Chapter 13: The Light in the Dark Part II
Quiet. Everything was still and silent.
Kimi moaned as she opened her eyes. She was no longer in Shinrinkage. Instead, everything was dark. Kimi sat up and looked around. An endless night sky above her was dotted with stars, black holes, nebulae, and swirling galaxies. The ground beneath her was flat, dark, cold, and smooth like obsidian.
Kimi held her breath. "I've…been here before…"
And she had! On the day when the Jade Dragon fled, Kimi had dreamt of her brother in this place! He had warned her about something, and Kimi had tried to reach him. But he had been out of her reach. Before she could chase after him, the dream shattered, and she woke up.
"Nii-san?!" Kimi cried. She quickly got to her feet and glanced around, half expecting to find him.
But there was no one around.
Kimi noticed that she was in her nightgown. When did she revert to her human form? "What happened to me?" She closed her eyes and tried to remember. "We were attacked!" Kimi realized.
The Guardians had been spirited away into the Dark Forest by her uncle, hoping to send them as close to Seiryuu's fortress as possible so they could rescue Kyochi without notice. By fate's design, they ended up in Shinrinkage, the abandoned village where, three years ago, had been one of Kimi's haunting trials as a young Guardian. It was where Minamoto Seiji, her cousin-in-law, had died, revealing himself as the dark creature sent to massacre the village's denizens. His tragic death plagued Kimi for years. The ugly scar he'd inflicted on her back was a cruel reminder that she could not save everyone, even as a Guardian of Light.
It wasn't until recently, during her encounter with her clan elders, that the Shinrinkage conspiracy had been revealed: Lord Isamu and his cohorts feared both Seiji's progressive visions and Shinrinkage's dissent. Not wanting them to obstruct their power plans, Lord Isamu's wife, Lady Kazue, had used black magic to curse Seiji, turning him into a dark creature, and used him to kill nearly everyone in Shinrinkage. They had planned for Kimi and Kyochi to go in and kill Seiji, masking their duplicity. In their twisted minds, they'd killed several birds with one stone.
The details following the battle between the Guardians, the Kinomoto clan, and their giant centipede were foggy at best. All Kimi could remember afterward was being ambushed by Kitsune in Shinrinkage, and the fox spirit had kidnapped Matt Olsen!
"I have to get back to the others…" Kimi opened her eyes. At first, she didn't notice the silvery fog surrounding her. She was still lost in her thoughts. "But someone or something attacked me…" Kimi mumbled. Out of reflex, her hands flew to her neck where she'd been poisoned. After that, she'd lost consciousness while a blurry image of a woman smiling at her faded behind her closing eyelids.
The realization hit her. The woman must have been a yokai! Kimi thought. She glanced around frantically. "There must be a way out!" Noticing the silvery mist, Kimi paused. "What is this?"
Her spine tingled, and her chest tightened. Before she could comprehend, a violent urge to cough overtook her. Falling to her knees and covering her mouth, she struggled to breathe and coughed. With her eyes closed from the reaction, Kimi didn't see the silvery mist spilling from her mouth. The silvery mist from within spewed out like a waterfall and rose to form a figure. Finally feeling relief, Kimi looked up and stared in astonishment, for the column of silvery mist rose to form herself!
What am I looking at? Kimi thought.
The other Kimi looked a little younger. She was wearing the usual purple and green outfit of a female Guardian, but there were different shades of pink and blue around her belt and in her sleeves. Her hair was done in a ponytail, and her wings were smaller. Kimi blinked, realizing her younger version was still in her first transformation three years ago.
The younger Kimi smiled at her. "Aren't you tired?"
Kimi blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Aren't you tired of it all? Of being a Guardian? You said so yourself."
Kimi frowned. She had said that to her friends at the graveyard. But she didn't acknowledge it. She wanted to know what her younger self wanted.
The younger Kimi shrugged and continued to give her a cool smile. "You're the Guardian of Light, the most powerful light-wielder in the universe! You can do things other light-wielders can't! You possess one of the most powerful Talismans within yourself! And yet, you couldn't save everyone." Her voice lowered, almost sounding disappointed and sad.
The younger Kimi tucked her hands behind her back and inclined her head to the right. Kimi followed her gaze and felt her heart stop. An interface screen showed her the faces of those she couldn't save; the villagers of Shinrinkage, Seiji, her parents, and so many others she'd thought she'd forgotten.
"W-why are you s-showing me this?" Kimi asked. She hated how her voice quivered.
The younger Kimi turned and continued to give her a sad look, almost as though she was pitying her. "You couldn't save any of them, could you? Not those villagers. Not Seiji, our parents, or even Kyochi-niisan, and he's supposed to be the strongest shadow-wielder," the younger Kimi said, ignoring her original question. "Kyochi was the best, right? He was strong in every way that counts. Smart, brave, kind, thoughtful, and considerate…and even you couldn't stop him from falling into the Celestial Warriors' hands."
Kimi winced as though she had been slapped. She might as well have been! Kimi opened her mouth to protest, but her wits failed her. She was talking to a version of herself…and a version handling her the cold, hard truth. Kimi suppressed a sob and clenched her fists. Her younger self was right! She had failed!
"What am I supposed to do?" Kimi whispered.
"Why not go back?" The younger Kimi suggested.
Kimi snapped her head up at her, and an expression of confusion crossed her face. "What?"
The younger Kimi glanced up at the celestial bodies above them. "Not for the first time; am I correct that you wished to have been born under a different star? So why not go back and start over?"
