What was Given

The air tasted dusty, the aching all through his body a deep soreness that he couldn't describe. Instinctively he tried to move as he blinked the sleep out of his eyes but he felt that he just couldn't, pain flared through the muscles in his shoulders and chest.

He felt like his body had become stone, a burning pain coming from everywhere but his right leg that just felt… cold.

"Hello?" He croaked, barely able to whisper the words.

Hearing someone come over he rolled his head to the side and saw the strange man that had saved him from the pit, the one that he had been going to die in. The man who had helped him out of it.

"Don't try talking, your badly hurt but you'll live. Just relax. Hikaru and Stacy are here, they're safe." The man said, starting to talk as he took a water bottle and gently poured some into Frank's open mouth, tilting his head up so that he could swallow before lowering it back down.

About to speak again he saw the man shake his head. "My name is Gavin, Don't try talking, just get back to sleep. You need rest more than anything." He said, stopping him from trying to ask any questions.

Hearing that Stacy and Hikaru were safe his eyes just felt heavier, the nagging worries that were at the back of his mind fading. He didn't have the strength to do anything else right now. At least if he was asleep he wouldn't be hurting.

Closing his eyes he was asleep before he knew it, unaware of the worry and sorrow in Gavin's eyes.

---

When he woke again he heard voices, there was a faint flicker of light, a soft buzz sounding in his ears. He didn't feel any better though.

But he could recognize those voices even if he couldn't understand most of what they were saying. Stacy and Hikaru. They were talking to the man, Gavin. He still had poor Japanese, it was moments like this when he wished he learnt it…

He really should try to.

That was too much effort even thinking about it right now.

No, he would sleep…

---

He was running and there was fire behind him, chasing him down a corridor, although everything was so slow. He found that he couldn't run, no… he didn't have the motivation to run. Why would he? The fire was his friend, it had saved him.

Turning he looked down the burning corridor filled with licking tongues of a raging inferno. The heat was so hot he could feel his skin melting and his flesh burning but he didn't care. It had saved him, he had given something to it, something he couldn't quite remember. But it was a part of him now.

This was his power, something he didn't need to fear, it made him strong. He would continue to be strong.

Reaching forward he felt the flame lick around his fingers, it didn't hurt. It was comforting.

It was safe.

As it burnt his flesh he watched as it became charred and black, his veins glowing against his skin as something started to feel off. He didn't feel so safe anymore.

Looking at the floor he saw boiling blood come up to his ankles, his eyes widening as he saw the reflection of the demonic spirit in it. His own eyes stared back at him from within its form as they slowly became a burning fiery red.

Snapping awake he gasped for air. He tried to sit up only for a blinding pain to take away all the strength he had mustered for the movement. Hands on his shoulder holding him down as he bit back a ragged scream.

"It's alright mate, it's okay. Settle down. It's alright, you're safe." He heard a distorted voice comfort him over and over. Staring up at the blurry face he saw Hikaru come into focus.

His mind felt clearer than it had the first few times he had woken… as if it was starting to work properly again.

But that nightmare… why did that feel so real? Was it his doubt and guilt? What did he feel guilty about, he had saved them. He had given something, they should be grateful to him. He shouldn't feel bad? Should he?

What had he given? Was it his to give?

Confused he just stared at Hikaru, sweat plastered on his brow slowly running down his temples.

Feeling something pat it away he looked to his right and saw Stacy on the other side of him. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. Her hand shaking as she gently dabbed away the sweat from his nightmare. Her lips quivering…

That was what he had given… he didn't care. Well, he did, but not like he felt he should. He cared as much as he would seeing a stranger be so upset. He didn't feel the need to comfort her… he… felt nothing special. She was just another person.

That was right, he thought he wouldn't make it out. He burnt everything he felt towards her. Hate, love, their past and future. He gave it all away to save someone that he… couldn't care for.

Ironic.

Relaxing back into the ground he let a sigh escape his lips. His eyes relaxed into a neutral look. No emotions showing, he didn't know what to feel. Surprisingly he was more grateful that Hikaru was here than he was for Stacy being here. And he still didn't like the guy that much.

But that emotion was quickly going away now that he had no reason… not to like him.

"You're awake? Feeling with us or are you going to sleep again." Gavin said, his voice quiet, hesitant to ask. His face was full of concern as he looked over.

