The Conditions during the Eclipse

Chapter 3: The Conditions during the Eclipse

Kagami’s subconsciousness had returned, her soul was called back to the present world. She was drenched and soaking-wet, her clothes were transparent, and translucent with the spiritual light radiated from the moon. It was a breathtaking sight. The second master, Minato-sama, was astounded. His mind had gone blank, which had earned himself an elbow jab to his guts from his elder brother. He had blushed, turning away from embarrassment. Colors of erubescence gradually tinted the surface of his cheeks, avoiding Kagami’s gaze before he lost control of himself. Jun’ichi had chuckled, finding his younger brother adorable.

Kagami was on the verge of collapsing. Her knees had lost its strength, and had found herself in her professor’s arms. The mystical lake robbs vast amount of energy from its host, in exchange for their lost memories. Her body pulsated, the tingling electricity reverberated, coursing through her delicate body. Her words before she blacked out had sent cold shivers. The Tachibana brothers and the servants that had accompanied them to the courtyard could not believe their ears.

“Minato-sama…” Kagami had whispered, her mesmerizing voice resounded. Kagami's apathetic piercing stare was evident, clearly reflected in her dusty-golden irises. Kagami wrapped her delicate arms around Minato’s neck, seeking assurance from the person she entrusted her life with.

The breeze in the middle of spring and the flowing waters of the lake were the only sounds they heard. It was a total silence. The mystical lake that Shouhei empire possessed was their last hope. It completed its task perfectly. The limiter was removed, the suppressed memories within Kagami had exploded.

Minato had blinked once, blinked twice and blinked trice. He had dropped his guard. It was unexpected. Droplets of tears trickled, blurring and obscuring his vision of sight. It had been a long time since last he heard those words. He never thought it'd come a day when his beloved person would call his real name once again. Minato couldn’t help but sense that her memories had finally returned. Kagami passed out from exhaustion. Minato left Kagami in the chambermaids and servants care. The people of the divine land left Kagami to retire for the night, the anxious concerns weighing on their minds. Minato planted a small kiss on her pale lips before retiring to his quarters.

“Sweet dreams, Kagami.”

The next morning, Kagami woke to her professor’s anxious stare next to her. The clear skies were filled with chirping birds soaring through the vast horizons. Kagami jumped from her bed, the sheer joy from the echoes of the busy streets. Minato sighed. She was just as odd as ever. Two servants invited themselves, and bowed to Minato and Kagami. Kagami had waved their greetings, insisting that it was fine. In mere seconds, Kagami was hauled arm-in-arm to the bathhouse, earning a lifetime of laughter from Minato. The servants knew better than to be tricked by Kagami. After all, they were servants that had served Kagami when she had stayed in the empire, alongside her late parents and Minato-sama.

“L...let me gooooo!”

It was an hour later Kagami found herself dressed in a fresh set of kimono. Kagami scowled at her reflection in the mirror. It was another set of her favourite color. The refined layers of the kimono were dyed pastel cerulean colors. The crest of the rulers of the divine lands adorned on her back. It matched the mark she had received, located behind her neck. Her silky, dusty-golden hair was illuminated, basking under the dazzling sunlight.

“It looks like you’re ready, princess.” Minato reappeared at the doorway. He had a huge grin etched on his face.

Kagami glared at Minato. She took a step, had tripped on the hems and fell. Minato had stepped forward and caught Kagami in her arms. Kagami was astounded.

“Bastard… you planned this, didn’t you?!” Minato and the servants chuckled.

Kagami had hated kimonos since she was a child. It was also Minato’s plan that he selected the colors and the clothes for Kagami. The servants had played along with their second master’s plan.Bearing the Tachibana crest on her back represents one thing: announcing to the world that she was Tachibana Minato’s intended, the betrothed partner that has finally returned to their homeland.

Minato offered his hand. Reluctantly, and grudgingly, Kagami took Minato’s hand as they perambulated along the long corridors of the castle. The servants saw them off with a glee and happiness for their second master. It has been a long time since their second master and his betrothed had returned home. It was a refreshing sight. The servants often had small talks about their second master. Unlike Jun’ichi-sama who possessed immense presence and power, Minato believed that the land would strive with the power of the people.

