Spring is still far away
The battle was trickery than Mizuki had bargained for. All seemed to be going fine until the yokai split into two and the haze seemed swallowed the field around her. She was already in the middle of casting when she felt a strange thick fog whirl around her ankles.
She had to make the choice to stick to her spell or run. The choice was made for her as a pair of strong arms lifted her off her feet and moved her well out of harms way.
"Ser knight-" he set her down and stood before her with his blade drawn, his two other knights at his flank.
"You do not do battle alone," he glanced over his shoulder his stern expression changed slightly offering her a warm smile "We were sent to aid in this battle and we shall follow your lead."
Mizuki was speechless, no-one had ever wanted to go into battle with her. If they could avoid harm, they would and Mizuki couldn't blame them. She was prepared to walk this road forever alone. "Then I accept your aid." Mizuki stood beside Aymeric "please keep you and yours in high priority though." she said lead the next attack.
The battle was soon won. The haze vanished, finally revealing a brilliant blue sky, as though colour had finally returned to the mountain.
A gentle breeze washed over the clearing, washing way the last of the fog. It was then they realised they were surrounded by a grove of cherry blossoms.
"That we could restore this land." Mizuki smiled, taking a deep breath of the clean air.
"It is beautiful" Aymeric said "you were-"
"Ser knights!" the exorcists finally re-joined them "are you hurt? That was a glorious but dangerous battle!"
"yes, you all must rest." the exorcists ushered the trio of knights somewhere to sit. Aymeric looked over at Mizuki but she nodded her headed and headed over to the small hut in the line of the trees.
There it was the artefact they were to retrieve, the one causing this mess.
"The spirit of Enenra, seems to have succumbed to slumber..for now.." she mumbled, inspecting the kiseru carefully. She wrapped the pipe in talismans before closing the box and sealing the worn lacquered box in the same manner. "One cannot be too careful and I would rather not fight it again."
"Mistress Mizuki?" a voice called, rising to her feet with the box in hand, she turned to the voice. Aymeric was awaiting her, the group standing behind him.
She looked past him to the exorcists, "the Tsukumogami is contained and ready to be transported back." she held out the box and one of the older exorcists reluctantly moved to take it "you can all leave now. I will do one more sweep of the area and perform the cleansing rituals."
"Of course." they bowed and quickly headed towards the other portal. The knights made to motion to follow them. The exoricsts looked back at them anxiously.
"IF you could escort them back to the castle.."
"You are not returning with us?"
"I still have work to do-"
"Then I shall remain until you are ready to depart-"
Mizuki opened her mouth to argue but Aymeric's stern gaze told her it was futile to argue. "very well Ser knight."
Aymeric's knights left with the exorcists.
What a stubborn man...are all knights like this?
Mizuki's shoulders slumped, now she had to do her work with someone watching her.
"Mistress-"
"Please. Mizuki is fine.." she sighed,
"Mizuki.." her chest tightened, why did her name suddenly sound different when said by this knight. "this yokai-"
"ah..it's a Tsukumogami...which-" she looked up at his confused face "technically a yokai.."
"it was in the pipe?" he asked, following out into the clearing as she performed various rituals
"no...it's an old item..when it has been in service for a hundred years they can gain souls. Unfortunately this kiseru.. Enenra had a wicked heart and we cannot let it be."
"I see." Mizuki moved to lift a large branch that had crushed a small stone shrine but Aymeric stepped in to lift it and put it aside.
"thank you-" she rebuilt the small shrine and offered it a prayer.
Moving back to the hut, she did another sweep
"Why do they call you demon?" Aymeric asked quietly, "they are your comrades and yet...they feared you like they feared that spirit."
"They fear my magicks and its destructive power. It's just how it is and it has been so for a long time now." she looked up at the skies "If it allows me to keep people safe then it is fine."
"but who keeps you safe?" He asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I shall ever strive forward until old age claims me or I meet my match in battle. The latter will be more likely..." she smiled "It is fine."
"What a beautiful day it turned out to be...come ser knight-"
"Aymeric.."
"Ser Aymeric, we should get you back to the castle before rumours of me devouring your soul begins to circulate." she mused, a smile tugging at her lips.
What a kind soul..
She thought, as Aymeric hurried to her side. Not as cold as his eyes made out to be..
The last part in the mini random au set.. Not sure where I was going with it...but...here we are!
p1: When the rain falls
p2: Harrowing Haze
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