'It's the Kibonosaiten today'.
This was Kagura's first thought as she opened her eyes to the sound of the deep gong that signaled the start of morning prayers at Bodhidera. For the past week, she had been increasingly disturbed in mind, not having received any word from Lord Miroku. Surely, it would not have taken him so long to reach the palace? And once he did reach, Rin would not have quibbled over sending the army out to root out these rogue demons? Not that she had actually seen hair nor hide of the buggers. If not for the obvious battle scars scattered around the wall of the monastery as well as the sheer exhaustion she recognized in Mushin's eyes, she would have long dismissed these demon attacks as flights of fancy of a few old men. For all that Mushin feared an attack any day and regularly strengthened the wards around Bodhidera, there had been no attack since she and Miroku had first stepped past its venerable doors nearly two weeks ago.
'But somehow, that's not a comforting thought', mused Kagura as she rolled up the futon and disrobed. She combed through her long hair using elegant fingers tipped with deadly claws and splashed her face with cold water from the wash basin in the corner. Sweeping her hair into its usual bun through which she threaded her magic feather, Kagura reached for a pale blue silk kimono, threaded with golden thread. Not very appropriate to wear among cloistered monks, and not much practical considering the season, but Kagura still felt the need to dress up a little bit in honor of Kibonosaiten. For the first time in her life, she was spending Kibonosaiten away from the palace, and that too without the only family she had. She was tempted to be maudlin but she pushed it back and instead, concentrated on building up the rage she felt against her unknown foe who still held her in his fierce grip.
The old monk Miyatsu had advised her to develop a calm and detached mind before trying out her powers. It was all very well for a venerable old man, so old that his features were practically hidden beneath wrinkles, to take a deep breath and achieve that state of calm. She was a wind demon, and wind is the opposite of calm. Kagura was always ruled by her passions – after all, it was her nature. Leopards couldn't change their spots and neither could she become other than who she was. Whenever she tried to follow the old man's dictates, she felt like another power was trying to smother her life force. It was pure survival instinct that had saved her the first time. That rage she felt against that oppressive power helped clear her mind for the first time in days, and helped her return to the present. Ever since, she had concentrated on her rage, concentrated on feeding the fire but this was not an easy task. Her enemy had no face and certainly no name. She did not even know if he existed, and was not the figment of her imagination. How do you rage against nothing in particular?
Not that her efforts were completely futile. Over the past week she had been gaining a few glimpses of this and that which gave her hope. The images were often indistinct and did not make much sense. Some images were of people she had never seen before, and that bothered her. Was she now able to look into the future as before, or were these images linked to her past? That pale girl holding up the mirror, for instance. Kagura's instinct insisted that she knew her from somewhere, although she couldn't remember exactly where she might have seen the demon child. And it was obvious that she was a demon, with her pale ethereal beauty. Even her hair was pale white, adorned with a simple white flower. Instinctively, Kagura knew that flower was magical, just like her own feather. The girl was also dressed completely in a simple white kimono. The overall effect was somewhat jarring and Kagura had thought she was seeing a ghost the first time she dreamed of her.
That was the other thing which was bothering her. Dreams. Earlier, she could See at will and sometimes, random images flashed through her mind. She had never had much dreams to speak of other that the usual nonsense most people dreamed. Ever since coming to Bodhidera, she had been plagued by dreams and she was getting the feeling that these were not ordinary dreams. It felt altogether too powerful to be that. But why was she getting powerful Dreams now? Was all this a part of her powers evolving into something new? Or, was this too part of her unknown enemy's manipulation? All these circling questions managed to do was give her a massive headache which unfortunately, was nothing new.
Kagura stepped out of her room and shivered in the cold early morning air. Deep in the mountains, the bite of bitter winter could already be felt. She sighed and went back inside to grab her warm cloak – not exactly matching with her stylish kimono but better to be sensible than vain and freeze to death. She tied the cloak securely at her throat and walked towards the dining room. The main building was a rambling structure constructed haphazardly out of wood and stone. The walls and floor were bare, and all the furniture were quite austere. The monks definitely lived a meagre existence and were altogether more interested in musty old scrolls and meditation. Used to the constant hustle and bustle of the palace, Kagura had found this enforced isolation quite maddening at first. However, after a few days, she began to look forward to the soothing aura that permeated these walls. But her favorite activity was taking a walk through the woods behind the monastery and meditating beneath the sacred Goshinboku tree behind the temple hall. She never ventured outside these walls, as Mushin had requested. After all, one of the purposes of her staying on at the monastery was to help protect it.
