A Tamia's Tale, first book: Omen of Death

Chapter 7: Cursed one

In the opulent suite of Edgar Greyhood, he was immersed in his work, furiously scribbling away with his ink and feather pen on a stack of papers. The room, spacious and richly adorned, had been allocated to him as a representative of Fyr, by order of his emperor, Andreas Edensveel. Though accustomed to the comforts of his own home, Edgar couldn't fault the princess’s hospitality; he was, after all, being well taken care of.

This morning, however, he was thrown off balance by startling news. The young man from another world, who had been the subject of much intrigue, had disappeared with Kanami on a mission to rescue the king. This development had quickly spread among the maids, leaving everyone buzzing about the absence of the princess's loyal bodyguard for over a week.

As Edgar scratched his head with the feather of his pen, he managed to stifle his grumbling. The revelation of a potential traitor among the castle staff gnawed at him, and he was left to depend on the young, inexperienced princess to forge a lasting alliance between Fyr and Sora. Despite his persistent pressure, he began to question whether this country could hold together.

Every passing moment deepened the suspicions surrounding Edgar. Though he had a plan ready to address any potential criticisms, he was becoming increasingly anxious. Just as he finished signing off on another stack of papers, a sharp knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in!”

The door creaked open to reveal Uther, the seasoned mage, and Jason Borone, the former captain of Sora's knights. Jason's intense gaze, scrutinizing through his glasses, made Edgar uncomfortable.

“What can I do for you?” Edgar asked, shifting uneasily in his chair.

Without a word, Uther placed a folded letter on the desk with a decisive thump. The impact made a reverberating sound through the room. “Can you explain this?” Uther demanded.

Startled, Edgar unfolded the letter, and his eyes widened as he read its contents. It was an ultimatum from Emperor Andreas Edensveel himself, demanding that Princess Morgann Sora surrender her claim to the throne and submit to the empire.

A cold sweat broke out on Edgar’s forehead. He shifted nervously in his seat. “I-I don’t understand, this—”

“What. Is. The. Meaning. Of. This?” Jason’s voice was low but fierce as he leaned closer, his glasses reflecting his anger in the sunlight.

“I truly don’t know!” Edgar stammered, trying to hold his composure as his heart raced.

“The fairies have confirmed he isn’t lying,” Uther eyed Jason to the side, asking him to calm himself down.

“I see.” The man in a suit and a tie, his expression softening slightly, stood up and removed his glasses, which seemed small and insignificant in his large hands. “Mister Greyhood, I am sorry for you,” he said in a measured tone.

“I am genuinely shocked,” Edgar said, trying to steady himself. “I spoke with my lord this morning, and he didn’t mention anything about this.”

“Does it mean it’s another trick of the traitor?” Uther wondered aloud.

“Perhaps. Now that Kanami is gone, it will be harder to protect Morgann. I expected an attack, but this is beyond what I anticipated.” Jason carefully wiped his glasses before putting them back on. “Mister Greyhood, I hope you can assist us in identifying who left this message.”

“May I ask where you found it?” Edgar inquired.

“It was on the audience throne, for all to see. The guards reported that no one was seen placing it there,” Uther replied. “I was the first to discover it.

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “Given its public placement, it’s clear that the sender wanted to make a statement. This is not just a threat but a direct challenge.”

Edgar’s mind whirred as he processed the implications. “This could be an attempt to destabilize both our efforts and the stability of the realm. We need to act swiftly.”

“Understood,” Jason nodded. “We will work together with Uther to find whoever did this, in the meantime, call us if you find anything.”

They bowed slightly and left the room, leaving Edgar alone, still sweating from the intensity of the encounter. His first reaction was to try and contact his lord, but the mirror stayed unresponsive. Informing his associate in the next room, he promptly left the castle to join one of his informants.

His mind was racing, trying to figure out what was going on. Now, some options of the otherworlder being the traitor could be ruled out. He didn’t have any other lead, so he had to get as much information on the inhabitants of the castle as possible. He was soon reminded why he was chosen as ambassador for Fyr. His family ran deep; his ancestors were once nobles of Sora, as it retained some traditions. During the great demonic war a few hundred years ago, where Luvon Cradan triumphed, his ancestors couldn’t come back home because of the desert that installed itself in the aftermath.

