Blood Of Platinum
Chapter 3. Antique thing bag. 2

Ryou took out the golden pocket watch and placed it on the table. The pocket watch is so antique with a diameter of 5 cm and a chain length of about 20 cm golden in color. When opened the cover, it is seen that the clock uses Roman numerals and there are engraved letters on the inside side of the lid.

“See this Kino, fill this book a pocket watch. It looks old. Model is very antik”

“There is writing also in it but I cannot read it. Does this belong to dad?”

“Maybe”

Seen at a glance and held him, Kino saw the direction of the pocket watch's hand. His long needle points to the number nine and his short needle points to the number four. The seconds hand on the clock did not move at all. It can be concluded that the pocket watch shows at 04:45.

“Nee, Ryou... does this pocket watch move?”

“Seems not. It looked a long time ago and there were a lot of scratch marks. Besides, I never had a pocket watch so I don't know how to tamper with that thing”

“Then this is saved first. Later after dad gets home, we show him this and ask him” while putting the pocket watch back in, Kino gives it to Ryou and wakes up to the kitchen.

“I'll cook first. Ryou better go to your room and get changed. Don't forget to save the thing first ya”

“Aa, I'm up first”

Ryou went upstairs with the ledger with him to the room. In the room, Ryou placed the book on the study table beside the bed. After she finished changing her clothes, Ryou did not go down immediately. He opened the ledger again and picked up the pocket watch. He looked back but the clock did not move.

“I hope this has a father. I'm not so interested in old things, but somehow I can't ignore it. This old book also seems no less suspicious”

A few minutes later it was put back into place and he went down to eat with Kino.

******

The battle of the wounded youth with the dark wolf herd was still going on. The sound of wolf howls began to be heard from every side in the darkness of the night.

WOOOOOOOOOF

The three wolf tails that were looking at him with red eyes and long fangs started running towards the young man. He could only dodge his attacks by rolling on the ground again and again. After getting up and standing he tried to grab the sword that was across the street but was blocked by another dark wolf who attacked him.

“It's troublesome!”

Maintaining a badly injured body while avoiding the attack was indeed troublesome. Plus there was too much blood being shed.

Without a weapon in hand, an ordinary human might have died instantly by then, but that was not the case for the young man. If he stopped moving for a while, he realized it would send him to another realm called ‘adirat’.

‘Dodging will only make things worse for me. I have to do something to hide’

The young man said in his heart as he realized how bad the situation was at the moment. As long as his sword could be recovered, his chances of winning would slightly increase. He looked at the area where he was standing.

All around him were small stones that resulted from the previous troll attack. The young man also realized that the carcasses of the trolls were still around the place.

The dark wolf ignored the corpses of the troll herd but did not give the young man any room to live. In his mind he began to doubt his luck as he said in his heart ‘maybe I still have a chance to qualify?’

It didn't take long until the dark wolves started running and encircling him.

- ROOOOAAAAAAARRR

“Ukh.....” again all he can do is dodge to the side. Afterwards the young man tried to throw a nearby stone towards one of the wolves that tried towards him from the front.

The stone throw was not so powerful but luck started to glance at it slightly. The stone he threw hit one of the wolf's eyes and caused his attack to stop.

As the fatal attack from the injured dark wolf came to a halt, it suddenly felt a tremor from within the ground.

“…!!!”

Not only was he shocked, who would have thought that the dark wolf herds were running backwards like trying to avoid something. Although it was said to run, but the dark wolf did not really get away from there. The young man realized that they were only keeping a distance of a few meters until the underground tremor stopped. The cause is unknown but this is a definite opportunity.

“I have to take my sword again...”.

It was not right when he had the opportunity to take his sword back, instead he could not stand because his legs were numb due to the injuries he suffered.

“Sial!!.... Why exactly at a time like this...”.

And it's true. From underground suddenly appeared a fairly large burst of water. It turned out that the tremor similar to the earthquake was caused by water coming from underground. Not just one big burst came out but almost every corner of that broken street, even that burst also emerged from under the corpses of the large trolls that were around the road.

The fog that was beginning to thin in the area finally slowly began to disappear. The young man's gaze became increasingly clear as the fog had already disappeared completely. Even so, the bad conditions remain the same.

“This is not serious right.. I.. already can not serve ‘world tonight’ longer. Why is the sun not yet up!!”

Whether luck was happy to play around with the young man or since the beginning the amount of luck was indeed small, the torrent of water from underground was also just as troublesome.

The dark wolf pack that still exists

a few meters away had not approached him yet, but the young man's main goal was to take his sword, and now it was flying further and further away due to the gush of water.

