Edge 4: Hanging by the Threads
"That woman is so… mysterious…freaking mysterious." Hikarou thought.
"Is there something wrong, Lady Priestess?" the confused maid asked the blank-minded priestess.
Hikarou looked and stared at her for a while. "She's still addressing me as the priestess, although I've already declined being called by one. What loyalty."
"Priestess… is there something wrong with my face?" The maid asked pointing to her face.
Regaining her consciousness, she waves her hands sideways and said, "No, not at all. Sorry if I stared at you for a long time. I've been deeply thinking of something a while ago. What did you ask anyway?"
"I'm asking you, Priestess, if there is something wrong. Is there something bothering you?"
"There's nothing wrong. I'm just observing my surroundings." She looked at her window and saw the moon is at its highest. Her eyes widened and the maid told her.
"You have been sleeping for hours, Lady Priestess, since you fainted while you were discussing with them. The Empress became worried. She told me to keep an eye on you. Your body must be ill when you first came here, so the Empress cured you with her magic. I haven't told you that all of the people here use sorcery as part of their daily lives. Your body isn't used this world."
She recalled what the woman told her earlier, and nods. Hikarou touched the petals of the rose flower. "I see. Please tell them that I am grateful for her kindness." "They still worry about me."
The maid is still holding the folded clothes. "Where should I place these, priestess?"
"Just place them on top of my bed. Thanks." She smiled. "Say, tomorrow you're going to accompany me to the capital?"
The maid nodded. "Just tell me when, and I'll be gladly to accompany you."
Hikarou smiled again. "May I know your name?"
The maid slightly bowed her head. "Min You. It means gentle friend. I will be your lady-in-waiting from now on, Priestess."
Hikarou stopped touching the rose petals and looked at the gentle maid. "Could you do me a favor?"
"What is it, Priestess?"
"Please don't call me 'Priestess'; call me by my first name, Hikarou." Surprised, the maid looks disappointed. "But priestess, I can't. It's a sign of disrespect for you! I will be punished!"
Hikarou swayed her right index finger and does the "tsk-tsk" action. "Min You, you don't get what I really mean." She looked at her window gazing at the moon and stars.
"I came here to this world unexpectedly, together with my brother and arrived here in this empire all alone, without any clue where he is. I'm worried about his condition. Right now, my parents maybe are worrying back home. But still, I am optimistic that someday I could go back to where I came from, together with my brother." She looked at Min You. "I could see in your eyes, that you don't have a friend here in the palace. I don't want to be treated with royalty, frankly speaking. Like you, I feel alone and lonely. I want to have a friend during my stay here."
She touched her shoulder, "Can you be one?"
The maid still doesn't speak. "You may call me priestess if we're in the palace, but if it's just the two of us, we'll act as friends. It's an order. You mustn't refuse." Hikarou said with authority.
"Whatever you wish, I'll absolutely grant it… Hi…ka…rou?" The maid uttered her name in doubt.
Hikarou shows a thumbs-up sign. "Don't worry, you said my name correctly, Min You."
The maid smiled in return. "You must get some rest, Hikarou. It'll be a big, tiring day tomorrow." She left Hikarou's chamber with a smile on her face. Hikarou saw some mandarin oranges placed on her table. She touched them gently.
"I'll be a good friend to that girl, Keiko. Besides, my name fits to me right?" She looks upon the glowing candle and remembers her late friend's words.
"Your name means "gentle light", so you must use that to help people free from their loneliness, grief, pain and sorrow. You've already freed me; so, spread that light to others."
Meanwhile, Min You, still thinking on what the kind miko told her, was happily running going to her chamber.
"I'm so happy that I now have a friend! I can't imagine that my friend is the Priestess herself! She's so kind! Her smile warms my heart…" And she then sees a candlelight burning softly. She slows down for a while and gets a glimpse of it. She smiles while saying in her mind, "Just like a gentle flame of a candle light that glows brightly in the middle of the dark."
In the middle of the night, Eian is praying deeply at the three graves of Shu Tendoh, Shu Ko'un and Shu Chunshin. After he offers flowers on top of the graves, he suddenly heard footsteps. In his early thirties, he sure can fight He quickly gets the torch and drew his dagger from his side,
"Who's there?! Show yourself!"
A shadow of tall man appeared before him. Eian, as Hotohori's reincarnation, prepares. The shadow grew as it approaches him closer. When the moon's light shone upon him, he is revealed as a young boy, wearing a cloak.
