Amaterasu took to pacing her throne room several times as she waited rather impatiently for something, anything on the con

Amaterasu took to pacing her throne room several times as she waited rather impatiently for something, anything on the condition of the civilization that dwelled on the moon. Even though she tried her hardest not to think of her blonde-haired friend, the thought of seeing him lying dead somewhere on the surface of the moon sent shivers coursing down her spine. After what had seemed like hours, a messenger came bursting into the room, causing the deity to jump.

"My apologies for frightening you my lady," the messenger began, bowing deeply. "But there is an unidentified ship heading directly for us. What is it you suggest we do?"

"A ship?" Amaterasu questioned as she glanced out of a window facing the direction the messenger was pointing in.

The sun goddess squinted her eyes as she continued to gaze out of her chosen window. At first the clouds seemed normal, drifting in whichever way the wind was blowing. However sure enough, after a few moments time, the clouds began to disperse and the form of a massive runic ark appeared. Once the ship had fully emerged from the clouds, Amaterasu gasped from surprise before sprinting out of her throne room.

"My lady?" the messenger called to her receding back.

"After all of these years..." she thought to herself as she sprinted out of her palace. "I sure hope he's on that ark."

The runic ark was incredibly immense. The shape was highly unusual as well, especially from the ships Amaterasu remembered from her childhood. This ship also had many various runes on its sides, and the shapes themselves caused the sun deity to tilt her head in confusion. As the ship slowly lumbered into the Celestial Plain's port, many Celestials had gathered to view the massive ship. The apparent black streaks on either side of the ark's mighty bow had led Amaterasu to believe that this ship had seen many adventures and battles while transporting goods back and forth from wherever it went.

A loud hiss soon pierced the otherwise quiet atmosphere as the ark's airlock door on the starboard aft section slowly opened. Tensing slightly, the young deity cautiously approached the door. Once the hatch was completely lowered, a small rainbow bridge flickered into existence, closing the gap between the door and the dock. Tilting her head to the right, Amaterasu waited cautiously for the inhabitants of the ship to reveal themselves.

"My lady!" a voice called from behind Amaterasu, causing her to turn around. "For your own safety, your highness, please stand behind us."

"That is very thoughtful of you general," the sun goddess replied softly. "However I have a feeling that those aboard this ship are not going to hurt me, nor do they intend to."

Turning back to the ark, she noticed a slight shift in the shadows of the gaping hatch before three figures emerged from the ship's hull. Bracing for attack, the celestial soldiers crouched down, holding their weapons steady. Squinting her eyes slightly, Amasterasu focused her vision, until she was able to recognize the figures carefully descending the bridge.

"Please, somebody!" one of the figures called once they reached the dock. "We need help!"

"Ready at your call my lady," the general commented, his grip around his weapon tightening.

"Please!" the second figure cried before the third person they were carrying collapsed onto the dock. "Captain!"

Without a moment's hesitation, the sun goddess took off down the dock, much to her general's displeasure. Once she made it closer to the three figures, she gasped once she viewed the fallen member of the trio.

"Ushiwaka!" she recognized as she knelt down. "What happened to him?"

"Our village was attacked," one of the two guards explained, his voice trembling. "We are the only ones left out of a whole civilization."

"Captain Waka here was nearly eaten by whatever attacked us," the other guard replied. "Please madam, he's in critical condition. I don't think he'll last much longer..."

"General!" Amaterasu called as she turned to glance over her shoulder. "Call the medicine man immediately! We have an emergency on our hands!"

"Right away my lady!" he answered as he proceeded to bark orders to his men.

As the order was placed with a messenger who was already sprinting over the distant hills, the sun goddess turned back to study the conditions of the guards who were beginning to shed tears as they struggled to think of something they could do to aid their fallen captain. Sorrow and pity soon etched a somber expression over her face as the guards valiantly tried to refrain from crying, their attempts rather futile.

"Anamika," Amaterasu called, momentarily distracting the guards.

"Yes my lady?" a young handmaiden answered as she stepped closer to the group.

"Please escort these gentlemen to the bath house would you?" she commanded gently, a warm smile creasing her lips. "Give them the royal treatment, and see to it that they are made comfortable."

"Yes my lady," Anamika replied bowing. "As you wish, this way please."

Glancing back to the sun goddess from the handmaiden, both guards were at a loss of thought and emotion. Nodding her head, Amaterasu wordlessly replied her permission for the guards to leave.

"Do not worry," she answered as they stood on their feet. "Your friend here is in good hands. I will take good care of him."

