The First Kaiaru

by David Alastair Hayden

  But with only a few syllables off his lips, a massive octopus arm whipped up, grabbed the Blood King by the waist, and yanked him back into the onslaught of guardians that still poured out into the courtyard from the portals Kurine had summoned.

  A shadowy dragon landed on the platform and coalesced into Hannya, battered and barely alive. One arm was snapped at the elbow and bent awkwardly back. Blood poured from a deep wound in her chest. Skin peeled off half her face. Nearly all her clothing was burned away and much of her skin had melted. Dragging one leg, she tottered as she approached Awasa.

  They touched foreheads and Hannya said, “Be true to yourself.” She turned to Turesobei and winked. “Well played.”

  Hannya shuddered and shifted into her dragon form. The deep shadows of her wings evaporated into nothing. Then her tail…her body…and her head evaporated into a shadowy mist the sunlight destroyed.

  Her ruby kavaru clattered onto the platform.

  Awasa scooped it up then sprinted through the portal.

  “Master?” Motekeru asked.

  “Go. I’m right behind you.”

  Turesobei glanced down into the battle, scanning for Kurine’s body. With his companions safely on the other side, he no longer cared about the fissures spreading across the Spring Gate, nor did it concern him that the shimmering field had begun to flicker. He couldn’t bring himself to step through. He couldn’t leave Kurine behind.

  But then Motekeru lifted him into the air, tossed him over a shoulder, and carried him into the portal.

  Chapter Seventy-Eight

  The portal collapsed as soon as they reached the other side. The gate itself, however, remained whole, with no visible signs of damage or stress. Motekeru set Turesobei down, patted him on the shoulder, then stalked around, making sure the area was safe.

  Bewildered…disbelieving…Turesobei stared out into space, seeing neither trees nor earth nor sky. He should feel something…he knew he should…but he couldn’t feel anything. The pain was too much.

  Lu Bei landed beside him. “Master, everyone made it through safely.”

  A spark ignited within Turesobei. He leapt to his feet and narrowed his eyes at the fetch.

  “Everyone?” he snarled.

  Lu Bei stepped back and held his hands up. “Everyone save Mistress Kurine…of course. Master, I—I didn’t mean to…to suggest…”

  Lu Bei frowned as he fumbled for words, but Turesobei wasn’t paying him attention anymore. A feeling had awoken within him at last: pure anger. And it had brought the Mark of the Storm Dragon blazing to life.

  Turesobei whipped around, locked his eyes onto Awasa, and thundered toward her. “You will pay for what you did!”

  “Sobei, let me explain,” Awasa said.

  He thought he’d known her. He had trusted her with his life. But clearly, she had deceived him. Storm energy surged within him, and for the first time in months, his mind teetered toward the dragon dream.

  Awasa brandished Fangthorn and stumbled backward. Blood—Kurine’s blood—still stained the blade. “Sobei, I had no choice!”

  Lu Bei swept in and hovered between them. “Master, hear her out. There is much you do not understand.”

  “What do you know, fetch?!” Turesobei demanded.

  “Enough to know Awasa is not in the wrong,” Lu Bei said. “I beg you, master. Listen to her.”

  Fuming, Turesobei eyed the fetch—the fetch who too often lied to him. Lu Bei’s words meant nothing. Turesobei stumbled a moment, his mind fading into the clouds where he soared on dragon wings. He was almost lost within the dream, but then strong hands thumped against his chest. His vision returned to the earth, and it was Motekeru he faced.

  “Master Turesobei,” Motekeru said, “we are here only because of Kurine’s sacrifice. You know this, whether you acknowledge it or not. So do not dishonor her memory this way. She deserves better.”

  Turesobei stared transfixed into Motekeru’s eyes, where he saw the same pain he felt. He breathed in deep, and the dragon dream faded away. He exhaled, and the anger and adrenaline poured out of him. In its place came a relentless despair. The world closed in, suffocating him so that he could hardly breathe. He fell to his knees, gasping for air. Death…he wanted nothing more than death…living was unbearable.

