It's good to be back, though this took a bit longer than usual because of current events in the USA. I'm angry. SMAD.
But let that not delay our enjoyment.
-Adversary-
Nothing they can do. That's right. Like everything else the government is involved in, nothing could be done to bring Tia home. Lana is livid. Her daughter is in unprecedented danger and these goons want to just stand around! The story is continuing, and Tia has found her fifth warrior. There's been no real mention of Carly yet. Lana told the agents about her, about the chances of her being inside the story, but they didn't say anything to it. What's their purpose? Why are they here if they can't help? A roiling feeling of suspicion won't leave her gut.
"Lana." Her grandma totters over and rests a hand on her shoulder. With being so tense, she jumps, even when the touch is so light and feeble.
"Yes grandma, I know. I should be trying to call her out of there, after we connected before," she says. That's another frustration. Nothing has been getting through to Tia. Not that she can tell in the writing, anyway.
"You should have more faith in your child. But I suppose that's why it sought her out in the first place, and never sought the rest of you."
Lana's heart drops as she gazes unseeingly at the screen. All her life, she did what was best for Tia. Sure, they'd butt heads over certain issues as she got older but that's to be expected! She knows that her daughter will see the light soon enough on her decision to go to school, on how the decision is more limiting and irresponsible—!
"See? You're thinking about how you are right for doubting her. I was the same, for many years. Don't wait until it's too late, Lana. My sister died believing she was doing what was needed, even if I never wished anyone else to share her fate. Trianna is the same."
Lana stares grimly at the words as they skim across the screen.
She has too much to reminisce over. Where did she go wrong? How?
When did her daughter become so full of valor and passion?
After making sure that Koji, as interim leader of the bandits, would drop Eiken off covertly at the nearest municipal prison instead of executing him right away, Tia and the group stayed a few days to recover. She got to know a few of the bandit crowd, healed her arm a bit more, watched Hotohori get flirted with a lot, and watched him get pissed about it, and laughed. Wow, she laughed until her sides hurt quite a few times in that place. And that was even with Genrou—now dubbed Tasuki with his character on his right forearm— pouting at being found out so easily. He did agree to go. Tia didn't twist his arm, and asked him earnestly to come with.
"Ya already figgered me out, there's no point in draggin' my feet. Gotta hurry up n' find the rest so we can do this summoning or whatever," he said, crossing his arms in finality and pretending to ignore the blatant pressuring stares being thrown his way from his bros. Tia half-smiled and left it at that.
Now, they're on the road again! She's a bit ashamed of her automatic flood of relief at seeing the straw hat. It's in her possession, back in her arms, and she feels like he's just beyond her fingertips again. Now she can talk to him some more, whenever it's nighttime and Tasuki has the camp secure and the sentries have been decided for the night. Tia doesn't know if Chichiri can hear her, but even if he can't, it makes her feel better.
"Maybe when you're home, I'll be able to talk to you about everything like a normal person."
"So like… Does she have a thing fer hats, er…?" Tasuki whispers, directing his question to Nuriko and Chiriko. They're on their fifth night camping, on an aimless trek to find the next spot that tickles Tia's senses. Nuriko snorts, drawing his mouth down to keep from laughing.
"I don't think that's it, Tasuki. That's Chichiri's hat, and it contains a spell that will allow him to travel to our location should we need him to," Chiriko explains, not voicing his hypothesis until he has adequate data first. For that, he would need to talk to Tia some more about it and he hasn't been able to muster the courage yet.
"It's like I joked about with Koji: She must have a thing for guys with blue hair. She trusted your buddy pretty quick, considering," Nuriko drawls, examining his nails for any dirt stuck under them. Tasuki grunts in confusion. He receives no further communication on the subject.
"I'm gonna turn in. Good looks like mine don't run on no sleep, and I've got the last watch tonight," Nuriko yawns, getting up and retreating to his bedroll. His back injury is healed up, leaving him in top form for the rest of their quest.
