by JK Ensley
Duhrias only laughed as he let his tiny Empress lead him away.
Chapter 13
Iga
(EE-gah)
“Goemon, must you always be such a show-off?”
The smiling Shinobi winked at Jenevier before dismounting his Dragon.
“Of course,” he said. “It’s what I do best.”
You had nothing to do with those aerial tricks, Nilakanta said. That was all Kin-Ryu. You just held on, boy.
Goemon smiled. “Ahh, but I held on with such grace and splendor. Right, Naga?”
Jenevier laughed. “There is none like you, Goemon. That’s for sure.”
“Did you hear that, Dimples?” Goemon said, elbowing the other man. “Our Empress thinks I’m one-of-a-kind.”
Duhrias glanced sideways at him. “Yeah… you must be sooo proud.”
Jenevier clamped her hand over her mouth, muffling her laughter.
“Empress Naga.”
The three friends turned toward the approaching Shinobi.
“Yes, Lord Orochimaru? What is it?”
“There is word from the palace. Gabriel awaits you in the village.”
“In the village? Gabriel?” She started toward the Elder Shinobi. “Is he alone? Why didn’t he just come to me here?”
“I could not venture to say, Milady.” Orochimaru extended her his hand. “Yet, he waits for your company at the meeting hall.”
“So… you can see him, then.” She tilted her head to the side. “You can see my angelic brother.”
“Only just,” Orochimaru said, uncertainty (or perhaps fear) flashing briefly within his lovely lavender eyes.
Jenevier smiled knowingly. “Very well, Brother. Lead the way.” She turned back to Duhrias and Goemon. “You guys coming? Hurry up. An Arch is waiting on us.”
When she winked playfully at Duhrias, the gentle River Spirit rolled his eyes and fell in step behind her.
“That wasn’t merely a request,” Orochimaru said, tossing his words back over his shoulder.
Goemon released an exaggerated sigh before following them back to the Iga village.
“My questions were the same as yours, Naga,” Duhrias whispered. “Why in the world wouldn’t he just fly out to the Valley of Dragons? And… why Gabriel?”
“I am curious concerning that as well,” she whispered back. “I’m racking my brain, but… I cannot pull to mind a single time when Gabriel came to me, alone. Raphael has always accompanied him.”
“Naga… do you fear Gabriel?”
She swallowed hard. “…Yes.”
“And yet… he strikes me as the kindest, gentlest one among them. He is always smiling, and his voice is so soothing.”
Jenevier glanced sideways at her sworn Knight. “That’s because he doesn’t have to flaunt his might. Recall, if you will, the samurais of old—the ones back on Earth. Did the greatest among them strut about like a peacock to show off their awesome strength? Or did they howl like a jackal to inspire fear?”
Duhrias furrowed his brow.
“Did they feel the need to call attention to their unmatched power? No. They simply unsheathed their sword, removed your head within the same fluid movement, and then calmly returned to their tea.”
The sell-sword turned a wide, startled gaze her way.
Jenevier nodded. “The truly powerful, the ones who claim no equal… they have no need to bolster their might with hollow words or empty theatrics. The truly powerful fear nothing. The need to act scary is uncouth… beneath them… unnecessary.” She sighed quietly. “Such is my brother Gabriel.”
Orochimaru cleared his throat as he opened the door and motioned for her to enter. Jenevier alone stepped into the large meeting hall.
At her nearly silent arrival, Gabriel sat down his teacup and stood.
“Ahh… my enchanting baby sister. Come.” He approached her, arms extended. “I have been waiting patiently to gaze upon your lovely face.”
Jenevier did not return his loving hug, but she did not resist him, either.
“Wh-where’s Raphael?”
Gabriel pretended to pout. “Why do you ask? Will you speak only with my chocolate-crowned brother, the most handsome among us?”
“He is not the most handsome among you. This you well know,” she mumbled under her breath. “I only ask because… never have you attended me… in private… just the two of us.”
