Chapter 306 - Invitation to the Castle

As Char Char burst out of the western gates the chimes hanging around the doors started ringing in shrill, frantic notes. They moved on their own volition, the silver bells dangling wildly on their braided red cords as if they were alive.

Char Char’s spiritual intuition sensed the immense danger in the alarm that she had tripped by exiting out the gates, but it was too late. She bounded down the stone steps, hitting the paved path hard.

Must get back to the city… Find Kai, or the city guards, anyone!

She had only dashed a hundred meters when she saw a figure walking on the center of the road in the distance toward her.

He had long, curly blond hair and wore a blue half-cape over a dark blue nobleman’s suit. Char Char’s eyes widened as she instantly recognized the tall Exalted mage that had attacked her in the plaza on the night that they’d arrived in Plunes.

Don’t tell me… Char Char had a chilling realization. He found us after all! We fell into his trap?!

The look of shock on Cecil’s face as he saw Char Char only confirmed her suspicions— He was obviously surprised that she had survived the attack and had escaped through the gate.

“You’re not getting away this time!” She yelled, filled with determination to fight her way out.

The edge of her sword shone silver as she let out a war cry, dashing straight at the mage.

Cecil frowned at the teenage girl’s yelling hundred meter dash toward him, wondering if she was simply a distraction. For a few seconds he simply watched as she ran up the path kicking up dust.

When she was still a safe distance away he calmly snapped his fingers, activating the engravings on a gold button on his sleeve. The button blackened and warped, falling to the floor.

The position of Hakuya’s sword became fixed in the air. Char Char’s legs swung forward and up as her momentum carried her body forward while her hands kept a tight grip on the now-immobile sword.

His senses were alert as he waited to see if he would be attacked from behind, but seeing the desperate look Char Char’s eyes he realized that she was not an aggressor, but a victim.

“Let go of my sword!” She grunted, pulling down at the sword fruitlessly, “Fight me fair and square, you bum!”

“I’m not going to fight you.” Cecil frowned, stepping forward.

“You don’t have a choice!” Char Char growled, releasing the sword and dashing at him with her fists.

He extended his long leg in a kick to her chest that sent her flying backward. A cloud of dust rose up around her as she tumbled to the ground. She coughed, clutching her chest as she rose to her feet.

“Where is everyone? What did you do to them?” She demanded.

Tears streamed from her eyes. Her body trembled as she fought against the terror welling up inside her, against the feeling of hopelessness.

“I didn’t do anything.” Cecil said calmly, “In fact, I believe you and I are in the same situation.”

“What situation?”

“Something strange is going on in this estate, and we’re both trapped.”

“Trapped?” Char Char’s lips quivered as she looked at Cecil. There was an air of sincerity in his words. The pain from the kick gave her a jolt of clarity as she realized that he was not here to kill her or capture her like she originally feared, “You’re not here to ambush me?”

“No. In fact, I was a little surprised to see you here.” Cecil looked around calmly at their surroundings, “Well, half-surprised. You are connected to the White Maiden, after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“You mean, you don’t know?” Cecil frowned, “The Trial of Succession is underway.“

“Trial… of Succession?” Char Char didn’t hide her confusion.

It’s too much of a coincidence for the White Maiden’s blessed to be here… Cecil thought quietly. Whether the White Maiden is on our side or not, it’s clear that She has a role to play in the prophecy.

He came to a decision. With a snap of his finger he released the spell on Hakuya’s sword. It clattered to the floor allowing Char Char to retrieve it.

“Tell me what happened.” He said, “And I’ll share what I know.”

~

At this time in the Fuha Wastelands, Yuzu sat calmly on a flat, square block among the crumbled stones of a foundation looking out on to the swamp.

Somm and Nilya were still away. They’d left early in the morning as the sun rose. Their strings were still concealed from the cloak ritual’s effects, so Yuzu hadn’t seen them leave in the strings; She’d been woken by the sounds of their movement and watched them leave through the cracks in the walls of her room.

Her eyes watched the morning mists as they drifted across the ruins. They swirled amongst the broken foundations and gnarled trees, obscuring the swamp from view, blending at the horizon with a dark grey sky. The sun was a silver orb sitting behind the clouds, its rays providing no warmth or comfort.

