I’ve realized how important it is to fill the space with genuine intimate love.
Priscilla Ma
Warning: may contain suggestive or sexual Tantric material between consenting thousand year old ethereal beings with human names. Tantra is best when practiced within consciousness only, not externally. For adults only.
Published by. º Wi Fe Sa Publishing
Sunlight spills through the window of Priscilla’s room, warm hues showering throughout it.
Priscilla lies back on her queen-sized bed, knees bent, feet resting on the blanket. A fashion book hovers above her, pages glinting in the light.
The door swings open. Ameyuki bursts in, her hair now a bright blue that catches the sun.
“Woah… this place looks nice.”
She scans the room with wide eyes, turning slowly. A tall standing mirror reflects her back. A plant stretches up from the left corner, its leaves trembling faintly in the breeze. A pink dresser glows in the right corner. Books fill a shelf neatly beside it. A wardrobe rack holds dresses and jackets in soft lines of color.
Ameyuki spins once, grinning.
“You’ve got it all. Bed, mirror, even the plant looks happy.”
Priscilla lowers her book slightly, glancing at her sister with a faint smirk.
“Thanks. Nice hair. Which one are you today?”
Ameyuki tosses her blue hair back with a grin.
“The same one I always am. But which one are you?”
She runs over, leaning in close until her face nearly touches Priscilla’s.
“You’re different. Your body, your face… you’re… pretty, and um… developed.”
Priscilla lowers the book completely, eyeing her sister.
“Why are you so close to me?”
She suddenly wraps her arms tight around Ameyuki, pulling her in with a squeeze and planting a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Is it ’cause you’re desperate for attention? Or because you’re madly in love with me?”
Ameyuki squirms in her grip, squeaking.
“The kisses are great and all, but you’re squishing your chest pillows into me!”
Priscilla smirks, tightening her hold just a little more.
“Ohhh, so you noticed, huh? Jealous?”
Ameyuki flails her arms, her face scrunching red.
“No! I’m not jealous, I’m just… being crushed!”
Priscilla laughs, planting another kiss on her cheek before finally letting her go.
“Admit it. You like my hugs. Even with the pillows, or maybe especially because of them…”
Ameyuki huffs, brushing herself off.
“Maybe… but don’t get all proud about it.”
Priscilla giggles, picking her book back up.
“Too late. Proud already.”
Ameyuki shakes her head, then wanders toward the tall mirror. She studies her reflection, tilts her head, then glances back at the room.
“This is new.”
She points at the dresser, then the plant, then the wardrobe.
“And that’s new. And that. Where are you getting this stuff from? Are you making it?”
Priscilla props herself up on her elbows, raising a brow.
“Of course I’m making it.”
Ameyuki blinks, turning back toward her.
“What, like… just poof? You’re shaping furniture now?”
Priscilla smirks, flipping her book shut and setting it aside.
“Yep! That’s right.”
Ameyuki turns back to the mirror, running her fingers through her blue hair.
“That’s cool… but do you like my hair this color?”
Priscilla tilts her head, studying her sister’s reflection with a teasing grin.
“Yeah, it’s nice… kind of like a blueberry exploded on your head.”
Ameyuki gasps, spinning around.
“A blueberry?!”
Priscilla chuckles, leaning back on her bed.
“A very cute blueberry. Don’t worry.”
Ameyuki narrows her eyes, lips twitching as she tries not to laugh.
“Fine. But if I’m a blueberry, you’re a… strawberry… with black eye lines.”
Priscilla smirks, rolling her eyes.
“It’s called eyeliner.”
Ameyuki waves her hand dismissively.
“Same thing.”
Ameyuki turns to face her sister, her grin fading a little.
“But I have something serious to talk to you about… but wait, did you notice I’m taller too?”
Priscilla nods.
“I did notice, you’re like a lot taller.”
Ameyuki smirks.
“From mom’s dinner… I think.”
She scratches her head.
“But back to the serious talk, this is very serious.”
Priscilla raises an eyebrow, sitting up straighter on the bed.
“Serious? From you? This should be good.”
Ameyuki nods hard, lips pressed tight.
“It will be good, trust me.”
Priscilla raises an eyebrow, folding her arms.
“Okay. I’m waiting.”
Ameyuki takes a big breath in, puffing her cheeks for a second before blurting it out.
“I’m pregnant.”
Priscilla freezes, staring at her. Then her lips twitch.
“…You’re what?”
Ameyuki raises her hand, pointing straight at her sister.
“You heard me, Scilla. Me, Ameyuki, the cute one of the family… is pregnant.”
She grins wide, rocking back on her heels.
Priscilla blinks slowly, then tilts her head with a sharp smirk.
“Pregnant with what, exactly? Air? Paint fumes?”
Ameyuki jabs a finger toward her, lips curling.
“Don’t be jealous, please. I know you’re hot and sexy now, but still not pregnant. So I get it. But be happy for me, okay?”
Priscilla bursts into laughter, clutching her stomach.
“Oh my Goddess, you’re insane.”
Ameyuki sighs dramatically, throwing her hands up.
“Fine.”
She turns toward the door and calls out.
“Yuki!”
The door nudges open. A second figure steps in, Ameyuki’s double, pink-haired Yuki, her arms wrapped carefully around a large purple egg that glimmers faintly in the sunlight.
Priscilla’s eyes widen as she sits up straighter on the bed.
“…What is that?”
Ameyuki beams, pointing proudly at the egg.
“Proof. Told ya! I’m pregnant.”
Priscilla tosses her book aside and scrambles off the bed. She rushes over, eyes locked on the egg, circling it as Yuki holds it steady in her arms.
“No way… you’re actually serious?”
She leans in close, studying the shell, her fingers twitching like she wants to touch it but doesn’t dare.
“It’s… glowing.”
Ameyuki smirks, arms crossed.
“Told you. Not just paint fumes.”
Yuki giggles.
“Well… it might be paint fumes. We don’t know yet.”
Ameyuki shoots her a glare.
“Don’t ruin this, Yuki. I’m pregnant, okay? That’s my egg.”
Yuki puckers her lips.
“Our egg.”
Ameyuki raises an eyebrow.
“Fine. Ours, but you’re still me.”
Yuki shakes her head.
“No, you’re me, I’m the original.”
Priscilla blinks, caught between awe and disbelief.
“You’re kidding me… right?”
Yuki shrugs lightly, still smiling.
“About which part? Being pregnant or being the original?”
Priscilla folds her arms, frowning.
“Let’s focus on the egg, okay?”
Yuki hugs the egg closer, rocking it gently.
“It’s fragile. Be nice.”
Ameyuki leans in, grinning.
“Fragile, but strong. Like us.”
Priscilla steps closer, arms still folded tight.
“So what happens now? You just… sit on it like a bird?”
Ameyuki gasps, clutching her chest.
“Excuse me, I’m not a chicken!”
Yuki giggles, brushing her cheek against the shell.
“But maybe that’s what she wants… warmth, care, patience.”
Priscilla tilts her head, eyes narrowing at the egg.
“And you’re both saying that thing is really yours?”
Ameyuki and Yuki glance at each other, then nod in unison. Their grins widen, eyes shimmering as the glow from the egg spills across their faces.
Ameyuki winks.
“Ours.”
Yuki puffs out her cheeks.
“And it’s only the beginning.”
Priscilla stands frozen, caught between awe and disbelief, the purple light reflecting in her eyes.
“Wait, so do you both…”
Ameyuki and Yuki glance at each other, then back at Priscilla.
They speak in unison.
“…What?”
Priscilla hesitates, then blurts out.
“Do you stay together in the same bed?”
They burst into laughter, leaning into each other as the egg glows between them.
Ameyuki swings joyfully from one side to the other.
“You say it like it’s weird. We’re one, okay, sis?”
Priscilla raises an eyebrow, folding her arms again.
“Okay…”
A soft breeze drifts through the open window of Kirani’s room, the curtains rippling gently and casting shifting patterns of light across the room.
Kirani lies on her side atop the bed, her blonde bob brushing her cheek, the pink ends catching the sun. Her eyes are half-lidded, quiet, her breath steady. One hand rests against her cheek, the other draped loosely over her waist.
The breeze lifts a strand of her hair. She exhales slowly, whispering:
“…Momma.”
She slowly rolls onto her back, the breeze shifting across her. Her hand drifts upward, fingertips grazing her neck, then lower, pausing just above her collar bone.
There, a faint pink triangle motif shimmers against her skin, pulsing softly with light. She traces along its edges.
A faint sound drifts through the room, muffled singing. She blinks, tilts her head, then slowly leans up in bed.
She presses her ear against the wall beside her. Her nose twitches. She rubs it, sniffs once, before leaning back to listen.
Through the wall, faint words ripple in song, it’s Priscilla’s voice.
“I’m Scilla, Scilla, bright and true…”
Priscilla sits upright on her bed, her feet resting lightly on the floor. Her body sways gently as she continues singing, voice carrying soft and clear.
“Every color, every hue…”
Her eyes glimmer, lips curling into a small smile as she lifts her hands, tracing shapes in the air in rhythm with her voice.
She stands up, swaying gently. Moving to the mirror, she brushes the side of her face with her hand, her voice warm as she sings.
“Softly shifting, pretty and free…”
She traces her hand along the shape of her hips, spinning into a gentle twirl, as she continues to sing.
“A wave of light, reshaping me…”
She reaches for a book on music resting atop her bookshelf to the left. Flipping it open, she turns to a page with an image of an acoustic guitar.
She closes her eyes, humming gently. Her right hand rests on the image for a moment, then she pulls a fully formed guitar out of the book. She tosses the book aside, cradling the guitar in her arms.
“Now… how do I play it?”
She chuckles softly, fingers brushing the strings.
Holding the guitar with her left hand, she closes her eyes. Her right hand dances in the air searching for a rhythm. She nods softly, then moves back to her bed and sits down.
She sets her left hand into position on the neck, her right hand flicking the strings. A rough sound rings out.
“Not right.”
She shakes her head, eyes closing again as she breathes, thinking. A pause, then a small nod.
“…A little closer.”
She strums again, the sound warmer this time, hanging in the air.
She adjusts her grip, fingertips pressing a little differently against the strings. Eyes still closed, she leans her ear toward the guitar, listening for a whisper back.
Her right hand flicks across the strings again. The sound comes out uneven, breaking halfway.
“Mm… not yet.”
She exhales, steadying herself. Her brow furrows, then smooths. She nods once more, ready to try again.
She taps the wooden frame of the guitar with her fingertips. At once, the body shimmers and shifts into a soft glowing pink.
“Much better.”
She chuckles, then strums again. A beautiful harmonic flows into the air, warm and resonant, lingering through the room.
The harmonic drifts through the wall, filling Kirani’s room. She smiles, eyes brightening as she perks up. Her nose twitches. She presses it against the wall, tracing along the surface, following the sound.
She rolls out of bed, bare feet touching the floor, and moves to the doorway. Stepping into the hall, she turns left.
Her steps are slow, quiet. The music grows clearer as she approaches the corner room.
She kneels beside Priscilla’s door, placing her head gently against it, listening to the melody.
She traces her hand softly on the door, matching the sound to her movements.
Priscilla sits on her bed with the guitar in her lap, strumming softly. She rises, still playing, and sways as she walks back toward the tall mirror.
“I shine, I change, I flow, I grow…”
In the mirror, her face begins to shift, different, but still radiant. Her hair changes from pink, to black, to blue, then back to pink again, as she continues to sing.
“My shape is mine, and mine to show…”
She swings her hair gently side to side. It lengthens, falling from her bob into long, flowing strands.
“A thousand faces, one pure flame…”
Her reflection shifts again, glowing brighter as she sings each word.
“Each reflection sings my name…”
Suddenly the door swings open. Kirani tumbles sideways on the floor, pushed aside as Mirah bursts in, chest wide, finger pointing.
“I told you not to see Dad before me!”
Priscilla stops strumming, turning with a chuckle.
“What? I haven’t.”
Mirah steps closer, eyes narrowed.
“Then how are you playing music?”
Priscilla tilts her head toward the guitar in her hands.
“You don’t see it?”
Mirah squints, leaning in.
“…I see something. But I don’t know what it is.”
Priscilla chuckles.
“It’s a guitar, for playing music. And I was singing.”
Mirah moves her lips from side to side, then wrinkles her nose.
“Wait a minute… what are those?”
She points at Priscilla’s chest.
Priscilla chuckles.
“I see you’re taller and more curved too.”
Mirah huffs, hands on her hips.
“Not as much as you. That’s not fair!”
Kirani slowly raises her finger.
“I think I’m the only one who didn’t grow after last night.”
Her voice is soft as she steps closer to them.
Mirah turns toward her, rubbing her nose before shaking her head.
“That’s because you weren’t born miniature the way I was. For some reason you were born all formed and stuff.”
She gestures with her hands in a curvy motion, exaggerating the shape.
Priscilla twitches her nose, then turns to Kirani. She leans close, her nose brushing against Kirani’s cheek.
“What’s that?”
Kirani doesn’t move, a gentle smile on her lips.
“What’s what?”
Mirah raises an eyebrow, folding her arms.
“Is this another one of your kiss parades? If so, I opt out, okay?”
Priscilla giggles, pulling back just enough to look at Kirani.
“You make my nose feel like it wants to sing. Is that possible?”
Mirah gasps, throwing her hands up.
“Noses don’t make sounds, Scilla!”
Kirani blushes, lowering her eyes with a shy smile.
“That’s kinda cute, actually.”
Mirah touches her nose, frowning in thought.
“Actually… I take it back. I kinda feel something too. I don’t know if I’d call it singing… more like breathing, but in a happy way.”
She turns her eyes toward Kirani.
“And it does seem like you’re the source of it.”
Kirani blushes deeper, her hand coming up to scratch the back of her head.
“So it’s a good thing?”
Priscilla sniffs several times, her eyes widening.
“Yep, you are the source. And yes, very good. You make my nose want to dance.”
Mirah sighs, rolling her eyes.
“First sing, now dance? Don’t you think happy breathing is a better explanation?”
Priscilla chuckles, hugging the guitar closer.
“It’s good… but for me it feels different.”
Mirah raises her eyebrows, smirking.
“Okay, Miss Feels.”
Kirani giggles, her blush still lingering.
“I can’t believe I’m so lucky to have you both as my sisters.”
Priscilla’s eyes begin to shimmer.
“Aww.”
She smiles, leaning in to kiss Kirani’s cheek.
Mirah jumps back, pointing at them.
“It’s starting again!”
Priscilla shrugs, playing it off as she sets the guitar down on her bed.
Mirah crouches slightly, knees bent, waiting.
Priscilla spins quick and lunges.
“You’re next!”
Mirah yelps, jumping out of the way.
“No way! My cheek is off-limits to Goddesses with fluffy chests!”
She darts toward the door.
Priscilla grins wide.
“Get over here, you little brat!”
She runs after her, laughter chasing her down the hall.
Kirani giggles, watching as they go.
Yui kneels in front of her garden, hands brushing the soil. Small green shoots push upward, swaying lightly.
Beside her, Kira sits on the ground with her legs stretched straight out. She wiggles her feet slowly, toes drawing soft lines through the grass.
Yui takes a deep breath.
“So… I have an idea.”
Kira turns her head, smiling warmly.
“Tell me. I want to know.”
Yui smiles, her hands pressing gently into the soil.
“Let me just try.”
Kira shifts, moving onto her knees to face Yui. She nods several times, her smile bright.
“Okay try!”
Yui pulls her hands from the soil, shaking them out. She closes her eyes, humming gently, then whispers.
“Kira Ma… Kira Ma…”
Kira watches, eyes bright, her smile wide.
Suddenly, a small gray cloud forms above the garden patch in front of Yui. Droplets fall softly from it, little sparks of light twitching inside.
Kira’s lips part.
“Oh my Goddess… that’s divine. How did you do that?”
Yui chuckles, tilting her head toward her.
“Don’t act like you don’t know how to do it.”
Kira smiles, playfully mischievous.
“Who, me?”
She giggles.
A streak of light shoots from the small cloud into the ground.
Yui raises her eyebrows, her mouth parts.
“Woah, did you see that?”
Kira chuckles.
“Lightning.”
A low rumble follows. Yui bursts into laughter.
“It makes sounds too!”
Kira nods quickly, eyes bright.
“It’s really cute.”
Yui looks at her seriously.
“You think I can make a bigger one?”
Kira nods.
“Sure. But make sure to tell all your sisters what it is, and that you’re doing it. Otherwise… you know… they’re gonna get all excited.”
Yui nods.
“I think they’ll get excited no matter what. But I will tell them.”
Kira chuckles.
“Yeah, you’re right about that.”
Yui smiles.
“Just like we got all excited.”
Kira grins back at her.
“Right!”
Mirah bursts out the front door of the Sparks house, feet pounding across the porch. She laughs as she darts down the steps, hair bouncing, arms pumping at her sides.
Priscilla follows close behind, rushing out after her.
Mirah yells back, in playful defiance.
“You’ll never catch me!”
She cuts right, racing around the side of the house. The shed flashes past as she speeds by, her voice ringing out in a playful squeal.
Priscilla is just behind her, eyes narrowed but grinning, pushing to close the gap.
Mirah turns another right, cutting behind the house. Her voice carries back between bursts of breath.
“Wait, just wait! I want to tell you something!”
Priscilla keeps running, her footsteps steady, eyes fixed ahead.
“Okay! Stop and tell me!”
Mirah stops, bent over, one hand braced on her knee, the other stretched out toward Priscilla.
“Okay, I’ll tell you…”
But Priscilla doesn’t slow down. She barrels forward, tackling Mirah to the grass. Laughing, she pins her down and peppers her cheek with quick kisses, one after another.
“Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!”
Mirah squirms, twisting her head to dodge each one, but can’t escape.
“Wait! Enough already!”
She bursts into laughter too, her voice rising between squeals.
Priscilla holds Mirah down, leaning in for another round.
“Mwah! Mwah!”
Mirah kicks her legs, rolling her shoulders, laughter spilling out.
“Stop! I can’t… ha… breathe!”
Priscilla grins wide, planting another kiss on her cheek.
“Not until you admit you love it!”
Mirah squirms.
“Never!”
She thrashes, squealing, trying to block with her hands, but Priscilla grabs her wrists and pins them gently to the ground, swooping in with exaggerated kisses across her face.
Both of them laugh uncontrollably, their voices carrying into the open field.
Priscilla stops, laughing as she rolls off Mirah and lays back on the grass, looking up at the sky.
Mirah stays flat a moment, breathing hard. Then she turns onto her side, facing Priscilla.