After pressed steps, he reached one of the houses of his ally. He was a bit young, but his knowledge and thirst to know the truth had no boundaries. He knew he could count on him. After greeting the servants, he entered the living room where the man was sitting on the couch, sipping gracefully from a cup of tea while wearing his usual uniform.

“Sir Sora, Archibald,” Edgar panted, his heart beating as he walked rapidly.

“Sir Greyhood? What brings you here?” the young man said, putting his cup on a saucer.

It was the beginning of a long search for the both of them, it was about their pride as nobles.

“Are you feeling well?”

Kanami and Luka had resumed their travel in the morning, in the hope of finding an oasis big enough for them to rest in the afternoon. Though the desert had ravaged everything, ever since the dragon god’s disappearance, plants had started to rise again through the sandy soil, in search of sunlight. They were nowhere big enough to create umbrage but perhaps they could find a steep dune that could cover their bodies from the sunlight.

“I am holding in, if that’s what you’re thinking about,” Luka answered while reading his book to not let his mind wander.

“Good.”

Kanami sighed. It had been a day since they departed and Luka was already weary, especially after the events of last night. She had anticipated some trouble along the way but hadn’t expected an ambush right from the start. If that arrow hadn’t missed its target, Luka would’ve been dead. He had also been plagued by nightmares, waking frequently throughout the night. There was no way for her to know what to say in these situations. She didn’t know how to comfort someone, let alone how to provide reassurance. Having almost always lived by herself, her human interactions were scarce, and for the first time, she cursed it. She was used to awkward situations but it was getting too much.

“Look,” Luka pointed ahead. “Do you think it could be what we need?”

Squinting in the glare of the sun, Kanami cut off her thoughts and followed his gaze. It was a dune partially covered with greenery.

“Good job, this place looks great,” she said, her spirits lifting.

She patted Pako on the head to hurry, and they soon arrived underneath the hill, shaded from the sun.

While she gave Pako some water and food, Luka set up camp to get some rest, still holding his book in one hand as he read.

Kanami felt intrigued by his dedication to magic training. Considering his mana was very low, she thought it might be unnecessary to try so hard, but she couldn’t help but admire his tenacity. “What spell are you studying right now?” she asked, genuinely curious about his progress.

“Oh, just the reinforcement spell. It’s quite simple, I think. Even I could pull it off,” he answered as he sat down on the lukewarm sand. Some of it had gotten in his shoes, so he took them off and shook them out.

“Reinforcement, huh? That’s basic but useful.”

“Right? Seeing what you usually do, you must use it pretty often.”

Kanami turned around, looking at him awkwardly, a dark grimace crossing her face.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Luka asked, sensing her discomfort.

“About that…”

“I mean, you’re super strong, you jump off buildings like it’s nothing, you’re ultra-fast… That’s basically what this spell does, reinforcing the human body and its strength.”

“I don’t use any,” she admitted sharply, hanging her head down.

Any trace of cheerfulness vanished from her face, replaced by a cold, distant expression that sent a shiver down Luka’s spine.

But he pressed on. ”What do you mean you don’t use any? You’re a demon or something?”

“Neither. Let’s stop talking about that, shall we?”

Luka hesitated, realizing that he touched a nerve. He decided to respect her boundaries, at least for now.

“Alright, sorry,” he said softly, trying to ease the tension. “I just find it awesome, that’s all.”

“Awesome, huh…” she nodded, her expression softening slightly. “It’s just something I don’t like to talk about.”

They fell into a contemplative silence, each lost in their thoughts. The desert wind blew gently, its deafening silence amplifying the solitude of the place. Luka contemplated his gun one more time before storing it again before putting himself in position for push-ups.

“What are you doing?” Kanami asked, seeing Luka starting to work out.

“You’re the one… Who told me… To train, right?” he replied between push-ups, determination in his voice.

Kanami watched him for a moment, a bit amused. “True but… You should keep your strength just in case something happens.”

Luka paused, slightly out of breath. “I know, it’s just… I need to keep my mind occupied.”

Her smile widened slightly. “Fine,” she approached him and assumed a defensive stance. “Then let me train you so that you get so tired you won’t be able to move your legs anymore.”

“Wait, isn’t that the opposite of—”

“Have at you!” she interrupted, her tone playful yet challenging.

