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After obtaining the power of the Dragon Claw, Aoi has found it much easier to accomplish her duty. Slaying sea beasts is no easy task—it’s one the people of Mist Island train all their lives to complete. Yet it is a duty necessary not just for their protection, but for the protection of Veda; Mist Islanders guard the sea gate to Mt. Orphean, and without them, beasts could destroy entire cities before being stopped.
With her newfound power, Aoi has been out on the coasts more than ever before. Hopefully, when she reaches majority in the coming years, the Kunoichi of Mist Island will declare her a ninja—the title she’s craved for years, to finally stand with her elders as an equal.
Well, not quite an equal, but close enough.
Aoi takes a deep breath. She surveys the sea with narrowed blue eyes, perched on the rocky edge of the beach, ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. Her blonde hair, contained in her usual updo, blows wildly in the wind.
She sighs and savors the salt in the air. Today, there’s no sign of the sea beasts.
I shouldn’t’ve come searching, Aoi thinks grumpily, easing herself off her perch. It’s like Tachi always says—people who go looking for trouble never sleep well at night.
She’s about to turn away when something splashes in the water behind her.
Immediately, Aoi is on guard, the Dragon Claws materializing around her hands. She creeps forward slowly, her eyes trained on the ripples in the calm sea.
A few meters away, an object breaks the surface of the water.
“Hel—ai!” Whatever the creature tries to say is swiftly cut off by Aoi, who sends her Dragon Claws sweeping forward.
Just as quickly, the creature pops up a few meters further away. “Hey! I’m not a sea monster!” It shouts, its voice oddly young and feminine.
Aoi frowns, retracting her weapons and squinting at the unknown creature. In all her years of hunting beasts, she has never met a sea creature that could speak her language.
There’s a splash of water, and then, without warning, Aoi is face-to-face with the creature—no, the mermaid. She has vivid blue hair and the largest turquoise eyes Aoi’s ever seen, her tail the color of lavender.
“My name is Dolia! What’s yours?” The mermaid asks with a smile.
Aoi is momentarily speechless. There is a mermaid. Something she’s only heard about in stories, and it’s right in front of her.
Oh, Heavens, wait ‘til I tell Airi, she thinks. I’ll bet she’s never met someone like this.
“Are you really a mermaid?” Aoi blurts.
Dolia laughs. “Yes, I am! Tell me, what’s your name?”
“…My name is Aoi.”
“Perfect!” Dolia backs away to a more socially acceptable distance, peering at Aoi with fascination. “You know, Aoi, I’ve seen you around here a lot, but I decided that I’m going to talk to you today! I’m curious, what’s that weapon you use?”
Aoi blinks. “Oh, the Dragon Claw?” She summons them, glowing like green sea glass around her hands. Then, she comes to her senses. “You’ve been spying on us?”
Dolia blushes. “No! Not spying. There’s just a lot of sea beasts around, and I was curious to how you get rid of them all. I don’t know much about life here, you see.”
“Oh.” Aoi glares at her, unsatisfied with her answer. Still, this mermaid does seem harmless…
“Yes—and I knew I could trust you!” Dolia adds cheerily, nonplussed. “You always help people out. And you kill the sea beasts. I’ve been told that I should make sure people are trustworthy before I talk to them!” She glances at Aoi expectantly, as if Aoi should congratulate her for having done so.
“Uh huh. That’s… good to hear,” Aoi mumbles.
“Mhm! Hey, Aoi, do you think you could take me on a tour of your island? It seems like such a cool place, but I’m afraid I’ll get lost!” Dolia says eagerly.
Staring at the mermaid, who appears so excited by the prospect, Aoi can feel her frown falling away. She sighs.
“A tour? I don’t kno—”
“Please?” Dolia wheedles, pulling herself out of the water. “If you’re worried about my ability to walk, look—I have a human form!” As Aoi watches in awe, her lavender tail transforms into a set of legs and her top lengthens into a dress. Dolia stretches and pulls herself up to stand, jumping up and down a few times.