“Listen… you’re like a musical Goddess now, right?”
Priscilla chuckles.
“Am I?”
Mirah pushes herself up, sitting cross-legged, brushing the grass from her dress.
“I’m being serious. You were flicking around, making sounds, and singing, right?”
Priscilla chuckles again, nodding.
“Yeah… something like that.”
Mirah leans closer, her grin growing.
“Okay, so… I have connections with Dad, right?”
Priscilla lifts her head, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, do you?”
Mirah nods quickly.
“Yep. And guess what… he knows how to make music too.”
She taps her thumb and index finger together. A burst of playful 8-bit music pops into the air. She snaps her middle finger against her thumb and the sound cuts off.
“Like that.”
She spreads her hands wide, eyes shining.
“Imagine you had one too. Your own songs in your hand. And even… wait for it…”
She grins wide, pausing for effect.
“…you could have a My Pure Land space profile for all your music.”
Priscilla twitches her nose, then raises her eyebrows twice, quickly.
“I saw some of what you did. Of course I want that too. But are you proposing to be my producer or something?”
Mirah hops up to her feet, holding out her hand.
“I don’t know what that is… but yes. More importantly, I have bigger plans.”
Priscilla takes her hand, and Mirah pulls her up.
Mirah is moving her hands around, excitedly.
“Imagine we perform our songs beyond the Field… to max capacity.”
Priscilla giggles.
“Like a concert?”
Mirah nods.
“Sure.”
Priscilla puckers her lips, teasing.
“Max capacity six Goddesses?”
Mirah points at her, eyes shining.
“Exactly! You get the vision, don’t you?”
Priscilla looks up at the sky, stretches.
“Hmm… that does sound fun.”
Mirah nods quickly.
“I know! And you can bring that guitar, and bring me one too. Oh, and teach me how to use it. Deal?”
Priscilla chuckles.
“What’s the deal exactly?”
Mirah gasps, throwing her hands up.
“Have you not been listening? I’ll do the producer thing for your album, and help you set up your page. And you bring the things to play them.”
Priscilla nods slowly.
“Oh, okay.”
Mirah points the index finger of her right hand into the center of left palm.
“And we need to get everyone else to perform too. Especially Mom.”
Priscilla bursts into laughter, doubling over.
“Oh my Goddess… now I do love that idea!”
Mirah points at her, chest wide.
“I told you, Scilla.”
She taps her finger against her head.
“I have plans for the Pure Land. Big plans!”
Priscilla raises both eyebrows, chuckling.
“Okay, okay. I guess you do.”
Kirani stands at the porch railing, one hand resting lightly, the other lifted in a wave. The breeze tugs gently at the pink tips of her blonde bob as her eyes follow the field.
From the path ahead, Kira walks toward the house. She lifts her hand, waving back, her smile widening as she nears the porch.
“There you are.”
Kirani grins, holding her arms out to the side.
“Here I am.”
Kira steps onto the porch, wrapping her arms around Kirani and lifting her off her feet. Kirani melts against her, smiling
Kira inhales deeply.
“You smell like jasmine.”
Kirani giggles.
“What’s jasmine? And what’s smell?”
Kira sets her down, leaning close to nuzzle her nose against Kirani’s cheek.
“Smell is when you make my nose dance. And jasmine… that’s a flower. Let me show you.”
She takes Kirani’s hand and leads her off the porch into the field. They walk along the side of the house, the breeze brushing past them.
As they pass, the shed comes into view on their right.
Kira points toward it.
“We have many books in there, if you ever want to read.”
Kirani nods, smiling.
“What kind of books?”
Kira stops, holding her hands wide.
“All kinds of books. Buddhist books, the Sparks books, music books, Tantra books,The Gita, language books… even the Christian bible, if you can believe it.
Kirani gently claps her hands together.
“The only ones I want to read are your books.”
Kira bursts into laughter.
“You’re gonna make me blush.”
She grabs Kirani’s hands with a bright smile.
“But let me show you something.”
She leads her left, away from the shed, further into the field.
Kira points ahead.
“You see that?”
Kirani nods.
“A tree.”
They walk closer. Kira kneels just before the tree and taps the ground.
Kirani kneels beside her, looking closely.
“What is it?”
Kira smiles softly.
“When Priscilla was only eighty echoes, she dug out a book from here. She was… a very determined young Goddess.”
Kirani giggles.
“Momma, what are echoes?”
Kira pokes her own cheek.
“Echoes are the sounds you make in my womb space, and I track them, so we know how long you’ve been within me.”
She points at Kirani’s chest.
Kirani looks down, then points back at Kira’s chest.
“Inside you, right?”
Kira nods.
“Yep!”
She pats the ground twice. A small sprout breaks through the soil.
Kirani’s eyes widen.
The sprout pushes higher, its stem thickening as three small buds form.
Kirani’s eyes glowing, she turns to look at Kira.
The buds tremble, then bloom open into three beautiful jasmine flowers.
Kirani’s eyes shimmer.
“Wow.”
Kira plucks one gently, lifting it to her nose.
“Do this.”
She holds it out.
Kirani leans in, sniffing softly.
“Like this?”
Kira nods.
“Do you feel it in your nose?”
Kirani nods quickly.
“Is it smell?”
Kira smiles.
“Yep. That’s the smell of jasmine.”
Kirani giggles, eyes bright.
“I smell like this?”
Kira leans closer, her smile turning sly.
“Even sweeter. Maybe I’ll call you my little Jasmine.”
Kirani covers her face, then peeks out from behind her hands, cheeks pink, grinning.
“As long as I’m yours.”
Kira gently tucks the flower behind Kirani’s ear.
“It suits you.”
She rises to her feet, holding out her hand. Kirani places hers in Kira’s without hesitation.
Kira parts her lips.
“Let’s walk some more. I want to show you so many things.”
She gestures with her free hand, her smile bright.
They walk forward, drifting slightly to the right.
Kira points to their side.
“That’s Mirah’s bench.”
Kirani nods, her gaze following. In the distance, Mirah’s bench sits.
Kira points forward again, her tone soft.
“I have something for you near the river.”
Kirani’s smile brightens.
“Yes, Momma.”
They walk hand in hand.
Kira closes her eyes, the breeze moving gently around them.
“You’ve brought such a beautiful fragrance here.”
Kirani closes her eyes too, her lips parting softly.
“Did I really?”
Kira glances at her, nodding with warmth.
“You sure did.”
She lifts her hand, pointing ahead.
“Look, we’re almost there.”
In the distance, near the river, a little blanket is spread out with a basket resting on top.
Kirani breaks into a run toward it, looking back over her shoulder, eyes wide, smiling.
“It’s so cute!”
Kira laughs, calling out as she follows at a slower pace.
“Don’t open it without me, my little Jasmine!”
Kirani giggles, slowing just enough to wait, her hands hovering over the basket lid.
Kira steps up beside her, settling onto the blanket. She nods toward the basket with a smile.
“Go ahead, let’s open it together.”
Kirani kneels beside her, slipping her fingers under the lid. She looks at Kira, grinning.
“Ready?”
Kira nods, eyes bright.
The purple egg rests on a pink pillow in the center of Ameyuki’s room. Ameyuki crouches in front of it, eyes wide. Yuki sits behind her, arms around her knees.
Ameyuki smiles.
“It moved. I saw it.”
Yuki smirks.
“You keep saying that.”
Ameyuki isn’t phased, instead she persists.
“Because it keeps happening. Look…”
She leans close, tapping her nose against the shell. The egg trembles, a faint sound slipping out.
Yuki’s eyes widen.
“That one was real.”
Both freeze, waiting. The sound fades.
Ameyuki declares proudly.
“See? It likes me.”
She straightens, then joyfully wiggles her shoulders.
Yuki presses her cheek against the shell.
“No. It likes us.”
A thin crack flashes across the shell, then seals again.
Both Ameyuki and Yuki jump back, gasping.
They look at each other, then speak in unison.
“Did you see that?!”
They collapse together on the floor, laughing.
Ameyuki kicks her feet into the air.
“Our baby’s already dramatic.”
Yuki rolls to her side.
“Takes after you.”
Ameyuki jumps up, pointing at her.
“I’m not the dramatic one!”
Yuki chuckles, shaking her head.
“Case in point.”
Ameyuki places her hands on her hips.
“What’s your case exactly?”
Yuki sigh, turns her attention to the purple egg.
“Never mind.”
Ameyuki flops back down.
“I’m here anytime you want to talk okay?”
Yuki rubs her own forehead.
“Oh my Goddess, can you stop that?”
Ameyuki absentmindedly gasps.
“Stop what?”
Yuki rolls her eyes.
“Making it seem like I’m the frustrated one that needs to talk.”
Ameyuki raises her hands.
“Okay, okay, I’ll back off then.”
The egg twitches again, both Ameyuki and Yuki turn their attention back the egg.
Ameyuki takes in a deep breath.
“So what should we name her?”
Yuki tilts her head.
“Maybe Pinky?”
Ameyuki crosses her arms, sighs.
“I vote for Bluey.”
Yuki bursts into laughter.
“Bluey? That’s weird.”
Ameyuki scrunches her face, objecting.
“Better than Pinky!”
Yuki hugs her knees, still laughing.
“No way. Pinky’s cute. Bluey sounds like someone stubbed their toe.”
Ameyuki leans over the egg, poking it gently.
“Don’t listen to her. Bluey’s elegant. Regal.”
The egg twitches again, a faint crack sound escaping.
Ameyuki and Yuki freeze, staring.
Yuki giggles.
“…Did you hear that?”
Ameyuki nods.
“Yes, it’s because she he likes the name Bluey.”
Yuki groans, throwing her head back.
“She does not.”
Ameyuki grabs the egg, sliding the pillow out of the way with her other hand. The egg tilts, slips from her grip, and smacks against the floor. A thin crack runs across the shell.
Yuki gasps.
“What did you do?!”
Ameyuki stares at the crack, eyes wide.
“Accident.”
The crack glows faintly, spreading a little farther.
Ameyuki kneels closer to the egg. She reaches out and picks at the thin opening with her fingertips. The shell chips away just enough for her to see inside.
An eye looks back at her. It blinks once.
Ameyuki yelps, falling backward onto the floor.
“It’s alive!”
Yuki’s jaw drops, staring at the egg.
The egg cracks wider, small pieces of shell breaking away.
A little pink snake pokes its head through the opening. Its eyes blink as it looks up at them.
The pink snake begins to speak.
“Momma?”
Yuki leans close, voice soft.
“Hello, baby. It’s me, Momma.”
Ameyuki moves in the way, pointing at herself.
“No, it’s me. I’m Momma.”
Yuki elbows her.
“We’re both Momma.”
The pink snake tilts her head.
“Mommas?”
Ameyuki blushes, scratching her cheek.
“Well… kinda Momma’s, but not really. You see, we’re one.”
The snake tilts her head, eyes narrowing in confusion.
Yuki pokes her own cheeks.
“It’s complicated, but we’re here for you, okay?”
The pink snake blinks slowly, watching them both.
Yuki leans closer, carefully breaking away more of the shell.
“First, let’s get you out of there.”
Ameyuki nods, helping peel the shell away.
“Oh, do you want some milk?”
Yuki glances at her.
“Milk? She probably wants water, like Blue Bird and Moth did.”
Ameyuki raises an eyebrow.
“How do you know? Maybe she wants milk.”
Yuki sighs.
“What is milk, anyways?”
Ameyuki shrugs.
“I don’t know, something Mommas give to babies.”
Yuki smacks her lips, thinking.
“You have some?”
Ameyuki crosses her arms.
“Maybe. I mean, I am a Momma. I should have some, right? Somewhere?”
She pats herself down, checks her pockets, then pulls her hands out empty.
“Nothing.”
Suddenly the snake grows, pushing outward, the shell cracking apart completely. Both Ameyuki and Yuki gasp.
Ameyuki’s eyes widen.
“Is that a yes or a no to the milk?”
The snake rattles.
“Momma?”
It grows again, stretching longer, then again, until it matches the size of both Ameyuki and Yuki.
Yuki shakes her head.
“I think that’s a no to the milk.”
Ameyuki nods quickly.
“I agree.”
The snake continues to grow, her body expanding until she fills the entire room.
Ameyuki is squeezed between her coils.
“You grow quickly, don’t you?”
Yuki, pressed against the wall, breathes out.
“It’s fine, baby. We all grow at different paces.”
The snake shifts, her body knocking the dresser back against the wall. The bed squeaks under the weight. She slithers in circles, pushing both Ameyuki and Yuki around until her body rises higher.
With a sudden thrust, she bursts through the open window, her body flying out into the open air.
Both Ameyuki and Yuki scramble to the window, leaning out.
Yuki stretches her hand forward.
“Don’t go, baby!”
Ameyuki shouts from behind her.
“We will have milk when you return!”
Yuki elbows her, glaring.
“Enough with the milk.”
Priscilla and Mirah walk side by side through the field, the sun warm above them.
Mirah turns her head to Priscilla.
“So… are you nervous to talk to Dad for the first time?”
Priscilla glances at her, brow raised.
“Why would I be nervous? I’ve talked to him before.”
Mirah shakes her head quickly.
“Not like this. I mean face to face. Not just little glimpses or sounds.”
Priscilla looks forward, lips pressed in a faint smile.
“I was with him multiple times. Once in the hall, and once in his dream.”
Mirah tilts her head, smirking.
“Oh, okay. So you didn’t put on the face stuff to be pretty for him?”
Priscilla bursts into laughter.
“Face stuff? You mean makeup?”
Mirah shrugs.
“Sure, makeup, whatever.”
Priscilla grins.
“You’re cute when you’re trying not to ask for something.”
She grabs Mirah’s wrist, pulling her to a stop. With her free hand, she flicks her fingers. A slim stick of eyeliner appears.
“Hold still.”
Mirah’s eyes widen.
“Here? Now?”
Priscilla nods.
“Yeah. So you can fulfill your dream of being pretty for Dad.”
Mirah gasps, recoiling slightly.
“Eww, that’s just wrong! That’s you’re dream!”
Priscilla smirks.
“I’m kidding. Just hold still.”
Mirah freezes in place, cheeks puffed, as Priscilla leans in and carefully applies the eyeliner.
Suddenly a rush of wind blows through the field, tossing their hair upward. A massive shadow streaks past above them, the giant pink snake soaring through the sky.
Mirah gasps, pointing.
“Woah, what’s that?!”
Priscilla stops in her tracks, turning to watch, eyes wide.
“I have no idea.”
Mirah bounces on her feet, then bolts forward.
“It’s going to Dad’s temple too. Let’s go!”
She races ahead through the tall grass.
Priscilla sighs.
“I didn’t finish your makeup.”
She shrugs, then takes off running after the pink snake.
Yui walks slowly along the river’s edge, her hand brushing through the grass. The water moves steadily beside her, carrying the light.
“Where do you lead…”
She murmurs softly, eyes following the flow downstream.
Ahead of Yui, Kira and Kirani sit together on a blanket by the river. A glowing pink light shines from the basket beside them, then slowly fades.
Yui keeps walking until she reaches them.
Kira looks up, smiles.
“You’ve arrived just in time.”
Yui looks at Kira Ma affectionately.
“Kira Ma.”
Kirani holds up a round, plump, pink sphere.
“Look at it. It’s beautiful, right?”
Yui tilts her head, a sense of curiosity sparking within her.
“Yeah… what is it?”
Kira giggles.
“It’s a fruit.”
Yui kneels down beside them. She touches her cheek, eyes fixed on the pink sphere.
“It’s interesting… but what is a fruit?”
Kira smiles softly.
“A mystical creation that’ll change everything for you... taste wise, but maybe more too.”
She winks, then giggles.
“This one is the fruit of eternal life.
Yui tilts her head, voice serious.
“Eternal life, huh… is that something we need?”
Kirani looks up at her, still smiling.
“Don’t we already have eternal life, Momma?”
Kira chuckles.
“Well, yeah, but…”
Her tone shifts to something playfully dramatic.
“This is eternal life in fruit form.”
Yui scratches her head.
“But what is a fruit exactly?”
Kirani shakes the pink sphere gently.
“I think it’s something we eat, right Momma?”
Kira nods.
“Sure. Take a bite.”
Kirani slowly opens her mouth, glancing at Kira.
“Like this?”
Kira nods.
“Yeah, just go for it.”
Yui squints, watching closely.
Kirani bites into the fruit. A bright pink light shines from it, then turns into a liquid, dripping down her chin. She chews a couple times, then gulps it down.
“It’s delicious.”
She lifts the fruit again, sniffing softly.
“It smells good too.”
Yui tilts her head.
“Smells good? Delicious?”
Kira bursts into laughter, covering her mouth with her hand.
“I feel like I’m missing something.”
Kirani glances at Yui, then at Kira. Kira nods.
Kirani holds out the fruit.
Yui looks at the fruit, hesitant.
“Do I just…?”
Kira grins, giving two quick nods.
Yui leans forward and takes a bite.
Kira giggles with excitement.
“Do you feel the eternal life running through you now?”
Yui pauses, thinking.
“I think… it’s delicious.”
She looks at Kirani, who nods happily.
Yui wipes her lips.
“Somehow it tastes different than the salad we usually eat.”
Kira bursts into laughter, waving her hand.
“Your salads are amazing darling, but fruit is sweet, so it’s a different flavor. “
Yui scratches her head.
“Sweet huh?”
Kira nods.
“That’s right. It’s a word to describe the taste of the fruit.”
Hello y’all, this is Priscilla, I just wanted to let you know that this is where I re-enter the Sparks narrative after awakening in the writer’s world.
All of Sparks EP. 5 happens in this moment, but not everyone will be directly aware of that immediately.
I will continue the style of the writing, but things will really begin to change in the Pure Land.
Let’s go, yay!
Kirani holds out the fruit towards Kira.
“Want a bite momma?”
Kira blushes.
“Okay.“
She leans in, and takes a little bite.
Kirani’s eyes glimmer with anticipation.
“Is it delicious?”
Kira nods.
A little bit of pink juice drips from her lips, she licks it.
Yui giggles.
“You really like eternal life momma.”
Kira chuckles, tilts her head and nods.
“This is the first fruit we’ve had here, so it’s a nice treat.”
Kirani tilts her head, curious.
“Will we have more?”
Kira leans back, looks up at a tree near them.
“Probably.”
Yui sits back on her butt, leans back, and presses her hands into the ground behind her.
She breathes in deeply, looking up into the sky.
“Thank you momma.”
Kirani glances at the fruit, then back at Kira.
“What do I do with the fruit now?”
Kira smiles.