Confused by the reaction of everyone he asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Well you're more awake than last time at least," Hikaru said, a relieved look appearing on his face. "Yeah, everything is okay, how much do you remember?" Hikaru asked, the first part said with hesitation, however. Something was up.

Confused Frank responded. "Not much… I woke up twice or something, after beating the spirit. The first time Gavin was the only one awake… the second it was… um. You were all talking, there was a soft buzz but that was it, I fell asleep like right after."

Nodding in understanding Hikaru watched as Stacy suddenly stood up and stormed out of the room. Fresh tears silently rolled down her cheek as she marched up the stairs.

"Wait Stacy-" Hikaru said as he suddenly stood up and turned to face where she left before he looked back at Frank and clenched his jaw, trying to make a choice.

"Don't worry, go, I'll explain," Gavin said waving Hikaru off who quickly ran up the stairs and after the girl.

Watching all this in confusion Frank turned to look at Gavin but before he could even ask any questions the other man had already pulled a chair up to the side of where he was lying and said. "Save your breath I'll explain. First off, it's clear you don't remember but you woke up a few times… most of those times you spoke… incoherently." Gavin said, taking a moment to find a word in English. "But the times we could understand you it was mostly about… well you telling people to run… yelling at the spirit or something like that maybe. But a few times when we tried to talk to you…"

Sighing he ran his hand through his hair. "You recognised Stacy and Hikaru but you showed no concern for Stacy, basically ignoring her sometimes and even at one point telling her you didn't care… mostly focusing on me and Hikaru when you were coherent enough to speak." He revealed. His lips thinned into a line as he waited for a reaction, clearly uncomfortable as he delivered the news.

"Oh, well that makes sense," Frank said, unconcerned by hearing this… sure he felt kind of bad… but he couldn't feel more than that.

Sighing Gavin asked, "I know you're not meant to tell people, but can I hear how your technique works or if you made any sort of vow?"

Looking at the stone ceiling Frank followed some cracks with his eyes. His gaze lingered on some of the dubious-looking spots before he spoke slowly. "I… the more I sacrifice the more heat I can generate. Like fuel, the more I fuel my technique the stronger, the more value the fuel I use has, the hotter the flames. I gave my memories and emotions related to Stacy to beat that spirit… the love I had for her mostly I guess." Frank revealed with a sigh.

He wouldn't mention the years of his life though, they were not relevant to the current situation.

Eyes widening Gavin raised his eyebrows and said slowly. "Oh, you must have loved her a lot… the destruction out there is pretty… extreme."

"Yeah… I must have." Frank responded neutrally, his brows furrowing a bit as he tried to think back to it.

Seeing the lack of emotion in his response Gavin nodded his head slowly. That was… heavy. It was best to tell the other two but he wouldn't do so without Frank's permission, after all, it was his technique.

People just trusted him… it was a problem he had when he used his technique on someone even for minor things, like a side-effect.

"Do you mind if I tell the others?" He questioned, looking up from his hands that were clasped in front of him.

Attempting to shrug Frank didn't feel his shoulders move and just sighed. "Yeah, it would be for the best I guess."

Seeing someone so neutral to what had clearly before held such emotion and value Gavin couldn't help but question how… confusing this all must be. To have such intense emotion just gone. It was a frightening thing. Nodding his head he stood up and grabbed some water.

"Let's get you a drink first, then I'll go up and let them know," Gavin said, kneeling down by Frank who just opened his mouth.

Pouring some in he waited for Frank to swallow, repeating this a few more times. His mind racing with thoughts as he did so. As he held Frank's head he could tell that he wasn't lying, he had given everything relating to Stacy, All thoughts associated with her were now blank, even the new ones that were being made.

He would never again be able to care for her…

Putting the bottle down he didn't say anything as he just walked up the stairs, going to find Hikaru and Stacy and let them know.

Laying there in confusion, Frank didn't feel he had done something wrong. He couldn't right now. He realized that what had might have done would have hurt her though. Maybe she had liked him back, maybe they had been in a relationship. He remembered he did something just before she had left him with the Spirit… but he couldn't remember what.

Maybe he should just sleep again…

As the thought came over him he felt his eyes grow heavy. That seemed like a good idea. Before long he was once more in a deep sleep.

Coming down the stairs a while later Stacy shortly followed by Hikaru saw the sleeping form of Frank.

Going over to his side Stacy knelt down. Her hands grabbed Frank's own, clasping it between her own. "I love you too Frank... I just wanted you to grow a bit more mature… I'm so so sorry. I'm so sorry." Her face once more streamed tears.

