I'm one of those types of people that really love to wake up early. But today, I chose to wake myself earlier than usual. "It's today.", I said to myself. The day when I actually thought about what fate really had in store for me. You can somehow say that I'm bored of my usual occupation of being Kasu Village's dancer of strength, but I'd say I more of grew out of it. Every big thing starts out small. And for me, it is this day when that 'big thing' is in pursuit. The words of my sister Tenyou still ring in my head: "what you've been made for"... This is what I wanted to know today, and I shall go on that path today. I think I'm ready...
...except for the part in which I don't have a lead. Before I can start on my walk to fate's door, I have to find that door first. Or rather, I'd have to make that door myself. I'll open myself to the opportunity that everyone is waiting for... which I really think they shouldn't be doing, as they have to open themselves to that opportunity and seek it out themselves. This is precisely what I wanted to accomplish today.
My initial mindset is that I am built to be a warrior. But there isn't really any 'war' going on here in physical terms, so maybe I'll just settle for being an... adventurer? No, that actually makes me sound a bit weaker than what I really want to be. One thing's for sure, however: in order to unlock my inner strength, I will need to reach for a goal that will prompt that hidden self of mine to reveal itself. Basically, I am not surprised if this journey of mine will take me to places beyond those that this universe actually knows.
I keep a storage far from the actual house. Dawn wasn't even breaking yet, and I was already leaving my bed and heading towards this storagehouse of mine. Maybe, just maybe, I can get a glimpse of what I really should be looking for. I really don't think I'll forever just be a dancer for the world's stage, one that gives strength to the world... I would like to give myself strength as well, and obviously I can't do that by just dancing.
I opened that storage of mine, unlocking it with a deep scientific lock that only responds to the bloodline of our clan. Some of Tenyou's stuff were here too, and probably some stuff of those of our ancestors as well. Even though I call it a storage, it actually kind of looks like an unmanned museum: it contained every important artifact that has been passed down or discovered that is related to our bloodline. Important could mean many things, however, as sometimes I question the existence of some items here, such as Tenyou's one and only violet-colored underwear; she treasures it that much, she actually doesn't wear it, but keep it here. I still don't know the reason as to why she did that, but you get my point.
(author's note: sorry I had to bring something so trivial up... I just couldn't help it, these guys are too cute @_@)There are indeed some beautiful relics here, such as the so-called "Venus Shard" which was owned by some distant relative of mine, and left it here for some odd reason, but even my unemotional self can tell that there's power emanating from it. Continuing to look for something that'll truly spark up that fire soul inside me, I got to the more personal part of the house. The artifacts kept here are directly related to our bloodline, such as the first ever letter that my distant ancestor Loudo wrote to whoever his mate was. I didn't really want to peer too long into this side of the room, but it was here where I found it... the discovery that might change how my whole life is supposed to be. I found a simple picture frame with our family name on top of it. It was a simple frame divided into 3 parts. The left side was designed to look like glorious fire, and the right side was designed to give the feel of a mystic heaven. The middle part was designed to depict the existence of a red and blue wind, symbolizing opposite meanings of both strength and grace. Yes, the design of the frame is of some importance, actually; let's move on to the actual picture. In the right side of the picture was a very small creature with cat-like ears, wearing a simple orange clothing and has some sort of cute green key in hand, where the handle of the key somewhat looks like the skies. If you haven't gotten the hint, this was Tenyou as a child. Man, she's actually already kinda tall for her age even back then... On the left side was an... 'awesome' looking creature, with ears that resemble wings of a petit dragon, and was wearing a cool red cape and vest... and his undergarments over his vest? What the hell? I'm pretty sure I did NOT wear them like that! You have got to be kidding me! I refuse to believe that this was me as a child... I swear!
Then we move on to the thing that sparked that inner fire inside me. There was this third being in the middle of the picture. She looked younger than me, but older than Tenyou. The picture is kinda old though, so it's kind of difficult to see her details yet,
(author's note: this description has changed due to a final confirmation from the artist) but her ears look like those of a canine with long ears, and they're purple. Really purple. She really seemed to love purple and its subcolors (sky blue and pink), for she wore a robe that had sky blue lining on the left and pink lining on the right, along with a purple neckline formed like a petal. She wore a special kind of compass and some sort of necklace with a cube that resembled a Menger Sponge. I don't know if it's just me, but I say they seem to be mystical artifacts. Enough with her physical description, however, for one thing is the big question here: why is she part of this picture? This was supposedly just to be a family picture, yet I don't even remember seeing her anywhere. And judging from how we look in this picture, it was like we actually know each other!
