Chapter 390 - The Child in The Darkness

To their surprise the area they had ventured into was not a trap or trial. It was actually as serene as it had appeared to be. One of Jiro's men caved and ate the fruit that hung from the trees, they all watched him eat greedily and waited for something to happen. 5 minutes, 10 minutes then an hour went by but nothing happened. The other quickly pounced on the fruit and ate to their hearts content. "I'm trying the fish next." The soldier said as the others continued to eat their fruit.

He rushed over towards the small lake and looked inside. "It's filled with the fattest fish I have ever seen in my life!" He happily shouted back to the others. Jiro and his men laughed as they watched the soldier catch the fish skillfully with his bare hands. They then quickly started a fire and ate the fish. They had no idea how much timw had passed by but their bellies were full and the their minds were at peace.

This was true paradise. "We should head out." Jiro said as they sat aound looking at the sky. "Do we really have to leave? This place is heaven and we seem to be safe." A soldier said as the others nodded their head in agreement. "We need to save all our fallen comrades. There will be no debate about it. I will move forward and if you choose to stay then stay. I will not put your lives in any more danger." Jiro said with conviction.

His men hung their heads in shame as they all sat in silence. Jiro got up and sighed as he dusted off his armor. "Stay safe. Watch each others back. It may seem safe here but one never knows." Jiro said before he took his leave. His last four men watched as he slowly started to move further and further away from them. "Please stay alive." Jiro whispered into the small breeze before he exited the area. The next room was completely black. 

Jiro looked around as his eys started to adjust. ".... Cl...ose." A small voice called out. Jiro's body went into high alert. He drew out his sword and held it high. "....Clo...se." The voice called out again. Jiro stepped cautiously forward and nothing happened. He took a few more steps forwards and felt a change in the floor. "....Clos-s-se." The voice called out again. 

Jiro clutched the grip of the sword and moved even further. The sounds his feet made as it made contact with the floor sounded completely different. It was like he was no longer on the cold steel or grassy field but on the bare earth. "So-o close." The voice said a little louder. Jiro caught the sound of the voice and it sounded like a small child. 

"Who is there?" He called out as he lowered his sword. "Who are you?" The child like voice called out. Jiro carefully thought of what he wanted to do next and then decided to put his sword away. He then took a few more steps forward and with a loud, clear voice he repplied to the child like voice. "I can not give you my name but know this. I am a Commander of a large army. I am in search of an opal from legend. The opal of Princess Masao."

"... That is a funny name. I don't think I have ever heard that name before. Why do you want the opal of Princess Masao?" The child like voice asked "I need to gain it's power. I need my men to become more powerful so that we can serve our Emperor and the Nation. My men are looking for honour and glory while gaining power and wisdom." Jiro replied. 

"That's not what I asked." The child like voice asked with a heavy sigh. "I do not understand. I answered your question." Jiro replied with confusion. "I asked why you want the opal." The child like voice stated. "Me?" Jiro asked in return. "Yes." The child like voice shouted happily. "I, I...." Jiro started to say but he could feel himself starting to panic. "Yes?' The child like voice coaxed.

"I wanted the same as my men and Emperor but now..." Jiro said with a pained voice. He tried to clutch his heart as an ache spread through out his body. "B-u-t?" The child like voice sang. "But it is not what I want any more." Jiro admitted. "Really?!" The child like voice shouted excitedly. 

"Yes." Jiro replied with a disgusted look. Suddenly a small red flame lit up in the middle of the sea of darkness. "Tell me! Tell me what you want!" The child like voice said with so much enthusiasm. "I want my men to be revived." Jiro started and the child like voice started to giggle as the red flame started to grow in size. 

"I want my men to live long and healthy lives." Jiro continued as he took a few steps towards the light. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Tell me more!" The child like voice laughed and the flame grew bigger and bigger. "I want this stupid war to end and for everyone to live in peace." Jiro started to say with more convicton as he started to walk faster towards the light.

"I want Tu to be revived and live a long life. I want to see her in her wedding garb and watch her turn from a bride to a wife. I want to start a family, for Tu ti become a mother and I want to live out in the country. Maybe even have a farm and live a simple life. I want my nephew to live a long life and rule with a merciful hand and great wisdom. I want to grow old and watch over all the people, see their smiling faces and hopefully see my grandchildren, no my great grandchildren!" Jiro started to rant happily.

"That's it!" The child like voice shouted and the flames blazed brightly and soon started to swirl. The heat and movement was starting to get intense but Jiro didn't feel any fear. He walked forward like a moth being drawn in by a flame of a candle. "I'll give you everything you want!" The child like voice said as the swirling flame started to condense. "Just pledge your soul to me." The child like voice said but in a deeper and richer tone.

The change shocked Jiro and he stopped moving right away. He watced the flames condesing and a bright flash was set off. He averted his gaze just in time. After a few breathes Jiro slowly looked back at the flames and saw something magnificent. A large, glowng opal floated a few feet before him. The flames from before had become encased with in the stone, moving and swirling with life. 

"Pledge yourself to me." The deep voice said. Jiro looked at the opal and narrowed his gaze. "Why shoud I? You decieved me." Jiro replied coldly.