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Sun Kissed

Act 4: The Great Rainstorm of Aoi

Five days. Empress Aoi would stay in Jyotisha for five days. On the first day she arrived. On the second day, she explored Capital City Jeera with Spica as her guide. On the third day, she brought rain and water to the denizens of Jyotisha. On the fourth day she met with Sultan Adhil to trade. On the fifth day, she would return to Solaria.

For Spica, her fourth day – the last full day he'd get to spend with her – was surprisingly short. Time works that way, doesn't it? It tricks you into thinking you have more of than you'd think. That's what happened to him. He thought he had more of something he had long since run out of.

The fifth day...

Zaniah was right; there was a change in his son... and it wasn't even subtle. The brash young man who was always grinning, always desperate to prove himself, was now sullen and quiet. He wore the Blackguard uniform as well as he always did, but there was no superiority to him, no cockiness. Spica had become... humble.

“Ahead, Spica. Look ahead.”

“Yes, Father.”

Spica, Heze, Zaniah, and all the rest of Blackguard were gathered here at the the gates of Jeera, watching as Aoi's opulent carriage was guided out by horse. At her back were other carriages containing goods gifted to her from Adhil himself, all of which were guarded. From what Spica knew, they would take her goods back to her boat at border city Neptune, and then leave out to the sea.

And that would be it...

But Spica would not be there to witness any of it. His duties were here at Jeera, where Blackguard was stationed. So here he stood, watching over Aoi's carriage silently as she was led through the doors of Jeera's walls.

The city was crowded, even beneath the little drizzles of rain which continued lingering above. It was Adhil's orders; he wanted everyone to wish the Empress farewell as she departed from their kingdom. As expected, Blackguard was ordered to make sure nothing happened during her leave, but Spica found it hard to focus.

Aoi was at the window, waving goodbye to everyone as the kingdom cheered around. And here he was, far away on Jeera's wall, incapable of seeing her face from this distance. It pained him, annoyed him, frustrated him... but he had long since accepted it. He even tried tricking himself into thinking this was a good thing.

The distance would help quell his beating heart.

“She's leaving now,” said Zaniah as she walked to her brother's side, “She was only here for a short amount of time, and yet Jeera appeared so much more lively with the Empress here.”

“The rain the Empress gave us will nourish Jyotisha for years to come,” Heze commented, “We will be forever in her debt. Hopefully this will also facilitate more natural storms in our future. Desert though Jyotisha may be, water is still needed to live,” he raised an eyebrow, “What of you, Spica? How do you feel?”

“...”

Spica didn't answer; his gaze was focused intensely upon Aoi and her carriage. Was he aware of how blatantly he pined for the Empress? Did he even care? No... he didn't.

But there was a moment amid his silent watch where Aoi gazed in his direction. At first, Spica wondered if she was just waving at another citizen. But then her head tipped up, gazing across the droves of people to stare him directly in his eyes. And even with the great distance between them, he could read Aoi's face as clear as day.

Her smile, her beaming features; it all made Spica tense up. She raised her hand and began waving at him. In response, he slowly started waving back. It was solemn, even a bit dismal... bittersweet would be the perfect word for it. And yet seeing him act in such a way was enough to make Aoi giggle.

He could even hear her lovely laugh.

Zaniah and Heze stared at one another, saying nothing as Spica had his emotional little moment. His sister wouldn't tease him over something like this, and the Blackguard captain knew it wasn't right to berate his son for his emotions.

So they both let him experience this moment. The forlorn feelings, the sadness, the longing, all of it. All the way until Aoi slipped through the massive gates of their walled city and vanished from view.

Spica tensed up again and took in a deep breath, one he held... and held... and held...

“Haaaah...”

Before finally letting go.

“Apologies, Father,” he said as he took in a deep breath, “I understand now how... wrong I've been.”

“Spica...”

“Heh... heh...” turning to face his father, a smile adorned his lips, “I promise in the future... I'll be more hesitant.”

“I...”

A dozen or so thoughts ran through Heze's mind as he stared down upon his son, most of which being confused. Why was he saying this so suddenly? Had something happened? Of course, it didn't take him long to realize that Aoi had some sort of affect on him... and it was a good one.

“Do not worry, Spica,” Heze said as he placed a hand on his son's shoulder, squeezing it gently, “This feeling you have... it will pass in time. It always does.”

“Yes I...” he took in a deep breath, “I'm sure of it...”

“Now come... we have work to do.”

…

Meteorologist foretold that Aoi's storm would go on for at least six more hours before finally dissipating. Spica wondered if this would be enough to fill Big Dipper. Considering how strong the storm was in the beginning, he wouldn't be surprised if the storm produced a new lake to procure water from!

But one thing the storm did was drastically slow life in Jeera, if not all of Jyotisha. When Aoi departed, the people all withdrew into their homes and building, content to watch the storm pass on by. Among them was the Virginis Household. With everyone inside, so too was the their elite family, for there was no longer a need to patrol Jeera with the Empress gone. And while this storm would no doubt cause problems that require Blackguard to investigate, at least for now, young Spica was allowed to just lay back on his bed and relax.

But how could he relax when his mind was dominated with thoughts of her.

While it may have been a good while since Aoi left, Spica could not detach her from his mind. He still saw her face, heard her voice, and felt her body against his; both naked and clothed. Whether it be holding hands or pressing their nude forms against one another, the Empress' body would be forever caked into his mind. Even now as he laid on his bed, he felt the phantom touches of her hand, causing him to shiver.

Were these just his (formerly) virgin thoughts playing tricks on him? Maybe... but he knew Aoi was on a different caliber of woman. Even if he was some playboy like Adhil, Spica knew he'd compare any future woman he met unfavorably to the Empress.

But that's all it was, right? His mind toying with him as he longed for the kitsune's embrace, or just her hand against his hand? A few more days, that's all he'd ask for: just to get to know Aoi a little bit more. Like... what was her favorite meal? What was her favorite color? She danced well, so what music did she like listening too?

Questions he should have asked before, but was far too shy or embarrassed to utter. Now he was left contemplating 'what ifs' and 'if onlys'. The worse feeling a person can have.

“Haaaah... man... this stinks...” Spica muttered as he turned to face his window, “I can't believe I'm this way because of the Empress... tch... I really am just a kid... hn...”

Grrrrnngggh... GRRRRRRRNNNN!!!

“Huh?”

Bringing his gaze up, Spica's gaze cut out the window to see the looming gray clouds in the distance. That was odd; wasn't the storm supposed to start dissipating by now? But those clouds looked far, far too strong to be weakening. Is something wrong?

Wham!

“Spica!” Zaniah suddenly called from his doorway, causing him to face her, “Get in uniform and head to the debriefing room, stat!”

“Huh? Y-yeah!”

It didn't take long for Spica to quickly dress into his Blackguard uniform, though his mind raced with thoughts in a confused frenzy. What was going on? Zaniah was urgent! It didn't take him too long to figure that the storm outside probably had something to do with it, but he kept himself focused for now.

With his uniform on, Spica rushed downstairs towards the debriefing room, where he saw it was packed with all the members of Blackguard currently in Jeera. There were a dozen or so confused conversations going on at the moment, but they all grew silent when Heze entered the room. Together, everyone watched as the captain walked towards the central desk, his face serious and stern as he looked up towards the onlooking faces before him.

“Everyone,” Heze said, his voice booming, “You are no doubt confused as to why I had you all brought here, and so hastily, so I will cut to the chase. The storm brought by Empress Aoi has had some... unforeseen consequences. While the storm has grown weaker, another area of the storm has instead grown stronger. It has produced a monsoon and growing winds, creating a sandstorm the likes of which I haven't seen in years. Not only is the sands wet and muddy, but visibility is low thanks to the sandstorm. Making matters even worse, the monsoon itself has strong rain and wind which from reports will pelt you like stones. Now I have called you all to search the deserts for any travelers caught out in the sands. We are already aware of merchants who were heading to and from Jeera who are now caught out in the sands, and there are an unknown number of others trapped. So I need you all too--”

“Where is Empress Aoi!” Spica called, cutting his father off.

It surprised everyone, doubly so as the young man suddenly appeared in the center of the mass, walking towards his father without an ounce of fear. There were whispers and murmurs, but none were as shocked more than Heze himself. He looked at his son, reading his face and how serious it was. This was different from his usual brash antics. This was... was...

“Considering the time that Empress Aoi left... she should be more than halfway to Neptune by now,” Heze said.