Luka barely had time to react before Kanami launched into a series of quick, precise movements. He scrambled to his feet, trying to keep up with her relentless pace.

They sparred until the sun started to set, leaving Luka out of breath and collapsed on the sand. “Cheater,” he called out, laughing, “you attacked while my arms were sore from push-ups.”

Genuine laughter echoed through the dunes, a rare sound in this land of death.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, they took a well-deserved rest. Refreshed and their spirits lifted, they prepared to continue their journey toward Ryuuji.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, and after a good rest, they prepared to march back in the direction of Ryuuji, their spirits lifted.

“Are you feeling a bit better now?” Kanami asked, mounting Pako and extending her hand.

“I feel exhausted but… Yeah, better,” Luka answered, taking her hand and smiling back.

Kanami pulled him up onto Pako, and they set off. The camaraderie between them had grown stronger, the harsh desert seeming a little less daunting with their renewed resolve.

Their days were spent in a rhythm of travel and training. Each morning, they rose early, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures before the sun’s heat became oppressive. During their breaks, Luka practiced his magic and then sparred with Kanami to learn more about self-defense.

By the time the sun was high in the sky, they would seek shelter, often under the shadow of a large dune. Since Luka was mostly exhausted, they only shared some banter and jokes around but never shared stories as Kanami always cut short the discussion.

In the evenings, they sparred again after Luka had prepared some meals with what little food they had. Kanami’s training was rigorous, pushing him to his limits every time. Despite the exhaustion, he felt himself growing more and more as his reflexes and decisions were sharper than before.

Eventually, they emerged from the harsh desert into the more welcoming plains of the south. The change in scenery was a relief, the lush greenery and gentle breezes a stark contrast to the barren sands. Kanami breathed in the nostalgic air, memories of her homeland flooding back as she contemplated the familiar landscape.

On the final day of their journey, they crossed the steep hills that bordered the sea of Ryuuji. As they reached the summit, the capital city came into view, sprawling and majestic against the horizon.

The beautiful sight caught Luka’s breath away, as he stared at it in awe. “So, that’s your hometown?”

“No, it’s the capital. Shin Heian. But we just call it Heian.”

Heian?

Luka looked at her quizzically but shook his head thinking it wasn’t that important.

“We won’t cross the capital,” she said, pointing ahead. “We’ll head towards that great mountain.”

Luka’s eyes followed her gesture and widened in amazement. An immense wall of stone stretched far into the sky, disappearing into the clouds. A magnificent creation of nature, it stood tall and proud above the capital. Its sides were adorned with ancient trees and a plateau near the summit, as if nature itself was guarding the city from the sea beyond.

“That’s so high…” Luka murmured in awe, captivated by the majestic sight.

“We call it ‘The Top of the World,’” she explained. “It’s the highest mountain on the continent and the dwelling place of the land’s goddess. The waters that flow from its peak are what we need to cure the king.”

“Wait, we’re going all the way to the summit?” Luka almost shouted in despair.

“No, no, we won’t need to,” she chuckled. “My hometown is way lower, near a waterfall. There is a temple where we can collect the water there.”

“Phew, you got me worried for a second there.”

“But, like I said, you might need to go to the summit yourself if you want to meet the goddess.”

“Ah.”

That’s right. He had come here in the hope of receiving help from the ‘goddess’ of the land Uther had told him about. This week of journeying with Kanami was fun, but he needed to get home as soon as possible. That’s why he had endured this journey, that’s why he almost died.

“Let’s go.”

Kanami shook the reins of Pako, urging him to descend the hill. She wanted to avoid the capital, explaining that it was so crowded they wouldn’t be able to pass through unnoticed, which puzzled Luka even more.

She had been strange every time her homeland was mentioned, and yet she was as calm as a stream while she was there. While he didn’t want to pry further into her own problems, the gears in his mind wouldn’t stop spinning.

The people in Sora were hating her, but it wasn’t constant. She was always gloomy, trying to go unnoticed, which he attributed to her nature as a warrior. Even the other day, she had been evasive when he asked about her magic, denying any use of it.

The more he thought about it, the more he was intrigued by her character, as if wanting to read through her like a book.

“We’ll arrive soon. Try to not say much, okay?” she warned, her voice back to its uneasy coldness.

