This is a Dark Gothic Fantasy tale, an AU focused on the Mai Hime universe. This is not a horror story, but I would like to emphasize the word 'Dark' in the description since Fantasy is not always a happy fairy tale. (After a bit of reengineering, corrections, grammar checking, adjustment and so on…the story is back. This note is from January, 2011).
Since the very first time I saw Mai Hime, I was captivated by the concept of the Childs. You know, a lot of Mesoamerican cultures have the concept of animal spirits deeply attached to a person's soul. This was one of the ideas that kept bugging in my mind last winter and led me to imagine this alternative universe
This story will have magical creatures, maybe some dark sorcery, warriors, dragons and some hue of European Middle Ages. However, this won't be a 'Treaty of History' either. The dates I will mention are part of the story timeline and are not related to real history, except as general reference to the gothic period. And of course, we will have a lot of our favorite pair facing some risky times and adventures.
Nonetheless, I will try to keep it as canon as possible. The Characters are from Mai Hime and Mai Hime Destiny with the exception of some new characters from my invention.
Also, if you want to see the "cover" of this story, you can find it here (remove the spaces).
http : / galadan - arcticwolf . deviantart . com /art /Killing-Kiyohime-153002849
Warning: This story is rated M. It will have intimate encounters between two females as well as other sexual content and also other disturbing themes and/or violence. If you dislike such content, please don't read.
Disclaimer: Sunrise owns Mai Hime and Mai Otome characters, I only own my imagination. All the characters and situations depicted in this story are fictitious. Any similarity with actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.
Killing Kiyohime
"Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads."
Revelations 12:3
From the Book of the Ancients
It is written on the Ancient Stones, the origin of our world from the Gods and the advent of the sacred clans.
It was a time on this earth when the forces of nature were raw and untamed. An ancient time, lost in the darkness of the past, where lies buried the secret of humankind birth. Thousands of moons have glowed on the sky since the Gods walked the ground together with their living creations. And among all of their creations, humans, were the most perfect and beautiful one and yet, ironically, the most terrible and challenging; their existence brief as a sigh, their souls a contrast between darkness and light.
But the day came when the Gods decided let humans rise or fall on their own will, releasing them to follow their own path; but before leaving humankind to its own destiny, one of the Gods blessed them with one more gift to assure their salvation: a slice of divinity, a breeze of wildness, a shine of greatness. The God implanted his seed on selected human females, creating a new breed who will lead humankind to fulfill its ultimate fate.
This new caste was destined to hold the power of elements on their hands and the wild force of nature in their souls. They will be ruled by the Red Moon and they and their mighty heiresses will be know on earth by the name of 'IkusaHime,' the chosen princesses.
BOOK ONE. The Awakening.
Year 1399, Novosibirsk City.
I.
The hunting season will end soon and the White Season was approaching rapidly with cold howling wind and longer nights. The Two Moons will go over the dome of the sky one more time and then, the day of the White Solstice will mark the end of a sacred cycle and the beginning of the new one. However, this time, the Solstice celebration was special. This time is not just the closing of a regular cycle in their common life. This solstice was marked since hundreds of years ago, as the solstice when the prophecy will be fulfilled and the Great Red Dragon will retrieve his fair retribution.
In the cities and towns, no one talked seriously about the prophecy during the Golden season, with its warm and long days. Those days, it was easy to say the prophecy was foolishness for the elderly and the weak, but as the darkness was approaching, slowly falling over earth with cold and gray haze, dark clouds and starless nights; even the strongest warriors felt a slight shiver that was not only attributable to the cold air. However, it was a well hidden feeling for the most people. In those times, when heresy crimes were paid with one's life so easily, no one was exactly willing to spend a night on the Doctrine of Worship's dungeons. That was a one-way trip only.
Wrapping themselves with heavy capes to protect from the chilliness after sunset; two figures walked by the strait alleys poorly illuminated with some torches. Despite the darkness that grows faster and faster with every minute, everybody knew who the slender figures are and the few people they crossed with opened the way for them with a slight reverence.
