“Shield your face!” Holding onto his sister’s wrist, Haruka navigated the burning village through the clearest routes he could find, when suddenly, a piece of debris fell from the sky, mere inches before the two. “Crap! This way! We’re almost there!”

    Together, they pressed through the forest dividing the neighboring villages, making it back home before long, where he left her at the doorstep of the Estate, took her by the shoulders, and gave her ice blue eyes a thorough search. “Stay here, alright?!”

    Tears washed down her face, and she could not fix her eyes on any one thing. “But Mom and Grandma— they were at the market—!”

    “I’m sorry, Mugi. The market is gone…”

    As she struggled to catch her fleeting breath, tears continued to cascade down her velvet cheeks.

    “Here, I’ll be back.”

    “But what about you?!”

    “I need to help Dad! If I don’t…”

    That 14-year-old brother of hers knew no bounds when it came to protecting the village regardless of the threat. It was one of the many things she admired— his inability to fear— but it was just as much one of the things she worried about.

    “Okay. Be safe, alright?! Promise me you’ll come back home!”

    “Yeah.” His fringe concealed his gaze. “I promise.”

    With that, he turned heads, and in reaching out for him, the tips of her fingers fell just short once more. She exhaled, for all she could do was watch her big brother’s running off into the chaos.

    Soon, a broad-shouldered, armor-clad man approached from up ahead.

    “Dad!” Terror brimmed in her eyes, which soon turned over to the scarred boy on his back. “Huh? Wait, him…!”

 

 

Tsumugi saw the silver-haired boy sleeping as though he had not slept in days, though his breath was fleeting in rapid gasps and sweat washed down his face. “Dad!! Lemme wake him up! He’s having a nightmare!”

    When Kenshiro had carried him in through the front door that midnight, the boy’s clothes were tattered, bandages wrapped around his soot-covered limbs and head. She had followed her father up to one of their vacant rooms, where she stood from a distance to watch his tucking the unconscious boy into bed.

    Kenshiro then headed her way, ushering her out, and closed the door behind him with care. He had told her that waking him up would only cause him more panic.

 

 

Standing at the stove, stirring a steaming pot of milk, all she could think was, why? Why bring a complete stranger into the estate? Where are his parents?

    Soon, the familiar, heavy footsteps made themselves known, and she turned her head to see her father heading down to the first floor.

    “Dad? Wh-Who is that boy?”

    He exhaled. “He is the son of Lord Majima.”

    “Lord Majima?! What happened to him?! Is he okay?!”

    “The entirety of Aozoramaru Village has been burnt to a crisp.” His tone quieted to near inaudibility. “Lord Majima was killed in action against this new faction— no, more like ‘force.’”

    Her eyes shot open.

    “I have no time to lose. Baby, stay here, and look after the boy. I will be back.”

    “Tonight?!”

    “I… cannot promise that.”

    Though initially donning a frown, Tsumugi narrowed her eyes at him. “Mm. Go help the people in trouble, Dad. It’s why you’re the hero of Hikari Village.”

    “That’s… Thank you, Mugi. Sometimes, I think my own daughter might be more mature than I.” He gave her a gentle pat on the head before heading out, and so she took the freshly poured milk upstairs.

    The entirety of Hikari Village was sleepless— its people panicking at the news of what was transpiring just 10 miles north. The fleet of soldiers had stormed to aid the rescue operation, and all that could be seen in the horizon was the great, dark smolder rising to the dulled navy sky.

    Meanwhile, Tsumugi stood at the boy’s bedside, placing the cup on the nightstand before heading for the exit.

    “…Where am I?”

    Just as she had taken the doorknob, she shot him a stunned look.

    The sweet scent of fresh, warm milk wafted through the air, and as he pushed himself up, his eyes wandered before coming to a stop on her. “You again…” His glare sharpened at her. “Who are you?”

    “Tsumugi…! Tsumugi Yanase!” She ran up to him. “Um, what’s your name?”

    “Tch, why should I tell you…?”

    “Hey! You know it’s rude to ask for other people’s names without introducing yourself first, right?!”

    Glaring at his lap, he gripped his fists. “Do you ever stop shouting? Fine. I’m… Kanata. Kanata Majima.”

    “Kana… ta…”

    “No… That’s right!” He leapt out of bed at once and headed for the door. “MY FATHER—! I need to stay by his side!!”