  Iniru and Enashoma stepped forward, but Awasa waved them back and knelt before him. She reached out Fangthorn. “Take the sword, Sobei. Trust me.”

  Still struggling to breathe, he stared at the dark blade in confusion. Why would she give him this blade stained with Kurine’s blood?

  He backed away from her. “I can’t take the sword. I can’t even stand the sight of it. I don’t ever want to see it or you again. Get away from me.”

  “You must take the sword, Sobei.” Awasa held out an ebony band adorned with subtle runes. “And this, the Ring of the Fallen, a gift from Hannya. She risked much in giving it to me. Put it on, and you will understand everything. Hurry, there’s little time left.”

  The only thing Turesobei wanted, save for Kurine to be here safely with him, was an explanation. Taking a deep breath, he slipped on the ring and grasped the handle of the sword. Some of Kurine’s still-warm blood flowed as swift as water down the blade…onto his hand…then onto the ring.

  The runes on the blade and on the ring glowed crimson.

  All the world went dark. A chill wind played upon his skin and whispered secrets he’d never remember as it danced across his ears.

  Then suddenly, he found himself standing deep within the barren, demon-haunted wastes of the Shadowland.

  And Kurine, smiling, stood right in front of him, as beautiful as ever and seemingly alive.

  “There you are.” She bounced forward, took his hands in hers, and squeezed them tight. “Obviously, you and Awasa made it out, but what about the others?”

  “Everyone reached the Spring Realm unharmed,” he said.

  Kurine clapped and laughed. “You don’t know how happy that makes me. And I’m glad you went to the Spring Realm. That was my favorite.”

  Turesobei didn’t understand how she could speak so casually, as if they were merely having a simple chat in the courtyard garden. He stared at her dumbly, not having a clue what to say or where to begin.

  Kurine frowned. “You aren’t mad at me, are you?”

  “No,” he muttered.

  “You big liar,” she said, taking him into her arms. “You know, you’re not the only one who can risk death for those they love. You may have foiled the Blood King’s plans, but you never had a chance of escaping without my help.”

  “There might have been another way.”

  “There wasn’t. And you know it. I died so you and the others could live on, free from the Blood King.”

  “I…I know that. I’m not mad. I’m just…” Not understanding how he actually felt, he shrugged and lamely mumbled, “I guess I’m just confused.”

  She patted him on the cheek. “I was really worried you would try to avenge me and miss your chance to escape.”

  “Awasa kept me from doing anything rash…afterward,” he replied with more edge to his voice than he had intended.

  “You are angry at her, aren’t you? I was afraid of that.”

  “Of course, I’m angry at her.” Sheepishly, he added, “Though not as angry as I was a few minutes ago when…when I almost attacked her.”

  She gave him a scolding look. “Sobei!”

  “I didn’t, though.”

  “It’s not her fault,” Kurine said. “Awasa only did what I begged her to do. I was afraid I wouldn’t have the courage or the strength to do it myself, and I knew if she used Fangthorn there was a chance we could see each other—here—one last time using the Ring of the Fallen. What Awasa did for me was incredibly brave and loving. Though I suspect it will always haunt her.”

  “Did she know what you were planning all along?”

  “Once she bonded with Fangthorn, yes. Though initially only by accident, from a memory lingering withi
n the blade. That’s why she always helped me find the pebbles. She knew how important they were. Later we also talked telepathically during a couple of training sessions. That’s how I got her to agree to kill me, and she told me about the magic ring, something she’d learned directly from Hannya.”

  “If she accidentally learned about the pebbles from Fangthorn, then how did you find out about them?”

  “When Hannya stabbed me with Fangthorn in the Throne Room to draw out the orugukagi venom, she visited me briefly in the Shadowland. She told me how the pebbles could be used to defeat the Blood King—or to slow him down at least. That’s why I was so keen to get all of them, especially since there was a chance it wouldn’t work with even one missing. Apparently, a Kaiaru named Nalsyrra was the one who made them, just in case something like this happened.”

