by JK Ensley
“…Naga? Wh— What in the world are you doing here?”
His almost accusatory tone caused a tiny spark of panic to ignite within her.
“Munenori, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt… didn’t mean to barge right in and—”
As Jenevier hastily turned to go, a large, illuminated picture at the opposite end of the room caught her eye. Munenori’s gaze followed hers.
“Wh… Is that… Is that me?” She gasped. “When in the world did you take that?”
Munenori took a hesitant step toward her. “It is not a picture, Naga. It is a painting.”
“…Painting?” she whispered.
Munenori reached for her arm, but Jenevier gently pulled away as she moved to stand before the pedestal holding the golden-framed portrait.
“But… who is the artist? Whom do you know who claims such rare talent, Senpai?” She reached toward the canvas as she spoke. “It is truly amazing. It looks so real.”
Munenori wrapped his arm around her waist when he came to stand next to her. “Do you like it, then?”
“Like it?” Jenevier looked from him back to the painting. “It is perfect—looks like I am peering into a mirror. Tell me, Senpai. Who painted it?”
“…I am the artist.”
“You?” She turned to face him then. “Wh— I never knew you were blessed thusly. Why have you never mentioned it? And… why did you paint me? Why do you have it hidden in such a place?” She glanced back around the strange room. “Munenori… what is this place?
“This is my home, Naga.”
“Yeah. I know that. But this room—”
“Is my shrine.”
“Shrine?” Her eyes went wide as she began shaking her head. “No… Munenori… No. You shouldn’t—”
“This is where I meditate, Naga. I do not worship you here. This is simply the place where I release the universe… the place where I am comfortable… at peace. It is meant to be private.”
Jenevier blushed. “Apologies, Senpai. I never meant to invade your—”
“Why are you here, Naga?”
“Oh… I came to find you, to tell you about what I learned from Dofarel.”
“Is it concerning the growing dissipation of the celestial veils?”
“You knew?”
Munenori nodded. “I told you I was in meditation, Naga. My heart was troubled concerning you. I was seeking guidance.”
“Concerning me? What does the thinning have to do with me?”
“More than I had initially thought, I fear. Come, Naga.” Munenori took her hand, leading her back into the large domed main room. “We need to talk. Tea?”
“Yes, please,” she answered softly.
He led her through the other door she had seen before. The elegantly decorated room brought a small smile to her face, but she couldn’t shake an encroaching shadow of dread.
“Remove those worry lines, little one. I know not the whole of it. Not yet. Come. Let us compare what it is we both now know. I am certain we can glean our next course of action while we relax in the parlor.”
“Gratitude, Senpai.”
He tenderly patted her hand. “Know this, Naga. When you survive a crucible… you grow the stronger for it.”
She snorted. “If that were true, I would be the strongest creature now roaming the universe.”
“Well now, perhaps you are.” He smiled as he poured her tea. “Tell me true, Empress Naga.” He met her gaze. “How has your heart healed concerning Ahriman?”
“How has it healed?” She slowly shook her head. “Poorly… darkly.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning… I hate myself for letting his spell claim such power over me.”
“Do you still love him?”
She narrowed her gaze. “I hate him with a passion akin to Dragon Fire.”
Munenori chuckled. “Ahh, Naga. Only the greatest loves can turn into such vehement disdain.”
Jenevier half growled at the smirking Angel. “You jest, right?”
“Perhaps.” He chuckled again. “Well, what did you expect, Naga? How could you ever fall so low as to trust one such as him in the first place?”
“You know how far I fell, Munenori—all the way to the impenetrable darkness of hell. In truth, the fact that you even brought up such a thing as Ahriman, is beneath you, Senpai… extremely distasteful.”
“Oh, don’t try to play all smug with me, Empress. By your own admission, you befriended him in hell. How is it you can then fault him for having hell-like tendencies? Stop playing the fool, Naga. You have come way too far for such as that.”
