Chapter Text
Despite the turmoil that plagued the world, two souls were caught up in a world all their own. Their laughter lost amongst the sea of lilies they waded through. Their red, wispy petals a reminder of fragility.
"Stop running so far ahead!" The shorter ikenuma called out, one would think he hadn't been outside in awhile. His companion, however, seemed like she could continue on forever.
"Oh come on, Sigkin! Bachi!" She joyfully said, grabbing the others arm and dragging him along. "It's not much farther!"
Sigkin scoffed, "You said that earlier!"
As the pair continued to ascend the mountain, the chill spring air brought with it the promise of a good year.
The creek that accentuated the small shrine glinted in the soft spring light, its waters covered in a blanket of cherry blossoms. Their pink petals covering the water and ground like a soft carpet.
"Whoa," Sigkin said in awe. "Why didn't you show me this spot sooner?"
"I hadn't thought to, before." The words were softly spoken. It was a beautiful shrine; located in a small gully surrounded by cherry trees. In the center stood a memorial, the stone dragon that sat upon a pedestal loomed, and in its weathered talons laid a beautifully carved amethyst sphere.
The statue seemed untouched by time.
Sigkin walked over to the creek and knelt down, running his hand through the icy water. Withdrawing his had, petals stuck to his fair white skin; the sensation wasn't unpleasant.
The moment reminded him of simpler times, back when people could live without the fear that their lives would end suddenly. Back when before the atrocities he and his friends had wrought.