The next morning everyone had gotten up for the trip. They started heading east down the mountain side where a town settle at the very end of the forest. The usual, Ume was behind Ten as they both walked down together and the others were curious of their young sister being comfortable with him.

(IKKI) Hmmm? Is Ume getting too close to Ten?

(Haru) Yeah it’s strange. She never hides behind anyone besides you IKKI so what gives?

(Aki) Maybe she likes him ... I think?

(Hiroko)...

(Hayashi) HEY, MOVE YOUR ASSES OR GET LEFT BEHIND!

The others ran after them as they headed down toward the end of the forest. Upon arrival, Ten was confused after seeing the area with no people nor life... basically a ghost town. Hayashi then moved forward to the center where a giant tree settles in. The tree was only the thing that look alive since entering the town. Ten sees words on the tree as Hayashi writes the other half.

(Hayashi) Finish. Well,Ten you want to give it a go? Just simply put your hand right there and watch!

After finishing the writing, Hayashi asks Ten, to place his hand on the trunk as a sudden earthquake shook the ground. The roots shifted in making a path somewhere inside. Hayashi smiled and laughed at Ten for being such as a scaredy-cat.

(Hayashi) GAHAHA OH MAN MY SIDES! THE WAY YOU FELL WHILE THE GROUND SHOOK WAS SOMETHING! HAHAHA! Okay okay, shall we head inside?

Ten got himself back on his feet after a quick responds to Hayashi. They went inside as their path gets darker. A light appear at the end of the path as it shines brighter. After passing the light, Ten widened his eyes in surprise as he sees life that has been underneath them the entire time.

(IKKI) Welcome Ten, to SOGAND! Pretty isn’t it? The life, people and resources here are great!

Ten in excitement nodded his head with stars as his eyes. The twins took Ten’s arms and ran to town but then Hayashi stops them.

(Haru and Aki) LETS GO~!

(Hayashi) WAIT! THERE’S SOMETHING IMPORTANT WE HAVE TO DO BEFORE WE ENTER THE TOWN YOU TWO!

The twins stopped and thought really hard of what they forget and it hits them both.

(Haru and Aki) AH!

(Haru) Whew~ that was close huh. Thanks for the heads up Hayashi!

(Aki) Yes thank you. I completely forgotten about our situation. Well sis, shall we?

(Haru) Agree.

The twins turned toward Ten with scary eyes like they’re about to pull some silly prank on him. Ten was quite nervous and frighten of what they were going to do but instead they gave him a black hooded cloak with a strong odor.

(Haru) Sorry about the terrible smell Ten but it’s the only way!

(Aki) Yes very sorry little brother.

Ten didn’t mind the smell at all, he was only concern of what Haru meant by the only way. They enter the town like it was normal but isn’t. Giant unknown creatures walked and flew everywhere as they come across all.

(Hayashi) Stay close everyone and don’t let Ten out of your sight.

Everyone was on the same page as they turn around and notice Ten was gone.

(IKKI) OH NO!!!!! WHERE IS HE?! HOW CAN WE LOSE SOMEONE THAT SMALL?

(AKI) HE CAN’T HAVE GONE FAR SIS!

(HARU) LETS SPLIT UP INTO TWO! UME IS WITH ME! AKI GO WITH IKKI! HAYASHI GO NORTH AND HIROKO-... WAIT WHERE’S IS HIROKO?

(HAYASHI) SHE MUST’VE WENT AHEAD! LETS GO FIND HIM QUICK!

They went their separate ways to find Ten. Ten was in a dark alley following a dog but notices that he’s lost. He didn’t recognize the path he took from getting there then heard a voice.

(Unknown voice) Are you lost or something?

He turns quickly to see who came talking to him but no one in sight besides the dog. When he looks at the dog, something was strange from it. The dog had horns and red cold eyes as it would kill someone. Ten surprised to see it wasn’t a dog at all but soon comes closer to hear the unknown voice.

(Unknown voice) I’ll say it again. Are you lost?

The voice came from the horned dog. Ten nods a yes while being all calm about the situation. The horned dog was surprised as well from Ten.

(Unknown voice) Well this is surprising! You can understand me?! Oh apologies I haven’t introduced myself... I’m called Luca and you are?

Ten couldn’t say his name due to his own condition so instead he wrote it on the sand using a stick.

(Luca) So Tensei is it? It’s very nice to meet you for someone being able to understand me ...it’s extraordinary.

Ten decides to pat Luca on the head as of saying thank you but then was stopped by Hiroko. Hiroko pushes Ten behind her as if she’s protecting him. Luca shocked for fact a death bringer would protect some child.

(Luca)My my. This is new, a death bringer protecting a human child which has no place to be here.

