Preparations (Pt. II)

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|| CHAPTER 29 | Preparations (Pt. II) ||

"To be aware of what's to come.

"Vigilance and alertness are the essences of a strategist standing on the battlefield. One that shouldn't fight head-on like a warrior, but think like a mastermind.

"Preparations, the mind to think and the mind to weave–– those without a plan beforehand would not prevail far into the future, but rather, stop short on their journey. The inability to form an answer to a sudden question thrown is a deathly blow to the weak as well.

"Face forward, little one, as we're about to finish the first arc of their tale."

––

"Hmm... So, this is the entrance?"

"Whoa! This is the first time I have seen it!!"

"Don't get too excited. We're supposed to be prepared for what's to come."

With the rustling of the winds blowing through the styled locks of their hair, two certain Ichijous marvelled over a piece of that floating crystal.

Though its clarity was not seen, they could feel the immense amount of mana flowing out of it.

Mizuto and Yuzuru stared with widened hues at the crystal with interest and genuine amazement. This wasn't the first time they've been to another realm, and yet, the process always took their breaths away every year.

Kaoru walked up to them from behind, putting one of his hands on Yuzuru's shoulder to catch their attention. "The others called for you two. Come on."

Hearing his simple, yet clear message, the two younger boys grinned at each other–– with the calmer Mizuto showing a softer curl up his lips.

"Aye, aye sir!!" Yuzuru saluted at his older brother as Mizuto just nodded, walking alongside the two to where their family is.

Step by step, they listened to the winds as nature howled into the air. The crackles of gravel meeting each other beneath their moving feet tapped and turned with the song that the gales had provided them.

Mizuto crooned along with the soft breeze that kissed their skin cold.

It was early in the morning and they're already up and about. It was only one of the few things Mizuto liked about waking up.

He couldn't really compare to neither Kaoru nor Mitsuru, who were morning individuals.

Never mind waking up early, he's always too immersed in reading up until midnight that he couldn't possibly blink his eyes open in the blinding rays of the morning sun.

The blue-eyed Mizuto was soon brought out of his trance when the sound of his sister called out to his and Yuzuru's name.

"Where were you, Mizu-nii, Yuzu-nii?" Shizuka asked with her hands behind her. One could see that the family had dressed for a special occasion.

They were all wearing white kimonos with varying designs on each one–– each patch of fabric sewn together and the ribbons tied around their waists, all unique and different.

Of course, the one who stood out most was a certain female Ichijou, wearing a blue-coloured kimono with patterns of the starry night sky drawn above it.

On top of the triplets' heads was a clear glass wreath, appearing the same as what the former Space Keeper wore. The only similarity the young Spirit Wielders and Seimei had was the fact that they now bore the wreath of crystal-clear fragments–– put together by the hands of another.

The headpiece they wore seemed to symbolize something for the Spirit Clans.

Mizuto wore one that pictured the calmest of oceans, sending their waves up to meet the sky in return. One that depicted the depths of the sea hiding many mysteries unknown to most, and yet, one that had saved the Livings from the start.

Meanwhile, the ever-so-energetic Ichijou Yuzuru wore a kimono that framed the blue flames of the underworld, symbolizing the lost souls that had yet to find a home beneath the surface of the walking Livings.

It had to be noted that the triplets were the only ones dressed in the most appealing attired while the others stuck with simple white kimonos.

Perhaps, the event they're attending was a special one.

A festival where all the spirits gather beneath the night sky.

An event to commemorate their freedom, thousands of years ago.

Something to remember the peak of their victory–– finding comfort and making warming homes in another realm entirely.

The triplets knew that their turn to represent the Ichijou Clan in this event was not something to be underestimated. Should one wrong step be taken, they would never forget that haunting memory for life.

However, they shouldn't worry too much. The leader of the five Spirit Clans residing in Xenorynth was not much of a cold person everyone made him be.

