We walk up to the house that stretches out before, feeling more massive as we approach. The beautiful building nestled gracefully within the embrace of the majestic willow. Aged wooden structure, adorned with intricate carvings welcomed us with a quiet charm. The willow's cascading branches draped like a veil around the house. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, creating an eerie yet soothing symphony that stirred my curiosity, and yet – I felt cautiousness creep up alongside it.
The laughter of unseen spirits echoed through the spacious halls, their playful whispers just at the edge of my senses. The air was thick with an air of nostalgia, its timeworn walls harboring the memories of both joy and sorrow and through all its charm, the house felt like a guardian. Warning us that the energy of this house would protect their inhabitants fiercely.
As we followed Ai through the halls, I could only hear the spirits, not see them. Their whispers were so shy and low-pitched. They whisper of us, of Mikhael whom they seem to remember from a different time. We came to a tall door, adorned with the carvings of the Moon, a story depicted in the intricate carvings. One that I had since long forgotten. Then, as the Moon split in half, we were welcomed into a banquet room. Filled with the most calming and luscious smells. A cacophony of voices and laughter came to an abrupt halt as we stepped in.
"My dear guests", Ai said, arms stretching out, addressing the room of… nothing. Just like the halls, I could not see only hear the Spirits, and as they were quiet now it felt almost like Ai was out to make a fool of me. Playing games of imagination. I looked to Mikhael who did not seem as disturbed by this, looking at the empty but decadently decorated room. But then, perhaps he could see the Spirits. Perhaps it was only to me, of no magic and no heritage, that the inhabitants of the house were unseen, protected by ancient magic. "We have mortal guests this morning. Make sure they feel welcome."
Ai turned Mikhael and smiled at him, then her eyes glanced at me, and there was an emotion in her eyes that were hard to decipher. Both of wary and what looked like anger. I told myself I was imagining, but something in my core told me to be alert. Cautious. I looked at Ai. What was she the Spirit of? Was she perhaps a Guardian?
"Welcome to the House of Flower Spirits", said Ai and it was as if a veil of lifted from my eyes, I could see the spirits, dressed in delicate and beautiful clothing, looking just as decadent as the room's ornament. They were looking carefully at us, the mortals, then at each other. I did not know if I was supposed to do something, address them, or smile, but seeing as Mikhael did neither, I just talked quietly with Ai, so I decided to remain quiet.
We were escorted through the banquet hall and out of a garden. Logically, we would have to be inside the Willow, but before us was a massive garden with beautiful flowers and plants, gently dancing in the cool breeze. A path of white stones led to a pond, and a pavilion stood in the middle of that pond, as a jewel of tranquillity amidst the enchanting backdrop. Its graceful, arched roof seemed to mirror the gentle ripples of the water's surface. Tall, slender pillars supported the structure, their ornate designs resembling twisting vines, as if the pavilion had grown organically from the surrounding nature.
Mikhael had not looked at me once since we stepped foot in the house, and now, as we were ushered into this enchantingly tranquil structure, he was lost in conversation with Ai.
The smell of peach blossom tea carried through the air and struck me right in the heart, and on cue as if she had felt the tug inside of me Ai turned around and smiled at me.
"I thought you would like it", she said, her voice calm and composed, concealing any feelings she might've harbored towards me.
We were invited to sit on a plush, embroidered rug on the floor amidst cushions strewn with vibrant silks and delicate lace. A low wooden table held the tea and cups that awaited us. I sat next to Mikhael, my back against a seafoam green pillow, its softness striking. I felt then how my body ached.
"You must wonder why I have invited you here, " said Ai, the only one speaking. I nodded, while Mikhael remained quiet by my side. He always seemed to shut up when I wished he would take the lead, sparing me the burden of keeping conversations.
In the dreamlike pavilion, time seemed to slow as Ai poured us tea. I cradled the cup in my hands, its nostalgic aroma invoking a flood of memories I struggled to contain. Scents always seemed to have a way of affecting me so profoundly.
"The eve of Autumn Equinox is closing in, and during this year's festival, I would be in great need of some extra help," Ai explained, sensing my hesitancy. She turned her attention solely to me and continued, "We are flower spirits, abundant in beauty and magical energy, but woefully lacking in the art of violence, of protection. The ongoing war has left our realm only half as defended as it once was. My beloved flowers and trees are being burned, trampled, and forgotten, wilting down to the root. My land is dying, decay at our doorsteps, and unless we rest this winter and gather our energies, there might not be a Spring Bloom come next season.
