Mirai Hoshi:
Kingdom of the Sun

Chapter 31: The Valley of the Walking Wood

Do not be deceived
By the beauty of the leaves
As you watch the sea of green
For dangers go unseen
And when you hear the fateful chant
No rave nor rant shall save you

“Today we start our trip around the valley.” Shujiki announced as everyone pulled themselves up. Yashin lay face down on the ground deep asleep. “Yashin! Wake up!” Kazeka smacked his hand over her mouth.

“He hardly slept all night so let him be. Taka and I will take care of him…” He hissed then walked over picked up Yashin. Taka bent down and he gently threw the sleeping teen on to its back.

“Why didn’t he sleep much? Do you know?” Umi asked concerned.

“He’s been having nightmares about the Summoner out in the other world.” He responded hopping on and helping Yoake up.

“What kind of nightmares?” Tairou wondered.

“Very disturbing ones.” Was all Kazeka said before taking to the air. They scouted the trail ahead while the others finished getting ready.

“The trail’s blocked down here too!” Yoake groaned pointing.

“Yeah but it looks like a trail branches off to the west so let’s fly over and see if it’s another way down.” Taka swooped off in that direction and sure enough the path led up over a ridge and down into the valley full of trees. They flew back and broke the news to the others.

“How much longer do you think it will take?” Mizokokoru asked skeptically.

“A few hours at the most.” Kazeka responded quietly.

“A few hours isn’t too bad…” Yashin yawned as he slid off of Taka. “I say we take it. It’s better than trying to climb over a big unstable pile of rocks.”

“You know we could do something about that.” Yumaiwa protested.

“Yeah but then you’d attracted unnecessary attention.” Yashin pointed out plopping on the ground in front of the fire and warming his hands.

“He’s got a point.” Umi nodded.

“Besides the sooner we get there the sooner we get more food. I know I don’t have enough stashed in my pack to last us all very long.” He pointed to his pack which everyone suddenly realized hadn’t gotten any lighter in a few days.

“You haven’t been eating?” Aki asked worried; Yashin shook his head.

“I’ve nibbled here and there and ate some wild fruits I found along the way but that’s it. I’m pretty sure I’ve got enough rice for about 3 days for all of us though. So with what all of you have we should be good.” He got up and pulled his pack on and started walking. Everyone gathered their stuff together and hurried to catch up.

“Yashin are you sure you’re going to be ok?” Kazeka asked running up to him. He tripped and Kazeka caught him.

“I’m fine really.” Yashin smiled to the ground. “Thanks though.”

“Just sit here on this rock and wait for us ok?” Kazeka ordered pushing him down gently.

“Yeah… Ok…” He sat down and drearily looked around. Kazeka made Taka go back into a statue and was determined to walk and keep an eye on the ailing Emperor. Everyone finally got packed up and ready to go and Kazeka pulled Yashin up and they trudged on. He started falling behind with Mizoko who was smaller and slower than the others. Kaze urged the others to go on and he and Yoake would stay back with them and meet up when they stopped for the night. They made it to the forest by noon and plodded on down the fairly unworn trail.

“There must be a breeze.” Yashin commented in passing.

“Why do you say that?” Yoake asked looking back at him.

“I keep hearing a creaking like trees bending in the wind behind me.”

“There’s no breeze.” Kaze replied suspiciously. “Stay here.” He walked off down the trail in which they had just come. Yashin sank down on to his knees and closed his eyes while he rested. He didn’t really register the faint singing in his ears as he slumped down and fell asleep.

In the Valley of the Walking Wood
Lies secrets that never should
Be seen by the eyes of man
And shall never be spoke of again

“Aug… What’s up Kazeka?” He muttered as he slowly woke up. “What are these things on my wrists?” He pried his eyes open and realized he wasn’t where he had fallen asleep. “What’s going on?” He demanded trying to pull his arms free. He had been tied to a tree and Yoake dangled unconscious on one side and Mizoko on the other. Kazeka was completely bound up to his head to a tree by roots in front of them. His eyes grew wide as a tall tree waddled past him with Tairou and Aki wrapped up in branchy arms.  It was followed by other trees carrying Yumaiwa, Tentori, and Tenshi all bound up tightly.

“I want to know what’s going on and I want to know now.” He hissed loudly and a short green pixie looking creature poked its head around the tree and stared up at him.

“You’re awake. How odd.” It mused then trotted off. It appeared a moment later with a tall, stately green man and equally important looking though shorter green woman. “See he’s awake and he should not be.”

“You said you found him asleep while the others struggled?” The woman asked in a wispy voice; the tiny thing nodded. “Perhaps he was asleep before you sang and thereby immune to the spell.”

“It is fine now we can question him.” The man said looking at Yashin intensely. “Why do you travel with the Guardian Spirits? Are you the Summoners?” Yashin nodded a little confused. “What business do you have here then?”

“We were on our way to the city Iwakotai.” He responded in a confused tone. “Look I’m not sure what’s going on here, but if you’ll just let us go, we’ll be on our way and be out of here within a day or so.”

“Long ago we made a pact with the humans. We promised to leave their cities alone and they promised to stay out of this forest.” The woman stated as if it were common knowledge.

“You have violated this pact and for that you shall all die.” The man finished sternly. The vines around his wrists tightened and his hands started going numb as pain filled his arms. “You could have had a painless death while you slept but I suppose we’ll have to do it the difficult way now.”