This was kind of a major mystery for me, so I took this picture frame and out of the secret house I go. I needed answers. And if anything, there was one place I know I could go to when it concerns anything about our bloodline.
I head over to a village not too far away from Kasu Village. It is called the Shimizu Village. This is the real area where our bloodline was born, so in truth I should really be familiar with this place more than Kasu Village, but my stay in Kasu Village is already as a regular villager there, and even though this is my province, I'm actually just a visitor now. Since it was still really early, the place was still a bit quiet, and it only takes me around 15 minutes to walk there. I immediately headed over to the village head's house, where I already have permission to go inside due to me being part of the bloodline. A bit both hesitant and excited, I rush over to the room of the village head, Rezo.
(author's note: hahahaha. Sorry I couldn't think up of a better name 
) If anything, he knows more than most people should know, but he's a good-willed man, yet he's more of the energetic type. Even at his age, he's still one of the most energetic people in our bloodline. He is famous almost worldwide, actually. Heck he's actually also a minister of some distant town.
You would've guessed by now that he's actually awake. I ran up to him with quite a determined voice coming out of my mouth.
"Rezo! I would like you to explain something to me." I said with much composure.
"...Ryougen? It's been a while since I've seen you, yet you come running here with almost no respect or whatsoever..." he replied.
"'Respect'? I thought you said we cou~"
"*smack* hahahaha, of course I'm kidding! Just a bit startled to see you here! And from your expression, it seems like something big's up! What is it that you wish to know?"
"Well, you see, I think this is the day I'm about to make a discovery... or rather, when I will start to hunt down that discovery of mine. Please take a look at this!"
I handed him over the picture frame. Even without holding it, I already saw that change of expression in his face.
"...so you dug deeply into that storage of ours, huh. I didn't actually expect the day that you'll be finding this."
"So you know something?! Please tell me!"
"However, Ryougen, I would want to ask what prompted you to go in there and dig that deeply."
"Well, you see, I just go~"
"Got kinda fed up with the usual routine you have of being just in the village, and felt that the fire inside you was telling you that this usual life of yours isn't actually what it's fated for?"
"..."
"Figures, because that's precisely the only thing I was waiting for."
"Waiting for?"
"Ryougen, even since your childhood, I already had the feeling that you will part of the other side of the Mai family, the one that seeks his inner strength rather than be the strength of the world. After realizing that, it's not long after that the start of the timeline that I will about to tell you has happened. Have a seat, for I'll be giving quite an explanation to you... something that I kept from both you and Tenyou for quite a while now."
"Ever since my childhood, huh..."
I took a seat. I already had a feeling I was going to know something that will really change my life now.
But before he can start talking, the beaded curtain from afar unruffled, and out came another entity that was familiar to my eyes. It was Tenyou.
"...how did you..." I just had to exclaim to her.
"I figured something was up, for you being too early on your waking time. Then I felt that the storage house had someone in it, so it had to be you. Seeing as I can't find you anywhere in Kasu, I decided to go here." she replied.
"Ah, Tenyou, great timing. I was about to tell quite a story to your elder brother here, but I should probably also tell this to you as well." Rezo said. Tenyou also helped herself to a seat, as Rezo started to tell the 'secret' that's he's been hiding from us.
"Truth is guys, you are 3 siblings, not just the two of you. This middle entity that you are questioning? She is also part of not just the clan, but she's actually the middle in ages of the two of you. She is younger than Ryougen, and older than Tenyou. She was quite a unique girl, like many of our ancestors. At a young age, she has already shown a great deal of ability in dancing, and at the same time she has shown herself to be affiliated with a mystic property of the wind. She kept these as a secret from both of you, though the only thing you may have noticed is that she often is out of the house. She has developed her talents way earlier than the two of you. Her name, by the way, is Senpuu. Senpuu Mai."
