CHAPTER 59: HOSHIZUMA’S UNUSUAL DECISION

"As I said before, there’s nothing deeper to understand here. It’s just a war of egos, nothing more. No higher meaning, no noble cause – just one being that got too greedy. Whether you like it or not, the Hoshigane bloodline was always leading you here. You just wrongly assumed that Shion’s eyes, Ayame’s dreams, and their pain were a curse instead of a gift. Besides–"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Ayame snapped, cutting him off. Rouhuo stared at her in shock – she’d never heard her lady shout like that.

"You weren’t there when Shion cried day and night as a kid because his body was in constant pain. You don’t know anything about our lives. I lost count of the nights I didn’t sleep, on the verge of breaking down – and now you’re saying it was a blessing? Neither we nor our parents were crazy enough for that!"

"That’s exactly where your mistake was," Hoshizuma replied calmly. "What seemed irrational to you was actually the only rational choice. Because of that, our potential powers are much weaker than they could’ve been – but there’s still hope."

"I don’t care about that. I want to know if you’ll ever leave my son’s body and–" Ayame started angrily, but this time he cut her off.

"Without me, you won’t win, and you know it, Ayame. This isn’t some noble crusade – it’s survival. Either you kill the predator that hunts you just to feed, or you become its meal. That’s it. Nature’s oldest rule. And after that... we’ll see. I’ve got things to do here. Now that the second and third are gone, and Haru and Shion’s kids carry only a fragment of their power, one of the primordial beings needs to stay alive – assuming we kill the Fourth. Otherwise, this world collapses without at least one original being. Which means I’ll stay in Yuecheng’s mind... for a while."

"I don’t want our children to suffer because of this," Haru said in serious tone. "Shion and Ayame have suffered enough already – now they still have to worry about everyone they love. It’s inhuman, Hoshizuma, but I guess you wouldn’t get that. Humanity and you – two different things. Sometimes you cross paths, but usually you’re worlds apart."

"Well," Hoshizuma shrugged, "can’t say I disagree. Either way, if you want your children to live, Haru, you all will have to trust me. Do exactly what I tell you – directly, or through Yue."

"And what if we don’t?" Yan Mo spoke up, visibly irritated. "You really think something as pathetic as a voice without a body can boss around my lady and us?"

"Let me remind you," Hoshizuma said, his tone almost amused, "that while today I’m reduced to a mere echo in Yue’s mind – something like a spirit that can possess him – tomorrow I might be reborn stronger than ever. None of you can predict when that’ll happen. Even I can only sense that it’s getting close."

King Shion sighed heavily.

"If that’s how it is... then fine. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family and my kingdom. I’ll follow your lead – as long as I see your actions truly serve our good."

"Shion! You can’t be serious! You’d follow someone like him? Who knows what he’s hiding or what he’s planning?" Ayame exclaimed.

"Sister, you know I don’t trust him either," Shion said in a low, grim voice, "but do we really have a choice? We’re in a maze with no exit – if we wander too long, we’ll die."

"Oh, Ayame, you of all people should understand why," Hoshizuma smirked. "After all, your mind keeps replaying scenes from the beginning of the world, doesn’t it? Don’t tell me that’s another gift you decided to ignore." He glanced around at the surprised faces. "Oh, so you didn’t share that with your lovely family?"

"That’s not true! Right before Yuecheng was born, my mind finally found peace. I saw the world’s beginning and everything that’s happened since – but it’s impossible to grasp the details. It’s like reading a thousand thick books at once and trying to remember every plot... I just couldn’t..."

Hoshizuma sighed.

"But one of those stories came first, didn’t it? The story of your most distant ancestor – the founder of the Hoshigane dynasty. The so-called ’primordial flame he stole from the gods’? Total nonsense."

Shion looked shocked.

"Sister... you knew all this and didn’t tell me?"

"And what difference would it have made, Shion? Would it have made your life any better? Maybe slightly changed how you saw the curse, but that’s it."

"Hard to argue with you, Mom," Hoshizuma said mockingly, bowing slightly.

"Shut up," Ayame hissed, teeth clenched. "You have no right to use that word with his mouth."

"Enough, both of you," Maldie spoke up for the first time. "You’re letting emotions take over. I know what’s at stake – our family, your children, my grandchildren – but we can’t lose our heads. Let’s think this through calmly. Sadly, our only real option seems to be... what Shion suggested. I think we should vote."

