THE ARCHAIC SKY

CHAPTER: THE YOUNG ENVOY'S CRYSTAL INTRUDER

The Seikatsu, or more commonly known as the Livelihood in Sonnet, are most infamous for their mass recruiting. They would search far and wide through all thirteen nations of this world, following small mana traces of a gifted just to find them. it was quite astonishing how the organization grew.

But unlike most members of the Seikatsu, Meissa wasn't recruited.

Instead, she was saved by them. by the world's worst sinners. Bringing her freedom when it was taken from her in the land of glory, promising her safety and fame. And just like that, she watched the bandits that took her from her bawdy house slaughtered by the Seikatsu agents meant to save her. blood spilled on the sandy ground and stained the members' clothes. like the stories, they were angels but death came wherever they were near.

With that, they placed her in the orphanage. One of many. At first she resided in one in illuminee, fitting for her ancestry and last name, but no, as she chose to pursue a place in the Seikatsu she was sent to Vaisravana. And finally, she was positioned in the heart of the livelihood.

Jinsei.

Oddly enough, however, she wasn't sent to the divison a herald resided. She was sent to one without. It was then she got her head a little big. Perhaps, they see potential in her. perhaps they want her to be the seventh herald. It's not like she'd pursue that path. After all, those who place themselves on a lit pedestal only would place a target on their backs. And Meissa wouldn't want that... not again at least.

Of the many cities in the land of immortality, she was placed in Higana. Quite a prosperous city at that, nearly rivaling the capital city. Higana was placed in a perfect location for the livelihood, not too far from the largest Mizurai harbor, not too close to the busiest Mokuzarai town, and having just enough fertile soil that the Tsuchirai wouldn't come sticking their noses where it doesn't belong.

For such a city, it was odd that it doesn't have a herald.

Other than that of course, Higana's orphanage was the largest. The fullest too, but that just meant smaller rooms and busier halls. Which was mostly the reason Meissa often snuck out and find other, larger, emptier rooms to reside. Climbing walls, sliding off rooftops, breaking windows all to sleep soundly.

One of the unsuspecting homes was by far her favorite. It was a library that had turned into a makeshift dormitory, bigger rooms, much quieter, it was perfect. Opening the window long before dawn, she crept through the window. The frigid wind of the early summer night brushed past Meissa and intruded the room. An uninvited guest just like her. "a shame" she heard a voice say, but the figure Meissa saw from the bed, didn't stand up, instead of snuggling in their bed further. "it was a nice dream"

Meissa giggled slightly. "is that so?" she must have startled them as they sat up immediately. The figure's eyes were a blue that matched the night around the two, dark yet somehow it separated themselves from the darkness.

"hmph, go back to the howling forests, unwanted spirit, with that I banish thee from my home" what seemed to be a girl's voice chanted, though trying to be indifferent the girl was clearly startled and drowsy. She must have thought Meissa was a trickster spirit. Meissa held back her laugh, entering the room and moonlight. "I swear to the gods, am I going to have to call a Miko priestess- you're not a spirit..."

The girl's eyes narrowed, her hand going to her nice wavy locks of dark indigo as she gave Meissa a cold look. One that was just deciding whether or not they wanted Meissa dead or alive. But the haziness in her eyes nearly made her seem lazy and uninterested. "hm... silky curly hair, sable brown skin, ruby-red eyes... there's a small chance you're of Jinsei... but for someone from the orphanage you're quite pretty"