June | Event: Trial of the Soul

[jikan_mod]

Trial of the Soul↲ OOC Plotting

Minimize

By now, most Refugees have likely experienced various side effects of Kizuna while living in Nippon. Most of these effects have been mild, but occasionally, they've produced dangerous results due to Kizuna's unstable nature as pure Sora magic. But more than just a minor annoyance, studying how to harness Kizuna is vital to the NRL's goal of fixing the refugees' home worlds. And yet the professors of MRU have been limited in what they can do to assist the scientists in Tokyo with that goal.

But all that is about to change, as MRU announces a special collaboration with the Oni Clans of Kyushu regarding ancient Kizuna practices. Although Oni are not particularly known for their magical prowess, it's believed that the concept of Kizuna bonds originated in Oni culture. As such, they are by and far considered the best source to figure out the true nature of Kizuna.

Up until now, the Oni of Kyushu haven't been receptive to MRU's requests to help the refugees, due to infighting between the two leading Oni Clans. But it seems something has changed their minds...

A Tales of Two Clans

Naturally, the MRU isn't expecting the Refugees to volunteer to head to Kyushu for free. All Refugees willing to participate in the research will be rewarded financially for their time, in addition to being provided food and lodging during their stay. Just think of it as a nice little summer vacation!

But getting to Kyushu is no simple task. Although one could certainly take the train, it'd be a two-day trip, as Kyushu is located on the westernmost island of Nippon. Thankfully, many refugees have technically already been there: Kyushu is the region above which the Tengu city of Miyazaki sits. And with a little help from the Tengu, a new teleportation terminal is added to the region below, allowing for instant travel between Kyushu and Tokyo/Kyoto.

But when they arrive, they may find that their experiences will vary greatly depending on which city their lodgings are located, as Oni culture varies greatly depending on which Clan controls that territory.

Passive Aggressions Kumamoto, Kyushu
Those with lodgings in Western Kyushu will find themselves in the city of Kumamoto, located in Ao Oni territory. The Oni here all have vibrant blue skin, and the refugees will find that the locals are both friendly and curious about them. Aside from a handful of Inu Yokai, very few other varieties of Yokai can be found living in Oni territory, and no humans whatsoever.

Refugees will be housed in a resort located near the ocean shore, where they'll be treated to gourmet five course meals, a natural outdoor hot spring, and even complimentary massages. It's the height of luxury, though it does come at a bit of a cost. Although the Ao Oni are polite, there's always a distinct sense that they're being looked down on -- a certain passive aggression, as they show wonder in the fact the refugees can do anything for themselves. Whether it be constant compliments over their ability to use chopsticks and speak the language, or outright disbelief that they can perform magic or fight, it's hard to say whether it's founded in malice or ignorance. Especially seeing as many will remark that they've never met humans before.

As one of the more popular cities in Kyushu, Refugees may wish to explore some of the shopping districts, where artisan crafts and unique fashion can be purchased. Unlike typical fashion in Nippon, Oni fashion leans towards the risque, as their vibrant colored skin is a mark of pride. Kimono are often cropped at the sleeves and left open, with minimal fabric underneath to maintain modesty. Still, men are rarely going around outright topless, and will always wear something to cover those pesky male presenting nipples, be it a tube top, thin strips of fabric, or even leather straps.

If the Refugees hope to be treated with a bit more respect, switching to the local fashion is perhaps the only way to go. And hey, it's pretty hot in Kyushu, so surely it's a win-win situation!

Tsunderoni Oita, Kyushu
Refugees staying in the Eastern half of Kyushu will instead be taken to the city of Oita, located in Aka Oni territory, where the Oni possess bright red skin. Unlike the Ao Oni, the Aka Oni are far less friendly. Even those in charge of the refugees' housing will seem somewhat disinterested, simply showing them to their rooms in a small inn without fanfare. There's no luxury to be found here, though at least the food is decent.

