Ten Years Ago

Chapter 2: Ten years ago

Kagami awoken to the bustling sounds of a foreign place she was held captive. Her body was still heavy from the sleep and the tinkling of the foreign familiarity. She found herself on a queen-size bed. The quarters had a lonely feel that it had once lost its owner. The furniture were rustic and ancient, ones that Kagami never dreamt people would use them in this age and period. It had a mahogany fireplace with its matching countertop, the intricate designs of the carved walls, a shelf of books and a table which had been laid to dust. Kagami felt the owner of the room must have been a great person.

"Where am I?" She muttered to herself, trying her best recalling last night's memories. She sat on the pastel blue sheets of the queen-size bed. Her legs had been chained with cuffs attached to her ankles. Wrapped around her neck was a choker bearing a crest she had never seen before. She was amazed that even the pillows and blankets were dyed pastel blue colors. Was there a reason behind it? It was a mystery. Observing and discerning her surroundings, she concluded the likest route of her current situation.

She had been kidnapped.

"Looks like you're awake," Kohaku spoke. His voice was quiet and curt. No efforts were wasted on unnecessary words. “The master is furious, princess.”

Kagami blinked. Her unwavering, piercing stare sent shivers down his spine. The fogginess in her head cleared the disorientation of the spell she was casted on. It was just only yesterday that she was just another student at ChungNam University. Until this guy showed up. The man who was now loafing comfortably in his chair, chewing on his favourite fried tofu, a reward from his master. It was an inevitable encounter. It was fate that Kagami would come across in the near future. The fears of her uncle’s nightmare had transformed into reality. She cursed herself for being stupid. If only she had not walked into the courtroom, this would never have happened. She was truly a walking bringer of misfortune.

“Where am I?”

Although she was human, Kohaku sensed the difference between her and the average humans that filled the vast lands across horizons. The child that her master has set sights on. She possessed the strengths that could stand as his master’s equal. Who was this girl? Although he had called Kagami a princess, he was clueless of Kagami’s true identity. The man he called his brother would surely return. Kohaku was a fox spirit deity who linked the red strings of fate. His brother and this human child were destined to cross paths. Kohaku could tell that the human child before her possessed immense spiritual strength.

“Take a good look around you. Recall your senses. I’m sure you recognize the familiar sight before your eyes.”

Kagami sighed. That uptight figure of speech, the rigid personality and that voice. Kagami remembered it as clear as day. She wished that she didn’t, but she did. It was the voice of her kidnapper. The divine servant of the Master of spirits, the fox spirit, Kohaku. She found the fact that he could observe every detail of her like a hawk unpleasant. People around her were ordinary people. Weirdos like her family were naturally ostracized, oppressed and stigmatized. They never had the ability to do anything against her. But this guy in front of her was different.

Kagami huffed. “So, are you my new watchdog now?”

The door swung open, giving a loud creaking sound. A man of lithe figure walked in. His footsteps were light, somehow he reminded Kagami of her sarcastic criminal law professor. This man and her professor had similar features. He possesses significant features of his golden irises and burgundy-colored hair. The refined layers of kimono wrapping around his slender figure had the royal family's intricate crest adorned on his back. Thinking about it, the trepidation of agitation and frustration irks Kagami. It was because of him that she was caught in this mess. I’m going to kill you the next time I see you, Sarcasm King! The man chuckled.

“Your expressions are amusing, Hisakawa Kagami.” His gentle voice spoke. Kagami gulped. This man was the polar opposite of her sarcastic professor. Kagami would be gullible if she was told they were blood-related. “Welcome back, princess.”

Kagami scowled at the man before her. Kohaku snickered and was having fits of his own in a corner, towered by his master’s shadow. “Who are you? Where am I? It was you, isn’t it? You made that puny servant of yours to kidnap a powerless little girl. Seems like you have a lot of time on your hands.”

