Memories of Love

[Shinku]

"Too soon!" A man in his mid 30s instructs a young Shinku with the ways of the sword. The rushing sound of the waterfall nearby, along with the wind that rustles by the leaves of the trees somehow add some serenity to their surroundings.

"Ow!" a young Shinku held his head in pain after being hit by a wooden stick.

"Let's do this again now slowly." The man raised his stick and slowly moved it down. Shinku quickly evades even with the stick still a couple of feet above him. The man then swung the stick towards where Shinku tilted his head and once again hit the boy's head.

"Too soon! Again! Just relax and focus. Keep your eyes on me. Now breathe." Again the man raised his stick and slowly moved it down towards Shinku. "Now don't you move yet son. Evade the moment you need to, not too early, not too late. Just right before this stick can reach you." Slowly, the stick comes closer and closer towards Shinku. This time, the boy moved his head away once the stick is just a few inches closer to his head.

"Very good you got it this time! Now again, a little bit faster!"

Shinku woke up yet again with Kirden Wharf's usual morning hustle. As always, Shinku was sleeping in a sitting position right beside the town's tavern. The town is rather noisier this time, with a few calls from the direction of the harbor that might signify the arrival of new ships. Although the town is accustomed to docking ships, this is one of those days where more than the usual number of ships have decided to come ashore.

Piqued with interest, Shinku decided to stand up and make his way towards the harbor. He left the coins scattered at the dirt this time, along with the old can that he usually brings along with him. Walking along the streets is a bit harder this time due to the unusual volume of people that is currently in town. He can see a couple of pickpockets taking advantage of the current situation but he simply brushed it off as he refuses to be involved with anything that can gain another undesirable attention towards him. He aims to keep the same situation as the one with his previous foes in the murky forest, as minimal as possible.

He got more space around him the moment he reached the docks. He took a deep breath as the wide ocean takes over his view. A large number of ships did arrive today, crowded on the harbor though most of them come from small time seafarers. Shinku can still see a couple of the seafarers unloading stuffs from their vessels.

"Ahoi there kid!" Oddly enough, in spite of a couple of voices around the docks, an distinct voice seem to get his attention as if he's certain that he is the one being addressed at.

Shinku glanced upon one of the seafarers that just landed ashore. The man is heavily bearded showing a 40s to 50s look on his face. Even from afar, Shinku could see that he has curly auburn hair.

"Yes I'm calling for ye'! Come over here and help me with this stuff!" Although a bit doubtful, Shinku nonetheless walked towards the man who called for him and helped with a couple of cargo that's being unloaded off of a small vessel. In spite of being in his mid 20s, Shinku's short stature makes most of the people around him to have him mistaken for a toddler or at least a teenager. The people around this part of Opealon are giants anyway, compared to the usual people back in his old village. Though a couple of visitors of their village already made them aware that their height are the shortest among other races.

"Whew and that's the last of 'em!" The man bowed with his hands resting on his knees in a partial squatting position. "Well what can I say. Yer' quite strong fer yer' age young man. Oh here take these food with ye'. I've got none of 'em shiny coins yet so I can only offer ye these in return."

Shinku took a paper bag that's being handed to him then bowed as a sign of gratitude. "This would be enough. Accept my gratitude kind sir."

"Hahaha what an odd person ye' are! Now if ye'd excuse me I have some goods to turn to 'em shiny coins. Perhaps I'll be seeing ya' 'round later." The man laughed and gave Shinku a playful salute before digging into his wares and seemingly accounting everything inside.

Shinku on the other hand, walked away, with the paper bag that seemed to be containing some soft goods, in his hands. Somehow, the boy wanted to stay at the docks however the smell of whatever is inside the paper bag compelled him to consume the goods as promptly as possible. In addition, the growl in his stomach couldn't deny any better that he is indeed quite hungry for food. Being accustomed to consume his meal in a secluded place, Shinku walked back through the crowd.

The boy decided to hold the paper bag close to his chest as he makes his way again through the thick crowd in the streets. He walked towards another alley and settled down somewhere along it's side. He opened the paper bag and found a couple of muffins which he consumed after saying a small chant as a gratitude for his current meal.

He had his fill, a bit better this time compared to most of the breakfasts he had.

