The Cursed Iris

Sprout 59: A New Player Enters the Game

Ayame was still unconscious, but her spirit had retreated to her inner world along with Kaiya. Ayame noticed that something about it was different. It wasn't a forest anymore, it was a grassland this time, "Finally you're here," Kaiya sighed in relief.

"What happened?" Ayame asked as she looked around.

"On the outside you're unconscious, you used up way too much spirit energy. So we're going to be out for a few days," Kaiya explained.

Ayame's memory was still hazy from the fight, but she did feel a lot weaker than she did before. There was one feeling she did have lingering though: hatred. She felt immense hatred for both Astraea and Neikan; Ayame had never felt like that towards someone before. Astraea continuously toyed with her emotions, and Neikan was someone Ayame just hated to the core.

She bit down hard on her bottom lip, "Ayame calm down," Kaiya chided.

"I am calm!" Ayame yelled.

The atmosphere changed, not only that Ayame's eyes seemed to change as well. "Two times I've been captured and tortured by people like them! I'm supposed to be this strong being that will somehow change the three realms, but each time I think I've gotten stronger I always get proven that I'm still just a weak little girl!" she screamed.

Ayame was clearly frustrated not only with herself, but what Neikan had said to her. She didn't belong here, she didn't deserve to be chosen to stop the singularity, she probably shouldn't have even been born. "Kaiya, what is wrong with me!?" she yelled. "Why did Neikan call me an anomaly? What does that even mean?"

She began to cry in frustration, and for suddenly her body became surrounded by nature runes. Then she punched the ground, causing it to cave in. "Everyone has faith in me but what's the point?" she asked. "Neikan knew exactly how to get under my skin, and Astraea knew exactly how to get into my head. I want them both dead, but that'd make me no better than they are."

"Finally having that character moment, huh?" Kaiya questioned.

"What the hell does that mean?" Ayame scoffed.

Kaiya sat down next to Ayame, "Listen Ayame, that emotion you're feeling is perfectly reasonable. You're a pure-hearted girl that wants the best for everyone. Astraea and Neikan are both testing your mentality and your principles. You have to stay calm when facing them or any opponent, because if you don't then you'll lose control like you did last time."

"But how can I? When I let my emotions take control I just felt so free. I never knew letting my anger take control like that could feel so amazing. I know it's not the way to go, but if it lets me defeat my enemies then I should let it always take over."

Kaiya sighed in response. "Remember what happened when Katsumi let his anger get the best of him?"

Ayame remembered the fight against Hokusai. She rubbed her stomach as she remembered the feeling of Katsumi running her through. She didn't want to hurt anyone like that, especially not her friends.

"What happened back there in the throne room was your power further awakening. Your powers have been slowly awakening thanks to Minori, but that resonating with Toru is definitely helping out too. Ayame we can't let your anger take control again, but we can get a handle on these new powers of yours." Kaiya smiled.

"But how? The resonating with Toru only last for a few farecs, plus I can only summon a few nature runes."

Kaiya chuckled, "Well then how about we change that?" she said.

Ayame noticed that Kaiya had a look in her eyes. It seemed like their relationship had truly improved from their first meeting. Kaiya still teased Ayame, but she showed that she actually cares for her. A strong gust swept through. "Okay fine."