“They’re taking forever...” Breeze says, worried, as she sat on a large moss-covered rock near the entrance of the vine obscured cavern with Shomei.

  “And Keiji said they were alright?” Shomei asks blankly.

  “That’s what Tai said anyway. They’re looking for a way out now...” Breeze sighs. “I didn’t realize how helpless I could be in all this.”

  “Helpless?”

  “Well...” Breeze leans back, a faint frown settling on her face. “Kaori’s been pretty upset since Soujirou’s death... I can’t make her feel any better. She’s got other things to worry about but I can’t guide her through caverns, offer advice... I don’t know. Maybe she doesn’t even need me. She probably only needs Tai to finish this and I’m just in her way.”

  “I don’t think that’s right,” she says distantly. “I’m sure if Kaori didn’t want your help she would tell you.”

  “No. She’s too nice for that.” Breeze stares down at the moss beneath her. “I wish there was something more we could do, you know?”

  “Well...” Shomei’s gazes shifts toward the cavern. “From what I can see, I don’t think anyone of us are the ones who can ease her heart.”

  “Hm?” Breeze sits up straight and looks at Shomei with interest. “What exactly is it you know?”

  “The look in Kaori’s eyes shows more emotion than her face. When her eyes wander they wander to Taiichiro. When her mind is over come with thoughts, she’s brought back by the sound of his name or voice. She is a mirror of what I’ve seen in the past.”

  She stands suddenly looking overcome with possibilities in her mind. “You don’t think... She-” A grin she couldn’t contain spreads across her face. “Really?!”

  “Whether or not she realizes it, or whether it’s reciprocated is another thing.” Shomei crosses her arms with a soft sigh. “But to me it’s clear; Kaori does care for him very deeply. Now when it comes to it being of her own free will... That’s something I’m not as sure of.”

  “Risk of her life... Tai wouldn’t allow that. I know he wouldn’t. He’s not like that anymore.”

  “There’s only one way to find out.”

  The excitement in Breeze’s shoulders fall. “We Wait... Should they be apart, then? Should we keep them together... All this time, Keiji and I were trying to just keep Tai closer to us, closer to him feeling like he had some sort of family left. We hoped that having Kaori around would make him want to stay as well. That she’d be a source of hope for him like she is for is. All we wanted from her was to keep him from being in that dark place again, like his own little ray of sunshine... But maybe he is hurting her... If she sacrifices for him...” She shakes her head. “No. I’m certain he’s got a handle on things. She’s already said she can’t be the one to help him. She’s going to tell him... She’s... She’s smart.”

  A faint smile appears on Shomei’s lips. “Possibly in the end of it all, the most realistic outcome is Kaori’s success.”

  Breeze’s eyes light up once more. “Wouldn’t that be something?” She turns toward the entrance of the cavern as it glowed brightly, seeing Kaori fall to the ground backward with Tai on top of her.

  Kaori winces lightly. “You’re heavy...” She says with a groan.

  Breeze hurries to help Tai up, unable to hide a mischievous grin. “What’s goin’ on here you two?”

  “None of your damn business,” he says after getting up and pulling away.

  “Oh, touchy,” Breeze replies moving away from Tai and helping up Kaori. “Did you get what you needed?”

  Kaori nods, dusting herself off as she moved to a stand with Breeze. “Yes. Sorry about leaving without you. I have no idea how it happened,” she says with concern. “You didn’t worry too much did you?”

  Breeze smiles, touched at Kaori’s sincerity. “Nah, Tai and Keiji kept us informed.”

  “O-oh?” Kaori stutters nervously.

  Breeze ruffles Kaori’s hair grins. “It’s okay, shall we head back to the ship?”

  “Sure,” Kaori follows after Breeze through the woods hurriedly as Tai lead the way up. “I didn’t get the chance to tell him...” She looks up as they reached a clearing, the large familiar ship looming in the sky as it grew closer toward them.

  ?

  Keiji walks down the corridor of the ship, stopping as he saw the others hurry through and smiles. “Welcome home,” he looks at Kaori lightly. “Everything go well?”

  “Yes it did,” Kaori answers, somewhat quickly.

  Keiji notices Kaori’s demeanor before speaking kindly. “The Grand Master is still in the engine room if you’d like to speak with him.”

  “Ah...” Kaori’s shoulders tense immediately. “Well I’m a bit tired. It’s been a long day after all. I’d like to rest a bit before I speak with him.”

