1 day later...
Dylan didn't set out to find them and felt like maybe he could wait it out and have them find him so he can take them out one by one. But he was confident now he can take two or maybe three but right now he wanted to explore more of this island. Maybe uncover the clues behind this place.
As the mist became slightly thick he found someone trailing him. They weren't someone dangerous or bad but he acted like nobody was following him.
Dylan then walk back to the path he took as the figure poked their head out watching him. She blinked and saw him disappear wondering where he went.
"A little girl?"
She felt her heart thump quickly as she turned around and punched him with strong Tao. But Dylan easily grab it and felt nothing from it though he was surprised such a little girl had such strength. He felt the heavy blow coming from just her tiny fist. Curious he crouched not taking her as a threat as she was tense and wary of him.
"I'm not going to hurt you...you see i'm lost and kind of need some food"
Of course he just lied to her slightly not like he needed food or water.
"Woah there! I'm not a bad guy"
Him stopping her punch easily made her frightened as she started to tear up.
*sniff* sniff*
(Oh wow I can't believe I just made a little girl cry)
"I'm not going to do anything"
He kneeled at her height and patted her head softly as she felt his warm hand and his gentle smile gazing at her. He was about to hug her to make her feel more safe being around him.
Then some sort of tree branch tried to attack him. He dodged leaving the pink hair girl blink her cute golden-brown eyes at him.
"Mei-sama stand back"
(A talking tree?....I guess I should expect more weird stuff to appear)
He was being attacked by the tree and it is wielding a giant branch ironic.
"I'm not an enemy unless you want me to be one"
The tree being was wary of him not trusting the human before him but was surprised as well to see one this deep in the forest. Alive especially last time they saw one but he died from those insects.
The tree was ready to attack but the girl whom was called Mei stopped it. Shaking her head quickly as if telling it he was friendly as the tree gazed at her. Then looking back at Dylan, it became relaxed then spoke.
"Human, I'm hoping you understand that it is my duty to protect her"
"No worries, I mean i'm a random person"
Dylan shrugged it off as he gazed at both of them.
"Though I'm curious mind telling me more about this island"
"If you wish then, I can do that human"
Dylan happy to find someone to share information with him about this island. As he followed both the tree and the girl cradled in it's wooden arms. Sometimes glancing at him with shyness and nervousness.
*
*
*
"Fuaaaaa~.....Hot springs are the best~!"
Dylan was relaxing his body as he finished eating something not poisonous and he didn't mind relaxing for a bit.
Submerging himself, he felt at bliss being here.
*
*
*
"To think the elixir is some kind of fruit"
"The tensen guard this all seven of them..."
"I see"
He believed the trunk of wood as he witnessed those tensen and he was explained from top to bottom about the name of this island being named kotaku. Explaining that there were 3 regions split up the farthest where he was Hashu and the center was hojo where they currently where. A village where humans like him who were blessed with immortality lived. But they all died because of the tensen's greed for Tao.
Their reasons unknown to why they experimented and killed them all. While the last region the middle one being Horai. Where the so called elixir of life resided and where it was guarded by the tensen's.
He saw how this village was surrounded by thick mist. Buildings all run down because of no life living here except these two. But he wondered was Mei the same as them?
"But tell me is she the same as them?"
His gaze lingered at Mei who blinked her eyes at her. She then lowered her head down seeing him look at her but he reached out and stroked her head gently. She blushed but enjoyed the feeling. The Wooden being said nothing but it seemed he hit the nail in the head.
"You don't got to tell me....but I think it is weird that no other human could survive for long and besides for a little girl to be here in this island and surviving even if you're guarding her"
He pretty much put the pieces together.
"These tensen are strong and I don't think even you can protect her if many came...."
"....That is true"
He was quite then accepted his words of truth knowing that it could only do so much and hide here in hojo where the tensen luckily left it alone. As Mei could hide her Tao from being sensed by them. Dylan wondered their immortality wasn't true immortality as they needed this Tao to live for so long as he was told that they lived for thousands of years.
(Old fucking homosexuals)
He sighed that these beings can trick any person in lowering their guard down if they were females.
Now he needed to draw a couple out. Killing them off one by one as it seemed that this elixir of life being in horai. Where they would need to go back to recover if used to much Tao. So Dylan came with a plan to beat them to a pulp and kill them without letting them escape before they either come with the others or go to Hokai.
"The information you gave was great"
"Human you're not here for the elixir of life?"
"Not really"
"I see...no matter....I have no regard or affection towards you if you have decided to go"
"Kind words"
They stayed quiet but Mei came towards him shyly and he put her on his lap stroking her head as she felt at bliss. He felt bad for this little girl to live here not knowing of her purpose as it seemed she probably escaped from those other tensen.
(I think killing these guys off would do good)
Hearing also about how every human who dies are sort of given 'eternal bliss'. it sounded creepy but it seemed to be true in one way as everytime he saw dead bodies. Their faces had smiles it sure made Dylan not want to be here any longer but now sure that if nothing is going to take care of the problem here then these guys might do something drastic.
They were referred to gods as well as if any human fate was decided by them.
"Just so you know, I think I want to take down those so called gods or tensen whatever"
Even the wooden being was taken back. But it remained emotionless it's black sockets with white orb pupils gazing at him. Whether he was just acting like foolish human or someone with actual strength.
But it thought that he was foolish as they were seven of them against 1 easily one could take him down.
"Well if you wish to die a death belonging to a human then, I won't stop you"
Dylan kept on stroking Mei's hair hearing the unconcerned words of the wooden being. Mei froze hearing his words. She felt like she could believe in him even though she just met the man. His gentle smile and warm presence to see another person made her get attached pretty quickly. Still she wondered if he could do what he meant.
Seven tensen a hermit who split into those seven with different personalities and roles. Dylan then asked for it's name.
"Whats your name?"
"....I have no name but I was once a hoko"
"I see then....
"Call me hoko"
"Alright"
They spoke no words as Dylan went to rest leaving the small Mei looking at his back. She was worried for him as he was going to do something dangerous. Even though she was scared and easily frightened by him. She became close in no time and as his back left she saw the energy a huge amount that shocked her.
Even though she hadn't said a word is was not because she couldn't. It was her being in this form that she couldn't speak. His Tao mixed with something else was just overwhelming he way to different to be a human being.
Now she wondered could he really do this.