Shadow and Light; Demonic Wings [ Arianda | Tento ]

It was…like he was back all over again. Still on that battlefield by the hole as he saw this poor lady's Body. His kaido.would be no good here. He could only hope to make her passing as peaceful as possible. Broken bones, blood dosted, and almost lifeless eyes straining to keep a glow.

At the sudden utterance of command, ushering everyone out of the way and to place the lady down. A clear space was quickly made and Tento looked on once more as if he did not know who this woman was. Yet again there was as if another woman carrying her name was standing in the room. It was…noble, as if it was a Shihoin or Sawachika commanding their family. With a bit of work he found a stretcher to place the woman under before moving out of the way. Following her gesture it seemed Tento moved out of healer more to a soldier mindset.

Such a strong voice and yet desperate, as if begging. At first, Tento watched with a mix of awe and concern as Arianda performed the ritual, her determination and power clear to all who witnessed it. He had no idea what it was but it sure was…demonic. The show of power seemed to send a chill that made some people stiff, but a few soft shhs seemed to make those fears choke. After all, was Arianda not the one who stayed by their side for hours before Tento came? Did she not heal and nurse those wounds with as few medical resources she had right now? Distrust for the Demons was jot gone just by one day's effort by one woman. But… some of them. Some of them had hope and fleeting faith. For just…one…miracle.

The blue flames and the magic circle were unlike anything he had seen before, and he felt a pang of worry for both the injured woman and Arianda herself. Tento didn't hesitate. The child had been froze un his observation but as soon as the lights came he almost bolted towards the two pair. In a flash Tento was upon him, scooping him up once more as he nestled him gently to his chest. Giving soft commands to stay still and to let Ari save his aunt. “It's okay. I know you're scared. But it's okay to be scared. I gotcha little buddy”. Tento began softly, his voice soothing. "I know things are really tough right now. But be brave. Face those fears and have hope. Hold it tight and feel it like a flame”, Tento finished offering a gentle smile. "Your auntie is going to be alright. She's strong and tough just like you. You made it all the way here and so will she”.

When the ritual was complete and Arianda collapsed to her knees, Tento rushed over to her side. The sight of the wounds appearing on her body, only to heal themselves moments later, was both miraculous and horrifying. That was…some regeneration. How much energy did all that use up?? Her resilience was undeniable, but the toll it took on her was evident. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, steadying her as she groaned in pain. "Arianda, that was incredible(but reckless)!!”. Tento said, his voice filled with gratitude and admiration

Turning his attention to the gathered crowd, Tento called out, "Someone, get some water and food ready for Arianda, please!" He knew the community would respond swiftly, their collective support vital in times like these. It was a debt they wished to pay back for today. Tento then knelt down beside the aunt with the little boy, his expression softening from fear to relief at the sight of his aunt.

"Hey, buddy. Your auntie is going to be okay, see? Arianda worked really hard to help her, and she's going to need some rest, but she'll pull through."

“thank you!”, the boy small voice began.” Thank you….THanK you. THANK YOU”, the boy began to wale in happiness as he tackled Arianda in a hug before quickly crawling to laid on his head in his auntie shoulder. Tired tears from the day and hours washing over as he hiccuped and clung to he still, breathing form.

As the community tried to find nourishment for Arianda. Tento felt a renewed sense of relief for the first time. Had he been holding his breath?? Despite the chaos and suffering, the energy of the injured was strange. They were helping each other now with a passion. Resilience, rekindled. Tento moved to a sink, hoping that this was compassion, solidarity, and teamwork shining a light in the darkest of times. The determination in his eyes was mirrored in those around him, each person ready to continue the fight, driven by the hope of a better tomorrow.

But first he had to pay it back himself. The toll the ritual had taken on Arianda and knew she needed immediate care. Without wasting a moment, he quickly gathered some water from the sink and light food from a nearby table. He also found a clean towel, soaking it in cool water before wringing it out. Returning to Arianda, he gently handed her a bowl of water and a small plate of food. "Here, Arianda, drink this and eat a little. You need to replenish your strength," he said, his voice kind and supportive. He then carefully placed the wet towel on her forehead, the coolness offering some relief. "That's all for now. I think they can handle today, just focus on resting okay?”.

