空とロマンス
Sola to Romansu (Sky and Romance)
Return of the Legendary Heroes
3rd Arc: Attack of the Nightwitchers
Chapter 37: Dark omens predicting of Disasters to come.
The Ceremony was a complex show for itself, it included various incenses which apparently were used to let the Priestess fall into trance, while she danced in a ritual manner to the sound of a Koto. (Japanese Instrument)
This was done to come into Mental contact with Nature itself..., at least so they said.
Then the Priestess was about to prophesy a future event which would change something big here on Nippon, every year it was something quite cheerful, which mostly really happened in the end, like a rich Harvest, or a baby which was about to be born at a certain day to a certain time of the year and which should receive a certain name for it to be blessed with luck...
It were such wonders which held the believe in this Shrine festival alive and even Chino Ryu explained officially, that the Prophecies of the Priestess were something which even he could not influence, it were true predictions of the near future, which the spirit of the world allows only to a few chosen to be seen.
Such Predictions have in ancient times often saved people from disaster, they were often a blessing from heaven send, but also often a warning to the People of Nippon.
Also, so Chino Ryu´s words, the ceremony would have warned about the earthquake 10 years ago, if it would have been hold back then.
He was right, perhaps the people would have been able to be saved, if only we would have never stopped to respect the Nature.
We regretted it deeply, that's why we listened closely to every Prophecy made at this ceremony, so also to today..., the entire place was silent , expect of the ritual music of the koto and the stomps of the feet of the dancing Priestess.
Suddenly both the Music and the Priestess stopped and a nervous murmuring went through the mass as the Priestess remained Silent for a while.
"I can see the future...,oh she is bad, she is so dark and lonely, a world which has fallen I can see.
The black flames are burning strong and Millions are giving their lives, as they fight for their own desires and while other´s been deceived by HIS lies.
I see Good and Evil fighting for the supreme rule over our worlds, and he who seeks to bring death, he who read the wicked words.
I can see metal-men coming from the sky, raining down upon the world, just like a flood that washes away the past, to bring death and destruction at the dark one´s word.
He who lived through millennia, who saw how empires were born, he who saw legacies been build and destroyed and rebuild again, while over the past he will mourn.
He who can see what cannot be seen, who explored the unexplored, he who gave his everything to forge us a new future, our current Era he unveiled.
The one true king and the lasts of the ancient ones, arise for a last stand, while leaving his folk behind and brought them a savior, his own legacy born by another´s hand.
I can see the eyes of the evil and the eyes of the good, glaring at each other while steel clashes on steel, I see mountains breaking, islands dropping and countless of men suffering, over the darkness they feel.
I can see Heroes, children who arise from the ashes of their past and reach out for a better future, I see them unite and join forces together to defend their own beloved culture.
I see the enemy, the one Men who brings war with every breath he takes, he who laughs at War and the countless lies he makes.
I see children who fight for their beloved, going beyond every boundary, over every limit of their own selves, to save their home and their friends, their future and their family.
I see shield and sword being called to arms, as the One true Evil awakens from anew, when he begins to feast upon our Era, only the Celestial Order can defeat him, as once the few!"
It was silent after the Priestess spoke, not a word was uttered, not a sound was made and yet everyone felt the same as I did, I felt the coldness of this night creeping in me, through every pore of my skin.
An unnatural coldness laid upon the town, a coldness I haven´t ever felt before, not even an hour before did I managed to feel it.
It was a coldness which only was to be associated with Chaos and Calamity.
And the last words of the Priestess were all we needed to confirm, that a storm was coming upon us, a storm of the most disturbing kind.
"When the ones who bring the night, turn the sky to become a fiery sea, then the cannonballs strike heavy and there seems to be nowhere else to flee.
Then in our darkest hour after my final rhyme, they will come back to Tailsworld and bring back in their wake, the ancient time!" The Priestess spoke before remaining silent for a long time, having ended her trance.
It was silent as the truth began to sink in each one of us.
It was undoubtable of what these last few words were speaking.
