Prologue
"Mommy, who is that?" The young girl gestured to an old painting that hung in her grandparents' house.
Her mother stared at the painting a for a long moment and gave a sadden look to her curious daughter. "I think it's just a drawing sweety, no one special."
"Don't fill that child's head with lies!" An elderly voice croaked from behind them, causing them both to turn in a jolt. They were both confronted with an elderly man. "That young woman was a hero of her time, of both the human and spirit world."
"Spirits?" The young girl's eyes lite up with awe.
"Dad…" The girl's mother sighed.
"Now just because you are not a believer, doesn't mean that our young one here is not!" The girl's grandfather placed his hand on her back and guided her closer to the painting. "This woman is your ancestor, and her life was filled with adventure and romance."
The girl clasped her hands together, wanting to hear more.
Her grandfather chuckled, "Let me tell you the story of your ancestor, Chiyaka, the girl of Sacred Sight…"
Chapter One
"Where is that girl?" Grumbled a middle aged woman. She made her way down the path of the valley that separated their village from the forest. As she made her way down the path, the edge of the forest made itself clear. She sighed inwardly, knowing to not step too far into the woods. The elders had warned the villagers of their tribe, that this forest was of sacred ground. However, even with this warning in place, Mina's daughter was the only one dumb enough to wander into the dense woods. She could hear laughter coming from up above, in the thick of the trees. "Chiyaka?"
The trees rustled.
Her mother sighed, and called for her unruly daughter again.
Among the trees, Chiyaka, a 6 year old girl sat on a hefty tree branch that supported her weight. She was not alone. Small green creatures sat around her, while Chiyaka smiled and conversed with them. Her attention was drawn away, as she could hear her mother's voice from below.
"Chiyaka!" Her mother shouted, now a sound of slight irritation resided in her tone.
"Sorry guys, have to go." She sighed, and made her way down the tree.
"How on earth do you even get up there?" Mina took in the enormous height of the trees. No mere human could climb them alone, let alone a small girl.
"Oh, the woodland spirits helped me." She said nonchalantly, as if this were a common detail that her mother overlooked. "They like to hold their discussions in the tops of the trees, to avoid the ground dwellers eavesdropping." She continued her explanation in a matter-of-fact tone.
Her mother stared at her in disbelief. This wasn't the first time she had found her young child in similar situation. She would go on and on about the spirits that supposedly walked this world with the humans, but no one could see them. So when she asked why Chiyaka could see them and no one else, her daughter exclaimed, 'because they trust me.' She had contemplated bringing her daughter to the village elders, but was afraid they would take her wonderfully strange child away from her. So they had made a deal that Chiyaka would only talk about the spirits and their adventures with her.
"They keep me safe, mommy." Chiyaka said joyfully, grabbing her mother's hand. She knew her mother's heart needed to be put at ease sometimes. "Is it time for dinner?"
Her mother replied, "yes…" While looking back at the forest, as it disappeared from sight, the closer they got to the village.
Later that evening, Chiyaka's mother went to bed soon after she assumed her daughter to be asleep. Little did she know that her daughter did not sleep much, and would sneak out at night to meet her otherworldly friends.
The night sky was lit by the stars and moon up above. Chiyaka giggled joyfully, as she ran barefoot through the open field. She was surrounded by the evening spirits that would glow the most beautiful of colors. The night took her away, as she danced and sung joyfully. The spirits danced too.
Nights such as these had become normal. She had never suspected that on this fateful night, apart from the spirits, she was not alone. An elder from the village witnessed the child dancing freely, at such an odd hour. He watched her sing and occasionally stop and chat with what appeared to be thin air. However, this elder knew. He knew of the ability that this young child possessed.
The following day, Chiyaka's mother was confronted by that same elder. He requested for her to bring the child to meet with the other two elders of the village. Fear surged through her veins.
"Did you tell anyone about your friends?" Her mother asked, referring to the spirits that Chiyaka deemed as friends.
She shook her head no, and dared not tell her mother of the adventures that took place at night.
Chiyaka's mother was not entirely convinced, but decided to present her young daughter to the elders anyway.
The elders eyed Chiyaka for long moment and then proceeded to speak.
"Are you sure this is the girl you saw last night, Elder Yama?" The eldest of the three spoke first, commonly known as Elder Toma.
"She is indeed," Elder Yama smiled at Chiyaka.
The other elder leaned forward, as if to get a better look at her. "She is nothing special, look at her!" Elder Saka scoffed, gesturing at Chiyaka's general appearance.
She glared up at him.
"That may be why she is special indeed," Elder Yama folded his hands, his eyes now met with hers. "Tell me child, who were you with last night?"
Chiyaka froze, feeling her mother's confused, yet infuriated gaze from behind her. She shook her head in response, and gave Elder Yama a pleading look.
He took into account that she was most likely not allowed to be out past dark. As the elders had warned the village. He continued in a gentle tone, "It's ok. You will not be punished, young one."
Chiyaka turned to face her mom, whose expression was unreadable.
"What is your name child?" Elder Toma pressed in a calm voice.
She hesitated, "Ch-Chiyaka…"
"What a fine name, for such a blessed child." The Elder stated. "Do you have any friends, Chiyaka?"
She nodded.
"Kids from the village?" He continued.
She paused, but then shook her head in reply. Chiyaka could hear her mother draw in a sharp breath.
"Who are your friends, young one?" Elder Toma had an ease in his voice, which brought sense of calm over Chiyaka.
"The spirits are my friends," She explained.
The elders looked at each other in unison, and then returned their gazes to her.
"Is that whom you dance with under the night sky?" Elder Yama asked.
"Not every night…" she folded her arms and looked towards the ground. Slight embarrassment developed in her tone.
Elder Toma and Yama let out a loud laugh.
"I am sorry, not every night. My mistake." Elder Yama held up his hands in a pleading expression.
Chiyaka looked up at him once again, his soft expression made her feel comfortable.
Elder Yama stood from his seat, and walked towards Chiyaka. Mina's jaw clenched, and her hands tightened into fists. She wasn't sure of the events to follow.
The Elder bent down and met the young girl at eye level. His eyes were soft and gentle. "Do you know how special you are, Chiyaka?"
She didn't answer, but intertwined her fingers together.
"You my dear, have been gifted with the Sacred Sight."
Both Chiyaka and her mother stood puzzled.
He continued. "You see, every 100 years or so, a child is born with the ability to live among the human, and spirit world." He placed his hand gently on her shoulder. "The spirits have chosen you, my child. They have chosen to give you that very special gift."
Chiyaka looked over at her mother. They were both unaware of what the future was about to hold.
This six year old child was about to receive the biggest responsibility ever imagined, and her life would be forever changed.