Among the trees of Juraian throne-world, Heaven's Tree stood far above the others, easily 5 km in height. Its lush foliage extended out at least a quarter of that distance, and despite its aspen-like texture and color, each branch was sturdy enough to hold a city. Indeed, within this great plant resided the palace of the Jurai royal family, including the residences of major houses and the chambers of government. Legend stated that this was the "First Tree", the vessel through which the mother goddess bestowed the god-like power upon the royal family.
However, like any other capitol, this palatial estate was not a stranger to intrigue. Within these hallowed halls, Jurai Kagato rose to power under the name "Yosho", silencing all who spoke in opposition. Here, Emperor Jurai Azusa I died from unknown causes, shortly after his wife was laid to rest in the fields of royal teardrops to the north. Generations prior, Empress Hinase I, the first lady to rule Jurai unwed, was removed from her station by the Holy Council. Even during the first court of King Jurai Sho I, his daughter, Achi, was kidnapped by a villain known as "Liaens" a few years after the war with Ryua.
Beneath its surface, the current court of Jurai was no different. Within a housing complex near the House Amaki estate, one particular man strode quietly toward his apartment. His brown hair fell around his face, obscuring his eyes but leaving his fox-like grin visible. His hands loosely hung from his pockets of his black trousers as he passed the occasional pedestrian. Most paid him no mind. The sleeveless shirt and earrings were common for those who visited the colonies near Heliotropis. He was no doubt one of the younger generation, those who were leaving behind the traditions of Jurai for the "modern times" offered by the Galactic Union.
The young man waved kindly to his neighbors, that same grin for them as he slid inside his home. Within, the grin became a smirk when he leveled his ice-blue eyes to a nearby mirror.
"Perfect," he whispered to himself. "Hiding in plain sight."
A pained moan issued from the bedroom. The smirk melted into a grimace while he stepped softly toward the room. Within, a young woman tossed and turned beneath the sheets, her black hair strewn about her face.
"Any better, Matori?" he asked softly.
Her voice was muffled by the cloth gathered around her neck and mouth, but he did hear "… like an inferno inside, Tsugaru…"
He glanced aside and somberly answered, "Yeah, it was the same for me. It'll pass in a couple days."
Her grumbled words were lost to Tsugaru's ears, thankfully since most were curses to each god she could name. He sighed to himself and continued into the apartment. The décor was not lavish, nor was it spartan. A colorful rug adorned the den floor, not ornately woven like those in a noble house. A few portraits hung from the walls of the corridor, mostly of nondescript men, women, and children in traditional Juraian garb. A few had a young man similar to Tsugaru dressed in Science Academy regalia.
Soon, he entered his own bedroom. Within, a metallic computer terminal was installed atop the desk next to the bed. When he had moved here, the movers had asked him why he used an SA standard system, rather than the Juraian network terminals.
"There are networking issues," the young man answered. "You see, the Juraian network uses a J102β protocol, and it lags or times-out when I access SA records. It's far easier to connect and get articles with the native protocol." He grinned as he added, "Besides, there are far more apps, and games, for a SA system."
Not being the most tech-savvy lot, the moving personnel just accepted this and carried the equipment inside, in addition to the racks of crystal storage cards. Most were labeled with popular holo-film or game titles: Quiet Berm, Star Knights, Demon May Weep, Last Dream IX, and the like. However, as he sat at his desk today, he took an older title from his collection, Mr. Tatsuki Goes to the Palace. The story told of a young nobleman who, through a twist of fate, became a member of the Holy Council and entrenched in a corrupt political power-play by the majority leader. It was originally panned for this portrayal, but its excellent rendition of the workings of government garnered it a place in every Juraian politics course.
Tsugaru inserted the card into the side of his terminal and stood to shut the door while the opening overture and credits played. However, once he took his seat again, the music and video stopped, replaced by Juraiji text that roughly translated as "Closed Channel, Live Feed". A male voice rose from the computer's speakers, cool and calm.
"How is Jurai? Is it all you expected?"
Tsugaru leaned back in his seat, resting his arms behind his head.
"It has too much foliage for my taste, old friend. I miss the prismatic trees of home."
"I'd have to agree," chuckled the voice, "from what I've seen of it. How are you after the adjustment?"
"Fine now," the young man replied somberly, "but my partner is suffering from the same abdominal pain. She's also been complaining of the light. I think she's become a bit photosensitive."
"I see," the disembodied words spoke in thought. "There is a possibility that she had a… 'pre-existing condition'. I'll consult the 'physicians'."
"Please do. We have a lot of work to do."
"That you do. As we discussed, I think you should meet Tennan Seiryo. He's just the 'sort' of man we need for our 'project'."
Tsugaru nodded as he sat up. "Yes, so you've said. I've been reading up on his credentials. He has quite the ambitious streak, lobbying for several local bills set before the Holy Council. He's built a particular reputation among the senators for championing their popular interests."
"Exactly. He is in their favor. Once your partner has accomplished her task, yours will be fairly easy."
"Good. I'd like to get back home."
"However," the voice added, "keep in mind your 'other task', should it be feasible. Our Lady would like you to find her lost keys."
The young man closed his eyes and nodded. "I think they were brought back here, but we'll have to look around. When she's feeling better, my partner will do a search."
"Excellent. Until next month, 'brother'."
"Until then."
The screen of the terminal winked to black as Tsugaru removed the storage card and replaced it on his shelf. As he stood, he opened his hands to his sides. In the shadows of the dimly lit room, filaments of crimson light gathered to his palm, giving his form a menacing highlight of bloody luminance. A determined focus crossed his eyes as he closed his fingers around the power, forming a katana-like blade.
"Unity to Ryua," he whispered to himself, "and death to Jurai."
X X X
Millennia ago, a great war waged between two growing young empires. This was the time of legends, of the first Jurai king and his knights. However, the years have left the tales of this era without names or deeds.
But, two men now lived who not only knew the names, but had accomplished many of those deeds. They remembered when the Holy Council became unable to manage the war with Ryua, the world of crystals. They stood beside Jurai Sho, the man who took command and lead their people to victory. They supported him when his wife, Lady Aki, died in a battle within the Great Divide, now known as Sargasso, the starship graveyard. They helped Sho and his loyal fleet admiral, Juraihelm Saito, sack Ryua in their final push. They witnessed the dark power and skills of the Zealots of the Dark Matron.
