The Shadow Kingdom

Sacrifice and Balance

Izumi strapped on her belt adjusting the scabbard of her sword with nervous fingers. She couldn’t seem to get rid of the tremors inside her heart at witnessing Nomu’s brief show of power. 

Even as she dressed she could feel the aftershocks and she wanted to curl up from it. That dark power was so frightening… and what was more frightening than facing it.. Was knowing she’d have to wield it herself. 

Was something like that possible? Could she maintain who she was, what she stood for, if she took on this tainted destructive power. 

“Ask her, ask her…” Izumi heard a small voice behind her and glanced over her shoulder. In the doorway of the armory was a little boy with dark hair and eyes, his hand gripping the skirt of a maid and tugging on it. 

“Yes, yes, my lord.” The maid laughs and bows to Izumi. “My apologies for the intrusion, Lady Izumi.” 

“It’s alright… is there something wrong?” Izumi turned giving the boy a soft smile before lifting her eyes up to the maid. 

“No, my master just wishes to speak with you a moment.” She motioned to the little boy who stay clung to her skirts. 

“Of course.” She knelt down extending a hand to the boy. “How may I be of service, little lord?” 

The boy pouted at the title but stepped forward standing in front of the maid now. 

“You can wield magic, right? I heard you talking with some people about spells.” 

“Yes, I have magic,” she tilted her head her smile never fading. “Why do you ask?” 

“Can you teach me?” He stepped forward, hands bunched into fists and his eyes serious. “I want to use all kinds of magic, not just my own. I want to be a wizard, a powerful one.” 

“A wizard huh? You’ll need to study hard if you want to be fluent in all types of magic and not just your inherited gifts.” She slid down so she knelt on both of her knees now and she held out her palms.  “Let me see your hands.” 

He hesitated a moment but stepped closer and held his hands out to her. She turned them over admiring the skin and palms. 

“Mmmm as I thought… too smooth… you’re going to have to work much harder, My Lord.” She clasped both her hands over his. “Both of us are. I’m learning to wield all kind of magic too, and I can tell you it’s not easy.” 

“I can do it… I’ll work really hard and study and train, so just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.” He nodded his head feverently and had her laughing softly. 

“You’re very spirited, and that’s good. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to teach you, because I need to go fight a war… my knowledge of magic is the only thing I have to protect me and I hope it’ll be enough.”

“It will be, I can see it!” The boy stare into her eyes, and her breath hitched when she saw those black orbs swirl as if there was a cloud of mist foaming over the irises. “I see you unleashing a spell with such tremendous power that you lay waste to your enemies. The gifts you will possess is a blend of power no true mortal has ever seen before, and you will wield it with strength, and confidence.”

“Kai!” A powerful voice called from the doorway, the maid bowing as Queen Kayama stood in the frame now scowling at him. “What have I said about telling such stories to others.” 

“I’m sorry, Mother.” Kai bowed his head, an already stunned Izumi thrown for a loop. 

“Eh? Mother?”  She blinked wide eyed.