“So, Kaiser,” Shizuka began with a curious tone. “We’re almost there, and I know there’s a lot of talking we’ll be doing once we arrive, but…” she leaned forward with her impish smile, “mind if I ask some questions? After all, it’s not every day a girl gets to chat with the Blood Phoenix.”
Feeling more grounded now that the battle was behind them, Kaiser met her gaze with a steady nod. “Of course, Viceroy. That was the plan from the start.”
Shizuka’s smile widened as a soft hum of amusement escaped her. “Hmm… you can just call me Shizuka.” She looked at Kerisa, her gaze appraising. “I’ll extend the pass to your Soulsis as well.”
Kaiser nodded, though he noticed the slight, analytical narrowing of Shizuka’s green eyes.
“It is a fascinating dynamic you Dirvahs share,” Shizuka mused, resting her chin on her hand. “High Enfa society is built on strict bloodlines. The Aizawa. The Tempest. Our power is inherited, controlled, and guarded. But your people... you don't even acknowledge parents. You are raised by the collective. Yet you form these incredibly fierce bonds.”
Kaiser glanced at Kerisa, who was staring quietly out the window, her hands still faintly stained with rebel blood. “It’s not about bloodlines, Shizuka. A bloodline tells you who came before you. A Guardian is the person standing beside you when the world burns down.”
Shizuka tilted her head, her intricate clockwork halo spinning slowly above her. “A beautiful sentiment. But sentiment rarely wins wars. I heard of her hesitation on the battlefield.” The Viceroy’s tone wasn't malicious, merely observant. “A Guardian who fears her own blade is a liability, Heartkeeper.”
Kaiser’s jaw tightened. “Her blade saved my life today.”
Shizuka offered a placating, entirely unapologetic smile. “Of course. I merely observe. Though, speaking of anomalies...” She leaned forward slightly, her gaze flicking between Kaiser and Kerisa. “Dirvahs are supposed to be genetically unique. A chaotic mix of traits. Yet every Xavier I saw on that field shared those exact same, striking golden eyes. If you don't inherit bloodlines... how do you inherit the eyes?”
Kaiser held her gaze. “We don't. It’s a mystery, even to the Oracles. It’s the only physical absolute the Xaviers possess.”
Shizuka hummed thoughtfully, leaning back as the sprawling, metallic landscape of Hisakizora finally came into view. “Fascinating. A clan built on chaos, bound by a single, unexplainable constant. Almost as rare as meeting a boy who can regrow a severed limb without blinking.”
Kaiser chuckled lightly. “Well, I guess our clan is very special.”
Shizuka sighed softly as the grand silhouette of Hisakizora’s gates drew closer. “I’m sure we could talk for hours, but I wouldn’t want to monopolize all your time just yet,” she said with a smirk.
Kaiser scoffed in response. “If you give us permission to visit all of Hisakizora’s Time Districts, you can have all the time you want,” he said, his grin matching her energy.
Shizuka’s Enfa markings glowed brighter as her radiant, clockwork halo spun gently. “Careful what you offer, Kaiser. You might find yourself spending more time here than you planned.” Her voice was light, but it felt like her composed mask had slipped for a moment.
As the city of time approached, Kaiser couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the enigmatic Viceroy seated across from him—a complexity that intrigued him.
As the massive gates of Hisakizora loomed ahead, they creaked open with a deep, mechanical rumble. The golden gears embedded in the structure spun in perfect synchronization. Light poured from beyond, illuminating sleek streets and towering buildings as their glassy surfaces shimmered with Chrononfi. A massive clock silently ticked in the sky, facing down and overlooking all of Hisakizora.
Kaiser glanced out the window, unimpressed. The grandeur, the beauty—it barely registered. His mind was elsewhere, still in the aftermath of the past battle and future uncertainties.
Shizuka’s voice broke the silence. “I’m sure you and the rest of the Xaviers are eager for a bath,” she said with a smile. “I’ll take you to my Estate in the Revival District first.”
Kaiser nodded. “A bath sounds like a good start.”
Shizuka’s smile softened as she turned her gaze to the city ahead. “Once you’re all ready, you’ll have my permission to visit the other districts,” she added while her voice took on a more serious tone. “But in return, I’d like to speak with you privately, Kaiser. We have much to discuss.”
Kaiser glanced at Kerisa, who was listening with an unreadable expression. He nodded again and said, in a calm voice, “Alright. After we’re cleaned up, we’ll talk.”
But just as he was about to settle into his thoughts again, he caught sight of Kerisa. She was leaning against the window, her wide, golden eyes glittering as they darted from one magnificent sight to the next. Her lips parted slightly, and the way she soaked in the beauty of Hisakizora melted something inside Kaiser.
His heart warmed as happiness stirred within him. He glanced back out the window, letting himself see the city through Kerisa’s eyes. The ethereal petals floating through the air, the way Chrononfi pulsed like the city’s melody, and the careful blend of elegance and power—it was something to appreciate, after all.