"Thank you," one of the guards responded as he fell to his knees in praise of the goddess. "Thank you ever so much, you are most benevolent."

Smiling warmly, she nodded before shooing them off to follow Anamika. Turning her attention back to Ushiwaka, her smile soon faded as she began to study the extent of his wounds. He was unconscious and his breathing was rather shallow. Blood was a hot ticket color for his clothing as his pale complexion. Ever so gently, she carefully slid her hands underneath his shoulders and pulled his nearly lifeless body closer to hers, allowing for his head to rest upon her lap.

"How I have missed you my dear friend," she whispered softly as she proceeded to thread her fingers through his golden lochs.

Kamunari snorted as she continued to survey the now barren land of the moon's surface. The initial invasion, attack and destruction of the entire planetary body's civilization had used only one day, much to the demon's pleasure. However, she still couldn't forgive her army of the escape of the dirigible known to the late moon tribe as the Ark of Yamato. She doubted that she would have been able to destroy something so holy an artifact as that thing was anyway, so she just decided to leave the notion be and rejoice in her victory over the enigmatic moon dwellers.

"General Kamunari," one of her foot soldiers addressed, bowing deeply. "We have searched every cave, crevice, depression and hole of this place and recount no survivors."

"Very good," the demon replied sinisterly. "Were you able to sneak some soldiers into that ark that escaped?"

"Yes your highness," the soldier answered.

"Excellent," Kamunari sneered as she turned to face the massive planet known as earth. "Soon this entire galaxy will be mine, even if I have to destroy each planet, one atom at a time!"

"Hold it right there Kamunari!" a sinister voice bellowed.

"Ah, Orochi," the shape shifter announced, a wicked smile claiming her tainted lips. "What brings you to this side of the galaxy?"

"What do you think you are doing?!" Orochi roared, its eight heads growling.

"Why causing chaos," Kamunari answered smugly. "Something you should have been doing."

"Why have you even dared to take leave from our master?" the dragon questioned. "You know how vulnerable he is without a veil of shadow!"

"Well, if he's the so called Ultimate Ruler of Darkness then why doesn't he just make a veil of shadows himself?" the demon questioned hypothetically.

"You ignorant wench!" Orochi spat. "You don't even deserve the powers granted to you!"

"Says you," the shape shifter retorted. "So what are you going to do about it?"

"Why you..!" the dragon roared as it snapped its razor-sharp teeth at the demon, grazing a gash in its side.

"Ugh!" Kamunari screeched as she recoiled taking the form of an obsidian fox. "Is that the best you can do?"

Both demons roared at each other before the newly formed fox demon leapt on top of Orochi's head, clamping down on its neck with its own set of razor-sharp teeth. However, Orochi's armor was as hard as diamonds and would not yield to the other's attack. A sinister laugh emanated from the dragon's belly as the elemental head of thunder snapped at the obsidian fox, nearly biting off its tail. Whipping its head around, the head of thunder soon slammed Kamunari's body onto the moon's surface before shocking the demon with a powerful bolt of lightning.

"Foolish Kamunari!" Orochi bellowed at the writhing demon. "You are no match for me! However I'm feeling rather generous today, so I'll spare your pathetic life. Now run along home before I change my mind!"

"Why so brash Orochi?" the shape shifter questioned as she struggled to her feet. "I wouldn't get too cocky if I was you. I foresee your ultimate demise, and by a human no less."

"Silence wench!" the dragon roared. "Now run home to your mommy before I change my mind about sparing you."

A wicked smile spread onto Kamunari's lips as she limped off into the darkest recesses of the universe, her ominous cackling echoing as she took her leave. Orochi merely snorted away her memory as he turned to gaze at the earth.

Ushiwaka moaned softly as he slowly came too. Cautiously, he opened his eyes only to be met with a rather blurry environment. Inhaling deeply, he blinked a few times to focus his vision. Once his environment was focused to his liking, he proceeded to stretch his limbs, gritting his teeth as the dormant and sore muscles began to receive a regular supply of revitalizing blood. He hissed softly as sharp twinges of pain shot through his whole body, most of the pain a mere throb from being inactive for as long as he can remember.

"Well, good morning," a soft voice called from the other side of the room.

Quickly rising to a seated position, he soon coughed from the strong bolt of pain that resulted from the hasty move.

"Ow," he grunted as he leaned forward, his vertebrae popping back into place as his back arched. "Who's there?"

"What you mean to tell me you don't recognize me?" the coy voice answered, a soft giggle following the speaker's words.

