Tidal Florette - A Painted Soul I

Yumi - 20

As cute as Favian's curiosity is... I'm grateful not to talk about last night anymore than I have to right now. I'm not sure if Sapha was actually being nice or just wanted my mouth shut, but it doesn't matter. They've almost reached the village in silence, so Yumi decides she's earned some of her own curiosity. "Where did you learn to fight Sapha? I don't think I've faced anyone who moves like you do. I wish I could glide like that, I'd never have to worry about making my moves graceful again."

Yumi's relieved that Sapha doesn't seem annoyed. "I learned because I had no choice, and it wouldn't do to disappear slowly after a job is done."

No choice...? "I thought things were peaceful down in Nuvoluce."

"Who said I'm Nuvian?"

Yumi turns, walking backwards to look at her. "Your eyes."

Favian chuckles, "Your name, all the leather, your accent..."

Yumi laughs, "And didn't we meet just the morning over a critique of my Nuvian?"

Sapha sighs, "Fine, let's just say Nuvoluce is a lot more peaceful with me here instead." She locks eyes with Yumi. "We all know the moonlit are not the only threat in the realm."

Yumi nods and turns around before she ends up tripping. They're right, last night made that clear enough. Even if the Ignited Temple doesn't realize it, Saito is up to something. I can't imagine anything happening in the mainland would ever convince Sensei it was our time to leave Ukiyo, but I know people have begged her to save their home. She glances back at Sapha again. "So... what didn't give you a choice? You're an assassin, right?"

"How much further until we get there?" The sharpness of her voice confirms for Yumi that she's pressed enough curiosity for today.

"Just over this next hill, actually, I apologize if the village isn't as welcoming as usual. The grieving for a fallen Painted Soul calls for a period of silence. They won't ignore us, anything you need we'll have for you."

Favian takes advantage of the break in silence to ask Yumi a question. "Have any others fallen in your time in Ukiyo?"

I'm not even sure how long Sensei was alone before me. It never seemed necessary to discuss, she talked about them as if they were still alive. "No, my sensei is the only one." A sad realization hits her at that moment. "I.."

Her thought is cut off, as they surpass the crest of the hill Yumi stops in horror. Favian gasps and Sapha mutters under her breathe at the sight, "Oh gods..."

No... you heartless bastard, how could you? The hill they stand on is often a breathtaking moment for visitors first laying their eyes on the beauty of Ukiyo. This moment is just as breathtaking. Not a single home remains standing, the ashen ruins crumbled down leaving the small valley blackened from the flames that devoured the ancient village. Yumi's fists are clenched and trembling, tears running down her cheek, every ounce of strength is poured into fighting the urge to scream.

She doesn't care if it's not how she's supposed to use her abilities or if the other two ask questions, she uses her eyes to look down on the village in a desperate hope to see a trace of anyone's soul. Please... anyone... anyone at all... She can feel the depths of the two next to her, but that doesn't matter right now. The only thing she can see is that Ukiyo is dead. The remains strewn through the streets include everyone she's known and loved. She walks ahead, refusing to believe those are corpses. They had to have escaped, they're all right there and my eyes are just tired... They can't be dead... Kaiya wouldn't let that happen... She'd stop him... She wouldn't do this...

The other two follow slowly, giving Yumi space as she hurries down into the ruins. But as she confirms the villagers were burned alive, she starts panicking, her eyes glowing too brightly for either Favian or Sapha to ignore. She drops down to her knees, a small child's blackened remains in front of her, curses flying out of her mouth as she tries to pick them up and the body barely stays together. Yumi doesn't care if Favian recognizes the curses to be the language from his book, there are no common words that can express anything within her at the moment.