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Chapter 5: A Mother's Worries.
🕑 Added 2021-04-24 20:59:09 +0000 UTCIt's been a week and Alysara has not once opened her eyes, ever since she had that nightmare. A part of me wonders if it really was a nightmare, however. Feyan never heard her scream in such pain before. There had been no traces of magic being used. The healer had tried to look at her eyes but the moment her eyes had been forced open she started screaming in pain again. Nothing was found in her eyes to cause the pain.
Alysara has been restless and making cute groaning sounds. Feyan stroked her royal blue hair, wishing she would open her eyes. Feyan loves Alysara's eyes, an icy blue eye, and a striking red eye. Her mismatched eyes like two gems encapsulate two the opposites. Heterochromia is already rare and a desirable trait, even more so when it's opposites.
It is kind of why Feyan and her husband were called a good fit. Feyan's deep blue eyes and Kanato's strong red eyes, captured the desired opposites, a balance one could call it.
Feyan sensed Alysara had fallen asleep and put her in her crib. She stood above her wearing a worried frown.
"We could take her to the Guardian" Kanato, Feyan's husband said, wrapping an arm around the shorter woman's shoulders. Feyan rested her head against Kanato.
"We shouldn't bother the great one with something trivial" Feyan said after some thought.
"Feyan, children don't act this way, something is seriously wrong" Kanato argued.
"We could see another healer, perhaps Fynato island has someone who can help!" Feyan started to sound desperate.
Kanato brought her close in a hug and stroked her long blue hair.
"The best healer on that island is my sister and she already looked at Little Aly, Feyan. I'm beginning to think this might be a cursed skill"
Feyan shook her head.
"She's not even a month old! How can she have a cursed skill?! How would she gain one? She's just a baby!" Feyans voiced started to crack due to her worry
"Calm down, Fey. Let's not wake little Aly up."
"I just, I don't know what to do. What if this is permanent? How can she live a full life blind to the beauty of this world?"
"There are other ways to experience beauty" Although Kanato said that she had a hard look. Beauty is mostly experienced with sight, one of Myrou's domains. In order to live a full life, one must hold Myrou's essences to heart. "We'll figure something out and help her through life" Kanato held her wife tighter as she said this.
"What if it really is a cursed skill? How can we..." Feyan trailed off. Little is known about cursed skills, if one thing is known, it's that all attempts to remove or replace them have failed.
"We'll do what we can and love her all the same. I have to go to work now, I hope I'll be back before the Lojyo" Kanato let go of Feyan.
"What are you working on that requires you to work from sunup to sundown?" Feyan asked, now that her mind has been distracted from Alysara she seemed to have relaxed a little.
"Do you have something in mind for Little Aly's Kyhosa?" Kanato asked.
"Her life celebration gift? Every time I think about it my mind just goes blank, I've asked for ideas but nothing speaks to me, nothing seems to fit our little girl just right." Feyan's eyes start to well up in tears. "I'm a horrible mother! I can't even think of something that fits Aly's Kyhosa let alone make it before her Kyholo"
"Every parent has that issue, Feyan, you don't need to beat yourself up so much. We still have half a month before her life celebration, and it's good that your [Perfectionists Eye] skill is telling you that those ideas aren't ideal, some parents simply give up and go with an expensive gift rather than something that fits perfectly, the fact that you are so worked up about it means you care" Kanato hugged Feyan again.
"And who says That she needs an individual gift from both of us? Why not one gift that we both made?" Kanato continued.
"What do you mean?" Feyan asked
"I found a nexus gem"
Feyan gasped.
"A nex... how?! We can't afford something like that! Do you know how much those costs?!"
"It's not on sale, Fey, no one's selling it. I found it last month when I was diving with Wimola. I've been working on it all this time but I'm no jeweler, I'm just a gem cutter. You, however, you're a jeweler."
"But, Everyone gets two Kyhosa, are you really fine with Aly only having one?"
Kanato just smiled. "Who said anything about one? I said having an individual gift from both of us." Feyan looked shocked. "The nexus gem is quite large, large enough for two gifts. I am hoping I'll have them done by today"
"You're such a blessing, Kanato. Still, don't you think a nexus gem is too much? The elders won't like it, it should be devoted to Myrou."
"Ever since I started working on it Myrou has been smiling, she's been hinting at something ever since I found it but when I drew up a plan for Myrou's devotion project she frowned, she wants this."
"Myrou... now that you mention it, she's been smiling at me too, ever since Aly's conception. Do you... do you think she might have been blessed by the goddess?" Feyan asked, hope in her eyes.
"Others have noticed Myrou's been acting weird lately, and it all coincides with Aly's birth. She's special that's for certain, I think the elders will let this pass, although I may have to do some explaining, I plan to do that once I have finished the cutting." Kanato turned around to leave. "I best get going, I'm already running late"
With that Kanato walked out of the room.