"Huh? You’re not seriously going to trust him, are you?!" Ayame asked, stunned.

"Oh, please. Still holding a grudge about that thing from the past?" Hoshizuma said with a sarcastic grin.

"Ayame, I understand how you feel," Maldie said softly, meeting her eyes with empathy. "But please – try to hold yourself back a little."

Ayame sighed.

"Fine, let’s just get this over with. Let’s start this stupid vote – though I think I already know the result. Who thinks we should listen to Hoshizuma?"

Shion, Haru, and Maldie raised their hands. Yan Mo hesitated but raised his too.

"I’m sorry, my lady," Yan Mo said quietly, "but this sounds like the safest choice. I want to protect you and your family’s future."

"I don’t blame you, Yan Mo," Ayame replied softly.

"Well then," Hoshizuma said proudly, grinning, "majority wins. Looking forward to working with you."

Ayame let out a long sigh.

"So, what’s the first step?" she asked, resigned.

"Take a break and rest. Go to the hot springs in Qianlun – all of you, including the kids."

"And who’s going to run the country in the meantime?" Shion asked in disbelief.

"You’ll name me as temporary regent, uncle. We’ll tell the people you are seriously ill and that only the Qianlun hot springs can heal you. Knowing the Fourth, he’ll hesitate before sending another pawn. He just lost someone as important as Tenjū – even if Haru and I took him down in minutes, to the outside world Tenjū was seen as an immensely powerful god. A god of wind you...." he stopped himself. He almost forgot that only Ayame remembered that day. – ...

"any god of wind would look like a weakling next to him." He finished after a while. "Anyway, use this time to recover. Knowing the Fourth, he’ll probably send lesser gods to wreak havoc from within, but I’ll handle it. I know how to deal with that kind of mess. And of course, I’ll make sure everything looks like I’m just following your orders, uncle."

"That’s insane!" Ayame disagreed. "Shion, you can’t hand him control of our kingdom!"

"You’re right, I can’t do that, I–" At first, Shion tried to rise with pride, but then he frowned. "No... maybe I should. I’ve been useless and broken for so long. Maybe for once I should stop worrying about everything and just... breathe. I’m tired."

"Sweetheart..." Haru looked at him softly and took his hand in both of his. He held his hand with one and gently stroked the back of Shion’s hand with the other;

"I don’t even recognize you anymore, Shion," Ayame said, disappointed. "The Shion I know would’ve stood his ground, no matter what."

"Ayame, you forget what I’ve been through. I lost my sight. I can’t see Haru’s beautiful eyes or our children’s faces. I live in darkness – only their warmth keeps me going. And just moments ago I thought I’d lose even that. I just want to rest for a while... to feel safe with them."

"My love... I’m sorry. I knew how much you were hurting, but only now I can finally comfort you," Haru said, holding his hand tighter before giving him a quick, soft kiss on the cheek – subtle enough not to make the others awkward.

A heavy silence filled the air – full of doubt and fear about what was to come.

"Well, that’s all fine," Maldie said after a moment, "but what if the Fourth sends someone after us while we’re at the springs?"

"That’s why you’ll all go – together, with Gari, Sayaka, and Yan Mo. With that and Haru’s new power, your defense will be even more powerful."

"And what if he sends someone stronger – or just as strong as Tenjū?" Maldie insisted.

"Well, I’ve thought about that too," Hoshizuma said confidently. "If that happens, I can transfer my consciousness into Haru’s mind and take control of his body – but only for about an hour. Any longer, and Yue’s body would be torn apart."

"So you’d save us at the cost of my son’s life?" Ayame asked angrily.

"No. Both your son and all of you would live – as would the people caught in the gods’ attack."

"I don’t trust you. I don’t know what you’d really do, but..." Ayame sighed. "Rouhuo, we’re leaving. I don’t want to hear another word from him. Bring my son back to me as soon as you can."

"Well then, I’ll go tell the kids we’re going on a trip," Haru said with a gentle smile. "They’ll be so happy we’re all going as one big group."

He stood up, kissed his husband on the forehead, and went out of the chamber right after Ayame and Rouhuo. Maldie went with him, saying she wanted to spend some time with Gari and the kids.

That left only Hoshizuma in Yuecheng’s body, Yan Mo, and King Shion.

"I hope I don’t end up regretting this," Shion muttered.

"You won’t, uncle," Hoshizuma said, bowing. "I’ll make sure history remembers you as the greatest ruler in your dynasty ."