-Two months later-
The mountain stood high in front of Sanae. Abrasion from the strong wind had shaped the rock into sharp spikes, tearing into the baby blue sky above.
Sand and sharp pebbles grinded against Sanae's metal foot as it headed for the mountain, and it could not help but wondering how difficult would it be for any yukkuris to walk through this patch of barren land. Any yukkuri clan that could survive here was surely something.
It had finally reached the chosen clan of the Broken One.
As it walked through bushes and cluster of grass scattering around the land, it could still feel the bitterness on its tongue. Apart from the hard shrubs that were impossible to chew, the only edible plant around the mountain was those grass. They had a bitter taste, not enough to kill but definitely enough to make any yukkuri wince in disgust while eating.
Guess those grass was the only choice of food available to the mountain clan.
Sanae had already understood why the Broken One chose this clan when it saw the mountain and its surrounding. These yukkuris here were surely living in an extremely uneasy place, and thus having a hard life.
Sands and pebbles around the mountain made hunting for food a painful and tiring job, not to mention the drastic temperature drop at night and strong wind in the area. Even though there was forest nearby, either the scorching heat in the day or the freezing cold at night on the pebble beach would definitely kill travelers from the clan before they could reach food. Many must have perished this way, turning into mummified corpses with feet ripped open by sharp rock shards and sand.
The only food available was bitter grass, an uneasy food by every standard. Sanae was sure that there was water sources in the mountain, but even that might be quite scarce.
Branches that could be used as weapon and building materials, berries, fresh grass and mushrooms were all available in the forest, but this place lacked all of them. Not even soft soil that yukkuris could burrow into existed in the mountain.
Worse, their only neighbour were flying Remiriyas who lived in the same mountain.
Most yukkuris knew how fierce a Remiriya could be when they were hunting. Add constant risks of starvation brought by the harsh living condition, those predator yukkuris would just be maniacal flying deaths that rushed at their preys at the very first sight.
While there were vines and branches that blocked the predator's view in a forest, and sharp branches that could be used to fight back, nothing was available here. Even their nests were located in caves at the top of the cliff, making it impossible for stealth attacks on their offspring. The mere sight of a yukkuri on those white, empty rocks was a obvious signal for lunch, and god knew how this clan was going to gather food out of the valley when dozens of Remiriyas were patrolling the sky.
It was truly amazing that this clan managed to survive against all odds.
Sanae only saw one from afar yesterday, but the swift, skilled motions of that yukkuri were enough to convince it that this clan was really chosen by the Broken One.
What Sanae needed to do now was to join this clan, and spread the Blessing around them. It would rid them of the starvation, sufferings and constant fear of death, and once those threats were gone, those yukkuris were going to see the magnificence of the metal and the Broken One. They would realize how their true forms were so superior than the filthy flours and fillings, and through Sanae's preaching, the word and beauty of the Broken One would enlighten those within the clan.
When the Blessing of metal was spread among every single one of them, and the Wicked Yukkuris were cleansed of their evil, believers of the Broken One would finally step out of the isolated mountain and into the forest, spreading both the Blessing and the faith.
The True Yukkuris would then search for pieces of the Broken One, and restore him. Once He was whole, the heaven of yukkuris would return, and eternal life and happiness should be achieved by every yukkuris again.
The Broken One will be made whole.
Sanae walked into the valley, accompanied by the cold, lyrical tickings in its body.
End of [The Beginning]