Finally Awake
Chapter 1:
"So Mirai, how long are you planning to live?"
No one had ever asked me a question like that before. In fact, no one had ever asked me anything before. I had, after all, grown up in a dungeon where the thought of death didn't seem so bad. It was because I knew nothing else. Death couldn't be much worse than rotting away in a cell. But that was before I met them.
* * *
"Up in a tree again, Kenren?"
"Just enjoying the flowers," replied the black haired man with a sigh. "But I am surprised to see you out and about, Tenpou. Run out of books?"
"Actually, I was on my way to get more. But when I saw you here all by your lonesome, I decided to say hi," replied the longhaired field marshal. His gaze went up to the black haired general, his glasses reflecting in the sun. "How long do you plan on staying up there anyway? I thought you had to go speak with-"
"Oh, I'll get around to it eventually," Kenren interrupted, shrugging off the comment. "I'll stay up here as long as I deem necessary."
"You mean until you finish that entire flask," corrected Tenpou with a chuckle.
"Something like that," said Kenren as he took another drink of the sweet tasting wine. He paused for a moment from his drinking to say, "Speaking of meetings, don't you have one to attend?"
"I've got better things to do with my time," replied Tenpou calmly.
"Whatever you say." There was another brief pause before Kenren murmured, "Say, Tenpou, what do you make of that?" He was pointing off into the distance.
Tenpou turned to look at what Kenren was pointing at. Off in the distance, he spotted a figure dressed in a long, black cloak headed straight for the Merciful Goddess's temple.
He couldn't tell the gender of the figure from so far away, but one thing was for sure: they made it a point to conceal their face with the hood of the cloak.
Kenren glanced down when Tenpou didn't respond only to see him walking away. "Hey, Tenpou, where are you going now?" he called after him.
"Just going to see what's going on. It's not often you see someone dressed like that. Especially someone dressed like that headed for the Merciful Goddess's temple." Tenpou turned his head to look back up at Kenren. "Could be something interesting about to happen," he said simply with a grin.
"Well, I'll see you later," Kenren said, clearly not interested in joining his eccentric friend.
"What, not coming with me?" Tenpou said with mock pain.
"My life is complicated enough, thanks," Kenren explained. "You just go have fun without me. I'm sure you'll fill me in later anyway."
"Very true," Tenpou said with a grin as he waved goodbye.
* * *
"Hello?" There was still no reply. "That's the third time I've called and there's no one in sight," murmured Mirai to herself. She slowly opened the door in front of her, unsure of what to do. She leaned forward, poking her head inside the hallway. Examining her surroundings carefully, she called out again. When no one showed up after a minute, she decided to let herself in. Stepping into the hallway, she carefully closed the door behind her. Hesitantly, Mirai started walking down the hallway, beginning to wander around the temple aimlessly.
'It's so huge…,' Mirai thought to herself. 'I wonder where everyone is.'
Mirai was actually searching for the Merciful Goddess. She didn't understand why the goddess wanted to see her of all people. She'd only been released from her cell that morning. She was amazed by the fact that the Merciful Goddess even knew who she was or that she even existed.
Mirai's head perked up when she heard noise coming from a room at the end of the hallway. Figuring that there would be someone there to help her find her way, she went into the room.
She stopped dead in her tracks. Sitting in front of her was a man with the most beautiful violet eyes. He had long golden hair that framed his face perfectly. His outfit was a pure white color with just the slightest tint of lavender. The man was sitting in a large white chair with his feet propped up on the desk in front of him. When she first entered the room, his face showed nothing but pure boredom. However, when he laid his eyes on Mirai, he looked rather surprised, shocked that anyone else was in the room. He quickly regained his composure, his face changing back to boredom with a mix of annoyance. It happened so quickly that Mirai wondered if she had even seen the other look.
His annoyance was evident in his voice as he spoke. "Who are you and how did you get in here?"