So that was her name. It kind of sounded familiar now that I heard it. Senpuu, huh...
"She kept it as a secret to you, Ryougen, so as not to activate that sense of jealousy within you. See, even at a young age, she was already very oriented to many of the world's truths. She is truly something else, a great gift that has been born here in Shimizu Village. Even until this day, a miniature parade is all set just for everytime that she arrives at the main stage. Almost everyone here looks up to her."
"She's that great of a woman? Where can we find her, then?!"
"...and this is where the bad part comes in. Better listen carefully, Ryougen.
Senpuu not only had the spirit of a maiden, but she also had the spirit of a warrior, much like you Ryougen."
"Excuse me, I'm not a ma~"
"Wait, oops, I worded that wrong."
"..."
"Anyway, moving on. Knowing this, she went on to research on her own about more of the world's conflicts. The most fascinating thing that interested her was the legends of the Nisen bloodline. I can't actually recall much of the details from that thing, but it's what she set out for. Of course, she didn't do it recklessly; she had to plan it so that no one would know that she actually had something big in mind. What that big thing is, even I don't know. She just told me one day: "Rezo, I'll be going on a quest.", so I helped her out in 'escaping' the village undetected. Where she went, I actually have no leads on. One thing is for sure though... she has never come back yet even until this day."
"What?!" I just had to scream with that last sentence. Apparently, this Senpuu is a sister of mine, an extraordinary child born along our lineage, and yet I don't even remember anything about her, and he comes to me telling that she's been MISSING ever since I was a kid?!
"And the reason why you don't remember? Well, remember the day when you were finally going to be assigned as training dancers in Kasu? Just right after you were moved there, that's when Senpuu 'mysteriously disappeared'. The both of you were so excited, you forgot about them. I suppose it could've ended up differently, her being a family member of yours and all, but to our surprise it actually worked. Over the years, no one has talked about Senpuu. I kept the worrying to myself, anxiously waiting for her return. And I kept it from you so that your childhood won't be scarred..."
I'm suddenly a bit silent here. I don't know her much... 'anymore', yet I get these feelings of sadness. The only reference I have for her existence and personality is the picture and Rezo's story, yet I already have that heavy feeling inside.
"But... seeing you here, I think it was the most appropriate time that it could've been revealed to you.
Ryougen! You do want to embark in some sort of new adventure right? Something that will hopefully awaken that spirit of the warrior inside you?" Rezo asked.
"Spirit of a warrior? Ryougen, what is he...?" Tenyou was puzzled.
"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you Tenyou, but thanks to your words yesterday, I think one of my eyes have finally opened. You told me that "dancing is what I've been made for", as if it was my destiny since birth, but of course like the rebel I was, I was able to think otherwise. Tenyou, I am actually going to retire this early." I calmly replied.
"...! Ryougen! You can't just... you can't just do that! It's been how many years that we've been doing this...! Don't you actually feel affection for the life that you already have?"
"I do have, actually. However, it's just that feeling of something lacking inside me... it's as if this wasn't really what fate had in store for me. For that feeling alone, it lead to all this, all in the span of a night's sleep."
"...Ryougen..."
I faced Rezo yet again. "Yes, that is correct."
"Then this is the only thing I can tell you: Senpuu is waiting. How you take these words are your journey is up to you." he replied with a strong tone. He threw the picture frame back at me, and explained some more. "The compass that she has is a secret artifact that only she knows of its true potential. However, she told me that this is also some sort of emergency device, for it can point the wielder in the direction of its true owner. This is a big hint for you. If you can find this item, chances are you might be able to cross paths with her!"
Senpuu's compass, huh. Well, I'll refer to it as that for the timebeing.
"So... Ryougen? What do you decide on?" Rezo asked me, and seems like it's the final question he'll be asking me.
"...don't tell anyone of anything. I'll be doing this on my own. I'll make it known to those that must know." I replied with a simple answer.
"If that is your decision then. Well, take what I have just told you however you want to interpret it. If you wish to do something, then go back home. Dawn's already at hand."
"Alright, thank you Rezo."
I head back to Kasu Village with Tenyou, but on our way back there, Tenyou had that really blank expression on her face. She was wide awake alright, so she must probably be in a situation of shock right now. What, with your elder brother suddenly revealing that he'll be leaving for a long time, who wouldn't be surprised. Oh well.