“See?” She says, twirling around. “I can come with you!”
And that, oddly enough, is how Aoi ends up giving a tour of Mist Island to a mermaid.
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Despite being strangers, Aoi soon finds herself getting along with Dolia swimmingly—it feels as if she’s talking to a bubbly, sea-creature version of herself. She appreciates Dolia’s natural curiosity and her willingness to listen. Eventually, she learns her story.
Dolia has spent the past few years wandering the coasts of Norman. She doesn’t remember where she came from, so she calls herself a free spirit. They discuss everything from the ocean’s marvels to the future of Athanor. The mermaid has also noticed a sharp increase in sea beast activity, a surge that has caused widespread destruction.
As Aoi continues on with the tour, Dolia starts to ask more and more questions.
“What kinds of food do you eat?”
“How expensive is a fish?”
“You have a space just for fighting? Whoa, what are all the weapons for?”
“Does everyone have Dragon Claws?”
“How many people go to your school?”
“Do you think I could try one of those pink things?”
Aoi does her best to answer Dolia’s questions, but there are simply far too many. Despite mentioning that she’s lived in towns several times, the mermaid knows nothing about Mist Island.
“Whew, this place is more complicated than I thought!” Dolia says, watching Aoi catch up to her. “Hey, do sea beasts attack the island all the time? I see you out there a lot.”
“Pretty much,” Aoi replies grimly. “We get attacks at least once a week.”
“Mmm,” Dolia hums. “Yes, that is very very frequent. Sea beasts… there was something… Oh!” She sits up straight, her eyes going wide. “Oh, I just remembered! I have something very important to ask you, Aoi.”
Aoi cocks her head. “What is it?”
Dolia takes a deep breath. “It’s my friend. He… oh, I’ve gotten so distracted! I meant to ask you right away, but then you agreed to tour me, and I’ve always been so intrigued by this place…” She casts a glance towards the sea, her expression pained. “I… my friend, his name is Billow. He needs help—he’s from a faraway town, and he’s been cursed by a sea beast.”
Aoi blinks in shock. “Cursed by a sea beast? I’ve never heard—”
“I need to go see him!” Dolia interrupts, her voice distraught. “Oh, how could I have been so careless? What if he gets hurt? What if he hurts somebody?” She turns, already running to the ocean.
Of course, Aoi has no choice but to follow.
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They find Billow crouched beside the water, letting the waves wash over him apathetically. His shadow casts long on the sand. Aoi takes a moment to study him: he’s tall and wiry, his tan skin crossed with a rippling tattoo. His hair is wild and aquamarine, and there are webbed fins behind his ears. Most interestingly, he carries two daggers, the indigo blades longer than his forearm and as sharp as obsidian.
When Billow turns at the sound of their approach, Aoi restrains a gasp—his eyes, yellow and wary, resemble that of a sea beast.
Dolia runs to him. “Billow! Are you alright?”
Aoi watches as Billow blocks her from hugging him, his face breaking into a smile. “Dolia. I’m fine, don’t worry.”
“I’m sorry! I was supposed to come right back, but I got distracted,” Dolia admits, ashamed. “But… I did accomplish my goal! Meet Aoi, of Mist Island.”
Aoi steps forward. “Hello, Billow.”
Billow trains his unnerving eyes on her. “Hello, Aoi. How fare the winds and water?”
Aoi pauses. “Sorry?”
Billow shakes his head. “No, it’s my bad. I forgot—where I’m from, it’s just a way of asking how you are,” he explains.
“Oh.” Aoi crosses her arms. “In that case, I am well.”
“Good. Have… has Dolia told you about my problem?” Billow’s gaze is almost haunted.
“Yes, she has,” Aoi glances at her, “but only briefly. Cursed by a sea beast?”
He bows his head. “Yes. Or, more specifically, I made a deal with it. Can you help me?”