"Good morning, my lady". Hojo greeted Kagura as soon as she walked in the dining room. She inclined her head and went towards the low table set in the corner – her usual seat. It was situated near a window through which she could glimpse the woods behind the monastery as well as some of the mountain surrounding it.
"Thank you", she murmured as Hojo placed a steaming cup of tea in front of her.
"Shall I bring you some miso soup and rice?" he asked.
"Thank you, Hojo-san. But I can get it myself" replied Kagura.
"You are our honored guest, my lady" said Hojo. "It is our duty to see to your welfare"
"Very well", said Kagura
Hojo bowed and went back to the kitchen, presumably to get her soup and rice. Kagura, despite enjoying a powerful position in the palace, was not used to being waited on all the time. However, she got the feeling that these monks would be mortally offended if she dared to help herself. And so, she acquiesced to their wishes even if it made her a tad uncomfortable.
"Happy Kibonosaiten, Lady Kagura"
The wind demon looked around to see Mushin approaching her with a simple smile. He was looking much better these days, not having had to fight demons for some time. However, she could see the worry escalating in his eyes. Why were the demons not attacking anymore? What were they planning? For the umpteenth time, Kagura wished she could See again.
"Happy Kibonosaiten, Mushin-sama" she replied. "Won't you join me and break your fast?"
"Indeed". Mushin sank onto a cushion on the opposite side of the table with some difficulty and arranged his feet beneath himself in a meditating pose.
"How is your meditation going on?" he asked as he poured himself a cup of tea from the pot on the table.
"Mmm…" Kagura murmured non-committedly.
"And what about your dreams?"
"Oh, the dreams", sighed Kagura
"You mustn't lose heart, dear lady", said Mushin. "It is a good sign surely, that you are able to See something".
"But what does it mean?" asked Kagura, her frustration spilling forth into her voice and echoing around the empty room.
Hojo walked out of the kitchen, holding a huge tray and steaming dishes. He put down two bowls of soup and the rice pot on the table and began to retreat to the kitchen.
"Hojo-san…" called Mushin, "Why don't you join us today? After all, it is the Kibonosaiten."
"Thank you, master Mushin" Hojo bowed his head respectfully and sat on Mushin's right, facing Kagura.
"Itadakimasu" they said in unison and began to eat.
"Are you still dreaming of Miroku?" asked Mushin after some time.
Kagura nodded.
"Still the same dream?"
"Yes," said Kagura "Always the same. Miroku, fast asleep in a dark place".
Hojo looked at her with interest.
"And you can see nothing of where he is, or if anyone else is with him?"
"No", she replied "I have tried and tried, but…"
"Don't lose hope, my lady" said Mushin again, however this time, he couldn't quite hide the frown of worry creasing his forehead. "That boy is more resilient than you give him credit for. It runs in his blood".
"I suppose you mean his mother, Mushin-sama" said Kagura with a smile.
"Yes," said Mushin "He told you the story?"
"Yes, as we were coming here", she said. "It all seems so long ago now, although it's only been two weeks".
"Yes, well, time does fly", mused Mushin wryly. "What are you going to do today?"
"The usual", replied Kagura. "I thought to join Miyatsu-sama for his meditation and then, go for my usual walk".
"Very well", said Mushin "But make sure to leave the woods early. There is a chill in the air and it might get dark earlier. Besides, we too light a few lamps tonight, in honor of the great priestess Midoriko. We would be honored if you would join us".
"Oh!", said Kagura. "Thank you, I will. And the honor is mine".
Xxxx xxxx xxxx
Kagura stepped out on the stone flags outside the main building and took a deep breath of fresh morning air. A faint fragrance of incense lingered, probably from the temple hall were the monks regularly conducted prayers. The old monk Miyatsu was probably there, meditating. 'Sometimes, I envy his calm' thought Kagura as she walked towards the temple hall. A cold wind blew around the courtyard, so she gathered her warm cloak close and walked quickly up the steps into the hall. It was a simple structure made out of wood and with slated roof. The large hall had a huge statue of Lord Buddha at one end. The room was otherwise quite bare. There were a few mats made from dried grass scattered about, where the monks sat and meditated and chanted their prayers. Incense sticks sent up a sweet fragrance from beneath the statue. A few candles were also lighted.
