"Mariya, one day you'll rule this land." A familiar voice echoes. Stirring from my sleep, "No dad. Not anymore. You are dead. So is everyone else." I sigh waking up, once again dreaming of my kingdom. Well the kingdom I would have ruled. It was all taken from me; I remember it all too well.
Blood curdling screams fill the air as my people were massacred. Hidden away in the place walls, I recall what Father told me, "Mari, you must survive. We will die. However, you must not. Fight my girl! Fight until your last breath!" Fear stained his voice, for those were his last words. Then the dogs came. Their rotten stench stung my nostrils. Forcing myself not to cry, I held my hand over my mouth. My body shook from the draft in the hiding place. I hear his voice, the great Inu no taishō, "I'm sorry Ushi no taishō but this is the way things have to be." He proclaimed. With one swift blow, his head flew gracefully into the air. I screamed, even though my hand covered my mouth some noise escaped. The monster sniffed the air, turned around and I felt I had been detected. "Chibi Ushi-yōkai, I know you are there. I will not kill you. You are to live. To suffer from your father's mistakes. If one day you feel strong enough, find me. We will have an honorable duel." With an unreadable look on his face, the Great Dog Demon took his leave.
When I sensed no danger, I ran out. Past my father, mother's delicate frame lay. I sensed a bit of life left in her. I knelt beside her and took her small, delicate hand in mine. She looked at me, "Mariya, you have the beauty of a thousand roses and more brains than our scientists did. Do not seek revenge, for it is not a healthy object of desire. Live a new life. Free of worry and stress. Above all, remember, you are Princess of the Ushi-yōkai. The royal blood will never cease to flow within you." With that, her pulse disappeared and a small smile pulled across her small face. I took a flower from my horn and placed it on her chest. Reciting a prayer, I rose to my feet. My legs felt like they were not there. I ran. Away from the palace and the bloody scene within it. Ran as far as I had ever ran in my life. Finally, after a straight day of running, the exhaustion took over and the world became black.
It has been 10 years since that day. Horrifyingly, I have not forgotten a single detail. It haunts me to the point of insanity at times. I made home in a village of fighters. They took me in when no one else would. These people did not point and laugh at my horns; they took me in and gave me a place to call home. They taught me how to fight. On my own, I have even made my own moves, harnessing my yōkai powers. I am the highest ranked fighter in the village. My brutality has earned me a powerful reputation. Knowing I am a Princess, I had been approached by many. Amused, I turn every single one down. Today, I leave the village because I am to go to the Lands of the East. The land of those retched Inuyōkai. I will exact my revenge upon their leader. The Great Dog Demon shall suffer as I have and so will his people. Dressing in my garb of many furs, I pick up my teeth necklace. Thinking, 'I will rip out the teeth of all the Inuyōkai and make a completely new jewelry set.' The kind fighters of the village send me off with pride. I am forever in debt to them. I am coming for you vile Inuyōkais, no one who crosses my path shall live to tell the tale. I am the last of my people; vengeance will most certainly be mine.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I chose the path you did not want."