Kimi frowned, still not understanding where this younger version of herself was going. "That's impossible. You can't go back in time and start over!"
The younger Kimi glanced back at her and grinned. "You can here," she replied, waving her hands at their surroundings. "What is time but an illusion? Didn't you have that talk with Taranee a few days ago? Something about Einstein's general theory of relativity? Here, time and space are intertwined in an infinite "fabric." If you want, you can return to the beginning." She pointed to a flashing door that appeared at her command. "If you desire it, you can live a life where your parents are still alive! In that reality, our parents have done the same thing your aunt did when she stole herself and the Sword to another world!" The younger Kimi gave her an excited and hopeful smile.
Kimi wasn't so curtained. "Why would I choose such a life?"
"Because this is an offer you can't resist," the younger Kimi replied. "The life of a Guardian is full of suffering and sacrifices. So much burden with no guarantee of a happy ending. But life beyond that door is simple and wonderful. Imagine it!" the younger Kimi said with a bright smile. She clasped her hands together with joy. "A life where you and Kyochi aren't Guardians! No burden or pressure to weigh down on your shoulders! A life without the Kinomotos' evil ways. But don't worry. You'll still be born with light magic but can't transform or read people's auras. But what does that matter when your parents are alive and well? They would have set up a comfortable life for you and your brother! A life of bliss, love, and beauty! And a life of freedom. Isn't that what you want? To be free?"
The idea has merit. But still…"But my friends…I wouldn't have met Will and the girls," Kimi said hesitantly.
The younger Kimi shook her head. "You would probably still meet them in this life, but you won't be a Guardian," she replied. "Who knows? Maybe W.I.T.C.H. will discover your magic and invite you to join their little school. What did they call it again? Teach 2b W.I.T.C.H.?"
Kimi sighed and glanced at the door, still feeling uncertain. "I…I don't know…"
The younger Kimi gave her a thoughtful look but didn't push her. "If you choose renewal, you won't remember any of this. You won't remember this life you just lived. There will be no suffering or obligation. Remember, it's your choice. What is it that you truly want? What is your dream?"
Kimi let out a breath and looked up at the endless space above. Maybe her younger self was right. Being a Guardian is too much. Was it so wrong to want a life where she could still have her family, friends, and peace? She turned and glanced at the door and her younger self, who held out a guiding hand.
I'm tired…I'm so tired…Kimi thought. I want to lie down and rest and dream…
Without another wasted moment, she reached for the younger Kimi's hand and allowed herself to be led to the shining door.
"Go back, and good fortune to you," the younger Kimi said.
Kimi took a deep breath and stepped through the threshold.
Barely a mile from Shinrinkage, a dark figure with long black hair hummed to herself as she watched her children drag an unconscious girl across the forest floor. As they came upon a small stream, Jurogumo, the spider spirit, held up a hand.
"Stop." The smaller spiders, each one as big as a human's hand, did as they were told. Jurogumo glanced up at the surrounding trees. "Here will do nicely," she said with a half-hearted wave.
The spiders chittered and hissed with one another before going to work. Some climbed the trees and began to spin and weave. Jurogumo resumed humming as she watched her children string up the girl, binding her limbs with powerful silk threads. The spiders pulled, and the lines tightened, cutting into the girl's flesh like metal wires and drawing blood.
"Now, now," Jurogumo tsked, waving an admonishing finger. "Children, please! Any tighter, and we would risk cutting her limbs off! I know you're hungry, but the Guardian of Light is for Lady Seiryuu. It would do us no good if she is harmed any further."
Snapping her fingers, smaller spiders crawled up the threads. At her command, Jurogumon directed her youngest children to the Guardian's wounds, ordering them to sew them shut with their webs.
A soft moan escaped from Kimi's lips. Involuntarily, she tried to stir but couldn't from all the entanglement of the trap. Jurogumo smiled as she stepped forward, caressing the girl's face in an almost motherly fashion. But there wasn't anything motherly about her smile. She leaned in close, their noses almost touching. Jurogumo forced open Kimi's mouth and breathed out a silvery mist. She watched as Kimi breathed it in. She shuddered and then was still once more. Jurogumo smiled and stroked the girl's face again, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face.
"It won't be long now, little Guardian. Soon you'll be reunited with your brother, just like you always wanted," she cooed.
Kimi's breathing was shallow. Jurogumo opened her eyelids and saw that the pupils weren't contracting or dilating. It was as if Kimi was cut off from normal sensations. The combination of her venom and the Deadly Sin within her was working too well.
"I wonder what you're dreaming of. Perhaps you're sitting on a throne like a queen with everyone bowing to you in submission?" she offered. Stepping back, Jurogumo grabbed a dangling spider thread and pulled herself to a higher position. Finding a comfortable spot, she sprawled out in an almost sensual position as she would on a sofa, swinging her legs back and forth. "I wonder what it is that you desired so much that you would want to stay in that world forever?" she mused, then shrugged. "Oh, well. It doesn't matter. Once my mistress succeeds in extracting both of your Talismans, I get to feed you and your brother to my children." A wicked smile appeared on her face. "Feeding on your flesh and Guardian magic would make my children stronger than any other of our kind. Your death will be exquisite and appreciated."
Her children chittered with joy at this, but they soon turned to shrieks as something came slashing through them like lightning. Alert, Jurogumo straightened upright. "What?!"
