February 7, 2009 – Saturday. (Flashback)
After the Dark Lords escaped through the portal, Taro regrouped with the others. His glowing faded entirely, and his expression returned to normal.
Vincy approached him, offering a handshake and saying:
"Long time no see, old bud. Congrats on getting your voice back."
"A handshake? That's new," Taro replied, clenching his fist for a bump.
"That's my pal!" Vincy cheered, bumping fists with him. "Did you hear that, Yukiko?"
Taro looked at Yukiko and asked:
"Yuk... Yukiko-san? What happened, guys?"
"It's a long story. We'll explain on the way," Ema replied.
"Yeah, but first, TELL US WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS GUY!" Vincy shouted, pointing at Kevin with his thumb.
Kevin stood quietly behind them, arms crossed. Then, he said:
"So, you're back, TaroAbodo. I hope you've gotten stronger since last time."
"Yeah, all thanks to you, Kevin," Taro replied, offering a handshake.
"Just don't act pathetic again, and no need to thank me," Kevin said coldly, shaking his hand.
"Come with us, Kevin... and..." Taro said, and turned to look at Lara.
"LaraTakumi. Thanks for the invitation, but we have to return to our homes," she replied.
"Understood. Visit us anytime you like. Thanks for your help once again," Taro responded with a smile.
After parting ways, Taro and the others returned home.
Home sweet home... but not for too long, Taro thought.
Minutes later, Vincy and Ema began explaining what happened with Malice... or rather, the fake Taro. Yukiko remained quiet, clearly still upset since the day before.
Taro looked at Yukiko and said with a sad expression:
"I'm sorry, Yukiko-san. You shouldn't have heard those awful things."
"Don't apologize, Taro," Yukiko replied. "It wasn't you. You are different."
She paused, then added with a shy smile and a blush:
"And... call me Yukiko."
Taro looked away, blushing slightly. Then, he said:
"Fair enough... Y-Yukiko."
"Hehe, such romantic people," Ema teased, sipping her cup of hot chocolate.
"Could you shut up?" Vincy replied calmly, also sipping.
Later, Taro stood off the couch and said:
"Guys, you did a great job together. I don't think I could've done the same. Sorry for dragging you all into this."
"No, it's fine," Ema said. "We're with you till the very end."
"Yeah, you can count on me!" Vincy added.
"Thank you, truly," Taro said with a smile. "Now excuse me... I have to leave again."
"Heeeh?! Again?!" Vincy exclaimed, shocked.
"Yeah, sorry. There's something important I need to handle," Taro replied.
"How long will you be gone?" Yukiko asked.
Taro thought for a moment, then said:
"Around two weeks. Not too long."
"What is it exactly?" Ema asked.
"One part is learning a powerful technique I read about," he replied.
"And the other?" Vincy asked.
Taro smiled and winked, then responded:
"That's a secret."
"You and your secrets, Abodo," Ema said, smiling. "Good luck, then."
"Thanks, everyone. Right... before I go, try this," he said, putting his hand on his pocket.
He pulled out some dates and handed one to each of them. The ones he had collected during his journey. They ate them, surprised by how much better they felt.
"Whoa, this fruit does all that?" Vincy asked.
"Well, dates generally are great fruits with lots of benefits in elemental–" Ema began.
"ENOUGH WITH THE CHEMISTRY, PLEASE!" Vincy shouted.
Everyone burst into laughter, then Taro added:
"Right, Ema. But... these aren't ordinary dates. They're magical."
"Ooh, that's interesting," she replied, surprised.
"I also brought a seed to plant it in the garden," he said.
"But... don't palms grow in deserts?" Ema asked, confused.
"That's what I thought too," Taro replied. "However, a book I read said this type of palm can grow in normal soil. The grass in the garden will be fine."
"Then don't miss the chance," Ema said, smiling.
Taro went to the garden, planted the seed, and watered it. Then, he asked:
"Vincy, Yukiko, can I ask you to take care of the seed while I'm gone?"
"Sure, count on us!" Vincy replied.
"Thanks. Take care of yourselves, too," Taro said with a smile.
"Abodo, the enemy knows where we live now," Ema suddenly said.
"No worries. They'll focus on defense more than attacking," Taro replied confidently.
Later, he said:
"That reminds me... try mastering your abilities, guys. Ema, your beam is impressive, but collapsing after casting it is a big problem."