The streets of Oita are a very different sight than what the Refugees may be used to in Nippon. Kyushu is an island rife with volcanic activity, and all throughout Oita, thick plumes of steam can be found rising out of buildings and from the sewers below the street. As such, the entire city is extremely humid, which some may even find to be downright unbearable. And while the inside of every building is equipped with powerful cooling spells, it may discourage some from exploring.

But perhaps that's for the best. Those who walk the streets of Oita will find themselves being treated as an oddity, with many businesses hesitant in serving them. Some locals may even be outright hostile, picking fights and jeering at them in streets. Those bearing obvious Kizuna effects will receive the brunt of this treatment.

And yet those same refugees will find that these encounters may in fact spawn additional Kizuna effects, on both themselves and the Oni harassing them, as if a bond were made between them. Nevermind the fact that Kizuna bonds between refugees and natives are usually very rare, the fact that there's a bond at all certainly implies that their hostility isn't hostility at all. Are the Aka Oni just really bad at dealing with new people??

Revolutionary Bond Kizuna

After a few days of familiarizing themselves with the Oni and the region of Kyushu, all refugee volunteers are taken to a small region of Oita known as Beppu, where elders from the two Oni clans are waiting for them in front of a large shrine. Behind them, many natural springs filled with boiling water create a smokey atmosphere, with the water occasionally boiling over and shooting into the sky like a geyser. They certainly know how to pick location to set a mood.

"Humans and halfings have long made a habit of taking that which they do not fully understand. These Kizuna bonds were once an important part of maintaining a unified Oni nation, but fell to the wayside as Clan divisions grew deeper.

Today, only fragments of those bonds remain, carried across generations through our blood. It is a powerful magic that binds souls together, weaving their connection into the fabric of reality itself!

...understandably, it grew less popular as divorce became more commonplace."

That's right: Kizuna bonds are an ancient Oni marriage ritual.

They continue to explain that the form of Kizuna used by the refugees has been mutated due to the sheer size of the bond that keeps them in Nippon. This is what causes the severe side effects, and is likely the reason that some refugees are able to manipulate reality to a small extent through wishes or other means.

To address these issues, the Oni's plan is two-fold. First, they'll teach the Refugees a secret arte that will allow them to wield the Kizuna they produce. And then, they ask that all refugees participate in three trials once performed by all Oni prior to their marriage. This is so they can better appreciate the gift they possess, and hopefully better understand the culture behind that power.

Soul Artifacts Beppu, Oita
Kizuna magic is a type of pure Sora magic, which is magic that deals with the soul. Thus, Kizuna bonds are bonds between two souls. But that bond can also be used to summon a construct known as a Soul Artifact. This is the magic the Oni will teach the Refugees how to perform, as the act of summoning an Artifact will help use some of the excess Kizuna that would otherwise produce side effects.

Soul Artifacts are physical representations of the soul. They can take any shape or form, and some even have special abilities. While it is possible for someone to summon their own soul artifact, it is far easier to have someone else who they are bonded with summon it instead.

The spell itself is deceptively simple. Simply calling someone's name and picturing an item being drawn from their chest is enough to summon the Soul Artifact. But the simplicity of it doesn't mean it'll be easy, and for most Refugees, they'll spend the first hour or so calling each other's names while awkwardly grabbing at each other's chests.

But eventually, should their bond be significantly strong enough, the image of what that artifact is will suddenly appear in their mind, allowing them to draw it out. While the Artifact can be anything from a weapon to an ordinary household item, the color scheme and general appearance will reflect the person it was drawn from. Likewise, all Artifacts are allowed one magical ability that may vary based on the bond between the pair.

Feel free to get creative with this! A knight may draw a sword from his princess's chest capable of shooting energy beams. A librarian may draw a book from her lover's chest that can predict the future one week ahead. A dominatrix may draw a dildo from her sub's chest capable of growing three times its size. As the most powerful magic in the world, Kizuna can do seemingly anything!

Really, it's no wonder the Oni want the Refugees to learn how to control it.