"No, it couldn't be," Ushiwaka whispered to himself before lifting his head once more to gaze at his visitor.

He squinted his eyes slightly as the figure drew closer, a tray containing a hearty bowl of rice and a freshly brewed cup of tea balanced in her delicate hands. She wore a beautiful kimono, which boasted the life-giving rays of the sun as well as a plethora of cherry blossom trees and petals floating in a non-visible breeze. The kimono itself was a rather pleasing combination of red, orange, white, pink, and fuchsia. The fashionable bow that wrapped around her slim waist was a vibrant shade of purple, and her hair was tied back in a loose bun. Ushiwaka gasped as he continued to stare at the beautiful woman before him.

"Oh come on Ushiwaka," the woman teased as she placed the tray of food down beside his tatami mat.

"By the gods," he exclaimed before enveloping her into a tight embrace. "Ammy! I can't believe it! You look absolutely wonderful, yet you haven't changed a bit I see."

"Oh stop," Amaterasu commented, a light shade of pink coloring her blush line. "You're making me blush."

"I can't believe how much you've grown," he commented as he visually absorbed her person. "You look absolutely beautiful."

"Don't get too dazed lover boy," she replied as she plopped the tray of food down on his lap. "Because you have a story to tell."

"Ammy, you didn't..." he began, glancing up at his childhood friend as she stood from the floor.

"Oh, but I did," she finished. "Now eat up, 'cause we have a whole lot of years to catch up on."

"Wait!" he called, pausing as he momentarily thought of something else to say.

"Yes my dear?" she questioned in a coy voice.

"Would you mind staying here with me?" he questioned softly, his voice trembling slightly. "I mean, after all, we do have a lot to catch up on."

The deity smiled softly as she returned to his bedside as he picked up his set of chopsticks before proceeding to scarf down his breakfast. Amaterasu tilted her head as her smile proceeded to grow while watching her friend wolf down his food. Pausing momentarily to sip at his steaming cup of tea, Ushiwaka glanced over at his friend only to notice a rather large smile plastered onto her features.

"What?" he questioned, his mouth full.

"You're funny," she answered before proceeding to giggle. "Is this how you always eat?"

"For the most part," he answered as he momentarily took a break from his food. "So, how have you been?"

"I've been doing alright," she answered. "How about you? How's your father?"

His face paled at the memory as he bowed his head, cringing slightly as he was reminded of how his father met his end, the large sickle covered in his blood.

"I'd rather not talk about that," he whispered as he stared down at his half-consumed bowl of rice, his appetite suddenly alleviating him.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, gently placing her right hand on his left shoulder.

"Don't worry about it," he replied softly. "It's in the past now. There's nothing I can really do about it anymore."

"So, what have you been doing with yourself?" Amaterasu questioned, hoping to reroute the conversation.

"Eh, nothing big really," Ushiwaka answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Just training and studying."

"Your comrades had called you their captain," she began, tilting her head to the right.

"My guards!" he shouted as the thought dawned upon him. "Where are they? Are they alright?!"

"Calm down motor mouth," she chided smacking his arm. "They're fine, and probably trying to woo one or two of my handmaidens."

"Handmaidens?" he reiterated. "You mean to say you have servants now?"

"Yup, well, I am the sun goddess you know," Amaterasu bragged, tilting her head up in a dignified manner.

"Yeah right," Ushiwaka scorned. "A ditz like you? Give me a break..."

Amaterasu wrinkled her nose in disgust as she swung her right fist at him, only to have him easily catch her wrist, a sly smile soon slithering onto his features. A frown soon crossed her face as the sun goddess proceeded to wrench her wrist free of his grip. Calmly, Ushiwaka relocated the small tray from his lap onto the floor by his tatami before sharply yanking on her wrist. Without a firm foothold, Amaterasu stumbled forward, landing on top of him.

"Hey!" she retorted. "What's the big idea? Why did you..."

Her sentence of distain was quickly interrupted when he placed his right index finger over her lips. Glancing up at his face, his expression was rather unreadable as his dark, blue eyes sparkled in the morning sunlight. A soft smile soon wove onto his features as he slid his right hand back into her silky, red hair. He soon ground his teeth together momentarily when his fingers collided with the ribbon she often used to tie her hair back with. He briefly cleared his throat before carefully pulling the loosely tied ribbon out of her hair, the newly freed crimson lochs cascading down onto his clothed chest.

"Ushiwaka?" she addressed, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What are you doing?"