"That floating island east from here you say? I think I heard something about that as well somewhere." The voice was from the direction of the tavern. It was barely audible from where Shinku are but the mention of the floating island east of Kirden Wharf is enough to catch his attention even from afar. Quickly he stood up from where he was, and rushed towards the tavern.

 

[Shinku]

Shinku got out of the alley towards the end where the tavern was. He stopped, carefully listening to each and every voice around him. With more and more voices adding to the crowd, it becomes harder and harder for Shinku to pinpoint the voice of the man who mentioned the floating island east of Kirden Wharf.

'Did I hear him wrong? His voice, it came from over here. I'm certain of it.' Shinku thought as he deepen his concentration, even sitting down at his spot again, to single out each conversation inside the tavern and in the streets. He hoped to hear even a single hint of the topic earlier but no matter how hard he listens, he can't find a conversation that continues what he heard while he was at the alley.

"Silent as the shadows and quick as the wind. Unnoticed by anyone around you." At this point, Shinku can't help but to fall into yet another trance. It was again of a man who was training a young Shinku similar to the dream he had that morning.

A young Shinku walked carefully towards a tall grass with his eyes fixed on a dragonfly that rests above the grass' blade. He even tiptoed, careful not to create any sound in the ground. He was close enough to reach for the unsuspecting insect. He moved his hand to quickly catch the insect by its tail however, a sudden gust of wind caused the dragonfly to quickly fly away.

"Hahaha that was too close son! Oh well sometimes luck just isn't on our side." The man who appears to be Shinku's father, laughed at his disappointed boy who can only cross his hands in dismay.

"Ahoi there kid! So this is where ye' stay. Did ye' own those coins on the ground?" Shinku's trance was cut short by the sound of a familiar voice. Shinku looked up to see the seafarer from the docks earlier, who suddenly popped out of nowhere carrying a wooden box that seems to be quite heavy.

"Well yes they...." Before Shinku can complete his sentence he was quickly cut off by the man who was asking him in the first place.

"I see so yer' a beggar in this town. That explains 'em old dirty clothes." There's not a hint of mockery at his tone of voice but his flat out comment didn't make it any less offensive. For Shinku however, he would simply brush those words off as he needs to show himself the way he is, so he can move freely around town without anyone suspecting him of anything.

"Do you need my help again mister?" It isn't on Shinku's nature to offer his service to a random stranger but there seems to be something about this man that he can't explain. He even forgot of the voice earlier about the floating island on the east of town.

"Well I'd ask ye' to help me set up my shop but..." The man looked at Shinku from head up to his toe in a contemplative manner. "Oh forget it ye' will do. Come on boy stand up! On my six!"

The man is obviously ordering Shinku around but oddly enough, the latter can't help but to heed this man's call.

"Ye' know, I don't remember seeing ye' here last year. Ye' must be new in town. Well, I've been docking here year after year to trade 'em goods..." The man blabbered about random things about himself and his travels as the two walk towards the marketplace. The man was carrying the heavy container all along but surprisingly, he shows no sign of any hardship nor of exhaustion. "...Oh by the way. The names Birke! An' yers?"

"G...George. The name's George." Shinku stuttered as he gives the man a random name.

"George eh...Well ye' certainly don't look like a George but eh..that'll do." The man kept on walking as well as continuing with his stories. The last comment made Shinku a bit confused however as how the man can tell that he doesn't look like a George when it's simply a name that he has heard a lot in town.

"Ok now George, I need ye' to arrange 'em things at the back, joining 'em similar ones. Ye' got that?" The two stopped by a surprisingly huge stall at the edge of the marketplace. It looked almost like a building of itself but the structure itself still shows it to be a just like an over-sized temporary merchant stall. Birke placed the wooden box he was carrying on the ground and opened it, unpacking a couple of things from inside. Shinku however, or George as the name he gave the merchant, hastily walked towards the back of the stall to find a couple of random goods scattered on the ground.

"Pardon for the mess boy. I thought I have placed everything on 'em proper boxes but me' old age must've gotten me." The man started to place each good on the stall display.

"You know, you're lucky that these were not stolen." Shinku approached the goods and began working on what he was told to do.

"Well, no one steals from old man Birke. Remember that kid! Hahaha." Shinku can only shrug his shoulders at the man's confident statement.