Juraiko Azaka was one of these men. He had fought through the war with Ryua, an exemplary soldier and noble warrior. These traits he passed onto his then-apprentice, Kamidake, when the young man came of age. Together, Azaka and Kamidake were said to be able to shatter stars, and for their great deeds and loyalty, they were given the title "knight" by King Jurai Sho I himself.
The years following the war were kind to Jurai. Azaka was able to return to his wife and son following over a decade of battle and strife away from them. He recalled the warm embrace and happy tears of his beloved Michi when he walked back into their home. Her warrior held her close, stroking her deep blue hair as she sobbed joyfully into his shoulder. He dried the saline rolling down from her brown eyes and kissed the woman he had missed for so long.
And, the bearded man met the young man he had not seen since he first started to walk. Mashiro, his son, was nearly thirteen and had begun to show prowess with the sword and staff, much like Azaka. The soldier had only seen him through pictures in correspondence from Michi, but the azure knight loved him. Their first meeting was awkward, neither knowing exactly how to respond, but that changed over time. They had a great deal in common, which showed more clearly as the father imparted his skills to his son, much as he had Kamidake.
Daily, Azaka would train with Mashiro, the two cracking staves or bokkens loudly in the courtyard of their estate. Azaka could see the strength and talent in his son. Each strike taught him caution. Each block taught him patience. Afterward, Michi would welcome them home, and promptly send them to bathe, but not before taking a kiss from her husband.
Often, Kamidake would visit and give Mashiro another challenger, one with much more aptitude at speed than focused power. Azaka stood back and watched as the two faced one another, his former student and his current pupil. The war had matured the crimson knight quickly, given him a bevy of practical knowledge and experience. He had developed his own techniques and skill set apart from Azaka's original teachings, mostly based around his natural swiftness. Mashiro, though, shared his father's talents and had some difficulty adapting. Nevertheless, the defeats kept the boy humble and alert.
The two knights held a unique place in the military hierarchy. They only reported to the king himself and served as protectors not only for him, but also for his daughter, the first crown princess, Jurai Achi. Usually, Azaka would guard his liege as they would be attending the same meetings, leaving the young woman to the care of Kamidake. Soon enough, Mashiro joined the crimson knight in escorting the princess as part of his education. Achi and Mashiro were of comparable age and readily talked and laughed, relegating the veteran knight to a supervisory role.
However, this peace did not last. One evening shortly after the princess's fifteenth birthday, she was taken from her bedroom. Ransom demands shortly followed: the unconditional surrender of the Juraian crown to the hands of the world Prora, to this so-called "Great Liaens". King Sho ordered Juraihelm Saito, now supreme commander of Jurai's military, to search all of Jurai's holdings for his missing daughter and the planet Prora. Even with the vastness of Jurai's fleet and influence, nothing was found of the princess or this villain's home-world.
As days passed without word, the king bowed his head and prayed to the "Lady of Mystery", the mother goddess of Jurai, for his daughter's safe return. Azaka and Kamidake were both there in the throne-room when she answered his plea. She was radiant, a woman of pure, blindingly white light. The two could sense the sheer power she embodied, the same that flowed through every member of Jurai's royal family. They knelt respectfully before her without question.
But, their king only bowed to her, addressing her as "Lady Tsunami". Azaka glanced up briefly, watching as the glowing female figure bid the king to rise. They spoke respectfully, but familiarly, like old friends. The monarch related the tale of his daughter's kidnapping, and she listened closely. The azure knight thought he saw, for a moment, a lady's face beneath the radiance, saddened by the story.
Tsunami opened her arms to him, like a mother to her child, and the very fabric of reality between them seemed to crack open. Ten fractures in air widened into great shields surrounding the luminous figure, Wings of the Light Hawk.
"Warriors of Jurai," she spoke, her words singing off the heavens, "rise and accept this gift."
Her voice was kind and warm, and as they stood before her, the otherworldly woman grasped one of the glowing shields. At her thought, the glasslike texture of the wing molded itself into a staff of wood. Its headpiece was ornately designed with two golden rings orbiting a blue orb embedded in its center.
"You, whose wisdom flows like a fount," she said as she turned to Azaka, "shall be the unstoppable tide."
The warrior was taken aback. To be honored by the mother goddess, to be given a part of herself like this, he could not answer. He looked into her glowing face and now could see her serene smile beneath the light. Her eyes seemed to see into him, through him. She knew all that he was or would be, all in one moment, and she smiled at him. He bowed his head and extended his hands.
"… Thank you, my Lady…" he answered.
Gently, she laid the staff into his hands, and immediately he could sense another voice speak to his thoughts. It asked for his orders, for his enemy. He could feel its power wed with his through his palms and fingers, much like communing with one of the great trees. Unlike other weapons he has held, this staff actually felt like an extension of himself.
Tsunami then turned to Kamidake. "You, whose youth burns like a fire, shall be the consuming blaze."
Just as with Azaka, the goddess created a second staff of a similar design. Its central orb was crimson, circled by a single golden ring. He watched as his young partner accepted the gift with a similar humility, and surprise at the device's touch.
The luminous woman then took two wings, one in each hand. As she curled her fingers around them, the bladed shields arched and compressed into two very decorative items, a tiara and a circlet. The tiara would become well-known, its violet crest now adorning the brow of Jurai Ayeka. The circlet, was of similar make, but had its crest set off-center, balanced by an empty depression. Though its woven branches were as intricately woven as the tiara, the circlet seemed half-finished, incomplete. Only millennia later would Azaka discover why when it became worn by the huntress, Jurai Nagi.
The lady of light turned to the king. "To you, the most noble of my people, I give these two crowns, one of light and one of shadow. These will protect you."
"Of course, my Lady Tsunami," he answered, accepting them nobly.
Azaka could see the crests of each light with his liege's power. The monarch set the items along his shoulders, where they encircled and attached themselves to his clothing. He took a breath, settling his mind to the extension of his senses and abilities, much like Azaka or Kamidake.
However, the goddess was not finished. From the remaining six wings, she took three, leaving the others to vanish. She grasped their ends together, pressing them into one solid, crystalline shard. She twisted them, folded them, the item passing through several intermediate sword-like shapes before she was complete.
"I will not allow Jurai to fall," she swore. "This will be Jurai's sword, your sword."
The whiteness dimmed, revealing the sword hilt known now as Tenchiken, held by Masaki Tenchi. Tsunami offered the weapon to King Sho with open hands.
"Bring home your daughter, son of Jurai."
