Chapter 5: In Memoriam
Kasumi walks the halls of Castle Crimea, lost in thought.
Kasumi then starts to remember her past when she was a small girl of seven, walking the streets of an Asian-looking town.
"Hey, it's the freak again." says a boy looking at Kasumi.
"What's the matter!?" asks another boy in a harsh tone. "Your no-good, sub-human mother not around to comfort you!?"
Kasumi tries to ignore the barrage of insults from the kids.
Suddenly, one with a rock says, "Go join your whore mother in hell!"
The rock hits her, pain throbbing in her face and her eyes filling with tears.
Suddenly, a couple of men dressed as castle guards appear with lances and one says, "How dare you harm the princess!"
"Run!" says a boy.
The brats flee for their lives, and the guards stop their pursuit to see if Kasumi is alright.
"Princess, are you okay?" asks the same guard.
Through her crying, Kasumi asks, "Why do people hate me so much? What did I ever do?"
Not knowing what to tell her, the other guard says, "We're so sorry, your majesty."
Kasumi runs back to the castle, crying even louder than before.
Inside what looks to be a throne room, Kasumi approaches a man dressed in a white linen shirt and a black hakama adorned with Asian-style flower print.
When he sees Kasumi crying, he asks, "Kasumi, dear, what's the matter?"
"Some boys were being mean to me again." says Kasumi.
"Not again." says the man. "Why are you hiding your face like that?"
"I don't want to show you." says Kasumi.
"Kasumi, please, let me see your face." says the man.
Kasumi uncovers her face to show where she was struck by the rock.
"Who did this to you?!" says the man with a calm voice but a storm brewing in his eyes.
"Those same boys as always." says Kasumi. "One of them threw a rock at me."
"Tell me who, and I'll talk to their parents about their behavior." says the man. "And if they're the cause of it, I have 'ways' to deal with such individuals. People will rue the day for hurting my daughter."
"Daddy, why do people hate me?" asks Kasumi. "I didn't even ask to have laguz blood in me."
"I know, sweetie." says the king. "But one day, I know that very blood will make you the hope of Hazumo. Truth is, while it was beyond wrong what they did, they do it out of fear."
"How do they fear me?" asks Kasumi. "I'm more scared of them."
"Well, there is the fact due to what kind of laguz your mother was." says the king. "But what would those peasants know? Phoenixes were the greatest of laguz before your mother's death, and with that blood, you'll be even better than anyone here in this kingdom of ours. Obviously, the small-minded fear what they don't understand."
"I don't understand myself." says Kasumi.
"One day, you WILL understand." says the king. "One day."
The king then gives Kasumi a kiss on the forehead.
Afterwards, the flashback changes to the time of a twelve-year old Kasumi as she's with a group of men that dress like Shinto priests.
"Remember, Princess Kasumi." says the head priest. "You must feel your spirit within you. It is like a second body, the part of you that guards you from more mystical threats. If you can harness this power, you will be able to do things other warriors and mages could only dream of. The phoenix blood you carry makes your spirit the strongest of any living being in this world. And considering you are the last one to carry phoenix blood, you are truly special. Do you think you can do that?"
"I'll try." says Kasumi.
"One day, 'try' will not be enough." says the head priest. "One day, your life will depend on how far you get with your spiritual training."
"Alright." says Kasumi.
"For now, try to form a basic shape." says the head priest. "Try to manifest your spirit and make it into a ball."
"Very well." says Kasumi.
She then holds her hands together and though she manages to focus her spirit, she can't quite compress it down.
"This is... really hard." says Kasumi.
"Focus, Your Majesty." says the head priest. "Focus."
Kasumi continues to focus until she manages to make a glowing ball form in her hands and asks with a smile, "How is that?"
"Wonderful!" says the head priest. "You certainly have a talent for this. That, and your mother's spirit has definitely manifested within you."
"Thank you." says Kasumi.
"But that's only the beginning." says the head priest. "We must do more to make sure you are ready for anything."
"Right." says Kasumi.
In another flashback, Kasumi is still twelve as she's at the library.
Kasumi is at a book case trying to grab a book but having trouble, but then the voice of a boy says, "Here, let me get that for you."
A boy wearing dark blue clothes gets the book Kasumi was wanting, and she says to him, "Oh, thank you."
"No problem." says the boy. "Say, you're the princess, right?"