Wary of voices you should hear
For when they meet your ear
You’ll fall into a sleep
Oh so very deep
And then shall meet your end
For in the Walking Wood you shall find no friend

“Yashin heads up!” A voice shouted as his katana came flying out of nowhere and severed the vine holding his right hand. He pulled it out and quickly and cut himself free as trees started to descend on him. There was a thump behind him and Mizokokoru lay on the ground. He grabbed her and took off into the forest.

“I’ll have to come back for the others later.” He growled to himself angrily. A root burst out of the ground in front of him and wrapped itself around them. To his surprise, it kept pulling them away from the moving trees and strange creatures. “Now what?” Yashin thought as it pulled them deep into the forest. The root sat them down in front of a huge tree taller and bigger around than the others. In it the bust of a stone figure could be seen. “You’re Mizoko’s Guardian aren’t you?” He whispered. “Mizoko wake up!” He shook her over and over but to no response. Finally he picked her up and carried her over and made her pick up the two Seals on the pedestals, which melted into her body. He then held her up and made her touch the bright glowing spot on the statue’s chest. The stone faded to flesh and he stumbled away in surprise. The being followed by a huge tiger walked out of the tree as if it were nothing and stood in front of him. He offered the sleeping girl to her and she sat her on the tiger’s back.

“Come and we shall free the others.” She said pulling him up and they mounted the tiger and disappeared into the sea of trunks and leaves.

“Wow… It looks like this is going to be another Awakening where I don’t get seriously hurt.” He mused and the Spirit laughed.

“My name is Shokumoku and this is Tora. What’s yours?”

“Yashin.” He replied not bothering to mention he was the Emperor.

“Nice to meet you. You must be Sanzi’s ward from the looks of your sword.”

“I guess I am.” He laughed as the tiger slowed its speed to a walk as a clearing came into view. They strode through the crowd of stunned pixie creatures until they stood before the two larger ones on their foliage thrones.

“You shall release them.” Is all she said as she hopped off of the tiger. “I am Shokumoku, Guardian of plants and life. I shall take full responsibility for their passage through the forest.”

“Why should we trust you?” The man asked defiantly as he stood up. Trees started moving in behind them. Shokumoku smirked slightly and held up her hand. A green wave shot out of it and instantly pixies were expelled from all the trees. “Because you have no defense against the Emperor’s offense.” She then turned and pointed to Yashin’s burning sword. “Now you shall free them and we shall be leaving.” The woman stood up and approached Shokumoku and bowed deeply.

“We shall do as you desire.” She led them back to the others and ordered the little sprites to release the others and wake them up. When they came to they were given their things and left immediately. None of them wanted to stick around and become fertilizer.

“That was really good work you did getting me my sword and freeing Mizoko.” Yashin commented as they made a fireless camp for the night.

“I didn’t get you your sword back…” Shokumoku replied looking at him funny.

“Then who did?” He wondered confused then looked at Majo questioningly.

“A witch has many powers.” She replied with smile.

“You did that?” He asked looking at her in amazement; she simply nodded. “That was incredible! Thanks Majo! You’re really great!” He beamed with a smile. She laughed a little and smiled back. He knew it was a thank you.

In the Valley of the Walking Wood
Lies secrets that never should
Be seen my the eyes of man
And shall never be seen again
For no man treads there anymore
And many a heart have swore
That the children of the Walking Wood
Are ever up to no good
Are ever up to no good


Chapter 32: Training Time

“All right so then Majo has brought it to my attention that some of you need some training in order to use your weapons.” Yuma boomed as the Summoners stood in a line in front of him. “So we Guardians have worked out a plan. There’s six of us and seven of you so we’re going to split you up and train you a bit each day in some different stuff. Kaminari is going to take Yashin and Kazi since you two have similar weapons. I’m going to take Tairou and Akikurai and strengthen you two up so you can use your weapons better. Yoake, Kazeka is going to teach you how to use your throwing stars today and how to channel your energy attack. Mizokokoru, Shokumoku is going to teach you how to use your energy attack and how create different defenses. Shujiki is going to learn weaponless combat basics from Tentori.” He rattled off then looked the group over.

“Any questions?” Kaminari asked stepping forward. “All right let’s begin!” Everyone paired off with their instructor and began their training. They had taken the morning to get out of the Valley of the Walking Wood as they found it was called reading a warning sign on the way out.

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Two people not much older than Yoake were attacking each other fiercely. One was armed with a halberd the other with a long metal scythe. “Come now Higeki I know you can strike harder than that.” The boy teased the girl as they shoved off of each other and slid back.

“I’m tired of being cooped up in here training with you!” She hissed straightening up and leaning on the pole of the scythe. The blade arched over her head and reflected the dim light of the room. “I want some real action!”

“Your time has come.” A dark voice announced as the only door into the room creaked open letting light flood into the room. The light infiltrated all of the room except the area immediately around the boy. “Both of you have grown strong indeed and very soon you will go on your first mission.”

“Shizouo!” Higeki gasped happily and rushed over and kneeled in front of the hunched being clothed all in black with a thick hood cloaked over his head. He reached his withered hand out and she took it gently and caressed it with her cheek. “We won’t fail you!” She went on happily. “The Summoners shall fall and the Seals shall be yours! Then you can use the Cosmos Utopia Machine to resurrect Susanowa and become ruler of your own domain in heaven when Master Susanowa defeats all the other gods!” She beamed as the boy walked over slowly and kneeled before the old man.

“And you two shall helped me reign over it all!” He went on patting his loyal Higeki on the head. “My precious children born of my black magic and given life by the dark god Mikaboshi.” He took his hand and retracted it into his sleeve as he turned and walked away slowly. “Train hard in a week’s time you’ll be on your way.”