His tired, droopy eyes are the only ones visible. His cloak is old, tarnished and worn-out; probably, he picked it up from nowhere. He is obviously tired. As he takes another step, he fell unconsciously on the ground. Eian drew his sword back and rushed in to help the weak lad. He takes off the hood and sees the lad's dark, ebony hair messed up. Eian suddenly gets surprised later on.
"Ta…ka…?"
Hikarou is standing in front of the mirror as sunrise comes up in the sky. She's checking if her clothes that Min You brought her yesterday fit her.
"Not bad." She compliments herself and hears a knock after. "Come in."
"Morn…" It was Min You, but before she continued to greet her, she's taken aback on Hikarou's new attire. She wore a light yellow top, matching with a mix dark yellow and dashes of red skirt and a gold sash. Her saffron shoes are embroidered with beads. She turns from left to right to admire herself more. Hikarou takes a few minutes before noticing Min You is staring at her.
"Have… have you been there too long?!" Hikarou exclaimed, embarrassed. Min You shook her head and smiled. "I just only arrived." She comes closer, examining her from top to toe.
Hikarou blinked thrice and sweatdropped, "Is there something wrong?"
"Nothing. You look good in yellow. You look… very pretty if you let your hair remained untied."
Blushing, Hikarou placed her hands on her back and replied, "Thanks…" she added, "I'm excited to see the whole city. Are we going now?"
Min You nods. "After we have breakfast, I'll tour you around the whole city, Hi…" One maid passed by and paid respects to Hikarou.
"Lady Priestess, you are being summoned by the Empress." She turned to Min You. "Min You, are you trying to call the priestess by her first name? I've heard you saying Hi…" The stingy maid asked Min You.
Hikarou abruptly replied in a comical way, "No, no! It's not what you think. She said 'Hi'. I taught her that word, which means 'hello' in our world; Unfortunately, it is a slang word, but a good slang." Hikarou gives a quick "act-it-out" look without making it obvious. Being keen, Min You got it and waves her hand and says "Hi" to the maid. "Don't worry, that word isn't bad, is it?" Hikarou nervously added.
The maid raised a brow and replied, sternly, "Oh… as long as the Priestess said it is alright, I have nothing to worry about." She turns back to leave, but gave Min You a dreadful look. "But once I catch you not following instructions… I'll surely give you a sweet punishment you wouldn't forget." And the conceited maid left the Priestess' chamber.
Hikarou closes the door and sighs with relief, "That was a close one. I thought she wouldn't believe me after all." She looks at Min You, and is confused. Min You eyes were sparkling, as if she adored her. "What's… with the eyes?"
"Oh Hikarou! You're so marvelous! You made that snobbish old woman go away and you save me from her wrath! Thank you so much! Can you teach me some of those, so that she wouldn't scold me everyday?"
She just smiled as she told her friend, "Thanks but I can't teach you that. You see, lying is bad, but there are exemptions. I've done that because the situation needs it, and I don't want you to get punished because of me. So it's better if you mustn't know about it." She winked.
Min You sighed in despair, disappointed. "Okay. Say, are we going to the chamber? Empress Ying doesn't want late comers." As both of them headed for her chamber, thoughts came up to Ah Rou's mind.
Empress Ying. The woman I've known… despite the fact that I regret to be their Priestess, she's so kind, calm, and gentle to me. No wonder… her heart is as pure as a crystal… What is she going to tell me this time?
At the southern part of Earth, Youtaikou watches helplessly from the palace's balcony as the skies in Konan changes quickly from peaceful blue to a dreadful black scenery. A flock of ravens were roaming freely in the atmosphere. Then, an attendant came to report her that Ri Houjin and Genrou have arrived. Genrou and Ri Houjin gave respects to her.
"Your Highness, long time no see." Genrou, or Tasuki greeted first.
"Tasuki… Chichiri… it's been while since you visited Eiyou. I'm glad. I apologize if my son can't attend to you. He has so many things to ponder on, since the whole empire is suffering from great famine on these past few months."
"How is everyone surviving, no da?" The monk asked.
"We're doing everything we can to help the people, but we still can't stop the famine. More and more are dying. We are thankful that we're being helped by Kutou, even they're suffering drought in their own empire."
