After leaving my father's study, I stepped into the quiet hallway, the sunlight spilling softly through the tall windows. Yuki walked beside me, his small white figure almost glimmering in the light. I hesitated for a moment and glanced up at him.
"Yuki…" I began, my voice low. "How… how could Father see you? Why did he react like he already knew everything about you?"
Yuki's blue eyes met mine, calm but serious. He nudged me lightly with his elbow, signaling that he would answer.
[It is because of you, Lia. You have already awakened your power. Your magic is… immense. It allows others, even humans like your father, to sense my presence.]
I blinked, trying to process his words. "Immense… my power?" I whispered. My fingers clenched slightly. "Is it really that strong?"
[Yours is not just strong, Lia. Your magic… it is powerful enough to bridge lifetimes.]
I tilted my head, confused. "Bridge lifetimes?"
Yuki gave a small, knowing nudge.
[Do you want me to tell you something? I know.]
I stared at him. "Know… what?"
[That this is your second life.]
I froze. My heart skipped a beat. "You… you know?"
[Yours is different, Lia. There is a way for spirits to sense such things. But your magic… it is so powerful, so dense… as if the power of two lifetimes has combined into one in this life. That is why I know.]
I swallowed hard, the words settling over me like a weight I had not fully realized before. I had always felt that this life carried more than it should, more memories, more energy, more… responsibility.
[Yours is extraordinary, Lia. Each spirit has a different power. I… my gift is healing.]
I blinked, taking in his words. "Healing?"
[Yes. I can mend wounds, restore life, and ease pain. But there are limits. You… you might need me more than others.]
I reached out, almost instinctively, to touch his soft white hair. "I… I'm glad you're here, Yuki. I didn't think anyone would understand me, not even Father until now."
He nudged me lightly with his elbow again.
[That is why I stay by your side, Lia. You must learn to control your power carefully. It is… dangerous if left unchecked.]
I nodded, a strange mix of pride and fear filling me. "I will… I will try my best."
Yuki smiled faintly, the blue of his eyes sparkling as if he could see straight into my soul.
[Then we begin together, Lia. Step by step.]
And in that moment, I felt a strange warmth in my chest. I wasn't alone. Not in this world, not in this life, and certainly not in this awakening of the spirit beloved.
---
The morning light slipped through my window, warm but unusual in its cheerfulness. Yet the moment I opened my eyes, I realized that something was off. The mansion was loud with activity—voices shouting, servants running through hallways, the clatter of footsteps echoing like a storm. My stomach clenched, and I bolted upright in bed.
"Mira…" I called out, my voice tense. She came rushing into the room almost immediately, her face pale and anxious.
"Miss… something terrible has happened!" she gasped, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. "The citizens… the people in the duchy… they've been attacked by demons! Many are injured badly!"
I froze. My hand gripped the edge of my bed as my mind raced. "Demons…?" The word tasted heavy, filled with fear and dread, yet underneath it stirred a strange determination. My father had told me yesterday about the dangers that could arise when a spirit beloved awakens. It seemed that today was the first real test.
Yuki, who had been quietly perched on the edge of my dresser, tilted his head at me. I could see the concern flicker in his blue eyes. With a small nudge of his elbow, he sent the message clearly.
[Lia… we should go.]
I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my racing heartbeat. "Yes, Yuki. I… I have to help them."
Mira's eyes widened, her lips trembling. "Miss… it's dangerous! Demons are… they're powerful! You shouldn't go alone!"
I shook my head firmly. "I can't stay here while our people are in pain. I am an Emerald. It is my duty to help."
Yuki gave a small, approving nudge.
[Then we go, Lia. Together.]
I quickly dressed, choosing a long tunic and boots suitable for traveling into the duchy. My black hair was tied back loosely so it wouldn't get in the way. Mira fussed over me briefly, adjusting my sleeves and making sure I had a small satchel of essentials, but she knew not to stop me. She only sighed, her worry clear in her eyes.
As we stepped out of the mansion, the scene before me was chaos. Smoke and dust rose from the distant parts of the town, and I could hear cries of pain and fear carried on the morning breeze. Servants, guards, and townspeople rushed in every direction. Horses neighed, wheels clattered against the cobblestones, and everywhere I looked, someone was injured or trying to help someone else.
"Lia! Miss!" Mira called, grabbing my arm. "Be careful! The demons… they're attacking in groups!"
I nodded, my resolve solidifying. "I will. Just… stay close if you must, Mira."
Yuki hovered near my shoulder, small but glowing faintly with his white light. His presence was soothing, almost like a shield against the panic around us.
[Do not fear, Lia. I will heal them if they get hurt.]
