"All is fair in love and war."
Kaori did not go back to Aeaea often, but the people need to see their princess in order to accept her and so she made the long and treacherous journey home. Boarding one of the only ships that would take her to a place not marked on any map, the conditions of the ride were not the best. The boat had seen better days and the rising waves threatened the lives of everyone on board, the ship creaked as it tossed and turned, Kaori remained strong, she had no other choice, this was for her people, to give them hope that one day, when Kaori took the throne everything was going to be okay.
Whether this was true or not, Kaori honestly didn't know. The problems Aeaea faced were nearly unexplainable but if she couldn't help save the island she would help it get revenge. That was the entire reason she joined Errings Rising. To make Fiore pay for its past mistakes and she would make certain that they pay in full. An eye for an eye, blood for blood, they took everything and she intended to do the same no matter what it takes. She owed that to her people. Even if it meant she would be a villain, she didn't truly see it that way. Taking justice into your hands, that is being the hero that everyone else refused to be.
Given that Aeaea was hidden by Kaori's fathers magic for its own safety, she had to give the captain of the ship very specific instructions and luckily he was competent enough to follow them. Eventually, after braving the dangerous waters for hours, they came to reach the location that Kaori described which appeared as just plain ocean, nothing special. In reality, there was a giant barrier that caused anyone without permission to enter bypass it, thinking nothing of it. However, Kaori had to give everyone on the ship permission in order to actually get inside, something that wasn't taken lightly.
The barrier faded away as the ship entered, anchoring itself at the docks. Kaori exited the boat and the ship she took attempted to leave, but she could now allow it. No one else was allowed to know if it's existence, not even if they promised to never tell another soul. Waving her hand through the ear she created a rubbery heart, pulling it back hundreds of heart arrows flew forward, hitting the ship and the people on it. The boat was turned to stone, and the people who hadn't been affected screamed as they sunk to their untimely demise.
As for Kaori, she turned away, walking through Aeaea's vibrant jungle in order to reach the kingdom. Having not alerted anyone of her return, there was no one waiting, she'd have to do this by herself. Luckily, her snake was with her which would scare off all of the dangerous animals that might attack. Still, it wasn't a pleasant time. It was hot, and though the animals were scared they still eyed them, waiting for any sign or moment of weakness so that they might have a chance to strike. It was times like this that made Kaori happy the island was small and it was a rather short walk to the Aztec-like kingdom.
When she arrived, people stared in shock and awe, they hadn't seen her in quite some time and it almost instantly restored their faith. They cheered her name and she decided, though, against her nature, she might want to speak with her people and fill their hearts with something other than despair. After all, she hated almost everything in the world aside from this island, she might as well give it something. The islanders gathered around as Kaori prepared herself to give the speech, it was dead silent as they waited in anticipation and no one wanted to miss it.
"My people, we have been the victim for far too long. Fiore has threatened us since the beginning of time, taking our resources, slaughtering our people, well I have grown weary of being at the mercy of a pathetic king. My time spent away was not wasted, I have come bearing good news. We are not going to roll over and play dead as Fiore steals what is rightfully ours from underneath us. We will stand and we will fight, and I will not allow any more blood to be spilled on our land."
The people screamed and yelled at the top of their lungs, her speech had inspired them beyond what she even believed to be possible. They had something that they hadn't felt in a long long time, faith and it was Kaori who restored it. Not Balsa, not Eva, Kaori. Her spot on the throne was almost guaranteed and with the people behind her, well her sisters didn't stand a chance. Not to mention, Kaori truly cared about her people, as for her sisters, they wanted the title and not the responsibility.
Having a crown was not a burden, it was an honor, something her sisters failed to comprehend. Still, this alone was not enough. Kaori knew what the future held, even if everyone on the island wanted Kaori to be their queen, her sister would undoubtedly interfere. Always trying to take what didn't belong to her. It was annoying and Kaori was sick of it. She should have killed her when she had the chance.
Hearing that her father was apparently away, Kaori stayed within the castle for a few days and then took a ship in order to return to Fiore. The people cheered as she sailed off, and she waved goodbye. There was no telling when she'd return again, or what the state of the island would be when and if she did. Kaori only hoped that next time she came back, it was for good, and Fiore was no longer going to be a thread looming over them and that was something Kaori was going to make sure of.
WC: 1,003/1,000
