Chapter Text
He understands that this was wrong. It feels like losing his mind. It's barely been a month and he already had called this creature "Brother." The reason many of his greedy workers never laid a hand on it was because it looked human.
It looked very similar to their boss, due to claiming the form of course, but. These people weren't monsters. They would kill an animal, but they can't kill a man. It disguises itself very well. They could almost forget the very important piece about it.
It was a mythical creature. Something they weren't supposed to catch or imprison. Thankfully it was kind enough to forgive them. Yoriichi has already healed at this point. And there is no point in restricting him. He walked around their lab freely, he might as well just get up and leave.
But he can't. He still has a promise to fulfill. He still has to heal his human.
"Michikatsu. Has your day gone well?" It ever so softly speaks. Hugging his brother dearly. It's trying to impersonate him again. "Yes... Brother. Everything has gone rather well for me today."
It hummed. Whatever creature it was it really did have magic. Not something that could compare to a God., but still. His tone was rather soothing. No, he did not have a fine day today. But he knows he didn't have to share information with him.
'He's playing with you again, Michikatsu.'
This creature finds it amusing to act as someone he used to adore. He finds it fun to replace him. But the moment he left the room the reality struck. And he is reminded, it was not his brother he was talking to.
'Yoriichi. Was his name fake? Why does it have to take it this far? Why does he have to steal the name of his real brother?'
It kept pretending. At some point, he also wanted to pretend with him. To believe he still had his brother. But he wasn't dumb. And he's not stupid enough to play dumb. It started demanding him to call him brother. It was his brother after all.
And somehow it perfectly mirrored him. It liked it so much that it even felt offended if he called him by name. There is a solution. He will bring it back to the Aelia, bring it home, and never think of it again. After also getting his medication.
But what if it hurts to watch it leave? What if watching this imposter leave for good is the same as watching life slip off of his brother's eyes? How could he live like that? Deep down it wasn't really his choice. Yoriichi is going to leave soon and there's nothing he can do about that.
It already started to beg him to bring him home. The story of the Aelia he heard from the creature was amazing. A field of undying flowers. A thousand stars that could never be put out. He can tell it misses it. He's going to do the right thing and bring him back.
"What is that Michikatsu?"
'"It's.." Michikatsu had to pause every time he heard his voice called by it. The same soft and curious voice. The one who'd comfort him every night back when he was a child. "It's a gift." He brought in a small box, which Yoriichi eyed carefully.
Although it understands human language, it needs time to understand the words. A gift was supposed to be something pleasant. It smiled at him and expectantly waited for him to open the box. It gently taps on his side, telling Michikatsu to sit with him.
Michikatsu did. He slowly unwrapped the box. Inside was something special to him. Something he hadn't let anyone touch. Yoriichi was interested in the ornament he showed him. "This is an earring. Something you were in uh well, the ear." Yoriichi could sense that this small item was special to him, he held it firm and gently.
There were two of them, it held an interesting shape, and he felt like it was familiar. "To wear earrings you'd usually need piercing, but these are the type that don't. You could just put it on so easily." This is definitely an ornament he had seen before. "It is a gift from my ancestors. I.." Why the hell am I giving it to him?
No no. I only came here to bring the creature some news. Why is that box here? Why is he letting it touch those precious earrings? What the hell is wrong with him? It's as if he doesn't have a sense of control when he's in front of him.
"Can you help me put it on?"
"Yes."
Now. There was nothing different between him and his original brother. The earrings were given to the firstborn child. It's only fair for Yoriichi to have it back. "It's nice." This kind of thing would weigh you down, even if only slightly. But humans are simple, from the start they had already done this, creating and wearing all types of accessories. It's cute.
"You look amazing big brother." Just like before. "Thank you." Like all their normal days, Michikatsu stayed to talk with him, as they spent hours together. They didn't even realize that it was late. Once he remembered the time, he also remembered his first purpose.
"I forgot to tell. We're bringing you home soon." Yoriichi's once relaxed face changes. Michikatsu apologized for having given this news late. Yet he didn't mind. Yoriichi had always been patient with him. "To be exact, it is in three days. We've already removed all of our assets from your home. And once we bring you back. We humankind swore to never break the boundaries again."
At that, the creature smiled genuinely. The only person who was capable enough to break the boundary was Michikatsu. It trusts his words. "Then I shall heal you soon." Yoriichi patted him on the head, looking proud of him. At least that earring will be a farewell gift. He admits he had somewhat of an obsession with his brother. He was the one who raised him.
It would be a farewell to the creature, to the past. And to him. He wouldn't get far in his healthy life if he kept holding on to him.
At first, they wanted to bring it in a cage. Yet a cage is futile, even if they're afraid of this creature, there is nothing they can do. A simple car was enough to impress it. These new inventions were amazing. Life in the forest was peaceful, but it was a little curious about what else have the humans created.