  “Understood,” Keiji replies.

  “I guess... I’ll just... Go to bed. I’m sorry,” Kaori bows lightly and hurries past Keiji down the hall.

  Breeze sighs as Kaori had disappeared down the hall. “Just when I thought she was happy...”

  “I suppose she will continue to avoid the Grand Master,” Keiji says quietly.

  “At least until she thinks she’s strong enough,” Tai mutters.

  Breeze’s head snaps toward Tai, her full attention gained at what she believed she heard. “What’s that?”

  Tai exhales in annoyance at actually being heard. “The girl thinks she’s too weak to see him. She believes if they speak she will fall back into the mindset of nearly killing him again,” he shrugs, apathetic of the subject. “Logical fear I guess, given her lack of confidence.”

  “If she’s not up for the task then who are we to force her? Aero is next I presume?” Keiji asks heedlessly as he turned away and walked down the hall, Breeze following close behind.

  “Should be soon, it isn’t too far away. Any word on what’s happening ground level?” Breeze asks curiously while at Keiji’s side.

  Tai watches Breeze and Keiji leave, their voices fading down the hall, only turning as Shomei stepped to his side to speak.

  “Interesting how she shares so much with you.”

  “I didn’t force it out of her if that’s what you’re trying to get at,” he replies bitterly.

  “Not at all. In fact I firmly believe what she shares with you is of her own free will.” She smiles knowingly to herself. “I’ve been curious since you’ve mentioned it before, though... Do you know what happens if a human enters a cavern meant to seal them off?”

  He glares at her in suspicion. “The code says many things... They all lead to death. By the traps left for them or by their own hands. If not navigated correctly a human can go mad with an unforgiving maze.”

  “Luck you’re around then, don’t you think?” She laughs to herself as she noticed Tai’s obvious irritation. “I know this has been hard on you, dealing with Vicious any myself around,” she says quietly as she changed the subject. “I’d like to apologize for myself, and also on his behalf.”

  “I don’t need apologies,” He retorts firmly.

  She looks down her usual calm and unwavering strength to wane. “That’s right... It’s just he thinks of the night Akiko had met you... I’m sure many people do.”

  Tai looks away, expecting the answer to his question as soon as it leaves his mouth. “Let me guess, you blame me too?”

  “Quite the opposite.” Shomei’s voice reflects earnestly. “I’ve never had the chance to thank you for what you did. Akiko was like a younger sister to me, and I really I don’t know what I would have done if I lost her without reason.” An uncomfortable laughs escapes as she continues. “It was the first time I realized faith alone wasn’t going to end this.”

  “Unfortunately not everyone shares that same mindset,” he says bitterly.

  “Maybe so... But I’m sure it has potential to change don’t you think? Even in her lifetime, if not yours.” Her calm demeanor and smile returns, nodding to herself before looking at him. “Have a good evening.” She walks away down the hall in the opposite direction, heading toward the safe room.

  He stares down the hall as Shomei turned the corner, out of sight. “What is she trying to get at...” he mutters to himself

  ?

  “Dreams are strange aren’t they? They show you so much and mean so little... Yet it gives me what I need to break you down,” Says the malicious whispers of the woman of deceit in the darkness just before another voice breaks through.

  Another voice cuts through sharply. “My lady, the wedding ceremony is about to start. Your husband to be is already waiting,” he says with concern.

  Kaori opens her eyes, the darkness fading, and looks down, seeing her clothes were no longer what she was used to wearing, but rather a very large and elaborate set of robes layered upon one another, weighing on her body heavily. A solid gold headdress chimes softly with the movement of her head, tightly wrapped into her hair and pulling on her scalp. “What...?” She looks up to see a Royal Guard at her side, his attire formal as well.

  “May I escort you?” He asks kindly as he extended an arm out to her.

  “Yes..?” She replies, confused while keeping her gaze down until they reached the familiar balcony of the Palace where many of the staff was already surrounding the area waiting for her. A small path made for her attendance leading to the edge of the balcony where an unfamiliar high priest was awaiting her arrival with his face toward her with another man dressed in heavy dark robes, facing away from. She walks hesitantly forward, stopping at the man’s side, her gaze fixated down. (“This must be a memory... A memory of my wedding with the Emperor.”) She feels a slight pang of guilt in her heart as she closed her eyes, the priest speaking softly to both her and the man next to her, only looking up once she felt a hand take hers gently and a familiar voice that was clearly not Soujirou’s speak.