Several more of her children shrieked before turning silent. A figure streaked back and forth, slashing at the endless spiders, killing them in waves. Sensing danger from a new predator, the surviving spiders backed away toward their mother for protection.
"I cannot see you," Jurogumo said. She breathed in the scent of blood. "But I can smell you!"
A figure in white appeared and came at her, his blade flashing. Even in the pale light of the rising moon, his mask shone brilliantly, detailing the outline of a fox. Jurogumo almost wanted to laugh at the choice of his facial covering, but in a flash, she held up her hands and shot her assailant with thousands of spider webs, weaving them until they formed a cocoon around him.
"Urgh!" he grunted. He tried jabbing his sword at the barrier but failed to break free.
"Don't bother," Jurogumo said as she crossed her legs. "It's nearly impossible to cut through. My webs may be thin as a hair, but they're stronger than wires and steel."
"Good to know," said a voice behind her.
Jurogumo gasped and turned to see the masked figure appearing before her. With only a second to decide, the yokai leaped back out of self-preservation. She barely made it, as she could feel the tip of his sword brushing against her neck. At that moment, she knew this was no ordinary swordsman. His katana was forged from the heavens, a meteor sword, burning hot and cold, purified with heavenly fire, and consecrated with sunlight: it was a sword designed to kill demonic beings such as herself.
The swordsman continued his descent towards the prone Guardian. With a flick of his wrists, he cut Kimi loose and landed on his feet silently as a phantom.
Jurogumo's eyes widened. His sword could cut through my threads!
With the Guardian in his arms, the swordsman tried to wake her, but she wouldn't come. Regaining her composure, Jurogumo sat on several threads, hovering over him like a black widow.
"I'm afraid waking her will be more challenging than fighting me," she said acidly.
The figure slowly turned to face her, his expression unreadable behind his mask. "Release her from your ensorcellment, yokai," he said flatly. "And I will make your death swift and painless as I've done for your children."
"My, such arrogance! Tell me, what is your name, young warrior?"
The swordsman said nothing at first. Instead, he drew a protective circle on the ground with the tip of his katana. The ground glowed with a soft ringing, and he placed Kimi inside the barrier. With her safe and out of harm's way, he slid back into his defensive position.
"My name is Watsuki Hikaru," he declared.
Jurogumo pursed her lips and stiffened. What was a member of the Watsuki clan doing here? Did the clan's daimyo send him to assist their distant cousins, the Guardian of Light? It didn't matter. She would give him the same courtesy he'd done to her children. "You seemed to have a stronger backbone than most men I've seduced and killed." Brushing the crease from her kimono, Jurogumo didn't take her eyes off him. "To answer your question, I'm afraid I cannot wake the Light Guardian. She's enslaved to her heart's desire, and to escape means to bring upon herself endless suffering." She paused and waved her finger at him.
Hikaru tightened his grip on his sword. The ground vibrated beneath his feet. He looked in awe as five of Jurogumo's bigger children contorted and twisted until they grew grotesque and bigger than before. Some even took on a humanoid form but retained many eyes and mandibles. Ichor dripped from their fangs as they hissed and roared at him, ready to taste his blood. It was as though Jurogumo had injected them with something, mutating them into these monstrous beings.
Hikaru felt his blood cool, but he didn't lower his sword. He glanced up to see Jurogumo leaning back and giving him an acidic smile.
"Kill him," she whispered.
The spiders screeched and ran for him. The bigger mutated ones lunged for him, ready to tear him to shreds. The smaller ones came flying at him, bringing down thousands of threads, ready to slice and cut him into pieces.
Taking a deep breath, Hikaru readied his sword and plunged into the fight.
Will's cry was deafening. It was full of blind rage, desperation, fear, and love. Her power rippled through her body and flew out as she tried to reach him. Just when she thought she had him in her grasp, her boyfriend shattered like glass in her arms. Furiously, Will slammed her fist into the ground, sending out a pulsation of energy. Kitsune's laughter taunted her effort, and she looked up to see Matt dangling from her grasp from atop a tree overlooking the cemetery. He looked pained and tired as he should be. Will's heart twinged with guilt and anger.
"Will…" he moaned and winced from his bruises.
No, Matt! Will mentally cursed herself. She knew something was off when she couldn't get ahold of him! If she had followed her instinct and checked on him sooner, perhaps he wouldn't have been caught in all this mess!
The fox spirit gave them a wicked and gleeful smile. "So close, but not close enough!" Kitsune taunted.
Remorse was quickly replaced by rage. "MATT!" Will cried, her voice a thunderous fury. Her eyes turned to Kitsune, who met her with a condescending smirk. "Give. Him. BACK!" she snarled.
"Ooh, but the game isn't over," Kitsune crooned.
Will manifested her whip into a claymore. Taranee's eyes widened as she realized it was almost the same one Will made when they were lost in Annam. Back then, she had used it to cleave off the top of a mountain to scare off Kiyomi and Kazumi. She's too blinded by rage! Taranee thought. Will screamed and swung her sword. Quickly, Taranee dashed forward and wrapped her arms around Will's waist. "WILL, NO!"
Will gasped in surprise and dropped her claymore. Taranee breathed a sigh of relief as she watched it dissolve into energy particles. It left a patch of scorched earth.
Kitsune watched the scene in amusement. "Well, that was foolish of you! You'll never catch your prize at this rate!" she mocked in a sing-song voice.
"GET OFF OF ME, TARA!" Will screamed.