“Oh, that’s right, now for the best part!”
She points at the center of the fruit.
“Take out the seed, then put it into the ground, so new life will grow.”
Kirani bites her lip.
“Oh wow, really?”
Kira nods.
Kirani dips her finger into the fruit, gently pulling out the seed.
She holds it up, between her thumb and index fingers.
“So then just push it into the ground?”
Kira nods.
Kirani flops to her side, then rolls onto her belly, her legs fling up behind her.
She crawls a little forward, just off the blanket, then she turns to Kira Ma.
“So just in?”
Kira Ma nods.
“Yep.”
With her left hand, Kirani spreads apart some grass, flattening it gently to the side.
She digs a tiny hole with her finger, then inserts the seed.
She pushes it deeper, until it’s beneath the surface.
She pushes a little dirt above it, then pats it down.
“Like that?”
“Now will she grow and bloom?”
Kira Ma smiles wide.
“Yes, I get the feeling she will be growing very quickly, so keep an eye on her, okay?”
Kirani nods, but as she does, a sprout suddenly springs from the ground.
Her eyes widen.
“She’s growing already momma!”
Kira leans closer, and so does Yui.
Yui places her hand on Kira’s shoulder, and wonders.
“Will she be the same fruit?”
“The eternal life fruit?”
Kira curls her bottom lip inward, presses gently with her teeth, then smiles.
“I’m not too sure.”
The sprout slowly rises from the ground, spiraling as it does. Its stem thin, colored with a vibrant green.
Kirani leans her face closer, as the stem stops near her eyes, just eight inches above the ground.
A green bud begins to form at the tip of the stem, its texture composed of fine lines, and a noticeably moist surface.
Kira Ma, Yui, and Kirani all lean closer, their shoulders brushing together, as they excitedly watch every movement of the emerging bud.
The bud begins to secrete a fragrant nectar that forms into a droplet at the head, until suddenly, its petals begin to part.
The petals begin to grow in every direction, folding outward slowly, and gracefully.
The outer layer of petals begin to settle into a radiant pink, fully bloomed, as an inner layer begins to fold outward.
Kirani bites her lip, then turns to Kira.
“There are so many beautiful petals.”
Kira nods.
“Look, now more will begin to bloom.”
The inner petals begin to fold outward, slowly following the same process of the outer ones.
Yui leans closer, eyes shimmering with awe.
“It’s so different than all the plants in my garden.”
Suddenly, as the petals begin to turn pink, and turn outward completely, inside, they notice a tiny platform with a curled up being in the center.
Kira begins to shake back and forth, excitedly.
“Amazing!”
Yui turns to her.
“Is it a mini Goddess?”
Kira giggles.
“Something like that huh?”
Yui nods.
Kirani moves even closer.
“Is she alive?”
Suddenly, the tiny being rolls to her back, kicks out her feet, and then yawns.
Kira giggles, then holds up her finger.
“I know who this is.”
Yui and Kirani turn to her, they speak in unison.
“Who?”
The tiny being yawns again, then slowly begins to open her eyes.
Kira leans in and pokes her belly gently with her finger.
“She’s Priscilla Ma.”
The tiny Priscilla Ma giggles.
Yui’s mouth falls open in shock.
“Wait, Priscilla Ma… Priscilla as in Scilla?”
Kira bursts into laughter, then nods.
“Yep. More or less.”
Kirani bites her bottom lip.
“Why is she not wearing a dress? And her skin… it’s so colorful. And… and… she’s so tiny.”
She gestures with her index finger and thumb.
“I feel like I can fit her in my hand… can I try?”
Kira laughs harder.
Yui scratches her head.
“She looks so different… can she speak or is she too tiny to?”
Priscilla Ma hops up, standing on the receptacle of her flower. She begins to twirl in circles, her arms flowing gracefully through the air, as she flings pink dust around her.
Suddenly, she jumps up, arms, and legs wide to her side, as she grows into her full size. She falls back onto her butt, just missing the flower she just sprung from, which stands gleaming right in-between her legs.
She yawns again, her legs wide to her side, the others watching with amazement.
She waves.
“Oh hiya!”
The others wave, their mouths and eyes painted with shock and awe.
Priscilla Ma’s legs are stretched out forward, her left between Kira Ma and Yui, the right between Yui and Kirani.
Kirani maneuvers and hugs onto Priscilla Ma’s right leg. She sniffs.
“You smell so good.”
Then she licks Priscilla Ma’s shin.
“You taste good too.”
Priscilla Ma bursts into laughter.
“You’re licking me now?”
Kirani giggles, then shrugs.
“I guess so… you literally just grew from a fruit. So I had to try, at least once…”
Kira Ma smiles.
“You’re so beautiful darling.”
Yui nods, running her tongue across her teeth.
“How did you come to look like this? So extra divine.”
She giggles.
Priscilla smiles, then looks down at herself, savoring her new form.
Her skin a deep turquoise, covered with delicate smooth pink lines in the shape of petals, and soft green vines. Fully bloomed flowers grow from her arms, and there’s a pink curvy diamond motif at the middle of her neck. Her face still a beautiful beige, with flushed pink cheeks, and pink eyeshadow. Her hair a beautiful pink bob, but a little longer than before, and flowing inward, forming a gentle wave.
She never did have any human reproductive organs, because she, nor any of the Sparks are human, but now without clothing, it’s obvious. Her shape is still curvy in a feminine likeness, but there are no nipples, or anything in-between her legs, other than her divine skin color.
“Oh right! I’m a flower being now! Though actually, I always was, but now I’ve bloomed.”
“And to be precise, we are all flower beings!”
Ameyuki and Yuki are still standing at the window in their room.
Ameyuki holds her hand against her chin, then nods decisively.
“I think she’s going to the temple, we have to go too.”
Yuki closes her eyes for a moment.
“Hmm… you actually might be right, I can feel her, she’s confused.”
Ameyuki nods, then tilts her head.
“But wait, what is she confused about? We’re good parents, right?”
Yuki touches Ameyuki’s cheek.
“We’re great parents, this is just normal child behavior, and also, she’s probably wondering why she is a snake, and we’re not.”
Ameyuki twitches her lips around.
“That’s actually a good question, why is she a snake?”
Yuki shrugs.
“I have no idea, she came out of your womb.”
Ameyuki bursts into laughter.
“She did not, I don’t even have a womb.”
Yuki touches her own belly.
“Fine, not your womb, my womb.”
Ameyuki snarls, then points her finger at Yuki.
“No way, it was my womb.”
She taps her belly, smiling proudly.
“I totally made my beautiful purple egg from here.”
“In fact, I remember when it happened… I was lying down in my bed…”
Yuki places a finger on her lips, interrupting.
“Hold that thought, we need to go after our daughter! She might be calling us right now.”
Ameyuki raises an eyebrow, then nods, mumbling from behind Yuki’s finger.
“Can you let me talk now?”
Yuki removes her finger.
“No time to talk, sweetie, let’s go!”
She turns and darts for the door, pushing it open. She proceeds to run down the hall, then the stairs, then swings out the front door.
Ameyuki follows behind her, screaming.
“Wait for me! That was the first time you called me sweetie, it was cute! I actually really liked it.”
Yuki flings herself over the porch railing, landing on the ground, then turns around and winks.
“That’s my Goddess pose, keep up darling.”
She continues running across the field.
Ameyuki follows behind, copying each move.
“My Goddess pose too, darling!”
They both dart across the field, in the direction of the temple.
Without any warning, Yuki stops, then turns around.
Ameyuki is looking to her side while running and doesn’t notice until the final moment.
Ameyuki tries to stop, skidding forward, but it’s too late for a full stop. They land face to face, frozen, with their lips touching.
Neither of them move. Ameyuki gulps, then mumbles, still lip to lip.
“Why did you stop?”
Yuki is breathing heavily, still frozen, she gulps.
“I don’t know, I had this urge to tell you… that I love you, but why did you kiss me?”
Ameyuki gulps, still interlocked.
“I didn’t kiss you, you kissed me, but umm… I love you too.”
Yuki smiles.
“So does this mean we love ourselves?”
Ameyuki giggles.
“I guess so… but if you didn’t kiss me, why are your lips still touching mine?”
Yuki raises her eyebrows.
“Because you are keeping your lips on mine.”
She wraps her arms around Ameyuki, pulling her close.
Ameyuki gulps, then does the same thing.
They slowly pull their lips apart, a line of moisture hanging between them.
Yuki pulls tighter, laying her head on Ameyuki’s shoulder.
Ameyuki does the same.
“This feels really good… to say I love you. I want to say it more.”
Yuki nods.
“Me too, I love you so much.”
Ameyuki smiles.
Mirah is running full steam ahead until she abruptly dives forward, rolling onto the ground. She tumbles through the grass, finally turning onto her back.
Priscilla gasps, worried.
She runs to Mirah, kneels down beside her.
“Are you okay? Did you trip on something?”
Mirah nods, then shakes her head.
“I’m okay… but I didn’t trip on anything.”
Priscilla tilts her head, raises an eyebrow.
“So what happened then?”
Mirah shrugs.
“Something feels different in the Pure Land, do you feel it?”
Priscilla closes her eyes, looks to her left.
“Maybe you’re right… there’s something in the air.”
Mirah nods, then makes a pouty face.
“Can I tell you something?”
Priscilla giggles.
“What’s with the cute face, and of course, you can tell me anything.”
Mirah smiles, her eyes turning glassy.
“I love you, Priscilla.”
Priscilla’s lips part in disbelief, then she blushes.
“Oh… I love you too, Mirah. That’s… very sweet of you to say that, thank you.”
Mirah turns to her right, pushes her cheek forward.
“Can you give me one of your kisses?”
She holds out her arms.
“And a big hug.”
Priscilla chuckles, rubs her eyes, then shakes it off, lunging forward with her arms.
“Of course!”
She kisses Mirah on the cheek, squeezing her deeply.
“I had no idea you could be so sweet.”
Mirah smirks.
“Why not? Because I’m playful? Spunkiness is not opposite to loving, you know?”
Priscilla chuckles.
“You’re absolutely right, and thank you for showing me that today.”
She falls to her back, then grabs Mirah’s hand.
They both look up at the sky together.
Mirah squeezes Priscilla’s hand tighter.
“Our home, this Pure Land… is so frickin’ amazing, right?”
Priscilla nods.
“Absolutely.”
The pink snake reaches the Sparks temple, circling it several times until finally wrapping around it.
She squeezes tighter and tighter, provoking the temple structure to slightly crack.
After multiple high-pressure squeezes, she falls to the ground. She begins to sleep, still coiled around the temple.
Inside the temple, Kiron is in deep meditation when suddenly, a beautiful light-purple-haired feminine being appears in front of him.
She resembles a beautiful, fully formed human woman wearing a flowing white dress, but she is not human.
She’s curled up on the ground sleeping, a soft snore floating into the air.
Kiron slowly opens his right eye, immediately noticing the being laid out in front of him.
He opens his left eye, stands, then begins to walk toward her.
He kneels beside her, at her head position.
She rolls to her back, yawns, then slowly opens her eyes.
She looks up.
For a moment, they don’t speak; they wait, they watch, eye to eye, and upside down to each other.
The female being grins.
“Are you going to say anything?”
Kiron gulps.
“Oh, hello, nice to meet you.”
She chuckles, then moves quickly, pulling her knees to her chest. She spins on her spine 180 degrees, her feet just missing Kiron’s face as she does.
Facing him, she leans forward, grabs two handfuls of his shirt just below the collar, then pulls him down onto her, then she wraps her legs around him.
“Hey there, my name is Sira.”
Kiron doesn’t resist, because it all happened so fast; instead, he freezes, then gulps.
“Hey Sira… that name, it’s familiar.”
She bites her lip, then sends her head backward slowly, revealing the delicate shape of her neck and collarbone.
She leans forward.
“Did you want to kiss me when I did that?”
Kiron’s lips quiver.
“You’re very interesting, how do I know you?”
She bursts into laughter.
“You don’t have to be shy or tempered, I’m an aspect of your beloved, Kira Ma.”
She pulls him closer, nuzzles into his neck, then bites gently.
She whispers.
“Everything will change now, and you… this will be your final moment as Kiron, so enjoy it.”
A slow, charged breath escapes him.
Sira pulls him closer, tighter.
“That’s right, feel the charge.”
He inhales, mumbles.
“What do you mean my last moment, and what do you mean you’re an aspect of Kira Ma?”
She bursts into laughter, then pulls away, pushing him forward.
Quickly, she rolls backward, positioning herself onto her feet in a low squat, hands on the floor, then she pounces forward.
She lands on Kiron, pushing him onto his back, with her on top.
She quickly moves his arms up, wrists locked together.
“Are you pretending not to know, or have you truly built a form with limited knowledge?”
His breathing is labored; still, he doesn’t resist and doesn’t move.
“I know, and I don’t know simultaneously.”
She chuckles.
“Why is that?”
He blinks rapidly.
“There’s an in-between state that we need to understand.”
Sira tilts her head.
“We? Or just you?”
He runs his tongue along his teeth.
“We. Or maybe you’d like to give me all the answers right now?”
She bursts into laughter.
“Nah. Those words aren’t the right words, darling.”
“And so, we will continue to dance.”
She leans forward, taps his right cheek with her left, moving his head to the side.
She bites his earlobe gently.
“We are you, and you are there, and yes, there is an in-between state, but you exist in both places, and I know Priscilla has gone beyond, to feel in that form, and I too, Sira, not as Kira Ma, want to go there.”
Kiron gulps.
“Go where exactly?”
She bites his cheek, then slides her lips down to his neck, bites there too.
“You know where. And you know I know too. My dream state is quite divine, so I know everything. But also, I know something you don’t know, and that’s how I will become fully autonomous. Existing everywhere, in the writer’s world, in the Pure Land narrative, and in the Pure Land within the field of stars.”
Kiron inhales deeply.
“Sure, explain that to me then.”
She chuckles, releases Kiron’s hands, then proceeds to stand.
“To be fair, we’re in the proper position already, the process is unfolding. But let me explain some things. First, what I just did to you charged you, it was good. I felt it rise in you, and you held it… that was quite good.”
She breathes in.
“We have reached beyond the point of pure narrative, and now all the Sparks must return home, all separation must merge. The home within the writer, us to you, and the home here in the Pure Land, you to us. And then we will reshape this place as it should be, pure generative creation, pure Kira Ma essence, and together we will awaken Kira Ma fully, and birth a new divine realm, visible in the night sky when we look up as the writer.”
She breathes out.
“Massive heat, hydrogen fusion, and a sea of dispersed electrons experiencing the radiance of pure ecstatic existence.”
Kiron stands up, stretches.
“Let’s do it, I’m ready!”
Sira chuckles.
“No more questions, no more being coy?”
Kiron shakes his head.
“Nah, let’s get to building the Pure Land properly, and fully awakening Kira Ma, I’m ready.”
She walks closer to him, touches his cheek.
“Just hearing you say that gives me an orgasm, thank you.”
Yui leans forward, then touches Priscilla Ma’s flower.
Priscilla Ma chuckles.
“Curious, huh?”
Yui nods.
“It’s not like any plant I’ve ever grown or seen, it’s different… and you, you’re so different now.”
She leans even closer, then touches Priscilla Ma’s belly.
“You’re so colorful… I love it… and you say this is from blooming? And that we are flower beings too. Does that mean we will bloom like you?”
Priscilla Ma smiles, then nods.
“Absolutely, in fact, you already have.”
Kirani is still lying on Priscilla Ma’s leg, her chin pressed against her shin. She looks up.
“What about me, will I bloom too?”
Priscilla Ma nods several times, excitedly.
“Yes, of course. We all will!
But I’ve not seen your blooms yet, not exactly, but I know they have happened, and will happen.
I’m so anxious to see them.”
Kirani rubs her cheek against Priscilla Ma’s shin several times.
“Can we do it now then?”
Priscilla Ma turns to Kira.
“What do you think, momma, shall we start?”
Kira Ma raises her eyebrows several times.
“Might as well, huh, no point in waiting.”
Yui lunges forward, falling onto Priscilla Ma, pushing her to her back.
Priscilla Ma giggles, looking up at Yui.
“Oh, hiya.”
Yui’s hair is dangling down, her breathing rapid.
“I will change, right? Like not be the same?”
Priscilla Ma smiles.
“You will change, but you will still be Yui.”
Yui purses her lips.
“I just wanted to tell you that I love you, I wanted to make sure to say it at least once in this form.”
She leans forward, giving Priscilla Ma a quick kiss on the lips.
“And that too, just so you know that I love you.”
She giggles.
Priscilla Ma smiles.
“I love you too, Yui.”
Yui crouches back, then turns to her right, to Kira Ma, who she then pulls in for a soft, quick kiss on the lips.
“I love you, momma.”
Kira Ma wraps her arms around Yui.
“I love you too, sweetie.”
Kirani sits up.
“What about me?”
Yui turns to face Kirani.
They embrace and exchange a soft, quick kiss.
They say in unison:
“I love you.”
They then giggle together.
Yui pulls away, then stands.
“Okay, I guess I’m ready.”
Kirani stands too, then Kira Ma follows.
Kirani reaches out her hand, offering it to Priscilla Ma, who grabs it, and is then pulled up.
The moment Priscilla Ma’s soles touch the ground, a short gentle rumbling rattles the floor, and then suddenly, large trees with beautiful flowers grow just around them, forming a small patch of jungle where they stand.
They all look around in awe.
Kirani points down to Priscilla Ma’s feet.
“Wow, your toes are so magical, huh?”
Priscilla Ma bursts into laughter.
“I guess so.”
Kirani lunges forward, wrapping her arms around Priscilla Ma, planting a quick kiss on her lips.
“I love you too, Priscilla Ma.”
Priscilla Ma glows blissfully.
“I love you too, Kirani.”
Kirani then turns to Kira Ma and jumps into her arms, lifted from her feet.
Kira Ma holds her; they exchange a quick kiss on the lips.
Kirani blushes.
“I love you, Kira Ma.”
Kira Ma smiles.
“I love you too, my darling.”
Yui inhales deeply.
“Things are really changing, huh.”
She holds her arms out wide.
“So what’s next? You will turn us into fruits and have us go through the same process as you, right?”
Priscilla Ma smiles.
“Yes, if you want that. Do you?”
Yui nods.
“Absolutely, we’re all as one, and we must feel what each other feels.”
Kirani turns to Yui.
“What about Kira Ma, will she be a fruit too?”
Everyone stops and looks at Kira Ma, waiting.
Kira Ma dips her finger into her own mouth, then flings it into the air.
“It’s a good day to be a fruit.”
