Her sleep shattered as the sharp, rhythmic sound of arrows slicing through the air cut into her subconscious. Subuhi's eyes snapped open. For a moment, she lay there, staring at the unfamiliar wooden ceiling above her, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
The room was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Warm, polished wood surrounded her, gleaming softly in the dim light filtering through narrow windows. It resembled a treehouse, but it was far too elegant, with carved beams and a faint scent of cedar.
She sat up, her breath catching as she looked down at herself. The heavy wedding kimono clung to her like a haunting reminder of the palace. The last thing she remembered was escaping with the rebels.
Her gaze fell to a low table near the bed, where a neatly folded set of clothes waited. This isn’t the palace, she thought, a wave of relief washing over her. Wherever she was, she wasn’t a prisoner.
Subuhi rose and changed into the fresh clothes. She ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing it down, and stepped outside.
The silence struck her first. No guards patrolled the corridors, no servants shuffled about.
Then she heard it again—the sharp, precise sound of arrows being loosed. Her ears pricked, and she followed the sound, her curiosity growing with each step.
The corridor opened into a breathtaking vista that made her stop in her tracks.
Above her, the sky stretched out in shades of muted gray, veiled by a shimmering barrier of cursed energy. Below, clusters of cottage-like houses floated, suspended mid-air above jagged mountain peaks. The scene was otherworldly, the sheer power radiating from the barrier making the air hum faintly around her.
Her eyes widened as she took it in. What kind of place is this? she thought. The level of cursed energy required to maintain such a structure was staggering.
Another sharp twang drew her attention, and her gaze finally found him.
Sukuna.
He stood in a clearing, bow in hand, his body moving with a fluid precision. His upper body was bare, as it often was, revealing the intricate tattoos that coiled across his skin. The scars scattered across his torso added to his aura. His eyes, sharp and intent, were locked on the target, their focus so intense it seemed as if nothing else in the world existed.
Her gaze traveled, almost involuntarily, tracing the lines of his shoulders, the way the muscles in his back shifted as he adjusted his stance. The way his fingers tightened on the bowstring, pulling it back with effortless strength, sent a strange shiver through her.
Another arrow flew, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle before striking the target dead center.
Her admiration deepened as she watched him. She’d seen Sukuna in battle before, seen him wield his power with ruthless efficiency. But this was different. There was a quiet intensity to him now, a focus that drew her to him.
She was so absorbed in watching him that she didn’t notice the woman standing nearby until her movements caught her eye.
The woman handed him a cloth, her white hair catching the light like frost. Tengen-sama? No, this woman was taller, more regal.
Sukuna took the cloth without looking at her, wiping the sweat from his brow and neck. Subuhi’s jaw tightened, a strange discomfort creeping into her chest.
She took a step back, hoping to retreat unnoticed, but Sukuna’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Come down here,” he said, his deep, commanding tone cutting through the air.
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IGNITE | Sukuna
Fanfiction❝Ignite, my Disgraced One, ignite❞ Creation and destruction-two forces destined to clash. Their very nature opposes the other, yet neither can survive alone. When Subuhi, the embodiment of creation, crosses paths with Sukuna, the harbinger of destru...
