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Scroll 5 - Byakko no miko – The Tempest of the Stars （第五章：星の大嵐）
Thank you, Ember-Fang for correcting Amefuri's name for me. Geneweiss haven't done the linkage thing for this fic yet as, Geneweiss is trying to balance work and writing fics. However, pls continue to give your comments. Arigatou! ; P
Lita, mounted upon her black stallion, looked down upon a village, which was busting with lively sounds of children playing, the women doing about with their daily chores, the men plowing at the fields and the elders busily chatting and gossiping among themselves. The black stallion blew huffs of hot steam through its nostrils, neighed and pounded its metal-clad hoofs heavily on the dry ground. Energy and bloodlust was flowing through its veins as much as its rider was. Lita firmly held the rein with her remaining left arm, her chin held up in defiance. Her almond eyes flashed at the oncoming changes that were about to happen.
In Braji Town, Kazuko and her seishis were busy preparing Zan & Iris' wedding. The inn owner was kind enough to allow them to use the main hall to hold the wedding ceremony. The generosity of the owner was caused either due to the hope of promoting his inn or the sweet scent of the money that Tatara gave him. Still, there was a lovely distraction for the Maiden and her seishis to be occupied with events associated with normal life. Kokie was automatically in-charge of the food, Zan and Amefuri with the interior decorations, Iris and Toroki with the wedding clothes and lastly, Kazuko with the ceremonial speech (with Tatara's help).
Tatara suggested to Kazuko that they should go down to a local bookstore and browsed through some of the literature books for some inspiration as staying at the inn would vexed her even further. Kazuko was grateful for the suggestion but it turned out to be pressurizing, as she was unable to read the Chinese letters. Luckily, Tatara was there to translate them for her, word by word. Tatara didn't seem to mind reading poetry to her. His voice was silky and smoothing to the ears. It had a certain attraction that would anyone to sit down and listen to him. For Kazuko, she was totally mesmerized by the tone and pitch of his voice. At some phases, his voice dropped to a low and gentle tone and at times, raised higher, filled with passion and life. The way that he read the poems or sonnets was like they were part of his soul, the very air that he breathed, a source of nourishment. The poems dripped from his mouth as if they were sweeter that honey itself. Throughout, Kazuko found herself being completely breathless. She felt herself moving closer to him, she could see the way his lips moved, the brightness of his eyes, she could hear the rhythmic sound of his breathing, and she could almost feel the touch of his skin upon hers…
"Kazuko? Kazuko?"
"Huh?" Kazuko's eyes lid up and found themselves staring into a pair of gray eyes.
"Are you alright?" Tatara leaned closer. "You looked like you are out of breath or something." He placed his fingers upon her wrist. "Are you ill?"
"I'm fine," She drew back her hand and shyly looked away. "It's just the way you read the poems. It's so beautiful. You made these old pages of ink into something new." She looked at him. "It's incredible."
Tatara smiled faintly. "That's if you are educated," He closed the book. "And sadly, not all of the people of Sairou are literate. There are not enough schools or teachers. Only the rich could afford such luxury." He stood up in deliberate slowness. "Before the drought came, one of the Emperor's wishes was to educate the people of Sairou. Build schools, get teachers and provide materials so that every child is able to read and write. But now…" He swallowed. "It seemed that might not be fulfilled."
"It's still possible," Kazuko said encouragingly. "Once Byakko is summoned, the Kagemono would be defeated. The people of Sairou would be freed and then, the Emperor would be able to fulfill what he wanted to do for them."
"That is, if the people of Sairou are still alive after Byakko is summoned. Everyday, the Kagemono takes on more lives. Everyday, my… the people of Byakko are suffering and so is the Emperor himself."
"The Emperor seems to be a kind man who loves his people a lot. So do you. Are you close friends with the Emperor?"
"In a way, yes." Tatara leaned against the bookshelf. "I am a close friend of the Emperor." He looked down and pressed his lips. "Very close."
"Then, the Emperor must be very fortunate to have a friend like you. At times like these, he would need someone like you."
"Yes, he is. And yet, I feel like I'm betraying him."
"Betray? Why?"
"Because I left the capital without telling him. His family is dead. Though the elders and the officials are on his side, they are all afraid of the Kagemono. There were a few who dared to oppose the Kagemono time to time. I'm one of them. And yet, I choose to leave without tell him. I didn't even write a farewell note. He needs me, Kazuko. The sole sovereign needs me. Anything can happen to him. As his best friend, how could I do that?"
