No school girl could tell a cooler story than Ayumi's adventure last night, guaranteed to raise her popularity if demonstrated by real evidence. But even with this tempting thought, Ayumi could not and did not like to share her travel story to Yorkshire over one night, on a cloud to top the wonder factor even higher. She had lost the thrill over that adventure after hearing the story of the priestess and the specter.
"She was a good queen, that is all to it."
Meaning, that even while she possessed the ultimate natural power and used it for goodness and purification, she was still a human. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of her power, the perfection and selflessness of goodness and virtue? But if the specter after a long time post her passing away had made that cruel demand of the poor priestess in resonance with the dead queen's feelings, then what feelings did she harbor? Did she harbor them for long or did they just rise and overcome her at the moment of her untimely demise? Noriko had elaborated at their meeting that Amaterasu could feel the pain and suffering controlling the human's hearts and purify it, that she could reach to lost souls and save them, receiving nothing in return. So for that part, she did not differ from that foreign priestess. But she also mentioned how much she had to fight to hold up the peace, and how she was let down by some of the princesses and even betrayed by others. Then there was that look upon the queen's face while meeting her death, stabbed through her heart, the look of disappointment and grief, tinted with sorrowful surprise and disbelief. She was realizing that she had lost, not only a life that was supposed to be semi- eternal, but everything she had done through its short span despite the rigorous effort she had put into it. She had accomplished what no other queen or princess could; bring the two worlds of nature and humanity into a period of ultimate harmony, for no personal benefit, merely touched by the suffering of those around her. It was too much, a level of disappointment and bitterness was bound to overtake her. But was this deserving enough to justify the cruelty of the specter's offer? Or was it the test any good person had to go through to validate their genuine intentions? Was a similar trial awaiting Ayumi as well, and would she pass or fail? Her heart felt restricted in her chest for the entire thought, what she took half seriously revealed itself to be a very serious matter with an unknown, even perhaps ominous consequences. But she'd already accepted it and despite what had transpired, a major part of her did not want to let go. The path was still in its beginning and many shrouded mysteries were to unravel slowly along it for sure, it was still too early to judge or declare fear and defeat. She should not think solely about the previous queen, whose many pieces of her stories were still missing. Her battle was not just to avenge her, it was for the princesses who were still trapped in their duty over decades, forbidden from returning to their normal life for centuries, missing on new moments and opportunities at happiness and a simple peaceful life. Ayumi's self – proclaimed purpose laid beyond a revenge story. Although, if the evil that had defeat a formidable queen was about to emerge again and threaten herself and those she loved, she could not stay still.
She had accepted the power, and was determined to master it and use it wisely and for good measures. However, for the time being, she only held the crown with her for protection as Reiha had advised her to protect herself in case she or Chiyasu could not respond to her, preferring to leave the scepter inside a bag in her closet and not looking at it.
A second thought followed, the thought of Chiyasu, who as destructive and ill – omened her power seemed, could still at the same time create the most beautiful flowers, like that ivy that grew over her house wall, or the light buds that illuminated the tunnel. Not only that, she could listen to the sounds of the rocks and stones and the stories they concealed. After witnessing that gentle touch to the hard stones and her interest in their sad story, she was certain the princess of the earth was lying. Those buds were not poisoned. She was putting a mask that had been worn for son long that it carved itself into her face, making its way into her heart, and Ayumi felt the need to save her from herself before that happened. Ayumi could not tell why she was still tolerating and ignoring most of the princess's antics and honest admittance of wishing to kill her. It was as if she knew in her heart that these open declares were the frustrated lonely voice of a hurt child. She felt a connection with her despite her numerous murder attempts, which might sound stupid on Ayumi's part, but she had also been through loss and frustration and she had seen in her own eyes the same gleam of longing in the princess's green eyes. She felt, despite being younger by ages, a connection like an obligation to prove herself worthy to her, and take care of her as if she was a little sister. Maybe the girl was overthinking the matter, or her new turmoil of emotions had erupted much too loudly after being dormant for years, awakened by what she had learned, seen and witnessed. But that thought did not bother her at all.
