What Does This Mean? I'm Just a Normal Teenager, Aren't I?

Ayame, Atsuko, Shiro, and Natsumi all walked past a park, which brought back many memories from their childhood.

It caused a mysterious wave of nostalgia to wash over them. They then all looked at Ayame, whose expression seemed distant, “What’s wrong Ayame?” Shiro asked her.

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re lying,” Atsuko and Natsumi replied.

Ayame got nervous, because she felt like she was getting attacked by them.

“It’s nothing, like I said Atsuko,” she retorted.

“Guys get off her case please,” Shiro said as he adjusted his glasses.

Natsumi nodded, “Yes sir,” she stated as she wiped drool from her mouth.

Atsuko groaned in irritation. “Damn, you’re annoying.”

Ayame stared at them as they began to argue, and for some reason she had a feeling that these times were going to be over soon. Almost like she was about to find out the truth of something. Maybe what they’ve been hiding from her. Have they been hiding anything from her in the first place? A tear ran down her cheek and they got scared.

“See, I knew something was wrong with you!” Atsuko yelled at Ayame.

“I- I- I told you that nothing was wrong,” she said as her voice cracked. “I’m fine.”

She began to cry more, and Shiro sighed. “Atsuko why did you yell at her?”

“I did nothing wrong. I just said something was wrong with her.”

“And she said nothing was.”

Natsumi hugged Ayame, “It’ll be okay Ayame. Just tell us what’s on your mind.”

“It’s just, just, I’ve been having a feeling that the end of these times will arrive soon. I don’t know why, but I don’t want it to end. Then there’s the fact that I think you guys have been hiding things from me. So please tell me what you’re hiding.”

They all looked at each other with worried expressions, “Ayame listen, there is something we’re hiding from you, but please understand we’re doing this for your own good. We don’t want to lose you either,” Natsumi said with sincerity.

“But why are you hiding things from me? When we were younger, you all promised me that you wouldn’t hide anything from me, so why? Please tell me why.”

They noticed that she was getting panicked, “You’re all just liars,” Ayame stated to them.

“I’m sorry Ayame,” Atsuko replied to her.

“Don’t apologize to her, just tell her the truth Atsuko,” another voice said.

They all got surprised to see that Kikyo took over Ayame’s body. Atsuko got nervous as Kikyo started walking towards her, “Listen Kikyo I can explain,” she said.

“Like I said, enough excuses. Tell her the truth Atsuko, or I will.”

“We were going to tell her tonight after the dinner. I’m going to make sure to hide nothing.”

“Ayame is definitely getting frantic, and her birthday is next week as well. If they send her off without telling her anything, then she and I would both die.”

“You’re right, but I’ve made up my mind. I am going with Ayame.”

“With both of us going, then she would be fine,” Kikyo reassured, but her statement didn’t seem to be sure. Almost as if she didn’t believe her own statement.

“Kikyo, what’s wrong?” Atsuko asked.

“Nothing, just I’m having a bad feeling about this.”

“We all are,” Shiro replied. “But the thing is, if anyone is more capable for helping Ayame out on this journey it’s Tsukiyama. It is the duty of the Vermillion Bird to help guide the White Tiger to salvation. Her ancestor Homura wanted her bloodline to do just that.”

“Not to mention the possibility of those branching timelines from that singularity. It’s going to be hard on her when she finds out the truth of everything. Ayame is a pure girl, this isn’t for her to do but it’s already been written in the stars. We can’t deny fate either,” Natsumi replied.

“I know that, but there has to be a way,” Kikyo said.

“That Katsumi boy is the way,” Atsuko stated. “Listen Kikyo we can help Ayame, but we can only do so much. I have faith that we will pull through this. You and I will share our body, then we will protect Ayame together.”

“Okay, Atsuko I trust you, but if something comes up when we go there, I will stop at nothing to help her. I know you will do the same.”

I’m my own separate entity, no one knows that besides me. I don’t know my exact origins, but if I stay with Ayame then maybe I’d be able to find out. I want to know the truth of the situation, and why are there going to be multiple timelines from that singularity, Kikyo thought as she looked around at everyone. But the most important thing who is this Katsumi boy? What part does he play into Ayame’s life?