“I did not come here for a sermon, oh wise one. Save it for your pedestal in Iga. Vybius is not a subject in need of discussion this day, nor any day, for that matter. I will never have to look into those treacherous silver eyes ever again… thanks to this.” She glanced down at the amethyst bracelet he had shackled her with. “I count it as my greatest treasure.”
“As well you should.” Munenori refilled her teacup. “It was truly that vile soul-eater’s greatest act of kindness. Ahh, Ahriman—once beloved brother—oh how the mighty have fallen.”
“Yes… fallen.” She took another sip of tea. “Some creatures are so irrecoverably broken… no one and nothing can ever hope to put them back together again.”
“You speak true, Little Fire. Yet, remember this… Fear the fallen, for they have nothing left to lose.”
“This I know, Brother,” she whispered softly. “This I know all too well.”
Munenori smiled. “Gone is the girl I once knew.”
“Eh, sometimes.” She crinkled her nose up at him. “Senpai, life is hard. Ours… it’s not only hard, it is eons long as well.”
He chuckled. “Are you now planning on gracing me with your lovely pearls of wisdom? Has the student overtaken the master?”
“Tease me all you want, Angel, but I know one thing… life is lonely. Going through it all alone… it can eat away at your soul. Keeping all to yourself like this, it cannot be a good thing.”
“I am not alone, Little Fire. Not anymore.” He smiled softly. “I’ve got you.”
Jenevier returned his gentle smile. “Always, Senpai… always.”
Chapter 8
Lala
(LAH-lah)
“Tell me again why you insisted on this layer. It’s not nearly as fun as some of the others.”
“Oh, don’t be such a bore, Dimples. Fun can be found within every realm. You just have to know where to look for it.”
Duhrias grabbed Lala around the waist and playfully pulled her against him. “If your father ever found out about all the fun you stumble into, he’d have both our hides.”
She snorted out a laugh. “Father is the gentle one. I can talk or cry or smile my way out of anything with that lovingly doting Angel. Now… Uncle Daichi is the one we must always steer clear of. He wouldn’t think twice before snapping off a switch and striping my legs.”
Duhrias smiled. “Yes. I have seen him do thus on many warranted occasions.”
“Warranted?” She tried to pout. “Dimples, I thought you were my sworn Knight and eternal guardian. Why didn’t you take up for me with my uncle?”
“Don’t try batting your lashes with me, little Princess. I am no fool, Lala. You deserved those stripes, well and good. This you know.” He tucked her raven curls back behind one ear. “I am your loving Guardian, yes, but I am your grandmother’s sworn Knight. Don’t try to make me take sides.”
She smiled up at him. “No, Dimples. You are too honorable a man to do such as that. I like that valiant trait most about you. Besides, if I want someone to take my side, especially when I am in the wrong, I can always count on Grandpapa.”
“Yes.” Duhrias lightly kissed her forehead. “Seems Naga isn’t the only woman who has that old blue devil wrapped around her finger.”
Lala snorted. “Don’t kid yourself, Dimples. If Obaasan locked me away for all eternity, that old blue devil would stan
d as my eternal guard. I would never be able to sweet talk him out of the keys. Not without her favored consent.”
Duhrias leaned in closer. “Such is the power of love,” he whispered.
When their sweet kiss had ended, Lala grabbed his hand and pulled Duhrias out of the cave and into the vibrant sunlight.
“Come, fair Knight. I want a bowl of ramen before we go see the festival.”
“Why do you love this place so much?” he complained. “Japan is much like Jinn… yet much less magical.” He jerked on her hand, pulling her back to him. “Let’s make a deal, little one. Promise me that if we feast upon ramen and onigiri, we can then go to Byzantha and play in the forest for a time.”
“Tell you what.” She smiled teasingly. “If you can eat more rice balls than I, we’ll do as you wish.”
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “No one can eat as many as you, Princess. Just… promise we won’t spend the whole day here. I want a little more time alone with you before we’re expected at dinner. I’ll not keep your mother waiting. This you know. Nor will I make your father worry over you.”
