| Along the way Noriko & Izark met a group of villagers who were being attacked by six-eyed giant spider-like monsters. They ran to one of the huts of the villagers for shelter. One of the villagers exclaimed in horror that he had left the bags of smouldering stones ( stones that produce scent/smoke that could ward off the spider-like monsters from coming near) at one of the neighbours' hut. Izark told them to stay put while he went out to find the stones. Later he returned with a bag & placed the stones at the corners of the hut. The spider-like monsters retreated, however still eyeing covetously at them not far away. Noriko, who was now keen in learning their language, suddenly spoke to Izark without much understanding of what the word means. She said " It's been hard for you, (my darling)." She quoted it from what she's heard from the workers in the towns/villages. Izark stared at her eyes-wide, while the villagers interrupted by saying that they have been guessing about what was their relationship all along the time. They all chattered about what a young couple they are & how nice to get married so young. Izark tried in vain to explain, while Noriko looked back & forth at Izark & the others, thinking that it must be her words that create the fuss, & worrying that Izark might not be happy about this. One of the villagers handed Noriko a nut (or something like that), & Izark offered to help her open it. The villagers teased him again, saying how lovingly they were. Izark started his explanation again, leaving Noriko, who was thinking furiously why Izark reacted so violently & what they're talking about. She often heard the villagers saying that they're XXX, but didn't know that it actually means 'husband & wife'. However Noriko was too afraid to ask Izark anyway Later the villagers mentioned about the Awakening & the Heaven Ghost. Noriko understood a little & started to inquire Izark if the place where they first met was the Golden Forest & so on until Izark stopped her by banging the table hard, telling her not speak & disgrace him in front of the villagers. Noriko was startled by Izark's violent reaction, & thus she dared not talk again, thinking that Izark was angry with her. The next day they left the villagers, who were acting as go-between for Izark & Noriko, telling them not to quarrel & get along well. Noriko shivered with worries whether Izark was still being angry with her. Izark stopped his pace & faced Noriko. He hold Noriko firmly by the shoulders & told her beseechingly that what she said was correct, but she was to forget that she came from another world; her identity now was an island girl. He also told her not to mention anything about their acquaintanceship to anyone, & she must forget all her pasts in the other world. He hugged Noriko tight & apologised for causing her to have an unpleasant night. Noriko agreed to his request obligingly. They came to a town, where Izark brought Noriko to Gaia, who was the only friend Izark had. Izark's swordfighting skills were learnt from Gaia then. Gaia was surprised to find Noriko travelling along with him for such a long time, since Izark is a loner. Izark placed Noriko in Gaia's care, & left her to live with Gaia. He didn't look at Noriko as she bade him goodbye. His tight grim & coldness troubled Noriko deeply. He did not look at her at all. Noriko wanted to give him a good smile before he leaves. She cried when Izark shook of her grip & left. However Izark did gave a glance back at Noriko after a few distance. Noriko was contented then, & thus she began to help Gaia in the store. The next day while Noriko was washing the dishes someone sneaked in & pointed a knife at her. Gaia appeared at the doorway, frowning as she told him to let go of Noriko. That guy apologised profusely to Noriko, who later introduced his name as Bandam. Bandam had brought with him Jeda & his sons, a member of the royalties who was being chased by Nada, supposing to be the next king of the country. However the guards came to arrest them, & Gaia hid Noriko in a secret underground basement, telling her not to get out until the fight was over, or run to Izark if they're being caught. Noriko dozed off & woke up, only to find herself in complete silence & darkness. She climbed out of the basement, & was shocked to find the store in a mess. Noriko couldn't find Gaia anywhere, so she went out to seek for Izark. Noriko wept as she roamed aimlessly, & was disturbed by a gang of rogues. In the meanwhile Izark had travelled to another town, & went into a tarven for a drink. Nada was there on the second floor when he saw Izark coming in. He was charmed by Izark's elegant temperament, & commanded his men to 'invite' him to a duel with his recruited army of excellent fighters. Izark heard Noriko's cries for help, & felt very disturbed because it made him feel that he's imagining the cries, & he didn't possess the talent of hearing sounds a long way off (literally translated), i.e super hearing talent. Izark decided to go back to take a look. He excused himself by saying "I have no time to play with your boring game," but Nada's men blocked his way. One of them, whose name was Brag, gripped Izark on the shoulder. Izark fumed, twisted the hand on his shoulder & hurled him across the room. Nada, watching silently on the second floor, was impressed by Izark's skills & told his men to get Izark by hook or by crook.
In the meanwhile Izark was out in the streets again, & 'jumped' up to the rooftop to cast off there pursue. On the rooftop, Izark was still hesitating, as it was about two and a half-hours' journey back to Noriko. <"Would it be better if I don't return...." Noriko's cry mingled again. "Save me, Izark!"> That's it. Izark made up his mind. He was about to leave when he sensed someone's presence. "You're quite sharp." That guy named Gaidar praised. Izark told him not to pester him, but Gaidar shook his rings (each finger has one) and wind began to encircle Izark. "It's too late. You've breathed in my poisonous powder. Your legs will go paralysed first, then your visions will be blurred..." Gaidar spoke with a smile.
Noriko was petrified as she saw darkness surrounding the rogues. She ran away, crying for Izark from time to time. She jumped over a wall, but landed on top of a guy. That guy was Agor. He and his daughter Gina were sitting below when Noriko jumped down. Noriko apologised to Agor and pleaded him to help her chase away the rogues. Agor obligingly agreed since he had been robbed earlier by a group of 'soldiers', & he wanted to vent his anger on those rogues anyway. The rogues fled helter-skelter after being thrashed by Agor. Noriko thanked him and invited him back to Gaia's store. Agor told her he was a & asked for Noriko's name. Noriko told him, & Agor was shocked to find that she is the 'Awakening' he's been trying to find all along. Actually Agor's real identity was one of Rachef's men, and he was to search for the 'Awakening' and 'Heaven ghost', reporting back if he did.
In the meantime, Gaia was hiding among bushes afar when she saw Nada & his crusade returned back to his fortress. She was shocked to see Izark being chained & thrown onto the floor unconscious. "Isn't that Izark??" Gaia exclaimed in alarm. "Why in the world is he here?"
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