Azaka watched as his king took the hilt in hand. The guard shone in sync with the crests of the two crowns, the vines of each glowing a subtle emerald. At his silent command, a blue katana blade extended from his weapon. He nodded to her, thanked her, as did his two knights. With this, she faded away, and the blue knight could briefly see a hopeful look on her face.
Holding this newfound power, King Sho took a new posture regarding Liaens's threat. He knew of an old ally from the war with Ryua who could surely find Achi, wherever the villain has taken her. However, Liaens needed to be away from the princess to ensure her safety.
They needed a decoy, and what would be better bait than the king himself coming to relinquish his crown. The trap had to be small, only two or three men at most, lest Liaens see the attack coming.
"You two are my bravest and most loyal soldiers," the monarch said. "Even against the might of Ryua, you stood with me."
He glanced into the translucent blue blade thoughtfully. Azaka could see a doubt in his mind. They knew nothing of this enemy or his abilities. With Ryua, they had years of intelligence and previous dealings leading up to the war. Liaens and his Prora were a mystery still. Even the goddess's gift spoke that this battle would neither be simple nor easy.
"However, this is my fight," Sho said, turning back to his knights. "Where I go today, you do not have to follow."
Azaka thought of his wife and son, as he often did before a battle. Despite himself, he weighed the option of remaining with them, of returning to his beloved's side, of watching his son become a man.
Then, Kamidake answered, "My lord, I am your knight, and I will not neglect my oath to serve you." The headpiece of his staff shimmered a deep crimson. "I stand with you, always."
The azure knight admitted that his protege was still young, and naïve in some ways, but he was right. King Sho had been a just ruler, and his daughter would succeed him well. As the goddess said, Jurai's lineage must not fall here.
"Indeed, my king," Azaka echoed, a brief glance to his partner. "Kamidake said it best. We stand with you and your family." The orb in his weapon glowed brightly. "We will bring back your daughter."
King Sho smiled, nodding to them. "I think the goddess might have misspoke before. You two are the most noble of us all."
While this comment flattered them both, it did not lift Azaka's spirit for long. When he returned home, he explained the situation to his family. Mashiro, now eighteen, took up his own staff and approached his father.
"I'll come with you," he said. "You've taught me just like you did Kamidake. I can fight alongside you both."
"No," the father answered. "Your place is here, protecting the royal family while Kamidake and I are away."
"But, father, I…!"
"Mashiro," Azaka interrupted, setting a hand on his boy's shoulder, "this isn't a test of your mettle. This also isn't me holding you back from danger. This is me entrusting the protection of the royal family to you. This is the job the king originally gave to me, that I now give to you."
The teenager was silenced by this argument, and with a somber smile, the great man added, "I know you will make me proud, son. Until I return, you are the the protector of this family."
Mashiro could not speak. He wanted his father to stay, but he knew that nothing he could say now would change Azaka's choice. In the years he spent training with both knights, he knew their oath was their bond. He silently accepted this, his hands gripping his oak staff tightly.
Azaka then turned to his beautiful wife and embraced her once last time, cupping her cheek with his hand. Michi knew he had to go, just as he did during the war with Ryua, but that did not stop her heart from ripping apart.
"I love you, Michi," he whispered to her as he kissed her lips lightly.
"Come home to me," she answered.
"I will," he replied, kissing her again, wedding his fingers with hers.
That was the last time Juraiko Azaka ever saw his family.
Millennia later, the names "Juraiko Michi" and "Juraiko Mashiro" only existed in the Jurai Royal Archives as entries in the Succession of Knights.
Surname: Juraiko
Given Name: Mashiro
Military Rank: Captain
Royal Rank: Knight-Samurai
Spouse: Genji Atsuko
Predecessor: Juraiko Azaka †
Successor: Juraiko Aoi
Surname: Juraiko (prev. Kato)
Given Name: Michi
Royal Rank: Royal Lady
Spouse: Juraiko Azaka †
Child: Juraiko Mashiro
Nowhere were his son's exploits or deeds. Nowhere were the details of his wife's life. No pictures remained since the reign of Empress Jurai Hinase I. To Jurai, they were lost to history.
Juraiko Azaka, now resurrected from his near-death slumber, has read several records like this since his return. He remembered his wife's soft kisses and quiet words. He remembered his son's youthful fire and potential. He was remembered in Empress Jurai Achi's writings in the Holy Chronicle of Jurai, and now lived again.
Outside his familial estate at the palace, he still practiced his kata and form. Every technique was firm, strong, an elegant and deadly dance. His stance never faltered, always square and precise. The azure staff given to him by the goddess herself glowed warmly as he swung it close, always on-guard. It registered to him immediately, bursting with a blue torrent of Jurai's energy with barely a thought.
The knight trained hard daily, just as he had with his son. It was soothing, familiar, nostalgic.
As he would sweat, he would wonder what became of his son. Was his wife a good woman? What was his son like? Did they have other children? Did he train his partner, Juryu Akira?
Inevitably, however, the great man's thoughts fell what became of his family. He and Kamidake were resurrected by Jurai Yosho, more commonly known as "Masaki Katsuhito", to help him and his grandson, Tenchi, defeat the usurper, Jurai Kagato. In that mission, Azaka joined Tenchi and Kamidake in infiltrating the palace. Within, there were two knights of the modern era who served this dark emperor. Azaka stood and faced the first, leaving Tenchi and Kamidake to continue deeper inside.
This vile man fought like a reflection, looking much like Azaka, moving much like him. Every technique Azaka used, his opponent, Tetta, redirected back with ease. The staff he carried seemed a twisted imitation of the goddess's gift. His words and actions reeked of untamed arrogance. Even the Juraian power he unleashed was tainted with some black essence, a familiar one.
The two fought hard, exchanging blows until Azaka summoned all his strength to overwhelm Tetta's redirection technique and pierce the dark warrior's chest with the headpiece of his staff. With one last blast of his power, the azure knight finished his unchivalrous foe, only to collapse himself from the battle.
After Tenchi defeated Kagato, Azaka discovered his enemy's full name, "Juraiko Tetta". Indeed, he was a twisted reflection, of everything the Juraiko family was. His garb, while dyed black with the Enemy's colors and more decorated, was the same as Azaka's or Kamidake's, or that the azure knight left his son.
Since the coup d'etat, many of those houses associated with the usurpation became exiled from noble society, despite Lady Ayeka's forgiving edict. However, an exception was the House Juraiko, due to the return of Azaka and Kamidake. The two reassumed their positions at the right-hand of the ruling family, even after Ayeka abdicated to Azusa II, rescuing their family name.