Their red hair capturing fire sparkles under the torches and their portages were unmistakable for the Novosibirsk's citizens. The Yuuki Clan heirs, Nao and Ren walked to the temple for one of the solstice's ceremonies. The young woman is not exactly pleased.
"Damn, we will be late again!...And again it will be YOUR fault, Ren. What the hell can take you so long?" Nao Yuuki was visibly upset with her brother. The young and handsome man with a wry expression so similar to his sister's didn't seem to care much about her anger.
"Watch you language my dear sister, remember that swearing could be consider a sin. A punishable sin, by the way; I would hate seeing you visiting the dungeons."
"You wish! You smart a…" A tuneful voice was heard under a fold of Nao's cape but the young woman interrupted it with a pointing finger to her left shoulder.
"Julia…not now. I have enough dealing with him; he only wants to tease us." For most people, it seemed as if the redhead woman would be speaking for herself.
"Oh!...Look who's coming to the ceremony with us, the nice little spider. I though you left her weaving at home, sister."
Ren loved to tease her sister and her Child. Only the Himes, the chosen ones, could have Childs and he was a little jealous sometimes. His family was one of them, descendants of Gods according to the sacred scripts, but only the women had the power and the Child. That was not fair in his opinion.
"We aren't like everybody else, Ren-kun. But you are, so you are the one to be careful." Julia said before hiding comfortably inside Nao's cape again.
Ren only smiled at the spider's scolding. Truth to be said, Julia was kind of scaring in her full form. Yuuki family's escutcheon with a dark spider on it was respected and feared because very well earned reasons.
The Yuuki brothers arrived seconds before the High Priestess showed up on the main altar and hurried to their designated place aside the Tokiha Clan, greeting the Tokiha Clan members briefly and noticing the 'fallen ones' in the other place of honor.
"It seems the Fujino Clan is finally rising from the ashes, sister." Ren said while Nao buried her heeltap on Ren's feet keeping her face immutable. Ren's whisper in her ear was barely audible for Nao herself, but she was sure the tall blonde woman three meters away heard it as she did.
Nao felt a pair of red eyes falling on her as is following a natural head movement. The deep reverence and the polite smile corroborated Nao that the Fujino heard her brother's comment.
The ceremony took place in a poorly illuminated temple, giving the ministrant a deeper and unearthly appearance once she walked in. Priestess Yukariko, member of the Sanada Clan was the High Priestess of the Doctrine of Worship and also, a Hime.
The temple had very high roof ending in sharp towers, the tall structure strengthened with equally high buttresses. Very few torches inside the imposing cathedral kept the lighting at the minimum but even during the day, the lengthy and narrow widows with color crystals let very few light in.
The High Priestess was standing in the middle of the darkness with an unostentatious robe. The signal the ceremony was starting was the blue light behind Yukariko and the glowing increasing as the silver winged unicorn; St. Vlas extended its wings flooding the whole space with blinding shining as its master's voice, fulfilled the temple.
"Today we celebrate, as every day, the gifts we have been given by the Gods."
Every day, Yukariko with angelical smile and voice, commenced the sermon the same way. And after that, St. Vlas reduced its brilliance to tolerable bright, still its figure like a small sun inside the cathedral.
"But from today and ahead, we will have even more reasons to be thankful for. Almost five hundred years ago, human kind faced the most terrible times on its history but we prevailed. And we shall prevail as we keep our souls and hearts in the path of rectitude and honesty as the Gods want us."
The Priestess words made Nao remember her brother's early comments, and couldn't avoid a thought about the Doctrine's prisons. For which sin or sins all those people were condemned and executed for? "What those Gods really want from us?" the young woman though before returning her full attention to the priestess.
Yukariko was a master taking everybody's feelings and emotions, molding them as a master sculptor to get the final shape she wanted, the result she needed. Only the Himes were immune to her charming. Feeling a gaze on her again, Nao gave a discrete sideways glance to meet Fujino's heiress' red eyes on her, wondering if the older woman was having similar thoughts as hers.
