1222-11-17
Shin Utsuho:
"Wake up!!" T's voice calls from behind the door.
I get out of bed. I start to straighten the blankets.
{
"The day has come," the shadow says.
I have come to understand that only I can see it. This thing. This presence. I rely on it. When I think, it hears. When I speak, it answers in my place.
Keiko and I stand in the corners of the room. We make our beds and clean everything to T's standard.
"Why do you call that man T?" the shadow asks.
"That other name means nothing to me. He could be called Amari and it would not change anything," I think. "What do you mean the day has come?"
"The day that decides if that man resets or not."
"You are always dramatic," I sigh.
"Who resets?"
"There is a lot about the future you do not know," the shadow says. "With Vera-Certis running through us, it is only a matter of time before the insanity begins."
"Insanity?"
I frown. "Normal people do not see shadows of themselves."
"I would not call it the future," the shadow says. "More like a version of you from another timeline."
"Diffrent Timeline?" I think.
"Each world is a version of another. In this world, things could have gone very differently. Keiko could have been born a man. The same for Riku. In my world, those were the outcomes. Keenan and you were female, while they were male. Do you understand how much that changes everything?"
"Probably not much. Whether I am male or female does not matter. What matters is strength."
"That is a good answer. And you are right. Not much changes. You still become strong. Though… he would not have been so easy on a man."
"He?" I pause. "If you are the previous me, why are you male?"
The shadow smiles. "Am I?"
"Utsuho… or should I say Utsu. Do you know the meaning of insanity?"
"Insanity?"
"The strong, the heroes, the brave… they all become insane. They fight evil and corruption, only to become it. You will reach a point where you must choose. The future will rest on you. On your power. On your edict. What will we do?"
"I guess we will not know until it happens."
"Who is this 'he' you speak of?" I ask the shadow.
"$%#$@^," It says.
"When the realities begin to blend, I hope you can tell the difference."
"Realities…" I whisper to myself.
"Not realities," the shadow laughs. "One of the only constants in this world. She… its… will decide if you live or die."
I look at it, my chest tightening.
"Are you saying I will fight someone who can control fate?"
}
"Are you ready?" Keiko asks, a small nervous smile on her face.
I turn away from her.
We changed into the clothes they provided. A simple black robe with wide sleeves and a thin belt that ties around the waist. The fabric is rough, clearly made for practicality rather than comfort, but it fits well enough.
When I open the door, I find all the other kids from the orphanage standing outside their rooms. They're lined up in neat rows, two by two, each pair clearly sharing a room. They're saluting, their hands raised in uniform gestures.
I follow suit, saluting the air in front of me. Keiko did the same.
He's inspecting the rooms, moving methodically from door to door.
The sound grows closer. Finally, he reaches the room across from mine. I hear him checking the beds, likely for neatness, and then the scratching of a pen on paper as he writes in a small notepad.
He moves to our room next.
"Order!" he barks.
In perfect unison, the others lower their salutes and fall into step behind him, marching in silence.
The day starts like any other. I look over at Keiko for a moment. She seems more stressed than usual.
I hear a heartbeat. Fast. Faster. Faster. Steady but tense.
I notice Riku looking at me. Her expression feels off. There is anger in it, something different from before.
T walks down the hall like he always does. We follow behind him in silence. He leads us to the front of the orphanage, a place I have not seen in a long time.
Keiko glances at me. I see her twitch. She is nervous about something.
It has been two days since her prediction. I still don't understand what she means.
Whose body was taken yesterday?
I push the thought away.
We stand and salute. The sun burns bright above us. Then I hear it. Footsteps. Slow at first, then faster. A second sound follows. Running.
The gates open.
A man steps inside.
The moment he walks forward, I feel it. Pressure. Heavy and suffocating. It presses against my chest like I cannot breathe.
I have never felt fear like this before.
Not until now.
"Lord Kuzan," T says as he bows. He signals for us to do the same.
We all bow.
The Supreme Leader stands before us.
I never thought I would meet him in my lifetime.
As I kneel, I notice someone still standing.
Keiko.
I grab her sleeve, my hand tight. She looks tense. Then she bows with the rest of us.
The pressure only grows.
"Takao," the man says. "My most loyal servant. I look forward to seeing the results of your work."
I look up for a moment.
He wears rich clothing. Blue and black robes flow around him. Gold lines the fabric. Chains and watches rest across his chest. His black hair is neat. His eyes burn red.
