Chapter 1
Vyor
My influence grows!
Chapter 1: And, lo, the Child Fell
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0.164.792M30
Terra, Himalazian Mountains
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Deep within the largest and tallest mountain range on Terra a storm was brewing. Invisible to most mortals, this storm swelled and roiled within the immaterial; a thousand plots and plans, a million daemons and spirits, and countless other horrors watched with bated breath. A temporal paradox was brewing, threatening the paths of the future.
But out of the Six gods watching the event, only One had the capability and desire to seize on those twisted threads. Four of the Six created them, forced an unstable timeloop into existence by their manipulations. The Last was trapped in a cage of toxins, fear, and despair.
The One saw the future, saw the turn of cycles, and cataloged each event within their vast Library. The Mad God didn't like the story told, it wasn't funny nor truly heroic. Certainly, they never shied away from creating tragedies, but there was a thing as too much. Besides, turning down a chance to strike at a true monster was something no jester could do in good conscience.
And so, Cegorach stepped in as the paradox reached its apex, pleased as his agents arrived within the human lab with no other visitors. He hadn't been sure that the Four's agents wouldn't arrive even with this interference.
A decision had to be made yet still. Even he was unable to completely avert the tragedy, reality was slowly working to alter things such that the protectors from the future God Emperor would arrive too late to prevent the shields and wards failing… but neither could he simply allow it to play out fully.
Sending an agent with each child would be too noticeable, the Four would know his trick and work to undo what he'd done. One child then, one that would have faded into history.
One of his agents stopped at the second pod, head tilted in thought before moving onwards. A viable option, certainly, but not the perfect one. They were noble, yes, but the act would mutate them far more than desired. The eleventh pod, then, was perfect. Latent mutations existed within them already and more would appear as they hurtled through the immaterial, but that was not the end of the world. His agent would be able to guide them into a… less harmful path.
And so, as the Harlequins destroyed the protections around the room, one clung to the chosen pod and was pulled alongside it as a warp storm opened. They couldn't change the location the child would land in, but time was a funny thing… and with their master's latest prank, it was oh so malleable. They were sure he'd enjoy the joke, landing before they left, before the world had truly fallen.
Far above the world a streak of light formed, burning through the air as it fell with a scream and a laugh; carrying a wish for the future. The Harlequin guided its descent, guided it to a landing upon the yard of a simple family with simple loves.
It slowed mightily before impact of course, even an Eldar would never survive such an impact otherwise, but they were disappointed that their impromptu windsurfing had to come to an end. Even more disappointing was the need to leave such a cute infant behind; their god wouldn't appreciate them being taken away and coddled by the Harlequins at all.
The Solitaire for the Dance Without End cooed to the infant, petting them gently and entertaining them with a small bell jingling before their eyes; getting giggles from the formerly terrified child. "You shall need a craft, I think," The eldar whispered to them, "A flagship worthy of a queen…" Another giggle poured its way from their throat and, deep within the webway, a mad god laughed alongside.
They vanished as doors opened, leaving behind a giggling infant and an impossible ebony bell…
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9.196.755M30
Ozcania, The City of Stars
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"The universe is not something crafted like a potter shapes their clay," The man's hands moved through the air, gesturing at the walls as he spoke, "Nor was it built brick by brick like the walls sheltering us from the storm outside. It all started with a spark, a seed, that grew and grew and grew into what we see around us every day. Gods took this emerging existence and imposed their own desires, their own wills, on matter."
The classroom was enraptured by him as he spoke, drinking in every word as, to them, they were the gospel truth. They'd all heard the stories before but this was different, their teacher was explaining it in ways they hadn't heard before. "The universe does not care about humans, it gives us no special favor… but nor does it give us any extra burden. Night did not fall on humanity because the universe desired to spite us, instead it was caused by corruptive spirits influencing corrupt mortals who were working against the cosmic order."
Gesturing to a blackboard that had various pictures on it he kept speaking, "You might recognize some of these spirits," Indeed, most of the class had seen or felt the influence of at least one, "like this Yakubyōgami, which brings necrotizing fasciitis or flesh eating bacteria if your latin classes have been going poorly." That brought a few chuckles from the group, mostly older students with one or two exceptions.
One of those exceptions raised her hand, at which the man smiled and gestured for her to speak, "But that spirit brings something different!" She complained, "Antibiotics aren't strong enough to get rid of the curse it brings, no medicine is. The only cure is to hold out long enough or get help from a tutelary spirit."
The man smiled, "You're almost right," He replied gently, "but it's a class of diseases, not any in specific." The young girl by the name of Kindred looked chastised at that, embarrassment playing across her face. "But you are correct that some of them do bring that. Your mention of its tutelary spirit does demonstrate something important, however. People have worshiped both spirits in the past, the yakubyōgami to appease it so that its touch does not land on them and its tutelary spirit to fight off the disease. Only the second of those brings true protection, for it is the only act that is in line with the cosmic harmony, the dao."
His hand waved again, "The same goes for all of the spirits shown here, asking a spirit to go against its nature, even trying to force it to go against its nature, is a disharmonious act," He explained, "These spirits are, themselves, disharmonious as well. Death and rot are, of course, natural things… but spreading that sickness to the soul and mind? Spreading it through touch and plague? That is not. The universe allows and encourages us to cleanse ourselves of sickness, and so that is what we must do."
