This is a tale from long time ago. There was once a small yet humble country with a small kingdom. In the center of that kingdom, there was a small castle. In the castle lived a young king, with a few concubines and servants. His name was Victor Nikiforov.
His subjects lived humbly in peace for the king was kindhearted and prioritized his subjects happens rather than material objects. The king decided to leave the castle for a while and observe his citizens.
At the same time, a young traveler came from afar. He was… pretty ordinary per say the least but in his eyes were the passion that burned within his soul. He travelled far and wide to free himself from the shackles of responsibility. His name was Yuuri Katsuki.
"Is this the right place?" Yuuri asked, feeling a bit lost and confused. He had travelled a far distance away from home. He hated to admit it but he missed home. He missed his sisters, and his favorite meal: pork katsudon, a delicacy that was made by the gods themselves, okay maybe that was an overstatement. Katsudon is made with a bowl of white, sticky rice topped with a deep-fried pork cutlet with some eggs, the freshest vegetables and some condiments.
Just imagining his comfort food made his stomach rumble loudly, but he ignored it and went on his way.
"Well, I don't seem to be lost." He exclaimed just as his stomach began to rumble for the second time.
"Looks like I have to find an inn or a bar before looking for a job." He thought, beginning to look for some place to eat. He found an inn named "Reine" and decided to stay the night there. It was a homely and cozy inn made entirely with wood. It amazed him how beautiful this modest country was. He was serviced with cheerful smiles and exquisite meals.
"I'm stuffed." Yuuri said while letting out a satisfied sigh. He thanked the kind couple who had served him and decided to leave for a little while. He looked upwards to the shining heavens that encouraged him to be positive in his situation for he tended to be a bit…pessimistic sometimes.
He was delighted to stay in this country. He decided to have a little tour of the town tomorrow but for now, he needs to work. "Time to work." He smirked, while putting on his mask, his façade and began to perform.
The king had disguised himself as a citizen. He tried to blend in but sadly, his silver hair was not common for his citizens, thus he saw himself getting a lot of unwanted attention. He had been accompanied by his captain guard, Otabek Altin, the best warrior in his land. Though there were no wars, yet he prepared a military defense for his people's safety.
Victor noticed that the streets were bustling with activity. It was filled with merchants that came to trade goods and vendors shouting to promote their items. He was proud of what his country had become. He began sight-seeing around the place he had governed. He has it all…but why does he feel like something is missing?
When he broke out of this thought he noticed that the streets were becoming less and less populated. "Otabek, do you have any idea in where the people are going? He asked, pouting with annoyance. "Is there any occasion in which I don't know?
"Your majesty… I'm not sure if it's an occasion but I have caught wind that a famous dance troupe has visited and are currently performing in the town square. Otabek answered, in a somehow robotic voice.
"You know, Otabek, if you keep that stoic personality of yours, you won't get married." Victor snides, with a conceited smirk.
"You know your majesty if you keep that childish personality of yours, you won't get married. If the people knew about the true personality of their king they would be hysterical."
"Touche."
After getting burned reprimanded by his own guard, the king decided to check out the famous dance troupe. It was a bit better than being single shamed and being embarrassed in public.
The town square was not far and it did serve as exercise. He did stay at the castle for very long periods of time sorting paperwork. Once they arrived, the stage was not even visible but luckily he was not vertically challenged short so he could still see the action on the stage.
His eyes widened with awe for the performance was a mixture of seductiveness and innocence with beauty. A masked black-haired dancer who was wearing an enticing, red, flowery, silk kimono was sword dancing. It was exhilarating and exciting for the fear was there but he can't help to get entranced in the young dancer's every move.
The dancer was swinging his swords and looked at the audience with a forlorn expression. Victor gazed at the performer's dark, deep, black eyes and to his surprise the performer glared at the young king. It felt like time had stopped when their eyes met. He was captivated.
Suddenly, another dancer came out of the stage. A masked blonde dancer with huge decorative fans joined with the other dancer. This entertainer had balance and flexibility using their embroidered, black kimono to swirl towards the other. The other dancer was very graceful and poised in using their fan.
In the audience vision it was just a very beautiful and enchanting dance but for Victor it was like the clashing of passion and talent, it was like fire and water, clearly opposite but harmonizing in a weird way and they expressed this in a form of a dance.
The background instruments added a charm to the show. Victor could hear the koto, shamisen and other instruments he had only read in the books. He was soothed by the calm, harmonious sounds of the instruments accompanied by the dancers whom looked like they had been in a masquerade ball.
He was curious, yet he suspicious. He knew that these instruments were of the Holio Clan. The Clan was a long forgotten tribe, for they had committed the worse sin of their century, the Sin of Death.
Victor had never seen this kind of act ever before. He had to admit, he did have fun with the show but one question had haunted his mind.
"What is behind their masks?"
[Mission One Complete]