Hello Everyone!! Sorry for literally like 4 months of no posting... geez. University and life just sucks the time and motivation out of ya. I've been so busy, but hey Winter break is coming so yay! I'm not giving up though! I'm working on the last chapter now, to end the final volume. These 3 upcoming are part of the final finale!
Shout out to Gringy for somehow sticking around with me, a mess of a writer hehe.
*Sura's POV*
Lumbering forward, I feel the floorboard crack underneath my feet. Like a furnace, flames engorge the whole room, cracking and splintering our little home apart as the roof caves open beneath the abandoned sky. Blackened smoke melds into the night starved of stars, empty of planets.
The burning sensation of acid rushes through my throat, as I claw at it... drawing blood before hurling masses of echoes and screams.
Exposed sinew and muscle haphazardly cauterized, Kyuu is clutching what remains of her arm, down on her knees as her body spasms from blood loss. I could hear her shallow breathing… the gurgle of flesh blood in her lungs and her fiery eyes remained on me... dimming, gasping.
"Sura-chan!!"
Mom called out from behind her, cradling Kyuu… tears in her blood-shot eyes, desperation in her voice, fear in her huddled trembling body.
"Sura!! Please stop… please… please… Come back!! Kyui's going to die!!"
Their voices sound like incoherent muffles... I don't know what you're saying!! Silence, silence these voices! I lunge, my vision swamped in red.
*Crack*
Blood still dripping… and her legs nearly giving out, Kyuu holds me back as she catches my fist. She's barely breathing, but she still stares at me with every strength she's got…
"DAMN YOU!! SURA!!! WAKE THE HELL- AARRAAGHHH!!!!"
I tighten my grip, fingers digging in, bones crack and bend as her hand becomes mangled pulp… My teeth sinks into her neck, spraying arteries and blood. Sickening pops heard, ripping free of her body as her other arm is gone… turning her into an armless blood bag. I throw her to the side as I approach mom.
"KYUI!!!! SU-GAH!!"
Hands around her neck, I raise her up as her feet kick frantically trying to find the ground… her face turns red as blood cuts off, her eyes beginning to bulge… veins bursting, casting milky red into her sockets. Something stares back behind her... caked in blood, bits of gore hanging off her maw... and two beads of burning Saffron begin to bore into my soul, paralyzing me... I can't move as piercing cold runs up my spine-
[Wake up!]
"AAAAAAAHHHH!!!!"
I hit something hard as I fall… something tugs at my leg...
"Where where!"
My head is dizzy... and pain throbs in my head. Sudden warmth wraps grips around me tight not letting go!!! It's got me!
"GET AWAY-!!!"
It's here!!! The stench of blood assaulting my nose, I can still feel it the feeling the- The hard wood cracks behind me as I throw myself out… my back caving in the wall, feet scraping against the ground I claw at my face. The warm sensation comes back in full force.
"SURA!! It's me, it's ok… it's me, it's mom… shhhhh, shhhh.".
The warm, soft, the smell of sunshine... anchors me to reality. I, I know this feeling... the alien sensation… then turns to a touch I recognize…
"Mom? Mom?! You're ok…. You're…"
"Shhh…shhhh…"
I can't see, my vision buried into mom's loving hug as she holds my head against her shoulder as she cradles me…
"This is the third time isn't it?"
I pull myself back… afraid… I'm afraid, bulging bloody eyes, blood everywhere, a neck stretched so sickly thin… but it was mom's beautiful smile, her orange sun hair and soft eyes filled with worry. The cold metallic sensation of the control rings around my arm comforts me… I don't take them off to sleep now... the sheets were off the bed. I must've fell out of bed and tripped on my blanket...wait.
"Kyuu!! Where's big sister?!"
I grip onto mom's shirt, nearly tearing it in panic.
"Shhhh... shhh... she's ok."
She hold me tight again.
"What's… what's wrong with me… I… ever since that incident… I can't get the frog girl's image out of my head…I'm… I'm afraid to sleep, mom."
