Chapter One : An Unfortunate Detour

A girl is wandering towards a waterfall, and a strong instinct beckons her go behind the waterfall. Once behind the falling water, she enters a dark, damp cave.

Despite the cold surroundings within the cave, she feels a warm presence within it's walls and she traveled deeper into the cave.

She then hears an ethereal female voice say throughout the cave, "Young one, it's up to you to save us all."

The girl looks around in the darkness in confusion as she asks the voice, "I don't understand. Who are you? Save you from what?"

The voice replies sweetly, "All will become clear soon. Find me and I shall explain."

She then feels the warm presence begin to leave the cave and she panics as she exclaims, "Wait! How do I find you?!"

The voice didn't reply and it was then that everything went black. A girl then awakes in a upright position from within her bed inside her room, her heart pounding.

She sighs and rubs her eyes as she says sleepily, "Wish I knew why I keep having this dream."

She looks out the ship's window and sees that it was noon and gets out of bed to get dressed. She puts on a pink kimono with white flower designs on the sleeves that ended down by her feet. The floral pattern adorned the hem of the kimono as well. She wraps a purple obi around her waist. Slipping on her purple getas, she then grabs her comb and begins to tend to her long hair that had become riddled with bedhead. Once she was finished, she grabs her drawstring bag and slings it across her shoulder as she then exits her chamber and goes to the deck above.

Atop the deck she is greeted by a cool breeze and she hums happily at it's gentle touch. She then walks over to the ship's railing and looks around. They had come far out to sea and far away from her homeland heading towards a new land far away. The ship that she was sailing on was a wooden fleet sail ship known as the Ocean Star. After months aboard the ship, the passengers knew her by the name of Ayame Tsuruko.

She was a kind and gentle eighteen year old girl with a slim, endowed figure. She had fair skin and long black hair with straight-cut bangs and forelocks in the front. Her most distinguishing feature was her silver eyes though their color was a mystery to her as neither of her parents had this color and most people in her homeland had coal or brown colored eyes.

Ayame hears the captain of the ship call out out to his crew, "Keep her steady. We'll be passing the South Ocean islands soon."

Suddenly, the ship rocks violently and Ayame grabs onto the railing for balance. When the shaking subsided, she looks around to see the cause but sees nothing. She then turns and sees several people and crew men come aboard the deck in a panic.

She then hears the captain ask in a loud voice, "What's the matter?"

She hears one of the crew men respond in a rushed voiced that was filled with fear as he replies, "Captain, we collided with something just now and water is flowing into the boiler room. Our ship is going to sink."

Ayame gasps in horror at the news and the captain quickly shouted out, "Hurry and launch the lifeboats or we won't survive."

Everyone begins to make their way to lifeboat area when the ship rocks violently once more, making them fall and sending Ayame off balance as she falls over the railing of the ship. With a loud splash, she falls into the cold ocean water. She swims back up to the surface and inhales a gulp of fresh air.

She then notices the ship moving further away with the ocean current as it slowly began to sink. If anyone was still aboard, they most likely would be too full of panic to hear her call for help. Taking her life into own hands, she fearfully glances around and sees an island in the distance. She begins to swims her way towards it and after a what felt like an hour, she reaches it, though the exertion made her exhausted and she passes out upon the sand.

Ayame later comes to as she feels a cool sensation caress across her forehead and her eyes flutter open. Her vision is blurry at first, but soon focuses enough to see the face of a young girl hovering over her who says gently, "Ah, you've woken up. Thank goodness."

She sits up slightly as the girl takes her cloth away then takes in the girl's appearance. She looked to be the same age as her. On her body was a red dress with interesting patterns weaved within it that bared her shoulders and came down just above her knees.

She had medium long brown hair tied in a low ponytail and magenta colored eyes. She wore a red and yellow triangle designed headband on her head and upon her ears were medium sized gold circle earrings. Strapped on her back was a machete, it's shape was curved like the moon.

Ayame glanced around warily, it appeared that they were in a wooden hut with open windows and door covered by cloth. She then returns her gaze towards the girl and asks timidly, "W-Where am I? W-Who are you?"

The girl smiles as she replies gently, "You are in Kelan Village." She drops her cloth into the bucket of water beside her, "As for me, my name is Roca. I found you passed out along our island's shore and brought you to my father's village."

Ayame nods slowly as she replies softly, "I..see, thank you. The last thing I remember was our ship getting damaged to where it sank and me swimming to shore." The other passengers of the ship cross her mind and she asks timidly, "Are there..any other survivors here?"