Those who sought to bring war and fire over the world, those who want to ignite flame of the next War of Sun and Moon.
The Priestess prophesied their comeback, in the darkest hour of the day, Midnight.
"Lycanians!" Nami-chan whispered, having practically learned each history book, which was available at the library, down to the core.
This one silent whisper was as loud as the noise of a Meteor-strike, and a sheer panic began to move the minds of the people around us.
Everyone looked at the Clock-tower at the Market Place.
22:00 pm.
Only two hours more until Midnight.
I was still looking at the Clock as I felt the first people pushing me around as they began to walk on speedy toes back home to barricade the doors.
As I said before, the Prophecies of the Priestess had proven to be accurate for the last five years and it was written down that it also was the case in the centuries before.
So heeding the warning of Nature itself was the best the people could do, and even when I tried to calm those around me down was even I unable to suppress a sheer mass-panic from arising.
Soon I had to practically jump around to not be pushed to the ground by the people who ran past me.
"Here Junior-in training Mamoru Inukyūjo, I report a mass panic at the Shrine-place, need immediately help to calm things down!" I spoke in my Radio.
"Here speaks Chief Reito Inukyūjo, I am on my way, be careful and try to stay out of harm, we got this.
For now try to get out of there and find Matoi-chan and your friends, bring them in safety at the Market Place.
I will send your Father and your mother other there as well, good luck my Son!" Grandpa´s voice replied as I grabbed Futabas hand and gestured her to grab those of the others.
"Roger Sir, good luck to you too, over and out!" I replied before I went with my friends in tow towards the shrine to pick up Matoi.
"Mamoru-Kun!" I heard a voice and looked around until I spotted a familiar face.
"Nyanja!" I stated in relief.
"I´m so glad you are okay, where´s your Brother?!" I asked her.
"He´s with Chino Ryu, they wanted to watch the Ceremony, while I was searching for you..., but tell me what´s going on here, why is everybody in such a panic!?" Nyanja asked me dumbfounded.
"You didn´t heard, the Priestess just prophesied an Attack of the Lycanians in the next 2 hours, that's why everybody tries to get home as quick as possible and barricades the doors, you should get your brother and get into hiding together with Chino Ryu!" I explained to her and she paled.
"So it´s true, Chino Ryu has had some bad dreams lately, he kept saying that this would be a bad omen, that something bad is about to happen.
However Monja and I, we didn´t believed it and played it off, saying he might has ate too much..., he also had a bad feeling about coming here today, until we convinced him that it would only be proper to attend this special day, since we fought so bitterly for it to be held in the first place.
That´s why we came so late, guess we should have listened to him!" She told us with a terrified voice.
"I see, well we should better go and pick up your brother and my sister, as well as Chino Ryu, we have to get towards the Market place with as many people as we can get, my parents will be waiting there for us for further instructions!" I replied and she nodded.
We made our way through the masses to get towards the shrine, I saw many people running around in panic, trying to get back home to bring all their favorite and most important belongings in security.
However I also saw many people, mostly seniors, who kneeled down and began to pray for forgiveness and for the safety of all.
"MATOI..., MATOI WHERE ARE YOU!" I shouted, looking around to find a glimpse of her.
"NII-SAN, OVER HERE!" I heard a loud voice, I looked upwards above the crowd, only to see both Matoi and Monja sitting on Chino Ryu´s shoulder a few meters away by the fountain.
"Guys are you alright!?" I asked and they nodded.
"We are alright, so what shall we do, Mamoru?!" Chino-Ryu asked.
"Grandpa told me to gather as many people together and go with them to the Market Place, Mom and Dad would be waiting there!" I explained and Matoi nodded.
"Sounds just like him!" She stated.
"Indeed, well then here we go!" Chino Ryu stated and with his massive stature he went on, paved a path into the masses which ran around in a hurry.
It lasted still half an hour until we managed to get towards the Market place, since we began to gather the people who fled back home and told them what my Grandfather told them, the Name Reito Inukyūjo still had the wished weight, even here in Caninestone.
