They Can Hear Our Hearts Beat

Kotori asked if something had happened and Ikigai stopped speaking for a moment, her mercuric gaze opening to fall upon the larger wolf. "The crystals, they're beating in tune to my own heart. The spirits are trying to communicate. Letting me know that they're aware of us. " After her explanation, the girl's gaze drifted closed once more and she continued speaking to the spirits in her father's tongue.

With her eyes closed, Ikigai didn't see what was happening to Kotori. She didn't notice his sudden lack of energy, his lethargy. It was only when his resounding "No" sounded, that she looked up. His words brought a soft gasp from the girl. "Kotori, no!" The pale princess rushed to his side, her gaze pleading with him. "Stand for yourself but don't goad the spirits. They're more powerful than we are." Iki didn't know what these particular spirits were capable of, but the stories of her father's homeland were filled with very powerful spirits. The way that Kotori brazenly challenged the crystals made Iki afraid for him.

"X"