Mirai was stunned, unsure of what to say. She didn't really know who she was with the exception of her name and the way she had gotten in seemed irrelevant since she was invited.
The man was obviously not happy with her as he spoke again. "What are you doing here?"
Again, she found herself unable to speak.
"Take off that hood and answer my question," he demanded.
Mirai tightened her hold on her hood. "I-I can't do that," she replied in a shaky voice.
"Why not?" the man asked as he stood up, violet eyes glaring at her.
"Because…" She was so nervous that she couldn't remember why she couldn't remove her hood.
"Stop playing games with me!" the man yelled, finally losing his temper. "Remove your hood now or I'll do it myself." He took a step forward, and his voice was dangerous.
"That's enough Konzen," said a voice behind Mirai. She spun around quickly and saw herself practically face to face with the Merciful Goddess. "You shouldn't be so rude to our guest."
"Guest?" Konzen questioned, irritated.
"Yes, I invited Mirai here," the goddess said matter-of-factly.
Before the Merciful Goddess could even address Mirai, Mirai was bowing down low. "Thank you for inviting me. Your kindness is greater than I can
ever express in words. I'm so sorry. I let myself in and I couldn't find anyone to point me in your direction and-"
"Slow down," said the Merciful Goddess in response to Mirai's quick explanation. "It's not as serious as you seem to think it is. There's no reason to apologize."
"If you insist, My Goddess," Mirai said, but she was clearly uncomfortable.
The dark haired goddess grinned down at Mirai. She may as well have a little fun with the girl before she sent her off. "Mirai," she started, the grin never leaving her face. "I'd like you to meet my nephew, Konzen Douji." The Merciful Goddess could barely contain her laughter as she saw the panicked look on Mirai's face.
"Lord Douji, please forgive my interruption!" Mirai exclaimed as she dropped to her knees and bowed almost frantically.
Konzen stared at the girl as if she was diseased. "What do you think you are doing?"
"I'm begging for your forgiveness," Mirai replied, confused. She glanced up at Konzen, struggling to figure out what she had done wrong.
"Get up," he snapped. "And don't call me Lord Douji."
"Yes, Lord Konzen," Mirai said as she got to her feet.
"Don't call me that either."
"Yes, My Lord."
Konzen's glare only increased. She didn't get the fact that he did not want to be called Lord anything. Before he could say anything else, the Merciful
Goddess spoke.
"Mirai, why don't you take off that hood? I want to see what you look like."
Mirai's face turned to the floor. "I'm sorry, but I cannot."
The Merciful Goddess frowned. "And why is that?"
"The Jade Emperor told me to never remove my hood under any circumstance." Mirai spoke softly.
"His reasoning?" The goddess inquired.
"Because I'm forever cursed with a hideous face that must never be shown to others. It would be an insult to show such a horrid thing to you, My Goddess. The Jade Emperor said I would be thrown out of the heavens if I showed it. He said that in the lower world they would proclaim me as a beast and burn me alive." Mirai's voice was trembling at the thought of that happening.
It was the Merciful Goddess's turn to be irritated. She sighed before saying, "That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Remove your hood at once."
"But Merciful Goddess-" Mirai started.
"Or I will have you banished from the heavens right now."
Konzen could tell Mirai was stunned. He knew his aunt wasn't serious, so he only rolled his eyes, wondering when he could have the room to himself again.
"Yes, Merciful Goddess." Mirai's hands moved up, hesitated for a moment, and then lifted the hood up. Konzen and the Merciful Goddess watched carefully, studying her face. Mirai's skin was deathly pale, a token of being locked in a dungeon for a lifetime. It only emphasized the soft pink colors of her lips. She had a rather small nose that pointed up slightly and high cheekbones. Her eyes were closed, but the two could now see that she had long dark hair. It looked black, but upon closer inspection, they realized it was a purple color. Once the hood was off, Mirai slowly, almost carefully, opened her eyes as if trying not to offend them. They were the most vivid, purest shade of blue Konzen had ever seen in his entire life. There was a single iron shackle around her neck.