Nao let her eyes travel over those in attendance that night. That was the first ceremony that initiated the celebration for the upcoming solstice and everyone who had an important role in Novosibirsk was present. The cathedral was full that night and the city will be getting as full in the upcoming days. That thought led Nao's mind to other important point, all the work she will have to do as a Hime. "Hell, we will have a lot of work to do."
Hundreds of people every corner of the world will be gathering in there; Novosibirsk, the ancient and most sacred human city, the main center for the Solstice celebration. For the first time in hundreds of years, this year the Solstice will also coincide with the full Two Moons and also with the five hundred years of the Red Dragon defeat. Seems they have many reasons to celebrate, however the Priestess' sermon was skillfully avoiding that last and particularly thorny subject… With a sigh Nao decided that was not the best time for that line of thoughts.
Although every Clan had independent government, rules and equally importance, all the Clan's leaders acknowledged the leadership of the Tokiha Clan among them. They had government duties in Novosibirsk and many other cities; nonetheless Novosibirsk was the only city convening five of the Twelve Clans for management and administration.
Tokiha and Minagi oversaw over politics and relationships among Clans; Sanada was the leader of the Doctrine of Worship, the main spiritual guide and moral ruler, finally Yuuki and Higurashi, were the military leaders among all clans' army forces. Thanks to the Gods, it was centuries ago since they had to lead a massive army of the Twelve Clans.
Nao realized the service was ending when heard the deep voice of St. Vlas with his closing remark. That was the only time anyone heard Yukariko's Child voice.
Several seconds still passed before anyone could move as if they were suspended on time and were suddenly released. The darkness fell on them again as St. Vlas shining turned off.
"Nao-san, Ren-san, I am so glad you could make it for the ceremony." Mai Tokiha said in a whisper as they walked slowly to the exit.
"Have our apologies Mai-san. Considering the importance of the event, my sister wanted to be radiant," Ren said with a grin.
Nao breathed deeply with a death glare towards her brother, but before she could said anything, an elegant giggle took the initiative.
"Well, dear Ren, I think we all know your sister very well…and you."
Reito Kanzaki taking Mai's arm to join the cortege, smiled charmingly to both Yuuki siblings, "Or what do you think, Counselor Fujino-san?"
A tall woman, with sober and imposing presence, approached from behind the group taking Reito's invitation to participate, talking to her interlocutor but fixing her deep red eyes on Ren Yuuki.
"Ara, Kanzaki-san, if I recall well, you arrived a bit after than Yuuki-san. Did that mean that your reason and Ren-san was the same?"
Mai laughed more openly now they were almost out of the temple. "You are so right Shizuru-san. Reito also care a lot for his seemliness. And maybe that's something some women are very thankful for!"
"There is no problem in looking good…but why they have a take so much time for it!" Nao finally complained.
"There is a time for everything, Yuuki-san. I feel personally gratified to know that the ceremony it's so meaningful for such young and handsome men." Yurariko's voice joined the group from the darkness of the temple.
"Priestess Sanada that was a wonderful ceremony, the temple was full and I am sure it will augur a successful and bountiful solstice." Mai addressed the priestess still smiling.
"Thank you so much Tokiha-san, I missed also other handsome men today."
"Oh… Takumi and Rei Kanzaki had to stay in the government building with the preparations for the upcoming days, Priestess. Tomorrow we will have a very important meeting with High Priest Greer and the Clans leaders and unfortunately, they couldn't make it on time."
"As I said, there is a time for everything. Tokiha-san, Kanzaki-san, I value your dedication; please give my gratitude to your relatives for their efforts." Yukariko made a light reverence to accompany her words but a shadow, soft like a veil fell on her eyes.
"What about your family, Fujino-san?" the priestess asked again, the shadows getting deeper as her eyes meet Shizuru's.
"I have to apologize on behalf of my family, Priestess Sanada. My grandmother resented an old ailment and I preferred to ask Kagura-san to stay and watch over her, despite all my grandmother's protests about the subject."
