Lucy feels light-headed, and rests his back on a cherry blossom tree. The sites he saw shocked him to the bone.
—The era she lives in is beyond that of the First Tama-Artist.
The Journey of the Founder of Tamaism happened in the modern era —2030 onward. This is why most people think of his novel and comic to be fabricated. However, those who believe, like Lucien, know the truth.
The First Tama-Artist caused a great uproar in the world by opposing the authorities, since they messed up his life and conducted experiences on him. While he reviewed the mysteries of the Universe and Tama, he would often, shamelessly, say dark secrets which were supposed to be hidden from the world.
Most of his life, he was hunted for the truth. After he stopped showing up, the authorities did everything to erase his existence. However, the First Tama-Artist had left a novel and comic that recorded everything from the time he was 19.
They would have destroyed them, but he made it so that his books would appear at random places, every year.
That being said, the authorities didn't give up, and installed project regression, bringing everything to the medieval periods.
Currently, only those at the top live in the right era.
—I so wish for her family to not be involved in my life.
Lucien somewhat frowns, at that hunting thought. Now that he has been one with his soulmate, the heavens granted him, he doesn't want to hurt her further than what he initially is... especially when there is a potential of having an offspring.
'I hope that's not the case.'
Sighing, he lets go of the situation, deciding to handle the situation at hand.
'I felt a strong presence in the forest; I hope to test my strength against it.'
Lucien is no fool to blindly go after his father and the people after him with less confidence in his strength. He has to accumulate enough experience and strength before charging.
This is why he wants to be immortal, not your random wuxia mortal with long life span, but like the wife of the first Tama-Artist who could not age, and restore any missing body part in an instant.
Clenching his fist, he closes his eyes. Opening them, he gazes at the red object —his aunt— taking circles in the sky, observing the situation on the ground.
'Before I leave this forest, I need to kill her.'
—Before I leave this island, I need to kill my grandmother.
His aunt is someone he promised to kill a long time ago; his grandmother might not have done anything to him, but she did a lot to his mother. That being said, his real goal is to find leads on the ones behind them; these individuals include his father, who has a special relationship with the Katsuragi clan.
His frown deepening, he looks at the ground.
'Although I've a plan to save myself from the people who want to kill me, I've to trust Shinji.'
According to his mother's prophesies, Shinji was given his sickness because his Tama is one of the most powerful ones in the whole cosmos. If Lucy can't believe in his friend now, when would he believe in him, since he might die?
'I miss Mama.'
***
Distressed about missing lunch because she was sleeping, Sora wakes up from her dream. Groggy and disoriented, she chases the phantasmagoric in her eyes, forgetting all the contents of her dream.
—How did Sora end up here? Wasn't she sleeping in the shed with the others?
Not minding the memory lapse, she sits up straight.
"What happened?"
Lucy sighs, pleased that her none forgetting memory has erased the previous events. Although it would hurt Sora, Lucien wants her to forget about the kyuketsuki, until he chases it away.
"I asked someone to change your clothes."
Looking at the stylish kimono with flower engravings she is wearing, Sora smiles faintly. Pondering something, she looks over at Lucy leaning on a tree trunk.
"Did that someone change yours too? You look good in those."
He wears a silver-white hakama, with sleeves reduced to not make it too baggy like the tradition one. On top is a red sleeveless coat, with ocean wave engravings at the bottom.
"No."
At that cold reply, Sora nods, keeping her silence. However, something keeps coming to her mind, but she can't quite grasp it.
"Mmm?"
—Something happened.
She presses her thumbs on her temples, and smiles mischievously, as she remembers something crucial.
"She was here, wasn't she?! Where did you two go?! What did you do?!"
Forced to remember what occurred, Lucien blushes, and looks to the side; however, Sora doesn't miss it. Pressing her hands to her cheeks, the silver-haired girl screams in joy.
"Ahhh! Dernier is blushing!! Is this a good thing or not?! Answer me?! What did you two do?! Tell Sora! Tell Sora!"
Seeing that Lucy isn't going to answer, Sora calms down a little.
Suddenly, her face turns serious, as her glare turns dangerous.
