The Struggle
On the store counter, Kanami let out a silent scream. Emotions and memories flooded his mind, confirming that what had just happened was real. Panic overtook him, and his body trembled with fear. He rushed to the bathroom and vomited.
He was terrified. "It was just a nightmare. I was only imagining things. It's just my mind playing tricks on me. This can't be real," he told himself, even though he knew it was a lie.
He heard a faint voice speaking. "Listen, kid, I didn't expect any of this to happen. I was just going through a phase?" The voice was completely different from the crazy man's voice earlier — it was just a soft, feminine voice.
He looked around. There were no mirrors. There was nothing else.
"Here, down here. What's your name?"
He couldn't believe his eyes. The cat he had found earlier — she was talking.
"Oh, don't worry. You'll get used to it. My name is Mai, an old witch from the Forgotten Land. And you?"
Kanami didn't know what to say or do, but he knew exactly what he was feeling: anger, betrayal, and hatred. He reached out and grabbed Mai tightly. "So all of this is because of you, Mai. Why did you drag me into this?"
Mai stayed silent in the boy's hands for a moment, then said, "Listen, it's not like I walk around dragging everyone behind me. It's your fault in the first place because you took this cat from the trash with you." Mai jumped over his head and sat down. "You don't have time for all this crying. Nothing will change unless you move, because we are now the target of those hunters."
Kanami asked, "The hunters?"
Mai looked at him with confidence and said, "The hunters are mercenaries created by the ones in power — let's call them kings — to eliminate anyone who threatens their rule. And now, they're looking for us."
She paused, then continued, "They're searching for us. I chose you as my ally because the moment I saw you, I felt that you might be the key to my victory."
Kanami stared at her in silence. His expression said everything. " we? Who's we? Do you really think I will help you just like that? You dragged me into this nightmare, and now you're explaining it as if it's nothing. Why? Why did you let me die?"
Mai met his gaze with a calm, expressionless look. "I was only testing you. I didn't expect that to happen." She extended her paw. "Take my hand. I will make you strong enough to defeat them."
Kanami thought for a moment, then said, "No."
Mai replied with pure anger, "What do you mean 'no'? If you don't do it, you will be killed."
He answered, "You're the one who's going to get killed here. This is your problem."
"Listen, kid, you're going to die in this state. I only reversed time by three hours. Your death is inevitable if you don't fight.
Whether you run or stay here, whether you cry or panic — whatever your decision is, you will die if you don't try to kill him. That's the last thing I'll say. And just because I feel some pity, I'll waste some time training you."
In that instant, the small bathroom room changed into a green plain.
Mai transported herself and the boy to her private place — a vast green plain under a blue sky dotted with clouds. A wide land with a large, beautiful tree in the middle, its leaves sparkling with the light breeze.
"Do you want to know why I chose you?"
Kanami nodded, surprised and puzzled. "Hey listen who said I agreed to any of this? Where are we?"
Mai smiled a light smile, ignoring his question. "Because your soul carries what we call in the Forgotten Land 'Pure Ash' — one of the five basic elements of power. With my guidance, you will be ready to defeat the mercenary hunters… and perhaps even surpass me."
Kanami rubbed his face, trying to calm himself. "What do you mean by that?"
Mai explained, "The five elements of power are: Ash, the element of determination; Glass, the element of greed; Void, the element of fear; Light, the element of freedom; and the Unknown, the element of knowledge. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, its unique powers and limits."
Kanami stared into space. "And why is my power so special that you dragged me into all of this?"
Mai's voice became impatient. "Determination is a rare and powerful gift, but with you it's hopeless. You'll understand with time. Now, let's start your training. Soon, you'll understand what I mean."
Kanami looked at her. "We don't have time. Why don't you fight them yourself?"
Mai leaned forward. "You may not realize it yet, but think carefully. I can fight, and my real power far exceeds theirs. But if I reveal myself now, they will hunt me down immediately. That would be foolish. You need to be on the front lines if you want your freedom, Kanami. I will guide you to every victory. And no matter how many times you fall, we will rise again — together. My will, your will… don't you feel it?"
Kanami felt a shiver run through his body.
He had to fight until the end.
Kanami rested on the grass. "Yeah, okay, but how exactly? The difference is huge, like the difference between the earth and the sky. Didn't you see how that guy did whatever he wanted while I tried with everything I had and died in the most horrible way? You said I would kill him with this — for sure, for sure. I believed you, for sure." Kanami lay on his back, watching the sky. "Can't we just sit here until it's all over? It would be more peaceful and…" Then he fell asleep on the grass.