"Oh, I can imagine that perfectly. My dear Svetlana haven't change a bit with age, so quaint from her." And after a pause and a detailed and somewhat sad look on Shizuru, Yukariko added, "You are so alike her, do you know that Shizuru-san?"
The whole group opened their eyes and held their breaths. Yukariko never addressed anyone by their given names; it was always by their family names and never with such intimate familiarity.
Shizuru on the other side, kept a perfect smile for the Priestess. "Thank you so much, Priestess Sanada. My grandmother will be pleased to know that."
"Please also tell her I will keep her on my prayers to the Gods, wishing for her recovering. I am looking forward to see the whole Fujino family in the service soon."
After a couple more formalities with the group, Yukariko took her leave. No one dare to ask Shizuru why the Priestess was so familiar with her and Shizuru ignored pretty well all their questioning looks with innocent glance and enigmatic smile.
That smile was not in Shizuru's face later that night when she met her grandmother on her personal chamber.
"The Priestess sends her blessings and good wishes for you, my dear Svetyushka…Ara, and it seems her prayers had a miraculous effect on you, grandmother."
Shizuru's face was not wearing her usual and perfect mask as speaking but was still serene, sadly controlled with a tinge of irony on her tuneful voice.
"I and the rest of the world will definitely have more miracles without the Priestess' prayers."
The old woman was standing in the middle of her room, watching at the dark sky through her window, that despite the chilly air, she kept opened. She heard when her granddaughter arrived and her soft steps on the stone stairs to her room. She was a much older version of Shizuru; her silky hair once blonde as her granddaughter's, was now completely white and her stature and complexion have diminished a bit with the age, but yet the resembling between the two women was undeniable. Beyond that, Svetlana's firm stance and portage were still as queenly as Shizuru's as well as the bright of her deep red eyes. She didn't look sick or abated in any way.
"These days are not the most prosperous time for anyone in the Fujino Clan to make that kind of comments, grandmother."
Turning to see her beautiful granddaughter, Svetlana didn't hide her concern while cherishing Shizuru's cheek warning,
"More than words, I would be concerned by soul's fate when making a covenant with demons, my dear."
II.
"I finally found you."
The young woman didn't answer to the deep voice behind her. She remained at her place below the big trees' canopy, looking at the forest deepness. In the north, where they lived, the white season had arrived since weeks ago and the trees were all iced by now. Into the silence, the only sounds were the small creaks of the ice with the wind. Her warm breathing condensing in a white mist was the only signal she was there, her white clothing and posture, mimicking her perfectly with the surroundings.
"You are the only one who always knows where to find me," she finally spoke in a husky whisper still without moving a muscle.
"That doesn't means it is easy to really find you."
She didn't argue to that. Rarely did they have to explain themselves to each other. She was bound with him; he was a part of her heart and her soul, and their link was so strong that sometimes she felt as if they could hear each others thoughts and understand without speaking any word.
With a flowing, effortless movement, the girl stood up, uncovering her head and turning, her dark hair falling, framing her intense green eyes, to meet a giant silver wolf.
"They are waiting for you, Natsuki."
Their eyes were almost at the same height, Duran, the silver wolf and the youngest Child of the Kuga Clans was an imposing presence. But not for his master; with one last deep inhalation, Natsuki headed the way back to the village with the big wolf on her heels.
"It will be a long time before we can see home again, Duran. They can wait for us a little bit more," she said as the only explanation to the Wolf´s unspoken question.
"We will be away for two months, as much Natsuki. It's only a celebration in Novosibirsk."
Stopping suddenly, Natsuki turned to meet her Child's blue eyes afresh. That feeling that was struggling in her chest since some weeks ago crawled from her repeated dreams to her conscious again. Whatever was causing that…anguish inside her, Duran was not feeling it.
However, the wolf could feel her restlessness.
"What is bothering you, Natsuki?" He finally asked at his mistress staring form.