Not for the first time, Kagura wondered how the place would have been before all the monks were killed in that demon attack over two years ago. Perhaps Bodhidera might not have felt so austere and isolated then. Sighing, she sat down on a mat and looked around to find Miyatsu. He was usually present in the front, just in front of the statue of Buddha. However, the hall was empty except for her. Kagura frowned briefly but supposed he might have retreated to the library. The old monk was extremely fond of those musty old scrolls. For Kagura herself, if she never saw another musty scroll in her life, it would still be too soon. She could not easily forget that it was just one such musty scroll that had upended her life. Sighing once again, she got into her meditating pose, closed her eyes and prepared to wrestle with darkness.
For a long time, Kagura sat perfectly still. She heard nothing other than the wind and saw nothing but darkness. It swirled around her blanketing her senses. She smelled nothing, not even the incense. Even the wind had fallen silent. Suddenly, she felt an oppressive presence. Kagura looked around to see the source but found nothing. The darkness seemed to be pressing around her, smothering her. Her rage rose up in defense but was brushed aside like an insignificant feather. The force retreated just as suddenly but not before Kagura got a glimpse of the pale demon child of her dreams, who held a mirror in both hands, its face turned towards her, looking at her with a blank face.
Kagura gasped and opened her eyes, disoriented. She swayed forward and threw out her arms to stop herself from falling on her face. What was that? She looked around wildly. She still sat in the empty temple hall. But her sharp ears caught the sound of shuffling footsteps approaching towards the hall even as the door was thrown open. Kagura stumbled to her feet, her eyes wide and popping, getting ready for an attack. But it never came.
"Lady Kagura!" exclaimed the old monk, Miyatsu. "Are you alright?"
"Oh!" gasped Kagura as she sank down on the mat in a heap, like a marionet whose strings had been cut suddenly. "Oh! Miyatsu-sama!"
"My dear child!" exclaimed Miyatsu as he shuffled as fast as he could towards where she sat in front of the Buddha. "Whatever is the matter?"
Miyatsu sat down beside her and took one of her hands between his wrinkled ones. They were as cold as ice and he rubbed them between his old fingers in a futile attempt to warm them. "Let me call Mushin-san. You are unwell".
"No, no! Miyatsu-sama…" gasped Kagura as she held on to his arms in a fierce grip. "It is alright. I was just meditating…and there was something, a dark presence…and a girl, a demon child…" she trailed off incoherently.
"My dear child!" exclaimed Miyatsu
"It's ok, I'm okay now", said Kagura as she took a deep breath and sat up straight. "I have been dreaming of that demon child for some time now".
"And the dark presence?" asked Miyatsu "Have you been dreaming of that as well?"
"N-no. not exactly" she said. "I have felt a dark presence while meditating before, but not so intensely. It was…so very dark. I felt smothered". Kagura shivered but she was not cold.
"My dear lady", said Miyatsu again. "Let me call Mushin. You should talk to him about this".
"He knows," she said shortly. "I'm fine now. A walk will set me to rights."
"Are you sure?" asked Miyatsu
"Yes", said Kagura "But where were you? Did you stop your meditation early today?" She rose up, determined to put up a calm façade even if she felt anything but calm.
"No, I hadn't started yet, actually", he replied
"Oh?"
"I was studying some scrolls I discovered late last night".
"Not another prophecy, I hope?" asked Kagura, only half joking.
"Oh no", chuckled Miyatsu. "This was about an ancient witch demon, much like yourself"
"Really?" Kagura was interested despite herself. "Was she a Seer too?"
"Ah, no. Nothing so innocent" said Miyatsu wryly. "Urasue practiced necromancy".
"Necro…what?" exclaimed Kagura
"The art of raising the dead", he said "It was her specialty. She is said to have written a book about it".
"She raised the dead?" gasped Kagura "Is that even possible?"
"Well, after a fashion" said Miyatsu "She bounded returned souls inside clay statues which would then become animated".
"Clay statues?" wondered Kagura "What was the point?"
"Oh, my dear," chuckled Miyatsu "It was all about who she raised from the dead. You see, her animated clay statues had the power of the dead person whose soul they possessed".
