Chapter 02 –Recruitment + Valediction

  Around the world, people could channel spiritual energy. They were called enchanters, and Omitaru was about to learn just how dangerous that title could be.

  Only minutes earlier, his trip to the city market had been cut short. A stranger stood in his path. An enchanter like him.

  Maverick at first didn't ask for Omitaru's help, however, in the end he recruited him.

  This conversation had ended with Omitaru wondering who Yucca was. As they moved deeper into the city, Omitaru waited for answers. Maverick walked ahead in silence, hands tucked calmly at his sides. Ruro trailed along behind them, staring wide-eyed at the buildings and plants, his tongue hanging out in wonder.

  The confusion on Omitaru's face never faded.

  "So... are you going to tell me more about Yucca?" he asked. "Is he someone to be feared?"

  Maverick sighed and lifted his right hand. "I'd rather show you. After we leave the market to gather supplies, we'll go to the place where I've heard some of Yucca's followers hang out. I think that they are only loyal to him for the promise of power. Once we're there, remember this."

  He glanced back briefly.

  "You must stay close to me during this time. They are hazardous people," Maverick said.

  Omitaru looked at Ruro, then back at Maverick's back. "Right..." he said.

  The sound of them walking on the pavement clapped loudly as they moved closer to the heart of the city.

  Outside markets made of wood, along with indoor markets, were now in view. Beautiful blue flowers were placed in brown vases along the walkway. Up above, there were large, thin black archways lining the entire street. The walkway itself was a blue-paved square-block path, with the road to the left. Many cars went by, honking at pedestrians and passersby alike. The traffic light hung above, preparing to urge its way into stoppage.

  "What kind of stuff are you looking to buy?" Maverick asked.

  Omitaru looked at Ruro, who was still lollygagging about with his tongue suspended outwards. "Just some refreshments and flowers for Ruro," said Omitaru with a smile, placing his hands on the back of his head.

  Ruro drew near at the mention of his name, then softly perched like a bird on Omitaru's right shoulder. Omitaru giggled at the touch of the comb-shaped wings and soft, padded fur.

  "That feels nice, Ruro," he said happily.

  "Pek," squeaked Ruro in response.

  "Ok, the shopping center is just ahead. You can find what you need at the farmers' market. I'm going to dip into this barrel-shaped bar for a minute to gather information. We meet back here in twenty minutes," said Maverick.

  Omitaru stopped and looked to his side. There was, in fact, a beer-keg-shaped brown bar sitting to the right of them. The black wooden sign read "Aristo's Bar" in fancy brown lettering on a white background.

  Omitaru nodded. "Ok, that looks easy to find again. We will scout ahead then. You're not skipping out on us to go for a drink, are you?"

  Maverick looked appalled. "Me? No way. I don't drink, at least not on the job!" he said, as he strolled off into the bar after opening the wooden, window-vent-shaped brown doors.

  Omitaru sighed in disbelief at Maverick's tone of voice. Adults will be adults, he thought to himself.

  "Well, it's just us two again, Ruro. Let's hurry up and get what we need so we can return."

  After he said this, they walked into a crowd of people, primarily men and women, with a few young children. The dense crowd seemed to be waiting to get fresh vegetables and fruits from an outdoor stand, the fresh raw smell pressing Omitaru and Ruro as they went. It was obvious with the way Ruro looked that vegetables were one of his favorite dishes as well, as his eyes beamed across them with a starry delight.

  "Not there, Ruro. It's too crowded, and the prices are way above market value," Omitaru said as he struggled through the crowd, taking hits and avoiding contact as much as possible.

  "Watch it!" a woman's voice rang out through the crowd.

  "Sorry!" responded the steadily moving Omitaru.

  Ruro frowned up a bit, yet returned to basking at the next court.

  There were blue flowers bundled up for purchase here. The shop name, Celeste's Flowers, was in white lettering on a blue sign with delicate floral patterns. Omitaru walked up to the stand, noticing that these stores all seemed to have outdoor stands as well as indoor buildings. Across the road were three other stores, all sporting the same type of stands and buildings, just different sizes. This flower shop was quite a standalone, like the bar, but it had a white roof with blue flowers painted on it.

  Behind the outdoor stand was a lady and a girl about Omitaru's age. They both had green hair and yellow eyes, and wore the same white dress gown. They appeared to be a low-income family, as their hair was rough and unkempt, even though they both had long, straight hair.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "Hey, I'm Celeste, and this is my daughter, Melony. How can we be of service?" Celeste said.

  Omitaru smiled and looked at the salivating Ruro. "Hey, I'm Omitaru. Nice to meet you! I need 100 flowers, vacuum-sealed or wrapped, for my companion, Ruro. They are a delicacy to him as a herbivore pufferball dragon," Omitaru said.

  Celeste and Melony beamed with curiosity.

  "Dragons aren't rare, yet a pufferball dragon is quite an interesting companion. Most people prefer tough companions, yet you have a companion who is both tough and cute," Celeste said with a wink as she looked at Ruro.

  Ruro blushed at this, turning his face a pink blush.

  "We really appreciate that, ma'am," said Omitaru, donning his usual smile.

  "Oh, please, I'm only twenty-seven. Call me Celeste. I'll be right back."

  Omitaru looked at Melony. "Oh, hi there," he said as Celeste exited the stand to go into the shop to get supplies.

  Melony looked at Omitaru curiously before speaking. "Hi. What brings you here? Shouldn't you be in school?"

  Omitaru smiled. "School's out for the summer, remember? Also, I learn from my tablet on the go. I don't go to school. I'm on a journey to find rare items, although I joined a crew to help get rid of Yucca."