Just one sentence the young man thought while resignedly mixed with annoyance.

‘Log out I’

The water coming out of the ground did not stop. The water splashed all around the area. The hole created from the previous fight began to become a puddle, the young man's clothes were wet because of it.

His wounds and blood felt like they were pierced, making him tingling, but the positive thing was that they were cleaned so there was no need to bother washing the wounds. That's another good thing.

Trying to stand up while biting his lips in pain, another surprise came. Right in front of the young man suddenly something appeared.

******

In the dining room, Kino had prepared a dinner for a two-person portion. Kino's cooked menu is almost all of Ryou's favorite: omelette rice with chilli sauce, karaage and miso soup with sliced chicken, tofu and cabbage filling.

Ryou who came to the dining room smiled widely as he looked at all those menus and they started eating. Not much to say when they eat. Just a casual little conversation like big brother did. Not long after the topic discussed turned into the invention of the antique pocket watch.

“Nee, Kino. After eating you and I have to see it again ya”

“Do not want to be saved until dad gets home?”

“…..”

“Why?”

“When I saw that clock I couldn't ignore it. It's just an old thing and I know it. But I can't

stop thinking about it”

“To be honest I was curious too. The first thing that made me curious was the finding of the clock itself. Being in an old ledger that was deliberately formed as a storage box, it was a thing that would never be thought of in this age of”

“Crue? If it does belong to father, it is impossible to be stored in the old-fashioned way so”

“The two pocket watches. The golden color is completely original. I think it's really gold plated for real”

“The scratch is also like being hit by a sharp object. It could be a knife or something. Plus there is foreign letter engraving”

“About like romaji but I don't think”

The atmosphere became quiet again. I don't know since when the conversation turned into a groove containing question marks. To let go of curiosity, the two brothers headed straight to the room on the second floor after finishing dinner.

Upon reaching Ryou's room and entering, they found the ledger on the study table. Ryou opens the book and takes the contents to give to Kino. Kino could not hide the slight sense of admiration

“See again really old but very sparkling”

“Forget that sparkle. Don't you feel that feeling like I said?”

“I understand what Ryou means. Me either….Whahuh? Why like this!?” how surprised Kino was when he opened the pocket watch and found the clock hand showing the minutes and hours had changed.

“Isn't this pocket watch dead? Did you change the clock. Ryou?”

“Change what? What's the matter?”

“Jarum the clock changed. I remember the first time I saw it this pocket watch showed at 04:45 but now it turns into 05:30. Look at this...” shows the pocket watch towards Ryou, the look of a surprised face is also shown by him.

“Why can? I did hold it before dinner last night but I swear I didn't do anything at this hour. I also know that none of these clockwork moves. How is it possible...”.

For a moment everything felt silent and a bit of fear began to envelop them.

“I've guessed this thing can't be left alone” Ryou said while trying to pull the chain of clocks

But it hurt the ring finger Kino who was still holding the pocket watch. The slightly sharper part of the clock lid accidentally slashed his finger and made a small wound. A little blood came out of the wound.

“Akh..”

“Ma–forgive me Kino. You okay?” frantically Ryou held her brother's hand and looked at his wound. The pocket watch that Kino was holding was hit by a slight stain of blood from his wound.

“I'm fine. Don't panic like that”

“Tapi–”

Not yet able to continue his sentence, suddenly the clock shone.

“What is this!!! Kino, don't let go of my hand” Ryou spoke loudly and asked his brother to take off the pocket watch. But it's all too late. The light grew brighter until at last in the room they both vanished.

******

The vibration that spouted water from underground was enough to be an unexpected surprise, it turned out that nothing else was less surprising to him.

The first sight that the young man who tried to stand while enduring the pain of the wounds he had sustained was the figure of two teenagers. Their clothes were nothing like the clothes he knew.

Seen from any side is human. True enough, humans who appear out of nowhere are just like other terrible creatures that he has met many times.

The only thing that made him relax the vigilance towards the two of them was because the look on their faces looked surprised, scared, confused and did not understand what was happening.

“Wet... This isn't in my room. In–where are we? A place like a….Uwaaaaaa!!!!!!!!”

Ryou shouted after seeing what was around him. Not only Ryou, Kino also gave the same reaction while grasping the pocket watch.

“Ma–what kind of creature is that? What is this place?”

“This is not true, right? I don't like this place”

The burst of water that came out from underground and its tremors had stopped. It becomes silent for a moment for a few seconds. Then not for long, the dark wolf that had originally been far enough finally began to slowly walk closer.