"How does a hat relate ta blue hair…?" Tasuki mutters, thoroughly confused. Chiriko stares, deadpan, speechless. His newest comrade notices and raises an eyebrow.
"What?"
"It's nothing. We should all rest."
...
About half an hour into his watch—the first— Hotohori hears movement and readies himself for aggression for only a second. That is, until he hears that the footsteps are from inside the camp, and that they are accompanied by soft, contemplative humming. He relaxes, and waits for Tia to reach him. She doesn't have complete balance yet, as her arm isn't healed and continues to rest in a sling.
He's been meaning to apologize. He also… means to retract his proposal. In fact, there are a great many things that he and Tia need to talk about. A conversation that won't be interrupted by a palace.
"Hey Hori-sama, mind if I join you? Can't sleep yet."
"Of course not. Please, sit."
She does, taking a relaxed sigh as well. A comfortable silence ensues, in which she tilts her head back to stare at the stars. While she can always see the night sky with clear weather back home, it's much more vibrant in this world. Tia figures it has to do with pollution. She much prefers the stars here, even if she doesn't recognize any constellations.
"Trianna, do you… Do you resent me?"
Her face screws up at the use of her actual name, but she turns a smile in his direction anyway.
"Resent? No. You were being honest, and honesty is key to anything. But I really couldn't, and can't, accept your offer. Besides, I think you've had a change of heart anyway," Tia replies, tone becoming sly. Hotohori's eyes widen.
"Oh, yes, I wanted to retract my proposal, with no offense to you meant, but… How? How did you know?"
Tia giggles at his bashfulness. She can't see if he's blushing at all in the low light from the dwindling fire, but she's willing to bet he is.
"Uh, I went to visit Houki with Nuriko before we left? Sounds like you and she are already hitting it off! Much better than I ever could've been for you and Konan, I hardly know anything about this empire. Not to mention I've gotta," she stops at the brain-jarring thought, but shakes it off. "Gotta get home to go to school."
Hotohori doesn't notice her pause, too busy with his own introspection. He shifts in his seat, and she could swear he's nervous.
"After you left, the courage she showed to defy me to protect you wouldn't leave my mind. I feel almost foolish when I request her presence; she must do all the talking as I have nothing of real interest to say," he admits. Tia laughs.
"Well, you'll certainly have something to talk about when we get home. You crawled through that tunnel after all. For real effect we can even say it was for miles and collapsed right before you got out!"
Chiriko had given Tia the description of their adventures before meeting up with her and Nuriko atop Mount Reikaku. In short, she found humor in Hotohori's tunnel dilemma.
He side-eyes her with comical disdain.
"I am not in the business of lying to boost my own ego. My unmatched beauty and refined aura make it unnecessary."
Tia rolls her eyes, and mutters under her breath, "More like unmatched vanity."
"What was that?"
"Nothin'. So, we got that business cleared." She slaps her legs lightly. "What's next on the agenda?"
The air calms again.
"You no doubt remember that my life has been one of duty, and resigned to a certain loneliness that I have borne because of that duty. When I first heard the legend of the priestess, the woman I would be fated to meet, I harbored an intense hope that she would end that loneliness. I placed all of that on you without ever knowing your heart, and I apologize," he explains, solemn and regretful. Tia nods, a look of understanding on her face.
"It's not completely untrue, though," she says, after a few minutes of contemplation. He expresses confusion, and she elaborates.
"You're fated to meet me, and the other merry band of misfits. Like a fated found family. Maybe that's why Suzaku branded the emperor, to show him the good stuff. There's more ways to love than romance, you know?"
Hotohori stares for a couple seconds, a bit stunned, before sitting back. He places a hand where his character appears.
"A fated family…"
"Yessir. Being honest, it'd be healthy for all of you. Keeping it vague for confidentiality, y'all got some trauma. I don't even wanna know Tasuki's at this point," she pushes, flinging her hands out.
"This means you are quite close to Chichiri, then, as the palace rumors say."
Hotohori's rapid course change makes her stomach flip as she smacks her hands to her warming face.