"Beings that go against the dao are more untrustworthy than beings that don't. The universe desires order from chaos, seeds of flux that bore fruits of creativity and trust." He began walking between his sitting students, all on matts, and giving each a soft green seed. "Your homework is to plant this seed somewhere, it doesn't matter where. I want you to write something down when something important happens to it; a sprout forming, someone tearing up the land where it was planted, anything at all. We will talk about the results at the end of summer and I will explain what this has to do with our lessons here, but I also want all of you to write down what you think it all means."
Everyone started hearing the vehicles and voices outside, it was clear the class had been shortened from what it would have been for the parade that would be coming through. Kindred remembered that it would have representatives from all of the various cults in the city and, while she wanted to go and see it… she understood why her momma forbade it. One of those cults was… not right.
"Could you stay for a moment," Her teacher requested with a soft smile. She knew he wouldn't stop her if she said that she couldn't, nor even if she just refused to, but that would be rude to the man that had taken her into his class in spite of her being far too young for it.
He waited for all of the other students to leave the room before closing the door, Kindred always wondered why he did it physically rather than using his powers, but never asked because it felt rude, and spoke again, "About that spirit that attacked you…" He started, "I know it was a while ago, but you never explained what happened to it. I understand if you don't want to talk about it, it was scary, I know, but any extra detail could help."
Kindred bit her lip, emotions roiling inside her. She didn't want to talk about it, she knew that it was a silly desire, she knew she had to tell someone but it hurt to think about too. It was like talking about it would summon the spirit back to her, would invite that fear and pain again…
But Professor Tsukasa was strong, she'd seen him banish spirits before so even if talking about it did summon something… he could save her if…
Kindred swallowed, "It was that type," She said, pointing at one of the pictures. The spirit was a clawed woman, face hateful and body alluring even to her young mind. Her stomach twisted in revulsion at the memory, knowing that the picture disgusted her, but she couldn't forget that felt desire. "A-and when it touched me it just… caught fire." She shuddered again, feeling the blood fall away from her face as she remembered its scream…
"Hey, hey…" Tsukasa whispered, hands gently pulling her into a hug, his aura calm as she shook, "It's ok, it's ok. It can't hurt you anymore, right?" He asked, kneeling down and looking into her eyes, "You banished it, that's all. It doesn't happen with other spirits that touch you, right?"
Kindred shook her head as he pondered something before smiling oh so gently, "But you're still scared, aren't you?" She nodded but said nothing, "Well, how about I give you something important then?" He asked as he reached into a pocket and pulled out a small stone charm, characters etched into its face, "This is a Mamorifuda, it calls on a spirit of protection and health," He explained, pressing it into Kindred's hand, "If you're ever attacked again, focus on this and pray for safety, ok?"
She nodded, clutching the talisman to her chest as a lifeline, "Thank you," She whispered, her gratitude rippling through the air and her soul. Tsukasa just smiled and hugged her again before standing, ruffling her hair a bit, and motioning to the door.
"Now, before I keep you any longer, I think your parents are waiting for you, mm?" He asked with a smirk, "I hope to see you tomorrow."
Kindred nodded, now far happier and safe feeling as she ran to the door, looking forward to the parade. Sure, she wouldn't be able to watch it… but there were always so many nice spirits running around during those. Maybe she'd see another fox or cat spirit…
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9.197.755M30
Ozcania, The City of Stars
Kindred Bellicourt
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Spirits she saw indeed… perhaps too many as they flooded her bedroom, their soft silver light banishing the dark. Still, they were cute and friendly so she didn't mind so much.
A giggle broke off as one of the rabbit spirits hopped into her arms, surprise and shock playing across her face as its silver light turned into a fiery gold; a color so close to… she felt its fear and desperation as it clung to her now, drawing a frown from Kindred.
She couldn't let it feel that she was scared too; not as bees, foxes, birds, and more crowded around her. On the outside they looked so peaceful, but if they were anything like her new rabbit friend…
She glared at the window blinds, it was the parade's fault, she knew. It wasn't as though it were merely full of predators either, the wolf huddled around rabbits in her room would disprove that notion, it must have had something else wrong with it.
Her mind went back to those pictures her teacher showed. If those spirits could make her feel scared… why wouldn't they scare other spirits too? That must have been it, she thought. She needed to learn more about them, needed to understand those spirits more. Maybe they could be turned for the good or banished on a large scale.
Maybe it was the cults making them evil…
She looked back at the rabbit she was holding, its now golden face looking up at her curiously. If she could make a rabbit spirit glow like this maybe she could do it to others too. "Did you want to glow like this, little guy?" Kindred didn't know how she knew it was male, she just knew. "Does it make you safer?"
She smiled when he sneezed, a message of emotions rippling through their new connection. Yes came the answer, it did. "Does anyone else want to glow like this?" Kindred asked the room, smiling gently towards them. She felt… conflicted and wary, scared in a way, but she just wanted to help them. Even if she didn't think she was strong enough to protect them, the spirits seemed to believe she was.
And that was all that really mattered in the end. She would do her best to live up to those expectations, no matter how scary it was and no matter how much she doubted herself. The other spirits seemed to pick up on that desire and, one by one, had her touch them. A bee spirit even landed on her head, drawing a giggle from her throat, as the rest huddled around.
