Fire Fury Freedom

by Amanda Rose

  Suako gradually fell asleep in his arms. Vince picked the rice pot up and placed it beside the fire for morning. His body was all too eager to join her in the unconscious realm of sleep, and the stars carried him away. The fire was just warm enough to provide them comfort throughout the long night.

  The rest of the journey was quite similar, as they hurried to get to the Old Ryoko. It was a test of endurance, which they admirably passed. Snow began to fall from the grey leaden skies as they persisted northward. They kept moving constantly to prevent the bitter biting frostbite from getting hold of their vulnerable bodies as the days got shorter and shorter. The sun bounced of the white ground blindingly; the glare was nearly intolerable during the daytime.

  The final two days they found themselves with Yoshida nipping at their heels. Yu-Lee had spotted them one night when she got up to take a sip of water. His fire was blazing in the distance not far behind them. Without hesitation she woke the others and put out their own fire. It was time for them to hurry ahead while Yoshida and Okichi rested. Luckily, Okichi had been slowing him down somewhat. They figured Yoshida was not a patient man, especially when his long-lost target was so plainly within his reach. His tolerance of her required breaks, they assumed, would to be little to none.

  When the three passed over the top of the hill overlooking the seaside city they nearly collapsed from exhaustion. They were about a day ahead of Yoshida, and utterly fatigued from sustaining their lead. They were so overfilled with joy that their journey to their companions was nearly over they ran down the sloping hill. After the exhilarating run they found themselves struggling the last stretch of flat ground before the city walls.

  Once they reached the city they felt as if they’d entered a ghost city. A few people then poked their heads from within their homes to look at them. They felt like researchers were eyeing them down. “Stop walking,” Yu-Lee commanded suddenly from the rear. “What is it?” Suako asked, her hand at the ready on her gun. “Shh!” Yu-Lee intuitively tried to use a technique Otojiro had taught her. She tried to reconstruct in her mind to the effect of someone inhabiting the town.

  Vince and Suako watched, neither had any idea what was taking place. They watched as Yu-Lee’s head jutted back occasionally, as if she’d been hit in the face. Suako soon could make out a faint sighting of energy flow coming from the crown of Yu-Lee’s head which extended to the limits of Old Ryoko. Upon seeing it she released the hold on her weapon. “It’s alright Vince,” she told him calmly. He didn’t ask what she’d discovered to have made her say that, he simply trusted her instincts, and let down his guard.

  “Ok, it’s all right,” Yu-Lee declared opening her eyes. “What did you do?” Vince questioned, looking between the two girls for an explanation. Suako didn’t know exactly what Yu-Lee had done either, only that she’d been in sync with the life energy of Old Ryoko. “I looked into the minds of those living in this place. We are a rarity, people don’t visit here very often. There are negative feelings toward the C.D.F.P. I believe they want to make sure the C.D.F.P. don’t come here, but it wasn’t very clear,” she told them. She squinted her eyes and rubbed her temples, images of the town still flooded her vision.

  “Are you ok?” Vince asked, as Yu-Lee tended to her head. “I’m fine, I’ll just need a moment… anyway, we can talk to these people,” she told them. She blocked off the images within a few moments, and they went up to one of the homes where a woman had just exited to commence hanging some laundry. “Excuse me, miss?” Vince asked approaching the woman. Shyly, and with much hesitation, the woman turned, “Y-yes?” her plain face made her vigorously moving eyes all that much more noticeable. “It’s alright. We’re just passing through,” Yu-Lee told the young lady, placing her hand in a caring manner on her shoulder. “Here let us help you,” Suako offered and began to help pin up the laundry with Yu-Lee.

  “Uh… Th-thank you?” the woman was rather dazed. She felt uncomfortable and pulled the quilted wrap she wore around her shoulders even tighter around her body. “We’re looking for our friends. They should’ve come here a few weeks ago…” Vince began to explain. The woman’s nervousness seemed to melt at that moment. “Oh, you’re friends of the descendent! Please follow me. They are staying with Seresuto and her husband Adamu,” she divulged to them, and swept a tuff of unruly hair back behind her ear.

