Falling Leaves 28 ??

  In a strange bedroom, a bright pale light seeps through the windows, as vines that shine golden twist around the white walls like veins.

  Kiyoko lies on a bed covered in a thick white blanket as if she’s in a cocoon,

  “Mmmph.” A low moan comes from her lips as her eyelids twitch, her eyes slowly open, the warmth of the light washing over her face.

  She lets out a yawn, lifting her head as she wipes her eyes and stretches.

  She finally opens her eyes fully, looking around the room.

  “W-where am I?” she whispers to herself.

  Her hair is messy, strands poking out. Eyebags sit beneath her eyes, and drool drips down her face.

  She takes in the vines curling along the white walls, the windows glowing with light. Outside, golden trees sway, their leaves drifting past the glass — some sticking against it as they fall.

  She freezes as the realization washes over her.

  Her eyes widen. “Wait? Am I back in Heaven?”

  “I thought I was just with Akuji—- in that forest—-”

  She rolls off the bed, planting her feet on the brown wooden ground, the chill of it causing her to grunt. “Nnnnh, that feels so good—-”

  She tries to walk as her legs wiggle and feel like jello. “Geez how long was I out for? I’m still exhausted—-”

  She turns her head and spots a mirror in the corner of the room.

  “Was that always there?” she thinks to herself.

  She walks to it, and looks at herself. She’s in black underwear, tight around her waist, wearing a wrinkled white shirt.

  She runs her hands through her long black hair. “My hair is in shambles. Where’s brush when I need one?” She then rubs the corner of her eye and grabs a piece of sleep.

  She flicks it on the ground and raises her arms to stretch once again.

  Flashbacks of her and Akuji race in her head, running away from L’automne, falling through the forest.

  “I’m guessing all that happened was just a dream—-”

  She stutters at the thought of it, her voice wavers, she lets out a nervous laugh. “Thank the Stars! That was a nightmare!”

  “It’s like I didn’t experience any of that traumatic crap! With Akuji, Sachi and Ikigai, and those weird bug ladies—-”

  She turns to the window as the light continues to seep through it, she walks towards it, the light glistens making her eyes shine. She stares outside seeing doves and giant white deer that sparkle in the light, walk on and eat the fallen leaves.

  She sighs. “I never took the time to realize how beautiful heaven was—- maybe I just was too used to it. I took home for granted.”

  Her wings droop, and she leans on the window sill watching the animals and nature.

  A golden leaf sticks on the glass from the outside, Kiyoko looks up at it, and it slowly starts to change color.

  “Hm?”

  The leaf starts to wither as it turns a deep brown, the animals surrounding the area turn and stare at her, their eyes shining from the light.

  Kiyoko steps back, a chill running down her spine. “Okay—- that’s weird—-”.

  Suddenly a knock on the bedroom door is heard. “Erk!” She shrieks as she turns quickly, catching her breath. “Who could that be?” she mutters.

  The knocking continues, she walks slowly towards it.

  She reaches for the door, the knocks continue to fire more aggressively, chips of wood fall from it.

  “W-who’s there?!” she stutters.

  Complete silence responds as the relentless banging continues.

  She gulps, her hands trembling as she reaches for the golden door knob.

  The knocking slows down, she quickly turns it opening the door.

  “Who’s there!” she shouts, shutting her eyes.

  Silence fills the room once more.

  She slowly opens her eyes and spots a man with golden dark brown skin, snow white curls drooping to his shoulders, wearing a black cloak, with violet eyes that gleam in the light.

  “Aku-!” She shutters, stepping back.

  Akuji steps inside, remaining quiet, he looks down at Kiyoko, his lips curling upwards.

  “You didn’t clean yourself up this morning huh?”

  Kiyoko blushes and steps back. “I- I - Uh..” her mind races, “How is Akuji here? What is going on?!” All these thoughts attack her at once.

  Akuji waves his hand in front of Kiyoko. “Hey, are you listening to me?”

  “You alright my love?”

  Kiyoko jolts up hearing the words ‘my love.’

  “M-m-my love?—- did you just call me that?”

  “Yeah? You’re mine aren’t you? Why wouldn’t I?”

  Kiyoko shakes her head, her hair shaking with it. “Okay what’s going on!? Are you pranking me right now?! You never called me your wife! What happened to your girl?!”

  Akuji tilts his head. “My girlfriend? I’m speaking to her right now.”

