章 8: Dream
Peace
Love
Coexistence
Unity
That is the way I wish the world could be
After leaving the Elders' meeting, Ervin and Kato walked through the corridors of the Shadow estate. The weight of the revelations hung heavy in the air.
Ervin: So, how are you handling all this?
Kato: So my dad might've been a shadow and I'm the last survivor of a clan that went extinct 500 years ago? Yeah, it's a lot to take in.
Ervin: Back there you said you want to change the way the world views Shadows. Do you mean that or you just said it to get in the Elders good graces?
Kato: Huh?? Of course I did. I really want to change it so we all don't have to hide from the world.
Ervin: That's good to hear. And just so you know, those Elders aren't as noble as they seem.
Kato: Huh? What do you mean? They accepted me into the Shadow Society, didn't they?
Ervin: They did, but up until I got involved, they were obsessed with wiping out all Lighters. I'm the reason they've had to change their approach.
Kato: Why? What did you do?
Ervin: About 18 years ago, one of the Elders plotted to kill me and it led to the deaths of innocent people & Shadows in this estate. So, I killed him.
Kato: (astonished) You killed him? So they're afraid of you?
Ervin: Yeah. But it wasn't about being an executioner. The Elder was responsible for many deaths, including my elder brother's, and nearly led to us being exposed.
Kato: Your elder brother?
Ervin: Surprised?
Kato: Kind of. You always seemed like the older brother type.
Ervin: (smiles) Anyway, be cautious around the Elders. They have their own agendas, and I'm the only one keeping them in check.
Kato: So you're like their babysitter? them
Ervin: (chuckles) Yeah, you could say that.
Kato: (Laughs)
Ervin: (cartoonish face) What are you laughing at???
Kato: (stops laughing after a while) So I wanted to ask, will I be able to see my mom while she's in the hospital?
Ervin: (sighs) It's risky, but not impossible. My sister-in-law is a doctor at the hospital. She can keep us updated and might be able to help you see her.
Kato: For real?????
Ervin: For real. So if there's any development she can let us know and she can be able to sneak you in so you can see her
Kato: (heaves a sigh of relief) That's a relief.
Ervin: No problem
Kato: So what happens now?
Ervin: What happens now?? (cartoonish face) WE'RE GOING TO TRAIN YOU TO BECOME AN EXTREMELY STRONG SHADOW!!!!!!!
Kato: (cartoonish face) AT LEAST ACT LIKE A CLAN HEAD!!!!!!!
Ervin: You're going to learn the basics about shadow energy and shadow techniques
Kato: Really? When do I start?
Ervin: Tomorrow. For now, you should meet your peers.
Kato: My peers?
Ervin: You didn't think you, Mira, and Isaiah were the only young ones here, did you?
At that moment, Mira and Isaiah joined them.
Mira: (to Kato) So how'd it go with the Elders?
Kato: Pretty intense. Mr Ervin told me they aren't as great as they seem.
Mira: He did, huh?
Ervin: (smiling)
Mira: Anyway, we want you to meet the rest of the gang. They've been waiting for you.
Kato: They have???
Mira led Kato into the living room, where four others were waiting. They all appeared young, with the exception of one who looked a bit older.
1. Kenji Hashido (Mira's 20 year old cousin and Ervin's late brothers son)
2. Yamato (A carefree 18 year old shadow who is the comic relief character among them)
3. Cookie (An 18 year old girl who is dating Yamato)
4. Uta (A guy with Zero words and he covers his mouth and neck with a mask similar to Kakashi's mask from Naruto)
Mira briefly introduced everyone to Kato. While Kato was trying not to forget their names, Yamato eagerly approached Kato.
Yamato: (playfully) You look younger than me. How old are you?
Kato: Why does that matter??
Yamato: (teasing) Just trying to lighten the mood.
Cookie: (giggles)
Kenji: Yamato, give him some space. He's probably overwhelmed after the Elders' meeting.
Yamato: (laughs) I know. Just trying to break the ice.
Kato: Thanks. I appreciate that.
Yamato: No problem! So, how old are you?
Kato: Are you still asking me that??
Uta: (taps Yamato and uses sign language) // How bout talking about something else dude?//
Kato: He uses sign language?
Isaiah: Yeah. Uta lost his ability to speak after an injury from his father, one of the crazier Shadows.
Uta: (removes his mask to show the scars from his left side of his mouth down to his throat.)
Kato: That's awful.
Uta: //Yeah but it doesn't hurt anymore//
Isaiah: He said that it doesn't hurt anymore so it's fine.
Kato: I see. Guess I'll have to learn sign language to understand you better Uta.
Uta: (nods his head in agreement)
Cookie:I can teach you.
Kato: Thanks a lot uh...(struggles to remember her name)
Cookie: It's Cookie.
Kato: Oh yeah. Cookie. Why is your name cookie??
Cookie: Isn't that rude?
Kato: I didn't mean to offend. I was just surprised by the name…
Cookie: (cartoonish face and stares at him)
Kato: (cartoonish face) I'M SORRY!!! I'M SORRY!!! I'M SORRY!!!
Isaiah: Don't worry too much about it.
Mira: (laughs)
Kenji: (laughs) Looks like he's genuinely honest.
Yamato: (teasing) So, seriously, how old are you?
Everyone: (in unison) YOU'RE STILL ASKING THAT???!!!!!!
As they all talked and socialized, Ervin watched them all with a smile on his face. He then remembered his relationship with an old friend of his 18 years ago and seeing Kato get along with everyone reminded him of his dream and goal that he wanted to accomplish.
************************************
Ervin is talking his elder brother who's name was Adam Hashido
Adam: You're supposed to be the Head of the Hashido Clan because you were born with the Special ability of the Hashido Clan. So you have to....
Ervin: Why are so many big roles forced on me? I never wanted to be a clan head. You're my older brother. You should have been born as the Heir instead of me.
Adam: I wished that too. Coz I would've taken it more seriously. But the power chooses who can actually use it and make a change. I wish I could be a clan head instead and fulfill my dream.
Ervin: What is your dream Elder brother?
Adam: This war among humans, lighters and shadows has dragged on for too long and has brought nothing but death and catastrophe and more conflict. If I was a clan head, I would negotiate with the Elders and change our way of life among the shadows and the world at large.
Ervin: So a peaceful world where humans, shadows and lighter cam settle their differences and live peacefully?
Adam: Yeah.
Ervin: I dunno if that's going to be possible Elder brother...
******************************************
All those thoughts came into Ervin's head as he watched them socialize
Ervin: (to himself) Elder brother, it's because of me that your dream of a peaceful world is gradually coming true. I promise to make it a reality, and I wish you could see how Kato and the others are growing into the future we dreamed of.
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