Chapter 6: Effect
“He’s waking up.”
The voice reached him through fog.
“He’s alive—Taro is alive. Come! Hurry, Warden!”
Taro’s eyes fluttered open. The ceiling swam above him, white and unfamiliar, his body heavy as if it had been dragged through stone.
The Warden stepped into view, hands clasped behind his back, eyes sharp and unreadable.
“You did well, soldier,” the Warden said. “Because of your performance, you won’t be assigned to village-level duty. I’m sending you to Level Two instead.”
Taro swallowed. “Level Two?”
The Warden’s lips curled faintly. “Congratulations. Suicidal missions.”
Taro exhaled a dry laugh. “I just woke up, and you’re already talking about suicide missions? Old man, you’re crazy.”
The Warden’s gaze hardened instantly. “Watch your mouth. Another word like that and I’ll demote you—or throw you in a cell.”
“Yes, sir,” Taro said quickly, then turned his head. “M… what are you doing here? Don’t tell me you took care of me again.”
M folded her arms, pretending not to smile. “I did. You should be grateful.” She hesitated, then added, softer, “It’s my day off. Want to hang out?”
Taro groaned. “I just woke up.”
“Fine,” she said quickly. “I mean—okay. I’ll meet you in the town square.”
“Sure.”
After putting on his uniform, Taro made his way to the town square. The streets buzzed with life, but his legs still felt weak.
Where is that stupid girl? he thought. Please just appear already. I’m exhausted.
“Hi, Taro!”
“Whoa!” He spun around. “You scared me. Where did you even come from? The sky? Did you fall from the sky?”
“Shut up,” M snapped, then softened. “Let’s just spend some time together.”
“I don’t want to.”
“What do you mean, you don’t want to?”
Taro sighed. “Then why do you think I’m here, idiot? I came to spend time with you. You’re foolish.”
Unluckily, time was not on his side.
A soldier approached, breathless. “You’re needed. Mission orders.”
Taro paused, then nodded. “Goodbye,” he said quietly.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
M forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
They assembled near Blitz Village.
A tall man stepped forward, armor dark and worn. “Your previous commander is dead,” he said flatly. “I am Commander Bushido. We move soon. Our enemy is less than a kilometer away.”
“Sir!” a soldier shouted. “There’s a shadow—wherever it moves, everything turns black!”
Bushido’s eyes narrowed. “A mutated enemy. Likely a wizard from Wano—the most advanced kingdom.”
Taro’s chest tightened.
This shadow dries everything it touches, he thought. Turns it to ash. It might even drain life itself. So this is the effect… Anything is possible. I have to stay alert.
Bushido raised his blade. “This will be difficult. But we fight to the death! My soldiers will never lose! My soldiers will fight! My soldiers will rage! My soldiers will never surrender!”
He pointed forward. “The one who kills the shadow will be rewarded with a fortune. Soldiers—charge!”
“This is insane,” Taro muttered. “Fighting without information…”
A scream cut through the air.
“Our comrade—he turned into a shadow!” another soldier cried. “No—there are more! They multiply!”
A single strike.
A body fell.
“Shadow!” Taro shouted, forcing himself forward. “Come on then. Let’s see if you can handle me. I’ll tear you apart.”
The fight did not last long.
“No—no!” Taro screamed. “Don’t kill me! Please! I beg you!”
And then—
Silence.
“We know their weakness now!” Bushido roared. “Attack the limbs! If we survive, we take this knowledge back and save others. Fight!”
When the dust settled, there was no trace of Taro.
Five hundred soldiers.
Two shadows.
Victory.
They returned to the kingdom with the truth about the enemy’s weakness.
M stood alone.
“Where are you, Taro?” she whispered. “I can’t live without you. You made me smile… truly smile.”
Her voice broke. “Are you dead? No… that can’t be.”
A voice echoed from somewhere unseen.
“Embrace it, Taro. There is no escape. Embrace it.”
Next Saturday: Transformation.