  The woman then sped off towards the waterfront, and they all followed her, trying to keep up with her fast-paced step. “The descendant?” Suako questioned Vince. He just shrugged and whispered back, “Hey, don’t ask me!” They figured she was referring to someone in their party, but none the less were unable to figure out what the whole title was about.

  Through back ally ways, and main streets, they finally emerged at the beach. The woman who led them their walked up to one of the homes and thumped on the door. “Seresuto? Are you there?” she called. The door opened seconds later with a distinct squeak. “Yes? Oh, hey! What are you doing here?” A robust woman answered whom they assumed to be the lady Seresuto, which the townswoman had spoken of. She was in the midst of pulling back her thick head of hair into a ponytail, when she’s opened the door. “These people claim to be friends of the visitors you have hidden away in there,” she said, showing them off as if they were prizes. “Oh… well don’t just stand there, go inside,” Seresuto bluntly said to them. As they stepped through the doorways they heard Seresuto thank her friend before re-entering her home.

  “Wow…” Vince looked at all of the plant life, and pleasantly inhaled the fresh air within the home. “I knew the city felt easier to breathe in but I…” he paused and took in a deep breath, “…didn’t see a dome.” “Mmm, the air is sweet,” Suako licked her lips. Yu-Lee walked passed the two standing in the centre of the room and over to the thriving plants. Under her breath, so quiet no one could hear, “Okagwa… you live on…” she smiled with her eyes. “Well common now don’t just stand there!” the ever bossy Seresuto rolled her eyes and indicated for them to follow her into the next room, and they did just that.

  “Vince, Suako!” Mei exclaimed popping out of her seat and rushing over to her friends. “Reunited just in time,” Jenko commented to Mack sipping his wine with a huge grin on his face. “Welcome back you two,” Mack said getting up to greet them. “Where’s Kairu?” Vince asked looking around. “He’s over at an old monument. He should be back soon,” Jenko told them as he poured some wine for the new arrivals. “Good t’ave ya back,” Kato welcomed Suako with a friendly hug, and nodded at Vince with smile.

  Yu-Lee stood behind Suako and Vince, quiet as a church mouse. An observer by nature, she was happy to see just how close this group was that she was becoming a part of. “Ah, now who might this be?” Mack examined the new arrival with kind eyes. She intently reached out her hand to shake his, “I am Yu-Lee sir. If I may, I’d like to help you fight the C.D.F.P,” he took her hand and in a very gentleman like manner brought it high and placed a kiss upon it. “Well, I’m Mack, and you’re welcome to join us Yu-Lee. The more the better,” he laughed. They all fell into his spell of guffawing. “Ha! Ha! Well thank you very much!” Yu-Lee said through her laughs. Squeak! The door opened. Kairu came into the room and saw the new three standing around the others. “Welcome back,” he formally told them. “Good to see you Kairu,” Vince smiled.

  “Come now everyone, sit have a drink and a bite to eat…” Jenko started to say. Suddenly reality fell like a pile of bricks back onto Vince’s conscience. “I wish we could, but we have to leave immediately,” he said, his voice no longer pleasant and gleeful. “Whoa! Whoa! What?” Kato looked at him in utter confusion. “We’re being followed…” and so he sat and the three of them explained the situation to everyone nearly in full. They neglected to mention Okichi in front of Kairu, to prevent him from acting impulsively. Now it was apparent to everyone that time was of the essence. General Yoshida was not far behind them, the time to act was now. After they were all informed of the circumstances they deliberated in for nearly
an hour.

  “…The tide is just not ready yet, like I said before…” Adamu shook his head in slight dismay. “It’s now or never. Adamu don’t be so weak. We’ll manage,” His wife quickly overthrew the validity of his opinion. “Even if we hover away from the coast where they can’t see us until it’s the right time, we need to go,” Vince urged them. Suako nodded in agreement to back up his plight. Mack sat silently analysing the information presented to him in his head carefully. After a few moments of analytical thought, he came to his conclusion, “Alright everyone, pack up. We move out tonight. It’s the only way.” And with that everyone fled to their duties. “Yee haw, here we go,” Jenko cheered, and downed the last of the wine from his glass before springing into action.