Once they arrived they proved they had really left the place. They made sure not to leave a trace. With such a short period they were not able to take much. Originally Michikatsu sent people to the Aelia to stand by. They were also the ones sending all types of plants and fruit for Yoriichi to eat. They weren't able to find an animal not once.
Of course, there were reports of deaths. He ordered his people not to wander far. But, they failed to listen. The Aelia is a wide and dangerous place.
Yoriichi mentioned you had to be accepted by the Aelia. To be safe, you had to be in the favor of the God who protects this place. Once you are accepted you'll feel the warmth given by the forest. The reassurance that you will live a long and peaceful life. This God also has favorites. Just like how Yoriichi favored Michikatsu over all of the other humans. Maybe the reason they never found any animal was because they were the same creature as Yoriichi.
Michikatsu saw the creature's eyes sparked. As if it was about to cry. He has been missing his home for a while after all. And he didn't want to spend any second waiting. It ran into the woods. Seemingly losing the form he was holding. Its air went loose, its body somewhat glowing.
It's losing the face. Good, because he was going to lose it if he kept calling it brother. Now he was faced with reality, he was finally told that his brother was gone. He told his men to wait in the car while he followed after it. They had one unfinished business left.
'Enter too far into the forest and you will become one with it. Literally. The inviting fruits were just bait for the people to enter and discover further. Listen closely and you will hear the sound of my kind.'
He recalled Yoriichi's words. Once he listens closely, he can't help to feel the forest is watching him. Judging him. Making up its mind about what they should do to him. Yoriichi was still running, he had to start running too, he needed Yoriichi's protection. Yet Yoriichi was only going faster and faster. It was hard for him to catch up, especially with a weak body.
"Brother wait! Don't leave me. Please." His brother, although they both had the same weak body and disease. He was far more energetic. He always runs like it didn't hurt. But to Michikatsu it was unbearable. He coughed, trying to catch his breath. If Yoriichi kept running he'd sure be lost soon.
But he wouldn't do that. Yoriichi stayed by his side and apologized for leaving him. And pushing him over the limits. "Just.. Slow down." They began to walk, He held his brother's hand ever so tightly not wanting to be left behind again.
He gets that Yoriichi was excited, he gets that they were about to be cured. Maybe he should've pushed himself a little longer. Michikatsu was as excited as him to finally be healthy. He will live a full life with his brother. Michikatsu felt rather afraid of this dark forest. Although they reached it at noon, it was too dark to see. His brother was unfazed. Leading the way fearlessly.
'We didn't bring a flashlight' Michikatsu thought. They ran to the forest way too early. Yoriichi was the only source of light. Yet it wasn't enough for him to see any of his surroundings.
No wonder people died here. They must have gone lost since they never acquired their bodies. As a child, Michikatsu used to be afraid of the dark. Yet as always, Yoriichi was there to hold his hand whenever he was scared. "We're almost there." The moment felt endless. They kept walking and walking, he didn't feel like they were reaching anywhere until, "We're here."
When things seemed a little clearer, he saw they were under a bright moonlight. It was cold and quiet. He was in awe when he saw the sky. Was this what Yoriichi has been talking about? Under such beauty, he was unable to move. Just admiring all of the stars in the sky. Some glows brighter than others.
The sky was watching him. It was watching them. He snapped out and looked for his brother, thankfully he was just a couple of steps ahead of him, he saw him bend down to reach something. "Here it is." He holds the medicine in his hand, it is a flower.
"A flower?"
"Yes. This flower shall give you strength. Your- Our ancestors have taken it before, but maybe we came from the line that didn't. Humans were still a bit skeptical about this after all. But you can trust me."
The flower was a bright vibrant blue. It had many petals, it looked like a spider lily. He knew there was a blue variant. But it was said to be dangerous. "It shall fix everything?" Yoriichi nodded in reassurance. He looked up at the sky and smiled, Michikatsu was a bit confused by this action. But he didn't think much of it. "Come now, I will prepare it for you." He watched as Yoriichi professionally turned the flower into liquid, inserting other ingredients into it. "It will make it less bitter." Once it was done he served it in a bowl.
He walked closer to Michikatsu, not giving him the bowl, instead insisting on feeding it to him. He holds him in one hand, and the bowl in the other. They sat on a rock as Yoriichi slowly guided the bowl to his mouth. "Be careful okay? You might choke." Michikatsu nodded.
This is what he's been waiting for. What he wanted. He closed his eyes and accepted the medicine. He was right. It was bitter. So bitter he might cry. "Now, now drink it all Michikatsu." Right, he wasn't a child anymore. He needs to take this medicine. Halfway through he felt somewhat dizzy. Why does he hear voices inside his head?
" We cannot trust these... Beings. How are we sure they are no different from the demons? "
"Brother! Don't you dare disrespect them! They had risked their life to be by our side."
