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Darkness covers all, in most of Inazuma’s dense forests. But on the isle of Watatsumi, Sara’s path is woven through with the light of the strange plants that have made their home here. The curious flora could be mistaken for something found way below the surface of the ocean. The smell of salt invades one's senses when wandering the forest, like the sea itself is calling out to its lost garden among the trees. The beauty of it all is extraordinary. No wonder someone would choose to see the island for themselves, instead of hearing it described by a weary adventurer whose eyes have seen so much that the magical pinks and blues of this scenery were no less wondrous than a path one walks on every day.
That is why, Knight Sara must fulfil her duty to the people of Inazuma - to the Queen herself - and rid this place of its untoward monster. A serpent, said to lure travellers below the sea, where it feasts upon their helpless flesh as they are still screaming out without sound, the result only a few stray bubbles that rise up to the surface. Sara shivers just imagining it. She feels queasy, thinking of a death where her last minutes would be filled with suffering, and the sight of the sun that had shone down upon her every morning disappearing as quickly as the air she breathes.
She is thankful, then, when her bleak thoughts are taken over by wonder once again. In the middle of the island is a lake, endlessly swirling and reflecting the now unobscured sunlight. It seems as beautiful as it seems dangerous. That’s why, when she sees a person standing so near the edge of it, her first instinct is to run towards them. She doesn’t register the panicked inhale while quickly grabbing them, swiftly backing away to put some distance between them and the turbulent lake, which sounds like a contained storm from up close.
– What… – whoever Sara snatched up in her now seemingly needless panic is desperately trying to wriggle out of her iron hold. They look surprised, alarmed, and afraid. Sara loosens her grasp, and the stranger scuttles away, as if they were a caught fish seeking a path back to their home.
– I apologise, you just seemed so close to that thing, and I… –Sara’s breath catches before she can finish her thoughts. She stares at the person she needlessly tried to rescue – their pearlescent, pale skin glimmering with the reflected light from the scenery around them. Their stern face is framed by pale pink strands that fade into a soft blue, as if a ray of the waking sun was dipped into the coldest of ocean depths. The person standing before Sara looks much too ethereal to be real. A soft huff from the other party breaks her out of her thoughts.
– No need to worry, I’m quite familiar with this place. – Their once harsh expression softens just a bit, but not enough to seem entirely friendly.
– I am Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island. – She raises her hand to her heart, talking sincerely. Sara is inclined to introduce herself in kind, but something comes to mind. The only people living on the island are a small group of villagers, who largely rely on the bounty of the sea surrounding them, and any temples to their old gods have long since been abandoned, ever since Her Excellency slayed the sea serpent that came from below.
– Do you stand in opposition to the Divine Deaconess of Narukami? – Sara unconsciously places a hand on her sword during the question. Kokomi’s eyes land on it, and the coldness in her expression is back.
– Only if she decides to stand in opposition to me. I seek friends, not enemies, Knight. – Kokomi stares right at Sara’s face, and despite the statement all she can think about is that her own yellow eyes – that have sometimes been compared to shining amber, or golden honey by boorish soldiers who thought they could make a pass at her – pale in comparison to the sunset that is framed in the Priestess’ gaze.
– Is there something wrong, Knight Kujou? – Kokomi’s cold front switches to a pleased smile, probably thinking it’s a surprise to the other that she knows of her identity.
– Of course not, Priestess. I am pleased my reputation precedes me. – And this is said with the most rigid expression that perfectly conveys how Sara really feels about it. Everyone in Inazuma knows of her, but only the ones opposing her so-called cruelty dare to address her by her family name, instead of Devotee of the Divine, or such titles.
– Her Excellency will do. – Well, it seems the Priestess is fond of titles, after all, if only they praise her. Sara is slowly starting to regret trying to help this woman.
– I was sent to kill the beast lurking in the waters of the island. Do you happen to know anything about it, Your Excellency? – And never before in her life has Sara called anyone by that title, except for the Queen herself.
The Priestess’ face betrays nothing as a tense silence settles between them. Sara cannot help but notice once again how strangely the other’s skin glitters in the soft sunlight. Pearlescent, almost like the scales of a leviathan. The environment of Watatsumi must reflect the sunlight strangely.
– Aren’t you tired of obeying your Queen without a second thought?
