Chapter XII. Embracing Destiny

As darkness enveloped the surface of the island, Aya sprinted toward Sorako, who knelt helplessly amidst the swirling chaos of the spirit tornado. Her head hung low, strands of hair falling messily to cover her face, leaving her vulnerable and drained.

In the midst of her struggle, Sorako began to sing softly, her voice a haunting melody that broke through the storm.

"When time ticks away at life,

never forget the memories we shared."

The words were filled with a melancholic weight.

"Hold on!" Aya cried out, reaching desperately for her friend. But the relentless energy of the tornado deflected her hand, sending a jolt of pain through her.

Winching, she pressed on. "Sorako, you must control yourself!"

Squiggles and Koi attempted to break through the tempest but were thrown back by an unseen force, floating a few paces away.

Frustration bubbled within Aya as she shouted, "Aito is alive!"

At the mention of the name, Sorako slowly lifted her gaze. A flicker of light ignited in her eyes, the color returning in them.

The song faltered, and the colorless spirits that tormented her began to disperse. Slowly, the island stilled, the tremors of chaos fading into an eerie calm.

Crouching before Sorako, Aya gently tied her friend's hair back into a familiar French braid, a gesture of comfort amidst the turmoil. "Worry not, for our plight will be over soon." She reassured softly, her words a soothing balm to Sorako's frayed self.

Sorako's eyes widened as they met Aya's, noting the unusual colors dappled in her irises, the haunting shadow of koi swimming in her left eye. "Are you... Aya?" She stammered, surprise etching deeper lines across her face.

With a nod, Aya replied, "Yes, I suppose you could also call me your many great-grandmother's sister."

For a moment, Sorako blinked in disbelief, and in a swift motion, Aya's image flickered and transformed into that of an Elderly Woman, only to fade back into Aya, leaving Sorako gaping in stunned silence.

"H-how? How are you alive?" Sorako whispered.

Aya chuckled softly, a hint of sorrow embedded in her laughter. "That depends on what you mean by 'alive.'" She paused, a shadow crossing her features. "I must confess, I have been following you since you came to the surface."

With a delicate motion, Aya rolled up her sleeve, revealing her arm in the moonlight, its transparency eerily evident. "I fear I have not long left. It is taking all the remaining energy I have to keep my soul tethered to this world."

Turning her gaze toward the moon, Aya's expression darkened, her eyes reflecting a profound melancholy as she reached her hand out to cup the moon.

Sorako instinctively followed her gaze, attempting to comprehend the gravity of the moment.

"Is there a reason why you are so determined to remain here?" Sorako asked, her curiosity piqued amidst the sorrow.

"I only wished to reunite with Kaito." Aya replied, sincerity lacing her tone.

Sorako turned, caught off guard by the intensity of Aya's gaze. "Did you find him?"

A soft smile broke across Aya's face, one filled with joy and a glimmer of hope. "I found him and more." She stated, her eyes shifting toward the distant mountain looming in the darkness.

"I found a way to correct the wrongs I committed that day 500 years ago." She continued, determination lining her words.

Sorako followed her gaze to the mountains, feeling a mixture of anticipation and trepidation wash over her.

Aito carefully ascended the rugged mountain, his heart pounding with each laborious movement. He was halfway up when the ground trembled beneath him, sending tiny rocks skittering down the slope.

"Don't look down, don't look down, whatever you do, don't look down." He chanted under his breath, his voice a whisper of determination. He reached up, grasping for another handhold, but his fingers crumbled a loose rock instead.

Panic flooded his senses as he dug deeper into the mountain's surface, searching for something solid to hold onto. His heart raced erratically in his chest.

"If I get to the top and find out there was a path leading to the summit, I'm gonna have some strong words for Aya." He muttered with a mix of frustration and resolve. He resumed his climb, every muscle taut with concentration.

Aito noticed that the melodic singing of Sorako had suddenly ceased.

"Did Aya stop her?" He wondered, glancing nervously around him. The mountain's tremors faded, a brief respite that offered little comfort. He looked down at his hand, noting with surprise that the glow it had possessed was now dimming.

"Do I glow when Sorako sings because of the Bird's soul? Weird." He mused, glancing back up toward the peak.

Just then, a flicker of movement captured his attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a crowd of colourless spirits converging toward him, their forms indistinct and eerie.

"Huh?" Aito breathed, startled by the sight.

Meanwhile, on the ground below, Sorako stood frozen as she watched the spirits bounding toward Aito. Fear washed over her, widening her eyes. "No, the spirits are going to hurt Aito!" She exclaimed, stepping forward instinctively.

But before she could act, Aya's steady hand gripped her arm, pulling her back. Sorako turned to face her, panic etched across her features. Aya's expression was serious, her gaze unwavering.

"Will you sing with me, Sorako?" Aya asked, her voice calm yet urgent.

Sorako paused, her heart racing as she searched Aya's face. After a moment, her expression shifted from fear to determination. She nodded resolutely, ready to embrace whatever came next.