It felt… good. Peaceful even with the spirit's turbulent emotions. She was doing the right thing, she was helping the vulnerable, and it felt good. She was being loved by the spirits and she couldn't help but love them back. She wanted to spread this further, to help more people, to protect more beings, to love them as they deserved to be loved.
Even a Yakubyōgami, shaped like a mosquito and clearly carrying a disease, felt at peace as it laid upon her skin and struggled to get into her flesh to draw blood as its tutelary counterpart in the shape of a spider watched its struggle with amusement. It was… natural, ordered, and right.
Idly she felt her mind reach out, surprised by the sensation but knowing that it was common for such things to awaken at her physical age, into that spider. She saw the world as it did, the mosquito a mere extension of someone's illness in a house not far from her own. She knew that the mosquito did not cause that disease but was a result of it.
The spider directed its gaze out, through the window, and she saw why the spirits were scared.
Dozens of spirits were dark and writhing masses, their essences reaching out to something far more terrifying and evil than Kindred thought possible; puppeting the tortured souls in amusement. Dark gods of madness, disease, cruelty, death, and false hopes. It turned Kindred's stomach, something that only became worse as she saw the dark spirits inflicting their nature on other beings by force. They were not content to be results of the natural laws, they wished to impose those things on others to strengthen themselves and their gods.
Kindred fought down her bile as the spider let go of her sight, looking up into her eyes with far more intelligence than any spider spirit should have before the moment passed and it began watching the mosquito warily once more. The monsters outside scared her, their gods scared her even more.
But she had to help those twisted souls, she had to free them from those dark gods. There was no other way she could act if she wanted to be Good.
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9.653.756M30
Ozcania, The City of Stars
Elena Bellicourt
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Elena hummed, watching the cooking pandesal carefully. She couldn't let the bread burn after all, that would be a terrible thing to happen when her daughter and her daughter's friend woke up. It was the first sleepover Kindred ever had and damn her if she was going to make breakfast poorly for it.
In fact… she heard them coming down the stairs right then, her lovely divine gift of a daughter full of energy as her friend, Elena was pretty sure her name was Miyuki, looked utterly and completely miserable. As though to emphasize the point, her mouth opened in a jaw cracking yawn.
The difference between the two girls almost made Elena laugh, but she'd rather avoid teasing the poor girl; she knew the pain of a poor night's sleep from staying up far too late talking with friends too well to indulge that desire.
"I assume you found out why we don't have a night light anywhere in the house, Miyuki?" Well, maybe a little teasing for the both of them would be fine. Elena felt a grin split across her face at Kindred's stammered denials and Miyuki's protests that she didn't stay up that late.
It was adorable. "I'm just teasing," Elena said after a moment, "But really, I heard you girls talking all last night and you're both lucky I don't have work today," She chastised, both girls looking suitably downtrodden as she grabbed the breakfast rolls out and put them on plates.
Kindred, naturally, got twice as much as anyone else. Her little gift had a prodigious appetite to go with her impressive physical growth.
If Miyuki cared she didn't show it, which spoke well of the girl in her opinion.
Still, they ate in companionable silence for a time, even if she had to smack away a dog spirit that got a little too close to her plate. "Hey mom…" Kindred started, drawing her eye with how worried the girl sounded, "Why is everyone scared of me?"
Elena choked in surprise as Miyuki looked confused, "I don't think anyone is scared of you? Or, most people aren't anyway," She managed to get out, though her voice was a touch raspy, "Why do you think so?"
"W-well I'm really different to everyone," Kindred started, face turning red in embarrassment, "Like I'm growing bigger than them and I'm smarter than everyone else… and no one really talks to me?" Her little gift bit her lower lip before continuing, "That has to mean people are scared, right?"
Miyuki laughed, startling Kindred, before saying, "You aren't scary! You're just really, really, really cute! And awesome!" She paused, "And you're covered in spiders, snakes, and other scary things, that doesn't help."
"... Why would people be scared of those?" Kindred asked after a moment.
"Honey…" Elena wasn't sure how to explain this well, but she'd try, "Most people can be bitten by those things."
Kindred was silent for a moment before muttering a small "... Oh." Miyuki's hand became very acquainted with her face upon that utterance, drawing a chuckle from Elena.
Yes, her daughter was painfully cute; though with how quickly she grew… Elena eyed a broom in contemplation before, with a nod, deciding it wasn't enough and resigning herself that she'd likely need a shotgun.
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9.653.759M30
Ozcania, The City of Stars
Kindred Bellicourt
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Squinting at the papers in front of her, and trying to ignore the wailing cries of corrupted spirits now constantly in the back of her mind, Kindred sighed. She was so, so bored. All of her coursework was so easy, but momma said she had to do it to get a good job and be a good girl. It made sense, you had to have a record of success to prove you knew what you were doing… but it was so boring.
Her ear twitched as she heard someone snickering towards her, mocking how she was forced to sit in her chair for she was much too large for it now. She'd have been annoyed, but Mr. Tsukasa had taught her lots. Like that people that got scared of things and people they didn't understand weren't worth listening to until their minds had been changed.
And that she shouldn't be afraid of going to others for help, which she needed to get out of her seat without breaking it and to get it replaced with something bigger. Or maybe she could ask to go to higher grade classes? Papa said that sometimes schools would let you skip years if you worked really hard and did really well, and she did both of those!
