Peak of Kouri

by aidawrites

Kouri is a peak on Mt. Hou where the dead lives as well as Taiki's , or the Kirin of Tai, given name. The story imagines the events of Taiki's unresolved fate. While it is unclear when Fuyumi Ono will ever tie up his loose ends, or at all, everyone has a story about growing stronger and changing their destiny. Kouri, too, has something to tell.

Deep in Bun Province, there lies poverty and hope. The people of Tai have been living in abject desolation for so long, this eternal winter felt almost natural to them. Yet, when the new king was crowned, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter and the air a little milder. Then, when "he" gave them that white flower, whose fruits became invaluable fuel in the winter, there was so much hope that it could have melted the snow. Too bad, the good days lasted less than half a year. A calamity occurred, driving both the King and Tai Taihou into unknown circumstances. A usurper took the throne, and as of this sixth year anniversary of that incident, the Far Kingdom has become even more barren that anyone could ever imagine. Increasingly removed of life, the white snow turns pink every day from Youma attacks. No one could escape. It's not clear, however, which evils were worse: the ones that hunted men on the grounds or the one that now resides above the clouds.

Still they hoped for "his" return, and the Taihou's. Many still cling to the sentiment that the young Kirin was still alive somewhere and will save the king. Kouri, fulfilling the prophecy of his namesake, will bring back the dead.

Till the my last snowfall, they sang, Till the Hakuchi calls