forward:
"Not only that, but you also knocked out that musclehead bully like he was made of paper. You think anyone can do that without super strength?"
"Oi! I saw that too!" Yukiko joined in, crossing her arms.
"I-I was wondering the same…" Vincy mumbled, sweating.
"And one more thing... you and Abodo literally got taller, your faces even changed slightly. You think that just happens at a forest campsite?"
"Oof... she's got a point," Vincy muttered, biting his thumb nervously.
"You also exposed yourself when you called those creatures weak. That's something only someone who fought them would know. I was clearing waves elsewhere. And when I saw the school hallway fight... I knew it was you and Abodo."
"I totally messed up…" Vincy said, facepalming.
"And also–" Ema started again, before getting interrupted.
"Alright! Alright! I give up!" Vincy shouted, raising both hands in surrender. "Enough already!"
"That was quick," Ema smirked, resting her hands at her belt. "Didn't expect you to surrender that easily, VincenzoGiannsoni!"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT! And we had no options!" Vincy shouted, shouting. "This whole thing hit us like a storm with zero warning!"
"Don't worry, Vincy," Ema said quietly, winking. "Your lovely girl understands you."
"Yeah yeah... wait NO, YOU'RE NOT! Don't say weird stuff!" Vincy shouted, turning red.
Ema started laughing loudly, clearly enjoying teasing him. Yukiko sat quietly, confused by their energy.
Meanwhile, Taro sat quietly in the kitchen. The kitchen had been messy, until he cleaned it up. It was connected to the living room and the back door that led to the garden, so he was able to hear and see their chaotic conversation.
Without interrupting their chit chat, Taro stood while looking down with a pale face, and walked toward the door. He left a note behind:
"Went for a walk. Don't wait."
After a few hours, Vincy and Yukiko started noticing the time, realizing Taro hadn't returned. Ema said she had to head home and left.
Using her ability {Falcon Eyes}, Ema soon found Taro. He was sitting quietly on a flat grassy hill near the edge of the neighborhood. She located him easily... her skill could sense things within a kilometer. It was far superior than Taro's sense.
He sat at the slope, looking at the moon. At that moment, he was communicating with Enzo in silence.
"Still holding guilt for being 'weak'?" Enzo asked.
Of course...Taro thought. What if that archer girl hadn't shown up? I couldn't even defeat those creatures alone...
"You need not walk alone just to prove your–" Enzo said, before getting interrupted.
I don't want to prove anything, Enzo, Taro thought, with shame in his eyes. I just want to protect my friends. If I'm too weak to do that... then what am I even good for? How could someone like me... a failure... prove anything?
Enzo looked up at the glowing blue moon.
"The true failure is the one who gives up before even trying," he said calmly. "You have not done that. Many sacrifices might stand ahead, but something inside you tells me... maybe you would not lose anything precious to you."
"Young one," Enzo continued, staring at him again, "your journey is only beginning. Greater trials will come. But if your resolve stays strong, nothing will stop you. Now, I ask you again... are you ready?"
Taro looked back toward his house. He stayed silent for a while before thinking:
Honestly... I've had a good life. I've loved so many people and things. I'm grateful. I don't need anything else.
He stood slowly, putting his hands in his pockets.
So, I'll do whatever it takes to protect all of that... even if it costs my life. No one else needs to lose theirs. He thought.
Enzo smiled gently, looking at the blue moon.
"He really does remind me of him..." Enzo whispered. "They are connected, after all."
Then he said aloud:
"Well, young one... it is time!"
September 13, 2008 – Saturday.
That morning, Taro woke up early and cleaned the messy living room again before leaving quietly. He carried nothing but a wooden sword. Later, he arrived at his training spot, a flat field near the beach.
He raised his hand and pointed forward. Using the spell Enzo had lent him, a glowing blue portal appeared. It was {Portal of Realms}, a spell that opens magical gates to random realms within the Overworld.
Before he could step in, a voice stopped him from behind.
"Where do you think you're going, TaroAbodo?"
He turned around. It was Ema, wearing her archer clothes.
"Wherever you are going... and whatever the purpose was, I won't let you go alone," she said a little while, approaching. "Especially not with that stick."
Tch... I can never outsmart you, Ema, he thought, smiling faintly.
The two of them jumped in, disappearing into the glowing portal without knowing their destination.
Later, they landed out of the portal in a swampy jungle. The air was thick and humid, the ground soggy. Out of nowhere, their senses kicked in. Goblins started surrounding them from all directions. They were tall, with glowing red eyes, sharp claws, and fangs like beasts. Suddenly, two goblins leapt toward Ema. She wasn't ready, as her bow was still strapped behind her. Leaving her wide open.
Taro jumped forward, blocking the attack with his wooden sword and kicking the goblins away. Seconds later, more goblins approached. Ema pulled out two daggers, slashing nearby goblins.
"I've got your back, Abodo," she said.
Back-to-back, they stood surrounded.
Guess it's time to borrow your boost again, Enzo! Taro thought, as blue energy started glowing around him.
Back at home, Vincy woke up yawning. He rubbed his eyes, then suddenly shouted:
"W-Where's Taro?!"
He looked everywhere: the garden, the basement, under the couch, and even inside the fridge... for no reason.
A few minutes later, he couldn't find him.
"Where is he?!" Vincy said again, shouting.
"Oi kisama," Yukiko said, appearing with sleepy eyes and yawning, "why are you yelling now?"
"Taro's gone! And he didn't leave a note!" Vincy answered.
"He probably–" Yukiko replied, right before getting interrupted.
"He ALWAYS leaves a note!" Vincy cut her off.
A few seconds later, Vincy pointed at her suddenly, saying:
"You! You did something! I bet you glamored him, kidnapped him... or worse... KILLED HIM!"
"Yamero, baka!" Yukiko snapped. "I would never hurt Abodo-kun!"
"Oh yeah? You almost killed him six days ago!" Vincy said.
"Temee! I told you I didn't know it was him!" Yukiko said, angrily. "And I was after you, not him!"
Suddenly, a red light flashed in front of Vincy's eyes. Only he could see that light. His body froze in place, still standing... but unconscious. Everything went black again, it was familiar to Vincy. He turned around immediately... and there she was.
Zara, standing in the dark, grinning!