The sun shines warmly, bright, but not too harsh, its gentle heat resting comfortably on my skin.
It is a beautiful day… the perfect day for an outing.
I lift my glass on the table, the ice within softly chiming as it melts, and take a long sip of my juice cocktail. It is sweet and refreshing. My favourite beverage on this Café's menu.
From my window, I look out at the terrace. Some people are sitting outside and having a light breakfast.
"What on earth could be taking them so long?" I wonder aloud.
Sabar and Zaylany are running late, it is already over half an hour past our agreed meeting time.
Did Sabar oversleep again? No. I made sure to contact her just before leaving home, and she assured me she was getting ready.
I sigh. The Fair must already be in full swing by now. Just when are they going to come?!
I was about to reach for my Contact Mirror when the doors of the Café swing open and Zaylany steps in. Alone. I crane my neck behind him to check, and indeed, he is definitely alone.
"Hey… Vy. Sorry for the tardiness," he says between huffs and puffs.
I wait for him as he sits down and requests for a glass of water from the passing waiter before asking, "Big brother, where is Sabar? Did something happen?"
Another waitress quickly comes carrying a jar of water and a glass on her tray. She serves Zaylany who immediately gulps it down, then pour in some more.
He sighs and puts down the glass. "She can't come. She had a… prior obligation. Apparently Sabar had an appointment with the Akademiya's education board… something about the 'unauthorized manufacturing and distribution of unstable and potentially dangerous compounds on school grounds. She simply forgot it was the same day as the Fair."
I bury my face in my hands. "Sabar… no."
We planned this for weeks. I was so much looking forward to today—I told her she would get caught if she continued using the lab like that. She never properly cleans up the evidence. And I warned her it would be a bad idea to share that 'sludge' with other students.
She never listens!
"It's not just her… from what mother explained—as she dragged little Sabs with her—she was leading a whole operation with some of her other classmates."
She what?!
"Funnily enough, Sabar and her group were only caught because some of their 'clients' started sticking that sludge thing almost everywhere as a prank." Zaylany leans closer, giving me an appraising look. "Say, Vy, you wouldn't happen to know more about this whole clandestine organization of hers, would you?"
I shake my head vehemently. "N-no. I had no idea." There is no way I'm getting dragged into this too.
I never understood why she, and her other friends liked that slimy, sticky stuff, just the sight of it was enough to make me gag.
"Then, today's outing is cancelled I assume?" I ask to change the subject.
His gaze narrows. "Uh-huh…"
"Well…" He leans back on his chair, shaking his head. "She insisted that I still go with you, even if without her. She said, and I quote 'We absolutely cannot cancel this, this is too important'!"
My eyes go wide. "She wants us to go without her?" That would mean, Zaylany and I will be all on our own. My heart beats faster at the thought, and I squeeze my hands under the table to not fidget in front of him.
"I-I don't know… It wouldn't be fair of me to go without her. We planned this together."
Zaylany was only supposed to chaperone us to the Fair since Teacher and auntie absolutely refused that we go on our own. But now I'm supposed to just go on my own? With, with Zaylany? Just the two of us? My heart was not ready for that—It's too soon.
"W-we should just cancel—"
My pocket mirror suddenly flickers on the table, and when I pick it up and accept the connection, Sabar's face ripples on its surface.
"Vy! Go to the Fair, you have to go!"
"But—"
"—No buts! You know the Dion store will be releasing their limited-edition matching best-friends stuffed plushies, and you know how much time and allowance money we spent to win those spots. We can't let it go to waste! Or do you want some other girls to get them in our stead, huh? Is that what you want?!" She huffs.
"N-no, of course not." We have been obsessing so long for those limited edition plushies. With them our collection would be complete. I had been dreaming about this, just imagining the jealous faces of my classmates when I tell them that I have completed the collection brings a smile to my face. But… "It wouldn't be as fun without you." And I cannot go with big brother alone—I will go crazy!
Her expression softens into a tender smile. "Aww, Vy." Then her face turns serious, obsessive even. "I need those plushies, we'll have fun next year."
"What do you think you are doing young lady?!" A voice cries out from behind her. I wince while Sabar's eyes go wide in absolute horror. "I knew it was suspicious how long you took in the restroom. People are here, discussing about your future, and you think you can act like this? Is that how I have raised you—Give me that mirror!"
"—Mom! W-wait—Vy! Don't forget our plush—"
Sabar's face becomes a blur and the connection is cut.
I look up to find Zaylany doing the same, my expression probably the same he wears now.
"Well, I suppose we are on a mission now, huh?"
Skies.
"I suppose we do."
