Rangers Endgame

Chapter 133: Core Remnant

Yakeru and his party didn’t bother making the journey to the nearest village for a check-up. Instead, they returned to the outpost. Fortunately, the Fiends had a section dedicated to recovery.

Itsuki held onto the Core Remnant, and after scanning themselves for any lingering injuries or ailments, he took it to the research building to confirm his suspicions. Yakeru and Kenji stayed in bed for the time being to gather their strength after draining themselves dry. Though Yakeru had to admit, compared to what they’d just been through, a little backlash was nothing.

They spent the remainder of the day at the outpost, and when Yakeru awoke, he found he could move his hands and arms without great strain.

Kenji was still unconscious, but seeing the gradual rise and fall of his chest put Yakeru’s mind at ease. After staring at the gaudy high ceiling for several more minutes, he slid out of his covers and sat on the edge of his bed, his curtain of hair dangling over his vision.

He stayed there a few minutes, allowing his body to adjust to sitting upright after lying in bed for an extended period. His head still swam in the lingering effects of recuperation; the embroidered room tilted more than it should have when he stretched his neck.

Dash was curled on his bed, twitching in his slumber, and Yakeru reached out with a ginger hand to pat his fur. Dash flinched at his touch subconsciously, but leaned into it after a moment. Perhaps the fox’s mind still lingered in the apathetic monochrome of the Inbetween.

His attention turned toward the door when he heard movement beyond it. As it slid open, Fuyumi was holding a tray of dew-kissed fruits. She didn’t seem surprised to see him out of bed, but her eyes lingered on Kenji’s bedridden form a moment longer, and she entered.

“He still needs some rest,” Yakeru assured her as he re-wrapped his arm and tied his hair back.

Dash’s keen nose twitched in his sleep at the fresh scent of fruit wafting in the sterile air, and he stirred. After a drawn-out stretch, he turned to the tray in her hands and licked his muzzle. Fuyumi set the tray down on the table at the foot of Kenji's bed and tossed Yakeru a random fruit.

He caught it casually with his bandaged hand and inspected its viridescent surface. “Where’d you find these?”

“I needed something to do, so I went out.” She opted for a purple fruit, then sat on his bed.

Dash tentatively stood on her lap and tried nipping at her food, but she moved it just out of reach. Taking a bite out of it right in front of him, he complained and tried again, but he wasn’t fast enough.

“Can foxes eat these?” She asked Yakeru, keeping an eye on the critter.

Yakeru tilted his head. “All that bonding, and you still don’t know your best friend’s tastes?”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re useless.”

Curious about something, Yakeru peeled away a piece of his fruit, exposing its glistening juices, and held it before Dash. The fox whipped his head around and went to grab the piece of food, but Yakeru shut his fist around it. Dash bit his hand gently from different angles before something seemed to click in his sharp eyes, and he promptly sat back on his haunches.

“Better.” Yakeru tossed him the piece, and he snatched it from the air.

Dash devoured it and put a paw on his lap, already asking for more. Yakeru split the fruit and waited until he sat again before handing it off.

Fuyumi stole impressed glances as she ate. “He seems to be doing better.”

“Food tends to have that effect on guys,” Yakeru responded after taking a bite of his fruit. “You look to be doing well yourself.”

“I guess.” She suddenly started examining her fruit. “It wasn’t the first time I stared into the abyss.”

Guilt squeezed his heart at her words, and he couldn’t bring himself to finish what was left of his fruit. “And there shouldn’t have been a second time… I should’ve been faster.”

Sensing the change in the surrounding air, she faced him directly, her eyes stern yet understanding. “Yakeru,” she said firmly but softly. “I'm okay.”

He searched her eyes, watching for any quiver that he’d learned indicated that she was lying. But she held her ground.

“Though I’ll admit it was… unpleasant, it wasn’t for the reason you're thinking,” she said cryptically.

He lifted a brow. “Meaning?”

Her eyes suddenly wavered, and she subtly fidgeted with the sheets. She then turned around and resorted to her usual icy demeanor to better deflect his question. “It’s more frightening to leave a particular idiot behind to do as he pleases.”

He rolled his eyes. “I don’t need supervision.”

“That’s literally what Itsuki is for.”

Not bothering to suppress his annoyance, he pinched her side. “That’s enough out of you.”

