--Hazu--

My head was still reeling in the three hours since Kallan had kissed me. I couldn't believe that she had done it. What was even more surprising was the way I had felt. It was as if my entire being had been held hostage in a thunderstorm, my stomach was swept away by a tornado, and my heart was given the biggest hit of caffeine in the history of the universe. It was unbelievable. It was nothing short of a miracle.

I ran two of my fingers along the surface of my lips. I had wanted more, but Kage was still asleep at the time and I had no idea when she would have woken up. To avoid any major incidents, I had gently pushed Kallan off of me and made sure she didn't touch me for the rest of the day. I must have looked like such an idiot...or worse. Kallan probably thought that I hated her now. I sighed and gripped the straps on my backpack. What was I going to do now?

I sat quietly in the passenger's seat as Jian drove us through the city of Kumamoto towards the place where I had been raised. We had been driving for about half an hour without making much conversation. Of course, between the incident between the girl I loved and myself, Jian didn't know what to say and refused to pick sides. It was unbearable, and for once in my life, I actually wanted someone to start talking. Maybe it would relieve some of the stress I was feeling.

You called?

I sighed. Of course, I had meant anyone but her, but then again, life never quite works that way. I silently willed her to be quiet, but I gave up. In a way, my silent prayer had been answered. How does that one phrase go? Beggars can't be choosers. But at the same time, I couldn't really afford to make conversation with the Shadow Creature, not with Kallan in the back seat. I couldn't have her find out about Kage at all. What would she think of me then?

Hazuki, you're awfully quiet. Why don't you say anything to me?

I took a deep breath and bit my tongue. I couldn't start talking out loud for risk of looking crazy, but otherwise Kage would keep pestering me. Maybe I could get around that by mouthing what I wanted to say.

'Now is not a good time.'

I was able to sense Kage's confusion. What do you mean now isn't a good time?

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least she could understand me this way. 'We're getting ready to partake in the Life Trial in order to obtain the Fertile Blossom.'

Why is it so urgent now of all times? I thought you were going to wait a few more days to mentally prepare yourself.

'Because it just is.' I snapped back.

Hey, don't get cocky with me. Kage warned. You forget what kind of position you're in.

'If you're really that curious, maybe you should pay attention, and then you would find out.'

I silently wondered why I was being so snappy all of a sudden. I was never like this. Then again, Kallan just stole my first kiss not too long ago, I had to face my worst fear, and Talia was gone from us--which I guess wasn't really that bad.

Jian suddenly stopped and I felt my memories flowing back from the depths of my subconscious as I gazed upon my old home. It was a white, one story building with an off-black stone roof built in a semi-traditional Japanese style. I took a deep breath and unbuckled my seatbelt, exiting out the side door. The only thing going through my mind at that time is how much I never wanted to go back inside.

Part of me wanted to cry as I looked upon the wilting flowers in front of the house. I leaned down and felt the soil. I was relieved to feel that they were still alive. I could save them. I smiled and began to channel my power into the flowers, and one by one they all became healthy and bloomed again. However, there was one that did not bloom. It was a small morning glory that I had planted back when I was eight. I wanted to mourn it's loss, but I had to remain strong. This wasn't even supposed to be the worst part of my trip.

I stood back up and adjusted the bag that I was carrying. I then proceeded to take a deep breath to calm myself down. Everything was going to be okay...at least I hoped it would.

Jian and Kallan then came out of the car. I flinched when I saw Kallan's face. Her red and puffy eyes made my heart break into a million pieces as soon as they came into my line of vision. I shook my head and took another deep breath. Now wasn't the time to start blaming myself. I had nothing to do with how much she was crying. It was just because Talia was gone.

Looking ahead, I walked around the edge of my former house and into the backyard. Surprisingly, a lot of the plants that I remembered tending to as a kid were still alive and had begun to take over. I couldn't help but smile. They were fighters, just like I was.

"Hazu,"

Jian's voice surprised me. I looked over my shoulder to meet his gaze. "Yeah?" I responded.

"Well, now that we're at your house, are you going to lead us to that place?"

I sighed as my palms began to produce a film of sweat. I really didn't want to do this, but I had no other choice. I gave a defeated sigh and muttered for my friends to come and follow me.