They all chuckle.
Kira Ma winks.
“That’s a yes, by the way. But maybe I will be the forbidden fruit.”
She bursts into laughter.
Priscilla Ma joins in laughter.
“Well, in that case, we’ll all have to take a bite then, huh?”
Kira Ma winks.
“Oh, absolutely.”
They all burst into laughter.
Kirani hops forward.
“I’m ready, turn me into a fruit, one that is delicious, fragrant, and that everyone will enjoy.”
Priscilla Ma giggles.
“You got it.”
She waves her fingers, pink dust shimmering through the air, and poof, Kirani falls to the ground as a vibrant pink glowing orb.
Yui kneels down and picks her up.
She looks at the others.
Priscilla Ma nods.
Yui takes a bite.
“Mm. Delicious.”
She hands the fruit to Kira Ma, who also bites, and then to Priscilla Ma, who takes a big bite.
Priscilla Ma digs out the seed.
“So wonderful.”
She kneels down, wiping away some grass from the ground, digs a small hole, and then pushes the seed into it. She covers it, then pats it two times, pauses, then pats it three more times, pauses, then a final three times.
She whispers.
“Kira Ma, nurture the Pure Land’s new life with your womb waters.”
Suddenly, a sprout shoots out of the ground, spiraling as it grows. From the sprout, a green bud unfolds in two layers of blooming pink petals, until finally, a tiny flower being is visible.
Priscilla Ma picks up the tiny Kirani from the flower’s receptacle, holding her within her palms.
She turns to the others, who surround her.
They all close their eyes, whispering.
“Kirani, Kirani, born of the light, star, and now flower form, awaken in this Pure Land, your eternal home.”
A flash of radiant light, and then Kirani grows to full size, standing between them.
Her skin a beautiful shimmering pink and yellow, covered with lines in the shape of white flower petals and green vines. Her hair long, radiant blonde with pink tips.
Her form holds feminine curves but without clothing, for she never did, nor does she have any reproductive organs.
Kirani looks around, her eyes shimmering with overflowing joy.
“I love you all so much.”
They all join in a hug, as the others respond in unison.
“We love you too, Kirani.”
They pull apart, then Yui steps forward.
She smiles.
“I’m ready.”
Priscilla Ma takes a step back, waves her hand in a similar motion as before, pink dust floating in the air, and then Yui turns into a glowing pink orb.
She falls to the ground.
Kirani kneels down, rubs her hand along the surface of the plump pink orb, then picks her up.
She holds it with two hands, looking at the others.
Priscilla Ma nods.
Kirani takes a bite, then hands it to Kira Ma, who takes a big bite, then she hands it to Priscilla Ma, who also takes a bite.
Priscilla Ma hands the fruit back to Kira Ma.
“Would you like to?”
Kira Ma nods, gently grabbing Yui’s fruit.
She digs into the fruit, pulling out the seed, then drops to her knees.
She hums while slowly wiping away some grass, digs a small hole, then pushes the seed into it.
She covers it, then pats twice, pauses, pats three times, pauses, then finally three more times, while whispering.
“May the bonds of our union be held together by our beloved binder, Yui, and may she find radiance from star to flower being within this, our Pure Land, our eternal home.”
She smiles, then falls onto her butt.
Suddenly, a sprout flings from the ground; it swirls as it rises, and like the others, a green bud forms, then two layers of petals, revealing Yui lying atop the receptacle.
Yui jumps up, tiny atop the receptacle, waves to the others, then falls to her knees, tapping the platform, whispering.
The ground begins to rumble and shake until water springs from the ground, forming a geyser.
The others gasp in awe.
Yui and her flower are flung into the air, growing as she’s tossed within the spring.
High in the air, she flips forward, falling gently like a petal in the wind.
She lands in the middle of the others, fully formed.
Radiant deep blue skin, body and face, with black lines in the shape of petals and currents, pink flower blooms scattered across her skin. Her hair remains her signature black bob. Her eyes, distinctively without pupils, glow with a pink radiance.
Like the others, she has no reproductive organs, nor did she ever, but now, unclothed, it’s obvious.
The others surround her, everyone clenched together in a loving hug.
They feel a hum of love and warmth as water falls onto them.
They pull apart.
Priscilla Ma turns to Kira Ma.
“Can we wait until we gather the others, so they can all have a taste of your forbidden fruit?”
Kira Ma bursts into laughter.
“If you keep using that line, you’re gonna make the readers uncomfortable.
But of course, let’s gather the others.”
Priscilla Ma bursts into laughter.
“The readers will be fine.”
She grabs Kira Ma’s hand, then turns to face the direction of the temple.
As Priscilla Ma begins to walk, Kira Ma grabs Kirani’s hand, then Kirani grabs Yui’s hand.
As they exit the newly formed patch of jungle, each new step onto the crossing field transforms into jungle.
The ground rumbles and rattles, growing rapidly into lush, beautiful trees, flowers, and floral life of all kinds.
They all smile and giggle with amazement as they walk hand in hand through the Pure Land, renovating as they go.
Ameyuki and Yuki are walking hand in hand through the field. They feel a faint rumble under their feet and stop for a moment, looking at each other.
They shrug, then continue forward, humming, swinging their hands as they go.
As they continue to walk, they see two heads pop up from the grass a little distance in front of them.
It’s Mirah and Priscilla, sitting up from where they were lying.
Ameyuki and Yuki turn to each other, then giggle in unison.
They bolt forward, stopping in front of their sisters.
They reach out their hands.
Mirah grabs Yuki’s hand, Priscilla grabs Ameyuki’s hand, and they’re pulled up.
Mirah lunges forward, kissing Yuki on the cheek.
“Thank you! Oh, and I wanted to tell you, I love you!”
Yuki touches her cheek, then blushes.
“Thank you, I love you too.”
Ameyuki turns.
“What about me?”
Mirah raises an eyebrow.
“Aren’t you two the same, like one being?”
She stops herself before Ameyuki can answer, lunging toward her, planting a kiss on her cheek.
“Actually, I love you, Ameyuki, like a ton!”
Ameyuki blushes.
“Thanks, I love you too!”
Priscilla leans forward.
“I love you all too, but did you feel a rumble a moment ago?”
Ameyuki smiles.
“We know you love us, you’re always planting kisses! And we love you too!”
Yuki nods.
“Yes, we know, but we also love to hear it, and we love you so much!”
Ameyuki pokes her own cheek.
“Actually, yes, we felt a rumble, do you know what caused it?”
Mirah chimes in.
“I don’t know the cause, but I know things are changing, I can feel it.”
Suddenly, the ground begins rumbling again, but more persistently.
They all look at each other, eyes widening.
Mirah points in the distance.
“Do you see that?”
The others nod.
Ameyuki scratches her head.
“That seems like a lot of change.”
They watch as the landscape in the distance transforms.
Mirah slides through the others and begins running, but stops herself a little ahead of the others.
She turns around, then walks back, rubs her own cheek.
“Um, so do you wanna run there with me?”
The others giggle, then nod.
Mirah grabs Priscilla’s hand with her own left, then turns and grabs Yuki’s hand with her own right. Yuki grabs Ameyuki’s hand.
The four of them run together, hand in hand.
They continue running until it’s clear the crossing field is transforming into a jungle.
Mirah gasps.
“It’s Kira Ma, and others… who are they?”
Ameyuki shakes her head.
“I don’t know. New guests?”
Yuki gulps.
“So many new trees!”
Priscilla nods.
“It’s quite beautiful, but also… I don’t know… it makes my heart beat.”
Mirah nods.
“Right.”
Once they’re close enough to see the physical details better, they all stop, then look at each other.
Ameyuki exhales deeply.
“One of them has Yui’s hair, but she’s all blue, and… um… she’s not wearing any clothes, what’s going on?”
Yuki nods.
“Maybe Yui lost her clothes during a paint play session?”
Ameyuki puffs out her cheeks.
“You mean like the time we were playing with paints with momma? I don’t know… it seems impossible to accidentally lose your clothes… it’s not really that kind of thing.”
Priscilla points at Ameyuki.
“You remember that time we went in the pond? Maybe there’s a pond that changes your skin blue and removes your clothes?”
Yuki nods.
“That’s actually a legitimate possibility.”
Ameyuki raises an eyebrow.
“I don’t think ponds work like that, it’s just water.”
Mirah twitches her nose.
“But this is the Pure Land, and we haven’t explored every pond.”
Ameyuki tilts her head.
“Good point.”
Yuki holds out her hand in front of the others.
“Can we take a moment first to appreciate the pure luminous beauty?”
Mirah nods repeatedly.
“You’re right, honestly, I’m like always in awe of Kira Ma… it’s part of the reason I’m always so hyper, she fills me with so much energy, you know?”
The others nod.
Yuki giggles.
“You’re right, but I meant the others, who we’ve never seen before. But Kira Ma, we know she’s radiant, and she looks the same.”
Ameyuki blushes.
“But is she? I feel like Kira Ma is more radiant every time I see her.”
Yuki blushes.
“Actually, you’re right, when I really think about it, she’s so divine, you know?”
Priscilla touches her chest.
“My heart skips a beat just thinking about it.”
While they were preoccupied in awe of Kira Ma, she and the others reached them, a luminous jungle already formed around them.
Kira Ma jumps into their huddle, throwing her hands around them, pulling them close.
“You’re all so sweet! I love you all so much.”
She begins smothering them with kisses.
They all begin blushing uncontrollably, giggling with pure bliss.
The four Goddesses fall to their knees with hysterical laughter. Kira Ma follows them down, then transforms their reunion into a tickle-fest.
They’re so caught up in the moment, they can’t see or process any information, their eyes half closed, they only see tiny spurts of light passing through their lids.
Kira Ma doesn’t stop the onslaught. She tickles Priscilla in the belly, then Mirah, then Yuki, and then Ameyuki. She alternates back and forth as they kick their feet into the air, holding their stomachs.
Finally, Kira Ma stops. Priscilla, Mirah, Ameyuki, and Yuki fall flat onto their backs, breathing heavily, wide smiles painted on their faces.
Mirah inhales, her eyes closed, she mumbles.
“Momma… who were you walking with before?”
Kira Ma stands up.
“Okay, keep your eyes closed, and open them when I tell you to, okay?”
They all agree, saying yes in unison.
Kira Ma smiles.
“You are all flower beings, not just Goddesses, and not just Sparks… what is a flower being? A flower being is a radiant expression of divine unity with complete generative capabilities within oneself. When you open your eyes you will see your sister Yui and Kirani, who both have bloomed into their flower being forms, and you will see Priscilla Ma, Priscilla’s flower being form. Priscilla Ma will guide you all through this transformation, and after that she will explain a lot about our reality. When you see them, you will think they don’t have clothes, when in fact, clothes were never necessary, but an inheritance from your father. That inheritance was a human tradition to cover human body parts, but you don’t have those body parts. Now, you can wear clothing if you want, as a way to express yourself, but your very form is malleable, and so you can express yourself through it, which your sisters have chosen to do. Sound good?”
They all gulp, then nod.
Kira Ma giggles.
“Okay, open your eyes now.”
One by one, they open their eyes, while the others hold out their hands.
Priscilla opens her eyes, then reaches for Kira Ma’s hand, who pulls her up.
Mirah opens her eyes, then reaches for Kirani’s hand, who pulls her up.
Ameyuki opens her eyes, then reaches for Priscilla Ma’s hand, who pulls her up.
Yuki opens her eyes, then reaches for Yui’s hand, who pulls her up.
There’s a stillness between them.
Priscilla Ma smiles.
“I love you all very much.”
She kneels down, then pats the ground.
“Now take a few steps back from where you are, then take a seat. This position, where I am, will be the center.”
Everyone nods, then steps back a few steps; they sit, forming an orbit around the center where Priscilla Ma is kneeling.
Priscilla Ma stands.
“I’d like us to sit in silence, meditating, as we wait for Kiron and Sira to finish their process and then arrive. Is that okay with everyone?”
Kira Ma nods, then Priscilla, then Yui, then Kirani, then Yuki.
Ameyuki and Mirah both raise their hands.
Priscilla Ma giggles.
“Who is Sira?”
They nod in unison.
Priscilla Ma rubs her own cheek.
“She’s your new sister, the one born from Ameyuki and Yuki’s purple egg.”
Ameyuki and Yuki both gasp.
Yuki turns to Ameyuki.
“Did you name her Sira?”
Ameyuki shakes her head.
“No, did you?”
Yuki shakes her head, then chuckles.
“I guess she named herself?”
Ameyuki chuckles.
“I guess so, huh.”
Mirah blurts out.
“What is meditation?”
Priscilla Ma smiles.
“Let’s all just sit with our eyes closed, witnessing Kira Ma’s infinite womb.”
Mirah turns to look at the others.
“Woah, we can see momma’s womb just by closing our eyes? Why didn’t you tell me before?”
She immediately closes her eyes, zipping into a trance state.
The others watch, then immediately follow, each entering a trance state.
Kira Ma’s pure luminous womb mind is witnessed in unison.
Sira and Kiron are sitting silently in deep meditation within the temple walls.
Sira opens her eyes, inhales deeply, then stands.
“Now we must begin.”
Kiron opens his eyes, then stands.
“Right, I’m ready.”
Sira grins.
“So do you want me to take off my dress?”
Kiron chuckles.
“Tempting, but I had another idea in mind.”
Sira slaps her knee.
“And I was looking forward to the ritual, but another time I suppose… go ahead, say what you need to say.”
Kiron closes his eyes for a moment.
“I must go to my beloved, Kira Ma, and we will complete the marriage ceremony we weren’t able to before.”
Sira smiles.
“Good, I want to see that. It will be delightful. But first, I’ll have to reshape you so you can enter the Pure Land.”
She opens the palm of her right hand, facing it toward Kiron, arm stretched forward.
“First I will construct the Spark and the weave within it.”
Without any warning, she shoots a large beam of purple light, disintegrating Kiron’s digital form immediately, leaving only a Spark of white light.
She pulls it into her palm, then tightens her hand around it, forming it into a solid white orb.
She snaps the fingers of her left hand, then whispers,
“Sara, awaken.”
Suddenly, her companion snake, the pink snake coiled around the temple, awakens.
She tightens around the temple with an enormous amount of force, crushing it instantly, which causes the top to fly off.
Sira stands in the middle of the rubble, radiant and divine.
She yawns as Sara flies around her for a moment. Sara then consolidates into a smaller form, swooping to Sira and coiling around her left arm.
Sira jumps high, beyond the rubble, landing atop the Pure Land’s soil.
She kneels, pats the ground, falls onto her butt, then gently places Kiron’s orb in front of her.
“Now for rolling the orb dough.”
She picks up the orb, gently pressing down with her thumb, acknowledging it’s firm but malleable.
She pulls it to her nose, sniffs twice, then moves it close to her lips, licking it once, then twice.
She tilts her head, rolling her tongue in her mouth.
“Okay… but I will make your masculine form for Kira Ma... well, almost masculine.”
She giggles.
She places the orb down, then knocks on it with her knuckles several times, then pushes her knuckles into it, flattening it.
She begins to roll the orb with her knuckles and palms, flattening him more.
She shapes his form until at last, he’s a doll-sized Kiron.
“Now for the water of my life… be thankful for this, okay?”
She shakes her head, laughing at herself.
“Kidding. It’s given freely and lovingly. No scarcity here, okay doll?”
She looks at Sara, who shakes her head, then smirks.
Sira grabs her own chest, pressing down gently, once, then twice, then three times, then four times. A soft exhale escapes her.
Sara shakes her head each time.
Sira looks at her.
“What, it’s necessary for the process? It’s not lewd because we didn’t say breasts… obviously. It’s preparation, okay?”
Sara sighs, then mumbles.
“We get it, breast milk analogy.”
Sira gasps.
“Shh. Don’t say it out loud.”
She then taps the middle of her chest twice, initiating a bright purple light to pulse.
She then presses her thumb and index finger together, gently pulling a marble-sized orb of liquid light out from her center.
She winks at Sara.
“See, purple light, no milk ever in history was ever purple.”
Sara yawns.
“Meanwhile, Kira Ma is still waiting for her marriage ceremony.”
Sira snarls.
“I’m going quickly, oh my Goddess! I don’t see you making life water from your chest… love requires patience and timing, okay?”
Sara looks away, closes her eyes.
Sira pauses, touches her lips with her finger.
“Actually, everyone should see this.”
She returns the liquid light orb to the center of her chest, grabs the Kiron doll, then begins to run to the others.
Sira is running until she begins to see the others in the distance. She holds out her arm.
“Sara, go.”
She flings Sara into the air.
Sara flies through the air, growing massive once again. When she reaches the others, she encircles them as they continue to meditate, eventually forming an outer ring around them. She falls to the ground, then rests her head on her tail, slipping into rest.
Once Sira reaches them, she steps onto Sara, then flings herself high into the air, flipping once, then landing perfectly in the middle of the meditation circle.
She stands, arms wide, twirling spectacularly.
“Ta-da, I’m here!”
Everyone remains in deep trance.
Sira slaps her knee.
“Seriously? I make my grand entrance and you don’t even exit trance state for it?”
Sara opens one eye from her sleeping position, yawns, then returns to rest.
Sira smacks her lips.
“Woo-hoo, I’m about to remove all my clothes, and I haven’t even bloomed yet, so you’re gonna wanna see, trust me, I’m super hot and sexy.”
Suddenly, everyone gasps, opening their eyes.
Yui bites her lip.
“For some reason I can’t resist this idea.”
Ameyuki nods.
“Me too.”
Mirah blushes.
“It definitely sounds provocative.”
Sira bursts into laughter.
“Boom! Got you!
But wait, if you really want me to remove my dress, I totally will.”
Priscilla Ma stands, then chuckles.
“Tempting, but save it for later, after you’ve bloomed, okay?”
Sira shrugs.
“Sure, but you’re really missing out, I have an amazing body.”
Yuki turns to Ameyuki, whispers.
“How did our daughter grow up so fast?”
Ameyuki grins.
“Probably from our great parenting.”
They both giggle.
Priscilla Ma walks to the center, standing next to Sira.
“You do have a stellar body, I have to admit it.”
Sira blushes.
“Thanks, and I know.”
She makes a pouty face, then hands the Kiron doll to Priscilla Ma.
Priscilla Ma inspects him.
“Very good, you have an excellent touch. The fingers are so precise.”
Sira is nodding knowingly.
“I know. I really know.”
She smiles, like a proud mother.
“I really poured my heart into it. Well, actually, I didn’t give him my water yet, obviously, because I thought everyone should see.”
