Book 6

bla bla bla = Izark's language
bla bla bla = Noriko's language
("bla bla bla") = Noriko's thought
["bla bla bla"] = Izark's thought

    Noriko was in a desert and looked for Izark, "Izark...Izark, where are you?"
and she saw Izark was shouting,
    "Don't get closer, Noriko! Don't look at me!", Izark began to change, "Don't look!".
He become a horrible black creature,
    "Don't look at me!".
    ("No, it's not like that, Izark. No matter what creature you are, for me it's still you. So I beg you, please come back. After our first meet on that day, I felt your kindness and became attracted. I really like you. But when I search again and again, I can't find you. There's no one who can hold my arms again. But it's just a dream").

Noriko opened her eyes and felt that her arm was held. She was lying on the ground and saw Izark in front of her.
    ("We were attacked by a monster when passing the border from Zargo to Guzena and I was unconscious at that time. I didn’t know what’s happening, the only thing I remembered was Izark. And now he is in front of me, seems to answer my call in the dream")
    "I.....zark".
Izark smiled and released his hand but Noriko stopped him.
    "Ouch!", Noriko felt pain.
"Don’t move too much, you’re injured", said Izark and bent closer to Noriko ,"I’ll always be at your side".
Noriko’s face blushed at once.

    "I have given you the first aid, how is it? It’s still hurt?"
    "Izark..Are you okay?".
Izark was astonished, then Noriko continued.
    "Your body has gone back to normal, hasn’t it? Sorry, I saw you at that time. But I’m glad you are beside me, I thought you have gone away. In my dream, you disappeared and I kept on looking for you. Don’t you know how much I love you? You will always be at my side and never leave me again, wont you?"
    ("At this moment, I become very much attached to him. He whispered near my ear in order not to wake the others so I can fell the warmth of his body. Then I fell asleep without listening to his answer.")

    "Sacrifice, Mr. Mokumen needs a sacrifice. With the sacrifice, he will give us a bigger power", said a veiled woman.
    "What’s the sacrifice?", asked a man behind her.
    "We will know it. Mr. Mokumen will show it to us. A young girl who will come to this city brings her wound. That girl is called Noriko."
At Serena Guzena, the center of Guzena, Jeida, his sons, and Banadam were trying to find his former friends.
    "Enri , Kainowa and the other senior officials, are they still here?",asked Jeida.
    "We even don’t know if they are still alive or not" ,said Rontarna.
    Banadam suggested, "Garya’s sister is a great prophetess, why don’t we ask her to find them?"

    "Garya?", Jeida called Garya who was in front of him.
    "Oh, sorry, just now I remembered Noriko. She thought I was the one who gave her the first aid so she thanked to me
    ("What do you mean, Noriko? It’s not me but Izark who gave the first aid to you."
    "But the bandages and herbs on my body................" )
    Garya laughed, "At that time, her face was really funny. Actually I am curious about their relationship, but there’s nothing happening between both them, isn’t there?"
    "Me too. They seems to have a mysterious connection", said Jeida.

Rontarna and Koriki talked to eachother,
    "Noriko is very close to Izark"
    "Since they met, Noriko didn’t want to be apart from Izark. But Izark seems to ignore her"
    "Is that so? But I think Izark loves her very much "
    "Yeah, that’s true too. So actually, how is their relationship ?"
    "That’s enough. Don’t discuss about it anymore", Banadam interrupted.
Then Garya asked them to stay at an inn and she went to her sister’s house to tell her sister about their arrival.

Jeida was waiting inside the inn and wondered about their meeting with Izark, Noriko, Agoll0, Garya and Barago. He thought that is a miracle and told Banadam and his sons. But they didn’t listen to him because his sons were teasing Banadam. Now they knew Banadam’s feeling for Noriko.