She nodded as she made her decision, carefully scooting out of her chair so she could talk to the teacher. They would understand that long division lessons and language studies weren't useful for her anymore! She read all of the books she was given and completed all of the coursework in them already for practice… and because she was really bored that day.
She would just use that to prove she was ready for higher grades! It was perfect! And after she moved up in grades, maybe they'd even let her take hunting classes! Those always seemed really fun to her, even if it wasn't being a 'proper lady' as her momma would say. Being a proper lady seemed boring anyway, all tea ceremonies and cooking. She liked tea as much as anyone else, but there were limits!
"Ms. Kina, how do you skip grades?" Kindred asked softly to her, standing beside the corner desk, "I've done all of the coursework in the books you gave… and some of the stuff in the library. I can show you if you want?" She offered, smiling nervously as she held out a sheaf of papers.
Kina frowned and took it, eyes going wide as she flipped through things. "Kindred… some of this is college level," She said, surprise coloring her voice and aura, "I… why don't you come with me after lunch? We can talk to the principal and your parents then, ok?"
Kindred thought that was acceptable and said so before settling in to wait.
Gods, was waiting boring.
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She wished it was boring again, but instead she had to be 'un-ladylike.' Normally, this wouldn't be too bad, maybe lifting something for someone or opening jars… or lifting someone so they could grab something off a high shelf. Simple things, easy things, things that made others' day just that little bit better.
But now Kindred had to do something different as she loomed over a group of kids. Technically, they were older than her… but that didn't stop her from being bigger and stronger. "I would like to politely request," She started, voice light and airy; though to them it must have sounded akin to a wolf's growl with how they stiffened up, "for you to stop bothering my friend."
In truth she didn't know the boy at all, but she liked believing that she could be his friend.
"Y-yeah, sure," The apparent leader of the group stuttered out, face pale even as she relaxed her stance and smiled, "S-sorry, we didn't know-"
Her hand came up to interrupt him, though his flinch made clear he thought she was going to strike him. "It should not matter if I knew him or not, should it?" She asked, voice quiet; though she knew most everyone was listening in now as Miyuki ran up beside her, "It's not good to bother others, even if you don't like them. Instead, it is better to just ignore them and move on, isn't it?"
His rapid nods drew a snort from her friend, who began to speak as well; voice incomprehensibly smug, "Yeah, you should be happy it wasn't a teacher that caught you. They hit your butt really hard with their paddles for bullying! All Kindred does is growl at you!"
"I do not growl!" Nor did she pout, no matter what Miyuki claimed. "But, yes, Miyuki has a point. I could, of course, hurt you instead if you prefer that?" Their heads shook rapidly, "Good! Your food is getting cold, I suggest you eat it now; it isn't going to taste any better later."
The small group practically ran to their tables as Kindred relaxed the rest of the way, the boy looking up at her with undisguised awe, "Lunch?" She offered, "We have free seats. And… what's your name? I'm afraid I can't remember it. Terrible with them, you know how it is."
He stammered in embarrassment, a blush starting to form on his face as he looked anywhere but towards her. "Um, I'm D-dur-du-Durand." His words were forced, like it was a struggle to get out, "T-t-th-tha-thank-thank you," He stuttered, drawing a frown from Kindred. She knew why he was being bullied now, at least.
"Mm, I'm fixing that now," She announced, reaching out to his soul and willing it to align his body and mind to it. Outwardly there was no real change, but Kindred knew that the internal changes would take quite quickly. "There, come on then! Momma made extra sandwiches if you want one, I'll trade you for your school lunch if you want?" She offered, smiling wide as he stared at her, nodding numbly and following her back to her table.
"And so she adopts another one," Miyuki, the traitor, sighed, "Truly, she shall be the most cruel of tyrants." Her head shook in disappointment, "Can't let anyone out of her reach and once you're in it she's not letting go, escape, escape while you can!"
Some of Kindred's other friends snickered at the dry statement, but none gainsaid it. "Traitors," Kindred grumbled, "All of you are traitors…"
"Thankfully, her reign will be short indeed," Miyuki continued, "Pushed before a bus by a traitor, while another traitor drove yet more traitors down the road.
Kindred's grumbles continued, sparking yet more laughter at her expense. Yes, she would have her revenge eventually, and it would be oh so sweet! She just had to figure out how to get it…
AN: I stated this thing in... 2021 and it's gone through like 4 re-writes. Was recently inspired to actually post it by a certain extremely popular fic.
And, before anyone asks, she is female because Cegorach. Are the others? No. Are her SM's? Yes, because Cegorach. Is Cegorach a cunt?
Yes, absolutely. But he's both a funny cunt and aiming his cuntishness towards valid targets, so don't expect Kindred to just start murdering the clowns.
Now to answer other questions I know will come:
Q: Will Isha be rescued?
A: Possibly, but Kindred will never have the type of firepower required for that by herself.
Q: Wow, that is a lot of religious philosophy in that middle bit, is it relevant?
A: Very, and is part of the reason the fic took so long to get to this point. Researching religions that you weren't raised under is hard, it turns out. The relevant philosophies and religions are the Chinese Dao and Shinto, for the record.
Q: Spirits? Are those daemons?
A: No, they are spirits just the same as machine spirits, Kindred just doesn't know the difference between them and daemons (one is bound to the physical world by physical things, the other is repelled from the physical world).
Q: Why did you make her female?