I smiled faintly. "Thank you, Yuki. That makes me feel… braver."
We ran toward the scene, and my heart tightened when I saw the damage. Several buildings were partially burned, some with holes blasted through walls, and the streets were littered with debris. People were on the ground, bleeding or trapped under fallen timber. A demon, grotesque and horrifying, towered over a group of villagers, its claws dripping with blood.
I swallowed, fear pressing at the back of my mind, but then I remembered my father's words and the awakening inside me. My hands tingled with power, an energy I could barely contain but already felt connected to the world around me.
I stepped forward, my voice carrying over the chaos. "Stay back, demons!" I shouted, though even I wasn't sure if it would reach them. The demons, sensing a new presence, turned their grotesque heads toward me.
Yuki flitted closer, his small figure glowing brighter. He nudged me again, communicating without words.
[Lia… you must use your power. Do not hold back.]
I took a deep breath and felt the energy surge through my veins. My magic, awakened fully, radiated outward like a warm light. The colors of the air shifted, forming soft glowing bubbles around me, each reflecting the morning sun like tiny suns themselves. My heart pounded as I realized the extent of my abilities—this was no ordinary magic. This was the combined force of my previous life and this life, fused into one.
The demons hesitated, sensing something far more powerful than themselves. I raised my hands, and the energy gathered, forming a protective barrier around the injured villagers.
Yuki's small voice, though silent, communicated urgently.
[Lia… let me heal them.]
I nodded, stepping closer to those most injured. A faint golden light extended from Yuki, wrapping around the wounds of the villagers. Cuts closed, bruises faded, and color returned to their pale faces. Their moans turned into gasps of relief as the little spirit worked with precision and care.
I felt a thrill of pride, but I did not let myself linger. More demons charged from the street behind, snarling and clawing at the ground. I raised my hands again, this time focusing outward. Blinding light shot forth in controlled bursts, knocking the demons back, sending them staggering. My magic pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat, each pulse pushing the creatures further away.
Yuki floated beside me, nudging my arm with his elbow repeatedly.
[Lia… focus on combining our power.]
I nodded. "Alright… together."
The world around me seemed to slow, the chaos dimming as I channeled the magic from my soul. The glowing colors of the air swirled faster, surrounding us in a cocoon of energy that burned the demons' eyes and hardened their steps. With Yuki's healing magic supporting me, I felt unstoppable. The injured were protected, and the attackers could barely move closer.
A few guards tried to intervene, but even they were astonished at the light radiating from a seventeen-year-old girl. I barely recognized myself in the glow, but I felt every heartbeat in perfect sync with Yuki's calm energy.
The demons, realizing they were outmatched, retreated slowly, their claws scratching at the cobblestones as they fled. I didn't let the energy fade immediately, keeping a soft glow to reassure the villagers, who were staring at me with awe and confusion.
When the last demon vanished into the shadows of the streets, I finally exhaled, the pulse of magic in my hands slowing. Yuki flitted close, giving me a small, approving nudge.
[You are incredible, Lia.]
I smiled faintly, though my chest ached from exertion. "We did it… thanks to you, Yuki. You healed everyone so quickly."
He tilted his head and nudged my elbow again.
[I always protect my beloved.]
I felt warmth in my chest at his words, though we both knew it wasn't time for sentiment. The streets were quiet now, but smoke and debris reminded us that the threat had not vanished entirely. Mira appeared beside me, eyes wide with both fear and admiration.
"Miss… I… I didn't think it was possible," she stammered. "You… you saved them all."
I shook my head, still feeling the tingling in my veins. "Not just me… Yuki helped. I couldn't have done it alone."
The villagers slowly began to gather around, whispering among themselves about the young lady of the Emerald family and her small, glowing companion. Their fear seemed to mix with awe, and even the guards looked at me with a new respect.
I glanced down at Yuki, who gave me a small playful nudge.
[This is only the beginning, Lia.]
I swallowed, understanding the weight behind his words. The awakening of the spirit beloved was no small event. Demons would not stop here, and my power would be tested again and again. But at least now, I knew I was not alone. I had Yuki, and I had the responsibility to protect this world as an Emerald.
I took a deep breath, the sunlight now feeling warmer than ever, reflecting off the tiny bubbles of magical energy still faintly surrounding me. I whispered softly, almost to myself, "Then let's face it… together, Yuki."
He nudged me one final time before darting upward, his small white form hovering like a guardian spirit.
[Together, Lia.]
And as we stood amidst the recovering villagers, I realized that my life, my second life, had truly begun. The path ahead would be dangerous, but it was also filled with light, with magic, and with the strange, comforting presence of Yuki, my first spirit companion, ready to face whatever came next.
---