Edge 11: Anguish of an Awakening
"Sometimes, being too honest could get you in a mess one day."
Min You's eyes widen. "Eh?"
Hikarou sighs and pats her maid's hair. "You'll understand soon." She just looked at her with confusion and sighed. She yawned after. Hikarou noticed her eyes are getting heavy. "You should get some sleep."
"What about you, xiao jie?"
"I'll be fine. I'm not yet sleepy. You just go first." Min You just followed her and drifted off to sleep first. Hikarou watches her as she sleeps. Her face is so peaceful… just like Keiko's, she thought. She then bends her knees and rests her chin on top while embracing her arms around it. She looks upon the open window where she clearly sees the moon and its shining beam touches her fair face. She gazes on it for a long time,
"My journey has now begun, yet I feel so lonely. I wonder, how's oniichan doing? Where could he be? My parents, are they worrying back home? Yuri-neechan and her family… Uncle Keisuke and Aunt Mayo, what are they doing right now? I hope they're fine. Does the time flow the same here and back at home?"
With these questions coming in her head, Hikarou feels nostalgic being away from her own world. She closes her eyes and breathes deeply. She opens it again, but her eyes are now full of spirit and determination.
"I don't know the reason why I was warped to this mysterious realm, but there's one thing I know… I shall never disappoint those people who put their trust on me or the innocent be harmed. Even if I endure great hardships, I must not fail them… I must... "
Hikarou has now accepted her duty, both by mind, body and soul. She is serious and dignified to fulfill it, for it is the only key that would send her back again to her loved ones.
Silence ruled on the chamber where the emperor and his ministers discuss on certain matters around the country. Empress Ri and Queen Dowager Houki accompanied Miaka out of the imperial hall to ease her anxiety. Entertainers and other palace entertainers have been dismissed immediately right after that sudden incident happened. Chichiri, Tasuki, Taka and Gakurei assembled inside. Emperor Reiteizei ordered the attendant that no one should go near the chamber. The emperor lowered his head as he touched the closed door and sighed.
"Gakurei-san, what does that girl mean about a certain legend about Nu Kwa and Seimitsu? And who is this priestess that she is talking about?" He lifts his head with serious and perplexed eyes.
Everyone looked at Chiriko, even Taka who is still worried about his wife's condition. Their gazes imply him to tell them what he knows. The youngest of the Suzaku seven finally speaks.
"It's a taboo for us to retell this legend, but it looks like the heavens are requesting for me to open this again." He sighed. "Your Majesty, about the mythical sacred war between Nu Kwa and Seimitsu… is really true." He continued.
"Since all of the four gods therefore been summoned, and Tenkou and the Black Suzaku have been defeated… It is the time that Seimitsu rose up from his thousand year imprisonment to find the four sacred relics, kill Nu Kwa and destroy this world."
"Four sacred relics? You mean the shinzahos?" Chichiri utters. Chiriko nodded. "But all of them have been given back to their respective kingdoms."
Tasuki bursts in irritation "Cut the shit out of it! We've been living in peace already and who the heck is this Seimitsu guy? Is he another lunatic who would dare to destroy this world again? His reason shouldn't be as lame as those of Mayo's!"
"Tasuki!" Taka interrupts him.
"What? Did I say something bad? It's the truth ya know!"
"Quit bickering you two! This is no time for fighting and recalling the past." The monk finally removed his mask and sighs. Chiriko continued.
"Probably, pride and greed provoked him to do it. For a long time, Seimitsu aspired to have greater power and surpass Nu Kwa. He always envied the goddess' power but when he realized he can't beat her, he was frustrated and started a war against her. Even he was defeated in the end, he swore to himself that he'll find a way to make her bow down to him."
"But then, what happened to Nu Kwa after that war?" The emperor asked.
"Since the damage was too great, she can't bear seeing it and took the fault. She puts herself into deep slumber as punishment of not keeping her duty as the highest deity. But before she puts herself to sleep, she breaks her orb, the source of her power, into nine small fragments and spread it out into the four corners of the earth. Then she pierced her mystical sword on a holy stone which can only be pulled out by her chosen miko, with an admirable courage and a golden heart."
Silence ruled again in the whole room. Then, Chichiri voiced out, "Do you have any whereabouts where she is, her miko and warriors too?"
Chiriko shakes his head, "I'm sorry but I don't know… but we could consult Taitsukun for help since she is the controller and we might know the location of this new priestess."