Chichiri thought, "All of the empires are suffering. Hokkan is suffering a series of avalanches and blizzards, while Sairo encounters endless sandstorms and insect plagues. Konan suffers from famine and Kutou, from drought. I doubt either the Four Gods or us celestial warriors can save the people. This evil presence is much stronger than the previous ones." Chichiri recalls their fight with Nakago, Tenkou, and the latest, the fake Suzaku which was born from Sasaki Mayo's negative emotions. But this unknown evil presence is working secretly to destroy the world, and he has no idea who's behind it.
"Oi Chichiri… what's keeping ya silent?" Tasuki tried to get the attention of the blue-haired monk.
"Nothing, no da." He replied calmly and looks at Youtaiko as he takes off his mask. "We came back to seek you, Your Highness. We have some news from Taiitsukun."
Tasuki added, "Yah, Sunakake-babaa wants us to report this news to ya. Damn that old hag. She's giving me goose-bumps as I look into her face… sheesh…" Then he sees something weird in the sky…
"Tasuki, this is no time for that, no da. Tell Her Highness on what did Taiitsukun told us when we visited Mt. Taikyoku three days ago."
Tasuki still looks above the sky and points something. "With ya look at that Chichiri!" Tasuki and the others can't believe on what they have seen. A bright red light has descended from the heavens going to the direction of the Suzaku shrine.
"It couldn't be…" Youtaikou uttered. Chichiri and Tasuki rushed to the shrine first, Youtaikou and her attendants followed them.
As they arrived at the shrine, Tasuki bustled the door down. Chichiri and Youtaikou tried to catch up.
"You… run… fast… Tasuki… even… you're aged."
"If I smell somethin' fishy, I'm gonna look for some answers. I had a hunch we're gonna meet someone…" As Tasuki opened the door, he smiled, showing off his fangs. "Or should I say… meet them again…" Chichiri and Youtaikou come closer and gets surprised as they see two people lying on the shrine's floor, unconscious. Chichiri and Youtaikou reacted.
"Miaka! Taka!"
Hikarou looks the through the distant skies and deeply feels the presence. I feel a presence. It's just like what I've felt before but it's different. It's warm, like the color of red. I feel the connection… it's like blood. But, I can't determine what it is. I wonder… can this be my power?
Min You called her attention, while they were walking along the busy streets of Xiang City. "Are you talking to yourself, Hikarou?"
She just smiled back.
"I'm just looking at the cloud, silly." It's better if she doesn't know this. She sighed, stretching her arms and putting them on her nape. They continued walking around the busy district of Xiang City, where it is the center of business of the empire. Here, merchants selling all kinds of products, whether it be food or clothing. They finally went to a restaurant and eat something there.
Inside the noisy restaurant, Min You takes a sip of her tea. "Still thinking about what Empress Ying told you a while ago?"
Hikarou nodded, as she tries to recall what the Empress said.
A few moments ago, Hikarou and Min You were summoned by Empress Ying. As they arrived, Min You agreed to wait for her outside as maids are strictly prohibited to come inside the imperial chamber and only nobles and high priestesses are allowed to speak with the members of the royal household. Hikarou enters and instantly give respects to the calm-faced Empress.
"Rise, Lady Hikarou." Her calm voice was heard throughout the silent chamber. "Are you feeling better now?" Hikarou nods for her reply.
"I heard from Min You that you're the one who cured me, your Majesty. I appreciate your kindness and mercy. Even though I regret to agree being the miko of this country, you still believed in me" The Empress interrupted her.
"Stop talking nonsense!" Her strict voice was once again heard. The Empress went towards Hikarou, touching her cheeks and wiping her tears. She walks through the table and lays her hand on her crystal ball.
"You have a strong will and a brave heart. I know every girl like you can't seem to believe how fate can be mysterious to manipulate its hands to control your destiny. But I still respect your decision, even it hurts a bit. I can't order people's hearts. However, we must find out who is the gem priestess because time is running out." She closes her eyes as a light shines into the crystal ball. It disappeared and flashes of images came forth to them.
Images of cities and empires being destroyed by natural calamities; crops and other plants wilt because of drought; animals slowly dying due to famine; farm houses were burned until ashes; grieving cries of abandoned children as their parents were killed merciless by unknown enemies; people slowly dying to unknown diseases which has no cure and so many cruel images of suffering and turmoil showed in the Empress' crystal ball. The Empress remains expressionless while Hikarou is gasping and nearly going to burst out her emotions…
"Stop it… stop…" Hikarou mumbled as tears rolled on her check. "Please… turn… it… off…"
"TURN THAT THING OFF!!" As she shouted, the images shown on the ball disappeared in a flash and returned to its normal state. Hikarou sobs and the Empress replies in a serious tone of voice.