With strength she didn't realize she had, she pushed Taranee off her, shooting her a warning look that almost looked feral.
"Will, stop it!" Cornelia warned, matching her glare.
Kitsune tilted her head and giggled. "Ooh! Some infighting! It looks like you're more popular than you'd give yourself credit for, boy!" Matt looked up and glared at her, even though it hurt a bit. He didn't want to dignify that comment with a reply, so he kept silent. Kitsune feigned a hurt expression. "Awe, don't give me that attitude. You should be—"
Kitsune's ears pricked, and she saw a blade flying toward her. Yanking Matt hard, she managed to avoid Orube's sword as it embedded itself into the tree trunk behind her. She glowered at Orube. "How rude!" Not giving her nemesis time to retort, Kitsune threw one of her chakrams at them. Irma quickly ricocheted it back with a wall of malleable water substance. "Oh, trying to catch me off guard, huh?" Kitsune sneered. "This isn't like last time. So, if you want this boy back, you must do better! Ta-tah!"
Orube cursed her luck and ran forward. She swiftly climbed the tree and retrieved her sword, but when she reached them, Kitsune and Matt had dissolved into smoke.
"Another one of her cursed illusions," Orube seethed.
Will turned on Taranee and looked as though she wanted to strangle her. Hay Lin and Irma jumped in to prevent her. Taranee stiffened. Will, one of her closest friends, had never looked at her like that. It was unnerving.
"I ALMOST HAD HER!" Will roared.
Taranee swallowed but held her ground. "No, Will! You could have hurt Matt!"
Will blanched. "No, I wouldn't—"
"Yes, you could have!" Taranee said, putting more conviction into her tone. "Will, that fox spirit is toying with you! She's using your anger to hamper our mission! We can't keep playing her game if we want to win!"
"Tara's right! Remember what happened to me when I was full of rage?" Irma pointed out. The recent memory of Irma's wrath in Annam sent a chill down their spines. Without meaning to, she'd allowed Zhu Que to bring out the worst in herself and use it against her during their battle. It had nearly cost Irma her life and endangered her friends and the entire Southern Fire Kingdom. Pushing the memory aside, Irma straightened herself as she turned to Will. "If we want to save Matt and get back on track, you must stay calm! If you don't, then we're all dead! Matt could end up dead! Is that what you want?!"
Irma's words were like getting splashed with cold water. "R-right…you're right," Will said, her voice quivering. She took a moment to calm down. Taking a few deep breaths, she willed her heart to slow down and her mind to ease. It wasn't easy. The butterflies in her stomach were still fluttering, however.
"We need a plan, but we can't just go charging after her with our powers blazing," Taranee said.
"I don't know about you girls, but I'm embarrassed," Irma huffed. She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. Ah, the snarky Irma was back.
"Irma's right," Cornelia said. "Three of us have our third forms—"
"Power Girl," Hay Lin chirped.
Cornelia shot her a look. "Yes, our Power Girl magic. The point is, three of us went toe-to-toe against a Celestial Warrior each! But right now, Kitsune is running circles around us!"
"We're losing to a fox that can Houdini us with smoke and mirrors!" Irma added.
Cornelia groaned and palmed her forehead. "That's what I just said, Irma."
Hay Lin turned to Taranee. "What's the point of having all these powers if we're being handled by a lower-leveled spirit?"
Will clenched her fists. Tiny sparks of electricity were still emanating from her aura. "We haven't had enough time to train and hone our new skills, Hay Lin," she said. "That's why we're losing. Without our mentor to help us train, we're shooting in the dark or driving a car with a blindfold!"
"And Kitsune doesn't necessarily have to overpower us," Taranee added. She readjusted her glasses. She noticed Orube finally coming up to them, looking peeved as ever. "She just needs to stay out of our reaches with her illusions—she's making us waste our time here so Seiryuu will win the siege."
Hay Lin slammed a fist into her cupped hand, and her eyes widened. "So, let's not play her game and waste time!"
Irma raised her eyebrows. "You mean to ignore her?"
"But we can't leave Matt!" Will protested.
"And we're not!" Taranee insisted. "If only we can get Matt out of her grasp, we can leave and resume our missions as quickly as possible. Perhaps we can incapacitate Kitsune so that she doesn't bother us?" Turning to Orube, she said, "You knew her the longest. How did you defeat Kitsune before?"
Everyone glanced at Orube expectantly. The warrior stiffened, hating the spotlight right now. "She's a fire-element type of Kitsune, and she didn't have as much skill as she does now," Orube finally answered. "At the time, I figured out her true name and used it to bind her long enough to trap her inside a temple."
Taranee's eyes glowed at this.
"Wait, Kitsune isn't her real name?" Irma blinked.
Orube shook her head. "It just describes what she is, a fox spirit. Most yokai here don't reveal their true names for fear of it being used against them with powerful magic. The older ones are more resilient. Even if we were to use her real name now, sealing her away like I did last time would be useless."
"But maybe it's enough to distract her so that we can free Matt!" Taranee pointed out. "But we'll need more."
An idea popped into Irma's mind. "Hey, you said that she's a fire-elemental, right?" Orube nodded. "Okay, I think I have a plan to get Matt out of her reach. But I'm going to need water. Lots of it!"
"The lake!" Hay Lin beamed. "There's one behind us near the cemetery! Will that do?"
Irma grinned and nodded. "Perfect!"
Will and Cornelia exchanged looks. "Exactly. What is this plan of yours?" Will asked.