Kagura blinked as Miyatsu continued, "So you see, she would not raise just anybody. Only those powerful enough to increase her own powers. The animated statues were kept under her rigid control. Of course, she was a powerful witch, otherwise those statues would have over-powered her".
"That's…nice?"
Miyatsu laughed, "Not for the ones who became victims to those clay statues"
"Right…" smiled Kagura, a bit grimly. "And you are interested in her work because?"
"Knowledge is power, my lady" replied Miyatsu
"I see," mused Kagura. "Well, on that note, I shall leave you to your meditations and go for a walk"
"Very well. Take care now, Lady Kagura" said Miyatsu. "Oh, and happy Kibonosaiten".
"Happy Kibonosaiten, Miyatsu-sama".
XXXX XXXX XXXX
The woods behind Bodhidera ran up to the bottom of the cliff which surrounded the monastery on three sides. They rose up abruptly out of the ground like a grotesque fist from the underworld. The surface was craggy and supported sparse vegetation. Towards the top, rising several hundred feet above the valley floor, there were a few trees determinedly clinging to the rock. The woods were ancient, the trees very tall and wide. The forest in front of the monastery had probably extended up to the cliff which had been cleared to build the monastery. These woods were probably remnants of that ancient forest allowed to stand behind the monastery both for protection as well as timber.
Kagura walked underneath these ancient sentinels and tried to find the peace she usually did on such walks. However, today, her mind was too troubled. It could not even settle on a topic, Miyatsu's tale of Urasue interposing on her own feeling of being chased by a Dark energy that wanted to destroy her. She even fancied seeing the pale demon child underneath the trees as she raised ancient skeletons from the ground. Kagura shook her head and admonished herself to get a grip. Oh, Kami-sama! What a mess she was! She stumbled blindly from tree to tree, uncaring of where she was going, trusting that she could never wander outside the monastery.
After a while, Kagura came to her senses and glanced around. She was leaning on an ancient tree deep in the middle of the wood. The trees here were so huge and close together that their canopies blocked out the sun. Despite the mid-morning hour, the wood was dark and entirely silent. Nothing stirred, not even the wind. Kagura appreciated the silence at first, but soon a feeling of being watched grew in her mind. She glanced around uneasily but could not see anything. Having no desire to encounter that Dark force here, far away from help, Kagura turned around to return to the monastery. And that is when she realized something: she did not know the way back. She was lost.
Pushing back her rising panic, Kagura started walking in a random direction, trusting that the woods must end somewhere. It was not easy going either – the underbrush was full of protruding roots and decaying leaves and hidden pits. One wrong step and she could end up twisting her ankle, breaking her leg or worse. After walking around for what felt like an hour, Kagura finally stopped and gingerly sat down on an exposed root of a tree as thick as her waist. She tried to spot even a glimpse of the sky but the wood was too thick for much sunlight to penetrate through. There was just enough for her to see a few feet in front of her. This walk was supposed to have helped calm her but had become a never-ending expedition. What if she was just walking around in circles, never realizing the fact? She would be stuck inside this cursed wood forever! But, no, that was just silly. Surely, the monks would realize she was missing and come looking for her. After all, Miyatsu-sama knew she had gone walking in the woods. She had even told Mushin and Hojo at breakfast that she intended to walk here. So. It was only a matter of time before help arrived.
Having arrived at this conclusion, Kagura decided to stay put, the better to help her would-be rescuers find her. If she kept moving, they might miss each other. She had no desire to spend the night under these trees. During the daytime was creepy enough. Funny how she never noticed that on her walks here on previous days. Perhaps, unknowingly, she had ventured too deep? Kagura sighed and looked around, trying to spot anything familiar in the darkness. And that is when she saw her.
"Ahh!" Kagura screamed as she stumbled to her feet. She slipped on something and fell hard on the forest floor. Pain shot up her right ankle and she whimpered. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to press both hands on her injured leg in an effort to lessen the pain. Her ankle felt like it was on fire but Kagura had no time to scrutinize her wound. She looked around, half-hopeful that what she saw was another figment of her imagination. But no, she was still standing there just beyond the tree where she had been sitting. It was the demon child of her dreams.
Kagura gritted her teeth, and holding on to the tree for support, forced herself to move and sat back down on the root where she had been sitting. Even that little movement had her gasping for breath. The demon watched her with unblinking eyes. She was just as pale as in her dreams, dressed in a small white kimono, a flower threaded through her pale hair and carrying a small mirror, its face turned outwards. She was barefoot and did not seem to be affected by the cold. Kagura returned her stare for some time.
