1
Pinned up against a wall with the cold nipping of steel pressed against her neck, Fena's tumultuous journey to the Shinobi Academy took yet another turn for the worse.
"You! How is it that you know this girl? Tell me who you are— I will not hesitate to cut you!" the maid woman with short, auburn hair demanded.
"Miss Koria, I've already told you. I've never met this boy in my life— I just panicked! I promise I won't do it again!" the Princess Girl cut in, trying to assuage her maids fury.
A fistful of Fena's hakama, the maid pressed further, "Your eyes have been glued to my mistress all the way here... Even now, with steel to your neck, you gawk at her. Who sent you? Was it that fat oath Horace himself? Or are you in league with those Shinobi hunting lunatics?"
Reluctantly pulling her eyes away from the Princess Girl and back toward the narrowed, brown talons that dug into her, Fena muttered, "I was... angry."
"Nonsense," the maid screeched, further tightening her grip of Fena's clothing and pushing her hard against the wall, "even if it were by surprise, you, some crestless child, brought 'Gale-Force' to his knees and if it weren't for outside interference, you may well have killed him. I won't ask again—what business do you have with my mistress!"
Though Fena surmised she'd likely have no trouble dealing with the maid if things escalated to a fight, she just couldn't reciprocate her aggression. Right now, thoughts of the like lingered out on the very periphery of her mind.
It was because of her. That beautiful Princess Girl.
Twinkling gemstones trickled down from her sparkling sapphire eyes and onto her rosy cheeks. She fought tooth and nail to wrest the weapon away from Fena's neck. Yet, try as she might, it just wouldn't budge. Nevertheless, she persevered, maintaining such elegance as she did. Fena's heart yearned for her.
—Wait, what the heck is wrong with me?
Whatever it was that was swelling within her chest was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. It ached, desperately so, but that pain wasn't something that Fena was sure she wanted to go away.
"Miss Koria, please just listen to me! Just as you said, this boy almost brought down Gale. If he seriously wanted to do us any harm, don't you think he'd have already done it by now?" the Princess Girl wailed.
"What has gotten into you, my lady? Why are you so passionate about protecting this... boy?" The maid woman fixed Fena with a wide-eyed, blank stare for a few moments as her words suddenly trailed off, before carefully looking her up and down…
Hurriedly, the maid averted her eyes and adjusted Fena's hakama, covering the skin that'd been exposed by her aggressive handling of Fena's clothing, though she didn't go so far as to relinquish her hold.
"I just… couldn't take it anymore." the princess girl said.
"I-... I understand." Sighing deeply, the maid lowered her weapon, lifted up her long, black skirt and slotted it back into a small pouch of which the handles of multiple other knives poked out. She embraced her sobbing mistress into her arms, gently patting her head.
The maid looked toward Fena, still with a degree of apprehension in her eyes, "Do you have a name, child?" she asked.
Fena nodded gingerly. She just couldn't bring herself to say it. Or say anything for that matter.
"Never mind. Fret not, you are safe now—we're not like the other's back there..." The maid, who stood far taller than Fena, left the side of her mistress and crouched down, sitting just below Fena's eye level, "...Please, allow me to introduce myself and my mistress properly. My name is Koria, you may address my mistress as Lady Ember."
For some reason, Lady Ember seemed quite irritated upon hearing her maid's words, sporting quite the frown as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"I sincerely apologise for my harsh questioning, and particularly for being so rough with you... I didn't realise you were–"
"N-NO!" Fena yelped, as she squeezed her eyes shut.
For a few moments, there was complete silence, interrupted only by the occasional "um" and "ah" until finally, a stiff, confused apology stumbled out from Koria's lips, "My… apologies? I simply wished to express that I've no shame acting in the best interests of my mistress. I ask that you please understand this."
Fena finally opened her eyes but still remained speechless. Her heart was all jumbled up. The words formulated in her mind, but like popped bubbles they disappeared without a trace the moment she tried to speak them aloud, as if her flailing tongue were the very needle that was pricking them to burst.
Koria returned to the side of her mistress, tending to her dishevelled dress and quizzing Fena, "Do you have a home to return to? Or a parent nearby?" she asked.
For a moment, Fena considered that attempting to explain who her mother was may help her out, but she brushed the idea off straightaway, fearing that word of today's exploits would only cause trouble in the end. Plus, Fena was still mad at her mother, really mad. Talking to her was not an option.
"I'm lost," Fena confessed, fiddling with the hilt of Bolt as she looked toward the ground and shrunk against the wall behind her.
"You're lost, you say? You've no familiarity at all with this area? Did you even know you'd strayed onto the 'Ember Estate?'" Koria asked.