Still, that shadow hung over Azaka's head now as leader of the Juraiko estate. He researched Tetta, finding him to be a lineal descendent of Mashiro, of Azaka himself. This cut into the blue knight's heart, to think that his lineage could fall so far.
How could this happen? he asked himself.
As he read on, he learned that Tetta was gifted with Jurai's power far more so than his sister, Machiko, or her husband, Kiyoshi. Not unlike the usurper himself, Tetta felt himself superior to his contemporaries, quickly challenging his father for the family's knighthood position. However, he was defeated and sent away for his disrespect.
Then came Kagato. The specifics of how Tetta gained his dark power and twisted key died with him, but he again challenged the new familial head, Kiyoshi. Tetta won and in doing so, crippled his sister's husband. The young man would later die in the hospital a few days before Kagato took the throne, naming Tetta as one of his knights. The same day, Machiko and her son, Masayoshi, disappeared from the public eye.
Azaka ended his kata as always, with a powerful thrust and burst of blue energy from his staff. As he slid back to his resting stance, he thought of his wife's embrace. Even though Michi had been dead for millennia, he still remembered the soft caress of her lips against his, her gentle touch along his neck and shoulder.
And, his heart ached, never to feel that love ever again.
X X X
Over the millennia of their existence, the walls of the royal palace of Jurai have borne silent witness to annals of history. Reliefs carved into the dense wood of Heaven's Tree told tales from several great events in the past of the world. Paintings and tapestries hung from the walls, delicate and well-preserved, depicting major figures of the royal family. Those fortunate enough to be invited within its hallowed halls could bask in these masterful works of art, to stand where history may well have been made.
However, near the base of the palace was a dedicated museum, where anyone could visit some of the treasures of Jurai. Established by Princess Jurai Aya to celebrate the ascension of her brother, King Jurai Hikaru I, the collection included copies of several great works of Juraian heritage, and even some originals. One could see the actual armistice from the war between Jurai and Ryua, signed by then Commander-General Jurai Sho and the defeated Prince Ryua Kouta. The burned cloak of Emperor Jurai Takeru XXI was wrapped around a likeness of the ruler, the man who died to imprison the infamous Kain. Near the center of the main gallery, a case stood with three mannequins carved and dressed to reflect King Jurai Sho I and his two loyal knights, Azaka and Kamidake. Each figure held a model of their respective keys, the sword and staves. Inanimate replicas of the wooden guardians stood on either side of the main entrance, stoically welcoming all guests to this house of history. The doors themselves were embossed with a relief of the First Tree shining brightly with the Woman of Mystery's power, bestowing the Jurai royal family with her power.
Today, the exhibits were closed as a new collection was added to the southern wing of the building. This particular wing once housed many memorable works of art, including the ancient "Royal Teardrops" by Lord Kamiki Ichi. However, a recent endowment from House Kamiki added a western wing dedicated to preservation of these works. Tomorrow, the southern wing would be reopened as a gallery of the historical works from the most Jurai's most notorious dissidents.
Initially, many Juraians were opposed this addition, saying it was "against Jurai's peaceful image". Yet, Houses Juraihelm and Juraiko, particularly Azaka and Kamidake, supported the addition. Azaka himself actually declared, "Jurai should never forget what she has done, for good or ill. We all should learn from these mistakes."
Over the past two days, exhibits have been erected in the collection, such as the inauguration gown of the deposed Empress Jurai Hinase I and the daggers of the turncoat Lord Amaki Shuta. At the center of the ring of rogues stood the likenesses of Jurai Kagato and his two knights, Juraiko Tetta and Juryu Tessei. All three were dressed much as they had been in life, the usurper in his dark cloak and robes with his vassals in their shadowy gi and hakama. The clothes of all three figures were replicas, as the originals were irreparably damaged during the coup's fall.
Now, an honor guard of Juraian soldiers set the dark keys into their hands. All three seemed composed of the same variety of wood, an oak that had a dull finish. Tetta's staff split into a starburst of grayish vines, all gathered around a central pale blue orb. Tessei's staff cracked into a cage of blackened nettles around its orb. Kagato's sword hilt was much like Tenchiken, intricately woven branches around its own spherical core, as well as a second at its pommel. Its guard remained closed as it was set into the mannequin's hand.
The Juraians wore hazardous-materials (hazmat) suits while they manipulated the dark keys into place. They had been briefed earlier that these artifacts had once been sources of NVO energy during the conflict on Earth last month. Since several of the young officers were from branch families of the royal line, the suits would ensure their safety, as well as those of their enlisted men.
The connection of these items to the murderous distortion and subsequent demolition of the Terran city of Manhattan was not addressed. However, this did not deter talk amongst the men. Some thought the keys were the heart of the distortion, now inert. Others had heard they were stolen from a vault during the reunion incident seven months ago. Still another theory stated that they willed themselves to the battlefront.
One young soldier nervously shook inside his suit, having heard these rumors. He eased Tessei's staff into the figure's hands, the wooden item clacking with the fidgeting of his fingers. Looking up through the nettles, he saw the likeness of the dark knight leering back at him, those bloody, crimson eyes soullessly meeting his own.
"Keitaro!" a voice called from behind.
The soldier, Keitaro, spun to face the speaker, a Juraian officer. A middle-aged man, his jet-black hair had begun to show streaks of gray, and his face had stern lines from his stoic front during adversity. Yet, his tan-colored eyes had a compassion for the young man's plight.
"Calm down, son," he said. "The weapons are inert, and the suit would protect you even if they weren't. They won't harm you."
"Y… yes, captain…" Keitaro answered.
Captain Jurai Tensho nodded as the young man turned back to the mannequin and secured its fingers around the staff. Keitaro was still visibly uneasy as he stepped away and rejoined his comrades. Tensho advanced and inspected their placement, nodding his approval, and keeping his distance from the artifacts themselves.
"Well done," he complimented before turning back to his men.
The honor guard bowed to their commanding officer, as he nodded his head in reply. Tensho then shifted his attention to the entrance.
"Now, to seal them." He motioned toward the doorway, directing his men's gazes. "Sir Kamidake, if you would."
From the door walked the crimson knight, Juraiko Kamidake. His red hair flared around his brow, flowing much like his white gi and hakama as he marched into the room. His staff key lightly tapped against the floor, adding a periodic up-beat in the rhythm of his steps. The black Mark of Rage crossed his right cheek in a trio of leaf-like protrusions, different from the usual claw-like design of other royal family members.