Shinku went on organizing the scattered wares behind the stall while having to walk from time to time near Birke to hand some goods that the man asks. It did took them some time to set up the shop but still just enough time to start business. Birke went on announcing his goods and inviting a couple of people to take a look at his wares while Shinku stayed behind the stall as he was instructed to so he can hand over some goods that Birke would need inside the stall. Shinku didn't mind that at all as he is used to simply sitting still near the tavern, listening to a couple of conversations in which during this time, he did just the same.

 

[Shinku]

The sky has now faded to a pale yellow hue, dotted with thin, wavy clouds that drifted lazily in the clement breeze. Shinku remained seated on the ground, just behind the stall where Birke is currently engaged with his trade. His eyes maunders beyond the horizon where the ocean meets the sky. He wasn't in his usual self, who is now letting the noise of the crowd disappear in the background, contrary with his usual spying hobby of listening on every conversation that his ears can capture.

Above the skies are a number of floating islands, a usual sight for people that inhabits Kirden Wharf. It was a different view from when Shinku was on one of them, seeing the other islands from the top of a great mountain.

"Do you think we would ever reach that island over there?" Yuki asked, with her eyes fixed on a remote island that is glistened with silvery lights that seem to be reflected by its advanced structures. The serenity of the afternoon sky caused Shinku to drift yet again to another vision in spite of the noises around him. He seemed to have been pulled into a time of his childhood while peace is still embodied at their village.

"Uhmmm didn't they say that we are forbidden over that island?" young Shinku responded, sitting lazily beside the girl at a similar peaceful afternoon. He then yawned and let his body fall towards the grassy ground. "We've got everything we need on the town anyway so..." Another yawn escaped the boy's lips as he slowly fall into slumber.

"But...hey!" Seeing Shinku's posture, Yuki quickly turned towards him, violently shaking the boy up to capture his attention. "You dare sleep while I'm speaking!"

"I'm not sleeping! I'm just resting my eyes a bit. And I can still hear you anway." Shinku reasoned out, with his vision suddenly becoming hazy in dizziness.

"Whatever!" The girl then slammed the boy on the ground, stood up and stomped her way out the place.

"Ow!" The boy can only hold his head in pain, after hitting the ground beneath him. "Hey wait up!" With his body lightly aching, it took Shinku a while before he can fully stand up from the ground.

"Oi kid! Ya' still alive in there!" Birke's voice pulled Shinku back into reality, almost falling down from his sitting position, after being startled out of his daydreaming.

"Yes of course. Do you need something?" Shinku composed himself up, after regaining his balance from almost falling backwards.

"Well now that yer' alive again. Can ya' hand me two of 'em silver plates over there!" Birke asked, speaking behind a thin window, enabling Shinku to only see the man's eyes.

"Here you go sir." Shinku quickly handed the plates one after another as the window's limited space prevents the entry of the goods when stacked on top of each other.

"Thanks kid! Ya' may get back to dreamland now!" Birke responded as he go back on serving his customers. "Yo ho ho! There sure is plenty of you today! Here ya'..." The man's voice slowly fades, mixing with the noise of several other people in the marketplace.

Shinku quickly stood up to stretch his limbs and back. Towards the horizon, Shinku sees the same floating island that his friend was speaking of in his dream. Somehow, it piqued his curiosity as how he would ever reach the place or if he would actually have the need to.

 

[Shinku]

"Oi kid! Hand me one of 'em locket watch over there!" The late afternoon appeared to be much busier as more and more people crowd in the old man's stall. The merchant's rare goods proved to be gems that attract lots of tourists around Kirden Wharf. It was only such an oddity that the place did not attract the usual hooligans that regularly mess up in the harbor town. The sky gradually turns from pale yellow to peach as more customers swarm to Birke's stall.

'Where did he get all these antiques from?' Curiosity suddenly struck Shinku's mind as he open another wooden box, packed with a couple of old copper utensils, each carefully engraved with floral vignette patterns. Set by set, he handed the antiques to Birke, as much as the thin hole behind the stall can occupy. 'And shouldn't any of those pirates be around here by now?' Shinku kept on pacing to and from the boxes to hand a couple of antique goods the merchant requests, as a chain of several questions creep into his mind.

The interval between each time that Shinku had to hand the merchant an antique from the old man's reserves, has gotten thinner and thinner as the day falls nearer into dusk. It was indeed a hard day's work for both the merchant and Shinku, who relentlessly assisted the old man for whatever help he needed. Shinku however, stayed at the back of the stall, hidden from the view of the customers that crowd into Birke's stall.