  “Alright I’ll go and get the ship. It’ll take me a few hours to get it to the shore here. Make sure you’re all ready,” Adamu resigned to the decision. He pulled a camel colored robe over himself as a shield from the sun, for crossing the land outside the city to the ship’s hidden location. He kissed Seresuto goodbye and then left promptly.

  Seresuto took on food duty, packing as many preservatives and long-lasting fruits and vegetables away as she could. Yu-Lee helped her. Suako and Vince went to get some fishing equipment that Seresuto had instructed them to get. The others were busy packing up their gear. Kairu made one last trip to the grand political office to pay tribute to his ancestral roots.

  The first moment available, Vince stole Mack away from the rest of the group, “Hey Mack, there’s more we didn’t tell you. Yoshida has a hostage, he kidnapped Okichi.” Mack nodded, then shook his head in disgust. “The bastard hasn’t changed at all...” Mack signs. “Yeah well, if he thinks that her father lied to him about us being here there’s gonna be trouble. We have to leave some evidence we were here… I think we should keep Kairu in the dark on this. What do you think?” Vince said. “For now, we have to worry about getting out of here… Anyway, I’ll make sure he knows I was here,” Mack said as he was walking away, “Thanks Vince.” “No prob, Boss,” Vince said.

  Rushing was something they were all now thoroughly acquainted with. Seresuto left Yu-Lee to finish up with filling barrels with fresh water. Seresuto still had to pack for herself and Adamu for the long voyage. In her usual fashion, she barked at the first person she saw for help, and Kato just happened to be her unlucky victim.

  The short hours passed by quickly. Mei was bringing different bags from within the house out onto the beach to await placement on the ship, when she saw the ship not too far off in the distance. “Hey everyone, let’s boogie!” she called. Mei jogged back inside and saw everyone looking at her questionably. “Hey common, Adamu’s getting close. Double time!” she reiterated to them. The pace was picked up, as they hurried to finishing their preparations.

  The ship pulled into the harbour as the sun was nearing the horizon. Leaving by dusk would provide them with a comfortable blanket of cover from any searching eyes. The vessel was a very dark metallic, it’s old age was evident from the rust on the anchor. There was a lengthy deck that would make fishing simplistic, the craft itself was thirty feet long. Kairu thought it was quite small for the invading Empire to have sent. He asked and Mack explained it to be an operative ship, used to maintain a base for communication between all the other soldier-infested vessels.

  Adamu sounded the horn, and it echoed powerfully through the air. “Everyone, last chance to get anything you’ve forgotten,” Mack reminded them, as he placed down the last of the bags to carry to the beach. The horn had drawn a crowd of the locals to the beach; the people came to see them off. Kindly some of the stronger men offered to help load the ancient ship, and the group accepted gratefully, and said their goodbyes to the townspeople. Seresuto never got soppy, and found her husbands emotional parting from his only blood family, his cousin, to be utterly ridiculous. “We’ll be back in a few everyone. Nothing to see here,” she huffed and climbed up a ladder onto the deck.

  “Be safe Adamu,” His cousin embraced him with a loving hug, “we’ll miss you,” she smiled. “Thank you, Hitoshi. I’ll miss you too… I’ll save the world for you and Seresuto,” he told her kissing her cheek. He pulled away and boarded the ship, and everyone followed him and climbed on the ship. A big ruckus was made when Kairu disappeared from view of the townspeople.

  Mack was the last up the ladder. He turned to wave to everyone, when he noticed not too far off in the distance a couple shady figures at the top of a hill. “Yoshida…” he whispered beneath his breath. He hopped down from the ladder, on to the deck, and ran over to the door leading to the bridge, and knocked on the door. Vince saw Mack leave and looked out along the horizon, couldn’t quite make out what Mack did, but noticed the figures as well. “Mack hurry, we have to go!” he called out urgently. “Adamu, we have to leave now, go!” Mack commanded.

