Echoes of the Past

[laraine]

The fact that Jiru may disappear forever jilted Echo through her heart. More tears formed, she put her hands over her eyes and shook her head. "No...No! I don't want you to leave!" she whispered. "But...I'm scared I could get you hurt! I'll protect you where I can Jiru, but I'm scared Loki may hurt you. But I don't want you to go..." She looked down. " I want to fight. I didn't have the strength to fight before. I was so caught up in it all. I didn't believe Loki was evil, in some ways I still don't. But I can't deny what I've heard. The only reason I lied to you was because I didn't want to hurt you Jiru, when I left. I believed it was for the best to keep my distance so you wouldn't..feel something for me. So when I died you wouldn't sit there crying. Heh..I guess in my own way I was trying to protect you from me. But I ended up hurting you instead. Can you forgive me Jiru?" She asked him, meeting her eyes with his own.

Sterling from them both, letting them both talk for a while. He wouldn't answer Jiru's questions.

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru felt relieved. When she met his eyes he held a gentle smile for her. Jiru didn’t think that he was hurt because Echo was trying to push him away, but he was hurt about lying to her with his own calculated deceits. “I forgive you Echo but I think that it is fair that I let you in on my secrets and lies before you make your decision final.” He wasn’t sure if what he was about to say was going to hurt her, relieve her, or even both. “This place… it isn’t really my hometown. I was raised here for a while as a kid, and I do have old friends and family here, but my father moved away to my real birth land long ago. I’ve spent most of my life in a small town called Nakashima. Because of my father’s love for the simple life I have grown to dislike the city as he did. So when I met you, and heard that there were bandits out destroying everything in their path I didn’t want it to happen to my town and the people I’ve grown to love. At the same time I wanted to help you, but I wanted it to turn out well on my end as well… So to me it was a win- win situation… The bandits get defeated, and my home’s merchandising business will have less competition for a while; because for now, the city has to rebuild. My uncle supervises how the area is run, and that was how I was able to easily persuade the declaration of war.” He paused for a bit, the last sentence was to end the conversation on a light note away from the message he was really trying to get at her. Yet, he knew that he had to make it obvious to her, so that her answer would be true to her heart. “So…. Basically I was helping you… but I was also using you… If you can’t forgive me for that, I don’t know how we can make this journey together.” He never said other wise, yet not saying anything at all was still considered a lie by omission. He didn’t personally think it was bad, she was using him to find a way to defeat the bandits and he was using her in return. But Echo was emotionally driven. If this some how clashed with her sense of moral-- then she found out later on-- it might end up very badly. It was time to tell her now, or never.

[laraine]

Echo blinked at this, trying to intake everything he was saying and processing it. She pressed a stone hand against her chest, trying to comprehend everything he was telling her.

So...he lied to me?

It was hard to hear all of this, but in the end, she herself knew that everyone had been lying to each other. It was something that couldn't be helped. Lies and deception surrounded them all. In a way, she had a feeling he had his own secrets. But she never imagined he was using her to destroy his uncle. She put a hand against her face.

Sterling turned, jaw dropping at Jiru's confession. "You....you were lying at my sister?!" Anger flamed in his eyes and took a few threatening steps towards Jiru, before Echo burst out laughing. He turned to her, in shock that she was laughing.

Echo laughed hard until she couldn't laugh anymore, tears fell from her eyes and she opened them, looking up at the two boys with a apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. But thinking about how everyone was lying to each other. This could have all been avoided if everyone was honest from the start and it made me laugh because how ironic it all was. I lied to Jiru and he lied back, Karma must be working in overtime over us silly people. After all, they say you receive what you give right?"

She shook her head, laughing a little. "Jiru, I forgive you and I'm not mad at you. I just wish we had talked about this sooner. I'm sorry for hiding everything and acting like a idiot. But I am glad I didn't destroy the town you loved. I was so worried about that. The guilt weighed heavily over me that I had taken something very precious to you. If you want to stay I'd like to have you with me. But I'll warn you it wont be easy. And you might be in life or death situations. Do you still wish to be by me? A girl with a fate that is cursed such as mine?" She smiled and held out a hand to him.

If he took her hand she would have no more regrets. If he didn't she would be sad, but accept his choice.