The soldiers were taken aback by the knight's arrival. None of them had ever seen one of these living legends apart from reports on the news or from their superiors. Keitaro in particular could not help his jaw from falling open to see the warrior from history's pages walking toward his captain.
Tensho and Kamidake bowed to one another, exchanging their mutual greetings.
"Thank you for coming, sir knight."
"I'm honored, Lord Tensho."
The captain stepped back with his men while the great warrior approached the likenesses of the vile trio. He raised his staff key before him, parallel to the ground as its golden ring spun around the headpiece. A scarlet glow enveloped the central sphere, resonating a emerald glimmer around the pedestal beneath the mannequins.
The floor rumbled beneath the men's feet, spurring the young soldiers to brace themselves and search for a cause. Tensho, however, stood firm and watched the knight's calm demeanor as translucent panes rose around the pedestal. Composed of adamant glass, little short of a destroyer's main cannon could pierce the walls now closing around the embodiments of Kagato's dead coup. Electromagnetic signals another energy emissions could not pass through them. The panes met at a point above the mannequins' heads, sealing them within this nearly impenetrable display case. A spark shot along the edges of the panels, melding them together, never again to be freed from one another.
Kamidake's eyes closed as he lowered his staff, the headpiece losing its bright glow. He turned back to the soldiers with a slight bow, thanking them.
"Thank you again, gentlemen," he said before he rose.
The men removed their headgear, and the crimson knight met the gaze of each man at least once as he glanced over them. Together, they bowed respectfully to him, Keitaro in particular trying to mimic the legendary man's manners. As they rose, Tensho turned to them and bid them his own thanks.
"You've done well, men. As promised, you have the next two days for leave. We resume standard maneuvers then," he added with a wave of his hand. "Dismissed."
The soldiers bowed to their CO, and most started to exit the museum, already planning their activities for their leave. However, Keitaro lingered, his eyes on the dark keys behind the case's translucent walls. Tensho set a hand on his shoulder, drawing the young man's attention away from the twisted devices.
"What's wrong, son?" the captain asked, concerned.
Keitaro looked to the floor for a moment, unsure how to answer. "Sir," he started, "could I… speak freely?"
"Please do."
"Why are we showcasing these things, sir?"
"Jurai has done both good and evil in her history," Tensho answered, "and we shouldn't forget our mistakes."
"I understand, sir, but these aren't the same as a cursed empress's wedding gown or the worn daggers of a turncoat." He motioned to the dark keys. "These are weapons that could easily be taken up and used again. Why are these wretched things not destroyed?"
The captain took a slow breath through his nostrils. His years of command had taught him not to answer so quickly when posed with a loaded question such as this.
"There are sins that can be undone, Keitaro," he spoke, personal experience in his words. "These three cannot be."
The officer walked to the adamant case and rested his hand on the nearest panel, his eyes meeting those of the faux usurper.
The young man's brow furrowed. "I… don't understand, sir."
With a slight, thoughtful grin, Tensho nodded. "Neither do I, son. Neither do I." He turned to face Keitaro and met the gaze of his soldier. "I'm sorry. Though I understand and respect your concern, I can't explain further."
Tensho could see the young man's concern. He had recently graduated from the fleet academy and been given the rank of ensign. He was idealistic, untainted, pure. He believed the recruiting propaganda and wanted to protect Jurai against all foes who would threaten her. Tensho remembered that time in his own life, when he saw the world in only two shades of morality. However, he painfully learned to compromise, despite his natural repulsion to the notion.
"Take heart in the fact that they are sealed beyond anyone's reach."
"Very well, sir," Keitaro accepted. He tried not to let his dissatisfaction bleed into his voice, even though both knew the emotion laid there. The soldier bowed respectfully and exited, leaving the captain with the crimson knight, who came to his side.
"You handled that well, Lord Tensho."
"I suppose," the officer scoffed. "I don't blame him for his feelings about this. To be honest, I'd like to see the damned things destroyed myself."
"As would we all," Kamidake added.
"What of the other two?"
The knight raised a brow. "'Other two'?"
The elder man took a few steps away from the case as he explained, quietly with an air of concern, "I would like to be sure the damnable things are far away from my daughter."
Kamidake nodded, understanding the officer's worry. "How much did she tell you?"
"Less than I wanted," Tensho answered with a slight smirk to his lip. "She takes after her mother."
The younger man smiled thoughtfully while the officer continued, "I know about the possession, and what happened on Ken-Ohki."
"I see," Kamidake replied knowingly.
The "other two" that Tensho had mentioned were two more dark keys, much like those used by Kagato and his knights. One was the ashen tiara of thorns Ayeka had seen in her nightmares, her memories. The crimson knight had been elsewhere when the princess had been possessed by the dark entity, and while he had wanted to protect her, he and Azaka were more urgently needed aboard Ken-Ohki.
There, Kamidake had seen the other twisted key. Pale gray vines tightly wove upon themselves into a hairband, its outward-facing surface covered in briars. On one of its arms, a bladed crest rested, socketed into the device much like the dark tiara. This wicked device had lain in outstretched hand of the Enemy, her violet claws offering it to Tensho's daughter in her weakest moment, and the young woman reaching for it.
Save a select few, no one knew that these dark keys existed, now a closely guarded secret. Kamidake could understand well the reasons why, particularly considering the damage done to Ayeka, and what could have happened aboard Ken-Ohki.
"They are secure, Lord Tensho", the knight answered with certainty. "I assure you that like these three, the two you mentioned are likewise sealed from ever causing harm to Jurai's royal family." He grimaced a bit as he continued, "I am sorry that I cannot tell you more. I hope you can understand."
"No, no," the officer said. "I understand completely." He stepped forward and extended his hand to the legendary man. "I would also like to thank you personally, Sir Kamidake, for coming to my daughter's aid."
Kamidake took his hand firmly. "It was an honor to be by her side, my lord. She is a very strong woman."
Tensho grinned to himself. "She is, though she is more delicate than she would like to admit."
The knight glanced aside while they released hands.
"Perhaps so."
Through Kamidake's locks, Tensho could see a slight redness to the young man's cheek, which brought a genuine smile to the captain's lips.
"I should return to my ship, sir knight," he said, bowing respectfully. "I'm glad to have had this chance to speak with you in less dire circumstances."
