Night Sky and Starlight

“Was that… really you?”

“We had stumbled across another town to try and find another relic. No relic this time, yes there was sanctuary’s presence, yes there was a beastfolk Sage, but there was no relic this time.

Koshiro… so much has happened these past few days, it was hard to recall it all, and I have been busy with the dealings of my new career that it has been hard to write to you sooner, much less talk to you.”

He would sigh as he would move to pick up his brush again before putting it down and taking a breath. His heart shook. His mind constantly going to what happened at the festival of faces. “Was that how you really felt? Did you not think I love you?” A tear would roll down his cheek as he paused a moment. “No… if the corruption affected you, then it is a powerful thing indeed. My Koshiro… I hope you are not injured. I hope you know I still do love you.”

He would pick up his brush as he would contunue to write. “*Steel your heart, Kazuro. You are fighting for what you love.*” He spoke to himself in his head.

“First came the festival of faces. It was the celebration of decorating a mask and putting the mask on something in nature that did not have a face, something that we really wanted to talk to. Everything had a spirit, so to speak to such a thing would be a great opportunity. But, the only spirit I wanted to talk to was you. I wanted to see you again, to hold you in my arms once more. How could I miss the opportunity? I mean, when your husband is the essence of spirit itself, I could not pass this up! I spent time creating this beautiful mask, all the time, wanting to speak to you, pouring my love into the mask, and when I had finished it, it actually vanished!

That night, the most powerful of the spirits did walk amongst us, but they were violent and aggressive. I had to pick up my sword to protect the people of meadowmere once more, but all I could think about was how much I wanted to see you. I had gotten wounded by the fire spirit, and after a potion, I froze. I heard… your voice.

I turned around and dropped my sword. The mask I had poured my love into did come to life, but you sounded… like you lost everything. I wanted to see you, to tell you that I love you, and I wished you were here, traveling amongst us, but I froze, my mouth agape and my heart quivering.

‘You were always weak.’ The voice said as it encircled me. ‘You cannot fight. You cannot love. You cannot go home. You are a failure. You never loved me. You should have died when I did. I want you to die.’ Those words still echo in my mind.”

He would stop his writing a moment to look at the mask which had returned to his possession, the voice still echoing in his head. “Was that… really you?” He asked himself again, speaking to the mask.

“I had gotten information that the corruption of the land had affected the spirits. I did not realize that it would be powerful enough to corrupt your spirit. All I can do is hope to restore this land and stop the corruption. It is not just this world at risk, but many other worlds would be next if we do not stop this, including our… Hiretsune. However, I still hope to see you again once more, my love, and I do hope that the corruption does go, so I can truly see you again. Who knows, maybe next time, I will return to this place for the festival of faces after the corruption has been set at ease.

Speaking of thinking of you, I know you would have burned one of the sages. I know your arachnaphobia would have gotten the better of you.” He would chuckle a little at the thought, thinking fondly of his travels with his husband and his reaction to spiders. “I would have had to hold you back, then again, you would have enjoyed that.” He would laugh again.

“I also had lost my job with MEAT. I guess having a mind of your own does hinder having a job protecting one person. However, MEAT suggested that I join the military, seeing that I wanted to protect the people of Meadowmere just as I did the people of Hiretsune. All I know, is that I cannot go against what my heart tells me. Maybe, I will find my place here. Maybe the military is a good start.”

“After much gained information, I do know we are headed to some islands, and the Guardian said they wish to parlay with us. Considering how sanctuary has treated us in the past, I remain skeptical, but hopeful. However, I am just one voice with a different perspective, and I do not hold enough influence to say anything yet.”

“Most of all. I hold on to hope to see you again, and hopefully not with so much malice and corruption. Forgive me for calling you into a place of corruption. I hope to heal everything.”

“From the heart to the spirit, ever entwined.
Like starlight in the night sky.
I hold on to hope, to reunite with longing
My heart is yours, forever belonging.

Your starlight,

Kazuro Rai Yagoni-Itsumo.”

It had become late in the evening when he had finished writing. He would move to put out the candle and place his hand longingly on the mask which had returned to his possession.

He would chuckle to himself. “You know, I feel bad for the other members of the military. My sister is never a morning person, and she is more insufferable early in the morning.” He would make his way towards his bunk in the barracks.

“I wonder if anyone would actually trust me. I only want to help them.” He would climb the ladder, clambering to his bunk, a few white feathers falling out of him.

“I miss you.” He spoke as he would curl up to sleep.

• This topic was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by Kazuro Itsumo.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by Kazuro Itsumo.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by Kazuro Itsumo.