  “She’s the one who taught me the spell to free Enashoma,” Turesobei said. “She secretly contacted me when I ghosted into the past. This must be the failsafe she mentioned.”

  “It was really clever,” Kurine said. “The stones were totally inert. That’s why they seemed so normal, even under your kenja-sight. But over time they had absorbed pattern echoes from the nearby guardian magic—the same way their spirals had absorbed energy colors. And thanks to Nalsyrra’s magic, those patterns could be awakened with a powerful sacrifice, bringing a whole new set of guardians into being. Hannya said the Blood King would never figure out the pebbles because he can’t understand magic that is powered by true sacrifice.”

  Turesobei couldn’t help but chuckle. “Ironic, since he was always telling me that I didn’t understand the true nature of sacrifice.” He stroked a hand through her golden hair. “I’m sorry I doubted you and thought your rock collection was irritating and childish.”

  “It’s okay,” Kurine said. “I mean, why wouldn’t you?”

  “You know, if you had told me about the stones, maybe I could have found another way to use them without you having to die. Then we would still be together.”

  “There was no other way,” Kurine said. “Because if you had known about the stones, you would have risked everything to save me.”

  “Of course, I would have! And you should have let me try. You know I always find another way.”

  “Sobei, there isn’t always another way. Besides….” She sighed and crinkled her nose in a way that told him he wasn’t going to like whatever she was about to say. “The magic the Blood King used to heal me…it wasn’t going to last. In less than a year, I was going to start losing my memories, even the ability to do the most basic tasks. The Blood King did everything he could for me, then apologized. I asked him not to tell you. I didn’t want to worry you or distract you. And he agreed. The fact that I’d lose my memories seemed to upset him greatly for some reason. I think that’s why he was always nice to me.”

  Turesobei had no idea what to say. His overtaxed mind struggled to process all this new information. Finally, he gave up and just hugged her tight. “None of this is fair.”

  “Don’t feel sorry for me, my love. You gave me a second life, and it was the most amazing life a goronku has ever lived, however brief. I got to see wonders and travel to places no goronku has ever before witnessed nor will again. You gave me sunflowers and maple trees, lavender and honeysuckle, splashing waterfalls and forests as far as the eye could see—not to mention all the many lovely nights we spent together—nights I know you will never forget.”

  “How can I live on without you?” he asked.

  She kissed him. “You will live the same as you did before you met me, except with a lot more great memories.” She smiled. “Look, Sobei, make sure everything is right with Iniru. She loves you as much as I do.” She winked. “Well, almost as much.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to love again.”

  “Don’t be daft. I died so that you could live, and I expect you to do just that. And to do it well. Save your people. Marry Iniru someday. Be good to her. Be happy.” She tapped him on the nose. “You know, I'm really fond of the names Kuro and Kurine for children….”

  “I really can’t imagine ever being happy again,” he choked out.

  “You will be.” She laughed. “Though you should probably mourn me for a while.”

  “A long while,” he replied. And by that he meant the rest of his life.

  “You know, you will see me again in Paradise…a long time from now. And when you get there, remember this: I married you first.”

  He couldn’t help but smile a little.

  “Poke the fetch in the belly for me. He needs that from time to time. It keeps him honest, and I know he deserves it. Tell Iniru I love her. Tell her I’m glad we made it work out as well as we did. Give my love to all the others. And tell Awasa it didn’t hurt as much as you might think. She was so brave, and she was a true friend.”

  They embraced, and he clung tightly to her. He couldn't let her go. He wouldn't let her go. “I love you.”

  Kurine smiled brightly. “And I…” She turned her head and stared off into the distance. “Do you hear that?”

  “No,” he answered. “What is it?”

  “Chanting,” she said brightly. “Oh, Sobei, those are the songs of my ancestors. That's Grandma Tsura's voice…and Grandpa Korun.”

  “No,” Turesobei whispered.

  “I smell roasting sonoke meat. And I hear children laughing. And I feel a pure, icy wind rippling across my fur.”

