Chapter 15 - Shrine

  Drifting awake, the memories of last night bring a smile to my lips. It almost feels like a dream, but with Sakura cuddled against me I know it isn't, no matter how surreal it seems.

  Her warmth presses against me beneath the blankets, her slow breathing brushing softly against my chest where her head rests. For a moment I simply enjoy it, letting the quiet morning stretch a little longer.

  Eventually I pull her a little closer and press a gentle kiss to the side of her neck, the skin there soft beneath the curtain of her ink-black hair. She lets out a small moan, stretching lazily against me before turning to face me.

  “Good morning, babe. Did you sleep well?” I ask, leaning in to kiss her lips as I watch her wake.

  “Hmm, Vala? So warm…” Sakura murmurs, nuzzling closer with a soft, contented sigh as she curls against me.

  I smile and brush a hand gently through her hair. “I’ll shower first if you want to sleep a little longer, babe.”

  She gives a quiet, sleepy huff but rolls onto her side, loosening her hold and freeing me from beneath her.

  Leaning down, I press a soft kiss to her forehead before slipping out from under the covers. The cool air of the room brushes against my skin as I stand and make my way toward the bathroom.

  Just as I reach the doorway, I hear the bed shift behind me.

  A moment later, the bathroom door opens.

  I glance over my shoulder as Sakura steps inside anyway.

  I hadn’t expected her to follow me in, and for a moment I just stand there, surprised to see her.

  The sound of the running water fills the small space between us.

  Our eyes meet.

  The corner of her mouth lifts in a small, shy smile, as if she’s waiting to see what I’ll do.

  I can’t help smiling back.

  Turning slightly, I begin slipping out of my clothes.

  The quiet stretches between us, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric and the steady hiss of the shower.

  Even without looking directly, I’m very aware of her. Of the way she moves, of the occasional glance that flickers my way before darting off again.

  By the time the last piece of clothing joins the rest, the nervous energy has stilled into something softer.

  I turn back toward her and reach out.

  My fingers find hers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

  “Come on babe, I'll wash your back.”

  She raises an eyebrow as we step beneath the warm spray of the shower.

  Water cascades over us, and she lets out a quiet laugh as she moves closer.

  Hugging her from behind, I can feel my heart beating hard for the beautiful girl in my arms.

  Taking a deep breath to calm down, I find myself drawn to her scent, burying my nose in her neck as she giggles.

  “Vala, stop sniffing me… it tickles and is kind of embarrassing.”

  So much for calming down. If I were capable of being calm under these circumstances, I’d probably qualify as a saint.

  In response, I give her a gentle kiss on the neck, turning her already pink face an even deeper shade of red. Reaching for the body wash, I start washing her, my touch firm yet careful, giving us time to adjust to this new level of intimacy.

  The soft moans she lets out as I massage her shoulders send a tingle through my core, and I have to make a conscious effort to keep my hands from wandering toward more sensitive territory.

  The shower stretches on longer than it probably should, warm and unhurried, the kind that makes the rest of the world feel far away for a little while.

  Eventually, though, we step out and wrap ourselves in our towels before leaving the bathroom.

  The warmth stays with me as I walk back into the room. Part of it is simple comfort, but there’s something else mixed in as well. A faint edge of frustration at wanting more, tempered by a quiet contentment with where things are between us.

  For now, this is enough.

  Shaking my head lightly, I push the thoughts aside and turn my attention to getting dressed and ready for the day.

  Sakura picks out a white fitted shirt with a girl holding a katana printed across the front. The rest disappears beneath gray combat pants as she pulls them on.

  I dress in my first outfit: black combat pants and boots. The black and neon pink shirt, with a bunny girl holding a sniper rifle printed across the front. Sachie did a great job picking out my clothes, though I can’t help wondering what Sakura would have chosen instead.

  We end up surprisingly well-coordinated. Our clothes share the same vibe and cut, and with matching hairstyles we look almost like we planned it.

  Satisfied with the result, we head to the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Mom,” I say with a smile and a small wave as I sit down at the dining room table.

  “Good morning, Vala’s mom,” Sakura echoes, copying my wave before taking her seat beside me.

  “Good morning, sweethearts. Coffee for Vala and black tea for Sakura.”

  “Thanks, Mom, that sounds perfect.”