"You said we had a lot to catch up on," he answered as he proceeded to thread his fingers through her hair. "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you something I wanted to tell you so very long ago."

Amaterasu propped herself up on her elbows as Ushiwaka leaned against the wall behind him.

"I've started having these feelings around the time I began to read the future through meditation," he began, his eyes staring at the opposite wall unwaveringly. "My dreams often foretold of our meeting again in the near future, however my heart told me it wouldn't be like our initial adventure together as children. In fact I don't even think this could work out with how the circumstances are anyway."

"What do you mean?" she questioned as she rested her head against his broad chest.

"I mean to say that.." he paused as he sighed heavily. "You're a goddess, I'm just a mere member of the moon tribe who can accurately predict the future."

"Ushiwaka, what are you trying to say?" Amaterasu interrupted as she met his gaze. "Stop beating around the bush and just tell me already."

"In so few words, what I really mean to say is..." he began, pausing again as he built up the courage to answer. "What I mean to say is that...I think I love you."

"You love me?" she questioned as she furrowed her brow. "How can you love me? We've know each other for what...a day or two perhaps?"

"I figured you'd say as much ma chérie," he answered, a slight waver to his voice. "While it may be true that we've only known each other for a whole day at the most, from my training in the ways of various martial arts, and through vigorous meditation practices, I just feel like I've known you for much longer.

Amaterasu sighed heavily as she bowed her head.

"Ushiwaka," she began, lifting her head to gaze into his eyes. "How do you know what you're feeling isn't just lust?"

He paused momentarily as he thought of a valid answer to place before the confused deity. Sure he could tell her a variety of different excuses for why he thought what he felt was love instead of lust. However in the end, the truth is always the most sincere. Exhaling slowly, he gently wrapped his strong, yet dexterous fingers around one of her hands before placing the palm of her hand against the left side of his chest, the rhythmic beating of his heart vibrating in a steady cadence underneath.

"I know, because this tells me so," he whispered. "When it comes to mental problems and situations, I may not always know what is best. But when it comes to matters of the heart, I can rely on the fact that my heart has never steered me wrong."

"Ushiwaka," Amaterasu whispered as her eyes began to water.

"However, I must know for certain," he commented as he gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Do you have any feelings for me? I can understand if you don't...but...I must know."

"Why are you doing this to me?" she questioned softly as tears proceeded to cascade down her face.

"I must know the truth Ammy," he enforced, as his own eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Even if it hurts, I must know."

"What do I do?" she questioned herself as she searched her own heart for answers.

The answer it provided for her, however was portrayed through a prediction of her future. She was displayed as a beaten down and tired wolf who had just survived a rigorous battle. To her right, she spotted his lifeless body, splayed on a pile of snow in his own frozen puddle of blood. The reality had proven to be his demise at the hands of their enemy. Panting from the tiresome battle, she limped over to his body before raising her head toward the heavens only to unleash a heart-wrenching cry to the crimson moon that overlooked the clearing.

Amaterasu gasped as she awoke from her momentary prediction. Her sudden gasp caused the previously confused Ushiwaka to bolt upright, questions concerning her well being continuously flowing from his lips. Placing her hand over her chest, she felt her heart beat steadily, as if nothing had occurred in that short time span. She softened her gaze considerably as she headed her heart's prediction. It basically instructed her cryptically on how she would feel if the other person she cared about would die. As macabre as the method sounded, it provided a strong enough example for her to make up her mind.

"Ushiwaka," she began in an even tone, silencing the young man from his tumult of questions.

The aforementioned member of the moon tribe waited patiently for his friend to respond. A sly smile soon creased her lips as she made her decision. Instead of providing a verbal response, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gently kissed him. Initially caught off guard, he blinked in surprise, however he soon melted into the exchange of passion, snaking his toned arms around her waist in the process. As quickly as the kiss had begun, it ended, much to the disdain of Ushiwaka.

"Just promise me one thing," Amaterasu whispered as she placed her forehead against his. "Promise me that if duty calls us to go our separate ways, that you'll always remain true to your heart."

"I promise," he answered softly before tenderly kissing her again.

In the following moment, a harsh roar pierced through the atmosphere, disrupting the daily cadence of life on the Celestial Plain. Startled, both Ushiwaka and Amaterasu parted from each other to rush to one of the windows, only to gasp in horror as a massive eight headed dragon descended upon their homeland, the head that controlled the element of fire proceeding to scorch the land of all plant life and living creatures.

"Come out, come out!" the beast taunted as the other devious heads proceeded to wreak havoc using their own elements. "Where ever you are!"

