Chain of Loyalty: The Kami Prophecy, #6

By A.C. Ward

She must enter the realm of the dead, or lose the one she loves forever.

 

Grief becomes revenge when Shou vows to kill the kami king. Only one weapon can destroy him, and it is lost in the realm of the dead. Driven by her hope to save the one she loves, Shou goes where even the kami cannot follow.

 

But the realm changes those that enter it. And a price must be paid, one that Shou's allies do not want her to accept.

 

Further betrayal awaits Shou. And a final decision as the prophecy is unveiled. For with the death of the kami king, another must rise to take his place.

 

The epic conclusion to The Kami Prophecy, a YA series full of action, mythical creatures, and romance, all set in a fantasy world inspired by feudal Japan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.C. Ward
• Release date: Jun 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201089436

A.C. Ward

A.C. Ward is a little worried that her internet search history is on some sort of watch list. For her writing she has researched demonic rituals, exorcism, and lethal stab wounds. Her next work in process is only making it worse. A.C, lives with her husband, daughter, and various pets – dog, cat, gecko, fish, and tarantula. When she’s not writing she’s watching Netflix or rereading her favorite manga. She’d love to hear from her fans. You can contact her at [e-mail].

Book preview

Author Dedication

To Jennifer. Who inspires me to try new things unknowingly, and always makes me giggle with her text messages. Never lose your humor.

The Kami Prophecy

After light is cast on the dragon-marked heirs of the kami

Seek the island’s blessing during a single decade night

Accept the dark passage through the shades

Approach the slithering descent of the caverns

Confront the lady among that which she tends

Discern through the dual eyes internal

Stray within the shadowy spring beneath

Earned with each successful trial passing

To rise from the ashes and into a jeweled tier hereafter.

Chapter 1

Shou’s heart raced , but not in fear of the kami king’s retaliation. Let him come if that was his wish. Kagutsuchi could no longer punish her; not when he had already taken the life of the person she loved.

Her breath rasped at the thought that she would not be able to save Masaru. The realm of the dead was far outside her experience, even though she had grown up on an island where only gods roamed.

This way, darling, Geki urged, his hand motioning to a darker path ahead.

Her eyes shifted to the treetops instead. We once traveled a different way. Nerves had filled her when she’d followed the shinobi’s path into battle, and for good reason. She’d caused another Date lord’s life to be taken that day.

Geki’s eyes shone behind his mask. If it were only you and me, perhaps, but we are a few too many.

We have more paths of travel than you can fathom, human. Meiyo moved past them, still clad in leaves that formed armor instead of a dress.

No one’s stopping you, Geki said, continuing to hold a tree limb back for Shou.

Meiyo whirled. And what of you? Why do you remain?

Geki’s eyes flicked to Shou.

Yuki hissed a laugh. As if we all don’t know his thoughts. He slithered along the path. It is hardly the time for such things, human.

Geki’s gaze fell. That’s not it. He loosened his grip on the limb.

The tree opened a path at Meiyo’s urging, wrapping its branches around its trunk.

Gi padded closer. Silence is best for such moments. His voice came from inside her head, not the muzzle of the kitsune’s form. The heir to the kami has much to consider.

Shou stared around the rapidly lightening forest. The night had faded without her noticing. Her path up the mountain hadn’t seemed to take so long, though Jin had shortened it considerably.

The small, frog-like kappa nuzzled against her neck, still resting from his attempt to rescue her in the king’s throne room. She’d told him not to use his ability to shift them to their destination. Hiding in any of the kami realms would be like inviting the king to follow.

None of her kami companions had known where the entrance to the realm of the dead hid, only that there was one. Or perhaps they knew and couldn’t offer the information. Katashi had explained the shadowy spring the prophecy mentioned was another name for Yomi, the land of the dead.

