AN: So originally I was going to finish off the remaining intros this chapter but then I hit 3k words and decided to call it there. Otherwise I'd have an 8-12k chapter sitting on my lap and I didn't want to shove that onto you all. So for now you all have Weiss and Blake's intros, Ren's will be next chapter and it will be a complex one to say the least. For now I leave you all to the second chapter of Sealing Fates! Enjoy the journey, keep moving forward, and don't feed the guard dogs! - Phoenix Commander signing off!
Chapter Two: The Healer's Fate
A blind young woman walked along the path that lead to the shrine of Sasuri, goddess of healing and comfort. Her sightless eyes were covered by a white silk scarf, she was dressed in an elaborate white and blue kimono patterned with silver snowflakes, the maiden's long silver-white hair was pulled back into a simple, yet off center, ponytail. The rap of her cane upon the occasional stone was the only sound that accompanied her in her solitude. Weiss Schnee, daughter of the shogun of Atlas, had never had to ask or want for anything in her relatively short life.
But this year was different, she had begged her father to let make the pilgrimage to the holy shrine. After her mother fell ill and passed away when she was younger, Weiss had taken to healing others when she was able. Mixing herbs into poultices, brewing potions and weaving talismans of healing by touch and smell alone. It had taken a long time of study, but the daughter of the shogun had become skilled as healer of minor maladies. So it was that on her eighteenth birthday the young woman began her journey to the shrine, far to the southeast in Mistral provence on the northern outskirts of the small village of Kuroyuri, which was also home to the shrines of Shi and Seikatsu.
"I've been blessed so far with being able to heal minor ailments, but I could do so much more if I had my sight." The healer sighed to herself, the steady tapping of her cane was the only reply she received. "Father wasn't pleased when I told him I'd prefer to travel without guards. I can't blame him, I wouldn't even see an attack coming let alone be able to defend myself." A small laugh passed the alabaster haired woman's lips.
"Well it's a good thing then that the roads are fairly safe. Though the towns are somewhat less so here in Mistral provence, especially at night. Shogun Lionheart is a strange one, choosing to defend the roads over the towns is not exactly what I'd call smart. Sure it protects trade but what about the towns themselves? Not all of the villages can post guards." A voice said from Weiss left, startling her.
"Who, who's there?!" The maiden asked, turning her cloth wrapped gaze to her left and right subconsciously, trying to orient herself to the voice, her grip tightening on her cane.
"Relax, I'm sorry for scaring you. My name is Blake Belladonna, I'm the shrine maiden of Sasuri and, if you're curious I'm six paces to your left and the steps up the hill start ten paces in front of you." The shrine maiden was dressed in a simple purple and black kimono with a pattern of belladonna lilies, her midnight black hair was left free flowing and her amber eyes sparkled with interest at meeting the new comer to Kuroyuri. You are right, Weiss Schnee, you could do more if you had your sight. But, in granting that request I would break the fundamental law… Lord Xiao-Long would not be pleased. Sasuri thought as she looked at the young woman.
"I should have been listening more and talking less it seems. I normally hear people coming before they get too close." Weiss chuckled, her grip on her cane slackening.
Blake laughed a little, "Possibly, but I have been known to be rather quiet when I choose to be."
She seems… different compared to some of the other people I've met. Weiss wasn't sure if it was because of her disability or just because she was in another region of the empire but something about the shrine maiden gave the Atlassian pause as they started up the steps, it was quiet, almost imperceptible, the telltale rattle of metal. "I'm Weiss Schnee, of the Schnee shogunate. Belladonna, that's not a clan name I'm familiar with." The healer stated not unkindly.
"I'm not surprised, it's not a clan name. Just the name I chose for myself." Blake replied simply, with a shrug even though her new walking companion couldn't see it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Schnee." The irony of her comment was not lost on her, however the goddess of healing and comfort did like to be approachable when able, even if she could only be out in the guise of a mortal.
"Weiss is fine. I'm content to live without titles so long as I can help people." Weiss shook her head softly, pressing a finger to her lips in thought a moment, Chose for herself, what does she mean? Weiss thought confused, the young woman pondered as she and Blake continued up the steps, her cane tapping lightly as it sounded out sure footing on the steps.
The rattle of metal reached the healer's ears again as they continued up the steep hill to the shrine, I might as well ask what that is, it's not like I have any other way to find out without touching it. As the alabaster haired traveler stopped in the middle of the stairs she heard the rustle of Blake's sandals on the stone, signaling her stopping alongside her. "Blake, I've been hearing a rattling of metal as we walked. I don't want to sound rude but do you mind telling me what it is?"
The disguised goddess paused a moment, glancing at the setting sun, before reaching underneath the sash of her kimono and adjusted something, "Sorry about that, I thought I'd wrapped it tighter. Remember how I said the streets in town aren't very safe?"
"Yes, I do recall that." The blind maiden nodded.