"Uh, that's right." says Kasumi. "You're not scared of me, are you?"
"You? Why would I be scared of you?" asks the boy. "You're our princess, and we should hold you in high regard."
"Of course, but... aren't you scared of the fact I have laguz blood?" asks Kasumi. "Doesn't the fact my mother was a laguz frighten you?"
"That? That's not scary. That's amazing." says the boy. "To think you're mother was a laguz, and a phoenix for that matter! That's so cool!"
"Really?" asks Kasumi with a surprised smile. "I'm so glad to meet someone who's not scared of me."
"I'm far from scared of you." says the boy. He then starts to look nervous and says, "In fact, I think you're rather... cute."
Kasumi blushes and giggles, which gets the boy to do the same without the giggling.
"Say, I've got some friends that would love to meet you." says the boy. "Would you like to meet them one day?"
"Sure!" says Kasumi.
"Great!" says the boy. "Meet me at the town square tomorrow, and I'll introduce you to them all!"
"I'll be there." says Kasumi. "By the way, I didn't get your name."
"Oh, right!" says the boy. "My name is Shinji."
"Shinji!" says a woman's voice. "Time to go home, dear."
"Be right there, mom!" says Shinji. "I'll see you tomorrow, Princess Kasumi."
"Bye, Shinji!" says Kasumi.
Shinji runs to join his mom, and Kasumi giggles to herself.
In the next flashback, Kasumi sees Shinji at the town square as he's joined by another boy and two girls.
Though nervous, Kasumi presses forward and says, "Hi, Shinji!"
"Princess Kasumi!" says Shinji as he waves for Kasumi to come to him. As Kasumi arrives, Shinji says, "Glad you could make it, Your Majesty."
"So, are these are your friends?" asks Kasumi.
"Yes they are." says Shinji. "The other boy is Hatoru, and the girls are Suzumi and Minako. Suzumi has dark blue hair and Minako has red hair."
"Wow, it's nice to meet you all." says Kasumi with a bow. "I'm just glad you're all not frightened of me for who I am."
"Why should we be afraid of our own princess?" says Minako. "We're glad to have you as a friend."
"Yeah, who you are matters more than what you are." says Suzumi.
"Wow, you really ARE nice!" says Kasumi.
"Told you!" says Shinji.
"Hey, let's go play!" says Hatoru.
"Yeah!" says Shinji.
Afterwards, several moments pass by of Kasumi and her new friends playing together, hanging out in town and even laughing together.
In the next flashback, Kasumi is now the adult we know her to be and she's walking in the castle courtyard with an adult Shinji.
"You know, Kasumi, I was wondering..." says Shinji nervously.
"What is it, Shinji?" asks Kasumi.
"Well, we've been together a lot ever since we were kids." says Shinji. "And I've been wondering... have you given any thought to you who you'd like to marry?"
"Honestly, that's been the furthest thing from my mind." says Kasumi. "I've been so focused on the day I become queen and completing my spirit training. Then again, if I am to become queen one day, I will need to think about a husband."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find a handsome prince out there to be your husband." says Shinji looking depressed. "I'm sure a peasant would never be good enough for you."
"Actually..." says Kasumi as she takes Shinji by his hand. "I think you'd be worthy to be my husband."
Shinji looks at Kasumi with surprise and says, "Really?!"
"Well, why not?" asks Kasumi. "You were the first person to not judge me based on my laguz blood."
"Kasumi... I... I don't know what to say." says Shinji.
Shinji wanted to kiss Kasumi so bad, but she lets go of his hand and turns away as she says in a depressed tone. "But there's one problem with me having laguz blood."
"What's that?" asks Shinji. "If it's about your spirit powers, I don't mind. I think it'll be great having a powerful queen."
"It's not that." says Kasumi. "It's the fact I'm immortal and you're not."
"What do you mean?" asks Shinji.
"My father told me that phoenixes, while not immune to death, can live forever." says Kasumi. "And because I have her blood, I will most likely live forever unless an outside source kills me. Because of that, my father told me to not get too attached to any mortals, not even him, for I will outlive them all."
Shinji stays silent, but then smiles and hugs Kasumi from behind and says, "Do you think I'd let something like that keep us apart? I don't care if I die of old age. As long as I still get to see your face, regardless of how young you'd look, I would be happy. In fact, because you'd still look young and beautiful would make me happier."