Gabriel smiled as he leaned back and elegantly crossed his legs—in the most regal, unfeminine-like way Jenevier had ever seen. She swallowed hard again and glanced around the room.
“I came to you this way because this conversation is meant for just the two of us… in private. If you choose to share my words, that will be your decision and your decision alone to make. I saw no reason to deliver my news while seated at your council table, Naga. Come. Be at ease. Sit with me and enjoy this delicious green tea your devoted Shinobi have prepared for you.”
He patted the spot beside him and smiled. Jenevier took slow, cautious steps as she came nearer the couch. When she tried to sit, she had to mentally force her knees to bend.
“Shall I pour for you, Milady?”
“N-no. I can manage. Gratitude, though.”
When Gabriel chuckled and lightly touched her shoulder, Jenevier jumped and let out a little yelp.
He quickly withdrew. “Kagi Naga… get a hold of yourself. Why are you behaving as if I am made wholly of fire and venom? When have I ever given you reason to act thusly? I thought we were the gentlest kind of friends. You once wished me to wake you with the dawn. What has happened between us?”
“N-nothing has happened between us, Brother.”
“Then why are you so ill at ease?”
“Because… I know who you are now, Gabriel. Back when first we met, I was minus such knowledge. I was young and naïve and completely clueless.” She sighed. “I do not act this way out of fear and unease… not wholly. My reaction is born out of respect—the deepest, most reverent form of respect.”
“Raphael has a loose tongue.” He tsked softly. “I shall have to warn him about filling your pretty little head with such nonsense.”
“I know it isn’t nonsense. You don’t have to play it like that with me, Brother. And besides, Raphael isn’t the only Arch to whisper stories of your… might.”
“If the words did not come from my lips, then believe them not, little Naga.” He brushed her curls back behind her shoulder. “But since these words do,” he whispered. “You can hold them as truth.”
When Jenevier turned to look at her angelic golden brother, his face was much closer than she had expected. He smiled then—a magical, celestial smile that erased all fear and left her filled with warming love.
Gabriel gently stroked her sapphire-scarred cheek as he spoke. “I will never harm you, Naga. Not even if ordered. You are my precious little sister, and I only get the one.”
“B-but, Gabriel… you would never disobey an order.”
“Yes, ‘tis true. Now… you see my plight. If you truly love me, little one, you will never ever… do anything to warrant my particular attention.”
Jenevier only stared at him.
“You must think on my words and promise me true, Naga. There is no fiercer kind of love than that between a brother and his fragile little sister. You had not the chance to know this truth when you were a human, but you are no longer human… and there isn’t a single bully on the playground of this universe who can stand against the might of your most devoted, loving brother.” He lightly kissed her forehead and smiled again. “Promise me,” he whispered.
“I promise, Gabriel. I will never intentionally do anything to warrant your summons… never ever.”
He kissed her again. “As it should be.”
They stayed like that a moment—quiet, still, gently embracing. When Gabriel finally leaned back, he pulled her over against him and began unconsciously playing with her curls.
“I came to you today by Father’s command.”
&
nbsp; When Jenevier tensed, Gabriel shushed away her coming panic.
“Fear not, little one. Forget not the promise I only just made to you.” He waited until her shoulders relaxed once more. “Father had a message to be delivered to your ears alone, and He chose me to deliver it.”
Jenevier found herself matching her breathing with Gabriel’s. It was completely unintentional, yet wholly comforting.
Gabriel smiled. “That feels nice, Naga. You could soothe a demon with such talent.”
“Right now… I’d settle for just soothing myself,” she whispered softly.
“Then let me help you in the task, little one. Father wished you to know that the threat of the thinning has passed. Search not for the cause, little Naga. The drain of magic has ceased… and will no longer be a threat. Turn your attention now toward the healing of the veils.”
“The healing?” Jenevier sat up and looked down into Gabriel’s golden eyes. “Is it not true that once the magic is depleted… it is gone… forever?”
“Yes, that is true. Father is not asking you to produce something that has already been used and is no longer. He wishes you to replace it.”
