He wasn't sure how long he had been crying over the mess that was his life. All he knew was that he was alone in the part of his parents' estate that no one but him went to, sobbing into the delicate loveseat couch as thoughts of hatred, disgust, loneliness, and emptiness filling his head. He hadn't noticed when the dark library with only the moon to light the room, shifted into a beautiful meadow.

Masao blinked his eyes as he scanned his surroundings. He was sitting in the middle of the meadow, tall trees surround the small meadow and seemed to expend for miles and miles. Tall boulders that were covered in moss was seen several feet in front of him where the trees divided. On the ground, between two pairs of boulders were two stoned paths. Both were covered in vines and foliage. It would take at least an hour just to get through them. Masao looked up to see some sunrays gently traveling between the gaps created by the branches of the trees.

Masao felt a sense of calm and safety as he recognized the forest. It was the forest behind his home. The forest ran for several yards of untouched territory and was mainly inhabited by wild animals. Not many people ventured into the Tottori Forest. Masao had done so many times in the past to escape from his problems, even if it was just for a few hours.

His mother hated the forest and had wanted to desperately tear it down. But the city had forbidden it. It was protected territory, home to many animals that had been there for generations. It was also said that an ancient shrine resided deep within the forest; though Masao had never found it, yet.

Masao signed softly. How many times had he come to his forest? He wasn't exactly sure, but he knew it was a lot. Sometimes he would spend all day here if he could. Masao wasn't stupid. His mother was beyond strict when it came to being home at a certain time. His father didn't really care so much. Then again, his father really had no say in anything. It was his company, it was his name, yet his mother controlled everything — both the company and their personal lives. And now with his father sick, no one was there to stop her from doing whatever she wanted.

Masao felt a wave of disgust. Had it really taken him that long for him to realize that? Masao ran his hand through his hair as he gazed at the butterflies that flew innocently in the air. They were all gathering near the stone path on the right. Masao looked at them curiously as the vines and foliage began moving away on their own, revealing the path it had been covering and blocking.

Masao smiled softly as a single butterfly fluttered in front of him. He had this dream many times before. He would be in this meadow. Several sparkly, blue butterflies would appear from out of nowhere and touch the path they wanted him to follow. He would follow and they would lead him to another meadow where he would hear a female voice. Masao had never seen the owner of the voice, only heard it. Despite that, Masao felt a lot closer to the mysterious voice than his own parents. The voice felt like a mother wanting to comfort her child. It made him feel safe and loved. It always listened to him and talked to him when he needed the reassurance that he wasn't a failure.

"Masao..." Masao gazed at the butterfly in front of him. It wanted him to follow. Looked like he was going to be going into the meadow again. Masao got up and followed, only to realize that something was off. As he followed the herd of butterflies, he noticed that they were taking him down a path he had not been through before. The path even seemed longer and dark as he walked further into the forest.

Masao took that moment to pause. Where were they taking him? He had noticed the path they were taking was not one he had taken before, not in his dreams and not when he was awake. Could they be trying to show him something? "Where are you taking me?"

The herd of butterflies paused at the edge of the path they wanted him to walk on. They had reached a clearing in where the path had divided into four. The other three paths had magically covered themselves with huge vines and branches, preventing him from going down them. Two of the butterflies flew towards him, fluttering in front of his face. They began to glow slightly before he heard a familiar female voice. "Masao...come to me..."

Masao watched in fascination as a blue aura seemed to engulf the herd of butterflies. The air seemed to shimmer slightly as they fluttered around each other, forming a faint form of a woman. Masao could barely make out any feature of the woman. All he knew was that she was beckoning him to follow. The arm of the woman lifted and pointed towards him; her voice seemed to echo around him as her form glowed a beautiful blue. "Masao...come...you are almost there..." She then pointed to the path. "I am waiting...come find me...your destiny awaits..."

"My destiny?" Just as the form began to lose shape, reverting to the two dozen butterflies, Masao asked: "Who are you? Where are you?"

"A friend," the voice said, "come to the shrine."

