Awaken

Endless thoughts stop in a well of darkness. Senses heightened by the scent of incense. A scent so pleasant, it gave life to a dazed Nozomi. From her somnolent state bore relief in dim candlelight. Her eyelids roused onto the ceiling illuminated by golden candlelight where she peered from left to right. Warm shades of red betwixt light and darkness in a room of intricate trinkets. One is a desk of incredible carpentry in which the likes she had never seen. Its legs uniquely carved and its coloration of a dark brown hue. Its knobs perhaps made of gold and its symbol of a chrysanthemum.

“What is this place?” She thought. She continued to carefully observe the unfamiliar dimensions of the room. Lanterns made of beautiful glass where the candle basks in its solace. It dances while she silently observes from a distance. In fascination, she outlines the complex patterns embedded in the glass– like painted drawings, they dance along the walls. Yet, shimmered light –dim– surrounds the room, the receded darkness engulfs the faded, forever in an endless movement of losses and gains between lighted illumination.

A quilt made from odd embroidery and white sheets of bedding envelop her. Bright red colors catch her eyes like the room around her. Pillows made of soft fibers stitched together with expertise. On the outermost layer is an emblem of a black shield and crossed swords. Its touch reminiscent of fine silk differed from the linen quilt. Under the shield is a series of ribbons of odd writings. She paid no mind to the scripture for Nozomi only entertained her peace and quiet.

“It’s so soft… I have never felt something like this…” She thought. A howl of exhaustion emptied from her mouth while her body yearned for relief. Her body stretched outward from the bed sheets and out to the cold air. Clothes unknown to her bare her skin. A white nightgown made from linen felt from her wrist down to her knees. Exquisite and soft, she thought herself as a princess of a foreign kingdom.

“I feel like I can sleep forever…” She thought. Found suspended under the relief of linen and silk, returned to a comfort she savored for too long– too great to part from where she covered a portion of her face up to her eyes. The softness of the bed and pillow became an afterthought, for it became a fight of self loathing or wonder. Nozomi continued to observe the room with a closer observation. Slowly sat up from the warm linen where she laid eyes on a slumbered man. Eyes shut and sound asleep, Nozomi recognizes him as Mamoru despite his appearance.

“What happened to your hair, Mamoru? Nozomi gently strokes his cheek . Why is he so different… But it doesn’t matter, does it?” She said out loud to herself. A sense of ease in showers over her by the look of Mamoru. Someone familiar. She thought of Mimi by looking at Mamoru which painted a sadness on her face.

“I suppose not.” Someone said softly. Startled, Nozomi jumps up in awakened awareness. Out from the warm quilt she quickly looks around the seemingly large room of darkness in a dim light from the only candle in the chamber. In the distance, a wardrobe remains hidden by the shadows and only a faint light shines only but a portion of its body. Upon closer inspection, there is much more than the wardrobe. Mirrors— from those mirrors, a reflection of light and a figure made out to be a woman.

“I did not mean to startle you, Hero Nozomi from another world.” From darkness, Eda emerged in the same robes of white and beige. A dress of splendor and elegance covered her from head to toe. Graceful blonde hair moves from side to side. A headpiece covered her eyes, yet it never impeded on her stride in which placed Nozomi on guard.

“Please be at ease. I am not your enemy.” Eda said in a delicate tone. Almost angelic.

“Who are you? And where am I? Nozomi asked in hostility. Her arm in a defensive position, unable to find her motive in why she was on guard. A sense of dread. An aura of power made Nozomi fearful and uncontrollably quiver in terror.

“Ah. My apologies. I have yet to introduce myself.” Eda said in calm. She bows lightly– her head slightly faces the floor. Her grace remains idle. A face of confusion yet remained defensive. “My name is Eda. Great sage of the great kingdom of Gegar. I am happy to finally meet you, Hero Nozomi.”

“Hero?” Nozomi asked. She lowers her arm down to the bed.

“Yes. You have been summoned to save our world from oblivion.”

“You…It’s all because of you!” She yelled out. Eda stood in silence. A fit of rage consumes her being. “It’s because of you we’re stuck here! Because of you, I have to fight some battle I know nothing about! And because of you… I have lost my best friend. Someone I’d loved like family! Why…? Why would I fight for you after all that’s happened?” The outburst alarmed Eda for a split second. Anger felt by the sound of Nozomi’s frightened voice. Completely embraced by sorrow. Eda, on the other hand, stood firm. A plight Eda knew all too well, saddened by Nozomi’s emotional turmoil yet kept her wits about her.

“Hero Mamoru,” Eda began. Still calm. Her voice made of soothing honey. So much so she stepped forward while having Nozomi’s full attention. “Such a commendable person…respectable. Incredibly loyal as well. Much so he stayed with you all this time. Nozomi turned to witness his slumbered person– calm and breath remained in rhythm.

“It is quite simple. “I know Mamoru would be mortified to see you in chains. As well as your companions. It would be nonsense to not accept your fate. Forever chained and locked away until your dying days. I say this not for only the future of Gegar, but for your own well-being.

You must fight because there is no one else who can in this world. If you would refuse your calling, you may lose your only chance to know why your friend was stripped away from you.”

“I understand your desire to go home, however the risk of refusing, in the king’s eyes, is betrayal, and King Tartarus does not take betrayal lightly. Out of all the people of your world, you have been chosen– chosen for a reason. I would like to remind you of that.”

“I bid you farewell for now, Hero Nozomi.” Eda disappears within the darkness. Light peered into her room and the squeak from the door. “As for Hero Mamoru, keep him close. He cares much for you.” “I will be waiting for your answer. Meet with your retainer in the morning and we will proceed.” There was nothing else said. A door opened and closed shut where there was nothing but silence afterwards.

Despite the comfort of linen and silk, she lamented her friend in earnest. Nozomi thought about it long and hard. Her mind focused on Mimi. Her memories. Fond moments where she almost crashes in tears. However Mamoru still slept, weary from his watch all day and all night. Nozomi gently pats his head. Her eyes become gentle and teary eyed. Hesitant for a moment, the weight of her choice was perfectly clear. Her mind was set.