It's all I can say… but there's more, I can remember better now. It was never this bad, but my previous dreams have come to haunt me, the blood filled vision sticking to me like macabre cobwebs. The waterfalls of blood, and bodies… bits and pieces of gore bloated and fresh. It's all fusing together, getting clearer and clearer, just for me… mom picks me up and I don't utter a word... just, let this silence stay a little longer please.
It's cold, as I stand outside.
"Siiiiiiiii… haaah…"
I exhale the sharp breath I drew… the brisk morning air just as refreshing as always. The soft grass meadow and flowers sway gently just like the first day I arrived. Doors opening, clacking footsteps, greetings, laughing children… I can hear them from here and see as Heiwa opens up for yet another beautiful morning.
"Read to leave yet, munchkin? Give me just 1 more minute and don't forget this~"
A pink bento box was handed to me, decorated with a cartoon momma fox wearing an apron. Mom pats me on the head. Straightening the wrinkles of my white dress, I hear the sound of the door clacking as mom exits.
"Come on~"
Clip, clop, clip, clop, my getas against the stone laid steps. I've actually gotten used to them. The scenery changes as we enter Heiwa, the rosewood buildings, temple homes, and shops… wooden windows open out, first the great curling horns stick out before I'm met with round glasses on the face.
"Oh! Heya young lady, Ohari!"
Raising his frail hand, Mister Arthur, our postal office caretaker, bids us a good morning. His nose crinkles as he smiles.
"Morning Mister Arthur!"
"Good morning, Mister Arthur!"
As we pass town squares, a kid brushes past me with his furry wolf tail
"Sorry!!"
He shouts and scurries off into the concealing hustle and bustle of the town. Soon after, a young centaur gallops his way after the lost trail of the other.
"Hey!! Darn where did you go?! I hate being it, hmph!"
A young human girl teeters and sways on the shoulders of dragon-kin man. His hair constantly being ruffled but his baggy eyes so tired he didn't even notice. I felt bad as I see him trying his best to round up the kids as more follow behind him.
"Now! Now! Come on!! You don't want your parents to worry right?! Your caretaker here might get in trouble if they find out about this! Have some mercy!"
Heiwa, filled with joy and people, continues on in a new day… the hollers of food stands, greetings, students running late to school in their prim and proper uniforms… the sound of life permeates under the watchful shelter of the Magami Aura.
Rows and rings of carefully trimmed and cared for gardens greeted us, signifying we've arrived at Heiwa center. At the massive guardian tree's gates, Goddess Myriam's symbolic carving is the symbol of peace. Without even touching the door, it opens as a rush of sweet flowers and forest aroma comes over us.
Blair, Xata waited inside for us, their glowing orbs eyes of emerald light pleaded us to enter as they pawed at the ground.
"Hehe hello!"
I rub their sides, their rough root exterior quivers in happiness and their spiritual orbs swirled in elation and the ground trembled as they beat their tails.
"Good morning Sura-chan, Ohari! I've been expecting you."
Hair strewn all over her antlers, Goddess Myriam tries to pick each strand carefully out only to met with stuttered "ouch!" as her hair refuses to let go. Mom smirks at her.
"Oh please, don't pretend as if you didn't just wake up."
"Eh… mean. Mokuren's here if you want to check up on her!"
Taking that note, I start heading my way through the indoor forest. I can see Mokuren's library and her… work area? It's not a house… it's like, open outside camping. She's there, sifting through the books with someone with small bat wings.
"Mokuren!! And uhh…."
"Emilia"
She points at herself, her heart shaped tail wrapped around her waist.
"Hello Ms. Emilia! Sorry I forgot!"
Mokuren, carrying a stack of books so high it covered her face. Only her antlers stuck out on top like some weird book totem as she wobbled over. I take some books off, revealing her face. Emilia rushes over to help too.
"Phew, thanks. I heard you wanted to look for some more information about Asura. So I've brought over some books I thought may help."
Lessening the load, Mokuren takes a breather as she sits down. I squat and set down the books on a bench. In the middle of Mokuren's workshop, a sleek, looking black dress catches my eye, adorned with trimmings of glittering violet/purple dots.
"Wow look at it!! It's so pretty!! Is it almost done?"
"Almost Sura~ just a few finishing touches…hey don't spoil it ok?!... think she'll be happy with it?"