“Hoho, is that so? Has your brain rotted since we last met? You’re a piece of work, Kagami.” The man wore an expression which she recognized well. “You’ll come to remember your duty, and most importantly, you’ll recall who I am. No excuses allowed.”

He settled himself at the edge of the bed. His slender fingers hovered over the fallen strands of her golden hair. He smiled gently at the clueless Kagami. One thing was clear, this man had the exact same temperament of his sarcastic professor. Their tempo, personality, and behaviours. They were like mirage copies. She regretted her perception of this man. I take back my words. They’re devils of the same star. 

“Know your place, Kagami. How long has it been since you’ve last fed? Ten years since you left us, our lands have been left crestfallen. After all, you’re Shouhei’s beloved star.”

“Surely you jest.” Kagami wretched himself away from his hands. “Ten years? Let me tell you one thing. You just looked like him. I don’t know you. I’ve never seen anyone like you before. So, why don’t you return me to Kouha before people start announcing another missing person?  Don’t underestimate the power of Kouha!”

“No, I’m sure of it. Kouha will not be able to do anything to us. After all, we’re in the forbidden lands, the empire of Shouhei. He will come, and everything will be revealed. You have been underestimating yourself, Kagami.” He caressed the black choker that was forced upon her pale skin. Kagami turned pale. The Shouhei empire was a cursed land people had avoided since the ancient times. Kagami possessed knowledge of the land that people come to recognize as the ‘forbidden lands’. She knew well that people who crossed the Gates never returned. The man had a satisfying smirk maring his face. “I expect good results from you, Hisakawa Kagami.” Those were his last words before he vanished.

Kagami fingered the choker that hung loosely around her delicate neck. She wondered if there was any purpose the choker was forced on her. Chambermaids filed into the room, unlocking the chains attached to her ankles. Her legs were free. She thought she finally achieved her freedom. To her dismay, the servants dragged her into the bathhouse and was fussed around by the chambermaids. Kohaku sent Kagami off with a big grin.

“Please take good care of our guest~”

Kohaku scoffed. “Hmph. Do you think you can escape? You may be skilled, but you’re too naive. You’re different from the trespassers who had adamantly broken the laws again and again. Wait patiently like a good girl until the ceremony is over. This has always been your home, Kagami.” Kohaku too, vanished into thin air. He left the work to the servants and the chambermaids that were assigned to attend to Kagami.

It took a good long hour for the chambermaids to be satisfied with their skillful handiwork. Kagami was finally cleaned and tidied. Her distasteful clothes were tossed away with an unpleasant look from the chambermaids, earning Kagami a pout. Kagami was dressed in layers of pastel blue kimono, the same crest was adorning her back. Kagami scowled. She hated kimonos. Her uncle used to make her wear kimonos back during her childhood days, saying it was a tradition of the Hisakawa clan that mustn't be forgotten. Those who break the traditions would be punished severely by the heavens. Kagami never understood what her uncle had tried to say. Even now.

The tremendous ringing from the watchtowers, the heavy footsteps of Shouhei military forces and vassals began gathering at the Gates. Kagami observed and scrutinized through the windows of the quarters she was held prisoner in. "What's happening?" It felt like the entire empire was about to go to war. The chambermaids shook their heads.

"Look carefully." They pointed to the entrance of the Gates. The military forces and vassals lined neatly in rows before the Gates. As if they were waiting for someone. The Gates parted, revealing a path from the outside. The forbidden lands was a labyrinth. Ordinary people would not be able to find the entrance without the approval of the emperor. The Gates only react to people who belong to the forbidden lands. One could say that the forbidden lands is the entrance to the underworld. A man of a slender build appeared through the Gates. The servants and the military troops bowed, welcoming back a brethren of their own. Servants of the forbidden lands swore extreme loyalty to the empire. No one would betray their master, even if death was on the line.

Kagami squinted her eyes. That man had looked familiar. It was a surprise, until the people of the forbidden lands worshipped the man who had appeared through the Gates.