***
Chiyasu's territory was a draughty land, a desert, with roots and bare dry trees sprouting randomly, just growing to add a sense of life to the cracking land, though it was gloomy and soul - dampening. It bore no semblance to the shimmering buds lighting the tunnel just the other night, nor did it testify to the her ability to grow flows of flowers and roses, soft as the snow, colorful as the different flocks of birds. Despite this, this magical realm existing at the borders separating between the physical and the metaphysical was her safe haven. A place where she could heal and regenerate her powers. A place concealed from the peering eyes of ordinary mortals and mystical entities alike. Only the other princesses of nature and its entities, demons and benevolent spirits were able to sense it, though may not break into it without the permission of its weaver unless they were powerful enough to break through the magical barrier. The last option of force might be fit for the princess of the wind, she might have been able to storm through the territory with some effort, but she still chose to send a soft breeze, a message asking for accepting entrance. Chiyasu hesitated for a moment before opening a portal through which Reiha walked on her feet demonstrating none of her powers.
"I am surprised you let me in."
Reiha started the conversation, not even bothering to look around for the other princess's whereabouts which were probably on some tree branch, not in the mood to see anyone or talk.
"Would you have forced yourself if I did not let you in?"
"No."
Came the princess of the earth voice, far off and from high then Reiha's answer with a simple word while scanning the territory, empty and scant, like a starved land. Knowing the territories reflected what resided in the princesses' heart, she could not but feel a sting in her heart.
"Then it was a waste of time. There is nothing urgent."
"That depends on your definition of the word "urgent"."
Reiha argued back, strolling the place, no flowers, no buds, no green leafs only ones similar to ashes wasting off. Reiha's field of vision was suddenly filled with the angry princess, her bait luring her out perfectly.
"What are you insinuating, Reiha? That I perceive guarding and saving that little pathetic girl an urgent matter?"
"You are the one admitting this right now."
"What do you want me to prove? You want me to serve her, right? You have always been this way... However, I don't recall being a hindrance to any of our "missions" till now!"
"This is rather a worrisome matter."
Chiyasu stared at Reiha, a wide grin on her face.
"You want to know what I am after, or why I am waiting... and you know my goal has not changed."
"Unfortunately for all of us, this is true."
The princess of the earth deepened her gaze at the other's grayish blue eyes. There was no hint of threatening in neither her stares or voice. But the chosen sides did not need any hints for clarification.
"I am not an idiot, Reiha…"
Chiyasu turned her back taking the desolate scenery in her gaze before turning again at her "guest".
"I need to destroy Amaterasu's powers to end this, and sadly for the idiot girl she's my only clue to them. So after we find them, things are bound to change to what you already expect and plan on preventing."
"Would that actually help you?"
"I am bound by that woman's powers, destroying them is certain to do the opposite. And if that girl stands in my way, I have no qualms. Who knows, maybe this cycle will end for good!"
The princess of the earth stated the last part with an underlying tone of mockery, unable to believe her own words completely.
"That is not how this works."
"Judging by your empty voice and brief sentences, I don't assume you care too much about negotiating, so why come here? You have already made your choice!"
"How is your hand?"
Chiyasu turned around, caught by surprise at the question, though posed by the same flat disinterested tone.
"That's why you came?"
"The scepter burned you, it refused your touch."
"I am a princess of a principle domain of nature, a wound like that doesn't affect me."
"It doesn't affect the princess, but not the victim."
"You have no right to care for me."
Chiyasu firmly spoke, wishing to put an end to the conversation. A woman with Reiha's stilled face and cold intonations was not a woman expected to care for others, but every deed of hers called to the contrary. However, Chiyasu had lost trust in others long ago and found this interference under the pretense of care insulting .
"That scepter did not burn the princess of the earth, it burned a next of kin."
"Does that raise your curiosity? I never guessed a stiff woman like yourself to still manage to surprise me sometimes."
"Since it did not cause an act of foolish fury, I can accept you are handling it well."
"You arrogant woman think you know of everything…"
But before she could finish her threats, Reiha had already disappeared, the softly lulling whiffs echoing her last words.
"Amaterasu was not a perfect queen, no one is, but to be affected by that imperfection more than herself was, I pity you and wish a better outcome for you."
Roots rose assaulting the whiffs that vanished quickly as they were meant to be.
"Arrogant woman!"
Chiyasu gritted in irritation, glad her visitor was already gone. She tried to calm down, bringing the pointed roots down. She took a look at her burnt hand, though reluctant to since the incident, realizing the wound still hurt and did not heal as they it supposed to.
***