The panic could not be hidden from the faces of the brothers. The pale face and trembling body could not be hidden.

“How can there be this many wolves in–”

Realizing that this was about to get even more dangerous, the young man began to try to stand up, forcing himself to step up and started running towards the two teenagers.

“What are you doing there! If you shut up, you will die” after successfully approaching them, the young man pulled their hands and started running

“Rari. Whatever happens run and don't stop or we'll die. Those dark wolves won't let me or you guys live”

“Dark wolf? What the hell does that mean? Who are you exactly?” Kino who was still covered in fear tried to ask calmly despite failing

“Which obviously now follow me and don't stop running!! We have to find a safe place to hide”

Kino and Ryou could not think of any possibility. The best choice is to run away from the herd of wolves that are very large in number or they will be a meal. It is ironic considering that no one thought that the two brothers would immediately meet with a life and death situation like this.

The pocket watch in Kino's hand was eventually kept in his pocket. Without a fight, the two ran away with the injured young man, trying to stay away from the dangerous area.

The young man who helped them looked so exhausted with wounds all over his body. From the wounds on his body as well as the clothes that were filled with tears had already explained that he was already facing off against the herd of wolves that were running after them.

Concern enveloped the hearts of the two even though their pale faces were no less worried about him.

Running non-stop along the streets, the corpses of trolls and ruined streets were no longer visible. That means they managed to get away from the place before. Starting from here look the streets without holes with buildings that stand firmly around them.

“They're still behind us!. Where should we hide!” Ryou spoke to the young man holding his hand and his brother

“In a moment we will arrive at a large altar building. It could not be called completely safe but it could at least provide an opportunity to hide. Ukh...”.

The young man's wounds continued to bleed where the drops fell into the road every time he ran. The more it moves, the more it comes out. His right arm and shoulder that had quite a severe tear were the ones that had the most extreme pain effect he felt.

“Ooi... whoever you are, with wounds so you will die”.

“Rather than thinking about my injuries, it is better to move your legs faster so that we can keep our distance with the dark wolf herd that”

Feeling like he was being challenged for being reciprocated like that, Ryou finally showed his talent. It was not without reason that he entered the escalate class. All because of his excellence in sports and now is the right time to reply to the words of the person who is pulling his hand.

“If I just run I can also” start to increase the speed. Now it was Ryou who attracted the young man and his brother.

“If you stumble or pass out from exhaustion, don't take revenge on me for what is clear I will leave”

“Terlarah. Front turn right...” The young man only smiled as he pointed the way. After turning, a large building is seen. The front door is closed. From a distance it looks so sturdy and that place is their destination.

The dark wolf's voice began to grow closer. The difference in distance was getting closer even though they had already expended all their energy.

“They're getting closer” Kino looks back while running. “What should we do?”

While giving instructions, the young man asked the two teenagers he had just met to run first towards their destination.

“Cast run to the building and push the door. Waiting for the three of us to be together will only take time. Besides my current speed will not be able to keep up with you”

“Tapi–”

“As your friend said. I don't want to be sacrificed for dark wolf before sunrise. Now don't talk much and do it!”

“……”

With a face like forced Ryou to let go of the young man's hand but still holding the brother's hand. They ran faster than before leaving the young man behind them.

“Ryou, are you sure? I don't want to leave him like that. Ryou also saw the wound, right? That guy could die”

“I know. But what he said made sense. I'll escort you to that big building. Make sure you open the door a little bit for a crack to break through in”

“Ryou, could it be–”

“I'll be back to save him. Trust your great brother. Didn't you know my nature” the most while smiling widely, Ryou gave the answer that Kino wanted to hear the most. The current situation is not an action movie like on tv or games. This is real and once they fail from the wolf's pursuit then their history is over.

The distance between the young man and the two was already getting further and further. The young man could see that the two teenagers were almost at the front door of the altar. But he realized his distance from the dark wolf herd was getting closer.

Occasionally looking back, he could tell that up to here the limit. His eyes darkened and his legs began to run.

From the back, the two dark wolf tails increased their speed and began to jump up to attack the young man. Not having time to dodge, the young man was hit by an attack and fell toppled far enough.

“Aakh...” blood comes out of his mouth.

Kino and Ryou finally arrive at the big door and open it, Ryou immediately rushes back to pick up the foreign youth left behind. At full speed he ran as if he was in a marathon race.

“Ryou!!! Whatever happens you must survive!!”

Kino immediately walked into the altar and hid with the door slightly open.

Ryou quickly ran until it finally appeared that the young man had reached his limit. He fell down and did not rise again, whether he was alive or not. However, it did not change the reason why he returned to pick up the young man.

