To Breathe Again

Itsuki and Isamu quietly carried Sachi and Kasumi through the castle looking for an exit.

Soldiers and officials roamed the once deserted halls after hearing the ruckus Itsuki had caused before.

"The princess is missing!"

"There are intruders in the castle!"

"Find them at once!"

"They can't have gotten far!"

Isamu's body tensed with stressed. "There's no end to them..."

"Kasumi, do you know where the exit is?" Itsuki asked.

Kasumi shook her head. "I've never left the castle."

Itsuki groaned. "Great... We have one doofus who's never been in the castle even though he's a solider and another who's only ever been in the castle."

Isamu glared. "I don't see you making any contributions here so you're not one to talk either."

Kasumi pointed over Itsuki's shoulder. "There."

Itsuki and Isamu followed Kasumi's finger. A door formed in the direction she pointed.

Isamu stared in disbelief. "That's a little creepy not gonna lie."

Itsuki and Isamu entered the door as it disappeared behind them. 

Isamu watched the door fade behind them. "Yup. Creepy."

Itsuki looked around the familiar surroundings. They were back in the dungeon. "Why here of all places?"

"This is the only place without any people moving around." Kasumi answered.

"Huh? How do you know that?" Itsuki asked.

"I can just tell." Kasumi stared blankly as if this were some normal ability. 

Isamu laid Sachi down on the ground. "I mean, it was obvious the kids magic was really strong, but this is ridiculous."

Itsuki looked at Isamu. "What are you talking about?"

Isamu looked back at Itsuki. "Ah that's right. You're not properly trained so you wouldn't know. Those with really strong powers can see the strength of other people's magic. But even though you're stronger than me, you can't see it because you're not at a high level."

Itsuki scoffed as she let Kasumi down. "Wow thanks, how kind of you to say."

Kasumi wandered off around the corner out of curiosity.

Isamu chuckled a bit. "I'm not making fun. You are strong Itsuki and if you trained a bit more then maybe you'd see it too."

"Are you telling me you can see these magic levels?"

"I can. Not because I'm strong though. Every soldier here is trained to see it regardless of their own powers. It's so we can spot potential threats."

"How were you trained for that?"

"Oh, don't get me started. It's awful. You're better off waiting for it to naturally happen."

"What do my levels look like?"

"I can see your energy takes up the entire space of your body. Usually, people are considered high level when their energy pours out of their body. Like the child. Her energy basically takes up the entire room and- Where did she go?"

Itsuki looked around and Kasumi wasn't in sight. "She couldn't have gotten far."

Itsuki was about to turn the corner when Sachi began to groan awake.

Itsuki rushed to Sachi's side. "Sachi? Are you okay?"

Sachi's eyes slowly blinked open. She tried to sit up with Isamu's help, hissing in pain with every movement. "What happened?"

Itsuki bowed her head to Sachi. "I am so so sorry Sachi. I acted in an unacceptable way, and I caused you harm when all you were doing was trying to be a good friend. I can't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know how sorry I am."

Sachi breathed weakly. "I'm sorry that I couldn't have been a better friend to stop this from happening."

Itsuki raised her head. "What are you apologizing for? It wasn't even remotely your fault. The fault lies completely with me. You acted in a way that is more than I deserve, and I treated you horribly. I really am sorry for hurting you and for letting my anger get the better of me."

"I know you were hurting too. I should've realized it sooner. Should've handled it better." 

Itsuki shook her head. "No. You handled it in the best way. I was just too blind to see your kindness."

Sachi smiled. "I'll forgive you on one condition."

"What?"

"That you call me your friend again."

Itsuki laughed in disbelief and hugged Sachi. "Of course you're my friend. You're such a perfect friend that I'm lucky to have."

Sachi winced in pain. "Ow ow ow. I'm glad we're friends again, but being slammed into a wall hurts more than it looks."

Itsuki pulled back. "Of course, I'm sorry."

Sachi and Itsuki looked at each other and laughed.

"Slammed into a wall...?" Isamu butted in.

Itsuki shooed him away. "Not now."

"Uh. Excuse me. But could you tell me where I am?" A strange voice called out to them.

The three of them looked up to see a random man in anti-magic shackles standing before them.

Isamu jumped in fright from the surprise. 

"I thought we were the only ones here." Itsuki said confused.

Another stranger turned the corner. "Could you tell us how to get out of here please?"