"Only 1 ¾ hours before they come!" I mumbled, as I looked at the Clock-tower.
"I can feel it in the air as well, the feeling of dark magic, it really makes my scales crawl!" Chino Ryu stated, as he looked with narrowed eyes into the Harbors direction.
"The source for this feeling lies further away from Nippon although only a few miles and it comes constantly closer.
I think it would better if we gather the people in the shelters, instead of letting them barricade themselves in their homes, I am quite sure that we will have to await an air-raid!" He explained as he concentrated on feeling what the earth under our feet is feeling, grasping this feeling from every nearby island around us.
It was a powerful ability which had saved us often in the last years, with it he was able to determine the changing of the Islands positions around us and he could keep us from accidently colliding with nearby Sky-canyons.
Although not really visible for untrained eyes were the islands of the sky always in motion, slowly drifting on top of the Plasma-cloud-sea.
"Well we can tell this towards my Father, as soon as we meet him, look over there!" I stated as I saw how around the Market Places tents have been raised, where the medics, under them also my mother, began to treat the few injured, which were harmed during the early phase of the mass Panic.
My Father meanwhile began to conduct a retrieving team which was to get the people out of their houses in security.
"Mamoru, it´s good to see you and Matoi being unharmed, anyways here is the momentarily situation.
Around 20 minutes after the Priestess word I received word from the Observatory-towers and they approved of the coming evil the Priestess saw.
10 Massive Airships are coming straight at Nippon, they are only a few miles away anymore, but the vibe they get off is definitely not a good one.
Your Grandfather and I decided to bring the People in the raid shelters, we are not quite sure what the enemy is up to, but if the Prophecy of the Dark Flames are accurate, then they surely will set fire to the Villages and Caninestone.
Mamoru, I want you and Matoi as well as your friends to travel as quickly as possible back home and conduct the evacuation over there, your mother and a medic team is going to accompany you.
Keep me updated about the progress and if anything happens then contact me..., you must understand that this is serious Mamoru, this is no training anymore, lives are at stake here and I need you to save these lives, I need you guys to hurry, You understand!?" Father asked me and I saluted.
"Sir, Yes Sir!" I exclaimed loudly and I could see my father looking at me with Pride before he ruffled my hair.
"I´m sure you can do it Mamoru, i´m proud of you, of both of you, you did a real good job up on stage Matoi..., now go, you have no more time to lose!" Father stated and we all nodded.
"Chino Ryu on a word please!" he stated as Chino ryu was about to come along.
"I need you to raise a shield against the attackers, it must hold as long as the evacuations are ongoing, can you do that?!" I heard my father asking.
"If I use my forces and the systems in the ancient Shrine to amplify them..., then I am sure I can do it..., this dominion was given to me by my Father, I am it´s guardian deity and as long as I can will I protect it!" Chino Ryu exclaimed loudly.
He hurried away, making his way through the incoming masses toward the ancient Shrine, his Home high on top of the mountain behind the City.
Meanwhile we hurried on the bus which drove us to our Village, inside my Mother raised her voice to address everyone
"Alright Children and medics, you heard what Chief Inukyūjo told you, right now we are about to be attacked, we have only a little over an hour to save everyone.
You are now responsible of conducting an evacuation in Catnip village, I want you Children to hurry from house to house and get everyone out of there into the busses, they will drive them towards the Shelter up on the hill.
Save their lives, not their belongings, even if they intent to take something with them, tell them to save themselves and their family, rather than their wealth and memories.
Memories can be lost..., but they can also be renewed.
Children, right now you are not students anymore, most of you are already adults in the eyes of the Society, some even more than others, so it is your duty to act as an adult would, don´t let anyone tell you that you are just a child and don´t know what you are talking about, no matter how stubborn they will be, get them into the busses, they surely will give their thanks to you later on!" Mom explained and we nodded.
"Ma´am, can you tell us why these airships are attacking us?!" Futaba-chan asked.
