#epichlexi

It had been six months of only living in shadows, where no words but those of nightmares would speak directly to Umi. Sure, she could hear the spirits calling and the snickers of the villagers. However the only one to speak to the woman was the darkness, reminding her of the pain. The teachings of her father cemented her trust in such cruelties to be truth. Nights became a bittersweet friend.

Finally, there was a voice that cried out of frustration that caught Umi's attention. It was distant but it sounded just as lonely as she was. The entire trauma of losing everything left her sensitive to the suffering of others so she followed what she heard. The voice sounded so desperate to be freed from its situation. Umi didn't even notice she found her way into the mines and there in the deepest tunnel was a glowing little flame. 

Blue eyes could see past the physical fire and such imagery scared her enough to try and run but it was no use; the fire now was watching her and flared up, encircling her. It spoke that it was rude to judge another by looks and that she was in no position to cast such judgment herself. It was something Umi couldn't argue with. The fire spoke of truth. 

There was some time that passed where they spoke at length of what the other needed. The fire had been trapped there and wanted to be free while Umi desired to no longer fear what she saw, to quiet the voices of the other realms, and to regain her honor. A devious grin crackled along the flame's visage. It would give her such freedom, and power, even help her to start a new life, if it could have her heart and her life. 

Such terms were so incredibly agreeable to Umi. She wanted to never romantically love another again and her life was already worthless; the nightmares told her so. Who was she to cling to such useless things? A bond was struck and the fire leaped into her chest. Her heart stopped as the demon wedged itself between the girl's soul and the spirits of the forest. Once a delicate balance had been made, Umi awoke and gasped as her heart restarted to beat. 

Umi had been born a child of spring, originally named Marguerite. A tourist from Japan saw her eyes and exclaimed 'Umi!' so the nickname was utilized by those who thought of the girl dearly. Born to the land owner, she was only allowed to wed others of status. She fell for a politician's son who revealed he had other intentions and they became enemies. 

An offer of marriage was sent to Umi's family, and her parents accepted with the given condition that Umi not know who it was. This made the girl suspicious it was her previous crush and she desperately sought to deny the proposal. The only way a girl could do such in her position was by performing a rite of passage and establishing herself as grown. 

She was the top of class so she thought it would be easy to summon forth spirits of the forest. There was an agreement made between the Elders and the spirits that they would come when asked, but only if the summoner would not gaze upon them. If they would, the spirit had the right to do as they pleased with the summoner. Umi was well aware of this rule but she figured she could do it. 

In the dark night by the forest, Umi performed the ritual and was doing well. Unfortunately her curiosity got the better of her, and she peeked out at the spirits that swirled around her. The promise had been broken and it was a swift punishment.