[JxSlaughter]

When Sterling got pissed he started to walk towards Jiru aggressively. Jiru started backing up from him with his hand up like a caught criminal. When Sterling got close enough to land a punch Echo started to laugh. Jiru was almost as surprised as Sterling was. Jiru smiled and put his hands down, relieved. She was right. All of this could be avoided if they just told each other in the beginning. Both of them wanted to protect the other, but ending up causing a mess. In the end it was funny, but Jiru would avoid doing it again.

Jiru nodded when Echo asked him again to be certain this time. “Let’s do this Echo, I wont let you do this alone!” He took her hand and shook it once.

The sun was rising, and Jiru didn’t eat since the night before. He was very and since the battle was over he wanted to relax for a while if he could. “Are you peeps ? Because I am! Let’s get out of here and grab a bite to eat.” Jiru noticed that Sterling didn't answer him yet, but it could wait.

[laraine]

Echo smiled and nodded starting to follow the two boys.

Sterling turned to Jiru, glaring slightly at him. "For now you still live. But if you hurt my sister again I will hurt you."

Echo whacked her brother with a stone arm. "You shush Sterling! You have no right to lecture him! I still haven't forgiven you for going with the bandits!"She growled and turned around, crossing her arms across her chest. "Hmph!"

Sterling was in pain holding his side. "Ow! Echo be careful with those arms, they could be used as deadly weapons!"

Echo turned to him, her eyes alight with anger. "What did you say?"

Sterling coughed and got to his feet, walking past her and Jiru. "Well lets head out then!"

Echo glared after her brother, then sighed. She turned to Jiru and shrugged. "Sorry about that. My brother is very overprotective. I don't think he trusts me with guys."

[JxSlaughter]

For a moment Jiru chuckled to himself as the siblings bickered. Jiru looked ahead at Sterling who was now walking past them and responded to Echo. “It’s alright. He hasn’t seen you for ages, I’m sure he doesn’t want to be replaced yet.”

It was easier to go down the mountain that it was to go up. Even so it was the next day already. They had been up all night trying to get Echo healed but ended up with no luck. When they reached the village survivors were already trying to clean up the mess. Most of the men were focusing on getting rid of the dead animal bodies. The women were making food for their children and other survivors that lost their families and businesses. Some teens around Echo’s age were tending the crops that were untouched by her wrath and were cleaning up the fields that were damaged. They worked like busy ants, for they also were tending the injured. It was so sudden. There was almost no time to cry or morn until everyone started to settle down into their meals. Soon they would have to do a body count and bury the dead.

Jiru lead the group into a store that luckily survived. If it wasn’t for Echo’s sneaking out at night to fend off the petty bandits she would have had a bad reputation around now. But no one knew what to think of her, they weren’t even sure if she caused all the mess; some how they would end up blaming their god. The people eating in the food place were varied. There were soldiers who had minor injuries eating with their wife, or were sticking with their troops. Others were injured and non injured civilians. They talked quietly, no one was laughing and no one was smiling. Most of them ate in silence even though the store owner gave out free food to the wounded.

When the group sat down Jiru sighed and was a bit gloomy. He ordered regular food you could find anywhere else, to avoid having picky happenings among Sterling and Echo, for they weren’t accustomed to Jiru’s kind of food. Jiru ate quietly too, keeping his head up with his elbow. For a while he only poked at his food. Even though he was supposed to be very , his appetite left him. He ate almost reluctantly.

[laraine]

Echo was silent the entire time they walked. She hid her arms within the cloak as she walked. Gazing at the two boys who were by her side made her feel safe. But in the end she was the one who created this disaster. It was hard for her to return to the town she destroyed. She often wondered if she would be met with hostility or anger. But so far no one seemed to pay her much mind besides the occasional glare. Still, it was hard for her to deal with the fact that she had killed so many people.

As Jiru ate, Echo ordered about a large amount of food. As it came plate after plate she ate rapidly.

Sterling watched her in amazement.

About 20 plates later Echo sighed and turned to the two boys. "So, where should we go next? there has to be something to break Loki's grip."

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru smiled to himself as he held his head up with his hand. Looking sideways away from the group he said jokingly, "We should freeze Sterling up into an iceberg where no one could find him, and then hire an alchemist or a magician to cure Echo. That way Sterling will never die, and Echo gets cured. Someone will eventually unfreeze him when Echo lived her full life." He sat up with his arms crossed, nodding in approval to his idea. Jiru smiled up to the Echo and Sterling who were sitting across from him. Of course, his left eye was closed but his right eye was narrowed by his huge silly grin. "Any objections?"