“A deal…” Aoi is reminded of the Pact of Light—the agreement between the Temple and Mist Island. She is reminded of Hayate, the traitor, who tried and failed to break it. If Billow’s deal is of the same nature, dispelling it would involve something she knows nothing of…
“Aoi?” Dolia asks. She and Billow are staring at her with open trepidation.
“What deal was it?” Aoi says.
Billow swallows. “I—I don’t remember all of it, but… I went on a foolish quest, and I was trapped underwater. My air was running out. The sea beast gave me the power to escape in exchange for fulfillment of its vengeance.” His fists are clenched around his daggers. “And now… it’s taking over my body. My mind. I can’t control it. I’ve done horrible things, but it’s not me. The longer it goes on, the more it takes. Please, I need—” his voice cracks.
Aoi feels a rush of sympathy. “I wish I could help you, but… I can’t say. These things—I’m not familiar with them.” She considers for a moment.“However, my friends, Airi and Tachi, may be able to help. I will talk to them.”
Billow looks relieved. “Thank you, Aoi.”
“You’re welcome,” she replies, hoping she isn’t making a mistake.
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Later that day, she brings Airi and Tachi to meet the two newcomers. It is a quiet meeting, when the sun is about to leave the sky, casting their shadows far inland.
After a few minutes, Airi insists on moving the conversation inside, to her dwelling a close distance away. And she purposefully sends Aoi on an errand as they talk with Billow.
The next morning, no one will tell her what they’ve discussed—something about arcana (or is it Andura?) being too obscure, about the ancient dealings, about precedents. Tachi is hopeless at explaining, and Airi is unwilling, insisting that the secrets of arcane dealings are unnecessary to know. It makes Aoi grumpier than she should be.
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A few days later, Aoi brings Tachi and Airi to meet Billow for the second time. Although Aoi understands her elders’ reservations, she still feels a bit slighted as they make their way towards the beach. Hasn’t she proven herself worthy of the knowledge? Besides, she met Billow and Dolia to begin with. She got the information about his predicament. She told them the situation, and here they are, intent on keeping her in the dark. Even if Tachi, who’s probably her closest friend, wants to help, he inevitably bent beneath Airi’s demands.
Aoi keeps her arms crossed, refusing to look back at Tachi and Airi. When she spots Billow and Dolia, sitting on a rocky outcrop over the waves, she runs forward without waiting.
“Dolia, Billow!” Aoi calls.
Immediately, the two turn. Billow’s eyes widen, and both stand as Tachi and Airi catch up.
“Hello!” Dolia is the first to speak. “It’s nice to meet you three again!”
“Yes. It’s a pleasure,” Billow adds.
Airi places an apologetic hand on Aoi’s shoulder before turning to the newcomers. “Gladly met, Billow and Dolia. I hope I can provide you some answers this time.” She nudges Tachi.
“Ah. Gladly met,” the elder says slowly. “The wind and waters… serve us well.”
“Indeed. We have talked about your issue, Billow,” Airi says, surveying his yellow eyes, strange tattoos, and webbed fins. “We believe it will be helpful to know more details. Come, let us take you to the Tower. Billow only, not Dolia.”
Billow nods, but he seems hesitant. “The Tower?”
Airi hums. “The ancestral temple imbued with the strength of the Pact of Light. Although, I suppose I mean to take you to the Dragon.”
“…The Dragon?”
“Yes. They exist only here, on Mist Island. I trust you will not speak of this with anyone. We are doing you an immense favor at the insistence of Aoi, Dragon Claw. You must be grateful to her,” Airi announces solemnly. “Now, come. I will explain more along the way.”
The walk to the Tower is quiet and peaceful, save for Aoi’s pouting.
We’re going to see the Dragon, and they didn’t even tell me, she thinks bitterly. Why are they always so secretive about it?
Unfortunately, this is the one part she dislikes about her friends’ responsibilities. It’s the part that, Aoi is sure, fostered their secrecy.