"Palace rumors? Hori-sama, don't you have some sort of imperial honor code that makes you above that?"
"Not at all, especially when it is one thing Houki and I can converse about," he shoots back, cloyingly, knowing that it's an automatic loss for her on that front. She groans. Now a new player has entered the game on teasing.
"He cares for you, more than he is possibly aware. And what are your feelings in return?"
She peeks from behind her hands, disdainful.
"You mean you haven't already decided?"
"No."
Tia sighs and places her hands gently in her lap, only for them to start wringing. Could she admit it? Out in the air, is it time?
"I don't know if this is what it is. But I like him so much. It feels different. Good, but scary. Hard to describe without sounding like a cliché."
"I find nothing wrong with clichés. But perhaps you should be honest and straightforward with yourself foremost, Tia, when questioning the strength of your attachments to certain people in your life."
His advice splinters through her. Out of the blue, her waffling seems so childish, especially when considering that his proposal was utterly, so personally serious before. He really did want to marry her at one point! And she's on a mission to save his empire from annihilation! She can't muck around being stupid when so much is on the line. Maybe things aren't clear yet, but…
"I'll take that to heart. I can't declare anything right now, but it's on my mind. Thank you Hotohori," she says, quiet as the breeze that smells like rain. Rain. Rain.
"Good thing Tasuki is around to put up that tarp. I better turn in. You be okay?"
Hotohori nods, and wishes her to sleep well as she trundles off.
His eyes stray to the resting form of Nuriko. He fears the decisions to come, as elation for one person may mean heartbreak for another.
... ... ...
"That ain't bandits, whatever it is. We don't operate in rain like this."
Tasuki's comment is almost swallowed by the downpour and their concentration. Ugly, billowing black clouds of smoke, thick even in the wet weather, has their attention stolen from the road ahead. Tia feels ice settle at the base of her spine. They have to go there. Against every instinct of self-preservation she has, one of concern and morbid curiosity rises above it.
"Let's go. They could need help," she orders, drawing the hood of her cloak back enough to be heard properly. They are on the road north, and this detour will take them slightly east. To her immense surprise, she receives no argument or backlash. Even Tasuki readily turns his horse.
Tia wraps a tight arm around Nuriko and tries to mentally prepare herself for what she might see ahead.
The capital city of Kutou sits in a bowl-like valley surrounded by mountains, where the sun rises behind its sapphire palace each day. The rivers and streams tendril through and allow portions of the city to glitter.
Despite this, a large portion is slums. Ramshackle. Disparity. High walls, gates, and fences separate the upper classes from the lower. Graffiti etched into the stone demeans the reigning emperor, or denotes a graphic outlook on the future of the empire, or too many times is something phallic.
He's making a rare appearance down in the streets. With purpose! He does nothing without meaning. The people of the city know by now not to stop and stare at him, though he doesn't care. Let them stare. Let them see his strength after…
Well. Control over his thoughts and emotions are far more important than egotistical foolishness like that. He can still remember the spike of devilish excitement he allowed himself those months ago. His life's entire purpose has momentum. Even Konan is playing their part, with their Priestess of Suzaku roaming their empire searching. His own priestess had much to say about her.
"Heeeey, Ge-ne-rrral~!"
He stops, keeping his expression level as he turns in the direction of the abomination that was foisted upon him. Rolling the 'r' is new, he must have learned it somewhere.
Coming up on him is Yukino, although a few weeks ago he decided he wanted his name to be Asuke instead, citing that "Yukino" is too feminine. He's not for or against it, but his own name from the stars isn't the machoest. No one would see him and dare think otherwise, though.
"What do you want?"
Asuke salutes smartly, only to collapse to the ground in a stupid heap from locking his knees so abruptly. As Asuke lies there without getting up, he raises an eyebrow and turns to keep moving. That terrible thing will live, so there's no need for concern.
