Kazuscara • Alongside you

Chapter 10 • Betrayal...

Context:
Purely Scara pov
He's still 16
Kunikuzushi gets abandoned by his mother and locked up in a domain for around 10 years (cause otherwise kazuha would be dead, we don't want that)
The two other betrayals do not happen, it's purely Ei's betrayal!!!

Kunikuzushi pov:
I went back home after this long but good day, the sun was at the brim of completely disappearing for the day, the moon slowly rising, birds chirping and singing as they fly back to their nests, cats walking back to their homes, dogs following their owners back home.. this day has marked its end.

I'm back at my estate, no sight of mother around... weird... I take off my sandals and walk around the house, calling out for mother. Later, I arrive at the gardens, mother is standing alone, as still as a statue, looking down.. she looks... almost numb...

"Raiden Kunikuzushi..." mother said, it had been years since she called my full name, I was already a bit shocked. "... today you will be tried to hold my gnosis, child" she turned around, looking at me dead in the eye, her gnosis in hand. "If you can take it, you will be trained to be able to rule this nation..." she said with sadness somehow laced in her voice.

Later on, she brought me to the Plain of Euthymia, I've never once been here, i knew it existed, but I never visited, mother would never bring me with her over there. It was honestly quite... empty... not a person roamed here, not a tree stood, just a circular flat surface with pillars around it, dominating over us. She then wasn't standing next to me, but in front of me, looking at me dead in the eyes, holding the weather gnosis in her hand. She extended her hand towards me gripping the gnosis.

"Take it, Kunikuzushi." She said sternly, no emotion in her voice. I grabbed the small chess piece as she told me and held it between both my hands, like a fragile object. "Now... bring it to your chest.." she showed me how to do it by imitating the position I needed to be in. I brought it near my 'heart' as she showed me. "And now..." she just stopped talking and walked towards me, her hands raising slightly to meet near mine that had the gnosis in hand.

Suddenly, her hand pushed violently against my chest, making it pierce my puppet body and putting it at the place of my 'heart'. I screamed in agony at the pain and cried and weeped looking up at her, tears rolling down my eyes. She looked at me almost... disgusted. "You failed me, Raiden Kunikuzushi... but I cannot discard you, son.." we're her last words before I felt her pull the gnosis out hastily and I fell unconscious on the ground.

Those were my last memories of mother....

I awoke in a strange, dark, mysterious place. Only luminescent plants light the small 'room' and tall doors were sealed shut. I took time to understand the situation I was in: I am lying in the grass, in an unknown domain, with no knowledge of where I am and what time or day or even year it currently is.

The last time I was outside... the year ❒︎̵̡͎̮̥̦̪͇̀̐͂̓́́̕̕⧫︎̶͖͍̲͙̈̓̂͑̎͘⍓ ⬧︎̶̹̤̘̲̱̤͍̤̤͍̍̊̓̇̓͗́̕❒︎̵̡͎̮̥̦̪͇̀̐͂̓́́̕̕⧫︎̶͖͍̲͙̈̓̂͑̎͘ ... what year is it now..? I don't know... I got up, feeling extremely light headed and empty.. I walk to the tall domain gate and try to open the doors but my weak body isn't strong enough to push them open.. I can't open the damned doors... I decide to have a good rest and try again later..

I woke up what felt like a few hours later and got up, feeling energized. After regaining my energy, I tried to push open the domain doors but to no avail. I lean against the door, sobbing. Why did mother even leave me for some stupid gnosis?! Isn't a child supposed to be a mother's treasure..? The gods... They fill me with pure loathing... How dare she... How dare she?! Without even realizing I started screaming at the top of my lungs in the domain, banging at the walls and doors until one of them finally creaked open.. I was panting for air as I saw the heavy slate move, letting me leave..

Once I was outside that damned domain, I was in an unknown cavern surrounded by strange flora all around, strange tall glowing purple grass and lichen and vines all around the cave walls... Where the hell did she leave me..? What was this cursed place? I left the cavern and saw the dark purple sky covered with roaring thunder and splashing lightning. No one roamed the land, I was all alone in this strange island. I decided to try something out, I never could've done when I was with Ei. I shouted

"CURSE YOU DAMNED GOD OF THUNDER"
I panted after screaming so loud, hearing my echo resonate throughout the island and hearing the thunder roar at me in return. I simply made a face, looking at the sky and started to find a way out of this damned place.. as I was searching for something, anything, to escape the archipelago that was constantly dominated by the purple sky, I found three empty alcohol bottles lying on the ground, emptied and cleaned by the waves, near them, I found clear paper sheets and a plume.. I couldn't help but shed a tear and break a sad smile reminding myself of the only one that cared.... Kazuha.. I grabbed the paper and plume and wrote a message in each sheet, putting one in each bottle. The messages read..

"If you are reading this message, I hope you are the one I am expecting.
We once believed that war was something that only happened in fairy tales and legends. But now, each and every one of us trembles under Her Excellency's thundering wrath.
The beach that we used to go to has been sealed, but I found a way to get this letter out nonetheless.
Do not worry, or blame yourself for this. This deed is but trivial for one who once ventured alongside you such as I. I will wait for your reply, even if you write but a single word."

"If you are reading this message, I hope that you are the one I am expecting.
I've lost count of which letter this is. How far will it drift, and on what shore will it wash up?
If we ever should meet again, do tell me once more of the mountain city of stone and the snowstorms of the north. Or perhaps, tell me about dandelions and wine instead. What say you?
I will wait for your reply as I always have."

"I have not received a reply from you in a long while. But nonetheless, if you are still wandering this land, should you receive the missive, I hope that you can send me a reply.
Attach your insignia to your letter, that I may recognize you by its presence when the time comes.
Do you remember Komore Tea House? We shall meet there. You will find money for tea attached herein.
But if you are not the one I was expecting to receive this letter...
Then please, take this keepsake all the same. Perhaps you might be able to find its original owner for me — do also take the Mora in here as thanks."

I took the three bottles in my arms and threw them into the ocean, hoping they will find the one I seek.. I turned away, seeing them drift amongst the waves for the last time and made my way around the island, trying to find some way to get out of here.

Eventually, I found a boat on the shore. Jackpot! It seemed to still be in good condition and it was rather clean, saving me from washing or fixing it. I smile to myself thinking I'll be able to leave this darn island and this god forsaken region.. After gathering some berries I found, even though I have no need for food, I got into the boat and made my escape.

Days later, I awoke in a soft, white, fluffy layer. Snow. I had no idea where I was and what day or time or even year it was. All I knew, is that I was freezing! That's when I saw a tall red-headed guy accompanied with another man next to him with teal hair, his face covered with a mask.

"Well well, what might we have found here~?" Said the teal haired man. The red-head soon replying "I think we might have found a new harbinger.." he said, grinning mischievously..

1462 words

A/N
Hii, I'm sorry for not having updated, exams are starting for me over here and I was also very exhausted. I hope the wait wasn't too long :)
This chapter feels a bit short to me but i don't know..
Btw these are pretty much the drifting bottle messages from dragon spine, I just changed them very slightly! Sorta got inspired on the drifting bottles Kazuscara theory if anyone even remembers it nowadays lol.
Q&A is always open as always, feel free to ask questions if you have any :)
Also making bunch of origami gimme ideas of what to make in q&a plspls

How have you guys been? Did you miss reading this?

See you in the next chapter <3