The clanking and rustling of the groceries bought by the tired florist, Hebiami, after his shift at the flower shop rung through the empty streets of Kyoto, Japan. Hebiamis phone vibrated in his pocket. The contact photo of Yuka, the little sister he left behind in their hometown of Ishikawa prefecture, is on the phones screen.
"Hey big brother!" Yukas words rang ecstatically from his phone, "I tried calling you all day, was the shop that busy?" she asked out of concern for her brothers health "Remember not to push yourself too hard, and take days off when you need to." she said, sounding like the older sibling.
"I'm fine Yuka," Hebiami said, chuckling to himself. "I have been having a bit of a hard time since dads accident but I'm starting to readjust, the flowers help, you know." The death of their father weighed heavy on the whole family but it weighed the heaviest on him. He connected with his father through his love of nature and flowers, they would spend hours talking about and researching new ways they could improve their garden and what new flowers they could add to it.
After moving to Kyoto for his job Hebiami wasn't around to see the final moments of his own fathers life.
"The anniversary of his death is coming up and mom has been asking about you. Are you planning on coming back home?" Yuka asked, hoping her brother would respond with a yes. "I don't think I'm strong enough for that yet Yuka, I'll let you know when I am." He said, reassuring his sister that he hasn't stopped fighting.
" 'Pain isn't a hindrance its a reminder that we're still living, that we're still fighting.'"
"You stole that from one of your games didn't you?" Hebiami asked playfully. "Maybe." Yuka said, looking away from her brother with her lips puckered. They both laughed
"I have to go big brother, I will call you back later, Bye!"
Hebiamis mind wonders after the call. He remembered the meal he planed on cooking tonight while entering his apartment. Katsudon and Sake! he excitedly thought to himself while stretching and placing the groceries on the kitchens counter.
He removed the ingredients for his meal from the grocery bags and began cooking . First he pounds his pork chops, then seasons them. After coating the pork chops in beaten eggs and panko he inserts them into a pan of hot oil, when the pork is done he cooks the diced onions and beaten eggs then serves them over a bowl of hot rice he prepared that morning.
Hebiami relaxed and enjoyed his meal while on the balcony of his apartment. After finishing his meal he showers and gets ready for bed. While dozing off in his bed he dreams about his hometown, the smell of the beaches, the sound of the single train that would pass his family home during the dark nights, and the sight of his and his fathers garden.
Suddenly a sound, that mimicked the cracking of ice, boomed from the door of Hebiamis bedroom. He shot up in his bed and stared at the area where the sound came from.
A snake, spottily covered in the flower "deadly nightshade", slithered out.
The snakes sharp eyes shined a bright blue while looking at Hebiami.
I feel.... cold?, he thought to himself as his vision went black.
Hebiami awakened in front of a giant tree surrounded by water. The tree was covered with the same flower that spottily covered the snake, the deadly nightshade. "I over did it with sake didn't I?" Hebiami asked himself rhetorically while standing up.
"Welcome Hebiami," said a deep voice coming from the direction of the tree. The same snake from earlier uncoiled itself from the base of the tree while simultaneously starting in Hebiamis direction.
"My name is Boro and you are now my Holder," he said "I've observed you from the day you were born all the way until now."
"A Holder?" Hebiami asked, confused by his current situation.
"Holders are creatures or people specifically chosen by the God Made Serpents to receive powers relating to a condition, rule, or element in the world." Boro explained.
"Your powers are special as they have two parts. The first allows you to traverse dimensions that contain alternative versions of yourself that are also Holders by snapping to opening dimensional portals." Boro said while raising his tail to represent a one. "The downside to this part is that your body temperature drops by one every time you open a portal."
"While the second allows you to freely make ice by using the coldness of space. When receiving these powers every version of yourself is forcefully shown your entire life. "
In the confusion and bombardment of knowledge of his new abilities, Hebiami had one question.
"Why me?"
"Of all the dimensions I've visited, all the people I've observed, you stood out to me. Not because of your life, the things you've done, nor the things you've experienced but you, Hebiami. When I first saw you I knew you'd be my holder, call it a feeling." Boro said bittersweetly as the giant tree withered and Hebiamis vision went black
After reawakening back in his room, Hebiami sees Boro and passes out.