***

Back on the mountain, Aito gripped the side of the rocky surface, his knuckles white with strain. Suddenly, the colourless spirits collided with him, relentless in their assault. "What's wrong with you? I'm trying to help you guys!" He yelled, his voice rising above the chaos.

Despite his desperate cries, the spirits continued their frenzied attack. Aito dug his fingers into the dirt, fighting to remain anchored in place. Closing his eyes, he braced himself against the onslaught.

"What am I supposed to do now? I can't climb as long as they keep trying to knock me off." He thought, anxiety gnawing at him.

With a strong squeeze of his eyes, he prepared for the worst when suddenly, a voice broke through his thoughts, floating softly on the night breeze.

"Do you remember when the birds sang their songs,

When the wind was a gentle breeze that graced us with sound?"

Aito's eyes flew open. The colourless spirits, drawn to the haunting melody, began to retreat, drifting back toward the thunder-struck tree where Sorako and Aya stood.

For a moment, he felt a flicker of hope as he grasped the power of their voices.

Under the velvet expanse of the night sky, Sorako and Aya faced each other, their hands intertwined as if sealing an unspoken bond. With their foreheads lightly touching and eyes closed.

In a magnificent display, Squiggles and Koi danced in a glowing circle around them, their ethereal forms shimmering amidst the darkness.

"This song... I know it." Sorako murmured, her heart racing as the colorless spirits began to converge upon them, swirling like dark shadows eager to breach their sanctuary.

Squiggles and Koi whipped around them faster, a protective barrier against the encroaching danger.

In a crescendo of ethereal sounds, the spirits and the Greater Spirit Fish and Serpent engaged in a precarious circling battle. The colorless entities strained to penetrate their defenses, but each time they moved closer, they were repelled back by the agile movements of Squiggles and Koi.

Suddenly, the soft harmony of their voices broke through the tension as Sorako and Aya sang together.

"Do you remember those times we sat and watched the horizon,

The calm waves of the sea rolling against the shore,

Those are my loving memories."

The melody enveloped the air, a lifeline connecting Sorako and Aya to the spirits.

Meanwhile, Aito stood on a rocky outcrop, his eyes fixed on the retreating swarm of colorless spirits. An anxious energy coursed through him, making his body glow an intense white.

"They're attracted to the energy inside of spirits..." He thought, a sense of urgency gripping his heart.

Determination solidified his features as he focused on the mountain ahead. "It's now or never. Keep them occupied for a while longer, Sorako, Aya."

With a swift gait, he ascended the mountain, each step echoing the weight of his purpose.

The colorless spirits renewed their attack, a relentless tide crashing against the glowing Greater Spirits. The pressure mounted, forcing the Maidens to collapse onto their knees, hands still locked together, their eyes shut tight against the storm. The wind whipped through their hair, disarraying their carefully braided strands.

United in song, they sang with unwavering resolve, their voices climbing above the din.

"Do you remember the way the fish swam in the rivers,

The way we would follow them down the stream as it flowed."

But the spirits pressed on, finally managing to break through Squiggles and Koi. They encircled Sorako and Aya, draining the very essence of their spirits.

In an instant, their hands broke apart, the music stopping as they clutched their chests, gasping in pain.

The spirits halted, shifting their focus back to the mountain. Aya managed to pry her eyes open, the agony etched deep into her features.

"We must not stop or they will head back to where Aito is." She gasped, determination battling against the visible exhaustion. She attempted to rise but fell to her knees, breathing heavily.

Sorako glanced toward the mountain, teeth gritted, digging her fingers into the ground in frustration.

Suddenly, a commanding voice broke through the chaos.

"Everyone, form a circle around the Maidens!"

Sorako's head snapped up, relief flooding her as she recognized her father's tall figure standing protectively before her. Around them, familiar faces emerged—Kofu, Sael, Mayu—villagers rallying in a united front.

"Father…" Sorako breathed, disbelief stark in her voice.

"Protect both Maidens!" Kofu shouted, urgency lacing his tone.

Sorako turned her gaze to Aya, confusion swirling in her eyes.

"You can see Aya?"

Her father nodded, his eyes reflecting a mixture of anguish and belief.

"That song. Only Maidens know it. You used to hide behind a pillar and watch your mother sing it as a child."

He turned his gaze back to the mountain, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily on him.

"Although we do not currently know what is going on, we choose to believe in the Maiden."

Sorako exchanged a resolute look with Aya, their mutual strength igniting a fire within them. Slowly, they rose to their feet, hands weaving together once more.

Squiggles floated between them, staring up at Sorako with a silent promise.

"Go, you are his guardian after all." Sorako urged, her voice steady despite the disorder around them.

With a swift motion, Squiggles darted toward the mountain. Sorako and Aya locked eyes, filled with unwavering resolution.

"Ready?" Aya asked, her voice steady as she prepared for what was to come.

"Absolutely." Sorako affirmed, her heart pounding in rhythm with their shared resolve.

Together, they stood united, ready to face the colourless spirits and keep Aito safe.