The convention of the Dion store was wonderful. It was the most wonderful, most marvellous, most exciting event of the Fair. And when they displayed the new, limited edition plushies… I thought I was losing my mind. A hundred voices rose in unison, mine among them, as the crowd of young girls erupted in euphoric screams; the energy surged through me, my skin pulsing with pure thrill.
The best moment was when they distributed the plushies. Cradling those soft, fluffy, and delicately scented pair of plushies made my day. I don't think I could be any happier in life.
The matching best-friends plushies; with this my collection in complete! With Sabar's pair, we can swap one of each. They will look so cute. This is the best day of my life.
"Wow… That was intense," Zaylany breathes once we leave the building. He stares at the bag containing Sabar's plushies like it is a weapon of mass destruction. "I will never look at a roomful of teenage girls the same. So scary."
"Gee, big brother, you are always exaggerating things. You simply can't understand just how important this convention was."
"They are plushies, Vy," he deadpans, "It's a convention about plushies."
"They are collectibles! And super cute and fluffy!"
He chuckles. "Sure, if you say so."
I cannot help but pout, heat rising on my face when he starts patting my head. "Stop treating me like a child. Yes, it is a convention about stuffed toys—but it's just a hobby. Everyone can have hobbies."
"My bad," he laughs, but does not budge his hand.
What he does is a bit frustrating. But at the same time, I like it.
I will let him off the hook this once.
"We should head home, now. Sabar will be overjoyed when she sees her plushies."
"But the day just started."
"There is not really a point, Sabar is not here, and my main focus was the plushies anyway."
"Come on, Vy, this is the Fair! There is so much fun we can have, and I doubt Sabar's meeting will be over so soon. I took the day off so that you could have fun, and I will ensure you thoroughly enjoy yourself." He bends over so that we are face to face—my chest tightens when he does that—and stares at me seriously. "Do you now think I am too much of an old man like Sabar says, that I can't entertain you?"
"O-of course not... you are not that old."
"Good." He smiles, holds my hand and starts leading me toward the attractions site.
The next hours we spent were… I don't know. It felt awkward at first, it had been a long time since I spent so much time with Zaylany. I don't even think we had been alone together for such a prolonged period before.
But it was nice. I had fun. We went through different stalls, playing different sorts of games, buying so many trinkets and toys and souvenirs. I stuffed my face with so much pastries I will be disgusted with them for at least a month.
We took long walks, catching up, discussing of so many things. Zaylany is positively the most interesting, kind, funny, and entertaining person in the world. Whenever he looks at me, whenever he smiles at me I feel like I am the centre of his world, I feel so happy I might burst.
"Zaylany?"
The sun has set, and the sky glimmers with the last traces of amber fading into deep indigo. Shadows stretch long across the streets as streetlamps turn on one after another.
A gentle breeze blows by, dancing in Zaylany's hair as he turns around. The light falls across his face, and I am struck by how handsome he is. I have always known he was handsome, but it feels like it is the first time I see just how much.
His warm green eyes, the same eyes as Sabar, settle over me. His smile, subtle yet radiant, carries a warmth that reaches me more deeply than ever before. It is not just his appearance that overwhelms me, but the sudden realization of how much he means to me.
"I love you."
The words slip out before I realize they do. It takes a fraction of a second more for me to understand that it was my voice that came out… that I said those words.
I stand frozen in place. Petrified by the confession I just made. Then slowly, I raise my head, hopeful by my sudden burst of courage. Maybe, just maybe… my sincerity will reach him.
He might even accept. He might realize just how much I truly love him. I'm a bit young, I had wanted to wait until I was older to confess to him, but I am certain he will understand. And he will love me just as much as I have loved him these past four years.
Yes. He will surely—
My head goes blank at the sight of his expression. He is still smiling, but it is not a happy smile, this is a sad smile, a pitying smile. "I had hoped you wouldn't say those words."
My heart drops. And for several seconds, I don't know what to say. Then I feel the shame heating on my face. I wish to disappear, to sublime in a plume of smoke, for the ground to swallow me whole. I can't breathe. I can't speak. My chest hurts so bad I think I am going to die.
"D-did I… Did I do something wrong?"
"Of course not."
"Then why… why—" My throat tightens.
"It wouldn't be appropriate of me to accept your feelings, Vy."
I stare at him blankly. He sighs, deep and long, then he comes closer.
"There are two reasons why Vyswe'eyaga. The first is that I am much older than you are. It wouldn't be right."
"Liar," I sob. "Age gap relationships are not inappropriate. We live long lives, so it is more than common to run into couples with fifty, a hundred, and on occasions, two hundred years apart. You are just twenty-five years older than me."
