Chapter 3 - Red Storm

Dark clouds swirled just of the edge of the slopes of Edo. The wind roared, clawing at the edges of his clothes like so many angry beggars. Beneath the cliffs of the sky island the sea tossed and turned, cast about like every whim of a child. He stood on the edge seemingly calm. Lightning streaked across the sky reflected in clear blue eyes almost void of life. A sound wave tore through a moment later.   He blinked and closed his eyes taking one deep breath before leaning and toppling forward. The raging winds caught and puled at his form like toddlers fighting over a toy. He folded his wings tight letting the free-fall carry him listening to the crashing of the waves growing ever closer. Once this moment had always killed him, it would still kill most if help did not come. But that was then.   At the last second snow white feathers spread catching a gust and grazed the crest of a wave dispersing it into mist. His eyes glowed shining crystal blue as he read the patterns and currents; fold, unfurl, twist, dive, ride this one, cut through that one. As each gust came they seemed to launch him wherever he wanted.   A roar not from thunder called as a massive lizard head shot from the waves snapping at him far too late to catch. The leviathan almost came as a welcome sight as he arose flapping against the wind and slowly raising his hands eyes glowing white. Lightning snaked overhead pure energy building before racing down into the forehead of the beast. It screamed in pain at the storm herald’s wrath before slamming into the waves sinking below.   Destruction felt good. He wanted another target.   A cry carried on the wind to his ears. “Shiro Akuma!” White Devil.   He glanced over to find the source; two Kokkan’s in a small fishing vessel. Certainly they were trapped not prepared for this storm. They probably would not return home at this rate, and most certainly would not if the leviathan had been allowed to live.   A scream of terror wiped through the winds as they saw his attention redirected towards them.   The devils of the sky island. They who kill with only thought. Every time the lightning strikes it is them attacking. Kill on sight. Always kill on sight.   Abiru lost both father and mother to such ignorance. His brother had lost his best friend to them. Because why?! Black with ruby eyes! That could only be demons. Right?   1. Though Kokka think us devil’s we much never indulge anger with them, for they would not kill if they understood, and any retaliation only propagates the lie. We can only forgive, and hope that someday they will listen and we can go home.   It had been almost 700 years! And still they of the mainland saw the tengu to be demons. What good had it ever done! What good was swallowing the hurt and letting murders roam free!   He raised his hand ready to destroy the boat and let them fend for themselves in the waves. Why should they not when others had too? But…   Fishermen never killed a tengu. Any retaliation only propagates the lie. And they had nothing to do with this anyhow…   The hand lowered but the rage did not drain.   He knew… He knew, what was right. He knew what he should do… Right now, he wanted only to destroy. Why could not another leviathan rise up to threaten him?   Beating his wings he rose higher, using the currents until he disappears from their view and into the clouds.   Lightening streaked past him dulling his hearing to a buzz yet he did not flinch. He could read the storm. He could see the energy build and knew where it would strike or choose the location himself. He could read the wind and use its patterns or direct it where he willed. He was a Storm Herald. He was the White Wind.   But the rain chose not where it fell. It was at the mercy of the world… It couldn’t hope to choose.   He hovered above the small shipping vessel just out of sight. They were panicking below knowing survival unlikely in this tempest. They probably had been caught unawares.   Storms came out of nowhere sometimes. It was to be expected…   Storms came out of nowhere sometimes. It was to be expected…   A bolt of lightning flashed, touching the sea near them. They were ignorant, but it wasn’t them. It wasn’t any of them. If anything they were more like her.   37. Though it is not our place to interfere, if we can preserve life we must endeavor to try, but never for praise or renown.   