章 20: Nightmare
Hiro slowly awoke, finding himself in the comforting embrace of a large, soft bed. He was alone, the other side of the bed neatly made and empty. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm, golden glow across the room.
He found himself in a quaint, cozy cabin bedroom. The walls were paneled with rich, dark wood, giving the space a rustic charm. A small, wooden dresser stood against one wall, adorned with a few simple decorations – a vase with dried flowers and a framed photo that added a personal touch to the room. The window was framed by thick, heavy curtains, partially drawn to let in the morning light. Through the window, he could see the lush greenery of the surrounding forest, a peaceful and serene view that was a stark contrast to the chaos of his recent experiences.
Hiro lay there for a moment, his gaze lingering on the empty side of the bed, lost in thought. Eventually, he pushed the covers aside and got out of bed, his feet touching the cool wooden floor.
He made his way to the bathroom, a small but well-appointed space with a mirror and basic amenities. As he began his daily routine, Hiro's mind was still processing the events that had led him here, to this moment of solitude in the cabin. The tranquility of the cabin was a welcome respite, but the weight of his recent experiences and the challenges ahead still lingered in his mind.
As he washed his face, Hiro looked at himself in the mirror, taking a moment to reflect. He knew he had to be strong, not just for himself but for those who depended on him. With a deep breath, he resolved to face the day ahead with determination, ready to continue his journey and embrace whatever challenges lay in store.
Feeling a chill in the air, Hiro murmured to himself, "It's cold today." He decided to start his day by preparing breakfast, hoping the activity would warm him up. As he made his way to the kitchen area of the cabin, he noticed several toys scattered across the floor.
Shaking his head with a soft smile, Hiro gently nudged the toys aside with his foot. "I told you to pick up your toys," he said quietly, though there was no one else around to hear his reminder. The presence of the toys was a small, yet poignant reminder of a livelier, more playful aspect of life in the cabin.
In the kitchen, Hiro began the process of making breakfast. The kitchen was modest but functional, with a small stove, a refrigerator, and basic cooking utensils. As he cooked, the warmth from the stove filled the room, a comforting contrast to the chilly air outside.
He moved around the kitchen with ease, cracking eggs into a frying pan, toasting bread, and brewing a pot of coffee. The sizzle of the eggs and the aroma of the coffee created a homely atmosphere in the cabin.
As Hiro cooked, he allowed himself to enjoy the simple, peaceful moment, a stark contrast to the complexities and challenges of his life as a sorcerer. The warmth of the stove, the smell of breakfast cooking, and the quiet of the cabin provided a brief respite, a moment to just be present and find some semblance of normalcy in his otherwise tumultuous world.
Hiro finished preparing breakfast and carefully placed two plates on the table. Then he called out in a voice that carried through the cabin, "Mai! Time for breakfast!"
In response, the sound of small, rapid footsteps echoed through the house as Mai, a lively six-year-old girl with short green hair, came bounding into the kitchen. "Dad, you took so long!" she exclaimed with the candid honesty of a child.
Hiro let out a sigh, a hint of a smile on his face. "I slept in a bit because it was cold," he explained, a playful tone in his voice.
Mai pouted and shot back, "You're just lazy!" Hiro seized the moment to gently scold her. "And you need to remember to pick up your toys," he reminded her.
At the mention of her toys, Mai's eyes began to glisten with the onset of tears. Sensing her distress, Hiro quickly softened. He went over to her and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to upset you," he said, his voice filled with affection.
Mai, still in his arms, looked up at him with a mix of emotions. "I always get my way," she said, half-complaining, half-laughing, the resilience of childhood shining through her brief moment of sadness.
Hiro chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "Let's eat breakfast, okay? I made your favorite," he said, leading her to the table. As they sat down to eat, the cabin was filled with the light and warmth of their small family, a stark contrast to the challenges and dangers of Hiro's life outside its walls.
After finishing their breakfast, Hiro turned to Mai with a gentle smile. "Once you're done eating, make sure you put on something warm. We're going to visit Mom today," he told her.
Mai's face lit up with excitement. "Yay! I can't wait to see Mom!" she cheered, her enthusiasm infectious.
