CHAPTER 66: GUARDIAN ANGEL

Yuri had another strange dream.

She dreamed she was standing in a field full of bright, colorful flowers. Someone was hugging her – at first she thought it was her mom.

But then she noticed long, black claws wrapped around her body. She wanted to scream, but nothing came out.

*

Yuri shot up from her futon, covered in cold sweat. Her breath came in short, shaky bursts. She wanted to cry or scream, but no sound left her lips. She looked around – her brothers, Yan Mo, and Sayaka were all sleeping like rocks, not reacting at all to her sudden movement.

Yuri glanced around nervously... and then she saw it in the corner of the room.

A huge, woman-shaped monster, so big it had to bend in half under the ceiling. Its empty eye sockets, filled with flickering violet energy, were locked on her, following her every move.

Yuri felt her whole body start shaking. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Don’t be afraid of me, my lady," the spirit said.

"H-huh?" Yuri whispered. "W-what... w-what are you?"

The spirit shifted, crawling toward her on all fours before sitting down in front of her.

"I am... your guardian."

"Don’t lie! You’re an evil spirit, right? What do you want from me? Please don’t hurt me or my family!" Yuri burst into tears.

"No. I will protect them. I will protect you"

A shiver ran down Yuri’s spine. The creature’s gaze felt like it was piercing straight through her.

"That woman who screamed in your dreams... she created me. She hurt me too. But your aunt set me free. I’m here to protect you, because you’re my new lady, Yuri."

Yuri didn’t want to admit it, but there was something strangely calming about the spirit’s voice. Her crying quieted down, and she wiped her tears, though she still trembled.

"I’ll do anything you command, my lady," the spirit said softly. "I’ll protect you the best I can. You humans usually can’t stand being watched in their sleep, but that’s my job. You’ll have to get used to me being here... unless you want otherwise. Tell me anything, and I’ll follow it."

"It’s... nice to have someone else watching over me," Yuri said timidly. For some reason, she trusted this strange being – like she could feel its honest intentions. "But can you... maybe look less creepy? I-I’m scared of you. And do you... have a name?"

"Lánshuò," it answered, its body trembling faintly.

"Lánshuò..." Yuri repeated quietly. The creature shivered again. "P-please change how you look. I-I’m really terrified..."

"As you wish, my lady. But know that this is my true form, and when I must protect you, I’ll have to return to it to use my full power."

"I-I get it, but... seeing you like this at night is... a lot..."

"Ah... I almost forgot. You’re still a child, and children fear many things. Let me follow what you want as best I can."

The being bowed deeply and then melted into the shadows.

Yuri waited as her shaking slowly faded. She looked around the room again.

Everyone was still asleep, completely unaware of anything. She wondered if that had something to do with Lánshuò’s presence.

After a moment, Yuri heard a soft rustling in the center of the room, like wind brushing through leaves.

Lánshuò appeared again – in a different form. She was about Haru’s height, with a similar figure. Yuri stared, surprised.

The spirit’s body was made of shadow. A long brown cloak with gold patterns rested over her shoulders, reaching the floor. Her face was hidden behind a simple paper mask with holes only for eyes and a nose. Her long, straight black hair stayed the same, and she now wore a large straw hat.

Lánshuò bowed to Yuri.

"I hope this form doesn’t frighten you, my lady," she said, kneeling first, then lowering her head.

"N-no..." Yuri said, a little calmer. "B-but why do you look like my mom now? You’re the same height..."

"You’re very observant, my lady. Well... I can sense some of your instincts. I wanted to look like someone – or something – you subconsciously connect with safety."

"I-I get it..." Yuri said, glancing at the others again. "But... why can’t they hear us? Shouldn’t they wake up?"

Even though Lánshuò’s mask had no mouth, Yuri could somehow tell she was smiling underneath. She didn’t know how – she just knew.

"Because I want to talk with you," Lánshuò replied. "My power is strong enough that while we speak, I narrow reality down only to you. Only you will remember this conversation. For now, only you and your aunt Ayame can see me... unless someone else has unusually keen sight."

She turned her head to the right – the direction of the building where Haru and Shion slept.

"Anyway, my lady," she said, looking back at Yuri, "I’m ready for your orders."

"W-why do you want to help me? It’s really nice, but... you must get something out of it too, right?"

"I told you already, my lady. My previous mistress imprisoned me. You’re her only heir."

"H-her heir? That woman... the one who screamed in my dreams?"

Lánshuò chuckled.

"Yes. Strange as it may sound. Besides... I was created to devour Fourth One’s gods. There are too many of them. My hunger urges me to protect you, because by staying near you, I’ll feast to my heart’s content."

Yuri looked into the two glowing spheres of violet magical energy that acted as Lánshuò’s pupils. She was still a little scared... but she couldn’t sense any lie in them.

"O-okay. I-I’m gonna go back to sleep now..." Yuri murmured.

"Yes. You must rest well, my lady."