"Well, we'll lure Kitsune and Matt back towards the lake. And then Kimi will…" Irma blinked and glanced around. The others followed her gaze and realized that Kimi wasn't with them.
"Um, where's Kimi?" Hay Lin asked.
Irma groaned. "Urgh, great. Don't tell me she ran off to do her own thing again!"
Taranee frowned. The last time she saw Kimi was when they were still chasing Kitsune and Matt through those streets in Shinrinkage. She closed her eyes and tried to reach for Kimi's mental touch. A soft light brushed against her magic. Taranee frowned. "That's weird, I can sense Kimi is nearby, but she's not responding."
"Is she hurt?" Orube asked, a hint of concern in her voice. "What if she's in trouble?"
Taranee shook her head. "I don't know how to explain this, but it feels like she's mentally occupied. Like her mind is somewhere that I can't reach."
"What? We must go back and save her!" Hay Lin cried, unable to hide the anxiety in her voice. Their friend nearly died when the Kinomoto elders tried to kill her with a mukade. Hay Lin shuddered at the memory of Kimi convulsing with pain. "What if she's in trouble again?"
"But what about Matt?" Will asked. "He's in trouble now!"
The others began to shout at each other, trying to decide what to do. Orube's eyes darted between them, taking in their words and emotions. Grabbing the handle of her sword, she slammed it into the ground. "Enough!" The five Guardians held their breaths and stared at their leader. With a pained look, Orube continued, "I want to go back to Kimi, too, but she is a Guardian and at least has the Jewel to protect her from harm. Matt doesn't. Right now, his safety is more urgent. We must end this quickly, find Kimi, and return to Edo!"
They blanched at her words and exchanged looks. Did Orube suggest they forget their rescue plan and turn around?
"But what about Kyochi?" Hay Lin asked.
Orube's face looked crestfallen. "I don't like the idea of forgetting him either, but from what Kitsune suggested, I think the Celestial Warriors moved him; he may no longer be in this forest."
"So, we came here for nothing?" Irma retorted.
Orube nodded solemnly. "Let's focus on finding Matt and Kimi and get out of here." She turned to face the Guardian of Water. "So, let's hear that plan of yours, Irma."
Kimi was flying, the sunlight kissing her cheeks as she rose towards the floating mountains. Higher towards the atmosphere, she could see a dragon and a phoenix, like specks against the blue sky. A flock of spirits resembling fluffy sheep with wings joined her, cooing delightfully.
Kimi smiled and laughed as she bounced on them, riding the wave towards the rising sun. Before she could reach out to touch a waterfall with her hand, a soft tapping pulled her out of her dream.
Kimi's eyes fluttered open, and her vision was immediately flooded with sunlight. Being a light-wielder, this doesn't bother her.
That dream…I was a Guardian again! Kimi thought as she sat up in bed. Her eyes fell to her hands. I've been having these strange dreams lately…I wonder why.
Raising her head, Kimi glanced around her room. The walls were painted an icy blue with white furniture. Her bed was filled to the brim with pillows and plush toys. Her bookcases were lined with magazines, CD albums, and novels written in several languages. There was a floating shelf filled with trophies of all kinds, retelling her achievements in martial arts and traditional Japanese art competitions, including flower arrangements. Above her hung a small crystal chandelier. Some of its dangling shards cast lights on her walls as if they were dancing figures.
Kimi turned to the clock on her bedside and saw it read 6:54 in the morning. She sighed and stretched her arms. "I might as well get up."
Swiftly, she made her bed and changed into her school uniform. It consisted of a dark blue blazer over a white lace-hemmed blouse, a white pleated miniskirt, and a pair of black leggings. The school emblem was embroidered onto one of the blazer's breast pockets.
A songbird outside her window pecked against the pane. Kimi went to the window and opened it, startling the bird into flight. She leaned her head out, taking in the crispy winter air. What Kimi loved most about this side of the house was that it granted her a clear view of Heatherfield and the sea. For a moment, she allowed herself to bask in the splendor. With Christmas just around the corner, the city glistened with a thin blanket of snow and sparkling with lights. Something in her periphery vision caught her attention, and she turned to see dark storm clouds in the distance.
"A blizzard?" she wondered.
The house began to shake. It wasn't big, but it was enough for her to take notice. She turned to see that none of her belongings had fallen over. The small chandelier from the ceiling was swaying slightly. Kimi frowned, not liking the coming storm and the tremor one bit.
A soft knock came at her door, followed by a familiar voice.
"It's me. Can I come in?"
Kimi quickly grabbed her belongings on the vanity and straightened her jacket. "Hai, Nii-san! I'm already awake!"
There was a pause before Watsuki Kyochi stepped in. Kimi looked to see that her twin was already dressed. His uniform was designed like hers, save for a pair of white slacks, and he had to wear a necktie around his collar while she had a ribbon. Kyochi greeted her with his usual smile, but Kimi could see faint dark lines beneath his eyes. She surmised he'd been cramming all night because they had one more day of final exams before the holidays.
"Breakfast is ready, and Mom and Dad are downstairs," Kyochi said. Kimi nodded. Kyochi inclined his head. "Something the matter?"
Kimi turned and pointed to the dark clouds in the distance. "I don't like the looks of those clouds. They're too ominous."
Kyochi followed her gaze to the window. He glanced at her, looking unconcerned. "It's nothing major. The forecast said it's mostly at sea. We'll still get some layers of snow, but other than that, the coastline should be fine."