“Kikyo we’re going to need you to take over Ayame’s body, but only halfway,” Atsuko began to explain.

“Okay, but why?”

“It’ll help her process the situation a little better. Ayame’s smart, but when she’s panicking or confused, she doesn’t make the right decisions. You’ll be the one to keep her calm.”

“I guess you have a point,” Kikyo agreed. Her stomach rumbled. “Well, I’ll be here if you need me, now, get Ayame something to eat.”

Atsuko sighed in exhaustion, “I swear she’s like a black hole.”

Kikyo giggled. “That you may have a good point on. Okay, I’ll see you guys later though.”

Ayame’s features then returned, and she seemed calmer, but no one thought that she was. Ayame was always an outcast and them hiding this secret was making her feel like she was just that. But could she trust them? She doesn’t know why she’s feeling like this. They’re her friends, and she should trust them. She can’t though.

“I’m sorry…” Ayame mumbled under her breath.

“For what?” they all asked.

“I don’t know… I can’t figure out what’s wrong, but I’m sorry you guys.”

“I see,” Shiro replied to her. “Ayame don’t worry, tonight will be the last time we ever hide a secret from you. I know you’re hungry, so let’s go get something to eat.”

She’s shy, a nervous train wreck, not to mention young and frail, but she’s strong in spirit. That’s why I chose her, she’s the one who shall inherit my Kami-Komora, and my secret technique. Ayame Akiyama you are a child of three worlds, Past, present, and future. It is your destiny to either create or destroy, you must decide what you want to do or everything you love will be erased. Defy fate and choose your own path my Cursed Iris.

Ayame heard the words as she walked with the others, “I am a child of three worlds? Past, present, and future?” she asked confused. “Defy fate and choose my own path…”

Everyone saw her expression, “You look like you just heard a weird sentence,” Atsuko noted.

“Oh, you’ve noticed?”

Ayame thought about what she just heard, and she looked at the others. “Atsuko, Shiro, Natsumi, quick question.”

“What’s up?” they all said.

She hesitated for a moment, then she fought up the courage to ask. “Do you guys believe in fate? If you do, then do you believe that you can defy it?”

They all stared at her as if she were crazy. Which isn’t anything new, Ayame always asked out of the ordinary questions, but this one was even crazier. Why would you think anyone can defy what’s written in stone? Once you’re born, it’s decided what’s going to happen with your life. There is no fighting it, so why did that voice tell her to defy it and choose her own path.

Ayame got nervous, and she seemed to shrink. “I’m sorry it was a dumb question…”

“No, it wasn’t,” Shiro retorted.

“It was an interesting question for sure,” Natsumi answered.

“Hmm,” Atsuko stated while making a thoughtful gesture. “Fate can be a tricky thing, but yeah I think you can fight it,” she replied.

They all got surprised at her answer, but she continued. “I mean my mind is always to think that I should live my life as I want to. If someone wants to control my life, then they can have what they’ve decided. I’m going to choose to make my own. It’s my life, and if someone controls it then it’s not my life at all, it’s some scripted play to be honest.”

If someone wants to control my life, then they can have what they’ve decided. I’m going to choose to make my own. It’s my life, and if someone controls it then it’s not my life at all, it’s some scripted play to be honest, Ayame repeated in her thoughts as she looked at Atsuko with a new light in her eyes.

Atsuko noticed her expression, and she smiled. “Ayame, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Atsuko you are amazing,” Ayame replied.

“Kind of a first time for everything,” Ayame mumbled. The comment made Atsuko’s heart shatter, she pouted which made Ayame feel bad.

“I was joking… Atsuko you’re always amazing.”

“Still, that was quite the interesting answer Tsukiyama,” Shiro noted.

They all got closer to Ayame’s home, and they stopped just short of the door. When they did a slight breeze passed over. The breeze had a slightly ominous feeling to it, and that made Ayame’s skin crawl.

“Why does the breeze feel evil?” she asked.

“How can a breeze feel evil?” Atsuko asked as she giggled.

“I don’t know, it just does,” Ayame snapped at her.

I have such a bad feeling right now, It’s almost as if something or someone is watching me, Ayame thought as she looked around.

“Shut the hell up you stupid bimbo!” A voice yelled from inside Ayame’s home. After it did a knife pierced the door, and that scared all of them, well besides Atsuko.

