Chapter 6:A War Of Suns
From afar,the sun's gleaming rays bounced off the earth.A soft breeze blew through the air. It was another day,unlike any other.Lush green plants covered the wide meadows,polluting the air with fresh smells.Insects of all kinds landed on the plants such as bees who wished to produce honey or simply the plants themselves wanting to achieve photosynthesis.
All these small goals were set for the day.The scene was set.A flock of doves spread their wings and set their adventure to roam the open skies.
It was early in the day.Not many were awake but some woke up earlier than everybody else.The sun was still rising so…everybody was in their deep sleep.The streets of Tokyo were quiet.
Each family rested in a cozy cabin or household of some sort,drifted to sleep.But the Genshi were awake.Despite being tired,Irai grabbed hold of his tanto and walked outside of the palace to do some training. He rubbed his eyes vigorously for a few seconds with blurry vision recurring constantly.Maku was again polishing his crown to be as shiny as possible even though he was practically half asleep.
Yanagi had been consistent in creating healthy drinks to cure her sickness,maybe Toru could learn from her as his research space was destroyed in the bombings.
All he had were his memories of knowledge.All in his head.Yanagi poured a cup of…ginger tea perhaps?Is that what she had created the previous times?Who knows.Not even herself.
She just copied what she did the previous times after mixing a bunch of elements together that seemed healthy and previously,Irai doubted that the ginger tea creation wouldn't work but she had called it basic science apparently.And finally.Last but not least…KIMIKO!
Oh…drifting asleep I see.
Welp that's a shame I really wanted to talk about her but I guess now was not the time.
Irai took a few steps forward,swinging his sword blindfolded. He wanted to increase his consistency and muscle memory in case of an injury.Light manipulation swirled through his blood rapidly and his eyes enlightened into a golden gloomy shade of light.
He controlled his breathing.Slow,deep breaths.The tanto sliced through a nearby branch of a tree in one swing. It came crashing down onto the ground,creating a sequence of mist around the area.Kimiko awoken from her slumber to the surprising sound.She looked out her window and shouted,
"BE MORE CAREFUL IRAI!I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!"
"That was a mistake Kimiko!"She puffed and closed the window,dazing off into whatever fantasies humans dream about.Maku and Yanagi however did not disturb Irai from his training.This was common. He did it numerous times.
As Irai went to clear the branch from his training area,something caught him off guard.Something felt off.Out of placement.Physically.There was a second sun rising opposite the first one.
"What the hell…"
He was so confused he felt as if he were dreaming and despite being in a world full of chaos,never in history had a second sun arose to the earth's sight.Other people in the distance of the Genshi palace started to notice it too.A little kid pointed at the second sun,she began to cry.
Her brain was too small and undeveloped to comprehend what was about to happen.The start of this chapter was meant to be peaceful.
It was meant to manipulate the reader into thinking this was going to be a normal chapter even with an odd name.But in the world of A Night In Tokyo,nothing ever happens perfectly.
Irai slide his sword back into his sword holder and walked back into the Genshi palace to tell the others.Since Yanagi was in the kitchen on the first floor,Irai rushed to Yanagi and explained that there were two suns orbiting at the same time.
"That's not possible Irai,don't be silly."
"ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN A WORLD OF FANTASY!JUST LOOK OUTSIDE."
"This better not be a trick…"
"No,it's not."Maku was already outside. He looked frozen,solid frozen.And when Yanagi saw it too,she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.
"I feel the need to throw up…"Yanagi muttered under her ginger smelling breath.
"Cover your mouth or vomit somewhere else that's not here. Or be useful and get Kimiko."
"On it."She rushed back inside to get Kimiko who was still half asleep but got dragged out of her bed by Yanagi.
"Kimiko look at this!Can you explain it?"Irai stammered. He pointed to the second sun.
"I guess I'm not the only one dreaming."She whispered,still tired.Her vision was blurry.From her lack of sleep or from the sun?Either one of them could be argued.
"Why are their two suns though?"Kimiko then spoke again.
"I don't know why.When I was cleaning my crown,two different shades of rays bounced off my crown so I took a peak outside and saw a completely different sun."