Feeling the warmth of the air ceasing slowly, Eito decided that it was time for them to enter. The man caught all of their attention with the mere clap of his hands.

None should be able to miss the charismatic presence the man was emitting unintentionally.

His very being was just that powerful.

"All right, we're going in. Mizuto, Yuzuru, Shizuka," Eito called out to the three who would be representing their clan this year.

It was the tradition that three would be chosen from the leading main clan while the other four would send one each.

The perfect number: Seven.

With the aid of the sub-clans preparing for the event, the main Spirit Clans were in charge of executing the plan–– perfectly and flawlessly. Not one mistake would be tolerated, as it was an important ritual performed to strengthen the barrier of the realm.

This year, it was the triplets' turn.

"You three, be careful on your way in. I believe that you have memorized the steps already, do you not?" the man inquired in a somewhat low voice, worried for his children.

They're perfectly capable of protecting themselves, and here Eito was, over-worrying about their safety. Well, who wouldn't be if one was to be their parent? The triplets were a reckless bunch. Even if they prevail, in the end, their safety was at risk.

"Sir, yes, sir~!!" Shizuka and Yuzuru answered energetically and saluted, while Mizuto just nodded at his father's inquiry, confirming the older male's statements.

"I'm quite worried, truth be told... Will we be fine? This is the first time we'll be representing the Ichijou Clan..." Mizuto mumbled to no one in particular, probably talking to himself.

He did say it in a quiet voice. Fortunately, Mitsuru heard what he said and placed his hand on the younger male's head, comforting him, "Don't worry about it, Mizuto. You'll do just fine."

"Even if you don't, we'll back you up!" Kazuto exclaimed energetically, grinning with his hands behind his head.

"You know that's not helping right, Kazu-nii?" Yuzuru deadpanned at the older male as Shizuka just giggled at them.

The Ichijou Twins just ignored all of them, minding their own business–– all the while, enjoying the warmth of Shizuka's embrace.

Eito and his family left their spots with Kazuto's booming laughter behind, walking towards the floating crystal Mizuto and Yuzuru saw before. With Eito in the lead and Yuuma guarding the place in case of an attack, any assassin would run away with tails between their legs upon sensing the two's threatening gazes.

The head of the family reached his right hand towards the crystal and his left handwriting unknown symbols in the air.

As Shizuka observed closely, she could see him gesturing a flower, flame, droplet, and swirls mid-air.

Eito's index finger crossed with the middle finger, then he changed the shapes. Forming his hand into a 'C' and the mosses on the crystal all fell to the ground, making the crystal clean and clear.

⠀

"I, Ichijou Eito, Head of the Ichijou Clan, hereby request you to open the gate of the dead.

"With the dead souls in my hand and the lives of another in my grasp, the festival must go on along with our steps resonating with requiems of the Livings."

⠀

Such a chant could not be understood by the younger ones.

They wondered what Eito meant by uttering those words.

But one thing they're sure of, the crystal seemed to have a mind of its own when Eito mentioned 'request.' Surely, one as strong as Eito wouldn't request a mere floating object to open the gate of another realm? It was the only possible answer they had.

Shizuka poked her head out from behind Mitsuru, trying to see what's happening.

A portal opened and they were sucked in immediately, leaving no time for the triplets to complain or even the twins to scream their lungs out at the sudden action.

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"... H-Huh...? Where are we...?"

Shizuka woke up in the middle of a wide Magic Space, displaying a similar appearance to her own, with vast blue skies and a calm water-like surface. Beside her was Mizuto and Yuzuru, who had just woken up.

"Uhh... Are we in your Space, Shizu? Why are we here?"

"This... isn't my Magic Space, actually. I can't control it..."

"Looks like we're in someone else's then... There's no other possibility other than that." Mizuto's guessed were confirmed by a woman's scarily high-pitched laugh.

"Ara ara~ What clever children you are~! I'm worried that you three might outfox me right then and there if I don't explain~"

The triplets looked around, only to find a woman with hair as brown as the sandy deserts and eyes that rivalled the brightest of limes.