“Seems like she’s mad before dinner, nothing new though,” Atsuko stated exasperated.

“I’m tired of this! You and me, right here, right now!”

They opened the door, “Mom stop it!” Atsuko said.

“I’m tired of this bitch, I want to put her in her place.”

Her hands became surrounded by a weird light, and it surprised Ayame. “What is that?”

Hiro and Akane noticed, “Both of you need to calm down,” Akane stated in shock.

Maki shot a beam of light at Keiko, and it went through the wall to the outside.

“What is happening? What was that?” Ayame questioned yet again.

“This is bad,” Shiro noted, and he knocked Ayame out with a simple pinch of a nerve on the neck.

Keiko retaliated as she shot an icicle at Maki, which she melted promptly.

“Stupid Ice Witch, your magic could never beat me,” Maki replied.

Akane looked at Hiro as he took off his glasses. “Can you stop them?”

“Fine, although I’d rather for them to finish this stupid spat of theirs. We couldn’t even finish missions when we were younger because of them,” he said as he became surrounded by a black light.

Keiko felt his presence and that made her nervous. She caused the icicles to disappear, and she began to shiver. “I apologize Hiro. Maki got to me.”

“Shut up, you dumb bitch,” Maki replied. “You’re just mad because I’m better than you.”

“…..” Keiko stared at Maki with a disdainful expression.

“Want some more, ice pop?”

“Shut the hell up!” Keiko was about to attack, but Hiro stopped her.

“Maki, you really messed up here. Not only has Ayame seen your magic, but who is to say that she doesn’t know that it exists now. She was ignorant to this side of the world, and your little spat exposed everything.”

“Hiro has a point Maki,” Akane agreed. “I know I shouldn’t have hidden this side of the world from Ayame, but it was for her own good. Plus, the time wasn’t right; tonight, was going to be the night I told her, but maybe it’s not a good time.”

“Her birthday is next week, though.”

“I know that, but I know she isn’t ready,” Akane stated.

Atsuko, Shiro, and Natsumi all looked at each other, “Ms. Akiyama, I just wanted to let you know that we’ve decided to tell her the truth tonight,” Shiro stated.

Hiro put on his glasses, and he chuckled. “They’re a lot better than us. I can definitely say that.”

“No, we’re not. We’ve hidden this world from Ayame too, we lied to her, we continued to keep secrets from her, and it hurts to do her like this,” Natsumi said as she grabbed her right arm.

The room became tense as they all looked at Ayame, it was almost as if they all felt the guilt from doing their part of protecting Ayame from this.

“My family are dragons descended from one of the Dragon Emperors. This has always been our fate; we all knew that one day there would be a time where one of us would have to answer the call. I wish it had been me instead of her but considering the amount of spirit energy they sensed from Ayame when she was born and the reaction of the sword then I expected this to come.”

“Interesting, and Atsuko you stated that you wanted to take in that Kikyo spirit inside of Ayame, so you’d be able to travel back with Ayame to that time period,” Maki asked with a worried tone.

Atsuko stared at the floor. “Yes, but…”

“Honey, you know I will never try and stop you from wanting to help Ayame. I’m willing to support you in every way. Homura would’ve supported this, and it’s time for you to spread your wings.”

They hugged each other, “Even though we’re dysfunctional, we’re a good group,” Keiko said with a smile.

Maki looked at her and they locked eyes.

“Something we finally agree on.”

The Four Guardians together, both young and old are carrying a heavy burden. Now can they all pass it on to Ayame and Atsuko? The Iris and the Feather, they are living in a world that no one knows about. It’s their responsibility to protect it from harm, both past and future.

“Well, it’s time to wake up Ayame, we need to eat, and then get to telling her the truth,” Atsuko stated as she shook Ayame’s shoulder.

“This really sucks, ya know?” a voice echoed.

Ayame opened her eyes, but she noticed that it was still dark. Almost as if she were in her subconscious, “I haven’t been here in forever,” she voiced, and it echoed as well.

“I know you heard me Ayame!” the voice yelled again.

“Yeah, I heard you, but I don’t know who you are.”

“I’m you,” it said as another version of Ayame appeared.

It had a similar appearance to her, but almost inverted and almost dragon-like.