Everyone gets relieved when a spark of hope flamed in their hearts. Taka thought, "I wonder how Hikari and Hikarou are doing. Hikarou… I hope you didn't end up just like your mother's fate before."
Alas, the wheels of the fate have started to unwind for his daughter. History repeats itself and he doesn't know what difficult trials Hikarou will face.
"Xiao jie! Let me do it!" Min You protested as she sees Hikarou carrying a pile of folded blankets. The priestess woke up early to start chores at the manor. She wore a peach top and light orange skirt with red sash tied on her waist. She tied the upper part of her hair with a peach ribbon and let the rest fall down.
While keeping herself busy getting the blankets off the laundry line, she said, "Thanks but I can manage. Don't worry". With towered blankets blocking her view, she sighs. How am I going to fix this?, she thought. She then heard a sound of two baskets being dropped over.
"Let us lessen it to give you a better view." Hatari takes the upper half and swiftly placed it in his basket. He calls for his brother. "Xiao Long!" His little brother comes immediately and they carry the basket hand-in-hand leaving Hikarou behind. Min You comes to her after.
"Aww… He's such a nice guy. I would really fall for him if he's my type," she comments and shows off a little smile as she sees another empty basket. The gem priestess shrugged and puts the blankets on the basket. She carries it with both of her hands, closes her eyes and replied in a stern voice. "But I can't be blinded by that, besides… I'm older than him." She walks further and Min You's eyes widened.
"Older? But you look like you're 15!" Hikarou stopped and turns her head, then smiles impishly.
"I'm actually eighteen… turning to be nineteen soon." She chuckled and continues. Min You is quite dumbfounded on her lady's real age, and soon tagged along with her. Little did they know, Subaru and Xi Fang overhears them.
"She doesn't look old. It's kind of a shock that she's eighteen with that looks, but she seems icy on men."
"Well at least mistress, she can't be fooled by master's flirtatious antic." And both women laughed along. Later, Hikarou and Min You joined Hatari and his little brother to fold the blankets. While they are busy doing chores one after another, Tokaki looks from afar with a little smile on his face. Then, his gaze shifted to Hikarou, which shows her pretty smile as she talks to Hatari. He puffs out smoke from his pipe,
"Her eyes are as similar to Tamahome's but she looks more alike to the Priestess of Suzaku… I wonder how they have been doing."
A devastated Xue Fu touches her long, diagonal scar on her cheek as she sees her reflection on the puddle. That girl, she thought. She recalls how Hikarou defeated her and created a mark on her left cheek. She clutches her right hand as it trembles in immense anger. She finally slams it in the water, creating small, strong ripples that ruined her reflection in it.
"I'll make you pay, you filthy wench!" she infuriatingly hissed. She heard footsteps coming. She turned back and her eyes popped. She quickly rises up and bows her head. It was Lord Seimitsu.
"Why are you still here? I thought you've gone with Xiang Qi."
"I let him go forth. I can't go on unless I have not yet released any heavy burdens within me, sire."
Seimitsu sensed that something is bothering his second youngest follower.
"Frustrated on your loss?" he asked calmly. Xue Fu, with her head lowered, nods. "Lift your head up," he ordered.
Xue Fu didn't comply and said, "I can't sire. I'm so ashamed to look at you since I lost to the gem priestess."
Seimitsu closed his eyes and replied grimly, but calmly, "Everyone experience loss, including us. You lost because you underestimated your enemy."
By hearing those words, Xue Fu feels her chest has been panged by a stone.
"The gem priestess is now at Sairou. I'll have Gui Chong entertain her. Go forth to Konan and assist Xiang Qi on his plans to the Suzaku no Miko and her shichiseishis. You'll learn many things from him." He turned back and continued.
"Never underestimate anyone. That girl isn't as weak as you think. She cannot be the gem priestess if she wasn't strong, intelligent and hand-picked by Nu Kwa…" He walked and stopped after a few steps.
"Lord Seimitsu…" She uttered as she lifts her head up.
"Improve yourself. I have faith in you, Xue Fu. You're the first person that the Houseiki no Miko fought with, and be sure you'll be the last. If you face her, defeat … or KILL HER… to achieve your revenge."
Xue Fu felt her spirit has been boosted by her master's words. The master, whom she believed, respected and imprisoned with for a long time. She vowed to serve him until the limits of her immortality. She bowed to him for the last time and disappeared without a trace. He walked further and looks on a crater filled with green fog. He whisked his hand and revealed Miaka's pitiable face.
