Water rippled through the underground chamber, the sound bouncing off walls encrusted with crystalline formations. Massive clusters jutted at various angles, their faceted surfaces catching torchlight and refracting it into scattered rainbows. Quartz sprouted from rock faces like frozen waterfalls, their clear bodies holding hints of purple amethyst and smoky topaz.

  *Splash*

  The subterranean hot spring occupied the cave's center, its walls displaying geological wonders. Geodes lined the cavern, their hollow centers revealing deep blue azurite, vibrant green malachite, and soft pink rose quartz clustered together in natural mosaics.

  *Splash*

  White and pale blue crystals ringed the spring's edge, their delicate structures built layer by layer from mineral-laden water. Forming miniature terraces cascading water over tiny musical waterfalls, beneath the surface while visible through crystal-clear turquoise depths, the bottom displayed a mosaic of multicolored stones.

  *Splash*

  Steam rose in lazy curls from the water's surface, warming the cool underground air as condensation dripped from stalactites above. Its expanse dwarfed Kaname's small figure as she sat submerged to her shoulders. The water lapped gently at her skin, turning diluted red as Etsuyo's blood washed away from her body and hair.

  *Splash*

  The turtle yazumi hovered behind her, its body combining humanoid and reptilian features beneath a mottled green and brown shell. Its face blended a beak-like mouth with large expressive eyes, while its skin displayed a patchwork of scales in varying shades.

  It moved with nervous energy, its hands frequently shaking as it tended to her, unable to elude its instinctive protective fear. Its webbed fingers combed through Kaname's hair, working out tangles with intentional care, communicating only through soft gestures and gentle touches.

  Faintly tapping the area before washing, Kaname quietly complied with the yazumi's silent request for permission to proceed, keeping her gaze distant.

  A rustling sound rolled through the hot spring's entrance, disrupting the tranquil atmosphere. Without notice, Zei emerged from the shadows, his presence corrupting the springs' soothing energy like poison spreading through water.

  The yazumi shuffled Kaname in front of its body, positioning its shell toward Zei. Its webbed hands jerked, firming its oddly protective stance.

  "Ahhh, little one, how is your bath?" he mockingly smiled, digging his pinky into his ear.

  Kaname remained silent, her attention fixed on the shimmering water surrounding her. Sensing the rising heat, the yazumi poured water over her head, washing away the last traces of blood clinging to her hair.

  His boots scraped against the crystal formations while proceeding toward the hot spring's edge, theatrically sighing.

  "Whaaa... you're not still mad at me, are you?"

  Feeling Zei's oppressive aura near, the yazumi pressed her closer against its stomach, blocking his line of sight.

  "I've noticed your eyes aren't as tender anymore…Losing that..ummm… innocent spark.”

  The yazumi poured another round of water over her, its movements growing more frantic. Kaname kept as taciturn as the crystals surrounding them, deliberately ignoring his presence.

  Zei reached the hot spring's edge and crouched. His voice acquired a sharper edge, loosening his smile into visible irritation. "Wanna talk about it? I'm all ears…" he scoffed, roughly scratching his head. "Cause you're really starting to piss me off."

  The yazumi's gaze rapidly shifted between Kaname and his, its eyes brimming with bewilderment.

  "Thank you," a soft voice mumbled, widening the yazumi's eyes with shock.

  "I'm grateful for your gift. Thank you for allowing us to say goodbye."

  His body shook as laughter exploded from his throat.

  "AHAHAHA! Gratitude from you, little one, is the absolute best!"

  Dark amusement sparkled in his eyes while a single tear formed at the corner. "Do you even understand why you're thanking me? Do you even know what gift I gave you?”

  She turned her head toward him, prompting the yazumi to place its hands protectively on her shoulders, partially blocking her view.

  "Why did you allow those bad things to happen to Etsuyo? You knew she couldn't win after what those men did to her."

  His smirk expanded, a chilling expression out of place for an underground oasis.

  "Because to know true strength and possess true power... you must first break."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Settling at the edge, he removed his shoes and dipped his feet into the mineral water. "That woman was one of your guardians, no?" Zei continued, swirling his feet. "I figured she had... umm, how can I say it... room to grow?"

  He paused, tilting his head, his expression strangely thoughtful.

  “On the surface, she seemed strong, but she was more concerned about you and the boy than herself… which was a fatal mistake."

  Playfully, he kicked his feet, splashing water at the yazumi. "You weren't very compliant in the beginning, little one, so in hindsight... it's kinda your fault those things happened to her."

  He leaned forward, his reflection rippling across the water's surface. "If you would've done everything I told you to do, that woman might've had a fighting chance.”

  The cavern seemed colder in spite of the steam rising from the hot spring. Kaname's mind drifted backwards, replaying the hours of relentless torture and abuse Etsuyo endured as punishment for her disobedience. Physical blows savagely rained down, interspersed with cruel taunts and threats. At the peak of their barbaric volatility, Zei's men took turns crushing any remembrance of her spirit.