Hmmmm… I don't know how much she'll like it but… I smack my hand against my head in a salute.
"Ow... Yes ma'am and I think she will!! Hehe, how could someone not like such a pretty dress!"
Mokuren gives me a pat on the head and winks at Emelia.
"Phew, the days are closing fast! Emelia! You're gonna test out this dress for me even if it may not exactly suit you!"
"EH?!"
"I need your opinion on it!"
I plop myself onto a chair and draw in my legs, laying the book onto my lap, "World History, Pre-Rebirth Edition". Leaning downwards to take a closer look, Emilia brushes her hand over the rough cover embroidered by leather edges.
"Oooh, these are hard to come by! Those editions about Pre-Rebirth history are usually not on sale anymore. Mostly because it's hard to document something of which there is no trace of anymore."
Turning the heavy cover to the table of contents, the writing wasn't formal or pretty at all. It was as if someone was hurriedly trying to write everything down.
"Something that doesn't exist… gods vanishing, other universes, something done by Asura."
Introduction, Verse 1, Verse 2… Early History of the World, Seishi the Creation God… The Anleothic Age…The First Modern Lineage… The Mechanical Revolution… Civilization Expansion… Interplanetary Expansion...
"Wah… There's so much! I'm getting dizzy from all these things I don't know! What is any of this?!"
"Hehe, you want to learn more about the mysterious Asura right? Here… it should be somewhere after the Great Schism that it appeared…"
Empty mindedly following along her suggestions, she traced her elegant fingers over the table contents… and rested on the words: The Arrival of the Great Being… cast in bold letters, separating itself from the rest.
As I turned to that page, some dust came out… at that chapter's title, there was the author's own words:
"I am but a humble historical author… the events and collections that unfold from here, come from eyes that cannot see far into the murky depths. But I feel, this was the beginning of a monumental change within the course of a history greater than ourselves. I can only tell what my sight provides and what my ears hear."
…I point at the passage and ask.
"What does that mean? Ehehe…"
"It means mister author doesn't know everything in truth~"
…I see… hmmm… I feel my brain squinting as I viciously stare at the chapter, trying to intimidate it to tell me what it meant.
"Its name, perhaps one of many, was Asura. The first records of this being sprouted, from ashes… the utter annihilation of the fearsome Naraka kingdom was our first sign something was amidst us. Destroyed, over a single night… when the news broadcasted, the decimation that beheld us, unholy. The deconstruction of this violent clan was something to celebrate, but we dared not imagine what monstrosity obliterated them."
…as I kept trying to read… 10 minutes passed but it felt like hours! I can't stand another minute as I feel a knot turn in my head as my mind began mish-mashing all the words I read together.
"The Shadow of Gods war was perhaps the most evident involvement of Asura known… it or they, served at the forefront of countless massacres. Entire armies left a bloody stain like the red sea… cities collapsed… all to subjugate the Gods who wanted war."
Words came in one ear and exited the other... my legs twitched having sat for soooo long and I started scooting my butt around, it's like this tickling feeling is itching my insides and wanting to get out!
"Asura rarely ever announced their intentions... but the Prometheus clan, it/they were an anomaly no one understood-Aaaah I can't read any more!!"
*Poof!!!*
I drop the book onto the table and slump back, my head lazily drooping backwards. Mokuren and Emilia had to help me so many times but in the end it just fried my brain.
"Waaaaaaaah!! This isn't helping me at all!! I don't get what they're trying to say or even what they're referring to!! History is too hard!! And boring hmph!"
A little star shaped pendant paper thing slips into the page Emelia is reading before she turns to me.
"It's what I thought at first too… but the more I read, the more engrossed I became. Lost in the pages of history as if I was living amongst their times!"
"...what's that star-looking paper!?"
"You weren't listening were you? Sigh… it's a bookmark! It comes in all kinds of designs."
"Mmmm… what's the pendant on it for?"
Mokuren then lights up with an "Ah!" when she holds her finger at us to halt. She goes to get something before coming back with an obsidian black book, with burned etches of words.