A: Because I enjoy writing politics and that makes things more complicated and thus more fun to write about.
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0.164.792M30
Terra, Himalazian Mountains
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Deep within the largest and tallest mountain range on Terra a storm was brewing. Invisible to most mortals, this storm swelled and roiled within the immaterial; a thousand plots and plans, a million daemons and spirits, and countless other horrors watched with bated breath. A temporal paradox was brewing, threatening the paths of the future.
But out of the Six gods watching the event, only One had the capability and desire to seize on those twisted threads. Four of the Six created them, forced an unstable timeloop into existence by their manipulations. The Last was trapped in a cage of toxins, fear, and despair.
The One saw the future, saw the turn of cycles, and cataloged each event within their vast Library. The Mad God didn't like the story told, it wasn't funny nor truly heroic. Certainly, they never shied away from creating tragedies, but there was a thing as too much. Besides, turning down a chance to strike at a true monster was something no jester could do in good conscience.
And so, Cegorach stepped in as the paradox reached its apex, pleased as his agents arrived within the human lab with no other visitors. He hadn't been sure that the Four's agents wouldn't arrive even with this interference.
A decision had to be made yet still. Even he was unable to completely avert the tragedy, reality was slowly working to alter things such that the protectors from the future God Emperor would arrive too late to prevent the shields and wards failing… but neither could he simply allow it to play out fully.
Sending an agent with each child would be too noticeable, the Four would know his trick and work to undo what he'd done. One child then, one that would have faded into history.
One of his agents stopped at the second pod, head tilted in thought before moving onwards. A viable option, certainly, but not the perfect one. They were noble, yes, but the act would mutate them far more than desired. The eleventh pod, then, was perfect. Latent mutations existed within them already and more would appear as they hurtled through the immaterial, but that was not the end of the world. His agent would be able to guide them into a… less harmful path.
And so, as the Harlequins destroyed the protections around the room, one clung to the chosen pod and was pulled alongside it as a warp storm opened. They couldn't change the location the child would land in, but time was a funny thing… and with their master's latest prank, it was oh so malleable. They were sure he'd enjoy the joke, landing before they left, before the world had truly fallen.
Far above the world a streak of light formed, burning through the air as it fell with a scream and a laugh; carrying a wish for the future. The Harlequin guided its descent, guided it to a landing upon the yard of a simple family with simple loves.
It slowed mightily before impact of course, even an Eldar would never survive such an impact otherwise, but they were disappointed that their impromptu windsurfing had to come to an end. Even more disappointing was the need to leave such a cute infant behind; their god wouldn't appreciate them being taken away and coddled by the Harlequins at all.
The Solitaire for the Dance Without End cooed to the infant, petting them gently and entertaining them with a small bell jingling before their eyes; getting giggles from the formerly terrified child. "You shall need a craft, I think," The eldar whispered to them, "A flagship worthy of a queen…" Another giggle poured its way from their throat and, deep within the webway, a mad god laughed alongside.
They vanished as doors opened, leaving behind a giggling infant and an impossible ebony bell…
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9.196.755M30
Ozcania, The City of Stars
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"The universe is not something crafted like a potter shapes their clay," The man's hands moved through the air, gesturing at the walls as he spoke, "Nor was it built brick by brick like the walls sheltering us from the storm outside. It all started with a spark, a seed, that grew and grew and grew into what we see around us every day. Gods took this emerging existence and imposed their own desires, their own wills, on matter."
The classroom was enraptured by him as he spoke, drinking in every word as, to them, they were the gospel truth. They'd all heard the stories before but this was different, their teacher was explaining it in ways they hadn't heard before. "The universe does not care about humans, it gives us no special favor… but nor does it give us any extra burden. Night did not fall on humanity because the universe desired to spite us, instead it was caused by corruptive spirits influencing corrupt mortals who were working against the cosmic order."
Gesturing to a blackboard that had various pictures on it he kept speaking, "You might recognize some of these spirits," Indeed, most of the class had seen or felt the influence of at least one, "like this Yakubyōgami, which brings necrotizing fasciitis or flesh eating bacteria if your latin classes have been going poorly." That brought a few chuckles from the group, mostly older students with one or two exceptions.
One of those exceptions raised her hand, at which the man smiled and gestured for her to speak, "But that spirit brings something different!" She complained, "Antibiotics aren't strong enough to get rid of the curse it brings, no medicine is. The only cure is to hold out long enough or get help from a tutelary spirit."
The man smiled, "You're almost right," He replied gently, "but it's a class of diseases, not any in specific." The young girl by the name of Kindred looked chastised at that, embarrassment playing across her face. "But you are correct that some of them do bring that. Your mention of its tutelary spirit does demonstrate something important, however. People have worshiped both spirits in the past, the yakubyōgami to appease it so that its touch does not land on them and its tutelary spirit to fight off the disease. Only the second of those brings true protection, for it is the only act that is in line with the cosmic harmony, the dao."
His hand waved again, "The same goes for all of the spirits shown here, asking a spirit to go against its nature, even trying to force it to go against its nature, is a disharmonious act," He explained, "These spirits are, themselves, disharmonious as well. Death and rot are, of course, natural things… but spreading that sickness to the soul and mind? Spreading it through touch and plague? That is not. The universe allows and encourages us to cleanse ourselves of sickness, and so that is what we must do."