He could see her shaking slightly, her hands trembling as they gripped the reins tightly.

How long had it been? She thought.

Two years. It had been two years since she had left this place in search of a better future, a better life. But all she had found, was despair.

“There is no hope in Tamia”, said her master, long ago. He was referring to her, of course, not in general. There was just no hope for her.

The village came into view, a small cluster of houses that hadn’t grown in hundreds of years. The road led to a temple, its architecture reminiscent of ancient traditions, with curved rooftops and wooden beams weathered by time. Lanterns hung from eaves, their soft glow contrasting with the rugged stone pathway leading up to the entrance. The temple, surrounded by fully bloomed cherry blossom trees, stood as a serene guardian of the village, its presence both sacred and timeless.

The village itself consisted of a few humble houses with thatched roofs and wooden walls, their interiors accessible through paper sliding doors. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers filled the air. The villagers moved about with a quiet purpose, their lives seemingly untouched by the passage of centuries.

This village was the origin, and proof of her accursed existence.

“Huh?” the first to notice them was a kid playing on the rocky, a stick in his hand. His innocent eyes first gazed at the big lizard-like creature walking up the road, its tail swinging from side to side.

But his gaze quickly turned to hatred when he saw who was riding it. As if seized by rage, he shot up like a rocket and grabbed some stones lying nearby.

“Prepare yourself, Luka. I won’t be able to stop them all,” Kanami sighed, her voice cold as ice, as if lacking any emotion.

“Huh, what do you mean?” Luka asked, confused.

“You monster!” Before he could get an answer, the child hurled a stone at them. It flew past Luka’s head, missing him by inches. More children appeared from behind the houses, joining the first boy and picking up stones as they shouted the same thing over and over again.

Kanami dismounted swiftly, placing herself between Luka and the children. “Stay close,” she ordered, her tone brooking no argument. She moved with a fluid grace, deflecting stones with her knife and occasionally swatting them out of the air with her hand.

“Why are they doing this?” Luka asked, trying to dodge the incoming projectiles. He was irritated by such rude behavior from children.

“They hate me,” Kanami replied simply.

As the children's supply of stones dwindled, an elderly woman emerged in a panic from one of the houses. Her face was stern and lined with age. “Enough!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the village. The children, frightened by the old woman, immediately stopped and fled towards their homes.

The old woman sighed deeply and then turned, a worried smile flashing towards her granddaughter. “Kanami! You’ve returned!” she shouted in a slow and raspy voice.

“We seek water from the temple, Grandma,” Kanami replied, bowing her head slightly.

The old woman’s expression softened as she approached, her steps slow but careful. “It’s been a long time, Kanami,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and apprehension.

She nodded. “Yes, it has. But we need water from the temple.”

The old woman ignored her comment and looked past her to Luka, her eyes narrowing slightly. “And who might that be?”

“This is Luka. He wants to see Mother.”

“Wait, the goddess is your mom?” Luka asked, flabbergasted.

“Ah, no,” Grandma chuckled. “It’s just her name. We call the goddess ‘Mother’ since she is the mother of this land.”

“Oh, I see. Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry, Luka,” the old woman smiled at him. “Thank you for accompanying my granddaughter. My name is Ema. Glad to meet you.”

Luka bowed slightly, noting her name inside his head.

“So, about the water?” Kanami asked again, her impatience showing as she stomped her foot restlessly.

The grandmother sighed deeply, looking a bit sheepish. “I cannot give you the water, Kanami. But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

Kanami nodded. If Luka hadn’t been here, she would’ve taken it by force but things were different now that she wasn’t alone.

“But Luka can take it, right?” Kanami pressed.

The old woman shook her head, sighing once more. She looked truly saddened by her inability to help. “I am no longer the priestess of the temple, Kanami,” she explained. “Musashi is the one in charge now.” She glanced at Luka with a grimace. “This young man is a stranger, and even if I didn’t tell Musashi you were with him, there’s little chance he would let anyone get close to the water.”

“Is that fact that I’m a stranger that bad? It’s for the king of Sora,” he pleaded.

“Yes,” Ema answered flatly. “Even if it’s for someone important. Sora is a new country to us; our relations aren’t strong. Even with a direct letter, I’m not sure you’ll be able to convince him.”