"What about that little shake just now? Didn't you feel anything?"
Kyochi shrugged. "It's just one of a few tremors that's been happening lately." Noticing her hesitation, Kyochi asked, "There's something else on your mind, isn't it?" When Kimi said nothing, he said, "You can always tell me, remember?"
Kimi nodded and gave him a small smile. "I had the dream again," she said. Her brother's eyes glinted with surprise. "I was a Guardian, flying through the floating mountains over Nihon. It is beautiful, Nii-san. I felt so free and liberated."
Kyochi smiled a little, but his eyes were dark with concern. "You haven't told our parents about this, have you?"
Kimi shook her head. "I just woke up, and no, I haven't told them anything."
"Good, because you know how Father gets whenever he hears about Lusteria."
The smile on Kimi's face disappeared, and she gave him an indignant huff. "Of course, I know! But I can't help it, Nii-san. It's hardly my fault when these dreams occurred."
Kyochi sighed and shook his head, having no answers of his own to offer to her.
Since they were children, their mother told them about the world she and their father had left behind as soon as their powers manifested. Kotone told them about the floating mountains, the different kingdoms and the people who could wield the seven elements and the yokai that haunted the land. Best of all, she'd told them about their heritage and how they were the descendants of a long line of powerful beings. Kimi loved it when her mother told her stories about the Twin Guardians, about how their ancestors, Kazuhiro and Kazuhiko, were chosen by Oneide, one of the five nymphs of Kandrakar, to become the first in a long line of legends. She would tell them stories, from the legendary sisters Satomi and Tomoko to Kotone's grandfather and his brother Takao and Akihito.
Kimi remembered fondly how her mother had used her light magic to paint them vivid pictures during her stories. But by the time they were ten, Kimi noticed the pain and the homesickness in her mother's eyes. Although her life had been difficult there, Kotone still missed it. On the opposite side, their father disliked talking about his past. Kohaku tolerated his wife's longing for years, but one day, he urged her not to stop.
"Do not fill our children's heads with dangerous dreams, Kotone. For all its beauty, Lusteria can be cruel and unforgiving," he had said. "We'd left Lusteria for many reasons. Do you want Kimi and Kyochi to wander back into it? That world would undoubtedly treat them as cruelly as it did us."
Their mother was silent and told them no more stories from then on. In private, Kohaku had explained to his children why they'd escaped.
"Forget about Lusteria, my children," he'd urged them. "Earth is our home now."
From then on, Kimi and Kyochi learned to avoid mentioning Lusteria or the Guardians again. And for a few years, Kimi had forgotten all about that world until she had the dreams again these last few months. At first, she said nothing, as she found them strange but wonderful. Eventually, the dreams came more often, and she confided in Kyochi, as he was her twin, and they'd always share secrets.
"I've been having these strange dreams a lot lately, Nii-san," Kimi said. "Sometimes, I wonder if there is a reason for it."
"Do you think your dreams are trying to tell you something?"
"If they are, then what could it be?" Kimi sighed. An idea came to her. Inclining her head, she offered, "Could it be that I—or even the two of us," she corrected as she pointed to him, "should find a way to return to Lusteria?"
Kimi held her breath as she braced for his reaction. As expected, her brother gave her a look of alarm.
"Kimi! How could you possibly think of such a thing?"
"Don't tell me you'd never considered the possibility!" Kimi asked incredulously. "Don't you remember all those stories Oka-sama told us?"
"Of course, I remember those stories, Kimi, but I can't forget how much it pained our parents. I don't blame Father for wanting to forget, and I can't forget the sadness in Mother's eyes."
"But Lusteria is like nature, Kyochi! It can be terrifying and beautiful all at once!"
"Yes, even the humans here are drawn to the awe-inspiring and destructive force of a storm, but they still flee if they must," Kyochi replied. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Kimi, I'd be lying if I said I don't think about seeing Lusteria before, but I also see it as a wondrous nightmare." He tilted her chin up at him and smiled at her. "It's like the sun. You'll burn if you try to fly too close and touch it."
Kimi's lips pursed. "And what about the sun goddess Amaterasu? She plunged the world into darkness when she hid in a cave. The only way to bring back the light was to draw her out." Kimi couldn't help but smirk. Learning how to use her opponent's strength against them didn't just mean physical moves on the battlefield.
Kyochi sighed and shook his head. Seeing his sister unwavering, he opted for another tactic.
"I understand what you're saying, Kimi. Sometimes I still dream of those floating mountains myself—as well as all the different kingdoms and the spirits and people who inhabited Lusteria. I used to wonder what our lives would have been like if our parents had stayed. But such thoughts are shadows, Kimi—echoes of the past," he said. "We have a wonderful life here. I'm on track to attend one of the best medical schools in the world, and you're a rising star! And didn't you meet someone special?" Kimi could feel her cheeks flushing pink as she thought about Koji. Kyochi noticed and smiled but didn't tease her more than that, even though he should have. "My point is we have dreams and aspirations right here. We're about to start a new chapter in our lives. Isn't that enough?"
Kimi didn't know what to say. She knew Kyochi was right, but something inside her heart told her it was wrong. She couldn't understand or explain why, but her dreams about Lusteria and living an alternate life meant something to her.
Kimi opened her mouth to retort again, but something was tugging her shoulder. She looked to see her brother tightening his grip on her ever so slightly, a silvery mist emanating from his hand. It came at her before she could even blink, causing her head to spin.
"Kimi! Are you okay?" Kyochi asked.