The hall was dim lit with torches and candles, the vanilla scents wafting into the room. The thick curtains were drawn over the long panels of windows. Minato walked Kagami to her seat before settling in the seat next to her. Seated across them was the first master, and the emperor of Shouhei empire and several vassals who served Tachibana Jun’ichi-sama. The emperor’s familiar, the fox spirit was curled at his feet. Kagami paled at the immense presence of several political figures before her.

“What is going on?”

“Hisakawa Kagami. The appointed moment has arrived. We, heralds of heavens, have awaited this day for a long time. As promised, abandon humanity, and become part of us.” Jun’ichi’s tone was matter-of-fact and pragmatic.

He was the epitome of a true leader, the wisest candidate to become the emperor of the empire. A goblet of red liquid was served before her. Kagami stared blankly at the goblet. Is this blood? Kagami had wondered. Kagami sensed an odd trepidation from the skeptical  drink. Electrical pulsations were triggered and circulated her through her bloodstream. She felt apprehensiveness towards the goblet in front of her.

Minato wrapped her hands in his under the tables. Although it was infuriating, it calmed her. Kagami sensed an odd connection to the man who was like a loving figure to her. He was like her father, her brother, her teacher, and her intended. It was strange. As long as Minato was by her side, even when she had lost her memories and had constantly fought against him on a daily basis, she had felt calm and assured. She recollected her emotions and faced the first master and his vassals. She had frowned at the goblet. She stared at the emperor. Her observant abilities had noted the weapons the emperor’s vassals were armed with..

“What is this?”

“This is a command as the emperor of Shouhei, Hisakawa Kagami. If you wish to do so, drink it. Remember, this is an official decree of the emperor of Shouhei empire. Should you refuse, I’m sure you’re aware that many things would befall Kouha empire.”

Minato slammed his hands on the table. “Brother, what is the meaning of this?!”

“Esteemed emperor of Shouhei, let me ask you a question.” Kagami spoke. She glanced at the fox spirit at Jun’ichi’s feet. “Is this why you sent that fox spirit after me?”

“We made a promise to the late Hisakawa Sasaki a long time ago. We move in order to protect his legacy. We do not harm humans with a defiled cause. So which shall you choose”, Hisakawa Kagami?” The emperor answered.

Kagami stared at the emperor. She was lost for words. Of all things, bringing up her father’s name was beyond expectations. She fingered the golden intricate designs on the sides of the goblet. The vassals were level-headed, their minds were cleared of personal cues they had towards the human captive in their hands. Although it saddened their broken hearts that the captive before their eyes was a kind child who was brought in by their second master, Tachibana Minato-sama. The vassals and generals swore loyalty to their emperor, the first master who rules the divine lands blessed by the heavens. They move in accordance to Jun'ichi-sama's commands.

She had huffed. “Why are you so desperate, Jun’ichi-sama? Are you planning on taking my life if I refuse? Isn’t that why your vassals are here, equipped with weapons as if they’re going to war?” Her eyebrows narrowed. I wonder what is it that you know? Something that terrifies even you, the prime ruler of Shouhei empire. The emperor and the vassals were silent. Kagami continued, “This amount of soldiers isn’t enough to stop me, you know that, don’t you? Your Highness.”

Kagami felt there was some truth in the words of the emperor. The resplendent colors of the crimson liquid had seemed familiar. Kagami could not shake off the feeling that she had once seen something similar in the past. Minato had seemed worried. After all, his elder brother had said nothing about this. He knew clearly what the crimson liquid was, and it was served in front of Kagami. He recognized the schemes his elder brother had planned all those years ago. Minato didn’t believe it then. The situation before him reminded Minato the alarming words of an attendant who had served him years ago. It was one of the reasons why Minato had left capital Rikuto, the heart of Shouhei empire.

Minato tightened his grip on Kagami’s. “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”

The atmosphere was stagnant. Kagami and Minato; versus Jun’ichi and his vassals. Kagami’s apathetic stare had made it impossible for her opponents to anticipate her next move. It was said that having people of the Hisakawa family would crush the last ray of hope. They will conquer their opponents till nothing is left. The servants who had observed in the dark shadows had begun to feel anxious. The staring contest was intense. It had been ten minutes and there was no evidence that either party would strike.