    ("I....…....How ashamed I am. At that night, I told my feeling to Izark. And also before he transformed, I even do.... "),
    Noriko bent over the ground, imagined the time when she kissed Izark in dark creature’s form.
    ("But I was worried at that time. I was really worried if I couldn’t see him again")
    "What’s up Noriko? You don’t feel good?", asked Agol
    "No... nothing....I just want to smell the flowers"
    "That’s right. This place is really beautiful. If Gina could see, I would want to show this to her"
They were at the middle of field, which was full of flowers.
    "It’s alright, Dad. I can imagine it, although it’s not to clear. This place is full of color’s energy"

    Then Barago came and pointed at his head, "Hey look, I made a crown of flowers".
Agol and Noriko were surprised.
    "Hey, why do you act like that. Don’t you think it suits me?", asked Barago to Agol.
    "So you think it suit you?",
    "Of course. If not, I won’t wear it".
While they were talking, Noriko saw Izark coming. He brought some flowers.
    "I found some herbs, we can use them as medicine", Izark gave the herbs to Noriko, "If there’s anything that can be useful, tell me later. Don’t forget that, Noriko".
    "Um, Okay"
    ("That’s right, How can a cold guy like him give me flowers. He really didn’t say anything. Although he is always kind but he also seems to make a border. How is his reaction about my words? I’m afraid to ask him")

Barago showed his crown to Izark, Izark was stunned.
    "Why are you stunned? It doesn’t suit me? Oh well", Barago removed the crown from his head and gave it to Gina.
    "I have trusted my life to Izark. Because of you, I had to betray Nada and ran away. I lost my job and didn’t know what to do. So I trusted my fate to Izark because he is the one who caused all of this".
Izark was listening to all of Barago’s words and felt guilty.
    "I’m just joking. Don’t think about it", said Barago.
They talked about their destination and Barago decided to follow Izark and so did Agol. But actually, Agol wanted to watched over Izark and Noriko.

    Izark turned to Noriko, "Noriko, let’s go home", then he carried Noriko.
    "I....Izark. Um....I can walk by myself. I have tried to walk before", said Noriko with a red face.
    "The way to the cart goes a little upward. Don’t overdue yourself".
    "Nnnn.."
    ("Because I have to rest, I just can see the scenery around the house. Izark chose this place as the first place for me to go for a walk. Maybe he wanted to show me this beautiful place")

    "Wouldn't we be disturbing you two if we come along with you?", asked Barago to Izark
    "What are you talking about?"
    "Well, you didn’t realize I wore a flower’s crown until I told you. You’re supposed to notice that strange thing at once. So I guess you only look at Noriko"
    ("Huh? Is that true? Really?")
    "So what? Noriko is injured. Of course I have to look after her", said Izark
    ("Umm, I don’t know why, but I feel like being rejected")
Then they went home
    ("A peaceful day. Although my heart isn’t at peace but these are peaceful days")

At another place, some men were trying to ruin Zena’s house. They pushed Zena and one of the men tried to break the chair.
    But he was stopped by Garya, "What are you doing at my sister’s house?".
She hit the man and kicked the others. Two girls, who were Zena’s assistants, were surprised.
    "There are two Zena?".
It seemed Garya and Zena were twins.

Noriko has fully recovered so they decided to depart. Izark and Barago were making the preparation while Agol and Gina went shopping to town. Noriko was preparing the dinner for them. In the town, a woman told Agol that some men were looking for them, so she told the men where to find them. Agol wondered who the men are, so Gina offered her help. She asked the stone to show her who the men are, but she saw a terrific creature with so many eyes on it. Gina became afraid and cried.

    "Excuse me", Noriko spoke to Izark who was fixing the cart with Barago, "I want take a walk for a while".
    "Don’t go too far, Noriko. It will be dark soon", said Izark.
    "You are like her mother. You’re worried about her, aren’t you? Don’t be shy, just go with her", said Barago with a tricky face.
    "I..... go now. Bye", Noriko left Izark and Barago immediately.
    ("Barago  has always been teasing both of us recently. Every time we're being teased by Barago, Izark’s face became sad. I don’t want to see it, so I pretend not to know and leave him immediately. It seems there is something that he is hiding. Izark must be confused listening to my words")

    "BARAGO!", Izark grabbed Barago’s shirt after Noriko had left them, "Don’t keep teasing us!".
    "Wow, I become afraid. I‘m just kidding, don’t take it serious", said Barago and smiled.
    "Please....."
    "You.....how can you beg while you are holding my shirt like this. You are really great"
    "I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. That will hurt her."
Barago was astonished, but suddenly Izark startled and shouted,"Noriko!"
    Noriko used her telepathy to call Izark, "Izark, there is someone calling my name. He wants to kidnap me. Help me, Izark!"