  “I do,” he says in almost a worried mumble.

  “That voice...” She yanks her hand back and looks at the man, noticing immediately it was Tai.

  Tai looks down at her, with an almost curious and worried expression. “Did I say something wrong?”

  Kaori shakes her head in disbelief, the metal of her golden head dress clinking together. “What are you...”

  “Second thoughts? You don’t have to marry me, you know that, right?”

  “Marry you?” She blushes brightly as she avoided his gaze.

  He sighs apprehensively, taking a step back away from her. “Right. It’s only been three years since his passing. I told you it was a bad idea.” He shakes his head. “You know, let’s just stop this. Forget I asked you. I am more than happy just staying at your side as you rule Noroc, it’s more than I should ask in the first place.”

  “Wait.” She steps forward, her dress flowing with her movements, and gently grabs Tai’s sleeve before he could step away any farther.

  He looks down at her, his eyebrows furrowed in concern. “Yeah?”

  “I think...” Her voice trembles. “I want this.”

  He takes her hand in his once more. “Only if you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.” She smiles at his acceptance until an unfamiliar burning sensation started to manifest in her hand, causing her to pull away quickly.

  “Kaori?”

  She looks down at her hand, noticing a black glyph of the Temple to appear and vanish soon after without a trace of its presence. “What?”

  “Are you alright? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s nothing.” She forces a smile. “I’m fine.”

  He stares down at her for a moment, trusting her expression despite his better judgement, turning to the priest as he spoke.

  “Then, by the power entrusted to me by the Goddess of all creations, ruler of Noroc, I pronounce you husband and wife. You are now free to seal your vows.”

  He looks down at Kaori and places a hand on her face gently, unknowing that his touch caused Kaori pain.

  She looks up at him, attempting to ignore the pain, her expression flustered as Tai leaned forward toward her, his lips nearly touching hers. (“This... Feels wrong...”) She closes her eyes, Tai’s lips finally placed on her own, but her body being absorbed by an immense, uncontrollable pain that could no longer be ignored and now coursed through her, causing her to fall to the ground weakly.

  “Lady Goddess!” Shouts the priest.

  “Kaori!” Tai kneels at her side with worry on his face. “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t...” She struggles to breathe as the pain in her body grew worse once Tai lay a comforting hand on her.

  “You can’t what? What’s going on?”

  “Someone call a physician!!” Says the priest to the nearby guards.

  She looks up seeing Tai looking at her worriedly. “I’m-... I’m fine” She holds her body in trembling pain, the back of her robes tearing apart as large black wings emerged from behind her, causing Tai to quickly move to a stand and step back.

  The priest looks at Kaori as she had leaned forward in pain. “He has betrayed the Empress... Given her the same curse he had given Aduro...” He turns sharply. “Guards seize him!”

  “Wait! No!” Tai shouts in his defense. “I didn’t do anything! Let go!”

  She looks up in pain, her vision blurring as Tai was pulled away from her by two guards from the priest’s side. “Leave... Him...” She whispers as she saw him struggle to break free, both of them holding out a hand to one another before she finally collapsed on the ground, tears of pain and mixed emotions falling from her open eyes as she watched a blurring image of Tai being dragged away from her, his voice still clearly echoing.

  “Let me go!! Let me be with my wife!!!” Tai reaches out to her as he was being pulled away, looking desperate to touch her. “Kaori!!!”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Her hand twitches in a last feeble attempt to reach him just before her eyes closed and she was consumed by darkness. (“Wait...”)

  The malicious female voice laughs in the darkness before speaking. “How interesting... Your fear, your weakness, your hopes, and regrets... All so similar... Something I’ve never seen in a goddess before... There is so much fun to be had in the deepest parts of your mind...”

  ?

  Kaori winces, looking uncomfortable before slowly waking up and moving to sit up in her bed, the moonlight pouring in through her window and a soft white glow coming from the lily on the dresser. “Just a dream,” she whispers to herself quietly, looking at her hand as if expecting to see the same glyph from her dream, yet only seeing Soujirou’s ring on her finger. “I can’t let it get to me...” She gets up, going to the window, noticing the sky was perfectly clear and still even as the ship moved. “Hm...” She quietly leaves her room only to head out down the halls of the creaking ship and to the narrow hallway where the familiar door that lead to the deck stayed tucked away. She walks down until she reached the door, hesitant to open it until she heard Yogen’s voice speaking softly behind her.

