Anna woke slowly.
For a moment, she did not know where she was.
The bed beneath her was enormous, softer than clouds, wrapped in dark silk sheets that smelled faintly of incense and rainwater. Her heavy eyes drifted upward toward the ceiling where ancient paintings stretched across the stone—gods fighting serpents, golden rivers splitting mountains, women dancing among storms.
The room itself was vast.
Long silver curtains moved gently in the wind pouring from the open balcony, sunlight spilling across polished floors like melted gold.
Then her eyes found Renji.
He stood before a tall mirror fastening the sleeves of a black robe embroidered with golden patterns that shimmered whenever he moved. His silver hair fell loosely over his shoulders as he adjusted the collar calmly, almost lazily.
Anna slowly pushed herself upright.
Pain immediately rushed through her body.
Renji noticed through the mirror.
"Are you up?"
"Yeah…" her voice came out rough.
"Good." He turned slightly. "How are you feeling?"
"Exhausted."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"Feeling hot?"
Anna frowned. "What?"
"You had a high fever for four days. You barely woke up." He finally faced her fully. "I think you should freshen up. I have fantastic news to tell you."
Fantastic news.
The words felt strange after everything that had happened.
After Kitsune.
After Lord Kazan.
After Shou Feng.
Anna quietly slipped from the bed and walked toward the bathroom.
The moment she entered, warm steam wrapped around her skin. A bath had already been prepared. The large stone tub overflowed with lukewarm water filled with flower petals floating on the surface.
She slowly untied her clothes and stepped inside.
The warmth relaxed her aching muscles instantly.
But her mind refused peace.
Every time she closed her eyes—
She saw Kitsune dying.
Saw blood across the palace floor.
Saw Shou Feng standing there with those cold eyes.
Saw the sword.
Saw the betrayal.
Anna inhaled sharply and lowered herself deeper into the water, trying to wash away the memories clinging to her skin.
But they stayed.
They always stayed.
—
When she finally stepped out wrapped in a towel, she cautiously peeked outside the bathroom.
Renji was gone.
Instead, a maid waited quietly near the bed.
In her hands rested a beautiful blue-and-pink hanfu decorated with silver embroidery flowing like waves across the fabric.
The maid bowed gently and helped Anna dress.
The silk was smooth against her skin.
Afterward, the woman carefully arranged Anna's hair, placing delicate ornaments between the dark strands until Anna barely recognized herself in the mirror.
Then the maid silently guided her through the palace.
The halls were massive, lined with pillars carved with dragons and clouds. Servants bowed as she passed. Soldiers lowered their heads.
Finally, they arrived at the dining hall.
A huge table stretched across the room beneath hanging lanterns.
Renji sat at the center casually eating as if the world was not collapsing around them.
Anna sat beside him quietly.
The maid served food onto her plate.
The sight of the breakfast made her chest tighten.
For a second—
she remembered Shou Feng making her English breakfast in this very palace.
The memory stabbed deeper than she expected.
Anna silently picked up a piece of tofu.
Renji spoke suddenly.
"Shou Feng has taken Lord Kazan's place and announced himself as the King of Gods."
Anna froze.
"What?"
"Yes." Renji scoffed. "So unfair, honestly. I'm the one who took Kazan's power. I should be the king."
He leaned back lazily.
"And you know his reasoning? He says he was Kazan's student, so naturally the throne belongs to him."
He rolled his eyes dramatically.
"I'm getting tired of hearing it."
Anna only listened.
"He declared execution for both of us immediately," Renji continued while eating calmly. "And rumors about you are spreading all across Japan. A girl from another world." His eyes lifted toward her. "People fear things they don't understand."
Anna's fingers tightened around the chopsticks.
"But," Renji said softly, "I won't let them touch you."
She looked at him carefully.
"What about you?"
"Oh, Lord Tomika has informed everyone that I murdered Kazan." He laughed lightly. "Funny, isn't it? Everyone knows Shou Feng killed him, yet they still follow him."
His smile slowly faded.
"But the world was never a fairytale."