  “No, please no,” he pleaded.

  “It's all so beautiful beyond the veil.”

  “Please…no.”

  Kurine gave him the warmest of smiles, then winked.

  And then she was gone.

  Turesobei fell to his knees in the lifeless dust of the Shadowland.

  “No,” he said again and again.

  He cried, and he raged, and he pleaded to the Great Deities. Minutes passed…maybe hours. In this place he could never tell. Howls erupted in the distance. With Kurine gone, the demons were no longer afraid, and the mists were closing in.

  Awasa appeared beside him.

  “That wasn't easy,” she gasped, looking as if she might vomit. “If not for the link between us, I never would’ve made it.” She knelt and put an arm around him. “Sobei, we have to go.”

  He didn't budge.

  “Sobei, you can't stay here.”

  “I don't want to go back.”

  She glanced meaningfully at the demons that had begun to creep through the mists toward them. “You've been here too long already.”

  He shrugged.

  “Sobei, we need you. Without you, we will never make it back home.”

  “Kurine's gone…to Paradise.”

  “Of course, she has. She was amazing. Truly amazing. She stood up to the most powerful force we will ever face, and she did so with pure love. I only wish I could love someone so strongly. And to be as brave as she was.”

  “You don’t understand what I’ve lost.” Turesobei touched the brand on his wrist. “In Aikora…Kurine and I got married.”

  “You—you two got married?!”

  “We didn't say anything because we didn't want to cause a stir,” he said. “I truly loved her, you know.”

  “Married….” Awasa laughed. “You're such a colossal fool.”

  He smiled through his tears. “I know.”

  “It’s time to go back to the world of the living…to all the other people who love you.”

  He met her violet eyes. “I know, but…but it’s not enough.”

  “Perhaps, but it’s love all the same. And do not forget that Motekeru and Zaiporo both care for you. And the hounds and Lu Bei.”

  “Lu Bei….”

  “Enashoma loves you and needs you.”

  “Shoma….”

  “And Iniru loves you.”

  “Niru….” A warmth spread through him, driving out the cold of the Shadowland. “Niru needs me.”

  Suddenly, he was out of the Shadowland and back in his body. Worried faces hove
red over him. As he stood, wiping away tears, Awasa whispered in his ear, “I won’t tell anyone your secret.”

  Motekeru stomped over, knelt, and touched his forehead against Turesobei's. “I know, master. I know.”

  “I don't think I’ll ever be the same.”

  “I don't think you should be, master.”

  “Does it ever get better?”

  “Over the years the pain will fade, master.” Motekeru stepped away. “But not the memories. And love…love never dies. This I know.”

  Iniru knelt and hugged him. Her eyes were red from crying. “Sobei, I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could’ve done.”

  He stroked a hand across her cheek. “We loved her. I think…I think that’s the best we could have done, given the circumstances.”

  “The cave behind the waterfall at the center of the realm would make for a good camp,” Awasa said. “And it would get us halfway to where we need to be.”

  Enashoma wiped tears from her face. “Let Sobei rest.”

  Turesobei gathered himself. The best way he knew to block things out and move on was to focus on what must be done. “No, Awasa is right. We should get going. But first, I need to check out the gate.”

  He walked around the arch, examining it with his kenja-sight. “No signs of damage on this side. I think the gates in the Nexus failed because of the damage to the Nexus heart stones. The gate leading from here back to Okoro should still work, though it will probably require more effort to activate than before. Nothing I shouldn’t be able to manage, though.”

  “Then let’s get going,” Iniru said.

  As Turesobei prepared to cast the teleportation spell, he noticed someone was missing from the group. And then he heard high-pitched sobs coming from behind a thick shrub nearby. Turesobei pulled back the branches and found Lu Bei, with his wings tucked over his face, crying.

  “Sorry, master,” the fetch sobbed. “The weight of losing Mistress Kurine fell suddenly and heavily upon me, and I just needed a little time to myself.”

  “Oh, that reminds me,” Turesobei muttered.

  Then he poked the fetch in the belly.