"Aw, shit. Forgot how knees work, General Nakago! But I have a report and couldn't wait to see if you're still using that fragrance I got you!" he chirps, jumping back up with gusto. Nakago tips his head to get Asuke to follow behind so he can get through the city quicker. He has a particular stop to make before going back to the palace.
"What's the report? I would assume it's nothing too sensitive for the open street," Nakago says. Asuke cheerfully whistles a strange song behind him before answering.
"Yeah yeah, also I don't smell it. Rude. When do I get to meet the priestess?"
Nakago keeps his eyes straight ahead on his path but flares his chi to get his point across.
"The report, Yukino."
"Ha-haaaa, right. Right. Red has been found and the plan is in motion to engage shortly. That's the last we heard. Now it's just waiting to see what their strengths are," he relays, shrugging easily at the idea of waiting. Nakago had to give him that; He could be patient. His stint of taking a giant detour through Konan on the way back from his last paid assignment was proof he had no issue meandering.
"Fine. I should return to the palace soon, Her Eminence has been asking to ride the countryside and I'm no longer in any position to deny that request."
Asuke perks up at the mention of the priestess. He anticipates an invitation to a security detail, on that riding party perhaps, or just as a friend of his general's…
Nakago doesn't miss a beat. He knows what type of creature, and what type of man Asuke is. His priestess… must stay far away from him as much as possible for his ambitions to move forward. He may find a use for them later. His opponents, the Priestess of Suzaku and the Suzaku Seven, may yet surprise him.
"You will return to the border network camp for the spies and continue compounding reports there."
He ignores the defeated sigh that follows. Then, Asuke is gone. With relative peace returned, Nakago continues on his perusing walk through the capital city.
…
In another part of the city, a restauranteur watched as a monk who stopped in dropped a chopstick on the floor. Wasn't too strange, it happened sometimes when the food was just sooo good! But this seemed different. The monk didn't even make an attempt to catch it. Didn't move. He even wondered if the stranger noticed, but after a plump fifteen seconds he jerked slightly and looked around. Like any good host, he darted forward with new ones, and accepted the dirty ones with all the apologies that came with them.
Since then, the monk didn't seem as relaxed, though he kept on eating. In quite the hurry, too. Paid his bill, left his compliments, and exited his establishment. Perhaps he forgot to say a certain prayer, or a prior engagement? Bah, he didn't have time to think about strange-looking monks!
The restauranteur beams, spreading his arms cordially as his rare, favorite customer walks through the door.
"General Nakago, you grace my humble eatery once again! Shall I prepare your usual?"
Too late. Tia can't look away as the ashen remains of the village echo their own version of the screams that must have been here. She can hear Hotohori and Tasuki yelling something about searching and Nuriko says something in return, Chiriko is glued to her side because his character disappeared. But it's the footprints, encased in mud for all the world to see, that keeps her attention. Right under their feet, there are just normal-gaited prints that grow larger. The tiny footprints next to them disappear as the bigger footprints get farther away. They go into the ruined town. At the end of their trail must be…
"Oh god."
Her whisper of horror is caught just as she is, as her knees give out. Nuriko, without a word, turns her into his chest and holds her tight, keeping a watchful eye.
"Why do this?"
The hoarse question reaches his ears and, despite the horror before him, he remains soft and gentle.
"It's what these people do, Tia. I know you know that. Stay strong for them, because we can end it," he says, his own hope for that being the truth bleeding through. She takes one last shuddering breath before stepping away.
"We should help look for survivors," she sniffs, and Chiriko takes her hand.
The trio walks carefully around the perimeter of the village, as Nuriko decides going through is too dangerous with debris still falling. Tia wants someone to call out and has her ears straining, but a reliable, cynical voice in her head tells her no one is left. No one could be left.
They make a pass around one charred, collapsed building that wafts a stench that immediately has the three hurrying away. Stomachs turned, only Tia crouches down and vomits.
She feels pathetic.
"How sad, Priestess of Suzaku!"
Nuriko gasps and guards himself, watching for an attack. The voice came from the fringe of trees nearby. Tia spits and wipes the stream of mucus from her nose on the inside of her shirt. She stands.