Kamidake replied in kind. "Likewise, Lord Tensho. Maybe we can again some time."
"I would like that," he answered as they rose. "Until then."
The two men went their separate ways, though the captain took another glance at the knight as they left. Unlike so many others on Jurai, Kamidake held the captain's daughter in high regard, even knowing her mother's lineage, Ryoan lineage. Both Tensho and his child had been regarded as outcasts of the Jurai royal family until the recent reunion incident, where she played an integral role. Having helped a second time to save the royal family, the first being the defeat of Kagato's fleet, she could proudly stand in Jurai's hallowed halls, fully acknowledged as Tensho's daughter, a descendent of King Jurai Sho I and lady of the court.
However, most still knew her by another title, the notorious bounty huntress Nagi, and feared her vicious sword.
X X X
Impatiently, Juraihelm Ramia clacked her nails against the arm of her chair. She had been waiting for nearly fifteen minutes for an audience with the chairwoman of the Holy Council, and her facade of pleasantry was quickly fading away. While the antechamber to the chair's office was indeed very tastefully decorated with paintings and sculptures from numerous artists, the lady captain had already viewed every piece and read each description, twice.
In the chair next to her, Jurai Sagami glanced toward the clock hanging on the opposite wall, watching the sixteenth minute pass. He rested his cheek in his hand, an elbow propped on the seat's armrest, and stifled a yawn. The gentleman had watched his colleague's periodic pacing and examination of the artistic works, seeing her temper flare at this slight against her.
This will be the fourth time, Sagami thought to himself. The pair had made three previous appointments to meet with the council chairwoman, but each time, their meeting was canceled for "business of great import", as the secretary had put it.
"Then tell me, my dear clerk," Ramia had asked the secretary, "what is of 'great import'? What is keeping the chair so busy?" The redhead's frustration had added a sharp bite to her words. In her chosen profession, clear and direct questions like these almost always yielded a straight and precise answer. However, this was not far from the military chain of command.
"Lady Ramia," the secretary had replied with a well-rehearsed monotone voice, "she is a very busy woman, and her schedule is tightly booked. Perhaps you could try your district representative…"
"I did."
"… or the planetary consulate…"
"Madam," Ramia had sighed, pushing her temper slightly aside, "there are reasons why I'm standing here and not in someone else's office. Now, I arranged to have an audience with the chairwoman, and I would actually appreciate that meeting happening."
"I'm sorry, Lady Ramia," the secretary had answered just as passionless as before, "but she's not in right now. I can leave her a message for when she returns."
Sagami could see Ramia's teeth gnashing under her lips as her irritation only had grown. She was a proud woman from a prestigious family, and often, her name and rank alone had been enough for others, particularly her superiors, to listen. The previous three times, Sagami was able to convince her to reschedule, but she would not submit a fourth time.
"We wait, Sagami," she had said, her mind determined. "We lay siege to her office if we must."
The male captain had rubbed the back of his neck lightly with a small grimace. "There goes my drink with Eiji."
Now twenty minutes later, Ramia curled her fingers into a fist, each nail scraping the armrest of her seat. She could feel a vein throbbing in her forehead, only adding to her displeasure with this entire situation. Her finger traced her brow, attempting to soothe that stressed blood vessel, as well as the mild headache beginning to spark in her temple.
Sagami leaned back in his seat, wedding his fingers behind his head, relaxing what he could. Admittedly, as reluctant as he had been to join Ramia's quest, his own concerns had grown recently. Both of them had participated in repelling the foes at the reunion incident. Both were called into service to defend Jurai in case the distortion turned toward the planet. Both could see the threat escalating against their world and their people.
But, more specifically, both were worried about Ayeka. Her memory had holes from the reunion incident. She has become distant and increasingly reclusive. Neither Ramia nor Sagami knew the particulars of what happened on Earth, but from the damage done to Ryu-Oh's hull, none of it was pleasant. Even the sudden regeneration of Ryu-Oh and the absence of Sasami spoke of an immense change in Ayeka's life.
After his brief exchange with the princess, Sagami continued to send a periodic message, asking her to join him for tea, to coax her out of her self-imposed solitude. Each received the same response, a well-worded and formal rejection.
On the other hand, Ramia had gone in search of the external cause. She could see the change in Ayeka during and after the reunion, which was tied to the distortion sent to Earth, as well as the previous Manhattan incident. She followed the theories and rumors about the distortion's origins, reading through the reports from Earth and the Galaxy Police. The lady captain had begun seeing holes in the records, not blackened pages filled with censorship, but inconsistencies in the evidence.
One GP report stated, "Lady Jurai Ayeka utilized her Jurai energies to rapidly regenerate the damaged Ryu-Oh, bringing the ship back to flight status," but adds that a few minutes later, "Lady Jurai Ayeka commanded the tree-ship Ryu-Oh into combat". Even the strongest Juraian alive cannot force a complete hull regeneration unaided, let alone be conscious to command the ship only minutes later.
A Terran report had "Lady Jurai Ayeka stayed with her sister, Lady Jurai Sasami, during the attack on headquarters. Both were injured and were placed into ICU." However, only medical records for Ayeka's wounds began after the attack, while records of Sasami's care began hours later, when the entire incident had concluded.
Ramia had started questioning people, but their response had been consistently evasive. "It's just a clerical error." "It was battle, and we didn't take the time to log everything." "You know the GP has horrible records, and Earth's backward anyway."
It's just too familiar, Ramia thought to herself, far too damned familiar.
Sagami could see the pattern too, and it worried him more as he sat in this antechamber, thinking about it.
What really happened on Earth? he asked himself. What happened to Ayeka?
Reaching the thirty-minute mark, the exterior door to the antechamber opened, and the chair of Jurai's Holy Council finally arrived. A mature Juraian woman, her persimmon eyes spoke of years of experience on the home-world. Her chartreuse hair clawed around her face and extended down her back in an elegantly braided tail. A silken kimono delicately enclosed her full curves, in keeping with a noblewoman's modesty.
Lady Kamiki Seto smiled softly as Ramia and Sagami both stood and bowed to her. Most on Jurai knew her name, the chairwoman of the Holy Council. She wielded authority second only to the emperor himself. She directed and mediated debate on the council floor, often dictating policy or enforcing royal edicts. Every Juraian politician wanted her ear, but as Ramia and Sagami have found, few receive her audience.
"Lady Kamiki Seto," the lady captain spoke, "it's an honor to finally meet you."
Seto's eyes narrowed at the redhead, nodding.