Hiroko looks at Luca in the eyes as if she seen death in him already. She goes in her bag to reach something but Luca stops her from going any further.

(Luca) Relax death bringer... no need to take out your weapon. I’m not going to kill the little lad. I just learned something new from him and so I change my mind. You don’t need to worry... I won’t tell a soul.

Luca leaves the alley as Hiroko turns to Ten, making sure if he’s alright.

(Hiroko) Are you alright? Did he hurt you?!

Ten nods a no at Hiroko as she promptly hugs him with worry and joy.

(Hiroko) whispers~ thank god.

She stands back up and hold Ten’s hand saying to never leave their sight again. Ten promised her and they both went back to the others. The others rushed over and hugged Ten while crying their eyes out. Ten promised to never leave them again but of course he nods a yes for it. They went down town shopping and brought a lot of unusual stuff for Ten. Ten had a great time as time passes by and everyone enjoyed their memories together.

(Ume) Ten look... I-I got something for you so here.

Ume pulls out her hands and gives Ten a red string to tie his hair down. Ume was really happy to see Ten wearing the string and she goes back to IKKI. Hayashi announces everyone that they got one more stop before heading home. They went to an old shack, filled with many unusual machinery. Hayashi walks inside the shack and calls for someone.

(Hayashi) HEY~! DOC! YOU IN HERE!? DOC!!!!!!!!

Hayashi yelled across the room to see if this Doc is here.

(Doc) SHUTTTT UUUUPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!! I CAN’T FOCUS IF YOU’RE YELLING THAT CLOSE BITCH!

The person showed up as an old man of around 65. He looks extremely annoyed and grumpy to have no conversation.

(Hayashi) WHOSE A BITCH?! MAY I REMIND YOU, I WAS THE ONE ALWAYS SAVING YOUR PUNY ASS WHENEVER YOU NEEDED SOMETHING IMPORTANT! HOW ABOUT SHOWING ME SOME RESPECT HUH!?

(Doc) Ek! Sigh~ fine you win so what do need from poor puny me? Huh?

Doc sees Ten behind Hayashi. He then questions her if he’s new to her strange family.

(Doc) sigh~ you bring back the weirdest creatures but this isn’t like you at all ...to take in a human.

(Hayashi) shut up! It’s my decision and I know the risks ahead. So... do you have what I came here for?

(Doc) oh yes.

Doc takes out a strange mysterious item and puts it on the table. Hayashi then tells Ten to come over for a minute. The item grew brighter as Ten draws closer. Curiosity got the better of him as he gets in close but then is stopped by Hayashi. Doc explains that this isn’t a normal item you find in anywhere.

(Doc) Now listen my friend this item is called “MIRACLE” it’s a very rare ancient artifact, one in a million which has power to give or take. If this item chooses you... you can have it.

Ten reaches out his hand to touch the MIRACLE, then it responds to him like an alarm. The artifact starts to glow as it surges onto Ten’s body. The artifact disappears and Ten looks around to see if anything happen to himself. Doc observes Ten for any kind of reaction but no results.

[ I didn’t quite understand what the MIRACLE actual does but it changed me somehow till this day.]

(Ten) HM?

The shock from everyone in the room when they heard a simple sound coming in Ten’s mouth. Doc begins to record the situation in his notebook as the others were surprised by Ten now being able to talk for the first time. Hayashi smiles at Ten and pats him on the back showing pride.

(Hayashi) HAHA! I KNEW IT! THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT YOU!... Well Tensei how do you like your gift? It is your birthday after all.

Ten tries to respond back to Hayashi by using his voice. The problem was he has no experience of what to say of certain words and letters but even so he tried his best.

(Ten) E-I... I ike a lot! T-Thunk u HIYA...SHE! IGGY! HO...RU! AAAHHH...KEY! HERE....CO! U-U...MAY!

(IKKI) Oh my....

(HARU) Hey Doc, Ten’s speech is...

(Doc) Hm... well, this is the first time he used his voice to speak. He’ll get better with some practice.

(Hayashi) If that’s case then we’ll teach him how to speak correctly. Right Tensei?

(Ten) Y-YES!

(Hayashi) Well then... lets all go home.

(Ten) T-thunk u... DOC!

Doc waves goodbye to them as they left his shack. The day has passed and they all went home. Everyone went to bed after getting back from a long day except for Ten.

[ I couldn’t get any sleep that night... I mean how could I. I just got my own voice and feeling excited for it after hearing my mouth talk for the first time. I wanted to repay the favor by thanking them for giving me such a special gift. It was a gift that I could never forget for the rest of my life.]

END OF CHAPTER 4