The Flag Of Crab

Part 4

        Soldier told Errac everything that happened. Errac appeared to be glad to know that Soldier had found some of his lost memories. However, when she went to sleep that night, she could not refrain from weeping. What Soldier had told her some hours ago had been part of her memories. She had intended to let the flame of his past glory fade away until she found him on the beach. She knew this day would come, but it came swifter than she could imagine. All she had hoped these days had failed her. Maybe that was destiny. That was something that no one could change. Sighing, she made a new wish that night, ¡§May luck assist him to his goal.¡¨

        The next day Soldier woke up late. He went out of his room and gasped. There was another crab sitting by the table chatting grimily with Errac. Interrupted by the noise from the cracking door which led to Soldier¡¦s room, Errac and the crab raised their eyes to meet Soldier¡¦s. That crab ran his hands over his mouth and stammered in a whisper, ¡§Oh my gosh! Is he¡K¡¨

        ¡§Er¡K Let me introduce him to you, Soldier,¡¨ Errac cut off the crab¡¦s question. When the crab learnt that he was called Soldier, he pinched himself hard and he could not hide a yell. ¡§This is Raco.¡¨

        Her voice echoed inside Soldier. ¡§Raco.¡¨ That name as well as that face was familiar to him. He searched for such a name and face in his brain. ¡§In the market? No. In the park? No. On the beach? No.¡¨

        Meanwhile Raco nudged Errac and mumbled, ¡§Does he know who he is? Has he regained his memory?¡¨

        ¡§I don¡¦t know if he has learnt who he is yet,¡¨ Errac apprehended, ¡§but he is recovering every day.¡¨

        Soldier suddenly trumpeted, ¡§I saw him in a party! Am I right?¡¨

        Raco gave Errac a worried look and Errac assured helplessly, ¡§Er¡K I think you¡¦re correct.¡¨ Then Errac left the room to do housework.

        ¡§Huh, how are you, my¡K oh no, Soldier?¡¨ Raco stammered again. He was too nervous to give a clear speech at that moment.

        ¡§I¡¦m fine.¡¨ Soldier did not find that odd. ¡§Are you my kin?¡¨

        ¡§Em, actually, yes.¡¨

        ¡§Can you tell me what had happened in the past? I¡¦ve forgotten many things.¡¨

        ¡§Well, not many,¡¨ Raco muttered to himself.

        ¡§Sorry?¡¨

        ¡§Oh!¡¨ Raco blushed. ¡§I said I couldn¡¦t tell you what had happened in a day. Shall we go for a walk?¡¨

        Soldier was startled, but he accepted it. They walked in silence for a while. It was Soldier who brought it up first. ¡§Nitram, do you know him? He is a nice person. He had been such a good man in the past and he is helpful now. You should meet him some day.¡¨

        What Soldier had said had made Raco feel sorry for him. Instead of saying what he thought, he said, ¡§Yes.¡¨

        ¡§Remember the necklaces he gave us?¡¨ Soldier continued heatedly. ¡§They were so astonishing that you couldn¡¦t help but staring at it for ages. They were so wonderful. I wish I could see them again.¡¨

        Tears rushed up to Raco¡¦s eyes. ¡§How can he completely forget all the things?¡¨ he thought miserably.

        ¡§What¡¦s happened? Have I said anything wrong?¡¨ Soldier noticed his misery.

        ¡§Nothing.¡¨ Raco had made up his mind. He had planned something for Soldier since yesterday Errac told him Soldier was still alive. He just made it up himself this morning and he had barely had time to leave a brief note to Errac, telling her what he was doing. He had just left her two words: The Triforces. He hoped she could understand what he meant. Now, they were on the way. Should he tell Soldier? ¡§I just want to tell you that we are not going for a walk.¡¨

        ¡§You don¡¦t like to walk?¡¨ Soldier guessed. ¡§You want to go back?¡¨

        ¡§No, no. Let me finish it,¡¨ Raco grumbled. ¡§We are setting off to find something, something that can help us soon. But it takes time to find it, are you following me?¡¨ Soldier nodded uneasily, and when he wanted to say something, Raco continued passionately, ¡§It is not easy, but it is important. We must find it, unless you want to disappoint all of your kin. You must do it.¡¨

        ¡§Ouch!¡¨ Soldier¡¦s mind told him that it was Nho¡¦s voice. Next he saw Raco and Nho lying on the floor, groaning. Nho growled, ¡§How can you walk without looking?¡¨

        ¡§Sorry, I¡¦m sorry,¡¨ Raco said. Soldier lent Raco a hand. Raco stood up and patted his body and then he exclaimed, ¡§Oh! Are you not Nho?¡¨

        ¡§You are¡K¡¨ Nho raised his eyes when he saw whom he had bumped into. ¡§Raco!¡¨

        This time it was Soldier who was growling, ¡§You know who he is?¡¨

        ¡§We were friends since we were innocent kids,¡¨ Raco explained. Then, liked last time, some pictures flashed into Soldier¡¦s mind in a sudden. He saw the three of them in very young faces playing under a tree. He saw three the eight-year-old boys running on the beach. He saw them when they were ten passing messages for their kingdom, Oyster Kingdom and Crab Kingdom. Then he saw a new member when they were eleven. That was Nitram Lobster. They were working for their own kingdoms already. After that, he saw the picture that he found in the market.

        ¡§Soldier? Soldier?¡¨ Raco was shouting. Blinking his eyes, Soldier came back into himself. The pictures in his head were gone.

        He shook Raco hard, ¡§I remember now! We should be going to find the Triforces!¡¨

        Nho sighed with a relief. ¡§He is really making process every day. Okay, let¡¦s get moving.¡¨

        ¡§Where are you going without me, Soldier?¡¨ Nitram appeared from their backs. ¡§Let me come with you. I can help you, as I have done in the past.¡¨

(Check Out What Nitram Is Up To_)

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