"Ah, yes. Captain Ramia, if memory serves."
"Yes, madam. I would like a few minutes of your time."
The elder woman walked past the two officers, grinning to herself.
"As would a hundred other young people, my dear."
Frustration bleeding into her voice, Ramia stepped toward her.
"I'm not interested in power-plays, Lady Seto. It's the safety of our world I want to ensure."
As Seto approached the door to her office, the door slid aside to welcome her back. She entered, waving her hand toward the two officers.
"I have little doubt of your sincerity, but chasing wild hypotheses only adds to paranoia."
The door began to close, but the lady captain darted forward and grabbed the edge, holding it open. She propped a foot against the frame, letting her weight hold the portal open, despite the fluid-operated pistons wanting to seal it.
"This is not paranoia, lady chairwoman! I've read the inconsistencies!"
Seto rested her fingertips on her desk and idly drew them along its smooth surface, her gaze distant.
"Merely clerical errors at best, young captain."
Sagami knelt next to the door and found a small panel, which he opened and quickly pulled a hydraulic hose, spewing water across the floor. The secretary suddenly stood, shrieking at the water rolling over her feet. Ramia, though, finally pushed the door aside and entered the office, continuing her argument.
"All those 'clerical' errors only lead to my main issue with this entire affair," she said as her palms rested on the desk, her weight leaning forward toward the politician. "Where's the investigation of Ryua?"
Coldly, Seto's persimmon eyes glided over to Ramia's saffron gaze, her words no less icy.
"My dear, I think you overstep your position."
Sagami entered and stood with redheaded captain while she retorted persistently, "Dr. Hakubi Washu traced the NVO distortion directly back to Ryua, and she was also present in an initial investigation of the its origin."
"That report is not on record, and the good doctor's reputation is hardly respected."
"Except," Sagami interrupted, "when you consider her particular insanity."
The chairwoman glanced toward the male officer as he sat on the edge of her desk. His arms folded while he mused, "Looking past her pompous and callous facade, she's a dedicated research scientist. A mind like hers demands answers to the questions that arise before her." Closing his eyes, he lowered his chin, adding, "She was exiled from the Science Academy and Galactic Union for going where her curiosity took her, not for fallacious work."
Ramia nodded, saying, "And, we both have heard of her findings prior to the recent incident on Earth. She was dispatched to Ryua, trying to find the source of the malicious energy."
Listening quietly, Seto took a closed paper fan between her fingers and fidgeted with the small, wooden item, rolling it between her fingertips. She watched it idly as the young people continued with their diatribe.
"However," Ramia said, "as you said, that report was never kept, and I have found no record of an investigation to Ryua in this regard."
"Considering the great danger that the distortion held for Jurai, let alone the entire galaxy," Sagami added, "it seems like an avenue that should be followed."
The chairwoman's thumb flicked the paper fan open, exposing its decorative tapestry, and concealing her nose and mouth.
"It already has been, children," she retorted.
Ramia and Sagami were struck by this while her chilling eyes passed over them once again, just above the fan's edge.
"Do you think this court to be a gathering of fools? Of course we investigated Ryua's connection to the distortion." She paused as her eyes narrowed, her following words irritated. "And, when we found nothing, I personally had to smooth over relations with Father Ryua Murakami myself. Do you realize the colossal insult it was to them to have not only Hakubi Washu, but also a space pirate and two off-worlders break into their temple? Then, we sent an investigative team? Relations with Ryua have never been 'good', and this fiasco did nothing to help them."
"Then, why isn't it on record?" Ramia asked, confused.
"Dear girl, you two only even know about the Ryua affair because you've spoken with Lady Jurai Ayeka. The hierarchy of Ryua has been trying for years to control their pirate problem and improve relations with the rest of the empire. What do you think would happen to all their work if we started broadcasting some fictitious connection to that energy distortion?"
Ramia's stomach twisted. Deep within, she knew a foul hand was at work. Her teeth ground behind her lips, her eyes glaring into those of the chairwoman. At her side, Sagami cooly glanced between the two. He could clearly read the frustration and irritation flowing off his companion, but Seto was cryptic, her expression buried in her icy demeanor and that fan held over half of her face.
"Are you satisfied, Captain Ramia?"
Defiance burned brightly in the lady officer's eyes. She wanted to threaten, to swear she would find the root of this evil on her world and crush it. Luckily, a cooler head was present.
"We are," Sagami answered for her.
Ramia's glare turned to him, as did Seto's distant gaze. He stood and rested a hand on his colleague's shoulder, drawing her back toward the door.
"Discretion," he whispered. "Think of who she is."
Reluctantly, she agreed, turning back to the chair.
"Yes, I'm satisfied."
"Good," the mature woman answered. "Then, could you leave me? I have matters that require my attention."
The pair nodded and bowed respectfully before they turned to leave. However, as they were exiting, Seto added, "And, a word of advice, my dear."
Ramia paused and glanced back to the politician. Those persimmon eyes pierced into hers, compassionless, just like the voice that followed.
"Do not expect me to overlook a slight like this a second time."
The lady captain's eyes hardened as she and Sagami left the office.
Don't expect me to excuse my defeat here either, she thought.
X X X
For Jurai Ayeka, sleep had become an enemy, rather than a natural comfort. Since the events on Earth, her dreams had been corrupted by the hours she spent under the manipulation of the dark power. She vividly remembered how the energies flowed freely through her and ripped through concrete and steel, how menacing and vicious she became.
Then, the nightmare changed. Gradually, the skyscrapers of Manhattan were replaced by the meadows of Jurai. Royal teardrops substituted for asphalt. Great trees took the position of buildings.
And, Ayeka saw herself ripping through her homeland. Her arms were no longer weary or sore, but rather strong and bristling. Her skin was immaculate and elegant, the palest white against the black of her combat attire. She could feel energy swell inside her and spark through her veins, igniting bursts from her hand. Always, a twisted version of her voice would mock her. "Isn't this wonderful? All this great power at your fingertips! Don't you love this freedom?"
The princess would awake screaming, horrified at the images of her planet ravaged by her own hand. Her mind swam in the vile scenes rushing through her head. She could feel Jurai's power responding, waiting to be unleashed. Hairs on her neck and arms stood on end, her muscles tense, primed to strike. Again and again, she would plead to herself to calm down.
"No… no…! That's not me… Don't think like that…! Stop thinking…!"