There was grass everywhere in my backyard, but where the path to the forest started, it all mysteriously had seemed to wilt and die around this dirt path that had ominous trees looming over it. Through the dirt, you could manage to see the tracks of animals that had passed through this area before us.I looked back one more time at Jian and Kallan before setting foot on the path and following it.

In the depths of my memories, a haunting tune began to play. I had remembered exactly where I had heard it, too. In my fifth year of primary school, there was always this strange girl me and my friends would see during recess. She was always on the swingset all alone, and would sing this song in an eerily cheerful way.

The woman with the split mouth wants to come and play; She'll ask you if she's pretty, be careful what you say; no will make her angry, her scissors seek you out; but yes she'll make you like her, and cut open your mouth.

A feeling of dread rose within me. "Kuchisake-onna wa asobitai..." I shuddered. I couldn't be thinking about that, either. I had a job to do. I couldn't scare myself out of it.

Hazuki, you seem quite tense. Kage noted.

"Wouldn't you be if you had to face your worst fear?" I asked her in a small, timid voice.

That seemed to quiet her down. After walking for about another six minutes, we came across a warning that had been etched into the bark of one of the trees. I remember it being there as a little girl, but it was in a language that at the time I thought was English, and therefore didn't understand. Looking at it now, I had no idea what it was.

Jian walked up next to me and followed my gaze to the tree.

"Any idea what it says?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "No clue."

I didn't even hear Kallan as she stepped in between the two of us and ran her fingers over the letters. Something about her was hauntingly beautiful as she read over the words.

"Eadar baís faileas agus na flúr-bheatha, blàr bhur bu mhiosa eagal bithidh tòiseachadh." She sighed. "Or in English, "Between death and the shadow of the life flower, a battle of your worst fears will begin."

I swallowed down the lump that was forming in my throat. If that didn't sound threatening, I don't know what did.

"Yor deuchainn a 'tòiseachadh an seo. Tha an aon nach urrainn dhi sealltainn fìor fèin a thèid an saoradh. Otherwise, 'Your test begins here. The one who cannot show her true self shall be freed'."

I felt my legs start to shake. That must have meant me. I stepped forward tried my best to sound brave when I spoke, but I'm pretty sure I failed at that.

"I-It probably means I have to face this test alone." I mentally scolded myself for how weak I sounded.

Jian shook his head. "No. I'm not letting you do this alone."

"She has to." Kallan suddenly said. "If she doesn't, someone will die. The only situation where everybody lives is if Hazu goes alone."

I felt my hands begin to shake. I hoped she meant I would live for sure if I went alone. However, the way she spoke, I highly doubted that would be a guarantee.

Jian looked up at Kallan in disbelief. "So there isn't anything we can do to help her at all?"

"I'm afraid not." Kallan answered, somberly shaking her head. "Each of us will eventually have to complete our trials on our own anyways. Hazu just has to do this without our help period."

Wow...talk about rude much. Kage commented, giving a little scoff.

I ignored the Shadow Creature and nodded. "It's fine, Jian. I can handle myself."

Yeah, right. I wish I was convinced as how I had sounded. I wanted to believe that, but this is me we're talking about. I took a deep breath and smiled. Maybe that would trick some part of my brain into believing that I could actually do this. Jian looked at me with concerned eyes before finally sighing in defeat.

"Alright. I'll stay back here, then. However, if Hazu doesn't come back within two hours, I'm going in after her.

Kallan chuckled, giving the impression that she was amused, but her eyes were still filled with sorrow. Her facade couldn't cover her true emotions. A sense of empathy washed over me. I wanted to help, but the only way I could was to complete this trial and get the Fertile Blossom so we could save Talia. Without thinking, I immediately dashed off.

Hazuki, what in the name of the Eternal Flame are you doing?

I once again ignored her. Kage didn't matter. I had to help Kallan. I had to get the artifact. I had to save Talia.

I stopped running for a second, slowing down to a walking pace for a bit. Was I really doing this for Talia? I pictured her face in my head, the cross, brunette Russian girl that was so hard for everyone to get along with. I had never understood why Kallan liked her so much. She never did anything nice for anyone.

