Aha, see? I told you it wouldn't be another year. Today's spontaneous spark of inspiration owes its existence to the recent Wings of Fate New Heroes focus, starring Who?noka and more importantly, our star duo. Of course, this means we're treading into even muddier uncharted timeline ambiguity in an anthology story that was already iffy about where and when everything takes place. Perhaps suspend your belief if things get too complex and confusing for you to consume. After all, you're here primarily for the fluff. With that said, let's continue.

Fireminer: You're in luck. Prior to the reveal of this focus, I was working on a Performing Arts Shigure chapter. It's been moved back as a result, but it's still on the way. Ergo, back-to-back Heroes-ish chapters.

The Apocryphal One: Thank you! Always a pleasure to hear from you.

Galator: Kana as a third wheel on a date is another idea I've been toying around with. But the thought of her playing matchmaker sounds just as adorable now that I think about it.

Word count: 501 words.


08. Shigure and Contracts


Yet the waters ever change.

Flowing like time.

The path is yours to climb.

Kana sniffled, her eyes watery and cheeks flushed. Her hot tears had finally run dry—a pent-up geyser of emotions that erupted late into the night. With nothing to stop her, the princess' walls gave way, and she cried into any soft thing she could get her mitts on—including the boy at her bedside.

Shigure passed Kana her handkerchief, his clothes stained with sorrow. Were it not for his calming voice, she would still be alone, weeping in the darkness of her quarters. He considered himself lucky to have been awake, ailed by his own overnight musings.

"Kana," Shigure gently said. "Are you well?"

It was a simple question—an icebreaker to temper the storm. Shigure knew the answer well before the words had even left his lips, but he wanted to ease himself into the situation.

Though her brother's song had soothed her, Kana was left with a hollow longing inside. The little dragon blew her nose, rubbed her eyes, and opened her mouth to speak, only to hiccup. A second hiccup followed thereafter, and so she settled on dipping her head and shaking it in shame.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

Her answer came to him in a mumble, and when he pressed her for clarity, she reluctantly spoke.

"...Mama... Papa..."

Shigure's heart fell, and he thought himself foolish for not realizing it sooner.

Kana hiccuped, grip tightening on the cloth in her hands.

"W-We.. We only.. j-just got them back... a-and then this.."

Reunited after what feels like an eternity in an alternate realm, only to be swept away into a different one—into a different conflict—soon after. Kana was young, the epitome of youth and purity. This was simply too much to take in.

Kana reached for her Dragonstone, her sole other keepsake, and held it to her heart.

"What if.. W-What if w-we never—"

Shigure quelled her fears with an embrace, one she did not hesitate to return.

"We'll find them," he said.

"B-But.."

"We will."

He paused, debating whether to tell her of Askr's impending arrival to the Temple of Frost, and the rumors he had heard of a prince and songstress among their ranks.

Askr. The enemy kingdom, the one his contractors wished to see seared into the earth.

"Everything will be alright," he whispered with regret, aware that the tides of battle would eventually betray such a vow. "I'll protect you, sister, both on the frontlines and off, until we find them again. I'll be your shield, just as mama and papa would."

"Y-You promise?" Kana looked to him.

Shigure started. "I promise."

If she noticed the slip in his voice, she didn't question it.

"Big brother," she pleaded. "D.. Don't go. Stay with me, please, at least until I fall asleep.."

She hiccuped, tears stinging the corners of her eyes.

"I don't want to be alone again."

He awoke the next morning, still by her side.