"Who's there?!"
She didn't expect an instant answer in the form of five men, dressed in black, appearing before them. Nuriko grumbles something. Tia rolls her lips in nervously.
"A pitiful show so far, Priestess! This village was nothing to us, but we knew it would draw you here. Our empire will crush you!" The one in the middle is the same one that spoke before. The mixed jumble turns into one concrete feeling of anger inside her.
"Go fuck yourselves! I'll stop you," she shouts, her eyes burning. She keeps from calling him to her side, because she sees it at last why he left her. In this carnage, in the outright disrespect of these people trying to live simple lives, he trusts her to fulfill her role. He never pushed away, after all, because he can be here when she needs him. She makes him happy. Chichiri left to help save everyone, to help her save everyone.
It has to be love, doesn't it?
"Rekka Shin'en!"
A whirling stream of brilliant fire sweeps from the ruins of the village. Chiriko's eyes go wide at the sight, only to be distracted when Hotohori appears at his other side. Nuriko internally heaves a sigh of relief.
"Kutou assassins," he states, sword drawn. Tasuki curses their adversaries, as they had evaded his surprise attack.
"Buncha cowards, attackin' defenseless people. Whadda world," he remarks, rejoining the group to present a united front. Tia, if not for the situation, would've remarked that bandits do that too.
The rain continues, though it lightens to become more of a soaking mist. Water collects on their faces, their clothes, their weapons, as they wait for the attack.
Hotohori senses it first and reacts.
With a short yell, he swipes away the sickle thrown directly for Tia. The resulting metallic clash rings in their ears and marks the beginning of an onslaught.
Arrows stream from the trees. Tasuki waves the harisen with flame enough to engulf them and the offending trees themselves. Nuriko shoves Tia's head down and watches the rear for other shots.
Two of the assassins emerge at a sprint, dashing with short gleaming swords toward them as Tasuki deals with another cloud of arrows from a different set of trees. Tia watches it all, feeling cramped in and terrified.
Nuriko catches his assailant by shortly dodging and grabbing the back of his collar. Without batting an eye, he exerts his inhuman strength and slams the man's body to the ground. The assassin chokes, the air pushed from his lungs and unable to refill as his face is in dirt. Nuriko grabs up his arm and pulls it back, foot firm on the middle of his back to keep him down.
Hotohori's opponent, once Tia's attention moved from Nuriko, was already unmoving on the ground. A growing pool of blood under his form, and the unnerving stillness gave all the information she needed to tell that he was dead. She feels bile rise in her throat again and fights the panic that accompanies.
"Dammit, I think the other three ran!" Tasuki yells. The arrows have stopped, and the environment is still. While they don't let their guard down, just in case, they move to interrogate their living captive. Tia calms her frazzled nerves and readies her questions.
"I don't kill just because you're my enemy. Now spill: Is there a Priestess of Seiryu?"
The man, still pained, gazes up at her from his prone position. He stays silent. Nuriko pulls his arm and shoves his foot down onto his back.
"Answer her!"
"Haha… so you managed to stand up to a small test. But the Priestess of Seiryu has far more powerful allies, and she will crush you all."
After that, behind the dark cloth mask that covers all but his eyes, Tia can see his mouth moving strangely. She scrunches her face in confusion before recognizing it.
"Wait, stop!"
The man coughs one horrible laugh before he starts to convulse. Nuriko drops him, and before long he lays as dead as his other compatriot. It remains still after that.
"... I think they're gone. Nice to have confirmation on the Seiryu Priestess," Tia remarks, rubbing her left arm. She never doubted the existence of the other girl.
"Agreed. We must bury the dead, then. It is the least we could do to offer their souls solace," Hotohori says, keeping his sword out and by his side. Tasuki, after a wary glance around, flattens the harisen and puts it on his back.
"I'll go searchin' fer the villagers. Tia better stay here while we work, y'know…" he trails off, scratching the back of his head. Her stare is blank, into the woods. Chiriko, tears in his eyes from the scary events, takes her hand for comfort. She snaps to and looks down.