– If I didn’t obey her, innocent people like you would keep getting killed by beasts like the one I’m hunting.
– No doubt, you were told of a monstrous serpent roaming the lands and waters here, but ask any villager on this island, and they’ll tell you there’s no such thing that resembles it.
– We have received several reports of travellers and inhabitants alike being lured to the sea. Most of them were never seen again. – And the strangest thing is that instead of horror, Kokomi’s face is filled with amusement. – Those who returned spoke of a monster uttering false promises of freedom before it tried to drown them in the island’s lake.
Silence, once again. During the conversation, Sara’s hand has not left her sword once.
– And how would they know the promises to be false, Knight? – The Priestess steps closer, her posture loosening. Sara’s grip on her sword tightens. – Wouldn’t you want to be free of your master? How long have you wished to do something just for yourself?
And Sara’s mind swirls with the images of the times she wished to disobey the words of her Excellency. But she could not, she is a Knight. A Knight’s duty is to serve the Queen and protect her subjects. Still, if only… The Priestess’ hand reaches out, as it has no doubt done numerous times before. Sara looks down at it, frail, but almost as if it was covered in pink and blue shining scales.
The sword is pushed into the soft belly of the beast before Sara registers what she is doing. For a moment, she panics, but then…
Instead of whatever strange colour Sara expects, a deep red coats the area where sword meets flesh. She looks at Kokomi, whose expression is one of pity, instead of panic.
– Monster. – Sara drives the sword deeper into her opponent. The monster’s mouth is filled with blood as she responds, as red as any human’s.
– Servant.
Sara’s anger quickly turns to shock as instead of fighting back, or trying to free herself, the beast grabs her sword and drives it deeper into her own flesh.
– The aid of the sea is stronger than the hurt of your steel. – Sara’s own hand let go as the monster’s hand gripping it has started to bleed as well. The moment she takes a step back out of shock, the Priestess turns and dives into the swirling lake of shining moonlight.
After taking a moment to collect herself, Sara steps closer to the lake, and spots some deep red quickly mixing with the swirling waters of the lake.
Her Queen will be proud.
– Her Excellency has a visitor and is not to be disturbed. Please return later.
Sara doesn’t care for the annoyance of whoever might be bothering her Queen. After a stern look at the guard, she pushes the doors open. Instead of a lowly royal trying to gain the favour of The Most Exalted, she is greeted by the fox-like grin of the Deaconess. She tries to swallow the dry embarrassment that suddenly fills all of her being.
Her Excellency’s gaze is still on Lady Yae, who has paused her previous chatter at the arrival of the Knight.
– Well, what do we have here? Didn’t I tell the foolish guard outside to not let anyone disturb our private discussion? – Yae’s fox ears perk up in amusement, as the Queen still does not spare a glance at their newcome guest.
– My apologies, Deaconess Yae. I was not expecting the guest to be you.
And although she has cast her eyes downward in shame, Sara still feels the cold gaze of her Queen.
– So you thought it appropriate to burst in here without so much as a greeting?
– Come now, Ei. You and I both know she isn’t the brightest of your subjects. Besides, her mind seems to be elsewhere.
The Queen’s gaze is on the Deaconess once again, but Sara dares not lift her face.
– You come with news, Knight? – The question is followed up by the crackling of thunder outside, and Sara is filled with dread, almost preventing her from answering outright.
– I have slain the beast you sent me to kill on the island of Watatsumi. May the people of the island recognise your immense power, Your Excellency. – And embarrassment floods her once again, when she remembers the last time she spoke that title.
– Maybe the people of Watatsumi will finally forget their foolish ideas soon. Not the first time I had to slay a serpent to keep them in check. Although, the first one was at least mighty enough to almost match my strength.
And although Sara feels the conversation is over, she cannot help but stay in place, her gaze still cast down to the floor. She does not know what she is waiting for – Praise? Recognition? Punishment for not being quick enough?
– You are dismissed, little raven. – The mirthful voice of the Deaconess could almost be mistaken for pitying by someone who knew her less.
– Thank you, Your Excellencies. – Sara turns around without looking either of them in the face. She feels the searing gaze of divinity on her back as she opens the door, and leaves.