Roca shakes her head as she replies, "No one like you passed through here that I've seen." She places a finger on her cheek as she ponders for a moment then says, "If it'll help, I'd advise to go see our wise woman. She knows everything. Maybe she can help you with your situation."

Ayame nods and says with a small smile, "Thank you." Her stomach then growls and embarrassed look crosses her face, "I..um..sorry."

Roca chuckles as she says warmly, "Hungry huh? Doll should be just about done with the stew." She then stands up and motions for Ayame to follow her, "C'mon, I'll grab you a bowl and you can sit with me."

Ayame slowly nods and stands up as she says with a tone of gratitude, "You're very kind, thank you." She then follows Roca out of the hut.

As they walked along a dirt path, Ayame takes this chance to take in her surroundings. Most of the buildings were the same as the hut they just came out of, all consisting of grass fibers and wood. Most of the people walking about were wearing clothing made from grass and animal skins. Her attention is then drawn by the smell of delicious food that was coming from a large pot over a large campfire that was kept from spreading by many large stones.

Roca waves to a man that was stirring a long wooden ladle in the pot as she calls out, "Hey, Doll, that stew about done?"

The man looks over and smiles at Roca as he replies, "Right on time, Roca." As they stopped in front of him, he casts a curious glance at Ayame, "Ah, finally woke up, eh? Your arrival here has caused much concern." He then asks, "What's ya name?"

"Ayame, sir." replied Ayame nervously.

Doll chuckles as he gives her a reassured look and says, "Relax, I ain't gonna harm ya." He gestures to the pot, "Ya hungry?"

Ayame nods as she replies softly, "Yes sir."

Doll nods and turns to scoop a portion of the stew with the ladle and pours it into one of the bowls he had stacked nearby. He then hands it to her with a smile as he says, "Here ya go, dig in. But be alittle careful as it's hot. "

Ayame nods as she takes it and says, "Thank you." She then walks over and sits down on one of the nearby logs that surrounded the pot. Roca soon joins her with her own portion. Before she could question the indigenous girl on what they could use to eat the stew, she sees Roca bring the bowl up to her mouth and gently tilt it, parting her lips slightly and drinking the contents of the bowl.

Following her example, Ayame does the same and a happy hum escapes her throat as the stew's delicious taste hits her tongue.

As she ate, she could hear some of the villagers whispering bout her:

"Ye think she might be one of the people from Holy Village?" one man asked.

"I doubt it, her clothing is much different then what they wear. She must've come from somewhere else." replied the woman near him.

"True enough, but her presence her might bring trouble upon us as I doubt she's alone." said the man.

"Our chief will handle it, stop worrying. She doesn't look dangerous and carries no weapon." scolded the woman.

Ayame decides to tune the rest of the conversation out as she thinks worriedly to herself, "Whoever this chief is, I hope he's fair and understanding. I haven't done anything wrong, but I suppose I am a stranger so I understand their mistrust."

She is then broken out of her thoughts as Roca asks, "So Ayame, where you from?"

Ayame glances over at her and replies softly, "I am from Kyoto."

Roca gets a confused look as she says, "Kioto? Never heard of it."

After pondering how she could describe it to the foreign girl, Ayame says, "It is a big village in a land far from here."

Understanding dawns upon Roca, and she nods as she smiles and says, "Makes sense to me." She let's out a chuckle as she adds, "That would explain your clothes. I've never seen anyone in clothes like that before. They're real pretty though."

Ayame smiles as she states, "My mother made it for me. It's called a kimono." She then finishes her food and says warmly to Doll, "The food was delicious, the stews where I am from are bland in comparison to it."

Doll chuckles as he says, "Glad to hear, the peppers really bring flavor to it."

Ayame smiles once more then turns to Roca and says, "I"ll think I'll go speak with your wise woman now." She glances around as she asks, "Which hut is she in?"

Roca nods and points to one of the huts south of them as she replies, "Right over there." She then adds warmly, "Good luck."

Ayame smiles and bows her head as she says, "Thanks." She then gets up and makes her way over to the hut the Roca had pointed out. As she walked she notices the villagers giving her curious glances and quickens her pace.

She enters the hut and sees an old woman mixing some herbs. Ayame shifts her feet nervously then asks tentatively, "Um..Hello. I am a drifter from a marine disaster. I am looking for the other survivors. I was told you could help me."

The old woman stops mixing her herbs and looks up at Ayame. She then says, "I know not what this marine is, but I know more bout augury. Would you like me to give you an augury?"

Thinking it would give her some clues, Ayame nods and the old woman motions her to come and sit in front of her. Ayame comes over then sits down on her knees and the old woman takes her hands as she closed her eyes.