"Who are you?" she asked finally.
"I am Kanna", replied the demon child in a soft musical voice. However, there was nothing sweet about it. The tone was that of a grown demon.
"How did you get past the wards around the monastery?" demanded Kagura, forcing herself to ignore the pain from her ankle. "Are you the leader of the demons who attacked the monastery?"
"The wards were no trouble; I am related to you and since you can pass, so can I" she replied. Her face was devoid of any expression. It was like she was a machine designed to answer your every query.
"What!" exclaimed Kagura "You are related to me?"
"Yes".
"But how? It's impossible!" cried Kagura
"I am your elder sister" said Kanna in the same detached tone.
"What!" exclaimed Kagura again. "You are but a child! How can you be elder to me? And, why do you say you are my sister?"
"It is time for you to remember who you are, little sister", said Kanna
"Stop calling me that!" ordered Kagura but she might as well have been talking to a tree.
"We are the eldest children of our father and his most beloved", continued Kanna. "The others are mere tools but we are his daughters. He created us from clay using the Great Sorceress Urasue's spells. We are his most powerful weapons".
"What! No! That's not true!" cried Kagura, unable to believe what she was hearing. "You may be made out of clay for all I care but I'm not! For one thing, why does my ankle hurt like the devil, if I am made out of clay?" Kagura demanded although she felt like a drowning woman grasping at straws. Her instinct was insisting that all this was true. But it couldn't be, it just couldn't!
"Our father blew breath into me first, my body tempered by long days in fire", said Kanna. "But he perfected his technique with you. He split the soul he had given me and gave the other half to you along with others. I was to help him from afar, Seeing everything that was Present. You, however, were to serve him by becoming closest to his ultimate enemy. You had to See everything that was both Past and Would be. Therefore, you had to be made more powerful".
"But I'm still not made from clay" insisted Kagura, like a child. Her mind was a total blank.
"No. You are not", agreed Kanna in a soothing monotone.
"And, I cannot See the past" said Kagura, in a triumphant manner aimed at disproving what the other said, although in her heart she knew it was all futile.
"Yes. You can", said Kanna "You just haven't Looked yet".
Kagura blinked at her in surprise. "But I cannot See anything now".
"Oh, that is just me", said Kanna and held up her mirror for Kagura to see. She saw herself reflected in its eerie depths surrounded by darkness. "You were not supposed to find the prophecy. In fact, there was not supposed to be a prophecy". For the first time, Kagura detected a slight frown on the pale face.
"You mean, Xahar's prophecy?" asked Kagura
"Yes", nodded Kanna. "That was a nuisance. But it's all fixed now."
"What?" demanded Kagura "What do you mean?"
"It is time for you to return to our father and fulfill your destiny", said Kanna
"And what is my destiny?" she asked in a careful voice.
"To destroy the queen and return the Jewel of the Four Souls to its rightful owner".
"I see", said Kagura quietly. "And what if I don't?"
"Oh, you will", said Kanna and smiled slightly. She held up her mirror which seemed to glow in the darkness. Bright light seemed to be gathering from inside the mirror but Kagura did not wait to see what would happen. Using her every ounce of strength, she plucked the feather from her bun and threw it on the ground. Then she stumbled on top of the enlarged feather and hung on, burying her face in its surface as it shot up towards the sky. Kanna screamed in anger and tried to focus her mirror on the fleeing wind demon, but the light just ricocheted off the trees. Kagura felt many branches and leaves whip into her back but she did not care. She had to get away from her elder sister.
XXXX XXXX XXXX
"Mushin-sama, do you feel that?" asked Hojo as he uneasily glanced around the courtyard in front of the temple hall.
It was almost noon and he had been sweeping the courtyard when he felt a dark energy rising from the woods behind the monastery. The towering cliffs which had always felt like strong sentinels suddenly appeared menacing. Darkness seemed to descend on the land despite the bright sun overhead. Hearing a sound, he had turned around to see Mushin march out of the monastery, shakujo in hand. His face looked grim as he looked towards the woods as well.
"How did the demons manage to climb down that cliff?" asked Hojo as he dropped the broom and went to stand beside his master, ready to lend what assistance he could.
"They haven't", replied Mushin
"But then, what is that energy?" asked Hojo
"I do not know, Hojo-san", said Mushin "Stay alert".
