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Chapter 16 - Truths Born from the Darkness and Washed by the Light

Ayumi knew Chisato has always been jealous of her, just for getting top grades and yet she still pretended to befriend her, just to get the benefit and shut the mouths of everyone else about the rumor of her being jealous and always coming second to someone else. As for Yuki, it was Ayumi's fault but she did not consider herself so worthy of such profound friendship or if that concept even exists in this time and age. But Yuki was hurt, believing firmly that Ayumi did not care for her, and Ayumi did not put put much thought into the matter as Yuki had many other friends and groups of weirdos but today she learned she had been hurting her all along unintentionally by sticking more to Chisato whom she was hoping her friendship was becoming genuine with the every year they had spent, and the schools they have transferred to together.

 

Ayumi knew she was a little awkward around people, and the only two she was really comfortable around were these two; Chisato despite her double face which she chose to ignore in favor of her good graces, and Yuki for being someone easy to be around, just as awkward and clumsy as herself. That was only reason she befriended her yet the latter believed there was more to that flat line of friendship than Ayumi did, and still decided to stick by Ayumi's side ignoring her surface -level friendship, the way she ignored Chisato's hypocrisy.

 

Ayumi would be lying if she confessed otherwise; that she did not care for being the first in class, having always near – perfect marks, even at the cost of having no friends and being called a nerd or avoided unreasonably because everyone else thought she was boring and only cared about her school work. All of that was true, she cared, she cared so much; these graces were the nail in her life hanging it together perfectly. She wanted to be the best, she was the best, she deserved it, it was not sheer luck or fortune, she worked hard, although many, including Chisato who would spill her guts at occasions disguised as jokes and teasing, believed the contrary; she was just a lucky girl, she just gained the favoritism of teachers because of her parents tragic death and by being their "pet" like some students would hutrfully describe. But that was not the case; she spent days and nights devouring her books and extending her knowledge believing it is the only thing that validated her otherwise empty life. What's wrong with working for success? In the end, everyone was striving for it just like her! Yet she was the cheater and the sympathy product because she actually succeeded far ahead everyone else. 

 

The others should not be jealous of her, her life was empty though devoted to success. Was not this life they envied her for not meaningless since she had no else to share this success with? What is a life spent between school books and working on assignments without anything else? She had never tried to have a boyfriend or take a dangerous stupid stunt. She did not even know a joke to tell… but what was worse than all of this was the fact that she was fine with it! She did not care for having a different way to spend her day other than studying, she accepted a false friendship, and did not care for playing along. She lived like a robot programmed to a routine she did not desire to change because there was nothing else she wanted to aspire to, not something she could not achieve anyway.

 

So, she knew the math; how students worked themselves over getting the best of her and irritating her wishing to go ahead of her and still failed. She believed she did not give it much thought, it was the way of life; how people competed in every aspect of life; school, work, beauty, elegance, cleanliness… every trivial thing that constituted the routine and way of living was a competition among them, as meaningless as that way was. She called this natural competition empty and stupid but only because she was already ahead in the race, always winning. But if she was to be in Chisato's shoes; she would be the same as her… shamefully. Chisato's pride could not let her make herself a victim to pity of coming second, a position Ayumi herself would not accept. So she faked a friendship and Ayumi accepted it in an act of charity and desperation for some, any type of connection. That was the foundation of their friendship until Yuki came along and broke the ice with her silly antics that Ayumi did not care for, but also played along them, enjoying them in rare moments of true laughter and happiness.

 

She called it an empty competition. But she knew better.

It was her life that was empty all along, and she herself was even more empty inside, proven by the fact that she did not care for anything around her except her grades and grandma's health, partially, due to obligation.

 

She had a horrible side, she knew it and accepted it. Masking her face, no different from anyone else, with a smile of content and a laugh of cheerfulness that she felt none of.

 

Not until two figures appeared in her life. Two figures she was still doubting their existence while putting her head on the pillow to sleep. Thinking it would turn out to be a long dream compensating for her meager life. Her imagination running wild to fill the void in her reality. Then came a third and a forth... finally this current figure standing opposite to her, as if she had come to end this silly make – belief enriching life dream.

 

"Poor girl, playing stoic while being so shallow. My spell needed do nothing to you, because you already know what you truly are."

 

The woman, in a dark yet sparkling outfit, shook her head in a sympathy that did not match the attractive smile she wore.

 

"Are you here to teach me a lesson?"

 

Ayumi mocked, or maybe was mocking herself.

 

"You obviously do not need one, but that is not my…"

 

"I know I care for myself more than I do for others, and the only two I actually cared for and wished to free from a prolonged fate and repetitious duties might not actually exist, thus giving them my time and attention without regret, but that doesn't make me selfish... I have never hurt anybody! And besides, aiming for something, even if it is to remain always at the top of anything… the only stupid thing I have in my life that is dictated to be important, does not make me bad! I may have nothing of true importance in my life, I may have no one important enough or dear to my heart enough in my life but that is not my fault! I am good to everyone I encounter… I do my filial duties, I simply follow the rules of this life… the rules our societies have made… maybe the fault is that I am following these rules too rigidly… not giving time to myself… and instead shaping it to match the norms… a bird that wants to head but not leave the flock… However, is not everyone else the same?"

 

"That was too long!"

