Ayumi found herself cuddled in a cool yet comforting water, her body swaying gently as if lulled by a transparent cradle, warm enough to let her limbs feel at ease, yet sufficiently refreshing to soothe her pain and wounds. She did not feel the need to struggle, even her lips parted smoothly, breathing with no water drowning her throat as if she was not submerged in a body of water at all. Drowsiness started to take over her senses, and she was not protesting, but feeling this, a pair of arms reached to her, guiding her gently toward the shore that was no less cool or invigorating than the pond her had dropped into.
The arms that had just anchored the girl into the ground, quickly withdrew back into the water and Ayumi could barely take a glance at the pink fins glistening like morganite gems.
"Please, wait… do not go!"
Ayumi tried to reach to her savior but the aquatic creature did extend her arms back. However, she did raise her head slightly above the water surface, letting her pink eyes meet Ayumi's, and shaking cutely the gills standing for ears, and beneath the transparent tranquil pond, a rosy tail floated, covered with similar twinkling fins to the ones on her arms. Her eyes were beautifully shaped like a ripened peach glowing with a magical shine that was in no dangerous way alluring or tempting, but instead calming and consoling.
"Thank you for helping me… can I know who you are? What is your name?"
Ayumi obviously knew what she had encountered, some sort of a benevolent mermaid, but she needed to know more. How did an aquatic creature live inside a volcano? And where did this pond come from along the relieving breezes? How did that pond not dry or evaporate, protected somehow from the hell residing above it? But these were not the only important questions, there were more pressing matters in Ayumi's mind… she needed help to get back up and aid her friends and perhaps although already feeling gravely indebted to that mermaid, she could ask her to assist them in the still ongoing battle above them.
Unfortunately though, the water creature was shy and reticent. She poke no words, not even revealing her name. It seemed her mission was to make sure the girl did not get hurt, not instructed to offer anything else beyond this task and she had successfully accomplished it, clearly having no intentions on acting without additional given orders. The mermaid's eyes though glowing with the enchanting color, carried their wishes transparently to Ayumi's unspoken seek of help and the message was delivered easily to the girl who despite feeling disappointment, could not force the unwilling rescuer to endanger herself.
"Thank you, I will not forget your kindness! "
Ayumi spoke in a grateful tune, abandoning her frustration and the creature was appreciative. Standing to go by herself and search for a way back up, Ayumi found her clothes strangely dry and warm and she smiled again at the shy mermaid. Watching the girl preparing to leave, grasping her specter, the pink mermaid timidly approached the edge of the pond and whispered before disappearing inside the pond, turning into a glowing foam.
"Please stay safe."
The mermaid luckily disappeared before receiving a promise Ayumi was not sure she could keep and she turned around to explore the place and find an exit but something drew her attention back to the pond.
Sitting by its side and touching the steady water, the drops resembled the ball of light that appeared out of nowhere, while it was still pure before dying itself red and joining Noboru's sword. Also, the pond did not seem to be naturally created in that layer of the volcano. It looked newly formed, floating like a deep bubble among the rubble of soot and ashes. Its edges did not extend from the mountain ground, it had its own defined borders and reflected nothing of its surrounding. Even the mermaid was not residing there, she had probably appeared along the pond just to save Ayumi. Why? The latter could not tell and had no time to ponder over the matter. She had to go back to her friends, so she started to roam the place trying to find a way to climb up or a path that led back to where the others were, but she only came across tunnels that led straight, and showed no inclinations of turning up.
The girl stood in daze, the scepter she was carrying remaining quiet but it had a reason to.
Seconds later of tormented thoughts, two figures dropped through the same hole the girl had fell into, safely landing in the water and swimming quickly to the land where Ayumi rushed toward them smiling.
"Reiha… Chiyasu!"
"Where the hell did that pond come from? How come the atmosphere is different here?"
Chiyasu of course had to pause questions before giving any thanks to her luck. But then her expression changed, and Reiha answered what the princess of the earth had already figured out correctly.
"This is Mizuki's work, the princess of the water."
"Is she still in cahoots with Noboru? Did she team up with Enya?"
Before Reiha could think or analyze the possibilities, Ayumi immediately jumped to the mentioned princess defense.
"No! She saved me, if not for her water I would have died, crushed into pieces!"
The girl's defense was acceptable, and the other two princesses had nothing to counter this fact with, though their eyes still showed caution much to Ayumi's displeasure, as the water had healed the two princesses wounds as well.
"Anyway, how did you manage to escape Enya's cage?"
