"After Founding 2999
90th Day of Water
Ms. Krystal Farrow Zorin
The Golden Willow,
Rumiga City, Rumiga
Dear Krystal,
It's been several Seasons, nearly two years since we've last seen each other, or even talked. The last time I saw you was still back in the Golden Willow and I was on my way to Fort Aegermonth. No doubt you've heard of my disappearance. Rest assured that I am quite safe, and completely unharmed in body, though perhaps not so much in the mind.
What to tell you, Krys? So many things happened that I could barely keep it in my head. So many painful days in the wilderness that I half thought would rob me of my sanity. So many days without bread, and worse, no cakes or sweets of any kind, except some wild honey that I luckily found once during my entire foray in the plane of Kogasi.
That's where I wound up after falling through a Chaos spring and got swept up in a Storm. I arrived sore in Anima and body and it took nearly two Seasons before I found civilisation. Only to find that most of the people I met weren't even completely human.
I've fought in wars, Krys, my hands are stained. I don't know how I could sleep at night, but I do. It seems that as time passes, it becomes easier and easier to sleep. I don't dream of it. I thought I would, but I don't.
Forgive my rambling, I sometimes need to think of what happened, to assure myself that I'm still me, and not a bloodthirsty monster.
Well, enough about moping. My relatives found me, actually, and we're returning home. Well, to Realmheart first, but Mum promised that she would allow me to return to Rumiga after the end of the second term this year.
How are you and Mikel? Heron, Braden and Orrin? I've missed all of your company. Well, while writing this I'm on board the Silver Tiger, of my Mum's clan. Well, my clan now apparently. She says that since I didn't inherit the Davar Heritage, that makes me part of the Mishala Clan and ultimately under their authority. Honestly, only Da could contest it since I'm pretty sure my Heritage isn't the Mishala's per se. I think it's an offshoot of one that's older than either lineage. But anyway, Mum says that she'll use the Fateweaver Loom to trace Da's Thread of Fate.
It's not that simple though and I don't really understand all the fine details or even the bigger particulars. Well, I hope to see you before the start of term on the Season of Fire!
I hope things aren't too difficult there. Mum didn't say what news in Rumiga so when you write back (please write back!) tell me what happened. I only know that the war between the Empire and the Northern Barbarians isn't over and that the Confederation has also made some aggressive moves.
In the meantime, I hope this letter finds you and your family well and when Mum finds out where our fathers are, I hope we can bring them back home.
Yours truly,
Yuriko Mishala Davar"
________
"Marron Mishala Davar
Fort Aegermonth
Rumiga
Dear Maru,
How're you doing? Mum found me and is taking me to Realmheart. I heard she told you that I was fine and you'd assumed that I had been captured by the barbarians. I understand why you'd think that but you know, those brutes were barely worth fighting. I know that now after fighting in a real war.
Yes, war. The planes I ended up with had been a piece of work just waiting for the right spark to light everything up. I wound up fighting on one side while waiting for a merchant ship that would allow me to get back home.
I didn't want to participate in it. I just wanted to return to Rumiga but the people there told me that it would cost me upwards of twenty-five thousand Sovereigns in local currency to get to the nearest plane through a ship. No, I didn't fight for coins. There were creatures there, like the Wyldlings but local to the plane, that have a special bone within them that also advances their Animus techniques. I planned to gather those until I earned enough.
Circumstances changed and I found myself at the site of a massacre. The other side killed off an entire village, including children. My blood ran hot and I found myself part of the war.
…
Ah! I met some of our cousins, on the Davar side! I mistook one of them for you, for a moment, but I knew immediately afterwards that it couldn't have been. For one thing, Aidan looks a bit more handsome than you, and certainly easier to get along with! Hehehe. I think I'll be able to return to Rumiga after the term ends. Hope to see you soon! Please write back, I miss you and the others horribly.