“Worry? I haven’t taken a breath nearly the whole of my life, that you weren’t there beside me. What in the world does Father have to worry about with you at my side?”
“What indeed,” Duhrias mumbled, as he resignedly followed her bouncing curls into the growing crowds.
*****
“Oy, I think I’m gonna pop,” Lala said with a sigh as she leaned back in the boat and let the sun warm her fair cheeks.
“It would serve you right if you did,” Duhrias said with a snort. “You eat more than two grown men. Your stomach must be a bottomless pit.”
“Oh, you’re just jealous because you didn’t win the bet.” She playfully tapped his thigh with her foot.
When Duhrias didn’t respond, she raised up on her elbows, smiling. However, her glorious River Spirit had stopped rowing and was staring at the far bank.
Lala followed his intent gaze. “What is it, Dimples? What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing. I just… I thought I saw…”
“Who? Who did you see?” She frantically searched the tree line. “It wasn’t Uncle, was it? Please tell me it wasn’t him.”
“No. It wasn’t Daichi…”
“Then who? Who did you see?”
“I could have sworn it was one of Naga’s old friends.”
“What?” Lala leaned against the side of the boat. “One of Obaasan’s old friends? Hurry, Dimples. Row to the shore and let’s have a look.”
“I… I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Princess.”
“Well, why ever not? If it truly is one of Obaasan’s friends, I wish to meet them. What harm can come from chatting up an old chum?”
Duhrias cast her a sideways glance. “You know the answer to that, little one. And you know well the kind of company your grandmother once kept. Chums is not the first word that comes to mind.”
“Oh, poo. You’re becoming as bad as my father. Lighten up, Dimples. I’m only talking about having a bit of fun. I want a tiny peek into her past. That’s all. No one ever speaks of Obaasan’s grand adventures anymore.”
“And there’s good reason for that, Princess. Naga’s adventures are not things she wishes to be praised. Let’s just leave well enough alone.”
Lala cocked one eyebrow as she turned to him. “If you don’t row me over there, I’ll swim for the shore myself.” She stood as she spoke.
Duhrias sighed. “You are absolutely impossible. You know that? Now, sit down before you dunk the both of us.”
“Fine. Fine. Just hurry up before we lose them.”
“That may not be such a bad thing,” he mumbled.
She shot him a sideways glare, then stuck her tongue out at him.
Duhrias only rolled his eyes and shook his head.
The bottom of their small boat made a scraping noise as it came to rest on the muddy shoreline.
*****
Lala turned back to the handsome River Spirit and crinkled her nose up at him. “You wanted some alone time in the woods.” She tossed a tiny pebble at his chest. “You got your wish, so stop pouting.”
They had traveled quite a ways into the forest without catching even a glimpse of another person.
“Perhaps I was mistaken.” Duhrias hugged her from behind. “Just being near you makes my mind play tricks on me and causes my heart to leap about in my chest.”
Lala started giggling then. Duhrias gently clamped his hand over her mouth when he caught a glimpse of silver from the corner of his eye. She followed his gaze to the still figure only yards away from where they now stood.
When her beloved Knight dropped his hands, Lala took a few careful steps toward the stranger. She noticed he wasn’t as big a man as was her father, but he at least matched her River Spirit’s height and build. The stranger’s flowing silver hair was much longer than most other Angels she had met. This man’s glowing mane was as long as Munenori’s, almost matched Yui’s in length.
When the man’s back suddenly stiffened, Lala froze. Fear started to creep in where only curiosity had been playing about. The shimmering man turned his head to the side, but did not look back at her. When Lala saw the deep amethyst strands that framed his fair face, blowing softly over his closed eyes, she gasped.
“Vybius,” she unintentionally whispered.
“How is it you are here, my love… yet I do not burn?”
His velvety voice sent shivers down her spine, its hauntingly beautiful spell pulling her ever closer.