"Here we go! This should be something interesting… That star represents a religion… in this case it is the star of creation. For our creator God and God of death, Seishi. And thanks to that I remembered… There's a religious cult after Asura."
Religion… a cult after Asura? Maybe I can learn about more of who they were instead of all that history. Hands to her chest, swearing upon her vast knowledge, Emilia announces with a dramatic voice as she opens her wings.
"The Wrathful Judgement… they call themselves "judges". A dark cult gaining lots of followers and ever increasing, promising that the pure fire left by Asura burns within their souls! And with it, they shall carve a new world free of suffering and evil!"
Sure enough, "The Wrathful Judgement'' was written in this book… "WRATH", angrily carved into the ashen as if someone had stolen their precious pudding!
"WRATH, is righteous fury in its fiery pureness… it burns and shapes the world around it. Just as fire may purge the forest, so that new saplings may grow."
"It is not to be feared, but used as a tool of creation. Rage is a part of our instinct, the purest sensation and emotion… fight or flight. With proper guidance, we will guide you to use that. Together to carve a new world free of suffering. And the universe has answered our prayers, exacting our beliefs! It has taken the form before us, Asura… descending upon this universe with unyielding rage."
…each word was articulated in powerful cursive handwriting, as if I'm sitting in the halls of a church and hearing someone's sermon... or something like that I saw on the Crythoscreen.
"It is them!! Who taketh a form, blight in the eyes of the weak and salvation to those with sight!"
…*close*
"Ahah, a little overwhelming isn't it? That cult still exists…"
Little black cubes twirl around Mokuren's arm, projecting forward a screen. It showed nothing but misty black… then words "Wrath" burned through, with a small "welcome to the truth". It's some kind of website…
"If anything it has gained more fervor since the Rebirth."
Ugh… I only have more questions now! Running my hands over my hair, I lean back onto the ground to meet two mounds… Emilia's face pokes out.
"Mokuren-sama, I have to get going… got a essay I have to write, due this Sunday."
"Not procrastinating are you?"
"No no… I almost got the research part down, just got to write it down."
"...then what are you in here borrowing books for then?"
"....research…"
"Very well, go on Emilia! Or else I'll revoke your library access privilege!!"
"Yes Mokuren-sama!"
Emilia hurriedly flies off, palpitating fluttering with her tail tucked around her waist. I feel something slither under my feet as a slight bulge in the soil gives rise to a tendril of roots from which Goddess Myriam appears.
"Now then, ready for the check ups?"
I nod, sitting upon a cradle of branches and leaves, Goddess Myriam carefully inspects me. Slowly, she lifts my arm and rotates it, asking me to bend my arms and legs.
*Badum. Badum, Badum*
Her hand rests on my chest, a glow of warmth tingles my nerves as she does.
"How do you feel?"
"Funny…"
"Hmmm… it's just as I always knew, you possess a skeletal frame. But its anatomy, is somewhat unique, yet you lack many of the organs of most family lines. And you said that you actually never had the need to eat, use the restroom, or drink water?"
"Odd, isn't it?"
The flaps of pages fly by as Mokuren rapidly goes through books.
"I had assumed she was a dark elf and dryad child when I first met her. I'm no biologist, but she possesses anatomy and biology I've never seen before and it's not anywhere in here. Given she also has primordial essence… I've only seen larger beasts with similar energy-like structures like her petals."
…beasts, the word thudded against my mind. I'm not normal I know but… having Mokuren and Goddess Myriam, the most knowledgeable about life, tell me. It hurts…
"I sense something wavering in your heart, Flower maiden… what is it."
"Am I… a monster?"
"...No, I don't think you are, Flower Maiden."
Goddess Myriam rests her hand on my shoulder
"But, you need to watch your powers… it's dangerous if wielded wrongly."
"Did you notice how people were stunned and incapacitated around you during the last incident?"
…yeah, I saw everyone holding their heads in pain…
"Sura-chan… I don't have a good grasp on it, but it seems when your power grows out of control, you emit an aura that makes people around you prone to violence and destructive tendencies."
"I what? I turn nice people into... mean bad people?"
"It's a little more complicated than that, Sura-chan... I don't want to overwhelm you, but it's the truth."