With a sweep of his hand a gust turned and crashed into the ship sending it back toward the mainland. Tiring perhaps but doable, he thought as he rode the winds waiting for the next good moment to push them back while also preventing the storm from pulling them out any further. They had already been rowing tying to return home.   He stayed with them, guarding those that feared and hated him until it looked as if they could make it the rest of the way. An ache had begun to setting in on him muscles his mind tired from concentration, but the numb felt better than the rage.   He tilted circling into the storm again knowing it was foolish to fly so tired, but caring little. If he fell, he fell. He folded his wings, closing his eyes and going into freefell again. Letting himself feel helpless in the storm, he reached to understand the feeling. But he wasn’t scared. He hadn’t felt scared for years. He wanted to now, to understand better.   The sound of the waves drew near. He would need to take control again. But he was tired, should he even try, or just skink into the depts.? Closer… Time was now to choose. It would be too late to come back in a moment. But he didn’t get to choose.   Strong arms wrapped around his waist and he was yanked horizontal with the sea the tips of his limp wings just barely brushing the waves.   “You’re an idiot,” His rescuer stated, ruby eyes locked forward and glowing with annoyance.   “You’re stubborn,” Haku muttered, but folded his wings up and clung to his brother’s form.   It was just when he did fall. Tsuyo had been the one to find him and fish him out of the sea. No one would have been better. For all his strength and training he knew he would never compete with his elder’s power. Back then he had held on resting in the embrace and crying from worry. It felt good to be the younger again.   “Did you actually fly yourself weak, or were you just going to give up,” Tsuyo asked sternly as two great beats of ebony wings pulled them into the clouds.   “I haven’t decided yet.”   “Well, you were out of time.”   “I had another second.”   “At least I caught you before this time. It would have been a pain to pull you out of the sea in this storm.”   “Like before?”   “More or less. You’re bigger now.”   A weak smile followed, tears finally flowing as he buried his face into his brothers chest weeping. “I should have been here to pull her out.” Haku yelled, muffled in the fabric.   The arms tightened in response as Tsuyo abounded the idea of asking his little brother to fly himself. He was more than capable of carrying them both back. And right now Haku deserved the rest.   He had been the first to find out. Though they were rare, sometimes storms could rise up almost without warning. Tsuyo had been hunting with his team and barely managed to get everyone grounded in time. Upon his return to Edo the gatekeeper greeted him with the news. Abiru, being an orphan, had no close family, and yet since it seemed very likely she would come into his own someday they were considered like a next of kin. She had been working on the cliffsides, looking out to sea like she did on every nice day. They only realized after the storm that she was no longer there.   A search had begun which he joined and continued long into the night; squinting at the waves searching for any glow of life and combing the coast for a body. Nothing was found. Father returned from his task a day later and joined the search. They and three other Storm Heralds that respected Haku almost non ceasing searched for three days, carefully circling all of Kokka’s rim. One flew so far as the banks of Ina Tathen and another even to Hoydvann.   If they could find the body, at least that might give Haku closer. Or make it easier somehow… Tsuyo didn’t really know why. He just knew he had to keep doing something then.   He had dreaded today. Haku was set to arrive back. They all had waited for him at the tower. But the light of day was fading beneath the clouds and though he was not the best at comforting Tsuyo knew what loss felt like deeper than anyone in his family. If Haku had found out before they told him, he would not go to the tower. He would go to the grassy patch where he spent so much time watching her paint, and talking with her; where she was lost.   From there?   It would depend on how the hurt affected his spirit. Haku had never experienced pain on this magnitude before, and though he was a relentlessly hopeful and confident man, Tsuyo wasn’t ready to take a chance. He remembered what it was like for him, and he shuttered to think what would have happened had not father stubbornly cased him down. Now it was his turn to chase down.   