Chasing Dreams (Discontinued)

Chapter 208: Tears of a Tiger

"Let's start from the beginning." Maija summoned scrolls from the shadows in her palm. She laid the scrolls out carefully, revealing a blank canvas. "What's our plan?"

"Plan?" Ren blinked. "For what?"

Maija stared at Ren like he was a dunce. "For this." She pointed at Solis Island in the distance. "Don't tell me you expected to just appear and expect them to accept you?" Maija asked.

Truthfully, Ren didn't put much thought into it. He preferred to rush into things head-on. He'd save thinking for later once a less desirable situation arose. Unfortunately, Ren's way of thinking usually led to him getting into a lot of trouble.

"You did, didn't you?" Maija palmed her face. She wanted to scream. She wanted to slap Ren once, no twice, for being an incompetent fool! Oh, great, Byakko, give me strength!

"Renji, I told you before our people aren't easily moved," Maija explained. "Something as simple as words, or a different perspective isn't enough to sway our hearts. Our hearts stem from dragon scales and they can be as hard as diamonds. You need to have a plan. What will you do when they see Suzume?"

Ren and Suzume traded looks. Suzume was sitting near Nyssa's head, holding Manasa in her lap. Suzume and Manasa were practically inseparable. Suzume spent the entire time talking to her daughter and telling her stories about Ren and Dustin.

Ren listened in on the stories dully. Suzume wasn't as passionate as Maija or as colorful as Erica. She was soft-spoken and a bit monotone, and her stories weren't the slightest bit interesting. But Manasa listened attentively and was easily entertained.

"I don't know," Ren said flatly. He already knew Suzume coming would be a problem. "I was hoping that when they meet her they may feel differently."

"Renji," Maija said, his name clearly like flowing water. "I don't think you understand the severity of what you've done. The Fujiwara and Fumiko have been at odds since the dawn of time. In our people's eyes, it is already bad enough you are on good terms with a Fumiko, which within itself is frowned upon. However, you've gone a step further and joined her blood with yours creating a child that isn't supposed to exist. You fucked Suzume." Maija said bluntly. "Having sex with a Fumiko is taboo. Having a child with a Fumiko is unheard of. But getting married to a Fumiko is punishable by death."

Sarah's ears perked. She spent most of the trip studying her notes and overlooking the text she transcribed. While on Crescent Island, Maija and Sarah came across Fujiwaran ruins while exploring. At the ruins, Sarah found an ancient text along the cave walls that even Maija couldn't read.

It appeared to be a story. There were pictures drawn of two large birds with distinct planetary marks behind them. Behind the blackbird was a red moon. A blood moon. Sarah hypothesized. While behind the white bird was a black sun. An eclipse. Sarah could only assume. Underneath the two birds was a wall of text Sarah couldn't dare to comprehend. It was a mix of drawings and symbols, and at first glance, she mistook it for hieroglyphs, but Maija claimed it to be older than that.

It's a dead language. Maija swore. Only Mataji and the Gods would be able to read that.

No, surely someone on Solis Island would know. Sarah kept her faith. If it's written in a dead language, then it is bound to hold some secrets. I must have something. Maybe a way to prevent Homura's revival or a secret about Ren's latent power. I just need something to latch onto...

"Surely, the Inosanto Tribe would think differently of Ren, no?" Sarah asked. "He's the Garuda of Creation the supposed savior to your people. Would he have to abide by the same rules as the rest of the clan?"