Chiyasu crossed her eyebrows at the reminder of being held like a rat inside a cage, and Reiha elaborated flatly.
"Katskui managed to brake the cage."
"Katsuki?"
"It is Rinmaru's sword."
Ayumi nodded, filing for another time her questions about the princesses connection to that demon. So that Rinmaru had freed them and they chose to follow Ayumi and save her, while the demon remained behind taking on all three; Noboru, Laila and Enya.
"Well Rinmaru be safe?"
"He has to."
Reiha coldly answered, freezing Ayumi's genuine concern with her firm tone. It did not sound that the princess of the wind was wishing the white – haired demon to win, she almost seemed to be commanding that of him.
"So, where are we now?"
Chiyasu asked her first sensible question, and Ayumi shook her head having no answer. The change in the landscape and atmosphere indicated that they were for now far from danger. The place was a little chilly, pillars of light steel blue scattered around the place, some still reaching high and divinely, others starting to wear down and crumble. Even the scattered rocks and ground were painted the same pale color, it was like the place did not pertain to the volcano the three were being fried inside hours ago.
"Fucking tunnels again, which do we chose?"
This time the choice was easily made. The dormant scepter shook tenderly and shed a fade glimmer in the direction of the a certain tunnel, the longest and most steep one but the princesses could not argue against their one reliable guide at this particular situation so they sat off without further questions or complains.
Going up and down, barely fitting through curves and narrow turns, none dared to use their regained powers to ease their passage. The aura surrounding the path vibrated like a sacred chime. Even against the gust becoming more chilly and cold with every mile, they still did not take any action, out of respect for the destination they seemed to be about to reach at last. Finally, the opening was seen, widening to allow a marvelously carved stony gate to be engraved. The three expected to encounter some repelling spell, one for protection but they passed through without trouble into a spacious area, eaten by the passage of time. centuries leaving their marks through fissures in the stone and cracks in the ground, the ancient carvings of sun and light, of countless battles between various beasts and demons against an easily recognizable figure in golden armor, winning with an unyielding expression, others of the same figure extending tenderly a helping hand and raising morals and bodies alike from the bits of dark shadows of desperation and helplessness surrounding them had also fallen a prey to the unceasing traveling of time, standing akin to ruins. Only one structure survived the motion of days and decades, still standing with its original glory and eminence, unaffected by the weather or the centuries, the prayers inscribed upon it still shining with hopes and trust.
The structure stood high above the ground, sealed with a heavy stone with the symbol of the sun radiating across it. There was no need for charms or hinges to protect it, the body lying inside it held, though dead, an immense dreadful power to protect itself.
It was the former queen of light Amaterasu's grave.
The scepter dimmed at the sight of the sarcophagus, acknowledging that its former owner was no more and pledging its power again to the new living queen. Ayumi was not happy with that, ache seized her heart again, and the three remained silent, eyes cast down with diminished will facing the resisting tomb.
Ayumi did not dare speak a word, feeling guilty for no reasonable cause. It was Reiha that finally broke the silence, almost ordering.
"Let's get the spear."
Chiyasu remained unmoving. At one point, Ayumi had expected her to attack the grave insanely but she held the most respectable broken posture, shaking her lowered head and Reiha understood that the latter was not taking part in opening that grave.
"I think you should do it Ayumi, you are her successor after all… and the place must have acknowledged this since it allowed us to pass with no troubles."
The girl opened her mouth to protest, but Reiha's words were logical though leaving her with the dirty work. She bowed to the grave and approached slowly.
"Please forgive me, but I am here to continue your battle… so please permit me to borrow your sacred spear."
Ayumi requested humbly, standing on her toes to reach the heavy stone covering the tomb to no avail, until a mist of Reiha's wind raised her enabling her to reach appropriately and slide the stone.
The gate offered no resistance, neither did the place… it was the stone itself that repelled Ayumi with a strong thud to the ground, almost crashing her body against the wall if not for Reiha's wind intervention.
It seemed the latter's theory of acceptance was wrong or only half true, or perhaps the grave was merely unaware of Ayumi's new role and keeping his duty of protecting the dormant body laid beneath it.
"Try again, what are your arms made of, papers?"
Chiyasu spoke at last, her irritation growing the more time they had to spend there. Ayumi did not comment and rode Reiha's mist again willing more strength to flow her limbs but it was no use. This time, Reiha's summoned wind resisted the light blasts emanating from the tomb, though with great difficultly, and her mist grounded Ayumi's stance preventing her from being pushed or thwarted away barely. All that joined effort made no progress and yielded no effect. The stone itself was consciously struggling against being slightly displaced, let alone being slid away and opened.
