Tale Of The Half-Blood Wizard

A red Toori welcomed us. Ornamental red lights hanging over along the street made the atmosphere really aesthetic. It gave such a boost for visitors to have a good appetite to eat much. It was such a heaven for me who loved eating but was unable to gain more weight. 

Only a few steps into that place, I bought a pack of tokayaki, two canai bread, and I believed I would buy more the further I went into that alley. Most of the food here was dominated by Chinese, Japanese, and Indian food. I could eat all that food as long as my stomach could hold it

We sat on a bench by the river, carrying some food, some glasses of juice, and coffee. The table was full of our food. I am a maniac of brewed coffee beans which are ground into powder. I am a coffee addict. 

I did really enjoy that moment, especially the coffee scent smelled so special with that special aroma filling up my nose, so soothing. On the other hand, Zie was just staring at me eating and drinking. Several times I offered him to eat and drink with me but he just refused. 

"Zie, come on, eat it! I bought this for you, too! You have to eat," I encouraged him and scooped ice cream from two different cups, "The best green tea flavour," I said after enjoying the cold ice cream in my mouth. 

Zie just kept quiet, he did not even touch the food I bought for him. his expression was so flat, and his blue sapphire eyes were staring at me coldly. 

Looking at the marionette expression where Zie's spirit was stuck, I realized there were things that changed for us. I stopped eating. We both were silent for some time until the ice cubes were all melted into water. 

"Tha, I cannot eat anymore. I am different now. My body is different," he spoke softly and sadly, breaking the quietness among us in the boisterous noise of visitors. 

Green tea ice cream and cherry ice cream that usually made me excited felt so much bitter in my mouth now. I swallowed it fast. Without any permission my tears fell down heavily. 

I could not know exactly what my heart was like at this time. I was in front of aman I truly loved for so many years and he was irreplaceable until the present time. Something tore my heart really awfully bad. Those simple words changed something in me. 

I looked up so that my tears would slow down a bit, wiped it fast and smiled to sooth him. I just stared at Zie, unable to speak due to something stuck in my throat. 

"Tha, few things have to change. Some changes are for goodness, and some are unwanted by us," He spoke softly. His hard and cold wood fingers held mine, "In this wood body, stone statue, or whatever my shape can be, I am still me. You are the only person who believed in my existence here. I don't expect others to do the same. I know it is hard to believe for many logical thoughts," I just kept silent listening to him. My cheeks were wet with tears. 

"I am grateful," Zie looked surprised with my sudden high pitch voice. His grip on my hands was tightened, "No one is like me. I have a second very valuable opportunity. It is hard, I know, but I will fight. Until the last seal of the spirit fades away I will put everything at stake to be with you," that was my promise, not only to Zie but also to myself, "I can do that. I am strong."

…

Night fell too fast for me. Kerberos had taken us fly above the thick of the forest heading to the portal of between dimensions. I dropped my plan to play in the play ground because that white dog reminded me not to return Zie too late at night. I also needed to prepare my report to be submitted to Mr. Heong because I did not want my study to be delayed any longer. 

I saw that marionette where Zie's spirit was walking stiffly, more stiffly than the last I remembered. He walked along the foggy path heading to Mr. Oka's shop. 

'Do I have to sell my soul so that the seal will be immortal? or make an agreement with the devil so that we will be together? Or perhaps trading my life to the Manjis, so that he can live forever?" I spoke to myself and watched the back of that marionette that  disappeared behind the fog. 

Kerberos' voice, who was sitting next to me, woke me from my own thoughts. He looked at me pitifully, "Human's heart is too complicated," He said slowly, "I am grateful to be created for one command, so that I don't have such feelings," he added, "The Manjis have desires like humans. Therefore, they are like double blades. When their anger culminates, they can kill. But when they think of something very valuable for them, they will look after it. for that reason The Manjis were lifted to the world and were freed from their duty. Apparently, although their sights had been removed, their heart still can see and even stronger than their eyes," 

I really appreciated Kerberos, but this time I did not mean to talk much with him. I wanted to go home right away, "Can you take me home, please. I am tired," Not physically but mentally.  .

Without too much asking, Kerberos took leave between dimensions. Flying over the city filled with the twinkling lights from the sky-scrapers made me feel better. 

Arriving at home, the gate was already opened. I saw Emma went out with Erick. 

"It looks like I have a visitor from outer space," I spoke sarcastically when I walked in, "You cannot be coming here on your own, can you?" I added while looking at Erick. 

"Damn you," Erick cursed me, I glared at him, "I would not come here if onky that fussy grandpa sent me here. What is the point of visiting bad child like you?" I brushed off his finger pointing at me. He was a real pain. 

Such quarrels were common between us anytime we met. It had been like this for years  since ancient times, even over trivial matters. However, such arguments between us were not something serious, it was just our way of joking. I sometimes wondered about our ways of joking. It was strange. 

"Tha, do you have any ideas about marionette belonging to my boss?" Erick spoke right to the point. I was a bit shock to hear that, but I could control my expression, "That doll has gone," 

"Why asking me?" I asked back, pretending not to know, while I spent the whole day with that marionette. 

"He has gone, almost the same time you went home at that time," Erick explained, "Although it is rather nonsense to accuse you, but just be honest this time," He seemed to suspect me. 

"Don't talk nonsense!" I said curtly to hide my nervousness. "Why did I steal it? I liked it but I was also told that it belonged to someone else. Anyway, I am just a shopkeeper, I cannot afford it. It is very expensive," I tried to convince him. 

"I am not joking now," he looked serious this time, "that a marionette costs fifty times as much the best dolls used in a performance in the biggest theater in Euron. Even if I work for thirty years I will not be able to buy it," Erick spoke in high tones. 

I knew he was serious this time. I got confused about how to explain all these issues to him. I was silent and looked at Emma who was also quiet and was trying to hide her panic expression. Until finally I decided to roll up my sleeves and showed him the scar cut from my elbow to near my back. 

"My father almost killed me, to get that marionette," I told him with wry smile, even so it was so difficult to stretch one, "The cat of your boss had a spell, called immortality spell, which is being hunted by the wizards," I spoke so slowly while showing off my two arms with some visible scars, hoping Erick would understand me easily. 

"The spell which was supposed to be given to his real master—not Mr. Stone, but it was given to Zie. That cat chose the doll of your boss' pride as the place of that spirit so that he can 'live'. I went to my father to help me, but on the contrary he wanted it for himself. And this is what I got," I moved my hands to give him better sight, "That doll is alive now, he is in between dimension, the world that you will visit after you die," 

Erick looked at me in disbelief, "What kind of joke is this, Tha?" he sounded frustrated, "Is my salary put as a bet for this fairy tale for children? Common, don't joke please?" He didn't believe me. 

"It is all up to you to believe me or not," I rolled down my sleeves, "If you want that marionette, I will take you tomorrow to see him, after I collect my report. I cannot guarantee if you can take it home or nor because he is an inanimate object now and I hope you are not shocked," I was trying to warn Erick.. I knew his logical mind refused to believe me.