“Yes Shizouo!” Higeki beamed nodding. Shizouo smiled and slid the door shut; after waiting a moment Higeki got up and grinned incredulously.

“What are you so happy about?” The boy asked looking up at her.

“As soon as Shizouo gives of the dark Seals he has we won’t need him anymore Yokubou. We can kill him and gain our own place beside Mikaboshi when Master Susanowa is resurrected.” She gushed with an evil smile.

“You’re too ambitious.” He replied getting up slowly. She huffed and walked back over to where she left her scythe and picked it up. “I see. Now you want to train.” He smirked picking up his halberd and spinning it around a few times.

“Stop talking and start attacking.” She hissed with a smile. He charged forward and their blades met in a flurry of sparks.

---------- ---------- ----------

“All right I say we take a break for lunch then switch up the training a bit.” Yumaiwa suggested with a tired sigh.

“Sounds good to me!” Kazi beamed with a wide grin; he drove his sword into the ground and ran over to his pack. Kaminari winced and ran over and gently pulled it out and laid it on the ground.

“Don’t do that to your sword! You’ll dull the blades! Keep abusing it and it won’t cut paper!” He fumed running over and grabbing Kazi by the shirt and pointing to the sword.

“Sorry…” The boy responded blinking and few times in bewilderment.

“It’s ok just remember that ok? Now we’ll have to sharpen the blade and I can show you how. It’s just another lesson you would have learned at one point so it’s all right.” The thunder spirit sighed and let go. “Now eat up!” He flashed a wary smile and sat down. Yoake wandered over and talked to Umi and everyone else paired up with their Guardian. As Yashin sat eating by himself he was thinking about everything that had been happening lately.

“Can I join you?” Kazeka asked walking up to him. “You looked lonely and the Emperor shouldn’t be lonely.” He mused.

“Sure if you want to.” Yashin replied half smiling. “I was just thinking about some stuff.”

“Want to talk about it?” The wind spirit wondered as he sat down and looked up at the boy who as sitting on a rock.

“Yeah.” Yashin replied hesitantly. “I just have this feeling like there’s more to this evil than just Shizouo. Like where is he getting his evil powers from and what are they trying to accomplish?”

“It makes sense that there would be someone above Shizouo telling him what to do. It would make a perfect diversion and front for whatever they were doing.” Kazeka replied nodding.

“But just what exactly do they want? And why hasn’t Shizouo came after us yet? I know that he has to know what we’re doing by now. Amaterasu sent her personal messenger to talk to Seishin and if Seishin is being manipulated by him then he must know by now.” Yashin went on as he poked some rice in his bowl.

“Indeed but this is a good thing. It gives us time to do this. To train you all to fight when the time comes. I look at his delayed action as a blessing from the gods.” Kazeka said trying to cheer the boy up.

“Yes but what if it just means he’s trying to amass more power?” Yashin went on looking up at Kazeka. “What if he’s just waiting until he thinks he can wipe us out in one shot? What if he’s trying to find the evil Virtue Seals and Rogue Seals to gain that power?” He added becoming more and more emotional. “I just… I’m so afraid that we’re not going to make it. That we’re going to fail and people are going to get hurt and it’s going to be all my fault. I’m so afraid to make any decisions because I’m afraid they’re going to be the wrong ones and everything is going to fall apart!” Tears streamed down his face and Kazeka looked at him shocked. All this time he and everyone else saw the strong emperor as their fearless leader that soldiered on and was their pillar of strength. Yet here he was breaking down in front of him.

“Ya… Yashin…” Kazeka stammered not sure what to do. He felt himself reaching out and grabbing the crying boy and pulling him in tight. Yashin dropped the bowl and sat there kneeling on the ground limp in his arms with his head resting on Kaze’s shoulder. Everyone turned around looked at them when they heard the bowl crack and break on the stony ground.

“Yashin? Are you ok?” Aki wondered worried as she got up and ran over to him. Yashin pulled his head up a little and looked at her with tears in his eyes. She gasped and wrapped her arms around them and Kazeka just let go and watched sadly. Yashin shoved her off and ran away towards the ledge. Kazeka bolted to his feet and chucked his Taka statue past Yashin.

“Taka!” He shouted and a loud screeching could be heard as Yashin jumped off the cliff.

“Yashin!” Umi, Aki, and Kazi gasped in unison. Kazeka rushed forward and slid to a stop at the ledge.

“I couldn’t even pick a ledge high enough to kill myself if I jumped off it.” Yashin whispered as Kazeka hopped down and stood in front of him. He grabbed the boy by the shirt and yanked him up angrily.

“Don’t ever do that to us again…” He hissed. “We care about you to damn much.” He dropped him and watched as Yashin slid down and buried his head in his arms.

“Why did it have to be me?” He whispered.

“Because you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.” Kazeka replied kneeling down in front of him. Everyone had gathered on the ledge above and watched. “You aren’t doing this alone Yashin. I know you feel alone sometime because of all of this responsibility that’s just been thrust on you. But look at how far you’ve gotten. How far we’ve gotten just because of you. You’ve had a hand in everything that’s happened on this trip so far and you’ve sacrificed yourself several times to see it progress. Now stop crying and look around Yashin. Look at where you are and what you’ve done and what you can do.” Yashin looked up at him and nodded slowly.

“You’re right.” Was all he said as he climbed to his feet at stared Kazeka in the eye. “I can’t give up now. If I do everything I’ve pushed for to get this far will have been in vain. All of my fears will come true and I can’t let that happen!” He winced then doubled over in pain as he grabbed his chest.

