Chapter Five: Revelation
Tenchi Masaki awoke back home after a very, very long time away.
It had been a surreal experience making his report to the Earth government. And with all the outrage over what was going on, he'd been under a ground deal of stress. Even so, he was finally done with his current work.
So here he was... home.
Tenchi did not much feel much different as old habits came back to him. Stepping down the stairs, he appreciated the brighter colors for a bit. Then he headed out toward Grandpa's house. It was a one-story house situated near the top of the mountain. Approaching it, Tenchi found Grandpa training.
"Grandpa, I'm just going out to tend the fields," said Tenchi. "Can I burrow your hoe?"
"Hmm, whatever happened to the one at the main house?" asked Grandpa.
"It broke," said Tenchi.
"Already?" asked Grandpa. "We've only bought it a year ago."
"They don't make gardening tools like they used to, I guess," said Tenchi sadly. "Though um... technically speaking, we don't really need it. To be fair, I have been using it a lot more since I got back from Mars."
"So you have," said Grandpa. "Tell me, what were the trees like on Mars?"
"Nonexistent, Grandpa," said Tenchi.
Grandpa blinked. "Surely, they must have planted them as part of the terraforming."
"Actually, we most planted first growth organisms," said Tenchi. "The kind of thing that wouldn't get wiped out by a wind storm. Heck, we didn't even leave the bubble shield for the most part, and most of the time were indoors.
"Then uh..."
"The whole facility fell apart," guessed Grandpa.
"Yeah," said Tenchi.
"Well, you should be grateful to be alive," said Grandpa, getting the hoe. "Remember that discipline is its own reward, and a life of ease is its own punishment.
"Here you go. Just remember to finish up and be done in time for sword practice."
"Yes, Grandpa," said Tenchi, not looking forward to the latter.
Heading back to the field, Tenchi was glad Grandpa had kept an older hoe. In the old days, farming implements had been made to last—a shart contrast to the mass-produced ones with subpar metal you could buy today.
Still, working on the fields gave Tenchi something to do with his time. So he thought to himself as he did. "Well, I've had a lot more time on my hands. I wonder how my old classmates are doing? I didn't really get to keep in touch. A lot of people in town moved off-world though, to other planets looking for work."
As he worked, however, he saw a stunningly beautiful Juraiam Woman walking down the path. She was dressed in concealing robes. But he was nevertheless very beautiful, and she walked toward him. "Hello there?"
What was a Juraian doing out here? "Oh, um, hello? Can I help you with something?"
"Oh, no, I'm not in any need of assistance. I'm just taking a walk," said the woman.
"You're a long way from civilization, then," noted Tenchi. "Aside from my house, there isn't much around."
She smiled. "Yes, well, I find I enjoy Earth's mountain air."
"Oh, so you are from Jurai, then," said Tenchi.
He'd been almost certain of it. You didn't get the kind of perfect, unmarred beauty she had on Earth.
"How did you guess?" asked the woman. "I thought my clothes would help me stay incognito."
If that was what she thought was incognito, she was off by a few centuries at least. "Well, the appearance, to be honest.
"I mean, not a lot of Earthlings are quite so... well... perfect in complexion and appearance. Usually, they have to do a lot of makeup and exercise to appear the way most offworlders do naturally.
"As for why I thought you were from Jurai, well, they are running Earth these days. So it seemed a natural choice."
"I suppose the Emperor does hold authority over Earth," noted the woman. "But we much prefer to let regional governments mind their own affairs. Though, I admit, we've had to... meditate once or twice in certain places. The middle east of your world has some very troublesome people in it."
"Yes, well, it's never been a favorite vacation destination," said Tenchi. The Middle East had been... unpleasant. To say their culture hadn't meshed well with Jurai was an understatement.
"May I ask you something?" asked the woman.
"Yes?" asked Tenchi.
"Why are you farming by hand?" she said. "Your world had developed many machines to do the task for you. And Jurai has provided power that ensures no one needs to toil in such a way."