Love,
Yuriko Mishala Davar"
___________
"Rami Mishala Davar
21 West Avenue, Central District
Faron's Crossing, Rumiga
Dear Rami,
I am alive and well, and I miss you. When I get back to Rumiga I'll spend several weeks with you in the garden. In my travels, I've seen quite a number of trees, more than I'd like. I've even fought trees, hehe. Seriously though, there are people who, for some reason or another, take into their selves the Anima of trees and other plants. Mum told me it's more prevalent in the Belrath Xylarchy, or rather, only they and their allies use it. They're also the only ones to possess the technique to do it successfully…
… I am to finish the supposed fourth term in Sharom Academy's Imperial City campus, and hopefully will be able to return to Rumiga during the Season of Fire. Mum says she's got a lot to teach me first, but I don't see why she doesn't just teach me the basics and let me explore on my own afterwards….
I love and miss you deeply little bro, and I really would like to hug and squeeze you soon.
Your loving sis,
Yuriko Mishala Davar"
______
"Heron Synka Murryh
The Wild Oak
Rumiga City, Rumiga
Hey Heron, I'm alive and well, in case you've heard otherwise…
…I've been on quite the adventure and I must say I miss the days when we spar. I've fought seeking to take life, but I think I prefer fighting other men without needing that intention.
I hope to return to Rumiga by the time the Season of Fire comes around and I hope you and the others are doing well…
Your friend,
Yuriko Mishala Davar"
________
"Braden and Orrin Cael Foster
The Wild Oak
Rumiga City, Rumiga
Hello! I hope this letter finds the both of you well. If you haven't heard from my brothers or Krystal, I've been thrown out of the plane through a Chaos Spring and swept up in a Chaos Storm before ending up in a wild, uninhabited plane. I've only recently been found and rescued by my Mum and am currently on the way to Realmheart.
I hope to return to Rumiga before the Season of Air's term starts, though I've a lot to catch up on…
…I've heard that the Federation has restarted hostilities? I hope your family's business hasn't been affected by it. Stay safe until we meet again!
Your friend,
Yuriko Mishala Davar"
____________
Yuriko's letters were completed over the next couple of weeks, which was how long it took for the Silver Tiger to arrive in Realmheart.
"But didn't you say that it would have taken the Ebon Horizon seven to eight weeks?" she asked Layla the next time they saw each other in the mess hall. Unlike the practically unpalatable food back in the Watchtower's Mess, the food here in the Chaos Ship was divine.
Today's breakfast was a stack of pancakes served with a creamy dab of butter and honey, served with a rasher of bacon, and a mug of tea. She found Layla eating by a corner table and sat with her.
"Well, this Chaos ship is distinctly more advanced," Layla shrugged, "and we're not going through other planes."
"It's not. But…isn't that a longer distance, what with the ship having to go around the planes?"
Layla smirked. "That would have been right if we're inside a plane, where the rules of reality are stable. The theory and application isn't really something easy to explain, but suffice to say, the Tiger creates a passageway through the Chaos Sea. But doing so takes much more energy than what the Ebon Horizon's Runescript Engine is capable of. Chaos, this engine's so powerful that it could power a hundred Horizons."
"Oh."
"Yes," Layla grunted. "I wish they'd let me see it, but it's only for Mishala personnel." Layla ate in quick, efficient bites, and when she was done, Yuriko was only on her third plate. Her aunt eyed her for a moment, then pursed her lips. "Aren't you worried all of that will go straight to your hips?"
Yuriko couldn't help but follow her gaze. Her hips had become a bit wider and it was accompanied by some soreness. "Is it? It seems wider…"
"Not that." Layla sighed, then poked Yuriko's side. "Urgh, teenagers." She stomped away while muttering under her breath.
Yuriko gazed at her back with some confusion, then shrugged and finished her meal. She had a full day ahead, though she wasn't really looking forward to it.
As she had expected, Mum and Kiyo gave her a pile of books to read. She complained, of course. Reading that much would leave her with a headache and nausea.
"Ah, yes," Mum murmured. "You really don't like to read, don't you?"
"I get dizzy after a few minutes," Yuriko admitted.
"Since when did this start?" Mum asked curiously.
"Uhm, all my life?"
"You've never mentioned it before."
"I…it hardly mattered." Yuriko grumbled. She hadn't expected to have to read so many books in the academy, honestly.
