Takako's the Cleric

During her time with Zesal, Takako was focusing more inward, in order to find balance. As often as she find her balance, the reoccuring flashback of the Vareos man taking Shiko and the non-Vareos Vampire killing Sumiko comes into her head, causing her to wake up in the middle of the night.

<"Aah!"> Takako screamed as she woke up, in a cold sweat.

She stood up and walk over to the window and opened it, panting. She felt miserable inside about everything that had happened to her family. Because of her hatred towards the man whom killed Sumiko, she's hating herself of redirecting it towards Shiko whom was born twelve hours prior to the event. She sighed and fixed her bed before writing into her diary about what had happened that night. As soon as she was done, she went back to bed, with her diary still open, in order to dry. The following day, she was in Zesal's private study, doing her normal work. Without realizing it, she fell out of her chair, onto the floor. When she opened her eyes, Zesal was helping her back into her chair.

<"Everything alright, Takako?"> Zesal asked.

Takako sighed and shooked her head, <"No, Master. Everyday I managed to find my balance, the following night, I get flashbacks. They're haunting me more then I would care to admit.">

Zesal sighed, <"Guess, we might have to get to the root of this problem. This time, you will be on the recieving end. Are you ready?">

Takako nodded, <"Yes, Master.">

Zesal focused his mind, while Takako calms hers down. Soon, Zesal was in a hallway of stone doors, but no doorhandles. With a swipe of his hand, the hallway disappears, to reveal a girl of about ten years old. She was crying and curled in a ball. She was wearing just a normal white Cleric robe. The child was holding onto a silver wand, but at her bare feet were two other wands; Gold and Bronze. Zesal approached her, carefully.

<"Why are you crying, child?">

The child sniffed, <"I-I lost them. THEY'RE GONE, FOREVER!">

<"Who, child?"> Zesal asked as gentle as he could.

The child touched the gold wand with the silver one. Still-images of Sumiko from Takako's point of view.

<"Big Sister Sumiko and-">

Then the child touched the bronze wand with the silver wand. Still-images of Shiko from Takako's view appeared.

<"Baby Sister Shiko."> the child sniffed as she wiped her nose, <"One is dead and the other is more-or-less dead as well.">

<"You don't know about your baby sister."> Zesal smiled.

The child touched on one of the images and it played the entire vision that Takako first recieved before she became his Apprentice.

<"This day can't leave me either."> the child then touched a image of Sumiko, and it showed the entire scene, including Sumiko's death.

It also show that the vampire was drinking the blood out of the dead Vareos' body. Then she saw a portal showing a castle and the vampire tossed Sumiko's body into the room. Then the Vampire walked closer to her and whispers, with a smile.

"Feel the chill of fear, young one. Once you are old enough to do anything, the world will end." then the vampire entered the portal, a minute before five Vareos in armour arrived.

Then the child remove the silver wand from the picture. After that, the child begin to sniffle again, and burying her head. Zesal sighed at the hardships that Takako had went through. Then he touched the pictures.

<"Remember all the good that you had shared with them."> Zesal smiled, as many pictures start moving on their own, showing multiple fun times she had with her sisters, <"Time for griefing maybe over, Child, but continue in their memory, not be held back because of those memories.">

<"But I'm so weak. Without them, I feel useless.">

<"You're only weak when you stop fighting, Child."> Zesal placed a hand onto the child's head, inbetween her ears, <"Never stop fighting. Never give up hope.">

The child looked up, and smiled, <"Yes, Sir!">

Then Zesal returned back to his body. Takako's eyes were still glowing, but only for a few seconds, before she blinked about a thousand times. She looked around, a bit in a daze.

<"That was a very weird experience, Master.">

<"It can be for awhile."> Zesal smiled, <"Are we feeling better to resume?">

Takako smiled, <"Yes, Master.">

Day in and day out, Takako was able to focused on her studies. The nightmares that was plaguing her were silient. One day, about a couple months after Zesal's trip into Takako's mind, Kantaro Ouchi-no-Uji came into Zesal's room, accidently scaring Takako, whom drew her wand. As soon as she realized it was Kantaro, she sheathed it and bowed.

<"Zesal-san, I have come for you. You need to accompany me to Antikythera, immediately.">

<"What happened?"> Zesal asked, as Takako stood back upright.

Kantaro sighed and lowered his head, <"It's Samusagi Ashida-no-Uji. She was slained.">

Takako's eyes grew huge, in shock. Zesal motioned to Takako to calm down and focused, which she obeyed.

<"How was she slained?">

<"They were fighting against Demogorgon and during the fighting, she was slained.">

<"As much as I would like to oversee the ceremony, but my personal health haven't been good over these many months."> Zesal sighed, <"If you accept it, I would like to send Takako in my place. I do believe that she is more then ready for the task.">

<"Yes, Zesal-san."> then Kantaro looked at Takako, <"Are you ready?">

Takako nodded. Kantaro placed one hand onto her then they teleported to another realm that Takako never been to. Kantaro lead her to a room where Samusagi's body was laying in state. As much as she want to cry, she know it is unprofessional for her, a cleric, to cry. As she was looking at the group, a couple made her feel uneasy; Vampires. She saw another lady there wearing a Cleric-like attire, but different. The woman, whom was dressed up as a Catholic Nun, said some words and ended up crying. Takako fought against her own nature and desire to cry as well.

Then they start moving the body. Eventually, the body and casket disappeared. Takako quickly drew her wand, ready to attack anything or any-vampire. Soon they saw a figure running. After some time, they stopped the lady. The lady said a message then she begin to glow. As everyone else was retreating, Takako quickly cast a good shield. She was able to contain the explosion to only the dome that she created, but she passed out from over-exurtion. When she woke up, she was in her room, back at the Cleric Tower.

<"Wha-What happened?"> Takako tried to get up.

<"Easy, Takako."> Zesal's gentle voice said, <"You saved many lives with that shield of yours. After you fainted, Kantaro picked you up and teleported you back here before departing.">

<"I'm glad I was of some use for them."> Takako smiled, as she lay back down, <"For now, I just want to sleep.">

<"Sleep tight."> Zesal nodded, <"May the divines watch over you.">

Then he left as Takako closes her eyes to sleep. While she was sleeping the woman's last words were being repeated. Takako had no strength to toss and turn as it kept repeating and pounding into her mind.