[laraine]

"Several." Sterling dryly replied and Echo started to laugh like crazy.

"That's really funny Jiru!" She giggled and Sterling looked annoyed.

"Anyway," Sterling coughed. "We really should figure out a decent idea soon. That one is just ridiculous." He was thinking hard, trying to figure out a way to free his sister from the grasp of Loki.

Echo was thinking as well. Her face looked sad, but she tried to keep smiling for the other two.

"We should head east." Sterling replied. "It may just be a rumor, but I have heard of someone may help Echo."

"Who?" Echo replied, looking at her brother.

"An Angel."

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru had been drinking juice as the two made small talk. When Sterling said Angel he almost spewed out the juice from his mouth. “What? An Angel?!” He never knew something like that existed.

“I guess we have to go prepare for a new trip. Will you be coming with us Sterling?”

Jiru just realized that his dog went on the journey with him. He remembered because he imagined himself packing up an ox with him at his side and sitting next to him as they traveled together. He slammed his head on the table because he was lost now and didn't know if he was dead or not.

Ginta... please don't be dead...

[laraine]

Sterling sighed. "It seems I have no choice. I have to show you where he is." He sighed. "However, I am worried about what Loki might do to us on our way over there. He may get desperate. If that happens, try to protect Echo, okay?" He looked to Jiru hard. "Even if I die Echo will still have a chance to live. You must protect Echo Jiru. I will never forgive you if you let her die."

Echo blushed at this. "Geez. It's as if you don't believe I can protect myself. I can very well thank you Sterling!" She huffed, finishing her food and standing up. "For now we need a place to stay. We can head out in the morning. But I am really tired..."

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru got himself up and followed after Echo. The workers there would clean up the food. He knew that Echo would have been very tired by now. Hopefully they could find a building to stay in, but will all the ruins any one that would be open would be full of people seeking refuge. On their way looking for one Jiru would try to look for his dog. Back home, there were many dogs to replace Ginta but Jiru wasn’t heartless when it came to his dogs.

After looking around and checking which buildings still stood there was no luck. No place to stay that wasn’t already full and no Ginta either. Jiru turned to Echo and Sterling, “I can’t find my dog.” He started to call for his name. Because maybe the flood waters covered Jiru's scent. “Ginta!!” Nothing that sounded like a dog called back. Jiru was starting to get worried. Ginta always popped up back to him without him needing to call or command him back. Jiru refused to think of what could of happened to him. He tried to call one more time "Ginta?!"

[laraine]

"His dog?" Sterling raised an eyebrow.

Echo suddenly realized that the pet was indeed missing. "Oh no." She whispered. "Ginta...I hope he didn't get caught..." Her eyes widened as she remembered the insanity she let loose on the town and surrounding area.

"He can't be..." She closed her eyes and pressed a fist against her chest. "No...Ginta!" she started to call out the dogs name as well, leaving a very baffled Sterling behind. Despite how tired and weak Echo was, losing Ginta would be something she wouldn't be able to handle. She looked through debris and holes Ginta would be able to fit into. She ran as fast as she could and as far out as she could as well. She decided she wouldn't rest until she found Ginta....

[JxSlaughter]

Jiru shook his head to shake of a strange feeling he had inside him. "It's alright, I'm sure he's fine. The city is big, I'm sure he's okay." Jiru caught up with Echo who was also looking around. He told her that it was okay to move on, and told her that it would be best if they got going. He glanced at Sterling for a moment, "I think your brother wouldn't mind if we hit the road anyways." Jiru still didn't feel very welcomed by her brother.

[laraine]

Echo looked at Jiru once, wanting to see if this was truly what he wanted. Then she nodded and smiled softly. "You're right. I'm sure Ginta is fine.." Still inside she couldn't help but worry.

"Alright then, let's hit the road you two." Sterling said. "We should head out now. We might be able to make a couple of miles at least before nightfall. Everyone have supplies? I don't know when we will hit a Inn again."

Echo nodded softly. "I'm ready, but what about you Jiru? Don't you need your wagon and things?"