"You didn't leave him, Tatara. You didn't betray him either." Kazuko stood up and walked towards him. "You went to find me and the others. If you didn't, we would be dead by now. In a way, you are helping him in his fight against the Kagemono. He's not alone. So are you. You have me, Kokie, Toroki, Ameturi, Iris and Zan with you."
"I suppose you are right. I know that you are carrying a great responsibility upon your shoulders but," Tatara moved closer to her. "Kazuko, you are my," pausing for a moment, "and the Emperor's last hope in defeating the Kagemono. I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen to you." He held her hands. "And so now, I swear upon my life that I will protect you always."
"Tatara…"
"That's my solemn vow to you, Byakko no miko." His eyes implored deeply.
"Thank you Tatara…" Kazuko replied breathlessly. "Thank you..."
"No, thank you, Byakko no miko… thank you."
Then, Tatara did something that Kazuko never thought that he would do or thought where she might be within the next few seconds.
She was in his arms.
And somehow for some unknown reason, she felt that it was the best thing that had ever happened since she first came into Sairou.
A green-caped creature knelt down in front of Master Kagemono, the leader of the Kagemono. Velvet chain armour donned his broad shoulders and trailed down to his feet. A charcoal robe was placed on side and buckled with a belt bristled with spikes. In his hand was a spear, laced with tiny skulls while the other held a globe sealed with a hawk's claw. Sitting by his feet was a white-cloaked woman, her face concealed by its cape. In her hands, she held out a harp made from the finger bones.
With his face still down, the green-caped creature held out a cloth-wrapped object and placed it before the white-cloaked woman's feet. With a slight move of her fingers, the cloth automatically unwrapped itself layer till it revealed what seemed to be a human arm. At the sight of it, the white-cloaked woman strung her harp and sang like a ghost.
"The last star the Maiden seek
Is brewed by enmity
Animosity blows whatever it goes
Calamity is its guide
The tempest of the stars
Yet a lost wing will guide it
To the haven it seeks."
"So, it seemed that the Byakko no miko is still alive and so are her seishis," Master Kagemono spoke. The tiny skulls rattled each other as he lifted the spear and pierced the arm. "The Byakko no miko has gathered 6 stars already. What about the other 3 Maidens, Lady of the Harp? How much have they process?"
Like a possessed soul, the Lady of the Harp lifted her fingers and strummed the strings. The hollow bone structure of the harp gave a mournful cry, like it was crying for the dead. Then, the mournful cry came to high-pitched shrill. Her ghastly pale lips began to move with the tones of the shrill.
"The Maiden of Genbu is still held within the walls of her sanctuary. Her stars are near yet far. The Maiden of Suzaku is beyond any capability of her own in the land of Konan. The Maiden of Seriyuu…" She began to sway uncontrollably. "The Maiden of Seriyuu…" Her lips parted and out came a vile laughter. The green-caped stranger remained his eyes on the ground though the temptation was great to see her.
The vile laughter ended abruptly and the Lady of the Harp shot out her finger at the purple-caped stranger and said. Her voice was like an outraged sea.
"This task, I charge thee with.
Fail not like the weak-linked Lita
To Konan, Miwa Sakamoto,
The Maiden of Seriyuu will you bring to us!
From this moment onward,
The Lady of the Harp bestow you a name
Amethyst shall be it!"
Amethyst bowed his head so low that it touched the ground, his whole body shaking. With a deep breathe, he said, "Amethyst will not fail his Master and his Lady."
"Why are you shaking, Amethyst?" spoke Master Kagemono. "Are you frightened of the task that the Lady of the Harp had charge you with? Is the task too heavy a burden for you?"
"Never, my Master," Amethyst replied zealously. "Amethyst is overwhelmed by his Master and his Lady's generosity in giving him a name of his own. He is also excited that he is serving a Master who would unite the 4 countries into one and destroy the Maidens."
"Then go, Amethyst," Master Kagemono held out his spear, its tiny skull rattled joyously as blood from the arm dripped on it. "And make your first task an memorable one."
Amethyst flashed a brusque smile as he melted in the darkness. As soon as he disappeared, another shadow-like creature came. Master Kagemono held the arm towards it.