    “Wait!” She grabbed him by the wrist with both hands.

    He looked back to see her fringe concealing her gaze.

    “Your dad— he’s… h-he’s been killed in action against this new force. That’s what Dad said after he brought you here…”

    The light in his ice eyes were dim, and all he could do was stare at her.

    “I’m so sorry…”

    “I know that!!! I heard everything that happened to him!!!” He tore his arm away from her. “Dad is a warrior— the finest in Kusami, at that! He wouldn’t let his people die, and he certainly wouldn’t let himself die, either! I NEED TO FIND HIS KILLER!”

    “But this new force…! Dad said it—!” It was too late, though, as he was already on his way out, at which point all she could do was go in his pursuit. She eventually emerged from the estate to see the officers of the Shōmei Commission exchanging word on the situation, but no matter which way she looked, he was nowhere to be seen. Where did he go?! I can’t believe I went and lost eyes!

    Exercising the utmost of stealth, she pressed past the zen garden for the gates leading out to the rest of the village. Once she made it out to see the crowd, she shied away to navigate the backstreets, soon arriving at the village gate, where she saw Kanata running for the forest beyond. “Majima-san!”

    However, he kept on in his path. She swallowed, looking back at Hikari Village and the frantic state of its people, before proceeding into the forest. Dad assigned me a task, and carrying it out is just what I’ll do.

 

 

— ✧ —

 

 

Trees scattered as far as the eye could see, and the further in Tsumugi ran, the more it all looked the same, until soon, she found herself in a clearing, into which the silver moon’s light shone through the canopy.

    Her heart raced like never before— skin cut by the branches she had run into; nevertheless, she pressed forth, and before she knew it, she made it out to the end.

    The air, however, clogged by smoke, had her at a chokehold. She broke out coughing into her arm, and with the mighty tempest swirling around her, weaving through her short, jet hair, she gazed upon a horrific sight: the burning Aozoramaru Village.

    When last she had seen it, beautiful lanterns were strung around the posts, food and game stalls were lined up and bustling with joy, and the beautiful fireworks took to the boundless sky.

    In that moment, all she had just seen was shrouded in flame. She ran straight past the entrance, though everything in her sight had been, in the words of her father, burnt to a crisp.

    Still, she needed to find him. If she failed— no, it was no longer about her duty, but rather, that boy. Had Hikari Village been consumed by the elements, she knew well that she, too, would have come running back without second thought.

    “Majima!” Smoke coated her lungs, a hoarse cough forcing itself up her throat. “WHERE ARE YOU?!”

    “Wait, a girl’s voice! Over here!” The rescue from Hikari Village filled the area, minding their footing amidst the burning debris, though she was nowhere to be seen.

    As the team were busy scouting the center square of the village, Tsumugi trailed into the Majima Estate, the exterior of which managed to stand despite the flames consuming its interior. Wooden posts, tatami, and paper decorations burnt to ashes, everything was past recognizing.

    Soon, she found herself on the second floor, where all the remnants of the doors had been left wide open. Her efforts in searching the rooms while minding the spreading flames were for naught— that was, until she made it to the final room— one bearing the largest gold doors she had ever seen.

    In pressing them open, what she saw, or rather, whom, was none other than Kanata standing before a man’s body.

    He dropped to his hands and knees, tears dropping to the tatami like diamonds. His fingers drew into his palm, biting his skin, and all he could do was scream at the top of his lungs. “WHO DID THIS, DAD?! WHO WAS IT?!”

    Tsumugi’s heart skipped a beat.

    He picked up the katana lying next to his father’s body, holding it by the hilt, then dragged it to the exit, though upon laying eyes on the girl before him, his eyes shot open. He clenched his teeth. “Wh-What’re you doing here?!”

    “I came looking for you!”

    “I don’t need your help…” He lowered his head, fringe concealing his gaze. “I never did! You should have let me die with my family, but instead, all you did was take me away!”

    In sheer rage, he swung the katana at her, though she was quick to leap back, land on her feet, and draw out her dual shuriken, all while glaring right into his ice blue eyes. “How could I ever do that— leave you here to die?! Don’t go saying stupid stuff like that! No matter what, no one deserves to die! Right now, we need to get out of here— you and me both!”

    “NOT WITHOUT KILLING THE ONE WHO DID THIS!”

    “I don’t know who did this, but we will find them! Come on…”

    With the click of his tongue, he followed her out.