"But it is socially frowned upon for someone, a minor, to be in a relationship with an older individual. And it is not accepted for less-than-fifty-year-olds to be with someone over a century older than them," he shakes his head, "Only at a hundred-years-old can one be involved with folks much, much older than them, and even then centuries age gaps are criticized."
I bite my lip. I know that. Of course, I know that.
"Do you know why such rules have been put in place Vyswe'eyaga?" I don't answer, but he goes on, "Because relationships like that are heavily unbalanced, the eldest would hold the superior position just by virtue of being older, they would be more mature, more emotionally stable than the younger one—"
"—I'm mature," I exclaim. I don't know why I am acting like that. "All the adults I know always tells me that I am very mature for my age. Even you have said it several times in the past."
He raises his hand and pats my head. "There is also the problem of responsibility," he continues calmly, "if a problem arises, it would be expected for the eldest to bear the full weight of it, and in consequence, the younger one may have close to no say in a given decision. Don't you think it would be unfair to both parties?"
"I don't care." I try to keep the tears out of my eyes as I look up at him. "I trust you Zaylany. I-I know you would never take advantage of me… that you will always listen to me. I trust you, and you are not like that anyway."
He smiles sadly.
"You deserve an equal, Vy. Someone with whom you can stand tall and on equal footing. It would be unhealthy for a young, impressionable, and naïve sixteen-year-old to be with someone double her age, yes?"
His gaze softens. "The second reason why I can't accept your feelings… You are my precious little sister, albeit not by blood, but in every way that counts."
My heart breaks further at his words.
"When I see you, I see the toddler I used to babysit. I see the little girl who followed me around wherever I went, who asked me to carry her on my shoulders, and who played, fought, and laughed with Sabar. I see my family."
Now I am full-on crying.
"It's alright, Vy. It's normal. At your age, you start to have casual interests in members of the opposite sex."
"But it's not casual," I cry out, "It's not casual at all! I love you! I really, really love you! I-I swear! You're the kindest and you're gentle, and you make me happy—that's why I love you so much."
He pulls me in his arms. The warmth of his body against mine, and the soothing scent wafting of him almost calms me down.
"I know, and I love you too Vy, but not like that. Never like that. Do you understand?"
I nod, holding him tight, and crying for what feels like an eternity.
Our way home was a blur. I had planned to stay with Sabar and fawn over our newly acquired plushies. But my face must be puffy from all the cries, and I can barely get a word out of my mouth. So, Zaylany escorts me to my house. Teacher should not be there yet, but I sneak in just in case.
And when I finally crash on my bed, I cry myself to sleep.
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
"So, Vyswe'eyaga, does knowledge on soul sorcery that readily available in the Nchāren empire?" Kayin asks.
"…uh, no."
"Really, then how come you knew that ritual you performed earlier?"
"…I study the Art of spell matrixes and arrays… particularly the field of arrays. So, I have a basic understanding of almost all the other arts of sorcery."
N'jobu looks at me strangely. "Why are you speaking in your throat? We can barely hear you."
I stare at him for a moment before turning away. "…No, I'm not."
"I mean, I believe that you are," Kayin insists. "Do you feel unwell?"
"…I'm fine."
Then Azikiwe chuckles, "Don't tell me it is about the comments we made about your singing."
"…It is not." I say while avoiding eye contact with everyone.
"You are. If you could see your face, you are definitely sulking."
"…I'm not sulking."
"Are you that upset? N'jobu, apologise."
"What?"
"—Please," I raise my voice, "can we just, drop the subject?"
Sazayi and N'jobu stops their altercation, and the rest fall quiet. I thought it would end at that before Kayin turns to me.
"So, about that ritual…"
Haaah… Goodness gracious.
After hours of trudging through the dark, humid tunnel, we came to an abrupt halt. The passage ahead had collapsed, leaving a yawning hole before us.
But the ruin looks unnatural. The ceiling looks undamaged, and the walls—though pocked with holes—does not appear to have been dismantled to form it.
I peer into the hollow, then back at the wall of earth.
This must be how it was made.
"What should we do?" Ewa asks, and her voice echoes in the silence.
Kayin and the others cast sidelong glances my way. With a heavy sigh, I step forward. I take a leap at the ledge, gliding into the air, and softly land on the other side. My feet splash against the damp ground, a thin stream of water trickles from the wall, spilling into the hollow. When I draw closer, I lay my hand upon the stone and send a pulse of essence through it. The response confirms my suspicion.
"The other side is flooded," I announce, turning back to them.
