“I’ll teach you how to fight.”

As Tamashi processed those words, he became visible suspicious.

“Are you saying that just because you want me to call you Sensei?”

“No, I’m saying I’ll teach you how to-“

“I mean, if you really want me to call you Sensei that badly, why don’t you just admit it?”

“But that’s not what I’m trying-“

“I mean, if you really want me to call you Sensei that badly, then I guess I have no choice.”

“Please- wait, are you finally going to show at least a bit more respect than Rai does?”

“Sure.”

Tamashi’s response was accompanied by an expression of deceit.

“‘Jiji-sensei.’”

——

Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEight

Episode: Framed Perspective - Part 18

——

“Oh wow Bri, your snacks are so good! MMM!”

Max observed in disgust as Kaze stuffed her face with an assortment of sweet snacks.

“I didn’t know there was a Seishin that was such a pig. And what worries me the most is where all that food goes once you disappear back into Bri’s mind.”

The Wind Seishin’s dull gray eyes gleamed in the sunlight that washed over the balcony.

“Hey, dummy, don’t insult Pigs! They’re awesome for our planet! They go oink and everything!”

“You can’t be serious…”

“Wow, you’re pig hater? Worst of all, I bet you’re a bacon eater too.”

“Damn right, I am.”

“BRI, THIS MEANIE IS MEAN TO THE ANIMALS!”

“Bri, this Seishin is a complete airhead.”

“Was that supposed to be clever?”

“Yeah. It’s the brainpower I get from a pork-based diet.”

“BRI!”

“Bri.”

A tea cup slammed onto the table, causing it to shatter into multiple pieces.

“I’M GONNA KILL YOU TWO IF THE BOTH OF YOU DON’T SHUT UP!”

Kaze produced whimpering noises while Max drifted his attention to the side, visibly annoyed.

Bri cleared her throat.

“Anyways, let’s get back on topic. Kaze, can you tell us anything about Rai?”

Kaze moved her arm up to the table and leaned her head into her hand.

“Rai… He’s always been a big jerk. For a long time now, his desire has been to separate himself from the rest of us. We don’t really know why. I think it has something to do with when everyone got split up during the Elemental War. Maybe he felt some sort of responsibility.”

Max snapped his attention back to the table.

“The Elemental War? What’s that?”

Bri placed her right hand on her chin.

“From what I’ve read, the Elemental War was a war that took place centuries ago. It started when a major split occurred among the Elemental Warriors located in Japan. The Warriors agreed that they should spread their resources across the globe, but their was a fundamental disagreement on how to do that. One faction wanted to use the powers of the Seishin to protect everyone, while the other wanted to conquer the world and create a large empire.”

“Wait a minute, that sound like-“

“Yes. Those factions are now known today as ‘Kita’ and ‘Minami’. The factions devolved over the years into becoming secretive gangs that use the Seishin powers in secret. But one thing’s been consistent.

“Throughout the years, we’ve held onto Kaze, and Faia, the Fire Seishin. Minami has maintained control over Mizu, the Water Seishin, and Doro, the Earth Seishin. It’s been a two-to-two tie for centuries.”

“So it sounds like Rai has been missing for a long time, and both sides wants him.”

Kaze decided to chime back in.

“The five of us maintain spiritual connections with each other, since we’re all cut from the same cloth. We can generally communicate with each other, even if they’re far away, and even if we’re technically enemies. But Rai would generally avoid the rest of us, and we can’t really use that connection to determine location beyond a short distance.”

“Wait… So something doesn’t make sense. If Rai’s been ghosting the rest of the Seishin for centuries, how did Kita find out where he is?”

Bri’s lips formed a reserved smile.

“It was a coincidence. A pure fluke.”

“Huh…”

“One day, I was walking by a high school in the area. I was scouting for new members to join Kita. As I walked near the school grounds, I noticed a boy sitting under the tree while reading a book. When I set my eyes on him, my mind jolted like it was going through a power surge. Kaze then alerted me that she could sense Rai. After that, I created a plan to start that boy on the path to become a Kita Assassin.”

“And now you want me to complete your plan by kidnapping his friends, which would force him to accept training from Kita in order to rescue his friends.”

Bri folded her hands in front of her mouth, hiding her lower facial expression while her eyes exhibited a look of calculation.

“For the future of Kita and the defeat of Minami, I need you to complete this mission without fail, Max.”

A moment of silence followed Bri’s request. Winds flurried near the balcony, carrying leaves on a weaving path throughout the air.

After sitting in thought for some time, Max rose from his seat and began to make his way off the balcony.

“Alright, fine, but on the condition that my I could train with my brother when he gets back from his mission.”

“Agreed. But please, Max…”

Max turned around and locked his eyes to Bri’s.

“…Don’t do anything idiotic. Just follow the plan.”

They briefly maintained eye contact prior to Max turning back around and leaving through the door.

Kaze released a sigh of frustration.

“Bri, something bothers me about that dummy. Are you gonna keep an eye on him?”

Bri turned to Kaze and smiled.

“I’m sure everything will be fine. But, just in case, since he has received a small portion of Faia’s powers, you can help me out by talking to Faia. Just ask her to say something if her powers are being used, since Max is not yet approved to use them outside HQ.”

Kaze looked out to the sky, concern buried deep within her gray eyes.

“Geez, you’re putting too much pressure on Faia, with her powers being split between those two…”

——

Max marched down the hallway, emanating anger and determination.

His blood red eyes converted into a bright orange color, reminiscent of a majestic flame.

‘Whatever it takes. I don’t care if I have to kill them. I will be acknowledged by everyone.’

The grin of a villain formed from his lips.