  Melony gasped, and a look of fear spread across her face as she clasped her hands to her lips. Omitaru stopped smiling.

  "You know something about Yucca?" he questioned seriously.

  Melony removed her hands and tried to stabilize her breathing. "You should not. Yucca is the leader of a massive street gang called Vice. He's been recruiting for years to achieve reincarnation at death, amongst other wickedness. His followers have done things for his loyalty, including torture, kidnapping, murder, burning villages, and more. Even here, some enchanters follow him."

  Omitaru looked into her eyes and calmly spoke. "I'm not afraid. Although my spirit level is really low, Ruro and I can handle them. Right, Ruro?"

  Ruro squeaked emphatically. "Pek."

  Melony turned away from them. "My mom doesn't show it, yet she's poor. You think... maybe I could. No, I couldn't. I would like to slip away and join you in secret. My father left when I was born, and I was raised here with the city's general help. Mom is tired. She can't afford to feed us both. I cry at night, and even sometimes during the day when I get a little space to myself."

  Omitaru frowned and dropped his head. I only have enough money to feed Ruro and myself. I planned to enter the temple to pray and hunt, among other things, to get spirit coins. There's no way she can join me, he thought to himself.

  Ching! A bell sounded as the door of the shop opened, a sound that Omitaru had ignored before.

  Celeste came out with a see-through plastic wrap and began neatly laying flowers horizontally in it, with the stems to the right. Omitaru rubbed the back of his head with his right arm while she did this. Melony had turned back around, and looking at her elegant yet dirty face, he couldn't resist.

  "I know I'm a stranger, yet your daughter wishes to leave and go on an adventure with me. I'm from a town just twenty miles away, so you can trust me. I'll even give you my address and my family's contact number. As for school, I study on the move. I think that this could help us both out."

  Celeste slowed down and came to a stop. She looked at Omitaru, then at her daughter.

  "You've been talking to this stranger about leaving? What were you thinking, Melony? This is crazy talk. We don't need help from strangers."

  Melony dropped her head, and a tear fell.

  Omitaru didn't give up. "You are enchanters like me, correct? I'm thinking maybe plant-based abilities, since you grew these flowers so well. If she goes, I promise to bring her back safe within ten years. That's how long it'll take me to travel the world and collect rare items that are rumored to exist. That may be a lot to ask, yet her abilities are being wasted here. We can learn together and use our powers to better the world. Some villages need medicinal plants due to droughts. Some flowers can heal illnesses. She can really help out. If I haven't made a convincing case yet, tell me what I can say?"

  Celeste looked even more agitated. "I will refuse to sell you flowers if you continue to try to recruit my daughter. You didn't think this would be that easy, did you? I raised her from age sixteen by myself after her father abandoned her at birth. She's the only thing I have that brings value to my life in this unforgiving world."

  Omitaru sighed at Celeste's response. There was one final plea he had to make.

  Omitaru straightened up, his voice quieter now, not desperate, just steady.

  "I won't offer gold. I won't offer my companion. And I won't pretend this isn't dangerous," he said. "Because lying would prove I'm not worth trusting."

  He looked at Melony, then back to Celeste.

  "What I can offer is this. She doesn't disappear. She grows. She learns to use what she already is. And if at any moment she wants to come home, I will bring her back myself, even if it costs me everything I earn."

  He placed a small statue on the counter, its light faint but real.

  "This is all I have right now. Not payment, proof. Proof that I'm starting from nothing, too, and proof that I plan to come back. This statue contains my contact information and address. It's a special gift that is an ancestral symbol back in my city."

  Celeste looked at the statue, then teared up. "I told you not to ask of me again. Such a brave young man."

  Celeste then handed the flowers to Omitaru. "They're free. Just bring my daughter back safe as promised," Celeste said as she grabbed the statue.

  During this whole time, Melony's heart was beating out of her chest. She did not expect to hear this answer. She jumped in the air happily, swinging her arms about.

  "Yay!" she said.

  Ruro leapt up as well, as if he enjoyed her energy.

  Omitaru looked serious for a moment, then smiled widely. "That's a promise!" he said.

  Celeste looked deep into Omitaru's eyes to see the boy who stood before her. She then turned to Melony.

  "Go gather your knapsack, dear. I'm pretty sure you'll return with a fortune with this bright young man guarding you. Go out into the world and make something out of yourself."

  Melony nodded. "Thanks, Mom. I love you," she said as she reached in for a deep embrace.

  They hugged securely as Omitaru watched, feeling the warmth spread to even his heart.

  Phew. That was hard. Can she see me sweating? He thought to himself as Melony ran off to get her knapsack.

  Omitaru turned around to wipe his face while Ruro continued squeaking happily. Celeste looked at him with respect.

  "She'll be back out soon. I'll have my final words for now. Just a reminder, a man, even one who is just a child, must always honor their promises!" she said.

  She then walked into the florist's, as Omitaru and Ruro leaped with excitement, unaware that Celeste was watching from within the shop.

  "We did it, Ruro! I can't wait to tell Maverick!"

  Celeste smiled to herself. Maverick, you say? No wonder that man ran off years ago. Looks like he won't know of us for now, she thought.

  She then walked off to talk to Melony.

  Ching! Ten minutes later, the bell rang again as Omitaru and Ruro watched the city.

  Melony stepped out with a white knapsack, the same clothes she had on earlier, and pink tennis shoes. The wind blew gently, and Melony smiled lightly, showing sadness as well.

  "Don't worry, you'll see her again," Omitaru said.