Izark ran and saw that Noriko was being taken away. He took a small stone and threw it. The stone hit the man’s leg, the man fell down and release Noriko. But more men appeared.
    "It seems that there’s a knight here", said Banna, their leader.
    "Who are you and why do you want to kidnap Noriko?"
    "I was asked by Mr. Mokumen. If you want to know more, you will have to defeat me. All of you take care of the girl, I’ll fight this man", Banna took out the clothes which wrapped his hand.
    Barago came and threw a sword to Izark, "I’ll protect Noriko so you can fight freely".

    Banna attacked with his clothes, "I can use the clothes as part of my body and hardened. You’ll not be able to come closer".
    The clothes wrapped Izark’s body then Banna hardened another cloth and attacked Izark, "This cloth can’t be torn. I can change it whenever I want. I got this power from Mr. Mokumen."

The cloth became hard and sharp, it dashed towards Izark. Izark used his power and tore the clothes that wrapped his body.
    "You said that I may ask if I can defeat you. I want to know whether you keep the promise or not", said Izark and approached Banna.
Banna attacked again but Izark cut the clothes.
    "Who is Mokumen? Why do you want to kidnap Noriko? Answer me if you don’t want to die", Izark chased Banna.
    Banna became afraid and held his necklace, "Mr. Mokumen, please help me!" Suddenly Banna and his men disappeared.

Banna and his men appeared at Mokumen’s temple and reported his mission to Mr. Wazarotte. Mr.Wazarotte intended to send more men but he’s stopped by the veiled woman,
    "Mr. Wazarotte, please wait a minute".
    "What’s up, Tazashina?" The woman opened her veil, "No need to be in hurry, it’s better for us to stay and wait for the time. Soon, the fate will be on our side".
That woman smiled, she was very beautiful.

Garya and Banadam were waiting for the arrival of Izark and tjhe others as said by Garya’s sister. Izark noticed that Banadam came near Noriko and talked to her.
    "Noriko, you have recovered. I’m glad to see your face again. I feel lonely at here"
    "That’s because our group was divided into two. But now we have gathered again. It’ll be noisy again"
    "No, that’s not the problem. I feel lonely because you weren’t here, Noriko", Banadam said the words to Noriko  but his eyes were looking at Izark who was also looking at him. Barago told Garya that Noriko was attacked by some men. Garya asked them to follow her and discussed about it at her sister’s house.

    "Zena, that two person will come in a minute".
    "If you see them, maybe you could know something about them"
    "But I’m not a love prophetess", said Zena to Koriki and Rontarna who asked her to predict Izark and Noriko in order to help their friend, Banadam.
Her assistants also wanted to know how the girl who loved by Banadam looks like.
    "This kids are still energetic even in this kind of situation", said Zena to Jeida.
    "I think it’s better. Although our faces were messed up, we can’t solve the problem", said Jeida who has given up warning his sons.

Izark and the others arrived in front of Zena’s house. While Izark was helping Noriko to get down from the cart, Zena sensed something strange.
    "Hey, why are your windows broken?", asked Barago to Garya.
    "That’s because there are some intruders who never stop. So I let them be broken", Garya explained. Meanwhile, inside the house, Rontarna and Koriki were talking to Zena,
    "Zena, Zena, Look, here they come". Zena was trembling.
    "That is Izark". Zena saw Izark then she noticed there’s a girl beside him.
    "That one is Noriko", said Rontarna.
    Zena saw vortex and light surrounding both of them, she wondered who they are.