As Hiro began to wash the dishes, Mai quickly finished her meal and scampered off to get dressed for the chilly autumn weather. She hurriedly put on her warmest clothes, eager for their outing.
With the dishes done and Mai bundled up, they both stepped out of the cozy cabin into the crisp, autumnal air of the forest. Holding hands, they walked along the forest path, surrounded by the vibrant colors of fall. The leaves crunched under their feet, adding to the magic of the moment.
As they walked, Mai started animatedly telling Hiro about her little adventure earlier that day. "Dad, you won't believe what I saw today! There were two squirrels and a raccoon, and they were all fighting over an acorn," she began, her voice filled with the excitement of a grand storyteller.
"They were jumping and running around, and the raccoon was trying to be all sneaky, but the squirrels were super fast. It was like watching a ninja movie!" Mai continued, her arms waving to mimic the action she had witnessed.
Hiro listened, smiling at Mai's vivid imagination and the way she saw the world with such wonder and excitement. Her story, filled with dramatic pauses and enthusiastic descriptions, made their walk through the forest even more enjoyable.
As they continued on their path, the story of the squirrels and the raccoon unfolded, with Mai adding her own creative twists and turns. Hiro savored these moments with his daughter, knowing that in her innocence and joy, he found a peace and happiness.
Arriving at their destination in the heart of the forest, Hiro and Mai approached a grand old tree, its branches sprawling majestically into the sky. Nestled at its base was a modest but well-tended grave marked with a small headstone. Engraved upon it were the words: "Maki Zenin."
Mai, with the boundless energy of a child, ran ahead to greet her mother. "Hi, Mom!" she called out cheerily, kneeling down by the headstone.
Hiro watched her with a bittersweet smile, his heart filled with both love and sorrow. He walked slowly to join Mai, standing a respectful distance away as she began to excitedly tell her mother about her father's recent heroics.
"And then Dad fought a bear with just his fists! He was so brave and strong, and he won! He's the strongest man in the whole world!" Mai's voice was full of pride and admiration as she recounted the tale, her imagination turning Hiro's life as a sorcerer into a fantastical story of bravery.
Hiro listened, his smile growing wider. Mai's innocence and the way she idolized him warmed his heart. He looked at the grave, a silent conversation passing between him and the memory of Maki. In these moments, he felt her presence, a quiet strength supporting him through the challenges of raising their daughter alone.
"I miss you, Maki," Hiro whispered softly, his words carried away by the gentle forest breeze.
Mai continued to chatter away, filling her mother in on all the little details of their daily life, her voice a melody of joy and love. Hiro stood there, a silent guardian, watching over this tender scene between his daughter and the memory of her mother, grateful for these moments of peace amidst the chaos of his life.
As Mai scampered off to play, Hiro was left alone by Maki's grave. The serene quietude of the forest was a stark contrast to the turmoil that the world was facing. He knelt down by the headstone, speaking softly as if Maki were there with him.
"The world's changed so much, Maki," Hiro began, his voice laden with sorrow. "Sukuna, is slowly destroying everything. It's a world where only the strong survive now."
He paused, his thoughts turning to Yamada. "I've lost track of Yamada. The last I heard, he wiped out the entire population of the United States as a show of power. I can't believe it's come to this."
Hiro's expression turned grim. "Dealing with curses is one thing, even Sukuna. I always believe there's a way to beat them. But Yamada... he's become something else entirely. Too powerful."
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he reflected on the past. "I regret so much about the incident that started all this. If only I could have done something, anything, to prevent it."
The conversation shifted to a more personal loss. "Master Cheng passed away," Hiro murmured. "At least he went peacefully, not taken by a curse like so many these days. I'm grateful for that small mercy."
Hiro's words were filled with a mixture of grief, frustration, and resignation. The world he knew was crumbling, and the challenges ahead seemed insurmountable. Yet, in speaking to Maki, he found a sliver of solace, an outlet for his pain and fears.
Hiro stood up, his heart heavy yet his resolve firm. As he prepared to leave, Mai returned to his side, her face bright with the innocence of childhood. "Dad, it's time to go," she said cheerfully.