"A-academy," Fena mumbled.
"What? You were headed to the Shinobi Academy too?" Lady Ember chimed in, her blue eyes seemed to sparkle a bit.
"You… have business at the Shinobi Academy?" Koria asked, her eyes narrowing on Fena's person once again.
Whilst Fena continued to struggle summoning her words, she spied Lady Ember mumbling something in Koria's ear, though she couldn't quite hear what.
"L-Lady Ember, have you lost your mind? If your father spots you with this child once more, by The Phoenix he'll—"
"Enough! I've made up my mind," Lady Ember yelled, stomping her foot onto the ground repeatedly, "and my Father isn't here right now, is he? So, for the hundredth time, it's Ruby, not Lady Ember— I hate that stupid name, you know that. You're my friend, not my slave."
"I—... You truly are incorrigible," Koria sighed, as she smiled and shook her head. "You are in luck child, my mis—, my dear friend, Ruby, wishes for you to join us. I assume you'll accept her offer?"
Fena's face blushed beet red. She hid behind her hands, peaking through the gaps between her fingers at Lady Ember.
—I gotta see more... I wonder what she loves? Or what she hates? What about friends? Would she still be friends with me if she knew I was a girl? Maybe… I'd get to call her Ruby?
Practically bursting with both excitement and nervousness at the many scenarios playing out in her head, Fena continued to indulge in her own daydreams. Even just hearing The Princess Girls name made her heart flutter.
Unfortunately bursting Fena's fantasy filled bubble, an open hand, poking out from a sleeve of black, a hand that Fena couldn't help but notice possessed extremely puffy and squishy fingertips, appeared before her, "I must insist that we make haste, lest we are late and suffer disqualification. I'm sure that's the last thing you'd want, right? May I take hold of your hand? Or, if that is too intrusive, may I instead take hold of your sleeve?"
Though it'd been a short time since she'd met her and they'd not exactly gotten off on the right foot, Fena gradually began to see visages of her own mother in Koria. The warmth of their calming voices, the tranquil stillness of their gaze whenever they would patiently await a response, Koria's eyes were even brown, slightly darker but still similar to Melina's hazel tint.
Fena wanted to trust her, at least for now.
Fena lifted her arm up closer to the open palm awaiting a response and muttered, "Fe-... na..."
It reciprocated her gesture, lightly grasping the loose, purple material underneath Fena's arm, "Fena? That is your name, yes?"
Fena nodded whilst sneaking a glance at Lady Ember once again.
"Fena, a lovely name indeed. Right, shall we be off then? Ruby, may I take your hand as well?"
A stoic expression on her face, Lady Ember replied, "I think... I think that I would quite like that."
2
And so, the newly acquainted trio stepped back out onto the main streets, which Fena felt were somehow even more rammed than they were earlier when she was with her mother.
This was par for the course as, unbeknownst to Fena, about less than half an hour remained until the Academy's notorious spars showcasing the next generation of talent in the Shinobi world officially kicked off the day's celebrations.
Also remaining the same was the sweltering heat. Now that she'd finally escaped the trouble she was in, Fena was really feeling the effects of it. This was the first time she'd ever ventured this far from home and without her mother's supervision no less; the heat beating down on her back was beginning to make her feel queasy.
"Fena, are you alright? I would offer you a moment of respite, but I must stress we are really running short on time here," Koria said.
"I don't usually get to spend this much time outside, and I've never been this far away from home... I had no idea it could be this hot."
Belatedly realising she may have spoken a bit too much, Fena shied away, covering her mouth. The words just seemed to slip out.
But… was that really so bad?
Fena ruminated upon her mishap further, questioning if there was really any problem with opening up a little to Koria after all. She'd been violent with her in the beginning, yes, but she was protecting Lady Ember, a real-life Princess Girl and Fena had given Koria reason enough to regard her as a danger.
Yeah… I'd have definitely done the same to protect her, Fena thought.
"Oh, I see..." Koria said. She paused for a moment, fixing Fena a wide-eyed stare, as did Ruby also, before pulling something from her pocket, "...I believe I have something that will help somewhat, may I?"
"U-um... Yes please."
Koria then handed a small, black flannel to Fena, one embroidered with a red and white phoenix. Fena peered closely at its design, it was the same as the one on the back of Ruby's elegant black dress, except hers was black.
"That insignia seems to have sparked your interest, child, do you know of it?" Koria asked.
"That big carriage kinda looked like this, I think that loudmouth boy and his big fat father had it on their clothes too."