"I don't know," said Tenchi. "I guess because I enjoy doing it. I've been handling farming like this since I was a kid. My Mom taught me to do it. I'd hate to sit at home watching TV all day, and all the universities of Earth are kind of obsolete now."
"Obsolete? What do you mean?" asked the woman.
"Well... after we made it to Mars, Jurai unveiled itself to us," said Tenchi. "It turned out that they had access to science and knowledge we'd never even heard of. Most of it we couldn't even learn because we lack psychic power."
"Psychic power?" asked the woman. "You mean that Earthling term for the Jurai power?"
"Actually, it's more of a catch-all phrase for anything we don't really understand yet," said Tenchi. "Some people call it magic. Although from what I hear, the lingo has actually become pretty far spread. Nobody thought about psychic power until they ran into a race that didn't have it.
"See, we never really had any power. So we had to develop a civilization from scratch by figuring out how things worked."
"I know a thing or two about how Earth used to be myself," said the woman, smiling as she looked out. "This is not my first visit. Though I admit, things have changed a great deal since then.
"Are you really content just living as a farmer?"
"Yeah, pretty much," said Tenchi. "I mean, I'd planned to do some work in Tokyo at some point. But, I've never really been a very ambitious person. So long as I can work on something I enjoy and don't have to worry about feeding my family, I don't mind.
"And well... world hunger is no longer a problem thanks to Jurai, is it?"
"No, I suppose it is not," she said with a smile. "It's something we're very proud of, you know. Earth got a very bad hand in terms of starting positions. But we're working to fix that even now."
"What's your name, by the way? What brings you all the way out here?" asked Tenchi.
"My name is Funaho," said the woman. "As for why I'm here, I'm very interested in speaking with a monk who lives here, Kasuhito I believe, is his name."
"Oh, my Grandfather?" asked Tenchi in surprise. "Well, I'm sure he'll be glad to speak with you. I can take you to him if you let me just finish up."
"I'll wait, of course," said Funaro.
Tenchi set to work and remembered Funaho was the name of the Juraian Queen. He hoped he hadn't offended her by asking her to wait. Fortunately, she seemed to be content just to watch. Soon enough, he finished plowing the fields and put the tools away. From there, he led her up the path to Grandpa's house.
"Grandpa!" he said.
Kasuhito came out. "Tenchi, you're back from the fields a little early today? It's not like you to take breaks before the job is done."
"Sorry, Grandpa, but there's a Juraian woman here to see you. She's really beautiful," said Tenchi.
"Well, most Juraian women are as they say," said Grandpa. "By all means, let her come forward."
Then Funaho stepped forward and smiled. "It's been a long time, Yosho."
Grandfather stiffened, and Tenchi blinked in surprise. For a moment, he looked strange, then he stepped forward. "...Well, I suppose this meeting was inevitable, wasn't it?"
"I'm surprised it was delayed this long," said Funaro.
"Uh, Grandpa, what is going on?" asked Tenchi.
"It's a somewhat long story, Tenchi," said Grandpa. "However, this woman is your Great-Grandmother, Funaho."
"What?!" said Tenchi. "I mean... Grandpa, how is this even possible?"
"It's a bit of a long story, Tenchi," said Grandpa. "You see, my original name when I came here was Yosho, and I was a Prince of Jurai. For various political reasons, I chose to leave that life behind me."
"Why didn't you tell me about this? Does Dad know?" asked Tenchi.
"Yes, your Father knows. On my behalf, he's been keeping the details a secret," said Grandpa.
Tenchi wondered if this was the kind of thing he ought to react to. "But I mean... why not say anything?"
"Yes, I must ask the same question, Yosho," said Funaro.
"It never really mattered, Tenchi," said Yosho. "And after all, Jurai has only been here for a few years. For all, I knew you'd live your entire life without knowing about them. I'm not really Yosho anymore, and telling you that I was an alien space Prince wouldn't have done you any good."