"Go and collect as much blood as you can get from this arm," he instructed. "Since it is done, store the blood properly and cook the meat well. The Lady of the Harp and I will dine on it tonight."
Under the humble roof of the Braji inn, the Byakko seishis were blissfully celebrating the wedding of Zan and Iris. With Toroki's help, Iris was dressed in a traditional Sairou wedding grown that flew down so smoothly that it enhanced the curve of her legs. The colour was assorted shades of green and white that harmonized with the sapphire robe that hang from her right shoulder. A thin belt made with hazel beads and silk thread was hung from her hips and tied on the right with a pink flower. Iris had her face powdered; eye shadowed indigo, lips coloured ruby red and dangling earrings on her ear lobes. As it should be on any wedding, the bride was to be the beauty to drink in by everyone.
As soon as the Iris was by Zan's side, Kazuko, similarly dressed as Iris' expect hers was plainer and had fewer decorations, stood before the couple and gave her ceremonial speech. Deep inside, her heart was pounding endlessly. Somehow, she managed to keep her voice steady.
"We are here together to witness a union of our dearest friends, Zan and Iris. Though we have been with them for a short time, it's like we have known them for years like," she looked at Iris. "We have been destined to be together. And it's a joy to see them united as man and wife in such peril times. May they both love and cherish each other through weakness and strength, sickness and health, happiness and sorrows. Whether it is for the better or worse, may they be faithful and loyal to each other till death does them apart. Zan, you may say your oath to Iris."
Zan took out a bracelet that was made with pearls so transparent that it looked like it was made of air, and tied it onto Iris' right wrist and said, "Iris, from this moment on, I'll promise that I'll love you with every beat of my heart. I'll protect you from any harm and never leave you because right with you, that's where I belong."
"Zan," Iris spoke, her eyes glistened with tears as she tied another pearl bracelet onto Zan's right wrist. "From this moment on, for as long as I live. I'll love you with my heart because you're the reason that I believe in love and there is nothing that I would give to be by your side till my last breath."
Kazuko silently wiped her tears as she walked forward and placed her hands over Zan and Iris' and said with inner happiness, "By the blessings of Byakko, I now pronounce you as husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Everybody clapped and cheered loudly as soon as the couple embraced and locked each other into a long deep kiss. Kazuko once again wiped her tears. At the corner of her eye, she saw Tatara looking longingly at her. She smiled at him. He smiled back and then, suddenly, his eyes widened. Kazuko subsequently felt a strong gush of wind swirling around her, whistling in her eyes. The wind then flew towards the married couple and encircled them. At that moment, a light, brighter than the sun, shone from the couple.
"The light!" Amefuri yelled. "It's the light…"
"The light of Byakko!" gasped Toroki.
"Kazuko, dajoubu ka (are you alright)?" Tatara held her close to him.
"Yes but what does Byakko want with Zan and Iris?" Kazuko stammered with mixed fear and excitement.
"Look!" Kokie pointed. "Byakko's symbols!"
On the right palms of both Zan and Iris', shone two letters. Both of them stared at the letters on their palms before looking at each other. Zan grinned rather devilishly and said submissively, "I know what you are thinking Iris. We are destined to be with Kazuko, the Maiden of Byakko. Whenever you go, I'll follow you because it is also my destiny."
Then a voice spoke out from the wind; so clear and gentle like the air of a newborn spring.
Spoken like a true Byakko seishi, Zan. As your life starts anew from this moment on, you shall be know as Tokaki. Use your teleportation skills well and continue to improve on it.
As written in the scroll of Byakko, your wife, Iris shall be known as Subaru.
Once united, once departed
Now meandering like two breezes
The two will untie again by beads of the sea…
As it was foreseen, Zan and Iris were meant to be together as Hahm Lanuan and Hahm Dourin were meant to when they were Byakko seishis 600 years ago. And so it is they united again by beads of the sea.
"The pearl bracelets…" murmured Tatara. "They represent a married couple in the Joana village since their livelihood are fishermen."
Once united, once departed
The falling snow brings them together
Now the cycle spins again
Once more? Or turn elsewhere?
Tatara… Fulfilling your duty, as you should. But what's your destiny going to be?
"Byakko…" Kazuko took a few steps forward. "I have already found 6 seishis but I have no idea how to find the last one. The last seishi could be anywhere and the Kagemono are aware of this. How do I find the last seishi?"