"Yes…yes, I'm fine." Shaking her head to clear her mind, Kimi rubbed her temples to relieve a migraine. Like sand being ebbed by the ties, that sense in her disappeared. "I'm sorry, I think I'm still a bit tired. I must have been working too hard lately," she replied. "Maybe that's why I've been having these dreams."
Kyochi nodded slowly. He gave his sister a light squeeze. "Don't push yourself, Kimi. The past is dead. We must live in the present and look to the future."
Kimi nodded, not quite sure if she agreed with that.
Kyochi smiled. "Now that that's done let's get downstairs before Dad drinks all the coffee."
Without another thought, she followed her brother downstairs.
Kimi suppressed a yawn as she chewed her breakfast. It's been a few days since her last conversation with Kyochi, but final exams are over, and the holidays are finally here. If only she could sleep in on her days off like a typical teenager, but being a member of the Watsuki family is far from ordinary. Her mother would remind her that it was terrible manners unless she was ill, and her father expected her to continue her lessons early in the morning. Her recent training had paid off, as she had first placed in the world's swordsmanship competition in the woman's naginata division again. And to boot, she'd also taken her team to first place in this year's Winter Tournament.
"Here's to the captain of Stardust Academy's Martial Arts Team," her teammates cried as they downed the drinks.
Kimi smiled, remembering her teammates' celebration last night. Granted, she'd only had a few sips of warm sake, but why couldn't her parents let her sleep in today? Right now, it was too loud and bright.
Am I such a lightweight when it comes to alcohol? Kimi pondered.
Unfortunately, her family is unaware of her inner turmoil as they continue their breakfast. Her parents were sipping their coffee and tea while reading the newspapers. Her brother was busy nibbling on a toast while scrolling through a list of next semester's classes on his tablet. Kimi made a mental note to apply for her classes during the holiday. Feeling her eyes on him, Kyochi looked up and gave her a wink before returning to his tablet.
Bored, Kimi turned to her parents. Her father was dressed in a newly pressed suit with a dark necktie. His hair combed neatly, and his face was clean-shaven. Her mother wore a white coat over a simple lavender dress with black heels. Unlike Kimi, she wore her hair in a bun with a silver hairpin sticking out. That hairpin was one of the few things she'd brought from Lusteria.
For as long as Kimi could remember, she and her family had been living in Japan until they moved to Heatherfield seven years ago. Her father, Watsuki Kohaku, had always possessed a sharp mind and tongue, which earned him a reputation as a formidable opponent on the speaking floor. After he was elected ambassador, he moved his family to Heatherfield, a city full of magic, as it sat on several ley lines. Here, the Watsukis wouldn't be the only ones with magic. And it is here where they made their marks in society. Her mother, Watsuki Kotone, made her own headlines when she and her colleagues founded a research organization dedicated to eradicating some of the world's deadliest killers, including several types of cancer.
"When are you leaving for New York, dear?" Kotone asked.
Kohaku sipped his coffee before turning a page in his article. "Tomorrow morning. The summit will surely be interesting, especially with the American and Russian presidents in attendance."
"Oh, my," Kotone sighed, shaking her head. "Well, I hope you'll do well to keep them both in check."
"I always do, even when the stakes aren't high," said her husband.
Kimi tried to tune out the rest of her parents' conversations as she concentrated on her food. Last year, her father was appointed the new Secretary-General of the United Nations. He didn't need magic to demand respect or strike fear into others. Kohaku seemed to exude an invisible aura of power. Combining that with how he always spoke and carried himself, Kimi wouldn't be surprised if her father could twist demagogues' arms into submission without touching them. Kimi didn't know what political intrigue in Lusteria was like, but she'd guessed it shaped her father into the world leader he is now.
Kimi, wake up…
Kimi froze and glanced around, but her family was still engrossed in their breakfast.
Kimi…you must awaken…
Kimi blinked and did another take, but there was no one.
"Is something wrong, Kimi?" her father asked.
Everyone turned to Kimi; the sudden attention made her cheeks warm. She glanced around again without meaning to, but the strange voice was gone. What am I doing? They're going to think I'm crazy! "Nothing, Oto-sama! I thought I heard—"
Before Kimi could brush it off further, a slight tremor caused their table to shake.
Startled, Kotone gasped. Her husband reached for her hand and gripped the edge of the dining table with the other.
Kimi held her breath and looked to see their house trembling as though it was a wiggling tooth being extracted by a giant. She could feel the earth swaying back and forth. She tightened her grip on the edges of her seat and prepared to dive under the table. She only stopped when she realized her family was still rooted in place. Kimi blinked in surprise. Why weren't her parents and Kyochi as alarmed as she was?
Just as quickly as it came, the shaking stopped. After what felt like an eternity, Kimi let out a long breath and realized that she was the only one who rose to her feet. Kimi glanced at her parents, who gave her a look.
"Kimi-chan, all you all right, child?" her father asked again.
Kimi blanched. "Oto-sama! Okaa-sama! Kyochi! Didn't any of you feel that just now?"
Her father shrugged. "It was just a small tremor, Kimi. The seismic and tsunami institution has predicted several events these last few days."
Kotone nodded and gestured for her to take her seat. Kimi furrowed her brows as she hesitantly sat down. She knew it wasn't a tremor. It felt more than that. "We've been having these tremors a lot lately. Doesn't this worry you?"
