Hi everyone, time for the bonus chapter. If you recall what I said in the first chapter, there will be one tale I'll use specifically for the bonus ch and here it is. The first part (prologue) will be Lumina's P.O.V and when we dive into the bonus part (introduction), it will be through the P.O.V of the protagonist... Just like in the actual game. Enjoy.
Bonus Chapter: The Ancient Tale of Minokichi and Oyuki
Prologue:
It has been three months since my stay in Scotland with Sophia. The snow has already melted and flowers will soon blossom from the soil and the trees. I was in a rocking chair, enjoying the sweet scent of Spring. Remembering the book that Paul gave me, I took it out and started to read the cover. It seemed that I'll be reading a story about Mother Holle's older sister, Yuki-Onna.
Introduction:
It all began on that blizzard night. We were traveling up in the mountains when the storm came. My father told me that we must stay for the night in a lone cabin. As the last spark of flame died down, the wind howled even louder. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or if I just imagined it or if I'm just crazy. But I was sure I heard footsteps quietly creaking against the wooden boards. I dare take a peek and turned around. There, I saw a figure of what looks like a beautiful woman. She has long white hair, skin that can hid her easily in the white snow, and her robe was very traditional. A white kimono with blue snowflake patterns and a light blue tightly wrapped sash around her waist.
My father died from the extreme cold for I heard no sound from him. Still, I have to make sure.
"F-Father?"
Unfortunately, taking the risk of calling him out got the woman's attention. I was too shocked to even hear what the woman told me as she got closer. Whatever she told me, I couldn't hear. All I can only focus on is the face of this woman. It was strange though because after a while, I couldn't recall much of that night. Mostly, all I remembered were those piercing blue eyes...
I watched as Oyuki stood up, her back towards my face.
"What's wrong, Oyuki?" I asked.
"I thought I told you to never speak of that night." she spoke in an emotionless tone.
"Eh?"
"Why? Why did I have to meet you of all people..."
"W-What did I do wrong, Oyuki?"
"I once told you that if you dare speak of that night to anyone, you will face the same fate as your father and..." her appearance started to change. Her beautiful long, silky black hair turned white as the fresh snow. Her clothes turned into a white kimono with snowflake patterns. "If you did, I have to kill you."
She turned to look me as I remember that face on that night.
"O-Oyuki." I called out her name in fear, perhaps even in dread.
"You may have broken your promise, but I won't break mine. However, I cannot because of my love for our children... And for you."
She looked so sad that I wanted to go up and comfort her, but then she clutched her head in her hands and screamed in agony before she disappeared.
"Oyuki!" I called out.
I have to go and find her. I want to know why... I wanted answers. However, I can't just leave my children all alone. Someone needs to watch over them. Perhaps my neighbor can.
Going out of my house, I knocked on his door.
"Yes, what is it you want, Minokichi?" the neighbor asked.
"Can you please watch over my children?" I asked.
"Isn't your wife, Oyuki, watching over them?" he questioned.
"Oyuki is gone and I have to find her." I explained.
"I see, but I need my good luck Omamori." he replied.
Sighing, I returned to my house to search for his Omamori. In a pile of toys that the children created, I searched for the pieces to get the lucky amulet. Returning to my neighbor, I gave him the Omamori.
"Here you go."
"Ah, arigatÅ, Minokichi. I shall watch over your children while you find your wife."
Nodding, I returned to my house to gather some things. I needed to find the keys. Searching through the Living Room, I picked up a coat. I will need it for the cold weather. On the table, there was a box that Oyuki brought with her when I first met her. I still can't believe that Oyuki is the very Yuki-Onna who left me fatherless. I can't even believe how clueless I was! Even her name hints it. Nevertheless, I still love her despite the crime she had committed.
My time spent with her as Oyuki, she cannot be a ruthless person, can she? It just doesn't seem like her to kill...
The box was missing one of the keys that I need. Going to the Kitchen, I picked up several keys. There were so many, but all I need were the keys to the door, Oyuki's box, and the shed outside.