The last star the Maiden seeks is brewed by enmity.
Animosity blows whatever it goes calamity is its guide
The tempest of the stars
Yet a lost wing will guide it to the haven it seeks.
"But I don't understand it! What does it mean?"
Take Subaru's hand for she has the sight to see the passages of times. Then, you will find the last star that you seek so much...
"Byakko… Byakko…" Kazuko felt the wind fading away. "Wait, I need to ask you about my friends, Yumi, Miwa and Chiaki! What about them? Are they…"
"He's gone, Kazuko." Toroki touched her shoulder. "I don't feel his presence."
"Sonnai (No way)!" Kazuko's face fell. "There are a lot of things that I need to ask Byakko. I need to know about my friends, who are also Maidens in other lands. I need to know if they are alright."
"I'm sure they are. As long as they are with their seishis, they should be as fine as you are with us."
"Who are Hahm Lanuan and Hahm Dourin?" asked Ameturi, changing the subject to ease Kazuko's spirit. "Were they formerly Byakko seishis?"
"Hahm Lanuan and Hahm Dourin were seishis to the former Maiden who came to Sairou 600years ago," Tatara replied. "After the Maiden was summoned Byakko, they, together with another seishi, remained as guardians of the temple of Byakko. The temple was last seen located at the outer rims of Sairou what we are named as the wastelands."
"There's an original temple of Byakko?" Kokie questioned. "I thought that the temple was at the palace."
"It is but the original capital of Sairou was positioned at the wastelands area. The temple was built separately from the palace. Hahm Lanuan, Hahm Dourin and the seishi remained as guardians of the temple was because they promised the Maiden to protect the scared jewel of Byakko, which the Maiden wore at the ceremony of summoning Byakko. I'm afraid…" Tatara spoke slowly. "That we need to find that before Kazuko can summon Byakko."
"WHAT!!!" Amefuri yelled, literally popping up right to Tatara. "Are you sure? We haven't found the last seishi yet and still we have to find this scared jewel."
"Calm down, Amefuri. Things are not as bad as they seemed to be," Toroki slightly knocked Amefuri on the head.
"At least, the scared jewel is at the wastelands. So, let's do one thing at a time. Byakko has already given us a clue to find the last seishi."
"That's right," Subaru (Iris) agreed. "Byakko said I had to power to see through the passage of times." She walked towards Kazuko. "Hold my hand, Kazuko. When we find the last seishis, it would be easier to know about your friends. I'm sure that they would want you to complete your task."
Kazuko looked at Subaru's smiling encouragingly at her, then at Kokie, Amefuri, Toroki, Tokaki (Zan) and lastly Tatara's. His gray eyes sparkled reassurance.
"Sou shimashou (Let's do it)." Kazuko placed her hands onto Subaru's and held them tightly.
Instantly, white light enclosed the two ladies. The rest of the seishis were forced to shield their eyes from the blindness of the light. A salty scent lingered as soon as the light died away. Blinking their eyes for a while, Tokaki was the first to give a cry.
"Subaru!!" Kneeling down to his wife, he held her up. "Subaru… are you alright? Wake up!"
"She's alright, Tokaki!" Toroki checked her pulse. "She's asleep. So is Kazuko." She looked at Toroki and Kazuko's hands firmly clasped. "We'll have to wait till they wake up."
Kazuko and Subaru stood at the edge of barren and ravaged land of sand and dirt. Looking up, they saw someone hanging from a wooden cross. Iron nails were hammered to her hands and feet and ankles and wrists lashed tightly in place so that she was unable to tear free. Blood was bleeding profusely from her wounds. Her head dropped with the long red hair, her breath was weaker with each rise and fall of her chest. Above her were the salvagers of the air, the vultures, waiting to assuage their hunger.
Behind her was a group of villagers, dancing merrily around the bonfire. Standing in front of the line, were elders, donned in silver priest-like robes with high pointed black hats that made their foxy whiskers stood out ridiculously on their faces. The villagers were swaying to and fro in harmony with the beating sounds of the drums. Then, one of the priest spoke, his voice was like a pretentious holy man.