"You'd be quite right; indeed they did." Koria affirmed, chuckling like a schoolgirl who'd been told a naughty joke. "That symbol is the insignia for the Ember clan, the blood of which runs through Ruby's veins. Legends, as they're told on the Genesis continent, have it that when Lady Origin began our existence as we now know it, she birthed four children who all inherited fractions of her divinity and entrusted each of them with the responsibility to be humanities custodians. On that flannel, 'Ramus, The Eternal Flame', colloquially known to people like us as 'The Phoenix', is depicted. He is said to have been the first child born of The Goddess, inheriting the power of eternal life through resurrection, and responsible for forming the Ember clan supposedly thousands of years ago... There, all done. Hold this flannel against your forehead whilst we walk."
Far, far adrift, Fena sank deeper and deeper into an oasis of fascination and curiosity, not even noticing that the flannel she held in her hand was now pleasantly cool and somewhat damp. "Eternal life… Does that mean he's still around today? Does he live in our village? And what about Origin's other children?" she asked excitedly.
Koria leaned in close to Fena's ear, "You'd want to ensure you only invoke the name of Her Grace in public appropriately," she whispered, whilst giving Fena a gentle tap on the shoulder. "Though non-believers and sceptics are not officially prosecuted by the police force, public prosecution is often ignored."
After pulling away and glancing towards Lady Ember, Koria smiled and said, "If there is a next time, I would be delighted to indulge your curiosity further. It seems that you are someone who enjoys stories, much like my mistress here who refuses to go to bed without me reading her one first." Koria said, giggling as she winked and flashed a cheeky grin at Fena.
Lady Ember, who'd been utterly silent thus far during the trio's journey, burst into life with a shriek like the whistling of a boiling teapot, "E-excuse me Koria! Was that information really necessary to share? It's embarrassing!" she squealed, waving her arms all over the place.
It seemed that her friend knew exactly which buttons to press.
Feeling something swell up inside of her, Fena blurted out, "D-don't worry, Lady Ember... My mom reads me a bedtime story every night too. I don't like sleeping alone. I get nightmares."
"Lady Ember…" Lady Ember repeated slowly, the sparkle in her sapphire eyes vanishing as she did. She cast her gaze toward the ground, before looking back up toward Fena and leaning in closer toward her, stoic as a statue of ice.
Wishing she could snatch up the stupid words that had broken free from her stupid mouth and shove them back down her own stupid throat, Fena froze up underneath Ruby's placid stare, unsure if she'd just stepped on an Essence bomb.
TOO-CLOSE-TOO-CLOSE-TOO-CLOSE. Ruby's soft breaths tickled Fena's cheeks, her delightful smell was sending her heart into overdrive.
"Come on now, the pair of you. The 'East Bridge' is just up ahead, let us make haste," Koria urged.
"You... are very... different, Fena." Lady Ember said, her eyes empty and still.
Fena didn't dare inquire as to what that could've possibly meant.
3
Up ahead, a gargantuan bridge leading to various higher up mountains appeared as if summoned upon the blink of an eye. Multiple thoughts rattled through Fena's mind, like how the heck would they traverse this huge bridge in time for the ceremony? Which mountaintop was their desired destination? Even if they could get up there in time, wouldn't she be exhausted once she got to the top? There's no way she could fight right after that; there's no way anyone could, surely? And most pressing of all... how the heck didn't I notice this thing myself?
"You needn't worry Fena, my mistress will handle this part," Koria said.
Taking the lead and now pulling both Koria and Fena along, Lady Ember headed towards a small building where an elderly man and an elderly woman seemed to just be going about their business. They both smiled a weary smile as they greeted her.
"Passage for my maid and my acquaintance please, Victor." Lady Ember curtly requested.
The old man rested a watchful eye upon Fena, one she didn't quite appreciate, before responding to the request, "Of course, Lady Ember, right this way, if you would," he said, his voice as creaky as an ancient floorboard as he shuffled his feet and turned his back, beckoning Lady Ember inside the building that stood next to a service station.
Lady Ember followed, pulling Koria and Fena along with her. Inside, it was plain and minimalistic. The building seemed to simply serve as a roof over the heads of whoever these old people were and whatever business they were handling. A brochure, much like the one Fena had read in the hospital from a glance, was pinned by itself in the dead centre of a large wooden bulletin board, serving as the only distinguishable decor.
"I assume you've the payment ready, Young Miss?" the old man asked, rubbing his hands.
"Yes, as always Victor." Reaching into the breast pocket of her dress, Lady Ember pulled out a variety of sparkling trinkets and held them before the old man, "Take your pick."
"Ohh, by Origin's blessing, your wares never disappoint Lady Ember, hehe… Let me see…" Taking a long, hard look at the opulent wares on display, the shrewd-looking old man seemed to keenly eye one in particular, a silver necklace of some sort.