Kohaku folded his newspaper and turned to give Kimi an unreadable look. "We're not in Japan anymore, Kimi," he reminded her, but not in an unkind voice. "Do you know why I chose Heatherfield when I moved us here?"
Kimi sighed and nodded. She had heard this story a million times. "It's because the city lies on several ley lines and, thus, has much magical potential. Moving here means we won't be the only ones with magic in the city."
Kotone gave her daughter a silent disapproving look. It was enough to make Kimi lower her head in submission. Her mother hated it whenever she talked in her "smartass" tone. Kohaku noticed this but said nothing. Instead, he nodded and took another sip of his coffee. As he put his cup down, a silvery mist emerged. Kimi blinked. She thought it was steam from the coffee, but it looked more concentrated than that. Before Kimi could point it out, the strange mist dissolved into the air. Breathing it in, Kimi's eyes dulled, and her mind clouded. "Yes, that is the main reason, but it's also because Heatherfield isn't near a major fault line. We're perfectly safe from earthquakes here. I assure you, any tremors we feel are aftershocks from faraway epicenters."
Kimi nodded and said nothing more. Her father was right! There was nothing to be concerned about. She wondered why she was afraid of a few little tremors in the first place! The idea almost made her laugh. Kimi mentally chided herself and took a sip of her earl grey tea. I am Watsuki Kimi, and I am not afraid!
"Well, now that the semester is over, what are your schedules?" Kotone asked, glancing at her children.
Kyochi's face lit up, and he began to share his winter plan, mostly of spending time with his friends. As much as he loved studying and researching, even her brilliant brother needed to relax. Kimi smirked but said nothing as she finished her tea. She knew that amongst her brother's friends was a beau. Kyochi glanced at her nervously, but she gave him a reassuring smile. She knew Kyochi was still deciding when to tell their parents about his special someone. She'd already guessed who it could be but decided it was Kyochi's right and power to determine when to introduce them to his family.
Turning to Kimi, Kotone asked, "And what about you, dear?"
"I'm afraid I'll be quite busy, Mother," Kimi replied. "It would seem Tsukikage-san intends to keep me on my toes."
Tsukikage-san was Kimi's manager who'd discovered her talent while attending one of Kimi's tournaments.
Her mother seemed disappointed. "Oh? I'd hope she'll at least give you the holidays off. Being a model is hard work, but I hoped we could spend some mother-daughter time for Christmas."
"Of course, I won't forget! Tsukikage-san already knows about it and has taken care of my schedule. I promise we'll have a nice holiday together by the beach." Kimi smiled and reached for her mother's hand, giving her a light squeeze. No matter how old she got, she never tired of spending quality time with her mother. And with their busy lives, they'd rarely get to spend it together as they used to. Kimi's few days with just her and her mother were special. This year, the Watsukis planned to spend three days at their private beach house just south of Heatherfield. And during those days, she hoped to catch up with her mother. Leaning in so only her mother could hear, Kimi whispered, "And perhaps you could show me how to do that light crystal spell."
Kotone brightened at this and nodded. "Of course. I know how much you love my magic," she beamed.
The doorbell rang, and Kimi inclined her head towards the hallway. "That must be Tsukikage-san. She's early." She got up and kissed her parents on the cheeks.
"I'll see you in a week, Oto-sama," she said. "Have a safe flight."
Kohaku nodded and downed his remaining coffee. "Good luck with your work, and stay safe," he said. Grabbing his hat, coat, and briefcase, he ruffled his son's hair and turned to kiss his wife goodbye. "I better get going before my flight leaves without me."
Kotone smiled and kissed him back. "Go and save the world, my love," she said.
"As do you," he replied.
Unlike most kids, Kimi wasn't grossed out by her parents' openly displaying their affection. To her, it was a sign that their marriage was solid. Without another wasted moment, Kimi got to her feet, hugged her twin, and wished him a happy day before opening the door for her manager.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Kimi-sama," Tsukikage-san said politely. "Are you ready for the day?"
"Yes, Tsukikage-san," Kimi gave her a serene smile. I'm ready for another lovely day in Heatherfield, Kimi thought. I'm prepared to live my life like it's a dream.
To be continued…
Author's note:
Okaa-sama means "mother" in Japanese
Oto-sama means "father"
Yes! Kimi's first Guardian transformation made its second appearance! (The first one was when Kimi shared her memory of Shinrinkage with the others).
RWBY and Demon Slayer inspired me as I was writing this chapter. I'm sorry this chapter took me so long. It was supposed to be up and done by May! But I keep re-writing Kimi's dreams scenes during all those times! Originally, I had her waking up in a world where she's shocked that her parents are still alive and her brother isn't missing. In it, she slowly forgets about her life as a Guardian. It was inspired by what happened to W.I.T.C.H. when Nerissa placed their consciousness in their Astral Drops' bodies, and every time they saw a boy they liked, W.I.T.C.H. would slowly forget about Kandrakar. In the end, only Cornelia woke up and saved everyone. I envisioned Kimi trapped in this dream, fashioned to her heart's desire by the Jurogumo. I must have re-writing these scenes over ten times until I finally arrived at this version that worked for me.
Sorry, but bear with me, I promise we're nearing the end of the Nihon Arc! On the bright side, the next chapter is already half done! I hope it will be uploaded before my trip to Australia this mid-September.
Goodness, has it been over ten years since I started this story? And we're only about 75% done! Yes, after the Nihon Arc, we'll have two more arcs: the Tien Arc and Kyochi Arc! Thank you for sticking with me all these years!