The Trials of Beppu Kyushu, Nippon
Those willing to accept the Oni's terms must participate in the Trials of Beppu, an ancient rite of passage once required of all Oni before the Clan leaders could approve of their marriage. Although the tradition is no longer widely practiced, the Clan leaders insist that the Refugees take part in order to show respect for the Kizuna they wield.

As Refugees are capable of bonding with anyone, they will be allowed and encouraged to retake any trial as many times as needed with as many people as they have bonded with.


The first trial, the Trial of Promise, is the most simple. A bonded pair must enter a special cave located behind a massive waterfall in Takachiho Gorge, said to have been the very same cave where the goddess Amaterasu once hid herself away, causing all light in the world to disappear. Upon entering, the cave entrance will abruptly seal itself, shrouding the pair in darkness.

Should the pair's bond be sufficiently strong, the cave will light up, revealing a hidden message carved into the stone: "You cannot leave until you"... do what, exactly? The prompt will vary based on the pair in question. Some may need to kiss, others may need to fuck, and others still may need to tell a secret, defeat one another, or even attempt to kill one another. Upon successfully completing the trial, the entrance will open, allowing them to leave at their leisure.


The second trial, the Trial of Devotion, will have a bonded pair enter a forest at the foot of Mt. Aso at night, armed only with their partner's Soul Artifact. A gently sloped mountainside home to an active volcano, the pair must ascend to the highest peak just outside the forest before sunrise. Toxic fumes pouring from the volcano's caldera aside, the forest itself is filled with terrifyingly huge monsters, including dodongo, lavahounds who combust when threatened, and giant beetles called daikabuto who can grow as big as houses.

Thankfully, there's a trick to all of this: as long as they maintain physical contact with one another, a special spell will protect them from all harm, though they can still be pushed around by anything attempting to separate them. The spell will only last until morning, but will refresh with a kiss before the morning sun -- so they best make haste to the top if they want a chance of getting back safely. Those who return with their spell intact will pass the trial.


The third and final trial is the Trial of Love, though it seems rather poorly named. In this trial, a pair will wield each other's Soul Artifacts, and must engage in combat against one another. The goal is to destroy your own Artifact without destroying the one you are wielding. Thankfully, as Soul Artifacts are only representations of the soul, destroying them will have no ill effect. But it can be very painful, not unlike a bond breaking, as one of the Aka Oni will demonstrate: shattering the sword drawn from his own soul, before falling to his knees and wheezing in pain.

Essentially, it's a battle for who can destroy their own Soul Artifact first, in order to spare their partner the pain of their Artifact breaking. But how is this supposed to work? Not all Soul Artifacts are weapons, after all!

As it turns out, the trial is a trick. Following the rules as given will still allow both competitors to pass, regardless of who wins. Likewise, should both participants come together and choose to either simultaneously break their Artifacts, or surrender the trial all together, it will still count as a pass. Because the true Trial of Love is simply the act of participating in the trial together to test their bond.

Aftermath Beppu, Oita
Once the trials are complete, those who passed at least two trials will be invited to a special ceremony, designed to mimic that of those long past. Naturally, since no one is getting married here (unless they want to??), the ceremony is mostly just an excuse for a massive feast. Taking place in a large open park just outside the city, hundreds of Oni have arrived from all over Kyushu to witness this rare event, where the current leader of the Aka Oni clan offers a few brief words.

"Time's finally changing, and after so much time unchanging, we Oni should learn to better embrace these changes. Otherwise, we're no better off than we were in the time loop. The bravery put on by these alien halfings is nothing to sneeze at. And I'd say they're as worthy of the Aka Oni name as any of you ol' farts sittin' out there drinking your asses off!"

Refugees who passed the trials will be considered unofficial members of the Ao and Aka Oni clans, and will find that from then on, the Oni of Kyushu with treat them with familiarity, as if somehow able to sense the bond they now share with their homeland. In addition to no shortage of food and booze, there's music and dancing that will last until well past sunrise.

Hot and Steamy

With the trials behind them and a new form of magic under their belts, the Refugees will be allowed to simply enjoy the rest of their vacation in Kyushu however they may please.