I immediately shook my head. That wasn't particularly true. I remembered back when Adrian had tried to commit suicide, he told be about how Talia discouraged him and offered to spend time with him if he showed signs of improvement. I don't know exactly why she had taken such an interest in him, but it was definitely motivation enough for Adrian to start attending class and even more, do his homework just so he could spend time with Talia. I had even once walked in to Adrian's dorm to return his copy of The Sword in The Stone and saw that the Russian girl had dressed up as a medieval princess and bought him a full set of roleplay armor.

Come to think of it, Talia was the one who had given me my scythe. The first time I had come to Eternal, she had rummaged through the armory and found nothing that fit me. She then had me describe what kind of weapon I'd like and ordered it specially made with her own money. Of course, I only heard about that last part when Jian had told me about it.

I felt ashamed. I had judged Talia before getting to know her, just like everyone had judged Adrian. Just like everyone had judged me after Mari's death. I grit my teeth. I wasn't just doing this for Kallan anymore. I needed to save Talia so I could thank her and apologize to her in person, but the only way to do that was to complete this trial.

I started running at full speed once more, this time with a newfound determination to complete this trial. This wasn't just for getting on the good side of the girl I loved anymore. This was for saving a precious teammate and friend of mine.

Within mere minutes, the crumbling house came into my line of vision, giving off a grim and ominous air. The horror I had experienced all those years again with Ms. Chisakuken was now fresh in my head. I bit my lip. I couldn't back out now. I had to be brave. I took a deep breath and walked towards the building.

Hazuki, this could be awfully dangerous. Are you sure that you want to go through with this?

I nodded. "I've got to, Kage. More than that, I want to."

Before she could say anything to deter me from what I was about to do, I opened the door and walked inside.

I was surprised to see that the interior had changed drastically since the last time I had visited. There were piles of ash smeared into the rotting floors in the shape of human limbs, the furniture had been ripped to shreds like it had been attacked by a vicious animal, and there were bloodstains on the wall. The place no longer smelled welcoming as it once had, but foreboding and disgusting.

I walked into the kitchen to see that it was now an empty room encircled by various mirrors. I groaned as I was met by my reflections, each one appearing to change my look drastically. One of the mirrors portrayed me as an emaciated girl with gaunt cheeks and bony arms. Another depicted me as some sort of mutated creature with long fangs and antlers jutting from my forehead.

I don't like this. Kage's voice rang through my head.

"I'm not sure if I really like this, either." I admitted. I looked around a bit more at the mirrors, a few of the reflections too warped for me to stare at for too long. One of these reflections, however, caught my eye.

There was a black haired girl in this mirror, casting her gaze to the ground. Her skin was pale like milk and she was clothed in nothing but a makeshift dress made out of torn black fabric that was held on her body by nothing but a worn out, fraying rope. She placed her hand on the glass, blood smearing on the mirror. She looked up at me, revealing two helpless, pleading ice blue eyes. Without thinking, I dashed straight into the mirror.

Instead of glass shattering all around me, My feet landed on a patch of fresh grass. I looked around. I was in an open field with sunflowers growing everywhere. The girl was now only about six or seven meters away from me, her hand still reaching out. She suddenly fainted and fell to the ground.

I ran over to her, panic welling up within my chest. I noticed her other arm was wrapped around her stomach. When she moved it slightly, I noticed that it was completely covered in blood. For a minute, I could have sworn I saw Kallan's face amongst her features.

"Oh, god, are you okay?" I asked, frantically ripping my backpack off and viciously tearing through it's contents to see if I had anything I could use to help her out.

The girl just gave a weak smile and began to cough violently. A burst of blood came out and covered her chin in the scarlet liquid. Her eyes started to get that look that people get when they're close to dying, the look that conveys they've lost the will to live. Something also began to die inside of me, just as obviously as this girl was.

I frantically pulled out a coat that I had packed in case it had gotten cold. I quickly ripped off a long strip of fabric and began to remove her clothes from her body. I wanted to throw up when I saw the cause of the wound.

Half of a scissor blade was sticking at a fifteen degree angle from a gaping wound about ten centimeters wide that ran from her breast bone to just above her navel. A shudder coursed throughout my body. The split-mouthed woman must have done this to her. I quickly changed my plan and pulled out a small box full of needles and thread after cleaning up as much blood as I could with the rest of my coat. Once I had removed enough of it to see what I was doing, I started to get to work.