"What should we do about it?"Irai gripped onto his tanto firmly with one hand.His eyes were locked on Maku
"How am I meant to know?I don't think any of us could destroy or get rid of a literal sun somehow."
"This is really confusing me…"Yanagi rubbed her eyes.
Then the two suns spoke.
"I am the sun of lies."The second sun said.
"I am the sun of truth."The first sun added on.
A bright beam shone onto Irai who narrowed his eyes in that moment.
"Your lie is false confidence.You say you are confident.Just because you were born a Genshi and shaped by trauma doesn't make you a real leader."The real sun spoke.Irai began to sweat,ashamed of what the sun had said but it was true. He had just figured out that the suns would tell everybodies flaws whether they were true or not.
"Your truth is you admit you're not the strongest.You admit you can't always win and that is good."
The beam shone onto Maku.
"Your lie is that you don't admit your arrogance. Do you not feel guilty after bringing others down?Or are you corrupted by the idea of position of Emperor?"
Before Maku could answer,the artificial sun(Second sun) cut him off.
"Your truth is that…well..you used to be happier before you took on the role of Emperor."
A flash of realisation passed Maku like a bullet. He shedded a tear then wiped it away.His face was red skinned and now fuming with angry but he didn't dare to say a word.
The suns were right.
They were so right.But his flaw of arrogance acted like a barrier because no matter how true the suns were…he didn't want to admit it.
The rays went onto Kimiko who was still half asleep and could barely comprehend what was going on.
"Your lie is that you pretend you don't care.You act distant from everyone else.You pretend that you don't want to experience everything again.All those memories."
"Your truth is that you were never meant to follow Irai,you were meant to surpass him.Being younger isn't a disadvantage and neither is having less experience than him.You have more potential. So use it for good please.You're really lucky that your flaw determined your wielding power."
The suns moved onto Yanagi without hesitation and planned for every creature as well to be revealed.
"Your lie is that you hide your sickness.You act strong so nobody worries but you're truly terrified of…being seen as the weak one by others."
Her hands trembled in fear.She lost control of her body and it shook so much up to a point where she felt like she was having a seizure.The ginger scent from her mouth turned bitter,rotten.
"Your truth is that your kindness is real.You help others more than yourself Yanagi.And sometimes you need to be more selfish for the sake of your future,a better future."
Yanagi lowered her head and reconsidered what the suns had said.The suns began to move rapidly in a different direction away from the Genshi palace.Their turns were done now.
The suns went onto everybody near the Genshi palace then onto the other major characters of this book.While the suns exposed everyone,Maku rushed to calm down nearby citizens near the Genshi palace to keep stability and order.
He didn't want them to be provoked by the suns despite not being able to do anything about them.Logically and physically there was no way to stop the suns as it would take a lot of energy and power in order to destroy them…well atleast the second sun and not the first sun.The effects would've needed to wear off though if they were going to keep the first sun and the original sun only.
Yanagi tried to help people from passing out and previously I mentioned Maku trying to calm down the public.Kimiko however sensed time distortion.She felt something off about everything.
Everything was already off now that there were two suns judging every,exposing one truth and one lie about every single creature on planet earth and not just humans.Irai however ran into the Genshi Palace.Celestial began to flood all his past memories into his brain.
At a time like this,chaos and fear was easy to take hold very quickly.Irai sees a vision of Kurisu.
"Father?"He was clearly blinded by nostalgia.That was not his Father.Because his Father was dead.
"Father answer me."There was no response.The vision blurred and finally faded.Irai grabbed into the air desperately but…he felt nothing and opened his hand,staring at the palm of it.
A slight shimmer cracked through a nearby door.Irai walked up to it and hesitated to open but noticed it was the moonstone's natural sapphire glow. He snatched it from the dusty table it sat on.
"How unprotected you are…"A few times before the moonstone had talked to Irai and he never knew how a piece of glowing rock could talk by itself but this was a weird world we lived in.
"Hello samurai."AGH!He shouted,nearly smashing the moonstone on the floor.That is if it could break from a simple throw to the floor.