"The shrine?" Masao said, only to be faced with the butterflies that fluttered away down the path. "Hey wait!" Masao rushed after them, somewhat lost in the sea of questions. What did she mean about his destiny? What did this have to do with the woman he had been talking to since he was five? And why was she finally revealing herself now?

Masao's head began to hurt at the questions swirling in his mind. There were simply too many questions and not enough answers. So instead of asking, he simply followed. The butterflies fluttered left and right and straight a few more times before they stopped in front of some innocent vines hanging between two trees. The butterflies glowed brightly, cutting through the darkness created by the trees that seemed to have grown closer together the farther they went into the forest. A single butterfly gazed at him, making sure he was still following before the herd disappeared through the vines.

Masao grumbled under his breath, silently wishing this meant they had reached this shrine. With a thankful smile to the lone butterfly that stayed with him, he reached out his hand to grab the vines and pushed them aside. A silent gasp left his lips upon seeing a beautiful ancient shrine that he had only read about. There were only a few stories on the shrine and a few sketches depicting what it might look like, but nothing concrete.

Masao silently walked towards the cat-like statues that stood guarding the shrine a good five feet away. The statues were in perfect condition despite how old it must be, vines and plants twisted around the base of the statues and rested just below the head. It was amazing they had not cracked and dissolved under the pressure and weather. Behind the statues was the shrine. The shrine was made of stone as the stories told and had an Egyptian structure to it. It was said that one of the emperors back then once met a god with the head of a jackal, the body of a man, but no one believed him and thought it was the sickness taking over. Despite what others thought and his own depleting health, he had created this shrine that had been considered long forgotten when the emperor died.

When Masao read that story, he immediately thought of the Egyptian god, Anubis. He wasn't sure if he believed the story, but it interested him nonetheless. Masao gazed at the temple in awe. The shrine wasn't exactly what he expected. It wasn't as big as the usual Egyptian temples or shrines, but it wasn't small either. The trees were pretty big and so close together that it created a roof of branches and leaves, shielding the shrine from the world. Masao gently touched the opened stone door that the herd disappeared through. The door had Egyptian hieroglyphs engraved near the border of the door and on the walls and there were more inside.

Masao slowly made his way inside, gazing at every hieroglyph and design engraved on the walls. It was amazing.

As he walked further into the shrine, Masao began to wonder. How is it possible for me to dream about this place? I've never seen it in person. It was true he had read about it, but the true details of the shrine died with the emperor. No one knew what it looked like, nor it's exact location. There was only vague information about what the shrine looked like, so how was he able to dream of this place so clearly. Everything looked and felt so real, it was like he had been transported into another reality.

While Masao was lost in his thoughts, he was unaware of the walls shifting from that of an old shrine to one of a beautiful palace with gold and jewels decorating the walls. He was also unaware of the hieroglyphs shifting into unknown symbols of an unknown language that was not familiar to Humans, symbols that looked oddly similar to the ones on his arm. "Papa! Papa!"

Masao found himself snapped out of his thoughts as he reached the end of the hall. A pair of door blocked his way. Masao laid a hand on the door, noticing it was ajar. From the other side, he heard the young, childish voice of a small child. Masao frowned as an odd feeling came over him. As the child called out "Papa" again, Masao had the sudden urge to find the child, to hug him, to love him, and to protect him with his entire being. But that didn't make any sense. He doesn't have a child, at least not yet.

Masao found himself thinking about Kurosawa and the activities they had done together. As fast as that line of thinking came, Masao shook the thought away just as fast. He still felt ashamed and disgusted at what happened. Masao wanted kids of his own, but not like this. He never thought it would be forced out of him like this. If it had been up to him, Masao would have had two boys and raise them far, far away from his family and this burden. He would never wish that on his children. He had always dreamed of moving to America or maybe France when he graduated and then gone in search of his soulmate, so much for that idea.

With a silent sigh, Masao opened the door. Once again, Masao found himself stunned at what he saw. Masao was in some type of ballroom. The floor was a beautiful white stone tile, while the walls were a brilliant blue. The room had a very high glass dome ceiling. The glass was painted with colorful images of ten creatures Masao had never seen before and they seemed to be surrounding a pink ornate rose. Large banners rested on the walls, revealing more strange creatures.