But there's just one question remaining: why did the Oni suddenly decide to help with the Kizuna research, despite Kizuna being such a cherished aspect of their culture?

As it turns out, the Refugees are having a larger impact on this world than they may realize.

Hellish Bathwater Beppu, Oita
As it turns out, the Trials of Beppu draw their names from a certain natural phenomenon known instead as the Hells of Beppu. It refers to an area in Eastern Kyushu where a number of naturally occurring hot springs carry unusual effects. However, unlike the enchanted pools of Hakone's Owakudani, not all of these springs are safe to enter.

Of them, one of the most popular is the Umi Jigoku, the sea of hell. A vast boiling spring with vibrantly blue water, this spring is said to be the deepest pool of water in Kyushu, with massive lily pads floating atop the surface that are believed to stretch for miles below. Brave and foolish Aka Oni can sometimes be found jumping between the lily pads to cross the steaming pool, or even grabbing passerbys to strand them on a lily pad in the middle. Standing in any one spot for too long will cause the lily pads to sink into the water, burning flesh within seconds, so those who visit may need to be prepared for an emergency rescue or two.

And those hoping for a spring they can actually soak in will find it at Chinoike Jigoku, the blood pond of hell. Appropriately named, the water in this spring is bright red in color and has a strange almost gooey consistency. Relaxing in this spring is said to have powerful healing effects, and according to legend, it can even revive the dead. Perhaps it's the latter reputation that keeps it from being more popular, but Refugees who soak in the strange water will find any aches, pains, or chronic conditions healed -- including those previously thought to be incurable.

The only downside is that the strange water has a tendency to get the blood boiling in a very specific way, leaving those who soak in it for too long in a state of prolonged arousal, earning the pond a second name: Chinchin Jigoku.

Stone Dragon God™ Sakurajima, Kyushu
Those looking for a little more excitement on their vacation look no further than Sakurajima, a region perpetually blanketed in smoke and ash from the nearby volcano of the same name. Thankfully, there hasn't been an eruption for a few weeks, so the region is currently safe to explore.

And they really ought to go take a look. In fact, the Oni will insist that it's a place all refugees ought to visit.

In addition to curious ruins of ancient cities forever half-buried in old mud flows, Sakurajima is currently home to a new species of ayakashi the Oni have taken to calling Ninseki, the stone people. These ayakashi only started appearing recently, and really, calling them ayakashi feels inaccurate. Capable of limited speech and organizing themselves in quaint villages, the only reason they're called ayakashi is because Ninseki used to be Kaoseki.

It's unknown how they came to evolve at such a fast rate, but the MRU has a few leads. And perhaps the most damning comes from the Ninseki themselves, who have taken to worshipping a figure they refer to as the stone dragon god, statues of whom can be found throughout Sakurajima, seemingly crafted using some kind of Tsuchi-based power unique to the Ninseki. A gift from the stone dragon god, perhaps?

Thankfully, the Ninseki themselves are extremely friendly, and will happily invite any refugees to join them in a meal or dance, or even challenge them to a race up the mountain! Perhaps it's because they were once forever stationary, but the Ninseki enjoy any activity that keeps them moving!

And for those who happen to recognize this stone dragon god of theirs, perhaps they'll understand why the Oni thought it vital that the Refugees learn to control the Kizuna they produce, lest they permanently alter this world well after they've left it.

OOC Notes
Welcome to Jikan's June event! Please direct any questions to the Question Thread in the OOC Plotting post.

• While characters do not need to participate in the trials to visit Kyushu, they will not be provided lodgings, and may find it especially difficult to procure any on their own unless they visibly look like an Oni.

• Only characters who participate in this event will be able to unlock Soul Artifacts. Future characters will eventually be able to unlock it via Bonus AC.

• You have 100% creative control over how your character's Soul Artifact manifests. Likewise, you are welcome to have it change shape depending on who draws it from their soul. For example: Both Tom and Fred are bonded with Gloria. Tom draws a sword from Gloria's soul because he has a strong desire to protect her, but Fred draws a teacup because he greatly enjoys their weekly meet-ups at the local coffee shop. And Gloria draws a gun from her own soul because of her double life as an assassin.