“Replace it? B-but how?”
“That is an answer I do not have. Father said you would know, that you already held the power in your tiny little hands.”
“But…” She shook her head. “What does that even mean?”
“Father said… Only the most ancient, most powerful of all magic can heal the harm that has been wrought. You possess such power, Kagi Naga.”
“…There must be some sort of mistake.”
Gabriel chuckled. “Father doesn’t make mistakes.”
“I know, but… well, look at me, Gabriel. You were around for my birth and the birth of my ancestors as well. I am not ancient, Brother. I hold no secrets.”
“Just because you hold the power, does not necessarily mean that you wield it. Think hard, baby Angel. What do you possess that no one else does?”
She furrowed her brow, but didn’t speak.
Gabriel pulled her closer, resting their foreheads together. “What do you hold dominion over, Kagi Naga? What ancient force bends itself to your will?”
“…Vindicus?”
Gabriel chuckled again. “Even more ancient and powerful than that old blue devil. Speaking of which… I can make him leave your home, Naga. Leave your home and never return. I hold such power. All you have to do is but whisper. Whisper the word and know… it will be done.”
“Umm… can I think on it for a while?”
He sighed and wrapped his arms around her. “Just don’t wait too long. Remember the promise you just made.”
“…I remember.”
“There is one more thing I wish to tell you. I was not commanded to do so… but I think you should know.”
His whisper was so sad, so pained; she sat back up and looked down at him.
“What could trouble my beautiful brother so?”
“You call Raphael your most beautiful brother.”
Jenevier smiled, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.
“Hey.” Gabriel gently took her hand. “I am not troubled for myself. I worry what my news will do to you… to your heart.”
She swallowed hard. “W-what news?”
“Concerning your Senpai, Munenori.”
Jenevier closed her eyes and tried to brace herself for the blow she knew was soon coming.
“You have never met our brother Michael. Of all the stories whispered about me, his tales are ten times the greater.”
She slowly opened her eyes.
“You may not know Michael, but he knows you. I was there when he went to Father—begged a summons concerning Apollyon.” Gabriel wrapped one of her curls around his finger. “Michael wished only to protect you—stop your beloved Vindicus before his war found Jinn… found you.”
Tears burned the backs of her eyes. Yet, she held her silence.
“But Father denied him his earnest plea. Instead, He instructed Munenori to reveal all to you. Father didn’t want you to be left in the dark… concerning the true nature of the one you once loved.”
Jenevier glanced off then, recalling the painful memory of how Apollyon looked on that battlefield—how he looked as he drew back to kill Tenshi… and felled Varick instead. Her soul quaked within her from the loss, it always would.
Gabriel’s words pulled her back to the present.
“Munenori was instructed to tell you the truth in everything—your celestial inheritance, your guardianship, the coming war… even the truth concerning your beloved Daichi. He was to tell you all, and then guide you always. Father knew full well the power you had been given to tempt… the same as you share with Jophiel and Ahriman. He warned Munenori—told him he must withstand your ethereal pull at all costs… or be ceased.”
“Ceased?” She grabbed onto Gabriel’s arm. “Tell me true, Brother. Did you end Munenori? Is that why you are in the Iga village?”
“I came to Iga because you were here, Naga. And, no. I played no part in your Senpai’s punishment.”
Silent tears trickled down her cheeks. “Punishment? So he has been ceased.”
“Mourn not, little one. The edict was handed down years ago now.”
She furrowed her brow. “What? But I visited with Munenori… only just yesterday. How was he ceased, yet remains?”
“His gift was ceased—the magical blood of the Shinobi. Munenori’s lineage is now lost. When the gifted ones of this village pass… there will be no more. Already the people are aware. Not a single Shinobi child has been born with magical talent for many years now.”
Jenevier only shook her head in silence, trying hard to process the horrible news.
“Did you not think it odd that Lala was the only new one to be revealed at the Kougai?”
