The Ancient Revelation: Rewrite

Genkei and Alexa look at each other, before turning their gaze back to Akio.

"Actually.. no. Let's let the scouts go about as they are now. But let's go out on patrols at the same time."

- "Well.. you've got a point. Especially considering what just happened, it would help both us and our men to become stronger. Alexa, what do you think?"

- "It's a bit.. weird, to be sure. However, your point stands. Going out ourselves would allow us to get fuller information on the forces of the Dark Wizard whilst improving our own abilities."

- "Think about it, you two. The sudden appearance of those undead soldiers.. if we were there at the start or just faster, those scouts wouldn't have been injured.. especially Achilles."

Akio's arguments are compelling, especially when taking into consideration what Alexa and Genkei also said prior. After a bit of consideration, Genkei and Alexa both consider it a good idea, so long as at least two Generals are in the headquarters at all times.

Glad with the positive reaction from two of his peers, Akio prepares to go to Aoi and Harumi and tell them the suggestion too.

- "Akio.. wait."

- "What is it, Genkei?"

- "You look.. tired. Considering what you've been through these past two days.. I'll tell you what. Me and Alexa will talk to Jack about it. After you're done with Aoi and Harumi, you should go and rest. For a while, perhaps."

Akio looks at his hands. He's shaking, ever so slightly. Perhaps.. Genkei is right. It's already been two days since he assumed office and he's already fought, grown and almost died a fair few times.

- "Alright.. thanks, you two."

Telling his goodbyes to Alexa and Genkei, Akio heads towards another office. Following the same routine as he did prior, Akio opens the door, seeing Harumi and Aoi. The former waves at him, while Aoi goes up to embrace her beloved.

A few minutes pass. Akio talks to the girls about his proposal, and after some deliberation, they agree too. Getting the opportunity to fight, improve themselves and gather some information is not a bad thing.

Their reaction makes Akio glad once again. Afterwards, the two girls prepare to leave. After all, it's a bit late.

- "Hey, Akio. Will you come with us?"

- "..."

"No. I'll stay here a while longer."

Harumi leaves the room, opting to wait for Aoi at the front doors, realizing that the couple will have some romantic moment.. and she doesn't like that. As she's walking out, she sees Jack. The latter greets her, but Harumi bows her head down.. blushing.

Afterwards, Harumi brings her head up again, waving Jack goodbye. Meanwhile...

Before leaving, Aoi hugs Akio from behind. Her sleeves are up, and now, Akio sees the burn marks on her hands, as a few tears fall from his eyes.

- "Akio.. please, don't push yourself too hard."

Aoi tears up, burying her head in Akio's back, as Akio raises his head.

- "Alright, Aoi. I love you."

- "Me too..."

A few seconds later, Aoi leaves, as Akio exits the room also, closing the door. Before doing anything else, though, Akio just stands there. He ponders over what he had done. After killing the first four soldiers and brutally disposing of the fifth...

"I'm an idiot."

---

I hit my head, understanding my predicament. I had gone too far, and I ran out of energy because of that. I almost died because I couldn't control myself. I need to train...

As I take one step, my whole body aches. It knows what I know, but I can't bring myself to understand it. Genkei was right, but can I really rest..?

---

Akio decides to check up on Achilles, so as to take his mind off stuff. Knocking on the door, he enters, sitting on a stool next to Achilles' bed.

"How are you feeling?'

- "I'm fine, I think..."

- "I see. That's good."

- "What.. about you? What happened back there?"

- "You showed me what you were made of is what happened?"

- "Huh..?"

- "Back then. When you told me that you didn't remember what you had done."

- "What about that..?"

- "You had surpassed yourself. I saw you bring out unprecedented speed, strength and skill, even when injured. And you did that subconsciously."

- "I.. did..?"

- "Yeah. And apparently, I do stuff like that too. We're in the same boat, Achilles."

- "I see.. so what now?"

- "I'll need to take some time off. After you recover, though, I want you to train with Genkei. Not just to counter the undead soldiers, but to find that potential of yours."

- "Alright, Akio. Thanks for telling me."

- "No need to thank me."

Akio and Achilles shake hands, as the former leaves. Akio walks towards his office, but before he can open the door, someone calls out to him.

- "Not leaving yet?"

Looking to his right, Akio sees Jack, who's apparently preparing to leave himself.

- "No, I want to sit and think for a while."

- "You sure you won't do any training?"

- "Hm, no. Genkei advised me to rest, and I think he's right."

Jack laughs, but he is happy to hear what Akio said.

- "I see. You're making the correct call, Akio. I'm going though."

- "What about all those crazy inventions you're working on?"

- "Sometimes, even the strongest need time to themselves."

Jack waves Akio goodbye, but his words resonated with the latter, reinforcing Genkei's point. Akio enters his office, slowly walking towards the chair in his desk. For the first time since assuming office, Akio sits in his chair. It's comfortable, but not what Akio's looking for currently.

Akio grabs a pen, as he starts fidgeting with it, getting lost in thought. He thinks about his family, the prophecy, the world.. his power.. the commander.. the undead...

Slowly, Akio feels the pain in his body. It becomes slightly stronger with each thing that he thinks about, as he sighs.

"Perhaps.. I need to rethink it all."

Getting up from his chair, Akio looks at the painting on the wall: the same Phoenix that he's wearing on his back, but he notices something below it, which shouldn't be there.

---

I walk up to it. It's a sword, with a black sheath and an orange guard. I laugh, remembering a time in my childhood where I wanted to be a swordsman. Next to it, I see a picture. It's the Shining Generals of the previous generation, and us, the current generation. A picture from just a few days ago, yet it feels like it was there for years.

With a warm smile, yet not saying anything, I simply take the picture and put it in my pocket, as I go home...

---