She squealed, swatting his hand away and slapping his shoulder.

Dash licked his maw and burped before approaching Yakeru again, eyeing the half-eaten fruit in his hand. Yakeru looked at him expectantly until he sat, then tossed him the rest of his fruit. The fox snatched it from the air greedily and started gobbling it down.

“Glutton.”

Movement brought attention to Kenji as the conjurer stirred from unconsciousness. His eyes flickered open, and he groggily scanned the room in confusion until his gaze landed on Yakeru and Fuyumi. His eyes seemed to focus, and he looked around the room again. Surprise mixed with relief wiped away the exhaustion on his face.

“Color…” he muttered. “So we’re…?”

“Yes,” Yakeru answered.

Kenji relaxed and let out a breath. “You got us out.”

Yakeru shook his head. “We wouldn’t have reached the Core without your improvisation.”

Yakeru then placed weight on his feet and left the comfort of his mattress to totter to the tray of fruit. Fuyumi reached out to spot him, but he held out a firm hand to stop her.

“Any idea on where Itsuki might be hiding?” He asked her as he took another fruit.

“I don't think he left the research building,” she answered.

He made his way to the sliding door. “I’ll be back.”

The door led him into a small hallway with identical sliding doors. Reaching the end of the hall, he found an assortment of simple medical tools and basic health elixirs lining the shelves along the adjacent walls that he hadn’t noticed when first arriving.

Upon pushing open the exit, the world enveloped him in honeyed light. The afternoon sun warmed his skin, and the refreshing air rolling over him alleviated his lightheadedness. The aerial beasts in the distance soared gratefully through the rocky spires now that the Core’s field dissipated.

Walking up to the double doors as he ate his fruit, they swung inward, and he stepped into the scent of incense. The main lobby, adorned with gaudy paintings, resembled a library stretching out to those who entered. Going further inside, he passed chambers and alcoves filled with tomes and artifacts until he found Itsuki in the last room.

Engrossed in the book he was reading, he didn’t notice Yakeru enter. The Core Remnant rested on the table that dominated most of the space alongside humming artifacts he couldn’t identify.

Yakeru went to the table to skim over the devices, but Itsuki remained absorbed in the reading. “Find something good?”

His mentor looked up, but surprise didn’t register on his face. Rather, he sighed in slight disappointment. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I did,” Yakeru responded curtly, glancing over the heap of books that were cast into a lonely corner. “And you should be too.”

Itsuki laid his current book on the table for him to see and pointed at a passage. “The only thing I’ve found is that you can indeed craft the Lazarus Fruit with the Core Remnant. Its raw form has restorative properties that can only heal injuries the target sustained while inside the Inbetween, but can be modified to forcibly heal a person again while in our reality. The only caveat is that it’s a one-time use since you’d have to consume it.”

“Just like health elixirs,” Yakeru said, this information not exactly piquing his interest.

“Yes, but health elixirs can’t repair broken bones or regrow limbs.”

Yakeru thought for a moment. He assumed exiting the Inbetween had the added benefit of healing, but now understood that the Core Remnant was responsible. He imagined that a fortune awaited them if they decided to sell it off.

“Unfortunately, this place doesn’t have the necessary ingredients to make the Lazarus Fruit, so we’ll have to bring it back to the Capital. Not like I know how to make it anyway,” Itsuki admitted, closing the book and stashing the dimly glowing remnant in his satchel.

“Very well.” Yakeru started for the exit, but stopped in the doorway to glance over his shoulder. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten that you pushed your channels to near backlash. I expect my mentor to watch his health in the meantime.”

Itsuki waved away his concerns. “Don’t worry about me.”

“You misunderstand. I still need to pick your brain, so try not to go too soon, old man,” Yakeru smirked before leaving.

He heard Itsuki chortle behind him. “Brat.”

*****

After another day of recovery, the five of them departed. Dash wasn’t too thrilled to say goodbye when they’d reached Itsuki’s place. Yakeru scratched him under the chin regardless of the fox’s fake reluctance, while Kenji simply gave him a farewell pat.

