The Mangrove of the Ocean (Part 3)

*Sura's POV*

"SURA!!!"

Mom's exasperated voice clears my mind…

"Huh?"

An unfamiliar deep echo, tears from my throat... my voice and uh… what was that… when my vision finally clears a bit… I… I had the frog girl's throat nearly crushed in my hand as she choked, gagging as drips of Saffron blood falls upon her face… each droplet burning away at her skin... from me. Deathly rasping comes from her as her eyes, bloodshot with veins begins to roll backwards… her thinly translucent body shows her organs, sputtering to keep her alive as veins in her body begin to leak blood… mixing like putrid soup into her body. I'm looking down at her… am I taller? I touch my face and notice sharp fang-like teeth protruding out of my mouth…

"Sura you're gonna kill her!!"

Still shocked, I forget about the sensation of my hands around her neck and she falls limply onto the ground. I turned and I was taller than mom… she held onto my arm, everything feels hazy, confused... I can only tell her touch clearly. I look around to see people close by, holding their head in pain… the frog girl's brother's was in pure shock and terror, on the ground as tears streamed down his face as he holds his head in pain.

[This is your nature]

That voice… Before anyone else around turns their head to see, a dome of vines forms instantly over us.

"I'm here! Ohari, prepare to evacuate. Mokuren! Immediate medical aid!"

Goddess Myriam arrives in a beam of light.

"Arragghh!!"

A headache hits me as I fall to my knees… a sudden flash of carnage… and it's gone. No, I had this before, in my dreams… I remember now, glimpses clear to me… I… suddenly a cover was thrown onto me.

"Shhhh… we can't let others see you like this. Go! I'll stay behind to calm the situation."

I'm suddenly picked up… Kyuu? Mokuren? Where… I then noticed the control rings were on my arm... wait, I left them back at home in a rush this morning… no… it's, my fault…

"You're ok! You're ok... you're not hurt are you? You are burning to the touch! Damn it brat what the hell was that!?"

Mokuren whispered near me as Kyuu-san carried me. I could hear mom close by too as we rushed out of the village while Goddess Myriam and Mokuren stayed behind.

The night air was cold, hollow against my skin. Even shirtless I wasn't bothered… I look down at my hands… What was I doing? Was I… going to kill her? No it can't be!! I'm not that type! I've returned to my small size… it felt like it never happened but here I am.

"Heya!! Haa! Heya!! Haa!! Hui-ha haya te!!"

Down at the beach, the chants continued on around the bonfire as folks from all the mangrove towns gathered to dance and have fun around a big bonfire. There was a band group playing on wooden simple guitars, drums, and bongos, livening up the atmosphere for everyone… and the ocean, ever present to wet the sand with its waves, as if nothing could ever impede its rhythmic pattern of life. The waves that molded this beautiful beach are the same centuries ago… even longer… It's comforting, in a strange way… but…

I hated it, that feeling burning inside me… it was just life that first time… I-I almost ki-killed the frog girl. Fingers dig into my palm as I close my fist… do I really have that capacity to hurt someone so much?

Someone climbs onto the rocks next to me and sits down.

"Are you ok, munchkin?"

"Mom…"

She risked herself again to help me… my arms tremble.

"I'm… so… STUPID!!"

*Crack!*

My fist cracks and burrows into the boulder next to me.

"STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!"

As I raise my hand again, mom grabs my arm… and her hands open up my closed fist… I slipped out of her hand.

"It's all my fault! Again!! If only I didn't forget the rings back home!! It could've gone worse, like last time! You almost got hurt again because of me!!"

"Sura-chan!"

*Smack*

Two hands slap on my cheeks as mom cups my face, turning my head towards her. Mom looks at me with an expression of angered determination. Her hair frizzled with concern...

"Sura-chan, stop blaming yourself. You are so young, how can I blame you for wanting to enjoy your own life? It was my fault… I saw the rings next to your bed this morning when I took a peek at you… I thought maybe to bring it but I thought: 'maybe just today we can forget about it.'"

"But… still!"

Warm streams trickled down my eyes and onto her palms. I held onto mom's hand and looked at her…

"Mom… did you get burned from touching me?"

"No~"

"Liar!!"

I grab her two hands and turn their palms towards me… on mom's hand were light ashen burn marks.

"See?!... I had forgotten I wasn't normal… maybe I thought I could just be like any happy kid… but now I remember!! That there's always something wrong with me! I just felt happy and normal for a while that I forgot…"

Mom tightens her shoulder, and eyes full of guilt.

"You're right Sura-chan... you're incredibly special... which is why it lies on me to take responsibility. Things were peaceful for so long, I thought maybe it could be forgotten, maybe you could live peacefully and happy with us without worry..."

