<Karma>
The clock struck, ringing soundless within the night. I witnessed the kingdom asleep but trembling in wake. Only the young eyes were watching out their windows. The transparent cries and fire blissfully lighting the kingdom.
Young Roka, tattered and exhausted, struggled to run for what was left of his normal life. His father was slain before him, his mother captured and no where in sight.
Flames swam across the grounds of their home, wrapping around he pillars and chandeliers. What was once the pretty piano music, became loud drums pounding, the heavy wood crashing from above. The flowers and paintings melting, and the darkness continued to cascade.
"We must leave at once before we are caught, hurry now, my young lord."
The knight who escorted six year old Roka out of the burning manor panicked with frozen blood. He and a few others managed to find Roka alive, hiding away in his wardrobe.
Though, Roka was struck with confusion and sorrow, he could not manage to think of running. Ahead of him was a blind road, with no determination of whether this nightmare was going to cease.
"Excuse my rudeness. But we must go at once."
One of the knights picked up Roka and carried him off in his arms. The two others decided to stay back and see if there was any other survivors.
And those who searched for his younger sisters never made it back.
"I'll hide you here for now."
The knight with him travelled far to make it to the gates of the village of Sage Hill. He stowed him away behind the stone wall. Covered by piles of branches and leaves, the knight tried his best to make sure that no one would notice.
"Mind you that a single sound could get us killed." He warned, "I pray for your safety." He softly spoke, looking straight into the dead eyes of his.
Roka didn't reply back.
But a story of his vengeance is only natural. For a child stripped of his everything, that night would turn into vengeance and utter hatred. The fires that burned red, exploded with violence in his eyes. Beyond the sight, the his heart was no longer peaceful, and his world was no longer kind.
I opened my eyes and saw the blurry ceiling above. Angels and harps, clouds, blue sky, painted warmly above. I sat up and saw a faint sight of King Roka, staring out the view of my chamber. He appears calm with nothing to say.
What I just saw wasn't a dream of its own, but his memories.
"I applaud you, young one. The skies are clearing, the storm has passed taking rubble along with it." He looked out.
"It's only beginning. Nothing is over. It never is." I spoke, while noticing my touch beside me. It was Nagisa sleeping quietly on the bed, holding my right hand.
"So you'll carelessly wait for another?" He asked.
"No. But I'll be prepared. With something that happened so abruptly, it threw me off guard." I explained.
"Is that so?" He faced me and glanced over at Nagisa. "Take good care of him." Roka slightly smiled pressing his hand on his heart.
He vanished, leaving behind trail of camellia petals on the floor. Soon enough, those disappeared as well.
I looked down and rubbed the back of my hand on his cheek. The softness that brought ease so simply.
Roka is correct. The skies have cleared, but our hearts hasn't.
It has been a week after the whole incident, and the current crowns are pulling the strings behind Mamoru's funeral ceremony. As a family member of Nagisa and the one who sacrificed his life for him, it's only expected that such ceremony would become the talk.
Surely, Nagisa didn't want to make the passing of his dear brother complicated, he just wanted to go home to his father.
But with a slight push, his father even agreed to such an idea. He should be remembered and loved. He's a figure to the people, family alone wouldn't suffice.
But I agreed with Nagisa a little. It's a family matter, but being intertwined with the Kingdom, body and soul, what is your pain is my pain. And the happiness we all share.
Most of the citizens would agree.
"Karma..."
Nagisa woke up, rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning." I said, leaning down and kissing his cheek, "the weather is in our favor. A calling you should say. Even if it's Mamoru's funeral, the heavens are welcoming." I assured.
Nagisa held my hand tightly and closed his eyes. As each day passes, he's able to talk more, sharing his thoughts.
"I don't want to lose anyone anymore." He said.
"That can't be helped Nagisa. Call me distasteful, but we can't save everyone. I'm truly sorry." I apologized, laying back down, facing him on my side.
He opened his eyes gradually. The blue that sparkles cooly, his expression without emotion.
"And what if I were to lose you to? Do I just accept it?" Nagisa turned away from me, covering himself with the sheets.
Is he pouting? Upset?
"Nagisa, look at me." I said, "being a child won't solve anything."
"Just leave me alone. The funeral is in three hours. Let me be until then." He spoke.
"But Nagisa, this is my room." I yanked his shoulder over and he rolled back, with a startled reaction.
"I know you're mourning the death of your brother and your mother, I can only imagine the troubles in your heart. If I were to lose my family, my parents and Yoriko, I would feel lost as well."
He gazed into my eyes with guilt. Not because he felt sorry for ignoring me, but to make me think of such horrors.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry." He covered his face with his hands and hid himself away. He cried softly to himself, distancing away from me.
Though, I pulled him in close and wrapped my arms around him, his face on my chest.
It's my own mistake that I would think Nagisa would gradually get better within a week. How could I know? It's not that simple and I made it sound like it was.
He has the right to cry, to be broken-hearted, despondent, and glum.
He's human after all.
••••
The funeral took place not far from the burial grounds of the reincarnations, Willow's Bloom, where King Roka and Queen Yua were also buried.
Mamoru was to be lowered into the earth at River Lethe, a burial for nobles, officials, and knights who whole-heartedly served the Kingdom. A welcoming bed for a hero, Mamoru Shiota.
His tomb was marble white with black letters, curling at the tip. His name engraved, standing amongst the other pillars, emitting the undying will to keep the Kingdom at peace.
Nagisa and his father paid their respects along with a formal parting after the blessings of the current Crowns. This was to ensure that his soul can travel without harm. Aika, being his wife controlled herself in front of everyone.
It was to my surprise that such a lady like herself, could contain everything.
The citizens who were present help light the candles, next to his tomb, with flowers and gifts.
Irina was along side Karasuma, both of their heads titled forward. They were reciting words of prayers, while holding hands.
Nobles and friends, they were all here. Even my family paid their respects. For those who didn't come, rumors will surely spread of them soon enough.
"Karma." Nagisa said my name, as he stood in front of me.
I waited for him to continue. At first I wondered what he was going to say, going to do. He stood there without implications of anything else.
He opened his mouth.
"I love you."