Chapter 4
Keiko
Keiko felt the wind brush by her ears. She was sitting with her legs crossed, in front of her master. The older woman breathed in, and as Keiko heard her, she did the same. Keiko was dressed in a ka, the traditional training uniform of those in the Zayama clan. A simple set of black robes adorned with golden lace which held slits on the sides that reached up, all the way to her ribcage, and showed off her legs.
She had her hair, long and black with golden tips, tied into a ponytail and her slender hands with their fingers intertwined.
And, of course, her black blindfold was tied on tightly, as it always was.
"Breathe." Her master told her.
Keiko did so, but she simply couldn't calm down.
Her blindness, a natural status effect all in the Zayama clan carried, allowed for her senses to be heightened just slightly. It let her feel the cold air sliding into her lungs all the more viscerally. It also allowed the silence in the room to feel much heavier, and in turn, made Keiko tenser.
"Now, feel my presence. Before you cast your Spirit Eye, you must have some measure of awareness of what is around you, even if you cannot currently see it."
The Spirit Eye was the trade-off for that blindness. This ability was the trophy gained in exchange for the Zayama clan's eyesight in a deal made long ago, ages before Keiko was born. A permanently active ability that allowed the user to do three things:
1: Cure their blindness, which was why awakening the Spirit Eye was so important.
2: See 2 seconds into the future.
3: If they so choose, to see through the eyes of someone else.
Although they gave up their eyesight in the early portions of their lives for this gift, the Spirit Eye was why those of the Zayama clan were regarded as some of the most dangerous combatants in all of Nova. Keiko belonged to that clan, as much of a burden as it was to everyone else, and therefore, had that ability dormant within her.
That said, there was another catch. That being that, although most of them managed to do it, there was no guarantee a Zayama would be able to awaken the ability. Some simply never did.
"You must achieve perfect awareness. Be in intimate contact with all four of your senses. From the taste of your own saliva to the feeling of the air hitting your skin to the smell of the room, to the texture of your hands clutching each other. Each one must mesh together in your mind before you are able to cast the Spirit Eye."
"Hm." Keiko nodded.
She took a shaky breath. She could feel the pressure. Other members of the family watched her. She knew their expectations. They all believed she would fail, that she would never be able to perform the spell, that she would simply be a regular blind girl.
And she wished she could prove them wrong, but it didn't seem like that would ever happen.
"Now, try it."
She nodded again.
Willing the spell to activate, she parted her lips.
"Iridos!" She spoke the incantation, but the spell backfired and sent a searing pain all throughout her body.
Grey lightning came from her eyes and circled around her body, causing her to tremble in pain.
"Forget it, we've tried hard enough for today." She heard her grandmother say.
"I apologize, siya." Her master said, standing up and ignoring the Zayama girl squirming on the wooden floor. "I thought that, for sure..."
"No, it isn't your fault. A teacher is not to blame for her student's lack of talent."
Keiko heard their words as she writhed. As soon as the pain subsided, she stood up and bowed to the two women.
"I am sorry."
"Quiet." Her grandmother barked out. "Go. You're done for today."
"Y-Yes." Keiko stood up and walked out.
The Zayama compound was quieter than normal. Many of the different members of the family had been called upon by Jade's Royal Council to aid the army in its efforts against the demons elsewhere, which left Keiko without much company. Not that she would have had a lot of that, to begin with, after all, no one wanted to associate themselves with a failure. To the Zayamas, it was almost like a lack of success was contagious. If one had a reputation for not producing results, they were to be avoided, as their presence could lead to misfortune for one's own self.
Keiko reflected on the spell as she paced. She couldn't see, but she already knew the full layout of the compound, so she knew where she was at all times.
Her status came up in her mind.
Level 1
MP: 100/100
---
STR: 4
DEX: 15
CON: 10
INT: 10
WIS: 10
L: 5
---
Traits:
Zayama Heritage
[Gain access to the unique Spirit Eye spell]
Spirit Eye REQ:
INT 10
WIS 10
DEX 10
The requirements for the Spirit Eye mocked her. She'd reached them almost two full years ago, and yet she had consistently failed to perform the ability. Whatever trick it was, whatever she needed to do to get the spell to work, she just couldn't find it.
Because of that, she was still considered a child to them. In the Zayama clan, one began training their Spirit Eye at the age of 14 and was only considered an adult once they achieved it. At first, of course, the training of the ability was kept minimal, maybe one training session every couple of months, but once a person reached 18 years old and became a legal adult, they were pressured to find results.
Those who never did awaken it had their surnames replaced with Zayo and harbored an existence equivalent to that of a bastard, doomed to only be menial workers and servants within the clan and usually ending up having to look for a life elsewhere. Around 1 in 10 members of the clan failed to produce their Spirit Eye and Keiko could hear some of them walking about right now, sweeping the floors.
As for Keiko herself, she'd trained in the use of multiple weapons to the point where, when she was fourteen, she was able to best young adults in sparring sessions, acquired high proficiency in half the time it normally took, and finished school with a perfect NA, or Notes Average. For all intents and purposes, she was a talented person in most areas.
But the Spirit Eye still eluded her. With every year that passed her anxiety increased.