Hazuki, what are you doing?! You can't save her! That wound is fatal! Remember what you said about this trial? We need to get that artifact!

"We'll look for it later! There's something more important right now!" I began to carefully pull out the scissor blade, careful not to hurt any of the girl's vital organs.

Didn't you hear me? She's on her deathbed! Who's to say the thing that did that to her won't come for you next?

"I don't care!" I screamed, finally working out the blade. "I have to try! I know I can save her!"

My hands worked quickly to sew the wound shut. She couldn't die. Then it would be all my fault, and I'd never be able to forgive myself. As blood began to cover my hands and i began to operate on nothing but pure adrenaline, I managed to finally close her wound.

"There. I did it." I looked at the girl. "I stopped the bleeding. You should be good now, right?"

I looked at her face. Her eyes had no sign of life glowing within them. I then checked her pulse. Nothing. She had died despite my efforts.

I stood up, gasping in horror as I looked upon my failure. No. This couldn't be happening. There was no way...

Hazuki, calm down. Kage's voice warned me.

I didn't pay any attention to her. This innocent girl...I had killed her. My hand was still tightly gripped around the scissor blade, shaking violently. I was such an awful human being. No, I was an awful Scale Child. My grip on the weapon tightened. An uncontrollable impulse started to nag me in the back of my brain.

Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut

Hazuki, you're terrifying me. Kage's voice rang out. Please don't tell me you're about to do what I think you're about to do.

Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut

I slowly lifted the blade up to my bare wrist. It had been too long since I had last relapsed. I had been keeping up this act for long enough. Now was the time to release my pain.

Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut

Something snapped inside of me

Cut! Cut! Cut! Cut! Cut!

I pressed the cold metal edge against my skin.

CUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUT

I slashed the blade against my skin and watched with a masochistic satisfaction as the blood dripped down my forearm in a sheet of lovely crimson. I felt the release of all my negative emotions from my body, creating a unique sense of pleasure; a high if you will. I deserved more. I needed more.

I suddenly became extremely nauseous. My entire body began to convulse as I collapsed to my knees and began to heave, something coming up my throat. Once I finally expelled it out of my body, a pool of black began to drip from my mouth, condensing in front of me to take a serpentine shape. It turned what I assumed was it's head towards me, then slithered towards the body of the dead girl. I watched in horror as the creature slipped down her throat after letting out an inhuman screech.

The cadaver then began to twitch. First her fingers, then her toes, and then her eyelids fluttered to life. As she sat up, I noticed that the whites of her eyes had become pitch black orbs with a ring of red acting as irises. She re-tied the cloth around her body and stared at me.

"Hazuki, you need to stop this." The figure spoke to me in a familiar fashion. "This isn't like you. You're being controlled."

Kage? Could it be?"

"Look behind you."

I turned my head around to see a pale woman leaning over me threateningly, a hungry expression painted on her face. Her eyes were such a pale blue that they almost blended in with the whites, and her hair was as black as a raven's wing, with strands of hair flowing around her that seemed to defy gravity. However, the first thing I saw was actually her mouth.

It was as if someone had ripped the edges of her lips into a sideway S shape, the left tear extending all the way to her jaw line, and the right half going up to her cheekbone. All of her teeth were sharpened to a point and her tongue was forked like a serpent's. I began to shake as I gazed upon the familiar sight.

"Chisakuken Nao, otherwise known as--"

"Kuchisake Onna!" She ended my sentence, speaking in a hoarse and distorted voice. She snarled and lunged at me, which would have no doubtedly caused me some serious damage if Kage hadn't suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking the attack with a shield of shadows. She turned her attention towards me and urgently growled,

"Well, are you just going to stand there with your mouth wide open or are you going to fight?"

Snapping out of my trance, I pulled a flower out of my hair and willed it to grow. Before long, I was holding my scythe in both of my hands. I had to access my Scale Form and fast. I began to spin my scythe above my head and chanted a phrase out loud.

"Junsui Bara, Uchi ni chikara wo!" I then held it out in front of me in a striking pose. "Hana no megami ni narou!"

The plants around me began to cover my body in a living cocoon, and as I burst out of it, I spread my newly formed wings and glided back to the ground. I held out my scythe and got ready to fight.

