Chiaki and the others rode astride a great glowing bird, soaring so high above the land that it all seemed an ocean of greens, grays, and blues. Wing beats made them jump great distances, the shape of the world beneath them shifting, the sky above doing the same. For Jun Mi, this would only take her back to where she started, the magic of two spirits canceling each other out. For Chiaki though, it was a round trip, she would only have two hours to meet the threat of the Yoshiki Sect; only two hours to win this battle. Considering that, she supposed her mind should have been shifting through plans, but she couldn''t draw her focus away from the warden, whose silent musings drew weak sprites around her head. Jun Mi would never see them, but to Chiaki they were as bright as a candle in the dark, urging her in their silent way to help the troubled woman out.
“
“
The Warden shook her head, "I did not come to Rial alone. A boy on his flame-building pilgrimage joined me, and I left him behind when I went to summon you. I''m certain the sect spotted me, and all I can do is hope he stayed hidden." The unspoken words were clear. She could hope, but neither of them believed a young dragon would stay in hiding for long.
“
“
Syd let out a chuckle. "That''s what a dragon worshiper would think, Hoka. It''s more that Mordunaal is strong, as are the type of dragons you see out fighting abominations. Most of their kin are stronger and more durable than yours or mine, however, they''re still as susceptible to death as any other."
Hoka glared at him. “You’re not helping! She’s worried!”
Syd nodded. “And we do her no favors trying to convince her things will be all sunshine and butterflies!”
Chiaki sighed, all too used to this bickering father-daughter routine, and all too aware it wasn’t helping. She could only be grateful that L’vay hadn’t opened his mouth, but that just made her wary. She shook her head. If she had to think about what the old faerie might be planning, she’d have to push everything else off the table.
“
“
Jun Mi’s eyes widened. “You knew him as a child?”
“
Chiaki laughed. "No! He did it quite deliberately in fact, in front of a crowd of people. But you see, to exorcise a spirit that powerful means your spirit has to be intense. Kado was what Spirit Guards classify as a Shinigami, an exorcist who can bring “death” to spirits. That made him a bit too powerful to just kill off, so, he ended up under my care. He joined two others at the time. One girl with powerful channeling abilities, and another who had become a spirit''s vessel. Later, a younger boy joined us. For whatever reason, he adored Kado."
“
Syd nodded. “I have met Kado. It is an accurate use of words.”
Chiaki found herself smiling at that memory but held Jun Mi in this one. "I was not even the slightest bit used to having kids to look after. They were all different, needed different training, and except for their junior, were always at each other throats. I would take them from district to district, trying to help them adjust to their abilities by handling small spiritual affairs, but things got more dangerous in the Spirit Circle around the time I became a captain, and there were a lot of times when they were in a separate district from me. I thought I could focus on the task at hand without them, but I worried instead. What if they face an opponent they can''t match? What if a powerful enemy of mine chooses to target my students? What if a malevolent spirit manifests and proves too much? What if? What if? What if? For the first few missions, that was where my mind always went.”
“
“
“
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“
“
Jun Mi frowned deeply, but Chiaki left her to her musings, feeling somewhat nostalgic. The Warden was a little younger than Kado, and this little lecture reminded her of how he and his peers always reacted. She decided she’d have to see them all again sometime, sure that their schedules would always be full but still hoping she might catch them free. The thought fell into a drawer in the back of her mind as Rial came into sight though, her sword coming from its scabbard as she stood up.
As it pushed against the fabric between the realms, her group was dropped, skydiving toward where the Yoshiki sect gathered. They stood in front of a giant seed, and between them and it stood an all too strange tree. It rose from what looked like a breathing pedestal, its liquid bark growing into hand-like branches. Mist rose from the branches, like leaves or hairs standing on ends. Hidden roots drank reiki from the domain, killing the foliage around them, and turning wild sprites into dust on the breeze. Heat filled Chiaki’s brow as the power faded, her eyes jumping from one target to the next, deciding who would be the easiest to take out.
“
“
Ayaka raised her hand and she vanished too, followed by one disciple after the other. A stinger grew out from Syd''s arm, and he saluted as he disappeared too. Chiaki gave Jun Mi a final reassuring nod, and then the Warden was gone with Hoka disappearing right behind her. Only Chiaki remained, standing in front of Yuzuko and three disciples surrounding her. There was also something of a specter here, taking in this assault with calculation instead of alarm.
“
“
“
“
“
Chiaki couldn''t help but laugh, not at this obvious distraction but the amount of times destiny seemed to come up when it wasn''t involved. If it was her turn to invoke it, she might say she was destined to attack first.
She went for Hrish, blade snapping out as he raised his arms to meet it. As if her sword were a ghost, she swung it through him, leaving a bubbling blue line where he might otherwise be scarred. His body dropped and Phirun spun his swarm into action, barbed balls clinging together as they attacked from all sides. They converged into a thunderstorm of explosions, the air flashing as it went hot. Chiaki leaped out of it, cracked scales falling from her skin as she caught him off guard with her sword through his chest. He was falling before she drew it back, and she was turning to meet her final foe. The scythes came down and the air became razors, Yawen''s aura tracing the blades and spinning out. Chiaki slashed, cutting the aura instead of the girl, filling her eyes with sudden terror. Fang marks trailed down the disciple''s body, dropping her just as fast as the rest.
Chiaki turned back to Yuzuko''s prison and leaped out of the way as roots stabbed up from the ground. Was this a mutated spirit of the domain? Was this Yuzuko’s secret attack? Between those and other questions that could have filled her mind, she wished she could have her pick of the answers. But there only came one as a body pulled itself up with the roots. It could have been a man if she didn''t know any better, completely wrapped in bramble like a mummy in bandages. Its roots stabbed into the falling disciples and they rose to their feet again, changing as Reiki filled them.
Yawen grew a tengu''s jet-black wings.
Orange-striped fur covered Hrish’s body.
Indeed, she only had one question, and faced with these transformed foes she couldn''t help but ask it.
???
“
“
“
“
[Chapter 43 ends…]