Little Pink Starfish

“In that case, let me give you an assignment. Go back and learn how to give a proper massage. With that pathetic skill, you won’t be able to satisfy anyone.”

“Yes, I’ll make sure to learn proper massage techniques next time.”

Gwen answered politely and bowed his head. Nyne smiled in satisfaction, having vented his anger enough. Come to think of it, Rue was oddly quiet today. When he looked back, he saw Rue staring quietly at Gwen with a dark expression. His black eyes shimmered with emotions of jealousy. Nyne knew he was a jealous type, but this was a different attitude from how he treated Iu, and Nyne was secretly surprised. He gestured for Gwen to withdraw.

“I’ll see you again next time, Sha.”

Gwen respectfully offered his farewell and stepped back. Nyne lay back on the bamboo bed and called Rue, who was standing still, gently fanning without pause.

“Rue, come here. Because Lesha Gwen’s massage skills are so poor, my body feels even stiffer.”

“Yes, Lord Nyne.”

Rue, who had been lost in deep thought, approached with a grin. He handed the fan to another priest and then skillfully applied fragrant oil to his hands with a slapping sound. He started massaging from the calves down to the feet, and it felt genuinely refreshing, making Nyne exhale a lazy sigh. As the massage continued, Nyne began to doze off, eyes closed, when Rue suddenly spoke.

“I wish my father had been Ha-Net.”

“What are you saying all of a sudden?”

Nyne, puzzled, looked at Rue, who was rubbing his back with his palms. Although not as exalted as the high priest Ha-Net, Am-Net, a high priest allowed into the Holy Sanctuary, was still a prestigious position. That’s why Rue could serve as his fan bearer. Even as Nyne questioned him, Rue continued the massage devotedly in silence, then spoke quietly.

“If he had been Ha-Net, I could be someone a little closer to Sha.”

Nyne raised his eyebrows, unable to understand what he meant. Rue had already attained a position everyone respected since becoming his fan bearer. Nyne had heard he already owned several mansions just from the gold and silver Nyne had granted him.

“Rue, aren’t you already the one closest to me?”

“Haha, yes, that’s right. I’m already the one closest to you, Lord Nyne…”

Rue laughed loudly and began massaging Nyne’s hands and arms with great care. His expression and attitude were no different from usual, so Nyne soon let it pass without much thought. As the massage was nearing its end, a priest came and informed Nyne.

“The Great Sha Amon has passed through the Ninth Tower Gate.”

Right after the previous ritual, Amon had gone out to subdue demonic beasts. This time, it was far enough that the journey took several days. Even after the priest’s report, Nyne said nothing and continued receiving the massage. While getting dressed after the massage, the priest returned.

“The Great Sha Amon has passed through the Third Tower Gate.”

“Lord Nyne, shall we prepare your appearance?”

Popo asked respectfully, and Nyne recalled the events of the last ritual. The blood flowing from severed heads soaking the altar, animals being slaughtered, and humans killing each other for Sha’s entertainment. The nausea he thought had subsided over the past few days surged again.

If he were to face Amon, there was a high chance he would witness that kind of entertainment again. Amon tended to be even more cruel than usual after returning from beast hunts. But in his current state, Nyne felt he couldn’t endure it. Trying to erase the remnants of the ritual from his mind, he spoke in a slow voice.

“I’m not feeling well, so I won’t go out to greet Sha Amon this time.”

“Lord Nyne, but…”

Popo opened his mouth to say something more but closed it when he saw Nyne’s expressionless face. Wearing a white linen cloth over his fragrant-oiled body, Nyne headed to the garden. He walked along a well-kept path, listening to birds chirping. He thought of Gwen again. As expected, the garden was full of beautiful flowers and well-shaped bushes, with not a single weed in sight.

“Give them some feed.”

“Yes, Sha.”

When the priest following Nyne scattered prepared feed, birds of beautiful colors flew in. Tamed by human hands, they weren’t afraid and pecked at the feed. While Nyne watched them, the birds suddenly flapped and scattered away in a panic. Curious why, he saw a snake silently descending from a tree.

The priest approached and checked the snake’s appearance, confirming it was a non-venomous type, then backed away. They scattered feed again, but the frightened birds didn’t return, leaving Nyne slightly disappointed as he continued walking.

When he returned after a round in the garden, an unexpected guest had arrived. It was Ossen Iyad, Amon’s aide and the high priest. Among humans, he held the most power after the Sha. Nyne silently looked at him. Ossen, waiting with a group of priests, bowed deeply.

“A faithful servant greets Sha Nyne.”

The priests showed no concern for their knees or palms getting dirty as they bowed with their foreheads touching the ground. After the respectful greeting, Ossen spoke to Nyne, who was silently staring at him.

“Sha Nyne, the time has come for the rite.”

“…Has it already?”

“As the stars rise in the southern and western skies and the moon enters the first quarter, today is suitable.”

Nyne’s gaze briefly passed over the moon, half-covered by clouds, and then toward the black box and various tools held by the priests. With a sigh, he gave a slight nod. Ossen Iyad and the priests rose from the ground. Rue and Popo stepped back, reading Nyne’s expression. Then Nyne, followed by Ossen Iyad and the priests, headed toward the inner sanctum with fluttering white robes.

They went deep—very deep—into the sanctum. Even at night, it was lit brightly with lamps, filled with beautiful furniture, objects, and linen-covered floors. They arrived at a room a bit small for Nyne’s status. Nyne entered first. When guards Seinka Hoan and Iu tried to follow, Ossen Iyad blocked them.

“From here on, no one but priests may enter. Wait outside.”

At the high priest’s command, Iu hesitated, but Seinka Hoan asked with a blank face,

“Is this a command from Sha Amon?”

“It is Sha Amon’s will.”

As Ossen looked at him, Seinka Hoan stared back for a while, then stepped back. The priests Ossen had brought hung multiple layers of thick linen cloths instead of closing the door. Then they handed Seinka Hoan and Iu face coverings to mask their lower faces.

“Please wear these.”

Not long after they put on the strong herb-scented masks, a hazy smoke started to drift out from inside. Iu lowered his covering slightly and sniffed the smoke, then looked at his superior with surprised eyes. Seinka Hoan also seemed to recognize what it was, but his expression didn’t change. In a firm voice, he said to Iu,

“This is Sha Amon’s will.”

“Yes, understood.”

He replied immediately and raised the mask again, though his gaze stayed fixed on the room Nyne and the priests had entered. From inside the room, smoke continued to drift out like snakes, and Ossen Iyad’s voice was heard.

“Sha Nyne, please lie down comfortably. You will now be freed from all thoughts and regain peace…”

That was the last thing heard before the smoke spread thickly outside the room and silence fell all around.