  “So, Vala told you I prefer tea? I would love some, please.”

  “Yes, Vala has been talking about you since she started school. She’s not the best at expressing her feelings, but she’s been doing a lot better lately. I believe I have you to thank for that.”

  Mom returns to the table carrying a drinks tray with our beverages, her eyes reflecting genuine happiness.

  “It’s wonderful to have you both here. Sakura-chan, you’re like a second daughter to me, and it’s a joy having you around. Now, let’s enjoy our drinks.”

  I take a sip of my coffee, enjoying the rich taste. Sakura lifts her tea, but just as she’s about to drink, her phone vibrates on the table. She sets the cup down and checks the screen, her expression shifting as she reads the message.

  She sighs before replying.

  “Looks like I have to go. Mom was cool with me sleeping over, but they want me back soon.” She sounds a little frustrated. “Better do as they say, I guess, since I want you to come over more in the future, babe.”

  That seems to cheer her up again, a small smile returning to her face.

  “It’s… no, you're right, love.”

  “Sakura-chan, you’re always welcome here, and there’s plenty of time in the future, so don’t worry too much about it, sweetheart. And who knows, maybe if you return quickly and happily, they will let you stay longer next time,” Mom says warmly.

  She nods before finishing her tea in a few quick sips. Standing up, she walks over to me and pulls me into a hug, pressing a quick kiss to my lips.

  “I’ll see myself out, love, so bye for now.”

  I hesitate for a moment before simply nodding with a small smile, realizing she wants to leave without turning it into a long goodbye.

  “Thanks for having me, Vala’s Mom.”

  She hugs her the same way… and after a moment of shy hesitation, kisses her cheek.

  “Anytime, sweetheart. Now off you go,” Mom says, her eyes warm with gentle amusement as Sakura heads for the door.

  I quietly sip my coffee, feeling a little sad now that she’s gone. The kitchen suddenly feels a bit larger and a bit quieter without her.

  “Sweetheart, are you missing your girlfriend already?” Mom asks with a soft smile. “It’s cute. So why don’t we have our monthly outing today? I believe you wanted to go to the shrine.”

  “That actually sounds great, Mom. I didn’t see Mother Riho last night, and it would be nice if we could visit her now, as a family.”

  I feel a smile tug at my lips. It really is a great idea, and a welcome distraction from how much I’m missing Sakura.

  She smiles back, but there’s something a little odd about it. Her eyes are practically sparkling.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “So, I wonder why Riho decided not to visit last night? I can’t imagine something like a sleepover would stop her. Perhaps I can ask her at the shrine.”

  “Mom, I love you, and as your daughter I would prefer it if you didn’t.” I still smile, though it doesn’t quite reach my eyes.

  “Oh my, I was mostly joking. But your reaction. Your love for weapons, martial arts, and now this… My beautiful daughter will make a fine Valkyrie.”

  I’m sure this is an odd way to impress a normal parent, but I don’t really have to worry about normality. The images from last night replay in my mind and, yeah… while we didn’t go too far, it was definitely a do-not-disturb kind of moment.

  Wait a second… was I on the bottom?

  No, that doesn’t count. We were just cuddling. Basically.

  I’m not entirely sure if I’m convincing myself here, but either way, I’m more than happy to lend my chest as a pillow for my girl.

  Or a late-night snack…

  The thought brings a faint blush creeping up my cheeks as Sakura’s little fixation with my nipples crosses my mind.

  By the time we leave the house, the color has only just faded from my face.

  It’s a short walk to the shrine, and fortunately Mom doesn’t ask any more questions about my sex life. Unfortunately, she’s in a stupidly good mood now that she knows I have one. Blushing earlier definitely didn’t help my case while I was trying to explain things without going into detail.

  Mom and I may be close these days, but some things are still better left unsaid.

  Entering the shrine, we toss our coins into the offering box before bowing twice, clapping twice, and offering our prayers to Mother Riho.

  As our eyes close, the sounds of the world around us begin to fall away.

  When I open them again, the shrine is gone.

  Instead, we’re standing together on the frozen shore of the divine pool I recognize from my dreams. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of winter along with something older. Sacred.

  A young woman who looks no older than eighteen stands before us, dressed in red and white miko robes. The fabric shifts softly in the breeze, and a faint trace of incense clings to the air around her.