  He chuckles. “Come on, stop playing games.”

  “Your girlfriend, you know Danya?!”

  Akuji walks closer to her, places his finger on her chin lifting it, making eye contact.

  Kiyoko’s body grows warm, her face turns red, her pupils shake, she bites her lip.

  “St-”

  Akuji interrupts. “I don’t know who you’re talking about, it’s always been me and you.”

  “You’ve always been mine and mine only.”

  “I-” Kiyoko stutters.

  Akuji gently grabs her by the neck, she lets out a soft moan, her eyes widen. “W-hat are you doing?!”

  The room starts to feel like it’s closing in on her, her body heat grows as she rubs her thighs together.

  He smirks and leans to her ear, his breath brushing her ear. “Just let go.” His lips graze her neck.

  Those words ring in Kiyoko’s head. “Let go—- let go—-.” Her body relaxes as she surrenders.

  “Yes—-let go—-”

  Everything shatters, the room goes black.

  ——————————————————

  REALITY:

  The air is thick, muddy lakes of water forming giant blue bubbles fill the area, the bubbles pop releasing a teal colored steam into the air.

  The sound of growling comes from the swamp, giant lily pads float on the surface. Pieces of moss float in the water as skeletons of creatures surround the soul trees. This time the faces are ones of despair, they all drop tears of golden sap, the sound of weeping fills the area.

  By one of the trees Akuji sits there looking at the sky, his shoulder stained with blood, a piece of white cloth covers his wound.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Kiyoko lies on his lap asleep, suddenly she begins to groan and move around.

  Her thighs rub together as she bites her lips, her body sways as she moves back and forth.

  Akuji staring into space doesn’t notice.

  Kiyoko lets out a soft moan and slowly opens her eyes.

  She turns and faces the sky, her vision blurs, Akuji is the first thing she sees.

  “Eek!” she shrieks, her eyes burst open.

  Her face flushes red as she pants, sweat beading on her forehead. Her gray eyes are wide and disoriented as she tries to process where she is.

  She feels something wet in her undergarments. She moves her thighs around as the wetness touches the skin of her inner thigh.

  “It was just a dream—-” she whispers, her voice shaky with confusion and relief.

  She stares at Akuji’s face as he continues to look into the sky, the sounds of the bubbles from the muddy water popping echo through the air.

  She reaches her arm towards him. “Akuji—-” she mutters.

  She’s about to touch his face, he snaps back to reality, his eyes dart down to Kiyoko.

  “Oh you’re finally awake—- about time.”

  He sighs. “Let’s go, we can’t stay still for long. That bitch will find us.”

  Flashbacks flood Kiyoko’s head, L’automne transforming, firing beams at the two of them, barely escaping and now stuck in this swamp.

  “L’automne—-” she whispers to herself.

  She thinks, “I wish this was the dream, and what I experienced was reality—-”

  Akuji lifts her head off his lap, moves her off. “Let’s go! I’m really not trying to be captured here!”

  Kiyoko sits up. “Give me a moment damn it!”

  “I just woke up from being unconscious you know!”

  The sound of bubbles popping from the swamp grows louder.

  Kiyoko looks to her side staring at the muddy water, ripples stream across it.

  She sighs and turns to Akuji, watching him stand.

  He places his hand behind him, stretches leaning on the Soul Tree.

  “Hey I have a question—- before we get moving and all.” Kiyoko asks, continuing to watch the ripples.

  “Eh? This isn’t exactly the best time for interviews you know—-” Akuji takes his hand off the tree.

  Kiyoko whips her head back to him. “Shut up! I know!”

  She lowers her voice. “But this has just been stuck in my head and I have to know.”

  Akuji sighs. “Fine, ask away—- it better not be anything crazy.”

  She pauses for a minute as the sounds of the trees weeping and leaves blowing fills in.

  She takes a deep breath and turns back to the water. “Sachi—- what do you guys mean to each other? Why is she so obsessed with you?”

  Akuji’s eyes widen. “I- well you’re asking the deep questions huh—-”

  He remains silent for a second.

  “Tell me, I just want to know what happened between you two.”

  Akuji rubs the back of his head. “Well, to put it short—-”

  He grunts. “Let’s just say we’re each other’s first loves.”

  Kiyoko’s eyes widen as the feeling of jealousy washes over her.