Kagami finally huffed. “I’m not convinced. But I’ll believe your words this time. After all, my father was stigmatized as a maniac who believed in things like spirits and gods.” She took the golden goblet to her lips. “It’s true after all. We, who bear the curse of the Hisakawa blood, are monsters who possess strange abilities that cannot be justified by logic. We are people who reside outside the present world.”

Kagami tipped the crimson contents down her throat. The electrical pulsations coursing through her veins heightened. Her clear irises dilated, and her nerves were frozen. Its mechanisms were hijacked by the foreign chemicals Kagami had introduced into her delicate body. She collapsed into Minato arms, the mark that was evident as Minato’s other half seared painfully on the surface of her pale skin.

“Prepare the crimson bath,” Jun’ichi had ordered the servants. He glanced at the unconscious Kagami in Minato’s arms. “You have no room for hesitance, Minato. Either way, she would die soon. As a human. The people of the Hisakawa family are destined to return to Shouhei empire. I strongly believe Kagami is the child in the prophecy.”

“Is that why you threatened Kagami?” Minato sighed, staring at his elder brother in disbelief. Minato was seconds away from drawing his treasured weapon, stirring another pandemonium which would ultimately lead to a coup d'état once more. “You could’ve just told her the truth.”

Minato huffed, turned around and followed the servants with an unconscious Kagami in his arms. Jun’ichi had said nothing since then, sipping his coffee in silence. Minato and the servants stopped in front of the hidden entrance leading to the royal sacred grounds. It was a room only individuals who possessed the Tachibana blood had access to. The doors revealed itself only to individuals it recognized as its masters. It capitulated to its master’s orders in high regards and protected its master’s wishes till the end of time. The hidden doors recognized Minato as a descendant of its master, revealing the entrance to the sacred grounds.

Behind the exalted doors, was a grand bath with large statues of the Tachibana’s original forms. The statue of a tengu guardian. The waters in the bath were overflowing with spiritual energies, its essence were dyed crimson. Minato’s light footsteps echoed within the thick walls of the sacred chambers and descended into the crimson waters. Kagami was submerged into the waters. Although unconscious, Kagami had appeared peaceful. An outsider would have panicked at the sight of a bathhouse dyed in the resplendent colors of bloodshed. The moment when Minato had released his grasps on Kagami, allowing Kagami to be submerged under the unearthly waters and triggered the torches on the sides of the walls. It was lit with fire, reflecting the breathtaking sight of the birth of their new kin.

Minato glanced at the sky. When the clock struck midnight, it would be the beginning of another lunar eclipse. It was their eleventh anniversary of their first meeting, the day Kagami had stepped foot into the forbidden lands as a sacrifice. It was Minato’s duty, as the person who cherished Kagami the most, and as his intended, he had a responsibility to see through everything to the end. As the appointed moment was seconds upon them, the crimson waters began to glow, illuminating its scarlet colors in the presence of the moon.

First, there was the skeptical goblet. Second, was a bath dyed in crimson colors. And third, the lunar eclipse. These were conditions necessary for Minato to activate the ceremony. He descended into the bath, despite his robes being soaked by the crimson waters. He joined Kagami under the waters. He pulled the unconscious Kagami into his arms, planted a deep kiss on her pale lips. Kagami writhe, struggled, unaware that the future beholds.

Kagami felt herself pulled into the darkness. Whispers of charming and mesmerizing voices echoed. Kagami felt the uncomfortable ringing in her ears, and the unsettling whispers of perturbed words. Kagami had felt her head was splitting into two, developing symptoms similar to migraines. As if its purpose was to tear away the impenetrable barriers, and bring down the protective guards Kagami possesses. Its aim was to strike Kagami at her weakest. The odd scenes of a woman and a man replayed in her mind countless times. And often she had seen the same scene again and again as dusk arrives each night. The woman was standing in the middle of a barren land, a man who was dressed in dark robes wielding a sword blessed by heavens.

I will protect you, Princess. The man’s deep tone spoke. You’re the treasured princess entrusted in my care. 