  “Open it,” his voice whispers as quietly as a brush of wind.

  She opens the door, the wind seeming to gently guide her outside, quickly behind her as she walked up the steps leading to the top of the ship. She maintains a steady pace, her eyes fixed to the star filled sky as she reached the top. “It never stops being so beautiful.” She smiles peacefully, broken from her thoughts as she heard who she initially thought was Yogen speaking quietly from her side, only to be surprised as she saw Tai.

  “Thought you were tired,” he says while standing against a large mast, pushing himself up lightly with his foot, going stand next to her.

  She turns away. “I was. I just...” Her voice fades as she looked down.

  “You came to see the sky right?” He lifts his gaze to the stars. “Be a waste to keep looking down.” He puts his hands in his pockets.

  She looks up as well, seeing a gentle light shoot across the sky before fading. She stands in silence with him for a long moment. “You know...” She says in a soft and gentle tone that barely broke the comfortable peace between them. “I really envy your strength.”

  “Don’t be. My strength is just exhaustion. There’s nothing to be envious about.”

  She turns to him, remembering the comment made about him never sleeping. “Is it because you never sleep?”

  He continues to look up, thinking carefully even as Kaori looked at him.

  She stares at him worriedly for a moment before looking back up at the sky with him, smiling to herself as a thought came to mind. “It’s a funny thing... The guardians show me things that may be important.” She moves to place her hands behind her back as she stepped forward, the wind blowing through her hair lightly.

  He lowers his gaze, his attention slowly focusing entirely on Kaori. “Think you know everything about me then don’t you? Ryota hasn’t seen my entire life.”

  She turns and looks at Tai, her eyes glowing softly in the moonlight, something only he could still see in her. “No... This last guardian is a kind and gentle woman. I’ve dreamt of her before, but this time, at the cavern, she showed me not so much of your past but more of my own.” She smiles knowingly at Tai who in return stared down at her suspiciously. “There was something you promised me if I came back, wasn’t there?”

  He glares at her, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

  “If I’m correct it was to show me the good memories.”

  “I lied and you fell for it,” he says coldly, crossing his arms.

  She pouts momentarily and steps toward him. “Did you really?” She asks sadly, looking up at him with wide innocent eyes.

  He glares down at her and sighs carelessly, looking away from her prying expression. “You’re such a child.”

  “I can live with that if that means you’ll show me,” she says with a shrug.

  “Why are you so interested in seeing it?”

  “Because I want to know what makes you happy,” she replies, her mind concluding there would be no other reason.

  He turns a blank expression toward her, almost taken back at her response, not realizing he was completely lost in thought while he took in the very sight of her, as if he didn’t want to forget every detail of her.

  “If you don’t want to show me then forget it,” she says shaking her head defeatedly. “You probably just want to be alone anyway.” She nods in acceptance and steps back from him. “I get it. Good night then.” She holds up her hand in apology with a weak smile and starts to walk away. “Sorry I bothered you.”

  “Wait.” He quickly grabs Kaori’s wrist gently, the deck around them suddenly bursting into a bright sunlit scene with a green open field filled with flowers and a small river passing through until it reached a lake.

  A surprised gasp escapes her, a gentle breeze gliding various petals around them both while they stood together in the large field of flowers.

  He lets Kaori go reluctantly and looks down at the flowers and grass around him, butterflies passing by and landing nearby.

  She takes a few careful steps through the field, looking at the bright, cloud scattered sky and back around to the flowers. “It’s so beautiful.”

  He clenches his fists at his side, trying to ignore his own thoughts, not hearing anything Kaori was saying.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it... Not even the Lunar garden could live up to this.” She holds out her hands as a butterfly came toward her and landed in the center of her palms for a moment before flying away. She watches it go into the distance for a moment before turning to look at Tai who was still looking down. “Hey. Is there something wrong?” She asks worriedly, walking over to him. “Hello?” She leans down, trying to look into his eyes, waving a hand by him in an attempt to get his attention.

  He opens his eyes, unintentionally meeting Kaori’s, instantly captivated by the bright glow emanating from the halo around them.

  She smiles lightly. “You okay? If it’s painful you can stop.”

  He continues to stare at her, a pain in his eyes seeming to slowly fade.

  Her eyes narrow as her expression became worried yet her smile never fading. “It’s okay... You can stop. I’m sorry to have asked you of something you didn’t want to do.”