After we arrived at home, Tenyou still wasn't saying a word. I approached her in my attempt to fix that.
"...look, I love you; you're my sister after all. But do me a favor and stop being so emotional. At least live this day normally, I'll fix everything by tomorrow. I'll be staying for this day just so I could explain everything to everyone here."
She still doesn't have a response. Figures. I simply ignored it and went on to the usual day. To be honest, I myself was actually excited on this. I actually have a large scale goal in my hands! And not only that, the mystery that is my sister is kind of intriguing to think of. I'm still kind of furious because the entire Shimizu Village kept this from me, even wiping out my memory of her, but I guess being able to vent out this frustration via journeying for truth is something that seems to be a really satisfying quest.
The day went on as normal, and the stage of tonight is set for yet another performance. As usual I was up last, but this time I persuaded the stage assistants that I'll be doing really, really, REALLY flashy
(author's note: for a while I thought dirty there. Sorry.) moves tonight, so I set up the stage for a very extraordinary display.
Time passed, and I noticed that Tenyou's performance was still as graceful as usual, though you can feel the kind of slower feel of her dance today. Last up, it's me. The 'host' of the show made his introduction really flowery, even revealing that the music that I was going to use was Ryougen no Mai! Damn it! That song, Ryougen no Mai, was... no, IS the best dance I have made ever since I started! I was going to make it a surprise, and the stupid host spoiled it. A bit furious at that, I suddenly pulled a rope that initiated a minor fire explosion that happens in the middle of the stage. This of course surprised the host, and many of the crowd, but I immediately shouted "Way to ruin my surprise, damn it!" from the back, and I'm pretty sure even the crowd heard me. So the host kind of briefed up the introduction after that and quickly welcomed me to the stage. Since people already know that I was going to perform that saikyou dance of mine, they were going really, really, REALLY wild. Doning my classic outift from a few years ago, I made people feel that they were living that performance mine all over again. I can't tell the details of how the dance went this time around, but needless to say, I have never seen the people so awestruck in such a long time.
After my performance, the applause was way wilder than what I have seen in the course of my days as a dancer. I didn't immediately go backstage, so I was standing there for a long time listening to the applause. And since people noticed that I wasn't leaving, some were even screaming "Encore", which I totally never, never do because it just makes me look more like some hooker or something... Anyway, I stayed on the stage for a reason. After I realize that the crowd was getting tired of clapping, I grabbed this odd device they call a 'mic' that can modulate my voice through the walls of the stage, and started talking.
"Everyone! Please listen!"
I started.
"Well... so..."
Then suddenly someone shouted "RYOUGEN-SAMAAAAAAAAAAAA" from the crowd, and a lot of people suddenly followed. I had no choice but to just wait with a sweatdrop until such time that they fell silent again.
"Okay, so as I was saying...
You might be wondering why I performed such an awestriking performance today, seeing as how there isn't really a special occassion. Well, for me, it's a special occassion, actually."
From this point on, I could notice even the staff was listening.
"This is my most special dance. And... this is possibly the last dance I will be doing here."
As I said that line, I heard the loud gasps that came from every direction within the stage. Mumbles here and there, as what you would expect. I know it would be kind of hard for people to accept, as I kind of startled them there, but I had to be straightforward.
"Yes, I'm sort of... retiring, if that's how you can call it. However, I am doing this for a reason that means a lot to me.
For the really mature ones here, do you remember that one point in your life, when you just realize that you have that entirely new inspiration? Out of the blue, you just suddenly feel like doing something big... Some of you may have been able to do it, some of you may have just barely reached it, but there's no denying that this stage of life has struck you at least once.
Well, for me, I think it just came to me today. I'm going on a quest, guys. What that quest is and where that leads me, I do not know. But I assure you that I shall return here, and hopefully add to the many stories that exist about this village. People of Kasu, you have been so great to form me into who I am now. Everyone of you have been very significant, and I thank you greatly for it. Now I think it's time I return the favor in a much larger scale.
Tomorrow, I shall go on to the outside world. As I said, I do not know what will await me there, but hopefully it shall bring glory to this village, as well as my family...