When she felt the wind strike her forehead, she knew she had walked outside. Moving up a bit, she sat down on the wooden stairs that led to the compound. Sighing, she crossed her legs.
What exactly do I have to do?
"Don't be too frustrated, seiyo."
She heard her master address her from behind.
"I can't help it, siya." Keiko shook her head. "It's starting to feel hopeless."
Her master's feet softly thudded against the wood as she walked up to Keiko and sat down next to her.
"That is a feeling you must ignore. Hope is never gone. It's the kind of thing that only leaves when you let it."
"… How did you do it?" Keiko asked. "How did it happen for you?"
"Seiyo, it is not good to compare yourself to others. Your experience is your own."
"I know, I'm just curious," Keiko replied. The other woman paused for a moment and then answered.
"I was 15," she stated. "I believe it was just a week after my birthday. It didn't happen here."
"What?" That surprised Keiko.
"I was visiting Pearl at the time, tagging along with a siya as he conducted business. I was alone when it happened. My master was away, I was sitting in the middle of an inn. I tried it. It was casual, actually. I was simply trying it for the sake of doing so, and suddenly, I could see everything around me."
"Wow." Keiko took her words in. "How did it feel?"
"It was strange." Her master replied. "If I had to compare it to something, the only thing I believe is similar is, well, it's like taking a deep breath after you've had the wind knocked out of you. The sudden rush of awareness, how alive you feel. I'd say that sums it up."
"I see." Keiko turned toward her. "Do you believe I will awaken my Spirit Eye?"
"I know you will." Her master answered quickly. "You are fairly talented."
Do you believe that, or are you just saying it? Keiko wondered.
"Anyway, take your time out here, but come in soon. I'll fix you up some tea."
"Y-Yes." Keiko bowed. "Thank you."
Her master walked away. Once again, Keiko was alone. She tried to meditate, but her recent failure remained fresh in her mind. After a few minutes of unsuccessful focusing, she got up.
Maybe I just need to walk it off, she reasoned. She headed back into the building and moved through the barren halls. With everyone away, working, fighting, generally being far more important than her, the compound felt empty. The sounds of her own footsteps echoed in her ears. She stopped when she reached a room that was somewhat special. Is the door open? She wondered. Usually, it was closed, so as to prevent exactly what she had in mind. It wasn't though, this time.
She walked in, feeling the texture of the floor change as she started moving over a carpeted area.
Is it still here? She wondered though she knew what the likely answer was. And, indeed, when she extended her hand, she touched it.
This room was known as the Zayama Memorial. It was a small space dedicated to the past warriors of the clan. The most important among them had their armor kept here. From the left to the right, they were positioned in terms of age, with one exception. At the center, there was the armor of Musano Hasashi, known for having been Level 50 and being the only Zayama who was ever chosen to be a Savior.
That wasn't the set of armor Keiko was looking for though. She moved to the right side of the room, tracing her hands over some steel until she felt a horn. That was the one. Her hand had just landed on the helm belonging to her father, Iriko Zayama. He and Keiko's mother, Keina Zayama, whose armor was right next to Iriko's, had been known as the Twin Dragons, their relationship and their fighting prowess had made them famous warriors. These were Keiko's predecessors.
Maybe if they hadn't died to those wretched demons, when Keiko was just 11-years-old, her life would be just a bit better. Keiko bit down on the insides of her cheeks.
Maybe if they were still here, they could guide me.
Their blood was in her, and yet she did not believe she'd ever reach their level.
She simply did not possess the talent necessary.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Huh? U-Uh, sorry, I was just…"
"Keiko."
The dark-haired girl turned to face the sound. She recognized the voice as her grandmother's.
"Sorry." She apologized again.
"Come." Her grandmother said.
"What?"
Her grandmother did not repeat herself. Instead, she turned and walked away, expecting Keiko to follow, which, of course, she did. As they paced through the hall, the older woman asked her something.
"So, something you have been successful with is learning about different weapons, right?"
"Uh, yes," Keiko replied.
"Then there is a task for you."
"Ah, who is this?" Keiko heard another voice ask. This one belonged to what she imagined to be an old man.
"This is my granddaughter, Keiko Zayama. Keiko, this is Father Varcon."
"Pleasure to meet you." She bowed.
"Is she qualified?" The man ignored her.
"Yes." Her grandmother answered. "She should have enough knowledge to teach your new blood, at least, through the initial steps."
"Ah. Good. She will have to come with me, then. We must discuss her tasks with her in more detail."
"Uh," Keiko spoke up, "what's happening?"
Her grandmother sighed, almost like speaking to Keiko was beneath her.
"The Church of Magia requires someone to train a new asset of theirs. You have some experience with weapons, none of the more qualified members of our clan are available, you will help."
Oh. Keiko thought. So... I'm being sent away? Somewhere where people won't have to see me fail?
"Uh, who would I be training exactly?"
"The next Savior."
As Keiko heard those words, she nearly fainted. Her feelings were mixed, but mostly, she was disappointed. Her Spirit Eye should have taken up most of her time, but clearly, that wouldn't be the case for at least a little while.
As her grandmother and the priest finalized the details, Keiko lowered her head. She wondered if her parents were disappointed in her, somewhere in the next life, watching and laughing. Or maybe they were rooting for her.
Either way, it seemed she was going to have a rough time ahead.