“What is going on? Why do you look like a dragon?”

“Father is going on, but if I’m being perfectly honest, I don’t want to do what he wants. I want to do what I want. Also put two and two together.”

Ayame got confused, “Father?” she questioned. “I thought he died when I was born.”

“That’s funny, nah they’ve lied to you about him. Our father is somewhere out there, and he’s the reason why we are what we are.”

Ayame gave her a blank stare. “That literally made no sense…”

“It did, you’re just an idiot.”

“That makes you one too.”

They both stared at each other, “Listen to me, me. We have no time to joke like this. We’re different from everyone, you already knew this. But there’s another thing that makes us even more different,” her other self said.

“And what is that?”

“It’s our fate. I know you’ve asked that question before about it, but there’s more to this. We’re a mix of three races and the child of three worlds. Life for us was never going to be easy, not in the slightest.”

“There it is again. What does it mean to be a child of three worlds?”

“I wish I knew myself but sadly I don’t, but I am curious to find out though. You are as well, aren’t you?”

“I am,” Ayame agreed.

“Boom there we go then. Now, we’re going to work together to find out what’s going on.”

They both smiled and the space started to disappear. Ayame got a strange feeling that this wasn’t everything though.

“If we’re a mix of three races and I’m human, you seem to be dragon, then what’s the other half? Wait I just realized…”

“She’s the most dangerous one, to be honest I’m glad that one hasn’t awakened yet.”

A singular word crossed Ayame’s mind, and it was one she’s been remembering since she was younger. “The apocalypse?”

Her dragon half got surprised. “The apocalypse? That’s an interesting word.”

“So, question. If I’m a mix of three races, one of them being a dragon obviously, then that must mean things like fairies and other magical beings exist?”

“That I can’t say…”

“I’d take that as a yes,” Ayame said with an excited expression.

“Of course, we would.”

Ayame seemed to be taking this in a lot better than the others expected her to. The news is somewhat better because maybe it’s coming from her.

She stared at her dragon self, “I wonder is this what everyone has been hiding from me?” she questioned. “If so, then they’re jerks for that.”

“I don’t think it was just this they were hiding. Remember the bit about our father, and remember that dream? Ayame, this is only the beginning of something bigger than us.”

“…..”

“I’m sorry to burst that happy bubble for you, but now you have to wake up and figure out the truth. Kikyo would want to be there too, but she’s going to go merge into Atsuko sooner or later. I’m glad, because we’re already housing enough spirits. Your soul, my soul, and that one soul. I’d say it’s cramped in here, but that’s enough of me complaining, I want to know the truth as well, and why they were hiding this from us.”

“Okay, me.”

The space finally disappeared, and Ayame’s eyes fluttered open. When they did, she shot up, “Magic and fairies!” she yelled, and hit someone on the forehead.

“Son of a…” they said.

Ayame rubbed her head, and she looked around. “Everyone is here.”

The atmosphere seemed tense, and Ayame statement scared everyone.

“Ayame, that must’ve been some dream you had?” Akane asked her in a motherly tone.

“Was it a dream?”

Atsuko agreed. “It had to be.”

Ayame thought about it, and she realized it was not. So, she did something that no one ever expected her to do, “Stop lying to me,” she stated with a determined look in her eyes.

Everyone got surprised, but Shiro chuckled. “So, the little iris has thorns. Ayame, you know we’ve been lying to you for years now.”

“Well, of course I know that.”

“But let me finish. We did this for your own good, but I personally think you’re ready for this. Our families are a part of a magic guild.”

“Magic guild? Those are a thing? Like a legit thing?” Ayame asked confused.

“Yes, they are,” Natsumi interjected. “And it was the guild who wanted us to hide the truth from you. They’re going to be mad when they find out that you know, but I’d rather not listen to those losers.”

Ayame’s mind started racing, but Natsumi continued. “As Shiro said, we did this to protect you, but we can’t send you off not knowing anything.”

“She wouldn’t be alone though…” Atsuko replied as if she were annoyed.

“Yeah, yeah, I don’t have too much faith in you, but I have faith in Ayame.”

Atsuko seemed to have growled at her.

“We don’t have time for either of you to be fighting,” their parents replied.

Atsuko and Natsumi both shrunk and Ayame stared at them.

