CHAPTER 54: THE POWER THAT LIES WITHIN US

The Fourth didn’t forgive Hoshizuma’s insult. Since he’d been invited to a more direct confrontation, the Fourth, wandering through the cosmic void, thought up a new god.

He used the body of the Second to create it.

It was only a matter of time before he would unleash an entire army of gods upon them and tear the country apart.

It was nothing but fun.

The Fourth’s furry body absorbed the Second’s skeleton through its shadowy, hair-covered skin, then spat out a new god through one of its maws in the form of a black comet, heading straight for the Hoshigane Palace.

*

The next day, Maldie returned to the palace with Gari, but only for a moment. With Shion’s permission, she took the kids with them. Only Yuecheng refused, saying he wanted to stay at the palace.

Ayame’s son is acting so weird... I hope he’s okay too...

I’m worried about Ayame, but I know whatever she’s doing right now—it’s to help all of us and she’ll manage. Besides, she has that strong maid with her, so it should be fine.

Maldie thought this as she walked along the city with Gari and the three kids. Asahi was in the middle, holding both of their hands, Shion the Second held Gari’s hand, and Yuri held Maldie’s.

I care about her too, but I can’t just focus on her. I have to do everything I can to make sure this whole situation doesn’t hit Haru and Shion’s children too hard.

They have three truly strong, smart, and wonderful kids – I don’t want their light to fade too much.

I’m glad both Shion and Gari agreed to let them stay with us for a while. A change of place might help them stop thinking about Haru so much.

Shion will have to put his paperwork on hold for now, but there are more important things to do.

Everyone has their own battle to fight and win. That’s what we should hold onto.

"A-auntieeee, how much longer until we get there?" Shion the Second pouted.

"Just a bit more. A walk will do you good, you’ve been sitting too much in your dad’s office these days, haha. Look at Asahi – he’s loving it."

"Can’t you just fly us all there?"

"I-I only use my wings for special occasions!" Gari replied, a little embarrassed.

Maldie smiled, a bit amused. She knew Gari was too proud to admit to the kids that even with wings, she couldn’t actually fly.

"Eh, fine then," Shion the Second muttered.

"Don’t worry, when we get back I’ll bake cookies for everyone," Maldie said with a smile.

"Yesss!" Asahi cheered. "You make the best sweets ever, Grandma!"

"That’s enough for you! You just made a cake with her not long ago!" Shion teased. "You really should eat less."

"No way! I made the cake too and shared it with you guys, so I can eat just as much as you!" Asahi said, sticking his tongue out at his brother.

"Boys, cut it out. There’s enough for everyone," Gari tried to calm them down.

Yuri stayed quiet, staring off to the side like she was watching someone. That made Maldie uneasy.

"Are you okay, sweetheart? Do you see something?"

"N-no... I-I think I’m just seeing things," Yuri said shyly.

Maldie sighed.

Well, kids’ imaginations can play tricks on them, especially after tough events.

The rest of the walk passed quietly.

When they got to Gari and Maldie’s place...

...there was nowhere to go

"I can’t believe it..." Maldie muttered. Gari, half scared, half worried, looked at her.

"M-my house... m-my bakery..." she said, both buildings burned down.

Maldie couldn’t help herself – this was one of the few times in her life she shed a tear, but she still didn’t break down completely.

I have to be strong for them. I can’t fail them, can’t just fall apart in front of them.

"Ha! You’re really that worried about a single building?" a loud, deep, masculine voice thundered above them.

"Step back!" Gari shouted, letting go of Shion and Asahi and moving ahead. She spread her dragon wings, shielding them from a magical fireball.

"Haha, smart move," the man replied.

Shion and Asahi looked up, terrified. The man floated above the ruins, wearing a simple crimson kimono, with long hair and a beard and mustache made of flames.

For some reason, only Yuri wasn’t scared. Maldie felt the girl squeeze her hand tighter.

"Do you really think a pair of pathetic dragon wings will defend them against this?" he asked, preparing another attack. His massive magic blast began charging.

Then, to everyone’s surprise, Yuri dashed forward.

"Yuri, get back here right now!" Maldie shouted in panic.

"What are you doing, kid?!" Gari yelled, shocked.