• Teleporting out of the Trial of Promise will only work if both participants agree to forfeit the challenge. Likewise, agreeing to forfeit will cause the door to open after about an hour.

• All dangers in the Trial of Devotion are optional, as some may simply never come across any monsters during their hike, and all pairs are welcome to travel in groups. No climbing is necessary to reach the top, but it is a very long walk.

• There are no hints to imply the true means of passing the Trial of Love beyond the name, as the Oni will only tell them the rules and will answer no questions.

↲ navigation

Comments

[scarredhorns]

Shattered? Your soul? No offense, but how are you still alive after something like that?

[She's not religious, but Lucy figured the soul was the only thing that couldn't be broken since it wasn't a physical thing.

But they still have a trial at hand. She takes another look at the sword.]

Do you wanna stop? Or should we see what my Artifact is first?

[She's not really sure what to expect, but if it's something that's much sturdier than Aether's fractured sword she's going to feel a little bad.]

[brilliantdiamond]

Apparently there's different levels of severity? But I can't say I know too much about it beyond my own case.

[Mostly because it was uncomfortable to research in a way he couldn't explain -- his soul still sensitive from the trauma of it breaking. Even now, he's found it difficult to focus when reading about Sora magic, with just how many spells revolve around the soul.]

The trial shouldn't have any effect on it, but... well, let's just see how things go.

[Which means yes, he wants to at least draw hers out. If his really is as fragile as it looks, then this should be over quickly, right?]

[He steps closer and closes his eyes before murmuring her name -- and is quickly able to draw out a mirror.]

[A cracked mirror, that is. One large crack that splits into two near the bottom. Which, given the previous subject, is a bit distressing to say the least??]

...I starting to think neither of us were a good fit for this trial.

[scarredhorns]

[So it could be different for every person.

Lucy's not the best at comforting people, but she tries, reaching for Aether's hand to briefly hold and give it a squeeze.]

I'm sorry that happened to you.

[She lets him go so he can do his thing and draw out her Artifact. When she sees what it is, she furrows her brows at first.]

A mirror? I wasn't expecting that.

[But when she sees the cracks, her eyes widen momentarily before softening with understanding.]

But seeing it like this, I think I understand why. I've never had my soul shattered before like you, but I do have a split personality. Is that a term you're familiar with?

[There are other possible reasons why her mirror is cracked, but her and Nyuu's split personalities would be the easiest to address first.]

[brilliantdiamond]

[Somehow, he's not expecting to be comforted about it. It so rarely comes up these days, and in the past, he only ever talked about it to explain his behavior and occasional mood swings back when it was still broken. He even looks genuinely surprised-- though it quickly fades into a smile.]

[Though the surprise comes back just as quickly when she explains the mirror.]

A split personality? I'm familiar with the term, but I can't say I've ever met a person who has one before.

[scarredhorns]

Well, now you can say that you have.

[While Lucy's vectors possess great strength, her physical body does not, and the sword is beginning to tire her arms out, so she carefully sets the tip of the blade down on the ground. At least now she's not holding it up the entire time and can use the ground as support.]

Her name is Nyuu. We can't communicate with each other directly nor can we remember what happens while the other is in control, so we write messages to each other to fill in the gaps. I've written to her about you, so when she sees you, she'll know who you are.

[She looks to the side for a moment before flicking her gaze back to Aether.]

We weren't born this way, though. I'm the original personality. Six months before I arrived in Nippon, I suffered a head injury that was severe enough to cause the split.

[So long as she can be vague about it, she doesn't mind discussing how she got her split personality too much. She begins to stare at the mirror curiously and points to it.]

What do you see in that mirror anyway? Just your reflection, or something else?

[Didn't the oni say that Soul Artifacts possessed magical abilities? Though... she's not sure what that little mirror could be capable of.]