“So, what exactly did you all want to protect me from?”

They all looked at each other, and a wave of silence passed over the room.

Atsuko sighed, “Well alright then. Time for her bestie to step in,” she said rubbing her head. She walked up to Ayame and stared right into her eyes. “Kikyo, it’s time.”

“Kikyo? Didn’t my other half mention that name?”

“It’s about time you called me,” another voice said from Ayame’s mouth. Usually when Kikyo take over, Ayame faints but not this time. Kikyo seemed to have taken over Ayame’s left side, because it had Kikyo’s features. It surprised their parents, and Kikyo/Ayame looked towards them. “What’s your issue?” Kikyo’s voice asked.

“Interesting, so the spirit is able to control half of Ayame as well?” Hiro asked.

“Well, yeah. Atsu wanted me to do this for Ayame. Besides, I won’t be in this body for much longer.”

Ayame got confused, but she remembered. “Atsuko is going to take you in, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, and I’ve got to say this, Ayame you have a ton of potential with this. I hope you make the right choice in this situation. Everyone is counting on us.”

“Everyone is counting on us?”

Ayame stared at all of them and Akane twiddled with her hair, “Sweetie listen, our family has a huge responsibility to the three realms. Here’s the truth of the matter,” she stated as she put her hands on Ayame’s shoulder reassuring her.

“Mom you’ve been in on it too?”

Akane seemed depressed. “I’m so sorry.”

“Just tell me the truth… you say that you all have done this to protect me, but that seems like another lie…”

“Okay, well the truth of our family is that we are descended from dragons, not only that we’re the descendants of the White Tiger Byakuya of the Four Guardians.”

“Wait so you mean to tell me that those four animals actually had incarnations?” Ayame asked her skeptically.

“Think Ayame, I’m a spirit possessing half of your body,” Kikyo stated.

“Oh yeah, you may have a point.”

“Well to continue, our family was specifically chosen to do an impossible task. We are to save time and space itself.”

“How are we supposed to do that?”

“The singularity,” Atsuko said.

“Singularity?”

“The one point where the entire course of history changes. It didn’t happen on this go around, and no one knows why. Someone was plotting to create another timeline where they ruled over. We don’t know who but that’s what the prophecy had told us. A descendant of Ryoma the First Dragon Emperor would be the one to save the past, present, and future, a child of three worlds. Ayame you are that child of three worlds. But that’s just the beginning of your task, you also would have to be the one to decide to create or destroy one timeline to save another.”

That statement shocked Ayame. “Create or destroy a timeline? But that’s like erasing someone’s entire existence. Why would you want me to do that?”

“That is your responsibility.”

“Why would you task a girl with this type of responsibility?”

Akane expression became grim. “I wish I knew, but Ryoma passed on the Kami-Komora to you, not only that the Dragonaut has chosen you as well. As you may know if you change one point in history then the possibility of multiple timelines being created. Our timeline proceeded as normal, but once you reach the singularity then you’d have to be the one. You’d have to become the past, the present, and the future. I’m sure you can do this, but I’m still scared.”

“You’re scared? You all really want me to go back in time, then decide to whether to end something or begin something?”

“That’s not all,” Atsuko stated. “You are also supposed to change the outlook of the world. Even to this day half breeds like yourself are still ostracized by society. No one knew about you being one, mainly because your mother hiding it, to a certain extent. Life would’ve been harder for you if they did know, because A. You would’ve been hunted or B. You would’ve been executed.”

“Executed for being something I didn’t want to be?” Ayame retorted.

Akane was about to start crying, and Ayame didn’t seem to care.

“I didn’t want to be born into this… but here I am.”

“I’m sorry little Iris…” Akane mumbled.

“Had a feeling she’d react like this,” Keiko sighed.

Ayame felt a mixture of feelings, and Kikyo felt the changes. “Ayame calm down.”

“How could I calm down when they’re asking me to basically destroy something as fragile as time? Not to mention going back to a time period where I can basically get myself killed?”

“Listen, we put our lives on the line every day to help protect this world. It was wrong of us to hide this from you…” Atsuko was saying until Ayame cut her off.

“Oh, you think?”

“Let her finish and stop being a brat, Ayame,” Kikyo stated.