“Yashin what’s wrong?!” Kazeka shouted carefully rolling him over on his back. He pried the boy’s hand out of the way and saw a black spot on his chest. “Shizouo must have done something to you to put doubt in your heart. You have to fight it! Show him you’re too strong for him! You can do it!” Yashin clenched his fists and slammed them into the ground as he let out a massive scream of determination and pain. A black cloud shot out of his chest and dissipated into the air. Once the last of it was gone his body relaxed and his eyes drifted closed. Kazeka picked him up and gently placed him on Taka’s back. The bird flapped its mighty wings a few times and glided over the heads of the others and landed on the ground behind them. Kaze hopped up on to the higher ledge and walked passed them and slid Yashin off Taka’s back and laid him on the ground gently. He took his pack and slid it under his head and sat down on the rock Yashin had been sitting on minutes ago.

“He’s really defensive about the little guy isn’t he?” Yumaiwa said motioning his head towards Kazeka.

“Yeah…” Kaminari answered slowly. “I wonder why…”

“Because they understand each other.” Shujiki said quietly. “There’s some kindred connection between them that makes them good friends that we don’t understand.”

“Well come on we had better just leave them be and get some more training done. I don’t think Yashin needs much if he’s mastered my father’s sword techniques. Even I couldn’t master them so that’s saying a lot for the Emperor.” Umi commented as she walked away. “What’s going on in your head kid? And why do you trust Kazeka enough to tell him and not me?” She wondered to herself but then shook her head and continued walking.

----------- ----------- ----------

“So it seems that the tree lord failed in implanting the full power of the spell in the young Emperor’s heart. Or perhaps…” Shizouo thought as he watched the Emperor sleep. He shook his head and smirked. “No he couldn’t be stronger than the full power of one of my spells. No matter. Soon enough my children shall have their Seals and they shall eliminate the Spirit Warriors of Amaterasu!” He let out a long chilling laugh and dismissed the image of Yashin in a dark pool before him.


Chapter 33: A Frigid Tomb

That night it was Shujiki who was plagued by nightmares. Visions of a white-haired maiden trapped in a temple in a tomb of ice on top of the tallest mountain, Kamikaiden. It was like the girl was beckoning her to come to her aid.

As Shujiki tossed and turned half asleep, the tall green woman they had met in the Valley of the Walking Wood sat down beside her and began singing in a quiet voice. “Darkness looms on the horizon but they keep pressing on. Within them is something stronger that won’t be suppressed any longer. So you walk this charmed land together hand in hand. And when the earth and sky both shake you’ll stand strong for all our sake. When the future stars rise into the sky let no day pass them by. Love and be loved in days gone by when the future stars rise in the sky.” Shujiki’s apprehension faded and she knew what she had to do come morning. The Queen of the Walking Wood walked over to Yashin who had been suffering from a fever and seemed to be in pain. Kazeka had fallen asleep sitting next to him and came to with a start when he heard someone moving. He had known all along that the Queen had meant to harm to them so he didn’t bother to move when he saw her nursing a liquid mixture to Yashin.

“That should help with the fever.” She whispered handing the half full bamboo jug to Kazeka. “Let me sing for you both and help you sleep. This sleep you shall wake from easily enough though.” She offered with a smile.

“You followed us?” She nodded and he smiled. “Keeping an eye on us because you’re worried?”

“I’m a nurturing spirit it’s in my nature to worry.” She replied; he closed his eyes and nodded slowly. “The strength doesn’t lie in talismans; it lies deep within. So rally your courage and all that you are. You are a future star. Fight strong and fight true. Our future lies within you. And when the battle knows no bound of time, you’ll walk on singing this rhyme. When the future stars rise into the sky, let no day pass them by. Love and be loved in days gone by, when the future stars rise in the sky.”

The next morning everyone woke up to find a huge pile of fruits and vegetables beside each of them. Shujiki and Kazeka smiled knowing who had left the food but didn’t let on to anyone else. Everyone insisted that Yashin eat and so he did. Every last bite of food in his pile and part of Aki and Mizoko’s who offered him some of their leftovers. Renewed and recharged, Shujiki thought this would be the best time to tell everyone what was to come next.

“Everyone, I’ve got some news to break to you all. Last night my Spirit Guardian came to me and revealed where she is. Now I don’t expect any of you to come with me and you can easily find your way to Iwakotai from here without me. The thing I’m trying to say is, my Guardian on trapped on top of Kamikaiden.” Everyone looked around warily at everyone else. Yashin looked at Shujiki and stood up.

“Well Sis, I don’t think we’ve had a proper amount of time to bond so I’m not going to leave just yet. Unless you’re trying to get rid of me. Then I’m going to stick around just to spite you.” He grinned; she smiled and went over and hugged him.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re a team and teams stick together. So if one of us is going to scale a huge, ice encrusted, hunk of rock, death trap then we all are.” Kaminari proclaimed triumphantly as he stood up.

“Well maybe not if you put it like that.” Umi groaned.

“You’re just afraid you’re going to freeze and we’ll leave you or slide you down the side of the mountain and watch you break.” He joked.

“Why you little!” Umi lunged forward and knocked him to the ground.

“Geez Umi I was only joking.” He soothed before she reared back to punch him. “You know I couldn’t do that to you! Then I’d miss out on getting to harass and annoy you everyday.”

“For that, you only get smacked.” She pulled her arm back and wailed him as hard as she could.

“OWEEEEE!” He screeched in pain immediately holding the side of his face when she got off of him. “Are you going to let her do that to me?” He looked over at Tentori who was trying not to laugh. “Well fine then!” He got up and sulked over to Ookami.