The pair of verdant eyes she bore were slanted with red markings painted on each end. Half of the woman's face was hidden behind her floral kimono sleeve, but they could imagine that she was smiling slyly, even if they couldn't see it.

The fox ears and tails that matched her long flowing locks gave it away that she was a fox spirit–– one that guided over the Magic Space they're in.

Shizuka's guessing that this must be the 'other entrance' her father spoke of before.

Good thing he warned the triplets to not panic when they got separated, or else the whole pocket dimension would be torn apart right now if they were to force their way out.

"Fufufu~ I think this is the first time we've met, my little ones. Let me introduce myself~"

The woman bowed forty-five degrees, her face was shown entirely since her hand was behind her and the other spread wide open beside her.

Long sandy-brown locks fell down with the gravity pulling them closer to the clear flooring of the Space, making the fox woman look more ethereal than she already was. Shizuka had to take note to draw her later, seeing as to how her inner artist was piqued by the unique ornaments adorning the woman's head.

"I am very much pleased to meet you, my dear Spirit Wielders. I am known as Ryouko, the Keeper of this Space which divides and connects the Human Realm with the Spirit Realm–– specifically, one of which the chosen ones needed to pass through," she cleared up.

Giggling with such cheerfulness, Ryouko smiled. "You three are the last ones to arrive. The other representations of the Spirit Clans had already stepped foot into the Realm a few moments ago."

A blinding light enveloped the woman and when it disappeared, fox ears and tails were becoming more visible each second to the eyes of the two boys that hadn't noticed them–– nine at that.

"You're a nine-tailed fox, Ryouko-san?" Yuzuru curiously asked the woman, with her giggling lightly as a response.

"Ara~ Just Ryo or Ryou is fine~" Ryouko replied cheerily, along with a closed-eye smile at the end. "And to answer your query, yes, I am indeed a nine-tailed kitsune. Is this the first time you've seen one, Child?"

"Ah, no. Shizu has one too, so we've seen one already," Mizuto said politely, referring to the platinum-blonde Ichijou beside him. Shizuka gave Ryouko a closed-eye smile, waving softly at the latter.

"My, my~! Is this the girl whom I have heard about lately?" Ryouko questioned no one in particular, approaching Shizuka as her steps were filled with enthusiasm. The younger girl jumped when Ryouko grabbed her shoulder, observing her from every angle with fascination.

"U-Uhhh, Ryou-san––"

"You knew Shizu already, Ryou-san?" Yuzuru cut her sister off, resulting in her glaring slightly at him, which he ignored.

"Ah, no, no. I've only heard of her from rumours. The Spirit Realm has been bustling with news about a girl named 'Ichijou Shizuka,' who freed a bound spirit, especially a KEEPER at that! Folks also said that she's from one of the five main families, but I never got to confirm it!"

Ryouko's excitable gushing about the rumours running around caused the two boys to sweat-drop profusely in the background, tiredly eyeing their sister getting smothered by the fox spirit's questions.

The kitsune kept her eyes on the girl from every direction, causing Shizuka to fidget uncomfortably in her position. "I never thought that the rumours were true! So, Seimei-chan's free now, huh?"

"'S-Seimei-chan?!'"

⠀

⠀

⠀

"Yes, I am, Ryouko-dono..." a familiar voice of a certain former Keeper rang in the space, but there wasn't anyone there aside from the four.

Ryouko clasped her hands and beamed, "Oh~? Seimei-chan, is that you? I haven't seen or heard from you in years! Maybe even decades!!"

"A-Ahh... I must apologize for that, Ryouko-dono... Things had been a little... hectic in my Space... Lycreus had been acting up lately, hahaha..." the voice rang again, but the male was still nowhere to be seen.

