CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Once Upon A Time
The Celestial Plains, the realm of the gods.
Wisps of divine wind flow through the grass, and beautiful sakura trees are always in bloom on the heavenly plains. Rumors of the true layout of the plains are rampant in the mortal realm, but everyone knows and agrees that there is a giant mountain peak in the middle of the island. Little else is known for certain, and not shrouded in the mist of legend. So what mortals don't know is that beside the great mountain on the east side -facing towards the sun- lies a village; but not any ordinary village- this one is home to the gods themselves.
As one walks through, it becomes obvious the houses aren't normal, as they'd originally seemed. Twelve different temples mark both sides of the main street, each temple housing a different god, and looks just as unique as the deity residing within. One has a crowing rooster statue on top, with forever undying torches that are always lit marking the doorway and burning brightly within. Another's interior is covered in scrolls, and one even has a water floor instead of tile- each one perfectly suited to the residential god's needs. A couple others had been built in the next row for the newly discovered gods. Michigami and Kyokugami, the penguin and whale gods. And just outside the village, there is a large training-ground, including a massive field littered with dummies and all kinds of assorted tools and weapons, and a cave leading into the mountain; whose walls are riddled with ancient text like the letters in the houses. Young gods are taken there so they can learn to read it, and also how to figure things out on their own by their own resources, to become independent. The new gods are mostly trained by their parents, however Amaterasu often helps them with their raising.
The Queen of the Gods- although few on the plains ever called her that, most gods just simply called her 'Mother', while others simply called her by her true name. Amaterasu herself resides on a small rise over the village on the edge of the plains, so she can receive a clear view of the sunrise every morning. This temple is slightly larger than the others, built so out of respect for the goddess, but in appearance is more or less like the others.
Throughout the divine land were different shrines for all the gods, but one of Amaterasu's most prized -that was not her own- was the Seeing Pool: a shine to the snake goddess. The water itself does not see, but a long time ago -with Amaterasu's help- the water goddess blessed the pool of water, so that they can look upon the world of men and make sure everything is in order. So, a little bit to the left of the village, just on the edge of the forest- lay Nuregami's pool.
Yes, this is how I remembered it.
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The sky was the clearest blue that day as I wandered down to the spring. A small pond full of crystal-clear water in one of the shrines, showing events in the mortal world. I looked at the carvings of the water god Nuregami that were etched in the rocks and I sat down, changing my gaze to watch the restless water inside the spring and sighed. The etched celestial snakes in the stone around me seemed to slowly move, curling and uncurling, slithering and swimming like the real snake god. Waka's words echoed in my mind: "The time has not yet arrived for her to leave, Ma cherie. She needs to be prepared for what is yet to come." I had overheard him telling that to her- to my mother. She had believed him, and I now can't leave this place. The golden-haired man prophesied a great evil approaching, and now Chibi had defeated most of it- but they were still cautious. I sighed again, my white paw dropping into the water. Curious fish swam around it and stared, darting away whenever I twitched it. I used the celestial brush out of boredom, and created a stream in the air. The fish swam through intricate tubes in midair, clearly confused, but in a few seconds the levitating water fell back into the pool. A brief smile flashed across my face in amusement. 'I love this place, but it's just so boring! You can only do a limited number of things, and after exploring the plains for four years, there's not anything new or exciting left.'
One thing that did intrigue me was the history of the plains; the plains has a dark history. My mother had purged all evil with her return and the planting of the guardian sapling, but...It could happen again, and our home could be destroyed! If another demon attacked! WE could all be- "What are you thinking about, Ma petite fille?" I jumped to my feet, startled, and looked around in surprise at the voice, and sure enough- there was Waka. I flattened my ears and turned back to the pool. "Nothing. Go away Waka!" I growled, fur still bristling in annoyance. I wasn't fond of the fruity moon-tribe man. "Ah," He said, taking a few steps toward me with one of his big, stupid, teasing grins plastered on his face. "but then how am I to talk to you?" I rolled my eyes as a response. "I know you blame me for your inability to leave the plains. You believe my foretelling of the fate of the 'sun's son' made you miss an amazing adventure." I turned away in a huff, refusing to respond. I wasn't in the mood for any of his antics right now. "The fact you cannot go now, doesn't mean you can't ever go. But it's not just that, your mother and I agree, Chibi possesses a quality you do not- patience. Tranquility. An even head. He can handle himself in difficult situations, where you on the other hand, blow up." I rolled my eyes, curling my lip. 'She doesn't think that. He's just saying that to try and make me react. And he's the one to talk! He's no more mature than me!' He often irritated me on purpose, making Mother get mad at both of us. "You must prove yourself before you can go on an adventure like him." He continued. 'Prove myself, huh?' I lifted my head, that part of what he said sticking in my mind.