"Welcome back, Master Minato!"

The man gave the servants a gentle smile before stepping foot into the grand palace. A place he once called home.

"Come, we must meet the master. It's time for your ceremony."

The chambermaids pulled Kagami away from the windows, escorting her to the banquet hall.  They walked down the long hallways. Kagami examined the sophisticated and intricate designs as they walked along. Master Minato? Who's that? It was time. With the foreign name which was still stuck on her mind, Kagami was once again in the presence of the unpleasant man who had ordered her kidnapping. His fox spirit was settled comfortably next to him, munching on his favourite fried tofu. Kagami clicked her tongue at the sight of the two unpleasant presence.

Kagami was about to tell them off, she stopped as the man she saw from the windows was found standing before her. She found herself piqued by curiosity about the new arrival’s identity. Observing their gestures and facial expressions, Kagami had figured that they must have been arguing. Kagami realized that they were in a banquet room. She found these people peculiar. The people of the forbidden lands are definitely bizarre. Is this supposed to be a ceremony?

"Master Jun'ichi, I've brought our guest." The servants bowed to their master. Kohaku and the emperor settled on the throne at the head of the table nodded. That mystery man of a slender figure had turned around. Kagami had to admit that his back was similar to her professor. That man was curious. Their eyes met. Kagami turned pale. It was a familiar face she knew too well.

“A guest?”

"P...p….professor?!" She yelled. He didn’t look like him. It was him himself. It was her sarcastic professor who she had seen walking through the passage of the Gates earlier from her windows.

"Hisakasa Kagami. See? I told you, he would definitely return. For your sake." Master Jun'ichi had a smile etched on his thin lips. The master pointed to the familiar face standing before him. The servants guided her and her professor to the banquet table. Her professor was settled next to her kidnapper, and she found herself seated on the opposite side of her devil professor. She figured that her professor must be extraordinary to be seated next to the emperor of the forbidden lands.

"Oh, so that's where you were." Her professor had a smile on his face. “I’m glad you look well.” Kagami scowled at him. Oh, look at him rant. This professor is a devil all right. That’s all he was going to say after everything I’ve gone through. I’m gonna kick his *** once we return home!

"That's not it." Kohaku shook his head. He pointed to the portraits hung on the walls. Kagami had been appalled, agitated and frustrated every few minutes. It was exhausting which had made her miss the portraits that were hung on the walls of the grand palace. It was stupid of her to miss such an important clue. It wasn’t like her to make such a simple mistake. Seems like Kagami still need more training. "Look. They're rulers of our lands."

The first picture was the first ruler of the empire. Tachibana Mikoto. She was the first emperor of Shouhei empire. What bothered her was the portraits of the last successors of Shouhei empire. There were two masters to the current reigning of the empire. One was, of course, Kagami’s kidnapper. Tachibana Jun’ichi. The second master was Tachibana Minato. The names were divergent and atypical. The portrait of the second master was what Kagami found bothering. It was the portrait of her professor. It was then Kagami realized.

Her professor was the master of Shouhei empire. In other words, he was the younger sibling of the first master, the Master of spirits, Tachibana Jun’ichi-sama.  His skills were exceptional and possessed immense strength to lead the empire at the young age, the title The Master of spirits was entrusted to him by the empire’s oracle. Kagami sighed. What was going to happen to her? She glanced at the food before her. Every plate served were her favourite foods. Kagami scowled. She found the fact unpleasant. How did anyone discover her tastes of foods?

“Why are you not eating?” her professor asked. He noted Kagami had not taken a single bite from the plates she was served.

“Why am I here?” Kagami asked. “Did you pick on me because I’m your target? Am I supposed to be a powerful person of this land? Your lover’s reincarnation?”

“You will know soon. It was naive of me that you will remember. After all, it’s been ten years.” Jun’ichi replied. “However, your speculation isn’t too far from the real thing. I should applaud your current skills. I should say, as expected of the Hisakawa clan. Right?” He glanced at Eun-Ho. Eun-Ho turned, refusing to answer his brother’s question.