“She should be?” Spica muttered, “But... you're not sure?”

“The storm has made information hard to trade,” Heze further explained, “Whether or not she and her entourage have made it there, I am not sure.”

For Spica, that wasn't good enough. Hearing that only seemed to make his worries balloon, and for good reason. While the Empress may be able to quell a storm, that didn't mean she was ready for what the storm may bring.

Sand Serpents. Numbers of their activities always rise after a rainstorm, and with one this strong, there was no telling what they were doing. If one of those attacked the Empress, it wouldn't matter if she was right at Neptune or far from it; she'd be doomed without knowing how to properly deal with one!

These thoughts alarmed and worried Spica, causing him to walk backwards toward the door. It didn't take Heze too long to realize that his son was going to do something... something stupid, something brash, something that is just so... Spica.

“Spica, calm down! Everything will be fine,” said Heze as he watched his son turn for the door, “We need to focus! We'll send a search team out to confirm the Empress safety once we've gotten more information.”

“Gotten more information...” Spica muttered before suddenly bolting through the door, “No! That'll take far too long!”

“Dammit, Spica!”

What was it that drove Spica at the moment? Courageousness? Love? Or just hot-blooded stupidity? All of these things, really. He was afraid of the situation, but he needed to make sure Aoi was okay. Perhaps its selfish to admit this, but right now, her safety went beyond everyone else's. Even his own.

As one man, Spica could make it to her carriage faster than anyone else. He knew Jyotisha like the back of his hand, having explored it thoroughly with his father in the past. Coupled with his ability to track, and he'd be with Aoi before long. All he needed was a camel.

It didn't take him too long to arrive at the Blackguard stables.

His eyes quickly searched through the droves of horses and camels they owned, eventually coming upon to the camel he always road about.

“Hey, Halley,” he said as he grabbed her nearby reins and saddle, “Come on, sweetie, it's time to go. We've gotta be quick.”

“Tch... and where do you think you're going, brother?”

Spica tensed up. Again? She had sneaked up on him again? He was either getting rusty, or Aoi really dominated his mind.

Turning around, Spica's eyes fell upon Zaniah, who glared back at him with equal intensity. For a moment, the air grew serious as they both turned quiet, focused on the other.

“You know... Father will kill you if you leave like this,” Zaniah said, to which Spica shook his head.

“Then he can kill me when I get back,” he replied as he tugged his camel from her stable, “I've gotta go and make sure Empress Aoi is fine. I'm not just gonna lay here and do nothing!”

Heze had always taught them the importance of being emotionally distant from their duties. When emotions run hot, then that can lead them to doing something stupid, or putting selfish reasons on the importance of lives. This was clearly one of those moments; Spica was doing exactly what their father taught them not to do.

But Zaniah never really agreed with that rule anyway. While it may be wrong to say one life is more important than another, emotions can help push someone to perform better at their job. And this right now? This was one of those moments. Zaniah had never seen her brother hold so much conviction before. There was no cockiness, no need to prove himself superior, none of that! He just wanted to make sure Aoi was safe.

She could see it in her brother. He was in love with Aoi. Nothing she told him would stop him, and even if she tried to use force, that would only cause the two to battle. That would help no one, so...

“Tch... jeeze... you're a handful, Spica,” Zaniah muttered as she gave him a hapless smile, “Go ahead, run off then. I'll tell Father that I got here too late... though I doubt he'll believe me.”

“Haaah... thanks Zaniah...” Spica muttered as he mounted his camel.

“Don't thank me yet,” she muttered, “Just know that I'll be taking your things when Father commits filicide!”

Spica pouted, annoyed by his sister's words, only to soon grin and chuckle along. Yeah, this was really stupid, and he was gonna be in for it when he returned! But dammit, he was going to make sure Aoi was safe first. So once Zaniah stepped out of his way, Spica began pushing his camel out of the stables and towards the gates of the city. Left behind, his sister could only give her brother a forlorn face as she took in a deep breath.

“Be safe, Spica...”

…

She should have seen this coming. How did she not see this coming? Jyotisha is not Solaria. A storm in one place is not the same as a storm in another. Solaria's air was cool and crisp; easily manipulable by someone like her. The air in Jyotisha is different. The rain she brought on mixed with the heat of the desert, all to create...

This...

“Do not worry, my Empress. I will keep you protected.”

“I know, Genjirou. I trust you completely.”

He was her most trusted knight. When the Empress made plans to leave for Jyotisha, there was only one person whom she thought about bringing with her. Genjirou Takeuchi was as skilled with a sword as he was large, and he had nothing but respect for Solaria's royal family. He'd gladly lay his life down for the Empress, and right now...

It was time to prove it.

On all sides Aoi's carriage rattled as the winds struck it on all sides like a boat out at sea. Vicious winds picked up sand and mud, clobbering their hull, and even threatening to knock the carriage off its wheels completely. Outside they could hear their horses wheeze and cry as their driver struggled to keep them on the road.

If there was a road anymore.

Her eyes closed, Aoi focused herself against the storms. She could attempt to quell it, but with the vicious winds it would be difficult to focus. Rousing a storm is one thing; soothing it is something else entirely.

“NEEEEIIIGGGGHHH!!!”

“NO! WAIT! CALM DOWN YOU--” TWHOOM!!! “AAAH!? WHAT WAS--” THWOOM!!! THWOOM!!! “AAAH-HAAAAH!?”

“HUH!?”

“OH!?”

Something was striking them. It wasn't the wind, it wasn't the rain, no... something living was striking them! It hit them once, then again, and again. But that last strike? That last strike...

THWAK!!!

“GAAH-HAAAH!?”

“M-MY EMPRESS!!!”

That last strike hit the carriage with so much force that its wheels were shattered, and it was knocked clean on its side! Both Aoi and Genjirou fell, with the Empress landing atop her knight who instinctively clutched her close for protection. At the same time, the wicked sound of wood breaking echoed out, followed by the roars of horses. They couldn't see it, but the carriage's driver's seat was ripped apart by the winds, allowing the horses to run free... and the driver along with them.

Groaning as they writhed upon the wall of the carriage, it took Aoi and Genjirou a few moments to recover from their fall. Once they did, the wolf was quick to stand, and even quicker to reach for his sword which was resting nearby. Brandishing the elegant katana, he grabbed the doors of the carriage and began pushing them, only for Aoi to grip his arm.

“Wait, Genjirou,” she whispered, “Where are you going?”

“Something is out there...” he answered, “This wasn't caused by the wind. I will see to it.”

“But... ah... Genjirou...”

Growing silent, Aoi watched as the wolf pushed through the doors of the carriage, revealing the powerful brown winds outside. They were in the middle of a vicious sandstorm, one where visibility was low, and winds were roaring in all directions. When Genjirou pushed his body through the doors, the robes he wore felt inadequate to battle such intense weather. It felt like he was being cut by tiny daggers!

But Genjirou pushed himself through nonetheless, his katana readied at his side. When he leaped out the carriage, he fell upon malleable sand. The ground was thick like mud, making it difficult to stand, let alone move. It was so bad he needed to march and kick his feet just to take a few steps forward. But when he did and looked down, he noticed something... dangerous...

There were lines in the sand. Big lines. Lines that weren't created by something man-made, but by something natural. Curious, Genjirou walked over towards the lines and checked it with his sheathed sword.

Grrrrrrnnngggnnnggggg...

The ground began shaking.

“GENJIROU!” Aoi cried as she pulled her head through the doors of the carriage, “GENJIROU!!! COME BACK NOW!!!”

“What...?” he coughed out, before--

GRRRRRNNNGGGGGHHH!!!

“WHAT THE--” THRAAASHHH!!! “AAAAH!?”

The ground beneath them quaked, and then it exploded, tossing sand and mud sky high! The force of it was strong enough to knock both Aoi and Genjirou aback, with the wolf collapsing upon mud. He groaned, growled too, then forced himself upon his knees to stare at what caused this wicked explosion.

His eyes doubled in size.

He's seen snakes before; they exist in Solaria. He knows many a snake beastkin, even tall ones! But this? This?

This was no snake. This was no serpent. This wasn't even an animal.

This was a monster.

The wicked creature's silhouette was almost invisible against the browns and blacks of the storm around them. But he could see that it was a long, slithering, titanic creature, one with no arms or legs to speak of. Flesh that was made of the hardest, most intense scales known to mortal, with sharp protrusions extending from its surface. Its head was narrow and angular to give it a beak-like appearance, and from its open mouth spilled an earth-shattering roar.

“GRRROOOOAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRLLLL!!!”

It was deep, booming, and it shook Genjirou to his core.

“By the gods...” he whispered.

The Sand Serpent dropped its head and locked eyes on its target.

Genjirou.

He wasn't the biggest morsel of food its had, but it would make for a sweet appetizer. The Sand Serpent even licked its lips in a sinister manner, as if it knew how vile a creature it was. And with Genjirou standing there in shear awe of such a mighty monster, he was the perfect prey.

“GROOAAAL!!!”

It dove in...

KRACK-THAAAWWWW!!!

A wicked lightning bolt struck its head.

The air flashed with light, and winds howled, as a wicked thunderbolt struck the Sand Serpent square in the face. It was enough to alert Genjirou, making him realize how close he came to death. But the Sand Serpent didn't die. It shook, it quivered too, but the thunderbolt only slightly harmed it. As a creature that lives within the desert, its body was covered in dirt and mud, perfectly insulating it against the lightning from above.

Aoi dropped her hand, astonished that her attack did nothing to the Sand Serpent. But, no, that's not true; it didn't do 'nothing'. It served to annoy the wicked best.

As if aware that it was not alone, the Sand Serpent turned to face Aoi in the carriage. She tensed up and grew wide-eyed, watching as the wicked beast began moving closer. But before it could even think about splitting open its wide jaw--

Slash! Slash!

Genjirou's blade tore through its flesh and scales, cutting deep enough to get the beast's attentions... but not enough to do any lasting damage. It looked at him momentarily, raised a metaphorical eyebrow, and then with expert precision it struck the wolf with its tail.

Just one blow, that's all it took! One vicious blow that darted though the blinding sandstorm around them to strike Genjirou in the chest! It knocked him five feet in the air, before he fell to a crashing THUD! on the earth.

Knocked out.

Cold.

Aoi's eyes grew wide as Genjirou's unconscious body laid on the ground. The wolf was her most stalwart warrior, a man who could fight off entire groups of foes and not be drained. A man who can – and has – hunted many number of beasts that call Solaria its home.

Yet here he laid, unconscious like a newborn child.

“By the gods...” Aoi whispered.

“GOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRLLLL!!!”

The earth shook as its roar pierced the air, forcing the Empress to look up at the mighty Sand Serpent. Lowering its head, it leered at her and split open its jaw. In response, Aoi raised her hand, prepared to defend herself against the beast.

Its breath. Its horrendous, dank, molten-hot breath. It breathed upon her, taunted her, like the Sand Serpent was a sadist. Yes, it took joy in watching its prey struggle, and Aoi knew if it had the propensity to smile, it would be grinning right now.

But no more games...

The Sand Serpents jaw split open. Wider. Wider. Wider still. It wasn't going to bite, wasn't going to rend with its gnarly set of fangs, no... it was going to swallow. In one... fell... sw--

SLASH!!!

A glimmer. A bright silver glimmer. It cut through the air and tore along the Sand Serpent's neck like a hot knife through butter.

And it all happened in an instant.

Pulling back, Aoi gasped and watched as the Sand Serpent's mouth slammed shut. It recoiled and pointed its head to the raging skies above, giving a wicked roar of pain while blood began streaking down its dirty brown scales. Not only was it attacked by someone, but it was cut deep enough to draw blood. Of all the time she's spent in Jyotisha, Aoi knew only one group of people could perform such an act.

She turned her head.

There, standing in the center of the sandstorm was a young man in a black cloak, a scimitar in his hand. His face was covered in a black hood, with a mask covering him from the nose down. But those eyes of his, those golden eyes that cut through the air, could be seen by all.

Aoi's heart swelled.

“Spica...”

“GRRAAAAOAOOOOOOOLLL!!!”

The Sand Serpent – enraged by his attack – quickly snapped its gaze upon the lone young man who stood oppose to it. He was holding his scimitar in hand and stood up straight, showing no fear for the titanic beast. Inwardly however, it was a different story.

Spica's hunted Sand Serpent's before. It's seen as a rite of passage in the life of a Blackguard member. You're not a real Blackguard member until you've successfully killed a Sand Serpent. The thing is, that's usually when in a group with others; never when alone. He's heard that his father is the only living member of Blackguard to take down a Sand Serpent by himself. So... yeah...

Spica had biiiiiiiiig shoes to fill!

Unlike Genjirou before, the young man knew the tricks a Sand Serpent would employ. When the air began singing, he knew a strike was coming, such as right--

“Haa!”

Now!

With a spry jump, Spica leaped clear of a strike aimed for his chest, where he landed next to Aoi's carriage. The Sand Serpent was just as quick as he was however, and drew over its tail to again lash at the knight. With a flourish of his blade, he parried the strike, though the force of the blow was enough to knock him back.

But Spica remained firm, and before the Sand Serpent could mount another attack, he threw himself towards the beast. It struck with its tail, but he ducked it just in time, sending its attack careening over head. That gave Spica enough time to leap upon the beasts back, his hand gripping hard upon its scaly hide.

Mounting the creature, his mind ran with a flurry of thoughts, all of which surrounding the hows of slaying a Sand Serpent. All the while it lashed around in a violent dance, attempting to toss him from its back. Spica held firm for as hard and as long as he could, but one lash...

Shling!

“Gah! Shit! Dammit!”

Knocked his scimitar from his hands.

It flew somewhere in the abyss of sand and rain, but Spica couldn't focus on that. All of his attentions were on the Sand Serpent. If he was knocked off of the beast from this height, then game over; he was snake food! But he couldn't slay the beast if he didn't have his sword!

“GRRRAAAAOOOOLLL!!! GRRRAAAAAOOOOOOLLLL!!!”

“I HEAR YOU! SHUT UP!” Spica shouted in frustration.

“Ah! Spiiiiiicaaaaaaa!” a cry roared from down below.

It was Aoi! She was out of the carriage and next to Genjirou's body. And in her hand was Genjirou's katana.

“CAAAAAATCH!” she shouted, and with a mighty hurl, “HAAAAH!”

She flung the katana towards Spica, who caught it in midair! He was at first ecstatic; he was able to catch it in all of this madness!? But this joy was short-lived when he realized that this was not his scimitar.

The blades of Blackguard are specifically made to cut through the hides of a Sand Serpent! Anything else would be too weak!

But before he could make this known, Aoi raised her hand towards Spica, and began focusing with her glorious magic. Suddenly, the blade in his hand began rumbling, and its sheathe flew off. Beneath was not a silver sword, at least, no longer. Instead the blade glowed a amazing gold color. Like the sun itself was stuck on this hilt, and not steel.

Spica stared at the glowing sword, mesmerized by its majesty... only to suddenly be cut short by--

“GRRRRRRAAAAAAAAOOOOOOLLL!!!”

Right... he should end this farce, shouldn't he?

Holding the katana with both hands, Spica brought his gaze down upon the Sand Serpent's neck, and--

SLASSHH!!!

There was no suffering with the Sand Serpent's death. A horizontal slash right at the neck. It may have felt pain briefly... but not for long.

“Grrrrroroooooaaaaaallll...”

“Aaaah... shit... WHOA!?”

THUD!

The Sand Serpent collapsed upon the muddy sands below, with Spica riding along. Alarmed, Aoi quickly ran over towards the young man, but he was okay. A bit shaken yes – he groaned on the ground in pain – but an irksome fall is better than death.

“Spica...” Aoi whispered, her voice somehow penetrating the howling winds around.

“Haaah... heh... my Empress,” he replied as he got to his feet, “Are you... okay?”

She could only see his eyes through his hood and mask, but the warm smile he gave somehow permeated it all.

“Kyuhu... I'm fine, Spica-kun,” she answered, causing him to chuckle.

“I love that laugh of yours, Aoi... I...” he tensed up, then shook his head, “N-no! Now's not the time for that! The storm! C-can you turn off the storm!?”

“I... I cannot,” Aoi answered as she shook her head, “The air of Jyotisha is different from Solaria. I fear if I try to quell this storm, I will only empower it, or perhaps draw it out longer. I think it would be best if we just weathered the storm.”

“Haaah... I was afraid you'd say that,” Spica said, “But it's fine. Andromeda Dunes are near here. We can hide out in one of its caves for safety! So follow me,” he grabbed her hand, “I'll take you there!”

Again Aoi looked into his eyes, and again, Aoi could feel the warmth of his spirit. She clutched back.