The split-mouthed woman lunged at me and I knocked her aside with the flat of my scythe's blade. She was only out of it for a few seconds before she lunged at me again. This time, I countered her attack by raising up a wall of sunflowers to protect me. She mercilessly slashed through them, and that's when I realized that her fingers had been replaced with scissor blades. Great...

I continued countering her attacks to prevent my face from being cut off, any attempt to strike back leaving me vulnerable to getting mauled. I continued to keep up my defensive blocks with my scythe, knowing that I couldn't continue doing this forever. In a desperate attempt to protect myself, I called on the roots of the sunflowers to form a thick wall of earthy tendrils around me.

I knew i didn't have long, as I could hear my assailant hacking away at my defenses. An idea suddenly popped into my head. I placed my hands on the soil and said another chant.

"Himawari-tachi, tsukamaero!"

I then drew a line from my shoulder back down to the soil, causing the roots to quickly unravel and shoot forward at the enemy. I felt a sense of victory as I saw my enemy bound at her neck, hands and feet. There was no way she could harm me or escape now.

I lifted up my palm and began to chant.

"Warui akuma, jigoku kara kimashita, jigoku e mo--"

I gasped in horror as I looked back upon what I thought had been my enemy. My parents' corpses now hung in her place. I stepped back. Had all of this just been some sort of cruel joke?

I felt hot tears run down my face. It had been my fault all those years ago. I could have prevented the attack. All I had to do was come straight home from school that day and we would have been on our way to Tokyo for our family vacation. If I wouldn't have gone to the gardening club that day, I could have saved them.

"Okaa-sama...Otou-sama..." I choked on my sobs, gripping my scythe tightly. I should have died in their place. They had no reason to take an attack that was supposed to be for me. "I'm so sorry..."

"You should be ashamed." The Kuchisake Onna spoke to me. "Your selfish desires are what caused your parents' demise. You've brought dishonor and shame to the Oomori family."

I clutched my chest and fell to the ground. She was right. I was a disgrace. This was all my fault. I was ashamed of myself.

"There's only one way to make up for what you have done." She whispered. "Jisatsu wo sarete."

I shuddered at how she had so casually told me to commit suicide. I felt the urge begin to nag at me after she had finished uttering those words. She was right. I needed to attone for the sins that I had committed. I commanded my scythe to shrink until I could easily hold it in one hand. I swallowed back the lump that was forming in my throat, the blade only mere inches away from my stomach. Before I could plunge it into my body, Kage appeared in front of me and knocked the weapon out of my hands.

"Snap out of it, Hazuki!" She yelled at me, shaking my shoulders. "This isn't the time to be caught up in some illusion!"

"Il...lusion?" I asked confusedly, not quite understanding what she was getting at.

"Clear your mind, then look at your captive again."

I looked into her eyes. They were full of concern, genuine worry for my sake. Her eyebrows were tightly knit together and her teeth gently rested atop her lips. She didn't have any hidden motives of any kind. She was legitimately trying to help me out in this situation. I nodded and took a deep breath, closing my eyes and calming myself down. When I opened my eyes again, the Split-mouthed Woman was there again, grinning like a predator that had cornered her prey.

I took another deep breath and picked my scythe back up from the ground. This was just an illusion. She was not to be trusted. I stood as straight as I could to appear intimidating, pointing my weapon at the nightmarish woman.

"What are you going to do, kill me? That'll only make you responsible for another death." She hissed.

I winced. I felt more tears began to well up in my eyes. She was right. What was the point?

"Hazuki, your parents' death wasn't your fault." Kage snapped. "One of my kind was sent to kill your father because Kali marked him as a traitor for running away from Sciana and hiding in Araina. It was all Kali's fault, not yours. If you let this trial get the best of you, then your parents' death will never be properly avenged. Not only that, but remember why you're doing this trial!"

I grit my teeth. She was right. I held out my hand and began to chant.

"Warui akuma, jigoku kara kimashita, jigoku e modore!"

Beautiful glowing green vines began to grow all around me. I channeled them all into my scythe, and without a second thought, I lunged forward and cut the woman in half.

*                    *                    *

"Hazu! Hazu, wake up!" A voice called to me. I fluttered my eyelids open to see a pair of beautiful, sea blue eyes staring down at me. The figure grinned and suddenly embraced me, causing me to feel a million little shocks pulse through my body. Kallan. I couldn't help but smile.