Returning to the Living Room, I put the blue key in and opened the box. It was a heart-shaped locket, a gift I gave to Oyuki after our marriage. For her to put this in her precious box, it must hold some sentient value. Maybe it will help me on my adventure.
On my way out the door, I picked up the map to show me the way around the area. Using the door key, I opened the door and head outside. I turned back to see my neighbor entering my house.
"Good luck in finding Oyuki." he told me.
"Yeah..." I trailed off as he closed the door.
Out in the freezing cold, I opened the map. I have to get to the mountain base, where I last saw Oyuki as Yuki-Onna. Plus, many tales reported of a woman wandering the mountains in snowy storms. However, I won't be able to leave with all this thick snow around. I have to go into the Shed. Along the way, I picked up a memory stone. The name themselves are pretty explanatory, so I don't think I have to explain to you what they are. Going to the Shed, I used the last key to unlock the doors. Upon entering, I have to look for pieces to complete the shovel.
Once completed, I had to clear the snow and get rid of the ice. While I was digging out the snow, I found a lantern. It would help if there were some matches. When I got a few feet away from home, I saw a stone guardian. That's where the memory stones come in. I place the first stone into the stone guardian's hand. Taking it, the guardian's eyes glowed. I was visited by past visions as it spoke.
Once long ago, there lived a Snow Fay who was serene and beautiful as the snow named Yuki-Onna. She, however, was in a mental conflict between her duties in bring Winter and desires to experience human love, much like her little sister. One day, while working in the fields, she encounters a shard of the fractured False Mirror, whose pieces have scattered across the world for the first time when it broke. Having contact with the cursed object, Yuki-Onna changed. On one night, she created a blizzard, forcing a father and his son to take refuge in a cabin. Influence by the mirror shard, she killed the old man on impulse and threatens the son...
I never knew... So it wasn't in Oyuki's nature to kill! It was this mirror shard that caused her to do it!
"You seek answers..." the stone guardian trailed off.
"How do I get to the base of the mountain?" I questioned.
"Head to the Dark Path, but you'll need a match so you can see in the cold patch." it gave me a box of matches.
Taking it, I set off to the Dark Path. It lead to the forest, and it was quite dark... In a creepy way. The trees all curled like hands and I can't help, but feel that there are many eyes looking at me. Needing some light, I took out the matches and lit the candle in the lantern. As I wander around the path, I thought I heard someone crying. It was a woman's voice. Could it be my wife?
I ran up the path to be disappointed. This woman was not my Oyuki, but I went over to see if I can help her.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"A life will soon end. I cry and shed tears for their soon timely demise." she spoke. "Could it be yours... Or Oyuki? Which one of you am I crying for?"
"Who are you?"
"I am a Banshee." the Banshee answered.
She almost looked like Oyuki. Except, her dress was not a kimono and it was dyed red with blood.
"Can I move on? You're blocking the-" I got cut off.
She let out a wailing scream that throw me back, "No! No one can continue along the path until I can moved on myself!"
After resuming to crying, I have to find something that will help the Banshee moved on. There was something that caught my eyes in a pile of branches. Moving them around, I found a picture of someone.
Giving it to the Banshee, she exclaimed in excitement, "Oh, this is the picture of my lady from one of the great family! How careless of me to have dropped it."
As she stood up, her red dress turned completely white, now that she is no longer crying. She step aside and grants me entry.
"You don't happen to know where Oyuki went, right?" I asked.
"You'll have to summon her, but beware, Minokichi, she might not be the wife you know her." she warned as she gave me another memory stone before disappearing.
What is she talking about? I will save Oyuki, no matter what! Walking out of the Dark Path, I've stepped into the mountain base.
Hopefully, you've enjoyed this bonus chapter so far. I don't think there were parables back in ancient times, especially in Japan. So I changed the parables into memory stones. And three memory stones equal one parable.
Omamori is Japanese for amulet in case you didn't know that.
Please leave a review. See you soon!
