Chapter 8
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It was still early in the morning when Miyabi reported everything that happened the night before to Yuko as soon as they got back to camp, but Yuko asked for her again that evening. Miyabi knew exactly why: Yuko was too intoxicated earlier when she reported and now she had to tell her everything again.
"Hmmm…So Yurina was the spy. Who would've thought? Even I never imagined that a gentle girl like her could be something like that..." pondered Yuko. "I was already suspecting Momoko to be the spy since the food she serves tastes a bit odd..."
"Well, if you didn't like her cooking, shouldn't you have asked someone else to be the cook like...eight months ago?!" replied Miyabi.
"Good suggestion Miya! Starting tomorrow you will be in charge of the kitchen!"
"Nah. That's like telling a farmer to water his plants with acid. I don't want to massacre the camp. I'm a worse cook than Momo."
"Hmmm...Now I wonder if there's actually anyone in this camp who can cook. Anyway, back to the matter at hand. What happened to Yurina? Did you kill her? Don't tell me you let her escape."
"I..."
Miyabi wasn't sure if she wanted to answer that question. Everyone in the camp knows that she and Yurina were friends, but Miyabi herself was a victim of her deception. If she told Yuko that she let Yurina go, there's a big chance that her loyalty to the resistance will be questioned. But someone answered it for her.
"She let her escape, Yuko." someone said as she entered Yuko's tent.
"Maimi?! What are you doing here?!" Miyabi grabbed the collar of Maimi's tunic. Even though the day was almost over, the bruise made by Miyabi's punch that morning still looked fresh on Maimi's face. And Miyabi was ready to add another one.
"Oh? You let her go Miya? Why?"
"I...I was..."
"Miya didn't have time to pursue her because Airi and Risako were in bad condition. She prioritized their lives instead of going after some traitor who could be dealt with another day. Also, there were traps set by Yurina in the area. It would have been dangerous to follow her...at least that's what she told me. Right Miya?" said Maimi as she slapped Miyabi's hand away.
"I see. You did the right thing in giving importance to the lives of your comrades first. I would have done that myself. I'm proud of you Miya."
"T-thank you, Yuko."
"Oh yeah, now that Maimi's here too, we have something else to discuss. Nacchi received a message from the blacksmith saying that we can send some of our equipment that need repair to her. You can finally get that armor of yours fixed, Maimi. You will need it."
"Why?"
"In a few days, Kaori and her troops will come here and we will be planning our next attack on the King's city. We will need your help on this one so the mistake we made during our last attack won't repeat itself."
"Of course. There wasn't any plan at all during that attack." mumbled Miyabi. "You just got too drunk and decided out of the blue to head to the Kings' city..."
"I get to fight? Interesting. But who will bring those weapons and armor to the blacksmith?" asked Maimi.
"I can't risk sending both you and Miya there together since no one will be around to fight with us in case the camp gets attacked...so I'm just going to send you, Maimi. However, I will ask Airi to come along too to lead you to the blacksmith's place since she has been there before. I will be sending Risako too, so that Miya will be able to concentrate and so that the blacksmith will be familiar with the new people from our camp."
"So I can concentrate?! Wait!" said a blushing Miyabi. "You can't let Airi and Risako go alone with this...this...pervert!"
"Touche. Don't worry Miya, They are in good hands." Maimi assured her. "I will take care of them very well...I won't do things that you would do to them."
"Like?"
"Making them pull the wagon while I ride it."
"..."
"Or make Airi pull the wagon while Risako and I ride."
"Shut up."
"Hahaha! You two are funny. Reminds me of those two back in the days...anyway, everything's settled. Maimi, Risako and Airi will head there the day after tomorrow so that the other two can have their rest first. Meanwhile, Miya will be on guard here at the camp."
"Understood." Miyabi and Maimi answered.
"Good. You two can go now, unless you want to drink with me..." Yuko told them as she took out a bottle of wine.
"No thanks. We are not of right age to drink yet, right Miy..."
"I guess one glass won't hurt..."
~~~
The night ended with Miyabi drinking too much and passing out. Maimi carried dragged her unconscious body back to their tent and tucked her to bed. She was about to go to sleep too when Miyabi began talking.
"H-hey Maimi-mi-mi! Can we we weee talk for a bit?"
"Go to sleep. You're drunk. I don't like talking to drunks...except Yuko."
"You're...you're so mean to me huhuhu! Actually, everybody's been mean to me ever since you arrived. I've come to accept that you are indeed a better fighter...and I'm flat...but that doesn't make us any different from each other right? Right? I'm doing my best to become better everyday but I feel like the people here don't appreciate it...and they treat me like second fiddle to you! Because you're the Makiheir! I wish I was the Makiheir too...so I was a better fighter...and so I'd have bigger..."