"What is bothering me? Can I truly say to myself what it is?" Natsuki didn't answer Duran's question though; she only knew the perspective of leaving home was terrifying.
The Kuga Clan lived in one of the hardest places in the whole world; Salekhard, the most northern city, the last human city before the lands of eternal ice. They were warriors, hunters used to live in adverse conditions and the spirit of the wolf lived among them. They grew with a deep respect for nature and balance, and fear was not a frequent feeling for them to experiment.
Natsuki couldn't explain her Child what was bothering her, she had no words for the feeling nesting inside her.
"Let's hurry to meet mother and grandmother Duran, the sun is setting and for sure, they will want to depart as earliest as possible tomorrow. It is a long way to Novosibirsk."
In the deep forest where they were, the last rays of a red sun where even weaker and the darkness was rapidly consuming them. The city torches were already set on fire when they left the forest.
The next day, as Natsuki predicted, their caravan left the white lands of Salekhard before sunrise. Her grandmother insisted to make the entire journey down to Novosibirsk and no power on earth could make her change the idea. Natsuki's mother, Saeko, protested, argued, tried to reason with her mother about the hardness of the coming back in the middle of the ice season but nothing was worth to be considered by the oldest Kuga member and still, the ruling Hime on the Kuga Clan. She was going to Novosibirsk.
Saeko looked for Natsuki's support repeatedly but every time Natsuki kept silent. As well as their three Childs, the wolves were wise enough to know that when Inna Kuga decided something, it was decided.
So that morning, the first rays of sun found Natsuki, leading the way with the three wolves while her mother was with Inna inside the carriage. That small little victory at least could Saeko obtain. They will travel inside the carriage and not mounting as they did with short trips.
"So, tell me Yurka, why is my grandmother so interested in this particular celebration? She has never cared for the doctrine or anything related." Natsuki asked to her grandmothers Child, keeping the march on good speed. It will take about two weeks to reach Novosibirsk and she wanted to keep aside her dark thoughts and concerns.
After a long pause the oldest of the three wolves, answered, "Maybe you should ask your grandmother directly, Natsuki-san."
Natsuki growled to the wolf half annoyed, half resigned. "I should have expected that answer."
Maybe she will do it in some chance. Her grandmother was always polite as corresponded to a great leader but never, never Natsuki heard any expression of devotion or interest for the Doctrine from her. And not a single comment about the Priestess and High Priest nor good or negative. Nothing at all. But know, she was there wanting to attend the most significant celebration for the doctrine in centuries. Certainly, Natsuki had to ask her why.
III.
As the days were getting shorter and the nights longer, the time for the solstice approached. From everywhere, people from the Clans were arriving to Novosibirsk fulfilling the city with new colors, voices and languages.
The common citizens had very few chances to see the Himes and their Childs, but rumors about fantastic creatures and stunningly beautiful princesses fulfilled all the taverns and markets.
It was almost two weeks before the solstice, when the Kuga Clan was few days away of Novosibirsk, when the Government building had an unexpected visitor.
Mai and Takumi Tokiha, together with the Kanzaki and Yuuki siblings were having an animated discussion on the political issues they will have to take care with the upcoming visiting Clans, several of whom were already arriving or were close to arrive, assigning tasks and duties when an attendant announced High Priest Joseph Greer's request to have an urgent meeting with Mai Tokiha in private.
As the Priest entered the meeting room, all the others with serious faces proceeded to leave the room. However, the Priest quickly stopped one of them by the arm.
"Yuuki-san, I didn't know you were here with Tokiha-san. Please stay as well." The man did a poor try of a proper smile but in his face, the eyes were dark wells of insanity no matter what smile he could be trying. For Nao, who was the one detained the worst to bear beyond the sight over her and the hissing breath on her ear, was the smell like a rotten aura around him.
Ren greeted his teeth after crossing a quick look with his sister; a soft blink from her ordered him to leave the room with the others. The requests from the Doctrine's weren't questioned. Nao fought the urge to free her arm from the man´s grip, who was still grabbing her as soon as possible and tried to keep her face as normal as possible.
