Kaitei Niou 16

Title: Kaitei Niou
Author: Elle Doki
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Kasei happened to be fresh out of the shower, dressed in jeans, brushing his teeth. He vaguely took notice of a reflection of Araiso’s face appear in the mirror.

Then he did a double take and spat out his paste in surprise. Coughing he gawked at the reflection, “Araiso?!” He whirled around to see no one, then looked back to the mirror.

Araiso looked shy and surprised for a moment. Then he gave a sad smile and mouthed something that looked like “I’m sorry.” And the reflection vanished.

Confused, Kasei stared as the reflection returned to that of his own. Slowly, he spat out what remained of the paste from his mouth and whipped his face with a towel. He left the bathroom, looking around. His mouth opened a bit sadly as he saw the small alcove where Araiso had sat before staring out to the neighbor’s yard.

With slow steps, Kasei approached the area, looking to the yard outside. It was a grim wet rainy day with harsh winds and steady rain that looked like it would never go away.

He leaned forward, looking up to the dark clouds and sighed, “Araiso…”

Back in the cave, Araiso turned away from the mirror and sighed heavily. “I can’t ask him for help… He told me to go.”

“Then ignore him.” Came a slow emotionless reply.

Araiso looked up, then behind him. He stared as a young Child about his age came swimming out of the darkness. Deep navy blue eyes, a black body that glistened slight tints of navy, and a gentle dark glow radiating from his body. His dark hair was short and curled around his features, and he looked so sad like he’d cry.

“Who… Are you?” Araiso asked slowly.

“Abyss.” He said, swimming closer to Araiso. The other looked him over then swam up to the wall of ice. “This saddens me.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve lived my whole life in here, in this dark cave, where sadness and pain are strongest.” The other explained, not looking to Araiso, his tone still so depressed. “I’ve had the chance to leave and now that it’s gone, I’m saddened.”

“You… Like feeling sad?”

“I don’t.”

Araiso blinked, “But you just…”

“Sadness and pain make me feel happy.” He said, looking to Araiso. “When you have those feelings, often you try to keep them locked inside. But when you release them, it shows that you are comfortable enough to express that. It’s a good thing.”

Araiso nodded slowly. “…uh Abyss?”

“Yes?”

“Your name sounds too depressing.”

“I agree, Prince.”

Araiso blinked then shrugged a bit, “I’m not a Prince anymore… Navy took my powers.”

“Take them back.”

“Eh?”

“Take them back.” Abyss repeated. “Is it so hard?”

“I have to get out of here first.”

Abyss turned to look at the wall of ice, touching his fingers to it sadly. “Someone filled with guilt is coming?”

“What?” Araiso blinked, confused.

After staring outside for a bit, Kasei went to get dressed. He grabbed the car keys and headed outside. Su stood at the bottom of the stairs watching her brother leave in almost a panic.

After he was gone, she smiled a bit. “Who would’ve thought you’d ever feel that emotion.”

Kasei started up and car, and drove it out to the coast. “Damn rain! I can’t see well!” He cursed. He stopped the car at the edge of a rocky cliff.

Parking and turning off the car, Kasei got out and looked to the grim view of the ocean. He sighed, wondering why he was here. Not sure why himself, Kasei went down to the edge of the ocean at the rocks farther below. He peered into the water, staring at a faint glow of light from under the water for a bit. “No way…”

Araiso swam up to Abyss’s side as they peered up through the ice to see who was coming.

Kasei moved to get into the water, then stopped. “Dammit!” He shouted, “It’s just water, you idiot! C’mon! You used to be a great swimmer. This is no different.” He closed his eyes tight then dove head first into the water.

His body floated down a bit, Kasei opening his eyes. He looked around, seeing the faint glow of light from behind the wall of ice. Araiso, he thought, very sure.

“Kasei!” Araiso gawked, staring as Kasei swam toward the wall of ice.

Araiso swam a bit farther up, touching his hands to the ice. Kasei seemed to see Araiso’s shape thanks to the glow, and he moved to touch the ice.

At the contact of the tip of his fingers to the ice, golden lines flew over his body in a rush to the ice. From the tip of his finger extending outward, the wall of ice was covered in these same golden markings. A quick flash, and then an explosion sending all away from the epicenter.

Abyss shifted himself upright, looking around through the water as it began to settle. Araiso swam in a few circles to readjust himself right-way up, then looked for Kasei.

On the outside of the cave, Kasei could be seen floating unconscious.

“Kasei!” Araiso shouted, swimming quickly over to the other. He grabbed Kasei around his waist and pulled him up to the surface, resting him on some rocks near the shore. “Kasei! Kasei! Wake up!”

“He’s deceased.” Came Abyss as he surfaced next to Araiso.

“No! I… I won’t lose him.” Araiso panicked, moving himself forward and kissed Kasei on the lips.

A few seconds into the kiss, Kasei gagged and choked up water. Araiso pulled away, looking at Kasei sadly. He covered his lips, watching the other’s pace of breathing slowly return. “Thank goodness.”

“Why are you ashamed of it?” Abyss asked after a moment.

“He… Doesn’t really like me, and I just kissed him.” Araiso answered softly.

Abyss looked from Araiso to the other. “I don’t think you’re right.” Araiso looked to him. “If he didn’t like you, why’d he come to you? Why would Gaia give him her power, a power that cost him his very life, to save you?”

Araiso looked slowly to Kasei then smiled a bit. “Hm… I’ve gotta go see Navy.” He turned, starting to swim away. “Keep an eye on him for me, Abyss?”

“Yes.”

Araiso sunk into the waves of the angry ocean and swam far into the depths.