“Thank you, Spica...”

…

Andromeda Dunes was a massive basin of buttes, dunes, and cliffs, collected not too far from border city Neptune. While such land masses were plentiful in Jyotisha, it was uncommon for so many of them to be collected in one singular place. And with all these rocky structures, there were dozens if not hundreds of caves carved into them. For years this place was a popular hideout spot for bandits, that is until Spica's grandfather dealt with them all in his youth.

At least that's how the story goes.

“Alright... in here...”

At the entrance of the cave emerged a figure cloaked and black. In his hand was the reins of his camel and riding upon said camel was a kitsune and a wolf. Together, the group traveled deep enough into the cave where the powerful winds and rain could not touch them, but they could see out through its entrance.

Under Spica's guidance, his camel Halley knelt down near the cave wall, allowing Aoi to step off and for the young man to pull Genjirou's unconscious body to the side.

“Is he... okay...?” Aoi asked, to which Spica nodded.

“Yeah, he's just out. I've seen it all the time with Sand Serpent attacks,” he explained as he tugged his mask down and hood off, revealing his face, “Aoi...”

“Spica... mmfff!”

“Hm? Mmm...”

No warning. She just moved in and kissed him, pressing her lips to his. He could feel her tremble... and she could do likewise. He may have appeared outwardly cool, but he was just as on edge about the situation as she was. Alert, tense... afraid even. But now that they were together in the relative safety of this cave, the two felt warm.

Their kiss soon broke, with Aoi staring up at Spica in a sad, defeated manner.

“Is... something wrong...?” he asked, to which the Empress nodded.

“I'm what's wrong,” she answered, “I caused all of this. I should have known better. The weather patterns of Solaria are different from the ones in Jyotisha. It was foolhardy of me to believe that I could manipulate one as easily as I did the other, and in my hubris I have created this monster of a storm,” she bowed her head, “I am sorry.”

“Wh-what? No! Don't apologize!” Spica said reassuringly, “There's no way you could have known something like this would happen. No one could! You did exactly what Sultan Adhil asked of you, and granted us water! Sure, this may have not been ideal, but Jyotisha has endured rainstorms and monsoons before. We'll bounce back, I promise. For now...” he looked back to the cave's entrance, “We just need to huddle in and stay close. This'll pass...”

“Kyuhu... oh Spica... you're so charming...”

“Heh.. I get that sometimes,” he replied before gently tugging at her kimono, “You should take this off. It's wet and muddy. It's gonna get cold soon, especially if we're out here through the night,” he looked away, “I'm gonna go make a fire.”

Walking over towards his camel, Spic gathered the tools necessary to create a fire. For everyone living in Jyotisha, it is important to have things like flint and firewood ever at the ready, just in case one gets lost out in the desert and needs to sleep through the night. The days may be incredibly hot, but the nights can be even colder.

Speaking from experience.

It didn't take long for Spica to create a fire, bringing a lovely warmth to the cave. With a sigh, he sat down near his flames, where the sound of shifting feet suddenly echoed behind him. He looked over his shoulder.

Behind him was Aoi, having dressed out of her robes to the relative nothing she had on. No bra to support her chest, just panties on her hips and... nothing else. But, no, that's not true; she did have something on her body besides those panties... and it was mud. A few blotches here and there stained her golden form, marring what would otherwise be perfect... but it didn't. Sure, the mud was unsightly, but it would take more than that to ruin the kitsune's form.

Despite having seen all of her body naked just a day or so ago, Aoi's nude form was still enough to make a blush appear on Spica's face. Seeing it cause the Empress to giggle, though she said nothing. Instead her hands gripped the hood that hung on Spica's shoulders and she began tugging upon it.

“You next,” she whispered, “I don't want you getting cold either. Kyuhu...”

“Rrrriiiiiiiiiggghhhtt... let's do it.”

With Aoi's aid, Spica removed his cloak, then the armored pads beneath, and then the tunic under that. Bit by bit, article by article, all of it was removed from his body, and then laid on the ground next to the fire.

Staring up at him, a silent gasp of appreciation left Aoi's lips as she marveled at Spica's form. The sweat and rain which dripped off of him, illuminated by the flames of his fire, made him out to be some strapping young Olympian of a man. She had seen this body before – had feasted upon it no less – and yet it seemed to take on a completely different form right now. Was it the thrilling situation? A flame-lit cave in the middle of a storm is different from a lofty bedroom, wouldn't you agree?

Now all that was left was for Genjirou! Spica felt rather bad undressing the wolf in his unconscious state – doubly so since he didn't know him – but it would be better than if he got a cold. So – with Aoi's guidance – he undressed the wolf, and made sure to rest him near the flames so he could stay warm.

“You are amazing, Spica,” Aoi whispered as he came to sit next to her side.

“Huh? What are you talking about?” he asked whilst looking at her.

“The way you came from out of nowhere to save us. How you slayed that wicked beast, and then brought us to this cave. I know you are a member of Blackguard, but this goes above and beyond mere duty.”

“Haah... I couldn't have done it without you though,” he replied as his hand sat on her hand, “You gave me that sword and made it glow. Anything less wouldn't have slayed the Sand Serpent. So... I should be thanking you, Aoi.”

She smiled warmly at his statement, then moved in so that their shoulders could touch. All the while, they gazed upon the fire together, allowing its warmth to seep into them.

“When our clothes dry... we can put them back on,” Spica whispered, though Aoi shook her head.

“No... I prefer this,” she whispered, her hand coming over to stroke upon his chest, “Naked as we are together... it feels more personal this way. Kyuhuhu...”

“I... hah... well... if you say so,” he took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, “Aoi... I...”

“Hm? You... what?”

“I uh... I...” he shook his head, “I didn't bring any food. I kinda ran out here quickly to make sure you were okay. I knew the rain attracted Sand Serpents, and was afraid you might have been attacked by one. I'm sorry...”

“Kyuhuhuhu! That's... not what you wanted to say,” she retorted, “Be honest with me, Spica. Be honest with yourself. What did you really want to say?”

“I... hn...”

Placing his hand on his forehead, he tipped his head down and gazed into the fire. There were words he wanted to say – three of them specifically – but he felt childish and stupid for even thinking about it. He's known Aoi for, what? A few days? They hadn't even technically courted one another yet.

But thinking these thoughts only served to remind him of what Aoi already told him. That she too was a victim to the whims of fate, and that when opportunities arise, she must take them. He wasn't sure if this was one of those moments for him, but dammit... gotta just say it!

“Aoi I lo--” Grab! “Huh?”

Her hands fell on his face, forcing him to look at her. She was smirking.

“You're so cute, Spica-kun. Mmmffff...”

Her soft, thin lips pressed to his, taking him aback. Spica sat there, his eyes wide, his heart pounding against his chest... before finally melting into the kiss.

Yeah, Aoi was right. Why bother questioning things? She already knew his feelings for her, and while he was unaware of her feelings, he didn't want to miss the chance to experience this. Pressing their lips against one another, tasting their spit as they traded, trading hums and moans; this was euphoria.

The world around them cease to matter. The storm, his father, even Genjirou's unconscious body. All that mattered to Spica right here and right now, was Aoi... and Aoi alone.

They shared a long, passionate kiss beside the fire, with the Empress' arms resting on his shoulders, and his hands hugging around her waist. She hugged him close and he pulled in, pressing their bodies against one another. His flat chest pressed to her busty breasts, trading the warmth and heat between beating hearts.

Louder and louder their smacking lips and moans grew, dancing with the sounds of the cackling fire beside them. His hungers growing, Spica pushed Aoi upon her back, laying her upon the soft and warm sands of the cave floor. She groaned against him, her claws scraping at his back, while she drank in the taste of his tongue and lips.

“Mmmff... mmm...”

Spica was different from the other night. Not only was his body hotter from the thrill of saving her, and not only did his heart beat with such intensity, but he was far more courageous than he had been before. A burning bravado fueled the young knight, and with how he looked with the flames adorning him, he exuded this strong, masculine aura.

Aoi's heart skipped a beat as Spica's gilded gaze traced along her body. He was drinking in her image with far more vigor than he had done previously. The last time she sprang things on him. This time, he took control of the reins.

Drawing over his hands, Spica placed them upon the sides of Aoi's body, causing her to stiffen and sigh. His touch was both strong and tender, and they traveled upon her body with the same curiosity as an explorer. Touching here, stroking there, gliding his hand upon her belly hips, then bringing his hands up to the underside of her bosom. Pushing in, he cupped her tits, then squeezed his fingers in, discovering how soft and malleable they were. Like shapely, big bags of warm dough.