[brilliantdiamond]

[A head injury that caused a split personality? That seems... unlikely. But then, he hardly expects to be told the whole story. He already has reason to believe that her life back home may not have been a happy one.]

Nyuu... I'll make sure to keep that in mind then, should I get to meet her.

[Honestly, he's pretty curious now. If they were distinct enough that they could write to one another, then perhaps their personalities were completely different, too?]

[To her question, his gaze falls down to the mirror -- causing his expression to shift from surprise to a look of wonder, as he tilts the mirror up as if trying to look at the sky.]

Huh... I thought the reflection was just dim at first, but it's reflecting a different time of day. I can see the stars in the night sky through here!

[A fairly mild effect, but a pretty one.]

[scarredhorns]

Really? Let me see.

[She'll hold a hand out for her mirror while using the other to make sure Aether's sword doesn't topple over. She furrows her brows as she looks down at the cracked mirror.]

I don't see the night sky... Just my broken reflection.

[But why couldn't she see what Aether saw? Did the mirror show something different for every person who looked into it? As Lucy ponders this--]

Hang on, I think I'm starting to see something. It's not the night sky, though. It's... the house that Nyuu and I called home for a time. Maple House.

[For the briefest moment, Lucy's eyes are vulnerable. It's truly a blast from the past. Maple House is pristine in the mirror, unlike the last time she saw it when men armed with guns had stormed in, breaking doors and windows.]

[brilliantdiamond]

Maple house...

[He considers leaning over to look, but-- he'd probably just see the night sky again. Perhaps both those reflections seem random, but for Aether--]

Maybe the mirror shows a place that's important to you?

[scarredhorns]

Does the night sky remind you of a place that's important to you?

[If so then, maybe?]

Or maybe it just shows everyone something different? I wonder if their mood might have any effect on what they see... Like if either of us were angry, would we have seen something different? Something that reflected how we felt on in the inside?

[This is actually quite interesting and has piqued Lucy's curiosity! She'll have to figure out how to experiment more with her mirror after they return. Maybe she should have someone help get her Artifact out when she's angry to see if mood really is a factor.]

I've heard a lot of mythology about mirrors being associated with the truth. They say you can't hide anything when you look into a one. Whatever you bring with you is what you'll see reflected back.

[Yet it didn't show Lucy any of her past dark deeds, which is why she thinks mood might play a part in it.]

[brilliantdiamond]

You could say that.

[He once traveled among the stars alongside his sister -- so yeah, pretty important.]

[Though if the mirror is meant to reflect the truth... well, he was once a shooting star himself. Perhaps if he looked into the mirror long enough, he'd see one in the night sky?]

But either way, it seems like it'd be hard to test without asking multiple people to look into it... and what about mine? Does it have any special powers?

[Or did the cracks prevent it? In truth: if she swings the sword, she'll spawn a pair of ethereal wings that will allow her to float without flapping them.]

[scarredhorns]

[She gives the sword a curious look, carefully lifting it back up. Her eyes flick to Aether.]

Let's find out. Stand back.

[Once there's adequate distance between them to ensure she doesn't accidentally whack him, Lucy swings the sword once, but her sloppy technique is a clear sign that she's never handled a sword in her life. Still, despite her lack of finesse, it was good enough for Aether's artifact.]

Wha-?!

[She exclaims as her feet unexpectedly lift off the ground. Rather than drop the sword, she clings onto it tighter as if it were a lifeline. Looking wildly around, she soon finds the new wings she's sporting.]

What are these wings?

[brilliantdiamond]

[Aether's eyes widen when he sees the familiar set of wings on her back, perhaps more distracted by that than by the fact that she's probably not enjoying her sudden lack of gravity. Still, it takes a moment for him to collect himself.]

[She's already seen this much, so... he can tell her a little more.]

...they're the wings I used to have. But I don't have them anymore.

[He reaches a hand out towards her.]

Here-- imagine yourself walking down invisible stairs towards me. It should be the easiest way for you to control them. There's a bit of a learning curve otherwise.

[scarredhorns]

["Used to"?