The first was of a creature that looked like the Egyptian god, Anubis, with large white wings. The second looked like the goddess, Bastet. However, this creature looked more human-like with cat features, short pink hair and eyes, a stunning yellow and orange fur dress, tan and gray skin, two tails, and a golden jeweled crown resting on top of her head. Next to the woman, was a man with the head of a lion. He, too, had a crown on his head. Actually, the man didn't look human at all. He was very muscular and seemed to be able to walk on his two feet, but he had claws and looked purely like a lion with a huge sword held in his right claw. He looked intimidating. Next to the humanoid lion, was another creature that looked like Bastet. However, this one had beautiful long red hair and soft violet eyes.

Masao felt drawn to those eyes for some reason, but that wasn't what made his heart skip a beat. Each of the banners had odd symbols underneath them, but it was the last banner (that had the same symbols that were written on his arm) that drew his attention. He was only vaguely aware of the warmth radiating him his right arm.

Masao gazed at the banners in puzzlement. It was obvious these people were Egyptian. The depiction of Anubis and Bastet were a dead giveaway. They were also of a royal bloodline, possibly relatives of the pharaohs that worshipped these gods, if the images of the Egyptian gods meant anything. Masao's eyes lingered on the last banner, the one of the second Bastet woman. The symbols on the banner matched the symbols on his arm perfectly. Could this be his soulmate, Bastemon, trying to contact him? He had read of soulmates communicating through dreams, feelings, or writing on one's own skin. Though, he had never tried it himself. Maybe he should have. He could have asked Bastemon what her true name was and where she lived so they could meet.

As he thought about this a little be more, Masao found himself snorting slightly. If the banner's symbolism was right, then Bastemon was a princess or at least of royal blood. "Okaasan would be rolling in her grave once she realizes I could have married royalty. Maybe she would not have been so rash to force me into marrying Kurosawa-san." Masao could see it now: his mother screaming at the lost opportunity. What better way to have a perfect child then with a princess?

Despite the irony of it all, Masao just wanted to cry. His mother had ruined any chance of him finding his soulmate. His mother had made sure he didn't get remotely close to anyone that she demeaned foreign or unperfect. She had made sure he couldn't make his own friends, his own lovers. She made sure he couldn't talk freely or decide for his own. She had made it clear that his life, his very existence, was hers to control. He must not be a disappointment, she would always tell him, he was the face of the company. If he made a mistake or acting remotely childish, it would make her look bad, and that was all she cared about.

Masao couldn't prevent the small tear that rolled down his cheek. Masao had wanted to sink to his knees and sob. He knew his life was over because Kurosawa seemed too much like his mother, not on the outside but within.

"Papa!"

Masao let out a startled gasp as something small tackled him. Masao laid on his back in a daze for a moment, allowing his body and mind to regain their alertness. It was not long before he lifted his head to see what tackled him. As much as Masao wanted to scream, he didn't. How could he when a smiling baby was cooing, almost growling at him.

The baby seemed to be no more than six, maybe seven months old. He had soft, expressive violet eyes, and vivid blue hair that reminded him of his grandmother (and oh, how he adored his grandmother) and cute little red streak in hair. The baby's skin was two-toned. He had a fair complexion (so much like his own) for the face, the front side of his neck, the palm of his hands and feet, and if he was right the baby's chest underneath the white shirt was also fair. The rest of the boy's skin (which included his shoulders, arms, legs, and back) was grayish in color with a rosette pattern all over his gray skin. What Masao found both amazing and odd was the gray and beige lion ears and the single gray lion tail with red hair at the tip. Upon further inspection, the baby's fingernails were thick like claws and he also had an odd-looking ring around his tail and a pair of white feathery wings protruding from his back.