"Over the past few months, Seimitsu and his subordinates were freed from the seal Nu Kwa cast on them a long time ago." She points from a direction from a distance. "See that mountain over there? That is where they have been confined. But the seal is temporary, and they escaped. Unfortunately, they're good at hiding their kis so we can't locate them exactly and easily." She breathed hard and continued.
"I've been practicing the art of scrying and spheromancy for many years. Half of my blood has a blood of a deity, that's why I acquire this kind of power. I've been expecting this kind of genocide to come. This city was blessed by Nu Kwa for protection before she puts herself to deep sleep, so we're not affected by the dreadful things done by Seimitsu now. But the four kingdoms protected by the four gods…" Her serious face looks now in torment.
Hikarou interrupted. "What will happen?"
The Empress instantly replied, "Are becoming worse as the day passes. If we can't do anything right away, they'll be perished immediately, and we'll be the next, and this world will be completely destroyed. We send out our soldiers to help the four kingdoms but still Seimitsu's forces are strong. Our only chance is to find the priestess and let her search for the other keepers of the gem fragments that Nu Kwa broke thousands of years ago." The Empress sighed and tapped Hikarou's shoulders.
"I'm not forcing you to be the priestess if you still don't want to, however, if you change your mind and be our miko, use this." The Empress took Nu Kwa's sword from the table that Hikarou pulled out from the sacred stone and gives it to her. "Because I believe the sword chooses you to be its owner." Hikarou accepts the sword, but her face is filled with wonder. "Emperor Yang must be waiting for me at the throne hall. I must leave you for a while." She stands up and the Empress starts to leave, but as she opens the door, she stopped and turned back.
"Before I forget something, I want to ask you something, Lady Hikarou."
"What is it, your Majesty?" Hikarou holds the sword firmly into her hands.
"Do you know the difference between 'destiny' and 'fate'?"
Hikarou shook her head. The Empress smiled and said.
"You can change your destiny, because it is matter of a choice, which is not a thing to be waited for, for it, is a thing to be achieved… but fate, when it is marked, no one can claim that moment beyond what it has predestined to you. Maybe you're really fated to be the miko of this country, because I surely sense… that there's a blood of a miko flowing in your veins. Ponder on what I've said." Then, the Empress left her chamber.
Maybe you're really fated to be the miko of this country, because I surely sense that there's a blood of a miko flowing in your veins. As she hears those words, Hikarou's heart thumps fast.
"What… does she mean by that?"
"I can't understand why she said that a while ago. I recall her last words before she left. My hearts beats fast. I don't know why, but it's freaky…"
Min You talks while eating, her cheeks are fully stuffed, "Jus… dun… mind… the… emfres sed… Eat! The… fud's good." Hikarou sweatdropped. "Mind your manners, Min You, even if we're outside the palace." As she is about to take a bite of tofu, she heard loud cries coming from outside.
"HELP! My daughter is dying!! Can anyone help?? PLEASE TAKE ME TO THE PALACE!!"
Hikarou quickly gets the sword wrapped in cloth, and rushed outside, leaving Min You alone at the table. Min You hurriedly finished her food.
"Wei up!!" (Wait up!)
As they go out, they saw a commotion. A small group of men hurriedly carry a small girl in a dying state towards the palace. They were followed by a small group of people wailing.
"HURRY UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!" One of the girl's relatives shouted.
Hikarou's eyes grew with surprise and gets terrified as she saw the girl's tiny feet… slowly turns into stone.
Guidelines for Edge 4:
Scrying - the power by looking at the crystal ball
Spheromancy - the power using a crystal ball (Empress Ying uses this kind of magic to show Hikarou on what's happening on the four kingdoms)
Ki - life force
Xiang - Mandarin for "Light Yellow"
Ying - Mandarin for "crystal"
Sunakake-babaa - Taiitsukun's nickname according to Tasuki
Explanation abt the title: Hanging by the Thread is an idiom which means someone is in danger, which is explained in the last scene where on one girl is in grave danger and is fighting for her life. Hope that clarifies your thoughts.