She begins to mutter slightly then speaks out, "Er..you are not local person."

"You can see it without augury." Ayame thought. She listens as the old woman continues, "Er..And you..You are not the person of this age."

Ayame gets a curious look as she thinks to herself, "Not of this age?" She then asks, "Can you give me details?"

The old woman replies, "You undertake important mission. You will suffer all kinds of difficulty on the way to fulfill it. Meantime, you'll get help of many superiors."

Ayame listens carefully and thinks, "Important mission? Could that be my dreams she's referring to? Wonder what this mission is as I myself still don't know all the details other then having to save everyone from something."

The old woman continued, "I see great battles raging around you, some of them fought for your sake. The mighty powers of this world struggle to control your will and destiny. Countless possible futures await you - all of them filled with blood, conflict, and grief - but only one will bring you happiness and peace. Beware of losing your way, for you are one of few who are truly free to choose their own fate as you walk the wanderer's path. That freedom is a gift, but it is also more binding than chains."

Ayame blinked in surprise as she murmured to herself, "...Blood and conflict? Over me? Why? I am but a poor herbalist..."

She then continues to listen to the old woman, "There is a doom upon you, but of what sort I know not. But the rest awaits in a great journey. Where you will end up I know not but you will never again stand on this island again. This is inescapable. It will come to pass even if you try to avoid it."

The old woman smiles slightly, "Despite this gloom, a romance is in your future, though I cannot say if this passion will end happily, but your love is of noble birth and wild heritage. He is powerful, wise, and handsome beyond compare."

This makes Ayame blush slightly as she thinks, "A handsome nobleman falling in love with me? That sounds way too fanciful to be true." She frowns slightly, "Though many are attracted to me back in my homeland." She shakes her head, "For wrong reasons of course, silly."

The old woman opens her eyes and looks at Ayame, "You shouldn't fret about what has yet to occur. The only way the future can harm us is by causing worry. I guarantee that you'll feel better once you're out in the sun."

Ayame nods, her mind reeling from all that she had heard, and says, "I think I will step out for abit. You've given me much to ponder. Thank you." She then gets up and leaves the hut.

As she walks away from the hut, she hears the voice of a man call out to her, "Woman in fancy dress!"

Knowing he was referring to her, Ayame turns around and sees a village man coming towards her. She waits for him to get closer and he says, "Chief want see you. Come now."

Having nothing else to do, Ayame allows herself to be escorted to a large hut by the villager and goes inside. In the hut was an old man who she assumed was the chief. Standing next to him was Roca, who gives her a reassuring look upon her entrance.

The villager leaves Ayame to stand before the old man, wondering fearfully what he wanted of her. The old man then speaks up and says to her, "Welcome, strange one. I have been told of your arrival and thus sent for you to meet you myself." He raises and eyebrow at her, "However I do not know if you are friend or foe. First, tell me your name."

Ayame nods as she replies, "My name is Ayame sir. I am but a traveling herbalist who's ship wrecked near your island." She gives him a begging look, "I promise you I mean no harm to you or your people. So please, don't hurt me."

The old man ponders for a moment as he says softly, "..I see." He then gives her a kind reassuring smile, "I will believe your story for now, as my Roca did describe there being broken planks of wood and other strange debris washed ashore with you." A concerned look crosses his face, "You may stay here for tonight if you wish. If you wish to leave, however, I must warn you. The wilderness outside the village can be quite dangerous at night."

Ayame nods and bows as she says, "I think I will stay for now. I really appreciate your kindness sir, thank you."

The old man nods in response, then after a moment of pondering, he then says, "My people are skeptic of you. To gain their trust, I'd like you to do me a favor. It is quite a simple task."

Wanting to quell the villagers fears, Ayame tilts her head as she gives him a reassuring look and asks, "I do not mind. What is this favor?"

The old man smiles and replies, "There is a mine on the mountain behind the village. A scroll is in the extreme deep of it. I want you to bring it to me."

Ayame nods as she says, "Get the scroll and bring it back here. Got it."

The old man furrows his brow as he says in a serious tone, "But there are many crossroads in the mine. It is easy to lose your direction."

He turns to Roca as he adds, "Roca, you accompany this non-local resident to the mine. You should make use of this chance to avail yourself since you have grown up. At the same time however, you should protect this non-local resident well."

Roca nods, a smile on her face as she says happily, "Yes, father. I won't let you down." She then turns to Ayame, "Let us go, Ayame."