First, she'd like to return to the ground. Sure, she's catapulted herself through the air, or held herself up off the ground, but those had been done by her own vectors so the sensation of nothing solid beneath her feet had been expected. Unlike this time.]

Walking down invisible stairs...

[She tries, but only walks in place while in midair for the first few moments.]

I don't know if this is going to work. I might need a little extra help. [A single vector reaches out to grasp Aether's hand.] I don't know if you can see it, but you feel it right? That's just one of my "other hands" holding onto you. They were invisible to most people in my world. I figured, maybe some physical touch could make it easier for me to imagine walking towards you.

[How ironic she calls it physical touch when it technically isn't. Still, her brain processes the sensation as though she were holding Aether's hand with her own physical one, and sure enough--she's walking downwards.]

[ooc: I'm pretty easy when it comes to which characters can see the girls' vectors. If a character has powers (especially the psychic type), then they could be capable, but I also say "whichever would be more fun for you!" In the past, some players still made their characters unable to see the vectors, even with their powers.]

[brilliantdiamond]

[ooc: Since any powers he might have had that could have enabled him see them would still be sealed from canon, let's say he can't!]

[For his part, he doesn't jerk his hand back when he feels something he can't see take hold of it. Instead, he "holds" it gently but firmly, simply relieved to see her safely come down from the sky.]

[But of course, it's rather hard for him to take his eyes off the wings. They look just the way they did the day he lost them... could he fly once more if he wielded his own soul artifact in a similar way? There's a certain temptation to try, but he knows he wouldn't be a good idea.]

Your... other hands, huh? I can't see anything, but they sound pretty convenient. Is that something you learned to use back home?

[scarredhorns]

Yes, it's something I've been able to use since I was a kid, though I wasn't entirely aware of them at first.

[She'd sensed their presence in her sleep, dreaming about her reach extending beyond her physical one, but it wasn't until she was ten when her powers truly awakened... in the most horrible way possible.]

Do you want to try using your own Artifact to see if you'll get the wings too?

[The way he longingly stared at the wings didn't escape her. She even holds out the hilt of the fractured sword towards him, if he wanted to take it. It only seemed fair, since she got to handle her own mirror.]

[brilliantdiamond]

[His eyes briefly so seem to light up when she offers the sword, but ultimately, he just shakes his head.]

No, that's all right. I'm afraid I'd have a hard time convincing myself to come down if that happened.

[And it wouldn't mean his powers had actually come back. It might almost sting more to experience them only briefly -- and he's not even sure whether his fractured soul could bear the weight of just how far he'd fly if he could.]

Oh-- but we should probably tell the Oni in charge that we're throwing the trial. I heard they only expect us to pass two of them, so as long as we pass the others with someone, it should be fine.

[scarredhorns]

[Her eyebrows raise in surprise.]

You sure about that? I mean, I don't mind failing this trial, but I was going to say that we could go ahead and break mine. You already know I'm dead in my world, so I'd be able to handle the pain. Let's just say that my death wasn't very... quick.

[To put it lightly.]

But if you'd rather not go down that route either, then fine. We'll go let the Oni know.

1/2

[brilliantdiamond]

Just because you've experienced severe pain before doesn't mean it's something you should just accept! Otherwise, going by that logic-- I should be the one offering, since I've broken my soul. And I've broken my fair share of Kizuna bonds, too.

[He waves a hand over towards the Oni running the trial, one of them making their way over.]

But really, it's because I've experience it before that I know I don't want you to experience it.

It's not a pain you can get used to.

[He has no idea what kind of pain she must have been subjected to in her final moments. But if he were to compare all the physical pain he's felt in his very long life, he can still say with certainty that nothing tops the pain of having his soul broken. Pain with no physical source, pain that just hurts down to your very core -- it's not even really possible to compare it to physical pain.]

[Regardless, he's not going to argue -- telling the Oni they won't be completing the trial the moment they're close enough to hear.]

[But then--]

[brilliantdiamond]

["Well, then congratulations! You've both passed the Trial of Love!"]

--wait, what?

