“What?! What does that mean?! Are they coming?” Yoichi asked Takuma, hoping to receive a quick answer. The Grimbrook warrior couldn’t answer with words but confirmed with a movement of his head.

“Fuck!” Yoichi boomed, lifting Takuma’s body and placing it on Ichiro’s saddle. Immediately, he leapt behind his friend, causing Takuma’s back to rest on his chest. 

After one last look behind, he ensured that the rope securely connected both horses and that everything was in place. “Go, Ichiro! Let’s get out of this place!” he thundered, grabbing his Inoshuma’s mane and holding Takuma tight between his arms.

Ichiro began to ride out of their hiding place, and the rope between it and Takuma’s steed tensed, suggesting Grimbrook’s horse follow that same direction. Karasu shifted dangerously to the left and right of the saddle but thankfully did not fall off the horse’s back.

When both horses were back on the path that skirted the river, Yoichi turned his head back, trying to peer over the horizon. Over a distant hill, something resembling a body popped up in contrast with the purplish colors of the dawn sky. 

“Fuck! Go, Ichiro!” he spoke again, spurring the demon horse on with the heels of his boots and forcing it to increase the speed of its ride. Takuma’s body swayed in his partner’s arms: due to his condition, even though he was partially awake and conscious, he could not drive a horse independently. 

If he lost consciousness or fell asleep, he was in danger of falling, and Yoichi would be forced to abandon him. Having an ally also meant protecting him in case of need. If he had traveled alone, perhaps, Yoichi would have already passed the hills of the valley. 

However, even though these thoughts continued to float around in his mind, there was no time for remorse or second thoughts. Takuma was part of his team now, and the bond between them was incredibly genuine. Yoichi would not abandon him for anything in the world.

From that point on, all the Goldhaven warrior knew was that he would have to follow the Waveless River to get to Oakenfair. Based on this simple rule, Yoichi took advantage of the first light of dawn to disperse his tracks in the valley and ride further and further north. 

Once every two minutes, he would scrupulously look back, hoping not to see Demon Hunters out of the corner of his eye. When he realized that he was now far enough from the hill that had hosted the duel with Taisuke, the breathlessness of Ichiro and the other horse came to his attention.

“Okay, easy, Ichiro. Calm down, buddy. We can slow down now,” Yoichi spoke, extending an arm towards Inoshuma’s neck and petting it. Ichiro obeyed and decreased its movement speed, forcing Takuma’s steed to do the same.

Under those somber colors that would soon welcome a new day, the Valley of the Northern Waters looked the same in every direction, if not for the streams that branched out over it. 

The Southborne Mountains followed the route of the two adventurers to the west, while the plains stretched for hundreds of miles to the east. There was not the slightest trace of a village or settlement.

“When the sun is high in the sky, we’ll take another break, Takuma,” he whispered in his friend’s ear. “We’ll stop the horses, and I’ll continue to treat your wounds. I know I’m not a good healer, but I hope you get better. You did very well against Taisuke.” 

“Th… thank you,” Takuma whispered. A slight smile lit up his face as his head hung back and forth following the movements of the horse’s run. 

Undeterred, the Grimbrook warrior, who had never faced another tamer so strong, had nearly defeated Taisuke. Using his martial arts, he had managed to hold his own against his strange fighting style, not knowing that his ghost demon allowed him to create clones of himself. 

For Yoichi, this had been a test of loyalty worth more than a thousand promises: Takuma had not hesitated a single moment to defend his companion and, to prove his loyalty, had risked losing his life and his chance to live his life far from Grimbrook. 

When the radiant sun of that humid winter day illuminated the valley, the grayish-brown outlines of the mountains became as harsh as if they had been painted with a brush. The blue sky emphasized the sharp, pointed shapes of the peaks and slopes, making Yoichi feel like a microbe in front of those rocky giants. 

The third day since leaving Goldhaven had begun, and according to old Ryutaro’s map, Oakenfair should not be far away. What would happen if, when they arrived at their destination, they didn’t find Shusaku? What if Gompachi and Takamori’s directions were wrong? Yoichi preferred not to think about it. His goals were clear in his head, and he would reach that village no matter the cost.

As the heat of the sunlight began to warm his forehead, Yoichi realized that the time to stop had come. He deviated from the main path and approached a group of trees, benefiting from their shade. 

In a few minutes, moving as carefully as a tourist in a crystal store, he lifted Takuma’s body and laid it on the grass. Similarly, he moved the wooden body of Karasu, who, even in that condition, looked nothing short of gruesome.

The Grimbrook warrior regained consciousness and, opening his eyes again, found Yoichi’s smile a few inches from his face. “Ah, you’re awake at last!” the young tamer rejoiced, peeling the soiled gauze from the wound and disinfecting it with some water and more ointment.

Takuma’s first instinct was to lift his head and check for anyone nearby. As soon as the muscles in his abdomen contracted, he felt a sharp pain in his side. 

“Don’t worry, no one followed us,” Yoichi spoke. “Your wound has almost completely healed. This strange ointment I used is miraculous! What is it?” the Goldhaven warrior asked, trying to get his companion to interact.