Sleep comes easily to Kujou Sara. Most days she is exhausted enough to be taken to the world of dreams soon after her eyelids close. Her dreams are of thunder and battle, and occasionally of family, and warmth. Today, she dreams of the sea.
The cold depths surround her, but she feels right at home. She sways with the currents, swimming amidst the schools of fish she comes across. She lives happily, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
One day, she wanders out to the shore. At first, she is scared, but she is amazed at the harsh sunlight and all the strange people surrounding her. They ask: Who are you? And she responds: I’m just like you. It takes a while for them to believe her, but once they do, she is happier than ever. Sometimes, when one of them is taken with worry, she offers to welcome them to her wonderful world under them all, where the grass grows a deep blue, instead of green, and the sunlight can be extinguished at a second’s notice. They always agree.
Then there is one, who is scared. She understands, she was once scared of the unknown, too. That one flees to lands she never dares to approach the shores of, scared of the thunder and lightning surrounding it.
Then one comes, and she is afraid once again. I have come to slay you, the rose-coloured Deaconess snickers. She is afraid.
Sara returns to Watatsumi island. It is dark, and the fluorescent life around her seems even more beautiful than it did in the day. A soft wind is caressing the sparse trees that dot the landscape, and as Sara approaches the lake once again, a howling noise passes by her ear so quickly that she has no time to react, before a voice follows it.
– This is your final warning, Knight Kujou.
The words are almost said with a growl, but before she could look for whoever spoke the warning, she spots just who she came to the island for. The Priestess is standing on the shore of the swirling lake, just like when Sara first saw her. Someone grabs her arm as she makes a step forward.
– Turn back and leave, now.
Filled with mild annoyance, she turns to tell off whoever it might be bothering her. She has to lower her gaze quite a bit to be able to look the person in the eye.
– Let go of me, Soldier.
She does not recognise the man with animal features, but even in the dark she makes out his attire that slightly resembles a uniform.
– If you do not turn, I will–
– Stand down, Gorou. – Kokomi’s calm voice reverberates around them, and when Sara turns her head to see her, the Priestess is still facing the moon-lit lake.
The bothering hand lets go of Sara, and she approaches the monster she apparently did not manage to kill. Although, it feels quite inappropriate to call her that, now.
– Come no closer, Knight. – Her voice is filled with fear, as much as she tries to hide it. Sara can still feel the Soldier tailing her closely. They stand there for a moment, the distant noise of swirling water filling the space between them. Sara tries to make out what Kokomi might be thinking, but the moonlight isn’t kind enough to show enough.
A few more moments pass, and Sara is ready to speak up and just say anything to start up conversation again, when the strange Soldier tailing her steps up to the Priestess. Kokomi finally lifts her face, if only to have a silent conversation with the man now standing next to her. After a gruff noise, and a final angry look at Sara, the Soldier turns to leave. Sara can hear him deliberately rustle the leaves of the forest as he departs.
When Kokomi finally turns around, a sword held by both her hands glints in the moonlight. Sara instantly recognises it as her own.
– We could use someone like you, Knight.
It takes Sara a moment to notice the gloves on the Priestess’ hands, perfect to cover any kind of injury that might have befallen them.
– I am loyal only to the Almighty God of Thunder herself.
Kokomi’s face stiffens, but her hands lift towards the Knight.
– I do not doubt that. Take your weapon and leave at once.
Sara expected more. Maybe she expected the Priestess to take her sword and drive it into her own flesh, just as what was done to her. Maybe she expected Kokomi to ridicule the Queen and her followers, maybe just Sara herself for being her servant.
She takes the sword, making sure to not even brush the Priestess’ hands.
– If you return with it, know I will not call off my soldiers. – Kokomi’s hands are clasped in front of her, as polite as any noble daughter is taught to be.
– I pray I will not need to, Your Excellency.
Sara bows with sword in hand, missing the small smile given in return.
Sara dreams that laughter fills the dark landscape of Watatsumi. Empty, except for a Queen and her Knight.
– How foolish you were, little monster.
A Knight, and the monster she was sent to kill.
– How foolish I was, to think you to be human.
A monster, and no-one else.
– How foolish we are, Priestess.
The next time Sara returns to Watatsumi island, her sword is left behind. It sits profaned, never fulfilling the task it was forged for, as the one who once wielded it walks the depths of the Dark.