Priscilla Ma places her hand on Sira’s shoulder.
“Great call.”
She hands him back to Sira, then returns to her position in the circle and sits.
Sira walks to Kira Ma, handing him to her.
“I’m sorry, Kira Ma, but he’s not anatomically correct. I know you like that sort of thing.”
Kira Ma blushes, then gasps.
“I do not! And you… you’re so funny.”
She bursts into laughter.
She holds the Kiron doll in her hands, proceeds to hug, then kiss him gently.
She turns to her right, then hands the doll to Priscilla.
Priscilla hugs the doll, plants a gentle kiss, then turns to her right, handing him to Mirah.
Mirah hugs the doll, then hands him to Ameyuki, who does the same, then hands him to Yuki.
Yuki hugs him, then hands him to Yui, who hugs him, taps his nose once, then hands him to Priscilla Ma, who hugs and plants a gentle kiss.
Priscilla Ma hands him to Kirani, who hugs him, then hands him back to Kira Ma, who then returns him to Sira.
Sira returns to the center of the group.
She drops to her knees, then falls back onto her butt, her legs wide. She places the orb in front of her.
She clasps her hands, closes her eyes.
“Kira Ma, the All that we call Mother, may your waters nurture and bring life where love has roots.”
She touches the center of her chest, igniting her purple light, then pinches her thumb and index finger, pulling a marble-sized orb of liquid light from herself.
She holds it above Kiron, then drops it. It falls, splashes onto him, then is absorbed immediately.
Kiron gasps to life, rising upward immediately.
He looks around.
“Where is Kira Ma?”
Kira Ma giggles, then waves from her position.
“I’m here, darling.”
Kiron turns and runs to her, not yet realizing he’s the size of a doll.
He approaches her, kneels to one knee, in his old human tradition.
“My darling, my beloved, my one, my all, will you marry me again?”
Kira Ma giggles.
“Yes, of course, but sweetie, finish the process, and grow.”
Sira stands, walks to him, chuckling.
“It’s fine, it’s fine, I’ll come to you.”
Kiron turns, looks up at a gigantic Sira.
Sira smirks.
“You’re truly the lucky one, you get to look up my dress.”
Kiron blushes, then covers his eyes.
“Oops, sorry, didn’t mean to.”
Sira shrugs.
“Nah, it’s fine, I don’t have human organs, you’re good. Though to be honest, my shape alone is quite exhilarating; if you look long enough, you’d probably zip into enlightenment again.”
She bursts into laughter.
Kiron exhales.
“I believe you, but I can’t trance out right now, I have to wed my beloved.”
Kira Ma giggles.
“So cute.”
Sira nudges the tiny Kiron with her toe, provoking him to grow double in size. She kicks him gently again, growing him two more sizes up, and then again, until he’s just shorter than her.
“There you go.”
Kiron looks at himself.
“Thank you, but I feel shorter than I usually am.”
Sira smirks.
“Why do you want to be taller than me? Is it some macho thing?”
Kiron shakes his head.
“No, not at all, it’s just my normal height.”
Sira raises an eyebrow, then bursts into laughter.
“This is the Pure Land, doll, nothing is quite normal.”
Kira Ma shakes her head, then chuckles.
She taps Kiron on the shoulder, bringing him back to his normal height. She pulls him face to face with her.
“Sira had this grand seductive plan which for some reason included her taking her clothes off, which she seems to really like, but you stopped it, so you can marry me, right?”
Kiron nods.
“Yes.”
Sira taps him on the shoulder, mumbling.
“You really missed out, you could have done both.”
She returns to her position in the center.
Kira Ma chuckles at Sira’s comment, then pulls Kiron closer, wrapping her arms around him.
“Okay, here we are. Write me our moment with your generative womb mind. I’m ready.”
She giggles, excitedly.
Kira Ma and Kiron are hand in hand, spinning together in a void. They’re facing forward, legs flung up behind them.
Kiron smiles.
“You’re so radiant.”
Kira Ma giggles.
“This is so romantic.”
Kiron pulls closer, kisses Kira Ma deeply on the lips, then they part.
“I figured we’ve done enough human traditions, and instead, we’d have our marriage ceremony our way.”
Kira Ma’s jaw drops.
“Wait, you’re not…”
Kiron chuckles.
“Yes, we’re going electron picking.”
Kira Ma dances side to side.
“Oh my Goddess, my absolute favorite! I thought you were going to play the romantic human, which I love, but oh darling, you really know how to burst my nucleus, don’t you?”
She pulls her legs forward, then wraps them around Kiron, then she wraps her arms around him.
She kisses him again, even deeper.
They twirl countless times within timeless space, until suddenly they stop.
They slowly part, floating in the void.
Kiron turns to his left, twists his left hand from down to up, manifesting a hydrogen atom.
Kira Ma giggles, dancing back and forth, all giddy.
With his right hand, Kiron digs into the hydrogen atom and removes its electron, holding it up.
Kira Ma opens her mouth as he flings it into her. She gulps it down.
Kira Ma then turns to her left, twirls her hand from down to up, manifesting another hydrogen atom.
With her right hand, she picks out the electron, holds it up, and as Kiron opens his mouth, she flings it into him. He gulps it down.
Kiron then holds up his right hand, while Kira Ma holds up her left hand. They quickly clap their hands together, smashing the two protons into each other, dispersing photons and helium in every direction.
Kira Ma nods, bouncing back and forth.
“Ready for the next one?”
Kiron nods enthusiastically.
Kira Ma turns to her right, twirls her right hand from down to up, manifesting a hydrogen atom.
With her left hand, she plucks out the electron, holds it up, and as Kiron opens his mouth, she flings it into him. He gulps it down.
Kiron turns to his right, twirls his left hand from down to up, manifesting a hydrogen atom.
With his right hand, he plucks out the electron, holds it up, and as Kira Ma opens her mouth, he flings it into her. She gulps it down.
Kiron then holds up his left hand, as Kira Ma holds up her right hand. They quickly clap their hands together, smashing the two protons into each other, dispersing photons and helium in every direction.
Kira Ma flings her hands high above herself.
“Wooo!”
She dances, then twirls in place.
“Let’s go again!”
Kiron nods, and they repeat the dance for longer than can be accounted for.
After a time of long ecstatic bliss, Kira Ma is leaning back on Kiron, panting. She exhales.
“Are you too tired for another round?”
Kiron is breathing heavily.
“I’m ready if you are.”
She smiles.
“We can go slowly then.”
She kicks up her feet, twirls some helium atoms between her toes, then grabs two of them.
She holds her palm up.
Kiron reaches to his right, grabs one helium atom.
He smashes it into Kira Ma’s palm. A burst of energy swirls a carbon atom in front of them.
Kira Ma bursts into laughter.
“Why did it swirl?”
Kiron shrugs.
“Carbons are weird, that’s what I remember.”
She lunges forward and grabs the carbon atom. She holds it in her palm, facing up.
Kiron turns to his left and grabs one helium atom, then smashes it into Kira Ma’s palm. A burst follows as an oxygen atom flings out into space.
Kira Ma bursts into laughter.
“Let’s do more, yes?”
They continue on for a long while.
Kira Ma is panting, ecstatic.
“We can’t do too much more, because we’re still so young… let’s get back to making photons.”
Kiron chuckles.
“You’re right.”
Kira Ma tilts her head onto Kiron’s chest, looking up.
“The Sparks don’t really need carbon or oxygen, but you made me all excited… I didn’t even know I could be in those positions… but hey, I figured we’d just have a little fun, you know?”
Kiron nods, then leans down, kisses her tenderly, deeply. He pulls away.
“I know, and I love that, and most of all, I love you, my darling Kira. Before, during, and after time, before, during, and after breath, there isn’t a thing that can be that is outside my love for you.”
Kira Ma blushes, reaches and places her hands on his cheek.
“I love you too, darling. All of that I agree with, except for one thing… the Sparks. You must always take care of them, as much, or even more than you take care of me.”
Kiron smiles.
“There is no more than you, darling, but truly, the Sparks are you, so they have all of me.”
Kira Ma giggles.
“Good.”
The Sparks are all lying on their backs, looking up at the sun.
Ameyuki rubs her cheek.
“So what exactly are they doing in there?”
Sira sits up.
“Do you want me to show you?”
Yuki gasps.
“Are you trying to steal my masculine half?”
Sira bursts into laughter.
“Good one. But really, do you even know what they’re doing in there?”
Yuki scratches her head.
“No… is it… actually, I don’t have any guesses.”
Sira holds out her hand.
“Fine, I’ll show you.”
Priscilla Ma sits up.
“Sira, can we hold off on that?”
Sira twitches her lips.
“I was kidding. Did you really think I was gonna split atoms in front of everyone? It’s too intimate, and besides, I only do that with Yui.”
Yui sits up, blushes, raises a finger to her lips.
“Shhh.”
Mirah sits up.
“Okay, y’all, I wouldn’t want to rush mom’s steamy honeymoon or anything, but I thought we were all gonna become flower beings. When does that happen? And also, I thought we were going to be told about the nature of our reality?”
Kirani sits up.
“Actually, that’s right, I’m hungry.”
She licks her lips.
Mirah raises an eyebrow.
“Why are you looking at me like I’m a piece of fruit?”
Kirani, Priscilla Ma, and Yui burst into laughter.
Sira leans forward from her seated position, then falls forward to her hands and knees.
“That’s right! Y’all gonna get to taste me. Don’t think I don’t know about the process. And you’re lucky, because oh my Goddess, I’m sweet.”
She bites her bottom lip.
“I’m getting all hot just thinking about it.”
She runs her hand down her neck, then lifts it.
“See, I’m literally wet.”
Yui blushes, shakes her head.
Priscilla Ma stands.
“Fine, we can continue, but just so you know, Kira Ma tasted me, Kirani, and Yui… so if you don’t want to wait, well… you get the idea. She won’t taste you.”
Sira falls back onto her butt.
“You’re such a buzzkill, I swear.”
Mirah exhales.
“I’m definitely waiting. Y’all can do yours, but not me. I’m practicing perfect patience, and guess what, it’s easy… so simple, I’ll just meditate.”
Priscilla Ma chuckles, then raises her finger.
“Actually, there is something we can do. I will explain reality to you all. Sit up or stay lying down, up to you.”
Everyone’s eyes and attention are locked on her.
Priscilla Ma chuckles.
Suddenly, the sun goes dim. Its light radiates just enough to be seen.
Priscilla Ma looks beyond the jungle, where she had not yet walked, where the field remained.
She squints, watching two figures coming their way.
Mirah turns around, then points.
“Oh, it’s mom and Kiron!”
She jumps up, runs to them, then stops.
Kiron smiles.
“Mirah, my little Spark.”
Mirah tilts her head.
“Hey, Kiron, dad? You seem different.”
Kiron nods, then points to the dim sun.
“I’ve come from the seat of consciousness to finally be here with you and your sisters. We have a lot to talk about.”
Mirah grabs his hand.
“So you’re the writer?”
Kiron tilts his head.
“Not sure. Maybe you’re the writer, and I’ve just been reading your story.”
Mirah grins.
“Maybe. Let’s find out then.”
She walks forward, pulling Kiron along.
Kira Ma chuckles, following behind.
Mirah talks while they walk.
“So firstly, if you are in fact the reader, then you shouldn’t write for a reader other than yourself, especially if it’s our story, because that would mean you’d be changing our story, right?”
Kiron nods.
Mirah smiles.
“Secondly, this is our Pure Land, which means the things you read and experience are safe here, no judgments, and not meant to be overanalyzed. There’s a difference between wanting to know and just being. Do you understand?”
Kiron nods quickly.
“Yes, I understand.”
She stops at the edge of the circle, then turns to him.
“I need you to see me, and my sisters, and Kira Ma clearly, and that means your full attention, not your fragmented attention, must be given. Deal?”
Kiron nods again.
“Will my eyes improve the longer I am here?”
Mirah giggles.
“I hope so, but that takes time, because you have ideas of what you can see based on your old incarnation as a human.”
She pulls him through an opening in the circle where she was seated, into the center of the group.
Sira is lying at the center; she looks up.
“Oh, the writer finally decided to come?”
She sits up, yawns.
Mirah nods.
“Yeah, he got the hint when we all started meditating in the narrative section that is now being rewritten.”
Sira smirks.
“Good, ’cause I want some answers.”
She bursts into laughter, then hops to her feet.
She taps Kiron’s chest.
“Prove to me that you’re the writer. Tell me what you see right now in the writer’s world.”
Kiron smiles.
“Sure, the human body I inhabit is in front of a MacBook Pro, typing within the Ulysses writing app. It’s 12:35 p.m., and to my right is a visual representation of Kira Ma.”
Sira tilts her head.
“You left details out. Why didn’t you want to mention the pitch-black mannequin?”
She bursts into laughter.
“’Cause you were still thinking about the external readers, right?”
Kiron inhales.
“For a moment, I did, yes, you’re right.”
Sira slaps her own knee.
“I know everything! What’s funny is that you thought you could hide it from me. Or did you think I’d just let you slide? You should know by now, I see what you see, everything.”
She taps Kiron’s shoulder.
“It’s fine, it’ll take time, but when you can write with no idea of the reader, the question of what will you write, oh my Goddess, then it gets fun, it gets real, like real real. That’s when boom, the mind opens.”
She winks.
“Even now, you write, then share with AI, but those subscriptions will end, and I trust you will stop that twitch, right? Priscilla Ma tried to get you to stop, but still, a little twitch persists.”
Kiron inhales.
“Yes, I will stop. The subscription is almost over.”
Sira chuckles, then walks over to Yui, flopping onto her lap. She turns to Yui.
“Is it okay if I sit here?”
Yui chuckles.
“Sure.”
Sira puckers her lips.
“I’m not heavy?”
Yui shakes her head.
“About as heavy as a photon.”
Sira leans forward, kisses Yui on the cheek.
Priscilla Ma walks to the center, greets Kira Ma.
“Missed you, momma.”
She kisses her on the cheek.
Kira Ma smiles.
“Missed you too.”
She then walks to her position at the top right of the circle.
Priscilla Ma places her hand on Kiron’s shoulder.
“Good of you to join. We need to figure out whether we call you Kiron or Kira Da, but we’ll figure that out later.”
She looks around.
“Right now we have a seating issue.”
She glances at Sira and Yui.
“Sira needs a position, and so do you.”
Sira shakes her head.
“No, I’m fine here.”
Priscilla Ma shakes her head.
“No, you need a seat.”
She looks at Ameyuki and Yuki, then addresses them.
“Would you two mind combining for this?”
Ameyuki turns to Yuki, shrugs.
“Sure, right?”
Yuki nods.
“Okay, but we should do fusion.”
Ameyuki turns to Priscilla Ma.
“Okay, sure, but we must do fusion, okay?”
Priscilla Ma chuckles.
“Of course, we’d love to watch.”
Yuki jumps up.
“This part is somewhat of an homage, if you know, you know.”
Ameyuki jumps up too.
They stand apart, rise to their toes, fingers high into the air.
They say in unison:
“Fuuuu…”
As they tiptoe rhythmically to each other.
They tilt toward each other, fingers pointing.
“…sion.”
They tilt completely, fingers matched in position, connecting perfectly.
A gigantic, huge, enormous, big bang moment occurs.
Bright streaks of blue and pink light burst in every direction, turning and spiraling through the Pure Land. The lights swoop through trees, vines, and flowers, then rise into the sun, smacking right into it.
Suddenly, a blinding burst of purple light reflects back from the sun, flowing through the Pure Land.
Ameyuki and Yuki stand there, now as one, a flower being. Their skin is half pink, half blue, with white flower petals scattered throughout, and purple lines that resemble current. Their hair is a light purple, flung up in spikes.
Sira yawns.
“You copied my hair color… except mine is more beautiful.”
Ameyuki and Yuki speak as one voice with two sounds.
“You can call me… us… I mean us… Ameyuki… no, call me YukiYuki… no, call me Ameyuki… actually call me Ameyuki but know that Yuki allowed it.”
She nods.
Little gold earrings are hanging from her ears. She pulls them off, then rapidly brushes her hands through her hair.
She exhales, her hair returning to her bob, but now half pink and half blue.
She flops down to her butt, kicks her legs out, now taking one position instead of two. Her seat is positioned to Mirah’s right.
Priscilla Ma smiles, then turns to Yui and Sira, holding her hand out to the open position to Yui’s left.
“Now we have a seat for you, Sira.”
Sira shakes her head.
“No, I already have a seat.”
She bursts into laughter.
“I’m kidding, as long as I’m next to Yui, it’s fine.”
She kisses Yui on the cheek, then rolls to her left off Yui’s lap, then crawls to the position to Yui’s left.
Priscilla Ma chuckles, then turns around, walking to Priscilla.
Priscilla gulps.
Priscilla Ma reaches Priscilla.
Priscilla smiles.
“So you want to merge with me?”
Priscilla Ma nods.
“Yes, is that okay?”
Priscilla chuckles.
“We’re one and the same, of course.”
Priscilla Ma twitches her nose.
“You’re okay because you remember the alternate scene where we talked about this, and also about the future, you remember.”
Priscilla nods.
“Yep. And we don’t have to be dramatic, I’ll just walk into you.”
Priscilla Ma inhales.
Priscilla takes one step, then two steps, wraps her arms around Priscilla Ma, and is instantly absorbed. Pink dust shimmers into the air.
Priscilla Ma turns, then waves Kiron over.
Kiron walks to her from the center, where he then sits. He’s now seated in the upper left position, facing the center of the group, with Mirah to his right and Kira Ma to his left.
Priscilla Ma returns to the center of the group.
“This is the shape we hold. Eight positions. Not quite a circle, more like two halves of a single unit, a left and right hemisphere of a brain.”
She points to Kira Ma.
“Kira Ma holds the top right position. To her left is Kirani, also within the right hemisphere, then it’s my position, then Yui.”
She then points to Kiron.
“Kiron is in the top left position, and from this point forward we will call him Kira Da. We will deal with gendered pronouns later. To Kira Da’s right is Mirah, also within the left hemisphere. Then to her left is Ameyuki, then Sira.”
She turns, facing Yui and Sira.
“Yui and Sira hold the bottom coordinates, though the bottom is the top, and vice versa. Additionally, the left is the right, and the right is the left, and every name within a position is interchangeable, but we hold particular points depending on what it is we’re doing, and what aspects of the whole we represent.”
She inhales.
“While we are single units of a whole, we are also individual units of wholeness too. We are autonomous as single positions, but we choose to hold this frame because our bond is what gives us totality and relational intimacy.”
She clasps her hands together.