“How dare you, after everything she had been through. You’re just like him.” The conversation dove deeper into a world of its own. Eun-Ho’s voice was cold as ice. It was as if his elder brother had committed something which even Eun-Ho could never forgive. Kagami could barely comprehend an incident ten years ago. Ten years was a long time. She felt that she would not be getting any answers anytime soon, thus she resigned herself to her favourite vanilla milkshake which her professor had placed in front of her.

“Don’t think you’ll be easily forgiven even with this!” Kagami pouted, slurping on her favourite vanilla milkshake. Her professor chuckled. His days were filled with amusement. Kagami was the reason he was never bored. She was a child which Eun-Ho was entrusted with.

Kagami found herself being escorted to the backyard of the palace. The banquet had ended after the invited guests had returned home. The garden was a breathtaking sight. There was a pond in the center of the garden. Kagami noticed there were carps swimming in the pond. The sky was pitch black. It was dusk before Kagami had realized. Kagami shivered when they walked into the backyard. The temperature had dropped significantly. Even with the layers of kimono Kagami was wearing, the water in the pond was freezing cold. Kagami felt that her eyes were playing tricks on her. She swore the waters in the pond changed colors.

“It’s time you regain your strength, Hisakawa Kagami.”

Kagami was pulled into the master’s arms. They were hovering above the freezing pond. Kagami paled. “Don’t tell me….” Jun’ichi-sama smirked, before releasing his hold. Kagami’s expectations came true. Kagami was plunged into the waters. The waters possess mystical powers. Kagami could sense the strong spiritual powers coming from the depths of the waters. The dimensions on the outside and the inside does not match. The water was a bottomless pit. There was nothing. It was so quiet. Kagami felt herself sinking deeper into the depths of the pond. Her head began throbbing, memories of people she had never met were flowing into her. Joyous memories, sad memories…. They were memories of her lost self.

“Kagami!” Eun-Ho ran towards the pond. His elder brother stopped him. He glared at Jun’ichi. His elder brother had a satisfied look on his face. He was the younger brother who had ruled the empire in his absence. He knew well of the personality of his twisted brother. He also knew what Jun’ichi would say if he were to ask him. Getting exasperated at his own brother does not do any good. He sighed.

The ceremony had begun. Eun-Ho had no choice but to wait. Jun’ichi had smirked, witnessing Minato’s displeasing temperament. This was just the beginning. Kagami’s strength will soon be needed in the near future. Kagami’s powers were feared by their own kin. The Hisakawa clan was greatly ostracized and oppressed by the people and the empire they served. Kouha had abandoned them. The dwindling powers of the pathetic priests who mistook the Hisakawa clan’s veteran expertise for a curse of the devils. Jun’ichi gritted his teeth. He had witnessed the misfortune of the Hisakawa clan several times. He made his decision that the Hisakawa clan do not deserve to live among them.

It was then he stumbled upon the golden opportunity that could plan his sweet revenge against the humans who left them to their cruel fate. The Master of spirits knew more than anything, the Hisakawa clan was a replacement for someone else’s cruel fate. Humans certainly had a caster who was skilled enough to mess with the fates and destinies of man. It was extremely unpleasant. Humans were ruthless beasts in disguise. That was what the Master of spirits had thought. Even with his stone heart, he felt the compassion of a certain clan. The ancient martial arts clan who still practiced the philosophies of their ancestors which no one does anymore. The emperor had deemed their existence unnecessary. As a result, they were sacrificed.

Everything began ten years ago.

Kagami was still but a child ten years ago. On her tenth birthday, Kagami was kidnapped. The people of Kouha empire who were jealous of the Hisakawa family’s inherited abilities. Their abilities which were revered as godly was a double-edged sword. Their abilities were too strong. It caused unpleasant upsetting among the people. Fellow noble families who feared losing their positions and reputations ganged against the Hisakawa family. That day, Hisakawa Kagami was kidnapped on her way back from school.

