The Spectre of Immortality

Chapter 4: The Spectre of Immortality

Kagami woke up with a start. Her body was drenched from psychological spasms of terror and cold sweat. Her body was sore and heavy. Her delicate figure was snuggled against Minato's warm embrace. Kagami had blushed furiously at the sight of her sleeping professor next to her. Discerning her surroundings with her observant abilities, she realized the fact that she had been placed in a different chamber from the one she was placed in. The furniture was arranged differently, the assortment of collectives and books were scattered on the desk. The walls were painted cobalt colors and the carpets were dyed turquoise. The curtains were drawn, preventing dazzling sunlight from penetrating into the dark chambers.

The sombre ambience resembles the quarters of a spectre.

She stumbled out of bed. How she had managed to wrestle and unbound herself from Minato's iron grip was a mystery. She pulled back the curtains, allowing sunlight access into the crevices of the dingy chambers. Kagami flinched at the touch of sunlight kissing her pale skin. A hand grabbed the curtains from behind and closed the curtains with haste. Kagami was appalled. Parts of her skin that was grazed by the sunlight had turned reddish, evident that the morning sunlight was a harmful element to residents of Shouhei.

"Are you trying to kill us both?" Minato sighed in relief.

Feelings of devastation and trepidation were triggered, the electrifying sensation coursed through her veins. She stared at the skin restoring to its original state in just mere seconds. It was a bizarre sight. Minato had pulled her away from the windows. Minato had his signature smirk plastered on his face. The notorious expression that had often infuriated Kagami. It can't be helped. Since her father's death, the remaining members of her family had been overprotective of their last successor. No one was brave enough to tell Kagami the truth, the dilemma of trepidation they harbored would befall on Kagami.

The legendary katana that smacked bullies and notorious suspicious and pathetic characters with a single strike materialized in Kagami’s hands. She gripped the blue handle of her beloved katana. The assertive and relentless qualities were evident, clearly reflected in her dusty-golden colored irises. She swung her katana, the sharp-edged were inches away from Minato’s neck.

“What have you done to me?!”

“Hoho, are you threatening me? You have not once triumphed against me.” Minato had his signature smirk plastered. Kagami growled, glaring adamantly at Minato.

“Tell her the truth.” Koharu had appeared at the entrance. He was dressed in his usual red and white kimono, the traditional dressing of a divine creature who served the gods. “You should tell her the truth, Brother. Master’s decisions aside, you’re probably the only person who can protect her from him.”

Minato tossed a pillow at Koharu’s sudden appearance in annoyance and displeasure. He scowled at the mischievous fox spirit. Just because he was Jun’chi’s beloved spirit familiar, he was entitled and allowed to play tricks and schemes on Jun’ichi’s vassals and servants without getting punished. Minato was different. He could care less what Koharu was up to.

“Get out!” Kagami and Minato had yelled at Koharu without a single hint of hesitance.

Koharu had shrugged, vanished into thin air. Minato sighed,  his attention was once again focused on Kagami. Minato smiled, his fingers caressing the fallen strands of her dusty-golden hair. Heartbroken and relieved at the same time, he was torn from the choices his elder brother had presented. Despite his disquietude trepidations, Minato anathematized his flaws despite his earnest and poignant desires to liberate Kagami from the curse that haunted the Hisakawa bloodline for generations. He had picked the worst choice possible.

Minato began his tale. The tale of two brothers who ruled the land. Once, long, long ago, there was a princess. She had tremendous powers, and omnipotent strengths. She was revered by the spirits, and loved by heavens. She was the first master who descended from the skies. She built a country and granted humans’ requests. But the mundane world was far from the legends the princess was told. Driven by lurking dark forces, humans began to fight over resources and strength. Warfare between humans broke out. They began betraying each other, the cycle repeated itself generations after generations. They fought over the sovereignty of the mystical shards born from the princess’s tears. Peace was a fleeting dream.

“Mystical shards? You don’t mean real mystical shards, do you?” Kagami questioned.