Hiro smiled at her and hoisted her onto his shoulders, a familiar and comforting ritual for them both. As they walked back towards the cabin, Mai hummed a tune, her legs swinging gently in rhythm.
However, as they neared the cabin, Hiro felt a sudden, powerful presence nearby. His instincts as a sorcerer kicked in, alerting him to potential danger. Gently setting Mai down, he knelt to meet her eye level.
"Mai, do you remember how to get to Uncle Inumaki's house?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm and steady.
Mai nodded enthusiastically, the promise of visiting Uncle Inumaki exciting to her. "Yes, Daddy! I know the way!"
Hiro gave her a reassuring smile. "Great! Uncle Inumaki has prepared some salmon for you. Why don't you run ahead to his cabin? I'll join you there shortly," he said, masking his concern with a cheerful tone.
"Okay, Daddy! I'll race you there!" Mai exclaimed happily before dashing off towards Inumaki's cabin, unaware of the tension in her father's posture.
Once Mai was safely on her way, Hiro turned back to his own cabin. As he approached, he saw the figure of Yamada standing at the entrance. The sight of him, especially after their last encounter, set Hiro on edge. He braced himself, mentally preparing for whatever confrontation might be about to ensue.
Hiro's steps slowed as he neared the cabin, his senses heightened. The peaceful day with Mai had taken a sudden turn, and he knew he needed to be ready for whatever Yamada might have in store.
Yamada greeted Hiro with a sly smile. "It's been a while," he said casually, as if their last encounter hadn't been fraught with tension and violence.
Hiro, maintaining a cautious stance, replied tersely, "Yes, it has."
"How's the family?" Yamada asked, a hint of mockery in his tone.
Hiro's response was clipped. "I don't have a family," he said, trying to keep his personal life shielded from Yamada.
Yamada chuckled. "I heard you have a daughter now. How's that going for you?" he probed, clearly trying to unsettle Hiro.
Hiro's expression hardened. "I live alone," he insisted, unwilling to give Yamada any leverage.
Yamada's laughter grew louder. "You can't fool me, Hiro. I know better," he taunted, enjoying the discomfort he was causing.
Hiro, growing impatient with the exchange, got to the point. "Why are you here, Yamada?"
Yamada's smile faded into a more serious expression. "I came to tell you... Sukuna has been defeated. I killed him myself."
Hiro was taken aback. "Why would you do that?"
"Because he thought he was stronger than me. I had to put him in his place," Yamada replied, his voice cold and devoid of remorse.
There was a moment of silence as Yamada's words sank in. Then, his gaze locked onto Hiro, and he said ominously, "Now, there's only one powerful sorcerer left in the world. I've come to finish the job."
Hiro's instincts kicked in, and he immediately assumed a defensive stance. Yamada's presence, his declaration of killing Sukuna, and now his ominous intent towards Hiro – it all pointed to a confrontation that Hiro knew would be inevitable. He prepared himself for a battle, knowing that this encounter with Yamada might be even more dangerous than the last.
As Yamada unleashed a massive cannon of cursed energy from his mouth, Hiro quickly brought his palms together, fingertips touching. Utilizing his own cursed technique, he skillfully manipulated the energy, splitting the cannon in two and diverting it away from him.
Without missing a beat, Yamada launched a pixelated vortex towards Hiro. Reacting swiftly, Hiro encased the vortex in a sheath of electric energy, bending and redirecting it back towards its origin. Yamada, anticipating the counter, nimbly dodged the redirected attack, the vortex dissipating harmlessly into the air.
The two sorcerers then engaged in a fierce exchange of blows. Hiro's movements were precise and controlled, each strike infused with electric and fire energy. Yamada, equally skilled, countered with his own powerful, reality-bending attacks. The air crackled with the release of cursed energy as they fought.
Hiro landed a solid punch on Yamada's chest, sending him staggering back. However, Yamada quickly recovered and retaliated with a series of rapid strikes, each one aiming to distort Hiro's reality. Hiro managed to deflect most of them, but a few landed, causing him to grimace in pain.