"You... made Grandma cry," Yuri said, her voice trembling. She pulled the veil of her father that Maldie had adjusted to fit her head.

If I focus on my anger... if I try to push him away, like I did with mom back then...

Guilt crushed her. She started crying. As the god was about to launch his spell, Yuri looked straight into his eyes, tears streaming.

"Give me back my mom!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

The god didn’t get a chance to finish his attack.

First, he turned to gold, then exploded into millions of tiny pieces, falling to the ground.

Everyone’s jaws dropped. Yuri fell to her knees.

"W-wow!! Since when can you do something like that?!" Asahi yelled, totally stunned. "That was so cool!"

"N-n-nice..." Shion could only mumble.

Maldie immediately went to the crying girl. Gari folded her wings and checked the boys – who nodded they were fine.

"Yuri, what happened?" Maldie asked, concern in her voice.

"It’s all my fault!" Yuri yelled. "First dad lost his sight, then I turned mom to gold, and now your home is gone! I’m the worst! I did this!"

"Sweetie, none of this is on you. You couldn’t have done anything to stop it," Maldie said, pulling her into a hug and lifting her from the ground. Yuri buried her face in her chest, crying.

"So... we going back to the palace?" Gari asked, down. "What the hell is going on?"

Maldie shot her a look.

"S-sorry. You know, I lose control of my mouth when I get emotional."

"Well, I guess it’s time to head back to the palace," she said, voice trembling.

Gari looked Maldie straight in the eyes. She already knew from that look how much Maldie was holding in.

You’re not showing it because you want to be strong for them.

And I want you to cry on my shoulder today, like never before.

Gari thought as they headed back to the palace.

*

"I don’t get why you want to keep me company, but that’s nice of you," said King Shion, sitting on the bed next to Yuecheng, looking sad.

"I have my reasons, uncle," he replied politely but with distance.

"My Majesty, should I stay too?" Sayaka asked from the corner of the room.

"Yes. The more of us, the better," he replied with a sigh.

Shion buried his face in his hands.

"I’m sorry, everyone. I just... it’s too much," he said heavily.

Then... I really heard your voice. It wasn’t just me imagining things because I missed you.

I’m sorry, Haru, I’m useless. You mean everything to me and I can’t help you. I know you’re alive, even though you can’t answer me.

This helplessness is killing me – I can’t take it anymore. I miss you so much it feels like the emptiness in my eyes has spread to my heart.

And knowing I can’t save you just makes that emptiness burn even more.

Gods, why are you putting me through such awful trials?

Yuecheng’s – or rather Hoshizuma’s – eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.

Why do these damned humans think everything depends on the gods? Nice setup, Fourth.

They sat in silence until Sayaka suddenly screamed. Shion instinctively turned toward the sound, and Hoshizuma in Yuecheng’s body sprang to help her.

The floor turned into a massive shadowy void, from which a crowd of hands emerged. Some tried to drag Sayaka in, others Haru, but the king and Hoshizuma were left untouched.

The Fourth may be powerful, but he’s an idiot, just like always.

He sent a group of minor shadow gods. Maybe they’d be strong against an ordinary army of warriors, but he seems to have forgotten who he’s facing.

Yuecheng slammed his hand on the floor, shouting. Tiny golden magical bolts danced around his hand, shooting into the shadows.

The room filled with the screams of dozens of shadow gods.

"What’s happening?" Shion asked, startled.

"Don’t worry, uncle. I’ve got this under control," Yuecheng replied.

After a moment, the shadows vanished, sinking into their own puddle of darkness with agonizing screams.

For some reason, Hoshizuma felt the hand he’d used for the spell grow heavy, barely moving.

Yuecheng raised his right hand – his hand transformed from human to glass.

Damn, I overdid it with the power.

Hoshizuma felt Yuecheng’s eyes blinking more and more – he couldn’t control his body anymore.

He’s losing consciousness, and with him I lose connection.

Oh, what a brilliant timing for you to faint, Yue. Soon an army of gods will arrive, and I...

Hoshizuma didn’t finish his thought.

"Master Yuecheng!" Sayaka shouted. She ran to the boy and caught him just in time.

If she hadn’t, the unconscious Yuecheng would have hit the floor hard.