Twin Mages Book 4: Convergence

Chapter 1: The Traumatic Aftermath

"Why is it so beautiful outside today? Does the world lack empathy?" Kei asks herself. She's sitting on her grandfather's old porch in Kyoto, letting the sun dance a scorching ballet across her pale skin. The natural warmth a stove burner to her emotions, causing her feelings to boil over. Butterflies flutter and glide through the air, completely unaware of the state her world is in. Birds sing a song Kei can only describe as obscenely inappropriate for the moment.

"Everyone and everything is so happy. Am I the only one who feels this way?" She tucks her legs to her chest as she thinks about the events that transpired only weeks ago. The attack on Sanctuary, when The Glistening Moon tried to take her grandfather. When her friends and family were put in harms way because she was too weak to protect them. When she died. That thought repeats like a broken record playing a sick practical joke in her head.

"You died.
You died.
You died."

Over and over again, those words batter her mind, relentlessly reminding her of the fate she suffered at the hand of The Crux Constellation. Kei looks to the sky and watches a few clouds slide across the blue canvas above her, as if trying to say the world will move on regardless, and she will be left behind.

"How ya doin, kid?" Kei glances back, seeing a familiar face peering out from inside. She sighs. "Hey Alan. I didn't know you were still here." "Where else am I supposed to go? I ain't got plans." He says with a chuckle. Alan steps out, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed in front of him. "I know a thing or two about losing people, ya know. If you wanna talk, I'm all ears."

"Just stop it. I know you mean well, but just stop it already. You have no damn idea what I'm going through right now!" The words sting his ears as they leave Kei's lips, but he listens quietly as she continues. "A month ago, I had one blood family member left in the whole world. One person that tied me to my life before Sanctuary. And he's dead. Because of me."

"Now Kei, that's not fair to put all of that blame on your shoulders. Everyone had a part to play in that failure." Kei shoots Alan an icy glare, prompting him to stop talking so she can continue. "It's completely fair, Alan. Grandpa Dai sacrificed himself so I could come back to life. I'm literally the reason he's dead."

Alan nods, walking up to Kei and plopping down next to her. "I see. Well, I remember when someone close to me sacrificed themselves so that I could live." Kei thinks back to Taraji. "I'm sorry Alan. I didn't mean to offend you." She says with a shameful blush staining her cheeks. "I'm not upset kid. I'm just trying to tell you that I get it. The most important things in this life are the relationships you forge. Those people keep you grounded, and drive you to do better. When you lose them, you lose a part of yourself."

Kei looks down to the ground, attempting to stifle the tears welling up in her. "How am I supposed to fill that spot that he left, Alan?" "Hell if I know kid, I'm still trying to figure that part out for myself." He responds. "Ya know, I still see her sometimes, or I'll hear her laugh in my mind when someone tells a joke she would've liked."

Kei listens intently as tears begin leaking, her cheeks red from the sting. "I was lost after she died. And I'm pretty sure I'll never find love again. But I know Taraji would be so upset if I just curled up and let my life pass me by. So I decided to honor her memory by doing what she did best. Helping others."

Kei looks over to Alan with hot tears streaking down her face, burning her as they trickle down, branding her face with her anguish. "How am I supposed to help anyone when I'm not the person I used to be? I don't have my magic anymore." She asks. "That's all up to you. Mage or not, you're still a member of Sanctuary, and nothing will change that."

"Wow! Kei Kaneki crying. That's a sight I never thought I'd see. When did you start feeling sorry for yourself?" Kei looks over with wide eyes, unable to believe who she sees. Alan stands quickly. "What are you doing here?" Before them, they see Lily standing in the road, two small bundles of flowers in her arms. "Isn't it obvious? I came to pay my respects." She says. "That could be complicated though, considering one of these is for a person who's apparently very much alive still."