    "Sister", suddenly, Zena was disturbed by Garya’s voice, "Why do you keep silent?".
    Zena looked around, "The light..... that light....disappeared. It’s impossible, just now, the light is still shining".
    "Sister, what are you talking about? Are you dreaming?".
Zena didn’t answer, she looked at Noriko and Izark.
    "Sorry, Noriko but I think it’s not a good time to be predicted", said Garya.
    "What? What do you want to predict?"
    "Noriko was attacked by some men, so we want to ask you who they were. But it can be done later, you look tired"
    "No, let’s predict it now", Zena stood up, she wanted to know whether she was dreaming or not.
    "Are you okay? Don’t push yourself"
    "I’m okay", Zena approached Noriko

    "Give me your hand", said Zena then she held Noriko’s arm.
    "And yours too", Zena turned to Izark who has stepped back, "Give your hand".
    "Me?", Izark was surprised.
    "Sister, Izark have no connection with it".
    "Don’t be noisy", Zena grabbed Izark’s hand while her other hand was holding Noriko’s then she began to predict.
    ["It’s dangerous if I'm also being predicted"]
While predicting, Zena saw a vortex so she tried to concentrate more. Suddenly it blew up.
    "It blew up", said Zena.
    "What blew up, sister? You mean it is the same as when you were still a child. You predict more than you can then your head becomes empty and can’t predict anything for few days", said Garya.
    "For twenty years, I never had a situation like this", said Zena.

    ["It’s because of me. Since I was a child, there’re no prophets who could predict me. I should have asked her to release my hand at that time. But why to predict Noriko, I have to be involved too?"].
    "What does this mean? Is our enemy too strong?", Garya wondered.
    "Excuse me, but is this because we asked Zena make love prediction?",
    "Stupid! Brother, you are stupid!!", Koriki tried to stop Rontarna, "You said it in front of them".
    "But you are the one who asked to predict the love between Izark and Noriko". "Oh God, why do you tell it now?".
Garya now understand why her sister took Izark’s hand, she became angry.

    "Why do you do this?", asked Banadam to Koriki and Rontarna.
    "It’s because you are jealous with Izark so we wanted to help you".
Banadam’s face became red then he shouted at them. Noriko and Izark just watched the dispute until Jeida stopped them. Then they went to another room to have lunch. Banadam was waiting for Noriko in front of the door,     "Forgive me Noriko, the whole thing was messed up".
    "Banadam no need to apologize", said Noriko.
    "But.......", Banadam looked at Izark who was behind Noriko.
Izark just looked at him then he asked Noriko to go.

While they were having lunch, Garya told them about Guzena’s situation. The king wasn’t interested in politic. The government was managed by twelve ministers. Six months ago, there was a minister named Wazarotte who appeared in the palace bringing a prophetess. He introduced the prophetess to the king. She was called Tazashina, an owner of incredible beauty. The king became attracted and pointed her as the palace’s prophetess to replace Zena. Wazarotte became powerful and the ministers who didn’t agree with him were removed.

After the lunch, Jeida and his sons returned to the farm to work again. The others were taken to the garden.
    "There is a problem in here too. Maybe aunt can’t predict because she was too tired facing the problem. I don’t want to be a burden", said Noriko to Izark.
Izark didn’t answer.
    ("He is so cold. Is it because of me? He never looked at me, is there something wrong?").
    Izark spoke to Zena, "Zena, is there anything I can do for you?".
    "Yeahh, that’s right. I also can fight although I’m not as good as Izark", said Barago.
    Zena smiled, "Thank you for your kindness. Actually, I have predicted what will happen to me. I don’t know why I have this ability. Is this that called as fate? Human’s fate has been determined since he was born so he just can go through it".

    "When you were young, you often said that thing", said Garya.
    Zena continued, "But after getting older, I know that isn’t true. It is us who decide our own future. The way of life can be changed depend on our decision. I have talked to Jeida, I’ll use my ability to find the ministers that has been disappeared. We will find them and build the power. Do you want to come with me?". Zena looked around.
    "It’s interesting. More interesting than making Nada happy", said Barago.
    "What do you think about Tenjoki and Mezame?", asked Agol.
    "Hmm, their existences were mysterious and unknown. What will happen to them and what will they do, according to the legend, they will cause the bad thing. But as I said before, I’m sure the future can be changed. There’s no definite future".
Izark listened to all Zena’s words and looked at her. Agol didn’t say anything, he just looked at Noriko and Izark.