Silence settled briefly.
Then Renji suddenly grinned again.
"As for you…" he pointed his chopsticks toward her. "I'm going to make you the official owner of the Wind Whisperer."
Anna blinked.
"What? How?"
"I'm the real God of Gods now." He smirked proudly. "Which means I can grant authority over divine weapons."
He leaned forward slightly.
"So finish your breakfast like a good little girl and let's get started before people arrive."
Anna stared at him.
"Why aren't the people protesting against you?"
Renji's expression softened unexpectedly.
"My people believe in me." He said it simply. "They know me." He looked toward the windows where distant mountains stood beneath the sky. "They understand death comes when its time comes."
—
The ceremony began before noon.
Anna stood at the highest platform of the palace courtyard while thousands gathered below.
Warriors lined both sides wearing silver armor. Priests stood beneath enormous banners moving violently in the wind overhead.
The entire kingdom had come.
Some looked fearful.
Some curious.
Some doubtful.
At the center stood Renji.
The moment he raised his hand, silence swallowed the courtyard completely.
Even the wind seemed to stop breathing.
Renji's voice echoed across the kingdom.
"Today," he declared, "a new master of the Wind Whisperer shall rise."
Murmurs spread instantly.
Anna stood still.
Below, countless eyes fixed onto her.
"She crossed worlds," Renji continued. "She survived the wrath of gods, betrayal, and death itself. The Wind Whisperer has already acknowledged her soul."
A servant carried the weapon forward carefully.
The moment Anna touched it—
the sky darkened.
Gasps erupted across the crowd.
Wind exploded through the courtyard.
The banners snapped violently.
People shielded their faces as air spiraled around Anna like a living storm.
Her hanfu whipped around her body while silver light spread beneath her feet.
Anna's eyes widened.
She could feel it.
The wind.
Everywhere.
In the trees.
Across the mountains.
Inside every breath.
It answered her.
Not as a weapon.
But as if it had always known her.
Renji's voice rang out powerfully.
"Kneel before the Wind Whisperer!"
One by one—
the entire courtyard bowed.
Anna stood frozen at the center of the storm.
The air obeyed her heartbeat.
Slowly, uncertainly, she lifted her hand.
The winds calmed instantly.
A collective gasp spread across the kingdom.
Then cheers erupted louder than thunder.
"Wind Whisperer!"
"Wind Whisperer!"
"Wind Whisperer!"
Anna stared at the people below in disbelief.
For the first time since arriving in this world—
they were not looking at her with fear.
They were looking at her with hope.
—
Night fell quietly over the palace.
Anna sat across from Renji inside a dimly lit room, candles flickering between them.
Outside, rain tapped softly against the windows.
Anna finally broke the silence.
"What now?"
Renji smiled.
"Now?"
His eyes gleamed dangerously.
"We wage war."
"Against Shou Feng?"
Renji laughed.
A cold laugh.
"No." He leaned back in his chair. "Against the gods."
Anna stared at him.
"How many gods are there?"
"I don't know," he answered carelessly. "And honestly? I don't care." His smile slowly sharpened. "The important ones are Shou Feng, Tomika… and Kiyoshi."
Anna's expression changed immediately.
"No one touches Kiyoshi."
Renji lifted a brow.
"Why?"
"He's my relative."
For the first time all day, Renji looked genuinely shocked.
"A girl from another world has a relative here?"
"Yes."
Renji tapped his fingers against the table thoughtfully.
"Interesting."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So Shou Feng and Tomika are our targets." Then suddenly he smirked. "Tell me something… why aren't you in love with Shou Feng?"
Anna went silent.
Renji watched her carefully before chuckling.
"Relax. I was just curious."
He stood up.
"Though speaking of allies…" his grin widened. "I got someone interesting."
Anna looked up.
The doors slowly opened.
Footsteps echoed through the room.
Then a man entered.
The moment Anna saw him—
her breath stopped.
Her eyes widened instantly.
It was him.
The man from the ancient paintings.
The man from the painting.
To be continued..