“Yeah I’d say we’re all in so let’s go!” Yoake beamed shooting Shujiki a smile. Everyone packed up and they were off. As it turned out the trail they were on took them by the base of Kamikaiden.

“Well isn’t this convenient…” Tairou mused looking up the side of the huge mountain.

---------- ---------- ----------

“Are you ready to depart?” Shizouo asked as he knocked on the door to Higeki’s room. The door slid open and she walked out gracefully with a full pack on her back.

“I’ve been ready for this trip for weeks.” She replied with a dark smirk.

“Good Yokubou is waiting by the gate for you. Come my dear.” He offered her a wrinkled hand and she took it and aloud him to lead her out to Yokubou. “I have something for you.” He motioned for a servant to come over and they obeyed. In their hands was a tray covered with a cloth. “These are our most precious possessions and I’m entrusting you with them.” Higeki’s smirk broadened, as she knew what was on the tray. “Use them well.”  He pulled the cloth up and revealed two silk bags he took the bags and handed one to each of them. “Wait to use them until you’re away from the palace.” He warned then kissed Higeki’s forehead and bid them go. They set forth from the castle above Taiyou and down towards the plains.

“Finally the power is ours!” Higeki chimed looking at Yokubou wild-eyed. She dumped her five Seals from her bag and scooped them up and into her chest. She started convulsing as they were absorbed by her body. With a scream off pain it stopped and she lay on the ground motionless.

“Higeki? Higeki!” Yokubou shouted worried as he dropped to his knees and shook her. She rolled over and stared at him with a dark grin that chilled even him.

“You must try it Yokubou. You’ll feel like a whole new person…” She whispered laughing.

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“I’m beginning to think that Yukiko and Sanzi were working together on this one…” Umi commented as she looked up the mountain.

“What do you mean?” Majo wondered and she, Kazeka, Kaminari, Yumaiwa, Tentori, and Shokumoku looked at her confused.

“It’s a LONG story.” She groaned in reply. “But that’s where we have to go to get Sanzi.” She spun around and pointed to the huge smoking volcano all the way over in the other mountain range.

“Well at least we’re going to scale that huge, smoking, jagged-sided, lava filled death trap together.” Kaminari offered with cheerful skepticism.

“Indeed.” Tentori added giggling a bit and hugged his arm.

“I think the easiest and fastest way to do this is to have Majo, Tentori, and I fly a few people up a certain distance then come back for more. Then when the going gets rougher Yuma can use his control over rock to give us a ledge up.” Kazeka pointed out.

“I agree but it’s up to Majo if she wants to do that or not.” Yashin said looking at the witch.

“I can carry three people at a time easily.” She said with a smile.

“Then let’s go!” Yuma beamed with a broad smile; so they did. Kazeka took Kazi and Kaminari first while Majo took Mizoko, Shokumoku, and Shujiki up to where the tree line ended then came back. Tentori took Aki, and Yoake on Tenshi in his centaur form. The last trip Majo took Tairou, Yumaiwa, and Yashin. They repeated this process until they couldn’t fly any farther up the mountain because of the wind and approaching darkness. There they made camp and waited for daybreak to head out again. No one slept well because of the cold that they weren’t equipped for. Despite it being summer, as far up as they were it felt like fall.

The next day Yumaiwa and O-ushi had a field day making a winding ramp up the side of the mountain. It was the first time they’d gotten to show off their power in a long time. They raced ahead just on the edge of the extending ramp enjoying every minute of the recklessness. Behind them however, no one was enjoying themselves really.

“Say Yashin why don’t you get that sword of yours out and warm us up!” Aki whined as she nuzzled under his arm.

“I suppose I can do that…” He pulled the sword out and it glowed brightly in the hazy air. The boys let the girls inch in and get warm first before taking their turn. The Guardians seemed oblivious to any weather extreme.

“I wonder…” Majo stopped and pulled a book out of the satchel by her waist; it was rather large to have fit in the bag. She stopped and thumbed through the pages. “Here we go.” She beamed smiling broadly. Everyone, with the exception Yuma, turned and looked at her expectantly. She mumbled something they couldn’t hear while doing some crazy hand motions with one hand before they instantly became warmer. They looked down only to see they had the strangest robes on.

“What? They appear in the image I want and I thought these would work better than traditional clothing.” She flipped a hood over her head and adjusted the long heavy gray sleeves of the cloak. Yashin just shrugged and kept on walking pulling on the hood and holding the cloak close around him.

“It works for me thanks Majo.” He shot her a smile and she simply smiled and nodded placing the book back in her bag.

“So what other kinds of spells to you have in there?” Aki wondered eying the bag.

“All kinds. The full extent I’m not sure. I only use the book when the need arises and in all these 1000 years the need hasn’t arose much.” She replied with a shrug. Aki shivered a bit more and wrapped the cloak around her tight.

“Still cold?” Kazeka wondered looking at her concerned. She nodded slowly but kept on walking. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “Better?”

“Yes thank you.” She replied looking up at him and smiling. She pushed her head back in her hood as far as she could and blushed. Yoake smiled at their backs happily before breaking the moment with complaint.

“This cold is so awful.” Yoake complained as he trudged up. “I’m not used to being this cold! I’ve never been this cold in my entire life!”

“None of us are used to it. Look at where we live.” Aki pointed out. “It never gets cold enough to snow there.” Kazi nodded and hopped up and down a few times trying warm up faster.