Sachi looked around. "This is the dungeon..." She looked back at the strangers before them, noticing the anti-magic shackles. "Are you the prisoners?"

"Huh? But the prisoners are turned to stone... Unless." Isamu turned the corner and took off running.

Sachi and Itsuki exchanged glances of confusion. Itsuki helped Sachi up and they slowly followed Isamu. When they finally reached Isamu, the sight before them washed away the disgusting weight of the capital.

Kasumi knelt before each of the petrified prisoners and undid the stone trapping them with her magic. The stone washed off the prisoners as easily as blowing dust off an old book, breathing life into them once again. 

Itsuki understood what Isamu was saying about Kasumi's power. She knew the prisoners were petrified by dark earth magic, but no matter how she tried she couldn't separate the magic trapping them from the prisoner's life energy that was entwined to it. For this small child to do it in seconds as if it were nothing left Itsuki speechless.

Isamu looked back to Itsuki. "See. What I tell you?"

Itsuki nodded, no words finding its way from her mouth.

"What are you talking about?" Sachi asked.

Itsuki blinked back into reality. "Oh. Isamu says that Kasumi has really strong magical energy, far greater than any normal person it would seem."

Kasumi continued wandering cell by cell freeing the prisoners at a rapid pace.

"That's it!" Sachi exclaimed and then quickly groaned from the pain her excitement caused.

"What's it?" Itsuki asked as she helped sit Sachi down.

Sachi put the pieces together in her head. "I couldn't figure out why all those officials would need to use Kasumi as their ruler. Obviously, it has something to do with her power if it's that strong."

Itsuki thought for a moment. "It makes sense that they're using her for her power, but doesn't explain why she's their princess. I mean not to be morbid, but they could still use her without making her a ruler."

Sachi scratched her head. "You're right, it still doesn't explain everything."

"Probably because the officials have very little magic themselves." A familiar voice called out from behind them.

Itsuki and Isamu turned around slowly, eyes wide to see their once petrified father was now standing before them.

Isamu quickly ran over to his father, arms outstretched for an embrace. Itsuki slowly stood up from the ground, not sure if what she was seeing was real. After three long years, was this really the moment she was waiting for?

Sachi noticed behind Itsuki's father was Kasumi standing all by herself gripping her mother's pillow. Sachi forced herself to get up to go over to Kasumi and to let Itsuki and Isamu have a moment alone. 

-

Isamu squeezed his father tight, refusing to let go in fear that it would all disappear. His father held him tight, pouring all his love into the hug.

Itsuki stood frozen. For so long she had to act tough and have everything together. For so long she pretended she didn't care. For so long she pushed her true emotions to the side to protect herself from feeling the pain of loss. But she didn't have to act tough anymore, she didn't have to pretend anymore, she didn't have to run away anymore. Before she realized it, tears had already begun to fall.

Itsuki's father held out his arm, welcoming her into his embrace. Itsuki ran into her father's arms as if she were a child again. She grabbed ahold hoping it wasn't a cruel joke. Immediately she could feel the warmth and love seep from her father. It felt like a dream come true.

-

Sachi walked over to Kasumi and kneeled before her. "What's a matter Kasumi?"

Kasumi's teary eyes looked into Sachi's. "Mama isn't here. I thought if I undid the magic, maybe mama would show up. Was I wrong again?"

Sachi's heart ached for the girl who missed her mother. Sachi gave Kasumi a hug, patting her back in attempts to soothe her as she cried herself tired. "No, you weren't wrong. You did a good thing. A very good thing."

-

Itsuki and Isamu's father, Kenji, finally pulled away from the hug. "Listen kids, I've missed you dearly, but I have also very much missed breathing the air."

Isamu chuckled. "What are you talking about?"

"I mean it. Being petrified in stone is no fun. It's stiff and restricting, my back is already aching from it. Not to mention it feels like you're holding your breath the whole time. Being able to properly breathe again is truly wonderful." Kenji whined.

Itsuki and Isamu laughed. It was as if nothing had changed. Their dad was still the dad they knew.

Sachi walked over with a sleeping Kasumi cradled in her arms. 

Kenji smiled at the small child. "So, this is the princess. What a poor unfortunate child."

"Why do you say that?" Isamu questioned.

Kenji sighed. "Though I was trapped in stone, my senses were not dulled. I could hear the officials talk about how to manipulate the girl and brag about how they abused her. It was sickening to listen to and devastating to not be able to do anything about it."