"Then we can't go any further?" Gamba asks as I make my way back.
"I am afraid so."
"Don't tell me we covered this whole distance for nothing." N'jobu frowns, "We have no choice but to turn back, then."
Sazayi makes a sound between a grunt and a whimper. "No, please."
I feel the same as he does. The thought of retracing our steps, then crossing that harrowing lake once more does not enthuse me the slightest bit. Perhaps if I raised a barrier here and then collapsed the wall… the water would rush into hole.
But I cannot gauge just how flooded the other side is. It might fill the hole entirely and still prove insufficient. If the tunnel were to become fully submerged, we would drown once I ran out of essence.
I must also consider the danger of other junjus sensing the disturbance. That would complicate matters even further.
Kayin clears his throat. "Why don't we rest here for the time being, we will decide what to do later."
A tense silence follows his words, broken only by the faint drip of water echoing through the tunnel.
In silence, the others set about making camp. A fire flickers to life, and several sleeping bags are spread across the stone floor. After eating, each finds a way to occupy themselves, despite the confines of this narrow space.
Gamba rests against the wall, head bowed, seemingly asleep. Azikiwe lingers by the hollow, staring into its depths as though searching for something unseen. Ike sits near the fire, prodding the coals with a stick; when his eyes meet mine, I quickly look away.
Kayin, N'jobu, and Sazayi cluster together. The latter two are buried in books—likely the tomes taken from the research centre—while Kayin bends over a broad sheet of paper, not writing but sketching.
"What are you drawing Kayin?"
He looks up from his paper, looks down at it, then back at me. "Oh, this?" He turns over the sheet and presents it to me.
It is a map of sort, a rough sketch of the Nguo. I recognise the mist-blanketed forest and the expanse of water that has swallowed what was once Bonaberi. Two places are marked upon it: the spot where we first boarded the canoe, and farther along, the research centre. Beneath the map, he has drawn the interior of the facility and the tunnels below… at least the sections we traversed.
"Your drawing skills are impressive. But when did you get the time to do all that?"
"Thanks. I drew it anytime I found some reprieve to. There has never been a map of Nguo before—since all those who attempted never came back—so I thought I might as well do it. When we eventually get out of here, I hope this would be useful for any future expeditions."
"What tells you we will fare better than our predecessors?" Ewa asks, her tone laced with teasing.
To which he smiles confidently. "None among them could boast a sorceress of bygone ages—a true polymath of sorcery—within their ranks, of course."
"—W-wha—"
"And I dare say, none in this crew can be called helpless. We made it this far, didn't we?"
Ewa shrugs, and I cannot help but feel embarrassed.
"To call me a polymath… You grossly overestimate my capabilities."
"That does not change the fact that we wouldn't be here without you. We are all counting on you, Vyswe'eyaga."
"No pressure," Ewa adds, "Our lives are in your hands." She says in an overdramatic expression.
"H-ha-ha. Thank you, after hearing that I don't feel pressured at all." She smiles teasingly. "While we are at it, have this." I hand her the medallion and she inspects it.
"Oo, pretty. Thanks."
"You are already done making the protective charms, Vyswe'eyaga?" Kayin eyes his medallion as I give Sazayi and N'jobu theirs. "So, how does it work?"
"It's fairly simple. The medallion emits a faint energy field around you, and a shield will manifest the moment it senses an attack rushing toward you, whether it is tangible or not."
"Oh? And how powerful is the shield?" Azikiwe asks as he receives his.
"Let's say… strong enough to withstand the bite force of the aquatic monster that attacked. But only momentarily, and then it would need time to recharge."
Gamba whistles. "That sure is powerful."
"I also decided to add a simple mind protection, and a shrouding charm in the amulets. It was a last-minute decision, but I taught it would be a decent addition."
"You also know mind sorcery?!" Sazayi exclaims wide-eyed.
"Just in the field of mind wards." I shake my head. I hesitate before adding, "Spells that actively tamper with the mind are taboo in sorcery." The way Sazayi's face falls at my words gives me a pang of guilt… Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that last part.
Ike raises an eyebrow when I extend a medallion in his face before looking up at me. "I don't recall asking for one."
I clear my throat for no reason. "Luckily for you, there was enough materials to squeeze in one more, and it didn't seem fair for everyone else to have their own protective charms except for you." I say, thrusting it into his hands. "You can always give it to a friend if you want it."
He smiles, a thin stretch across his lips, as he pockets the medallion in his jacket. "How kind of you milady."
His words affect me harder than I expected, and more than I care to admit. I make an act to cough, then walk away as calmly as I can muster.