The sequence of action that lead into the saving of the boy's life are questionable to most. It would take either unnerving courage and commitment both coupling together and mutating into a powerful sense of justice and chivalry or, in most cases, a complete misjudging of the situation and deep sense of impatience coupled with the right amount of foolishness to amount to the perfect crazy for one to attempt it.
Or in the light for those who recognize themselves as believers of the saints, it would be a well timed miracle of happenings that was graced to the true servants and followers as a gift for their servitude. And in the end
But in a world created under he whim of an almighty being or beings, the safety of the boy's life is attributed to something else. Something on a higher degree far from human capabilities. Something regulated by the true relationship of man to the universe around them. Something placed by the will of the gods in service for those bound to be in service of others. Placed by the same gods that gifted the world of its saints and cursed it of its sins.
A law for the weak and a law for the gifted.
***
The scene shifted too quickly for her eyes to follow. One moment she watched the flaming roof of the building tower down and the other the figure of the boy completely obscured by rising dust and smoke under the embrace of a dark brown haired figure,
She had seen that figure before. More than that actually. For a certain period of time she had taken care of him in many of his reckless endeavors in attempts to climb the old sycamore tree that grew by the river.
Her hands tightened in hope that it might be so. She looked around in hope to see them but all she could see were the slowly charring wood of the rooftop and behind it a raging flame slowly consuming the house from which the roof came from.
Her eyes darted once more, this time an image of the kid's body engulfed under the burning ember creeping into her mind.
'No!' she thought. She wanted to hold on hope. Hope that somewhere in that ball of flames the kid was alright, unscathed by the fire. Her fingers locked together in prayer for the boy's life. From where she stood possible saving routes for the boy were minimal. The rooftop had completely taken up the path just past its porch and as for the building its structure had already been compromised, a single bash and it would all trail down crushing all under it.
" Lozo! " A sudden shout a little far back behind her came. The shout was excited. She turned.
It was the children. Their eyes still filled with tears but smiles of relief pasted on their faces. She turned back to the burning building… and there they were… walking in the middle of the flame, yet only one of them seemed to be in pain.
" Lozo! " The kids shouted again as they watched as the close to sixteen year old boy walk out of the burning building with the boy in hand.
" Lozo! " The caregiver called as she quickly moved towards them. Her eyes had softened as she dropped to hug the boy.
" Are you okay ? " She asked repeatedly scanning the boy for any flame marks or burns.
" Mmm. " The boy said nodding his head.
" Lozo appeared and jumped into the flames with me before that thing fell. " The kid tried to give his view on the incident.
The caregiver turned looking up to the boy. To Lozo.
" That really hurt though. " Lozo said scratching the back of his head.
" I'm sure it did, are you okay ? " The caregiver asked.
" Are you okay, Lozo ? " She asked again.
Lozo only shook his head. His eyes looked towards the other children then suddenly they turned dire.
" Where's Hinari ? " He asked.
There was something strange. Compared to the boy Lozo seemed more hurt and in pain hidden plainly under a smile facade. His clothes were torn revealing the fresh scotch marks on his skin. The clothes themselves were also charred mainly at the ends turning their former creamy white color to a solid dark scar on them. He also seemed breathless. It was as if he was holding something back, something that was hurting him and burning him from the inside. But none of that mattered now.
" I thought she was with you. " The caregiver said.
Suddenly Lozo's eyes shot up. They widened as he turned to her.
" You have to go now!" he ordered her.
" Get the children out of here. I'll go and find Hinari" He said pushing her by her shoulder.
" Lozo, is something wrong ? " She asked on seeing the tense look on his face.
" Just hurry up and get to the gates. I'll find — "
" Well well well. What do we have here? " A crackly voice interrupted Lozo.
" Hurry up and go, Now !! " Lozo bellowed as he turned to meet the fiend behind them.
His skin acted as a canvas of the flickering orange and yellow flames that surrounded him. Under it his muscles and tissue barely contained, only emphasizing on the raw strength his vulpine veins wielded. A built structure coupled with extensive scars, some fresh, leading to his cleanly shaved head that shone under the stray light of the flames. His eyes blood shot, not from the smoke just a natural testament of the blood-lust in his soul. And the final irk was the heinous grin on his face as he stared at Lozo.
" No need to worry kids, " He said after seeing all of them scamper and huddle around the legs of the caregiver.
" I'm only here to do my job and take care of him. The rest of you are free to go, " he said pointing at Lozo.
" What do you want with Lozo, you demon ? " The caretaker asked hesitantly.
The grin widened.
" Under my lords orders I only wish to eradicate this land of its sins. I the valiant Saint Jumbo will honor my Lord by killing the last of Sin that plagued this land… " the fiend gloated.
Lozo's breath grew heavy. The fiends presence send chills across his currently overheating body. He understood to well the words of the man. He understood why even with a devil's grin the man's eyes flared with ecstasy as he flaunted his intent to kill and eradicate all Sins that plagued the world. That's because he for one was a Sin.
Lozo exhaled, a peaceful breath of relief in the smoke filled area.
" Listen to me. " He called out to the caregiver.
" Take the kids and go. He wont follow you. "
" Lozo ? " The boy he had just saved called out in a gentle diminished voice. It was evident with fear and worry.
To think that the boy was more scared of a man, in this case a saint, than scorching flames. The irony, Lozo thought.
" Don't worry you'll be safe. I'll find Hinari and come back safe and sound. " He said giving the kids his usual playful smile.
" Lozo? " The caregiver called. Her voice had changed. It wasn't the warm hearted worried one from a while back.
Lozo sighed. ' Can't believe she's changed in such a short time. "
" Head to the gates. He's only here for me. " He said to caregiver.
" Come on children… Le… Let's go. " She said frantically trying to get farther from Lozo.
" What about Lozo ? " A child cried in worry for Lozo.
" No! His fate is now for the Saints to decide. " She said as she led the hesitant children away.
" Look at that… she's a true believer, don't you think ? "The saint asked, his face inches from Lozo's.