  He turns to fixate his stare on the ground below them as he spoke with difficulty. “Why? Why are you doing this?”

  She stands motionless as she listened to his pained whispers carefully, feeling guilty at the question.

  “No one alive has ever seen this but me... It was something I never wanted to share with anyone until the day came where I could bring it back... But you... Just your touch.” He clenches his fists tighter, trying to force himself to forget whatever was on his mind. “Your touch made this happen.”

  “I... I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she says quietly as she looked up at him with a furrowed brow.

  “What did you do to me?”

  She shakes her head in confusion. “I did something to him...”

  “Why can’t I hate you the way I hate everyone else?”

  She slowly reaches out to touch his arm gently, the sunny, bright scene around them suddenly blowing away in a single heavy gust of wind, leaving only the two of them together on the moonlit deck while the stars sparkled above them. “So I did... I hurt him.” She moves her hand away from him and steps back, looking up at Tai, shaking her head.

  “I-... I’ve gotta go,” he says starting to leave, stopping once Kaori spoke in an unsure tone.

  “Whatever I did... I’m sorry.”

  “Just make sure you focus on the tasks ahead...” He says quietly, not bothering to look toward her.

  She grips her hands near her chest as Tai left her alone in the silence of the moon and stars.

  ?

  Keiji walks down the hall from his room, about to knock on Kaori’s bedroom door until he stopped suddenly. “Hm?” A smile forms as he lowers his hand. “I see...” He turns away from Kaori’s door and heads to the control room, looking out at the sun rise from the main window until Breeze came in tiredly.

  “Morning,” Breeze says with a small yawn. “What’s on the agenda today?”

  “Something... Different,” he says distantly as he stared outside with a smile.

  “Hm?” She tilts her head a little. “What do you mean?”

  He turns and looks at Breeze. “Do you remember the day we found Miss Kaori?”

  “Yeah...” She says with a raised eyebrow.

  “How different it has become until this day,” he says wistfully. “I do believe when Tai has a lot to think about he forgets he leaves a window to his mind open for me.”

  She looks at Keiji with confusion. “What did you see?”

  “A curious possibility...”

  Her eyes light up brightly as if she understood what Keiji meant. “Do you really mean it?”

  “I can only see the possible outcomes, and though it is faint, it is still within my view. But, for now, it’s best to let it run its course naturally... She’s doing very well as it is.”

  She nods lightly. “Right,” she turns as the door opens and sees Kaori walk in alone. “Good morning,” Breeze says with a bright smile. “How did you sleep?”

  “Okay,” Kaori replies tentatively.

  “So next we’re heading toward Aero,” Breeze says with a kind smile. “There anything else you want to do?”

  Kaori looks down, thinking hard. “Is Vicious still with the Grand Master?”

  “I believe so,” Keiji answers.

  “I’d like to speak with him alone,” Kaori says in response.

  Breeze looks at Kaori worriedly. “Are you really okay with that?”

  Kaori nods hesitantly before answering. “I think so...”

  “Then I’ll let him know.” Breeze smiles encouragingly.

  “Thanks,” Kaori says gratefully.

  Breeze ruffles Kaori’s hair she hurried out of the control room lightly.

  Kaori looks up at Keiji noticing his smile, then turns to the window.

  “It’s been a clear day. Even last night was something nice to see... Did you happen to take the time to look?” He asks curiously as he turned to look out the window as well. “I doubt you did. You were tired after all.”

  “Keiji.”

  He turns and looks at Kaori blankly. “Yes?”

  “I...” She falters, shaking her head dismissively. “Never mind... It’s not important.”

  “If it’s on your mind, I’m sure it is indeed important. But I will not pressure your concerns. I trust you will let me know what it is whenever you are ready to do so.”

  She smiles weakly at Keiji’s supportive response before nodding lightly. “Thanks.”

  Breeze walks back into the control room with Vicious behind her, followed by Shomei.

  “Kaori,” Vicious stares at her intently. “How are you feeling?”

  Kaori looks back at him plainly. “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been attentive to you. I really am,” Vicious apologizes sincerely.

  “That’s alright. I shouldn’t rely on people this far into the journey already.”

  “So you would like to talk to the Grand Master?” Shomei asks, quickly getting Kaori’s full attention.

  “Yes... I think it’s time.” She nods once, confidently. “I know where to go... Please, if I take too long before we get there, let me know.”

