Favors of Pain

13

Date created: 04/15/21

Date Finished: 04/18/21

Author's Notes: Now, we are starting to get to the good parts.

Warnings: Mentions of triggering scenes such as violence, death, and possible gore.

⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱
┊┊┊┊
┊┊┊☆
┊┊ *
┊┊🔥
┊☆ °

🔥

"My lady, my lady!" Hyuko gasped as she rushed towards the white-haired woman who was peacefully sitting on the ground with a child in her lap.  Teaching the child to read.

Sorano motioned for the child to stop. Looking up as the girl bent over to catch her breath.

"What is it?" she asked, raising a questioning eyebrow at her.

"The reports have come in about the curse and some terrible news..."

A frown grew on Sorano's lips at her words. What of the terrible news? What of this curse? She must know.  No wonder why the girl was in such a rush to see her. 

With a sigh, she turned back to the child. "That is all for today.  We can practice more tomorrow.  Maybe even writing?"

The child quickly nodded his head then jumped to his feet,  leaving to return the book he has borrowed.  Once the child was out of sight,  Sorano stood to her feet and turned towards the girl. 

"Now tell me the news we received," she said,  tucking her hands into the sleeves of her kimono.

"I-I think it would be better to speak with the messager himself..."

Sorano tilted her head but nodded her head.  Hyuko turned and led her goddess into the temple. She stopped and turned to bow at her once they reached the main hall before walking over to a young boy. 

He looked as if he was coming home from war.  He was blooded and shaking with fatigue. His eyes were wide with fear.  Nearly jumping out of his skin at the appearance of Sorano.

"My lady... This boy is Wang.  He claimed his village was attacked by... The king of curses," Hyuko said.

Sorano released a hum, walking closer to the boy.  Noticing his form shaking more. He was afraid of her, seeing her eyes and the scale patches her skin held.

"Is this true? You've seen this curse?"

"Y-Yes ma'am... H-he came to our village days before and attacked...he just slaughtered our people and burned our homes. That is what he does from the tales. He's burnt so many down... Killed many people... But he spared me to relay a message to the one known as the white dragon..."

Hyuko's eyes widened as she looked over at Sorano.  That was a nickname given to her by humans after seeing her cursed form.

Sorano raised an eyebrow at him. "He wished to deliver a message to me?"

The boy slowly nodded his head.  Looking down at the marbled floor. "H-He said that your sorcerers are... Really w-weak and that he would be paying a visit..."

"He's coming here!?" Hyuko was now panicking. Her breath was laboring in her lungs as fear consumed her.

Sorano was surprised herself,  why did he want to come here? Did he plan to destroy her home just as he did this boy? Toy with her people? No matter... He won't succeed.