Kagami saw that world through the eyes of the woman in her dream. Where am I supposed to go? He’s already gone. I will be next. Is this the reward our people’s diligent efforts deserved? The woman spoke.

Survive, Princess. That’s what I am here for! Anywhere is fine, as long as you’re alive, Princess. The mysterious offered the woman his hand. I'll never let you go alone. Come with me. 

Somehow, Kagami felt comfortable and relaxing in the stranger’s arms. And often, Kagami had woken, found herself with a puzzling heartache and tears streaming down her pale skin. It left a bad aftertaste which had left her confused. She had that strange dream ever since she could remember. At first, Kagami had taken it as a normal dream. The dream visited every night, and before she knew it, eighteen years had passed.

Kagami opened her eyes, and was greeted by the familiar face underwater. She had found herself submerged in a sea of crimson waters. Her delicate arms were firmly wrapped around Minato’s neck. Unlike seas and oceans, Kagami noted that the waters were dyed crimson, like the color of blood. Kagami stared at Minato’s triumphed expression. Her ears were ringing, probably from prolonged duration she was pushed underwater. Fangs elongated from the upper lips.

Come with me. Minato’s whispers echoed. Kagami was appalled. At the sight of her professor, and the words he had uttered. They were words of the mysterious man in her dreams. Minato had leaned forward, plunged his fangs into Kagami’s delicate skin. The mere touch of the fangs penetrating into Kagami, the very nerves and mechanisms her body possessed had electrofied. The denial of foreign substances had entered their domain, and their forlorn attempt to extricate their master from harm.

The fangs of great spirits like the Tachibana family contain poison that changes a person’s constitution. Once bitten, living beings will be robbed of their humanity, and the ability to survive under the scorching sunlight gifted by gods of creation. The infuriating pain coursed through her body, the shrill screams resounded at the top of her voice. It was the day her fate was sealed.

The lunar solstice was their witness. The evident display of the excruciating transformation, and the rebirth of their kin.

Kagami was plunged into a mess. Upon completion of the ceremony, Minato resurfaced from the sea of crimson darkness with Kagami in his arms. Kagami was writhing and struggling, the evident excruciating pain was clearly reflected in her dazed irises. The poison Minato had injected was slowly breaking down her constitution, rebuilding its core and rewriting the sequences of constitution. It was destroying the human part of her, and reawakening the other self that lives within the shadows. Her human self was gone, taken and robbed by the people of the forbidden land.

To his surprise, his elder brother and his fellow fox spirit follower had been waiting patiently for their results. Minato was pretty sure he was there so that he could not escape his brother's perfect plans. He had a gratifying smirk when he witnessed the state Kagami was in when the pair resurfaced from the red waters which was revered as sacred by the residents of Shouhei empire. He wore an apathetic stare in the audience of his great brother, the successor to the empire, and the heir to the throne. Minato had felt vexing when Jun'ichi had put down his foot. It was frustrating that this was the only way he could bring Kagami from the cage of curse that had haunted her family for generations.

A suffering Kagami represents one thing: the ceremony was a success. Minato had injected his poison into Kagami's humane body.

"Well done, Minato." Jun'ichi smiled.

Kagami had passed out from the pain, had collapsed in Minato's arms. Kagami had reached her limit. Her human half was delicate and prone to nightmares she deemed terrifying. Although she inherited the capabilities of her ancestors, the events of that night and dreams that visited her each night was more than enough evidence that her human self would soon break down. And like her clan, she would be graced by death at the young age due to the inadaptability of their overabundance of talent.

Minato could feel Kagami's heavy breathing, her body was drenched in combination of sweat and sacred waters of the ceremony. Giving his elder brother one last stare, Minato vanished. A smirk was formed on the thin lips of the emperor. He had finally kept one of his promises he made all those years ago. It was true. That's right, even without those pathetic rogues seeking divine power for their own greed and ultimately kidnapping Kagami, she would have ended at the hands of the Tachibana family. It was fate she was destined to be.

It was the fate of those who were blessed by the heavens. The guardians of the Sacred Treasures. That is the true purpose of the Hisakawa family. It was their duty to ensure the safety of the Sacred Treasures, never fall into the hands of evil.

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