Feyan turned back to Alysara and smiled. If she's blessed by the goddess, then everything will be alright.
* * *
"You really poured your soul into this, it's absolutely flawless, and even then there's something more to it, as if beauty incarnate resonates within'' Elder Tusile said, putting the gem down. Although she gave a compliment she still wore a frown. "However, It's blasphemy to devote yourself to such a degree to anyone other than the goddess, you were right to come to us before you made a mistake, it's not too late to change the purpose of your project."
Kanato held a steadfast gaze. She would not be punished for wasting such a material, but the elders still don't like the plan.
"It is as you say, Myrou has been hinting at something, but to say she actually wants such devotion to anything other than her domains... Kanato, you should not misread her intentions" Elder Opetu, shook her head. "I know you love your child, but, please, cease this foolishness."
"Elders, you speak wisdom, and I am truly grateful you care about me to set me back on the correct path, but, if I may suggest something"
Elder Yukika sighed.
"Kanato devotion to Myrou brings fulfillment to our lives, it is through her teachings that we can leave this life without regret"
"I know, Elder Yukika, that is why I suggest we test my interpretation of her hints"
"And how do we do that?" Elder Tusile asked.
"We take my child to Myrou's likeness in the temple, and lay these gems on her. Surely the goddess will give us a sign."
The elders remained silent for several minutes before Elder Yukika spoke.
"It's a fine test, with this we can ask the goddess directly, but Kanato, you know the consequences. If she doesn't like it..." Yukika trailed off.
It's blasphemy to ask mundane and especially trivial or foolish things of the goddess. If the goddess frowns upon my suggestion...
"I'll take the Analysha" The elders went wide-eyed at that suggestion. "If I displease the goddess I'll make a statue of her likeness"
"Kanato, Don't be a fool!" Elder Opetu exclaimed.
"There's only ever been one person to have ever successfully completed the Analysha, Kanato, you did well, no, perfectly with the nexus gems, but not even that will be enough for the Analysha, when you fail you'll only be in more trouble!" Yukika said.
Elder Tusile remained silent until the other two were done.
"If that is your resolve, then I will allow it"
"Tusile! You can't let her throw her life away!" Yukika argued.
"I have to second Yukika, This is unreasonable" Opetu agreed.
"Elders, I understand your worries, but I intend to attempt the Analysha regardless; the only difference would be when I do it."
"Kanato-" Yukika started but Kanato raised his hand to stop her.
"While working on the nexus gems I gain a skill, [Essense Sight (Beauty)], it allows me to see the magical essence of beauty itself. The reason why most people fail the Analysha is because they can't capture the full likeness of the goddess, they can capture her physical likeness but the likeness of her essence remains unseen by them." Kanato paused to let her words sink in.
"With this skill, I will be able to capture her true likeness, both physical and magical; I need only to hone this skill" Kanato finished and let the Elders digest what she had.
"Very well," Elder Opetu finally said.
"Opetu, you can't seriously agree to this madness!" Yukika exclaimed. "What about the other essences? The magical essence of creativity? Myrou is both! She can't succeed with both essences!"
"I already have that one, Elder Yukika, I've had it for three years now"
"But- You-"
"Give it up, Yukika, Someone is bound to have the capabilities of passing the Analysha, and if Kanato has such abilities then the least we can do is support her choice in this matter," Tusile said. "Come to the temple in three days, we'll test your child, if she really is loved by Myrou then you may devote the nexus gems to her Kyhosa''
"Thank you, elders," Kanato said with a bow and left.
* * *
"I'm still not sure about this, Kanato," Feyan said. She is holding Alysara while Kanato rowed the boat temple island.
Kanato had not mentioned the test with the likeness of the goddess to not worry her wife.
"If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility, don't worry about anything"
"Don't worry? Kanato! I don't want anything to happen to you either!" Feyan angrily said.
"The Guardian doesn't hold grudges, Feyan, She sees us as children, nothing will happen to me"
"I hope you're right, Kanato, But this isn't necessary" Feyan continued her argument.
The boat docked at the piers and Kanato tied it off. She stepped on the pier and held out a hand for Feyan.
"We have to make sure. Besides, we are here for another reason as well"
"We are? What is it?" Feyan tilted her head with a frown.
"You'll see, but first let's meet the Guardian," Kanato replied.
They walked a stone path several kilometers until the huge sapphire dragon came into view. With horns made of actual sapphire, and gleaming scales the size of Kanato's torso. Claws long enough to tower over houses, and long sapphire spines trailing down her back to the tip of her long tail. The immense magical pressure weighs heavily on them making them stop quite some distance away for fear of Alysara's health.