"I-It's been a while!Since we talked that is.."
"It has.I haven't really been able to properly introduce myself you see but…the ILO are on the verge of physically arriving to planet earth."Irai was lost for words. He didn't know the signs were over so soon.
"How do you know that?"
"Well because…"
"What?Tell me please I really want to know!"
"I'm a member of the ILO thats why.And ILO members can talk through…monko."
"Interesting,please,tell me more!"
"You're excited for the return of the ILO?"
"Well…I was asking about how you can communicate through a piece of glowing rock.Also what do you mean return of ILO?"The moonstone sighed as if it was tired of something.
"What is it?"Irai questioned. He was hyper and energetic to know.
"The ILO used to live on earth,like physically."
"Just the three of you?"
"Yes.Let me continue."
"Of course!I'm listening don't worry."
"We all came up with an idea to make things that live like us but are weaker life forms. We ascended spiritually to observe our creations. We already previously created the demon sorcerer dimension and earth as well as other planets so we just needed to add life in the normal dimension. So we created sea serpents then dragons then cursed crows and added an opposite counter part to the crow race,divine doves. We made navajo then humans as a last product. So there you have it. An ILO member just told you how we created all different types of species. Oh we also made regular animals and ability manipulation."
"Amazing!!!"Irai's eyes glared at the moonstone's brightness.
It then faded.The voice stopped talking. It stopped glowing and replying to Irai entirely.His smile got wiped clean off his face.
"Nothing lasts forever…"His voice's tone,now more mature and quiet.Sniffling Irai placed the moonstone in a safer spot and accepted it. He walked back outside to see one sun in the sky as normal.Maku,Kimiko and Yanagi all entered back inside,explaining the suns vanished before they could even move onto everybody else.
The citizens were still scarred for life.Imagine being judged by a big red burning ball in front of everybody?!That would've been horrifying for them.But it was over now.Over for good.Irai rested on his bed and stared at the open sky full of doves.A flock.A good flock.
They flew in troops as if they were communicating.But it was so perfect. If only people were as obedient and accepting as the doves gliding like that.
They were so free…Irai wished to be as free as them.
As free as a bird.
Imagine waking up one morning in a nest just to open your wings and fly wherever you please.
Eat whatever you please.
Go wherever you want even in groups maybe.
And you wouldn't be judged or controlled.
Irai let out a sigh of relief.
He closed his eyes,imagining true freedom and world peace.The relief after the rebellion is over. It's on the brink of starting but it hasn't yet which is bad for Irai. He doesn't want it to start at all.
He doesn't even want the thought of a rebellion existing.Irai just wants peace.But it isn't possible at the moment because most people are in despair. In poverty.And then a vision popped up in Irai's head,
It was a poor lady.She had a little kid beside her.Irai assumed it was her daughter.Both the woman and daughter were crying hard,very hard.They had rigged and dirty clothes that smelt revolting.
Obviously,they were homeless.Smoke in the abyss and distance covered what Irai could see.There was fire.Loads of fire.
The Prince Of Wrath was in the distance.
His fists were flaming.Irai thought to himself.The Prince Of Wrath?Who could that be?He didn't recall anyone under such a fearsome nickname.The figure was all black like a shadow expect for his fists.
And he could feel his warm breath from such a great distance. He seemed so familiar yet so distant but Irai just couldn't describe it.
"CANT YOU SEE?CANT YOU SEE WE'RE DYING HERE?"The woman cried out.She hugged her daughter tightly,keeping eye contact with Irai.
Simultaneously, it all faded and he snapped back into reality.A chilling breeze swoosh along his face.
He closed his eyes again,admiring the fresh wave of wind.The temperature and atmosphere was so perfect.Irai controlled his breather into a calm and controlled pattern.
His breath was so clear,he felt at peace.Maybe not true freedom or the ultimate goal of the perfect land of Edo but he felt good for the first time in a while and that was just enough for now.
Finally,Irai wrapped himself in his bed like a bug on a leaf,shutting his eyes one last time for the rest of the night.
Today was a crazy day,let's hope tomorrow would be better.