Kanami reluctantly nodded. “Yeah, if it’s Musashi now, there’s no way he is going to let us get some water.”

“Seriously? Someone’s going to die, you know? I promised Morgann that—” Luka started, his frustration mounting.

But Ema held up a hand to silence him.“I understand your concern, but Musashi is unwavering, like a guard dog of Mother.”

At the mention of the words ‘guard dog,’ Kanami’s ears perked up, her body jolting in surprise as she clenched her fists in anger. Luka noticed her reaction but said nothing, merely observing her.

“Why don’t you come inside for now? We might attract some attention if we stay here too long.”

Kanami sighed exasperatedly. “Fine.” With heavy steps, she climbed the stairs leading to the house, her frustration palpable. The grandmother chuckled awkwardly and followed her inside. As Luka stepped through the doorway, he noticed a group of villagers gathering around the house, their expressions filled with anger.

“I thought she had left this place for good!” one of them said, raising his fist in rage, his eyes bloodshot.

“How dare she come back?” a woman cried, her voice cracking with revulsion.

Luka was about to turn around when he heard the old woman taking a deep breath and shouting at the top of her lungs, “Show some respect to your elders! If she is here, it’s because I chose to allow it!” She tapped her cane violently on the wooden planks. “I will smack you with my cane and tell Mother about this if you keep this up!”

Her outburst sent the villagers scattering, fear evident in their eyes. They retreated quickly, muttering amongst themselves.

Once inside, she closed the door behind them and sighed deeply, changing the subject as if nothing had happened. “Kanami, I will prepare some tea, would you like some?”

Kanami, with crossed arms, was leaning against the sliding door leading to the backyard. “No,” she answered coldly.

Luka stood there, assessing the situation. Something was definitely wrong, but as he opened his mouth, Kanami shot him a deadly glare. “Don’t. Ask.”

“Kanami…” the old woman pleaded, her voice filled with sadness and concern. She looked torn, seeing her grandchild so frustrated.

“We will steal the water at night,” Kanami stated. “I don’t want to spend a single day here. So, Luka, get ready.”

The sound of a cane tapping against the floor resonated in the room. “Kanami! Do you realize what you’re saying? Mother will—”

“I don’t care what this fox thinks!” Kanami yelled, lashing out but standing still. “Same for Musashi! I am nothing to them anyway! And besides, I don’t have a choice since no one will help me here!” she stopped for a moment, sighing with rage. “As always…”

The old woman stood still, her head hanging low, tears welling up. Seeing her elder’s eyes watering, Kanami’s lips started quivering.

“I need some fresh air. This place is as suffocating as I remember,” Kanami muttered, her voice trembling. With one final comment, she left the house, the door sliding shut behind her.

Luka watched her go. He turned to the old woman, who was now silently weeping. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, not knowing what else to offer.

Ema wiped her tears with a trembling hand. “It’s not your fault, dear.”

Luka pulled some tissues from his jacket and handed them to her. “Here.”

She accepted them gratefully and wiped her face. “I will go prepare some tea, would you like some?” she repeated.

“That would be my pleasure, madam,” Luka replied with a soft smile.

Once the tea had brewed, they both settled near a small table where two cups had been placed. As Luka inhaled the familiar orangey aroma, he couldn’t help but smile.

“The same tea, huh?”

“Hm?” she glanced at Luka while sipping from her cup.

“Nothing, it’s just… Kanami does the same tea as you. I just found it funny,” he chuckled. “It’s the only tea I like.”

That little observation warmed her heart. “It’s great, isn’t it? She loved it.”

Luka’s face turned mischievous for a moment and then serious. “I know I shouldn’t ask but…” he chuckled again to himself. “What’s going on?”

Ema set her cup down gently, grimacing. “I don’t think Kanami would want to…”

“At first, I was a bit scared of her. True, she would be terrifying with the way she uses her weapons but…” his mind wandered for a bit as he smiled. “She saved me. Twice.”

First in Sora, now here. It seems everywhere she goes, people hate her, despise her, and are scared of her.

“I just…” he sighed. “I just cannot believe that she deserves all this hate,” he continued, almost as if to convince himself. “I know I barely know her. I know that I’m perhaps pushing something I shouldn’t. But…”

I don’t know anything about her.