Ayame nods as she thinks worriedly to herself, "Her protect me? From what? What's in the mines exactly?" She then timidly follows Roca out of the hut and they head towards the mine on the mountain.

After abit of walking within the mine, they finally come to their destination. On top a blue pillar was a scroll. However, Ayame hesitated to get it as there was a tiny chameleon standing in front of it.

Something about it was strange to her. Why would a creature like this be doing in a mine? Suddenly, the chameleon glows as it jumps down off the pillar and grows larger to the size of a horse.

It then lashes it's tail out at them and Ayame and Roca dodge it. After taking an assessment of her foe, Ayame looks over at Roca and says, "I'm going for the scroll. Wish me luck!" She then dashes forward towards the chameleon.

Roca stares after her in bewilderment as she states in alarm, "Wait, Ayame don't! You have no weapon!"

To Roca's amazement she watches as Ayame dodges the creature's tongue as it tries to strike her and places her hand on the ground. Blue light emits from her palm and Roca sees ice talons form around the chameleon's neck and feet, trapping it in place.

Ayame then darts forward towards the pillar again and the chameleon attempts to attack her once more with it's tongue, but Roca throws her machete and it slices off the chameleon's head, killing it. She then catches the blade as it boomerangs back to her and sheathes it.

Surprised, Ayame glances over at Roca then takes the scroll of the pillar and glances back at the dead chameleon's body and thinks to herself, "Now I know why she was assigned to go with me. Had I done this alone, there'd been a chance that that creature would have overwhelmed me."

As she turns and walks towards Roca, she sees the girl staring at her. Knowing it was the result of showing her powers, she asks timidly, "I take it you have many questions..?"

Roca nods as she replies tentatively, "I've never seen anyone do what you did. How did you do that?"

Ayame blushes as she explains, "I've always been able summon and control water or ice since I was little. The first time I discovered I had these abilities was when I was gathering water from a river in the woods and was ambushed by a territorial bear. I tried to run but it tackled me and pinned me down."

Roca's eyes widen at this as she continues, "As I struggled to get away, a blue light formed around my hand and a icicle shot forth from it. The spike pierced the bear's head and made it fall over on it side dead."

Ayame looks down at her hands, "I was very confused as I had no clue how I even manage to make it happen. However, this sudden occurrence fascinated me and I wanted to study it more, so I then decided from that moment on to practice using it more."

She gives Roca a reassuring look, "For protection, of course, but I had to do it in secret as no one in my homeland or family has these powers and it would cause trouble if anyone were to find out as anything unusual is deemed bad." She looks down with a frown, "It made me feel alittle like an outcast, having no one to help me with it and scared of the consequences if I did reach out."

She goes quiet for a moment then gives Roca a sad look as she asks quietly, "You must think that I am an evil spirit huh? I would understand if you and your people want nothing to do with me now."

Roca shakes her head as she replies, "Not at all. Sure your ability is frightening, but that does not make you evil by any means. What one does with such power defines wether they are good or evil. You did not harm me or our village so the presbyter can say no ill of you."

She then smiles as she adds, "If you wish, I can keep what happened here a secret from the rest of the village. Friends looks out for each other and I see no point in ousting you for the sake of skepticism. We aren't like that lot from Holy village."

Ayame gives her a relieved look as she says with a small smile, "I'd appreciate that very much." She then blinked in surprise as she asks hesitantly, "Wait..friend?"

Roca nods with as she replies, "Of course. You seems like a nice person, I'd like us to be friends." She then asks with a sad look, "Do you not want to be?"

Ayame quickly shakes her head as she states frantically, "N-No, I'd love to be friends with you." She then adds sadly, "It's just..I've never had a friend..before..."

Roca gives her a sympathetic look as she says gently, "I see." She then smirks as she adds, "Well that's changing now."

Ayame gives her a small grateful smile and says warmly, "Thank you." She then holds up the scroll as she adds, "Now that we have the scroll, let's head back to the village. Your father is waiting."

Roca nods and both of the girls made their way out of the mine and back into the village.

Once inside the the village's chief hut, Roca walks over to her father and says, "Father, we're back!"

Ayame followed along side her and hands the scroll to the old man as she says, "Chief, I assume this is the scroll you wanted to me to get?"

The old man takes the scroll from her and smiles as he replies, "En, this is the right scroll alright. Thank you." He then adds, "Seeing how you come out without a scratch, I take it you both had no trouble."

Ayame nods as she glances over at Roca and says with a smile, "Your daughter did well sir. Her fighting prowess is most impressive."

The chief smiles proudly at his daughter in response as he says, "Your mother would be proud. As I am."

