World of Feathers

The city reeked of smoke and blood.

Tatsuchi Kuroainaru was just three. Too small to understand what was happening, yet too old to ignore the screaming. 

Red light spilled into the streets. Walls cracked. People ran. Some screamed. Some fell. Explosions shook the ground. Metal clanged. 
Flames consumed everything. Shadows flickered in every corner.
A cold hand grabbed her.

Her mother’s face appeared. Eyes wide and steady. “Hold on to me.”

Tatsuchi clung. Heat licked at their heels. Smoke choked her lungs. Screams filled the streets. Somewhere above, she saw a figure move. Hooded. Silent. Still.
She turned her head back to her bedroom, she saw a child, someone else who needed saving.
Him. I know it was him. I don’t know who he is. But I know I left him there.
“Go back. Get him.”
Her mother frowned but didn’t argue. She ran. Held her tight. They escaped.

Tatsuchi woke up in her bed. Sheets smelled of smoke and wet cloth. Her chest heaved. Hands trembled. Kiyoko, her mother, stood in the doorway. “You’re awake,” she said. Just words. No warmth. Tatsuchi rubbed her eyes. She remembered the fire. The hand. The figure. She’d left something, or someone, in that room. She couldn’t remember.

Maybe one day I’ll remember. Or maybe it doesn’t matter. Things left behind tend to bite you later anyway. “Get dressed,” Kiyoko said. “Make your way to the gates.”

Tatsuchi rolled out of bed. Muscles stiff. Mind faster than her body. Sheets still warm from her mother’s care. She rubbed her eyes. Glanced at the doorway. Kiyoko was watching. Tatsuchi pressed her lips into a thin line. Eyes narrowed. Chest rose with anger and confusion. 

A strange itch for control. She let out a low sigh. Shrugged. Stone-cold mask back in place. “Whatever,” she said calmly. Dreams or memories. Who cares?If it matters, I’ll find out myself. She got dressed. Kimono perfect. Sword at her side. Every motion precise. Untouchable.

The staff look, they notice, they bow. And I don’t care. If they wanted respect, they should earn it. The halls of the Kuroainaru estate stirred. Staff and guards all about the resident. Nods. Murmurs. She ignored them. Steps measured. Eyes glinting.

Even at ten, she was a prodigy. Zyn flow and control beyond her age. Fourteen, valedictorian of Saint Eve’s Private Junior Academy for Gifted Girls. Eighteen, top of the Royal Academy of the Gifted Arts. Normally, students finished in their mid- to late-twenties. Not her. Instinct and raw skill. Her father’s training was brutal. To her, she was the closest to become the strongest. She will soon be proven wrong. 

The gates of the August Castle loomed. The 3 suns caught banners. As the shadows stretched, Tatsuchi stood. She led outside. Her yellow kimono swayed. 

Asumi Yamikumei walked beside her. Hands tucked into sleeves. Smirked. “You act like they’re crawling on the ground for you.” “They basically are,” Tatsuchi said, a spark of amusement. Zhenyu Mori trailed behind, “Insufferable as always.” 

“You say that like it’s news,” Asumi laughed, “One day she’ll snap someone in half and complain about their manners.”

Zhenyu shook his head. “I don’t want to be around when she decides manners are optional.” Tatsuchi smirked faintly. “Relax. I’ve got manners.” The streets of Phoenixis moved around them. Vendors shouted. Children ran between legs. 

Soldiers drilled. It was a normal day in th3 capital of Avethryn, The Land of The Brids.“Do you ever get used to this?” Asumi whispered. “The city waking up, all of this…” Tasuchi slowed her pace for a moment, “You notice the rest, maybe, but it doesn’t matter.”

Zhenyu watched rooftops. “Some never get used to it. I remember the smell of smoke. Every day.”
Asumi went silent. Tatsuchi kept walking. Shoulders straight. Steps measured.
The massive gates rose. Imperial Guards inspected, recognized them, and stepped aside. 

August Castle corridors stretched ahead. Polished floors reflected sunlight. Life moved orderly. At the end, Adam Kusuri the 2nd, 36th King of the Land of the Birds. Calm and commanding, he made the room feel small and heavy.

“You’ve arrived. I pray your short journey uneventful?”
Tatsuchi stepped forward with he4 head high. “Yes, Your Majesty..”
Adam inclined his head. “I have gathered new information and have decided on a mission only fit for the 13th Gate Guard.” he said, voice steady, “The Revolutionary Army quietly moves again. We've been finding bountys around the outskirts of our nation that seems to be targeting higher nobles.” 

“Targets? Like assassinations?” “Yes. Bounties on nobles. People who have influence over provinces."

Asumi kneeled, “And you want us to handle it?” “Yes. Find the one placing the bountys specifically and stop them. See what they know. Bring anything useful. Discretion is key.”
Tatsuchi smirked. “Hunt and interrogate. Sounds simple enough.” Asumi whistled. “Sounds fun.”
Zhenyu nodded. “So we should report back if useful. If not still stop them.”
“Good,” Adam said. “be careful.”
Tatsuchi bowed. “Understood. We won’t fail.”

Adam inclined his head. “I know.” The road opened onto the outskirts of the capital. Their destination? Garudon’s southern coast.  Tatsuchi’s boots crunched gravel. Hand brushed hilt. Eyes scanned. Muscles tense. Every sense alert. Asumi walked beside her. Arms folded. “Mercenaries don’t usually hide so clise to the big citys. Must be planning something big." 

Tatsuchi said nothing. Jaw tightened.

Then it hit. 

Sharp and twisting. Stabbing in her side. She stumbled. Hands clutching herself.
Blood. No. 
Pain. Yes. 
Nothing. This keeps happening. Why now? Why here?
“Again?” Asumi asked. Eyes narrow.
Tatsuchi’s lips pressed tight. Mask back. Stone-cold. Shook her head. Kept walking. Learned long ago not to show weakness.

Hills grew steeper and shadows grew longer. All three suns dipped lower. Ahead. Mercenaries. Small group. Armed. Moving between tents. Unaware.

Tatsuchi crouched. Eyes flicked over every movement, gesture, glint of steel. 
Asumi whispered, “First move, or watch?”
Tatsuchi hardened her gaze. “Stop them. Find what they know. Leave nothing.”
Zhenyu nodded. Shoulders tight.

Suns dipped lower. Shadows stretched long.

The hunt had begun.