“You don’t hate her?” Ema asked softly.

“No, why would I?”

She chuckled. “I can’t believe it… That’s a first.” Shaking her head, she exhaled deeply, her face turning sour as she recalled memories from the past. “Kanami has a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Though, that’s what Mother called it,” she chuckled darkly. “I trust Mother but in truth, Kanami is somewhat right. Mother knows a lot of things, but she isn’t always right. You see, what she called a ‘gift’, to me… It is a curse, and nothing more.”

“A curse? Like a spell?”

Ema nodded slowly, holding her warm cup in her hands as she began her tale. “That hatred towards her derives from this curse.”

As the sun set, casting long shadows across the room, Ema seemed to slip into a trance, her voice soft and distant.

“It is a curse as old as time. When Kanami was born, a mark could be seen on her body. At first, I couldn’t believe it. A child birthed from such a good mother, bearing this mark? Inconceivable.”

The mark of the traitor. It wasn’t something decided through lineage or circumstances. It was random, something fate itself could only know about.

“Its name was Araël. The black dragon god of destruction, an omen of the end of times, and the Rebel, the Traitor.”

Around Tamia, three dragon gods were known. Eran, the dragon of life. He, who sprouted life as we know it here and gave humans plants and animals to survive. Kaal, the dragon of death. He, who welcomed the souls of the deceased to give them eternal rest, the end of their journey. And finally, Veo, the dragon of creation. He, who gave this land to walk on, Tamia.

“Those three dragons are famous and respected. The church in the north, near Fyr worships them.”

But there was one last dragon. For unknown reasons, it was erased from every record, and every written prophecy, and all its representations were destroyed. Its existence was passed down by Mother from generation to generation of priests of the temple, as a way to maintain the knowledge.

“That’s why when she was born…” Her eyes started tearing up again, a dull ache sparking up again inside her used but benevolent heart.

Kanami’s mother had tried to kill her when she was a baby, as was the custom for those who bore the mark, but ultimately reconsidered upon Ema’s plea. Her father abandoned them soon after. Consumed with hatred, her mother couldn’t raise her, so it fell to Ema.

“Why weren’t you affected?” Luka asked.

“As a priestess blessed by Mother, I am specialized in curses and ill omen,” she explained. “I guess I was strong enough to bear with it. Some people with great resilience can bear the curse and reduce its effects. But most people were…”

The world itself rejects those with the mark of the dragon.

“Disgusting”

“Abhorrent”

“She should’ve never been born.”

From the passers-by to some priests, everyone hated her. And yet, she lived there, with her grandmother.

Her mother passed away from sickness when she was five. No kids wanted to play with her. The only thing she had was herself to play, alone in the house.

“I tried to play with her, but my duties as guardian had me occupied most of the time. So she ended up alone most of the day.”

It was until Mother came to see her.

“Every year, we hold a festival in her honor. Sometimes, she comes down the mountain and greets children to give them gifts. Most of the Ryuuji clan’s descendants receive blessings.”

“Blessings? Like yours?”

“Yes. Oda, the current head of the clan, possesses one of these blessings. His is called ‘the mountain.’ It helps them as warriors and leaders to guide people.”

“Wait, so… Kanami is…” Luka’s eyes widened in sudden realization.

“Yes. Her true name is Kanami Ryuuji, daughter of ”Hazuki Ryuuji, one of the many children of Oda,” she laughed at herself, a bit nostalgic. “I remember when that old fart asked me to be one of his concubines… I smacked him with my staff!” she mimicked the movement, proud of herself.

“I guess he is a bit of a womanizer,” Luka remarked with an awkward chuckle.

“Indeed, he was,” Ema nodded. “But powerful and respected. Oda’s children are also strong, though he had some mishaps.”

And when Kanami was barely ten, Mother came down the mountain to visit her. She explained everything, calling her a blessed child, that any dragon’s blessing was to take into consideration.

Then, she left. And one year later, her father came back with someone. He had changed. During the time he was away, he had grown mad from hatred towards demons, wandering the world to kill any he stumbled upon.

When he met Kanami, he only spoke these words. “You are a failure,” and then left.

“The man he was with, however, was different,” she smiled.