Tenchi paused, thinking things over. "Did Mother know?"
Grandpa nodded. "Oh yes, I told her when she was eighteen.
"But, the truth is, I'm not Yosho anymore."
"What do you mean 'you aren't Yosho?'" asked Funaho. "It's only been a few centuries since you left. You don't mean to say you've become a different person in that time?"
"...It's been a bit longer for me, Mother," said Yosho. "Earthlings don't live nearly as long as Juraians. I've made many friends and seen many of them die of one thing or another. Though you should remember as much, given that you are an Earthling yourself."
"That's right. I remember the news reports said that you were the inspiration for some of our myths. Like Princess Kaguya," said Tenchi. "A friend of mine who was really into mythology was very upset about that."
"Why would he be upset?" asked Funaho.
Tenchi paused and remembered just how enraged Mark had been. "Well, it's like a magic trick.
"Once you know exactly what happened behind the scenes, there isn't any magic in the trick. Without the mystery, it just isn't as interesting."
"Hmm, well, I'm sure Jurai has other mysteries to keep Earth occupied with," said Funaro. Tenchi thought her bearing was a bit dismissive.
"I do not mean to seem impertinent, Mother, but may I ask why you decided to come here now?" asked Grandpa.
"Well, I was hoping you would come forward eventually yourself," said Funaro. "However, you were choosing to be stubborn, so I came to you."
"Really?" asked Grandpa. "And to what do I owe the honor of this... visit?"
"I need you back, Yosho," said Funaho simply. "Azusa needs an heir, and it needs to be you."
"No," said Grandpa in a very different tone.
"No?" asked Funaho.
"Absolutely not," said Yosho. "You'll forgive me my candidness, but I've become an old man on Earth. I know myself well enough to know what I am and what I am not.
"And I am not fit to be Crown Prince of Jurai.
"Not anymore. Perhaps I never was."
Funaro shifted. "You mean it, don't you?
"Does this have to do with you and Kagato?"
"Actually yes, if you must know," said Grandpa. "And I'll tell you all the details now, but not in front of Tenchi."
"Why can't I hear this?" asked Tenchi, who wanted to know more.
"Permit an old man the opportunity to keep his secrets, Tenchi," said Grandpa. "They are... painful memories."
"Right, alright," said Tenchi. "Is there anything I can do?"
"If you could make us both some tea, it would be... very helpful, Tenchi," said Grandpa.
Tenchi nodded, realizing Grandpa wanted him gone. So he walked off toward the house as he did, putting his hands in his pockets. "Right, sure.
"Geeze, this has been crazy, hasn't it? I haven't had anything this weird happen since the Mars mission got stopped by the Galaxy Police."
Coming to the door, he opened it and walked in. "Hey, Dad! Dad?!"
Nobuyuki Masaki was busy drawing another house for a client. The housing industry was one of the very few that hadn't gotten damaged by Jurai. Far from it, new houses were built all the time with all the new people coming and going. "What is it, Tenchi? I'm in the middle of something?"
"Oh, Grandpa's alien relatives have shown up; I need to make him some tea," said Tenchi.
Nobuyuki nodded. "Oh, well, I was wondering when they'd show up. You'll find the tea in the top cupboard.
"Hey, when did you learn about that stuff?"
"Oh, just now," said Tenchi, beginning to make the tea. "It makes sense, actually. I mean, I've always been a bit faster and smarter than everybody else in school. So me being part Juraian sort of fits."
"You know, you need to be less unphased about things," said Nobuyuki. "Would it kill you to freak out a little?"
"Would it help?" asked Tenchi.
"I guess not," said Nobuyuki.
Tenchi made the tea, then transferred it into a thermos. From there, he brought it up the hill as quick as he could. Coming to the door, he opened it and found Funaho and Grandpa speaking together. "Uh, Grandpa, Queen Funaho-"
"Just Funaho, please Tenchi," said Funaro.
"Right, well, I've got your tea," said Tenchi, glad he wasn't expected to call her grandmother.