Yuri lay back down as if unsure if she’d be able to fall asleep again.

I don’t know how to explain it, but... with Lánshuò here, I feel calm. Like Mom is here... even though I was so scared of her at the beginning... – she thought, drifting toward sleep.

Moments later, she had fallen asleep – deep and peaceful.

Lánshuò sat by her futon, listening to the girl’s breathing.

Her breathing is steady. Calm. No signs of any illness, Lánshuò thought.

Once Yuri fell asleep, Lánshuò’s presence expanded into the full reality. Sayaka and Yuri’s brothers slept normally, but Yan Mo began moving uneasily in his sleep.

Lánshuò looked at him with interest. Yan Mo slept near the entrance, Sayaka near the back wall, and the children in the middle. Lánshuò sat in the center. That way they formed three solid points of protection.

Yan Mo suddenly sat up. Still half-asleep, he stared into space before covering his face with one hand.

The atmosphere here... it’s completely different. What did my lady do that I can suddenly feel... this terrifying power?

A power that could crush me with a twitch of its little finger.

One of Yan Mo’s eyes glowed gold. He turned toward the children – then he saw her, sitting calmly by Yuri.

Their gazes met.

My lady... what did you sacrifice to grant Yuri such a powerful guardian? What did it cost you? Did you return safely?

She’s... looking after little Yuri.That’s the posture of a watchful guardian.

It was one of the few times in Yan Mo’s life when a cold shiver ran down his spine.

But something’s wrong with her. I can’t explain it, but... something is off.

He didn’t look away from Lánshuò’s eyes, as if trying to learn something from her chaotic, magic-filled gaze.

Hah. Ayame got them quite an alert bodyguard. Good for them.

What will you do, guardian? You know well the smartest choice is to ignore me and take me for what I am.

Another, stronger shiver ran down Yan Mo’s back.

She has good intentions toward them.

No... for some reason, she only has them toward Yuri. The fate of her brothers doesn’t matter to her, but her presence... it’s overwhelming. It’s like she fills almost the entire room, leaving us little space to breathe.

Yan Mo took a few deep breaths – as if he were short of air, but in reality he was just trying to calm himself.

Then he lay back down, turning away from Lánshuò, still feeling her gaze on his back.

Smart choice, guardian, Lánshuò thought, barely holding back a laugh.

*

For the first time in days, Yuri slept so deeply it was hard to wake her up. Neither Sayaka nor Yan Mo managed, and not even her brothers’ shouting helped. She slept so peacefully that everyone started to worry.

Even when everyone was ready to leave the hot springs, Yuri kept sleeping. Haru tried to calm them – Yuri had gone through an especially rough time.

When Haru entered her room, even though it was empty, he immediately felt the overwhelming presence.

It was crushing, it felt like a giant stone gargoyle was sitting on his shoulders.

His eyes moved from sleeping Yuri to the figure sitting beside her.

Lánshuò exchanged a glance with him. She saw the warning in Haru’s eyes, saying, ’No matter what you are, if you harm my daughter, I will destroy you without hesitation.’

A hidden message that Lánshuò read without any mistake.

Lánshuò stood and bowed to him.

"I wouldn’t dare harm the one I serve, nor her wonderful mother," she said calmly.

What the hell is this monstrosity?? Is this because of Ayame’s damn trip? I’m going to have to talk to her about this. Again, something was brought upon my poor Yuri without me knowing...

Haru decided to focus on the everyday moment, ignored Lánshuò, and walked over to Yuri.

"Wake up, my little sleepybear," he said, shaking her shoulder gently.

Yuri slowly opened her eyes and turned toward him. When she saw him, her eyes lit up with happiness, and her face brightened with a wide smile.

"Mom!" Yuri hugged him tightly.

"You slept well, huh? Not that I blame you, Yuri. You’ve had a really tough time - maybe even tougher than the rest of us. I’m glad those nightmares aren’t bothering you anymore."

"Yes! They’re gone," Yuri said happily, hugging him as tightly as she could. "I love you, Mom!"

"I love you too," Haru said tenderly, stroking her hair. "But we can’t stay here much longer. Come on, everyone’s waiting. Quick bath first, then you pick the clothes you want to wear today. Sounds good?"

"Yeees!" Yuri beamed.

Haru hugged her closer. Again, he felt Lánshuò’s gaze. He glanced at her for a split second.

He found nothing but shared understanding in her eyes.

Her overwhelming presence fades when I’m near Yuri... but it surrounds us like an another barrier.

Once they finished hugging and Yuri got up – still a bit sleepy – Haru took her hand and led her out. Lánshuò followed closely, never letting them out of sight.

"The understanding you saw in my gaze wasn’t by chance, mother of my lady," Lánshuò whispered. Haru heard Lánshuò’s whisper, which took him by surprise. He glanced at Yuri uncertainly, but the cheerful girl didn’t seem to notice it at all. "You protect her like the sun," Lánshuò continued. "And I am the shadow that appears when your light warms her world."