    The second they made it to the courtyard, a laser shot past them, striking the ground to their right.

    “What the—?!” When she pivoted, she did not expect to see that which she did in that moment— something that could not be real for a second. Yet, it was— so much so that her legs would have given out had she not already been frozen in her tracks.

    Prowling their way was none other than a large, mech lizard, its eyes illuminating like rubies and its rows of teeth like those of sharks.

    “WH-WHAT IS THAT?!” Kanata demanded.

    “WHO CARES?! JUST RUN!”

    The two sprinted for the exit gates of the grounds with the mech in their pursuit. The ravaging hunk of metal tore through the zen garden and the traditional bridge stretching over the stream like they were nothing.

    Tsumugi’s feet could only carry her so fast as they dashed down the path. Those sandals her father had gifted her on her 13th birthday were then singed and caked in soot. A kaiju?! Dad…! Please be safe!

    However, the exit to the village had been blocked by debris, and all the two could do was face the great mech before them.

    At the sight of it all, her lungs heaved as she ran her arms across her dirt-covered face. Kanata’s home had been completely destroyed. His parents, his neighbors, his friends— all were gone. “I’m so sorry…!” she cried.

    “Tch. You’d better be.”

    “Wh-What?”

    “If your old man had not wasted his time taking me to safety, he could have helped people escape! They could’ve been alive right now!!”

    “…! This was my fault. You’re right.” She dropped to her knees, gripping her chest, and closed her eyes as the mech’s jaws parted, a tiny orb of energy forming within. “Just run, and please don’t look back!”

    However, Kanata gripped the woven hilt of the katana with both hands, the tip of its blade pointed up at the mech. “GET BACK, YOU MONSTER! YOU DID THIS TO MY HOME!”

    She saw his veinous hands trembling. “That’s…!”

    The light grew brighter, the orb enlarging, and just like that, the vibrant beam fired straight their way.

    The trembling of Tsumugi’s entire body betrayed her calm exterior, but her senses soon stabilized upon feeling nothing for the next few seconds. Her round eyes opened, widening at the muscular man standing before them.

    The way he had blocked the attack with his great broadsword— it was like nothing either of them had seen. In fact, it was a move only known to the Yanase Dynasty— one passed down through generations. Not just that, but this man— he was a master of the blade— one who was matchless, at that. There was no one else he could be but—

    Dad!!

    “Who are you?!” Kanata shifted the blade’s tip to him. “Answer me!”

    With a furious shout, the man hurled himself at the great mech, his broadsword firm in grip, and once he was within range, he launched himself into the air, soared high above that hunk of metal, then spiraled down with his blade drawn back. A vibrant, golden light emitted as an aftereffect of the slash, and Tsumugi and Kanata watched as the man had cut straight through it, all with a glare in his eyes.

    The moment he landed and sheathed his sword, the mech burst into flames, and as its fragments rained upon the area, he swooped in, took the two teenagers by their respective torsos, one in each arm, then ran for the gates.

    “WAIT!” Kanata screamed. “DAD!”

    Kenshiro’s voice was quiet. “I’m so sorry, you two…”

    Tsumugi noticed her father taking a detour from the forest. “D-DAD, WHERE ARE WE GOING?! HARU— HE’S IN TROUBLE!”

    “He will meet us at the rendezvous point in Sakuraba, where he is taking the survivors.”

    The city?!

    Kanata screamed, hitting Kenshiro’s arm, as all he could do was watch his home— that sweet, humble village— growing smaller by the second, until soon, it was completely out of view.

    Tears racing and soot-covered face buried in her fists, she let out a shrilling scream that resonated through the night.

 

 

One Year Later…

 

 

The millions of buildings winding into the stratosphere seemed to fade into turquoise clouds the lower they traveled, and it was all in thanks to the rains that frequented the provincial city of Sakuraba.

    Neon characters in Kusamin traveled down in vertical signs between buildings, many of which were outdoor ramen shops and other lavish restaurants that would attract any salaryman after working hours. Clubs, too, dotted the red-light district, outside which well-dressed men gestured to the stairs leading down.

    In the Administrative District, however, winding into the clouds was an elaborate pagoda. It contained countless floors, the top of which was wrapped in glass, providing an exceptional, 360 view of the city.