"Beings that go against the dao are more untrustworthy than beings that don't. The universe desires order from chaos, seeds of flux that bore fruits of creativity and trust." He began walking between his sitting students, all on matts, and giving each a soft green seed. "Your homework is to plant this seed somewhere, it doesn't matter where. I want you to write something down when something important happens to it; a sprout forming, someone tearing up the land where it was planted, anything at all. We will talk about the results at the end of summer and I will explain what this has to do with our lessons here, but I also want all of you to write down what you think it all means."
Everyone started hearing the vehicles and voices outside, it was clear the class had been shortened from what it would have been for the parade that would be coming through. Kindred remembered that it would have representatives from all of the various cults in the city and, while she wanted to go and see it… she understood why her momma forbade it. One of those cults was… not right.
"Could you stay for a moment," Her teacher requested with a soft smile. She knew he wouldn't stop her if she said that she couldn't, nor even if she just refused to, but that would be rude to the man that had taken her into his class in spite of her being far too young for it.
He waited for all of the other students to leave the room before closing the door, Kindred always wondered why he did it physically rather than using his powers, but never asked because it felt rude, and spoke again, "About that spirit that attacked you…" He started, "I know it was a while ago, but you never explained what happened to it. I understand if you don't want to talk about it, it was scary, I know, but any extra detail could help."
Kindred bit her lip, emotions roiling inside her. She didn't want to talk about it, she knew that it was a silly desire, she knew she had to tell someone but it hurt to think about too. It was like talking about it would summon the spirit back to her, would invite that fear and pain again…
But Professor Tsukasa was strong, she'd seen him banish spirits before so even if talking about it did summon something… he could save her if…
Kindred swallowed, "It was that type," She said, pointing at one of the pictures. The spirit was a clawed woman, face hateful and body alluring even to her young mind. Her stomach twisted in revulsion at the memory, knowing that the picture disgusted her, but she couldn't forget that felt desire. "A-and when it touched me it just… caught fire." She shuddered again, feeling the blood fall away from her face as she remembered its scream…
"Hey, hey…" Tsukasa whispered, hands gently pulling her into a hug, his aura calm as she shook, "It's ok, it's ok. It can't hurt you anymore, right?" He asked, kneeling down and looking into her eyes, "You banished it, that's all. It doesn't happen with other spirits that touch you, right?"
Kindred shook her head as he pondered something before smiling oh so gently, "But you're still scared, aren't you?" She nodded but said nothing, "Well, how about I give you something important then?" He asked as he reached into a pocket and pulled out a small stone charm, characters etched into its face, "This is a Mamorifuda, it calls on a spirit of protection and health," He explained, pressing it into Kindred's hand, "If you're ever attacked again, focus on this and pray for safety, ok?"
She nodded, clutching the talisman to her chest as a lifeline, "Thank you," She whispered, her gratitude rippling through the air and her soul. Tsukasa just smiled and hugged her again before standing, ruffling her hair a bit, and motioning to the door.
"Now, before I keep you any longer, I think your parents are waiting for you, mm?" He asked with a smirk, "I hope to see you tomorrow."
Kindred nodded, now far happier and safe feeling as she ran to the door, looking forward to the parade. Sure, she wouldn't be able to watch it… but there were always so many nice spirits running around during those. Maybe she'd see another fox or cat spirit…
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9.197.755M30
Ozcania, The City of Stars
Kindred Bellicourt
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Spirits she saw indeed… perhaps too many as they flooded her bedroom, their soft silver light banishing the dark. Still, they were cute and friendly so she didn't mind so much.
A giggle broke off as one of the rabbit spirits hopped into her arms, surprise and shock playing across her face as its silver light turned into a fiery gold; a color so close to… she felt its fear and desperation as it clung to her now, drawing a frown from Kindred.
She couldn't let it feel that she was scared too; not as bees, foxes, birds, and more crowded around her. On the outside they looked so peaceful, but if they were anything like her new rabbit friend…
She glared at the window blinds, it was the parade's fault, she knew. It wasn't as though it were merely full of predators either, the wolf huddled around rabbits in her room would disprove that notion, it must have had something else wrong with it.
Her mind went back to those pictures her teacher showed. If those spirits could make her feel scared… why wouldn't they scare other spirits too? That must have been it, she thought. She needed to learn more about them, needed to understand those spirits more. Maybe they could be turned for the good or banished on a large scale.
Maybe it was the cults making them evil…
She looked back at the rabbit she was holding, its now golden face looking up at her curiously. If she could make a rabbit spirit glow like this maybe she could do it to others too. "Did you want to glow like this, little guy?" Kindred didn't know how she knew it was male, she just knew. "Does it make you safer?"
She smiled when he sneezed, a message of emotions rippling through their new connection. Yes came the answer, it did. "Does anyone else want to glow like this?" Kindred asked the room, smiling gently towards them. She felt… conflicted and wary, scared in a way, but she just wanted to help them. Even if she didn't think she was strong enough to protect them, the spirits seemed to believe she was.
And that was all that really mattered in the end. She would do her best to live up to those expectations, no matter how scary it was and no matter how much she doubted herself. The other spirits seemed to pick up on that desire and, one by one, had her touch them. A bee spirit even landed on her head, drawing a giggle from her throat, as the rest huddled around.