"We don´t really know, in all the time since its existence, Nippon has never been in a war with anyone, but if we are right in assuming that these are Lycanians, than they don´t even need a clear reason to attack us, however are we quite sure that they come to conquer and harm the populace, so whatever you do don´t let them get you, once they are here!" Mom replied and we all gulped in terror.
"We will soon be there Mrs. Inukyūjo!" The Bus driver explained.
"Alright prepare yourselves, each one of you will get an official mark from me and such a west, which is evident of you being here with the Order and authority of the Organization for Disaster Prevention and Public Safety of Nippon, short O.D.P.P.S.N.!" Mom explained further as she showed us such a mark, similar to the one which I wore, however in Bronze, not like mine in Silver, indicating that their mark is only temporary and on a forced-recruitment-base.
"Remember, every inhabitant of this Island is at least responsible for one of their neighbors safety, this forced –recruitment is something we only do when there is no other way, in order to safe everyone.
This recruitment has no material award, the only thing to gain from it is perhaps the honor and the glory of saving someone, be it told so from others or known only by yourselves, right now all of this doesn´t matter.
What matters most is that everyone will be saved, no matter what!" Mom stated as she stared with a serious glance at each one of us as we all saluted.
"We have arrived, alright people gather together, we have to do things quick now, get the people out of their houses and in the busses, hurry up, we are running out of time!" mom explained as we all descended from the busses as we arrived in Catnip Village.
"Mamoru, Matoi and you others, please be careful out there, safe as many as you possibly can but don´t get yourself in danger, you understand, in the end you Kids are Nippon's proud Future which must be preserved at all cost!" Mom explained as she took us all by her side.
"Your parents will be proud of you, no matter what, so go and make sure they will be saved!" she explained and we saluted.
"Ma´am, Yes Ma´am!" We said in unison as we made our way into the Village where we saw how the people were urged to gather by the busses.
"Mamoru-kun please tell me what´s going on here?" Granny Nevary, our elder neighbor and a Childhood friend of my Grandparents, asked, being afraid upon the sudden events.
"An Attack is about to be cast against us, we all shall seek refuge in the raid-shelters, that´s why we bring everyone with the busses to the location before the attack happens!" I explained to her as I brought her to the busses.
"I see so the prophecy of the Priestess was accurate again am I right, I was shocked as I watched it in the TV!" she stated.
"Well can´t say I wasn´t either, i´m glad though that we had at least a head start of 2 hours, maybe we will have a big part of the inhabitants already in the shelter before the Attack begins, so hurry on in the bus so that you will be one of them!" I stated as I helped her inside of the bus which was nearly full.
"I thank you a million times little Mamoru-kun, God bless you and your family!" Granny Nevary stated as she ruffled my hair with a smile before she sat down in the bus and the same drove off.
"Alright on to the next one!" I mumbled as I looked at my watch.
"Dammit only a half hour anymore!" I thought at the sight on my watch.
"It´s so cold out here..., as if the world begins to freeze!" I heard the voice of Mr. Canostor, the vegetable-vendor of the Village, which was brought to the busses by Matoi.
He was right, it has gone significantly colder than before, I guess I just ignored the fact because I was too busy with my task.
Even with this sudden revelation, the evacuation went well..., at least before the first bombs were falling, even from here, 10 miles from the Capital city away, we could hear the noises.
"Oh my God!" Mom stated with her hands clasped in front of her mouth as she looked in the town's direction.
Here on the hill it was well to see how the flames began to sat the town on fire, I felt how my knees got weak as I saw a giant Airship appearing out of the smoke coming straight at us
"Alright do we have everyone, then into the busses, let´s get out of here!" Mom shouted as the last bus was filled.
I looked after my home as the bus drove off, I looked a last time at these familiar houses and the familiar Elementary school which I used to visit, I looked at the old Guards-tower in the back where me and my friends used to play, and which had burned almost down due to a failed firework, fore-last year.
I saw how the Airship came closer and how a cannonball, like meteor, rushed with a fiery tail towards the school, crashed with an almighty noise inside and set it in seconds ablaze.
