The First Kaiaru (6 page)

“The bond is true,” Hannya said.

With a grunt, Gyoroe nodded, then returned to the end of the table.

Enashoma continued to smile and touch the circlet. Turesobei had not seen her this giggly in a long time. It made him uncomfortable. Hopefully, she was just excited because of the opportunity to be a wizard and the festive atmosphere and wasn’t in some way influenced by the kavaru.

Enashoma gave Zaiporo a hug and a brief kiss on the lips. “I’m going to be a wizard!”

“I know,” he said softly.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you before. It was all so overwhelming.”

“It’s okay,” he said. “And I really am happy for you.”

Turesobei couldn’t help but think that Zaiporo didn’t look or sound all that happy about it. Whether because she hadn’t told him immediately, because he was worried about her, or because he was now the only one of the group other than Kurine who didn’t possess magic or special skills, Turesobei had no idea.

“In your rooms, you will find new clothing and armor,” Lord Gyoroe said. “The clothing was magically constructed. Though light as silk, the fabric is as tough as padded leather and waterproof. It is also alive. Unless overly damaged, the clothing will knit itself back together. As for your armor, it has been strengthened with a variety of protective enchantments, giving you greater resistance to magical attacks. Turesobei, I took the liberty of strengthening the enchantments on your existing armor.”

They all thanked him profusely, since they were going to need these things to stay alive. All of this gear was worth a vast fortune, and they were now far better equipped than the bodyguards of the High King of Batsa or the Emperor of Tagana.

“While I do appreciate your thanks,” Lord Gyoroe said, his eyes vibrant blue, “do not mistake my generosity. These gifts are self-serving. Without all of this, I doubt you would succeed. Now, Hannya will brief you on tomorrow’s mission.”

As Lady Hannya stood, Turesobei braced himself. Things were about to get real.

“
O
bviously, the heart stone guardians you face will be formidable,” Lady Hannya said, “but I cannot tell you precisely what they are, because the Shogakami did not share any specifics with me. However, I was able to learn the nature of the guardian system itself. Though each of the Shogakami deployed theirs separately, they all developed this system together.”

No specifics on what they would face? Turesobei winced…then forced himself to remain calm. He was a leader now. He couldn’t let his fear show to the others.

“The first thing to remember,” Hannya said, “is that at each location the guardians must be defeated for the heart stone to appear. Until then, the stone is phased out of material existence in a rather elegant way that even Lord Gyoroe does not know how to bypass.

“And unfortunately, defeating the guardians and making a heart stone appear is not enough. It will still be protected by a force field. A powerful energy spike will be required to penetrate this shield. Turesobei, you should be able to accomplish this with one of your lightning blasts.

“Neutralizing the force fields will sever the links between the eight Shogakami and their power sources. While I do believe the Shogakami are forever gone, if they should be asleep within their realms, they may awaken and come after you. Of course, with Nazyraga Lord of Monsters this is a definite concern, because we know he yet lurks within the Summer Realm.”

A look of terror spread across everyone’s faces. They had all grown up hearing tales of the Shogakami’s power, worshiping them, and fearing Nazyraga above all terrors. To think that the Shogakami might come for them…. A shiver ran down Turesobei’s back.

“As for the guardians themselves, at each location you will face a host of small yet lethal beasts or constructs, along with a single powerful entity that is more than capable of defeating an individual Kaiaru by itself.”

Again, the others glanced fearfully at one another and him. Though nervous, Turesobei maintained a brave face. Even if it was daunting, with the Storm Dragon at his command, he felt himself the equal of a normal Kaiaru wizard. And he had Hannya the Earth Dragon, Motekeru, and his team to support him.

“The type of guardians will vary at each location, according to the preferences of the individual Shogakami who placed them there. Traps and deception are also possible. Finally, and this may be the worst part, I have reason to believe there may be some sort of trick to defeating the guardians. But I have no clue what that trick might be.”

A trick? Turesobei didn’t like the sound of that. It was bad enough that they would be facing guardians so powerful the Shogakami thought they would be suitable for protecting their power sources from other Kaiaru and dragons like Hannya, but to know almost nothing about the challenges they would be facing….

“Finally,” Hannya said with a sigh, “I regret that I will be unable to assist you.”

“You’re not fighting with us?!” Turesobei asked, alarmed. This was even worse news. They desperately needed her help. No wonder Gyoroe had pushed them so hard in training.

“Wards were placed at each location preventing me, Lord Gyoroe, Naruwakiru, and the other Shogakami, outside of the one owning that location, from coming within three leagues. Basically, all the major players of the time were locked out, to prevent a single entity from ever seizing that much power again.”

“Naruwakiru?” Turesobei asked. “Does that mean I could be prevented from going there as well? Hitting a force field during the middle of a teleport is not something I wish to do.”

“The wards were based on the kenja signatures of those Kaiaru, not on the energy of the Storm Dragon itself. You will be safe.”

“You must,” Lord Gyoroe said, “retrieve the heart stones in a certain order. The realm where you begin determines in what order you must take on the rest. Turesobei, you are best at working the Spring Gate, which is fortunate, because I believe the enemies you face there will be the easiest to defeat. Lord Razakan had a tendency toward laziness.”

Everyone stared silently, stunned. Suddenly, Enashoma jumped to her feet and shouted, “That’s it?! You’re sending them into danger, and that’s all you know?!”

“We are fortunate to know that much,” Gyoroe replied calmly. “And this lack of knowledge is the reality you must accept.” His eyes flashed scarlet and orange for a moment. “Unless you have forgotten how everything works here and need to be reminded.”

Enashoma’s eyes narrowed, she huffed…and then she sat back down. “I remember.”