  She turns to Akuji, looking up at him. “W-what do you mean first love?! How is that even possible? You’re a Death Spirit and she’s a Spirit of Life!”

  “Aren’t you two fundamentally opposites? How did you love each other?!”

  Akuji says nothing at first, watching the swamp, his jaw tight.

  “It—- it’s hard to explain how it happened, it’s been eons since I first met her—-”

  “But one thing I can tell you for sure, she wasn’t the same as this Sachi you know now.”

  Kiyoko stands and wipes mud off her gown. “What do you mean? Explain more please, this doesn’t make sense to me!”

  Akuji inhales and lets out a deep breath. “Listen—- back then Sachi was more—- hm, how do I put this.”

  “Her personality actually resembled what she’s meant for, Joy—- she was Joy.”

  “She brought me happiness, she brought me peace, she gave me love. And in turn I gave her the same.”

  Akuji turns his gaze to the swamp once more, walks to it, Kiyoko’s gaze follows.

  He stands next to her as she continues to look up at him.

  He looks down at the muddy water, the ripples continue to spread across it.

  “But alas nothing can last forever, and let’s just say something caused me and her to split—- I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”

  “She started to spiral—- and now here we are—- the current Sachi hunting me down.”

  Kiyoko’s pupils shake as she stares at the grass below. “I-”.

  She clenches her hands into fists. “So—- do you still love her?”

  Akuji remains quiet as wind starts to blow, his hair flows back, he grits his teeth, his heart grows heavy.

  “I love Danya. That’s just—- the truth. I can’t love anyone else.”

  “Of course—- what was I expecting?”

  They both remain quiet as another bubble begins to form on the water, they both watch it grow.

  Akuji watches it, his thoughts race and they run to memories of Sachi. “Sachi—-” an image of her in a field of autumn leaves, her golden eyes matching the golden leaves, the smile she has on her face as she reaches her arm out for him.

  Her hair flows as wind blows, light shining off the snow white strands of curls.

  Akuji reaches his hand out grabbing hers, her smile widens, eyes crinkling with joy.

  Outside his thoughts Kiyoko watches him stick his arm out towards the bubble.

  She blinks, stands by him remaining silent.

  The bubble trembles and pops, releasing teal steam.

  —————————————————————-

  In Refuge-des-Esprits. Sachi stands on a stone cliff above the endless green ocean staring at the horizon. Waves roll across the surface crashing against the coast, water sprays. She doesn’t flinch, continues to look ahead.

  The auroras above her in the deep green sky reflect off the surface.

  Her dress blows in the wind, her hair streaming with it.

  Thoughts of Akuji swarm her. “Execute—-” she mutters.

  Her bracelets start to cling together as wind continues to blow, the sound of metal crashing together radiates.

  A memory of her, in a village in the Volcanic Wastelands, the two were watching a performance. A red dragon spirit and its underlings were beating drums and dancing with fire.

  They watch in their own booth, Sachi sits behind him wrapping her arms around him, laying her head on top of his. Akuji lays back placing the back of his head on her chest. Laughing at the performance.

  Sachi giggles with him, presses her lips on top of his head, holding him tighter. “To be here forever, I wish this show could go on.”

  In reality more waves continue to crash into the coast, breaking Sachi out of her daydream.

  She clenches her jaw and squeezes her fist. “Damn—-.” She kicks the surrounding rocks as they fly down the cliff.

  “DAMN IT!” Her voice shakes. “How far have I fallen—- how much more will I descend—-”

  “I-” before she can finish, a voice of a man calls out.

  “Fille d’une star!” he shouts out.

  Sachi turns behind her and sees a small spirit, with a wide face, wide round eyes, brown beard and thick mustache, his hair bald in the middle as two brown antennas stick out of his head.

  He has two wings on his back similar to a cockroach, wears no shirt.

  “FILLE D’UNE STAR! IT’S AN HONOR TO MEET YOU FINALLY! I’VE READ ABOUT YOU IN THE LIVRE DE RéVéRENCE!”

  Sachi wipes her tears and sniffles, she tries to force a smile. “Oh? I’m flattered-”

  Suddenly more spirits start to walk up the cliff.

  A swarm of tiny blue spirits with leaves on their heads bow to her. “Fille d’une star!” they all say in unison.

