IGNITE | Sukuna

Chapter 2: Fire & Thunder

In the heart of the dense forest, Subuhi found herself engulfed in fear. Her once unyielding courage now wavered, leaving her trembling amidst the towering trees that loomed over her. The decision to venture into this unknown territory had been impulsive, driven by a surge of adrenaline that now ebbed away.

For Subuhi, the forest was an alien landscape, a stark contrast to the sheltered confines of her clan compound where she had spent her entire existence. The boundaries of her world had been defined by the familiar faces and routines within her community, shielding her from the harsh realities that lay beyond.

As she navigated the labyrinthine paths of the forest, each step seemed to echo with the weight of her uncertainty. Was this journey a reckless gamble with her own safety? She couldn't shake the feeling of being lost.

Amidst the oppressive silence, a faint sound pierced through the stillness—a cry that tugged at Subuhi's heartstrings with its haunting melody. Driven by curiosity, Subuhi followed the sound.

As she emerged from the thicket, she beheld a sight that defied her expectations—a cursed spirit weeping like a lost child. She always imagined cursed spirits to be enormous, fierce, with multiple hands, eyes, mouths. The cursed spirit before her was not the embodiment of terror she had envisioned.

Tentatively, she approached the spirit, her fear tempered by a newfound empathy. She reached out, expecting the chill of its cursed touch, yet found only warmth as their hands met in a fragile embrace. In that fleeting connection, she sensed a kinship that transcended the barriers of language and understanding.

"Don't cry," she whispered, her voice a gentle reassurance. The words held no meaning for the spirit, but Subuhi wanted to console the spirit so she did what she knew by heart. Subuhi's voice, soft yet resonant, wove through the air like a gentle breeze, carrying with it the echoes of a lullaby long forgotten.

With the cursed spirit cradled in her lap, Subuhi surrendered herself to the music. She sang of forgotten memories that lingered like shadows in the recesses of her mind. Her heart bore the weight of a sorrow that ran deeper than the scars upon her flesh. Her mother's untimely death, a cruel twist of fate that robbed her of maternal warmth before she could even comprehend its significance.

Left in the care of her mother's friend, a woman whose kindness became her lifeline, Subuhi found solace in the melodies of her voice. She tought her to sing. And so, whenever she sang, it was not only her own voice that filled the air, but the echoes of two mothers—one who had given her life, and one who had nurtured her.

The forest seemed to come alive with the haunting beauty of her song, the trees swaying as if bearing witness to a sacred ritual. And amidst the whispers of the wind, the cries of the cursed spirit faded into oblivion, replaced by a sense of tranquility that enveloped them both.

As she sang, she felt the presence of other cursed spirits drawn to her melody. They gathered around her like guardian angels. Negative energy? To hell with that, she thought. She had discovered a truth far greater than any curse or prejudice could ever hope to extinguish—the power of love.

The hot breath of the wind singed Sukuna's face as he rode astride his faithful horse, Hinotori - the legendary fire bird. Though the velocity of their journey tempered the intensity of the heat, it still irked him. Glancing back at his companions, he noticed their deliberate lag, a tacit acknowledgment of his preference for solitary rides.

Turning his attention forward, he spied the dense forest where the King and Crown Prince had already arrived, their presence signaled by the fluttering of banners in the distance. With a resigned sigh, he resigned himself to enjoy what was left of the journey. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to be enveloped by the rhythmic cadence of Hinotori's hooves and the rush of air through his hair. For a fleeting moment, he felt truly alive.