It hurt so much, she was so grateful that he loved her that much but so angry that he had given it away. Even if she knew why. He felt that he wasn't going to win. He thought he was going to die with the spirit.

But he had lived and she hated that she felt this way, but part of her wished that he hadn't. Because then she could remember Frank as her first kiss only, the man she loved. Not… what he was now. Someone unable to even be her friend.

"I'm so so sorry," She muttered again, crying, her head resting against his chest as she sobbed.

Patting her back Hikaru looked at Frank. His eyes blank as he recalled the damage up there. Emotions were strong, but to have ones that strong was… baffling, to care for someone so intensely reflected through the heat that he had output.

He never knew if he would ever be able to care for someone so intensely.

It was a long time before Stacy settled down once more, all out of tears for what felt like the hundredth time this week she went and sat down, although she couldn't help but look at Frank every now and again.

"I think it is best that I let you all know what happened now," Gavin said, sitting down, his eyes also going to Frank but for a different reason. "I'll let him know later… but it has been enough of a wait for you two."

Making himself comfortable he watched as Hikaru also came over carrying some cup ramen, offering one to Stacy who refused.

Taking it for himself, Gavin had a mouthful to gather his thoughts first. Swallowing he started to speak. "As you might have guessed the Higher-Ups did this to kill you three, they wanted the 'upstart' foreigners dead. Frank especially."

"They sent you three on a mission they thought there was no chance of you coming back alive from once the opportunity came. Hikaru… they sent you since they didn't like the fact that you were growing close to the two upstarts." Gavin said, motioning to Hikaru as he was mentioned.

"Where do you come into all of this?" Hikaru asked as Gavin had another mouthful.

"Good question, I come in because I heard about this and heavily disagreed… I believed that it was wrong to kill the best sorcerers we had just because one of them wasn't adapting to our culture too well. Of course, they didn't agree. After an argument with one of the Higher-Ups…" Gavin said, not mentioning that it was his brother. "I left, I decided that I would save Frank and help you to escape. Because in the end I couldn't just sit by and watch it happen."

Leaning back into his chair he nodded as he watched Hikaru look at him with a bit of confusion. "Is that all?"

"Surprisingly yes, it is. Some acts of evil are done for surprisingly simple reasons." Gavin said as he shrugged. "They have done more for less before, I don't know where to go from here but we are all wanted curse users now. And to top it all off, Frank is regarded as a special grade for now and will be hunted by very strong people."

"In the end, I couldn't be a part of a society like that, so I left. And I helped save you three, what you all chose to do now is up to you." Gavin finished. A few more questions were asked and answered as the sun started to set.

The white light flickered now as its soft hum filled the melancholy room.

--- Current ---

Sighing Frank put his cup of tea down. Looking out the window to the room they were in. His eyes grew sad as he saw the setting sun.

"I still can't feel anything for her. But I felt such anger knowing that I had to sacrifice something that important to me for something as simple as the pride of foolish men." Frank said, looking at Atlas with a small smile.

"In the end, I don't regret what I did, I can't really. But I have given it a lot of thought. It turned out alright though, Stacy was surprisingly understanding and in the end, moved on… she started a family with Hikaru, having Young Hoshi." Frank went on to explain.

"I found another girl who I soon fell for and in the end, I had a son too a few months after that. In the end, I was happy for them." Frank finished with a small nod of his head. Taking another sip from his tea.

Waiting for a moment Atlas asked, "What happened after that? I mean what did you do now that you knew you were hunted by the Society?"

Chuckling lightly Frank shrugged and said. "Honestly, not much. We all stayed together, just hunting spirits living in the ruined area. It wasn't much of a life but we grew happy with it." Frank reminisced as his eyes grew distant.

Moving on he said, "Things started to really change around 1987..."

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Another flashback chapter. I know a lot of people are probably feeling like there a drag and unneeded but I am having fun exploring more of what made Frank who he is.

But just so people can know the timeline so they will know when everything gets back on track:

63 is the last chapter that will have flashback scenes in it.

64 Everything gets wrapped up and prepared for the time skip.

And the time skip itself happens at the start of chapter 65 to the year when Yuji joins. (May 2018 One month before he has a finger snack)

Up to five chapters ahead are available on my Patr eon if you are interested in reading all the current chapters that I have written as well as the old chapter 65 and 66 that are no longer being used! link is in synopsis.