Chapter 6:A War Of Suns
From afar,the sun's gleaming rays bounced off the earth.A soft breeze blew through the air. It was another day,unlike any other.Lush green plants covered the wide meadows,polluting the air with fresh smells.Insects of all kinds landed on the plants such as bees who wished to produce honey or simply the plants themselves wanting to achieve photosynthesis.
All these small goals were set for the day.The scene was set.A flock of doves spread their wings and set their adventure to roam the open skies.
It was early in the day.Not many were awake but some woke up earlier than everybody else.The sun was still rising so…everybody was in their deep sleep.The streets of Tokyo were quiet.
Each family rested in a cozy cabin or household of some sort,drifted to sleep.But the Genshi were awake.Despite being tired,Irai grabbed hold of his tanto and walked outside of the palace to do some training. He rubbed his eyes vigorously for a few seconds with blurry vision recurring constantly.Maku was again polishing his crown to be as shiny as possible even though he was practically half asleep.
Yanagi had been consistent in creating healthy drinks to cure her sickness,maybe Toru could learn from her as his research space was destroyed in the bombings.
All he had were his memories of knowledge.All in his head.Yanagi poured a cup of…ginger tea perhaps?Is that what she had created the previous times?Who knows.Not even herself.
She just copied what she did the previous times after mixing a bunch of elements together that seemed healthy and previously,Irai doubted that the ginger tea creation wouldn't work but she had called it basic science apparently.And finally.Last but not least…KIMIKO!
Oh…drifting asleep I see.
Welp that's a shame I really wanted to talk about her but I guess now was not the time.
Irai took a few steps forward,swinging his sword blindfolded. He wanted to increase his consistency and muscle memory in case of an injury.Light manipulation swirled through his blood rapidly and his eyes enlightened into a golden gloomy shade of light.
He controlled his breathing.Slow,deep breaths.The tanto sliced through a nearby branch of a tree in one swing. It came crashing down onto the ground,creating a sequence of mist around the area.Kimiko awoken from her slumber to the surprising sound.She looked out her window and shouted,
"BE MORE CAREFUL IRAI!I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!"
"That was a mistake Kimiko!"She puffed and closed the window,dazing off into whatever fantasies humans dream about.Maku and Yanagi however did not disturb Irai from his training.This was common. He did it numerous times.
As Irai went to clear the branch from his training area,something caught him off guard.Something felt off.Out of placement.Physically.There was a second sun rising opposite the first one.
"What the hell…"
He was so confused he felt as if he were dreaming and despite being in a world full of chaos,never in history had a second sun arose to the earth's sight.Other people in the distance of the Genshi palace started to notice it too.A little kid pointed at the second sun,she began to cry.
Her brain was too small and undeveloped to comprehend what was about to happen.The start of this chapter was meant to be peaceful.
It was meant to manipulate the reader into thinking this was going to be a normal chapter even with an odd name.But in the world of A Night In Tokyo,nothing ever happens perfectly.
Irai slide his sword back into his sword holder and walked back into the Genshi palace to tell the others.Since Yanagi was in the kitchen on the first floor,Irai rushed to Yanagi and explained that there were two suns orbiting at the same time.
"That's not possible Irai,don't be silly."
"ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN A WORLD OF FANTASY!JUST LOOK OUTSIDE."
"This better not be a trick…"
"No,it's not."Maku was already outside. He looked frozen,solid frozen.And when Yanagi saw it too,she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.
"I feel the need to throw up…"Yanagi muttered under her ginger smelling breath.
"Cover your mouth or vomit somewhere else that's not here. Or be useful and get Kimiko."
"On it."She rushed back inside to get Kimiko who was still half asleep but got dragged out of her bed by Yanagi.
"Kimiko look at this!Can you explain it?"Irai stammered. He pointed to the second sun.
"I guess I'm not the only one dreaming."She whispered,still tired.Her vision was blurry.From her lack of sleep or from the sun?Either one of them could be argued.
"Why are their two suns though?"Kimiko then spoke again.
"I don't know why.When I was cleaning my crown,two different shades of rays bounced off my crown so I took a peak outside and saw a completely different sun."