"Waka!" A voice called, one sounding like tinkling gold. We both turned our heads. My mother, the sun goddess Amaterasu was coming down the slope towards us. She had white fur that shone like the white light of the sun, with light streaming from her back, and detailed red markings streaked across her coat. "I wish to speak to my daughter. Alone please; old friend." She said, walking gracefully towards us, her paws on the stone steps. "Fine. As you wish." He said with a shrug, and walking away. He glanced over his shoulder on his way out of the shrine at me, with something more than his typical taunt embedded in his face. He gave my mother a covert look as he passed, saying something in their close-bond-language; almost speaking without words. "See ya later, baby." He threw off the serious look, winking at Mother, and stuck his tongue out at me as he vanished.
"Why do you like him?" I asked my mother when he was out of earshot, over the hill. "He's so silly and annoying!"
"We have been friends for a long time. And with time grows acceptance of 'silly and annoying' behavior." My mother smiled, sitting down beside me. "But tell me, what is troubling you? Normally he doesn't aggravate you so quickly." I lowered my head and put it between my paws. "Don't you sometimes think that… That maybe this place could be attacked again? Like it was before?"
"No Akime." My mother said smiling, with a calm, comforting feel emanating from her. "There is nothing to be afraid about, Akuro has been defeated, and that will keep the forces of evil at bay for some time."
"You aren't worried in the slightest?" I asked incredulously, and a little disappointedly, raising my head to look at her. "No my little one," She said with a slight laugh. "do not worry my bright little red sun. All the shadows have been vanquished from the plains." She said gently, nudging her nose into my side, then she got up and trotted away. Yet, I thought I saw a hint of uncertainty in her eyes, and I wondered if she was saying that just to comfort me. But it very well could have been another worry on her mind- there are many things for a god to worry about.
I looked to the edge of the Celestial Plains to my far right, beyond the shrine. my mother had always told me to stay away from there- ever since I had almost fallen off the edge as a young pup. I also remembered how panicked she was when Chibi had left. She'd been worried sick, back then she had just barely begun to teach us about the celestial brush. For the first month, she spent most of her time pacing, and looking through the pool of Nuregami, watching him. I also had been worried, but not as much. Not to say that she ignored me in her fuss over him though, I still received my training, we still walked, talked, and raced through the plains together. Then when Chibi returned, he had so many stories to tell! Tales of people he had met, his travels, and monsters! I wagged my tail. He sparked an interest in me that day that he visited us, a spark of adventure. I too wanted to have an adventure! I mumbled under my breath: "One day, when I'm all grown up, I'll leave this place, and destroy all the evil in the mortal world, so our home shall be safe forever. Every demon on earth will quake before me!"
Just then, the wind picked up, and crumpled black leaves swirled right in front of me. I stood up very quickly. The pool had disappeared, and in front of me was a stretch of dead grass covered in shadows, and a dark figure stood in the middle- darkness spreading from it in every direction. It was a wolf, a completely black wolf. Its eyes opened- and they were a blank, blinding white, that then turned crimson. The sky was red, and smelled of blood. A loud growling rose to meet my ears, and the wind threatened to blow me over. I braced, and the demon came closer, and it chanted my name over and over, "Akime! Akime! AKIME!" It grew louder and louder until it felt as if it was right in my ear. The ground disappeared beneath me, and I fell into the unending darkness.
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"HAAH!" I gasped and opened my eyes with a snap. A little poncle was standing over me, concern creasing his tiny face. "Akime! You were having a nightmare!" He said to me, getting off my face so I could rise. "Yes, I know." I said, putting a paw to my head to knead where apparently I had hit a tree with my head while thrashing about in my sleep. 'What was that dream about? I remember that day on the Celestial Plains, but there was nothing significant about it! And why was that other part there? Being chased… By some sort of demon?' It's a common nightmare, being chased by something you fear, but what did this mean? 'This shadow creature, I couldn't see it clearly at all. And the closest thing it looked like was that shadow-being we saw outside of Tsuta and at the Gale Shrine. But this one was worse, way worse. There was something about it, that made my insides twist with… Wrongness. It almost looked like… No. It couldn't be. Why now? Why am I having this dream? Is Mother trying to tell me something?'
"What was it about?" Hiraku asked, coming closer. "Oh, it was nothing." I lied. He gave me an unconvinced look. "No really!" I said, putting my ears back and smiling. "Nothing to worry about."
'Why should I tell him when I don't understand it myself?'
"Ok..." He said, hopping on my head as I stood up and stretched my legs in the early morning light. "Well, since we're up- we might as well get going. You know what we have to do!" He said, taking on a cheery tone.
"Onward to Ryoshima coast!"
(AN: Jaw surgery delayed this chapter a bit, but here it is! The kind-of-ending to the first adventure! Also the fruitcake appears! And Ammy again! ^^
Little Akime is a brat, a fluffy little brat. She loves messing with people and getting into trouble. Akime was not a fan of Waka, at least not when she's younger. When she was just a tiny whelp, she thought he was funny, but quickly found him annoying when he stole away Ammy's attention. The two often fought for Ammy's attention, getting into very childlike quarrels. As she grew older, she made peace with him, and learned to accept his counsel, but when she was a pup, she often fought with him, the big, silly fruitcake.
And thank you so much everyone for the follows, favs, and reviews, they mean a lot to me! ^^)