In the following several minutes, Tento stayed close, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible while also keeping an eye on the other wounded. A little corner away where he had time to ask something that had been on his mind. He has observed Arianda's interactions with the injured, noting the gentle and nurturing way she cared for each person. Her maternal instincts were clear, and it made him curious about her past and the depth of her compassion. Her humanity. As he reached down and took a sip for himself he gathered his thoughts.

"Arianda," Tento began, his tone warm and respectful, "I've noticed how you care for the injured, especially the children. It's like you have this natural motherly instinct that puts everyone at ease”. He began softly, his deep voice low between the two of them. He picked up the wet towel and damped it again, placing it back but unfolded to allow it to cover her. "You remind me of a mother looking after her children. Is…there a reason why you seem to have such a deep connection with those you care for?". Tento's words were meant to show his genuine interest and admiration for her nurturing nature, while also giving her an opportunity to share more about herself if she felt comfortable doing so. This way, he could learn more about her and perhaps understand the source of her incredible compassion. And if she was really different from what the books and his memories said. Even…just a little.

Tento watched Arianda in silence while. His tall frame leaning in with attentiveness and empathy. He could never understand that pain truly. But he could see it at least. Caretaking. Giving oneself to someone without blood took a lot, and he would imagine the loss of such a thing could be as deep as a blade. As he listened, his thoughts drifted to his own upbringing. Growing up in a single-parent home in a low-income community filled with drugs and gang violence had been incredibly tough. His father had passed away when he was just an infant, leaving his mother and two older sisters to fend for themselves. The hot, humid weather and constant rain seemed to mirror the gloom that often hung over his family.

Despite the harsh environment, Tento found solace in small moments of peace, like walking through his neighborhood and cleaning up litter. The fleeting innocent moments of hisbfriends as he grew from tot to child to teen. The bond of having young kids look up to him as he did himself once. These moments of reflection and the interactions with younger children in his community gave him hope. He saw the kindness and support between people as a form of protest against the decay and violence around them. The fact that they had to deal with hollows and demons didn't make it any better…

However, the reality of his surroundings was brutal. Friends and neighbors often turned to crime or drugs, and Tento learned the hard way about caution and suspicion. The loss of family members and friends fueled his rage and determination to break the cycle of violence and despair. Anything he could do he did. He volunteered, donated, and mentored troubled youth, hoping to make a positive impact on their lives. All in that hope for those kids.

Returning to the present, Tento gently took Arianda's hand, offering a comforting squeeze. "Arianda, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's clear that you have an incredible heart, and the way you care for others is truly inspiring. Your daughter would be proud of the love and care you've shown here today”, Tento said in an attempt of comforting words wrapped in truth.

He smiled gently, his eyes meeting hers. "You know, growing up in a tough environment taught me a lot about resilience and the importance of caring for others. I saw firsthand how hard life can be, and I learned that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. I guess that's why I've always had a soft spot for kids. I see so much potential in them, innocence, and want to help them grow into the best versions of themselves. Better than me".

Tento paused, reflecting on his journey. "It's not always been easy, but those experiences shaped who I am. They gave me the grit to push through challenges and the heart to understand the struggles of others. And right now, we all need that hope. I think. You've given a lot of people here a reason to believe things can get better”.

Tento listened to Arianda's words, quiet content as the chaos of the day slowed down. A deep breath came as his chest muscles lifted up before dropping. An exploration of a bit of each of their life struggles was the last thing he thought was going to happen when he saw Arianda today.

Lots of empathy today. Lots of empathy for a Demon today. He watched as she stretched and adjusted herself, seeing the toll her emotions and exhaustion had taken. When she thanked him, he gave her a warm reassuring smile along with a nod of his head. “No problem. It's just truth. Besides that's the least of issues from the day”.

He paused thinking of her words before talking. "Arianda, you're right. Not everyone comes out of a tough environment better. Some become worse monsters than the ones they saw, others break. It takes a lot…and a bit of luck if I had to be honest. I guess I'm just lucky, maybe if you can think of it right. You'll consider yourself lucky too”. He hoped it would help provide some comfort. As she closed her eyes and asked him to keep watch, Tento nodded gently. "Sure Arianda. Rest well. I'll keep an eye on things and make sure everything stays safe".

He watched her curl up, a sense of protectiveness washing over him. Really silly given how much more powerful she was than him. Despite that difference she had mental and emotional struggles all the same. The vulnerability she showed touched him deeply, and he was determined to honor the trust she had placed in him. As she drifted off to sleep, Tento sat vigilantly nearby, his senses attuned to the surroundings.