“I’ve always wanted to tell you, but there’s more I’ve always wanted to say.”

Ayame stared at her with a cold glare, and the atmosphere became more intense.

“I’m a quarter dragon, quarter human, and something else… I don’t even know about myself, because you all hid this from me. I get trying to protect me from this, but if you knew I was going to do this, then why would you hide it from me. That makes no sense whatsoever, and what is this Dragonaut thing?”

“The Dragonaut is a blade of my creation,” a womanly voice said. The voice sounded prestigious, and almost old fashioned, like it was medieval.

“Who was that?”

“Tis a shame my own descendant doesn’t know me,” it said.

The room filled with a sound that sounded like a loud snap, and a woman that had a young appearance, gold irises, and blue hair. “I’m Ryoma. You should’ve recognized me, but alas you haven’t. I told you that you were the child of three world, and you must live up to it.”

“I must?” Ayame asked with an annoyed expression.

“I understand that it’s a lot of responsibility, but surely you’ve been having those dreams. You wouldn’t be alone young one.”

“It’s not about me being alone, it’s about me being 15 years old. How can you all expect me to make that choice? I don’t care I will not create or destroy anything. I just won’t do it!” she exclaimed as tears began to well up out of frustration.

“So, you’ve decided to do nothing?” Ryoma asked.

“That’s what I just said…”

They both stared at each other, and Ryoma sighed, “Very well then, little Iris,” she said.

As soon as she said Iris the room filled with smoke, and the smoke seemed to have materialized into people. One of them looking like the Katsumi boy, that made Ayame nervous. “What is going on?”

“This is the future that awaits us, at the singularity the Arcane destroys existence, and once that happens, he will appear to rule over everything,” she said as the smoke person of Katsumi was destroyed.

That hurt Ayame to see that happen, “You have decided to do nothing so everything you hold dear even this timeline will cease to exist. The Arcane is a being that transcends both time and space. It has the ability to destroy other timelines as it pleases or if someone tells it to,” Ryoma explained to her.

They all stared at the smoke as if it were a movie. “The bad end, the Dragonaut was never wielded, the Iris and the Bell Flower never joined forces, and the Cursed Son never found his purpose. So many lives lost and so many were never started. No happiness, only thing the world will know is despair.”

Ayame determination began to shatter like glass, and everyone noticed, “Why are you showing her this?” Akane asked worriedly.

Ryoma stared daggers at her, “You be quiet. I know what I’m doing,” she stated in a stern voice.

Akane remembered when Ryoma first visited her when she was pregnant with Ayame, This child is special. She’ll grow to be strong and kind, but she’ll face many hardships. She’s an Akiyama, so she will get through this, Ryoma said in the memory.

“Interesting, her spiritual pressure is changing,” Ryoma noted.

Ayame felt like she was having hot flashes, she began to sweat, and her pupils began to dilate.

More smoke people were destroyed, and the more Ayame saw, the more she began to panic. She didn’t want to see this, but she couldn’t believe that her decision would lead to this type of destruction. Could this be the future that awaits even if she did go? She didn’t want to think that, but this was too painful to watch.

She looked at Ryoma with tears in her eyes and a pained expression, “Are you happy now?” she asked almost choking up.

“Have you decided on what to do?”

She wiped her tears. “I guess I have…”

Ryoma smiled, and everyone in the room got surprised as she caused the smoke to disappear, “The Three Realms and the future are both counting on you Little Iris,” she stated as she began to shimmer.

“Yeah, the Three Realms are…” Ayame mumbled.

Kikyo felt the despair and the change in Ayame’s demeanor. Tonight, she had learned a lot, and not only that, but she also learned that everyone she loved had hidden the truth of the world from her. She couldn’t trust anyone, not even her own mother. It made her feel like she only had herself to trust and no one else.

“Ayame…” Atsuko and Akane began to say, but Ayame looked at them with a frustrated expression. These two were the ones she trusted the most, and they betrayed that in one night.

“I hate you both,” Ayame stated, and when she did Kikyo’s influence disappeared. Ayame’s right iris changed colors, and Atsuko backed away.

“I apologize…” she said.

“You were supposed to be my best friend and you completely lied to me.”

She then ran away, and everyone stared at Atsuko as the door slammed.

