Loathe - End

How powerful must she be…

A question that seemed to only linger further within my mind. Even as I was brought forth and through the room. An elaborate illusion completely forgotten about, dispelled with merely a wave of her hand.

But still… beyond just her power I found myself wondering a great many things. Among the most being why she had created such an illusion. What was the purpose of that? To trick me into thinking that there were more people than I had thought within the room.

Or was there even a purpose?

And when I was about to voice my thoughts she shushed me. Closing one eye in a wink as she brought her finger to my lip.

"We are not forced to bring students over to our lessons, nor is there a quota of who must pass our classes."

I nodded, the grip she held on me forcing me even further within her grasp. And with it she pet my head further. Letting her fingers sink within my hair, ruffling it like a father would. But she was not one… No…

"And as such I was given the freedom to pick and choose who I wanted to enter my tutelage. Yet year after year…"

Her grip grew tighter, bringing me even closer to her, to the point that I could feel her skin roughly pushing against mine. Her breasts pushing against my head and suffocating me in their form.

"Year after year… I found nothing but wasted talent and potential. Yet for as talented as they were… as great as they could be… none met my standards. But you…" She trailed off. Turning her attention to the ceiling.

"Me?" I asked.

"You have a talent not seen in… mm~... Not seen in decades… No, would it be centuries? More than that at the very least."

Instinctively I tried to tilt my head, in askance of what she meant. But with her grip over me I found I was unable to. All my body could muster was a simple shiver.

"Yes, more than that. That healing of yours, I've only known one other with such an ability and she did not meet a kind end."

She seemed to be reminiscing. Her voice trailing off in odd places. Even her tone almost sad in tone.

"I promised her that I would guide the next. And so I waited… waited and waited some more. And eventually I came here, waiting for one with a power similar to hers. Never in all my life would I ever think that I would come across someone like you."

She blinked. Standing.

And when I could next think she had wrapped herself against me. Sitting with her legs crossed and my own body leaning against her.

"And so I offer you this… accept my teachings and I will guide your power further. That is what you want, yes?"

And when she spoke, when she gave the offer, my mind finally caught up to the world. The world that was spinning so much.

"I-" I stuttered for a moment, "I don't want power." 

I shook my head, looking down to my hands, the way that they shook against her absolute power.

"I don't want conflict… I don't want enemies… there are a lot of things I don't want. But… but that can never happen can it?"

She continued to stay silent. That perfect voice of hers saying nothing against my voice.

"Ever since I left home… ever since… It has been nothing but pain and conflict. Horror against horror. Where every move I made killed someone. If only I was fast enough… if only I was strong enough to save them."

I turned my head to meet those perfect eyes of hers.

"If I follow you… can I truly do that. Can I save those that even these hands of mine can not heal. Can I?"

She paused. Letting me wallow in the moment.

All before a smile lit her face.

"Of course. Let me take you in. I will give you that power."

…

[??? pov]

When I first cast that illusion, turning the room into a makeshift realm. Those without the right perception would both see and hear a cacophony of voices. Each of them speaking of subjects of interest and great value.

A wealth of knowledge and power if only they were to ask.

And when I first created it I found myself doubting whether this was too much. Whether I had done the right thing testing my student with such a challenge.

But when he leaned against the door. His breathing so even against even the greatest of temptations. A spark of hope rose within my chest.

Watching as he walked through and saw through the illusion with those same eyes. So cloudy yet so piercing.

And his answer to my question.

It was just like her.

He was even the spitting image of her too. That face that looked so cute, hair that held a tinge of green and a kindness within those eyes of his that seemed to be given to each and every creature that passed through his vision.

Truly… truly he must be her descendent. There was no other possible explanation.

But… but if he was… then I had an obligation. Beyond even that last promise of mine. A sentimentality that would either bring him great fortune and power. Or would ruin the last remnants of that memory.

As for which… well that was up to him.

And so, as I walked through the streets, letting the veil that hid my presence do its work. Preparing plan after plan. Sending message after message.

All under the guise of another name. Hundreds of different identities all formed for this moment. When my student would reveal himself to me. When I would finally be given the chance to teach such a prodigy… one that had inherited her gift.

"Okami, truly your line is blessed." I spread my word amongst the wind. Letting the sadness fade with work.