Roca smiled brightly as she states happily, "Thank you, father."

He then turns to Ayame as he adds, "With this, I shall clear any doubts pertaining to you. No harm shall come to you now without my say so."

Ayame nods as she says, "Thank you." She then turns to Roca and asks shyly, "Um...Roca? I am still a stranger here and need to find the people who managed to escape the wreck. Will you continue to venture with me?" The girl was strong plus she seemed nice. Ayame didn't want to be alone as she searched and Roca knew this land.

Roca smiles as she nods and replies happily, "Of course! Let's start off!"

The chief furrows his brows and says to Roca in a angry tone, "My child, how can you promise her such things indiscreetly? What will you do if you suffer danger along the way?"

Roca turns to her father and makes a puppy face as she says in pleading voice, "Father...I want to go with this brave person. Do my part to help."

Unable to resist his daughter's pleading gaze, the old man sighs in defeat and says, "Ala...Ok! Ok! You are always spoiled, so it is useless to persuade you. You are the same with your mother at this aspect."

Roca gives her father a grateful smile and says, "Father, thank you." She looks over at Ayame with a grin, "Let's go, Ayame."

Ayame nods and bows to Roca's father as she bids him farewell then follows Roca out the hut. Once outside, Ayame turns to Roca and asks, "Roca you know this land well, since the people I'm looking for aren't in your village, do you know what other place they could be?"

Roca ponders for a moment then says, "There are two places where they could possibly be and that's Welling Village to the south of here and Holy Village to the north. My uncle is in Welling village so maybe he has seen them."

Ayame nods as she replies, "Alright let's go to Welling village then. Lead the way."

Roca nods and begins to lead the way towards the south gate of the the village when both girls hear a scream from one of the huts nearby. Alarmed by the sound they run towards the hut and go inside. The sight before them shocks them. Two men wearing pirate clothing were cornering a small girl and her grandmother.

They didn't seem to notice them as one of the men says to the grandmother in an irritated tone, "Hum! For the last time, take out your money and treasure or we'll kill you!"

The grandmother replies in a pleading tone, "Like I told you, we do not have anything of value. Please, let us off!"

The small girl next to her trembles in fear as she says, "Grandma, I'm scared."

The other pirate says with a scowl, "Looks like they ain't getting the message, how bout we start with the little girl. Maybe her screams will convince you to hand over the goods."

Roca furrows her brows as she unsheathes her machete and says angrily, "You will do no such thing!"

The men jump at the sound of her voice and whirl around to face them. One of the men then says angrily, "Tch, we've been found out. Guess we'll have to take care of you first."

He then rans at Roca, drawing his sword and attempts to strike her but Roca easily dodges it and Ayame knocks the man out with a wooden log she picked up from nearby. With the man incapacitated, Roca rounds on the other man who says in a panicked voice, "S-shit."

Ayame puts herself between the man and grandmother and small girl, guarding them from further harm. Seeing that he has lost this fight, the man glares at them and says angrily, "You win this time, but mark my words, this won't be the last you see of us." He grabs his comrade then lifts him onto his shoulder and escapes out a nearby window.

Roca sheathes her machete and Ayame let's out a sigh of relief then asks the residents of the house, "Are you two okay?"

The grandmother gives them both a grateful look as she replies, "Yes we are. Thank you for saving us." She glances down at the little girl next to her. "Xaolan, thank this young hero."

The brown haired girl gives a small nod and says politely, "Thank you."

Ayame gives her a shy smile in response as she says, "You're welcome."

The old woman then takes in Ayame's appearance and says, "You do not look like local person."

Roca gives the old woman a warm smile as she replies, "This girl is named Ayame. She's a drifting stranger from a ship wreck. I am taking her to see my uncle to see if he can help her."

The old woman nods in understanding as she look back over at Ayame and says warmly, "Bless you for your courage. I hope you find what you're looking for."

Ayame let's out a nervous chuckle and says with a smile, "Thanks, tis really no trouble." She then adds, "We'll be going now. Take care of yourselves." The two girls then exit the hut.

She then turns to Roca and asks, "I do hope they'll be alright. Do attacks like that happen often here?"

Roca gives a small nod as she replies sadly, "They do and it's not just pirates we have to deal with. It's the other residents of this land as well." She glances at the setting sun then gives her a warm smile as she adds, "Why don't we rest here in the village tonight and we'll go see my uncle tomorrow. It is getting quite late."

Ayame let's out a small yawn as fatigue set in. The unforeseen activities of the day had worn her out. She gives a small nod and Roca escorts her to a vacant hut to rest in for the night.