  The memory faded, leaving her expression unreadable. Feeling her shoulder stiffen, the yazumi guided her further from the edge.

  He smirked at the yazumi’s bold actions and stood up, shaking the water from his feet.

  "It wasn't until after my men were finished with her, that I decided to present such a rare gift," he casually sighed, grabbing the two towels folded on the nearby stone bench. "Most people never get the chance to say goodbye to those they love before death takes them.”

  Tossing the towels carelessly onto the ground, he motioned to the yazumi to get out. "You looked so shaken by the intimacy of what happened, it just warmed my heart watching you process it."

  The yazumi hastily exited from the water, keeping its back toward Zei while pulling Kaname by her shoulders. With heedful movements, it scooped up one towel and wrapped it around her small frame. Zei then shoved the yazumi aside and grabbed the second towel, draping it over her head.

  "But never in a millennia could I have imagined you'd be the one to strike the fatal blow."

  Admiration saturated his voice as he began drying her hair with rough strokes.

  "I'm so intrigued by you that I've even considered keeping you with me permanently." Curtly, he ceased toweling her hair and rested his palm on top of her crown through the fabric. "I've never been a father before, but I'm always open to new endeavors."

  Bending at the knees, he squatted to meet her at eye level, his face uncomfortably close glinting his eyes with a perturbed eagerness. "So whatcha say? Join me, lit—"

  Kaname lifted her head mid-word, directly matching Zei's stare. Her leer swirled vile, terrifyingly empty like a hazy bleakness colder than winter death, forcing him to second guess his proposal.

  He lingered into her appalling eyes and placed his hand on her cheek, using the corner of the towel to dry the water droplets trailing down.

  "Your eyes are so beautiful," he whispered. "Your skin softer than silk…. Hair shiny like morning dew.” His expression softened, becoming wistful. "When I was a youth, someone very dear to me told stories of a people who resembled you. They were considered the most beautiful beings in existence, with abilities unmatched. Even the Titans were wary of crossing them."

  Straightening up, his stare locked in on hers as her eyes followed him upward. "She's long gone now so I can't remember much from those old tales, but do you know what happened to them?"

  She shook her head, her eyes flashing with momentary curiosity.

  "I don't know either. This all happened centuries ago, long before I was even a sperm," he shrugged, bursting out in laughter.

  Annoyed, Kaname's chin dropped downward, hiding her face under the draped towel.

  He exhaled, finishing his laughter as he continued drying her hair and wrapping the towel around it. Picking her up from under her armpits, he lifted her from the ground, watching carefully as she complied without resistance.

  "You know," he chuckled and twirled her around, closely examining her in the cavern's warm glow. "Some say these beings still exist, hidden away from the world in places no one thinks to look. Can you imagine the power they must possess? The secrets they must know?"

  Maybe that's why this buyer is so eager to acquire you…

  Zei proceeded to the hot spring entrance, his temperament shifting to a businesslike demeanor spotting the yazumi cowering on the ground.

  "You! Have the girl dressed and ready for departure. Her buyer will be here shortly."

  He placed Kaname modestly back on the ground, stepping over the yazumi's sprawled form. "Make sure she's properly chained in my room as well. No mistakes."

  The turtle bowed its head in acknowledgment, quivering as it struggled back to its feet. Its eyes transitioned from Zei to Kaname with obvious concern.

  Standing puzzled at the hot springs entrance, he observed the yazumi timidly approach Kaname, shuffling nervously looking over its shoulder.

  I don't understand why that turtle is acting like I'm some kind of CREEP! What kind of businessman would I be if I damaged my products BEFORE delivery? …I guess I really need to hire someone to work on my brand image. I wonder if I should get a makeover? Maybe some new clothes too?

  Zei pivoted away and exited the hot spring, sardonically sighing through his thoughts.

  "Hurry and get dressed, little one. I'd feel responsible if you caught a cold."

  She stood motionless, water dripping from her hair creating small puddles at her feet. The sound of Zei's departure waned, returning the sound of clement ripples in its place.

  Patiently ushering her toward Zei's quarters, positioned perpendicular to the hot springs entrance, the Yazumi collected the laid out clothing spread out in a small corner. It thoroughly dried the moisture from her body and dressed her in a snow white kimono, accented with red stitching of chrysanthemums and falling petals then added a matching red bow that coruscated amid the gloom.

  With visible reluctance, the yazumi spread a plump padded blanket on the floor and restrained her. Metal shackles tightly closed around her wrists and ankles, attaching to chains anchored into the cavernous wall bearing sinister encryptions carved in blood that extended throughout the chain links.

  As the shackles clicked into place, Kaname's focus gravitated to a clock mounted on the wall, her eyes following its steady ticking.

  "Miss Turtle..." she chuntered, grabbing its webbed fingers while it turned to leave.

  Her sepulchral tone sent shudders through the yazumi's shell as it angled its head sideways, looking directly into her blatantly detached countenance. Weighed down by ominous pressure radiating from her, it froze.

  "What time is it?"