  “Sure thing!” Breeze says chirps.

  “We’ll give you your space,” Keiji says with a nod.

  Kaori turns and hurries out of the control room and down the halls until she reached the door to the safe room, reaching her hand out to touch it but stops looking conflicted. She clenches her hand into a fist lightly as if giving up. “What would I even say to him?” She stares at the door distantly, not noticing Tai had walked up behind her.

  “Just open it,” he says simply.

  She takes a step away from the door. “I... I don’t think I should,” she replies hesitantly. “He must be upset about last night. At this rate there never going to be a chance for me to actually tell him.” She places her hands near her heart lightly, feeling the heavy tension between them.

  He stares down at her before looking away, opening the door unexpectedly, motioning Kaori to enter first. “Not everyone lives forever. Ask questions while you have the chance,” he says quietly. “I’ll be here to support you.”

  Her expression softens at his gesture and slowly enters the engine room, Tai right behind her. Her eyes fixate on the Grand Master as she saw him stand and face her.

  Valo stares at Kaori silently and then to Tai. “I see... The puppet and her master. Finish what you started. I will not fear death.”

  “I’m not his puppet, and I- No one is here to harm you,” Kaori says quietly.

  “Then I suppose you want answers to things you should already know, no doubt.” Valo sighs heavily with disappointment. “A high goddess with no memory of how Noroc works, how unbecoming.”

  She looks down, only the gentle creaking of the ship breaking the silence of the room.

  “It was all part of your plan to get Kaori here wasn’t it?” Tai asks suddenly. “After Aduro denied serving under you as those before him did.”

  “Aduro was turned because of you, boy,” Valo snaps. “Never forget that.”

  “I won’t deny what I did, but he was far gone before I ever reached him, and it was the Temple’s doing. There is something deep within this girl that tells her to avoid your kind and you know it’s because all these years you’ve been lying to your followers. Telling them Yaban are the enemy when it’s us who are stuck with the burden of protecting a deity.”

  “And why should there be a blessed few who have the power to control when the devout get nothing at all?” Valo asks Tai sharply.

  “Why question it?” Asks Kaori before Tai could speak in her defense.

  “If the gods know everything then they should have seen this coming. Giving power to a select few would only bring chaos. Their choices caused all of this,” Replies Valo carelessly.

  “So... You know everything about the Gods? The scriptures, their history...” She asks, her voice steady and firm.

  “Kaori, it’s just made up,” Tai says quietly. “It’s their own view of what they want to happen.”

  She turns to Tai seriously. “There has to be some truth to it. I know your side; I want to know theirs.”

  Valo laughs. “You think you know the boy’s side? Because he killed Aduro for the so-called sake of his worthless people.” He shakes his head. “I’m afraid that’s only the half of it.”

  He glares at Valo hatefully. “I’ve told her everything.”

  “Then I suppose you know who bestowed that curse upon you?” Valo asks darkly.

  She looks down a little thoughtfully. “The Gods themselves. Meaning I would have been one of them.”

  “No, that would be too simple. You see once a Deity is killed, the murderer has their soul ripped away from them, replaced with nothing more than the pain they’ve bestowed upon the one they killed. Perhaps why Taiichiro here can be as close as he wants with you, yet still cannot feel the touch of purity without the same pain he’s inflicted on Aduro. Each time you touch him is exactly how Aduro felt in his last moments, the hate, the pain, the betrayal of trust he held for the people who were meant to protect him...”

  Tai goes rigid at Valo’s claims.

  “Is it some coincidence that you have seen the beginning and will see the end? A mere accident that your forgiveness rests in the hands of a Deity yet each one that arrives ignores your desperate pleas?” He grins lightly. “Do you think she’ll be any different? That she cares enough to sacrifice for your forgiveness twofold?” He turns away carelessly.

  “I don’t need her to care about me in any capacity” Tai glares at Valo, refusing to let him get the better of Kaori’s emotions. “It’s her choice alone.”

  “Are you sure?” Kaori remains silent, unable to bring herself to speak as Valo continued.

  Valo grins to himself. “You’ve really worked hard to convince yourself. Eitherway, she is powerless to help you. She may be a leader but she is just as weak as the rest.”

  “He’s useless” Tai says turning around. “Everything the Temple talks about is lies.”