He flapped pulling them back above Edo’s sloops. He wondered if he should take him further in and away from this place of memories, but Haku made that chose for him.   Shoving out of his arms and flipping to land gracefully like a cat. Even in grief, you still fly like a champion Tsuyo thought circling to drop down beside.     The blue eyes stared at a small rock outcropping, where she used to lean against to work. Haku stood tall, feigning calm, but one look deeper and there was a sea of turmoil beneath.   Tsuyo blinked eyes glowing to try and better understand. Though he was never skilled at reading emotional patterns this one was too obvious to mistake. Haku’s heart pounded while every muscle tensed.   “Haku-chan?” Tsuyo asked laying a hand on the white one shoulder.   The façade drained as the wings dropped and the head hung. A sob tour from his brothers lips.   “It will be ok,” elder brother offered, folding his younger brother into his arms again.   “It’s all so stupid. I should have been here! Why wasn’t I here!”   “There was nothi-“   “I would have known to go after her! I could have pulled her out!”   “You don’t know that.”   “I was thinking about quitting. I knew that if we did get married I wouldn’t want to leave anymore. But I was so blinded by…” A scream of rage followed as he clung on tighter. “Curse it!” he yelled the vibrations bassey against Tsuyo’s chest.   That rage was a very familiar feeling. It was dangerous too. But he was not good at knowing what to say. He tried to think back on what his father had done when he was manic with anger, but could remember nothing but strong arms pinning him down and sympathetic eyes. His brother didn’t need pinned down. He wasn’t trying to do anything right now. So he just hugged, rubbing gently to try and convey that he was there and he wouldn’t let go. Tears and rain soaked them both.   “The heavens morn with you,” he finally offered, looking up to the sky.   “Do they?” Haku voiced. “They’re the ones that took her.”   Maybe that wasn’t helpful.   “I wish I had something to blame. I wish I could… destroy what took her.”   “I know.”   “You…” He paused taking a deep breath. “How long does it hurt Ni-san.”   “I suppose it’s different for each. You were there though. You remember.”   “Yeah,” He nodded. “I… I don’t understand… I should have been here. I had her. I knew. But… why did I think the storm heralds more important? What’s so great about the Voice of the Tempest that I would delay for the sake of my career?”   “She loved that part of you though.”   A chocked sob followed.   “Yeah… She did. She wanted me to reach the top, as I knew she would have.”   “Everything happens for a reason. That’s what you always say?”   “I know it. That’s what makes this all the more hell. I can’t see it. I didn’t even learn anything important while away. Nothing ever happens in Du-Bye. Why the hell do we even watch it? We can’t even get close to the blasted city because of those cursed flowers.”   Tusyo nodded and stroked the white hair. Swearing wasn’t what he had expected, but it was still worlds tamer than his own trouble.   “What use is it all even? What does mapping and recording do to make anything better? And… I’m so sorry.”   “Don’t be. It’s-“   “No. I wanted to fall. I wanted to slip into the ocean like that would bring me to her. But… that’s not fair to you or mom or dad… or her.”   “I thought it might go there.”   “I’m so, so, sorry.”   “Hey, don’t worry about it. I’m just glad I found you before you hit. Either way you wouldn’t have been able too. I’m not letting my little brother throw his life away.”   A sob chuckle responded as Haku turned his head to glance at the rock again. “Guess you’re more stubborn than I.”   “Do…” tsuyo began, but paused as the words caught in his throat. Theirs welled up weather from sympathy or past. “Do you know… when Mika died. I… was…” he trailed off, taking a deep breath.   Haku’s arms tensed as clinging to support became holding in support. Even three years later it could still be hard, for that death was senseless too.   “I was flying to Boi house. I just wanted to make them feel the hurt they caused us. I planned to die, taking as many of them with me as I could in payment for his life.”   “I know.”   “Father pulled me down and held on until I came to my senses. I cursed everything that day. I even tried to hurt him so I could get away… But thank Eylon that nothing I wanted could happen. You know he never has blamed me for that. I was plotting murder and dishonored the man that gave us so much. But he didn’t hate me or show disappointment. He understood where it came from even if it was all wrong. He only gave love and sympathy, and him and you and everyone, just held me up until I could stand again. So don’t worry. You’re doing so much better than I did. And we’ll hold up for as long as we need to.” He finished switching back to support.   “I…” Haku breathed, “I think you had it worse. There’s someone to blame, but you can’t hurt them. I just have the world to be angry at.”   “That can be very hard too. It’s nice having something to direct your anger too.” “Yeah… I can’t though. Eylon is the only one I can blame, and… I just can’t. It’s wrong.”   Tsuyo looked up to heaven unsure what to say.   “I know there’s a reason for everything, but I hate not seeing it. Why did this happen? What am I supposed to do after losing her? She was my future or… something like that. I was… going to find a way that’s safe and show her Ashnuw. She wanted to see it you know. She was complacent and happy, on this clifside but she stared out at the sea so much because she wanted to fly out and see everything that she recorded. And after that I was going to become The Voice and find a way to change Kokka’s mind about us. I was going to… It’s foolish.” He sighed. “It’s been 700 years of hate a fear. It’s never going to change.”   “Shoot for the moon and at least you hit high.” Tsuyo quoted.   “You’re just using my own words against me now,” he whispered.   “They seem to be better than mine. I’m not very eloquent.”   “You’re fine.” He sighed. “I’m glad it’s you right now.” Haku opened his mouth as if to speak but shut it again the ideas unformed. Twice more this happened until, “I need to do something to fix this. I need to make it worthwhile somehow. There’s no way she could be alive still?” he asked pulling back to gaze at his elder with longing blue eyes.   Tsuyo hesitated. They had yet to find a body, though those who drowned only rarely washed up. He couldn’t say whether giving that hope would help or ultimate make things worse if they finally found her corpse.   “I… doubt it.” He settled somewhere in the middle. “It’s been three days. If she was hanging on we would have found her.”   “Where have you looked.”   “The Jin seas and the Nashean, as well as the coasts of Ina Tathen, Seji-san even flew as far as Hoydvann.”   “Seji-kun helped,” Haku cried, tears of gratitude forming.   “Yeah, and Ryosuke and Mokoto and father and I. There was a formal search the first day of twenty gatekeepers and storm heralds.”   “Wow…”   “I’m sorry we couldn’t find anything.”   “No… You just… You all care.”   “Of course we do. I know you’d do the same for any of us.”   “She couldn’t have rode the storm.” Haku added, almost to convince himself of the fact.   Abiru had never been trained to fly in anything taxing. It wasn’t needed. One time when they were out together he had had to pull her out of an unexpected current. It was so simple to him. He would have rode it and played with it but the terror on her face when she was suddenly yanked down and towards the mountain sloop. He had dipped gliding beneath her.   “Fold your wings.” He had said calmly.   “Are you crazy?”   “I’ll fly for us now.” He had added holding out his arms.   She hesitated but then did as he asked dropping in gently. “Just be careful.”   “This is noting Abiru.” He had smiled. “Don’t worry. I’d never let anything hurt you.”   She had smiled back grateful as he rode it out and safely to land.   He swallowed remembering now. “I should have been there.” He repeated almost numb now.   “It will be okay.”   “Maybe that’s what it is? Maybe I need to stay in Edo.”   “But you love being a Storm Herald, and you’re so good at it.”   “But why would this happen?”   Tsuyo paused his eyes lighting up again. Haku was now almost limp and everything strangely still. He never remembered feeling that himself until he accepted it. It seemed too soon for that, but…   “You don’t need to decide right now. It’s okay to just take time and morn. Let’s go home for now.”   “I have to turn in my log book,” He stated, almost robotic.   “They’ll understand if that waits until tomorrow.”   “I don’t mind doing it.”   “Just let it be. We’re both soaked. Let’s get out of the rain and deal with one thing at a time okay.”   “Okay.” He nodded and brothers finally let go, trekking back through the storm.   “I’m right here little brother. Anything you need I’m there.” Tsuyo reassured one last time.