“Good. Now, where was I?” Lord Gyoroe stroked his chin. “Ah, yes. If you are on the verge of defeat, there is no shame in retreating to fight another day. You do not have to seize each heart stone on the first attempt. While I feel certain the guardians will regenerate after you leave, you will be able to return rested, knowing what you will face.

“Now, I suggest everyone enjoy their tea and desserts. Then get some rest. Tomorrow will be an eventful day.” His eyes sparkled blue and white, and he smiled deeply. “The first in restoring the Golden Age of the Kaiaru.” As he stood to leave, his eyes flickered violet. “And I know you will not fail me.”

G
yoroe and Hannya departed, leaving them in the Dining Hall to finish their desserts. The mood had shifted from pleasant, jovial even, to sour. Turesobei ate one more bite, then shoved his bowl away in disgust.

Several minutes passed without anyone saying anything, until Motekeru stood up.

“Nothing has changed,” he said in his hollow, mechanical voice. “Tomorrow, we will venture into the realms, and we will fight. We have no choice now. We had no choice yesterday. And really, we had no choice once we arrived here. Unless you wish to be tortured into madness, you will have to do what the Blood King requires.”

“Yeah, but it’s a lot harder now,” Zaiporo groaned.

“It only seems that way,” Motekeru said. “They knew what they were sending you into all along. Mope and complain, if you want, but it will do nothing to change what you will face tomorrow.”

Turesobei nodded. “He’s right. This has always been about us getting the job done. Thinking we could depend on Hannya and that this would be as easy as fighting a few guardians was our fault. It is what it is. Let’s move on and enjoy the rest of our evening.”

“Okay then, so what now?” Kurine asked. “I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.”

Turesobei frowned. “Well….”

He hadn’t really thought about what they would do after the feast. She was right, though. It was hard enough to sleep on the night before a battle, but here, they didn’t even need to sleep, unless they were exhausted. And they had rested enough already to recover from the weeks of grueling training sessions Lord Gyoroe had put them through.

Everyone looked expectantly at one another, waiting for someone to have an idea. Then Enashoma leapt to her feet.

“Oh! With me getting a kavaru and all, I’d totally forgotten. I planned a good-luck party for you.” She gestured. “Come on!”

They followed Enashoma through the doors leading from the Dining Hall to an outer garden they rarely visited. In fact, Turesobei only recalled entering this area once before. Like with the other gardens, high walls separated it from those to either side and from the nothingness that lay just beyond the Nexus.

Servants had stacked logs into a fire pit in the garden’s center. Cushions and trays for tea and food were arranged on the grass around it. A servant off to the side began playing a light tune on a zither, while another stepped forward and dropped a small torch into the fire pit. Apparently, the logs had been doused in oil, because they instantly burst into flames.

Turesobei settled onto the cushions between Kurine and Iniru. Enashoma and Zaiporo snuggled together on the opposite side, with Turesobei’s amber hounds, Rig and Ohma, nestling at their feet.

Awasa hesitated as Motekeru stared into the fire. The flickering flames animated his terrible features, making him appear more nightmarish than normal. After a few moments, he shook his head, as if he had suddenly come to his senses.

“I will go meditate now,” he announced.

As he turned to leave, Awasa grabbed his arm. “Stay. Please…for me.”

He met her eyes…paused…then looked over her shoulder at the fire. He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“I’ll come with you,” she said.

“Remain here with your friends and enjoy the evening.”

She frowned, started to say something, then nodded silently. Turesobei wished he could help her feel more welcome, but he could hardly abandon Kurine and Iniru to sit with Awasa. Even he understood what a disaster that would be.

“Lady Awasa, come sit by me!” Lu Bei said.

She spun around, a surprised expression creasing her face. “What? Me?”

Lu Bei patted a cushion beside him. “Yes—” he hiccuped “—you.” He laughed, sloshing tea from his bowl. “Silly demon girl.”

Eyes narrowed in suspicion, Awasa approached slowly, then knelt carefully beside him. “If you’re going to play a trick on me then—” She recoiled. “Ugh! What’s that smell?”

“Karion whiskey.”

“You spiked your tea?”

“Of course!” He cast bluish sparks from his hands into the air. “It’s a party, don’t you know?”

“Oh…great,” Awasa groaned, though a faint grin tugged at her face.

Turesobei would have to remember to thank the fetch for including Awasa. Assuming Lu Bei didn’t overdo it and cause problems. Which, now that he thought of it, was likely, since he and Awasa had never gotten along with one another.

Bathed in the warmth of the crackling fire and cooled by a breeze, both girls—leanly-muscled Iniru and curvy Kurine—snuggled up with Turesobei. The servant played a bright love song on the zither. The full moon shined down from above. The scent of woodsmoke merged with that of the night-blooming jasmine and honeysuckle hanging from the nearby trellis. Bowls of tea, sweet cakes, and wine were crammed onto the tables beside them. Everyone was happy, laughing and chatting with one another.

Iniru leaned in. He looked intently into her golden eyes, surrounded by downy, red-brown fur. She kissed him deeply. Warmth spread throughout his chest into his gut and along his neck and face. By his side, Kurine tensed up, but she didn’t release his arm. Iniru drew away, traced a finger along his cheek, then shoved him—gently—toward Kurine.

Scared, excited, and mystified, he half-turned. Kurine’s emerald eyes and a nervous smile met him. She brushed her golden mane back, exposing the white fur of her neckline. Iniru squished her fingers tightly in-between his. She trembled, ever so slightly. So did he.

Kurine blushed. Was she waiting for him to make a move? He inched his face toward her, then hesitated. She surged in and kissed him just as deeply as Iniru had. The warmth within Turesobei tripled.

This moment…surrounded by friends and beauty…with both girls he loved sharing him…it was perfect.

Too perfect.

I’m so going to die tomorrow.