With the terror before my eyes, with the horror creeping into every pore and the sorrow in my heart, I saw how my home burned down in Flames.
"Mamoru!" I heard Nyanja saying as she gently squeezed my palm, standing next to me, watching the smoke rising higher as the bus drove further away.
"How anyone can simply do something like that..., I mean destroying the existence of hundreds..., with the push of a button?!" I asked breathlessly.
"There are things in our world which devoid of any sane logic, people who do such things have no heart, no conscience, no feeling for right or wrong, they simply do it out of their own conviction that they stand above anyone else!" Mom explained as he tried to hold back her tears.
"People who believe to be kings or Gods, send to rule the world in their own fashion, forcing heir believes upon everyone else, leaving nothing but destruction, ash, dust and shattered bones, on which they build their empire!" She continued as the tears began to fall.
"The Inukyūjo Clan is since ancient times one of the few oldest clans in Nippon, living since its creation on this Island, our Family fought in the war of Sun and Moon, and even lived through the Era of the belligerent States, as one of the Seven Swords of the Lunar King.
This is all I could save and it is perhaps the most important treasure of our family, I want it to belong to you Mamoru, as the oldest of you Two.
If ever something happens go and find this location which is shown on this map!" Mom explained, as she gave me a beautiful wooden box, on which I could see several pictures, which tell the story of the previous eras.
Right in the middle, on top of the cover, was a Large Crest, I identified it as the Inukyūjo-Clan´s crest.
I opened the box only to find a leathery pouch in which I could feel vellum, perhaps the said map, I also saw a small dagger, made of clear crystal, richly ornamented and with the Family crest on the hilt.
"This treasure has been given from father to father, your father told me to someday give it to you, should he be unable to do so.
Mamoru, please promise me that you use this dagger only to protect..., never to kill someone out of sheer spite!" Mom explained and begged of me.
"I will, I swear it on the graves of my Ancestors!" I stated with honest voice.
"This dagger is able to become a full-fledged sword, for the one it choses as a rightful bearer and in his most dire moments it will become the sword, to defend those dear to him.
The name it bears is Crysaventu, which means Crystal-wind, it has been forged in Mina, the home of the Taurhizas!" Mom explained, as she showed me the ornaments where I could see beings with large horns standing around an anvil with hammers.
She pointed at the name, engraved on the hilt.
"Whenever you need it, just think his name, not here, but here!" She told me pointing at my heart.
"I will do so!" I stated and she nodded as she embraced me and Matoi.
"DAMMIT; EVERYONE HOLD ON TIGHT!" We heard the bus driver shouting as suddenly a loud noise was to hear and the whole bus skid across the street as the road began to collapse.
"Dammit they bombarded the bridge´s pillars, if we don´t get off here we will fall down!" He stated as he maneuvered the bus across the Bridge, which began to break apart, as the pillars underneath were breaking from the heat and the impact of the bombs.
The bus driver drove the bus at full throttle over the bridge.
"Yes we made it..!" He began to shout as the last meters of the bridge were in sight.
"Oh shit!" he shouted as another impact caused the street before us to collapse and tilt to the side, one part of the bridge collapsed and began to fall backwards while the part we were driving to rose up in the sky, creating a ramp over which we practically flew with the bus.
"Oh my lord and all his holy, please let us making it!" The bus driver prayed, while everybody else screamed as the Bus began to rise higher and higher, before descending in a nosedive towards the other side of the bridge.
We made it, even though the bus was completely smashed by the impact, he skidded over the street, while turning head over heels, throwing the inmates from one side to another, I held Matoi and Nyanja in my tight grasp shielding them with my body, while Ren and Masashi did the same.
The bus finally stopped turning and managed to stop just in front of the cliff.
"Everyone alive?!" someone asked and I heard some murmuring in approval.
"Alright everybody get out of the bus but carefully we don´t know if it might not fall over the cliff!" The bus driver stated
Of course was everyone shaken from this sudden twist of fate and they all wanted to get out of the bus as soon as possible.