Dash had to pad up to Fuyumi when she made no attempt to say goodbye, and lifted himself on his back legs, using her thigh for leverage, and nudged her hand to demand headpats. She sighed and reached down to oblige. When he tried to pull a fast one and lick her hand again, she swiftly closed her fingers around his snout and shook her head. Releasing him, she gave him a proper farewell with a gentle stroke on his fur.

They returned to the Capital some time later and reported their findings to the guild. Though their scouting mission involved more than mere scouting, they didn’t receive any additional pay. Yakeru expected as much. The last time they carried out a mission successfully as intended, they had a coincidental run-in with a bloodhound. However, this time, they were rewarded with a Core Remnant for their efforts, which made up for it.

After accepting their pay, which was more than Yakeru was accustomed to seeing, they left the guild.

“Who do we need to visit to craft the Lazarus Fruit?” Yakeru asked Itsuki, pocketing the silver he’d just received.

Itsuki stepped aside to let another party pass through the guild’s doors. “Since it’s rare, there aren’t many people who have the know-how to craft it. But herbalists usually have a wide range of ingredients, some of which are needed to craft it, so I’d assume it’d be in good hands with them.”

Yakeru nodded, then turned to the others. “You coming?”

“Yeah, I’m curious about the process,” Kenji admitted.

“I have some time,” Fuyumi said simply.

“Then let’s get a move on.” Itsuki gestured for them to follow as he started down the busy street.

Their party navigated the congested streets humming with a thousand voices. They picked up health elixirs along the way as they passed through merchants lining the roads.

After several minutes of walking, they arrived at an herbalist's shop. The aromatic air around it carried the scent of lavender and beckoning greenery, and the shop’s facade was adorned with baskets full of flowers.

Stepping inside, they were welcomed by a treasure trove of bundled herbs and fresh plants on either side. Colorful vials lined the back wall behind the counter, where a blonde young woman had just finished tending to a customer. She perked up when they entered and greeted them with a warm smile.

“Welcome. How can I help you today?” She asked, smoothing out her apron.

Itsuki deliberately waited until the customer left the shop, then approached her. “We need a special favor.”

He materialized the Core Remnant from his satchel and presented it to her. Her face scrunched in slight confusion, trying to figure out what she was looking at. Taking it tenderly in her hands, she examined it carefully, and her eyes gradually widened in realization.

“This is…” she trailed off, stopping when Itsuki put a hushing finger to his lips.

“We just need you to synthesize a Lazarus Fruit. Can you do that?”

She looked back at him with uncertainty. “You do realize the cost of your request, don't you? There's the purging process to rid it from all impurities, the importation of stabilizers, which can take up to a week, then there's the actual process of infusion with natural—”

Itsuki held up a hand to forestall her. “I understand this is a long, methodical process. We have the means to compensate you. How long do you think it’ll take?”

She thought to herself for a moment. “About a week and a half, at the longest.”

“Then we’ll leave it in your care. Thank you.” Itsuki dipped his head.

After giving her his name, he left the shop. Yakeru and Fuyumi followed, but Kenji dragged his feet in disappointment.

“I was hoping to see the actual process,” Kenji moped as they left the shop.

“Maybe next time,” Yakeru assured as they lingered on the side of the street.

Itsuki patted Yakeru’s back. “You should hurry home. Wouldn’t want to keep your sister waiting.”

Fuyumi shifted her gaze to the sky, the sun starting to paint the clouds a faint orange. “I should get going, too.” She sighed dreadfully. “The sooner I can relay this story to Kei, the better.”

“I pity you,” Yakeru responded.

She shot him a mock glare. “Don't give me that. I'm surprised Akari hasn't instructed Itsuki to escort her adorably innocent brother home.”

He cringed and stepped away from her, the cutesy word sounding awfully uncanny on the tongue of a usual stoic. “Don’t say ‘adorably’ again.”

She punched his arm with an amused smile before splitting from the group to disappear in the crowd. Yakeru rubbed his arm and was about to start walking home himself when he caught Itsuki staring at him knowingly from the corner of his eye.

He tilted his head. “What?”

Itsuki shook his head with an understanding smile. “Ah, youth.”

Ignoring him, Yakeru turned back to Kenji to say his goodbyes, but also found him staring, though more so in disbelief.

“Are you okay?”

“Me?” he asked in return, pointing a baffled finger at where Fuyumi had just vanished. “She just smiled, and you’re asking if I’m okay?”