Seeking Forgiveness

Aruma, surrounded by the shadow figures, was still in a shock. All the haunting memories, appeared infront of Aruma eyes. 

" You killed me " the figure replied

" You killed my family " said another

" You are pathetic " said the third figure

" You were and still are useless " said the fourth figure as they started orbiting Aruma.

" I need to help him " murmured Ryo as he tried to crawl towards Aruma.

Rin-shis, grabbed Ryo by his legs and slammed him. They grabbed his arms and tied their arms around it like a rope. The harder Ryo tried to free himself, the more the arms tightened. As the arms were groping Ryo's arms, they are draining his energy simultaneously. Soon, Ryo felt dizzy as he was feeling weak. 

The orbiting figures floated towards Ryo. They all stood infront of him as the other Rin-shis surrounded Aruma. 

" Look at this Aruma " said the Figure 

" YOU FAILED HIM " shouted the other one

" Just like you failed me " said the 3rd one 

" And now he will die too " said the 4th one 

" NOOO LEAVE THE BOY ALONE " shouted Aruma.

The figures summoned sharp sickles as they formed a straight line. The sprouted roots, made up of Rin-shi arms grew larger as they lifted Ryo from the ground. Ryo tried to summon his animal spirit, but he was too weak to muster the strength for summoning his inner spirit. The figures started to throw sickles at Ryo barely missing his vital organs.

" NOOOO " shouted Aruma as he tried to run towards Ryo but was grabbed by Rin-shis.

" HE WILL DIE " shouted the figure

" LIKE KAE " shouted another

" AND YOU WILL BE " shouted the 3rd one 

" RESPONSIBLE FOR IT " shouted the 4th one as he laughed.

" RYO!!!!!!!! " shouted Aruma 

A sudden surge of aura emerged from Aruma. The surge flooded the entire area, causing a sudden bloom in energy. Aruma slowly stood up as he realised that the time has momentarily stopped. His animal spirit emerged from him.

" Varmi " said Aruma 

" I think you needed my help, so I came back, afterall, you and I are one " said Varmi 

" The pain of losing a friend has made me weak? I am pathetic ain't I ? " questioned Aruma. 

" You are just Seeking Forgiveness " said Varmi

" How exactly? " question Aruma 

" A person, who was orphaned at a very young age, always looking and seeking for help from others, quenched for Validation all of his life...I was sent to you as your guardian and I always tried to help you but.. " said Varmi 

" But what? " questioned Aruma 

" The one's who seek Validation from others are the one's who hurt themselves from within, because they try to please others rather than pleasing oneself " said Varmi 

" If you would have looked inside yourself, talked to yourself, actually seeked for help rather than constantly proving yourself as a person who tried to act tough...if only you would have forgived yourself and moved on..you could've had it all Aruma " said Varmi 

" Kae died because of my failures, because I was weak, because I was vulnerable, he had to jump in because I wasn't able to save myself, he sacrificed his life because I blundered, and even if his life had a little value in the society, I ran it to the edge and dropped the bag because the attack was successful and not only I failed to save his life, I failed to save the village, I wasn't able to avenge him, I failed him twice." said Aruma as he slammed his fist on the ground.

" You didn't forgave yourself, even Kae family did but you didn't, you carried the weight of failure on your shoulder and you still have it after so many years..you had 2 paths, A path that Kae would have appreciated if you followed and you took the other one " said Varmi 

" What should I do Varmi...What can I even do..just like Kae, that boy will die too " said Aruma 

"In the depths of your sorrow, I stand beside you, a reflection of your strength. Hear me, my friend. The echoes of your grief cannot drown out the fire within. Your heart may carry the weight of loss, but it also bears the flame of resilience." said Varmi 

"I feel lost without them, my spirit is shattered." said Aruma 

"Yet within that fracture lies an untamed power. Remember the laughter you shared, the dreams that danced in your eyes together. They live on in the spirit of your memories. Do not let grief extinguish the light they ignited within you. You are without Kae as Kae is without..If we would have been present here, he would have forgiven you.. like his wife. You must rise again, because Ryo is in danger and if not you then Kae would have saved him. Now it's your turn to fix what you couldn't. Reignite the flame and fight like a true spirit master. You wanted to avenge Kae? Let's start by not making another Kae. Save Ryo and rejoin your path, the path of a Spirit Master.. Believe in Kae and focus " said Varmi 

Aruma stood up and clenched his fists. He gather all his strength and stood firmly in a battle stance. He grabbed his cloak and threw it away. 

 The Master within Aruma was awakened again. Once Weathered by the scars of past wars, Aruma stood tall with an aura of seasoned strength. His exposed body told tales of battles he fought in his youth. Each scar a testament to his resilience. The crisscrossing marks and faded wounds serve as a map of his journey through conflict, revealing a warrior's spirit ready to face another challenge. As he prepared for battle, the scars become symbols of experience, etched on a canvas of determination and history. As his body started to rejuvenate with Varmi's aura, the land beneath him trembled. The trees in the maze bloomed as the weather around changed.

Aruma started to hesitate as old memories started appearing infront of his eyes. 

"I fear I'm not strong enough." said Aruma 

"Strength is not the absence of fear but the will to confront it. Your friend's spirit whispers in the wind, urging you to seize each moment. Embrace the pain, channel it into a force that propels you forward. The battle may be daunting, but within you, a warrior slumbers. Do it for Avari, do it for Ryo and most importantly do it for Kae." said Varmi 

Aruma shook his head as he headed towards Varmi. He took one shaking step and then another. Slowly and steadily he covered the distance between Varmi and himself. In the last few steps, he hesitated again. However this time he felt if someone called his name. Aruma turned around and saw a figure right behind him who was facing in the opposite direction. 

" Kae " said Aruma 

"In every step, in every heartbeat, I will walk with you. Let the symphony of our memories be your battle anthem. Honor our legacy by forging ahead and saving that young boy's life and relive your purpose of a Master, for the greatest tribute is a life lived with purpose. You are not alone, my friend, for your spirit and theirs are intertwined." said the figure 

" Kae....you... " said Aruma as he started to cry.

" Help him and Help me my friend " said the figure as it disappeared when Aruma blinked his eyes.

" As I wield my skills and face the challenges ahead, I do so with a heart filled with gratitude. Thank you, my dear friend, for being the guiding star that illuminates my path. From Today and always, I will fight for you." said Aruma as he merged with Varmi.

" Aaya " said the figure 

" Say " said another 

" Good " said the third one 

" Bye " said the fourth one 

A sudden surge of energy attracted their attention. The Rin-shi's guarding encircled Aruma were taken a step back. Aruma stood up with a new bright energy coursing through his body. They looked at the figure as they themselves looked at Aruma with concern.

" This wasn't " said the figure

" Supposed " said another

" Happen " said the third

" How?? " questioned the fourth 

" Rin-shi's Attack " said the 1st figure.

Few Rin-shi's ran towards Aruma encircling him once again. Aruma stood up and took a deep breath.

" YOU ALL ARE DEAD FUCKERS, CAUSE I THE GREAT ARUMA OF THE PAISHAN IS BACK AND I AM GONNA KILL YOU ALL " shouted Aruma.