"Papa!" Masao didn't say anything, too stunned and confused to say a word. Masao didn't have to ask whose child this was. He could see the resemblance and deep in his soul he just knew this was his little boy. But he was scared. The appearance didn't bother him. Masao knew that lions were known to be protective, strong. His mind was just telling him that his son would be strong and healthy once he was born. He was relieved. But he feared that he would be tainted by his mother and the woman he had been forced to marry. He knew they would make sure he had no part in his upbringing and that scared him. But, now that he thought about it, his son did not look like his wife at all. This made him wonder...

"We have been waiting a long time for you, Masao." Masao looked up to see a woman in the middle of the room, surrounded by more butterflies. She was sitting on a large pink blanket that was littered with baby toys. The woman was a bit taller than his own mother. She had beautiful blue locks and flawless fair skin that reminded him of his father's mother. The woman wore a blueish gray helmet with yellow insect-like eyes, high gray boots, and a light blue armor that exposed her thighs. The armor had a yellow fur-trimmed collar that Masao found truly unique. It really tied the outfit together nicely. But what really made the woman scream, Not Human, was the large blue butterfly-like wings on the helmet and the blue showgirl skirt cut like a butterfly's wing. But like everything else, she didn't feel threatening. She must symbolize something, but what? "Would you mind bringing His Highness back over here? We have much to discuss."

Masao did as he was told but couldn't help but ask: "Highness?" Did he hear that right?

The woman smiled as he took a seat on the blanket with his infant son snuggled in his lap. "Of course, Masao. He is the future Crowned Prince of the Forest Kingdom."

Masao's mouth dropped. "Prince?!"

"Papa!" Masao looked down to see the baby happily playing with a stuffed toy (that looked identical to the Anubis creature on the banner) that several butterflies had carried over to him.

"Why yes," the woman laughed sweetly. The woman's voice was so warm and inviting. It sounded motherly. It was the voice he had been talking to for years in his dreams. "But most importantly, he is the beginning of your destiny."

"I don't understand," Masao said with a shake of his head. "He doesn't look anything like Kurosawa-san. And last I checked, Kurosawa-san is not a princess or a queen." At least, not officially. I'm pretty sure she thinks of herself as one, though.

"The Prince is not a result out of lies and deception!" The woman sounded so angry, yet gentle, as she spoke. The butterflies surrounded them protectively as if trying to shield them from something. Masao suddenly realized that this woman was what he had always wanted in a mother. She was angry and protective for those she cared for. The baby gazed up at him with those expressive eyes of his, when Masao winced at her tone. He had to admit, she was a bit scary. "He is a result out of pure love."

"Love." The words came out slowly. If Kurosawa was not his son's mother, then that must mean... "Bastemon?" The words came out soft, barely above a whisper, but the two still heard him.

"Mama!" The baby squealed happily, causing the two to smile.

"Yes, Mama," she cooed softly at the baby as she gently scratched behind the young prince's ear, "the Queen of the Forest Kingdom."

Masao's smile fell. As much as he wanted to relish in the presence of his and his soulmate's future son. He couldn't. He was married. He had betrayed Bastemon with this marriage, even if had no control over it. He gazed at his son, seeing those expressive, happy eyes, brought a sudden ack in his chest.

"That's impossible," he said miserably. "Okaasan...she..." Masao felt bile at the back of his throat. "And Kurosawa-san she...and I…" Why couldn't he say this? Why couldn't he reveal what happened to him to someone that felt and acted so much like a mother figure? Why couldn't he explain why he and Bastemon could not be together, that it was too late? Masao's heart sank when he realized his son would never come to be.

Masao watched silently as the small infant crawled out of his lap to grab another toy: it was that of a beautiful woman with sky blue and green eyes, long wavy aqua hair that reached down her waist, and tan skin. From what his son showed him when he returned to his lap, the doll was wearing a beautiful crimson dress with a jeweled snake entwined on an open side on the right hip and a slit up the legs on the same side. The woman looking doll also wore high goldish sandals and a snake crown. How is this appropriate for a baby? he silently thought as his arms wrapped around his son, protectively. He feared one wrong move would cause his child to disappear from him, forever.

"Masao." The woman placed a delicate hand on his knee. He looked up at her. "I have been watching you ever since you were young. I know what has happened." Masao's heart sank, and all the color drained from his face. Masao could not look at her.