The wolf in front of the young man dashed up to pounce on him. Without hesitation, Ryou used his legs to kick the wolf's body. A kick so loud that it throws it far enough away from where they are. Instantly another wolf suddenly stopped and put up the alert horses.

-GRRRRRRR

Not willing to waste much time, without a second thought Ryou immediately carried the young man on his back. He quickly ran away from the place. The wolves finally returned to chase them quickly. Kino saw his sister from afar screaming.

“Ryou!! Hurry up!”

Ryou used his strength to run as hard as he could and they finally managed to get inside the building. The door was immediately closed by Kino and locked with a large wooden wedge that was the key to the big door. They gasped and tried to take a deep breath for a moment.

A moment after the young man came to his senses, he could slightly show a relieved face.

“I thank you very much for helping me”

Kino approached the young man to help him wake up. Looking at his already flooded body with wounds and blood, Kino could not hide his pale face. But did not make him stop to help the young man.

“We are the ones who should be grateful because you saved us from chasing the wolf. If at that time you didn't shout to ask us to run, we might have died”

“……”

The young man's body was limp, he tried his hardest to maintain his consciousness and find out why the two teenagers could appear.

“Where are you from?”

“We are from in Japan”

“Japan? What world is it?”

“World? Don't tell me you don't know Japan. Joking right?”

Ryou really could not believe what he was hearing and Kino could only silently listen with a surprised face because he did not know what to say. And after hearing the next answer from the young man their faces showed expressions that were hard to reveal.

“I don't know where ‘world’ named Japan it is. But clearly this is the first time there are other humans who appear in ‘world night’ besides myself”

“World... ‘world malam’ said. Now I really don't understand what you're saying”

“Haaaah.

With a long sigh, the young man could already guess that there was a mismatch between the statements they made with the reality he knew.

“Forget it. So, I wonder why you guys could suddenly appear here?”

“Huh, good question. My brother and I also want to know why. Previously we were in my room until suddenly the strange pocket watch I found started to glow and brought us in a not funny situation like this” Ryou felt very upset

But that was indeed reasoned because their situation was truly dire.

Hearing the word pocket watch, the young man started to show a curious face

“Pocket hours? What pocket watch do you mean?”

Kino pulled out the pocket watch he had in his pocket

“This is an antique that my sister found in the library in our house. This clock does not seem to be working. But suddenly the direction of the clock changed from before. Out of curiosity we tried to check it out. But suddenly this clock is glowing and when it dawns we are already in the situation as you know”

No kidding, the young man was very shocked and could not hide his face. Though already injured and can not move his body freely but after seeing the pocket watch in the hands of the teenager all the pain seemed to disappear.

“Why is this clock on you?”

“I don't know either. We thought it belonged to our father because it was antique and unique. A pocket watch like this is very old. These scratches are like a long time ago, therefore we think this is indeed a very old antique” while holding the pocket watch, Kino looked at the young man's face

This time it was the turn of the two brothers who were surprised instead of playing. The young man before them took out his pocket watch and surprisingly it was exactly the same shape as the two of them.

Not only the shape, but the golden color is also exactly. The difference is that there are no incisions or scratches on the lid of the pocket watch belonging to the young man.

“What the fuck!!! How could you also have the same clock as us!” Ryou was really surprised to raise the volume of his voice

“This is the ‘key’ I have”

“Key? What does it mean?”

“Most important things. The only thing I have to protect even if it has to be exchanged for my life”

Hearing his reply, Kino and Ryou agreed that what the young man said was not a lie and that he was not lying either. Feelings of wonder and confusion cannot be explained with words.

The young man looked at his pocket watch. When the clock closes open, on the inside side of the lid looks familiar letters to both. Sure enough, the same letters as on the inside of the pocket watch they were holding. Ryou became increasingly showing a face of shock and disbelief.

“Oi oi oi oi. How could the thing you have with the thing we have be 100% exactly the same as this”

The same thing in this world must be very much because on average it is mass-produced except for a few certain objects that have more value or very important meaning. That's what they have in mind.

But finally, there is something agreed upon by the two brothers, that all the logic did not apply to this situation.

The first reason is because currently the two brothers seem to be in ‘ very foreign places’ which even most likely will not be accepted by anyone's common sense including their own common sense. And the second is right in front of them is someone who doesn't even know Japan and thinks Japan is the world.

The conclusion of it all was that the pocket watch they had in hand and the pocket watch the young man had was not a mass-made thing in the same place, either, but having a reality is more complicated than they think.

******