sand and sky chapter 7

 

Chapter 7  Exile

The Last Smile

No songs echoed through Hive-Lumina. For the first time in Tsukikage's life, silence filled the floating dome. Not peaceful silence. Not sacred silence. But grief. The Festival of Moon Blossoms had ended in disaster. The black crows. The fear. The whispers. And now The judgment. The Hall of Resonance stood beneath a silver artificial moon. Thousands of Tenkūjin females gathered in perfect rows. Female Warriors. Female Architects. Female Healers. Female Guardians. Every sister of the hive stood motionless. No one spoke. No one cried. Among the Sky People, sorrow was private. But everyone felt it. The entire colony mourned. Because one of their sons One of their precious sons Had been born Shadow-Born. Queen Tsukihana at the center of the chamber stood. Though Ancient she looked incredibly young and Beautiful. and Terrible. Her silver eyes held centuries of memories. She sat upon the Moon Throne, surrounded by psychic lotus flowers drifting through the air. Beside her stood the Drone Consort with long black hair almost reaching to the floor, silent and sorrowful. Even he looked heartbroken. For Yuki Tsukishiro was one of his sons. And before them stood Yuki himself. Calm. Still. Beautiful. Long black hair. Snow-white robes. The same serene expression he always wore. As though nothing had happened. As though the entire world had not collapsed around him. Tsukikage stood beside Suiren among the gathered children. Both of them trembling. Neither understanding. Neither accepting.

The Queen finally spoke. Her voice echoed softly through the chamber. Not angry. Not cold. Only sad.

"Yuki Tsukishiro."

The young male bowed gracefully.

"My Queen."

"The shadows within you cannot remain here."

Silence.

"Your existence disrupts the harmony of the hive."

Tsukikage clenched his hands.

No.

No.

No.

The Queen continued.

"You are not guilty."

"You are not cursed."

"You are loved."

"But the ancient law exists to protect all."

Many female warriors lowered their eyes. Some looked close to tears. Because everyone knew the truth. Yuki had done nothing wrong. Shadow-Born males were not criminals. They were victims of circumstances.

Queen Tsukihana's voice softened.

"You shall descend to the world below."

"You shall walk beneath the moon."

"And though distance separates us"

Her eyes shimmered faintly.

"You will forever remain our son."

Tsukikage finally broke.

"NO!"

Black feathers suddenly appeared seemed to dance in the air around him. His voice echoed through the chamber. Everyone turned. Never before had a young male shouted during a royal judgment. But Tsukikage couldn't stop himself.

Tears poured down his face.

"Please!"

"Please don't send Brother away!"

"He didn't do anything!"

His voice cracked.

"He's kind!"

"He helps everyone!"

"He sings for the children!"

"He fixes Suiren's mistakes!"

"He always protects us!"

The chamber remained silent.

Little Suiren suddenly ran forward too. Her tiny fists shook. Tears streamed endlessly from her hazel eyes.

"I don't want Brother to go!"

"I'll train harder!"

"I'll become stronger!"

"I can protect him!"

"Please!"

"Please don't take him away!"

She collapsed to her knees. Sobbing. Even some older female soldiers closed their eyes. Because among the Sky People Male children were very few and precious beyond words. And Yuki had been beloved by everyone. But ancient laws older than memory could not be changed. Yuki turned. Slowly. And smiled. The same gentle smile he had always worn. He walked toward his siblings. Kneeling before them. Tsukikage threw himself into Yuki's arms. For the first time in their lives, the elegant traditions of the Tenkūjin meant nothing. No etiquette. No rituals. Only family.

Tsukikage buried his face against Yuki's chest.

"Don't go."

Yuki stroked his hair.

"Moonlight…"

His voice was warm.

"Look at me."

Tsukikage slowly raised his tear-filled eyes.

Yuki smiled.

"Questions are not sins."

Tsukikage froze.

The words from the Forbidden Gardens.

Their secret.

"The world below isn't something to fear."

"Perhaps…"

Yuki looked upward toward the dome above.

"Perhaps I'll finally see the answers I've always searched for."

Suiren wrapped her arms around him next.

Crying uncontrollably.

"Brother…"

"Who will help me train?"

"Who will fix everything I break?"

"Who will scold me when I sneak desserts?"

Yuki laughed softly.

A small, gentle laugh.

"Probably Tsukikage."

Tsukikage sniffled.

"I'm terrible at fixing things."

"Then learn."

Yuki poked Suiren's forehead.

"And you."

She looked up.

"Become that Royal Guard."

"Protect our little Moonlight."

Suiren nodded desperately.

"I will!"

"I promise!"

"I'll become the strongest guard ever!"

Yuki smiled.

"I know."

Hours later The Lotus Platform opened. Far above the clouds stood the sacred departure garden. Moonflowers bloomed around silver ponds. Crystal lanterns floated through the air. At the center rested a single lotus pod. Beautiful. White. Large enough for one person. Its petals remained open like a flower waiting to bloom. This was how Shadow-Born departed. No chains. No prison. No punishment. Only sorrow. Yuki approached it calmly. Thousands of sisters lined the path. Every female warrior knelt as he passed. Not because he was a prince. Not because he was powerful. But because he had been one of their precious sons. Tsukikage and Suiren walked beside him until the very end. Neither letting go of his sleeves. Finally The lotus pod opened fully. Moonlight shone within.Beyond it waited the world below. Unknown. Endless. Lonely. Yuki turned around one final time. Tsukikage couldn't stop crying. Suiren's face was soaked with tears. Then Yuki smiled. Not sad nor afraid. Just gentle.As though reassuring them one last time.

"Take care of each other."

"And when you look at the moon"

His silver eyes softened.

"I'll be looking at it too."

He stepped inside. The petals slowly began to close.

Suiren screamed.

"BROTHER!"

Tsukikage reached forward.

"YUKI!"

Just before the lotus sealed completely Yuki mouthed words through the narrowing gap.

"It's alright."

And then He smiled. His last smile. The lotus flower closed. Light gathered beneath it. And slowly Silently The pod descended through the clouds. Smaller. And smaller. And smaller. Until it vanished into the endless world below. Tsukikage fell to his knees. For the first time in his life The Sky People who had always lived together Had lost someone. Suiren collapsed beside him. And without words The brother and sister held each other. Crying beneath the moon. Above them The artificial moon of Hive-Lumina shone peacefully. Unchanged. Eternal. As if the world itself had not noticed the absence of one precious son. But for Tsukikage Everything had changed. And somewhere far below the clouds A lone lotus pod descended toward Azura. Toward fate. Toward the unknown. Toward a world that would one day change everything.