They feel like they are looking through me.
Like I am nothing.
Like I am already understood.
I remember what Riku once said.
Are we assassins for this man?
"Keiko," T says.
She stands and steps forward. We all watch.
"It is time to reveal something to you," T says. "You will become the next core protectors of Empress Keiko."
No one reacts.
I don't know if it is fear or shock. Maybe both.
"How many?" Kuzan asks. "How many of them succeed?"
"Out of everyone here, only three have activated edict. Not including Keiko, Supreme Leader."
"Point them out."
T looks at me and nods.
Then he points to Riku.
Then Keenan.
We step forward together.
We stand before him.
It feels strange. Like I have seen him before. Like he doesn't belong in this world.
"You three," Kuzan says, "will act as both shield and blade for Keiko. You will be tested."
Tested.
I glance at Riku and smile slightly. If I stand with her, I do not mind.
"So, my daughter," Kuzan says, "what roles have you chosen for them? And what test will they face?"
Keiko looks at us.
I meet her eyes.
There is sadness in them.
Now I understand.
"I, as Crown Shogun of Tobe," she says, "will name Utsuho as my Queen. Keenan as my Rook, and…"
There is a pause. Longer than it should be.
"I want to leave Riku as an unused pawn."
"What?" T almost shouts. "That's not what we agreed on, Kei–"
The Supreme Leader gives him a sharp look. T goes silent.
"Who will be your other rook?" the Supreme Leader asks.
Keiko scans the group. Then she points.
Someone I hardly notice.
"Yua," she says, a small smile on her face.
"Are you sure about this?" T asks.
"You know what happens to unused pawns," the Supreme Leader says. "Are you sure you want to sentence someone with an edict to that?"
"I'm sure," Keiko says. "It's for a better future. And to make my Queen stronger."
I step forward.
"Supreme Leader," I say. "What happens to unused pawns?"
"They are sent to labor camps or executed. Unless the Queen pardons them."
My chest tightens.
"What do I need to do to pardon her?" I ask. My voice shakes.
T's expression sharpens. The Supreme Leader smiles.
I look at Riku. She is calm. Too calm.
Like she already knows.
"The Queen can pardon a criminal by eliminating another," the Supreme Leader says.
"Then who do I need to kill?" I ask. "To save my friend."
The Supreme Leader's smile grows wider.
"This is perfect," he says. "A chance to test Tafari."
Tafari.
I know the name. I have played the game before. I hear it again and again over the past months. Still, I know nothing about the person. Not their age. Not their strength. Nothing.
The sunlight presses down on us. It feels too hot.
A ringing sound fills my ears.
It grows louder.
It doesn't stop.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++1
"There is another way," the Supreme Leader says.
T freezes. I look at him. I see it clearly.
Fear.
I don't understand it. Why is he afraid?
I look at Riku. Her face softens. She looks like she is about to cry.
"What is the other way?" I ask.
The Supreme Leader draws a katana. He flicks his wrist.
A sharp sound cuts through the air.
I turn to my left.
Blood. The smell of blood.
It spills across my skin. It soaks into my clothes.
I look over.
Keenan.
His body stands for a moment. Then his head falls.
It hits the ground and rolls.
"AHHHHH!" Riku screams.
She catches his body before it falls. She holds him, shaking.
"Why?" I shout. "Why did you kill Keenan?"
"The other way to save an unused pawn," the Supreme Leader says, his voice cold, "is to open a slot for them. Problem solved."
I stare at Keenan's body. His head lies on the ground.
"Father!" Keiko yells. "Why would you do that?"
"Your Queen seemed more focused on Riku," he says. "She appears more important than that one."
He turns away.
"A good king knows when to sacrifice a piece."
My hands shake.
The Supreme Leader begins to walk.
"We will return to the castle," he says. "We will continue preparations."
He pauses.
"I want to see your edicts."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++1
"There is another way," the Supreme Leader begins.
"NO," I cut in. "Riku doesn't matter to me that much."
I look at her. Her face softens. She looks like she is about to cry.
I won't stop.
"I will kill Tafari to carry out your plan. But Riku and Keenan stay alive. They are both valuable pieces. They will matter in the future."
The words feel heavy as they leave my mouth.
"I will show you my edict when I return," I say. "My Supreme Leader."
The Supreme Leader turns.
"Then we will go to the castle," he says. "I will begin preparations for a merchant ship to take you to Loret."
He looks at me.
"I expect great things from my daughter's Queen."