"I'm armed, specifically with a kusarigama with a thirteen foot weighted chain. And yes I am very adept at using it if needed," Sasuri clarified hastily, when she noticed Weiss' cheeks lose a little color. "Not that I expect to be needing it."
Weiss said stammered slightly, she had thought the noise would have been something more harmless, "I, I see. I guess the emperor should have a few words with shogun Lionheart about protecting his towns better. A shrine maiden shouldn't have to go armed." The healer tapped her cane, searching for the next step as she started to climb the steps again.
"That would be one way to fix things." The raven haired woman said, placing a hand on Weiss' elbow as they reach the top of the steps. "We're here, the shrine is thirty paces in front of you."
"Could, could you describe it to me? My mother was a worshiper of Sasuri. I'd like to be able to picture the image of the goddess." The healer asked, her voice trembling a little.
"Of course, it's a statue of a young woman with hair as black as night. Her eyes are bright amber in color and the goddess is dressed in a black and purple kimono patterned with white belladonna lilies." Blake informed the pilgrim, as Weiss walked up to the statue. The healer knelt, her sightless eyes roving the statue as best they could.
"I, I think I can see her. Beat-" The whispering sound of steel being drawn interrupted the healer's words. "Blake, was that-?!"
The goddess turned toward an approaching samurai, a naked katana held in his fist. "Weiss, stay where you are!" The rattle of chain and a whirring sound filled the silver haired healer's ears as Sasuri drew her kusarigama and started swinging the chain. "Adam, why have set foot on this sacred ground?! I told you never to return!"
"Come now, Sensei, you know I couldn't stay away." The samurai said, his face was concealed by a mask depicting the war god Hachiman.
"You're nothing more than Grimm spawned filth! You used what I had taught you to further your skills at killing!" Sasuri retorted, casting the heavy weight at her former student. Weiss heard a loud ringing of steel as the whirring noise stopped suddenly.
"You didn't teach me anything! Only how to set a broken limb or bandage a wound, nothing that could actually help people!" Adam sneered behind his mask, struggling to hold onto his katana as the disguised Sasuri tried to wrest the weapon from him with her kusarigama. The weight of the chain around the blade keeping him from raising it in an offensive stance.
"I will not say it again, drop your blade and leave. Never return here, as far as I am concerned you are not worthy of my teachings and what you did learn was more than enough!" Sasuri gave a final tug on the chain of her kusarigama, to tear the weapon from Adam's hands. To the masked samurai's credit he did not lose his grip on his weapon but there was a ringing peal of metal as the blade snapped in two under the strain of the chain and its wielder's grip. The whirring of the chain continued quickly, filling Weiss' ears again. Though teaching the art of healing to mortals does not break the rules set down by Lord Xiao-Long, you have certainly made me regret teaching you.
A shrine maiden should not have to be armed. And a healer should not be taught just so they can kill! The healer couldn't stand it anymore, she stood, her cane griped tightly in her hand, as she turned her silk wrapped eyes in the direction of the swordsman and the ringing and broken sword blade. "You heard the shrine maiden's words, ronin. Leave or shogun Lionheart will be the next person I have audience with when I am done praying."
"H-How dare you! I am no ronin! Who are you to speak that way to me, woman?!" Adam's face contorted in anger at Weiss' interruption and insult.
"I am Weiss Schnee, daughter of Jacques Schnee shogun of Atlas, and I will not have the scent of blood stain this place. Do as Blake commanded, it makes no matter if you have a lord. Even if you do he would be better served if you fell on your own blade the way you desecrate this holy place by drawing your weapon." Weiss replied, learning to heal just to be better at killing went against everything she believed in. The samurai before her deserved nothing but her scorn.
"A daughter of the Schnee shogun… You're a long way from home," The samurai replied, still sneering behind his mask, Weiss heard the sound of one of his sandals sliding on the ground as he shifted his stance toward Weiss. "And no guards, aren't you worried about assassins?"
Sasuri's amber eyes hardened in anger as she noticed the movement and the open threat. Even with half a blade, Adam could still harm Weiss if he was fast enough, the goddess sent the weight of her chain toward his leg forcing him dodge back or become tangled in the chain of the kusarigama or injured by the weight, "Weiss does not need a guard so long as she is at this shrine! Do not make me spill your blood, just leave!"
The chain of the kusarigama gave the red haired samurai pause, he couldn't get past Sasuri's weapon with a broken sword, at least not without issue. Hhmm… I can always come back to deal with that blind wretch another time. Besides I still have to pay the shrines of Shi and Seikatsu a visit as well. Adam bent and picked up the blade piece from where it lay in the ground, placing it in its sheath and following it with its hilt. "Very well I shall do as asked. I still have another few shrines to visit anyway." The samurai turned briskly on his heels and left the shrine, walking down the steps to toward Kuroyuri village proper.