Hisakawa Kagami was offered as a sacrifice. With the assistance of an exorcist, they predicted the day when the passage of the Gates would be connected to the hidden realm. Those days were golden, but it wasn’t improbable. That day comes only once a blue moon. Exorcists have the power to make it happen. On its darkest day, the Gates opened its doors to the forbidden land. It was on the day of the lunar eclipse. The day of the full moon. The moon was dyed crimson red. An ominous sign that people of Kouha were terrified of.

The protesters of the Hisakawa family were comprised of people of various ranks. Nobles, commoners, militants, and even royalty. They have come together with a single goal: To dethrone the Hisakawa family. They had begun to fear the ancient family who had gained a stronger influence than the emperor, which had determined that the emperor's position would no longer become the ruler of the empire. The politicians feared the power that the Hisakawa family wields. They were terrified of the day when the Hisakawa family would strike. Afterall, with their godly inherent abilities, they could accomplish the most challenging endeavors with ease. Their powers were frightening inhumane.

Crossing the Gates, the protestors wandered into the realm of the forbidden lands. The empire of Shouhei was an impenetrable barrier. The protestors had an audience with the master of the forbidden lands. The current master of the forbidden land were descendants of its first protector, the Tachibana brothers who ruled the hidden realm with an iron fist.  The elder brother who inherited their predessor’s mantle: The Master of Spirits; Tachibana Jun’ichi, and the younger brother, Tachibana Minato. They were pillars of Shouhei's defense. The Tachibana brothers were invincible.

"Oh my. There are humans striding in my territory.” The Master of spirits had an amused look etched on his face. It was a mystery how filthy humans had stepped foot into the divine lands protected by the deity of heavens. The presence of humans had caused a huge fuss among people of the forbidden lands. Many of them were regaled at the protestors who had dragged along a child. Tears had ruined her beautiful face, her clothes were in horrific conditions and her pale, delicate skin was injured and scarred. That day was Hisakawa Kagami and Tachibana Minato's fateful encounter.

Whispers began spreading around the empire. They wondered what their king would have done to the humans consumed by desire and greed. The Hisakawa family protesters were disgusted. The empire of Shouhei was definitely a home to spirits and devils. A legendary island which was isolated by the three empires. The reason people who had set on a journey in search of it never returned was because…. the empire of Shouhei was the homeland of unearthly beings. The master of spirits had frowned at the child they had brought in their presence. There was apparent evidence that the child was abused and ostracized. The spirits recognized the harbored trepidation reflected in the child’s clear irises.

It was fear.

“Speak, human.” The master of spirits demanded. The king of spirits felt unpleasant vibes coming from the group of humans who had wandered into the blessed lands on the lunar eclipse. The Master of spirits had underestimated the capabilities humans could do. With the power of the full moon, the passage of the Gates would become visible to human eyes. The emperor wore a cold stare as he scrutinized the intruders in his presence. He would never exonerate bringers of evil onto the divine lands protected by deities of heavens.

“We seek power in exchange for this child.” The leader had spoken. It was evident that he possessed qualities of a leader. With the clothes he was dressed in, anyone could have guessed the pedigree he was from. That man was a descendant of a noble family who had served the royalty for generations. They were a family of warriors.

The guardians of the Gates were enraged. “How dare you, of the likes of you humans! Jun’ichi-sama is a divine protector of our land. How dare you make deals with our master.” They glared daggers at the intruders before their eyes.

Their lord raised his hand. “Toshimasa, Toshiyuki. Calm down. Let’s hear what these people have to say.” His clear irises were glazed, as if made from glass. It was impossible to read and predict the lord’s intentions. “If I am unsatisfied with your request, consider yourself detrimental. I’ll eat you. Afterall, humans wandering into a den of spirits is like a feast served on a silver platter.” Jun’ichi smirked. Minato huffed. His brother’s personality was the worst. It had perpetuated since he took on the mantle as the divine lord of the forbidden lands.