“Hey Shujiki!” Tairou called back to them from a good distance ahead. “I think we found what you’re looking for!” Everyone hurried to the top of the ramp and stood in awe of a huge palace looking build. Walls rose high around it and just beyond those walls the sun poured over the building. In front of it was a small shrine covered in ice and snow.

“This must be Amaterasu’s home…” Yashin muttered in awe.

“I think Yukiko is in there.” Shujiki pointed to the shrine. “Come with me please Yashin.” She looked at him and he nodded. So the two set off up to the smaller building.

“It’s completely frozen solid.” He commented running a hand over the sheet of ice covering the door.

“Maybe your sword will melt it?” She suggested so he sat it against the ice and it slowly started melting. After a few minutes they were able to open the door and step inside.

“AAAHHH!!! It’s colder in here than it is out there!!!” He screeched curling his arms up to his chest.

“Come on.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the center room which contained two froze solid statues and two pillars. He walked forward and stuck the sword to the slab in front of the smaller statue.

“Why isn’t this working?” He wondered as he sat down after an hour. Only a small dent could be discerned on huge block.

“I don’t know Yashin… Maybe it’s just not time to awaken her. Maybe I haven’t lived up to the Seal on her chest…” She replied sadly. Yashin turned around and noticed the Seal was shining.

“Well it’s not that.” He replied looking back at her.

“Maybe I’m just not good enough…” She went on sadly.

“Look I’m not going to give up and neither are you. We’re in this together now brother and sister and we’re not going to give up that easy. We’re going to make Mother and Father proud.” He proclaimed in powerful and confident tone. “So let’s try this one more time!” He spun around and drove the katana straight through one side of the block then the other. He kept hacking until the ice could be easily melted away from the chest Seal. Shujiki looked on impressed as he heaved slightly and the katana’s usually mild flame was raging. “Now get over here and do your thing.” He mused breathlessly with a smile as he plopped down on the ground. She moved to the Statues and placed her hand on the glowing spot in the girl’s chest. The statues beyond became alive again and the ice simply disappeared.

“Hello Shujiki. My name is Yukiko and this is Kuma. Please don’t forget your Seals.” The girl motioned to the now ice free pedestals behind them. Shujiki spun around and picked up her Seals. “Come now let us leave this place.” Yukiko said with a smile. And so the group made their way down the mountain all the while a voice nagging in Yashin’s mind.

“When are you going to come Yashin?” He looked out across the valleys and ranges to the towering volcano.

“As soon as we get supplies. I promise.” He whispered as he stopped and looked at the smoking tower. Kazeka stopped and looked at him then walked over next to him and stared off at the volcano.

“Come on you two!” Aki mused wrapping an arm around one of their’s and pulling them on down the mountain.


Chapter 34: Yashin Takes a Plunge

“So this is Iwakotai?” Kazi asked as they passed through the city gate. The walls of the city were gray stone blocks about three feet thick. Shujiki explained that they were mainly to minimize damage from rock and mudslides.

“That it is. Along with it being Yashins birthplace.” She mused.

“We’re not staying long.” Yashin said quietly. “We have to get Sanzi before we go out looking for the last Summoner.”

“So then why are we even here?” Tairou asked annoyed.

“Supplies. I very highly doubt we would have made it all the way to Tanjohi with what we had.” Aki pointed out.

“Well that’s just one of the many advantages of being a Spirit manifest. You don’t need food. And neither do Shikigami.” Kaminari beamed. “Although sampling from time to time is fine by me.”

“Oh shut up Kaminari. I’m still mostly human until Ningyo is free.” Umi griped as she listened to her rumbling stomach.

“I hate that for you Umi I really do.” He snickered then ran off as she chased him.

“What do you see in him that she doesn’t?” Majo wondered looking at Tentori.

“Believe it or not, there’s a very sweet sensitive and caring being in there somewhere. For a long time before I ascended he protected me and taught me the ropes. I cared for him deeply for a long time but I had no idea he felt the same way until that day, that battle.” She replied in an almost melancholy way. “I missed him terribly. I couldn’t even hear the thunder down in that cave.”

“Awe that must have been hard for you Tentori.” Mizoko gushed sympathetically.

“Say Kaminari! Wait for me they’re getting mushy back here!” Yuma called running off up ahead; Tairou close behind

“Yeah wait for me too!” Yoake called following with Kazi. The girls looked at Kazeka and Yashin waiting for them to slink off as Umi trotted back with a victorious smile on her face.

“Well I think it’s sweet.” Kazeka commented walking on.

“Yeah as long as you two are happy.” Yashin added with a smile; the girls shot each other a look and Aki sort of blushed.

The next day, the group found themselves leaving out of the other side of Iwakotai and ascending into the mountains once again. It took them nearly four days to reach the gentle slope of Tanjohi and was mid day of the fifth when they looked up to it’s summit. Everyone mounted a shikigami for faster travel and rode up to the top. “Well Yashin there you go.” Yumaiwa said gesturing to the shrine at the top.

“Yeah go on in and get our fearless leader.” Kaminari joked poking the Emperor in the ribs with his elbow gently.

“I thought you weren’t fond of Sanzi.” Umi commented.

“Nah he’s all right. Just a little over-bearing sometimes.” He replied with a smile. Yashin just shrugged as the Spirits started a debate and walked into the shrine. Inside was a small room with two pillars. He took the Seals off of the pillars and smiled slightly as they melted into his hands. He then proceeded into the next room expecting to see Sanzi and his Dragon. However, he was surprised and mistaken. There was nothing in the room at all. In fact, it was much to small to hold more than himself let alone two statues. There was however a bumped out section of wall on the far side of the room that he approached. As he ran his fingers over it, flaming words began to appear.