  She waves. “Thank you all for coming to see me—- but please I need some alone tim-”

  The cockroach spirit interrupts her again. “Everyone can you believe it?! She’s standing right in front of us! Garde Royale Malika’s savior. A hero!”

  Sachi starts to shake. “A hero?” she whispers to herself.

  Kiyoko’s words start to play in her head. “Mistress if you can switch your mind about someone who clearly means dear to you to that extent! Why should anyone trust you with anything!”

  “No—-” Sachi mutters.

  “I’m not a hero—- don’t-” her eyes slit like a feline’s.

  Her thoughts race once more. “A hero? Me a hero? How—- How?! I didn’t save anyone, I didn’t do what I did to be a hero!”

  “What even is a hero—- I didn’t save Malika for the greater good—- I did it for—-”

  “AUGH!” she screams, everyone looks at her.

  “What’s going on? Why scream?” the cockroach asks.

  “Just—- Just—-. GET AWAY FROM ME! LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!”

  The spirits step back and start to whine. “But why? We just want to see you!”

  The cockroach laughs. “It’s okay everyone. It may be Fille d’une star, but she’s still a woman at the end of the day.”

  “They always have outbursts.” He walks up to Sachi once more. “Just show her the right act-”

  Before he can finish Sachi bends down grabbing him by the neck, squeezing him.

  “I SAID LEAVE ME!” her voice turns venomous.

  She turns to the blue spirits as they shake in fear. “I WON’T BE CELEBRATED BY SCUM LIKE YOU ALL! I’M NOT A HERO AND NOT YOUR SAVIOR!”

  She squeezes harder and tosses the cockroach off the cliff.

  The blue spirits scream and scatter running away.

  She growls watching, her body continues to tremble. “Malika—- you’re all wrong for making Ikigai and I holy figures in this damned biome!”

  A giant figure covered in a cloak descends from the sky.

  Sachi looks up at it. “Mothpéra—-”

  Mothpéra lands in front of Sachi and kneels. “Ma grandeur, is anything the matter?”

  Sachi grits her teeth, her eyes widen. “Stop—-”

  The sound of wings buzzing come from below the cliff, the cockroach spirit flies back up.

  He coughs water as he holds his neck.

  He gasps and continues to cough. “Fille d’une star—-” he mutters.

  “Oh how honored I am to be touched by you! Please do it once more!” He rushes toward Sachi.

  Sachi stands on guard as he grows closer.

  Mothpéra jumps in the way, grabs the cockroach’s wings midair and rips them off. “AHHHG!” He screams as she grabs his back, slamming him to the ground.

  Blue blood spills from his wings.

  “Kill him—-” Sachi mutters.

  “Kill him now!”

  Mothpéra nods her head, balls her fist, it starts to radiate, the sound of vibrations emit from it.

  The cockroach looks up at Mothpéra, his eyes widen. “Wait, no please!”

  “We can talk this out?! I just wanted to be near Fille d’une-”

  Before he finishes Mothpéra slams her fist on his body, it implodes, blue blood splatters, his eyes and organs leak out.

  Blue blood drips from Mothpéra’s fist. “C’est fait.” (It’s done)

  She turns to Sachi silent, waiting for her next orders.

  The cockroach’s eyeball rolls to Sachi’s feet, she glances down at it.

  The sound of water hitting the coast fills the background.

  Sachi clenches her jaw and stomps on the eyeball, blue blood splats out. “Let’s go! We’re going back to Ikigai!” She walks past Mothpéra.

  Mothpéra follows and steps on the cockroach’s blood.

  Sachi looks upwards at a giant pink flower stands in the middle of Refuge-des-Esprits.

  It pulses a pink light that mixes with the light of the surrounding blue mushrooms. Radiating a purple glow that shines above the huts of wood and other spirits.

  “Malika—- I wonder what you look like these days, after you became a royal guard and started a cult.”

  “Made me some icon here, for nothing—-”

  She closes her eyes and continues to walk as the stone cuts off, turning into one of grass.

  Small cheering comes from the blades of grass below. Sachi opens her eyes, looking down at all of them.

  They all have tiny faces smiling, Sachi’s face remains cold and blank as she stomps on them.

  Mothpéra walks behind watching. “Ma Grandeur—-”

  Sachi turns back, under her eyes black circles form, her pupils dilate.

  “What is it!?”

  “Nothing—-”

  “Tch!” Sachi smacks her lips and continues to walk towards the refuge.