Chapter 40: The Adventures Continue
Fireworks illuminated the night sky as Iris ducked past the rejoicing crowds, keeping her head down to avoid notice. She successfully got past everybody and made a beeline for the Aristocratic Quarter, running across the bridge straight for where she could see spheres of light floating up and fading into the night sky.
Don't be gone already… the spirit lights were changing now, returning to their human forms, dancing and cheering as they faded into the night and the next life. Iris smiled to herself at the bittersweet sight – mothers holding their ethereal children, siblings holding each other before fading, all crying ghostly tears that left no stain on the ground. She looked around, and saw one catch sight of her.
"Hail to you, Iris!" the man called, and another looked at her, beaming. "Thank you, hero!" She chimed in, followed by another. One by one, the spirits thanked and cheered her before flickering into the night, until only one sphere remained.
"Iris!" She smiled at the sphere. "Thank you, Iris! I knew you could do it." It was changing now, growing, taking a female form. "Of course, I never should have doubted myself… or should I say, ourselves."
"What…" Iris felt her eyes widen when the changed ended, and the ethereal woman grasped her hands and pulled them to her spectral heart.
"At long last, Iris…. We are free. I can finally see the world in new eyes…" the spirit of the girl Iris had seen hanging in a portrait on Queen Himiko's wall smiled, glittering ears spilling down the sides of her face. "I can reincarnate… I am so proud to say that I share a soul with you." Lady Ayame's tears hit the ground, leaving no mark as they did. "Thank you… me." She whispered, and Iris watched in disbelief as the spirit of Lady Ayame faded away, into her next life…
Me. Iris pinched her brow. "So wait, does that mean I technically just ensured my own existence…?" She shook her head. "I'm confused…"
"Ma cherie!" She turned around, and smiled as Waka ran over to her and lifted her up in the air. "Ma cherie, what are you doing away from the celebration? You should be rejoicing with the others!"
"You mean napping," Iris laughed as he kissed her cheek, "I'm exhausted!" She cringed a bit as his hand passed over a sore spot on her back, where there was a broken rib. "Ow… and healing. I don't think going out there when people are gonna be giving me congratulatory slaps on the back is a good idea…" Waka nodded.
"I understand, ma cherie," he said, starting for the palace. "But I'm afraid we do not have much time to rest on laurels… there is still much to be done, once you have recovered." He sighed, sadly. "Not least of which is figuring out how you're going to get home."
"Who said I wanted to go home?" Waka looked at her. "If there's still work to be done, I want to help."
He smiled."If that is what you wish, ma cherie, I will be happy to accept your help… and more importantly, your company." Iris smiled back, and gently kissed him, letting herself relax in his arms. Waka stopped walking and returned the kiss, and smiled when she pulled away. "…If you truly wish to stay…"
"Yeah yeah, I've read this line before. I love you too, Waka." His face brightened, and he laughed.
"And I thought I was the only one who could see the future!"
"Speaking of which, you never told me where you came from." Waka nodded, and started for the palace again.
"Where should I start?""The beginning. I want to hear all of it."
"Alright, ma cherie." He stepped into the palace, heading straight for the medical room. "Let me start with myself: I am Captain Ushiwaka of the Moon Tribe, a race of beings that are somewhat different from humans. Many years ago, I was the captain of the ship we need to look for – the Ark of Yamato…"
The End
...Oh my gosh, is this the last chapter? It IS! Thank you all so much for follong Iris through this adventure, it's been a blast writing it. However, as fun it was, I am happy to declare How I Became Ayame complete! Thank you again, and happy reading!