"Does… mom not want me?"

"No silly, I love you just the way you are… and I'll always keep taking care of you. As always, remember our time at the memorial garden that night back home?"

"But-"

"No buts! Are you questioning mom's love for you?"

She raises her eyebrows, pretending to be intimidating as she upturns her lips… it only makes mom look silly. I try to hide my smile as I bury my head into her chest.

"Hehe nuh uh uh I saw that smile~ now come on, everybody's waiting on you and they're worried."

"They're… worried?"

I stand up and gaze down, and I see Artemas, Saraswati, Wukong, Pandora, Klara, Jackie, Mokuren and Goddess Myriam standing there waving to me. Well, the sun was just setting, and the layered blazes of orange upon the sea were still alive. I jump down, and find Kyuu-san with her arms crossed below.

"Kyuu-san?"

"Hey brat… I found out what happened. I…"

She hesitates as she looks over to Mokuren, she comes over and whispers to me.

"I believe Kyui is trying to say that she's sorry"

Kyuu-san looked like she wanted to refute, but just sighed, looking at me.

"Yeah… I should've also helped keeping an eye on you. God it's so embarrassing even though I also promised mom this before… you're not alone Sura. If you had really bothered me I would've kicked you out of the house the first time, brat."

"Kyuu-san… and if things like this… happens again in the future?"

Mom's hands rested on my head.

"Then we'll face it together, as a family and with our friends together."

"We're all in this together, out of our own choice we help you, flower maiden."

Goddess Myriam states, her voice glowing in confidence… guilt claws at my heart as I hurriedly ask her, I have to know.

"Goddess Myriam! Is the frog girl ok?! Is her brother ok too?!"

"They're fine… damage control was a mess. People started wondering about the sudden dome and commotion. Me and Mokuren warned that there was a near fatal accident with a head injury that happened to someone, and we shielded them from everyone for emergency surgery and to not freak anyone out over the 'blood'.... I healed those two fully, thankfully."

Goddess Myriam hesitated to say what happened next, perhaps even puzzled herself. Mokuren steps in for her.

"But we had to use some amnesia inducing flowers to put them to sleep and at least, temporarily erase those memories... but not just those two, some of people closest to the accident were showing signs of hysteria and... almost rabid like behavior... their symptoms are gone. I hope they'll wake up thinking it's a strange dream… and that no one saw what really happened."

I'm reminded of how I saw some people holding their heads in pain around me before the dome shielded us from them... was it because of me?

"…I see…"

Mokuren rests her hand on my head.

"They're resting fine, in the meanwhile."

Mokuren nods to everyone else.

"Don't forget us!"

Artemas, together with Pandora, Wukong, Klara, Jackie, and Saraswati.

"We heard you didn't feel well, so we wanted to check up on you."

Artemas… everyone… but they didn't see me did they? Saraswati and Wukong though… Do they hate me?

"You guys… thank you."

"I heard about that frog girl being an ass, was it her? Did she bully you too?! That bitch! Where is she?!"

Pandora pipes up with anger before Wukong jabs her this time.

"Eh? Wukong!?"

"Pandora stop! This is serious!... no more violence…"

"Oh I… huh…"

Perhaps taken aback by the sharp decisive tone by Wukong… Pandora shuts herself. Saraswasti crawls towards me, whispering away so nobody else hears.

"Thank you, Sura-chan… I admit you were scary when that happened… but you were cool too! Even if uh… frog girl almost bit the dust but, thank you for standing up for me~ Wukong too."

Wukong blushes lightly.

"Oh I-I… just couldn't bear seeing you being treated this way… I mean you're so awesome… and kind I didn't know why… geh."

Together they settle down before telling me… I…

"You don't… hate me?"

Taking my hands into hers, the very same that took a life, Wukong smiles despite it.

"Of course... I was scared when I saw you. I think I trust you though! If Goddess Myriam, Kyuu sensei, and Miss Ohari all loves you so much... then there is a good reason to. We'll keep it a secret, Goddess Myriam told us about the basics… Sura-chan really is something hehe."

"And you're still my little awesome mascot!"

Some semblance of peace returns to me, then Klara then budges in out of nowhere

"Straightforward! Shamelessly!! And boldly! Do we fight our obstacles! Is my life a lesson to you, pretty maiden! The quickest path to victory is straightforward! Is something I've learned… while flirting hehe but for real, don't be afraid to ask for help and take your problems head on."

"Klara-san…"

That was the first time I've heard sound advice from Miss blue dragon lady...