As the day finally succumbs to darkness, so the crowd gradually thins out. Shinku wiped some sweat that dripped from his head as he lowers himself down, to let his buttocks rest on the ground. The floating islands become mere shadows in the sky with the exception of one island near the horizon that glistens in a charade of colors.

"Great work kid! Ye really helped me today." Birked emerged from the stall, carrying a wooden crate. The merchant then marched towards the other crates piled near Shinku, carefully placing his load with the rest of his goods.

"Ah of course I need to hand ya yer' pay." Quickly, the merchant pulled something out his shirt's pocket, then threw it at Shinku. "Here, catch yer' booty kid!"

Startled at the sudden throw, Shinku quickly stood up just in time to catch the falling object. "That booty may be small but she's one of a kind!" Curious, Shinku opened his hand to look at the object that he just caught. To his surprise, it was a ring, adorned with a round cut pitch black gem. Shinku quickly nipped towards a lamp post to carefully inspect the ring. The band appears to be made up of tungsten carbide, thoroughly polished to a sleek finish. He turned to see the underside of the band to discover a familiar engraving.

"Where did you get this?" Shinku inquired, his tone in a sudden assertive manner.

"Ah that's a trade secret kid!" The merchant playfully responded as he lift another crate from the stall, moving it towards the previous pile of crates. Before he can reach his destination however, Shinku suddenly appeared from behind, with the blade of a sword touching the merchant's throat.

"That's a fine sword ye' got there kid." The merchant smiled boldly, seemingly unafraid of his assailant's threat.

"I'll ask you one more time. Where did you get his ring?" Shinku now whispered yet the firmness in his tone weighs more than his previous inquiry. Most of the people that have not yet left the harbor town, are near the taverns. The marketplace has now been an empty place with a lot of other merchants leaving even while Birke was still accommodating the last of his customers.

"Well I did tell ye that no one steals from old man Birke. Now ye shall see why." A strong spherical force suddenly exuded from the merchant, pushing the blade away from his throat, and throwing Shinku far back. Shinku decided stab his sword on the wooden floor, using the friction to prevent himself from being thrown farther.

"Ah since when did I last use that force. Well, I guess it won't hurt to have me bones stretch out a bit." The merchant quickly placed the wooden crate on the ground and started grinding his right shoulder in a backward rotating motion while having his left hand placed on it for support. "If ye really want to know, follow me kid!" The merchant suddenly took off, like an ascending jet plane towards the sky, enticing Shinku to follow after him.

Shinku pants, as he tries to regain his balance from being violently thrown out. The old man does pack a punch in him, stirring a vying drive inside of the assailant that thirsts for a long sought answer. Quickly, Shinku composed himself up having his eyes fixed toward the old man's path of flight. He decided to put the artifact on his ring finger then in a blink of an eye, he sunk into his shadows, reemerging 6 feet away from where he was, and towards the direction of Birke. He chased after the old man, determined to get closer into reason why he kept on striving to live.

To bring his people the justice they deserve.

 

[Shinku]

The west wind gently blew, caressing the trees on the gloomy forest that is barely illuminated by luminescent vines that creeps around the trees. The stench of rotten corpses attracts a couple of parasites, that would be audiences to an upcoming dramatic battle. The ground has now dried up from the previous day's heavy rain, setting the stage for a duel that would decide the fate of both its contenders. At the center of the stage, stands the old merchant playing with an over sized hammer as he wait for his pursuer.

"Yer' here at last kid. What took ye' so long." Birke quickly held his hammer in a tight grip, his lips turning to a wide grin. The wild breeze turned to a sudden gust, bristling on the bushes and trees that swayed along its path. A chorus of howls echoed around the forest, sounding the prelude of a sanguinary act that is about to unfold in this forgotten place of Kirden Wharf.

The newcomer quickly stopped dead on his tracks, startled of the old man's greeting. Shinku had veiled himself with the shadows but his concealment seems to have no effect against his opponent.

"Well, ye' plan on making this old man wait much longer? Come 'ere kid!" Unprepared, Shinku was suddenly pulled by an enormous force towards the old man. Helplessly, the assassin flung closer towards the center stage as Birke prepare to slam his hammer into his victim. Though at midair, Shinku was still able to evade the swinging hammer and was agilely able to counter attack with his sword. Before his blade can reach the old man though, he was again thrown back as if being played around.

