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The realm of the timeless is, well, timeless. In a timeless place, many timelines can be found. An irony perhaps, but that was the beauty of it all. Many things can exist… things that usually cannot be… things of the spiritual. It was a realm that has been filled with war – to protect history and this world – but there is, in fact, beauty in the tranquility of protected time. They are protected by brave swordsmen from the ancient days of the old. Swordsmen that are, in fact, swords themselves. Swords that are summoned and given life in order to fulfill the duties given to them. And who are those who breathed them life?
They are called the Saniwas.
Spiritual beings filled with life and vigor, that’s what they are. They are humans of course… humans who have given everything away for the sole purpose of protecting the world… or history as they call it. They stay behind, not affected by the passing of time, in the timeless realm of the hidden unknown. Now one would think that such people are akin to gods, correct? Gods filled with regality and elegance…
“Michiruuuuu…~!!”
Well… not all of them.
She laughed as she tackled her from behind, surprising her with a huge tight hug and a loud welcome home. Well… the other woman was already expecting it, and could only sigh and pat the hands currently wrapped around her shoulders. “I’m home, 'Neesama.”
“Hehe,” She laughed. “What took you so long? Did you get a new sword? Is there a new addition? What about resources? Did you get any loot?” She asked. “Map 6? Or maybe, the war expansion map? Really now? I swear to the high heavens you’re too strong for your own good! You scare me sometimes!”
“One at a time, goodness gracious. And that face doesn’t look scared at all.” She sighed once again and shook her head, prying her hands off and facing her. “We got a bit of extra resource. Ookurikara got minor injuries for running off again, but that was his price to pay for not following orders… as usual.” A scoff from behind was heard, following by more teasing laughter from her other comrades. “Well, it’s enough to cover repairs, and yes…” She pulled out the best loot of all – a tantou – from her sleeve. “He was a lucky find. I think you’ll like him. Hasebe wasn’t too pleased though, but given his history, I think that was expected.”
The other woman took the sword from her hands, her fingers fleeting through the sheath and closing her eyes. A small smile peered from her lips as a golden hue surrounded her and floated around… akin to fireflies flitting with life. “Fudou Yukimitsu, huh…” She whispered. “He seems like a lively sword…”
She glanced at her sister as her own lips twitched in a smile. She was doing it again, this sister of hers… acting all childish and happy and yet oh so regal and royal at the same time. Perhaps it was her sister’s nature as a spiritual saniwa; totally the opposite of a battle saniwa like her…
She felt a hand suddenly reach out to her cheek, and the same golden light that surrounded her spread warmth to her skin from the palm of her hand… and she saw her sister smile. “Dearest Michiru, here… let me help you with that cut on your cheek.” She whispered. “We can’t let that leave a scar and mar your beautiful face. I am preparing you to be a beautiful bride afterall~”
Yes they were polar opposites of each other, but like the Yin and the Yang, one cannot survive without the other. Just as her sister ends up worried sick whenever she goes out for a sortie – yes she is quite aware how hard she prays inside the temple and not go out until she’s home – she also cannot help but be very protective. Such a weak body compensated by her intense spiritual abilities… Such weak spiritual abilities compensated by superior battle skills…
She gave a sigh followed by a lopsided smile. “Mii-neesama, you know that I have no time for such trivial things like ties of matrimony. And besides I…”
She felt her sister’s forehead touch hers.
“Hush…” She whispered. “I will definitely make you a bride… and tie you up with one of your three grooms (1).”
“Heh…” She responded. “I don’t think… anything can be stronger than the bonds that tie us together… my Yang.”
She smiled.
“My dearest Yin, you know I can never refute you when you call me that…”
“Then it’s my win today?”
“Oh shush you~”
With words they ended up with laughter and smiles traced on their lips. To protect the world and history is a noble thing; a task only given by those who have been endowed by the gods' grace and blessings are sometimes considered gods themselves...
"Since it's my win, you'll eat veggies for today's dinner."
"No way---"
"Yes way~"
But at the end of the day, the determination to come home and protect a smile on one's face is a noble thing as well. And it's one of simple things that has made them do things for the greater good.
Because to be saniwas mean to be perfectly humans as well.