Talking
(Inner thoughts in italics)
[Abilities or Magic in brackets]
[Stage directions in italics]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~E-Rantel – Hours After the Treaty~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sesshōmaru's POV
The dust of diplomacy had barely settled.
I walked E-Rantel's dusk-stained streets like a ghost of moonlight. Architecture: crude. The people: quieter still. A kingdom surviving, not thriving.
Ragyō glided beside me, her high heels tapping a divine rhythm. Rainbow threads shimmered from her coat like tendrils of light given life.
Ragyō: "So... modest. This kingdom is a drab little secret, barely clinging to splendor. But oh, the fear... intoxicating."
She's not wrong.
Eyes stared. Faces turned. Whispers trailed behind me like scattered petals.
"Who is he…?"
"That armor... that face—"
"That's Lord Sesshōmaru. An Eastern sovereign. They say he can kill armies by breathing."
"He's not human, is he?"
"I'd let him conquer me any day."
"Shhh! Don't let him hear you!"
"Too late. He's beautiful and terrifying."
I kept walking. Ragyō gave a knowing laugh, brushing silver hair from her shoulder.
Then, a voice pierced the haze:
Lizzie Bareare: "And such poise... no one in the capital compares."
I stopped. So did Ragyō.
That voice—mature, layered with memory. I turned.
A woman stood among the crowd, aged but unbowed. Lizzie Bareare. Matron of potions. Grandmother to Nfirea. Respected. Unassuming. Familiar.
Strange. She resembles... her.
I met Ragyō's gaze. She smirked and slipped her arm free, like a queen allowing her king his moment.
I walked to Lizzie—slow, deliberate.
"You are Lizzie Bareare. Master apothecary?"
She lifted her chin, the confidence of wisdom in her stance.
Lizzie: "That I am. Though my grandson is the future."
"I know him. Through Enri Emmot—my adopted daughter."
Shock. Pain flickered behind Lizzie's eyes.
Lizzie: "Adopted? But... that means—"
I raised my hand. Quiet fell instantly.
"Carne was attacked. I saved who I could… but not all."
My words were blunt. Truth often is.
Lizzie brought trembling hands to her mouth.
Lizzie: "No... not Arthur. Not Elizabeth..."
She staggered. I knelt, lowered myself to her level, and embraced her—not as a noble, but as one who has lost.
"I grieve with you. But I must ask you to withhold this truth from Nfirea. Let Enri tell him."
Lizzie's sobbing lessened, replaced by quiet strength.
Lizzie: "You're... not what I expected. Yes. Come. We'll talk in private."
Ragyō rejoined me, her presence radiant.
Lizzie: "This must be your wife?"
Ragyō: "Darling, please. Such titles are quaint."She pulled Lizzie into a hug with a silky laugh.
"Blame the tall, brooding one behind me~"
Laughter. Soft. Unusual in this city.
I gave a small nod. "Lead on, Bareare."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bareare Potion Shop – Rear Chambers~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The potion shop was cozy—old wood, clean glass, and rows of alchemical mystery. Familiar layout. I'd seen it before—in another world, another story.
Lizzie gestured us inside.
Lizzie: "Nfirea is just—"
Nfirea: "Grandma! I've done it! Look—!"
He rushed in, holding a crimson vial.
Lizzie: "It's… red."
Brita entered behind him, stunned.
Brita: "So this is Lizzie Bareare. The legendary potion witch."
Nfirea: "Witch? Try genius." He grinned. "Well, I might be biased."
Lizzie: "Let me verify it—[Appraise Magic Item]."
Before her spell activated, I stepped forward.
"It won't detect anything. The potion is real."
She glanced at me.
Lizzie: "And you're certain because...?"
"Give me a vial."
Nfirea obeyed. I drew Bakusaiga an inch—enough to let blood drip into the glass. Lizzie gasped.
Lizzie: "My lord—!"
Ragyō placed a hand on her shoulder. Her smile said trust him.
The blood filled the vial. I sealed it and set it next to the red potion.
"Now… compare."
Lizzie cast the spell again. The magic pulsed—and then shattered.
Lizzie: "It... it's identical. Impossible. Your blood is... healing essence?!"
My markings glowed faintly. My eyes locked onto hers.
"I am not a god. Merely... beyond your understanding."
Lizzie and Brita collapsed to their knees in reverence.
"I don't seek worship. Only discretion. This remains secret."
I turned to Brita.
"Momon—he gave you this potion. Aid him. He will need it."
She nodded, trembling.
"Good. Lizzie. I require your help."
She straightened.
Lizzie: "Anything."
"I need you and your grandson to synthesize a hybrid potion. Red and blue. Pure red weakens me."
Nfirea's eyes widened.
Nfirea: "A dual-synthesis solution! That could stabilize your output!"
I blinked. Impressive.
"You have promise, boy."
Nfirea flushed. "T-thank you, Lord Sesshōmaru."
I looked to Brita again.
"Your loyalty earns reward. Return to my kingdom. You will live well. Fight better."
She hugged me suddenly—no hesitation.
Brita: "Yes! Thank you! I won't let you down!"
I conjured a ring from thin air—Life Fibers entwined with elven runes.
"Wear it. Say: 'Kingdom of Light.' You'll be transported. A maid will greet you."
She did—and vanished in a blink.
Lizzie and Nfirea stared, stunned.
"Our business here is done."
Ragyō appeared beside me, radiant as a fallen star.
Ragyō: "Off again, my moonlit emperor?"
I offered her my arm. She took it with grace.
Sesshōmaru: "Let's finish what we started."
3rd POV
As the light of teleportation faded, Lizzie finally exhaled.
Lizzie: "...So the rumors were true. The Theocracy was right—just not in the way they thought."
Nfirea nodded solemnly.
Nfirea: "I should find Momon. We owe Sesshōmaru everything now."
Lizzie placed a hand on his shoulder—gentle, proud.
"Then let's make him proud."