"Kallan!"

"You did it, Hazu!" She cheered, pulling up my hand--sending even more sparks throughout my body--and revealing an intricately carved hairpin with a pink cherry blossom decoration on the end.

I smiled. I did it. I had completed the trial. But that had to have meant...

I looked behind her and gasped as I saw Jian holding Kage by the neck against a tree with one of his gauntlets equipped, the ex Shadow Creature struggling to escape from his death grip. I quickly got up to my feet and rushed over, slapping my cousin across the face with all the strength I could muster. This surprised him enough to drop my friend. I rushed over and stood in front of Kage, separating the two.

"What do you think you're doing!?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at Jian.

"I could ask you the same thing! We both know who she is and what she's done to other people. Why are you protecting her?"

"She's changed! I've seen it! She helped me out during the trial!" I defended, putting all my emotion into my voice.

Kallan looked at the both of us, puzzled. "Um...can someone please explain what's going on here?"

I ignored her and apparently so did Jian, because he just looked at Kage and scowled. "Oh, really? If she's changed, then where did she get the body from, huh?"

"She was already dying!" Kage coughed as she tried to get her breath back. "I saved her from her last moments of life. It wasn't enough to get her personality back, but I do have her memories."

"Bull!" Jian growled, punching the tree he had only moments before tried to strangle Kage against. The wooden giant toppled over and thumped to the ground. "You made Hazu kill this girl, didn't you? Just so you could have another body!"

"She's telling the truth! The girl was already dying when we found her. I tried to save her, but I couldn't."

"And she made you mess up so she could take the body as her own." Jian spat. "I know how Shadow Creatures work. They're selfish beings."

I was about to defend her until Kallan walked forward and kneeled next to Kage. The former Shadow Creature backed away nervously. Kallan giggled and made herself comfortable by sitting cross-legged.

"What's your name?" Kallan asked, smiling."

Kage avoided her gaze. "I hate my given name. Now that I see what I have done, it reminds me of all the evil I have committed."

"But you regret what you've done, correct?" Kallan asked.

Kage just nodded.

"You know, you can reinvent yourself." Kallan said. "If you don't like your name, change it. The universe has given you an opportunity to start fresh and turn over a new leaf. That's a promise."

Kage looked up at her, amazed.

"So I'll ask you again. What's your name?"

She smiled, stayed silent for a bit, then grinned wide enough to show off vampire-like fangs. "Yozora."

I laughed. "Yozora, huh? I guess I'll have to start calling you Zora-chan from now on."

"Huh?"

Kallan giggled. "I like it. Zora's really cute."

Zora blushed and looked down at the ground. "I never gave either of you permission to give me a nickname..."

Jian groaned. "Are you serious?! Do you even know what she is?"

"Shadow Creature, right?" Kallan asked, eliciting gasps from all of us. The Cleric of Sciana giggled as she looked at Zora again. "I had a vision about you when I was younger. I saw a creature born of darkness that would become our ally. I think fate has finally brought you to us as our friend."

I beamed. Never before had I loved Kallan so much. Zora breathed a sigh of relief and Jian scoffed.

"Are you freaking kidding me?"

"No." Kallan answered curtly. "Zora will be vital to our mission. She must come with us on this journey."

Jian growled. "Fine. But I swear if she crosses us, I will murder her."

With that, Jian walked off and Kallan smiled apologetically. She looked at me and whispered so only I could hear. "I'll go calm him down, okay? You stay here with Zora and protect her." She stood up, hugged me, giggled and whispered again. "By the way, look at your wrist."

I was about to ask what she meant, but she was already running off. I shrugged and took a look at my wrist, gasping happily as I saw her name written on my wrist in Vistra.

OH. MY. GOD. Props for me for writing the longest chapter in LOS history...whoop whoop! Also you're welcome for all the nightmare fuel, guys! Or feels. Whatever hits you worse. Also, warning, the next chapter may be a bit NSFW so I will put up a warning like i did for Madia's chapter in this book. Also you're welcome you filthy Kazu shippers. It's official. Yeah, you've waited forever for this. You're welcome. Again.

Signing off, Kiera Savage