"Oh ya insufferable dragon hoochie, now come on everyone! Ain't but a moment till sun's gon down. Let's celebrate with a photo!"

Jackie quickly sets down her family camera on a log facing the ocean, running and gathering us together into a crowd… I'm kneeling in the front holding out a peace sign while everyone poses… laughter shared and exchanged as the fading azure sun dips behind us into the horizon of the ocean. Like melting ice, it pours its colors on to the water, connecting the heavens and sea.

*Kacha!!*, taking the photo Jacky's freckles charms her giggle.

"...Heh, this photo's going in the favorites section of my board."

Reconciling with everyone, we enjoyed our beach day's end at night, listening to the group dance and songs. Klara flirted more with the town's girls as always… but still, I stayed watching with mom and Goddess Myriam still feeling disturbed. I hope… this moment lasts forever in my memories. But that voice, those flashes of… violence. I'll never forget them either, now that I finally remember bits and pieces of my dreams.

"Hey munchkin, did you forget? You brought your guitar hehe."

"Eh!"

I almost forgot!! I was gonna play a duet with Saraswati for everyone at the end of today!! I frantically try to find the guitar case… wait did I leave it on Nina the dragon!? Saraswati holds out my case.

"I got yours, I brought it down thinking you forgot. I was just about to ask if you wanna play with me… sorry for not asking earlier it's just that… nervous"

Wukong gives Saraswati a small thumbs up, giving a small boost of confidence as Saraswasti straightens all her legs to hold herself up with more presence.

"Let's! Ah I'll just be just a bit behind you Sura-chan ehe."

Gathering around us two, everyone sits on the sand. Bringing out the guitar, I swing it around my chest along with Saraswati.

"A 1… a 2, a 1 2 3 4!!"

"Ever on and on

I continue circling

With nothing but my hate

And the carousel of agony

Till slowly I forget and my heart starts vanishing

And suddenly I see that I can't Break free!"

Singing our hearts out, I lose and drown my woes in music, putting our own spin onto the musical rock piece as we electrify each note, speeding each part. My hand comes down on the strings with the pick, sending slightly fuzzy hair-standing distorting the air giving way the foundation for Saraswati's clear compelling lead.

Suddenly taking out a second guitar, Sarasate rips down on the chords playing both guitars with her four arms… flying through notes at unfathomable speeds in her solo ending in high electrifying notes … using the whammy bar to tune her pitches, the chords echoes stereo delays that reverberate the still night air with lead tones.

*Clap clap clap*

Cheers were heard, as Wukong even couldn't help cheering for Saraswati. Mom's mouth is agape as she looks at me with twinkling eyes. We even got some viewers from the town when hearing us.

"That was awesome! I had no idea you could play guitar!... huh maybe I should learn an instrument."

"Damn that was badass!"

Artemas and Pandora yell. Mom hugs me as I set down the guitar, she nudges my face.

"Haha munchkin, when did you get so good? You got even better since last time hehe~"

"Ehehe, mom inspired me to learn and play guitar more… was I ok?"

"Ok? You were fantastic… I'm so proud of you, come here!"

She hugs and snuggles me some more… there was still so much to learn, all the amplifiers, petals, guitar pickups, strings… wah when will I ever come close to Ms. Spider Lady?

"Feeling sleepy yet? Feel free to use my lap~"

"I'm good, mom, thank you!"

As tempting as it was I wanted to just feel the quietness…. Feel and listen to the crash of the soothing waves dwindle bit by bit as we ride Nina back home.

I turn around to look at everyone. Everyone seems a bit worn out from the excitement today, I even see Wukong sleeping, leaning against Sarawasti who was also asleep…

I wish these memories would last forever, the moments, and time spent… high up here, I want to forget about what happened back there… No matter how hard I try, I cannot escape the burning I feel. I open and close my hands, trying desperately to forget the power I felt and almost… desire to crush harder on the frog girl's neck.

That dream… it was about Asura… why? Why them? My first clue to figuring out who… what I am… only sends chills down my spine… Asura…Sura… a warrior that was supposedly feared by many. What do they have to do with me?... I feel I need to really start trying to figure that out.

Something lands into my hand. It's Kyuu-san's music player... Mom took it out her bag.

"Here sweetie, hehe mom prepares everything just in case~"

"Ehe, thank you~"

I turn on the player as its screen dimly lit, and put on the ear phones.

"Are we trapped in the space of stars? Are we~ Are we~

Do you plan to get off the haze? Runaway with me~"

The cozy music plays from the player from the player, a lofty tune with slow, lively beats and piano... paired with flying through the clouds, soothes my mind. I close my eyes, and drift along to the music, hoping it could take my mind off what happened today just for a little bit...