"You're not hideous at all," said the Merciful Goddess. "The opposite in fact. You're quite attractive."
Mirai shook her head quickly. "I'm nothing, especially in comparison to you Merciful Goddess."
The Merciful Goddess's eyes traveled down when she noticed a clinging sound. "What are those things on your arms?"
Mirai lifted her arms up so they could see the shackles on each wrist. "I would think it's obvious. I have them attached to my ankles as well."
The Goddess frowned again. "Don't those get annoying and make it difficult to move?"
"Not really. I don't mind. Thank you for your concern." Mirai bowed again. "If I may be so bold, what did you want to see me about?"
"I have a gift for you." the goddess said simply.
Mirai's face showed her confusion and near panic. "I-I'm sorry, but I cannot accept whatever it is you want to give me."
The Merciful Goddess gave Mirai a mock glare. "You dare refuse a gift from a Goddess?"
Konzen rolled his eyes again. He wished his aunt would just stop teasing the pitiful girl and get out. It was obvious that she, this Mirai, didn't know any better and was taking her every word seriously.
"N-no, it's nothing like that! I just-" Mirai tried to begin her protest when she was interrupted by the deity again.
"I'm only teasing you Mirai." Another smile graced the Merciful Goddess's face. "Relax for once." She didn't wait for Mirai to recover before she looked over her shoulder. "Jiroushin."
It was the first time Mirai noticed anyone else in the room. The Merciful Goddess had been standing in front of the man, blocking him from view. He wore a suit of fine armor and clothes made of soft silk, like all those who resided in heaven. However, he looked far more formal than the others did, and Mirai realized he must be some sort of servant, most likely the Merciful Goddess's personal servant. The Merciful Goddess took something from his hands. She took a step forward before handing it to Mirai.
"While you're in heaven, it will be hard for you to fit in," explained the Merciful Goddess. "Especially if you go around dressed in that black cloak. So, I'm giving you this."
Mirai quickly realized that the Merciful Goddess's gift was a robe. It was made of silk and was a beautiful violet color. The entire robe had a crème colored border around it that gently reflected the sun. An elegant scene of a crane flying over a lake full of green lily pads and red lotus flowers had been carefully hand stitched into the back of the robe. Mirai was speechless, unable to find her voice.
"This is a gift from me to you," the goddess said simply. "I'm giving it to you and I refuse to change my mind, so don't even bother arguing with me. Try it on." Her voice left no room for argument.
Mirai hesitated, then moved her hands up to untie the cloak. It fell open easily to show a white yukata. However, it stopped at about her mid-thigh. The sleeves were short, barely covering her shoulders. It had a border like the robe she had just received, the color matching her eyes. Around her waist was a sort of sash, also blue, which was tied in a bow in the back. She wasn't wearing any shoes.
When the Mirai hesitated again in removing the cloak completely, the Merciful Goddess murmured, "Go ahead."
Mirai sighed, her bottom lip trembling slightly. Moving her hands up, she warily removed the cloak completely. Coming from her back was a huge pair of pure white angel wings. Mirai glanced up in time to see the amazed look on Konzens face before it reverted back to a look of boredom once again. The Merciful Goddess had Jiroushin help Mirai get the robe on and, after a quick round of debating, had Mirai wear the robe directly under her wings so everyone could see them.
"Are you sure about this?" Mirai questioned uncertainly. "The Jade Emperor said-"
"I don't care what the Jade Emperor said. That old crone needs to lighten up anyway," the goddess replied with a frown. "Besides, I wouldn't want to have you walking around with your wings crushed under there. Not to mention you look much better this way."
"Excuse me, but am I interrupting?" The question came from a man standing in the doorway. He had shoulder length brown hair and brilliant green eyes that were hidden behind his glasses. This was the first person Mirai had seen in a long, white coat.