My magical abilities are not what they once were, and with the months of sleep approaching, we never know if something might try to pierce our barriers. Spirits of the Nether-realms have been stirring lately, and I need my Spirits to be safe."
She was the Deity of Spring and Dew. She visited us on the Pink Islands every Spring Equinox, and for the autumn, when our lands still bloomed, she would go to rest on the Continent, so we held a small celebration in her honor. I could not believe she was sitting before me, asking for my help… the tea cooling in my hands I looked to Mikhael, his eyes sought mine back.
"When is the Equinox", he asked and looked at his old friend.
"In two days."
"Then we stay and help you", I answered.
"You might not remember but we, my people, of the Pink Islands revere you deeply. Before the war, we always used to celebrate the Equinox in your honor." Ai's eyes lustrous with tears stretched over the wooden table and put her ethereal hands over mine as if to say thank you.
--
"Why didn't you ask if I was okay with staying here for another three days?" Mikhael asked, his brow furrowed. We had been shown a wing of the house that was intended for guests. He settled on a couch made of delicate silks, the same fabric as the pillows in the pavilion. The room was filled with flowers and vines that appeared to grow straight from the ceilings and floors.
"I thought you'd be fine with it, considering she is your close – I mean old friend. Albeit the way you hugged her earlier tells me there might be something." I said with a coy smile. His silence and throat clearing suggested I might have hit a nerve, but I couldn't resist teasing him further.
"I thought that you had sworn off women after your fiancé died. Or is it different for ethereal flower spirits and Deities?" I progged.
"I didn't swear off women!" Mikhael's voice rose and I could tell my teasing had struck a chord. "It was a long time ago, and it's not relevant to this situation. He added gruffly. "Of course, I want to help my friend, but I'm worried about the dangers of staying in a Spirit realm for too long. Especially for a human like yourself. Though it may not feel different from our realm, everything here poses a threat to your life", he said, lowering his voice as if someone might overhear us.
"How could it be a threat to my life? They don't know about the Book, right? Besides, I possess very little magical energy, if any. And I can defend myself, something they don't seem capable of," I replied, trying to reassure him, although his concern didn't seem to waver.
"You are not without magical energy, and you know that too. There is something there, stirring right at the surface. You just don't know how to control it. Do you know what these beautiful and passive little Spirits might do to get their roots on something so rare as the Book of Death? There is no… There is no way I could protect you."
His words struck me like a bolt of lightning, leaving me momentarily staggered and confused. Why was he suddenly talking about protection? That wasn't our purpose for being here together.
"You don't have to protect me", I managed to say, trying to find the right words. I locked eyes with him, looking at him, at what I saw in those eyes, and I remembered the sensation of the ember that he had used on me the other morning. Was that protecting me too? It sounded more like a confession; of something he shouldn't be feeling.
"You don't have to protect me," I repeated, my voice steady this time. "You are my guide, my travel companion, and seeing as we are two almost capable warriors with questionable pasts, we can help these powerless little Spirits. We should do it, not because you feel a need to protect, well, anyone it seems, but because it would be for your friend and a revered Deity from my Islands."
Mikhael shook his head but didn't object to my proposition. It's only three days, I told myself. The Book quiet in my mind. I needed Mikhael to understand that my reliance on him had nothing to do with who I was, rather, it was completely circumstantial. Or perhaps, it was me I needed to convince. Make sure to remember where you are, where you are, I told myself.
"Promise me you won't eat or drink anything here in the Realm that isn't offered. I would rather that you didn't eat anything, but that seems impossible for three days."
"I know the rules of the Spirit worlds", I said, ever obstinate.
"Fine. I'll stop… Let's see hope you get us into less trouble this time," he said with a low voice, it sounded like a sigh but before I had a chance to retort, he got to his feet and went into the room Ai had said was his for the night, closing the door without looking at me.
A lingering unease settled in the pit of my stomach as if unseen eyes were fixated on me, I felt naked and ever watched. The sensation left me on edge. "Watch yourself," the Book's words echoed in my mind. "Not all is what it seems." I couldn't shake the sense that there were secrets lurking in the shadows of this house as if all was not really as it seemed, not quite as Ai had described it.
The gentle rustle of the willow's leaves filled the room that had been left in silence since Mikhael walked out. If the dangers he warned about were truly as dire as he implied, he would've insisted that we leave without hesitation, right?
Right.