  There’s a clear family resemblance between us. Close enough that we could easily be mistaken for sisters. To anyone looking at us now, we appear far too close in age to be mother and daughter.

  Yet the bond between us is unmistakable.

  I know her.

  I’ve seen her before, standing just like this at the edge of the frozen water.

  From my dreams.

  Mother Riho.

  I watch as my moms hold each other's gaze, a moment where neither of them moves.

  Something passes between them in that quiet look. Longing. Loneliness. Duty. It feels strangely private, like I’ve stepped into a moment meant only for the two of them.

  After a while, they finally turn their attention to me.

  “I, Riho, recognize my daughter Vala, so named by me. Enter the water and receive your birthright, granted by your grandfather, Kuraokami. The power within these waters is freely given. Today we will forge the physical connection between you and the divine pool. I will guide you until you are able to control this power through your own will.”

  I feel the quiet encouragement of both my mothers as I stare at the divine pool. The water’s surface ripples gently in the breeze, and a palpable hum of divine energy fills the air as I step closer.

  There’s a presence to it, a… sacred weight that the insubstantial version I’m used to lacks. In my dreams it always felt distant, almost symbolic. Here, it feels real. Alive.

  I step into the water.

  It’s cool in a strange, electric way.

  The sensation isn’t entirely unfamiliar. I felt something similar during winter survival training in the military. It’s the kind of cold my mind can’t quite process, where the temperature slips past normal understanding and goes straight into my nerves.

  I float on the surface as tendrils of some unknown substance begin forming around my body. Each one carries a faint vibration, subtle but undeniable, which slowly stills as they wrap around me.

  I can sense Mother Riho guiding them.

  The tendrils spread across my skin, covering every inch of my body. The sensation should be unsettling, but instead it feels deliberate. Controlled. Almost gentle.

  Relaxing, I try not to resist as they pull me downward.

  Slowly, I’m dragged into the depths.

  —

  I gasp as I wake, drawing in a sharp breath while the world rushes back into focus.

  I’m standing in the shrine again, exactly where I had been praying. It doesn’t look like I moved at all.

  Yet the sensations of the divine pool remain: cool currents, faint electric tingles running across the surface of my skin, as if the water is still touching me somewhere just beneath reality.

  My mother stands beside me, her eyes still closed. I suppose she has some catching up to do.

  Closing my eyes, I turn my awareness inward. Almost immediately, I sense a small reservoir of otherworldly energy. Mana, according to the knowledge Riho infused during my awakening.

  That reservoir is wrapped in delicate tendrils of power flowing from the divine waters. Like the roots of a plant drawing moisture from the soil, those tendrils slowly pull more energy into my body. The flow is steady and patient, gradually expanding my mana pool… and perhaps altering it as well.

  I’m not entirely sure what this will mean for my future, but having access to this power is undeniably comforting. While I can hold my own in this world, I suspect I’m still far behind what the Old World demands. After witnessing my family’s true nature—ageless though they may appear—I know I have a long road ahead before I can truly stand beside them.

  Mom opens her eyes.

  A noticeable blush colors her cheeks, and her gaze is just slightly unfocused. For a moment, I get the very distinct impression that my parents may have just shared an intimate moment beside my newly connected divine pool.

  I’m… conflicted.

  On the one hand, it may technically be Mother Riho’s place, and I now have access to it as well.

  On the other hand… I did exactly the same thing in my family’s home last night.

  I file the thought away in the Never Shall I Think Of It Again folder and wait for Mom to gather herself.

  After a moment, impatience begins to creep in, followed closely by a growing suspicion as I study her face.

  “I have a feeling Mother Riho is the top in your relationship. Why else would you need so long to recover?”

  She flinches at my words, which is all the confirmation I need.

  An unspoken agreement settles between us almost instantly.

  Our sex lives will no longer be discussed.

  Mom and I share a relaxing walk afterward, one that reminds me a lot of my first day going to school. The quiet familiarity helps clear my thoughts, and before long we’re back home.

  I give Mom a warm hug, appreciating her company. Today was… a lot to process.

  We part ways to digest the experience in our own way. As I step out onto the balcony, a light breeze cools my face. I lean against the railing and let my thoughts drift while I look out over the cityscape.

