Crossing of Steel

[Philomel]

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Set a long time back in the past, when Shinsou and Phi first properly meet. Closed to Shinsou

Thickly the scent of gloriosa daisies, dahlias, marigolds and yarrow filled the air. As if there was a fog rolling off on the shore, coming from a foreign place and spreading over onto the land. Salt mixed with the floral smell, giving the image of summer and sea broiling into one existence, with a bright sun beaming down confirming the reality of this. Barely was there a stretch of sand between the ocean and field - a simple few metres of dune was necessary for this world. Thick dry grasses quickly became moisture and green, with the flooding of the flowers spilling out as an effortless quilt.

And coming up from this beauty, ascending into the air with no support but the very atmosphere was the stairway. Hewn from a bright white stone it was perhaps two feet thick and two metres in width. Steadily it rose, flowers bordering each even step, winding upwards. Bright foliage and sweet smells eventually became all that one knew as it led upwards, away and into nowhere. Into the sky, into the clouds and the blue, until it was no more than a pinprick. Endless, it was, magical and unknown in source or destination. Simple in design, incling from the ground, there was only sea and field as far as eyes could see. Beauty, infinite beauty.

The door, naturally by her design, disappeared as soon as she stepped through it. A thin smile settled over her face as she found the place exactly how she had requested. Certainly the monks had managed to be true to her word. Even the flowers were the correct ones she had spoken of. All to remind her of those that she used to hang out to dry with her mother when she was so young, so many years ago.

Hopefully he would arrive. The man she was eager to meet, finally after their strange meeting between mind and soul. Indeed, he had come to her as if in a dream, telling her that their futures were intertwined. Then there had been those moments between letter, the words saying, "You ... have come to our attention," and "We propose a treaty," until this day, this time when she had decided to make the connection. To offer him what he wanted - the chance to test her steel against his. To prove herself to the Brotherhood as a useful protoge.

Of course this could have happened sooner, but as things went business was business. He, apparently, had been busy, and she had been setting up her great fortress in the Concordia forest. A palace of secrecy and feminity, of bravity and strength. Not to be known to anyone - yet the Brotherhood had found her there. And he - Shinsou van Osiris was a spokesperson for them, a man that had their intentions to heart.

A heart in a man she would now meet, and be able to touch his flesh. With her blade. In this field of a staircase.