On Mist Island, Airi, Dragon Soul, and Tachi, First Kunoichi, are the highest authority—akin to the wisest of island elders, though Airi is the leader of the two. They are also the closest in spirit to the Dragon. During the First Invasion (of Mist Island), they fought against the might of Lokheim, and now they bear the burden of serving the island and the Pact of Light.
Along the way to the Tower, Airi informs Billow how to act, what to say, what not to do. Dragons are peculiar about traditions, about ceremony. To even gain entry to the Tower, one must have Dragon blood—more specifically, they must be descended from one of a few ancient bloodlines. Billow certainly does not qualify, but Aoi is sure Airi has a plan for that. Her elder is blessed by the Ancient Dragon and bearer of their mark. That is why Airi holds the title of Kunoichi, equal to Tachi, who was the first and born from Mist Island itself.
At last, they reach the ancestral temple, a monolith located atop the highest edge of Mist Island. It stands over fifteen stories high, wide enough to house a Dragon. The structure has no windows but plenty of round openings to the outdoors, and the walls are decorated with mosaics and seashells.
“Here we are,” Airi says, placing a hand on Billow’s shoulder—an odd gesture because unlike with Aoi, he is taller than her. Even so, she manages to make it look regal.
Airi whispers a few words and touches her forehead to Billow’s. Aoi watches in awe as a blue glow surrounds them, white runes carving themselves into the air. Beside her, Tachi gazes on in indifference, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Finally, Airi slices open her palm with a dagger, pressing her bloodied hand to his forehead. She steps back to survey her handiwork, the splotch of red between Billow’s sea beast eyes.
“Good enough,” she says, and proceeds to lick the blood from her palm.
Tachi steps forward. “We will… have to dispel the enchantments. It will take some time.” He turns to Aoi. “Do you… remember the way?”
“If Airi knows her part, I know mine,” Aoi murmurs.
“Very well,” Tachi says. “I believe the Dragon is expecting us.”
“He is,” Airi confirms. “Billow, follow Tachi. Do as he does.”
Billow nods, and Aoi begins clearing the way to the Dragon Tower.
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Once kneeling at the gates, Aoi is a bit relieved when, like always, the Dragon stays hidden inside the Tower. To be in his presence would be too much for Billow, the newcomer.
Even after performing the necessary enchantments, though, it takes some convincing from Airi for the Dragon to speak.
You ask on behalf of an impostor, the Dragon intones at last, his voice vibrating through the stone. He is akin the traitor, but worse. His blood is of distant waters.
Airi closes her eyes. “Please, Dragon. He has no ties to Mist Island, but that means he cannot be a traitor. He only wishes to be free from the bonds of the beast.”
The Dragon pauses before replying. The sea has invaded his heart… It is a vengeful sea. The easiest way to steady it is to wait for calmer waters. Yet, vengeance never rests—the waves never calm. You should kill him. That is my advice.
Airi looks up. “Is there no other way?”
He owes the sea beast a great debt. Outsiders have no place in their dealings. It is not our way, the Dragon warns. To interfere would be… wrong. Costly.
Next to Aoi, Billow shifts, his hands twisting restlessly. Tachi places a hand on his arm, telling him silently to remain still.
Despite the Dragon’s words, Airi does not falter. “If there is another way, please tell us. If the cost is too steep, we will simply refrain,” she says. Her voice is firm, her irises glowing with the mark of the Dragon.
I see you are determined. Would he like to make a deal, then? The Dragon asks. I would accept one from him, and my price is light. My answer for both of his daggers. It is a deal.
At this, Airi turns to Billow. “It is your choice,” she says. “Think carefully.”
Billow bows his head, his hair falling over his shoulder and obscuring his face. He considers for a long moment, and Aoi feels as if she waits an hour before he speaks.
“I am bound to these daggers,” Billow says quietly. “Will you destroy them?”
