Found

Sachi laid curled up on the bed after washing up and changing her clothes. It had gotten late into the night, but Sachi couldn't sleep. I probably came off rude to her. I should've acted differently. Said something else. I'm taking her kindness her granted, I must do something. What can I possibly do? Is it really kindness though? What if I got myself into trouble here? That girl hasn't come back. Of course she wouldn't come back after how odd I acted. I must find Himari and Nobu. Where would I even begin to look? I don't even know where I am, so how can I possibly find them. If I can't find them then I must fight the prophecy on my own. I can't do this on my own. I would have no idea where to begin. Maybe I shouldn't be expecting Himari and Nobu to help me anyway, they get nothing out of this. But what do I do if I am all alone from now on? Think Sachi. There must be something you can do. You must figure something out. You can't possibly be this useless.

Sachi's mind kept her from sleeping. Her thoughts conducting an orchestra of distress. She didn't know where she was or if she could trust the people or the place. She was worried about Himari and Nobu. She was scared to face the prophecy on her own. She had no idea what to do.

Sachi's spiral of thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Yes?"

The tall girl from before entered carrying a tray of two sets of hot soup, bread, and water. Exhaustion evident in her face but a big smile plastered on nonetheless. "I'm sorry for taking so long to bring you something. The customers always like to overstay their welcome. I know it's late but if you're up to it then here's some food to warm you up." The girl placed the tray of food on the table and took a seat. 

Sachi kept her head down trying to avoid meeting the girl's eyes with her own cursed ones. "Thank you. You didn't have to go through the trouble."

The girl stared at Sachi as she stuffed her face full of bread. "Nonsense. The Water's Den is a place to look after others. You're no different regardless of if you're the one of destruction."

Sachi's head snapped up. "Huh...? You knew?"

The girl chuckled. "Strange things have been happening lately and everyone is thrown out of wack screaming it's the prophecy. Now a strange girl who I've never seen, who wears clothes that are even stranger comes in saying they're lost and that they've been in the ocean, a place everyone knows is not one to go. I didn't want to assume, but it was hard not to."

Despite the girl's laid back and rough appearance, she had more intuition than Sachi expected. 

The girl looked at Sachi's now visible face. "I didn't even need to see your eyes to confirm it. But now that I have seen them, I have to say, they're quite pretty."

"Aren't you afraid?"

The girl laughed loud. "Afraid? Of you? I'm sorry but that's too funny. Look how tiny you are. Why would anyone be afraid of you?"

"But I'm the bringer of destruction from the prophecy."

"Honestly... I would say you're just a scapegoat for the prophecy. Sure, maybe you upset the magical balance like it says, but the world is just getting what was coming to it."

"What do you mean?"

"On the outside, this world looks like it's thriving and the people flourishing. But on the inside, it's rotten and corrupt. One visit to the capital and anyone would be able to tell how disgusting this world is. How the poor struggle to barely survive and how the rich step across the poor to reach new heights. Take this village for example. It's one of the few sanctuary villages for anyone who needs help. It's a fishing village so naturally us villagers can provide for ourselves, but we try to give back to those who can't. The people who come to The Water's Den are all people who are barely making it in this world. But why is this an issue to even begin with? I don't care if the prophecy destroys us all, in fact I prefer it. This world is too unfair and needs a fresh start."

"It's admirable you give back to others. Is the capital really that bad?"

The girl shoved more food down her throat. "Oh, the worst. Aren't you hungry?"

Sachi looked at the food but hesitated to take it.

The girl took another piece of bread, dipped it in Sachi's soup, and ate it. "I'm not trying to poison you if that's what you're worried about."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to imply that." Sachi sat with the girl at the table and began to eat. Her stomach proving hungrier than she realized. "It's so good."

The girl laughed again. "You're a good eater. I'm Itsuki by the way."

With a mouthful of bread. "I'm Sachi."

Itsuki and Sachi soon finished their meal. Itsuki put the dishes back on the tray and picked it up. "Well, I have to go clean these now. You should get some rest. Don't worry about staying here. Like I said. Everyone is welcome at The Water's Den."

"Thank you for the food and the room and everything. I hope I can repay you somehow."

"Don't mention it. Goodnight." Itsuki took the tray and left.

Sachi laid back down on the bed and drifted quickly to sleep.

-

Long after the sun rose, Sachi was still fast asleep, the exhaustion from the days prior finally taking effect.

The door to Sachi's room opened and a small boy wandered in. He walked up to the sleeping Sachi and poked her, but she did not wake. The boy gently shook her, but she only grumbled in response. The mischievous little boy decided to climb atop the bed and start jumping up and down. "Wake up! Wake up!"

Sachi quickly awoke in a fright to find the random child in her room. "Who are you?"