It felt… good. Peaceful even with the spirit's turbulent emotions. She was doing the right thing, she was helping the vulnerable, and it felt good. She was being loved by the spirits and she couldn't help but love them back. She wanted to spread this further, to help more people, to protect more beings, to love them as they deserved to be loved.
Even a Yakubyōgami, shaped like a mosquito and clearly carrying a disease, felt at peace as it laid upon her skin and struggled to get into her flesh to draw blood as its tutelary counterpart in the shape of a spider watched its struggle with amusement. It was… natural, ordered, and right.
Idly she felt her mind reach out, surprised by the sensation but knowing that it was common for such things to awaken at her physical age, into that spider. She saw the world as it did, the mosquito a mere extension of someone's illness in a house not far from her own. She knew that the mosquito did not cause that disease but was a result of it.
The spider directed its gaze out, through the window, and she saw why the spirits were scared.
Dozens of spirits were dark and writhing masses, their essences reaching out to something far more terrifying and evil than Kindred thought possible; puppeting the tortured souls in amusement. Dark gods of madness, disease, cruelty, death, and false hopes. It turned Kindred's stomach, something that only became worse as she saw the dark spirits inflicting their nature on other beings by force. They were not content to be results of the natural laws, they wished to impose those things on others to strengthen themselves and their gods.
Kindred fought down her bile as the spider let go of her sight, looking up into her eyes with far more intelligence than any spider spirit should have before the moment passed and it began watching the mosquito warily once more. The monsters outside scared her, their gods scared her even more.
But she had to help those twisted souls, she had to free them from those dark gods. There was no other way she could act if she wanted to be Good.
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9.653.756M30
Ozcania, The City of Stars
Elena Bellicourt
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Elena hummed, watching the cooking pandesal carefully. She couldn't let the bread burn after all, that would be a terrible thing to happen when her daughter and her daughter's friend woke up. It was the first sleepover Kindred ever had and damn her if she was going to make breakfast poorly for it.
In fact… she heard them coming down the stairs right then, her lovely divine gift of a daughter full of energy as her friend, Elena was pretty sure her name was Miyuki, looked utterly and completely miserable. As though to emphasize the point, her mouth opened in a jaw cracking yawn.
The difference between the two girls almost made Elena laugh, but she'd rather avoid teasing the poor girl; she knew the pain of a poor night's sleep from staying up far too late talking with friends too well to indulge that desire.
"I assume you found out why we don't have a night light anywhere in the house, Miyuki?" Well, maybe a little teasing for the both of them would be fine. Elena felt a grin split across her face at Kindred's stammered denials and Miyuki's protests that she didn't stay up that late.
It was adorable. "I'm just teasing," Elena said after a moment, "But really, I heard you girls talking all last night and you're both lucky I don't have work today," She chastised, both girls looking suitably downtrodden as she grabbed the breakfast rolls out and put them on plates.
Kindred, naturally, got twice as much as anyone else. Her little gift had a prodigious appetite to go with her impressive physical growth.
If Miyuki cared she didn't show it, which spoke well of the girl in her opinion.
Still, they ate in companionable silence for a time, even if she had to smack away a dog spirit that got a little too close to her plate. "Hey mom…" Kindred started, drawing her eye with how worried the girl sounded, "Why is everyone scared of me?"
Elena choked in surprise as Miyuki looked confused, "I don't think anyone is scared of you? Or, most people aren't anyway," She managed to get out, though her voice was a touch raspy, "Why do you think so?"
"W-well I'm really different to everyone," Kindred started, face turning red in embarrassment, "Like I'm growing bigger than them and I'm smarter than everyone else… and no one really talks to me?" Her little gift bit her lower lip before continuing, "That has to mean people are scared, right?"
Miyuki laughed, startling Kindred, before saying, "You aren't scary! You're just really, really, really cute! And awesome!" She paused, "And you're covered in spiders, snakes, and other scary things, that doesn't help."
"... Why would people be scared of those?" Kindred asked after a moment.
"Honey…" Elena wasn't sure how to explain this well, but she'd try, "Most people can be bitten by those things."
Kindred was silent for a moment before muttering a small "... Oh." Miyuki's hand became very acquainted with her face upon that utterance, drawing a chuckle from Elena.
Yes, her daughter was painfully cute; though with how quickly she grew… Elena eyed a broom in contemplation before, with a nod, deciding it wasn't enough and resigning herself that she'd likely need a shotgun.
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9.653.759M30
Ozcania, The City of Stars
Kindred Bellicourt
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Squinting at the papers in front of her, and trying to ignore the wailing cries of corrupted spirits now constantly in the back of her mind, Kindred sighed. She was so, so bored. All of her coursework was so easy, but momma said she had to do it to get a good job and be a good girl. It made sense, you had to have a record of success to prove you knew what you were doing… but it was so boring.
Her ear twitched as she heard someone snickering towards her, mocking how she was forced to sit in her chair for she was much too large for it now. She'd have been annoyed, but Mr. Tsukasa had taught her lots. Like that people that got scared of things and people they didn't understand weren't worth listening to until their minds had been changed.
And that she shouldn't be afraid of going to others for help, which she needed to get out of her seat without breaking it and to get it replaced with something bigger. Or maybe she could ask to go to higher grade classes? Papa said that sometimes schools would let you skip years if you worked really hard and did really well, and she did both of those!
