Chapter 8: Eight of Wands
Nanami made wishes on shooting stars.
He prayed during desperate times.
Offered his favorite fruits to the deities at the temple.
The breath that blew out the candles on his birthday carried his heaviest hopes and dreams.
Yet today was the day his wish came true after merely speaking the words on an incidental stroll a few nights prior.
The randomness of the Universe scared him.
Results weren't proportionate to the effort presented.
How was that fair?
Fuck this destiny shit.
Nanami dragged Rainy through the streets, apologizing in advance to the people being pushed away. It wasn't him physically moving them, the monster behind him was that powerful.
He picked her up, and she groaned as she buried her face in his chest. This was not a suitable activity after eating so many sweets, but the curse was approaching fast, and they needed to get away from the other people.
Rainy wobbled the moment her feet touched the ground. The sky spun into a mess of white streaks, and blue blurs as her companion gently guided her somewhere. A second of clarity allowed her to focus on the nearby antennas and wires. They were on a rooftop.
When did that happen?
Did it even matter?
Nanami didn't have time to apologize or offer a napkin as she emptied the contents of her stomach.
He felt an autumnal shiver but not from the sunny day that promised more picturesque seasonal pampering; Before him stood another weather curse.
A hatred for Autumn incarnate.
The curse was humanoid. Moss and mushrooms sprouted from its arms. Vines and twigs wrapped around his veiled face and body. Nanami couldn't tell what the cloth-like material was that draped through it. Leaves? Paper? Skin?
It left a wet trail as it moved across the floor, emanating a grotesque odor. Definitely skin. Rotting skin.
He swallowed any hints of fear.
Shit.
This was a level one, at least, not something that he could easily handle… But he couldn't die here. Not when he had so much to do.
The first attack hit him harder than he anticipated. He barely managed to deflect it. With the small opening, he shoved Rainy to the emergency stairs before being thrown against the concrete wall.
Nanami felt the pain in his soul. The ache that was to come and the one that settled in his bruised back made him feel weak.
He stood up. He didn't know how, but he had to kill that thing.
Dying here was not an option. Not when he asked the Universe for a solid path, and it delivered.
This beast was here to remind him why he couldn't take this path in the first place. He hated everything about this moment more than any dull day in his life.
Normalcy. He just wanted to be normal.
[8]
Rainy felt her chest tighten. The fear paralyzed her.
That was the scariest curse she had ever seen, and she hadn't felt it until Nanami grabbed her and ran.
Even her companion didn't look confident.
The lights flickered above her as another crash exploded outside.
Being a human was the fucking worst.
They were so weak, so fucking fragile… This body couldn't sustain many injuries… It certainly couldn't stand against that thing.
She breathed out.
If he died, she was dead… But if she tried to help…
She shook her head.
If she tried to help… Scorpio would kill her… The Council would exile her…
But if he died…
She breathed out…
One leg moved.
If he died…
She breathed again. Another breath, another step…
She pushed past the knot in her stomach and the heaviness of her legs.
If he died, it was ok… Someone else could protect her… She had money…
Her legs inched closer to the stairs.
If she died, it was all gone. Her soul would be tethered to a human body forever…
This would be her life…
She took a step down. And then another.
The lights gave out. Thumps and thuds shook the seemingly endless staircase.
She needed to live. That's why she hired him.
She needed to live. Nanami would reincarnate.
Her steps echoed in the empty halls.
She ran.
Her hand almost broke the handle of the exit. The sound was jagged and heavy. The sun burned her skin.
"Are you ok?"
Rainy felt her heart tighten and loosen in elongated motion.
"You-" He wasn't ok. The monster had torn his sweater and everything underneath it. Blood and claw marks ravaged his body.
"Summon Rubi and get home as quickly as you can. I won't be much help the rest of the day."
"But you're-"
"I'm fine." He wiped the blood from his lip and closed his jacket. "Text me when you get home safe. I'll be expecting something in 15 minutes otherwise, I'll come out to look for you."
She shook her head, "Go home. Get that treated. I'll be fine."
Author's Note: Thank you for reading!