"I'm here to wake you up!"

"Huh?"

Itsuki quickly came through the door. "There you are Izumi." Itsuki effortlessly scooped up the child in her arms. "I'm sorry Sachi, my brother's favorite thing is waking people up. No idea where it came from. You can go back to sleep if you'd like."

Sachi rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "No, it's alright. I'm up now. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Oh, you don't need to help out around here. But..." Itsuki's words trialed off as she thought for a moment. "Hey Sachi. You were in the ocean the other day, right?"

"Yes. Why?"

"You also said you were looking for some friends?"

Sachi's eyes lit up. "Yes? Did you find them?"

"Well, for starters don't get your hopes up, it could just be coincidence. But there is someone else here who was in the ocean too. Would you like to check?"

Sachi jumped up. "Yes! Please take me to them."

Itsuki turned to her brother. "Izumi, go downstairs and help out." The little boy hummed in response and quickly ran out. "Follow me."

Itsuki led Sachi to another room further down the hall. Itsuki stopped in front of the door before opening it. "It may not be your friend. And while I do hope you find your friends I-" Itsuki stopped mid-sentence and opened the door, moving out of the way for Sachi to enter.

Sachi entered the room and saw a familiar figure sitting in bed staring out of the window.

Sachi approached the figure closer, but something was different. 

"Himari?"

Himari's head slowly turned to face Sachi, but she just as slowly turned to look away again. No reaction. No words. Just empty eyes that continued to stare out of the window into the clouded sky.

Itsuki quietly approached Sachi. "Do you know her?"

"Yes. She's my friend, but what's wrong with her? I've never seen her so still, so quiet..."

Is she really your friend? You don't know everything about her. Maybe this is who she is. Maybe she's just not excited to see you. Maybe she doesn't consider you a friend. Sachi's mind started to whisper but she shook off the thoughts. No, I know Himari. Maybe not everything, but I know her enough to know this is not her, something happened...

Himari's same golden hair fell across her face. Her skin was paler. Her body thinner. Her lips dry. And her eyes, so empty, so distant. 

"I couldn't tell you what happened. My mother found her completely drenched and collapsed on the shore about a week ago. She was asleep for almost two days, but since waking up, she hasn't spoken a word or made a sound. She doesn't respond when we talk to her, in fact her looking at you just now was the most reaction from her. All she does is stare at the cloud barrier. My mother has been nursing her, trying to get her to eat and drink, but it's been proving difficult as she seems unwilling to eat or drink anything. We got the town doctor, and she says it might be from shock from the ocean, that's all we can conclude."

Something Itsuki said caught Sachi's attention. "A week ago?"

"Yeah, to be exact I think it's been nine days now."

Sachi's mind race. To her it was only yesterday that they were separated. How long was she in that labyrinth? 

Sachi stared in shock. What could've happened. "Was she alone? You didn't find anyone else with her?"

"No just her. How many other friends are you looking for?"

"Just one other. I was hoping that they would least be together after we got separated..."

"I can help you search and ask around. What's their name?"

"Nobu. He's a tall man with black hair."

Himari was now staring at them. "Nobu...?" Her voice was weak and hoarse.

Sachi ran to Himari's side. "Yes Himari. It's me Sachi and we were with Nobu, do you know where he is?"

Tears fell down Himari's cheeks as she let out a wail of agony. Sachi was taken aback, not sure how to react. Himari's hands shook as she clutched the black feather in her hand, catching Sachi's attention. 

Himari's heart felt as if it were ripping in all directions. The guilt was overwhelming, the pain insufferable, the memory too vivid.

Itsuki ran over and embraced Himari, trying to calm her down. Himari resisted the touch, but Itsuki held on, gently humming and caressing Himari's head. "You're okay... You're safe..." 

When Himari finally calmed down, they laid her to bed and left the room.

"I hate to say this Sachi, but I think something bad happened to your other friend..."

"I think you're right... This is all my fault..." Sachi's heart felt heavy. She backed away when her friend needed her. She wasn't there when her friend needed her most. She felt like such a failure. Tears started to spill from Sachi's eyes. She felt so helpless, so useless. 

Itsuki noticed Sachi's tears. "Hey, not you too." She grabbed Sachi's face and forced their eyes to meet. "I don't know what you or your friends have been through, but right now your friend needs you. You're the only one that knows her and the only one that can get through to her. I don't know what you think is your fault, but you can't give up. Not on her and not on yourself. Do you got that?"

Sachi blinked her tears away and sniffled. "I don't know what to do..."

Itsuki smiled. "I don't know either. This is something only you can do." She let go of Sachi's face. "How about I fetch us some breakfast?" Itsuki took off to the kitchen.

Sachi stood alone in the hallway, staring at Himari's door. "Something only I can do?"