Her mind shifted away from Masaru’s retainer. She’d sent Makoto to tell Katashi what had happened. He deserved to know, but not going herself was a form of cowardice. She could not afford to fall apart, not when there was a chance to save Masaru. The heat rising to her eyes didn’t seem to care. Her hands curled into fists, and she focused on the pain of her nails digging into her skin to force the tears to recede.

You were rarely one to cry.

She froze as her gaze lifted from the foliage under her feet to the being who should not have yet returned.

The tengu’s talon reached out, tilting her chin even higher as he studied her. You need rest, my human, Makoto said.

Shou jerked her chin free. Her arms crossed over her chest. What did Kashi say?

The tengu’s wings folded against his back, still so much shorter than the glory they had once been, before the kami king had burned them to nubs. He was not there.

Shou blinked. Masa ordered him to remain in Date Castle.

Makoto nodded. He was less obedient than he appeared. That human wretch of a mother said he left shortly after you.

She didn’t even know I was there, Shou said. You shouldn’t have believed her. He’s there. Katashi had always been loyal to a fault.

Makoto shook his head. I did not take that human’s word. I searched. Her words do not appear false this time. His dark eyes met hers. As to knowing of your presence, there is little of which she is unaware.

Shou’s breath caught in her throat. She forced herself to swallow and pulled her shaking hands in tighter. Lady Yoshime can’t know what happened to Masa, can she?

Unlikely. Makoto reached for her tightly clenched hand. The human is simply missing. He held her gaze. You have more pressing concerns than one man’s plight.

She pulled away from him again. Kashi means a lot to Masa.

The tengu sighed. And the other human heir is dead. It is time to let go of him, my human.

Shou could not take a breath. Her own doubts rose to suffocate her.

You are wrong; you are, Jin said, his words reverberating in her ear.

Maintain your silence, kappa. Makoto’s eyes narrowed over his beak.

If all was truly lost, the body would not have disappeared. Meiyo frowned at the tengu. Even you must see that.

A nekomata took him, Shou said. The kami remained silent, all looking toward her. That’s what you said, wasn’t it? You said I could save him.

And so you shall, my kit. The kitsune’s voice in her head set out to soothe. Instead, his effort increased her tension.

The tengu sighed. My human is stronger than you all think. These platitudes will only make things worse in the end. Makoto turned from them, wings spreading to lift him above the trees.

A pounding in her head drowned out Jin’s voice, so close to her ear.

Come along, darling, Geki said. He grabbed her hand, tugging her forward.

Her feet followed on their own. His hand squeezed hers. She let herself be led as the panic continued to choke her.

It’s true, isn’t it? Masa is dead. The words burned her throat.

Geki continued to walk, not letting her stop. I’m a shinobi. Death is the end for us.

The pounding increased, causing her vision to blur.

Even so. Geki looked back at her. I believe you are too stubborn not to try. And I would not bet against you. His gray eyes gleamed through his mask. I’d hate to lose my coin.

Shou followed him through the trees. Some of the tightness in her chest eased, and she pulled in a full breath. She would need to enter the realm of the dead anyway if Katashi’s interpretation was correct. The jeweled spear that would kill the king was within the realm. If Masaru was also there, she would not leave without him.

Gi’s tails brushed her hand as he came alongside. I am surprised Kagutsuchi has not come for you.

Shou remembered the impact of Katashi’s sword as it had embedded within the kami king. A sword she no longer had, she realized, not that it had done much good. Let him come.

The red of the kitsune’s eyes gleamed within the filtering sunlight. Do not be so bold. There is much yet he could do.

Shou recalled the blankness of Masaru’s gaze as he died. When his body had disappeared, she’d been devastated, but perhaps it had been a blessing. Her memories of him alive were stronger than that vacant stillness. Tell me more about the nekomata. Why would they steal the dead?

Not steal, my kit; reunite. Those that are unfulfilled in life wander as spirits in Yomi, but spirits without any will. The queen of the realm much prefers servants. She is the one that sends the nekomata out to collect the bodies of those that could be of use.