Despite the intensity of the fight, Yamada seemed almost amused. "You've become quite strong, Hiro. Impressive," he taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.
In a swift and brutal move, Yamada's hand pierced through Hiro's stomach, leaving a gaping hole. "You're still not strong enough," Yamada said coldly, watching Hiro fall to his knees in shock and pain.
As Hiro looked down at the horrific injury, blood pooling at his feet, Yamada prepared to deliver the final blow, his expression one of disdain.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Below!" In an instant, a powerful force sent Yamada crashing to the ground. It was Inumaki, using his cursed speech technique. He stood protectively, holding Mai in his arms, her face buried in his shoulder.
Hiro, struggling with his injury, called out weakly to them, "Run! Get out of here!"
But before Inumaki could react, Yamada, recovering from the surprise attack, unleashed a black hole, its gravitational pull targeting Inumaki. In a desperate move, Inumaki hurled Mai towards Hiro. "Catch her!" he shouted, just as he was sucked into the voracious black hole.
Mai, flying through the air, landed safely in Hiro's weakened arms. Hiro clutched her tightly, his face contorted in pain but relieved that she was unharmed.
Yamada, now back on his feet, looked at Hiro and Mai with a twisted satisfaction. "It seems you have something to live for, Hiro. Maybe I'll let you suffer a little longer," he said, his voice dripping with malice.
As Yamada conjured a massive vortex of dark energy above him, declaring it was time to end everything, Hiro tightened his embrace around Mai. Her small voice quivered with fear, "I'm scared, Dad."
Hiro looked into her eyes, filled with determination despite the overwhelming odds. "Everything will be okay," he assured her, though his heart raced with uncertainty.
In a last stand of defiance, Hiro summoned a gigantic dragon made of lightning and fire. The creature roared like a legendary beast, its presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying. It prepared to unleash a massive cannon of cursed energy, a last-ditch effort to counter Yamada's attack.
"I'm giving it my all," Hiro whispered, focusing all his energy on the dragon.
Yamada released the vortex, a swirling mass of destruction, as the dragon spat out its powerful energy cannon. The two colossal forces collided, struggling for dominance in a cataclysmic showdown.
The dragon's power began to wane, and Hiro watched in horror as the vortex advanced, threatening to obliterate everything in its path. He held Mai close, bracing for the end, promising to protect her until the very last moment.
Suddenly, Hiro woke up, gasping for breath in his room at the Jujutsu school. The morning sun shone through the window, casting a soft light across the room. He touched his face, feeling the smooth skin of youth. It was all a dream, a nightmarish vision that felt all too real.
Sitting up in bed, Hiro took a moment to collect himself, his heart still pounding from the vividness of the dream. He looked around, reassured by the familiar surroundings of his room. The relief that washed over him was palpable.
Realizing his face was wet with tears, Hiro quickly wiped them away and stood up from the bed, stretching his limbs to shake off the remnants of the dream. The vividness of the dream lingered, and the thought of Mai, the daughter he had in that alternate reality, sparked an unexpected emotion in him.
"God, now I actually want a daughter," he said softly to himself, a wistful smile forming on his lips at the thought.
His mind then shifted to the darker aspects of his dream. "Was that just a nightmare, or could it be a vision of the future?" Hiro pondered, his expression turning serious. The dream had altered his perception of Yamada drastically, painting him as a formidable and ruthless adversary.
Lost in these thoughts, Hiro was startled when the door to his room suddenly opened. Maki stepped in, her presence instantly brightening the room. "I'm craving some donuts. Want to come with me?" she asked, a casual smile on her face.
Seeing Maki alive and well, in stark contrast to the dream's grim narrative, brought a wave of relief over Hiro. His smile widened genuinely. "I'm really glad to see you, Maki. Yeah, let's go get some donuts," he replied, his spirits lifting at the prospect of spending time with her.
As they left the room together, Hiro felt a renewed appreciation for the present, for the reality he lived in where the horrors of his dream were just that - a dream. The thought of donuts and a normal day with Maki was a comforting antidote to the night's unsettling visions.
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