“Well, listen to the rest of my story. I’m pretty sure you know the true identity of those mystical shards.” Minato casually replied.

The mystical shards were thus renamed as the Sacred Treasures. During the warfare times, a human had approached the princess. The princess was astonished. That human was unaffected by the mystical shards. The negative zeals that drives humans insane was ineffective on this human. Insanity was one of the distinct characteristics of their lunatic antics. The princess had thought the heavens had granted her a second opportunity of hope. The human said this:

“No, I will not. The mystical shards are part of the forbidden fruit the legends spoke of. Humans are susceptible and extremely vulnerable to whispers of dark forces. Although we humans have forgotten the ancient teachings of our ancestors, I believe they will realize their sins and will atone for them.”

Shaken by that human's words, the princess and the human vanished. That human was a renowned warrior, and through his prodigious efforts had earned the title Hermes’s Incarnate. That man was Hisakawa Tsubasa. He was the first generation guardian of the Sacred Treasures. Years later, rumors spread that the warrior and the princess bore children. They had a son. Angered and crazed-driven, humans began to seek the human and vowed to kill him, claiming that he had monopolized the mystical shards to himself.

On the princess deathbed, she entrusted her secret garden to her five vassals. The five vassals protected their master’s treasured garden up to her death, even after Tsubasa had left the world, entrusting the Treasures to their son. The secret garden was protected and loved by spirits and spectres, humans became terrified of its supernatural phenomenon. The princess’s secret garden was recognized as the empire of Shouhei dubbed the forbidden land, forming the empire and its five great tribes today.

“Five great tribes? It’s not like we’re some ancient dynasty.” Kagami retorted. “It’s just an old legend of my ancestor. Even I know that story. My father used to read me that story before he passed away.”

“Yes, of course. Do you know who the five vassals the princess had entrusted to?” Minato questioned. “There are five of them. They’re the great tribes that protect our empire.”

Kagami had an apathetic stare. Even after the revelation of her ancestors, Kagami had no clue how she possessed the strange connection with that dusty old ancient legend. Kagami was not to be blamed. After all, Sasaki and Tsubaki had left the world without entrusting their secrets to Kagami. It was unfortunate. Minato had continued, “Yukimura, Yamashita, Hamasaki, Amano and Tachibana.”

Kagami had blinked, had swore it was his imagination. Minato had assured it was a reality. “Yes, Tachibana. You remembered your past, don’t you? My name is Tachibana Minato.” She couldn’t believe her ears. Tachibana. One of the vassal tribes left by the princess in the legend. “Besides me and my brother, there are others who rule this land. My elder brother, Tachibana Jun’ichi is the master of wisdom, the emperor of our land. And I am Tachibana Minato, the master of immortality.”

"Sounds fishy, doesn't it?"

Kagami had stared at Minato with her blank expression. Jun'ichi had appeared, a grand smirk was sneering into Kagami's appalled expression. She was rendered speechless. Such a thing was a historical moment and the birthplace of these people. Kagami could not believe that the brethren of humans were cold-blooded to this extreme. Someone who belonged to the prestigious bloodline held the truth in their hands. That explanation was the only reasonable conclusion. There must have been a reason why the Hisakawa family had been ostracized and abused badly on a daily basis.

Kagami snapped from her train of chaos running at the back of her mind. She frowned at Minato. Kagami still had her katana in her hands. The folktale still doesn’t explain the mystical phenomena she experienced.There had been several pieces of evidence since she woke that morning. Getting sunburns from mere exposure to the sun, heightened senses and extraordinary strength.

"Minato is the master of immortality. He was a spirit that blessed vitality and health. I'm sure you've already realized parts of the truth." Jun'ichi spoke, as if he could hear her pleading voice from the back of his hand. Jun'ichi had smiled. "I'm sure you'll come to your terms with Minato. Those feelings inside you are persistent and pertinacious. They hate being ignored. They yearn to be reciprocated and call out to each other. Right?"