"I'll help dig the graves. Let's get to it."
Just as they begin to separate at her solemn command, a voice calls out to them and makes them jump to guard again.
"What in the world happened here?! By the gods, are you responsible for this?!" A man shouts, alarm making his voice shrill.
The man in question leads a small caravan, obviously part of a small trade group that stops off at the village. The group of men surround a cart, armed with staves. Hotohori sheathes his sword as a sign of goodwill and steps forward.
"Stand down, gentlemen. We are not the perpetrators, it was an attack by Kutou," he explains, authoritative as usual and thankfully persuasive. The men mumble amongst themselves but drop their guard. The leader shakes his head in sorrow.
"A tragedy, then. My apologies."
"Well, as long as yer here, you can help us bury them all. We fought off a coupla baddies 'n need to give them their rites too," Tasuki suggests, hinting that he'd be rather cranky if the group refused to help.
"Yes of course. Let's get to work. We are marketers from Chouko, and are all too familiar with this task," the leader affirms, exchanging nods with his companions. They set about relegating jobs. Tasuki stares pointedly at Tia and swipes his hand dismissively.
"Stay here, ya don't gotta push it now," he says. She glares, ready to snap, but stops when he turns and stomps off. She caught his expression of steely determination.
"Don' think he likes seeing girls cry," Chiriko suggests, and she can only nod. She's feeling a lot. But perhaps most of it is that same steely determination.
"Even if I can't summon Suzaku, I'll make sure Kutou fails in the end," she thinks, before sending a quick and humble prayer. "Please stay safe. I have so much to tell you when we see each other again."
"Hey, you okay?"
She's startled from her thoughts by one of the young men from the market group. He's tall, with long dark blue hair pulled back in a tail tied in multiple spots, and Tia notes he's pretty easy on the eyes. Then she remembers Nuriko's jibe about her having a thing for men with blue hair and tries to roll back her thoughts on the subject.
"Sorry. Long day, I guess. I'll be fine, I'm tougher than I look," she replies, and he hums, standing straight. He crosses his arms, becoming thoughtful.
"No, I believe it. I have a couple of little sisters and they put up with a lot more hardship than I do. I work as a hire-on for odd jobs to support my family, I'm helping guard this caravan right now. You just seemed like you were missing someone right there, couldn't help but relate," he explains, smiling kindly and without an ounce of pity. Tia's lips tip up at the sentiment.
"You're right. He's far away right now, and this whole ordeal these past couple days made me realize that I have a lot of growing up to do til I can tell him how I feel."
The young man grins and gives her a thumbs up.
"Well as long as you've got the courage when the time comes, I wish you luck! But uh, while we're here…" His face turns almost skeevy. He drops an open palm in front of her face.
"You wouldn't mind handing over a tip for the counseling, would ya?"
She balks.
"What."
"Kishuku! We're starting the graves, hurry over to help!"
The young man, Kishuku, sighs in defeat and drops his hand.
"Aw… Guess it's okay this time, though. See ya."
He trots off, either not knowing or not caring that he takes her ire with him.
"Hope we never have to brush shoulders with a money-grubber like that again. Bet he's only helping cuz they promised to pay him extra," she grumbles. Home is full of "side hustle til you die" types. She understands needing money to live but like. Making money off of tragedy like this? Despicable.
Eventually, Tia calms down enough to go help. She tears off her sling and flexed her arm. Once properly stretched, she heads over. These are her people. The people of this village were murdered because of her. Tasuki tries to shoo her off again but she only stubbornly grabs a shovel and falls under command of the pit diggers. The warriors glance between one another, and Nuriko shrugs. He then marches dutifully back into the village to continue his sorrowful work.
The rest follow.
Welp. Who dat Kishuku guy? He seems familiar!
Everyone take care of yourselves, be kind to yourselves.
Thanks to everyone who reads/favs/follows/reviews! Helps to keep going in times like these.
Til Next Time,
-A
