Chapter 40 Summary: The Conclusion of Shiori's Quest

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens with Shiori and her brothers holding a small, private ceremony for Raikama in her garden. There is no grand funeral or official rites; Shiori believes Raikama would have wanted only her father present. After the ceremony, Takkan returns Seryu's pearl to Shiori, who fashions a tiny net and wears it on a cord around her neck. She then retreats to her room, which feels foreign to her despite being unchanged. She retrieves a box of Takkan's letters, hidden for years, and reads them repeatedly, laughing and crying. She places Raikama's pearl and the starstroke net beside her bed before falling into a dreamless sleep that lasts three days. During this time, snakes surround her bedside, and she no longer fears them, understanding they mourn their mother as she does.

When she wakes, she finds a mound of swords collected from Lord Yuji's army, gathered by Takkan and her brothers. Shiori announces her intention to travel to the Taijin Sea to reach Ai'long, the dragon realm, and decides not to wait for her father to wake, fearing the truth about her being the bloodsake of Kiata would cause him more anguish. The siblings prepare a teak box, native to Tambu, wrapped in one of Raikama's gowns, and each places a personal keepsake inside: Andahai a jewel, Benkai an arrow, Reiji a chess piece, Wandei a book, Yotan a paintbrush, Hasho a feather, and Shiori seven paper birds. Shiori wraps the box with a strand of red thread, whispers a request to reunite Raikama with her sister, and sets it adrift on a gentle current.

One by one, her brothers embrace her, with Hasho holding on longest. Takkan, who has been present, bows and expresses his worry about letting her go. Shiori teases him, and they share a tender moment. Takkan gives her his sketchbook, promising it will help her remember him. Shiori tells him their fates are linked. Seryu emerges from the sea in human form, and after a brief exchange with the princes, Shiori and Kiki enter the water with him. As they leap into the Taijin Sea, the narrative shifts to the Holy Mountains, where the Wolf, now unchained, uses a smear of Shiori's blood to scrape against the mountain, causing cracks and freeing the demons. He declares himself Bandur.

Key Events

• Shiori and her brothers hold a private ceremony for Raikama in her garden. - Takkan returns Seryu's pearl to Shiori, who wears it on a cord. - Shiori reads Takkan's old letters and sleeps for three days. - She wakes to find swords collected from Lord Yuji's army. - Shiori announces her plan to travel to the Taijin Sea to reach Ai'long. - The siblings place keepsakes in a teak box and set it adrift for Raikama. - Shiori says goodbye to her brothers and Takkan, who gives her his sketchbook. - Seryu arrives and leads Shiori and Kiki into the sea. - The Wolf uses Shiori's blood to crack the mountain and free the demons, revealing his name as Bandur.

Character Development

Shiori undergoes significant emotional growth in this chapter. Her grief for Raikama is palpable, yet she channels it into determination. She no longer fears the snakes, symbolizing her acceptance of her stepmother's legacy and her own transformation. Her decision to leave without waiting for her father shows her maturity and sense of duty, even as she dreads the truth. Her interaction with Takkan reveals her vulnerability and her deep connection to him; she acknowledges their linked fates and accepts his sketchbook as a token of their bond. Seryu appears more subdued than usual, refraining from listing his titles, perhaps reflecting the gravity of the journey. The brothers' support, especially Hasho's lingering embrace, underscores the strength of their familial ties. The Wolf's transformation into Bandur marks a shift from a vague antagonist to a named, imminent threat.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

• Grief and Private Mourning: The ceremony is intimate, reflecting Shiori's belief that Raikama would not want a grand funeral. The teak box with keepsakes and the red thread symbolize a personal farewell. - Promises and Duty: Shiori's promise to Raikama to find the pearl's true owner drives her journey. She also keeps her promise to Kiki that they will stay together. - Bloodsake and Magic: Shiori's identity as the bloodsake is central; her blood is used by the Wolf to break the mountain, linking her fate to the demons' release. - Red Thread as Connection: The red thread used to wrap the teak box is a motif of home and connection, echoing Raikama's use of it to find her way. - Mementos and Keepsakes: The letters, sketchbook, and the items in the teak box serve as tangible links to loved ones and memories. - Farewell and Departure: The chapter is a prolonged farewell, with Shiori leaving her home and family to fulfill her quest. - Time and Transformation: The mention that time passes differently in the dragon realm introduces uncertainty about the future, while Shiori's own transformation is evident in her changed perception of her room and her fearlessness toward snakes. - Linked Fates: Shiori tells Takkan their fates are linked, and the Wolf's use of her blood demonstrates a dark connection between her and the demons.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a pivotal turning point in the novel. Shiori makes the conscious choice to leave Kiata and venture into the unknown dragon realm, setting aside her personal desires to honor her promise to Raikama. It also raises the stakes by revealing that the Wolf has used Shiori's blood to free the demons, making her directly responsible for the impending threat. The chapter solidifies Shiori's character growth, her relationships, and the central conflicts that will drive the climax. The farewell scene with Takkan and the brothers emphasizes the emotional cost of her journey, while the final image of Bandur's escape sets the stage for the final confrontation.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Shiori decide not to wait for her father to wake before leaving?

Shiori fears that telling her father the truth about her being the bloodsake of Kiata would cause him more anguish, especially given Raikama's death. She believes it is better to leave and return soon rather than burden him with the painful truth.

1. What is the significance of the teak box and the red thread in the farewell ritual?

The teak box, made of wood native to Tambu, and wrapped in Raikama's gown, represents a return to her homeland. Each sibling places a personal keepsake, symbolizing their love and connection. The red thread, which Raikama used to find her way home, is used to wrap the box, ensuring she will not be alone and will find her way to her sister.

1. How does the Wolf's use of Shiori's blood change the stakes of the story?

The Wolf uses a smear of Shiori's blood to crack the mountain and free the demons, revealing that her blood has a direct connection to the magical barriers that kept demons imprisoned. This makes Shiori's role as the bloodsake even more critical, as her actions and identity are now tied to the release of the demons, raising the urgency of her quest to stop Bandur.

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