"Hail Byakko, the guardian of Sairou. Your humble servants give thee a tribute of our faith of your teachings. We have so severely followed your wisdom and would do anything to get rid of anything that is blasphemy. And so we have!" He pointed his scrawny finger at the hanging figure. "That child has evil blood in her! Dog's blood!" His voice shrieked higher. "Her parents have fallen into the immoral sin of falling in love with each other even though they are blood kins. Only animals do that! Due to that, our fields had poor harvest. Now with this damn spot out! We no longer need to suffer. Give us a sign, Byakko. Give us a sign that you have forgiven us!"
The child continued to breath, her chest rose and fall rapidly. Her fingers curled into a knot, causing more blood to bleed as it flowed down to the barren soil. Then, she saw the blood expanding upwards and from it raised a man. Velvet chain armour donned his broad shoulders and trailed down to his feet. A charcoal robe was placed on one side, buckled with a belt bristled with spikes. In his hand was a spear, laced with tiny skulls while the other held a globe sealed with a hawk's claw. The man's hair was ashen white, which tumbled down his stone-chiseled face. His eyes were red as the child's blood and lips black as the night. With the voice of the dead, he spoke telepathy to the child.
I felt your rage, child. Your outraged cry against the injustice you received from these Byakko worshippers. You knew why the fields had poor harvest. They kept on planting the same thing every year, thus, the soil's nutrients that made the harvest were used up eventually. There is no magic or curse that made it happen. It was a simple issue that was used by the so-called Byakko priests to make themselves more important to the people. Ahh…. Your rage is like hell's fire, the dark fire. Unleash it, child. It has made you stronger.
Who are you?
I'm Master Kagemono, the leader of the Kagemono. My real name must never be spoken, for it is too hideous to be heard.
Where are you here?
To be help you, child… the Kagemono wishes to open the eyes of the people here that the guardians of the 4 lands are not what they seemed to be. Our destiny is to unit the 4 countries into one, the Kagemono. Look how the villagers are, they swayed from the truth like lost sheep. Easily fooled by the wolves, the Byakko priests. Look how they are willing to sacrifice anyone, pushing the blame to others when they are in fault. They care only for themselves. The Kagemono wishes to set the people free from them…
Why me?
Don't you wish to take your revenge on the priests who made you suffer when they should be the ones suffering instead? I see the potential in you. You can become a great warrior, child. So majestic that everybody will see the truth through your works. Join me, child. Join in me in my quest to purity the 4 countries from the true blasphemy… isn't it better to die in pain and desolation?
Kazuko and Subaru watched motionlessly as Master Kagemono held his hawk-clawed globe towards the child. Mauve light from the globe came out in wraithlike forms, absorbing the child into it. The nails and the wooden cross fell onto the ground into splinters and metal dust. Master Kagemono swiftly pointed to the bonfire where the villagers were still dancing.
From the bonfire, outburst the child, her red hair flared like hell's fire. She was donned in jade black armour, covering her shoulders, chest and legs. A red slash tied firmly around the thin waist with a jagged sword hanging from it. Her green almond eyes glimmered at the engaging taste of revenge. The most exquisite fulfilling human emotions that she was craving now.
The vultures cried in disappointment as they flew south. Black smoke was curling skyward from the village, rife with the scent of human carnage.
"Kazuko…Kazuko…Kazuko…" spoke a similar voice.
"Mmm…" She replied as if she was awoken from a deep sleep. "Huh?" She sat up very straight. "What… huh? Tatara?"
"You and Subaru have been out for some time," Tatara stroked her hair. "I'm glad that you two are safe and sound. So, did you find any clues about the last seishi?"
"It was a girl with red hair. She was accused falsely by her villagers who claimed to be Byakko worshippers. She was sent to be crucified," Kazuko tried hard to piece the scenes together. "Then, someone from the Kagemono came and spoke to her. She agreed to join him. In the end, she killed the villagers. They were burnt to death."
"Does that mean that the last star is in league with the Kagemono?" Amefuri said extremely slowly, sensing everybody was shifting uncomfortably at the thought. "Since Kazuko did said that the last seishi joined the Kagemono…"
"What was the child's name?" Kokie interrupted. "Subaru? What's her name?"
Subaru parted her lips to speak, paused and looked away. Her face was distorted with reluctant to tell her husband and friends the truth. Tokaki held her steady and said softly.
"It's better that they know the truth now then to know it later."
Subaru mustered all the courage that she could gather. In a shaky, whispery voice, she said.
"Lita."
Go to:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Book 2: Genbu no miko
Book 3: Suzaku no miko
Book 4: Seiryuu no miko
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