The humans paled. The gulped, the saliva that was accumulated in their cavity travelled into their pharynx. The lord was furious. With their voracious desires, they had determined that attaining power rather than their conscience was a more prominent choice. It was too late to yield. All eyes were on the humans who had brought a little girl with them. None of them were deceived by the likes of humans.

“We offer you this child in exchange for the power we seek. Protection against demons and spirits; expulsion of curses and misfortunes that have befallen our land.” The humans tossed the little girl onto the ground. With a push, the little girl tripped and fell. The brothers who reigned the divine land was void of expressions. “This is the child of the cursed bloodline. She is the daughter of Hisakawa Kazuya and Yamazaki Fuyuki.”

The child observed the scenes unfold to the best of her ability a child could do. Fascination and whimsical compellingness rose among the spectators. The masters of the forbidden lands wore a solemn expression. That name was notorious among residents of the forbidden land. It was a fond nostalgia of a human’s ephemeral memory. He who was loved dearly by the people of the hidden realm.

“Hoho, the child of Hisakawa Kazuya? You have guts, human.”

“Brother,” The younger brother warned. The master nodded, agreeing to his younger brother. Jun’ichi sighed. His younger brother was such a kind child. The younger brother rushed to the poor child. He had commanded orders to tend the injured child. Minato saw with his eyes. The child’s body was at her limit. She must have been treated badly before she was brought into Shouhei empire. The protestors watched the appalling actions performed by the second master. Minato glared into the eyes of the pathetic beings in front of him. The poor child had passed out, and was firmly held in his lithe arms.

“Fine. We’ll take in this child. I’m sure you’ll come to regret the decision in the near future. Shouhei empire will never return this child to the human lands. She is now my bride.”  Minato announced, glaring at the pathetic beings called humans. Minato stood and vanished, along with the poor child in his arms. Jun’ichi chuckled. That was his plans all along. Minato’s clear irises glowed, infused with fury. “We’ll be taking back our kin. Just like you humans loved to bring conflict among each other, it was your incarnate desires and avarice that will eventually become your downfall.”

“Don’t you dare speak ill of the Hisakawa clan. Kazuya saved our land. You will not do as you please with the Hisakawa clan.” Toshimasa spoke. The guardians of the Gates stood behind the group of protestors. They trembled in fear. The realization that their plans and their only chance to attain that mystical power the Hisakawa clan was blessed with had gone down the drain. Their efforts were in vain. It was their only hope, and their most strategic warfare to go against the Hisakawa clan.

“They’re hopeless, Toshimasa. You shouldn’t bother.” Toshiyuki retorted.

Jun’ichi rapped lightly against the mahogany handle of his throne. The spirits once again fell into silence, eagering awaiting for their master’s verdict. “ Just like Minato had said, you’ll come to regret your decisions. Your ignorance was not why you were spared. Humans who breach the ancient rules established by your ancestors is not worth saving. You don’t deserve heaven’s mercy. You should thank the daughter of Kazuya that your souls are still intact.” He glanced at the pair of guardians at the entrance. “Toshimasa, Toshiyuki. Please escort our guests out.”

The guardians bowed, tossing the group of humans to the borders. “Remember it well that it was Kazuya’s kindness that spared your lives. It’s an irony that your saviour was one that you have abandoned and ostracized for generations. Come back again, we’ll eat you.” The passage of the Gates were sealed and vanished from their eyes as the eclipse waned.

The incident had left the group of humans with questions of curiosity. What was Hisakawa Kazuya’s relationship to the forbidden land? It was outrageous. Hisakawa Kazuya was notorious and was loved by the spirits. One thing was clear. They had succeeded in ridding their lands of the curse that had plagued their empire for generations.

That day, Hisakawa Kagami became the bride of the second master, Tachibana Minato.

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