“You have come far and learned much. You have grown and changed and became better. You have proven yourself true of heart and spirit. One who seeks to set things right and do what is best. For you this means a special test. A leap of faith is all it takes to make your bond complete.” He read aloud then sat in thought for a few moments.

“I wonder what’s taking him so long?” Shokumoku thought aloud.

“Yeah I was expecting some big fiery entrance by now.” Kazeka mused remembering how Sanzi liked to show off his power.

“I wonder if something’s wrong.” Majo said taking a step towards the shrine.

“Say Yashin is everything all right in there?” Kaminari called walking up to the door. Yashin slowly walked out of the door and looked at everyone. His gazed stopped on Kazeka and he had a pained look on his face.  

“Trust me.” He said slowly and clearly before bolting off towards the opening of the volcano. Kaminari tried to grab him but missed and he kept on running. Everyone ran to the crater’s mouth to try and stop him but they were too late and had to watch in horror as he jumped off the side and disappeared into the smoke below.

“YASHIN!!!” Aki screamed in horror as tears began streaming down her face.

“What were you thinking?” Tairou wondered as everyone looked on in shock and disbelief. Aki slumped to her knees and bawled. Tentori and Kaminari knelt down and tried to comfort her as best they could.

“YOU SAID WE WERE FRIENDS!” Kazi screamed into the opening. “Friends don’t leave each other when they need them!!!” He slumped over crying and Mizoko and Yuma moved in to comfort him.

“I can’t believe he’s gone… After all he went through and survived… This time he’s really gone…” Umi uttered shaking her head. Yoake hugged her tight as she stared on like an emotionless drone as tears unconsciously flowed from her eyes.

Shujiki and Kazeka on the other hand were very calm. “Trust me. What did you mean Yashin?” Kazeka wondered aloud; Shujiki started to speak.

“You have come far and learned much. You have grown and changed and became better. You have proven yourself true of heart and spirit. One who seeks to set things right and do what is best. For you this means a special test. A leap of faith is all it takes to make your bond complete.” Everyone looked at her then into the smoking crater.

“I don’t think that’s the leap it’s talking about.” Shokumoku commented sadly.

There was a loud rumbling from inside the mountain and smoke poured from it at an unprecedented rate. “It’s going to erupt! We have to get out of here!” Yuma shouted looking at everyone.

“Well can’t you stop it?” Kaminari shouted back looking at him wide-eyed.

“I can try…” Yuma looked into the pit intensely. There was another rumbling and more smoke poured out. “Nope run!!!” He grabbed Kazi under one arm and Mizoko under the other and leapt onto O-ushi. Everyone hopped onto a shikigami and they took off down the side of the mountain. There was a tremor and the smoke billowed high before lava burst forth into the air and the glow of it shone on the black basaltic ground in front of them.

“Well if I had never tried jumping into the volcano we would have never known if that’s what the writing meant or not! And sometimes not knowing what you could have been is far worse than the result of trying!” A voice called down from the air. Aki looked up to see Yashin standing on the foot of a huge red dragon.

“YASHIN YOU ASS!!! YOU HAD US ALL TERRIFIED THAT YOU WERE DEAD!!!” Umi screeched shaking her fist in the air.

“YEAH AND WHEN YOU GET DOWN WE’RE GOING TO SLAUGHTER YOU!!!” Kazi added angrily.

“After everything I’ve lived through did you honestly think a little plunge into a giant, smoking, magma filled death trapped was going to do me in?” He mused as the dragon swooped down and landed in front of them.

“I’m mad at Sanzi not Yashin. That was a damn good idea making him jump in there.” Kaminari fumed hopping off of Ookami.

“It wasn’t my idea!” Sanzi responded defensively hopping off of the dragon and getting in Kaminari’s face.

“Then who’s was it?” The yellow-haired Spirit hissed in a low voice.

“Hinokagutsuchi’s.” Sanzi replied with a condescending grin.

“The fire god? Why would he do something like that?” Kaminari went on skeptically. “Wait isn’t he dead anyways?” Now he was utterly confused.

“It depends on you definition of dead I suppose…” Majo said and everyone turned around and stared at her funny as she walked slowly down the hill.


Chapter 35: Into the Unknown Beyond

“What do you mean it depends on your definition?”  Umi wondered looking at Majo confused; everyone else echoed her countenance and sentiments.

“His ghost haunted the heavens for a long time and grew and aged in the process. One day Amaterasu heard him crying and offered him a home where he would be loved and protected. That home was in the Rogue Seal Fushichou, the Phoenix. Now that Seal is in the outside world being guarded by the ancestors of the first water Summoner.” She explained. “I made Nami Sukunai leave this world because I feared the outcome of the war between the first Summoners, Amaterasu and Susanowa.”

“So that’s how she got out there…” Yashin whispered as the revelation sank in. “So that was a Rogue Seal she gave her.”

“That confirms your dream.” Kazeka said smiling. “So the dream girl is real.” He teased with a smile as he ruffled the Emperor’s hair.

“That still doesn’t explain why Hinokagutsuchi made Yashin dive into a volcano.” Kaminari pointed out.

“To see if I really had what it takes to be a good leader. He really cares about Amaterasu and the people who have guarded the Seal he’s in. I was willing to jump in there if it would free Sanzi and Ryuu and give all of you another ally even if it meant my destruction. For this he delivered us from the volcano unharmed.” Yashin explained smiling. “He’s a really nice guy.”

