The Line Where the Sky Meets the Sea

Kokuri recoiled by reflex, which worsened the pain.

‘Hold still,’ the blue-haired mage said. ‘Almost done…’

She was drawing Formulae Magic on her slash wound; her gaze sparkling, eager to finish her creation. At this point, Kokuri doubted that the mage remembered the reason for making the Formulae Magic in the first place.

Are all mages like this? Kokuri couldn’t help but wonde—

‘!’ She winced from the sudden sharp pain.

‘Done!’ the mage declared, proud.

Kokuri glanced down to see that her slashed torso had been closed by the inscription. The wound still hurt, but lesser—by a lot. ‘… Thanks.’

‘Don’t mention it. I only helped because Freya asked me to.’ The mage stood up from her stool and took a few steps backward—almost stumbling as the ship swayed. Once far enough, she observed the Formulae Magic in full.

‘Always check twice,’ a voice echoed in her head, a lesson taught by a mage in the past. Rather reassuring that this mage practiced it.

‘The wound is closed,’ the mage said as she checked, ‘not healed. If it reopens, you’ll need me to close it again.

‘Consider that a warning; if you return to this “murderous” persona I’ve been hearing about, I’ll never bother closing the wound ever again. Understand?’

‘…’ Kokuri nodded. I won’t. Not because I’m afraid you won’t close the wound, but because she swordswoman might void her promise if I do.

‘Try standing up and moving around. I want to see if there’s any possible flaw.’

Kokuri stood up. Her legs felt weak, but she could gather the strength to stand up now. The pain persisted, felt like being stabbed by countless burning knives, a wretched sensation she now had to live with; one she would never get used to. Before she could take her first step, the boat swayed. Losing her balance, she fell, landing with her bottom, and pain reverberated all over her body. If before felt like being stabbed by knives, now felt like being butchered by great axes. She bit her tongue to suppress her scream.

Cursed ship!

Kokuri was brimming with killing intent toward the sea vessel. Wanted to destroy it so bad but, she used all the mental strength she had to hold back. The last thing she wanted was to drown at the bottom of the sea. Thus, she simply slammed her fist on the wooden floor.

‘Are you alright?’ the mage asked, concerned.

‘I’m fine.’ Kokuri tasted blood in her mouth.

‘… Say, what’s your real name?’

‘?’ The question struck her as sudden. Is this to distract me from the pain?

‘Everyone says you’re “Kokuri”, except Freya who says you’re “Cochlea”.’

‘…’ None of them were her real name; that one had been long forgotten. The ones which remained with her was just Kokuri; a name given by people—no idea when she started being referred as that, and Cochlea; a name given by a certain mage—embroidered on the inner collar of her kimono. They were both her, but also not. ‘… I don’t know.’

‘?!’ The mage seemingly wanted to protest, but the words died on her lips. Instead, she helped progress the matter. ‘Which one do you prefer to be called as?’

“Kokuri” was a murderer, the hopeless; “Cochlea” was a survivor, the hopeful. She much preferred the latter; but wearing it with her current status of a murderer would taint the name. The former, meanwhile, was not one she was fond of. ‘I don’t know...’

The mage stared at her, deliberating, and didn’t force the matter further. ‘Take your time, I suppose. Once you’ve decided, tell me, alright?’

… Kokuri nodded.

***

Vod leaned on the railing of the quarter deck above, supervising the spar between Ray and Dunnford on the main deck below. How he had ended up on the Stormpiercer heading toward Malegonia had been a decision made in a blink:

‘Vod, want to join?’ Freya had asked.

‘Sure.’

He had accepted partly because he wanted to learn the sword from Freya, but mostly because he was lacking a sense of purpose. His father, the previous sword saint, had died; and Lupine had chosen a wielder. No longer was there someone to direct him, and no longer was there a goal he should strive for.

Freya’s invitation happened to be the first offer he received; thus, he took it.

That was all there was to it.

…

Wielding Caliburn sounds like a good goal.

That passing thought was enough. He headed down toward the main deck, about to ask Ray on what would make a rightful King.

***

Freya stood at the front deck, staring at the horizon afar.

No use thinking about the wasted time, Freya thought. She still carried a curse that would kill her once the time limit had passed, and there was no progress on breaking the curse in Lune. Yet, she had chosen to delay her travel to Malegonia for a certain someone. If time rewinds and I’m presented a chance to choose different choices…

I won’t change a single thing.

Freya stared into the distance. Her amethyst eyes were set forward; not a hint of regret was there. She had done what she needed to do.

Tap… Tap…

Footsteps approaching from behind.

Freya glanced over her shoulder and saw a woman in kimono limping toward her, Lea.

‘Does it still hurt?’ Freya asked.

‘You just have to ask…’ Lea grunted. She settled beside Freya, leant on the railing for support, and stared where she was looking: the horizon afar.

‘Does Elaine not have any painkiller Formulae Magic?’

‘Who’s Elaine?’

‘The blue-haired mage. You didn’t ask her name?’

‘What’s the point? I’ll forget anyway. Maybe once you break my curse, I’ll bother with remembering names.’

‘Lea, I will break your curse, so you might as well start remembering people’s name.’

‘Fine…’ Lea kept staring into the distance. For a while, they exchanged no words. Until she was comfortable enough to speak her mind, ‘The mage—Elaine asked for my name. But I don’t know what name to give.’

‘?’ Because you have two names? ‘Give to her the one you like more.’

‘It’s not that simple…’

‘Why not?’

‘I hate “Kokuri”. But “Cochlea” isn’t a murderer.’

‘It’s not like you have plans to kill anyone?’

‘No, but—’

‘Then you’re Lea. It’s decided.’

Lea glanced at Freya, then sighed. ‘You and your unfair decisions…’

It’s better for you to carry a name of who you want to be. ‘Say, do you even know my name?’

‘… I forgot.’

‘Right…’ I never introduced my name to you though. ‘It’s Freya. Remember it.’

‘You’re not Freya,’ Lea said.

She was stunned by the response. Didn’t expect that the matter regarding her identity would come up in this manner. Right now, she was conversing with someone who knew the real her. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to hear about her true self. I won’t run away.

‘You’re similar to this—certain swordsperson that… I’ve mostly forgotten. Very similar that it sounds so wrong for your name to not be…’ What is my name? she was nervous, ‘whatever the swordsperson’s name was… Can’t remember.’

‘…’

‘Definitely not “Freya”.’

Freya sighed. She got nervous for nothing. From the gist of it, you know me but can’t remember. Essentially the same as not knowing…

It’s alright.

I’ll deal with my problems one at a time.

My path is obscured by fog, and the various destinations are out of sight. But, as I am right now, I can tell that if I traverse the path, I’ll reach the destinations.

I know it to be true.

‘I’ve decided,’ Lea said, pointing at Freya, ‘I’ll call you Violet.’

‘The hair color? Really?’

‘It’s only fair that I get to decide.’

Freya laughed. ‘I suppose.’