"Not at all," said the Merciful Goddess. "I was about to send Mirai on her way." She turned back to Mirai. "I would like you to come back here this evening, when it gets dark."
"As you wish. I thank you for the wonderful gift," Mirai said as she bowed. "But I must ask, do I have to keep my wings out?"
"Yes, you do." At Mirai's frightened look, the goddess added, "Don't worry about the Jade Emperor. I'll take care of him."
"If you say so." She bowed to every person in the room individually, including Tenpou, before she left.
"Who was she?" Konzen asked his aunt once he was sure Mirai was out of earshot.
"That was Mirai." the goddess mocked.
"I know that," Konzen replied irritated. "You know what I meant."
The goddess smiled. "That was the Jade Emperor's niece."
Konzen gave his eccentric aunt a skeptical look. "You're kidding."
The Merciful Goddess let out a short chuckle at the look on Konzen's face. "No, I'm not. But as you can see, she is a heretical being. The Jade Emperor had her locked away right after her mother died. Which isn't all that surprising. I'm amazed he didn't have her sentenced to death, considering what she is."
"It's clear she's a heretic, but just what is she?" Konzen asked. "She can't be a goddess and human mix. That doesn't explain where those wings came from at all."
"Her father was the prince of hell," the Merciful Goddess replied.
"I see. I take it he's dead as well," murmured Konzen.
"Yes," the goddess answered simply.
"I'm not surprised. It was only a matter of time before her parents ended up being killed. A birth between heaven and hell would never be accepted. Especially by the Jade Emperor," Konzen said. "So where did that robe come from? I've never seen you as the gift giving type."
The Merciful Goddess frowned at his comment. "That's just because you don't like any of the gifts I give you."
"I hardly consider that monkey a gift," growled Konzen. "More like you gave me a permanent headache."
Ignoring his last statement, the deity answered his previous question. "Her mother came and gave it to me right before she left the heavens for good. She begged and pleaded with me to give it to Mirai one day, should she survive. She honestly didn't have to beg me. I didn't mind. And that black cloak belonged to her father."
Konzen was quiet for a moment before he said, "There's still one thing I don't understand. Why is she here? I would think that the Jade Emperor would want to dispose of her in any way possible. Especially because of what she is. I also take it that Mirai's origins aren't well known in the heavens. The Jade Emperor wouldn't want news that Mirai's his actual niece spreading throughout the heavens."
"My thoughts exactly," the Merciful Goddess said. "The Jade Emperor must have found some use for her. I don't know what that use or purpose is, but you can be certain of one thing: she wouldn't be here if he didn't."
Konzen turned back to his desk, walking back to sit down. Outside his window, he caught a glimpse of Mirai as she walked away. "I suppose so."
The Merciful Goddess gave him a mischievous grin. "Well, I suppose I'll leave you alone now."
"About time," Konzen muttered, turning away from the window to sit down. He frowned even more as his aunt waved goodbye cheerfully before leaving with Jiroushin.
"Well, that was pleasant," said Tenpou cheerfully.
"What brings you here?" Konzen asked, still a bit aggravated from his aunt's visit. "Don't you have work to do or something?"
"Maybe." His lively tone was not helping Konzen's mood any. It almost sounded like he was mocking him.
"Do you have a reason why you're here?" Konzen said distastefully as he pulled forward a pile of paperwork.
Tenpou decided to ease up on Konzen a bit. "Actually, I came to see whoever was in the black cloak. I certainly didn't expect that stranger to be a beautiful young lady."
"I wouldn't describe her like that," said Konzen. "She is different though. I've never seen anyone with wings. I thought the heavens would never allow someone so different to reside here, heretic or not."
"Apparently, the Jade Emperor has found a use for her," Tenpou said softly, almost as if he felt sorry for Mirai.
"Hmph." Konzen murmured, his eyes watching Mirai disappear around a corner.