"The wine has some effect on me too and I'm in no position to give you a motivational speech...and I doubt if you'll still remember it when you wake up...but listen to me. I doubt if the people here don't appreciate what you do. Makiheir or not, you've done a lot for them. I'm sure that there are still some people like that girl Saki and Airi still look up to you Miya. Don't give up and let them down."
"Awww. I didn't know you were such a sweet person! Thanks Maimi! I love you too."
"I didn't say I love you?"
"You just did. Now let me sleep!"
"Good night Miya."
"Good nigh...Oh yeah! I heard you talking in your sleep a few days back...you were calling someone...Yuu...Yuuka? Yeah! Yuuka. Who is she? I thought you were having a nightmare since you panting heavily, so I tried to wake you up. But you embraced me so tight I could barely breathe. She must be someone special huh?"
"Yuuka? I...I don't remember anyone named Yuuka."
"I see. Sorry if I brought that up. Anyway, let's go to sleep."
"Right."
"One last thing, Maimi."
"What is it?"
"You didn't have to take my tunic off when you tucked me into bed. You really have a thing for me, don't you?"
"Heh. Get real! Looking at your body is like staring at a map...problem is all I see are plains!"
===
Two days later...
Maimi, Airi and Risako embarked for the blacksmith's place. They left the camp even before the sun was up. Their destination wasn't that far, but the terrain would make the travel difficult. Yuko let them borrow one of the horses so that transporting the weapons and equipment would be easier. Miyabi watched them go before she proceeded on her morning patrol. She felt like it was going to be a normal day for her again. She was wrong.
===
With her other friends asked to do some other errands, Saki was alone looking for medicinal herbs that morning. Manami and Irori were good at that task, but Saki simply excels in that field. She always made sure that the herbs were the best kind before she brings it back to Chisato, and sometimes to the seer.
The herbs she collected were enough for that round. She was ready to return to their camp but someone called her.
"Hello."
Saki turned around and saw a girl. She was beautiful and elegant, but Saki couldn't determine if she was older or younger than her for she wasn't very tall. The girl wore an outfit similar to what hunters sport; it was tailored for maneuverability so that they prey won't be able to escape. Aside from her cloak, it didn't have any heavy materials or any other things that could hinder her movement,. In fact, the girl's outfit exposed most of her skin and Saki noticed that one of her knees was bandaged heavily.
"What's your name?" the girl asked.
"S-Saki. Ogawa Saki." replied Saki.
"Saki. What a coincidence. That's my name too."
"A-are you lost or something Ma'am? W-what can I do for you?"
"I'm not lost but you can help me. There is a camp nearby right? Can you tell the best fighter in that camp to meet me? I will wait for her here."
"W-what if I don't?"
"Then I will slaughter everyone in that camp..." the girl vanished and Saki looked around to find her. She was about to turn around but she felt the girl rest her chin on her shoulder, whispering "...starting with you."
Saki dropped the bag containing the herbs she collected and ran away. The girl didn't follow her. She was sure that Saki will come back with the person she was looking for.
~~~
"Yurina. I heard what happened to you. Are you alright?"
"I will be fine, my King. You don't have to worry about me. Miss Asami said she could fix it."
"Who? Who did that to you?"
"She is alive. The King of Hearts is alive. Your suspicions were right. And she is the one responsible for this. I was just unlucky that she had to be on the camp that I was assigned to."
"I knew it. It's impossible for Spades to defeat someone like Hearts...but why did she attack you? Didn't she recognize you as one of my agents?"
"She lost her memory and is helping the people in that camp. She is also training the fighter there that you asked me keep an eye on. They even consider her as the next Maki."
"Makiheir, huh. Quite amusing that people still believe that legend. Did you try to talk to her?"
"I could have but I didn't. There is no point yet why she should regain her memory, let alone tell that she is a King. If I told her that, she might leave the camp and then we'll have to look for her again."
"Good thinking there...but I guess it can't be helped then. I must finish what Spades failed to do."
"W-where are you going?" Yurina asked as she held the King's hand. "Do you intend to fight her?"
"If she is helping the enemy, then she is an enemy."
"But..."
"I know. She is the best fighter among us four...but I've always wanted to test my skills against her. Who knows, maybe her memory will come back when she sees me and we won't have to fight...but I hope that doesn't happen. I want to fight her."
"Be careful, my King."
"I can take care of myself, Yurina. Thank you for your concern. But I will ask Maasa to come along to watch my back. In the meantime, just focus on getting well. If she took one of your arms, I'll take two from her..."
~~~
The King removed her sword from its sheath. It was still sharp but she hasn't used it for a while. She wondered if her skills have become dull. She set her sight on the largest tree that was a few meters in front of her.