  Feeling relaxed, I think about what I learned during my dream training and what it means now that I can use that power in the real world. Turning my attention inward, I recall the sensation of forming an ice katana.

  Almost immediately, I feel a drain on my mana as it feeds the image.

  When I open my eyes, the sword I imagined now rests in my hand.

  The blade is cool against my palm, the chill pleasant to me but likely cold enough to cause ice burn for anyone else. Its crystalline structure catches the light, scattering it in sharp reflections as I lift it slightly to examine the edge for flaws.

  There are none that I can see.

  Taking a few slow practice swings, I test the weapon’s balance and weight. The motion feels natural, familiar. Just like in my dreams.

  It’s finally time to try the bladedancer technique.

  As I shift into the stance, I feel mana gathering at my waist before flowing through my core and into my arms. I begin cycling through the forms Mother Riho taught me.

  Each swing grows faster and heavier than the last.

  The blade slices cleanly through the air, my mana instinctively reinforcing it as the rhythm builds. A strange sense of freedom spreads through me, my sword dancing from one form to the next as the movements blur together.

  My body begins to strain as it tries to keep up, instinctively drawing deeper from my mana reserves to sustain the speed. The power isn’t released outward. Instead, it reinforces muscle and bone as it slowly seeps inward, becoming part of me.

  My movements quicken as I cycle through the forms. At first the blade smears into pale arcs of motion, too fast for my eyes to follow.

  Then something shifts.

  My perception sharpens, and the blur resolves into clean lines of motion even as my speed continues to climb.

  The skills Mother Riho taught me in dreams now unfold in reality.

  A sharp crack, like the snap of a whip, breaks my concentration, and I ease out of the movement before coming to a halt.

  I glance down at the blade. Though the mana protects it from damage, a faint pattern has formed along the edge, a subtle signature left by the heat of wind resistance.

  Looking up, I catch my mother watching from inside the house. When our eyes meet, she gestures for me to join her at the dining room table.

  I disperse the sword before going in, watching its crystalline form dissolve into drifting particles that scatter into the breeze.

  By the time I sit down, Mom is finishing up in the kitchen. I wait patiently while she prepares our coffees, curious to hear what she thinks about the technique.

  Once she joins me at the table, I take a sip of my coffee and wait for her to speak.

  “Sweetheart, you have improved tremendously in a very short period of time. In just a few weeks, you’ve gone from barely reaching the upper limits of what is possible for a human to achieving something that may be impossible even for some people of the Old World.

  “I was around thirty-five years old when I first broke the sound barrier with a sword.

  She pauses, studying me over the rim of her cup.

  “And it has only been a matter of weeks since you… hatched. I must admit, I’m at a loss.

  I stay quiet for a few moments, thinking through everything that contributed to my sudden growth. There are several factors, but one of them stands out as the most obvious.

  “Mother Riho’s dream training uses conceptualized time and shared memory. Because of that, it’s hard to say exactly how long I’ve been training, but she told me it would feel like centuries compressed into a few hours of real time.

  “As for my physical ability, it draws on power from the divine pool. I can use that power now, but it will take time before it truly becomes my own.”

  I take another sip of coffee before continuing.

  “My skills as a shooter. I want to combine them with my abilities. I’m not entirely sure what will be possible yet, but the same principles should still apply. Defense is a combination of cover and concealment. So… optical camouflage using light, maybe? For cover, perhaps armor or some kind of barrier.

  “Offensively, I want something comparable to heavy weapons. Power, range, and the ability to engage multiple targets. I’m still a soldier at heart, and I want to be able to defend myself—and the people I care about.”

  “Sweetheart, we haven’t discussed Old World politics yet, but your beliefs will certainly be relevant. Your grandmother and I may prefer old-fashioned, direct combat, but your approach has merit and should be explored.

  “A large part of spellcraft depends on visualization. Can you clearly imagine the effects of modern weapons… or optical camouflage?”

  “I can picture the results, but I’ll need practice to make it work. Can you help me, Mom?”

  “Yes, sweetheart. I’d like that.”

  We spend the rest of the afternoon practicing visualization and shaping mana. The progress is slow, but real.

  One small step closer to my goal: gaining the power to protect what—and who—is mine, even in the Old World.