[The Oni just laughs. "It's a Trial of Love, after all! And what greater gesture of love is there than throwing away the chance to be married in order to shield your loved one from experiencing pain?"]

Ah... so the trial was just a trick?

[scarredhorns]

[Ironically, it was because Aether had experienced similar pain before that she volunteered in the first place. He's a friend, so she wanted to protect him from that pain. He's so sincere and adamant about it, though, that she won't argue either.]

Yes. If we can both get out of this unscathed, then that would be even better. Let's do it then.

[Her reaction is the same as Aether's when she hears they actually passed the trial.]

You serious?

["Throwing away the chance to be married in order to shield your loved one from experiencing pain." That strikes a chord with her... She and Nyuu sacrificed themselves to save Kouta, after all.]

I understand.

[Her voice comes out more solemn-sounding than she meant it to be, so she clears her throat, trying to pretend that something got stuck back there.]

Is it because there's more than one way to love? Or that love is many things?

[brilliantdiamond]

[The Oni seems to take this question very seriously, but-- "Well... the true history of this trial isn't quite so romantic. Long before the trials, arranged-marriages were the norm, much like with the rest of the Yokai tribes. But the Kizuna bonds created only by love-marriages proved to be more beneficial towards maintaining peace among the Oni clans. And so, over time, the Trial of Love was created to weed out those who were secretly coerced into arranged marriages or marriages of convenience -- those who would rather be married than be married to a specific person."]

[#deepJikanlore]

...huh, that's a pretty normal answer.

But I guess that means we made the right call? Now I wonder how many people here are going to fail it, since not everyone participating is an actual couple...

[The Oni just snickers and walks away, as if to imply that was the plan all along. Rude?? No wonder they're only required to pass two of the trials.]

[scarredhorns]

No kidding. Arranged marriages being the norm in the past seems to be another common trend among the other worlds.

[At the mention of actual couples, she makes a little cough, covering her mouth. A little bit of pink covers her cheeks.]

Well, neither are we, but we passed. We're friends, and friends can care about each other too. But it does make you wonder, doesn't it? Still, as we've found out there's more than one way to pass. We'll hear gossip about how everyone did later tonight, probably.

[When the Oni's gone and it's just her and Aether, she looks at him.]

Thank you, by the way. I've felt the pain of broken kizuna bonds before too, so I wasn't looking forward to it, but at the same time, I didn't want you to have to go through that either.

[A low chuckle.]

Seems we were thinking the same thing. We just had different means to approach it. [A beat.] I know I just said we aren't a couple, but I'd still like to do this.

[By "this," she means a kiss on the cheek. There's no other warning. She just walks up to him, leans in, and pecks him (this is mainly so she can do it before she loses her nerve). Chaste and sweet. The blush on her face is darker when she pulls back.]

Sorry if that was weird... I just wanted to do something a little more than just a verbal "thank you." You've been nothing but kind to me so far.

[That, and being in Nippon has emboldened Lucy in some ways.]

[brilliantdiamond]

[He nods -- there's no need for her to thank him, but he accepts it regardless! Though either way, she clearly manages to catch him a little off-guard with the kiss, his own cheeks tinted red when she pulls back. But then-- it quickly blooms into an even brighter smile, as the ends of his hair tint pink to match hers.]

It wasn't weird at all -- it was nice!

[He's used to doing far more than that with friends these days, but it doesn't stop the little kiss from flustering him nonetheless.]

I'm just glad we were able to make the right choice in the end, so neither of us had to get hurt. I don't know if that would have been the case if I had done this with just anybody, so-- thank you!

[scarredhorns]

Well then, I'm glad it wasn't weird.

[Despite the way her blush flares up to a brighter shade of red, she still cracks a smile. Little stars shimmer in Lucy's own hair, glinting a golden yellow against the sakura pink.]

Mm, you're welcome. I wouldn't have done this with someone I didn't trust.

[Although they'd only been friends for a short while, Lucy trusted Aether enough to do this trial with him, but now - after this - she trusts him even more.]