 

Ayumi did not care for the insult mocking her emotions that suddenly flowed bringing the barriers she erected around them down, not knowing if it was due to the spell the woman claimed to have cast, or because it was her mind telling her to put a stop to this play of imagination, to step back from the boredom escape route. 

 

"Is this not what you came for here?"

Ayumi replied uncharacteristically in a rough manner, as if she was not facing a dangerous force. She did not think of shooting her power out of her arms anymore, she did not care for the scenery of chaos going around her; the teachers fighting and launching at each other with words and fists, in the same was the students were outside in the hallways and school yard.

"I already knew this, but I did not expect the fast confession. I thought you will be more amusing, putting a little struggle first, not immediately crumbling!"

 

The woman said, disappointment turning her smile into a frustrated one. Ayumi walked toward her without fear as if she was certain she was heading toward a ghost that will dissipate upon touching it.

 

"I am done being amusing, or to be more accurate, amused."

 

The girl, not even having a chance to introduce herself, was not slow as to not understand Ayumi's thought. Although this could give her a great advantage at a fight she was thrilled to have, she still got the girl a final warning.

 

"Dearie, I am not in your imagination!"

 

"I will make sure you remain locked there!"

 

Like a kindergarten child, Ayumi walked few steps slowly, then suddenly bolted at the dark haired woman, wishing in her heart for this farce to end and her life to return as it was before, though normal and boring, because that was reality. At this gesture that would seem courageous to an observant eye, it proved how far stupidity can underlay despair to the opposing woman who regained her wide smile by witnessing this "out of nowhere act" announcing as she reached to the huge warped weapon on her back.

 

"I will prove to you that this moment is real!"

 

An ax, black like a starless night, with huge edge extending like the wing of a raven solidified by craved bones into it, resembling a ribcage devoid of a beating heart inside, delivered a blow. It did not make contact with the teenager girl's skin, but the force of the wind it stirred was enough to blow the latter miles away, screaming in agony and clutching at her flank in pain, as she doubled on herself while still flying in the air, embracing for a crush that would definitely crack her skull open if it were not for two strong arms that grope firmly, easing the impact and protecting her from slamming harshly.

 

The clouds of dust prevented the dark haired girl from noticing the interference, she was waiting for the dust to clear out and admire the strength of a mere waving of a weapon she had not used for long.

 

"This level of pain is undisputedly real enough even for a princess like you!"

 

"Sure it could be, if the wind stirred by whomever this is, was not under my command!"

 

A third voice not present before spoke angrily, and the words spoken alone gave the full proper introduction.

 

"Princess Reiha, the princess of the wind!"

 

The woman's face beamed happily at the chance she got to use her ax more. She smirked satisfied instead of being annoyed by the interference. At the mention of the name, Ayumi opened her eyes, still clutching her right flank in agony, and looked at the arms embracing her sturdily and protectively. If the pain she was feeling was real, then these strong arms warping her protectively and fearfully, were undoubtingly real as well. Her eyes surrendering to tears, she whispered through moans of pain:

 

"Reiha… you… are … here… really really here…"

Reiha smiled laying the girl down gently, reminding her:

 

" I told you I will always be there for you, to protect you, even from yourself!"

 

The dark – haired woman was watching the conversation, amusement sparkling in her dim colored eyes. By now it was obvious she was not one to pass down any chance to mock or insult anyone.

 

"Well that definitely goes beyond your duties."

 

Ayumi looked at Reiha who was not affected or insulted, instead she simply answered.

 

"Well, she is not just my queen."

 

"Of course, for no one can command the wind!"

 

Reiha lips turned up in pride, although in Ayumi's heart she understood the true meaning of her words. Shame suddenly filled her body for disbelieving in these princesses' existence and struggle.

 

Something special had happened in her life, a wish she had long harbored and secretly kept praying for, and now as it was finally happening she was trying to prove it wrong and invalidate its existence? That new girl was there, wielding a huge ass ax three sizes of her, and casting a spell that unraveled the masks everyone struggled to maintain, Reiha was also there summoning tornadoes and bending the breezes into the form of sharp blades ready for the fight, and Chiyasu, though not here at the moment, was capable of raising roots and storming leaves and branches, stirring rocks and listening to their stories, but she was also definitely real and on her way as well. Ayumi did not doubt that for a moment. 

 

It was all real, not a daydream or an imagination running wild. That would be an insult to the kindness she had received and the dangers she had overcome and even a bigger one to these princesses or elemental creatures feelings and sufferings, their wars and struggles.

 

"You know who I am, but what about you?"

 

"I thought I had an as nearly cool introduction as you did now when I wielded that ax."

 

Reiha took a quick glance at the weapon she was not familiar with and could not identify, but she could tell it was no ordinary weapon. Even stronger than the demonic sword that claimed Amaterasu's life. But the woman's presence was not something she had felt before; sinister, dark, unforgiving, contrary to the face she had and the smile she maintained.

 

"I have never seen you before, and this is not right. Casting such a strong barrier that took so much effort and power to breach, and casting a direct spell upon people's hearts and souls.... Such power was once yielded by one and one woman alone."

 

"A dead woman. And her successor is not that bright, unfortunately…"

 

Reiha was talking about Amaterasu, so in this case, this woman could only be her equal but opposite.

 

"You can call me Laila, the princess of darkness."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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