The man was old-fashioned, kind but rough. He wore a white kimono, had a ponytail, a poorly shaved three-day beard, and geta as shoes.

“You’re Kanami, right?” the man spoke, sitting right next to her. She was expressionless, her heart having dulled over the years. “I know that curse you have. Let me teach you a few things.”

“So that’s her master?” Luka asked.

“Yes,” Ema nodded. “He sparked a flame in Kanami that I’ve never seen before. She was elated to train under him. And then, she heard from him that another person like her existed in Tamia. That gave her so much hope,” she smiled.

“You really love your grandchild, don’t you?” Luka smiled back.

His eyes had become full of compassion, and understanding of what the grandmother of such a child had been through.

“Yes… That’s why I’m truly saddened when I see her angry like that.” she grabbed her cup tighter. “She never deserved such fate.”

One day, as they were training, Kanami asked the man if there was a place for her, somewhere. The man answered with those words. “There is no hope in Tamia.”

Nothing could break this curse, not even the goddess of Ryuuji. No one would truly love her for who she is. That’s what the man meant by those words.

And one day, he never came back, leaving her alone once more.

“In the end, she has been abused, utilized even for the worst things possible,” the grandmother’s voice cracked in pain. “Tell me, Luka,” she looked at him with expectant eyes. “What do you think of Kanami?”

The truth was that he didn’t know. There was a lot to unpack here, but what he felt didn’t matter at the moment. Looking at that old woman’s eyes, hoping for her grandchild to be happy, there was only one answer acceptable.

“I think… I’m not someone who likes to attach myself to people,” he began. “I feel like I’m always distant, trying to make as few friends as possible. But…”

That’s right, there was only one acceptable answer.

“I would be honored to consider her my friend.”

Ema’s eyes lit up, her mouth opening in a wide grin, as if her wrinkles disappeared. “Really?”

“I just wonder why I’m unaffected by this curse myself.”

Ema took a content sip from her cup and then placed it on the table. “Perhaps you are strong-willed?”

Luka chuckled awkwardly. “I don’t think so. I am no more than a commoner.”

“Are you saying the whole truth?” Ema’s eyes narrowed, an enigmatic smile on her face.

This made Luka freeze up. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve met my fair share of liars during my years of priesthood. I know why Kanami was afraid of you knowing the truth. She was afraid that once you knew everything, you would let her down as well. So let me ask you again: are you lying when you told me you would be honored to be her friend?”

Luka smiled, his eyes distant with thought. "At first, I thought Kanami was just putting up a tough exterior," he said, a chuckle escaping his lips. "She can be pretty intimidating." Ema raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but he continued. "But now I see it's not just a front. She's strong inside too. Incredibly strong," he sighed. “When I told you I would be honored to be her friend, I mean that I wish I could be like that too.”

Ema closed her eyes, smiling contently. “I see… Thank you, Luka. I am glad she met you.”

Kanami ran away from the backyard, tears welling up in her eyes. Below a cherry blossom tree, she sank to the ground, holding back her emotions as best as she could.

“Ahah…” she laughed bitterly between her sobs. Being here was too much. She thought she had grown strong enough to endure it, but the memories flooded back as soon as she arrived.

“This is unfair…” she cried again. Why does this always keep happening to her? Why doesn’t she deserve happiness like everyone else?

But she knew the truth. It had been two years since she arrived in Sora in the hope of finding a new life. Instead, she found the same thing as here.

“There is no hope in Tamia…” she repeated the words of her master like a mantra, like a nail sinking deeper into her mind, she couldn’t escape the harsh truth. If there was no hope in Tamia, where was it then? She had searched, and searched, even the most brillant people in the world she knew of couldn’t tell her.

But did you search enough? What were you doing during those two years besides being a slave to someone who doesn’t respect you?

A sharp ache stabbed her heart.

No one likes you, no one likes you, no one likes you, no one likes you…

She repeated these words in her head, over and over, to convince herself. Having heard what the boy had said to her grandma, dark memories swirled inside her, like an unstoppable tempest. She wanted to believe that he was truthful.

No one will ever like you, not even him, he is lying, he lied to grandma, he can’t be saying the truth, just like this man who abused your hope and your body, He. Is. Lying. He’s—

“Yo!”