"I am trying… I swear I am trying but it is fighting me back!!"
Even weaving the scepter above it to show it the sign of her being Amaterasu's new power holder did not work, angering the stone further instead.
"Should we interfere?"
Reiha asked Chiyasu, uncertain for the first time and treading carefully with her words around the earth princess for the first time.
"Try if you want…"
"Maybe your roots will anger the stone to attack you!"
Chiyasu huffed in amusement, shaking her head as if she had just heard a joke. She flipped her lips answering.
" I cannot tell if my roots wish to destroy the grave or if the grave will wish to destroy me… I am sure the feelings are mutual and the intentions present. Still, I am not joining."
"Then excuse me Chiyasu…"
The princess of the wind unleashed a strong current, controlling it meticulously not to destroy the tomb or blow apart the body within it, pouring enough wind to still be able to control its destructive flow.
A loud thud shook the place, but it was not due to Reiha's successful attempt. A part of one of the walls suddenly collapsed, creating an opening from where three familiar figures appeared.
"Noboru?"
Reiha exclaimed in shock, a flash of worry lingering on her face this time, unable to hide behind her stoic expression or cold eyes.
"What is this gloomy place? First we almost burn and now we will freeze?"
Laila commented inspecting the place, unimpressed until she her gaze fill on Ayumi fighting against a tomb's securing stone, and her smile widened.
"You are rubbing a grave? Oh my god? Can I join you?!"
Chiyasu moved faster than her usual speed, ready to send the grinning princess of darkness back through the hole she came from but Noboru extended his arm preventing both princesses with the dark aura he unleashed separating them and preventing them from taking any step or making any move.
"This is Amaterasu's grave."
Pride should have been overflowing his face, and the smug smile of victory should have painted his features but neither were present. Reiha interrupted the explanation demanding furiously.
"Where is Rinmaru? I know he would never lose to you!"
"Do not worry, he is fine… settling some dramatic affair with the princess of the fire that I would have sadly preferred to keep watching…"
Laila replied, feeling really despondent over missing on a dispute she could not get its details fully and watch how it would be settled, and at her bored tone, Reiha asked once again, directing her words toward Noboru.
"Then why have you come here? Desiring to gloat over the person lying here?"
"We do not know how we came here… A light suddenly transported us here!"
Laila waved her arms in defense, still lamenting about her interrupted drama that was just starting to unfold as attacks and accusations between the demon and the princess left in the upper layers.
"What light?"
Reiha inquired with apparent distrust of Laila's version of the tale, small hurricanes ready to wipe the enemies at her command. But then, a soft voice spoke, intervening against the prepared attack. However that hushed voice left no echoes even among the ruins of walls of stones, and through the vast cold mausoleum. Finally, the holder of the mysterious wish - granting box appeared in the full light.
A kid, no more than ten or even less, dressed in a traditional vibrant expensive kimono that should have illuminated the wan place with its sprightly colors and texture but like the fading white complexion of its wearer, both reflected no spirit or liveliness.
Shades of orange, red, blue all blended together in an imaginative myriad of beauty, like a rainbow birthed by mythical rain. The pallid small hands barely visible beneath the wide sleeves held a black painted box decorated with designs of flying cranes chasing Koi fish, along turtles with dormant eyes that still throbbed with hidden vividness, like they were ready to open and peer at the souls in their presence at any moment. Apparently, that thought was not far off from the truth as the little girl went on.
"The turtles opened their eyes… someone had made a wish and the box granted it… but none of us did…"
Though the colorful animals were donning some shine on that black box sinister aura, according to the little kid's words they seemed to be no less sinister or dangerous, and so far telling by Ayumi's and her two companions experience that box only granted evil wishes and this was no place for malicious intents since it was sacred and hallowed.
Ayumi and the other two princesses exchanged looks, none of them had made a wish, and Enya and Rinmaru were also not plausible candidates, seemingly engrossed in their fight if Laila's description was true.
Tenebrous as they were, the kid's eyes were looking at the box held in her hand, her expression wanting to show perplexing but the lack of ebullience in her stares could not relay her feelings of confusion.
"Ayumi, go on with what you we came here for, and we will deal with them!"