“…No,” she whispered. “I had never been to a Kougai before, so I didn’t… I just didn’t realize…” She paused.
“Cherish the Shinobi you have, Empress. There will be no more.”
Bitter tears trickled down her face. “I… I killed the Shinobi.” Her voice cracked. “In my selfishness, my lust… I destroyed one of the most precious things on this layer. My husband’s people… my friends… my family… the noble Iga race. How? How am I to live with this guilt, Brother? How am I to walk out there and face the most honorable people I have ever known… knowing that I—the one tasked with ruling them, protecting them, loving them—have utterly destroyed them?”
Gabriel didn’t answer.
“It isn’t right that only Munenori was held accountable, Gabriel. I, too, was a guilty party in that forbidden union. Why was only he punished, while I was spared?”
“Yes, ‘tis true. You are guilty as well. Whether your sentence has already been carried out, or will be in the future, I cannot say.” He softly touched her cheek. “You have known little peace, baby sis. Perhaps you have already paid for your sin. And… perhaps your trial is yet to come. And perhaps…” He paused and bit his lip.
“Perhaps what, Gabriel? Tell me.”
He gently placed his hand on her belly. “Naga, you have known Finnean and Yui as well. Have you not? Perhaps…”
Jenevier slowly glanced down at her tummy, before covering his large hand with her trembling one. When her gaze once again met his, she could not make out his fair features through the water pooling up in her eyes.
“…My womb,” she barely whispered. “My lineage was ceased as well. What have I done? How horrible am I, Brother? What kind of mother… what kind of wife—”
“Shhh, now.” Gabriel pulled her against his chest, stroking her curls. “We don’t know that for sure, Naga. Father has not and will not say. He knows that we love you too much. If you are to be punished, Father will see to you Himself. Not me or one of your brothers.” He tenderly kissed her ear and then whispered there, “He knows we would be too lenient with you.”
“Not Uriel,” she mumbled into his soft tunic. “That Arch… he would
torture me and laugh while he was doing it.”
Gabriel chuckled softly. “Not true, little one. Were you not told how he loved you first? His temperament is due to the fact you do not return his feelings in-kind. He is the one you should be constantly doting on, not Raphael. At least… that’s how Uriel sees it.”
Jenevier sat up and wiped her eyes. “It’s okay. I will not resist Uriel if he is chosen to punish me. I deserve it. I know that.” Her tears poured forth then, warbling out her words. “My heart is crumbling within me, Brother. I hate myself. I hate how I destroy everyone and everything that ever loved me. I am a wretched woman and a worthless Angel. I deserve Apollyon. Hell, I deserve Ahriman. What I don’t deserve… is forgiveness.”
Gabriel pulled her back to him, resting her cheek against his chest. “Let us rest for a while now, Sister.” He gently kissed the top of her head. “You have been endowed with far too many revelations for one day. Close your eyes and dry your tears, little one. Let us find peace in the quiet, protected village of your beloved ninja. Remove your worries and sleep minus fear. I will protect you, Naga—hold you until your plagued mind finds the harmony you now need.”
When she was able to finally match his steady breathing, she willed her tears to cease. Then, Jenevier ever so slowly closed her eyes… and slept.
*****
Lala? Can you hear me, Raven Curl?
The sleeping Princess mumbled incoherently and squirmed under her covers.
Do not wake, little one, Ahriman whispered in her dreams. I have need of you. Now… now I will keep my promise. I will reveal to you an angelic secret—bestow upon you a celestial lexis. One you will soon put to use for me.
Lala rolled over and reached for Duhrias. He wasn’t there. She mumbled again.
Daichi had been sitting on her balcony, gazing at the moons and waiting for Jenevier’s return. When he noticed his dear nieces’ unease, the beautiful blue Angel lay down beside her and held her hand, stroking her loose curls until she stilled.
“Be calm, little one,” Daichi whispered. “I will keep you safe until your Knight and my Naga return. Nothing can harm you here, lovely Princess. Sleep well.”