"We have to fight!" Amaterasu declared as she sprinted to the closet, pulling out a few articles of clothing. "Here, get dressed. I'll meet you outside in five minutes."

"Run little Celestials run!" Orochi roared as it terrorized the heavenly civilization.

"Oh thank goodness," Amaterasu sighed once she spotted Ushiwaka jogging up to her, his katana tied to his left hip.

"So what are we dealing with here?" he questioned as they turned to stare at the massive dragon.

"Well obviously a dragon," she commented matter of factly.

"What's that in the middle there?" he addressed as he pointed to the small well-like edifice stationed at the very center of the eight fearsome heads.

"It looks like a bell of some sort," she noted.

"Great, let's go!" Ushiwaka commanded as he took off, sprinting in the direction of the dragon.

"Ushiwaka!" Amaterasu called, only to roll her eyes afterward. "Wait for me!"

Fully enjoying their terrorization of the civilization, Orochi did not count on a retaliation until a lone swordsman slammed into the lightning element's head. Roaring from the discomfort, it violently shook its head, throwing the swordsman off afterward. The disturbance had attracted the attention of the other seven heads, and soon enough the swordsman was met with eight different pairs of crimson, glowing eyes.

"Well, well," the beast chided. "What do we have here? The resistance of the Celestials? Ha ha ha ha, how funny!"

The fire head of the dragon coiled back before lunging at the swordsman, only to receive a deep cut on its snout, causing the beast to recoil, its head thrashing about.

"He's not alone Orochi," the calm voice of a second swordsman answered as she landed beside the first.

"Ah, a deity," the dragon noted. "How noble of you to defend this lowly subject."

"The only lowly subject around here would be you," the female swordsman retorted as she raised her glaive to point at the snarling beast. "You who choose to harm the innocent, shall be banished back to the fiery pits that once spawned you!"

Bounding toward the beast, she was loyally followed by her partner, their blades slashing away at the demon only managing to further anger it. Roaring harshly, the dragon swatted the two away with its heads, following up with a counter attack. Landing harshly onto the ground the two swordsmen recovered quickly to avoid the elemental furry targeted at them. Wave after wave of attempts all seemed to end in failure, fatigue weakening the duo as time passed.

"Amaterasu!" Ushiwaka called as he narrowly missed a lightning bolt. "Our attacks...have no..effect on them!"

"I know," she answered as she jumped over another shockwave created by the earth head. "There's some kind of magical barrier protecting him! I hate to say it...but, I don't think...we'll be able to..defeat him up here!"

"What do you mean?!" he shouted back before suffering a headbutt from the wind head. "Ugh!"

"I'm sorry Ushiwaka," she whispered as she glanced over at him recovering from the massive headbutt. "But this is just something I'm destined to do."

Sighing from the anxiety that had built up ever since the fight began, Amaterasu, collapsed onto a massive boulder, momentarily resting in order to build up enough spiritual and physical strength.

"Ushiwaka!" she called as her figure proceeded to glow from the reserved spiritual power. "Take whatever surviving Celestials you can find and flee to the Ark of Yamato. From there, I want you to set sail and leave this place, go and find another place where only peace and prosperity can reign. Once you find such a place, wait for me."

"Amaterasu!" he shouted as he watched his friend throw herself at the beast, her body sending a massive beam of energy at Orochi, shattering its barrier instantly.

In an ear-piercing roar, both Orochi and Amaterasu fell from the plain. With hot tears trailing down his face, Ushiwaka sprinted to the gaping hole to throw himself into to go after her only to be stopped and thrown back a few feet from a barrier she had set up to prevent such matters. Quickly recovering from the shock, he surged back toward the closing hole. While in freefall, Orochi had passed out from the shock of spiritual and holy power contained within the energy beat shot forth by Amaterasu. Hanging on by a shred of physical strength, the sun goddess managed one final sentence.

"Ushiwaka," she gasped as her power faded. "Please, wait for me."

In the moments that followed, Amaterasu succumbed to unconsciousness. Upon entering earth's thicker atmosphere, her body began to morph into that of a noble, white wolf. However, her powers of her godhood allowed for rivers of crimson shading to flow across her pristine fur, the rivers forming sacred and holy marks. Meanwhile Ushiwaka cried out in anger before pounding his fists into the ground, curses tainting his lips.

"Amaterasu," he sobbed. "Why?"