"Well, do what you can then," Mum said. "Take frequent breaks and don't push on when you start feeling uncomfortable. The Tiger doesn't have the right instruments to find out what can be done about it, so we'll leave that for when we get to Aerule Garden. Ah, perhaps Body Sculpting could help with it."
Yuriko just shrugged. Even if she managed to avoid headaches, she still had no love for books. She'd rather train her body or meditate instead. Still, she had to finish her coursework if she wanted to enter the Legion Vagaris.
Though… Now that she's had an adventure out in the wider Chaos Sea, she wondered if she needed to be in Vagaris to do so. After all, Aidan, Riley, and Aunt Layla visited different planes on a regular basis while being part of a merchant ship.
"Why would you want to go to Vagaris?" Mum asked when Yuriko brought it up later that day. "There are far better careers in the Capital than going off to a legion."
"But didn't you meet Da in Vagaris?"
"Haah, yes, I did." Mum shifted her eyes and wouldn't look at her.
"Did you…regret it?" Yuriko asked with a catch in her voice.
"No, of course not," Mum hastened to say, catching her in a tight embrace. "I don't regret meeting your father there, or having you and the boys." Mum smiled, "It's just that I left home because I didn't like what my own mother wanted me to do."
Yuriko met Sadeen's eye with a sly look. "Aren't you doing the same?"
For a moment, she thought Mum would explode in anger. Her face certainly reddened to match a sunset, but after she took a calming breath, she said, "That's different."
Yuriko sniffed. "No it isn't. I want to join Vagaris and follow in Da's footsteps."
"What, are you looking to find a lover there?" Sadeen asked humorously, "From what Kiyo said, you've had no lack of suitors. Why, you even brought a boy back with you."
"Eh, no, not at all." Yuriko muttered while feeling some heat suffuse her face.
"Ohohohoho! Looks like there's something going on?"
"No, Mum. I've no feelings like that." Yuriko insisted.
"Hmmm, well, it often comes late to our family. Not until you can properly control your Mien, anyway."
"...what do you mean, Mum?"
She shrugged. "Something about our Mien, when it's not controlled properly, inhibits forming strong connections with others. Most of us, those with the Mien, don't fall in love until much later."
"You think that ability stops me…"
"From forming infatuations, crushes, and love. Though, honestly, you're too young for the last one." Sadeen smiled. "It's only conjecture, but most Mishalas throughout history either married late or only formed consortships throughout their lives."
Yuriko shook her head. "I don't really want to talk about this."
"Alright, my baby," Sadeen smiled. "But I'd really like to have grandkids," she continued under her breath, but was nonetheless, completely audible to Yuriko.
"I've two older brothers," Yuriko said dryly.
"That's not the same at all," Sadeen sighed, "and either the Progenitor or the Prima might protest if you enlist, so unless you want to do what I did, you'd best prepare yourself first."
Yuriko felt herself stiffen, and worse, she could feel Damien's fury rousing.
I will not let myself be bound.
His sentiment reverberated across the entirety of Yuriko's Anima and it flared in response. Sadeen watched her curiously as the golden flames erupted from her skin, rolling with agitation.
"Curious," she murmured while her eyes glowed green with Animus. With some effort, Yuriko controlled her Anima and put it back under her skin. Sadeen let her eyes return to normal. "Well, you've a lot to cover so I'll leave you be."
With that, Mum left the room. Yuriko didn't know where she spent most of the day, but at night, Sadeen refused to sleep in a different bed.
She spent all night hugging Yuriko as if she was a body pillow and while she hadn't been uncomfortable at the start, she didn't have much say in the matter.
Her days were spent reading, practicing her swordsmanship in the training room, and meditating. She followed Damien's instructions and flooded her Anima with as much distilled Chaos as she could. Fri'Avgi held quite a bit of it and by the time two weeks passed, her Anima had expanded to thirty seven inches. Just three away from the threshold.
At the dawn of the fifteenth day, the Silver Tiger entered into the Frostwind Gate, the Chaos Channel at the northern edge of Realmheart.