“Do you... like my chest?” Aoi asked, reading Spica's enamored gaze, “Ah~”

He cupped her breasts, raising them up more.

“They're... large,” he answered, to which she giggled.

“Would you prefer them be smaller?”

“Uh... n-no... I mean...” he shook his head, “Ah... whatever...”

Plap!

“Mmph~”

His head dove down between her breasts, smothering him on both sides with her warm and soft tit flesh. It cradled his head like the worlds greatest pair of gilded pillows, causing him to audibly groaned against her as he snuggled in more. His bushy silver hair wavered left and right as he cuddled the Empress close, making her giggle, then moan, and press her hands to the back of his head.

“Hm... eat me...” Aoi whispered, “Have your fill, Spica-kun...”

Her words made him shiver, then pull up from her chest to stare into her face. His hungers had already ballooned, but the kitsune's remark was like an allowance. She didn't want him to just indulge in his pleasures, she wanted him to feast.

Spica was no beastkin, didn't even have an ounce of it in his blood, but all creatures know how to eat.

Grip!

“Eeeyyhhnn~! Yessshh~!”

His hands quickly grabbed hard and tight upon Aoi's bosom, clinching her malleable flesh into his powerful palms. These hands which knew their way around a sword, were now tightly squeezing upon her. The way he lifted her breasts, rolled them around, even drawing his fingers up to pinch and flick her nipples, was so ruthless, so relentless! And each grope, flick and touch, coaxed a gasp, or a moan, or a groan from the Empress' lips.

But that hunger within him kept swelling, and before he knew it, Spica's mouth was opening, Taking aim with Aoi's plump nipple, the knight dove in and captured it, sucking upon her body like a newborn. She groaned out louder as her sensitive flesh was taken, feeling his hot drool ooze upon her, the pressure of his powerful sucks, the tongue which lashed at her nipple, and even his teeth which ground against her. Spica was eating alright, and the Empress couldn't be any happier.

“Hnngghh~! That's it~! Hoooooh~~~!” she groaned out, her heavenly voice bouncing off the walls of the cave they were in.

Tipping her head back, Aoi gleefully let her voice fill the air, while her hands stroked Spica's back. His suckles grew louder, his groping grew stronger, and before she knew it, he was outright humping against her! And his every stroke, his every thrust, caused his stiffening cock to slap against her thighs and pussy.

Aoi shivered. Even from the outside, Spica's member was burning her up. So long and thick; seemingly bigger than it was the last time! Whenever the head of it touched against her moist mound, the Empress let loose a gasp.

Was she taunting him? Teasing him? He should know where to put it now after their previous night! Why hadn't he done it yet? Why hadn't he just fucking taken her yet?

Her thoughts were cut short when Spica pulled away from her breasts. Kiss after kiss he trailed along her body, moving up from her chest, to her clavicle, sucking on her neck, then up to her cheeks, and upon her lips. She hugged closer to him, drowning in this pleasure as the hungry man did as she asked of him; feasted upon her body.

This moment, stuck here naked in a cave with a storm billowing just feet away, made Aoi feel so young again. Right now, she wasn't the Empress of a land, didn't have the responsibilities associated with it. She didn't even have divine blood coursing through her veins. No...

Right now, Aoi was just a woman.

Right now, Spica was just a man.

And the both of them were just animals.

Amorous feelings were swimming between them yes, but so too were primal need. Lust and love combined to create this intoxicating concoction, and when coupled with the thrill and adrenaline of the situation... well...

They weren't going to stop, couldn't stop, not until their bodies finally gave out on them.

Amid their kiss which grew hungrier and hungrier, Spica's hands traced down towards Aoi's hips. Hooking his fingers into her panties, he slowly pulled the garment down her splendorous legs, freeing her lower body to be assaulted... indulged in.

Spica pulled back, causing a bridge of spit to hang from his and Aoi's open mouth. Panting, his eyes quickly streaked down towards the Empress' open legs, and the red-hot mound drooling between. His cock thumped against her pussy, the head of it oozing with slick and strong precum. A few more times he tapped his dick against her, causing the kitsune to groan, then shake her head.

“Please... stop...” she begged, “Stop teasing me...”

Spica swallowed his spit and wrapped his hand around his turgid length. Drawing it down, he pressed the head of it against Aoi's cunt, causing her to grunt. Claws extending, the Empress clinched balls of sand within her grasp, trying to relieve the tension as the young man explored her pussy. He was going to do it. He was going to do it. He was going to do it!

He wasn't.

Without warning, Spica pulled his cock away, taking Aoi aback. What? He wasn't going to fuck her? Even after she begged? Looking down, she shot him a quizzical glance, but he was far too focused on her pussy to notice. Instead of fucking her, Spica was going to eat her.

She asked for it, didn't she?

He pushed open her legs, spreading them wider so his head could comfortably sit next to her cunt. Aoi's smell was strong here; like a sweaty body after taking off armor, but twice as potent. It tickled and danced in his nose, quickly becoming his favorite smell in all the world. But this odor was only half of the feeling; the other being the taste.

His head dove down between her pussy...

“AAH-HAAAAAH~~~!”

Leaning back, a cry of ecstasy left Aoi's lips as Spica's lips pressed up to her pussy. He lacked style, lacked finesse, but damn did that not matter at the moment. The desire, the hunger, the lust he showed more than made up for his nubile skill. He licked and slobbered and slurped, drinking in her pussy juices and replacing it with his spit... just to drink that down too!

Aoi's flavor was fucking exquisite. It slithered on his tongue like fine wide, and coursed straight into his throat. But he never seemed to have enough. He needed, if not outright demanded more! Swallowing it down bit by bit, pint by pint, cup by cup! Exaggeration? He didn't fucking care! He was going to drink Aoi down until there was nothing left!

It was difficult, if not outright impossible. No matter how much he drank, the kitsune seemed to produce more honey, causing him to redouble his efforts. With a grunt, Spica's tongue traveled into the Empress' core, causing her to jolt and her pussy to spasm. His tongue was like the rest of his body; lithe and courageous. It pushed and stroked upon her vaginal walls, squirmed like a snake, all whilst pushing in as deep as it could possibly go.

If Spica could, he'd gladly just lay down here and keep eating her out. His tongue was hot and warm inside of her cunt, and the taste was unlike anything he's ever enjoyed before. And as he continued exploring her crevice, he learned peculiar spots within her body. Like this one spot that seemed to produce more of that honey he loved whenever he stroked his tongue upon it. Or this other spot that whenever he licked it made her cry out--

“GODDESS YES!!!”

Or this other spot that made her shiver!

One thing was for sure: Aoi had a lot of spots!

And each one of those spots Spica was committing to memory! By the end of tonight, not one aspect of her body would be unknown to him! These licks, these suckles, these slurps; every one of them was teaching him something new about the Empress.

Every last bit!

But for as voracious as his appetites were, Spica could not deny that he'd need to breathe sooner or later. So he pulled his face from her cunt, his lips and chin oozing with Aoi's spicy honey. Panting still, the Empress gazed down upon his face, reading the hunger which continued swelling within, and the golden eyes that leered upon her.

By the goddess, did that make her quiver!

“Spica-kun...” Aoi whispered as he crawled up towards her, “You're going to... mmmff...”

He kissed her. He just went down on her, and he was kissing her. She could taste herself on his lips and tongue. And it was glorious. This lewd entanglement of tongues and lips, sloppily lapping at one another, while hands and arms hugged close.

Against the cackles of fire and winds outside, the smacking of their lips somehow sounded the loudest. It went on for a few moments, perhaps a minute or two of nothing but solid kissing, broken only by hungry moans and groans. But then it stopped, with one final parting smack of lips, as the Spica drew away to gaze upon Aoi's face.

Her beautiful, divine face. The way she panted, her eyes so puffy, her chest heaving up and down, all fed into Spica's desire. His cock was absolutely aching now, twitching between his legs with pent up need. This time when he grasped his length, he made no pretenses; he was going to fuck her.

Aoi's heart quickened once more as the head of his burly length pressed against her mound. After his cunnilingus, she knew without a doubt that she was going to climax on entry. It made her bite her lip in response, prepared for the sensual bliss he was going to bless her with.

Spica did not disappoint.