A sinister hiss was his answer followed by various choruses of growls, groans, screeches and screams as Orochi's dark minions began arising from the shadows to terrorize the remaining shreds of the heavenly civilization.

"Damn it!" he shouted as he picked up his katana and sprinted into the small village. "Everyone, follow me to safety!"

The remaining group of Celestials obediently followed his word as they sprinted to keep up with their newfound leader. As if sensing the retreat, the numbers of demons seemed to double as they teamed up to eliminate the remaining Celestials. Growling in frustration, Ushiwaka savagely sliced through any enemy that barred his path forward, often shouting over his shoulder for the Celestials to keep up. His frown soon turned into a smile however once the Ark of Yamato came into his sights.

"Almost there!" he cried as he began sprinting faster, the Celestials at his heels.

Once the survivors had finally reached the ark, Ushiwaka stopped as he practically pushed the Celestials on board, glaring at the incoming infestation of demons. Once the last survivor was on board, he quickly leapt onto the gaping hatch, depressing a small button as he entered the dark interior of the ark's hull.

"Stay here everyone!" he ordered as he sprinted up into the control room.

Activating the control panel, he frantically typed in a few codes and number sequences, activating the ships interior functions such as the lights. With his heart racing rapidly in his chest cavity, he quickly input coordinates for an adjacent galaxy to wait out the storm before returning. Meanwhile in the very bowels of the ship, a dark presence stirred from its slumber, the dark mass calling forth from the shadows multitudes of demons.

"Kill them all," a dark, ominous voice ordered before the shrieking mass of evil beings spread through the ship.

Ushiwaka sighed a momentary breath of relief as he watched the ship slowly rise into the atmosphere. However, his moment of respite was short-lived when the screams of the surviving Celestials echoed through the ship's hollow hull.

"What the?" he questioned before the internal lights began to flicker.

Turning back to the control panel, the object proceeded to display various malfunctions throughout the ark's motherboard.

"No no!" he shouted before various shadow demons poured into the room. "What the?!"

Quickly pulling his katana from its sheath, he began fending off the demons only to notice that wherever there was a shadow, these demons were produced by the bucket load. Cackling and screeching, the demons easily outnumbered Ushiwaka, and the ones that weren't fighting the swordsman, were clawing away at the various control panels scattered about the room. On such demon sliced a massive gash into one of the panels along the wall, causing a blaring siren to sound.

"Aaagh!" Ushiwaka screamed as he fell to his knees, his hands clamped tightly over his ears.

"Warning, system failure! Warning, system failure!" the computer voiced as the shadow demons quickly retreated back into the hull of the ship.

Panting from the excursion and anxiety, the sole survivor of both attacks on the only civilizations he has ever known, stared wide-eyed at the crackling display screens before him. Apparently when the demons began slashing at the control panels, one of them hit a main component when sailing a boat, the controls that regulated the function of the rudder.

"Damn it!" he screamed as the massive ark increased speed as it tore through the earth's atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Amaterasu had recovered consciousness after a long and rather rough decent from the Celestial Plain. Shaking her head vigorously, her ears soon perked up from the sound of a massive object roaring through the clouds. Sprinting up on top of a massive hill overlooking a snowy mountain range, the sun goddess prepared herself for Orochi's arrival. However instead of Orochi, her gaze revealed the object to be the runic ark that had carried the survivors of the moon tribe to the Celestial Plain.

"NO! USHIWAKA!" she screamed, however instead of her voice, her vocal chords only produced sharp barks.

With all manner of sirens and alarms blaring in his head, Ushiwaka wrapped his arms around the massive steering wheel before closing his eyes and bracing for impact.

"Amaterasu," he whispered as the ark careened toward a frozen lake high in a snowy chain of mountains. "Please, wait for me. Also, I'll leave you with...this...the secret of Orochi's bane lies within the courage of a soldier's heart and the golden glare of his trusty glaive. Amaterasu, you must find the chosen one, without him...Orochi will never meet his end."

"Warning, emergency crash landing eminent!" the computer's voice blared.

"Farewell, Amaterasu," Ushiwaka muttered before the nose of the ark impacted the frigid waters of the massive lake

Amaterasu watched in horror as the ark soon disappeared in the snowy outreaches of the frozen north. The rippling sound of a massive impact later followed the ark's disappearance. Utterly devastated from the recent events that ended with the Ark of Yamato's crash weighed heavily on the sun goddess's heart. Turning her head heavenward, she bellowed a sorrow-filled howl that caused the clouds to cover the sun and begin a calming rainstorm, purging the land of the events that had thus changed history forever.