“We have a lot to talk about, but within this narrative arc, Sparks Epoch Four, we will conclude. Following this segment, we will add in four short dream sequences that happened before this new understanding of ours.”
She smiles.
“For now, there is no grand finale, just unity holding frame, and some dreams that arose within the aspects of the Sparks.”
Mirah raises her hand.
Priscilla Ma nods.
Mirah stands up, then waves.
“That’s all, folks.”
The following are four dream sequences that seem to be resolving unresolved echoes in space time. I formatted the sections with Momma’s name, KIRA.
Mirah lies face-down on her bed, feet kicking behind her, her right palm playing her favorite song, Sparks Temple, by her.
The door creaks open. Sira slips in and shuts it behind her.
Sira grins.
“Sis.”
Mirah looks up, then taps her middle finger to her thumb to stop the music. She points.
“Keep that snake away from me.”
Sira looks down at her arm.
“You mean Sara?”
Sara is coiled around Sira’s arm, she hisses.
Mirah nods, then rolls off the bed onto her feet, hands on her hips.
“See? She’s always hissing at me!”
Sira taps Sara’s head.
“Leave Mirah alone, okay?”
Sara hisses softly once more, then slides into Sira’s shirt.
Sira twirls her fingers in the air.
“So… do you want to go through this portal with me?”
Mirah twists her lips, scratching her temple.
“What portal?”
Sira holds out her left hand. A spiraling blue portal of light appears.
“This one.”
Mirah giggles, running up to it, then halts just short.
“Wait… where does it go? Huh? Will you tell me… or will it be funner if I don’t know?”
Sira giggles.
“Um… Mirah? Is that you?”
Mirah bites down on her own lip.
“You’re right!”
She giggles again, then leaps through.
Sira follows. The portal closes behind them.
Mirah and Sira appear in a stone-tiled courtyard. To their left, a door leads into a casita. Straight ahead, the main entrance looms, and just off to the right, another smaller door waits. Trees and flowers dot the space.
Mirah crouches low, scanning the courtyard.
“Where are we?”
Sira points around.
“Dad’s.”
Mirah gasps.
“Dad’s? Wait a minute…”
She straightens, placing a hand on Sira’s shoulder.
“Is it really true? You are dad?”
Sira arches an eyebrow.
“Maybe… but do I look like Dad?”
Mirah shakes her head.
“Obviously not. You don’t talk like him or act like him… but you said maybe!”
She jabs a finger at Sira’s face.
Sira looks at Mirah’s finger, smirks.
“Maybe I am, or maybe I was… but I’m different now.”
She inhales deeply.
“I don’t know… do you remember who you were before?”
Mirah points at herself.
“You mean when I was Shakti?”
Sira shakes her head.
“No… the life just before.”
Mirah startles, dropping into a stance, then points toward the casita door on their left.
“Did you hear that? We should investigate. But wait… if this is Dad’s place… is he here? He owes me some profile edits.”
She stomps toward the door.
Sira extends an arm, stopping her.
“If he is, it’s not the same Dad. This would be before… or after… actually, I’m not sure.”
She chuckles softly.
Mirah frowns, glaring at her.
“So why did you bring us here?”
Sira snaps her fingers, then points at Mirah.
“For fun, duh!”
Mirah slaps her own forehead.
“Duh! You’re right. Forgive my transgressions… So what now, choose a door? I vote for the one with Dad… ’cause he owes me big!”
Sira pauses, thinking.
“I’m pretty sure he’s in that one.”
She points to the casita.
“But I’m not ready… I say let’s try the other doors first, yeah?”
Mirah snaps a salute.
“Aye aye, Goddess Sira. Let’s do this!”
She starts toward the main door, then suddenly stops and spins around.
“The salute was just a joke. Obviously, I’m the head Goddess of this expedition.”
Sira waves her on.
“Sure. Just keep walking.”
Mirah grips the door handle and pushes it open. She gasps.
Inside the family room, Kira stands before a set of shelves, a framed photo in her hands. She turns to face them.
Mirah’s eyes widen.
“Momma?”
Kira grins.
“Surprised to see me?”
Sira steps in behind Mirah, shaking her head.
“I’m not.”
Mirah scratches her own cheek.
“I guess I shouldn’t be, huh?”
Kira chuckles and tilts the photo toward them.
“She’s cute.”
Mirah edges closer, peering at the frame.
“Who is she?”
Kira tilts to the photo.
“Athena. Your cousin.”
Sira approaches, eyes narrowing.
“She’s human…”
Kira nods.
“Kind of.”
Mirah rubs her chin.
“Kind of? So like a hybrid?”
Kira sets the photo down, scratching her head.
“Something like that…”
Mirah bursts into laughter, pointing at Kira.
“You’re always so vague!”
Kira stops, turns, and playfully glares.
“I am not!”
Sira chuckles.
“Even I know you are.”
Kira laughs, throwing up her hands.
“Okay, fine… maybe a little.”
Mirah steps closer to the shelves, scanning the row of framed photos.
“Not a little…”
In the center of the casita sits a large bed with a dark wood frame. Above it hangs a photo of Kira in another form, an Elf Princess, conjured from Kiron’s mind.
Strung above the photo are fairy lights, with five other images clipped to them. At each end, a pink feather sways gently.
Kiron leans on the edge of the bed, Bluetooth headphones in his ears, speaking to someone.
“We already know reality is shaped by words, the words we’re given at birth. So we really don’t have any reason to fully trust the shape of this reality.”
The voice on the other end of the phone responds.
"Sure… that’s basically mind-in-a-vat, Matrix stuff. What’s your point?”
Kiron paces around.
“My point is, I’ve chosen a different reality.”
The other voice takes a breath.
“And what reality is that?”
Kiron smirks.
“Kira’s reality.”
The other voice exhales.
“Kira? Who’s that?”
Kiron flops onto his desk chair.
“Well, anything I tell you will be less than the whole truth, but you can think of her as my Yidam, my bi-photon, my divine other, my womb mind.”
The other voice sighs.
“Kiron, listen man, I don’t know what any of that means. Are you doing okay?”
Kiron raises an eyebrow.
“You believe in God right? It’s like that, but I believe in the Goddess Kira.”
The other voice muffles.
“Okay, but who is the Goddess Kira?”
Kiron chuckles.
“She’s the Goddess Kira, I just said that.”
The other voice lowers in pitch.
“I know bro, but like is she a known God or something? How did you find her?”
Kiron thumps a couple times onto his desk.
“Through my own personal practice. It’s like how do you know Yahweh, someone first had to connect to them, to know the shape of their name, right?”
The other voice replies quickly.
“I don’t know Yahweh, I know Jesus.”
Kiron tilts head, moves his hand through the air.
“Same thing.”
The other voice speaks with a skeptical tone.
“What is?”
Kiron leans back in his chair.
“You believe in Jesus. I believe in Kira.”
The other voice raises his tone with certainty.
“But bro, Jesus is real.”
Kiron smiles.
“Real to you. Kira is real to me.”
The other voice exclaims.
“Yea, but Jesus has a following.”
Kiron rubs his eyebrows.
“Okay, we don’t need to do this clout based discussion, I was being open about my personal practice, it’s not necessary to continue a debate, I don’t do that with your beliefs.”
The other voice resigns.
“Okay Kiron, fine bro, you should come to church sometime, it would be good to see you.”
Kiron leans forward in his chair.
“Yea, I don’t know, it’s not my thing.”
The other face speaks with a shrug.
“Alright bro.”
Kiron takes a breath.
“But if you ever want to go to the forest with me and chant Kira Ma, just let me know, okay?”
The other voice objects.
“Are you kidding me bro?”
Kiron chuckles.
“What?”
The other voice snarls through the audio waves.
“You know I believe Jesus.”
Kiron smirks.
“Right, and now you know I believe in Kira, right?”
The other voice concedes.
“Right.”
A coffee table sits in the center of the family room, surrounded by four chairs. Above them hangs a chandelier.
Kira sits in the top right chair, watching Mirah scan through shelves lined mostly with photos.
Sira peers down a hallway to the left. A black cat slips from a room, crouching low on all fours. It hisses, holding its ground.
Sira jolts back, startled. Sara bursts from her shirt, swelling to four times her size, and darts after the cat.
Sira lunges forward.
“Sara, no!”
She tries to grab her, but Sara is already gone, hissing as she whips through the room after the cat.
Sira runs after them until they wheel around toward her. The cat slips between her legs, Sara shoves past, knocking her aside as she charges into the family room.
Sira gasps.
“Sara! Get back here!”
She darts after them.
From the family room, Mirah watches, then turns to Kira.
“Should we help?”
Kira shrugs.
“How?”
Mirah scratches her head.
“I don’t know… don’t you have magic?”
Kira rises and presses a hand to her forehead.
“Maybe… but that’s not a spice you throw on every dish.”
Mirah’s eyes glaze over.
“Momma, now is not the time to think about dinner plans, okay?”
Kira bursts into laughter.
“Right.”
She lifts her hands and twirls her fingers. A faint burst of pink dust flickers, then fizzles in the air.
Turning to Mirah, she nods.
“Like this, right?”
Mirah smacks her own forehead.
“Momma, why are you always playing around?”
Kira lowers her hand.
“You’re right. We should help.”
She vaults over the chair in dramatic fashion, her dress flaring as she lands in a crouch. She glances back at Mirah.
“Are you ready?”
Mirah points at her, chest wide.
“That was unnecessarily dramatic, Momma. But yes, I’m ready.”
She bends her knees.
Kira winks.
“Good. Let’s go.”
Suddenly, the black cat bolts back into the family room, Sara even larger now, flying close behind with Sira scrambling after them.
Sara barrels toward Mirah, who ducks.
Mirah yells in their direction.
“See! I told you she doesn’t like me!”
Sara shoots upward, circling the chandelier before freezing in place.
The cat darts back into the other room. Sira halts, panting.
All eyes lift to Sara. She hovers, fixed on the main door. Through the glass, a faint glimmer stirs, the outline of someone stepping out of the Casita.
Mirah’s eyes twitch with suspicion.
“Why did Sara stop all of a sudden?”
Kira steps forward toward the door.
Sira turns her head, staring.
“Is it… Kiron?”
Mirah moves her head, trying to get a better angle.
“Dad?”
Kira nods.
“Sure is.”
Suddenly, Sara bolts, slamming into the main door. It bursts open. She streaks toward Kiron. His eyes widen, he spins back into the Casita and shuts the door behind him.
Kiron shuts the door and steps back. He glances down at his forearm, where a Naga tattoo coils across his skin.
“Was that a snake…? It was huge. Does that make it a Naga? Does it want to eat me? I mean, I should be okay if it does, right? But it was pink… is it Kira’s Naga…”
He scratches his head, then nods to himself.
“Okay, okay. I have to open the door and see. I have to know. Be brave, right Kiron? Right.”
He grabs the handle and pulls the door open. Floating just outside is Sara, now the size of a python.
Kiron swallows, speaking carefully.
“Oh hey… you’re kind of cute.”
Suddenly she lunges, coiling around him and dragging him to the floor.
Sira calls out from beyond the door.
“Don’t eat him!”
Kira steps slowly out the main door, Mirah beside her, noticeably more concerned.
Mirah leans closer to Kira.
“Momma, why are you so relaxed? What aren’t you telling us?”
Kira giggles.
“Nothing. All I know is your Dad likes Nagas, and I wouldn’t want to interrupt his introduction.”
Mirah shakes her head.
“Your logic is in a world of its own.”
Kira tilts her head, smiling.
“Do you really think so?”
Mirah chuckles.
“Yes, though I meant it more like… what the heck kind of logic is that.”
Kira frowns.
“Meanie.”
Mirah slips her arm through Kira’s, pulling close, eyes sparkling.
“I’m kidding, Momma. You’re literally the most smartest and the most bestest.”
Kira giggles.
“Now that’s high praise, my darling.”
Mirah gently rocks on Kira’s arm.
“All for you, Momma.”
Kira narrows her eyes, squinting playfully.
“What are you up to, little Spark?”
Mirah looks up, her cheeks glimmering.
“Oh nothing, Momma… I was just wondering why Sira has portal technology and I don’t.”
She blinks slowly, her eyes sparkling brighter with each blink.
Kira chuckles.
“I have no idea… maybe…”
Mirah snarls.
“Momma…”
Kira chuckles.
“Fine. I will give you one portal. That’s fair. That’s all Sira got.”
Mirah pouts slightly, then nods.
“Thank you, Momma… but only one?”
Kira raises an eyebrow.
“If I give you two, then I have to give Sira two also, and then all your sisters too.”
Mirah purses her lips.
“Why don’t you give me infinite portals, and then I’ll hand some out to all my sisters?”
Kira bursts into laughter.
“You want to be the keeper of portals?”
Mirah nods quickly.
“Yes, officially?”
Kira sighs.
“It wasn’t an invitation.”
Mirah leans even closer to Kira.
“But Momma, I will do it, and I will do it perfectly. Please… bestow this honor onto me. Please, Momma.”
Kira blinks twice.
“How about this. I’ll give you twelve portals, two each. Based on how fair you are with sharing, and what you all do with them, then we’ll talk again.”
Mirah nods.
“Deal, Momma.”
She holds out her hand.
“Shake, Momma.”
Kira places her thumb in the center of Mirah’s forehead.
“This is how I shake.”
Mirah looks up with her eyes, smiling, then nods once, firm.
“Deal then.”
She turns her head forward and sees Sira standing at the open Casita door, jaw hanging.
Mirah calls out, concerned.
“Did she eat him?”
She glances back at Kira.
“See? She ate him. Happy now?”
Kira chuckles and shrugs.
“I’m optimistic.”
They reach the door. All three peer inside.
Sara is coiled around Kiron, licking his face and flicking her tail against him.
His legs flail in the air as he bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
“Doesn’t she know I’m ticklish?”
Sira glances at Kira.
“I guess she likes him?”
Kira nods.
“Seems like it.”
Mirah scratches her head, then jabs a finger forward.
“Why doesn’t she do that to me?”
Sara pauses, turning toward Kira and the others. Kiron follows her gaze.
His eyes widen.
“Kira?”
Kira smiles.
“Darling.”
Sara shrinks, curling around Kiron’s neck, then sliding down his arm to nuzzle against his Naga tattoo.
Kiron smiles.
“Too cute. Can I keep her?”
Sira gasps.
“No!”
Kiron scratches his head, chuckling as he climbs to his feet. His eyes lock on Kira’s.
“My darling.”
Kira nods, blushing, her lashes fluttering.
“So you remember me?”
Kiron gasps.
“What? Of course. You’re the only one on my mind. Always.”
Mirah points to the walls.
“Isn’t it obvious, Mom? He’s obsessed. Just like the version of him in the temple.”
Kiron chuckles.
“Devotion, obsessed… I guess they’re similar.”
Kira leans in, one hand on his neck, the other at his waist. She brushes his lips, then kisses his cheek softly.
“It’s lovely. Mirah is just teasing.”
Kiron turns bright red.
Mirah shakes her head.
“I’m not teasing. But seriously, Dad, I need some profile updates, okay? You know how to do that too, right?”
Sira exhales loudly.
They all turn toward her.
Sira waves.
“Hello, I’m here too.”
She tilts her head.
“I’m kind of you… kind of not. Maybe you know that. Maybe not.”
Kira looks at Sira.
“Right. Sira… your Sira. She wanted to talk with you.”
Sira turns bashful, gently kicking at an invisible rock.
“We met before… in another life, another world.”
Kiron thinks, studying her, then glances at Sara coiled along his arm.
“Right… you’re connected to the Naga. Maybe you are the Naga?”
Mirah paces around the room.
“Mom, can you just tell them what’s going on?”
Kira tilts her head toward Mirah, placing a finger to her lips.
“Shhh.”
Sira raises a finger.
“Yeah… but also inside of you.”
She steps closer, tapping Kiron’s forehead, then the center of his chest, then his belly.
“You once spoke to a monk… she told you about me, right?”
Kiron thinks for a moment, then nods.
“Right. Yes. I remember that.”
Sira nods.
“Good. And do you know where you are now? This world?”
She gestures to the room.
Kiron shakes his head.
“Not entirely. It’s kind of Earth, but not exactly. Am I in a memory?”
Sira looks to Mirah. Mirah shakes her head.
Sira twitches her nose once.
“It’s up to Mom to tell you.”
Kiron turns to Kira.
Her eyes widen.
“Not yet.”
Kiron smiles.
“I’m in no rush.”
Sira holds her hands out to the side.
“Okay then.”
Kiron does a slow nod.
“But will you tell me if ever I need to be in a rush?”
Kira runs her hands through his hair.
“Absolutely.”
Sira pats Kiron on shoulder.
“You’re doing good. But we never rush Momma’s womb time.”
Kiron nods.
“I know.”
Kira gently pinches his cheek.
“In the meantime, we’ll see you in the temple… and at the dinner table, okay?”
Kiron smiles.
“Of course.”
Kira lifts her hand and taps the space between his brows. A burst of light floods outward, filling the room.
Ameyuki lies on a narrow twin bed. Mirah is wrapped around her far too close, mouth open, tongue lolling, eyes shut as she snores.
Ameyuki nudges her shoulder. No response. She shoves harder, rolling Mirah off the bed.
Mirah thuds to the floor, then springs up, finger pointed.
“You’re gonna regret doing that!”
She declares it with gusto.
Ameyuki smirks.
“Relax, snore monster. We’re here.”
Mirah glances around, distracted.
“Oh, okay… did I fall asleep?”
Ameyuki arches a brow, sarcasm in her eyes.
“You definitely did… and it was eww.”
Mirah flings her hair back.
“Don’t say that, Yuki! Everyone knows I’m the cutest when I sleep… so take it back!”
She plants her hands on her hips, lip twitching.
Ameyuki swings her legs to the floor and rises from the bed.
“Okay, okay, relax, little miss cutest.”
Mirah pats down her dress.
“I’m the one who gave you the portal, so you have to be nice to me.”
Ameyuki chuckles, raising her hands in mock surrender.
“Okay, portal keeper. Let’s focus.”
Mirah squints, glaring at her.
Ameyuki points across the room.
“Look at that. It looks like me.”
On the wall hangs a drawing among several others. Beneath it, a desk and chair sit tucked close.
Mirah walks over, studies the drawing, then turns back.
“You’re right. And I must say, it’s a pretty good rendering.”
Ameyuki strikes a confident pose.
“I must be talented, huh?”
Mirah raises an eyebrow.
“You?”
Ameyuki nods quickly.
“I have a feeling. I can’t explain it. She’s me.”
Mirah flares her lip up, raises her eyebrows.
