time stops for no one
@tsukihashi || plotted starter
Time passes differently when someone is as old as he is. He’s lost count of the number of years that’s passed that if it weren’t for the red-haired mage, he would’ve forgotten how old he is. But even with how much time has passed, his job hasn’t changed. In some ways, he contemplates whether or not that he’s ready for any sort of retirement. But the money he makes from continuously working, from tirelessly eliminating the threats that continue to grow every time he finishes a job, never ends and works to provide. At this point, he’s accepted that his position as infinite as his lifespan and maybe one day, he might actually die if he makes the wrong move.
( but his power wouldn’t let him. The red-mage would only bring him back. )
Zero draws up the documents she’s presented—it’s a new world, more modern and more like the ones he’s previously visited. This time, she says, it’s a place where he could stay for a while if he wanted. Zero knew what that meant.
A small child clings to his leg while he continues to peruse the file and he glances down. ❛ A moment, Ichiro, ❜ he says to the child, but the arms only tighten around his leg. He doesn’t relent and continues to read. Lifting his gaze from the paper, he looks to the red-haired mage. ❛ They’re powerful, aren’t they? ❜
She nods with a solemn expression. ❛ Afraid so. They’ve grown strong there. I believe they’re drawn to this. ❜ And she pulls out another file. ❛ This is going to get a little more dangerous than our previous missions, and I won’t be there this time. ❜
Ah.
Zero takes the file and browses through it briefly before closing it. ❛ Understood. I take it everything is in order? ❜
She nods again. ❛ Like it was home. ❜
❛ That’s all I can ask for. ❜ Zero hands back all of the files the red mage gave. ❛ Take care of Ichiro until I get back. ❜
He kneels down and holds the small child in his arms. There’s a whisper of words that are exchanged between them, and the little one only clings tightly to his father. His small face buries in Zero’s neck and jacket, and he could just sigh. Not out of exhaustion or out of exasperation, but because he would like nothing better than to spend time with his son. With more whispers, he finally let go, and Zero set him back down on the ground. ❛ Stay with her. ❜ And the little boy nodded.
Japan has changed in the vast number of years since his last visit. In it, there is a person who has been growing in power and a fear that’s been accumulating. During the late hours of the busy cities, there have been abductions and a growing rampant number of missing persons and deaths. No one knows who or what is causing this, but it’s forced the city of Tokyo to enforce a curfew for their citizens, much to the displeasure of the majority of the denizens that prowl the night. However, fear wins, in the end, and yet still, no one knows who is causing the growing number of abductions and deaths. It’s a fear that plays on what most people are scared of: the dark.
In Tokyo, where it’s a concentrated and densely populated city, the numbers have of disappearances are at its highest. Tonight, there seems to be dark and toxic energy drifting around that’s similar to the miasma that certain yōkai, once upon a time, once emanated. It bears weight, heavily perfumed, and makes any who venture into it pass out. Problem is, no one can see it.
As of right now, it’s spreading between the alleys several miles away from once was a busy intersection.