A familiar voice snapped her out of her spiral. She looked up, startled, and saw Luka standing there, a carefree smile on his face, his brown eyes shining with innocence. As if nothing had happened, as if he had heard nothing earlier, he sat down on the ground next to her looking at the sunset sky beyond the cherry leaves.

“You have a really nice grandma, you know? Since we’re leaving tonight, you should talk to her for a bit.” He picked up a strand of grass and started picking it apart. Without waiting for an answer, he continued. “You know, the last time I saw my grandmother, I had a fight with her. I wish I could’ve talked to her a bit before she passed away, telling her how much I loved her.”

Kanami listened intently, not knowing where he was going with this. She knew he had heard her spying on them. She knew he understood everything.

“Your grandma reminds me of mine. That’s all I wanted to say,” he threw away the strand of grass and smiled at her.

“I don’t get it… How are you…?”

“No idea!” Luka giggled. “Hey, Kanami.” He patted her on the shoulder and extended his hand. “I’m not special or anything, but… Could you teach me some more?”

Kanami stared at Luka’s outstretched hand, confusion and wariness etched on her face. She had expected him to go away, to reject her like many others. Instead, he was here, offering a hand.

“Teach you…?” she echoed, her voice shaky.

“Yeah! Like as usual? I mean, you’re the best teacher I’ve ever had! Besides my math teacher in 12th grade thought, this guy can’t be beat in teaching.”

“Huh…?”

Kanami’s confusion deepened, and she blinked as if trying to make sense of Luka’s behavior.

“I know I’m not really good at it or anything. I’m not necessarily a good person either but…” He grabbed her hand and looked her in the eyes. “This journey in the desert was a lot of fun, even though I almost died. I kinda want to at least make a friend here in Tamia before I go home.”

Kanami felt the warmth of Luka’s hand on hers, grounding her in the moment. Her thoughts which had been swirling in a storm started to settle down as she focused on his face. The last time she was this close to him was when she saved him from his kidnapping.

She hadn’t realized until now but… There was no malice behind it. She had seen something like this before, a strand of hope that she could hold on, but she knew it was more than that.

“I… You’re…” her voice was shaky and low, like a whisper.

Luka had always considered her a friend. He was the first to come to her house to thank her for her help, he was the first to laugh with her while sharing a cup of tea, he was the first to share his emotions.

He had never doubted her, not even once. Was he a great judge of character? Or was is just blind naivety? Either way, Kanami couldn’t believe it. Her throat tightened as she absorbed his words. For so long she felt like a pariah, a puppet to be used and thrown away by the people around her, someone with nothing to call family. Why now? Why after everything it had to be him of all people? It was so bizarre, so strange she couldn’t help but laugh with irony.

The first person immune to her curse was the weakest person she had ever met.

She applied pressure on his grip back, and shared a bright smile between her tears.

The man in front of her was the strongest person she had ever met.

“Alright…” she said weakly, a grin on her face. The truest Luka had ever seen. “I’ll teach you. But be prepared. I’m not going to go easy on you.”

“Wouldn’t expect nothing less,” Luka replied with a chuckle. “I’m ready for anything you throw at me.”

As they sat together beneath the cherry blossom tree, the gentle rustle of leaves and the fading light of the sunset enveloped them, their dark hair flowing against the wind…

Perhaps, for the first time in a long while, she could allow herself to hope that maybe, just maybe, things could be different.

As the sun set, casting a golden hue over the village of Kamikawa, a lone figure in armor approached with deliberate, confident strides. His spear, freshly sharpened, gleamed menacingly in the fading light. He had relished a hearty meal in the capital, fortifying himself for what lay ahead.

“Those dumbasses of demon hunters failed to kill that?” he said mockingly, his eyes fixed on the two figures beneath the cherry blossom tree. Though the man beside it held little interest for him, the woman drew his attention. His smile revealed sharp, razor-like teeth, glinting ominously in the moonlight, his lips licking his dry lips.

He restrained himself, though he was hotblooded, he didn’t want to draw the attention of his stupid father and the fox that banished him. That’s why he traveled alone barefoot from Fyr to here, crossing the whole continent in a few days.

“Come on… Do something... So that I can kill you.” He observed them like a hunter gauging its prey, his patience wavering. He needed this bloodbath, his whole body craved it. After all…

It had been so long since he came home.