  Valo glances back at Tai. “I’m sure you knew, considering how much she has to lean on so many others. Does it upset you to find that she’s too weak to give you what you thought you needed? Or have you become so delusional that you believe you’re worthy of having a goddess actually care for you? She didn’t even have the decency to even mourn her own husband before running off with the likes of your kind.”

  Tai stands motionless. “I don’t know why people bother with the likes of you.”

  She feels her throat tighten at the mention of Soujirou, taking a deep breath to regain her composure and focus before turning her attention back at Valo. “I want to know what the scriptures say about Aduro.”

  “Your trusted prophet has yet to tell you?”

  “How do you...” Her voice fades, her suspicion of Valo growing. “I need to know. I will not be used as a weapon, but I cannot stand idly by while people are in danger every second as long as Aduro is alive. Please I’m begging you for your help.” She bows deeply in an attempt to strengthen her plea for his help. “We all want the same thing in the end of it all, Aduro has to be dealt with.”

  Tai looks over his shoulder, irritated to see Kaori bowing to Valo.

  He looks at Kaori, his condescending gaze laced with disappointment. “To weaken him, you must rid him of his loyal followers, saving the souls of each one that has been deemed lost, abandoned, and pained by the world. Find Aduro’s hold on them and set them free” he says.

  She looks up at him with determination. “And how will I do that?”

  “No sacred text says how, just that you will,” he replies haphazardly.

  Tai turns completely and walks over to Valo, stopping as he reached him and stares hatefully down at him. “The words written by humans mean nothing,” he says after a moment of silence.

  “That may be so, but the words of the gods are written by them when they reach Noroc. Each a journal of their journey visiting Shrines before arriving home at the Temple. The only ones not doing so beginning over a thousand years ago, when Yaban were more of a problem.”

  “So that’s why you denied existence of the Guardian Souls,” Tai says irritably.

  “Yaban ways are the wrong ways. That goddess was the first to fall because she fell in love with a guardian. He had no right to have her sacrifice on his behalf,” Valo says carelessly.

  “But she loved him,” Kaori mutters, an ache burning in her heart as if a fire was lit within her. “If she wanted to do what she could for him then no one would have had the right to stop her,” Kaori’s eyes reflect slight desperation as she heard Valo’s patronizing tone.

  “It was a foolish love. Young and naive because of his own up bringing. Though he was a follower of the Temple and a Shrine warrior he doubted the teachings and his faith wavered. It weakened them both.” Valo looks at Kaori, stepping closer toward her as he moved passed Tai. “You see my dearest Empress; nothing good comes from having pity for the likes of them.”

  “Even if that’s true... I will defeat Aduro, and I will find a way to make sure he never comes back. I will do it with the help of Yaban, and the faith of followers alike.”

  “Say you do defeat Aduro, the world has nothing to fear any longer... How will you change the minds of all those who grew to fear Yaban? And with your devout follower here still being alive, there’s no doubt people will assume Aduro’s eventual return.” Valo asks skeptically.

  “It’ll take time, and I will have plenty of it...” She replies strongly.

  Valo stares down at her for a moment, unimpressed with her answer. “Do as you wish then. I have nothing left to say,”

  She stands in silence as Valo turned away from both her and Tai and walked to the far end of the safe room only to sit down and close his eyes peacefully. “Save the loyal four...” She turns away, a thoughtful expression on her face as she exited the room with Tai close behind her silently. “I need to speak with Yogen...” She walks down the halls and stops once she reached her bedroom, turning to Tai quietly. “I’m going to take a moment to myself,” she says quietly.

  “Kaori...”

  She shakes her head lightly. “It’s important to me right now. Please understand.”

  He looks at her calmly, noticing her look away from him. “Whatever doubts you have...”

  “I haven’t any,” she replies quickly.

  He nods lightly at her response, taking her at her word. “I’ll be in the control room with the others if you need us.”

  “Thank you.”

  He walks away reluctantly, not turning back as Kaori had watched him for a short moment before turning to the door to her room.

  She goes into her room, looking around seriously as the door closed behind her. “Yogen.”

  Yogen’s presence slowly appears from the corner of the room and bows lightly to Kaori. “My lady.”

  She turns and looks at him, a flash of exasperation in her eyes before she felt a slight pain in her heart, causing her to quickly let go of her frustration. “Yogen... Are you able to show me the life I had in the heavens?”

  He looks at her worriedly, his expression somewhat conflicted before nodding lightly. “If it is what you wish of me...”