"What should we do about it?"Irai gripped onto his tanto firmly with one hand.His eyes were locked on Maku
"How am I meant to know?I don't think any of us could destroy or get rid of a literal sun somehow."
"This is really confusing me…"Yanagi rubbed her eyes.
Then the two suns spoke.
"I am the sun of lies."The second sun said.
"I am the sun of truth."The first sun added on.
A bright beam shone onto Irai who narrowed his eyes in that moment.
"Your lie is false confidence.You say you are confident.Just because you were born a Genshi and shaped by trauma doesn't make you a real leader."The real sun spoke.Irai began to sweat,ashamed of what the sun had said but it was true. He had just figured out that the suns would tell everybodies flaws whether they were true or not.
"Your truth is you admit you're not the strongest.You admit you can't always win and that is good."
The beam shone onto Maku.
"Your lie is that you don't admit your arrogance. Do you not feel guilty after bringing others down?Or are you corrupted by the idea of position of Emperor?"
Before Maku could answer,the artificial sun(Second sun) cut him off.
"Your truth is that…well..you used to be happier before you took on the role of Emperor."
A flash of realisation passed Maku like a bullet. He shedded a tear then wiped it away.His face was red skinned and now fuming with angry but he didn't dare to say a word.
The suns were right.
They were so right.But his flaw of arrogance acted like a barrier because no matter how true the suns were…he didn't want to admit it.
The rays went onto Kimiko who was still half asleep and could barely comprehend what was going on.
"Your lie is that you pretend you don't care.You act distant from everyone else.You pretend that you don't want to experience everything again.All those memories."
"Your truth is that you were never meant to follow Irai,you were meant to surpass him.Being younger isn't a disadvantage and neither is having less experience than him.You have more potential. So use it for good please.You're really lucky that your flaw determined your wielding power."
The suns moved onto Yanagi without hesitation and planned for every creature as well to be revealed.
"Your lie is that you hide your sickness.You act strong so nobody worries but you're truly terrified of…being seen as the weak one by others."
Her hands trembled in fear.She lost control of her body and it shook so much up to a point where she felt like she was having a seizure.The ginger scent from her mouth turned bitter,rotten.
"Your truth is that your kindness is real.You help others more than yourself Yanagi.And sometimes you need to be more selfish for the sake of your future,a better future."
Yanagi lowered her head and reconsidered what the suns had said.The suns began to move rapidly in a different direction away from the Genshi palace.Their turns were done now.
The suns went onto everybody near the Genshi palace then onto the other major characters of this book.While the suns exposed everyone,Maku rushed to calm down nearby citizens near the Genshi palace to keep stability and order.
He didn't want them to be provoked by the suns despite not being able to do anything about them.Logically and physically there was no way to stop the suns as it would take a lot of energy and power in order to destroy them…well atleast the second sun and not the first sun.The effects would've needed to wear off though if they were going to keep the first sun and the original sun only.
Yanagi tried to help people from passing out and previously I mentioned Maku trying to calm down the public.Kimiko however sensed time distortion.She felt something off about everything.
Everything was already off now that there were two suns judging every,exposing one truth and one lie about every single creature on planet earth and not just humans.Irai however ran into the Genshi Palace.Celestial began to flood all his past memories into his brain.
At a time like this,chaos and fear was easy to take hold very quickly.Irai sees a vision of Kurisu.
"Father?"He was clearly blinded by nostalgia.That was not his Father.Because his Father was dead.
"Father answer me."There was no response.The vision blurred and finally faded.Irai grabbed into the air desperately but…he felt nothing and opened his hand,staring at the palm of it.
A slight shimmer cracked through a nearby door.Irai walked up to it and hesitated to open but noticed it was the moonstone's natural sapphire glow. He snatched it from the dusty table it sat on.
"How unprotected you are…"A few times before the moonstone had talked to Irai and he never knew how a piece of glowing rock could talk by itself but this was a weird world we lived in.
"Hello samurai."AGH!He shouted,nearly smashing the moonstone on the floor.That is if it could break from a simple throw to the floor.