...I know this is a bit too sudden, but I am asking this politely of you. I may be a higher authority here in this village, but I would want to ask you people for your opinion.
Will you people... allow me to start my own adventure?"
I turned my back after that last sentence.
"...either answer you give me however, I will not change my mind..." I followed it up with that.
Just as I was almost disappearing back to the backstage, I felt something being thrown onto stage. It was... a rose. And later, different flowers were being thrown on to the stage. I could hear the people saying "Good luck, Ryougen-sama", as if in support of the journey I was going to embark on, which I think they really are. I think I heard some break into a few tears, but in general I felt that supportive environment of the Kasu Village around me. Not looking back, I continued to walk out, shedding a single teardrop, for it's possible that this may be the last time I will ever be on this stage. Backstage, a lot of the staff were asking me questions, which I simply ignored as I walked back home. The Village Head Fuun escorted me and Tenyou back to the house, and drove the crowd away from our house. I noticed Tenyou already went ahead straight to her room. A bit worried and sad as I was, I was still overcome with excitement, so I headed over to my own room to take a good rest.
The next day, I woke up early as usual. I first went to the village head's house as he told me he was going to give me something before I leave, so I headed over. He handed me over a bag with the necessities of an outsider, and some scrolls and other remembrances of the village. Well, it wasn't like I was gonna disappear forever; did I really mean that much and the people didn't want to let go of me? Nevertheless, I'm still pleased that the people still accept me even after this decision that indirectly implied that I will leave them for good.
I headed out of the house, only to find that there was a blue carpet surrounded with fire that was scattered with various gems. This carpet led all the way to the outskirts of the village. A lot of people were gathered around the carpet. As they saw me, they suddenly did the village's motion of praise, as if I was their leader or something... To be honest, I actually don't like the idea of fame itself, but if the people really like you so much, I guess you'll have to bear with it... even if you still look like a sleepyhead. Man, they even made small preparations just to see me off... these guys...
Just almost at the end of the carpet, there was a really beautiful entity there. It was Tenyou, but I have never seen her wear such beautiful clothing. Tying a red ribbon across one of her ears, wearing a green thing which kinda looks like a kimono, designining herself with probably the most beautiful accessories in moderation, and a violet keystone in hand, she was the final person to greet me at the exit of Kasu Village. Seems like even she's come to accept this, although her actions are somewhat heightened compared to the villagers', what, me being his elder brother and all...
"Ryougen..."
"Tenyou..."
"Come back safely, OK? You still have unfulfilled promises to me~"
"...oh I will. Don't you worry.
People of Kasu Village..."
I noticed everyone kneeled down, including Tenyou. They were all looking at me.
...wait, they're probably waiting for me to say something... to be honest, I don't know what to say.
"...goodbye, everyone! We shall meet again in the near future!" I just shouted. Well, I'm not that much of one that talks with a lot of words, actually... hell, I didn't really expect something this grand to be prepared for me.
Then I heard some cheer for me. "All hail Ryougen, the knight of Kasu!", which I don't really know who shouted. The crowd suddenly went wild as this finally meant farewell to the village. I really couldn't leave just yet, seeing as how they were just too close to me. Compared to the tears of yesternight, this was actually the true moment of tears. Tenyou hugged me for the last time before I was able to leave, which of course I returned. I normally don't do this, for people know me more as an unemotional person, but I guess it's just natural for everyone to have feelings, huh.
I finally shouted "I'll be back!" as I proceeded to walk away from the village. The village gate was closing, with me being on the outer side of it. Some of them were still trying to prevent the gate from closing, wanting their last glimpse of me, but it had to be done. Without looking back, I proceeded to walk further and further away from the village. "This is the beginning of fate's path, it seems." I said to myself, as I continue to walk.
I could hear Tenyou's faint voice from the other side, saying that the festival for that night will be one of the most grand ones that they will be conducting. Wow, they're even marking the calendar to this day as a special day... I'm not sure how much I feel about that.
Anyway, that's the least of my concerns now. What I am looking at now is the field of the outside world, a mysterious world where I can finally expand my horizons. Maybe, just maybe, I can find my true self through this journey.
My destiny is beginning to be made clear to me.