With no aid of her own, Spica guided his length into her pussy, causing her vaginal walls to spread apart his girth. She grunted, then pushed up with her chest, another cry of sexual bliss leaving her lips... followed by a--

“AAAAHHH-HAAAAAAHHHH~~~!”

Her pussy tightened hard around his length, seizing control over him. Spica – mouth agape – watched as Aoi's body trembled and quaked, before flooding his length with a shower of juices. She came, didn't she? He was far too overwhelmed the other night to witness Aoi in her full glory when she climaxed. But this time? This time...

This time he drank it aaaaallll in, watching the Empress orgasm with his full, undivided attentions. And it was heavenly. He already believed Aoi to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but somehow seeing her in the throes of sexual bliss was like the icing on a cake. She didn't come off as whorish or slutty, but wonderfully beautiful.

If only such a divinely lewd sight could go on forever. But that's the thing with climaxes, isn't it? They're so explosive for such a short amount of time.

“Are you okay...?” Spica asked as Aoi came down from her high, eyes closed and panting profusely.

“Yes... kyuhu... I'm... okay... thank you for asking, Spica-kun... ohh...”

“Do you want to keep going...?”

Aoi smiled.

“Goddess yes...”

With a nod, Spica placed his hands down beside Aoi's chest, pinning her to the ground while he pushed up with her hips. Her legs quickly draped themselves upon his hips, clinching tightly while her arms did likewise with his neck and shoulders. They kept a comfortable space between the two of them; just enough so that they could drink in the others face.

Their eyes went nowhere else.

With a hefty thrust of his hips, Spica sent a wave through Aoi's body, and coaxed a groan from her lips. Goodness, he was so much stronger than he was the last time. The last time she played with his body, using her superiority in sex to overwhelm him. This time, she was the one being overwhelmed!

Spica's length struck so many sweet spots within her cunt; ones she had either never experienced, or hadn't experienced in a long, long time! Remembering well those spots that made her scream when he was eating her out, he made sure to thrust and rub and abuse each and every one. And he did so with ever increasing strength.

The once tepid waves he sent through her body quickly became mighty quakes. Laying her head against the cave floor, Aoi let loose her cries of passion, while her hair wavered and breasts bounced. The sight and sounds only fueled more of Spica's desires, making him double his thrusts, slamming into her harder and harder and harder!

Those sounds! Those lewd sounds!

PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PAT! PATPATPATPATPATPAT!!!

And her cries! Her lewd, womanly cries!

“OH! HOOOH! OOOOOH! OOOH-HOOOH! OOOOH!!! SPIIIICAAA!!! OOOOH!!!”

They sounded off through the cave like an orgasmic symphony, playing for all those who cared to hear. If only they could know the heights of pleasure she was being brought to; carnal delights she hadn't enjoyed in such a long, long time. And the young man who gave it to her indulged in the experience.

Her every cry, her every clinch, her every wobble, drove Spica to thrust into Aoi with twice the speed and dedication. His hips were a virtual blur as logic and thoughts left his mind. He wanted to hear this music she was making forever, and dammit, he was going to make that happen! Even as his cock screamed.

And scream it did.

Within Aoi's pussy his length spasmed and quaked, desperate to unleash the contents within. He tried holding himself back, wanting to experience this a little longer, but it clearly took a strain on him. His face grew hard and he bit into his lips, focusing with all his might to not cum!

And even amid her cries of ecstasy, Aoi noticed this.

So she swallowed down her voice, just for a few moment, and reached over to place her hands upon his face and cheek.

“Do it,” she whispered, her lips breaking into a smile, “And don't hold back, Spica.”

Who was he to deny his Empress?

Hunkering down, Spica ground his face into Aoi's neck and chest, while his arms pulled in to hug the kitsune close. Oh she knew she was in for it now, and hugged the young man close while locking his legs upon his waist. He wasn't going anywhere and she wasn't going anywhere, not until she had the greatest sex of her life!

Spica did not disappoint.

PATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPAT!!!

“HRRRRNNNGGGHHHH~~~!”

Aoi's eyes grew squint, her teeth clinched, and from her mouth spat so much drool. Spica wasn't just fucking her, he was outright hammering his length and out of her sopping wet folds with such wild ambition! It sent Aoi into overdrive; her pussy was going numb! And before she knew it--

“OOOOHHHHH-HOOOOOOHH~~~!”

For the second time that stormy night, she was suffering a climax unlike any she's suffered before. The rumbles and quakes throughout her body all came flooding to her cunt, where she again soaked Spica down to his balls with her honey and lust. And as that tension rushed through her, the Empress' claws grew long to scratch even more lines into Spica's back.

But he didn't feel pain. If anything, those scratches added to the pleasure of it all. Spica was in his own little world, and the only other person apart of it was Aoi. And her tight pussy... it wanted only one thing from him. Good, because he couldn't hold himself back anymore.

“Haaah...”

SPLURT!!!

Damn...

He didn't think it would be so loud...

“MMMPHH!?”

Aoi tensed up, her eyes closed shut and her head jerked back, all as her pussy was absolutely doused with copious amounts of cum. Spica flooded the kitsune's womanhood, painting all that was pink white, and leaving space for nothing else. Was it even possible for a human to produce so much sperm? This felt positively equine in nature.

But she didn't care...

The heat, the volume, all of it imbued Aoi with life. And it wasn't just one randy blast of plentiful cum, it was multiple. Another 'Splurt!' and another 'Splurt!' a few moments of nothing... and then another 'Splurt!' and another 'Splurt!' And then, just when the Empress thought it was all over...

SPLURRRT!!!

“Nnngghmmmmph ~~~! Hoooh~~~! So hot~”

With a blissful sigh, Aoi melted upon the ground with Spica in her arms. He had reduced her pussy to nothing more than a container for his cum, and the kitsune couldn't be any happier. The sweaty smile on her face was nothing if not joyous, and a ecstasy-filled sigh left her lips.

But then Spica drew up, causing her to meet his gaze.

They said nothing as only the sound of the fire and storm could be heard. Perhaps there were some things they wanted to say to one another, but they never actually spoke it. Because... why say it? Why say anything when actions spoke louder than any of them?

Spica moved in and pressed his lips to hers. Aoi didn't hesitate, and kissed back. It was slow... passionate... and it stopped shortly after it began, just so the two could look at one another.

And then gaze towards the entrance of the cave.

“The storm is still going,” said Aoi, “It looks like we're going to be here all night.”

“Yes...” Spica looked back, “We are.”

…

Act 5: Sun Kissed

“Father! Over here! I've found the Empress' carriage!”

In Jyotisha, there is no greater sight than that of Blackguard members in a caravan. To see more than three in one moment is considered an honor. To see an entire troupe of them is something to be both be inspired by... and fearful of.

For decades to come, this night would live in the history books of Jyotisha. The Great Rainstorm of Aoi, which brought torrential winds and a deluge of rain into the usually dry and arid desert. Sands were turned to mud, structures were blown down, and many were injured by the powerful storm.

But for as infamous as the night could be for those who lived it, the affects of the storm would be anything but. With Big Dipper filled to the brim, Jyotisha was given many, many more decades of fresh water to live with. And while the storm may be terrifying for some, life was not lost in the madness thanks to the efforts of Heze and Blackguard. Many were lost in the desert during the storm, but the elite guild was able to find them amid the vicious weather, and bring many back home.

But there was one who's importance could not be understated. The one responsible for the storm in the first place. When it became clear that Aoi never made it to border city Neptune, Blackguard scrambled to locate her amid the desert sands. And for two in particular, this was even more important. For finding Empress Aoi meant they could find him.

So far... things weren't looking so good.

On the back of his camel, Heze rushed to the nearest hillside where Zaniah stood. Her voice sounded worried, which in turn worried him. If the Empress carriage was here of all places, did that mean Spica was here too? If so... were they alive? The Captain could only hope.

When he came to hillside beside his daughter, his heart dropped. The carriage was indeed here... shattered to pieces. And beside it was the slayed body of a Sand Serpent! Already Blackguard members were rushing towards the carriage, searching through its wreckage to find something... anything! But when Zaniah pulled open its doors and gazed inside... her shoulders slumped over and she looked over towards her father.

“No one's in here...” she said, causing Heze to slump slightly, “Do you think the Sand Serpent... it might have...?”

“No that's impossible,” he said with a shake of his head, “The Sand Serpent's head has been completely bisected. If it did manage to swallow them, who would have slayed it?”

“But they're not here, so...” Zaniah frowned even longer, “Do you think they tried to make it through the desert in the storm?”