"Why didn't you go with her? You would have escaped the struggles of this life, if you stayed wherever she took you. The life of riches was awaiting you, yet you let it go. Dernier, you would have never felt pain again if you stayed with her. Of course, you would have taken Sora along, and Sora would live a rich life because of you."
Listening to her shameless words, Lucien feels like banging her on the top of the head.
Yet, Sora is obnoxious enough to add:
"You know, she loves you, to the point she is willing to do anything for you, right? Dernier, you could've at least put in a good word for your friend, and let Sora live the princess life. Sora would have her set of maids who do errands for her, while Sora sits back and relax. Sora's life would've been easier."
Suddenly, Sora stands up, frowning. Grabbing Lucy's collar, Sora yells loudly in his ear:
"Sora would've never worked again! Dernier, you're selfish! If you didn't want the privileges, that doesn't mean Sora doesn't! Why didn't you recommend her?! Sora needs a good life! Do you enjoy watching Sora get whipped every day or get seduced by that cousin of yours, who is made from the sin of a hippo and a pig!!"
To stop the noise, he answers, "You're right."
"Why didn't you do anything if you knew Sora is right?!"
"You're right."
Realizing that she was being called stupid, Sora lets go of his collar. Sitting down, she sulks: "Don't talk to me again."
"I wonder how many times, I wanted to tell you those same words."
"Ahh! You!"
As Sora mumbles some crap to annoy Lucien, Mikino, the blind girl, comes and sits next to her. For someone reason, she can't stand Tsukino... well, the reason being that people prefer that girl over a princess like her.
The minutes move, and suddenly Lucien notices a female figure hiding in the sakura in front of him. Thinking of how his friend would react to her presence, Lucy smiles faintly.
"He is like a child and is quick to trust. At this point, he has more confidence in you than in himself. He is full of flaws, but he always does his best —compliment him more often."
"That guy is strong, and clingy too; he is afraid you might leave him. His mindset is strong because he just recalls his tough experiences and moves on, without feeling much to the current situations."
"Furthermore, he is very brittle; quick to tears when something emotional happens —he hides that most of the time. The Main Character of the Story is tough to handle without patience, because he is not serious 80% of the time."
"Also, he likes harming himself for others. Overall, you got yourself a prince charming with mixed personalities that activate by his mood. Keep him safe."
During the whole time Lucien was talking, Sora continued to furrow her brows. Lucien is not one to talk a lot, worse to himself.
"Who are you talking to?"
Sora looks at Lucy, trying to question his sanity. Lucy responds with a smile, and harrows Sora, as she slides towards Mikino
"Whatever you did before I woke up is messing with your brain."
"You're right."
"I hate you!!"
***
Ten is walking around the camp, lamenting his life, digital watch in hand. The screen, obsidian black, has a red, 'Z' engraving on the top, spinning around.
"Mmm."
—Brother said if I put this on, I should be a able to use items called, mecha-suits to help me fight, right?
Before he can do anything, he sees a black horse coming from the direction of the village. Quickly, he climbs a tree to hide, as he observes.
"I did hear the Bushi saying that a new leader is coming to replace the hippo, could it be today?"
Inquisitive, he moves around the tree, careful not to trip by holding strong branches. Finding a stable position, he watches the Bushi descend the house, walking over to the sleeping mortals.
'She is a big sister.'
—One blessed with the world's biggest chest.
Although not attracted to her, Ten circled his head a few times to follow the movement of her chest, being made more pronounced by the sash of her gray kimono.
'If someone like Sora's sees her, she would cry in envy.'
—Heaven is not fair sometimes.
Removing the ridiculous thoughts growing in his mind, Tento watches the black-haired woman, Tsubaki, puff out smoke from her mouth. Throwing her cigarette to the ground, she steps on it.
'At least she will be the ugliest woman here.'
The moment Ten's thoughts fade, Tsubaki's frown deepens, conjuring a whip in her hand. In a swift motion, she cracks the air, whipping the mortals.
"Oh."
Ten flinches, his face taking an awkward twist.
'She is a violent big sister.'
As the whipping intensified, the mortals wake up to a loud roar: "Who leads this pathetic group?!"
Clicking his tongue, Ten's eyes shine in a cold light.
'If she lashes me once, I'm going to kill her.'