The main door of the temple hall on their left burst open and old Miyatsu came tottering down the steps, his robes flying.
"Mushin, my boy!" cried Miyatsu, even as he nearly fell in his haste to reach the head monk. Hojo jumped forward and steadied him even as Mushin turned around with a frown.
"Miyatsu-sama, please return inside", he said. "Something is happening in the woods. Let Hojo-san help you to your room".
"But my dear boy," said Miyatsu "She is in there".
"Who?" asked Mushin
"Lady Kagura", said Miyatsu, wringing his hands in worry. "She had some sort of vision while meditating. I told her to go talk to you. But she insisted on going for her daily walk".
"Kami-sama!" exclaimed Hojo and looked with horror towards the woods.
"When was this?" demanded Mushin grimly.
"Oh, a couple of hours ago at least", replied Miyatsu.
All three monks turned towards the woods. Everything looked calm but there was a dark presence in the air. Suddenly, they saw something burst out of the forest canopy towards the sky. It seemed to go up for some time until it stopped. Then, it began to veer downwards in a diagonal path. Watching the object shoot closer, the monks saw that it looked like a gigantic feather.
"Oh!" gasped Miyatsu "But that is…"
Even as he spoke, the feather zoomed towards them and crashed on the ground in front of their feet, spraying them with dust and pebbles.
Once the air cleared, the monks leaned forward and saw the prostrate form of Lady Kagura on the feather, face-down, her hands clamped on its sides and one of her feet twisted at an odd angle. For a minute none of them moved. Then, Mushin dropped to his knees and propping his shakujo against his shoulder, gently tapped Kagura on the back.
"Lady Kagura," he called loudly. "Can you hear me?"
He bent closer and tried to see her face. He motioned to Hojo to help him and together, they gently turned her on her back. Her hair was coming out of its neat bun and her cloak and expensive silk kimono were torn and dirty. She herself looked rather worse for wear and appeared to be unconscious. Between them, Hojo and Mushin managed to lift her. As her body left the feather, it returned to its regular size and fluttered to the ground. Miyatsu grabbed it and hurried after the other two with their burden towards the monastery.
The monks placed Kagura gently down on her futon. They left her torn cloak on for the moment and examined her foot.
"She's twisted her ankle", said Mushin after gently probing the swollen foot.
"You had better take her sandals off, my boy", said Miyatsu "And put a salve on the swelling. Unless it is broken…?"
"No, it's not broken", said Mushin "At least, I don't think so. We will have to see after she wakes up. Hojo-san, please fetch some salve from the kitchen. And some hot water and clean cloths as well".
"Yes, Mushin-sama", said Hojo and he hurried out of the room.
"What do you think happened, Mushin?" asked Miyatsu in a soft voice as he looked down on the once-vital demon whom he had grown rather fond of.
"I do not know, Miyatsu-sama", replied Mushin heavily. "Things are changing. Darkness is stirring. It is almost at our doorstep. I feel it in my bones".
XXXX XXXX XXXX
Kagura ran in the darkness. She did not know where she was running or why. All she knew was that she had to get away. An eerie laughter echoed all around. Suddenly, she was in the queen's room as she prepared for Kibonosaiten. She sat in front of her dressing table, wearing a beautiful orange kimono with a green pattern. Rin looked up and smiled at Kagura in the huge mirror and said, "Happy Kibonosaiten, sister".
She turned around to look at Kagura but it was not Rin after all. It was her other sister, Kanna who smiled eerily at her.
"Stop running from yourself, little sister. Fulfill your destiny".
"No!" cried Kagura, shaking her head even as tears streamed down her face. "You are not my sister. Rin is my real sister. And I will die before I let anything harm her, even myself!"
"You cannot fight fate, little sister" admonished Kanna. She held up her small oval mirror so that Kagura could see into its depths. "See how our father punishes his enemies".
And, Kagura saw her beloved Fountain City but it was wreathed in red haze. The people were screaming and running. Evil laughter echoed all around. She looked up at the palace, its walls and towers rising into a dark sky. The palace was in flames. She saw the army in disarray and people – even women and children – lying butchered in the streets. The fountains ran red with their blood. Fountain City was burning.
"No!" screamed Kagura as she opened her eyes to a dark and cool room. But she knew the truth in her heart. Her home was under attack.