    Kneeling on a pillow at the center was a lean, beautiful woman. She lavished a long, white coat with orange and cobalt accents leading up to the turtleneck, which concealed a bit of her white fox mask. Fine, orange clips held back her waist-length, crimson hair— not that it could be bothered given its doll-like perfection.

    She stared through the one-sided screen of her mask at the endless sea of cobalts, magentas, and violets glittering beyond the room.

    Just then, a besuited woman slid open the fusuma on her knees. “Timekeeper, My Lady, requesting permission to enter.” She placed her hands before her on the sleek, dark grey floor, tips of her fingers pointed inward and elbows out to the sides, and dipped her forehead.

    “Entrance granted. You may take all the time you need.”

    “My Lady.” The woman scooted into the room, turning back to close the fusuma, before rising onto her feet. She proceeded forth, swallowing hard before stepping into eyeshot of The Timekeeper, then knelt before her. She bowed for 10 seconds— no more, and certainly no less— and rose to gaze straight ahead at her mask.

    “Permission to speak, granted. Present to me the materials you have gathered, Agent Ayane Murakami.”

    “Yes, my Lady.” Ayane placed a transparent, orange file onto the floor, rotated it, then slid it forth with the tips of her fingers. She drew it to a halt inches before The Timekeeper, who lifted her hand from her lap; as it extended beyond her kimono sleeve, Ayane gaped at the sight of her porcelain skin. “This is the information p-pertaining to the most recent attempt on the skyscraper pagoda.”

    “The Yanase Dynasty settled for a direct attack this time?” The Timekeeper turned open the file to see the topmost sheet within. “I see. Another armed insurgency…”

    “Given the Hikitsugu Decree, waged by Kenshiro Yanase, is slated to go into effect within the next five years, I must doubt the Majima Dynasty are willing to stay quiet about it.”

    “I concur. With our power as the Imperial government fading in the wake of the arms race, it is clear just what both families are after…” The Timekeeper lifted herself from her seat, and in trailing past Ayane to the glass wall, materializing on her waist was an ornate sheath. She took the hilt with her right hand, fingers wrapped firmly around it, then drew the blinding javelin out with care. The ultraviolet glow paired with a powerful surge emitted like sonic waves, and as she drew its blade to the ceiling in a swift slash, a translucent dome extended through the city beyond, a grid making itself visible to her. “Water beyond the provincial cities of Ingens Terra is only growing scarcer with each passing day, and sooner than later, the dynasties must realize that the ESE plan cannot aid the people suffering outside. They must open their eyes and see that the empire is facing a crisis as we speak alongside the arms race, and as for the latter, something must be done here-and-now, before it is too late.”

    Ayane’s attention was held by the javelin of legend, but soon, she snapped out of it. “My Lady… Y-Yes, I wholeheartedly agree.”

    “Agent Murakami”—The Timekeeper met her eyes, though the latter could only see the porcelain of her mask—“at this rate, the insurgents may well achieve their goal of obtaining the Ingens Corvus.”

    The Ingens Corvus: th-the Master Key. Seeing as he’s after it, it could only mean that he wishes to find the— no, he couldn’t…!

    “Given the eyes of all kinds, particularly those functioning within the deepest-running veins of not just the nation, but the entire continent, are homed in on the Ingens Terran Imperial household, it is time I take my stand. We cannot keep complicit any longer. It is as of this day that I am initiating Operation: OSG.”

    What? Ayane’s heart skipped a beat. “In all due respect, that plan is…!” She bit her tongue.

    “Risky, yes, but those individuals are the ones whose rich, diverse knowledge is just what I need amidst the revolt and the arms race between the Great Megacorps, which is bound to lead to a war if we don’t stop it. As per the plan, we will be implementing the Guild all throughout Ōkoku as provincial branches, though only the ones whose dynasties are involved will be made aware of its true purpose.”

    “And the one set to travel the continent and inform them— what of them? You’d mentioned at the early stages of planning that this individual would be picked by none other than your perfect hand.”

    “But of course. That individual? She is sitting just before me.”

    “That’s— who do you speak of, my Lady?” The youthful operative looked back.

    The Timekeeper’s grin sunk into her youthful dimples. “Would you believe me if I said she is the one holding my attention as we speak, Azure Wanderer?”

    Ayane could only stare at her in bafflement. “Your Majesty…”

    “To combat the rise of the corporal dynasties amidst the race”—facing her beloved city, hand held to her heart, she closed her eyes—“I will do what it takes.”