Eventually, the carriages halted before the Aizawa Estate—a sprawling structure that blended sleek modernity with timeless elegance. The building’s foundation was crafted from reinforced stone and polished steel, while the sweeping, curved rooftops and delicate paper windows retained the graceful design of old architecture. Cherry blossom trees lined the entrance as their petals drifted onto the smooth, glass walkways across a koi pond bordered by shimmering metal rails. Modern lanterns illuminated the path to the grand entrance, where the Aizawa family crest was etched into a towering gate of tempered glass and wood.
After the carriages stopped, Shizuka gracefully stepped out first. She politely nodded to Kaiser and Kerisa. “I’ll have to leave for now; there are matters to attend to. My maid will assist you,” she gestured toward the entrance, and in a flash, a woman in a sleek uniform bowed before them. “Please, make yourselves comfortable,” Shizuka continued before disappearing down one of the estate’s many corridors.
As Kaiser and Kerisa stepped forward, some of the Xavier women exited their carriages and gathered in a small group nearby. Though quiet at first, their voices quickly turned sharp.
“Look who finally decided to come out,” one of them muttered with sarcasm. “The wayward child.”
Another woman crossed her arms, glancing sideways at Kerisa. “She froze after one kill. How useless can you be?”
“And the way she whimpered—‘Kaiser, i-i-it won’t come off,’” one mocked in a high-pitched tone, mimicking Kerisa’s earlier fear.
Kerisa stiffened beside Kaiser. Her markings twisted across her skin, but she kept her gaze fixed on the ground, unwilling to meet their eyes.
“That’s enough,” Kaiser said. He stepped forward, glaring at the women with an intensity that silenced them instantly. “Kerisa is still my Guardian. You forget yourselves.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, but then one of the women smirked. “Oh, the mighty guardian,” she said with exaggerated emphasis. “How fortunate you are, Kaiser, to have someone so… reliable.”
The sarcasm in her voice made Kerisa flinch.
“Anyone of us could do a much better job at that,” another woman said.
“She is still my Soulsis. Watch your mouths.” Kaiser’s jaw clenched as he glared at them, daring them to continue. His response prompted a sigh from Kerisa as if relieved by his protectiveness.
The women exchanged glances as their mockery faded. One of them stepped forward with a cautious tone.
“Of course, Kaiser,” she said, her voice filled with respect. “Understandably, she’s your Soulsis, but maybe it’s time to start considering… other options for your guardian.”
Another woman chimed in. “You know, plenty of us would be honored to take on that role. Strong warriors, battle-tested—ready to stand by your side without hesitation.”
The rest nodded in agreement. They were careful, not willing to push too hard, but they lingered just enough to plant the idea.
Kaiser held their gazes. “I’m aware of the situation,” he said steadily. “And if things worsen, then yes, I’ll make that decision. But not anytime soon.” The words tasted bitter on his tongue—he couldn’t imagine actually doing it.
He glanced at Kerisa, still avoiding everyone, then back to the women. “For now, she remains my guardian. That’s not up for debate.”
The Xavier women exchanged glances, clearly wanting to press further but sensing the line had been drawn. One of them gave a respectful nod. “Of course, Kaiser,” she said. The resignation in her voice signaled that they wouldn’t push the matter—at least, not today.
Steam rose from the hot waters of the Aizawa estate’s bathhouse, filling the air with warmth and the murmur of voices. The Xaviers bathed together, as was their custom—no walls or barriers, just their people gathered in one space, laughing, washing, and letting tensions melt away in the soothing heat.
Kaiser sat off to the side in a quieter corner. His body was half-submerged in the steaming water as Kerisa knelt behind him. Her hands moved carefully across his back as she made sure to scrub all the blood and dirt away. Her fingers moved with care, as though trying to wash away more—perhaps everything left unsaid after their kiss.
He sighed, closing his eyes and letting the sensation ease him. The laughter and splashing from the other Xaviers barely registered in his mind; all that existed was the warmth of the bath and the familiar, comforting presence of Kerisa.
Time passed in silence. The rhythm of her hands slowed as the scrubbing turned into a soft, lingering caress. Then, he felt her arms slowly wrapping around his chest from behind as her body pressed gently against his back. The softness of her breasts against his skin made him tense.
“Please, don’t replace me…” she whispered, muffled slightly by the steam, but the desperation in her voice was clear. Her grip tightened as if she feared he might disappear from her life. “You’re the only one I have left.”
Kaiser’s breath hitched. He didn’t move or turn to face her, but he could feel the trembling in her body. She was scared—terrified even.
Without saying a word, he moved forward, gently untangling her arms from around him. He turned, keeping his expression calm, and motioned for her to sit before him. Kerisa hesitated as her golden eyes searched his for any sign of rejection, but Kaiser remained silent. His hands found the washcloth, and he began washing her back slowly and deliberately.
He had already told her countless times that he wouldn’t replace her. Words wouldn’t change anything now. She had heard them all before, and he knew that the only thing that could ever convince her was something he couldn’t offer.
Kerisa sat still. Her breathing was shallow, but she didn’t protest. Her tension gradually faded. For now, this moment—this healing and cleansing of each other—would have to be enough.