"Ye got a different smell with ye' boy. I knew ye' got sumtin' in ye', but there's a strange one I feel. Oh well, I guess we'll find that out." This time, it was the old man that flung himself towards Shinku, swinging his huge hammer yet again. Knowing that he would not be able to attack the old man, Shinku decided to warp into his shadow, then reemerged out of the current stage.

"Eh. Ye' ain't no fun kid. We're not playin' hide n' seek here. Come let me have some fun with ya'." The old man pushed on forward, swinging his weapon that knocked down a couple of trees on his way.

"Timber!" The old man's voice echoed as another tree falls down. Shinku had to leap out of the way to dodge away from the giant tree that falls towards his way.

"Found ya kid!" Shinku had no choice but to clash his sword with the hammer violently throwing him backwards with a force that seemed to be come from a thousand rampaging bulls.

The assassin was able to maneuver himself midair to at least land safely yet the force still pushed him a couple of feet backwards from where his feet landed. Still regaining his balance, the man approached him yet again with another surprise attack. The distance however, gave Shinku ample time to warp himself out of the place entering his shadows.

Shinku pants heavily, as he emerge at the back of another huge tree, hoping to be provided at least some defense as he try to compose himself up. Another gust of wind blew from the west, sweeping the loose leaves on the ground up into the air. He hasn't regain his strength just yet but Shinku had to move out as another force slammed into the tree where he was resting. The tree was easily uprooted as it's just a young sapling being thrown violently a couple of meters away from the ground it once rested.

"Ah this adrenaline rush. I never thought I'd feel this again!" The old man seemed to enjoy the duel in contrast with Shinku who can only evade and run from the battle.

"I thought ye' tryin' to pry me for sumtin' kid. Why don't ya' stop runnin' and face me like a real man." The old man taunted as his opponent remain hidden to another part of the forest. "Ye' want me to fell every tree in this forest fer ye'! Hahaha ye' should have just told me earlier if all ye' want are timbers." The old man mocked, unable to trace any hint of where his opponent is.

An odd flash of wind suddenly emerged from behind the old man. With it, the assassin's blade flew to cut the old man's head. The attack however was made null when another force pushed the sword away again along with its master.

"Now we're talking!" The old man flung himself yet again as Shinku fly backwards towards a huge trunk. Before the assassin's body can be slammed on the wood behind him, he was pulled by another force towards Birke. Shinku quickly swung his sword to clash with the hammer that is about to smash him. The loud clang of metals rang, disturbing the crows the rested nearby. The sudden cry of a couple of creatures fleeing the place sounded the climax of the battle as the two contenders safely dropped upright on the ground.

"Ye' really got good reflexes kid. I'm impressed!" The old man smirked, twirling his hammer around, as if playing with a light baton.

Shinku on the other hand, stood still wary of the old man's next move. His current opponent proved to be too much for him to handle however, this doesn't seem to be the time for flight for the old man appears to hold the key to his revenge.

 

[Shinku]

"Hmmm I think I get it now. That ring I gave ya' seems to give you that extra agility." The old man pondered, toning down the vigor of the previous battle. Oddly enough, he suddenly began to burst into a vibrant laughter that echoed around the woods.

Confused, Shinku tightened his grip of his sword, awaiting the old man's next move. The fight that just unfold made him realize that he is not up against a light opponent, but someone whom he has to pour everything he has if he ought to win.

The sickening laughter stopped, with the old man resting the hammer's head into the ground. "Well I think I know who ye are now. And it finally struck me why ye' want to know where that ring came from so badly. But I say we play a little more then I'll tell ya' what ye' need to know." Having said that, the old man flung himself again towards his baffled opponent, as if merely riding on the rushing wind.

Shinku disappeared again in the shadow and reemerged behind the old man in an attempt to stab his sword through his opponent. The old man was able to release a force to at least deflect the sword but this time, not strong enough to throw his contender like before.

"Ah yer' getting better kid! Now how about this!" Birke released another force in an attempt to throw the assassin again but Shinku was able to quickly warp into his shadow again to dodge the attack. Birke then swiveled around, flinging his hammer to clash with the assassin's sword who suddenly came out from behind.