A few horrible minutes passed, and the images did indeed leave the violet-tressed woman. Still, those feelings haunted her, those impulses to lash out, to attack. For as long as she could remember, she had never felt such destructive desires. Even in her spats with Ryoko, there were limits to which both adhered. Never once did they ever try to actively maim or kill one another. These new urges were darker, primal, and Ayeka's skin crawled knowing that they rose from her mind.
To placate her thoughts, the princess took to reading through her old diaries, remembering the good times. She had written about how she would walk with Sasami through the garden mazes of the palace, teasing her little sister by walking ahead, rather than side-by-side. Several times in her teens, the princess had written about her suitors, how much she detested their superficial overtures of romance. Her memories of her sparring matches with Ramia were detailed, how she felt repelling the other girl's repeated and vicious offense, how each blow rippled off her barriers.
Then, nausea hit the regal lady. Reading the account of her matches with Ramia became literally painful. Her hands shook, remembering a old fear rush through her. She shut her diary and pushed it across her dresser, as far as she could.
Ayeka glanced up to her mirror. Sweat beaded on her face, which was pale as her bedsheets. Her eyes were wide, almost hollow and empty, though still their natural amethyst color. Her breath was agitated, anxious.
Why…? she asked herself. What just happened? Why did I just…?
Again, she took her diary in hand and began thumbing through the pages, but each time she read through one of her matches with Ramia, illness fell over her. She forced herself to read, wanting to understand. She watched the writing on the page lose its elegant timbre and penmanship, becoming more concise and spartan. Her thoughtful and reflective sentences became cold and spiteful.
"I hate this! I hate all of this! I don't want to do this anymore! Father won't let me. He says it's 'important'. I don't care! I'm already better than Ramia! It makes me sick every time! I don't want to hurt anyone! I want to stop!"
At last, the princess could take no more of these feelings and pushed the diary away again, her mouth raising to her mouth as she gagged. After a moment of dry retching, she regained herself and raised her eyes back to the mirror, seeing the worry and confusion in her gaze.
"What was that? I don't remember writing any of that."
Ayeka had began writing down her thoughts shortly after her tenth birthday, and continued regularly to the present day. While she did write about most of her impressions, she usually looked back to those of particular note, such as her last days with her mother and father, or her time with Tenchi on Earth. These pages were uncharacteristic of her, so different and distinct.
… As if I didn't write them… she thought, a shiver shooting down her spine.
That night, the princess slipped away under the cover of darkness to the Royal Archives. Cloaked in a black cape and hood, she logged into a terminal and began searching for herself: school records, emotional and intellectual testing, notable events around the throne, anything that could relate to her behavioral shifts.
She found nothing, nothing about herself.
But, something else caught the regal-tressed lady's eye. Around her ninth birthday, three Juraian children had disappeared, each from a noble family close to the ruling line. For a year, the royal bodyguard under Empress Misaki searched tirelessly to find the party responsible for their vanishing, but no suspects were found. The children themselves were, sadly, regarded as deceased. Their names were…
Again, Ayeka's body seized. "… Amaki… Yuuta…" she read, clutching her stomach. "… Kamiki… Saki …" Her hand clasped over her mouth, forcing herself to finish. "… Jurai… Haruki…"
Her hand grabbed the display and pulled it down against the desk upon which it stood. She could not bear looking at those names any longer. She fell to her knees from the chair, grasping her belly and mouth, nausea raging through her. Tears rolled from her eyes while they closed tightly, the lady wishing this horrible feeling to pass.
Worried, an archivist noticed the cloaked figure clutching herself on the ground and approached.
"Are you alright?" he whispered as his hand reached for her shoulder.
"… Please excuse me!" Ayeka answered, racing away and out of the Archive as fast as her legs could carry her.
She ran toward the palace, her thoughts and feelings wrapping around her like an oppressive mist, choking her.
Every time I read about learning Jurai's power, she thought, I become ill. Reading those names, it happened again. Why…?
Her feet slowed. The oppressive feelings constricted around her throat. She could hardly breathe as she knelt, weak.
You know why, her dark voice returned.
Ayeka looked around her. "What do you mean? I never knew those…!" Her voice caught in her chest, stopping herself. She could see their faces, each of those three children, vividly. They were laughing, laughing at her.
Yes, her shadow-laden voice answered, you did.
Fearfully, the princess rose her eyes to see the three children standing before her. Each wore regal clothes much like Ayeka or Sasami wore as children, elegantly embroidered and decorated. However, their eyes pleaded to the violet-tressed woman as she stumbled away from them, the horror written on their expressions impressing itself on her.
"Get away!" she cried as they walked closer.
You know what happened, the voice continued.
She raised her arms, summoning her miniature guardians and projecting a barrier between her and the children. The feeling of pressure rippling through the barrier shot through the princess's mind. Then, the barrier ignited into vicious crimson flame, each fiery tongue lashing toward the children before her.
Ayeka gasped at the horror before her, terror filling her heart. She heard their screams, their pleas for her to stop, to save them. She watched as their flesh blackened and broke open. The scent of burnt flesh wafted into her nose. The same nausea began to overwhelm her as before, the death sickening her.
But, despite the heat of the fire around her, her body grew icy cold at the sound of her own voice, laughing, proudly.
"Aren't you beautiful?" the dark words whispered to her ear.
Ayeka spun to see Dark Ayeka's pale face grinning back, crossed with the black Mark of Rage. Her vile persona rested a hand on her shoulder, her touch burning hot like the flames around her.
"Do you see?" she whispered.
The lady released a terrified scream as she awoke in the Archive. She slapped away the archivist's hand on her shoulder, knocking away the bottle of smelling salts he was about to waft under her nose. Stunned with fear, the princess took a moment before she could hear the man's words.
"Please calm down!" he pleaded. "It's alright. Everything's alright now."
"No," she answered weakly, "it's far from alright."
She ran from the Archive, those horrible images still vivid in her mind. The heat of the fires, the screams of the children, the scent of burnt flesh, all wrapped around her and tormented her as she went into the night alone. Tears rolled down her face as she attempted to put some meaning to the horror she had witnessed in her mind. Sadly, she only had one terrible conclusion.
"… I… I killed…"
Her fists banged heavily on a shut door, needfully, pleadingly. A light flickered on inside the estate as the door opened. Ayeka collapsed on the threshold, sobbing and crying.
"… I killed them… I killed them…" she repeated, shamed, destroyed.
Confused, Juraiko Azaka knelt and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He simply held her quietly as she cried herself to sleep once again.