"Alright let´s get out of here Mamoru!" Ren stated as he guided Futaba out taking her hand carefully, Masashi and Nami followed behind them.
"Alright let´s go girls!" I stated as I wanted to step forwards.
"Owwww, wait Mamoru!" Nyanja stated as she shouted in pin, I looked back to see her on her knees.
"I think my knee is sprained!" she explained, as she tried to stand up but fell back with a hiss, I looked to see a her foot standing in a wrong angle.
"I see, okay, Matoi take mom, Monja you help Mrs. Nevary , get out of the bus as fast as possible, Matoi help mom with treating the injured, I will get Nyanja out of here!" I explained as they nodded and helped the two women to get out of the bus.
"Alright Nyanja, think you can get on my back?!" I asked her as I kneeled down in front of her.
"I think so, sorry to be such a burden!" She replied near the tears, although i´m not sure if it was the pain or selfdoubt.
"You are not a burden Nyanja, this could also have happened to myself, the most important is to get you out of here safely!" I stated to her, as I gently caressed her cheek.
"M-M-Mamoru!" She stammered blushing.
"Anyways, let´s get you out of here, hop on!" I stated as I turned around blushing myself, while I felt how she began to climb on my back.
I blushed even deeper red, as I felt her chest pushing in my back.
However the focusing on my momentarily task cleared my head, as soon as it was fogged with this strange feeling of acknowledgement.
Acknowledgement that Nyanja was growing to become a really beautiful woman.
I carefully made my way out of the bus as best as I can, I felt the heat rising all of a sudden and I smelled the stingink ordor of burning plastic and gasoline.
Wait..., gasoline?
"Oh shit!" I thought as I began to panic and frantically took my steps forward as fast as possible.
"You know..., this somehow reminds of how you saved me, back then when the tower in Catnip Village was burning and the firework flew astray and put the whole field around in flames.
I scrapped my knees back then and you took me piggy-back, to get me away from the tower and the burning fields, you were so cool back then..., my hero, my prince in shining armor!" Nyanja stated shyly, her head pressed on my back and I thought she might have inhaled too much smoke.
It was unusual for her to speak such words with such a soft voice, not that she didn´t know how to speak like a girl in love, at least I think so, but she never seemed so incredibly sensitive to me.
Usually she was loud brash and adventurous, but never shy and sensitive, at least that was how I got to know her.
"I remember!" I only said as I walked further while the heat just kept on rising.
I sweated like hell and my feet stumbled across the floor of the bus.
"I´m sorry, I know I am heavy, I've gained some weight lately, even Chino Ryu said so!" Nyanja stated after a while as we almost were at the bus's backdoor.
"No you´re not, there´s just so much of things lying in my way, I've got to be careful where I step!" I said to her, but she only chuckled.
"Always a Gentleman, aren´t you!" she playfully mocked me as we finally managed to get out of the bus.
"Alright now we have to find a way to get to the shelter as quick as possible!" I heard mom stating.
"Sure, okay..., and how are we supposed to do that..., I mean we have many injured people, some even unable to walk properly..., they have aircrafts with cannons and they have most likely heat-scan or other technology with which they can find us, no matter what, it won't be easy to get away.
The shelters are at the foot of the Mountain behind the city and it are 10 miles from here towards the city alone, and another 5 miles to the foot of the mountain, well at least if we even get so far, before we get spotted and hunted down!" The Bus driver stated, losing his hope.
"I Know it won´t be easy, but if we don´t try then we all going to die out here, as you said many of us are injured and need immediate medical treatment, but out here aren´t we able to do much, we need the medical center in the Raid-shelter to treat anyone.
I don´t know how, but me must give our bests and try to get there as soon as possible and before the enemy can find us, it doesn´t seems as if they have already spotted us!" Mom replied and we all began to find new hope we all nodded in excitement as we made our way, Nyanja still on my back and the injured between those strong men who managed to help them.
To be continued...