One More Time: Rebirth

The incident regarding the Eastern Kingdom soldiers were only known by a few. So the students in the school had no idea what happened. The only person I told was Setsuna and he found the whole situation normal.

"Yeah the Eastern Kingdom has always been like that for as long as I remember but... There was once a time my grandfather said that we weren't as arrogant as this. Back then the Eastern Kingdom's citizens were more focused on attaining enlightenment. My grandfather would use to say, the way of the sword is endless. There is no right or wrong way to reach the apex of the sword. You could admire its beauty, you could gain wisdom, you could find happiness, the way of the sword knew no bounds. But at some point, the people of the Eastern Kingdom no longer see the sword for its beauty, and only looked for power and unrivaled strength. The many ways of the sword turned to only one way and the many sword schools in the Eastern Kingdom slowly dwindled until only a few survived."

Setsuna wasn't there when the Eastern Kingdom still believed in a different way. But I saw in his eyes as he told his story, that he wished he could've been there. We continued to talk about the way of the sword, and it somehow gave me a bit of enlightenment.

The way of the sword wasn't just about gaining strength. It was something that could take a life, but at the same time, it could save a life. It was something pure...

When I told Setsuna what I thought, the two of us began exchanging our views, and our understanding of the techniques we used grew. Tsukiyomi didn't join as she said, "Such things aren't meant for Ethereals. We are a race that is practically the living embodiment for the way of the sword." She spoke with her usual confidence, but with an extra little bit of smugness.

†

For the following days, there wasn't much news regarding the Eastern Kingdom. Well, that was natural seeing as I and the others were just children. No one would tell us what was going on. Maybe Jester-senpai knows something, but he would never tell me. He doesn't even talk in a normal conversation.

There was also that story about the warbeast children. Their parents were found but they were already dead. They were killed in different gruesome ways, which was very hard to describe. It would seem that the group who attacked the children's village never planned to release their parents. It feels like they held a massive grudge against them.

"Edge don't overthink it. All you need to do is continue what you're doing now and get stronger. The stronger you get, the stronger I will get. When you get enough mana to power me with my full strength, I could kill the guy from last time with a swat of my hand." Tsukiyomi spoke to me while radiating a bit of killing intent.

"I guess... Yeah, you're right, no use thinking about it now. I just need to focus on strengthening my techniques. As for my body, I still need to wait a few years, once my body catches up to my skills, I can finally start the real training."

†

Aside from thinking about what the warbeasts children, and what the Eastern Kingdom guys were doing. I was also having problems sleeping. It was just from time to time before. But ever since our encounter with the warbeast children. I've been having the same nightmare over and over again.

It was the nightmare of when I faced the demon lord. That battle, even in this new world, I can still remember it so vividly. The mistake I made that day still haunts me even now...

The nightmare that keeps on haunting me, I cannot escape its grasp. Have I not atone from my sin with my death on that day? Am I really beyond salvation at this point?... No that can't be, I was already forgiven by that person on that day... The only one who hasn't forgiven me... Is myself...

It's not like I can forget it, nor do I wish to forget it. This is a sin that I should always remember... I guess because of my family, and friends in this world, I forgot about my sin. For a moment, for a single moment, I actually forgot about you...

"Are you perhaps angry that I almost forgot you? Is that why you show me this nightmare so that you could always be by my side? You weren't that kind of person..." I couldn't help but mumble as I awoke once more from my dream, my nightmare, my past, my sin.