As if sensing their presence the dragon stirred. Raising her large head and sat proudly with her chest out.
"Little ones, what have you come to me for? Do you seek wisdom? Guidance, from your superiors? Don't be shy, ask me what you so desperately seek" the Guardian said with a gentle but commanding tone
"You are very generous Guardian, I am sorry to disturb your rest," Feyan said with a deep bow. Kanato followed suit.
"It is our child, guardian, something ails her, something no healer has been able to figure out. Please, we don't ask for healing, we just need to know what's wrong with our child." Kanato said, still bowed.
"Hmm, I sense nothing wrong with your child, little one. No illness, no defect. The only thing strange is how unnaturally healthy she is?" The guardian said.
"Every time she opens her eyes she screams in pain. I fear it might be a cursed skill" Kanato replied.
The dragon was silent for what felt like an eternity.
"It is difficult to see something like that, little one, but your intuition is likely correct. I'll need to examine her more closely, bring her closer, little one."
Kanato and Feyan look at each other then both stepped forward, Feyan holding Alysara tighter as the magical pressure increased, so much so that she gritted her teeth. It was hard for her to even breathe and she worried it might be too hard for her child.
"That's close enough, little ones." The dragon said when half the distance had been closed. "Hmm, Yes, she bears a mark on her soul... strange, very strange..."
Feyan did not dare question the Guardian, she wanted nothing more than to increase the distance between them and get her child to safety. She felt Alysara struggling to breathe under the pressure.
Feyan stroked her child's hair and purred for her comfort.
"... A mark of the Great Spirits, a blessing of beauty, and... one other, bearly noticeable, applied more to her mind than body" The guardian said. Her words elated Feyna.
A blessing of beauty! Alysara really is blessed by Myrou!
Kanato breathed a sigh of relief
"There are indeed two scars on her soul... An expansion of her essence... Yes, she has two cursed skills, though what they do I cannot tell."
Feyna felt her heart tighten. two cursed skills?
"There is more, though I cannot tell what but this is no ordinary soul, too pure, and... dormant? How curious, but... a forceful awakening?" The dragon mused. "No, the Great Spirits knew this irregularity and did not act... It will be prudent to head their caution... A forceful awakening may cause irreparable damage"
What is the guardian going on about? What more is there?
"Forgive my ramblings, little ones. You may retreat and recover"
Feyan didn't waste any time and rushed to a bearable distance, even a little farther than they had started.
"Thank you Guardian," Kanato said before joining Feyan.
"One cannot remove an expansion of their essence, little one." The dragon said. "Those skills cannot be removed."
"Thank you, Guardian! We are in your debt." Feyan bowed again.
"Yes, you are. One you can repay" The dragon said with a calm tone, always retaining its commanding presence.
"What do you ask of us, Guardian?" Feyna replied.
"Bring your child back to me in a year's time, and every year thereafter so I may examine the irregularity of her soul, It's not detrimental in the least, but I've never once in thirty thousand years seen a soul like hers"
Feyan shot Kanato a dirty look who looked ashamed. The Guardian merely asked to examine Alysara, nothing else; and if she can make it out of this ordeal as an infant then she can when older.
After the meeting with the Guardian, they went to the temple and to Feyan's surprise met the village Elders, talking with the Temple priestess'.
"Are you sure you want to do this Kanato? Now's your chance to back out" Elder Yukika said, upon their arrival.
"Kanato'' Feyan looked quizzically at her. "What's this about?"
"You'll see soon, my love. There's nothing to worry about"
Yukika just sighed.
"Very well, follow us"
The group walked up to a magnificent statue, the most beautiful thing in the world, a divine beauty, something beyond mere physicality. It was as if the statue was beauty incarnate.
Kanato motioned for Feyan to give her Alysara. Feyan hesitantly did so. Kanato kissed Alysara's head and placed her on the altar in front of the statue. The Likeness of Myrou smiled warmly.
Murmurs erupted among the elders and priestesses'. Kanato then placed the nexus gems on Alysara and bowed to the statue.
Feyna didn't interrupt, she didn't dare. She knew now what this was. The Elders wouldn't have accepted the nexus gems to be used for anything else other than for the devotion to Myrou, so this was to get the acceptance of Myrou herself.
The Likeness of Myrou nodded once and light enveloped the gems, imbuing it with an unworldly beauty and... something else, creativity itself.
The Likeness returned to its normal position and expression.
The whole room was dead silent. It felt like a dream to Feyan. Her child, blessed and loved by Myrou herself. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure this is all real.
Noise suddenly erupted among the elders and the priestesses. Kanato led Feyan with Alysara out of the temple.
Feyan remained silent the whole way back, although the day is young, she was completely exhausted.