"I've damaged you far enough, Suzaku no Miko. It's your beloved daughter's turn now." Then he shows off an evil, sly smile.
Keisuke was shocked as he continued reading the content of the scroll. He learned Miaka's sudden blindness, Taka and the other's struggle to help Konan's devastated situation, the other kingdom's plagues, Hikari's amnesia and the fate of his niece, Hikarou as the Houseiki no Miko. His hands trembled as he lays the scroll on his lap.
"This can't be happening. How… how could they possibly get in it again?" He sets aside the scroll and immediately calls the National Library and inquires if the Universe of the Four Gods is still there. He immediately drops the phone and takes a seat, looking at the scroll placed on his desk.
"The book is still in the library that means it hasn't been touched for a long time. It's a mystery how did they end up on the book world. If I have any medium to connect with Taka, then at least I could help them, but…" He goes on his desk and picks up the scroll. He takes a seat and opens the scroll again. "This is all I can do now… Read." He sighed and realized how helpless he was. He closes his eyes and opens them, prepared to read the next events.
"Hikarou, everyone is counting on you, including me. Don't let them get you. Suzaku, don't let her end up like the fates of the Byakko and Genbu no Miko, I beg you please." He resumed himself reading, but little did Keisuke knows is that his niece's ill fortune has been already decided by fate.
After helping Xiao Long and Hatari folding the blankets, Hikarou rushed herself to the kitchen to assist Xi Fang and Subaru. She looked for Min You, who disappeared all of a sudden while the three of them are busy folding blankets. As she arrives at the door, she opens and asks,
"Can I be of help?" Then a loud shout bellowed in the whole kitchen. She quickly closes her eyes and covers her ears to avoid the pain it will bring on her eardrums by that shout. When the shout disappeared, she takes a peek and sees Min You holding a ladle and has her teeth chattering in fright. "There you are! I've been looking for you and I can only find you here in the kitchen." She exclaimed but it seems Min You didn't notice her. She sweatdropped and sees Xi Fang.
"What happened to her, Xi Fang-san?" She asks as she blinks her eyes.
Xi Fang sighs, "Well, I told her not to put extra oil on the vegetables but she insists and then the flames got bigger, burning the upper part of the stove and worse, both the food and the wok." She sees Subaru trying to tend the shocked Min You out of the kitchen.
"This is no good. Hikarou-san, can you help Xi Fang in the kitchen? I'll try to cure your friend. She's still in the state of shock." Hikarou nods as Subaru left together with Min You, still in shock leaving Xi Fang and her behind.
Xi Fang sighs more, "I must finish cooking for today's lunch as soon as possible. If I only know Min You can't cook then this should be avoided." She looks and sees Hikarou pulls up her sleeves halfway and wipes the black dust in the stove quickly and chops the vegetables.
While working, she continues to talk "I'm sorry if Min You caused you trouble. You know pre-teenagers are like that. They're filled with curiosity, so…" She puts a new wok on the stove and next the vegetables with the right amount of oil and other ingredients. "I'll make up on her mistake."
Xi Fang smiles and resumes on her cooking chores. "Honestly, by the way you act you seem to be expert in cooking… opposite from the one I used to know a long time ago."
"Really?" Hikarou delightedly asked. "Can you share more about her?"
Xi Fang washes the rice, "Well that girl doesn't know how to cook and a bit naïve too. It's weird but whenever I look at you, you remind me of the Priestess of Suzaku. You look exactly like her, except for the eyes."
Hikarou felt her heart ache for a second and bit her lip, but didn't let Xi Fang notice it. "Do… do you know her name?" The priestess asked in a slight nervous tone.
Xi Fang finished cleaning the rice and pours the water on the sink, "Unfortunately, I'd already forgotten it. It's been a long time ago, Hikarou. A very long time…"
Hikarou kept herself quiet for a while. She can't explain the sudden uneasiness she's been feeling unexpectedly, but she managed not to show it in front of Xi Fang and continued herself cooking.
Several minutes had passed, Xi Fang and Hikarou managed to finish the dishes exactly before lunchtime came. Everyone gathered around the dining table, seeing the dishes are being served as they prepared themselves to eat it.
"Woah, everything looks so delicious!" Tokaki said as he takes a seat. His youngest grandson, Xiao Long followed him, drooling over the food. "Mom, this is a feast!" He excitingly exclaimed.
Xi Fang smiles, "Well, I couldn't have done that myself. I never knew our visitor here has a talent in preparing dishes." She pats Hikarou's shoulder lightly, and the priestess embarrassingly scratched the back of her head.