Reiha commanded, and Ayumi had no other choice but to comply as getting the sun spear was their only hope at winning and finishing this battle. The girl tried miserably, failing to concentrate on her task, worry and fear overcoming her heart as she stole glimpses at the restarted battle. The princesses of earth and wind stood their ground but they were no match for Noboru's tainted sword, and at Reiha's hurrying Ayumi, the man understood their intentions and for what purpose they risked coming here.
"And you claim to be loyal to you slain queen? Rubbing her grave with the morality of common thieves?"
Noboru said mockingly, the possibility of the new queen obtaining the spear he fought against and almost lost to if not for the queen's tragic destiny not phasing him.
"You are the last person to speak about morality!"
Reiha retaliated keeping her distance, fighting Noboru from afar, wielding her hurricanes without limiting their reach this time, while Chiyasu took Laila head on.
Grasping with teeth and nails at a given opportunity, though not perfect or in their favor, to settle the battle still roaming for its end and break their prolonged cycle of duty, still persistent and shackling their future for centuries due to the untimely demise of the light queen, the two princesses of earth and wind did not hold back their blows and assaults, erasing from their mind, against their reprimanding conscious, the holiness of the ground they were fighting on.
If the temperature of the place was already frigid and icy, it turned in seconds into an unforgiving winter, glacial and pitiless.
"At least stay true to your courage and face me closely!"
Noboru exclaimed as he tore the whirling hurricanes with his sword and hands, but Reiha did not take the provoking bait.
"Wisdom is also part of a warrior's courage!"
She said this retreating more steps away, jumping in the air like a graceful hawk, her hands made a seal and spiral bands hurricanes spanned the extent of the entire place, and for the first time since breaking his seal, surprise and caution showed through Noboru's pitch – black eyes. The sword actually needed more force to resist the merciless wind, his wielder standing his ground with great difficulty, until snowflakes sharper than blades rushed through the spiral bands. Noboru tried to cut them but they were not aimed at him, they were targeting the red jewel empowering his weapon, braving the dragon's seething jaw.
"I would not expect anything less from you, princess Reiha!"
"You should expect yet more and more!"
Victory seemed possible, and Ayumi knew she had to summon a courage and determination similar to Reiha to slid the stone. Combined with the wind princess attacks, they finally had the advantage.
Witnessing the changing situation, Laila tried to interfere and slice down the wind with her ax but her foe was no less resolute on ending her cycle of cursed fate, her roots budding with purple flowers that quickly blossomed into full Sakurasou.
"Are you threatening me with flowers meant for everlasting love?"
Laila laughed with shivering lips, but she did need a long time to realize her mistaken judgment. These flowers symbolizing "long – lasting love" bore nothing of that meaning anymore. They seeped with a bloody nectar scented with a malevolent scent, baleful and spiteful just like the end brought to the love it represented once.
The coldness of Reiha's whirls and the poison of Chiyasu's flowers started to choke the princess of the darkness, and she found herself on the defense, carrying her strikes with great hardships until she collapsed on her knees, foaming at the mouth but still facing her foe with unwavering fearless eyes.
Amidst everyone else, only the small kid seemed affected by nothing, neither by the icy weather nor by the deadly fragrance, her stares once again trying to reflect worry but their glassiness would not permit the emotion to be shown.
"Ayumi!"
Reiha yelled, and Ayumi raised her head seeing few snowflakes actually succeeding in approaching the red gem, the sword already weakened from fighting against Rinmaru, and it was her turn.
They had to try without the spear.
Aiming her scepter at Noboru, the item of light did not hesitate to respond to the call and a silver light merged with the hurricanes and protected the snowflakes, Noboru and Laila's eyes widened, was this their defeat?
"Impossible!"
Laila murmured through disbelieving breaths, she wanted to do something but the vindictive fragrance was holding her down. Being the princess of darkness, she measured these flower's anger and viciousness to be no less than her own weapon's, and her chances of turning the situation around did not seem great.
Despite the peril, Noboru did not retreat or try to escape, maneuvering his blade against and through the light and wind, trying to protect the gem but the snowflakes were as determinate as he was at not losing but that edge looked so close to fall into.
Suddenly, the stone the three princesses could not move or make it slightly dodge shattered, its pieces piercing the walls and stones, even its allies. Then an enormous aureate light, ceasing the summoned winter with its apricity overflew the place like an exploding star.
***
Note:
The Sakurasou (Primula sieboldii), or Japanese Primrose, is a perennial plant native to East Asia, renowned for itsdelicate pink or white flowers that bloom in early-mid spring. Symbolizing "long-lasting love" and "desire," it is often associated with the cherry blossom (sakura) due to the similar shape of its petals.