Itsuki's heart twisted. She felt no better than those slimy officials. She placed her hated for the corrupt on the poor girl and tried to harm an innocent child.

Sachi spoke up. "You said earlier that the officials don't have a lot of magic themselves. What were you talking about?"

Kenji looked at Isamu. "I'm not a strong magic user myself, but surely you can see it can't you son?"

Isamu thought back to the chamber from before. "I didn't realize it until now but you're right. I remember barely seeing any magical energy from them."

"This capital is built by weak officials who use the power of others to get higher up." Kenji explained. "It wasn't always like this though. Way before you kids were born, the capital was once a small land of royals. Those with royal blood were said to be able to control the entire earth. Exaggeration of course, but the royals were unnaturally gifted with strength. The weak powered, however, thought it unfair that they were just born with strong powers while others had to train hard for it, so the weak burned the castle to the ground. All those with royal blood died, except one. A little girl. The weak magic users decided to use the child as the face of the capital, giving the illusion that the capital was still run by royal blood. But in reality, they were making all the decisions. Once the child was old enough, they would force her to bear children. And when a new child of royal blood was born, they would kill off the previous one before they grew too old to understand how the capital worked."

Sachi, Itsuki, and Isamu listened to Kenji's story with great disgust.

Sachi looked at Kasumi's sleeping figure. "So, Kasumi's mother is gone?"

Kenji nodded. "Most likely."

"How do you even know all this?" Isamu's voice shook.

"Before I was arrested and turned to stone. I was able to join a group of resistance fighters, in hopes to find Isamu. But I ended up learning so much more about this place. Not to mention, the officials like to brag and show themselves off to us prisoners whenever they come down to the dungeon."

Itsuki took a deep breath. "So, the reason they use her as a ruler even though they're doing all the work is just for appearances?"

Kenji nodded. "Not only that, but because the capital was once the home of those with royal blood. The capital and castle itself react strongly to that royal blood. The castle and the walls that surround the capital are made from the royal's power, they can only keep extending their territory and building more buildings with the girls magic."

"What if we take her away from the capital?" Sachi asked.

Kenji smiled gently. "I was just about to ask that you do that... Itsuki, Isamu take the child home and tell your mom that I'm well."

"But what about you?" Itsuki asked.

"I'll stay here. I'll regroup with the resistance and take back the capital from those pathetic excuses of officials." Kenji explained.

Itsuki's breath quickened. "What are you talking about? We have just been reunited, and you want to separate again?!"

Kenji tried to calm Itsuki down. "Itsuki, think of the bigger picture. If we truly want to be together again, in a peaceful world, then changes must be made. And we can't make those changes if we don't do anything."

Isamu who had been quiet finally spoke up. "Dad's right Itsuki. After what he went through. What I went through. What that kid has gone through. I can't stand by and do nothing." Isamu took his helmet and armor off. "I'll stay here too. I'll join the resistance and join in on the uprising."

Kenji turned to Isamu. "I can't let you do that son. It'll be dangerous."

Isamu laughed. "Dangerous to take on low level magic users? Don't make me laugh."

"They may be weak, but they also hold some of the child's magic. There's no doubt that they have been able to manipulate the child into giving them powers. It's the only explanation to the petrification and the binding contracts. We shouldn't take them lightly." Kenji warned.

Isamu's eyes filled with determination as his voice turned serious. "Then that's all the more reason I should stay. I should fight for my freedom. I won't let you dissuade me."

Kenji nodded. "Very well. Itsuki, can we trust the child in your care?"

Itsuki couldn't believe her ears. "You can't possibly expect me to leave if you both stay?"

Isamu put his hand on Itsuki's shoulder. "You have to. You need to protect both the child and Sachi. You're the only one that can."

Kenji blinked in confusion. "Who's Sachi?"

Itsuki and Isamu stared blankly at their father.

"I'm Sachi." Sachi spoke up.

Kenji looked at Sachi. "Oh sorry. Hello, it's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." Sachi replied.

Itsuki and Isamu awkwardly laughed. Their dad was indeed still their dad.

Itsuki smiled. "Okay, I'll take care of them both. Only if you both promise to come home once this is all over." 

"Yes ma'am!" Kenji and Isamu said together.

Itsuki, Isamu, and Kenji came together for another group hug to say their goodbyes.

Kenji kissed Itsuki's forehead. "Be safe my child."

Itsuki wrapped her arms around her father and brother tightly. "You better come home."