He lifted his nose, sniffing the air. “What rare magic have you found that lets you defy the shackles I bound you with?” he whispered. “Although I have had this same dream every night since we parted, I knew it would never be possible.” He softly chuckled then. “Alas… I know this to be reality, because my dreams of us never contained your sworn Knight. Did you bring him along as our chaperone?”
Lala watched as a single tear escaped the man’s still closed eye and trickled down to his quivering chin. A tiny smile turned up the corner of his mouth.
“Tell me, lovely Empress. Why did you keep the River Spirit around? You have more than enough power needed to see to your own safety. Tell me true, Jenevier… but take care with my heart. Is he your lover?”
“I… I’m not… Jenevier,” Lala barely whispered.
At her shaky admission, the angelic man quickly spun to face her. Never had she been so spellbound and terrified. The flashing in his silver eyes was so rapid it was almost constant. Her knees gave way and she sat flat down on the forest floor. When Duhrias moved to help her, he was frozen in place by a single wave of the soul-eater’s hand. And then… the majestic River Spirit’s sight was taken and his tongue was stilled.
When Lala heard the popping of the lethally enchanting Angel’s knees as he bent down before her, she slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.
“How is it you smell as she does? Did you steal her essence? What magic have you spun upon the only creature I will ever protect… will ever avenge? Mind how you word your answer, little one. Do not bear false tongue with me. You own Jenevier’s scent, and her sworn Knight is at your side. Tease me in any way… even stutter over a single word, and I shall return his sight.” Ahriman nodded toward Duhrias. “And make him watch as I devour your dainty soul—wash it down with your sweet blood. Now… speak.”
And as it had been with Jenevier when she first looked into Ahriman’s magical eyes, Lala’s tongue was loosed. Every thought that popped into her head, spilled right on out through her lips.
“You are even more divine than her memories of you. She had always called you beautiful, but mere words can never do you such honor. My father is unspeakably beautiful, and my grandfather’s smile alone can make both men and women swoon. But never have I seen a creature such as you.”
“Stop babbling, child. Tell me what I wish to know.”
Tears filled Lala’s eyes. “How did she ever deny you? How was Obaasan eve
r strong enough to defy your pull? Ask it of me now, and I will follow you throughout eternity. Grant me but one kiss, and I will stand against the might of heaven for you.”
“Of course you would, stupid girl. Such is my power. Yet my patience is spent with you. Tell me how you came by my name, by that name, or I will grant your wish for a kiss. Alas… my kiss will be the last you ever know.”
“I know your name because Obaasan told it to me. Everyone knows your name, Vybius. Obaasan smiles when she says it… but nobody else does. Jophiel always hisses when it is mentioned in his presence, and Uncle Daichi—”
Ahriman grabbed her chin, ceasing her rapid words. “I see now… you hail from Jinn.” He smiled and she nearly swooned. “Tell me. Who is your grandmother… your Obaasan?”
“Empress Naga.”
Ahriman stared at her for several long heartbeats, drinking in her every feature.
“You are not Angel,” he whispered, mostly to himself. “You have her curls. Yet… they are as ebony as are my wings. And you claim her unmistakably maddening scent… yet, that is all. And your eyes—flawless sapphires. Do you have your mother’s face?”
“Yes, Milord. Save for my eyes and my curls, I am the mirror image of my mother.”
“Is she a lavender-eyed child of Munenori?”
“Yes, she is Shinobi.”
Ahriman smiled again. “So… that is how you were able to see me even when I wasn’t allowing such.” He narrowed his gaze. “Tell me. If you are not celestial… how is it you visit other layers?”
She half snorted. “Well I am half Angel, after all.”
“I see you inherited Jenevier’s sharp tongue as well.” He smiled coolly. “It suited her. You, little one, do not claim that same honor. Dull the edges a bit before I remove it.”
She swallowed hard. “Apologies, Vybius. I can travel the layers because of my lineage.”
“Yet, you obviously do not use the clouds.” He glanced at her back. “No wings. And I know you cannot traverse the Nether. You would have been gobbled up the very first time you tried. So… tell me. How is it I find you and that damn River Spirit traipsing about on Earth?”