"Thank you, Tenchi, please sit down," said Funaro. "This concerns your future."
"Oh, really? How?" asked Tenchi, pouring both of them tea.
"Well..." said Funaro. "Yosho has told me some things that make his perspective far clearer. I can see why he does not want to return, and I respect his decision. Nevertheless, I still am in need of an heir to Emperor Azusa, my husband.
"I'm told that you've been having trouble finding your purpose in life."
"Well, I had planned on going to college, but most of the universities closed down," said Tenchi. "Wait, you don't mean me?"
"Why not?" asked Funaho. "You seem like a bright, friendly young man. You're dutiful about performing your chores. And you have a great sense of personal responsibility. Such qualities are those of someone who deserves greater responsibility."
"But I don't know anything about ruling or running an Empire," said Tenchi.
"Well, you don't have to worry about that," said Funaro. "Juraians are more or less immortal. You're far more mature both emotionally and physically than others your age. And there will be plenty of time to learn. Of course, your status as an heir isn't guaranteed, but I'll be happy to give you the opportunity."
"Why me?" asked Tenchi.
Funaro and Granda looked at one another. Finally, Funaho gestured to Grandpa. "...That's a somewhat complicated question.
"Even Jurai isn't without its factions. At present, the heir apparent if Azusa were to die is a man named Kagato. He's a very accomplished scientist and warrior. However, he lacks the temperament to rule."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Tenchi.
"It's somewhat complicated, Tenchi," said Grandpa. "Suffice to say that Kagato has been to Earth as well, and his stay here was not pleasant. It changed him a great deal."
"Kagato has become antisocial, angry, and vengeful, even if he does a very good job of hiding it," said Funaro. "While he is loyal and highly intelligent. He has become mentally unstable beneath the surface. Often he snaps at people who are trying to help him and spends hours pouring over technology.
"The Emperor of Jurai is not merely a position. The Emperor is imbued with immense power beyond imagining. It is given by the Goddess Tsunami herself. I am... doubtful that Kagato would make a very good match."
"So you want me to cut him out of his inheritance?" asked Tenchi, not liking the idea.
"I want you to prove yourself worthy of succession," said Funaro. "Kagato will no doubt understand the reasoning; his Mother and I have been friends for years.
"Of course, if you aren't up to it, other arrangements can be made.
"Still, this is an opportunity to rule the entire universe, or a large part of it."
Tenchi shook his head. "I don't want to rule the universe.
"I'd much rather keep working with my hands and spend time with friends. But, from the sounds of things, you have good reasons for wanting me to help you. And, if Grandpa thinks it is a good idea, I guess I can try to help you out."
Funaro blinked. "No personal ambition?
"Now that is impressive. I can see why my sources spoke so highly of you."
"Sources?" asked Tenchi.
"Your encounter with Kiyone Makibi of the Galaxy Police was brief. But she suspected who you were due to your physique. From there, she made inquiries and learned about your location. Once done, she informed us.
"Please forgive her. Standard policy when finding an undiscovered member of the Royal Family is to report it. Not doing so can, and has, led to disaster."
"What kind of disaster?" asked Tenchi.
"The Jurai Power is immense," said Grandpa. "And like all powers, it can be turned to evil uses. There have been times where members of Jurai became among the worst demons in the universe. Precautions thus have to be taken."
"I suggest you prepare and say your goodbyes. I'd rather begin your education immediately," said Funaro.
"Could we do it on earth?" asked Tenchi.
"We could," said Funaro. "But I think you need to see the majesty of Jurai for yourself before you make any decisions."
"Okay," said Tenchi, thinking that he probably could do a lot of good like this. "But... I don't want to make any commitments just yet, Funaro. If I don't think I can do this job, or I think it's not a job I'd want to do, I reserve the right to say no."
"Understandable, of course," said Funaho with a smile. "Now, prepare for a long journey.
"I promise you, it will be like nothing you've ever imagined."
Tenchi went to pack.