With a single stroke, she slashed the air and put back the sword in its cover. It seemed that nothing happened to the tree, but after the King let out a cough, the tree began to fall at her. Just as she was about to get crushed, she cut the trunk across, splitting it in two. Before the lower half hit the ground, she attacked the half that was still on the air, slicing it into several pieces. She heard someone clapping as soon as both of her feet touched the ground.
"Impressive. You did quite a number on that poor tree that couldn't even fight back. But you didn't have to threaten that girl too. If you want a fight, I'll give you one."
"Hearts?!"
She was expecting to see the King that was considered unequaled, the King that made her skills only the second best.
"That's not my name. My name is Miyabi." the girl answered.
"Tsk." the King said as she covered her blade. "Stop hiding the King of Hearts! I know she stays in your camp!"
"No one in our camp goes by that name! And if ever a King is in our camp, hiding her from you is the least thing that we would have done. What made you think that one is living with us any way?"
At this point, Miyabi was trying to extract as much information she can with the King. She knows something but she tried not to show it to the enemy .There were only two people that she could be referring to. It was either Maimi or Risako who could be the King of Hearts. But deep inside her heart, Miyabi wished that neither of the two was a King.
It was a good thing that both of them were away. If they were around, there would surely be more trouble.
"Really? Then I guess my trip here was all for naught." said the disappointed King. "I should leave and continue looking for her..."
"W-wait! Those earrings...are you one of them? Are you the King of Clubs?" Miyabi asked.
"Sharp eyes you have there. You are right. That's what the call me. Why?"
"F-fight me." Miyabi said as she drew out her sword. "I challenge you."
She tried not to be intimidated for that was the first time she was face to face with a King, one of the people responsible for their suffering. She tried, but it was difficult.
She had a glimpse of what the King could do. Others would think that the King did some trick if they saw her cut the trunk, but Miyabi saw the King's hand move so fast she couldn't count how many times she sliced it. And it wasn't just random cutting. It was executed in a precise and artistic fashion, for the pieces of the trunk were shaped identically, and the bark was shaved off completely.
Miyabi was confident with her skills. She might not be as flashy with a sword as the King, but she has been training with Maimi after all and she felt that she has what it takes to take on someone like the King of Clubs.
"Fight? You?! Hahahaha! What makes you think that I'd waste my time with someone like you?"
"Well...at least I'll be more of a challenge than a tree."
"No. Just by looking at you, I know what you are capable of. You are a lot less than that tree. You do not deserve to be cut by my blade."
"..."
"Anything else to say? None? Then get lost! I will come back when the King of Hearts wants to face me..." The King laughed as she walked away slowly.
"Do not turn your back on me, small stuff!"
"What did you just call me?" Miyabi's words stopped the King from leaving.
"Small stuff. You're so small, you can fit in my pocket!"
"Name calling. How childish."
"But it looks like it's what I needed to get your attention now, shortie. I know you are strong and even in my dreams I know that I have no chance against the likes of you, but now that one of you is actually here, I would like to validate if what my dreams told me were true."
"Hmm…A warrior's pride…Looks like we have some things in common, Miyabi."
"Except you're short."
"Better short than flat."
"What the? Damn, you can even see that even if I'm wearing this armor?!"
"No. I was bluffing. But now that you confirmed it...get ready to fight, flatgirl!" the King said as she faced her adversary, smiling. "Many have challenged me and none of them have lived to tell the tale. Do not blame me if you end up with more pieces than that tree once I'm done with you."
"I won't be like you previous enemies, King. And I will keep on living until each and every one of you has been defeated!"
===
"Why were you two noisy the other night Maimi?" Airi asked as she and Risako watched Maimi steer the horse that was pulling their wagon.
"That drunkard Miya couldn't fall asleep and she wanted me to share her misery. She kept telling me that if I touched either of you, she's going to kill me!"
The two other girls laughed at what Maimi said.
"Hahaha...wait, you have no intention of doing that right?" asked a curious Airi.
"Hmmm...now that you mentioned it, I think I won't Airi. I won't touch you." replied Maimi. "But I can't say the same for Risako though. She's too adorable, I could...what the?! Snow?! At this time of the year?!!!"
"Wow. I never expected that it would snow this early." Airi said.
"Snow. It is an omen. A bad omen." added Risako. "I'm scared, Airi."
"We should go faster, Maimi. Or else the ground will be covered with snow and our poor horsie won't be able to move properly. We're almost at the blacksmith's place."
Maimi did as she was told, but it was too late. In mere seconds, the ground was covered with snow at it was even reached up to their horse's knee.
"We're stuck." she told them. "Do we have anything there to keep him warm?"