There’s a queen? Shou had had even less luck with the queen of the kami than the king. The memory of watery hands choking the life from her still haunted her dreams.

Have the humans forgotten Izanami so soon? Gi’s ears folded as he huffed out a breath.

The name was one she’d heard before. Wait, the queen where we’re going is Kagu’s mother?

Jin patted her shoulder. Do not worry; no worry needed. She has no loyalty to him; no, none at all.

Her son killed her, after all, Yuki agreed. His tongue tasted the air. That would make any of us a tad bitter.

Kagutsuchi had admitted to the deed. There had been a guilt within his gaze at the time that made him seem almost human.

The more I hear, the more the kami resemble the shinobi when it comes to family. Geki’s tone lacked its usual humor.

Well, only if all were born from the same parents. You see, Izanami and Izanagi made all of us, in a fashion. The snake laughed. That was some time ago, of course.

Longer for some than for others, the kitsune said.

So is Izanagi the king of Yomi, then? Shou asked.

No. Gi shook his head. You humans have twisted his story over the years. Many versions speak of the father killing the son. As you’re well aware, the son is not dead.

She paused. Didn’t Kagu kill his father as well? The kami king hadn’t denied it when she’d asked.

Not in the same way, my pet. The snake curled his tail around himself. It’s best if you ask Makoto about our father.

Geki dropped Shou’s hand in order to push the last of the brush to the side. Ahead of them, a fortified castle rose, one she hadn’t planned on seeing again so soon. The Oda clan was closest to the mountain, and Nikko knew a lot about the gods. Perhaps he’d even know of a way to enter the realm of the dead.

I sense countless humans beyond the stones ahead, Gi said.

Shou was not surprised. The last she’d been there, Nikko had been gathering all of the clans together. Even Masaru had been on his way there. She cut off the thought.

The kitsune bowed his head, his eight tails dipping toward the forest floor. I’m hesitant to proceed in my current form. If you’d allow it, I could—

No. Shou looked away from the kami. His presence in her mind had protected her from the kami king’s influence during their fight, but he had also tried to protect her from more than that. She wasn’t ready to dull her emotions again. They were the fuel she needed to press forward.

Red eyes studied her from his foxlike face. It’s not safe, my kit. The kami king will come for you.

Jin will remain with me. He’s been my protector more than once. She reached up to stroke the kappa.

He stood a little taller on her shoulder. Yes, I am ready; ready I will remain.

I can hitch a ride as well. Yuki nodded to Shou’s wrist. If my human will allow it.

Shou nodded, and a mist enveloped the snake. The familiar bangle that appeared on her wrist reminded her how bare her other one was, with no vines tightening around it or giving comfort.

I will remain with the kitsune within the forest, Meiyo said. The trees inside the castle walls will tell me if you have need of us.

Makoto hadn’t returned, but Shou had his feather. Not that she wanted to talk to him again so soon.

I’m a bit conspicuous, dressed as I am. Geki stepped back into the shadow of a tree. But I will remain close, in my own way.

She nodded, but none of their words resonated. When she’d allowed the king of the kami to take her, she had been on her own. She pushed forward, leaving the safety of the trees, though the forest itself no longer felt safe, not like it had on an island so long ago.

Chapter 2

Alance of fire pierced Masaru’s side, making him gasp.

I’m here, Masa.

If she was with him, everything would be all right. His tension eased, allowing him to take a full breath.

Shou, he said, his eyes opening. No one was waiting to peer back. Instead, gray sand spread over the ground, and similarly colored cliffs arched toward an even darker sky. Spotted among the gray were rocks of white. He blinked, sitting up. The sand beneath him rose in a cloying dust from his movement.

He coughed as much out of his lungs as he could, pressing a hand over his side to ease the pain there. When he finally quieted, his free hand sifted through what was more ash than sand. He frowned at it.

