Ayame sometimes called Shion a virtuoso in hiding his emotions.
Though she always said it as a joke, her words carried a hint of bitterness.
If being withdrawn could become an art, then Shion had mastered it to perfection.
But even the greatest artists break down sometimes. His moment came today, when he saw the smiling wind god on the temple roof.
The prince's face twisted with hatred.
"Gari," Shion said in a quiet, slightly trembling voice, "you'll move when I give you the order to attack. Under no circumstances turn in my direction, or you might accidentally look me in the eye."
"Got it, boss," she said, striking fist against fist. Her hands burst into flames.
Shion gripped the hilt of the allied god's weapon more tightly and clenched his teeth.
"Why the nerves, prince?" said the wind god, jumping down from the temple roof.
He carved a crater under him, and a massive blow of wind swept toward them. Shion and Gari had to brace themselves with all their strength to avoid being knocked over.
"I hate you with all my heart," Shion spoke, letting his emotions show. "You punish my family for a grudge from ages past. And when I finally get a chance to rid myself of this pain, you take it away from me. You're nothing but spiteful, worthless beings."
"Big words for someone who doesn't know anything," replied the god, sneering. "Do you even realize what your ancestor did? Allow me to enlighten you, young ruler. The first king of the Hoshigane dynasty stole one of the four flames of the world. The flames existed even before us; they were meant to establish the order and hierarchy of this world. The Flame of Eternal Glory was meant to guarantee peace in the heavens, so there would be no wars among the gods and each would fulfill their role until the end of time. The first guardian of the Flame of Eternal Glory never suspected how devious humans could be, and was deceived by the first king of your bloodline. Because of this, the heavens are at constant war, most people suffer, and the Hoshigane dynasty has ruled over the Tokikami Kingdom since its beginning."
Shion, faster than lightning, was suddenly at the wind god's side. Gari's jaw dropped in shock. The god, not suspecting he faced such a skilled opponent, was taken by surprise.
Shion held the katana, glowing with yellow light, right at the god's throat. The prince's hand shook.
Not from fear, but from anger.
"All of this is just lies. Excuses, because you're simply cruel. I've never seen such a fire in the palace, no one ever told me about it . My parents died young because of your pointless curse. Give me one reason not to end this here and now," he added, reaching for the purple cloth with his other hand.
The god smiled mockingly.
"The burning pain you've felt since birth is the Flame of Eternal Glory. When your ancestor stole it, the fire entered his body. It guaranteed his descendants would rule, but also brought pain that grew stronger with each child born."
Shion's hand was trembling harder.
"If you kill me, it won't change anything. You won't get the key back. He's hidden high in the clouds."
"Then why did you come here?" Shion asked in a shaking voice. His hand shook even more.
"To offer you a trade. I was never a warrior or a general. More a merchant, a messenger, and occasionally – a thief," he said, grinning arrogantly.
Damn it, what should I do? I was supposed to follow the orders of boss of my boss, but I can't just stand here and do nothing! Think, Gari, think!
Just as the half‑dragon was about to charge, Shion slid the sword back into its sheath. He touched the cloth covering his eyes, pulling it tighter.
"If you're lying, I'll kill you without hesitation."
"Easy, easy. I only steal when someone gives me something equally valuable in return. It's too risky otherwise, even for me."
"For whom did you steal Haru? What did you get in exchange?"
"You think I'll tell you everything right away?" the god asked, then laughed in a deep voice. "Let's just say I gained support, in exchange for helping a certain goddess."
"A goddess?"
Gari stepped up to Shion.
"So he's not our enemy? Why did you suddenly stop fighting?" she asked, confusion written on her face.
"I decided to hear what he has to say," Shion replied coldly. "One look from me is all it would take to kill him."
"As I told your master earlier, I'm a merchant above all," the god said again. "In five years, the fire should be reborn in one of you or your children. It can be renewed, at the cost of someone's life. The deal is simple: I give you back your key, you wait five years. The key should be able to prevent the death of the one in whom the fire might be reborn."
"That's not enough," Shion said. "Do you think I'm that stupid? I'd gain more by killing you all one by one. Sooner or later I'd tear the heavens in two and, through the tear in the sky, see where Haru is."
"I see you're a tough negotiator. Fine. How about an exchange? One of the four flames was made so people could pass it between themselves – the Flame of Eternal Love. It guarantees eternal life and youth for you and a partner of your choice. When you grow tired, you can pass it on and leave in peace. It's now with the same goddess who ordered me to stole your key. For us it's useless – we'll always be beautiful and young," he said, then laughed. "That goddess took it out of pure spite toward humanity. She's a descendant of the guardian your ancestor tricked."
Shion eyed him suspiciously.
"And what do you gain from this?"
"Heh, good question. All I need is to retrieve the Flame of Eternal Glory from the soul of someone in your line. You can't imagine the honors I'll receive then. I'll become a god with real power."
"Wow, Lord Shion! I never thought you were that powerful, that even gods talk to boss of my boss like an equal," Gari said, completely puzzled by what was going on.
"Believe me, little dragon," the god replied sneeringly, "anyone who dared raise a god's sword just to strike against the other gods is either insane or knows exactly how to wield that tool. We can't ignore him."
Shion thought of his hand.
Of how, after Haru's touch – even if only through a dream, or perhaps through his soul – it stopped hurting.
"I'm not little! Look at these muscles!" she shot back angrily.
The wind god laughed.
"So, young prince? By making a deal with me, you can get your key back, but in five years your bloodline may lose its throne. Maybe in five years and one day, maybe in seven. Even if that uncertainty breaks you, I'll make sure the heavens show their gratitude for your sacrifice."
"Then why did you kidnap Haru?," Shion asked, giving him a freezing look.
"I told you already — for personal gain. And also to have an even stronger card to play," he added, stretching one of his four hands toward him. "So, what will it be, son of the Hoshigane her?"
Shion hesitated.If I accept this, future generations of my family will be free of pain… but they might also lose their throne.
Maybe that's for the best. The Hoshigane have ruled long enough — and at what cost?I don't want any of the younger generations to suffer what I have.
Maybe this decision will bring my ancestors' wrath down on me, but I...
…I want to know a life where the fate of millions doesn't depend on my choices.I want the pain to stop.
"What do I have to do to seal the deal?" he asked, his tone betraying no emotion.
"Shake my hand," the god answered.
Shion did as he asked. He felt a sudden, though quickly fading pain, as if someone had cut into his skin, and then the wound healed within seconds.
Shion looked at the poniter finger of his right hand. A scar in the shape of a windstorm had appeared there.
"That's a seal binding both sides. If either of us breaks the terms, we both die. Think of me however you want, but I'm not complete scum. And now–" the god turned into a giant white bird, resembling a swan. "Climb on my back, young prince. Only I know the way to your key."
"Huh? Wait, what the… Boss!" Gari exclaimed, completely thrown. "What am I supposed to do? Damn it, once again I was completely useless!" she added, kicking a stone in frustration.
As the wind god took off, Shion called down to Gari:
"Quite the opposite. Go back to the palace. Tell them that in a few days I'll return alive and with the key. That way, you'll give people hope and take away their doubts. That will be just as important a role."
"That's not the point! I was supposed to help you save my everyday boss! And now I'm just some message delivery girl?"
Shion no longer heard her grumbling. Gari sighed.
Too bad half-dragons can't fly. These wings are only for magical protection and decoration.
Eh, I could just as well not have them.
All right, I can't let the prince down! I have to prove that I care about this job and every task given to me, damn it!
At first gloomy, Gari began stretching, then got into starting position.
She shot off like an arrow.
She ran toward the palace as fast as she could.