The two girls inside couldn't find anything, so Maimi removed the cloak from her armor and covered the horse with it. Then she went inside the wagon with Risako and Airi.
"Sooo, what are we gonna do here for the meantime?" Maimi asked. "Ah, I know something we can do to keep us warm."
"If you touch us, Master will kill you." Risako reminded as she slapped one of Maimi's hands that was caressing her shoulder.
"Haha. I'm just messing with you, Risako. Damn! Why did the weather change all of a sudden? It was all sunny and now everything's covered in snow!"
"I heard about a story about a spirit that causes thing like these." Airi told them. "I just can't remember what it's called, but it was something like yuu...yuk..."
"Yuuka." Maimi said as she glanced outside.
"No, not yuuka. But it sounds similar...I remember! It was a yuki-onna! Where are you going Maimi?" she asked as Maimi got off their wagon. Airi and Risako looked outside and they saw what Maimi saw.
There was a figure standing a few paces away from them. She had long, black hair and her skin was almost whiter than the snow. She wore a set of armor similar to what Maimi was wearing, except it was colored crimson.
Oh yeah! I heard you talking in your sleep a few days back...you were calling someone
"Yuuka?"
"Oh no! It really is a yuki-onna! Get back in here Maimi, you can't fight a spirit like her! You will surely lose!" warned Airi.
But Maimi refused to listen. She walked slowly, until she went running to it. She stopped when she was face to face with the spirit.
"Yuuka?" she asked her again.
"..."
"Answer me! You are Yuuka, right? Right?!" she asked her again as she placed her hands on the other girl's shoulders. Just by touching it, Maimi's arms got numb and covered in ice.
"You left me when I needed you." the girl answered. "And now you have become one of the enemy. I cannot allow you to live."
"What are you saying?"
"To preserve the legacy of High-King..."
The girl Maimi was holding turned into a cold mist and vanished.
"...I must fill the void that you created..."
She felt a touch of ice on her cheek, as if she was being kissed.
"...and retrieve something from you so that I can take your place..."
Maimi knew well what she Yuuka was talking about but it was too late. Before she could react, it was already in Yuuka's hands. And a few seconds later, all she could feel was her blade sinking into her body until it exited through her back. She fell on the snow-covered ground as soon as Yuuka pulled it away.
The snow was painted red in an instant. Airi and Risako jumped from the wagon and ran towards Maimi.
"W-why?"
Those were the only words Maimi could say as she held on to Yuuka's foot. Yuuka didn't respond and just waved the sword to clean it from Maimi's blood before turning into mist once more. With her departure, the snow also vanished and the weather was fair again. But even without the snow, the ground where Maimi lay was still colored with her blood.
That is how the era of the King of Hearts ended...
"Ne, did you really have to do that Yuuka? Was that necessary?" asked a girl wearing a jade armor similar to Yuuka's. "She was your teacher after all."
"I told you not to follow me, Kanon."
"We're here too!" a girl wearing a yellow armor said as she raised her hand to acknowledge her presence. Another girl wearing cobalt armor accompanied her.
"Dawa. Akari. I told you that I can take care of this on my own."
The three other girls felt an icy aura coming from Yuuka.
"We were just going to watch anyway." Akari told her. "No need to blow your top on us."
"Hey! You haven't answered my question yet. Why'd you do that?" Kanon asked her again.
"Didn't the other Kings tell you that in order to become a king we have to take their swords and slay them ourselves? That is the rite of succession."
"Really? Spades never told something like that." answered Akari. "But she never really teaches me anything anyway."
"S-she didn't? But she was the one who told me about it! What about you, Dawa? Did Diamonds tell you anything similar?!"
Ayaka just shook her hear to answer Yuuka's inquiry. Yuuka's knees began to tremble.
"Kanon?"
"Clubs told me something like that. I remember..."
"Thank goodness..."
"...except she didn't tell me that I have to kill her. I only had to take away from her hands. I tried to before but she's just too fast. It'll take a couple of years more before I can ever catch her...hey...are you alright Yuuka?"
Yuuka dropped on her knees as she stared at the sword she used to kill her teacher, a teacher who risked her life to make sure no one threatened her.
A teacher that she could have easily called her lover.
She was innocent for she was just a victim of the King of Spades' manipulation. The lies and hatred Spades planted in her finally bore its fruit.
Her tears turned the ground into ice and she prepared to go back but Kanon kept her down.
"There's no use. She's probably dead by now."
Yuuka stared at Akari and Ayaka, asking them to give her some hope. But they looked away, telling her that Kanon was right.
All she could do now was cry.
She cried until everything was covered in snow.
She cried until she fell asleep and three had to take turns carrying her on their back so that they could return to their city.
But crying cannot do anything.
"So now, Yuuka. How does it feel to be a King?"