"Fufufu, Lycreus is a naughty one, huh? Well, Seimei-chan, we can catch up later. Right now, I need to bring the children to the festival~"

They could imagine the eye-blinding smile on Seimei's face. Imagining it was enough to make their eyes narrow already. "Ah, yes... I'll see you later, Ryouko-dono..."

"See you later, Seimei-chan~ Don't forget about your punishment~" the woman teased the voice in a teasing tone.

"E-Eh...? Punishment...? What punishment, if I may ask––?"

Ryouko hummed and tapped her index finger to the bottom part of her lips, smiling mischievously. "Well, you didn't contact me for who knows how long~"

"A-Ahh... umm... I'll be going now then. Shizuka-san, please call me when you need me..."

"Will do, Seimei-san!" Shizuka grinned brightly at Seimei–– more like his voice actually–– before he went away.

"Well then!!" Ryouko clasped her hands again, catching the triplets' attention.

"I'll take you to your destination then. Good luck 'hosting' the festival this decade, children~" she teasingly told them as the three faded into gold particles.

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The sceneries around them changed as they were now on a hill. The tall edges of grasses beneath them tickled their skin, waking them up from the trance of thoughts.

Mizuto blinked and searched around, spotting the festival being held not far from where they were.

The festival looked so lively with all the stalls around and bright red lanterns hanging on floating spirit stones. Spirits of all kinds, shapes, and sizes were all there.

The thing that caught his attention was the big lake that was at the end of the road.

The water was clear blue as the moonlight was reflected on it. Oh, did he mention that it was nighttime? The time there was contrasting to when they were in the space or when they were in the Livings' Realm.

"Yuzu, Shizu. Look, over there." Mizuto pointed at a certain group.

A certain lavender-headed Ichisaki noticed the three and waved giddily at them. "Oi...!! Hurry up and move your feet faster, the three of you!!!" Kishi's loud voice attracted the others' interest.

Walking closer, the three could finally recognize each and everyone in the group. Kishi was there adorned by a star-painted woven fabric, sewn into a similar formal kimono as the triplets'. With a little sprinkle of magic, the stars looked alive, even from afar.

Meanwhile, Ichimori Mizuki wore a floral-patterned kimono that pictured the vast grasslands of Xenorynth, blooming as far as the eyes could see.

With Keita's attire draped in lightning bolts that resembled the sky's rage and Seiya's displaying the small snowflakes that rained down upon them in winter, the representative of each clan was all ready to go.

All seven of them had glass wreaths on their heads, similar to the ones the triplets were wearing. 

"... You're late," Kishi stated, a hint of mischievousness visible in his smirk. "And what will you do to make up for that~?"

"Well––"

As Mizuto was about to explain for the three, a cheerful voice startled them all, "SHIZU-CHANNNNNNNNN...!!!! I MISSED YOUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!"

"Hmm? Oh, Mi-chan~!!"

The two girls hugged each other like they haven't seen each other in ages.

"What are you two? Kids?" Yuzuru commented on their actions, earning chuckles from others and pouts from the two girls.

"Shoo!"

"Step away from us, you Devil Spawn," Shizuka retorted with a slight glare, causing the somewhat older triplet to take a step back before he got incinerated (despite being the one having a Fire attribute).

"Hahaha, let's end our conversation here, shall we? The festival is about to start," Seiya calmed them down as he reminded them about the ongoing festival.

"I almost forgot we're here for the festival..." Keita muttered quietly, almost in a whisper.

"What? What did you say, Kei?" Kishi asked as he's the furthest one from the aqua-haired male.

"Ah, he said he almost forg–– wait, how on Gaia's green earth can you forget about the festival...?!" Yuzuru asked hysterically. The others closed their ears to prevent them from bursting.

"Let's just go now, haha. They're probably waiting for us," Mizuto said to the group as they agreed with him. They walked away towards the direction of the lake that Mizuto saw before.

Leaving trails of their footsteps behind, this night would surely be a long one.

One that they would never forget.

|| CHAPTER 29 | Preparations (Pt. II) - To be continued... ||

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