Kasumi looks at Shinji with pure eyes and asks, "Are you really serious, Shinji?"
"I mean every word of it, Princess Kasumi." says Shinji.
"Oh, Shinji." says Kasumi desperately wanting to kiss the first man she's ever fallen in love with.
However, the romantic moment is cut short when both start to hear panicking across the town.
"A FLOOD IS COMING!" shouts a man. "HAZUMO IS DOOMED!"
Kasumi and Shinji see a rising wave crashing through Hazumo.
"Oh no!" says Shinji. "What do we do?!"
Kasumi stands firm and her aura starts to glow bright.
"Kasumi?" asks Shinji.
"I just hope my spiritual training is enough." says Kasumi. "Shinji, I just want you to know... I love you."
"Kasumi! What are you about to do?!" shouts Shinji.
Focusing her spirit, Kasumi throws her arms wide open and yells out as her spirit explodes with intense force.
Her spirit collides with the rushing water and starts to push outward, forcing it back into the ocean.
As the flood is gone, Kasumi's spirit dies down, but she starts to collapse and falls backwards. Shinji catches her and as he keeps her from hitting the ground, he sees Kasumi is losing consciousness.
"Kasumi? Kasumi!" says Shinji. "Please, stay with me! Stay with me!"
"I'm sorry... Shinji." says Kasumi becoming more and more weary. "I... I think... I think I... overdid it. I wish I could... be around to be with you... Shin... ji..."
From Kasumi's perspective, everything goes white as Shinji continues to yell out her name, each yell becoming more muffled than the last.
In the next flashback, Kasumi's eyes open and she slowly wakes up. As she sits up, she finds herself in a darkened chamber and just wearing her underwear, consisting of a white sarashi covering her chest and a white loincloth. She fully stands up to show the loincloth has a thong back.
"Wh-where am I?" asks Kasumi.
Afterwards, Kasumi walks the hallways in just her undergarments, seeing she's still in the castle. A servant of the castle sees Kasumi walking the hallways and drops the laundry out of complete shock.
"It can't be!" says the female servant. "P-p-princess Kasumi? Are you truly awake?"
"Yes, I am." says Kasumi. "But I don't believe I recognize you. What's happened here? Why was I asleep? And what am I doing in just my underwear?"
"Please, we must take you to see the king regnant." says the servant.
"King REGNANT?" asks Kasumi. "What's happened to my father?"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty." says the servant. "The king regnant will explain everything to you."
In the throne room, a man in a blue, long-sleeved linen shirt and white hakama is talking with two me who look to be samurai. Just then, the servant enters the throne room with Kasumi in tow."
"King Regnant Shizuhara, Your Majesty!" says the servant. "Princess Kasumi is awake!"
The man in white hakama sees Kasumi there and says, "I can't believe it! She's finally awake! After so many years! I never thought I'd live to see the day!"
Shizuhara runs up to Kasumi, looks her up and down, then says, "It is indeed you, Princess Kasumi! In all of your radiant beauty! You're finally awake!"
"FINALLY awake?" asks a confused Kasumi. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Your Majesty, I know this is going to be alarming, but... you've been asleep for more than 700 years." says Shizuhara.
Kasumi is just speechless and stumbles backwards, not being able to find the right words to say.
"I know it's a lot to take in, but as my father heard from his father, and his father before him... you fell into a nearly endless coma more than 700 years ago after you saved Hazumo from being flooded over by the Dark God of Tellius." says Shizuhara.
Kasumi is still dumbfounded.
"It is quite a shock, isn't it?" says Shizuhara. "But I assure you, it is the truth."
Kasumi then speaks up saying, "Where is my father? Where are my friends?"
Shizuhara just frowns solemnly.
Soon, Kasumi, now wearing a simple kimono and straw sandals, and Shizuhara are at the graveyard, viewing the headstones for her father and friends, as well as the servants and priests she knew.
"Princess Kasumi, I know I can't understad the pain you're going through." says Shizuhara. "To be immortal and knowing you'll outlive your friends. It must be too much to take."
"It's not that." says Kasumi. "I knew I was going to outlive them all. Thanks to Shinji's words, though, I didn't really care. What hurts is not being able to see them grow old, to be there for their final moments, to tell them goodbye. I feel like I've abandoned them. They all must despise me now."
