Epilogue - Sachi
Epilogue - Sachi
Three Months Later
T
he
Book
of
Inochi
hovered above a pedestal on the highest floor of the Hikari Tower. The twin artifact, the amulet, rotated within the transparent barrier protecting them both.
In her meditation, Sachi listened to the ripples of energy across Seiryuu. More wyverns, ones better trained in the arts of war, hovered on the edges of her senses. Never passing the Konarerian Mountains. Waiting for the right moment.
A flicker of violet ki swirled at the top of the tower, looking in but never further. Sachi continued her meditation undisturbed by its presence. She peered outward, searching. She would find them. It was only a matter of time.
“
Do you truly intend to wait in this tower until the kan’thir attack? Until Teruzame is old enough to fight?
” Naoji said, his voice reverberating from the Book of Inochi.
“I
always
have a plan, brother.” Sachi rose to her feet, her katana clanking at her hip as she moved. “Now, why do you not come and join us instead of spying?”
The mirror on the ceiling shifted, and from the cascading light, Masanori floated forth to greet her. He wore a thick, black cloak, the hood lined with silver-streaked fur. An intricate pattern of blue, gold, and grey dragon scales decorated his strong shoulders.
Sachi made a sound of approval. He was not
just
an honorary member of the Ishoki. “You train as one of the Undaunted One’s shamans.”
His cold eyes steadied on her. “Naoji is to thank for my position.”
Her decision to give up her sons with hopes of a better future for them had failed. Unlike Hana, Sachi wanted them to live out their lives far from those who would use them as weapons of war. Now they had turned themselves into such creatures. She would never re-earn their trust, not after Masanori and Hidekazu both had their spirits torn and twisted in more ways than a human could survive.
But they were not human. Because of her, they were survivors.
She expected no thanks. If she were them, she would not give it, either.
That her sons lived? That was thanks enough.
“
You are worthy of wielding the Amulet of Inochi again, should your mother ever prove selfless enough to let you. The artifact would be my gift to you, had I a body. Or any agency with which to resist my captor.
”
“I will never use the Amulet of Inochi again. The draw of power does not suit me.” Masanori redirected his attention from the pedestal back to Sachi. “Tell me of your plan for Ozeki and his minions. For Hana, when she returns. Surely you see them mustering. The Yolilice Patolli may not end for another two years, but he has other means to test us.”
“The attacks from Kairo resumed last month,” Sachi said.
“Yet you move not to help.”
“My focus is on more... decisive matters. I have been searching.”
“
Searching
? I can tell you already where the bulk of Ozeki’s forces lie in wait. The mirrors reveal their secrets to me. With the right command, right strategy, we will wipe them out before he strikes.”
“No. We will not.”
“No?” Agitation broke free of Masanori’s calm, itching into his voice.
“We kill his men and wyverns; he will make more and drain our resources.”
“Then tell me, what
will
we do?”
Sachi’s gaze settled on the carvings of dragons encircling the upper tower in an intricate ring. Her lips curved into a razor-sharp smile.
“We will bring Shirashi’s dragons back.”
Loved the Yokai Calling Series? This part of the adventure is over, but Aihi’s story continues in
A Dragon Will Rise
, and more in the Yumihari World is coming soon!
Aihi creates dragons with her hands. Her constructs are animated, and yet lifeless without the essential ingredient of life: a spirit.
Artificial spirits should be impossible. But shortly after she’s made aware of the world-changing discovery, assassins eager to take the artificial spirit strike after her life. They interrupt her wedding plans and endanger her future husband and wife.
Once used, the spirit can’t be separated from its host. She could use the spirit to bring one of her dragons to life and stop the threat. However, she could also heal the damage done to her brother’s spirit when he inadvertently became a war hero.
But what if he doesn’t want to be saved?
A Dragon Will Rise
is a supplementary novella occurring after the conclusion of the Yokai Calling series.
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