  They pulled away from the shore and the people returned to their homes. They were informed briefly about the upcoming visitors that they were to receive. Seresuto and Adamu requested from everyone to act as normally as possible to divert any unwanted attention about their unlawful inhabitation.

  They anchored themselves not too far off the coast, just out of sight from the shore of Old Ryoko, to await the turn of the current flow. The water made the temperature drastically cooler aboard the ship; they felt like they were trapped within a tin can that had been placed in a freezer. The metal construction of the boat adapted the temperature of the water that surrounded its body, making the stay within bitterly unpleasant. They huddled under blankets and wished-for heat. Occasionally, Yu-Lee would use all her strength and get the life energy to speed up the particles in the air to warm them up, but such sprints only lasted for about twenty minutes before she’d nearly collapse from exhaustion.

  The group spent most of their time in the mess hall sitting around a large table that had been bolted to the floor.

  They talked about possible scenarios that could be happening back in Old Ryoko. It would be nearly a week before they could truly depart the continent and begin the journey across the bitter sea. Adamu warned them about how rough and unkind the sea was to those who ventured out onto it. They were well prepared for when the time would come, and until then all that was left to do was wait for the days to pass…

  We will cross the ocean to new lands. What will we find? What else exists on this earth?

  Chapter 12: Tin Can

  “Dear Diary,

  We have been riding the current for two horrendously long weeks now. We have been tossed about like a ball in play in a child’s game. Yu-Lee has found herself quite ill, much to our disappointment. Her incapacity has prevented her from being able to focus long enough to stir the particles into creating heat. There is a wall of frost that has been slowly developing down in the belly of the ship, we’ll be lucky if we don’t arrive at the Imperial Continent as ice cubes.

  Adamu has informed all of us of what to expect when we are trying to get onto the continent. He says he’s fished near there once. He didn’t near the shores too much, but he said he noticed that the ports were all saturated with posted guards. Much to our surprise he said the continent itself it minuscule in physical size compared to ours. I have theorised that they must have had too large a population to support on their own lands, and that’s why they invaded our continent, they needed the space. Of course, this is just my personal observation. I don’t really know why they attacked, and whenever anyone speaks of it is sounds like it was a sudden rather rash decision.

  We’ve all been doing well to make Seresuto’s stash of food last, though Suako is looking quite thin. She seems distracted lately. In fact, since Okagwa she’s been quite different. I haven’t had the courage to ask her what happened yet. She doesn’t have her flighty spirit anymore. What could have happened to her?

  Mei and Kato have spent most of their time in their barracks. They collected a bunch of dislocated guns from a heap in Old Ryoko which they are putting back together to pass the time. Entertainment ha
s been nil around here. I’ve been giving Suako her space, I know she needs her time to think. Mack and Jenko are spending their time focusing on coming up with plan after plan for what to do when we arrive. Other then that, Jenko has been preparing to map the continent. Kairu has his nose in the books, which I’ve often had to borrow to bide the time. I’m glad he brought them from Old Ryoko. Seresuto spends her time bossing Adamu around the hull to “clean the dump up”, whenever he isn’t trying to steer us about.

  To say the least life is rather bleak right now, and I’m looking forward to getting to the continent. I can’t even go on the deck much anymore, it’s frozen over with ice. Sometimes Adamu will get us to go fishing. It isn’t any fun. The only benefit is later cooking it, the tiny stove fire is warm. Since it’s the best heat we have everyone will volunteer to fish just to get to be in front of that radiating heat; everyone but Suako that is. I worry about her.

  Sincerely,

  Vince”

  He placed his book on top of his cot, and hopped down onto the floor. Meandering out slowly, he walked into the mess hall and fixed himself a cup of tea. Jenko sat at the table scaling his map and writing the title “Imperial Continent” as neatly as he could. Adamu came in after setting the ship up to go straight for the next hour; the water was calmer then usual. Jenko and Adamu appreciated the extra cups of tea Vince poured for them, as he passed them their cups. “Thanks Vince,” Jenko smiled. “Thanks,” Adamu said. The steaming liquid, nearly hot enough to burn the oesophagus as it crawled down into their stomachs, warded off the cold from their cores.