“I understand where she’s coming from, but at the same time, we shouldn’t have told her until the time came,” Atsuko stated as her bottom lip quivered. “I wanted to keep Ayame safe, but I basically did the opposite. I don’t even think I’m worthy enough to say I love her.”

She began to cry, and Maki walked over to her. “Atsuko, you did what you thought was best. We all did, and on the orders of the council. They didn’t know she was a half breed, but they knew something was off about her.”

“I know, but still, I don’t even listen to those idiots to begin with, why did I listen to them now?”

“I’m a horrible mother…” Akane said as she collapsed to her knees.

“No, you are not!” Maki yelled. “You protected Ayame, and you raised her to be a kindhearted girl, strong, determined. She’s grateful to you as a mother, and you all as friends Atsu, Shiro, and Natsumi. She’s just got a lot on her mind.”

Keiko stared at Maki, “Seems like you can say smart things,” she stated in a condescending tone.

Maki chuckled, and then she looked at Atsuko. “Go talk to her. She needs you more than anyone.”

“Even me,” Akane mumbled.

“Ms. Akiyama, I assure you that you’ve done a wonderful job at raising Ayame. You aren’t a horrible mother, you are full of love, compassion, and not to mention beautiful. I will help Ayame get through this, I promise,” Atsuko stated, and that comment seemed to have brightened up Akane’s mood just a little.

Atsuko followed behind Ayame, “Kikyo, please try to keep Ayame calm. I know her, and if I’m right then I know exactly where she went.”

Ayame reached the park they had passed by earlier.

“So, magic, demons, dragons, and all of that other stuff exists?” she asked herself.

She then remembered what Ryoma said to her, and the reality of the situation hit her. She’s only 15 and they put the entire fate of billions in her hands. It’s just not right, and she didn’t understand. She is confused and she’s lost. The people she could turn to are the ones who betrayed her. She had no one.

“Some friends they were… Katsumi I wish I had met you before anyone else. You seem like you wouldn’t lie to me, and I’d always have a shoulder to lean on when I’m down. Someone who wouldn’t betray me, I need someone like that…”

“Katsumi… I need someone like that,” Katsumi had heard Ayame’s voice say.

“What was that?” he asked confused.

Atsuko heard her say that, and she became depressed. “Of course, she thinks this. For fourteen years we’ve been knowing each other, and I destroyed our friendship just like that.”

Atsuko and Ayame both then felt a tingle in their hearts, and their memories played through their minds. They had done so much together, and Ayame had come so far from her shell but now no one knew if she was going to go back into it or worse. Atsuko wanted the best for her, and she’ll put her own life on the line to protect Ayame. If that’s what she must do, then she will do it.

Atsuko mustered up her courage, and she walked out from hiding to talk to Ayame.

“Ayame…” she said, and they both locked eyes.

Ayame got surprised, because she didn’t think anyone would come after her, but here Atsuko was.

“Why are you here?”

Atsuko chuckled nervously, “Because you’re important to me,” she replied.

Ayame didn’t believe her. “You’re lying to me again, Atsu.”

“I swear, I’m not,” Atsuko replied as if she was distressed. “I know I was wrong for hiding the truth from you, but I assure you that I did it for your own good.”

There it was again, why was everyone saying it was for Ayame’s own good? She didn’t want it to be for her, she’s not that selfish. “Why do you all keep saying that!?”

“Because it was for you! I wanted to tell you, but I knew if you found out the truth, then you would’ve wanted to be trained and you would’ve been brought to the attention of both the council and the guild. They all knew about you, but they didn’t know who you were, truly. I promise you Ayame, I’m not lying.”

“Prove it to me then… show me that you’re only doing this for my good.”

Atsuko nodded, and she formed an orb of vermillion light. The orb had some sort of memory playing and Atsuko was in front of a group of people. They looked scary, but Atsuko didn’t care from her expression.

“They reprimanded me because I did tell you the truth once. You believed every word of it, and I wanted to help you get stronger just for this. They told me that I wouldn’t be able to be around you again if you knew the truth, so they had threatened to move both my mother and I.”

“So, why did I forget? Why are you still here?”

“That’s a cold question to ask, but I’m here because they erased your memory. At the order of our parents, they erased your memory to keep us together. All four of us, and even though we’re about to be separated again. You and I would be together. I am the feather and you the iris. We were destined for this, it’s our fate.”