"And yer' getting faster!" Before the hammer can clash with the blade, Shiku leaped backward, making the old man falter forward, and had to use another of his unusual power to regain his balance. Shinku did not waste a second for before the man can make himself upright, the assassin dissolved into his shadow and reappeared behind the old man in another attempt of landing his sword into the skin of his tough opponent. The attempt however, wasn't successful yet again for the man was able to quickly swoop his head down before the assassin's blade can separate it away from his body.

"Well, shall we up the game a bit?" Just as he thought he had figured out his opponent's abilities, Shinku now found himself lying flat to the ground as if Opealon itself is pulling him towards its center. Shinku tried to move his body but the force is just too strong for him to do anything. Hopeless, the assassin decided to merge into his shadow yet again and reemerge outside of the frightening force.

"I'd say yer' not an easy opponent kid. Ye' always have something up yer' sleeve. Oh well, let's see how farther we can go." The old man now propelled himself high above the gloomy forest that served as the stage for their duel. Along with his flight, the old man pulled a large chunk of dirt with him from the forest leaving a huge crater at its center. Reaching his desirable height, Birke cracked the chunk of dirt into smaller pieces, with each piece sizing up to a huge bolder. Forming a couple of the boulder sized dirt, the old man rained them down into the forest.

The disturbed creatures ran about escaping the disaster that now devastate the center of the forest. Most part of the forest especially at its center has been turned into a huge mess with a couple of fallen trees and huge craters that the boulder sized dirt have fallen. Shinku can only move from one place to another to evade the falling pieces of large dirt, unable to do anything against his floating opponent. Each boulder piece were surely aimed at him with an insane precision as each of his landing place was met with the falling dirt. Had Shinku not be able to react with insane agility, he would have been crushed by one of the boulders. Still, his nightmare has not yet ended, for more of the raining dirt plummet down on him leaving the assassin no rest. He had to cut down some of the boulders and warp into his shadow from time to time just to stay alive.

Peace reigned again upon the landing of the last piece of dirt. The old man seemed to have not gotten enough of the fun yet for he wasted no time separating another chunk of land from the now wasted forest. Birke grinned as he lift the chunk upward, aiming to start another barrage of boulders on the face of the forest. The old man's grin however, was replaced with a hint of fright as Shinku appear behind him, quickly aiming to land an attack. The old man was able to deflect the attack but his loss of concentration made him plummet toward the forest along with the large chunk of rock that he brought with him.

Before he can touch the ground though, the old man was able to quickly make himself float again, saving himself from the impact. Shinku on the other hand, not having the same ability found himself breaking part of the ground, cracking a couple of bones. His last move proved to be a fatal mistake for now, his hopeless state can only allow him await his opponent's final blow.

Shinku lies, pinned to the ground as his opponent slowly approach dragging the huge hammer along. "Now that was something kid!" Birke smiled as he lower himself to the ground. The old man's head shot backwards, staring at the dark skies, contemplating on the peace that has finally came back to the scene.

"Ye' really put yer' life on the line there kid. And I do know why." A deafening silence followed as the old man's hammer suddenly shrunk into a mere pendant. Birke's breath proved that he did put much strain into that battle and the limit in his strength indeed came to him. "Only people of that tribe can make use of that gem's power and I didn't expect to ever come across one. Life sure is full of surprises."

"Who....are...you..." With the little strength that he has, Shinku can barely make words out of his mouth. Let alone breathe normally as most of his bones suffered much from the impact of his fall. Slowly though, a sudden warmth enveloped Shinku's body, gradually easing him of his pain. He felt the old man's palm rest on his back as a pulsating surge of energy flows throughout his body. "I don't think who I am is what matters as of yet. I'm not the one yer' after anyway. Nor am I able to help ya' with what ye' are looking for. But if ye' still want to know where I got that ring from. I sure can take ya' there. But for now, let's fix ya' up first." Shinku can't help but to fall into slumber as the old man soothe him with a mending energy. The curtain now falls, as the serenity gradually gets back into the forest. The night goes ever deeper concluding the scene that formed another face of Opealon.

Fate has indeed worked this time, giving Shinku the first clue that he sought so deeply for all those. Would fate see this assassin through? Perhaps, but he got more in his journey that is yet to unfold.

[Shinku Exits]