“Spica couldn't be so foolish to attempt something like that!” Heze said whilst looking away, “They have to be somewhere nearby! I... I refuse to believe they're dead!”

“Captain!” a subordinate called from nearby, causing Heze and Zaniah to look over, “I see a smokestack in the distance!”

“A smokestack...? Can you give me a general location?” he asked.

“It seems to be coming from Andromeda Dunes!” he answered.

“Andromeda Dunes...?” Zaniah repeated, before growing wide eyed, “Ah! Right! Andromeda Dunes! Remember! There are a lot of caves in Andromeda Dunes! That... that smokestack could be Spica! It has to be Spica!”

“Alright men, let's go!” Heze ordered, and with a point forward, everyone quickly began riding off.

Just as the knight claimed, a smokestack could be seen in the distance, calling out to them like a beacon. Hopeful to find Spica and the Empress, Heze and Zaniah pushed their camels faster than the rest, breaking into the dunes before anyone else. The closer they came the more defined the smokestack grew, guiding them over a few more sandy hillsides before coming to a collection of caves inside rocky buttes.

Some were small, some were large, but only one of them had a young man emerging from it.

“Aaaaah... boy...” muttered Spica as he walked out of the cave, “I should've brought more things to burn. This smokestack is... pitiful...”

They spent hours in that cave. Hours weathering the vicious storm which pounded just feet away. Hours resting near the flame. Hours indulging in their bodies and presence. Hours making love. And hours just... talking.

They spent hours in that cave.

But the storm eventually grew weak, didn't it? The powerful winds and whipping sands faded away. The once downpour of rain became tepid and weak, then faded entirely. The gray clouds eventually dispersed, replaced with clear skies and a beautiful sun. Once the coast was clear and the sands dried up, Spica got to work creating a smokestack. He needed to tell everyone where they were at, because his camel – while strong – could not carry both him, the Empress, and an unconscious Genjirou all at once.

What? Did you think he would walk beside them instead of riding his camel? After the night they've had? Get real!

So with his skills and practice, Spica created a fire using the materials he had on hand. And after that, well... he just waited. If push came to shove and no one found his signal, then he'd have to start making a trek to the nearest town.

He really didn't want to do that.

“Spica!” a voice called from within the cave, causing him to turn, “Has anyone found our beacon yet?”

He looked over his shoulder, eyes falling on the entrance to the cave where there stood Aoi. The Empress had redressed into her robes, not caring if they were sandy and muddy, though the garment was a bit loose on her shoulders due to the heat of the desert. Still, the beaming smile on her face was far warmer and gentler than the sun ever could be.

“Heh... I'm afraid not yet, Empress,” Spica said whilst approaching her, “My smokestack is a bit weaker. I didn't really have good materials to create a strong one.”

“I'm sure it'll do fine,” Aoi replied, “Blackguard is a guild whose reputation extends well outside of Jyotisha. If anyone can find us--”

“SPPIIIIIIICCCAAAAAAAAA!!!”

“It's them.”

“Zaniah!?”

He turned and looked over his shoulder, eyes falling on the nearest hillside where standing upon it was his sister and father... as well as an entire battalion of Blackguard members. Before he could say another word, they all came rushing towards him and the Empress. It was Zaniah who got to him first, and when she did, she--

GRAB!

Her arms wrapped tightly around her brother, hugging him, and hugging him hard. So taken aback, Spica still couldn't speak as his sister embraced him, and it took him a few moments to hug back. But she wasn't the only one.

Heze too got off the back of his camel, and walked over towards the two. Even with Zaniah hugging him, Spica found his eyes attracted to his father. What was going on through his mind? The young man was expecting a loud berating, a roar, a punishment. Instead...

Hug!

Like Zaniah before, Heze embraced his son. It surprised Spica even more than it did when his sister hugged him, because his father was silent while he was doing it. And this embrace, so strong and quiet, caused this swelling of emotions to balloon within them. Zaniah started crying first, incapable of holding herself back, and Spica, despite his cool exterior, let a few tears shed from his eyes.

It was scary, wasn't it? The storm, him riding out all alone, the hours they spent away from one another; any number of things could happen. He could have died, maybe even be lost out in the deserts to never be seen again, perhaps even worse. But that's all that was; could haves. Instead, right here and now they were together... and that's all that mattered.

“Oh... sniff! Spica,” Zaniah said breathlessly as she stared up to her brother, “Oooh... by the gods... keheh... ooh... y-you know... Mother's been worried sick for you. She's gonna kill you for what you've put us through.”

“I certainly hope not,” a certain voice came ringing from the side.

Looking over, everyone's gaze befell Aoi. Zaniah and Heze gawked at the Empress, both surprised that she was here, and wondering how they missed her in the first place. She merely smiled and waved back.

And she wasn't the end of it, for emerging from the cave was a very confused, very naked wolf.

“Where are my clothes...?” Genjirou muttered as he rubbed his head.

…

Five days. Empress Aoi would stay in Jyotisha for five days. On the first day she arrived. On the second day, she explored Capital City Jeera with Spica as her guide. On the third day, she brought rain and water to the denizens of Jyotisha. On the fourth day she met with Sultan Adhil to trade. On the fifth day, she would return to Solaria.

Or she was supposed to.

Instead the Great Rainstorm of Aoi occurred, and what was supposed to be a five day excursion ended up being seven. Aoi was brought back to Jeera by the members of Blackguard, where she and her guard Genjirou were checked medically by nurses within the royal palace.

And yes, this included Spica.

He had secretly hoped to spend another day with the Empress, but to do it while in the confides of a hospital room? Not so much...

Still, one more day is not many more days, and on the seventh day, it was time for Aoi to finally make her leave of Jyotisha and return home. Spica thought he'd be ready for it... but he was quickly proven wrong.

Border city Neptune was not like its sister city Venus, which was on the opposite side of the kingdom. Where as Venus would lead into the nearest land based kingdom, Neptune broke out to the Asteroid Bay, which is where a majority of Jyotisha's commerce comes from.

Unlike Jeera, Neptune was a very business-first type of city, lacking any sorts of flare or extravagance with its designs. People either stopped in Neptune briefly, or they worked here; there was no in between. But on occasion, the city would bare witness not to some merchant's boat or mercenary ship, but instead to something like this.

It was an amazing vessel, one with an Eastern design. Its wood was a beautiful red color, and its sails bore the flag of Solaria. That being a golden Phoenix resting in the center of a burning sun upon the color red. With its elegant craftsmanship and more than just a few a few golden bells hanging upon its port, starboard, stern and forward, the ship was the eye of envy for any king or queen deciding to make a political trip. And with the name of 'Amaterasu's Sword', it had better live up to this expectation!

And on the ship's poop deck as they made their last minute preparations were Empress Aoi... and Sultan Adhil.

“I truly apologize for how things ended during your trip, Empress,” said the sultan with a near defeated sigh, “I feel as if this could have been avoided somehow.”

“Kyuhu... it is okay, Sultan,” she answered whilst gazing at him, “If there is anyone at fault, it falls squarely on me. I should have foreseen that my weather manipulation would be different here than in Solaria, so for that, I humbly apologize.”

“You don't have to do that,” he said as he shook his head, “You blessed Jyotisha with fresh water for years to come. It may not have gone exactly to plan, but it was successful nonetheless.”

“Kyuhu... remarkable... you sound just like Spica,” she commented, making the sultan smirk.

“Ah, young Spica. He is like his father; as sharp with his mind as he is with his blade. One of these days, I am really going to have to ask him how he found you in the desert, and how he took down that Sand Serpent by himself! Speaking of which...” he stepped in closer, “The Sand Serpent's head... do you really wish to keep it?”

“Kyuhuhuhu! Of all the trophies I have brought back with me from Jyotisha, I assure you that is the greatest,” she answered, “I will place it within my palace's library as a monument to my travels here. I think it will look amazing above my fireplace! Kyuhuhuhu!”

Adhil laughed alongside Aoi, only to both be cut short when someone else walked upon the poop deck. Gazing over, it was Spica, his eyes focused on Aoi and Aoi alone.

“Ah, yes, the man of the hour,” said the Sultan as he walked up, “I see you have come to say your farewells to the Empress?”

“I uh... yes, yes I have,” he answered, to which Adhil nodded.

“Alright then. So shall I,” he faced Aoi, then bowed his head, “Farewell, my Empress Aoi. Until next we meet.”

“Until next we meet, Sultan Adhil,” she answered whilst bowing in return.

