Many hours had passed since Ken and Akio left Orakano Island by ship. The sea was calm, and the waves swayed gently under the sunlight, but the calm didn't stop Akio from getting seasick. He lay on his seat, pale and barely able to keep his eyes open.
Akio (weak voice): "I think… I'm dying… Tell Kaito I loved his tea. And tell Adam… he's a weird poet…"
Ken (calmly while smoking): "Seasick? You're just an idiot."
Akio (groaning): "A dying idiot…"
Ken closed his eyes and stayed silent. After a while, both of them fell asleep. When they woke up, the ship was already nearing the edge of Fawila Province. Green trees covered the hills, and fog curled around the distant mountains.
Akio (excitedly from the ship's deck): "Woooow! Is that Fawila?! Look how beautiful it is, Ken! It's a living forest!"
Ken (getting up, coldly): "It's just land with trees."
Akio (shocked): "You have no heart. Nature is smiling right now!"
The passengers began leaving the ship. Ken and Akio walked with the crowd until they reached a dirt road surrounded by shrubs. Akio walked behind Ken, nearly dancing through the grass in excitement.
Akio (hands on his hips): "I feel reborn! Trees, air, bugs that bite me… this is life!"
Ken (dry tone): "Nice… nature is welcoming you by drinking your blood."
Akio (looking at a mosquito bite on his arm): "Ouch! Seriously! Why is nature doing this to me?!"
Ken (looking at the sky): "Maybe nature has bad taste."
Akio (playfully stepping toward him): "Oh! So you mean me?"
Ken (with killer calmness): "Yes. And I wonder if nature will throw you in a swamp and recycle you."
Akio (running along the trail, overly excited): "Waaah! Look at that butterfly! Ken Ken Ken! It's blue!! Just like me!"
Ken (without even looking): "The butterfly is prettier than you."
Akio (jumping beside Ken): "Huh, did you just call me ugly?! That's okay! Beauty is subjective… but my personality shines like lightning!"
Ken (mocking): "Then I hope your lightning strikes you soon."
Akio (laughing and getting closer): "Haha! You've got a dark sense of humor… that's why I like you! Come here!"
He suddenly threw his arm around Ken's shoulder.
Ken (clearly tired): "Is touching people your hobby?"
Akio (innocently): "Only with close friends!"
Ken (trying to push him off): "We're not that close."
Akio (still clinging): "Oh, don't be mean. Your heart may be ash, but it's still beating! I can hear it, Ken!"
Ken (pulling his arm away slowly and looking at him): "That sound is pity for your near future."
Suddenly, Ken stopped walking and looked at Akio from the corner of his eye.
Ken (serious tone): "Akio… hide your sword."
Akio (blinking): "Huh? Why? It's part of me!"
Ken: "This place isn't like Orakano. People here don't trust anyone carrying a sword—especially strangers."
Akio (looking at his big bag): "Oh… got it, got it."
Akio crouched down, opened his bag, made sure the sword handle wasn't showing, then zipped it up and smiled confidently. As they walked between the trees, silence fell… until it was broken by a desperate scream from far away. A child's scream.
??? (yelling from deep in the forest): "Please! Is anyone there?! Please help me!!"
Both of them stopped and looked at each other.
Akio (loudly): "Did you hear that? Someone's shouting!"
Ken (narrowing his eyes): "The voice is coming from that way… sounds young."
Akio (running eagerly): "Let's go! He sounds like he needs help!"
They rushed through the trees toward the voice until they reached an open area near a big rock. There stood a young boy, about twelve years old, with messy purple hair, violet eyes, and a dusty, tear-streaked face.
Boy (breathing heavily): "Please… my sister… went into the Black Ghost Cave two days ago and hasn't come back…"
Akio ran to the boy and knelt in front of him, gently placing his hands on the boy's shoulders.
Akio (worried): "Hey hey, calm down… what happened exactly? Who are you?"
Boy (sniffling): "My name is Viko. My sister Ann went into the Black Ghost Cave two days ago and never returned… I waited for her for so long but… nothing!"
Ken stepped forward and stood beside them, his gray eyes watching the boy closely.
Ken (calmly): "Black Ghost Cave? Are you kidding?"
Viko (shaking his head quickly): "No… I'm serious! Everyone says it's haunted… but we were searching for a legendary treasure that's said to be inside… or actually… the forbidden ninja scroll. I told her about it, and she went in instead of me. I didn't have the courage to follow her… and now… I don't know what to do!"
Ken: "I've heard of that cave. Rumors say whoever enters never comes out… some vanish, some come out crazy, and others are found dead days later."
Viko (shouting emotionally): "But Ann is strong! She's a ninja! Fast and smart… she can't die easily! She can't!"
Akio (passionately): "Don't worry… we'll bring her back. Me and this cold, annoying guy behind me will crush anything in our way."
Ken (glancing at him): "I don't remember agreeing."
Akio (smiling): "But you will… right?"
Ken didn't answer, but looked at Viko again and said:
Ken (calm but serious): "A ninja in a cursed cave… her chances of survival are low, but… if there's even a 1% chance she's alive, it's worth trying."
Viko (running toward him): "Really?! You'll help me?!"
Ken (looking at him): "Don't get too excited… we're going to check—not to die."
Akio (shouting excitedly): "Now that's the spirit!! A real adventure from the start!"
Ken (to Viko): "Can you show us the way?"
Viko (wiping his tears, suddenly standing firmly): "Yes. The cave isn't far from here… but we have to be careful. Something inside it… isn't natural."
Akio (joking): "Do we look natural to you? Let's go!"
Viko nodded lightly and began leading them through a path in the thick forest. The walk got tougher—the air more humid, and the ground slippery. As always, Akio didn't stop talking.
Akio (pointing at everything): "Look! That tree is huge! And that rock looks like a frog! Am I the only one who sees magic in this forest?!"
Ken (sighing as he walked behind him): "Yes… because you're the only one with clear brain damage."
Akio (cheerfully): "Ha! So you admit I'm special?"
Ken (muttering): "I just wish I had refused this dumb trip… A useless adventure with a clown who can't walk without talking to a tree."
Akio (laughing): "I'll take that as a compliment! Thanks, Ken!"
Ken (dead-eyed stare): "Stop breathing for just five minutes… I need to hear the forest cursing me for bringing you."
Viko (whispering from behind): "Are you two always like this?"
Akio (spreading his arms proudly): "See? Best duo in the continent!"
Ken (to himself): "This trip with you… is the worst decision of my life…"
They kept walking, and the air grew heavier the deeper they went into the forest.
To be continued…