“Yashin! Do you not realize what just happened?!” Shujiki, Aki, Tairou, and Mizoko screeched in unison.

“You just had a direct conversation with a god!” Shujiki shrieked excitedly.

“Yeah never in all my prayers, rituals, and temples visits in all my years has that ever happened.” Aki insisted.

“Us either.” Mizoko said glancing at Tairou who was shaking his head.

“I don’t see what the big deal is. I talk to Amaterasu all the time. Well not ALL the time but whenever I need her.” He commented matter-of-factly as he continued walking down the mountain; everyone proceeded to fall over. After recovering from their shock, they all proceeded to make their way back to Iwakotai.

“We should really stock up while we’re here. I mean we don’t know what it’s going to be like out there.” Yoake pointed out as they were browsing through food stands.

“Yeah and we don’t know how long we’re going to be there either.” Kazi added grabbing a bag of rice almost as big as himself.

“Whoa little guy let me get that.” Yuma laughed as he easily picked up the bag from the struggling child.

“We should take some more time to train as well.” Kaminari said looking everyone over.

“I’ve been exercising everyday and look!” Aki shouted excitedly. She plucked the halberd off of Kaminari’s back since he had been carrying it for her and twirled it around with little difficulty.

“That’s great Aki!” Kazeka said patting her on the back and smiling with pride.

“Thanks!” She beamed hugging him. She suddenly realized she was hugging him and quickly let go and walked away to give Yuma a hug for helping her train; both she and Kaze were blushing.

“Say Kazeka. I think Akikurai has a thing for you. And seeing how you’re blushing you wouldn’t happen to have a thing for her too would ya?” Kaminari prodded quietly as he walked over and stood behind his friend. Kazeka only blushed more and looked at him helplessly. “Well the secret’s safe with me buddy.” Kaminari winked at him and Kaze nodded slowly.

After a week of camping outside of the city wall and training Yuma declared that everyone was ready for a test fight. Majo summoned up 10 powerful shikigami for each of them and once everyone could kill all of their shikigami, they all decided they were ready to go. Tairou surprised Yuma by wielding his huge hammer like a pro; he later revealed he had been hauling rocks around in his bag to get stronger. They stocked up on supplies and headed for the temple when their training session was over and were met with some resistance.

“You can’t open the door!” The head priest insisted.

“And why not?” Yashin asked curiously looking over the old man’s shoulder at the gray stone door behind him.

“There’s no way! It takes a special key that I don’t believe exists. Besides it is forbidden.” The priest replied in a stuck up tone. Yashin got into his bag and pulled out a piece of paper and the star shaped pendant. He handed the paper to the priest and proceeded to brush the hair off of his forehead.

“Upon reading that you should realize who I am and that my friends’ hair colors aren’t some godly curse. We’re going out there whether you allow us or not and I’d really hate to have to hurt you or make the green-haired girl over there tie you up.” He went on taking the paper out of the shocked priest’s hands.

“That paper could be a forgery! I can not allow you through!” He insisted and Yashin looked at Shokumoku.

“Would you do the honors?” Shokumoku smirked and held out her hands. A green glow came off of them and vines shot out of the stony ground and wrapped the priest up. They walked passed him and up to the door as other priests gathered and tried to pull their leader out of the vines. Yashin hesitantly held the five-pointed star up to the matching indent in the door.

“What’s wrong Yashin?” Kazi asked looking up at his friend.

“I’m just wondering is this is the right thing to do.” He replied with a heavy voice.

“Well seeing we’ve followed what you’ve thought was the right thing to do and it’s gotten us this far, I think it’s safe to assume this is the path we have to take.” Kaminari beamed re-assuringly. Yashin turned around and looked at everyone with a serious tone.

“If I’m wrong, I don’t want to drag anyone down with me in the process. If you don’t want to come, step back now.” He looked around but no one budged.

“I’ve said it once, I rephrased it and said it again, I’ll rephrase it and say it one more time. We’re a team and teams stick together. So if that means going into some region that we didn’t even know existed and face unspeakable danger in the name of peace and kicking ass, so be it!” Kaminari beamed again pumping a fist in the air.

“You know just how to put a bright spin on a situation don’t you?” Umi groaned smacking him upside the head.

“You haven’t changed a bit buddy!” Sanzi exclaimed patting Kaminari roughly on the back. Kaminari’s eye-brow twitched and he stared at Sanzi funny.

“Are you feeling ok?” He asked looking at the red-head strangely.

“Yeah! I just realized in all that time being asleep you really don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” He replied with a smile as he wrapped an arm around Kaminari and Umi.

“All right so are we going or are we going to get all sentimental and mushy and lose our nerve?!” Yuma boomed looking at everyone.

“LET’S GO!” They all cried in unison. Yashin turned around and placed the key in its rightful position. A bright glow shot out of the star shaped dent as it rotated and the door began to creak. A bright light streamed in from beyond as the door slowly started opening to the unknown beyond.

“Wait for just the right moment to go.” Yokubou warned as he and Higeki watched them carefully.

“I know.” She hissed back. “The Summoners don’t come back alive…”

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So that’s going to be the final chapter of this installment! Keep your eyes open and watch out for the next edition of this story: “Mirai Hoshi: The Unknown Beyond.” This story will follow the life of Yashin’s dream girl and the last Summoner, Unmei towards the beginning and will follow our heroes’ search for her and their return to Mirai Hoshi or destruction at the hands of Yokubou and Higeki. It’ll have a lot more action in it as the villainous lackies get more involved. I hope you enjoyed reading it up to this point and I hope you’ll continue on into “The Unknown Beyond!”