At the night, the girls gathered at Zena’s room except Gina. The two orphans who adopted by Zena were Rottenina and Anita. They were about the same age as Noriko and they told Zena about Noriko who was called by Banadam while on her way to Zena’s room.
    "I guess it’s better if I tell the truth", said Banadam.
    "Thank you but I’m sorry"
    "Why it has to be Izark? He never tell you the truth"
    "I ..am satisfied with this condition. I don’t want to push him. When listening to Zena, I think about it again. I’m just thinking about Izark’s feeling and forget all the important things. I like him and I am happy to be at his side. I’ll try to keep this feeling"

    "Miss Zena, It appear that Noriko receive no love in return", said Anita.
    Rottenina continued, "And Banadam has no chance anymore".
It seems that they listened to conversation between Noriko and Banadam. They told Zena and Noriko tried to stop them. Garya was smiling when she looked at them.

In the morning, Izark awoke and went to the garden.
    ["I don’t feel good. Could be it? But it’s too fast"]
    "You woke up early" said Banadam
    "So do you"
    "I thought there’s no one who has awaken"
    "Except you and me, the others were still sleeping"
    "That’s a coincidence. I want to talk to you. I think you have already known that I like Noriko. Last night, I told my feeling to Noriko, but she likes you. I also have known that thing. If you love each other, I give up. But…If you don’t have any feelings to her then I’ll try to win her heart. May I?"
    "…..You don’t need to ask my permission"
    "So….I may approach Noriko?"
    "Don’t ask me!"
    "Why? Why don’t you answer it? I want to know your feeling!", Banadam grabbed Izark’s hand

Garya and Noriko were awakened by the voice at the garden.
    "What do you think Noriko is? You know her feeling, don’t you?", said Banadam
    "That’s not your business", Izark pulled his hand from Banadam.
    Banadam became angry and shouted, "Why don’t you tell the truth? Don’t you know you have given her so much trouble? I don’t want Noriko to love a man like you. Sometimes you act cold, the other time you act kind. Are you happy to see she always depends on you? Do you think it’s funny to make a fool of her?"
    Izark looked at Banadam angrily, "You…what do you know. WHAT DO YOU KNOW?"
Suddenly Izark felt powerless and fell to seated position.
    ["It comes. That symptom comes again"]

Banadam became surprised. At that time, Garya came and saw Izark was sitting on the ground.
    ["Why is it faster? It hasn’t been one year long"].
    "Izark....!", Noriko came out, "That disease appears again, doesn’t it?", then she run to Izark.
Don’t you know you have given her so much trouble?,Izark remembered about Banadam’s words.

    "The disease?", Banadam asked Noriko
    "Yes, a great exhaustion and powerless. It always comes suddenly"
    "Izark has that kind of disease?", Garya was surprised
    "It takes one day to recover", then Noriko saw Izark tried to stand up, "Are you okay? Can you stand up? Let me help you".
    Noriko hold Izark’s hand but Izark pulled back his hand
    ["Don’t come near me, Noriko"]
    "No need, I can do it by myself"

Izark walked to his room,
    ["I still haven’t known what I ‘m supposed to do"].
    "Let me or Banadam help him. He is heavy. But let Noriko accompany you. That symptom makes me afraid", said Garya.
    ["I still make you in trouble"],
   "I don’t need to be accompany", said Izark and made Noriko surprised.
   ["Oh no, what have I done? I have hurt her, my words have hurt her whereas in fact I don’t mean to do that. My head became dizzy, I can’t see her face"]

Izark sit on his bed
    ["She doesn’t know that she comes to this world as Mezame to resurrect me, the Tenjoki. She doesn’t know she comes to this world for that mission. Since I met Noriko, my fate will become as the legend told definitely. This faster symptom adds my worry. What’s happened in body?"].
    "He said that we don’t need to do anything. He will be recover after he rests for awhile", said Garya and Barago to Noriko and Banadam.