"I don't think they would." says Shizuhara. "They were all very close to you even after you fell into your coma."
"Still, it doesn't change it fact it all hurts." says Kasumi.
Shizuhara goes silent for a bit then says, "Princess Kasumi... I am currently king regnant of Hazumo. However... the throne IS rightfully yours. For that, I'll happily abdicate it and allow you to take your rightful place as queen."
"I appreciate the thought, Your Majesty." says Kasumi. "But for the time being, I must decline."
"Why would you decline your birthright?" asks Shizuhara.
"It's because my spiritual training is incomplete." says Kasumi. "I must make sure another incident like that does not happen again. For that, I must become stronger if I am to be a true queen of Hazumo. I must not let a moment of weakness like that cripple me again."
"I see." says Shizuhara. "In that case, I respect your wishes, Princess Kasumi. Until you are ready to take the throne, I shall continue to rule Hazumo firmly yet fairly, just as your father did so many years ago."
"You said the Dark God was responsible for this flood, right?" asks Kasumi. "Then that settles everything. I shall become spiritually stronger so I may destroy this Dark God. I won't stop until peace has returned for all people in the world."
In the next flashback, Kasumi is wearing a gi and practicing her spirit training with the current priests of this time. Kasumi manages to fend off all of her attackers.
"Very good, Kasumi." says the new head priest. "NOW, let's see how you handle me. Spiritually strong you may be due to who your mother was, I have had a quite a bit of time to build up my spirtual power while you've been in your slumber. I hope you're ready."
"I'm more than ready!" says Kasumi. "I will not stop training until I can destroy the Dark God!"
"Your ambition is great." says the head priest. "But let's see if you can truly live up to that expectation you have of yourself. Begin!"
Kasumi charges energy into her fist and rushes at the head priest, but he effortlessly blocks her attacks. Kasumi gets enraged and starts to strike with many attacks and using various martial art styles combined with her spiritual powers, but the head priest keeps blocking each one like it was nothing.
Eventually, Kasumi tries to hit with a powerful attack, but it leaves her wide open. Taking advantage of this, the head priest blows her away with one strike to her gut.
As Kasumi is sent rolling backwards, she comes to a stop and coughs from the power of the blow.
"You're trying too hard." says the head priest. "If you attack that wildly, it's going to be easy to break your defenses and attack you. You MUST stay focused. If you don't, you will NEVER be ready to face the Dark God."
Kasumi stands up slowly and says with thundering rage while her spirit builds, "NO! I will NOT accept that! I'm going to get stronger and destroy the Dark God! If I don't, Hazumo will be in danger again from his evil! For that, I'm going to surpass you! I will surpass ALL of you!"
Full of rage, Kasumi yells out and her spirit explodes, blowing even the head priest away.
The head priest stands up to see Kasumi surrounded in light. When the light dies down, all of the priests are beholden to a shocking sight.
"What? What's going on?" asks Kasumi. "Why are you all staring at me like that?"
"Princess Kasumi, it's... your outfit." says the head priest.
Kasumi then sees she's in the armor and has the sword at her side. Looking at herself all over and being both shocked and confused, Kasumi asks, "What happened? What am I doing in this 'armor'? And I have a sword at my side? Is this all a joke? And what in the world is with the design?"
"I think I can offer an explanation, Princess Kasumi." says the head priest. "I've read texts about this sacred armor. It was known as the Tiger Lily Armor. Only a maiden with a truly pure and noble spirit would wear this armor. Now I see. This armor and that sword, the fabled Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, are your spirit in physical form. If the legends are true, what that armor lacks in covering, it makes up for in powers and abilities like no other out there."
"Are you saying that I'M that maiden made to wear this armor and use this sword?" asks Kasumi as she draws the sword, looking at the golden blade.
"I believe so." says the head priest. "Only a maiden of grace, beauty and power could possess this armor. You must be her. This means your spiritual training is ready to go the next level. We now need to ready you for more advanced techniques."
"Well, that's great to hear." says Kasumi. "Maybe I WILL develop the power to defeat the Dark God. Now, if I can only figure out how to change out of it and back into my original clothes."
"Actually, keep it on." says the head priest. "You might need to give your body time to adjust to its power."
Kasumi just gives him and unimpressed look and says, "Really?"
"I know what you're thinking, Your Majesty." says the head priest. "But I assure you, I have a wife."