She nodded as she made her decision, carefully scooting out of her chair so she could talk to the teacher. They would understand that long division lessons and language studies weren't useful for her anymore! She read all of the books she was given and completed all of the coursework in them already for practice… and because she was really bored that day.
She would just use that to prove she was ready for higher grades! It was perfect! And after she moved up in grades, maybe they'd even let her take hunting classes! Those always seemed really fun to her, even if it wasn't being a 'proper lady' as her momma would say. Being a proper lady seemed boring anyway, all tea ceremonies and cooking. She liked tea as much as anyone else, but there were limits!
"Ms. Kina, how do you skip grades?" Kindred asked softly to her, standing beside the corner desk, "I've done all of the coursework in the books you gave… and some of the stuff in the library. I can show you if you want?" She offered, smiling nervously as she held out a sheaf of papers.
Kina frowned and took it, eyes going wide as she flipped through things. "Kindred… some of this is college level," She said, surprise coloring her voice and aura, "I… why don't you come with me after lunch? We can talk to the principal and your parents then, ok?"
Kindred thought that was acceptable and said so before settling in to wait.
Gods, was waiting boring.
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She wished it was boring again, but instead she had to be 'un-ladylike.' Normally, this wouldn't be too bad, maybe lifting something for someone or opening jars… or lifting someone so they could grab something off a high shelf. Simple things, easy things, things that made others' day just that little bit better.
But now Kindred had to do something different as she loomed over a group of kids. Technically, they were older than her… but that didn't stop her from being bigger and stronger. "I would like to politely request," She started, voice light and airy; though to them it must have sounded akin to a wolf's growl with how they stiffened up, "for you to stop bothering my friend."
In truth she didn't know the boy at all, but she liked believing that she could be his friend.
"Y-yeah, sure," The apparent leader of the group stuttered out, face pale even as she relaxed her stance and smiled, "S-sorry, we didn't know-"
Her hand came up to interrupt him, though his flinch made clear he thought she was going to strike him. "It should not matter if I knew him or not, should it?" She asked, voice quiet; though she knew most everyone was listening in now as Miyuki ran up beside her, "It's not good to bother others, even if you don't like them. Instead, it is better to just ignore them and move on, isn't it?"
His rapid nods drew a snort from her friend, who began to speak as well; voice incomprehensibly smug, "Yeah, you should be happy it wasn't a teacher that caught you. They hit your butt really hard with their paddles for bullying! All Kindred does is growl at you!"
"I do not growl!" Nor did she pout, no matter what Miyuki claimed. "But, yes, Miyuki has a point. I could, of course, hurt you instead if you prefer that?" Their heads shook rapidly, "Good! Your food is getting cold, I suggest you eat it now; it isn't going to taste any better later."
The small group practically ran to their tables as Kindred relaxed the rest of the way, the boy looking up at her with undisguised awe, "Lunch?" She offered, "We have free seats. And… what's your name? I'm afraid I can't remember it. Terrible with them, you know how it is."
He stammered in embarrassment, a blush starting to form on his face as he looked anywhere but towards her. "Um, I'm D-dur-du-Durand." His words were forced, like it was a struggle to get out, "T-t-th-tha-thank-thank you," He stuttered, drawing a frown from Kindred. She knew why he was being bullied now, at least.
"Mm, I'm fixing that now," She announced, reaching out to his soul and willing it to align his body and mind to it. Outwardly there was no real change, but Kindred knew that the internal changes would take quite quickly. "There, come on then! Momma made extra sandwiches if you want one, I'll trade you for your school lunch if you want?" She offered, smiling wide as he stared at her, nodding numbly and following her back to her table.
"And so she adopts another one," Miyuki, the traitor, sighed, "Truly, she shall be the most cruel of tyrants." Her head shook in disappointment, "Can't let anyone out of her reach and once you're in it she's not letting go, escape, escape while you can!"
Some of Kindred's other friends snickered at the dry statement, but none gainsaid it. "Traitors," Kindred grumbled, "All of you are traitors…"
"Thankfully, her reign will be short indeed," Miyuki continued, "Pushed before a bus by a traitor, while another traitor drove yet more traitors down the road.
Kindred's grumbles continued, sparking yet more laughter at her expense. Yes, she would have her revenge eventually, and it would be oh so sweet! She just had to figure out how to get it…
AN: I stated this thing in... 2021 and it's gone through like 4 re-writes. Was recently inspired to actually post it by a certain extremely popular fic.
And, before anyone asks, she is female because Cegorach. Are the others? No. Are her SM's? Yes, because Cegorach. Is Cegorach a cunt?
Yes, absolutely. But he's both a funny cunt and aiming his cuntishness towards valid targets, so don't expect Kindred to just start murdering the clowns.
Now to answer other questions I know will come:
Q: Will Isha be rescued?
A: Possibly, but Kindred will never have the type of firepower required for that by herself.
Q: Wow, that is a lot of religious philosophy in that middle bit, is it relevant?
A: Very, and is part of the reason the fic took so long to get to this point. Researching religions that you weren't raised under is hard, it turns out. The relevant philosophies and religions are the Chinese Dao and Shinto, for the record.
Q: Spirits? Are those daemons?
A: No, they are spirits just the same as machine spirits, Kindred just doesn't know the difference between them and daemons (one is bound to the physical world by physical things, the other is repelled from the physical world).
Q: Why did you make her female?
A: Because I enjoy writing politics and that makes things more complicated and thus more fun to write about.