His side continued to burn. He removed his hand, staring at the blood that coated the edge of his armor. His fingers moved to the clasp.

No, don’t look! a voice urged from his right.

He paused and squinted toward a tree that had long been dead. Most of the girl’s form hid behind it. All except for a tail, he realized as he stared at the flicking appendage. A small gasp came from that direction, and the tail disappeared.

Are you— The name that had been on his lips only moments before had disappeared. He pressed a hand to his temple, straining to remember.

Shou, she said. A face outlined in black fur peeked around the tree. That’s the name you said. But no, that’s not me.

Just hearing the name made his heart beat harder. He forced himself to his feet, holding his breath as another cloud of ash rose with him. Why can I not remember? Even his own name felt out of reach.

The face hid behind the tree again. I’m sorry. That happens here. A shiver ran through her voice.

He forced himself not to advance on her, holding out his hand instead. I doubt you’re responsible. It sounds like you know what happened, though. He stared toward the decaying tree. I’m the one who should be sorry. I don’t even remember your name.

The tip of her triangular ear became visible, then one eye. I am Chu. And you, human heir to the kami, are Masaru. Lord Date Masaru.

Masaru repeated the name to himself, but it didn’t resonate in the same way as the other had. Shou. His hand trembled as he focused on the other name.

You shouldn’t, you know. Think of her. A clawed hand sank into the dead tree. She’s why you’re here.

Shou is? His hand reached for his eye, expecting to feel fabric. He frowned as his finger brushed scar tissue instead. He wondered how long ago he had lost his eye.

I’m sorry. Your eyepatch fell off during the journey. Her eyes lowered to the bark. It meant so much to you. I should have taken more care.

It’s fine, Chu. Maybe it had been important, but all of that was lost to him anyway. The only thing that raised any type of recognition was a name he didn’t truly know, belonging to a person who had caused him to enter such a desolate land, apparently. A world of gray, except for spots of white. He frowned at one closer to the tree and approached it.

Wind blew more ash about, and he squeezed his eye shut. When it had passed, the white was even more uncovered, only it wasn’t a rock like he had expected. His hand hovered above the bone.

Don’t worry. It’s not yours, Chu said.

His head raised to stare at her.

Your body was the freshest I’ve journeyed with. No decay at all.

Masaru’s pulse pounded in his throat. Chu, where are we?

Yomi, of course. I had to reunite your body with your spirit. She moved out from behind the tree. Whiskers sprouted from her cheeks, and fur covered her body. I am a nekomata, after all. Lucky for you.

Masaru stared down at the bone again. Someone had talked to him about such a place. As soon as he had the thought, a headache formed. Are you telling me we’re in the realm of the dead?

Well, you died, Masa. She cringed, her paws gripping the tree again. Can I call you Masa?

The shortened version of the name she had given him sent tingles to his fingertips. He nodded, unable to voice an assent.

The nekomata smiled at him, hopping on her hind paws. Thank you!

That isn’t something to thank me for. Not after all you have done for me.

Her smile fell. All I did was bring you here. She cringed, glancing around the barren land. Without permission. The queen will be mad. Her arms wrapped around her middle.

And what happens when the queen is angered?

Chu’s tail drooped. She’ll send her dead after me. Her chin lifted. It doesn’t matter. I did what I wanted to do.

Masaru reached for his side, comfort filling him as his hand closed around the hilt of a sword. At least that seemed familiar. Don’t worry, Chu. I’ll protect you.

She stilled, her eyes meeting his. You promise?

He gave a quick nod. It seems I have a debt to repay.

The nekomata gave a yipping cry, launching herself at him. Masaru stiffened under her sudden hug. She hastily pulled back.

Sorry! I was just happy. She hunched into herself, squatting among the ash.

He reached down, patting her head. Don’t get too excited. I did die after all. Perhaps I’m not much of a swordsman, he said, even if the hilt felt right in