Afterwards, a time interval plays as Kasumi reads several books and scrolls, learning about different types of spiritual magic while wearing her new armor.
That night, Kasumi is in her underwear and in bed. As she sleeps, she begins to toss and turn. As that happens, a flash of white occurs and Kasumi finds herself in her armor on a battlefield. She soon sees a blast of light occur on the horizon that looks like a massive explosion.
As the explosion reaches her, it blows her away and onto the ground. Kasumi seems to be in pain standing up until a hand reaches out for her.
A masculine voice says, "Come on, I need your help."
Kasumi looks up to see Ike with the Ragnell and she says nothing.
"We need to finish this fight together." says Ike.
Kasumi takes Ike's hand and he stands her up.
"Are you ready?" asks Ike.
Kasumi just nods.
"Then, let's go!" says Ike.
And after that, Ike and Kasumi charge towards the explosion.
The dream ends in a flash of white. Kasumi awakens and sits up to see she's still in bed and wearing her undergarments.
"What was that all about?" asks Kasumi. "Who was that man? He didn't look Hazumonese."
Kasumi, wearing a simple kimono, appears before the head priest and says,"Head priest! I need to talk to you about something!"
"What is it, Your Majesty?" asks the head priest.
"I had a dream, but I wonder if it was a vision." says Kasumi.
"What kind of dream or vision?" asks the head priest.
"It was of a catastrophe happening." says Kasumi. "I couldn't take it on myself, even with my new powers. However, a man appeared before me. He didn't look Hazumonese, and he carried a poweful looking sword made of a gold blade and silver hilt. He wanted me to join him and fight alongside him. And... we went off together."
"Interesting." says the head priest. "I'd say a dream is a dream. But with recent events, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a sign after you unlocked your powers. With what it sounds like, you're to take on a great disaster with the help of a legendary warrior. What color was the warrior's hair?"
"Uh, I think it was blue." says Kasumi. "An electric blue."
"Then it IS a sign." says the head priest. "I've heard tales from the continent of Tellius, one year before you awoke that a man with blue hair fought a mad king and brought peace to the people. And the sword you described sounds like the very blade he wielded into battle."
"So... I'm to join a blue-haired warrior to stop a disaster." says Kasumi. "Is that what you're telling me?"
"Princess Kasumi, though you've unlocked your powers, you still have further to go in your training." says the head priest. "Unfortunately, I cannot teach you anything else. The next phase of your training will have to be by you and you alone."
"I understand." says Kasumi. "Then I know what I must do."
"Talk with King Regnant Shizuhara." says the head priest. "You'll need your family bow on your journey."
"Sutā no Yumi o Utsu?" asks Kasumi. "Are you sure I'm worthy of it?"
"I'm positive." says the head priest. "It will be a fitting tool for you to use."
"I hope this is my chance to destroy the Dark God." says Kasumi. "If it is, I will not fail!"
In the final flashback, Kasumi is wearing her kimono, straw sandals and hat she was previously wearing on her adventure while keeping her sword out and her bow lashed to her back with a large quiver of arrows, and is about to board a ship.
"Well, this is it." says Kasumi. "I'm finally heading out."
"Hazumo will miss you, Your Majesty." says Shizuhara. "I promise to look after this kingdom to the best of my abilities."
"I'm sure you will, Shizuhara." says Kasumi. "You've done a good job since the years I was asleep. Well, I'd stay here longer, but... the world needs me."
"How true that is." says Shizuhara. "We'll be awaiting your return everyday, You Majesty. Until then, farewell."
Kasumi boards the boat and waves good-bye to the Shizuhara, the servants, priests and people of Hazumo before the ship takes off for Tellius. And the flashback ends.
As Kasumi is just standing there, looking so focused while daydreaming, she hears Aiden call out to her saying, "Kasumi! We've got a problem!"
"What is it, Aiden?" asks Kasumi.
"Bad news!" says Aiden. "The forces at Castle Felirae were just a decoy according to a message from General Geoffrey!"
"You're kidding!" says Kasumi. "Ludveck must have anticipated this all."
"We need to set out for Fort Alpea." says Aiden. "We have to warn Queen Elincia, or her life is going to be in grave danger."
"Right." says Kasumi. "Let's go!"
And after that, Kasumi and Aiden take off together.
To Be Continued in Chapter 6