"True, and I don't want to be carried anymore," Ema replied.
"Yukiko, your abilities are amazing, especially the rope. But you must avoid being left defenseless."
"Arigato. I'll keep practicing," she answered.
Finally, he looked at Vincy and said:
"And Vincy... don't stay hungry."
"Wait... what?" Vincy asked, confused.
"I noticed your flames are stronger when you're full. Also if you want to get faster, try building stamina."
"Good point, pal!" Vincy said with a grin.
They waved goodbye, and Taro headed into the forest once again.
"So, Abodo just came to check on us?" Ema asked.
"I guess so, but I'm really happy to see him again, especially with how much he has changed," Vincy said.
"Yeah... from a silent boy to a great leader," Ema replied.
Then, Vincy suddenly added:
"Wait, Taro doesn't know about my {Berserk Mode}! AW MAN, I FORGOT TO TELL HIM!"
"It doesn't matter. Just don't stay hungry like he said," Ema replied.
Meanwhile, Yukiko smiled as she stared out the kitchen window.
Ganbare, Taro, she thought.
For a few weeks in the Kingdoms Realm, Taro traveled across several territories to collect ingredients. He visited swamps, mountains, volcanic areas, and more.
February 21, 2009 – Saturday.
After about two weeks in the Overworld, he had collected every ingredient except one: an amethyst crystal.
A crystal? This is strange, he thought.
He spent hours searching and eventually found a cave near the spooky woods. Without hesitation, he entered. A few minutes in, he discovered a cluster of crystals. He broke off one with his sword and returned to the tower in the Azure Kingdom.
Before he could enter, Enzo appeared and asked:
"May I ask what you plan to do with those ingredients?"
"Nothing serious. Just making some useful potions," Taro replied.
"No need to hide it. You are making a magic-reversing potion, am I wrong?" Enzo said.
Taro remained silent. Then Enzo warned:
"You should not create that potion, or else–"
"It doesn't matter, Enzo!" Taro cut in, his voice full of emotion. "I can't let you stay trapped inside me forever. You're a soul. You deserve your own life. You have a kingdom to guide and knights to lead. I don't want to depend on anyone. I want to protect everyone... including you."
Enzo didn't respond immediately. Then he said:
"If the potion works, your illness might return. Also, you will not be able to use my magic unless I cast it."
"So what? Magic, curses, illness... none of that is a reason to trap you. I'll set you free, even if it costs me my life," Taro replied.
They both fell silent. Then, Taro spoke again with a broken smile:
"Enzo, I shouldn't have been born in the first place. Yet, I loved my life... the people I knew, and the things I did every day. I'm grateful for being born... but I'm not happy the way I was reborn."
Taro went to the tower's brewing room and began mixing the ingredients as described in the book. After fifteen minutes, the potion was ready.
He poured it into a bottle and held it in front of him, saying:
"Thank you for everything. You, my friends, my family... everyone I've known and loved. If I survive, I'll fight to the end against Armageddon. If I don't... tell them to forgive me."
And then, he drank the potion.
Moments later, Enzo returned to normal, no longer a wandering spirit. And for Taro... nothing happened. Enzo used {Soul Vision} to check on him.
"Unbelievable. Your illness is gone. And all your powers stayed the same," he said, stunned.
"Well, looks like there's still hope," Taro said, smiling. "Now that everything's done, I can go back."
"Before you go, take these," Enzo said, handing him two golden keys.
"One opens a portal to the dark realm, the other to here."
"How do I use them?" Taro asked.
"Just turn them like a door key... except in midair," he explained.
"Thanks. I'll be off now," Taro replied, waving.
A few minutes later, he opened a portal outside the kingdom.
Back in Abodo's house, someone knocked on the door three times, then walked in. It was Taro.
"So, how's everything going?" He asked.
"Better than you'd expect, especially with my main power: {Berserk Mode}!" Vincy replied.
Taro paused, then smiled and said:
"Sweet! How about you, Yukiko?"
"Same here. I improved my awareness and defense," she said.
"Nice work. I mastered my secret technique too," Taro added. "Vincy, go ahead and call Ema."
Vincy grabbed the telephone. Meanwhile, Yukiko looked at Taro and asked:
"Ne, Taro... what's that technique?"
Taro smiled and answered confidently:
"A technique that can destroy the darkness!"