Fena couldn't quite make out what it looked like but guessed that it vaguely resembled something like a fairy, just like the ones she'd read about.
"I must stress that our time is limited," Lady Ember said.
"Ah— yes, the ceremony, of course… This one here shall suffice." The old man's carrot-like fingers plucked the shiny silver necklace from Lady Ember's hand, then gradually raised his ancient arm about as high up as his body would allow, dangling the fairy before his wiley grey eyes. "'The Fairy Of The Wind', they call her in Historia… did you know that? Pitiful fools," the old man chided, the wrinkly skin drooping from his cheeks stretching as his dry lips took the shape of a wry smile, "though I guess they're half right, 'Of The Wind' she most certainly is, but a 'Fairy' she most certainly is not… Oh! Nevermind the ramblings of an old fool, you've somewhere to be."
"Over here." Suddenly, the old woman, whom Fena had completely forgotten about, spoke up.
Whilst Lady Ember had been dealing with the old man, it seemed that the old lady had been preparing whatever travel idea that was to be the substitute for traversing the huge bridge. "Step into the lift. Stand within the markings. Infuse no Essence."
Utterly confused, Fena did just as she was instructed, though it'd be a bit more accurate to say that Fena was just following Koria's lead. What was even more confusing though, was that neither she nor Lady Ember looked in the least bit surprised— Fena wasn't sure whether that helped to make her feel more a little more comfortable or even more nervous, though it was likely a bit of both.
The old lady was last to step into the lift. The old man gave her a signal, prompting her to weave a few hand signs. Shortly after, sounds of static became audible, which caused Fena to jump almost out of her own skin.
"Remain still!" the old woman yelled, swiping a hand at Fena's wrist, then repeating her process once again.
After a few moments of silence, the lift began to move.
—Wait, move?! What the heck is happening?
Darting her gaze in every direction whilst trying her utmost to remain as still as she could, Fena quickly began to understand where she was and what was happening.
"Ah! I know what this is now! This is one of the 'Grand Lifts!'"
As she did, Lady Ember turned around from looking outside the opposite window and looked toward Fena, Koria also looked toward her.
"You've knowledge of this contraption, Fena?" Koria asked, her eyes seemed to twinkle as she did.
Hours and hours of her mother's ramblings flooded into her head all at once like water flooding from a burst dam. Fena scoured the lift, observing her mother's innovations and how they'd been implemented into the final product; most notably the usage of Essence being pumped into a small gadget to stabilise the cart and move it respectively.
Pointing to that small device, Fena explained, "That's called an 'Essence Compartmentaliser', it stores the Wind and Lightning Essence that gets infused into it by the operator of the lift… Oh! And this small thingy on the end is called an 'Essence Distributor' and that pushes that Essence wherever it needs to go."
"Wow... well, it would seem as though you've no end of surprises, Fena. Is your father an engineer? With Melina Alexandria's ingenuity, I feel as though I hear rumours of another fantastic contraption every week. It's truly quite fascinating."
Fena felt her heart sink. The words escaped her mouth before she'd even realised what she'd said, "I... don't have a dad."
Following a few moments of awkward silence, Fena scrambled to throw some words out to fill up the stagnant air, waving her hands all over the place as she spoke, "Oh but you don't have to worry about me at all though! My mom never tells me anything about him and I can't really remember him, so..."
"I think it best we stray from discussion pertaining to personal matters henceforth," Koria said, looking ahead toward their destination. "Today, you compete for the official title of a Shinobi, correct? I shan't occupy your mind any further with needless discussion."
Koria was right. Belatedly, Fena realised that ever since she had run off from her mother, she'd completely lost sight of what had mattered most to her, the reason why she was even doing this in the first place.
Was the world around her truly so terrifying? Was it truly so vast and unpredictable that it could so easily sway her from the dream she'd desired for as long as she could remember?
No. For Fena, the answer to that question wouldn't even be relevant, for the life she dreamed of spending with her mother, one where she'd never again miss a birthday, or be away from home when Fena had awoken from an awful nightmare, a life where she'd never again come home at the crack of dawn and collapse of exhaustion in the hallway, Fena would have to be stronger than whatever the world could possibly throw at her.
Like her mother had hammered into her during her training, "The Shinobi world is built on strength, nothing else matters," so if Fena could become the ultimate strength in the Shinobi world, nobody would be able to take her mother away from her ever again.
Firmly clenching her fists, Fena waged war upon the world she'd only seen but a fraction of, "I will not fail, I will protect my mother, I will be the strongest." Fena's scorching supernovas looked waywardly out of the window towards the scenery below, focusing on nothing in particular… Envisioning only her hand being raised victorious.