"You do." He sounded so small to his own ears. He wanted to cry, he wanted to hide, but he knew he couldn't do that. His son was right there, happily gazing at his father with those expressive eyes and sweet smile and trying very hard to get his father to play with him. "So, you know that it can't work. I'm already married to Kurosawa-san."

"Masao look at me." Masao did and despite the helmet, Masao knew she was hurting inside and yet was as stern as a mother should. "What your mother did was wrong. No one should be drugged and forced into a marriage. You must understand that this was not your fault. I understand what has happened and so will the Queen. And believe me, she'll still love you as she does now."

"How? How can you possibly know that?" His son stubbornly placed the Anubis doll into his opened palm, demanding to be played with, with an insistent little growl. Definitely my son. No doubt about that.

"I know all," she said simply.

"What are you, a seer?" Masao had meant it as a joke. That was all he could do to escape the feeling of dread and hope that was fighting against each other.

"As a matter of fact," she said as he and his infant son played with the dolls, "yes I am."

Once again, Masao's mouth fell open, causing the woman to laugh and his son to whine when their little game paused. "Don't look so surprise, Masao. Of the Great Three Seers, I am the most powerful, despite my youthful age." The young prince cooed happily as his father absently scratched behind his ears.

He smiled gently at his little boy. His son might not be born yet, his life possibly years away from now, hopefully, but he had never felt so close to his little boy then he was now. He never wanted to let him go. He wanted to see his birth. He wanted to see him grow. But that would mean he would have to confront his soulmate. Would she still want him after she learned the truth? Would she want to fight to help him nullify his marriage? It wasn't exactly legal. But who would believe him, since he signed the marriage papers and in front of a judge?

"What are you exactly?" She smiled.

"I go by many names," she said. "I am the Mother Seer. The Maiden of Wings. Keeper of Future Events. The Divine Messenger of Creation. But to you, I am your guardian, your friend, and a mother, if you wish." Masao's head ached from all the information. But he felt truly loved, which was something he had not felt in a long time. That last time he had felt loved was by his grandmother, but she had died when he was only six.

"Papa! Papa! Papa!" Masao's head snapped down to see what had gotten his son so distressed, only for him to gasp in a panic upon seeing himself fading.

"What's happening?!" Masao looked at the woman, scared.

"We are running out of time," she said sadly. "Masao listen to me carefully. Do not allow what has happened to you to cloud your judgment and to harden your heart. You have a life away from the sadness and pain you find yourself in, you just have to want it."

"W-want it?"

"Yes! Fate is not set in stone, Masao! You are the writer of your own story! You are the judge of how you want your life to begin and end, but you must want it! You must choose your own path!" Masao, to his horror, watched as his son placed something small into his hands before disappearing into a puff of smoke. Masao wanted to scream. He wanted to shout. He wanted more time with his son! But there was just no time. Masao was soon snatched by an unknown force and yanked out of the room, out of the shrine, and into an abyss of total darkness.

"No, don't go! Don't leave me!" Nothing but darkness surrounded him. Masao had a terrible hole in his chest. A part of him was missing. Masao bit his lower lip as he watched three dozen blue butterflies appear out of nowhere. They fluttered around him, reminding him that he was not alone. Never alone.

"You will never be alone, Masao. We will meet again." Masao smiled, feeling slightly better as the butterflies formed into the vague form of the butterfly woman. "But remember this Masao. You are in control of your destiny. Not your mother. Not this Kurosawa. And especially not Bastemon. Only you."

Only me.

"But you must hurry, time is not on your side." This caused him to frown. "The Beasts that called themselves gods will try to stop you. But you must be brave. You must be strong. You must be wise and true. The fate of your boys rests in your hands."

The woman and the surrounding darkness began to fade, become lighter and lighter as he found himself returning to the wakeful world. "Choose wisely, Your Majesty: a life with a woman that you were forced to wed. A woman who does not care for you and would only cause you pain and a life of misery. Or a life of pure love. A son born from that love and a wife who had loved you since the day you were born."

And then there was nothing but light