As the goddess of healing watched him leave, Sasuri saw something that made her blood turn to ice. Adam's aura was almost completely black. I should have killed him instead of letting him go, but with Weiss here… No, I'll leave him for Shi and Seikatsu to deal with.
An hour after the incident the silence of the shrine was broken once more. "How could someone learn to heal just to be better at killing? It doesn't make any sense to me, Blake." Weiss lamented shaking her head, pulling the raven haired goddess' gaze to her. The blind healer was kneeling before the statue of the goddess again.
The amber eyed goddess walked over to her, kneeling with the silver haired pilgrim at the statue base. Placing a hand gently on the young woman's shoulder she replied, "It's something that cannot be avoided. To learn of the human form in order to heal it you have to learn of the ways it can be harmed."
"Doesn't it go against Sasuri's teachings though? Even if people learn to heal they're learning to harm as well, it sounds more in line with Shi." The white and blue robed woman inquired.
The disguised goddess found herself chuckling a little at the question. It wasn't one she had to answer often as not many questioned the connection between herself, Shi, and Seikatsu, "No, not really. In a way to learn the ways of Sasuri is to learn the ways of Seikatsu and Shi as well. The three goddesses are linked after all. Seikatsu creates life, Sasuri heals and maintains it when able, and if needed Shi takes it away to the far shores of the underworld."
Weiss pondered the woman's words for a moment, her brow furrowing as she thought, "I'm not sure I fully understand. Maybe with time I will but I don't see it."
"Maybe with time. You told me your mother was a worshiper of Sasuri, do you also worship her or just practice healing?" The black and white clad deity asked, steering the conversation toward the reason for Weiss' pilgrimage.
"I did not worship her, not at first anyway. But after my mother passed away I learned to heal back home. And the more I learned the more I found myself drawn to Sasuri's teaching. I want to be able to heal more serious injuries," The blind worshiper's hand moved slightly to the cloth about her eyes, "But as I am I can't. The soldiers of Atlas die from many wounds I can't heal because of lack of sight, even the people who don't fight die from similar injuries."
She wants so much to help people. You traveled months to come here to pray for aid and not once before now have I heard a prayer from you asking for yourself, only for others. You even faced an enemy with a drawn blade, trusting that I could keep you safe. Sasuri's thoughts were in turmoil, she wanted to heal Weiss, to give her the sight she wanted. Her actions so far in life told the goddess that the woman kneeling next to her was worthy of that much and more.
Weiss' next question drew the goddess from her thoughts, "I don't feel the sun as much now, have the stars come out yet?"
Looking at the sky, the goddess of healing and comfort could see the stars were indeed out and the moon was just beginning to climb into the sky, "They are and the moon is just starting its climb, it's beautiful."
The blind healer's next question almost broke Sasuri's heart and made up her mind for her. "Could you describe it for me, please?"
Damn the rule. Sasuri thought, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. You have the right to see this. The goddess gently placed her hand over Weiss' covered eyes.
"B-Blake what are you doing?!" The pilgrim exclaimed, surprised at the weight pressing on her eyes.
"Something I should have done a long time ago, Weiss. In defiance of the rule that would see you blind for all your days, I, Sasuri, goddess of healing and comfort give to you your sight." The amber eyed goddess declared, her hand glowing a blinding white.
The darkness that Weiss had lived in her entire life, lifted slowly it was hazy at first but as the seconds became minutes the dark haze was replaced with the dim light of the stars and moon that penetrated the silk around her eyes. Slowly, uncertain and fearful that it was just a trick the blind young woman untied the cloth, her hands unsteady for the first time she could recall.
"I, I…" She stammered, tears running down her cheeks, unable to form a coherent word or thought. Sasuri had positioned her so that the moon would be the first thing Weiss saw. The healer finally moved her gaze from the moon after a few minutes, to her goddess, "L-Lady Sasuri? W-Why?" She stammered at first in surprise at seeing her goddess, and then in joy at being able to see. Tears of joy began to cascade down her fair cheeks.
"As Seikatsu is fond of saying, there is much in this world you need to see. I would have you see it unaided in all its beauty." The black and white robes goddess said, a smile on her lips, the stain of her own tears now shed at seeing Weiss', upon her face.
Weiss did something then that no mortal or god would have expected. She wrapped Sasuri in an embrace, tears still flowing as she cried with joy and thanks. "Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you." The goddess' only reply was to gently run her hand through the maiden's hair as she softly patted her back.
Her mind was on another thing for the moment, for she had seen Weiss' eyes. They were a bright, beautiful blue but the irises of both were marked with a white snowflake, her pupils forming the center. She is fateless now, between mortal and immortal. But it makes no matter, I will teach her and help her for all eternity. That will be my way to repay her for all the years I left her in darkness.
On the other side of Kuroyuri, two other goddess' were rushing headlong to their shrines, while another fateless one was about to see what life would be like for her from now on.