Not long now. Yuzu thought as she sat with her face hidden in the depths of her hood. Though she couldn’t read the fate of herself or her companions in the tapestry, the rest of the tapestry was still visible to her. Her heart beat quickly in anticipation of the future she had seen on the strings.

A white string approached, shining against the gentle golden tapestry, pulsing with a subtle aura. It was unassuming in appearance, silken and brimming with a raw vitality that was unmistakable to her.

Though she didn’t sense danger from the thread, Yuzu’s spiritual intuition warned her not to touch it or try to read its future. Such actions would result in her instant, painful death.

A singular thought echoed in Yuzu’s mind as she awaited the arrival of the string’s owner.

A god approaches.

As the time of the god’s arrival came near the golden tapestry began to warp around it, pulling closer to the white thread due to its inherent gravity.

The air in the swamp in front of her shimmered, a fresh scent drifted on a cool breeze. A warm light shone down on Yuzu’s hood from a bright summer sun.

The mirage of another land materialized gently in the air in front of Yuzu. Rolling, green mountains filled with lush jungle formed the backdrop for a nine tiered pagoda with bright gold rooftops.

Wind chimes of various sizes and shapes hung from the eaves, ringing pleasantly in the cool breeze. The distant chirps of songbirds rang pleasantly in her ears, harmonizing with the chimes.

Though she had never heard of it before, the name of the pagoda echoed in Yuzu’s mind. This is the divine kingdom known as the Singing Castle.

In front of the pagoda standing on a path made of white stone slabs, a handsome man stood in a classic pose, one hand behind his back the other gently waving a golden fan at his waist.

He was the picturesque noble of lore, dressed in flowing white and gold robes with long hanging sleeves. He was middle aged, tall with short black hair. He exuded dignity and grace.

Yuzu found herself subtly attracted to the man’s handsomeness. The confident look in his eyes, the knowing half smile that both welcomed and teased her. Her heart subconsciously beat faster.

“Greetings, young maiden.” His voice was gentle and clear. He spoke in an ancient dialect that Yuzu somehow understood. “I have been eager to meet you. I am Renshu.”

Yuzu stood up, removing her hood without thinking, though as soon as she did so she paused. Standing and removing her hood was the polite action when meeting someone. She had even nearly responded to Renshu’s greeting with her real name.

“Come now, there’s no need to be suspicious.” Renshu said as if reading her thoughts, “I come in friendship. I have no need to manipulate you.”

“You are the God of Preeminent Wisdom. God of Song and Destiny. Your divine kingdom is renowned for its beauty and hospitality to visitors.” Yuzu said. She paused, realizing that she had responded fluently in the same ancient Byranese language. “How do I know this?”

“Perhaps the legends about me are just so memorable?” Renshu smiled gently, with a teasing glint in his eyes. “No? Then perhaps you learned of it when we met during the ritual.”

That’s right, during the concealment ritual He saw me. Yuzu thought quietly.

“I must apologize, I was just waking from my slumber and carelessly gazed upon you.” Renshu sighed regretfully, “When our minds connected in that instant I realized my mistake and cut it off. You must have suffered for it. I deeply apologize.”

I nearly died! Yuzu felt her mind clearing up as she listened to his words, coming to a better understanding of the events of the previous night. The extra knowledge around the God of Wisdom had transferred to her when he accidentally looked at her.

“Do not worry, my current form poses no danger to you.” He bowed low, “I would like to make it up to you, would you please join me in my castle?”

He gestured down the path to the pagoda behind him, and Yuzu found herself admiring the beauty of the peaceful landscape. There was no comparison to the bleak, barren swamp that Yuzu had had to endure for the past weeks. She felt herself itching to escape the wastelands and step onto those clear white paving stones bathed in sunlight.

Even forgetting her own desires, it was a request that could not be declined. After all, a god was inviting her into His kingdom.

A light flashed in her eyes as she smiled and shook her head, speaking in her own Nianese tongue.

“I’m sorry, I’d rather not.” She gestured to the ruins behind her, “If you’d like, we can talk here in mine.”