Tidal Florette - A Painted Soul I

Yumi - 33

Once the Empress returns to the Dawnthrone, they suggest Yumi explores the palace and remains out of sight of the many citizens eager to approach the throne with the palace opened. They explain that the rumors that likely made their way to the streets can't be confirmed if Yumi remains unseen; which buys her time. Yumi agrees and excitedly turns to wander the halls when she's startled by Urso and Elio waiting in her shadow. Although she's reluctant to be followed around, Yumi admits to herself that the two guards were pleasant enough to make for good company if she tries to not see them as a leash.

Taikira palace has more halls than the Empress seems to know what to do with, as many rooms are empty or nothing more than storage. Yumi turns to Urso, already running out of wonder. "Is there anything worth seeing in this place? Why is it so lifeless?"

Urso grumbles. "The palace once was filled with a renowned staff and hospitable to many across the realm. After Nightfall, diplomacy in that manner was not entirely an option for the empress. Remember, Horaizon is cut off from the rest of the realm by the Gravelands and few cities have survived outside of the capital."

"So they had nothing to do while they were here besides eat and talk?"

"It was a peaceful time full of merriment; even the Ignited Temple's council enjoyed the gatherings." He speaks with a hushed tone. "Right alongside night cultists."

Yumi tenses up. "That sounds so impossible to imagine, any night cultist seems so buried like ancient history..."

Elio huffs. "Before Nightfall, I was just old enough that I can still remember... How old are you?"

Urso gives a light-hearted back-hand slap to Elio's shoulder. "That's hardly a question to ask a lady!"

Yumi giggles, "It's fine, I'm twenty-three."

Both of them look over then back at each other with a bit of surprise before Urso clears his throat. "A Nightfall baby, what a rude awakening to life."

Yumi smirks and shrugs. "It's not like I knew anything before that."

Elio hums in thought. "That's true. Anyway, I remember our village had a night-cult dedicated to Teraku, God of Levity."

Yumi stops, convinced there's not much point wandering the halls any longer and hops up to sit on the ledge of the window overlooking the sea. "There's a God of Levity?"

Urso's face twists slightly with a frown. "You were never taught the Elder Gods?"

Yumi shakes her head. "I know they exist, but me sensei said my time was better spent training to serve my purpose in our realm and not worry about the divine realms... what does a God of Levity even do? Tell the best jokes of all time?"

"I would hope so, but it's hardly amusing what happened to those cultists after Nightfall..."

I can imagine... Yumi's eyes glow and both guards look equally fascinated and apprehensive. "You were close with one of them, weren't you?"

Urso's face reddens as he turns away and walks down the hall. "I believe there's a room just ahead that guests would spend their nights playing cards or drinking. How about I show you two some old games to pass the time?"

Yumi hops down from the ledge. "I'd love to! But... Could I go see if Sapha wants to join us? Where is she staying?"

Elio motions with a nod down an adjacent hall. "In the tower next to yours, the three of you were given some of the spaces saved for the most esteemed guests."

Yumi smiles and says with dramatic sarcasm. "As it should be."

Urso goes on ahead, rather excited to set up whatever game he had in mind. Elio leads Yumi to the staircase leading to Sapha's quarters and waits at the bottom for her to return. The winding staircase is identical to the set that leads to Yumi's room, but they take longer to reach the top. Apparently they planned for her to be tucked away up here even more than me... She should just invite a bunch of wanted contracts over for a party... They'll be too winded when they get up these stairs to care about getting assassinated...

Yumi hears Sapha's voice ahead and slows her ascent. Why does she sound nervous? She never sounds.... Wait... Yumi creeps closer hoping not to alert Sapha and confirms. She's speaking nightrealm? So much for gossiping about her with Favian in front of her... Damn...

Yumi gets close enough to make out what she's saying. "I know what you asked and I'm telling you there's more going on here..."

Who is she talking to? The empress is busy... she wouldn't sound like this talking to Favian...

"How is that not my business? I have never let you dow..."

Yumi hears a strained cry of pain and what sounds like things falling over. She rushes up the rest of the stairs until she finds Sapha's door just cracked open. Throwing it open, she finds Sapha curled up on the floor trembling in pain, a runic stone fallen by her glowing from its nightrealm markings like molten magma swirls within and lights the room with a haunting crimson. Yumi hurries to Sapha in a panic, falling to her knees and cradling her in her arms. "What's going on? What's wrong?"

Sapha can barely get her eyes open, she feels like every muscle in her body is writhing tighter and tighter. "Yumi? What the fuck are you doing here?"

Yumi feels a bit of shame seeing tears fall from her eyes onto Sapha. "Why does that matter? What is happening to you?"

The door shuts behind her and she hears a familiar voice. "Oh, little tea cup, can't you tell?"

Turning she sees Nox in his macabre regalia. Living eyes stare back at her in helpless terror, trapped in the construct of his dark gold armor. Tendrils of liquid, black shadow twist around him as he steps forward with a menacing grin. "She's dying."