Jun'chi gave them a wink, before vanishing into thin air, just like Koharu did. Minato scowled. "Geez. What did he come for?"

"Isn't it time you tell me? You can't keep it a secret forever!" Kagami protested. "Minato-sama."

Minato brought Kagami into his embrace. It was high time the both of them should stop running away. Ever since their first encounter all those years ago, their souls were destined to be together. Jun’ichi had realized it, the fact the lackadaisical Minato was willing to bind himself to the child he saw for the first time was the beginning of their long, long journey. Just like Jun’ichi had foretold, they had subconsciously fallen in love with each other.

“You’ve become someone who is unable to walk in the light.” Kagami’s kimono was damp from Minato’s tears. “This is the only way you will be saved. This is the fate of people born from the cursed blood of the Hisakawa family. Upon the rite of passage, the time you were blessed with will become a curse. The only way to continue living, is to offer your core and become part of us. Betray your kin, and return to your origins.”

Minato’s words had affirmed the theories she had speculated. This was the true form of the Hisakawa cursed blood. She recalled her father’s tale, her uncle’s speculations and the constant worries from her relatives. The fact that they had never told her the truth was mainly due to Kagami’s pure heart and the fear of Kagami’s grieve returning upon learning the truth. Kagami made a mental note to remind her family to spill the truth, and the purpose of her family’s ‘duty’.

By the time Kagami and Minato had sorted out things between them, it was past lunch time. Minato was summoned and had left for his office. Despite his looks, Minato was one of the regal members of the sovereign that ruled over the sacred land blessed by the heavens. Kagami was left alone in the sombre chambers. Kagami sighed. Unsure what she should be doing, she decided it was the perfect time to have a shower. Making her way to the bathhouse barefoot, to the servants and chambermaids' dismay and horror. Realizing her efforts were futile, Kagami frowned in displeasure as the chambermaids set to work. She was dressed in a fresh set of kimono, the accessories bearing the Tachibana crest were fixed onto her dusty-golden hair.

The insignia that proves that Kagami was now the wife of the second master, Tachibana Minato. From now on and ever. Even if her name was forgotten, Kagami would be bound by Minato’s side. Granted the life of immortality and opening doors of eternity. The sufferings of its side effects and the blessings of euphoria.

Walking through the long hallways, the view of the vast horizons of the empire was before her eyes. Kagami reminisced of the forgotten times she spent within the sacred grounds of Shouhei when she was a child. Just beyond the mountains, the portal of the Gates of passage was visible within her sight. It felt as if Kagami had wandered into the wonderland. Accompanied and escorted by servants and chambermaids under the emperor’s command, Kagami was under their constant watch. Denial of escorts were deemed ill-mannered and discourteous, especially of the wife of the second prince.

Despite being found herself escorted and accompanied by servants and chambermaids unpleasant, Kagami continued her whimsical tour of the palace. Being confined and grounded like a prisoner overnight was the limit they could make Kagami stay still. After all, Minato and Jun’ichi were well aware of Kagami’s extremely precipitous personality. Kagami wasn’t the type who would listen to instructions obediently without a question. Being robbed of her freedom, the residents of Shouhei were aware she would begin to rebel, even against the ‘emperor’.

The empire of Shouhei flourished with resplendent resources and capital. Kagami was welcomed with open arms and loved by the spirits and spectres that lived on the divine land. Kidnapped, ostracized and abused, the spirits and spectres took Kagami in, loved and adored as if she was a kin of their own. Several of them still remembered as if it was only just yesterday that the young Kagami walked through the streets with Minato with a satisfied expression on her face. They were sad when Minato finally decided Kagami should explore the world outside. Attend schools and make new friends. It was necessary for Kagami's growth development. Young Kagami was reluctant, Minato had determined it was for the best. Until the time the curse takes control and returns their brethren to the world of eternity, it was for the best.

“Explore the world, and gain experiences of all sorts!”