Father Greer always provoked that repulsion on Nao at the first impression.
Father Greer presence was hard to bear, but the request he made left Mai and Nao speechless and breathless.
"Tokiha-san, I will appreciate if you and Yuuki-san could accompany me to the Malleus Dogma."
The Malleus Dogma, the hammer of the Doctrine of Worship which guaranteed that every soul will keep on the path of virtue requested by the Gods. The inquisitorial palace from where very few people make it out and no one leave it the same.
"If it is so important, maybe we should ask Kanzaki-san or Yuuki-san to come with us." Mai ventured, still a bit suffocated.
"Impossible!" Greer cut immediately, his eyes ironing even more than usual. "This is such a delicate matter, Tokiha-san. Please, the two of you are the only ones who can come with me."
As the women still delayed their answer, Joseph added. "This is a Hime matter and there is another Hime who will be joining us there. Priestess Sanada was on her way to look for her as I came here."
Mai and Nao had no other option, while leaving with serene manners, they asked the men to take care of their preparations until their return. Takumi, Rei, Reito and Ren had to watch them leave trying to hide their concern.
No one talked inside the carriage all the way to the Malleus Dogma building, the only sound was the hurried gallop of the horses. The old and heavy gate opened for them with the perfect timing for them to cross it, so the black horses only stopped when they were inside Malleus' court. The first person Mai and Nao saw when bent down the carriage was Shizuru Fujino, standing by Priestess Sanada's side. Shizuru was serene as always, she didn't look bothered even when was her first 'visit' to the Malleus same as the other Himes. Nao wondered how she could do it. All of them knew that the Malleus was a chamber of pain and death.
Getting out of the carriage the last, Father Greer make an indication for the women to follow him inside the building. Strengthen themselves, the Himes followed him with Yukariko closing the march. As soon as they advanced deeper in the building, a rarefied air and a dense atmosphere triggered all the Hime´s senses in alert. With an unmistakable feeling of danger edged in their consciousness, the three women interchanged glances as to confirm the others were also feeling the same. During the walk, hooded men crossed with them on the narrow corridors, making a reverence to the Father and looking hungrily to the women. The five minutes walking to the deepest hell on earth were like five hours for Mai, Nao and Shizuru.
At the end of the corridor, Father Greer took one of the torches on the walls and opened a heavily secured door, asking them to follow him downstairs.
"Watch your step my dear Ladies," Greer's playful tone while warning them was like slap in the face.
Below the darkness was complete and asphyxiating, and the stink unbearable.
When the stairs ended, Greer voice announced. "We are here."
A light ignited, small at the beginning but then it lighted two torches that revealed a new horror to the foreign visitors.
The man tied to a 'purifying rack' as Joseph describe it while approaching him, was still barely alive; his deformed limbs a clear indication he had some time in the 'purifying' session and several bones painfully broken.
The 'Purifier Inquisitor' was a small and slender person, dressing in completely dark attire from feet to head. The only visible parts were the eyes and Shizuru felt a shiver on her spine when the dark figure fixed those eyes on her and they were red as hers. But what shrunk her heart was the cold emptiness on them, like a bottomless abyss.
At a Greer's gesture, the figure threw an oily cold liquid that could barely be called water over the unfortunate man, who was so lost in his agony that didn't notice the light or the other people before.
"I am so sorry you have to witness this sad part of our sacred mission but this is an issue of supreme importance for all of us." Greer talked while the man gasped with the cold and dirty water on his face.
"This man here was coming from a village close to Novosibirsk with about twenty other villagers. He was the only one who made it to here and we had the disgrace to bring him here under the charge of heresy."
Greer looked very pleased that none of the women spoke, waiting for him. He had to admit in his inner side that they had nerve. They were pale and impressed but withstanding. He wondered hiding a smile, how will be to 'purify' a Hime.
"He claims," Greer continued finally, "that his group was ruthlessly attacked in the middle of the night."
Approaching the man, Greer demanded. "Tell the ladies who attacked you good man."