"You are not listening! They have the same nature as the demons. They came from the same thing!"
"What nonsense are you shouting about?”
"They are trying to make us one of them."
The moment Yoriichi started talking about The Aelia, was the moment he wanted Michikatsu. Although living there was nice by itself, he didn't mind a brother. Many of his kind despised the humans for the betrayal they did years ago. But he was one to find them the most amusing.
"It's a trap! Don't drink that! There is something wrong with that flower! That is the flower that made demons!"
"What?" They look dumbfounded, looking at their fellow ally to confirm it was just a bluff. But there was anger in those supposed-to-be kind eyes. It was upset they figured it out.
"Is that supposed to be true?" They stayed silent. "Answer us, what is this?" The creature whispered among themselves. "There are still those who haven't drunk it yet."
The humans started to panic. The looked ones who had drunk them were unable to be saved. They stopped moving entirely, they can't. "Just run already! I can't move! Something is controlling me. Go!"
All creatures "fairies" or "demons" were once human. They only evolved into the next worst things. One by one they were captured. The forest seemed endless, and they couldn't see a thing. They were dragged in by some strange force. It felt helpless. Only ever one manages to escape. Leaving his fellow friend. Not knowing what happened to them. The forest tried to reach him. It tried to persuade him with fruits and flowers.
But he didn't even glance at them. He ran to tell the story. To lock the Aelia from the rest of the world. To make sure people heed his warning. Yet the world wasn't believing him so easily. They trusted this creature, and the news of them stabbing them in the back was absurd. No one wanted to believe it.
Yet none of his comrades has returned home. None of them were heard again. In the end, they did block off the Aelia. But the stories of fairies being their friend were still around. The fairies felt offended. They didn't do anything wrong, but they hated the way that humans ran from them. As if they were monsters.
Yoriichi watched it all happen. A simple human able to escape their grasp? That's amusing. It was more amusing when he found them at the edge of the forest trying to enter again. Truly what did these humans want? Getting captured was an excuse for him to see how much progress the humans made without them.
He was indeed surprised that they hadn't crumbled. He genuinely thought that they would one day come back to beg for forgiveness. He was wrong. These humans take care of themselves just well. And they kept their promises as well. He knew at this point there was no way for humankind and his kind to reconnect.
Of course, the plot twist of it all was the fact that the escaped human descendants were the ones who led them back. They were once acquaintance. He gave his favorite human back then an earring, a human ornament that he made eternal and would not rot. And what luck is it for him to have it back as a gift?
Soon his people outside will come in to search for Michikatsu. And the fairies will once again require some new friends.
"Ahk-" Michikatsu starts to cough violently. He pushed the bowl, and thankfully Yoriichi was able to catch it. Yoriichi can tell that the stars watching were unhappy at this sight. "It's okay, just one more sip. Come now."
"N-no!"
"Come on Michikatsu. This is good for you. It will help you-"
"Shut up! And don't talk to me with that tone! Don't steal my brother's face and don't try to replace him. You are just an imposter... A traitor. You will never be him."
"Oh?" Yoriichi stood up. Putting the bowl on the side. His body seemingly glowing even brighter. He wasn't even human anymore. He couldn't tell what he had changed into. "And what does your brother look like?"
"My- my brother. He..." What was he like? He was Yoriichi. As much as he denied it this creature was his brother and nothing else. Or. He couldn't remember what was his brother supposed to be like. Is Yoriichi even his name? The light form Yoriichi took surrounded him. "I am your brother. And I expect you will listen to me and obey me as a little brother." It picked up the bowl once more and forced him to drink it.
"Come on. Just a little more." It doesn't matter if he finished the bowl or not. It was already done. Michikatsu didn't feel the pain in his chest anymore. He didn't feel like his surroundings were blurry. The sky was only more beautiful.
In a matter of time, Michikatsu will lose his form. He will slowly become them. He will become a star. As for now, he grieved over his loss of humanity. 'Please, I never agreed to this. I want to leave. I want to go home.' He dared not say it in front of the stars. The moon, it was the God. It seems like they were excited about his transformation.
"This is your home Michikatsu. You are a precious human. You deserved to be a part of us. The Aelia have accepted you."
"I don't want to. I want..." Michikatsu was forgetting why he even put up a fight. His body was so much better. He never felt any better. And even if he had to live in this forest, he was together with him. They would be happy together. His body was feeling light and he was lightheaded.
Those who had drunk the flower cannot leave anyway. They are acquired to be near their protector. The God was kind enough to let the human keep his name. Usually, they renamed them, but Yoriichi begged for him to keep the name. Yoriichi was one of their first followers. He was dear, and they can't say no to him.
The star Michikatsu became although small, still shines like the rest. It shines next to his brother in the sky. Among his kind and people.