The Dragon’s response is immediate: They will be destroyed.
“Then…” he raises one of the daggers, examining the transparent indigo blade. “I don’t think I can accept.”
Perhaps death is preferable to your fate, the Dragon intones. Merfolk song is a temporary remedy.
“Is… there another price you can offer?” Billow asks desperately.
No. I have told you all you need to know, the Dragon says. It is time to leave, Dragon Soul. I shall meet you for the solstice. Farewell.
Billow opens his mouth to speak, but Airi stops him with a flick of her wrist.
“Farewell, Great Dragon,” she says. “Thank you for your advice.” Then, still kneeling, she bends down, her forehead touching the marked ground. Around her, Tachi and Aoi do the same, and Billow follows after a second’s pause.
The Dragon says nothing more, and Airi and Aoi guide them away from the Tower.
-
Once they are outside the enchantments, Tachi glances at Billow.
“You did… well,” he says. He seems surprised, a rare thing for the First Kunoichi.
“You did,” Airi agrees. “I suspected the Dragon would say as much. It is good to know, I suppose, but I am sorry I couldn’t get you a straight answer. He thinks in a strict way, and bonds are sacred here. I believe your cure is less costly than he implied.”
Billow sighs, scrubbing his face with his hands. Aoi notices all of a sudden that he seems so tired, his shoulders weighed down by a heavy burden. But the weightiest burden is the invisible one, Aoi thinks.
He murmurs, “That is good news, then. Don’t be sorry. You have done me a great service, no matter the outcome. I thank you and Tachi.” He turns to Aoi. “I must thank you as well. I hope you might consider us friends.”
Aoi grins, trying to lighten the mood. “Of course I do! You and Dolia both.”
Billow smiles, even though she can see pain in his eyes. “That is good. Ah, I guess I am now in the debt of Mist Island. You have been very kind.”
Airi shakes her head. “It is nothing, Billow. We are only helping other followers of the light.” She presses a hand to his heart. “I know what the Dragon said might discourage you, but you must have faith. Remember what we said, too, about dealings and ancient sea beasts. That may help you.”
“I will,” Billow murmurs. He gazes at the horizon, where the sea stretches on for miles. “Well, I suppose… I’ll get going then, back to Dolia. Thank you for everything.”
“Of course,” Aoi says. “Will you let me walk you to the beach?”
Billow nods. “Yes, please. I’m afraid I’ll get lost.”
Aoi turns to Airi. “Airi? Tachi? Do you guys want to come?”
Airi smiles. “No, I think Tachi and I will stay. Go ahead, Aoi.” She places her right hand on Billow’s shoulder, using her left to draw a rune on the side of his neck. It glows once before fading to nothing.
“Billow,” Airi says, “this is a marker of my home. Know that you will always have friends on Mist Island.”
Billow’s eyes widen, then crinkle as he smiles. “Thank you, Airi. It is a great honor.” He bows low.
“You are welcome. Now, go on. How long will you stay?” Airi asks.
“A few days, maybe a week,” Billow says. “We plan to go to Veda next, then the Verno Woods.”
“Very well. Veda is a good choice—they will know more than we do.” Airi pauses. “I assume Aoi will tell me when you are departing, so that we may say goodbye.”
Aoi nods in confirmation.
Airi smiles. “Until we meet again, Billow.”
Tachi nods. “Yes, until we meet… hmm, you are rather interesting. I wish you… ten thousand pleasant winds.”
Billow cocks his head at that, studying Tachi in a way that is as admiring as it is questioning. “And I the same. If I may ask, where did you learn that phrase?”
Tachi only shrugs. “They are… everywhere, sometimes.”
“He’s curious like that,” Aoi adds fondly. “Don’t think too much on it.”
“Alright,” Billow says.
“Alright,” Aoi echoes. “C’mon, let’s go.”
With that, Aoi leads Billow back down to the sea, where this journey first began.
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