"I-It's been a while!Since we talked that is.."
"It has.I haven't really been able to properly introduce myself you see but…the ILO are on the verge of physically arriving to planet earth."Irai was lost for words. He didn't know the signs were over so soon.
"How do you know that?"
"Well because…"
"What?Tell me please I really want to know!"
"I'm a member of the ILO thats why.And ILO members can talk through…monko."
"Interesting,please,tell me more!"
"You're excited for the return of the ILO?"
"Well…I was asking about how you can communicate through a piece of glowing rock.Also what do you mean return of ILO?"The moonstone sighed as if it was tired of something.
"What is it?"Irai questioned. He was hyper and energetic to know.
"The ILO used to live on earth,like physically."
"Just the three of you?"
"Yes.Let me continue."
"Of course!I'm listening don't worry."
"We all came up with an idea to make things that live like us but are weaker life forms. We ascended spiritually to observe our creations. We already previously created the demon sorcerer dimension and earth as well as other planets so we just needed to add life in the normal dimension. So we created sea serpents then dragons then cursed crows and added an opposite counter part to the crow race,divine doves. We made navajo then humans as a last product. So there you have it. An ILO member just told you how we created all different types of species. Oh we also made regular animals and ability manipulation."
"Amazing!!!"Irai's eyes glared at the moonstone's brightness.
It then faded.The voice stopped talking. It stopped glowing and replying to Irai entirely.His smile got wiped clean off his face.
"Nothing lasts forever…"His voice's tone,now more mature and quiet.Sniffling Irai placed the moonstone in a safer spot and accepted it. He walked back outside to see one sun in the sky as normal.Maku,Kimiko and Yanagi all entered back inside,explaining the suns vanished before they could even move onto everybody else.
The citizens were still scarred for life.Imagine being judged by a big red burning ball in front of everybody?!That would've been horrifying for them.But it was over now.Over for good.Irai rested on his bed and stared at the open sky full of doves.A flock.A good flock.
They flew in troops as if they were communicating.But it was so perfect. If only people were as obedient and accepting as the doves gliding like that.
They were so free…Irai wished to be as free as them.
As free as a bird.
Imagine waking up one morning in a nest just to open your wings and fly wherever you please.
Eat whatever you please.
Go wherever you want even in groups maybe.
And you wouldn't be judged or controlled.
Irai let out a sigh of relief.
He closed his eyes,imagining true freedom and world peace.The relief after the rebellion is over. It's on the brink of starting but it hasn't yet which is bad for Irai. He doesn't want it to start at all.
He doesn't even want the thought of a rebellion existing.Irai just wants peace.But it isn't possible at the moment because most people are in despair. In poverty.And then a vision popped up in Irai's head,
It was a poor lady.She had a little kid beside her.Irai assumed it was her daughter.Both the woman and daughter were crying hard,very hard.They had rigged and dirty clothes that smelt revolting.
Obviously,they were homeless.Smoke in the abyss and distance covered what Irai could see.There was fire.Loads of fire.
The Prince Of Wrath was in the distance.
His fists were flaming.Irai thought to himself.The Prince Of Wrath?Who could that be?He didn't recall anyone under such a fearsome nickname.The figure was all black like a shadow expect for his fists.
And he could feel his warm breath from such a great distance. He seemed so familiar yet so distant but Irai just couldn't describe it.
"CANT YOU SEE?CANT YOU SEE WE'RE DYING HERE?"The woman cried out.She hugged her daughter tightly,keeping eye contact with Irai.
Simultaneously, it all faded and he snapped back into reality.A chilling breeze swoosh along his face.
He closed his eyes again,admiring the fresh wave of wind.The temperature and atmosphere was so perfect.Irai controlled his breather into a calm and controlled pattern.
His breath was so clear,he felt at peace.Maybe not true freedom or the ultimate goal of the perfect land of Edo but he felt good for the first time in a while and that was just enough for now.
Finally,Irai wrapped himself in his bed like a bug on a leaf,shutting his eyes one last time for the rest of the night.
Today was a crazy day,let's hope tomorrow would be better.