With their goodbyes said, the Sultan of Jyotisha made his exit from the poop deck, leaving Aoi and Spica all alone. He quickly cleared the distance between the two of them, his gaze locked on her face, and the warm smile she gave him. It caused the young knight to sigh, but this moment of relaxation was short-lived, because he knew what was going to happen.

“Are you okay, Spica?” Aoi asked, to which he nodded... only to shake his head.

“Physically yes, but...” he sighed and looked away, his gaze cutting towards the vast sea before him, “I don't know if I'm okay on the inside.”

His comment had the opposite affect on Aoi. Instead of making her feel sad, she instead giggled, and then laughed in a refined, womanly manner. The sound of her laughter made Spica pouted and glare up at her in an annoyed manner before asking,

“What's so funny!”

“Ohohohohoho! It's you, Spica!” she replied as she steadily winded down, “Oooh... you sound like a poet. I'm sure I've read something similar in a haiku.”

“S-still! I don't...” he palmed his chest, “Aoi... I feel...” and then his head dropped and he looked away, feeling embarrassed for how emotional this made him, “Will I... ever see you again?”

This question wasn't coming from the strapping young man who valiantly saved her in a storm and then made such passionate love to her all throughout the night. No, this question was coming from an emotional and vulnerable young man, one who experienced the heights of love in only a week.

On one hand, Aoi felt as if this was her fault. Even if she didn't mean to, she toyed with his emotions to a certain degree. That was never her intentions, of course. On the other hand.

The other hand...

“Spica?”

“Hm? Yes?”

“May I... see your hand?”

“Uh... y-yeah. Of course.”

He raised his hand and offered it to her. She quickly took it.

Staring down, Spica watched as Aoi stroked and explored his fingers and palm, reminding him of what she told him. She was a palm reader in her youth, and had some level of clairvoyance. So... was she reading his palm right now? Was she going to tell him if they would see each other again?

No... instead she--

“In Solaria, we have a saying about farewells. There comes a time in everyone's life where we must say goodbye to those we love. But whether that departure is long or short, it is up to us to decide. So, Spica...” he smiled at him, “Will we see each other again?”

The statement confused Spica, making him question himself. Of course he wanted to see her again! He wanted to spend as much time with Aoi as he possibly could! But it wasn't up to him to decide; he was a member of Blackguard and thus had a duty to the people of Jyotisha!

That's when it hit him; that wasn't what she was asking him. She wanted to know if he wanted to see her again. And the answer to that question was--

“Yes...”

“Kyuhu... then we will see each other again, Spica-kun. I am sure of it.”

Aoi closed her eyes and bent over. Spica too closed his eyes and moved in. Silently upon the ship's deck, the two shared a kiss with one another. It was chaste considering what they've done before, but it was no less passionate, nor was it quick. And in that kiss more than anything else, Spica truly understood Aoi's feelings for him.

She had a heavenly voice, but her actions spoke better than it ever could.

Chu...

They pulled away, but Aoi wasn't finished yet quite yet. Still giving him a warm smile, the Empress reached over and placed something in his hand. He looked down.

It was one of her opulent golden fans.

“Aoi...?” Spica muttered, to which she shook her head.

“Just my gift to you, Spica,” she said whilst closing his fingers in over her fan, “So that you may always remember me.”

“Always remember you, huh? As if I could ever forget you,” replied the young man as he squeezed his fingers in over the fan, “But... thank you... I'll cherish it forever.”

“I know you will...”

“Ahem...” a voice suddenly rang from behind, making them turn to see Genjirou, “The captain is ready to depart. We will be leaving soon, my Empress.”

“I understand, Genjirou.”

“Then... I suppose this is... farewell, Aoi,” Spica said as he stepped back, making the Empress giggle.

“Saraba Spica-kun. Mata au hi made.”

What... did she say? That must have been her native Solarian tongue, because it wasn't any language he understood. But that didn't leave Spica feeling confused... it actually made him feel warm. In a way, he even knew what she was saying.

Yes, they will meet again.

Someday.

With her fan in hand and one final, parting wave farewell, Spica begrudgingly began making his way off the boat. Every now and then he'd turn to face Aoi, and every time he did, their eyes would meet. He would keep his eyes on her even when he got on solid ground, and keep his eyes on her when he returned to his family. And even with his sister beside him, and his father and mother too, he kept his eyes locked on Aoi.

They never left, not even when the boat finally began pulling away from the docks. He just couldn't look away, not until his view of Aoi finally broke.

She had pulled away too far. He could no longer see her.

“Haaah... man...”

“Is everything okay, Spica?” Zaniah asked, concerned for her brother.

“Yeah... everything's fine. Hmmmmmm... haaaaaahh... I uh...” he shook his head, “Well... let's get home. I'm sure there are still people affected by the storm. Blackguard should see to it that they are helped.”

“Good words,” said Heze, though his wife shook his head.

“That goes for you too, Spica,” Porrima said as she rubbed her son's cheek, “Spending all night in a cave while a terrible storm happens outside! The first thing you're doing when you get home is sleeping!”

“M-Mother! I'm fine!” he replied, causing Zaniah to giggle.

“Keheheheheheh! Yeah, sure! Kehehehehehe!”

With his sister's laughter filling the air, the Virginis family began making their departure from Neptune. But as they did so, Spica pulled out Aoi's fan, marveling at its beauty and craftsmanship. The weight, the way it opened, the way it felt against his fingers, how it looked; everything. And then he realized that this was the same fan that led him to meet the Empress. If she hadn't dropped it, he would have never picked it up. And if he never picked it up and returned it to her, then they would have never met, would they?

But... wait...

How did she drop her fan? It's not like someone knocked it loose off of her person, and she wasn't the type of individual to clumsily drop something. The only way she could have dropped it, is if she dropped it on purpose.

But...

Aoi's words... they began replaying in his mind.

It is also where I learned how to palm read, and discovered I had the peculiar ability to predict the future.

Kyuhu! It's not an exact science, I'll admit, but to some degree I am a diviner. I could foresee very few things at first, but as I grew older, my abilities became more concrete.

The future. Aoi can see into the future.

So from the very beginning, before she even met him. Did she know that this was how things would play out?

Did she know?

…

“The people of Jyotisha were a very curious people indeed,” said Genjirou, “I have learned very much from them, as I'm sure the others have too. Of particular note that Zaniah girl was more skilled than many of the kunoichi we have in our employment.”

“She was? Kyuhu! Then we must aim to train our spies diligently in the future!”

Like a blade through butter, Amaterasu's Sword cut the ocean waves with gentle ease. Standing on the ship's stern, Aoi watched the horizon fly towards them as her hair and tails billowed in the wind. It was a glorious feeling, but she honestly could not wait to return to her palace... return home.

“If I may ask, Empress,” said Genjirou as he raised an eyebrow at the kitsune, “The one who saved us, Spica... you were very close to him, weren't you? You even gave him your fan. Should... I be made aware of something?”

Aoi looked over to her guard, reading his curious and concerned face. It was cute, and made her chuckle, only to shake her head in a dismissive manner.

“Of course not,” she answered, “There is nothing important for you to know, Genjirou. Spica was a fine young man, and I will cherish our time together greatly. For your sake, he is also the man who saved you from the Sand Serpent. So... I will not hear anything ill of him.”

“Apologies,” said Genjirou as his ears fell flat on his head, “I did not mean any disrespect. I was just curious to your relationship with him... that is all. That fan you gave him is a priceless heirloom within the Solaria Family. I just felt that he must be very important for you to give it to him.”

“It was just a fan,” Aoi replied with a flick of her hand, “I have many of them in my palace. Many more that are gold, many that are silver. What is one missing among dozens? Besides...” she placed her hand upon her stomach where she patted it gently, “Spica has given me something far more important than a fan. Something that no one could ever take from me.”

He had given her something in return? When had he done that? And what could he have given her that no one else could take?

Even more curious now than before, Genjirou's ears perked up while Aoi gave one of her lovely sounding giggles. Sooner or later he'd understand what she said, and then he'd no doubt gaslight himself into believe the obvious wasn't true.

But it mattered not.

As Genjirou left his Empress to handle other business upon the boat, Aoi returned to gazing towards the ever approaching horizon. The future was wild and random, and while she had an idea of where things could go, that did not mean she could outright control it. Whatever happened next – whatever happened soon – she was excited to fine out.

But for now...

“Hoshiko... has a lovely ring to it, does it not? Kyuhuhuhu!”