And after eight years, Kagami was summoned, the order to return was enacted. They shed tears of joy at the sight of a grown-up Kagami returning home. Among her trips around the grand palace, Kagami stumbled upon their emperor’s secret study. The books were scattered all over the place, newspaper articles were neatly collected and turned into a scrapbook. On the desk was an album filled with pictures. Kagami did not recognize faces in those pictures, she was certain they were people who belonged to the Hisakawa clan. Among them were her parents, Sasaki and Tsubaki. The distinct features of those who bear the cursed bloodline were easily distinguished.

The Hisakawa family was closely connected to the empire humans had deemed forbidden. The Hisakawa family believed otherwise, the land was revered as divine land protected by the heavens.  No one knows why. Kagami suspected her family served as a guardian of sorts, their exceptional capabilities were feared and stigmatized. The Hisakawa family has possessed the ability to freely cross the borders since the ancient times. The evidence was before her eyes. The dusty-golden hair the people of the Hisakawa family possessed evoked special memories of residents who reside within the divine land.

“Was it that intriguing? The faces of your clansmen.”

Koharu had appeared behind Kagami. He had sent chills and shivers down her spine, startled at the sudden emergence of his presence. Upon recovering from astonishment, she glared at the idle fox spirit. Kagami huffed at Koharu's audacious retort. It appears that Koharu and Kagami do not get along well. In fact, it was transparent that Koharu hated Kagami.  The tense ambience between them heightened, as if they were sworn rivals from a different era. Kagami could not help but feel agitated at the sight of the fox spirit each time his presence was detected from a distance of miles away.

“I wonder what it is that you know.” Kagami retorted. Koharu wore a grim expression. “That terrified face that speaks of the horrors ten years ago. You know of the truth, don't you?"

"Hoho, is that so?" Koharu casually replied, not an ounce of effort in hiding his master's secrets. It was clear that the mysterious study had belonged to the emperor, the master of wisdom, Tachibana Jun'ichi.

"Isn't time you tell me, Guardian of Prosperity?" Kagami's unwavering stare was piercingly intense. As if she had known that Koharu was the key to the treasure map she had been seeking all these years. "Tell me, why are there pictures of my people? What is the connection between my clan and this land?"

"Well done! You recognized who I am. As expected of our princess!" Koharu clapped his hands. " Feisty, aren't you? Just like the rumours implied, you're hard to deal with. I wonder what it is that Brother sees in you."

Kagami had frowned. It was a fairly disturbing fact that the secrets of her clansmen were stored in the emperor's mysterious study. She scrutinized the photos and articles that were found. It appears that the emperor had been tracking on the Hisakawa family, since the mysterious deaths of Sasaki and Tsubaki.

"Hmph. You know nothing. I don't need people to protect me! Me, alone will be more than enough!" Kagami's katana appeared in her hands, the sharp edge was once again, preyed against Koharu's neck.

Soft chuckles were heard from the background. Fearing for the worst, both of them turned around. Just as their disquietude had anticipated, the presence of the indisputable masters of the Tachibana family were just right behind them. Kagami and Koharu were astounded. The masters however indifferent, they were clearly blood-related brothers by nature. They had a hobby of observing people getting into trouble. The tension between Kagami and Koharu alleviated drastically.

“Care to tell me why are you observing us? Don’t you give me the word ‘hobby’. I’ll kill you!”

Kagami retracted her sword, and stomped towards the masters of the Tachibana family. She had an unpleasant scowl. Kagami was extremely used to Minato’s whimsical antics and habits as Professor Jung Eun-Ho of the Criminal Law Department. She was familiar with his sarcastics remarks and tricks he had up his sleeves. The brother smirked. The notorious smirk was an apparent mirage side-by-side. It was transparent that they were brothers that inherited the bloodline of the prestige tribes left by the princess.

“Well, don’t be mad. Seems like your eye for discerning details is sharp as ever.” Jun’ichi eyed the photograph in Kagami hands. “Alviss and Odin.”

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