"Ahaha… not really. It's just I'm a home buddy so I develop this kind of hobby. I'm not an outgoing girl, you see."
Subaru set out a chuckle, "My child, you're so humble."
Xiao Long suddenly added as he points on Min You, "Unlike this female show-off beside me… it's so shameful she doesn't know how to cook at her age."
Min You glares at him and he does the same thing back.
Subaru reacts, "Xiao Long! Respect your elders." Xiao Long bows his head and pouts.
Min You changes the topic after she looked around, "Say, I haven't seen Hatari-san. He hasn't come into the dining room."
"I think he went off to talk to his father at our house temple. That boy misses his father much since he died a few months ago. He died after helping the townspeople to swipe off the plague but they failed. Up till now, the plague still continues pestering the crops." Tokaki responded.
Subaru suddenly nudges him, saying to keep quiet as she sees the abrupt change of emotions of Xiao Long and Xi Fang. It's obvious that even a few months had passed; they still grieve for their sole beloved one.
Hikarou understands the situation and said, "I'll look for Hatari, Ma'am. Please go on and eat. I know everybody's starving. I'll join him eating lunch after I find him." She said with a smile and waved at them as she leaves the dining hall. All of them watched as she left.
"How mysterious… I can feel her smile eases the sadness of everyone," Tokaki thought. "What a peaceful, yet strong life force."
After running for seconds, she reached the manor's main temple. It is similar to the normal Chinese ancestral shrines she always sees on books and television. The whole structure, the pillars, roof and small stone railings are painted with colors of white and light gray. (A/N: If you see the movie Mulan, the shrine where Mulan's father always prays to their ancestors, the structure is as similar to this. Just for you to easy visualize it)
She takes a peek to see if there is anyone praying. She sees no one and tries to check. Her curiosity instincts triggers again but she tries to control it. As she comes in, she feels unfavorable vibes. She takes a deep breath takes an incense stick from a corner and lights it. She plants it on the incense pot and prays.
"I know I come in to your shrine both without permission and as a stranger, and I sincerely apologize for it, sir. I was looking for your son and I found out he usually comes here. It has been awfully hard for him to cope up for your loss. I frankly think maybe we feel the same but in different situations. I just hope you would make your son strong enough to deal with it, unlike me who worry most on my family and others rather than myself. Please don't let him be like me, wearing a mask to hide my anxiety and loneliness."
As she opens her eyes, she feels that the unfavorable vibes had already disappeared and calm ambiance envelops the whole shrine. Then, she spotted a small gold object in front of the incense pot. The mysterious item looked like a midget inverted pear, except the cone is slightly pointed. As her curiosity triggers more, she tries to touch it and,
All of a sudden, she sees visions. She pictures a downward, rapid streak of light brown light falling down from the sky, hitting a certain object on a sandy environment at night time. As she sees the vision, pain swiftly succumbs to her whole body in less than a second. Out of control, she lost the hold of the tiny ornament and her balance. She tries her might to bear it but alas, the anguish she feels grow more as it becomes intolerable and too much to bear. Blood slowly oozed out and soaks in on her upper clothes, especially on the right part of her shoulder where her birthmark is found. Hikarou screams in pain and echoes on the whole shrine.
Meanwhile, Hatari is carrying a small bouquet of flowers to be offered to his father. He suddenly hears a scream, coming from the shrine. He let go of the flowers and hastily headed there. He arrives in the nick of time and sees Hikarou on her devastating position. He sees her lying on the shrine's floor squeezing her eyes while embracing herself and gritting her teeth as hard as she could to bear the pain. Hatari widens his eyes in shock as Hikarou abruptly turns on the other side, letting him see her grasping hardly both of her shoulders almost soaked in blood. The helpless gem priestess, cried out in pain as she can't really bear it on this state.
"Must… struggle… I can't be defeated like this. I can't!" she cried in her thoughts as she squeezes her eyes again to bear and fight the pain.
Nuripe's Freetalks : Whew! At last an update after several months! Thanks for everyone supporting this fic, I have 24 reviews in total and hopefully to add more soon. I just feel bad on what I did to Hikarou, what a pity. Just wait for the next chapter as it unfolds the new warrior who'll join Hikarou's quest. My thanks also for the new storyboard consultant, jona-angela! Thanks also to Undine for the advice on this chapter's ending and my lil' sis Kazu Eri for editing…
See you on the next chapter: A Son's Promise.