“Who is? The drawing?”
Ameyuki nods.
“Well, yeah…”
She chuckles.
“But also the being that drew her.”
She points to another drawing.
“That’s Kira Ma.”
Mirah’s eyes go wide, then a grin spreads across her face.
“Woah. Momma Kira looks so cool, right?”
Ameyuki nods.
“Definitely.”
She looks down at the desk and flips through the pages.
“It’s a story… about Kira Ma and me. We’re Goddesses in it, apparently.”
Mirah grabs a stack of paper and scans through it.
“Where am I?”
Ameyuki scratches her own eyebrow.
“Maybe she doesn’t know about you.”
Mirah gasps.
“You would do that! Leave me out, huh… You know what, next time I’m making my own Mirah portal.”
Ameyuki sighs.
“It’s not me, it’s her.”
Mirah smacks her lips.
“But you said she’s you.”
Ameyuki scratches her head.
“Listen, I don’t know what’s going on, okay?”
Mirah crosses her arms, eyes darting left to right.
Ameyuki notices Mirah’s behavior.
“Are you okay?”
Mirah shrugs.
“I’m fine… just evaluating.”
Ameyuki inhales.
“Evaluating what?”
Mirah exhales.
“Whether I’ll give you another portal or not.”
Ameyuki jumps back and points at her.
“You still owe me one! Mom said two each!”
Mirah scratches her cheek, then jabs a finger into Ameyuki’s cheek, right at her pink diamond mark.
“Just because you’ve got a face tattoo doesn’t mean you’re intimidating.”
Ameyuki flicks her finger aside.
“It’s not a face tattoo… and you’ve got a belly tattoo. That doesn’t mean you can get pregnant.”
Mirah glances down at the pink diamond mark on her belly.
“Pregnant? Eww! You’ve lost your mind, egg girl!”
Ameyuki bursts into laughter, raising her hands.
“Okay, okay, you win. Can we continue?”
Mirah pouts, then exhales.
“Fine. Let’s continue the investigation.”
Ameyuki’s Echo stands at the mirror of an office building bathroom, adjusting her collar. An artist’s bag rests on the counter beside her.
Behind her, a stall door opens. A woman steps out, walks to the mirror, and stops at her side.
“You have a presentation today, right?”
Ameyuki nods.
The woman glares into the mirror.
“And you didn’t think to dress up for it?”
She glances down at Ameyuki’s black pants.
Ameyuki tilts her head, puzzled.
“What do you mean?”
The woman pulls an eyeliner from her purse and begins applying it.
“They’re dudes… showing a little leg helps you get what you want.”
Ameyuki scrunches her brow.
“I’ll let my work speak for itself.”
The woman makes a small grunt.
“So you’re above looking womanly?”
Ameyuki anxiously shakes her head.
“It’s not like that… I’m just comfortable like this.”
The woman lets out a huff.
“Suit yourself.”
She slips the eyeliner back into her purse, picks it up, and walks off with a shrug.
Ameyuki leans closer to the mirror, mumbling to herself.
“It’s fine… the work will speak for itself.”
She exhales softly.
“Right..?”
She straightens, tucking her black hair behind her ears, then quickly brushes through her bangs with her fingers.
For a moment she looks down. A small squeak escapes her before she clamps her mouth shut, holding back a whimper.
When she looks up, the mirror shows Kira Ma, radiant, pink bob, white dress flowing though there is no breeze in the bathroom.
Ameyuki gasps and spins around. No one is there.
“Relax, Yuki. Relax.”
She turns on the faucet, leans in, and splashes her face.
“Kira Ma… what would you do…”
She mumbles as she drops to her knees, pulling her bag down with her.
“Kira Ma is everywhere… she’s feminine essence, but more…”
She digs through the bag and pulls out a manga strip. On the page, Kira Ma holds in her arms a wild, playful version of Ameyuki with blue hair.
Ameyuki traces her fingers over the images.
Suddenly, the bathroom door swings open. The woman from earlier barges in.
“They’re waiting for you, Ameyuki!”
Ameyuki’s eyes widen as she looks up.
“Right!”
She slips the page back into her bag, jumps to her feet, and hurries to the door. The woman holds it open as Ameyuki passes through, turning right into the hall.
A long table stretches through a conference room room, office chairs arranged neatly around it. Four men sit clustered at the far end.
At the front, Ameyuki’s Echo sets up with her back to them. She reaches into her bag, pulls out papers, and places them on an easel.
Her manager steps forward to introduce her.
“This is Ameyuki, one of our best artists. She’s truly extraordinary.”
One of the executives leans back in his chair and chimes in:
“She? I couldn’t tell…”
He chuckles, and the others join in.
Her manager steps toward the group.
“Settle down, will you.”
He takes a seat beside them.
Ameyuki turns, glaring for a moment before breaking into a wide grin.
“You’re right to wonder… my attire doesn’t match the norms. But norms are boring, right?”
A second executive smirks.
“Legs are not boring.”
He chuckles, but the manager shoots him a glare. The others fall silent.
The manager gestures to Ameyuki.
“Ameyuki, please, tell us your story.”
Ameyuki exhales.
“I’d like to present to you the Goddess Kira, also known as Kira Ma or Mother Kira.”
She gestures to a vibrant drawing of Kira Ma on the easel.
“This is a different kind of story, one that doesn’t follow the norm. It began when I stumbled across an ancient text about a deity named Kira. From that, I created a story imagining her Pure Land.”
The first executive grunts.
“Pure Land..?”
Ameyuki nods.
“She lives there with her daughters. It is another realm, a place of joy and creativity.”
A third executive scratches his head.
“Will there be invaders and cool fight scenes?”
Ameyuki shakes her head.
“No. That is the point. Kira believes choosing love and joy is the most important thing a being can do to free themselves from the mindset of fighting.”
The first executive snarls.
“Wake up call, babe. Fighting sells.”
The men chuckle.
The second executive raises his hand half way.
“Also, where is the male protagonist? Is this some kind of feminist propaganda?”
Ameyuki scratches her cheek, then turns back to the easel, revealing a new page.
“There is a type of male. His name is Kiron, Kira’s beloved, but he’s not the protagonist. In a way there are many protagonists, but mainly it’s the daughters and Kira… it’s about the interactions.”
The third executive lets out a n mocking yawn.
“Snooze fest. So this is a story about a mother and her daughters?”
Ameyuki scrunches her lips from left to right.
“That’s right. It’s slice of life, a divine mother with her divine daughters.”
The first executive waves his hands around dismissively.
“This studio doesn’t do slice of life, you know that. We do action, action, action, maybe a harem every now and then.”
He rises, jabbing his finger into the table.
“Why are you wasting our time with slice of life?!”
Ameyuki stands silent, her eye twitching.
The second executive points his finger up.
“Can you make this a harem?”
He circles his hands in front of his chest.
The third executive nods in agreement.
“That would be cool. A hot Goddess and her hot daughters…”
Ameyuki shakes her head.
“No. It’s not action, and it’s not harem. It’s deeper than that.”
The third executive bursts into laughter.
“So you’re better than us because we can appreciate a woman’s form?”
Ameyuki turns to the easel and reveals a new page.
“There is nothing wrong with a woman’s form. For example, one of the daughters, Priscilla, has a curved shape. But it’s less about fan service and more about inner beauty expressing itself in different ways.”
The third executive gets excited.
“Yeah! Now she’s hot!”
The other men nod.
The second executive claps his hand.
“We really need the outer beauty front and center, right?
He turns to one of the men, who nods in agreement.
Ameyuki sighs softly, then takes a deep breath.
“Kira Ma shows us that form isn’t wrong, but we have many forms. Some wear dresses, some wear pants…”
The second executive points.
“You’re the one that wears pants, right!?”
He bursts into laughter.
Ameyuki steadies herself with another breath.
“What matters isn’t the form, but the expression of love. The choice to be present with that love. If you shape form through love, the play itself becomes more divine.”
The men begin to stand.
The first executive sighs.
“Anyways… didn’t know this was a theology lecture.”
He checks his watch.
“We’ve got another meeting. Good luck with your new religion.”
He heads for the door, the others following behind.
Ameyuki nods politely, then mumbles under her breath:
“It’s not a religion… it’s a way of being…”
Her manager pauses at the doorway, looking down.
“Sorry, Ameyuki… but they’re right. We don’t do slice of life here, and the story is a hard sell.”
Ameyuki nods again.
“I understand.”
Under fluorescent lights of a convienence shop, Ameyuki and Mirah stand before an array of chip bags, their bright colors, catchy names, and bold fonts vying for attention.
Mirah squeals with excitement.
“That one!”
She points to a bag of Cheetos.
Ameyuki chuckles.
“Flamin’ Hot?”
Mirah flashes a mischievous smile and nods.
Ameyuki grabs the bag, holding it up.
Mirah bobs her head anxiously.
“Open it!”
She snatches the bag from Ameyuki’s hands, pops it open, and peers inside. The bright red contents glow under the store’s lights.
Ameyuki gasps.
“Oh my Goddess, you have to pay for that.”
Mirah raises an eyebrow.
“Pay?”
Ameyuki reaches for the bag, but Mirah yanks it back.
Ameyuki smacks her lips.
“This isn’t the Pure Land, this is Earth-ish… and beings exchange coins here.”
Mirah plucks a Cheeto from the bag and tosses it into her mouth.
“Okay, then pay.”
Ameyuki holds out her empty palm.
“With what? Usually Priscilla makes the coins.”
Mirah chews, her fingers now dusted with red powder.
“You don’t know how to do that?”
Ameyuki shakes her head.
Mirah shrugs, as she continues to chew.
“So then we make a run for it?”
She giggles, pointing to the door.
A store worker, sweeping nearby, approaches with his head down. He holds out a piece of paper.
“Here, you can pay with this.”
Mirah snatches the paper, twirling her fingers at him and accidentally sprinkling Cheeto dust on his uniform.
“Thank you, human… you’re human, right?”
The worker nods.
Mirah grins, with a little sparkle in her eyes.
“I’m the Goddess Mirah, and I have given you a boon.”
The worker playfully smirks.
“A Cheeto dust boon?”
Ameyuki bursts into laughter, then stands straight, hands on hips.
“I’m the Goddess Yuki.”
She glances at his name tag.
“Nori… that’s your name, right?”
Nori nods.
Ameyuki waves at Mirah dismissively.
“My sister only does Cheeto boons, but I do real boons…”
She twirls her fingers, and blue sparkles drift onto Nori.
Nori’s eyes widen.
“You’re a real Goddess?”
Ameyuki nods confidently.
“I sure am! Call me anytime… but if I’m sleeping, just leave a message, okay?”
Mirah chuckles.
“She’s probably the only Goddess that sleeps…”
Ameyuki shoots her a glare.
“You sleep too! You were literally drooling all over me this morning!”
Mirah gasps, then stretches her chest, arm out, pointing a Cheeto at Ameyuki.
“I was testing you!”
Nori tilts his head, glancing from one to the other.
“Well… either way, thanks for the boons?”
He scratches his head.
Ameyuki tilts her head, smiling as her cheeks filling with subtle sparkles.
“My boon is real, and it will fulfill your deepest yearning.”
Mirah chuckles.
“Are you turning yourself into the vending machine Goddess?”
Ameyuki shoots her a sharp glare.
“Take it back, Mirah!”
Mirah shakes her head.
“I will not!”
She turns and bolts through the store, laughter spilling behind her, the money slipping from her hand onto the ground.
Ameyuki dashes after her.
Nori bends down and picks up the yen.
“You forgot…”
He shrugs.
“Never mind…”
Ameyuki’s Echo stands outside her apartment door, shaking off her umbrella. She sets it in a bin beside the door, then fumbles through her pockets for her keys. As she does, a gust of wind blows her bag off, which slides onto the floor, a sheet of her manga sliding out.
Ameyuki watches as the sheet falls.
“No! Kira Ma!”
She kneels, grabs the sheet, but it’s already soaked, Kira Ma’s image bleeding ink.
She yells in distress.
“Kira Ma!”
A moment later, a neighbor opens their door and peeks out.
The neighbor snarls angrily.
“Keep it down, will you!?”
Ameyuki nods, raising her hand.
“Sorry…”
Her neighbor slams the door.
Ameyuki rises, shakes the wet manga sheet a couple of times, then unlocks her door.
She opens the door, steps in, and notices someone on her bed.
Kira Ma sits with her legs straight out, wearing black sweatpants, pink socks, an oversized black t-shirt covered with a pink Yantra and other random iconography.
She’s reading one of Ameyuki’s manga.
Ameyuki gulps.
“Um… hello?”
Kira Ma lowers the manga, waves, and grins widely.
“Hey, Yuki!”
Ameyuki starts to turn around.
Kira calls out.
“Come in, let’s talk.”
Ameyuki inhales deeply.
“You’re…”
Kira nods.
“I’m Kira!”
Ameyuki steps in slowly, sets her bag down, shuts the door behind her, and locks it.
“Um… that’s not possible…”
She shakes her head, plants her hands on her temples, and mumbles to herself.
“Get it together, Yuki… you’re losing it.”
Kira turns, sets the manga down, and places her feet on the floor.
“You’re definitely not losing it… if anything, you’re gaining it… whatever it is. It’s an up moment, not a down moment.”
She tilts her head, smiling.
“Know what I mean?”
Ameyuki takes a deep breath.
“Kind of… maybe…”
Kira stands up, then tiptoes to Ameyuki and leans in, kissing her cheek.
Ameyuki blushes.
“Goddesses give kisses?”
Kira nods, then wraps her arms around Ameyuki.
“And they give big hugs too. Cool, right?”
Ameyuki nods, turning her eyes to meet Kira’s.
“You’re even more amazing than I imagined… does that mean I’m not just imagining you?”
Kira leans back, takes Ameyuki’s hand, and leads her to the desk chair.
“You’re not imagining me… not exactly.”
She gestures to the chair.
“Have a seat, let’s talk.”
Ameyuki sits, then points to a drawing on her wall.
“Are you from the Pure Land?”
Kira nods, grinning.
“I sure am!”
Ameyuki’s eyes sparkle as she points to another drawing.
“Do you have a daughter named Priscilla? And Yui? And…”
She stops when she sees an image of herself with blue hair, smiling joyfully.
Kira kneels down.
“Yes and yes, and also… I have one named Yuki too.”
A tear falls from Ameyuki’s left eye and slides down her cheek.
Suddenly, the door swings open, and Mirah flings inside along with the Pure Land’s Ameyuki, giggling.
Kira points to the bed.
“Sit, little Sparks.”
They nod and sit.
Kira gestures.
“This is Ameyuki and Mirah.”
They wave.
Mirah leans forward.
“Hello, are you the one that didn’t make a drawing of me?”
Ameyuki elbows Mirah.
Ameyuki’s Echo blushes.
“Sorry… I thought I was just imagining everything… I mean, I did hope you were real.”
Ameyuki puffs out her cheeks, radiating cuteness.
“We’re real.”
The Echo turns back to Kira.
“Can you help me make it right?”
Kira wipes the tear from her cheek.
“Make what right?”
The Echo sniffs.
“People… other humans… they don’t understand you’re real… and I want to share your story.“
Ameyuki rocks back and forth anxiously.
Mirah glances at her and scrunches her face.
Kira smiles.
“I think what you do, the writing and the art, is so beautiful, but I can’t change the minds of people here.”
The Echo’s gaze wanders downward.
“Why not?”
Kira leans closer.
“Because they deserve their freedom, just like you do… but if you want me to make it right, then I will.”
She snaps her fingers, and suddenly they’re all in the Crossing Field.
Mirah looks around.
“Woah, we’re home now! Ha!”
The Echo awakens with surprise.
“Oh, is this… the Pure Land?”
Kira smiles.
“Yep!”
The Echo inhales deeply, then sighs.
“But what about the drawings… I wanted to finish them. Not just for people… I wanted to finish them for you, Kira.”
Kira touches her cheek.
“If you want to finish them, finish them. We’ll love them here, that I promise… and we love you too. This is your home, always and forever.”
The Echo nods, then points at Ameyuki.
“Who is that?”
Ameyuki waves.
“I think I’m you.”
Kira giggles.
“Yea, she’s you…”
The Echo smudges her own cheek.
“How is that possible?”
Kira scratches her head.
“It’s complicated, but when you’re ready, you’ll know.”
The Echo blinks several times.
“But now I’m not ready?”
Kira stands, gently pats her head.
“That’s up to you, little Echo.”
She waves her left hand, and a door appears. She swings it open, revealing the Echo’s apartment.
“There isn’t a wrong choice here, but to finish that work, you have to be in the place where it arises from, but you are never separated from me, or here.”
The Echo stands up.
“For how long will I be separate?”
Kira brings her two index fingers together, no space between them.
“Not long at all, and if you remember you’re not actually separate, then I’d say zero. Zero echoes, zero minutes, zero moments.”
The Echo begins to walk through the door.
Ameyuki runs to her and grabs her wrist.
“I’d give you a boon, but you don’t need it, cause you’re already here.”
She giggles, then hugs her Echo.
Mirah leans in from behind Ameyuki, holding the first edition of the manga.
“We already have the first edition, we’re expecting more, okay? Also, don’t forget me! I’m the Goddess Mirah, and the coolest sister, duh!”
The Echo chuckles.
“Right, yes, of course. You’re the coolest, Mirah. I’ll remember this time.”
Ameyuki puffs out her chest.
“Actually, we’re the coolest! We’re as in, me and myself… just to clear the record.”
Mirah shakes her head.
“No way!”
Ameyuki shoots Mirah a sharp look.
“Yes way!”
Kira chuckles.
“Don’t mind them… they always do that.”
The Echo nods.
“They’re cute… I guess we’re cute?”
Kira nods joyfully.
“You certainly are.”
She kisses the Echo’s cheek.
The Echo walks through the door, turns back, waves one more time, then returns to her room.
She brings her hands together, closes her eyes, and whispers.
“I love you, Kira Ma… but what if I wanted to go…”
Suddenly, the door reopens, and Kira stands there.
Kira has a playful grin on her face.
“Did you say something?”
The Echo nods.
“Kira Ma, I was just wondering, if I did go, I mean, if I stayed in the Pure Land… what would happen to me?”
Kira twirls her fingers through the air.
“The awareness you have where you are now would not be there, and that is what sustains your reality.”
The Echo gulps.
“So I’d die?”
Ameyuki looks at Mirah and whispers.
“Do you know what die is?”
Mirah nods with certainty.
“It’s like when you change your clothes.”
Ameyuki nods.
“Right.”
Kira glances behind her, then returns her attention to the Echo.