"Red…" the man's voice was a broken and scratchy sound hardly recognizable as human. "Red…dragons…Many..."
The three women look to each other alternatively with the fright surfacing on their eyes.
"Fire…from the sky…" The man fell unconscious again and Greer made another gesture to the inquisitor who finally spoke.
Nao almost fell on the dirty floor because the voice was unmistakable, a young woman's voice.
"He confessed everything. The whole story was an invention; taking advantage of the 'Prophecy' he planned with his friends, rape and kill the women on their group. Seems he decided to betray his friends and have the orgy of sin all for himself."
"May I respectfully ask the nature of his elaboration, father Greer?" Shizuru's voice sounded strangled even for herself but she had to make that question.
"I am pleased you among the Himes, make the question, Fujino-san. I didn't expect less from you." Greer approached Shizuru frowning and smiling threateningly.
"His initial argument was that they didn't intent to travel during night but they got delayed and the night fell on them two hours away from Novosibirsk. Suddenly to forest's sounds silenced completely and seconds after, beasts from hell attacked them. No one could make it except from him, because he was brutally hit by a gigantic tail while his companions were devoured by several red dragons. Those who lived enough and try to escape were burnt up by storm of fire."
With a last look on the man, Greer added. "He entered the city, screaming like a possessed that the prophecy was truth, the red dragon was awakened and that we were all condemned."
"You understand better than anyone Fujino-san; we cannot tolerate such mistaken and evil belief spreading on the population," Greer ended looking at Shizuru with lusty satisfaction.
Approaching from behind and speaking for the first time, Yukariko said "We asked the three of you to come here because we will need your help controlling the situation in the proper manner and also keeping alert on other sprouts of this misconception. We have to keep the people safe."
"You my dear daughters, all of you," Greer emphasized looking at Shizuru, "are the chosen by the Gods. We all know that a single member of your family took the wrong way once Fujino-san; long time ago. And your whole Clan paid for it. But you will be always a Hime, a chosen by the Gods, even if your Child is no longer with you."
For their fortune, they didn't stay too much longer on that dungeon and the Himes were almost grateful to breathe the rare air in the regular corridors and to see the insane inquisitors and not the empty red eyes of the woman underneath them. Mai and Nao tried not to think on what other 'purifying' actions were held in the underground of Malleus Dogma.
Greer and Yukariko walked them back to the carriage but didn't make any movement to go up with them. Before giving his blessing for them, as High Priest, Greer informed with quiet face the man they saw will be burned alive as the Doctrine demanded with the possessed and the heretics, next day at the first ray of the sun. Nao and Mai, looking at each other, felt a dead weight inside their chest, knowing it was nothing they could do for the wretch except to wish a quick dead for him. Shizuru was too flustered with the visit and the implications that she was absently looking by the small window, trying to keep her composure the best she could.
When the carriage crossed Malleus Dogma's portal, Greer's face changed completely, his smile vanished and turned into a deadly serious visage.
"Miyu."
From anywhere, the dark and slender figure from the underground dungeon showed up but now, with an exposed head, revealing a very young woman with palest skin and white hair. Her eyes looked even deader and empty contrasting with all the white around them.
"Warn Nagi Homura to keep an eye on Fujino, now more than ever. I won't tolerate any neglect from him."
"It will be as you order, High Priestess." And her answer was as cold and dead as the rest of her.
That night, the three Himes dreams were plenty of disturbing images. But for Shizuru, the most terrifying was that recurrent dream; she was in a place where several golden eyes shined in the most absolute darkness. Into the dream, she knew she was dreaming, but that night was different than the previous ones. She knew herself trapped by the dream and wanting to wake up with all her heart but realizing for the first time with renewed horror that, she was the darkness and she couldn't escape from herself.
Only Svetlana, who was sitting aside Shizuru's bed watching her granddaughter's restless sleep, heard an anguished and desperate whisper from Shizuru's lips that froze her heart.
"Kiyohime."
Thanks for reading.