Ayame remembered what Atsuko replied with earlier. “You said that you wouldn’t live something someone had written out for you.”

Atsuko walked towards her, and she saw a tear fall from Ayame’s cheek, “And I still meant every word of it. I am meant to be your guardian, and they can have that part of my life,” she stated as she wiped the tear from her cheek.

Atsuko then caressed the same cheek, “Atsu, what are you doing?” Ayame asked confused.

“Doing what I want to. Those bastards can have that part of my life because I want something more. Ayame Akiyama, I truly do love you with all my heart and I would do anything to see you happy. You are my source of happiness, and I appreciate you. Just believe me when I say this. I have always loved you and wanted to put my fate in your hands. I will gladly give my life, my fate, my past, my present, and my future to you. Please accept my feelings Little Iris,” she stated as she closed in for a kiss.

She then kissed Ayame, and Atsuko pulled away only to see Ayame with a flustered expression. Not only that her ahoge moved in an unusual manner.

Ayame wasn’t ready for this, and Atsuko just bombarded with all of that. She was confused, flustered, angry, and happy all at once. What should she do? She already had someone she liked, but why would that matter now of all instances?

Her head began to give off smoke, and Atsuko chuckled, “Ayame, I’m sorry, but I’ve been wanting to tell you this for a while. We can both take on the world’s fate together. We will be together, please remember that.” she stated with confidence. “You won’t be alone, and not only that we’ll gather friends even better than those sticks in the mud.”

Ayame wasn’t listening because she was still on Atsuko’s statement, and she collapsed in Atsuko’s arms. “Maybe I did too much, but hopefully she’ll have the courage to do this now. We all have faith in her, but she doesn’t have any in herself,” Atsuko mumbled as she put an unconscious Ayame on her back. “She’ll be able to get over that, but I have a feeling it won’t be me helping with that.”

She began walking back to Ayame’s home, Katsumi, you are my love rival. I’ll be meeting you soon enough, and I will not lose Ayame to you, she thought with newfound determination.

Katsumi was training with Chiyoko, and he thought about his dreams of Ayame. I will get stronger for her. I don’t know when she’ll appear, but I will protect her with everything I got. I have a purpose now, and I will not lose it.

Chiyoko saw his expression, and she smiled. “He’s in love with the girl of his dreams.”

“Literally,” Kumo replied.

“Shut it you,” Chiyoko snapped at him.

Katsumi stared at the rock Chiyoko had him sitting in front of, as he did the temperature around him grew.

“Good now try to sharpen the heat as it leaves your body,” Chiyoko said to him.

Katsumi heard her, but he got confused on what she was trying to say. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“Think of your body as a sword, your concentration as the blacksmith, and your energy as the edge. The heat leaving your body is nothing but your energy. Coalesce it and strike it,” the other Katsumi’s voice stated.

Katsumi somehow understood that, and he took in a deep breath. Which surprised Chiyoko and Kumo, “He figured out that our energy manifests as heat. My little brother is so amazing,” she said with excitement.

As she said it the ground exploded causing a plume of smoke to rise.

The smoke began to dissipate, and they were all coughing, “What happened? Katsu are you okay?” Chiyoko yelled to him.

“I’m fine,” Katsumi replied coughing. “I think I figured out the trick though.”

Katsumi dusted himself off and he smiled. “I will complete this training, I will find out who did this to me, and I will protect her and everyone I love. I am the child of two worlds, and I need to learn to compassion for this one. I will learn to love and care for them, along with myself. Even with my past, I will now move forward with my future in my, I hope?”

The story is now set in motion, with the key players determined to find something in this. Welcome to the story of the Cursed Iris. The Ballad of Ayame Akiyama, and her journey to defy the cards fate has dealt her. The journey will be arduous, it will be sorrowful, and it will be life changing. Fate is something most believe that cannot be changed and it’s written in stone, but I agree with Atsuko. If they want to write a piece of my life, then they can. That gives me more room to create my own story. I bet you’re wondering who I am? Well just think of me as the humble narrator of this journey. Trust me, you won’t be seeing me all that much, but I’ll always be around. I hope you enjoy the story.

END OF PROLOGUE