#zaiki

Sayuri looked tensely at the approaching shadow of a man. A raven hood was over his head, hiding most of his face. His apparels were concealed by his cloak. He was but a moving shadow across the lively field of grass. 

But Sayuri, a knowledgeable wood nymph, knew immediately who it was. No wonder why it struck fear into her. 

When the shadow approached her, she stammered in terror, “Lord Zaiki...”

The figure did not answer. Instead, he looked down upon the nymph, as if scrutinizing her under his hood. When he realized this wasn’t Shirune nor Shibiru, he mumbled, “Take me to the garden.”

“Which garden?” The nymph inquired cautiously. For sure, she might be frightened but she had a stout heart. 

“The one Shirue-sama is tending.”

Sayuri shook her head in dismay. She answered, “My Lady isn’t here, my lord. Only her daughter, Shibiru-sama. But, unfortunately, you cannot meet or see her under the order and protection of Shirune-sama and her handmaidens, the nymphs, like me.”

Zaiki became disgruntled. He figured this arrangement would take him a day to complete it. Such a simple request, too much legwork-

“I am not here to see Shirune-sama or her daughter. I am here for the herbs Fuko asked me to retrieve.”

Upon hearing the Tatian’s name, a look of recognition and part relief flickered in Sayuri’s face. She knew who Fuko was; she’s a regular goddess who always came by to ask for herbs Shirune propagated in her gardens. Every now and then, she would pop by and even meet Shibiru, but only on certain occasions. 

“Oh... What kind of herbs would Fuko-sama want?”

“The ones for the burns.”

“Alright,” Sayuri promptly answered. She went back into the garden, Zaiki following her trail. It made her turn back and face the stone-cold god. Gathering courage to speak first, she said, “I would appreciate if you calmly stay back.”

Zaiki didn’t respond to that. Sayuri, figuring that she valued her life more, turned her attention to the plants around her, searching for those herbs. Much to her dismay, she couldn’t spot them anywhere. 

“Sayuri? Are you here?”

A feminine voice broke out into the garden as the nymph and god heard the wooden gate open and close. It was soft but it was loud enough for the two to hear. 

Sayuri’s eyes widened and internally panicked. She wasn’t expecting Shibiru to drop by at this garden! Giving Zaiki a once-over, she reassured herself that he won’t move and would stay in place. After all, what business would he have with her mistress’s daughter when she’s already dealing with him?

Sayuri traversed through the path and she met Shibiru halfway across the corner. She panted, “Shibiru-sama! What brings you here?”

“I am here to tend this garden as well? Why? Is there something that needed to be cleaned with? Pruned with?”

Sayuri shook her head and answered, “Oh, no, not that, Shibiru-sama. It’s just that I am searching for an herb that can treat burns caused by magic.”

“Wait, is Fuko here? Can I see her?” Shibiru excitedly inquired. She side-stepped and almost got past through Sayuri when her caretaker held her wrist. 

She was panicking, but she can’t afford to show that to Shibiru. She quickly said, “She looks like she’s in a hurry, my lady. Can you help me look for those herbs instead.”

Shibiru complied and went to the opposite direction, much to Sayuri’s relief. Peeking through the gaps of the trees and vines, she saw that Zaiki hadn’t left his position. It eased her mind but she hoped Shibiru return soon. Before something else happened beyond her control.

Luckily, Shibiru knew the grounds like at the palm of her hand and she returned carrying all sorts of herbs meant for the burns. She exclaimed, “I got them, I got them!”

The youthful cry made the caretaker look at her in delight. Sayuri thankfully received them and told the bud to look for some plants that needed care since she wasn’t able to do it herself. At first, Shibiru asked if she could see Fuko now, but Sayuri told her the goddess can’t stay and have a small chat. She added that she might be itching to go back home to do whatever she needed to be done in her cauldron. 

Shibiru, though slightly dejected, nodded in understanding and walked off. Sayuri rushed back to Zaiki. Even if she’s glad to know he hadn’t move, he literally didn’t move an inch. It made the nymph suspicious. She cautiously walked over the hooded figure and when she held his cloak, dust was emitted and the whole apparel fell to the ground. 

Gasping, the shocked and bewildered nymph dropped the herbs and frantically looked around. Her heart pounded, the worst coming over to her head. She thought, Had he or had he not seen my mistress’s daughter?!

He knew he shouldn’t be there. He really shouldn’t because he trespassing the protected grounds of Shirune. But what was he supposed to do? Fuko the Hecate can’t come to the grounds herself because she was attending to a mishap that happened in her residence, which was unfortunately a botched spell that nearly seared Shi the Thanatos while he was passing by her home. 

Zaiki had reprimanded her earlier of her shenanigans. Yes, he knew black magic was as dangerous as any weapon existed, but since she’s the goddess of black magic, the balanced is tipped to her favor, thus making the whole ordeal more minacious than it already was. 

Fuko apologized, as she should, but she informed him the damage wasn’t all done. Incidentally, she also singed Suni the Styx. Her arm got a nasty burn and the only way to alleviate it was a plant Shirune had in her garden.

“If ever Shirune wasn’t there,” Fuko said. “You can ask it from her daughter, Shibiru. She tends the gardens her mother left her.”

If Zaiki was surprised Shirune had a child, he didn’t show it. Instead, he grumbled as to why Fuko didn’t have the tonic Suni needed for her burn. 

“I have used it all up on Yoru the last time this happened,” Fuko reasoned, getting impatient. “Now, can you please get some of those herbs? Unless you want Suni to cause tidal rivers waves to your ferryman.”

Fuko was probably one of the very few deities who can get away talking to Zaiki like that. Understandingly, Fuko was a Tatian, an immortal who lived long before the Fujians. And while the recent, superior race of immortals, the Fujians, bore hatred to some Tatians, there were some who respected them and were allowed to live. A handful of them resided in the Underworld and sustained a good relationship with Zaiki. 

“Fine,” Zaiki grumbled. “I’ll go pick up your herbs.”

“The stinky ones worked the best. Colors vary but ask for some of the red and violet. Just tell them what it is for.”

Fuko barely finished her request when Zaiki just suddenly vanished out of the blue. 

“Thank you very much, My Lord,” Fuko said, particularly to no one, then went inside where Suni is cradling her arm. “He’ll be back.”

“Did you tell him about Shibiru?”

“I told him to approach her if Shirune’s not around.”

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

“What, why?”

Cordelia: That’s ridiculous. Name one example of this.

Serith: Wasps.

Zaiki: Spiders.

Dawn: Terriers.

Adran: I cannot.

Cordelia: So you can knot.

Adran: No, I cannot knot.

Cordelia: Not knot?

Zaiki: Who's there?

Cordelia: Zaiki!

Zaiki: Zaiki who?