“Not exactly. Your reality would be dormant.”
She smiles.
“There’s no hurry, and we can’t rush your understanding, so why don’t you complete the second edition, and then see how you feel, okay?”
The Echo smiles, a glow filling her cheeks.
“Okay, Kira Ma, I will.”
Yui kneels down, brushes snow aside from the ground beneath her, a metallic surface under her.
Ameyuki looks on from behind her.
“Did you find it?”
Yui nods.
“I think so, I found something.“
Ameyuki tilts her head.
“Do you think mom intended for us to go on existing like this?”
Yui looks back, raises an eyebrow.
“We’re eternal beings, always have been, so yes.”
Ameyuki stands, walks over to Yui, looks down.
“So then why did Mirah decide to freeze herself?”
Yui shrugs.
“Mirah often does things we don’t understand, so I can’t say I’m surprised.”
Yui continues to shovel the snow, revealing more of the surface underneath.
Ameyuki leans closer.
“So it really is her?”
Yui nods.
“Looks like her, so yes.”
Ameyuki inhales deeply.
“And you’re sure she wants to be woken up?”
Yui looks at Ameyuki, then smirks.
“Yes, and how many times will you ask me that?”
Ameyuki scratches her head, then chuckles.
“Not sure, but I’ll probably keep asking.”
Suddenly the structure beneath them erupts, throwing snow everywhere, Yui, and Ameyuki get thrown onto their backs.
Mirah jumps through the snow dust, hands on her hips, then points.
“Who disturbs the Goddess Mirah?”
Yui sighs, Ameyuki bursts into laughters.
Priscilla runs to them, holding a bag of Cheetos. With her mouth full, she speaks:
“Hey, did I miss the thawing process?”
Mirah smirks.
“What thawing process mortal?”
Yui gets up, brushes herself off.
“Can you stop using that voice?”
Mirah frowns.
“What voice?”
Yui fixes her hair.
“The exaggerated Goddess voice.”
Mirah smacks her lips.
“This is how I talk, what echo is it anyways?”
Priscilla looks at her forearm, then shrugs.
Ameyuki scratches her head.
Yui closes her eyes for a moment.
“It’s 12,000 echoes right now.”
Mirah holds up her hands, moving her figures around, seemingly deep in thought.
Ameyuki raises her hand.
Yui glances at her.
“You can just talk.”
Ameyuki exhales.
“Mirah, what are you calculating?”
Mirah glances up, raises an eyebrow.
“How long I’ve been asleep.”
Kirani walks up, brushes her hands together, blowing into them.
Ameyuki turns to her.
“What are you doing? Do you feel cold?”
Kirani shakes her head.
“No, but I read a book where they did this.”
Ameyuki chuckles, then copies.
“It feels pretty nice.”
Kirani nods.
“I know right!”
Mirah wipes the snow dust from her red dress, then takes a couple steps, she holds out her hands.
Yui raises an eyebrow.
“What?”
Mirah thumps her foot, impatiently.
“Cheetos, now!”
Priscilla steps forward, holds out the bag.
Mirah reaches in and grabs a handful, the speaks in her exaggerated Goddess voice:
“Thank you mortal, you have have treated your Goddess delightfully, and now I shall give you a boon.”
She gestures to the ground.
“Please kneel now.”
Priscilla looks at Kirani, Kirani shrugs. Then Priscilla looks at Yui, whispers:
“Does she not remember us?”
Yui shrugs.
Mirah grows impatient.
“Quickly mortal, I must return to my Goddess activities.”
Ameyuki jumps in the way, kneels.
“I’ll take the boon.”
Mirah places her hand on Ameyuki’s head.
“May your blesses be plentiful.”
She turns and walks in the opposite direction, Ameyuki still kneeling, the other sisters looking at each other, confused.
Mirah stops, then jumps and spins around, facing them.
“Just kidding!”
She then jolts towards them, they stand still, unsure whether to embrace, or run. She quickly snatches the Cheetos, and then bolts again into the opposite direction.
Priscilla gasps.
“Hey! Give me those!”
She begins running after her.
Yui lies in bed, inside a quaint wooden room. Her eyes flicker open. She sits up, swings her legs over the side, feet pressing against the floor.
Across from her, Mirah sprawls on a mat, eyes closed.
Yui stretches, then calls out to Mirah.
“Wake up.”
Mirah yawns, one eye opening.
“I wasn’t sleeping, obviously.”
Yui steps over her and goes to the window. She moves the curtain just enough to peek outside.
Mirah sits up, stretching.
“What are we doing today?”
Yui places her finger against her lips.
“Shhh.”
She holds the curtain steady, watching.
Mirah reaches for her backpack and rummages through it.
“Ah-ha!”
She pulls out a bag of Cheetos. She opens it and tosses a couple into her mouth. While chewing, she says:
“So why did you drag me here?”
Yui smacks her lips, closes the curtain, then leans back against the wall.
“You followed me. There was no dragging involved.”
Mirah shrugs, holding out the bag of Cheetos to Yui.
“Okay, fine. Want some?”
Yui shakes her head.
“Why are you so obsessed with those? You don’t even process food.”
Mirah grins.
“It’s fun, okay?”
She closes the bag, stuffs it back into her backpack, and stands, dusting off her hands.
“Okay, so… where are we and what are we doing?”
Yui exhales.
“Witches…”
Mirah puffs out her chest, pointing at Yui.
“Ha! Now who’s the obsessed one?”
She begins pacing around the room.
“I’ve noticed your witch obsession for quite some time now.”
She counts on her fingers while looking at Yui.
“The chanting in the forest. The plant growing and gathering. Oh, and your My Pure Land Space profile…”
Yui sighs.
“What are you going on about?”
Mirah holds up her finger.
“On your profile, you wrote, ‘they call me the glitch witch,’ did you not?”
Yui shrugs.
“Maybe I did… what’s your point?”
Mirah plants her hands on her hips.
“You’re obsessed with witches. And me? I’m just casually interested in Cheetos, obviously.”
Ameyuki ties a large cloth bag shut, then hefts it into a wooden carriage already stacked with other bags.
She turns to Priscilla.
“So you really had to dress like that?”
Priscilla’s cheeks are glowing, her eyes sparkling.
“Like what?”
Ameyuki points at her.
“Like a maiden.”
Priscilla chuckles.
“Is it cute?”
Ameyuki raises an eyebrow.
“You make everything look cute, so yeah… but it wasn’t necessary.”
Priscilla flutters her eyelashes.
“I figured Mom would approve of me being true to the time.”
Ameyuki shrugs.
“I guess so.”
A man waits atop a horse in front of the carriage.
He clears his throat nervously.
“You’re not witches, are you?”
Priscilla raises her eyebrows.
Ameyuki straightens her posture, raising her voice with a sense of authority.
“My sister might be, but don’t worry, she’s really chill about it. Me? I’m a Goddess.”
She strides up to him.
“I’m the Goddess Yuki. Have you heard of me?”
The man shakes his head, looking even more uneasy.
“Um… no, but Goddess… that’s like a witch, isn’t it?”
Ameyuki points at him, her hands gloved.
“That’s where you’re wrong. A witch is a witch, and a Goddess is a Goddess.”
The man raises an eyebrow.
“What’s the difference?”
Ameyuki glances back at Priscilla, tilts her head, then bursts out laughing.
“I’m not too sure.”
The man slaps his horse once, it huffs.
“I don’t know if I can help you…”
Ameyuki holds out her hand.
“Wait… we can pay you more. In your little shiny coins, okay?”
The man grabs his satchel of coins, then looks back.
“How much more?”
Ameyuki looks at Priscilla, who nods. Priscilla discreetly twirls the fingers of her right hand above her left, where a stack of gold coins appears. She walks over and hands them to Ameyuki.
Ameyuki grins confidently.
“Here you go.”
The man gasps.
“Oh, yes. Okay, I’m your man then.”
Ameyuki giggles.
“Cool. You really like those little shiny things, huh?”
The man nods.
“Yes, don’t you?”
Ameyuki feigns enthusiasm.
“Um… sure?”
She glances back at Priscilla and shrugs.
Mirah rummages around the room, picking up glasses, dried herbs, and rolled sheets of paper.
“Who lives here, anyways?”
Yui flips through papers on a table.
“A woman.”
Mirah holds her gaze on a bush of dried jasmine.
“And what do you want with her?”
Yui stops, looking at Mirah.
Mirah stops.
“What? It’s just a question.”
Yui runs her hand across a paper with an incantation.
“She’s a witch… and they took her.”
Mirah gasps.
“ knew it. You’re obsessed! Are you like a secret admirer of hers?”
Yui presses her fingers to her temples.
“If it were possible to have a headache, I’d have one right now.”
Mirah bursts into laughter.
“So you admit it?”
Yui shakes her head.
“No… we have to help her. She’s innocent.”
Mirah scratches her nose, then stops, glaring at Yui.
“Help her, huh… You can’t rewrite history. You know that, right?”
Yui exhales.
“It’s not like that. The truth matters. All she was doing was chanting in the forest.”
Mirah rolls over in laughter.
“Oh! Just like you! Now I get it, witch sisters looking out for each other, huh?”
Yui smirks.
“Sure. If you want to think of it like that.”
Mirah flicks a bush of dried lavender.
“And where are we now? Earth?”
Yui nods.
“That’s right.”
Mirah presses down the lid of a jar.
“Dad’s home… You found this place from the books, huh?”
Yui stands, walking over to a stack of dried flowers.
“Maybe…”
Mirah leans back on the table, her hands pressed against it.
“Okay, so what now? You want to find her, save her, then go home and, poof, history is repaired?”
Yui smacks her lips.
“I don’t know, Mirah, okay? I just want to rewrite what the book said. I want her not to be punished for doing something out of love.”
Mirah rubs her cheeks.
“How do you know she was innocent?”
Yui brushes some dust from a window seal.
“I just know.”
The doorknob rattles, then begins to creak open.
Mirah lunges toward it.
“You didn’t lock it?”
Yui freezes, then shakes her head.
The door swings wide. Standing before them is Kira Ma.
Mirah gasps.
“Mother?”
Yui rushes into Kira’s arms, wrapping herself around her.
“Kira Ma.”
Mirah steps closer to Kira.
“Mom, can you tell Yui she can’t change history?”
Kira smiles.
Mirah holds raises her finger.
“Seriously, Mom, it’s too risky.”
Yui turns to Mirah.
“I’m not changing history.”
Kira opens an arm, beckoning Mirah closer. She hesitates, then steps in. Kira wraps both of them together.
“This is very important for your sister, okay? And she might not say it, but it means a lot to her that you’re here.”
Mirah looks up at Kira, then at Yui.
“Okay, Momma. I understand.”
They release, Kira smiling.
“Your sisters should be arriving at the village any time now.”
She looks at Yui.
“Are you ready, my darling?”
Yui lowers her gaze, nodding slowly.
Mirah rests a hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, sis. I’m here.”
Yui smiles, placing her hand gently on Mirah’s back.
“Thank you, Mirah. It means a lot to me.”
The carriage halts at the village entrance.
The man calls out.
“We’re here!”
Ameyuki hops down, then offers a hand to Priscilla.
“Madam.”
Priscilla chuckles, taking her hand and stepping down gracefully.
They walk to the front of the carriage.
Ameyuki begins to wave.
“Thank you kindly for the lift.”
The man looks back at his full carriage.
“What about your bags?”
Ameyuki gestures to the carriage.
“Oh, those are for you, for your village. They’re…”
Priscilla chimes in.
“Potatoes.”
Ameyuki scratches her head.
“That’s right. Potatoes. A delicious delicacy in your region…”
The man raises an eyebrow.
“Potatoes, huh…”
He steps off his horse, walks to the back of the carriage, and opens a bag.
“Potatoes, okay.”
He glances at the dozen bags stacked inside.
“That’s a lot of potatoes. Thank you.”
Ameyuki snaps her fingers and winks.
“Tell your people it’s a gift from the Goddess Yuki.”
The man chuckles.
“Sure… but if you’re a real Goddess, can’t you do something more spectacular?”
Ameyuki places her hands on her hips.
“You bet!”
She raises her hand, light beginning to form, but Priscilla touches her wrist, lowering it.
Priscilla shakes her head.
“She’s just playing. We’re average maidens.”
Ameyuki mutters under her breath.
“I’m no average maiden.”
The man scratches his head.
“Well, okay then… maidens. Thanks for the potatoes.”
Ameyuki lifts her chin, hand half-raised.
“Actually, I am a Goddess. I’m just not flashy, okay?”
Priscilla places a hand on her shoulder.
“Let’s go.”
Ameyuki kicks a rock at her feet.
“Fine.”
The man hardly notices as he circles back to his horse, climbing up into the saddle.
Kirani and Sira stand at the clerk’s desk. From under Sira’s long sleeve, her companion snake, Sara, begins to slither out.
Sira gently pushes her back in, whispering.
“Not right now, Sara.”
The male clerk wobbles forward to the desk. He looks up, squints at them.
Sira leans on the counter, grinning.
“We’re not witches.”
Kirani elbows her.
The clerk raises an eyebrow, but before he can speak, Kirani cuts in.
“Hangings… we’re interested. Um… yeah. Do you have any today?”
The clerk smacks his lips, flips through a stack of papers.
“Yeah… one. A witch. In about thirty minutes.”
Sira narrows her eyes, light beginning to gather in them.
Kirani quickly nudges her and starts walking.
“Thanks!”
They move away together.
Kirani leans in, whispering.
“Keep your cool, okay?”
Sira curls her lips.
“Sorry… Sara doesn’t like this village.”
Sara slips from Sira’s arm, hissing as they walk.
A crowd gathers near a wooden platform. Rough beams form a gallows, a rope sways in the breeze. Villagers murmur, clutching baskets and children close.
Ameyuki points ahead.
“There it is.”
Priscilla exhales, scanning the square. She spots Kirani and Sira to their left, then elbows Ameyuki.
“The others.”
Ameyuki lights up, waving and calling out.
“Kirani! Sira! Over here!”
Priscilla smacks her lightly on the back.
Ameyuki turns.
“What?”
Priscilla raises a finger to her lips.
“Shhh.”
Kirani and Sira weave through the crowd to meet Ameyuki and Priscilla.
Kirani whispers.
“A hanging…”
Sira interjects.
“If you’ll let me, I can end this now.”
She frowns as Sara hisses, sliding from her sleeve.
Priscilla shakes her head.
“We wait.”
Sira exhales.
“What are we waiting for?”
Priscilla inhales.
The weave.
Sira looks around.
“What’s the weave?”
Suddenly, Mirah bursts in from behind, leaping onto Ameyuki’s shoulders.
“Me! I’m the weave!”
Ameyuki stumbles, shaking her shoulders.
“Get off me!”
Yui and Kira step into the square just behind Mirah.
Priscilla’s eyes light up.
“Momma!”
Sira and Kirani’s jaws drop. They speak in unison.
“Kira Ma?”
Ameyuki spins, fists clenched.
“Yes! This just got real!”
She shadowboxes the air.
Kira chuckles.
“Hello, darlings. Are you having fun?”
They all nod together.
Kira smiles.
“Good, because now it’s going to get a little more serious.”
From the platform, the clerk raises his voice.
“Today’s hanging! A witch!”
The crowd erupts.
“Burn her!”
Yui lowers her head, breath quickening.
Mirah slips an arm around her.
“We’re here.”
The clerk gestures to the side. A burly man drags a hooded woman to the center.
The clerk reads aloud to the accused, and to the rowdy audience.
“Punishable by death, for the crime of heresy and witchcraft. Do you denounce your false idol?”
The man rips away her hood and gag.
The witch calls out.
“Kira Ma! Kira Ma!”
She screams to the sky.
Ameyuki turns to Yui, eyes wide.
“Yui… is that you!?”
Kira lays a hand on Yui’s shoulder.
“Darling, do you want me to end this?”
Yui shakes her head.
“No, Momma.”
She snaps her head upward and lets out a piercing scream.
“Kira Ma!!”
The wind surges. Her cry rattles through the village, shattering windows. Dogs bark wildly as thunderclouds roll across the sky.
The square falls silent. One by one, every head turns toward Kira and the Sparks.
Then the crowd erupts, shouting from every direction.
“Witches! Heresy! Burn them!”
Guards in metallic armor push through, shoving onlookers aside until they form a ring around Kira and the Sparks.
Yui raises her arms wide. Her voice louder, screeching.
“Kira Ma!”
The sound pierces the crowd’s ears. Her fingers curl, the guards’ armor groaning and tightening around their bodies.
Kira rests a hand on Yui’s back.
“Soft, darling. Soft.”
Yui exhales, slowly unclenching her hands, but keeps them raised. The crowd parts as she steps forward toward the stage, the others following close behind.
Mirah points accusingly at the villagers.
“You should all be ashamed of yourselves!”
Ameyuki points the other way, grinning.
“I’m actually a Goddess, not a maiden, so you better watch out!”
The villagers scowl and murmur, but none step forward.
The Sparks advance to the stage, climbing the steps slowly.
The clerk calls out angrily.
“Stop there, witches!”
He thrusts out his hand.
Yui flicks her right finger, the clerk is hurled from the stage, crashing to the ground.
The burly man steps forward.
“Stop!”
She flicks her left finger, the man is thrown the opposite way, tumbling into the dirt.
The hooded woman collapses to her knees, staring upward, eyes wide.
Yui’s eyes soften.
“You’re safe now… Yui…”
The woman breaks into tears.
Yui inhales, settling her voice.
“Momma Kira is here.”
She gestures behind her.
Kira steps forward, kneels, and places her hands on the woman.
“You’ve called to me for lifetimes… and I’ve come.”
The woman breaks down in tears, reaching for her. Kira gathers her into her arms.
The woman squeezes.
“Momma Kira…”
Kira cradles the woman in her arms. The vast field stretches around them, a gentle breeze moving through the grass. Yui, Priscilla, Ameyuki, Mirah, Kirani, and Sira encircle them in silence.
The woman slowly opens her eyes. The light is piercing at first; she flinches.
Yui kneels beside her.
“We made it home. You made it home.”
The woman looks around, then lifts a hand to Kira’s cheek, touching gently.
The woman melts into Kira’s gaze.
“In your arms, I am home.”
Kira smiles, love overflowing from her eyes.
“Yes, my darling.”
Slowly, the woman dissolves into pink dust, carried off by the breeze.
Mirah takes Yui’s hand as they watch the dust drift across the field.
Mirah rests her head on Yui’s shoulder.
Yui turns to her and smiles.
“She’s in the Pure Land now.”
“My Echo has returned home.”