Page 13

Chapter 13

Yoshi

T he river roared, a beast awakening from its slumber, as white-capped waves crashed against jagged rocks that jutted out like broken teeth. Mist rose from the churning waters, turning the morning light into a golden haze. The air was thick with the scent of wet stone and moss.

On the opposite shore, the Emperor stood beside his Grand Minister along with the assembled court and villagers. Nawa was nowhere to be seen.

“Your task is simple,” the Grand Minister shouted, his voice carrying over the din of the river. “His Imperial Majesty’s stone must be carried across the water. It cannot be thrown. It cannot be abandoned. If it is lost, you fail. Begin!”

Before us lay the offering stone—a massive slab of smooth granite, easily heavier than two men. Someone had etched the Emperor’s chrysanthemum into the stone, creating a shimmering, regal brilliance in the once-dull rock.

The challenge was clear: It required not only strength, but endurance, coordination, and will.

I exchanged glances with Kaneko, Niiro, and Soga. None of us spoke.

Despite our differences, we had to work together.

Failing meant more than just dishonor. The current was swift—one misstep, and we could be swept away. We didn’t merely battle the stone; life battled death in those treacherous waters.

On our first attempt, we tied thick ropes around the stone, fashioning a makeshift harness. Kaneko and I took the front, steadying the weight, while Soga and Niiro took the back, bracing the load. The stepping stones that stretched across the river were uneven, some barely wide enough for a foot, others half submerged. All looked slicker than glass covered in oil.

I sucked in a deep breath. “Step in time with me. Move as one. If we hesitate, we’re done.”

Soga grunted but said nothing.

We heaved the stone up, my muscles burning under the weight. The first step was the hardest—lifting something this heavy while balancing on a slimy rock felt impossible. Frigid water rushed past our legs, threatening to pull us off balance.

But we moved.

Slowly, carefully, one step at a time.

The river fought us.

Each stone offered a treacherous foothold, each wave a hungry claw grasping for our ankles.

The spray stung my eyes. The cold leeched into my bones.

My breath came in sharp bursts, but we kept going.

Until—

“Soga!”

A crack of shifting rock.

A splash.

Niiro screamed.

I twisted in time to see Soga slip, his foot sliding off the slick surface, his grip on the stone wavering. His weight tilted backward, dragging the stone with him.

“Hold it!” I roared, shoving forward, my arms and back straining to counterbalance him.

But it wasn’t enough.

Soga’s weight pulled Niiro off balance. Her eyes widened in shock as she flailed, the rope around her waist pulling taut.

Then she was gone.

“Niiro!” Kaneko bellowed.

The stone lurched, threatening to tumble into the water. Soga barely had time to brace himself before his knees buckled.

He was sliding, his feet fighting for purchase—

There was no time to think.

I let go of the stone.

Lunging forward, I grabbed Soga by his harness before he could go under. The impact nearly sent me toppling with him.

My boots skidded across the slick rock.

The force of the current was monstrous—even one as strong as Soga was tossed like a leaf in the wind.

Niiro thrashed.

The current had her. It was dragging her downstream. Her mouth opened in panicked gasps before she disappeared beneath the waves.

A heartbeat.

Two.

Then she resurfaced, coughing and clawing at the water.

She was going to drown.

“No!” I shouted, gritting my teeth and tightening my grip on Soga’s harness. “Get up!”

Soga’s eyes snapped to mine. For the first time in all the years I’d know the boy, fear filled his gaze.

But I didn’t think it was for himself—it was for Niiro.

That was all it took.

With a roar of effort, Soga heaved himself back up, his foot finding purchase. I didn’t let go until I felt his weight settle back into his stance.

“Go!” I barked. “Get the stone down—I’ll get Niiro!”

He hesitated, but only for a second. Then he nodded.

Kaneko moved to help him while I turned and sprinted forward, jumping onto the next stone as Niiro was dragged past me.

Too fast.

Too far.

I had one chance.

I dove.

The cold sliced through my skin, piercing my chest. Gods, the river was liquid ice.

The moment I broke the surface, the current tore at me, dragged me under, swallowed the light. My body slammed into submerged rocks, shooting pain through my ribs.

I kicked hard, breaking the surface.

There—Niiro flailed just ahead.

I forced my body forward.

My muscles screamed.

Every stroke felt like pushing against a mountain.

The river wanted her.

I would not let it win.

Fingers brushed against fabric.

Water tore us apart.

I stretched further, straining to keep myself upright, and—I seized hold of her collar.

Niiro’s eyes were wide with panic, but as soon as she felt my grip, she stopped fighting.

She trusted me, falling backward into my arms so I could keep her head above water and drag us to safety.

I turned, aiming for the riverbank.

It was too far, the current too fast.

It was so strong.

I was too weak.

I could keep us afloat, but it was pulling us downstream.

Then—

A rope.

Kaneko’s voice was a whip crack, sharp over the roar of the river. “Grab the rope!”

With my last burst of strength, I reached out, wrapping the rope around my wrist. The moment Kaneko and Soga braced and pulled, the river released its grip.

Niiro and I lurched toward shore.

Inch by inch, we fought against the current until—

We hit solid ground.

I collapsed onto my hands and knees, coughing up water. Niiro sagged beside me, shivering but alive.

Soga was there in an instant, yanking us both upright. His eyes locked onto mine, then Niiro’s. He didn’t say anything, but his grip on Niiro’s arm was firm. Steady. Relieved.

Niiro slumped forward, allowing her body to be smothered by the large boy’s arms.

We had survived.

And beyond us, on the riverbank, lay the offering stone.

Somehow, by the grace of the gods, Kaneko had finished the task while we fought the river.

How had he carried such weight? By himself?

The Grand Minister stepped forward, his robes immaculate despite the chaos before him. He stared down, studying us, his eyes lingering on our soaked forms, the cuts on my arms, the way Soga’s hands still trembled with lingering adrenaline.

Before he could speak, the trees shook and shed leaves, heralding the arrival of Nawa. As she landed, the river’s rage reflected against her brilliant scales, sending light shimmering throughout the grove and beyond. The moment she touched down, her gaze found mine, and the world began to spin.

“You offered yourself in sacrifice, Yoshi- san ,” Nawa rasped in my mind. “The gods are pleased.”

The Grand Minister’s eyes darted from Nawa to me, then back. His eyes were wide, yet filled with questions. Finally, he turned and faced the Emperor. Takashi made a gesture I couldn’t begin to interpret, and his Grand Minister turned back to face us.

“You have passed. Return to the courtyard at sunrise for the next Trial.”

The crowd erupted. Some looked astonished. Some simply nodded in quiet approval.

We had not simply proven our strength.

We had earned our victory together.

Soga let out a breath, rubbing his face. “Well.” He looked at me, then at Niiro, her expression unreadable. “I suppose we’re even.”

I laughed.

I couldn’t help it.

It tumbled out faster than the river’s water raged.

My arms ached, my body felt broken, but I laughed.

“Not even close,” I said with a smirk.

Kaneko grinned.

Niiro groaned.

And Soga shook his head.