Izark was lying on the bed.
    ["I know the end of my transform is not that. Still, there is unknown energy in my body. At that time, I still got to my sense. But I don’t know whether that will be the same till the last transform. And when that time arrives, what will happen? Will I be the destroyer monster as predicted ? Does Noriko, who has said will love me no matter what form I have, also can’t escape from my cruelty? That’s frightening. I’m supposed to hate her and avoid her but that I also can do that. I.....I don’t want to lose her. I don’t want! Every time he (Banadam) talks to Noriko, I become jealous. 'I like Izark', How happy I am to hear those words. If she just has been an ordinary girl, if she hasn’t been the Mezame, if I haven’t been the Tenjoki, how much I expect for the love. Can’t accept her and can’t let her go. This attitude makes her worried. My heart was cut into two"]

Izark heard a sound of footstep stopped in front of the door. Noriko was in front of door, she was hesitated
    ("I’m afraid he will expel me although I have come to bring his food. He also didn’t want to eat just before. At that time, he became fierce and shouted. My hand was removed but aunt’s hand wasn’t, maybe he is angry only to me. I think I don’t do anything. My legs freeze over and don’t want to move. What should I do?")
    "Noriko, why are you standing at there?", Barago came.
Because Barago was in the same room as Izark was. Noriko asked Barago to bring the food. Barago went inside and gave Izark the food but Izark refused it. Noriko looked at Izark from the door but Izark pretended not to see her. Then Noriko went away.

    Barago spoke to Izark, "I just know you have a weakness like this. I hope you’ll be recover soon. Since I was a child, I desired to be a strong man like you. But you look like an ordinary man. I desire to be strong and make my enemies afraid. But it seems that desire is meaningless. I’m like a stupid man that….".
    "I’m not strong", Izark cut Barago’s words.
    "I’m not strong at all !!".
    ["A weak person like me doesn’t have any rights to love her. Although I have big power, my heart is always filled with fear. I don’t know what should I do and I just can defend myself"].
   I think there is no definite future. Future is something that can be changed. Izark was reminded of Zena’s words.

Tazashina knew about Izark’s condition and she told Wazarotte that the time has come. Wazarotte ordered his men to catch Noriko. At Zena’s house, all of them were gathered in a room except Barago and Izark.
    Noriko came in and Garya asked her, "How is Izark?".
    "Barago came and I gave the food to him".
    "Is he still angry? Why does he act like that? This is the first time he acts like that, usually he is a calm man", said Garya.
    "This is because of me", said Banadam, "I asked him to tell his true feeling about Noriko, he didn’t answer it. But why did he approach Noriko? That guy is unpredictable".
    ’What do you know?’, he shouted with a voice like crying. What does he mean? Why should I know it? Is there a connection between his attitude and his disease?, Banadam didn’t understand.

Wazarotte’s men have been in front of the door, they blew up the door and attacked. Izark and Barago heard the explosion.
    "Stay here, I’ll go there" , Barago ran to the room where the others were gathering while Izark tried to stand up. The room has become a battle arena. Banadam, Garya, Agol and Barago fought the men. Anita and Rottenina tried to help Noriko to escape but they were pushed away by Banna’s clothes. Then Banna wrapped Noriko with his clothes.
    "NORIKO!", Izark came in, he was panting and leant against the door.
    "Izark. DON’T COME HERE!!" ,Noriko shouted. Banna smiled, he gave Noriko to the other man.

    "Don’t touch Noriko!", Izark went forward.
    "You all can go now, I’ll fight this man", said Banna then he attacked Izark.
    "I got the girl, let’s go back", shouted the man who was holding Noriko.
    "Okay!", his friends left Banadam, Agol, Barago and Garya and followed the man.
    "NORIKO", Izark managed to release the sword from Banna’s hand.
He left Banna and chased the man, but Banna took his sword with his cloth and swung it,
    "Prepare to die, young man!!".
The sword cut Izark’s arm.