Mika’s Destiny: The Mountain Princess’s Return

Mika was in the middle of the forest, at the foot of the mist-wrapped hill. She was out of breath, heart hammering in her chest. The chilly evening wind tugged at her clothes, and the ground beneath her feet was slick and slippery.

Why do I feel a dark force is approaching? As if something is about to crush me?

Mika looked around.

Just down the hill from her, in the dying light, she saw the vague outlines of village houses. Shadows and blinks of light were moving between them.

Then, suddenly, a beautiful silhouette zoomed past, which Mika recognized almost instantly. Aiko, the mountain princess, was running up the hill in a light white gown, barefoot, but to Mika, it looked like she was floating in the air. She was accompanied by a small fox, almost invisible in the tall grass, its red fur resembling the earth beneath. The fox darted ahead with speed and grace, guiding Aiko through the treacherous mountainside.

Aiko glanced at Mika and shouted: "What are you waiting for, girl? Run!"

Aiko's eyes were full of terror, she was disheveled and pale.

Suddenly, Mika heard numerous footsteps approaching from the direction of the village. A mob of people—twenty or more of them—appeared from behind the trees. It was hard to make them out in the descending dusk, except for one leading the way.

He rose above the others, dressed in a dark, flowing haori, embroidered with twisted patterns that seemed to come alive under the dying light, like serpents. In his hands, he gripped a sword, its blade flickering with an eerie, shadowed glow. Every movement he made was deliberate and determined, as if he relished the terror he inspired.

A sword! Oh no, poor Aiko is in mortal danger!

Mika tried to move, but she couldn't, rooted to the spot like a person in the midst of the most terrifying nightmare who really wants to scream at the top of the lungs, but is unable to.

All Mika could see was Aiko, the mountain princess, slip and fall on a wet grass not far up the hill. A few triumphant shouts escaped from the crowd of villagers.

"Finish her, Tatsuya!" yelled one.

Tatsuya!

The name brought a sickening wave of fear to Mika's throat, as if hearing it was enough to invoke the wrath of sleeping spirits. The name felt painfully familiar to her.

The man whose very presence seems to darken the air.

In an instant, the red fox darted back, appearing between Aiko and the villagers, flicking its tail. As it did, a patch of fog enveloped Aiko. The fox then stood protectively in front of Aiko until she got up.

At the same time, from her right, Mika heard the rustling of tree branches. She spun around to see another three dim figures appear from the forest.

"Stop right there!" shouted one of them, a broad shouldered, tired man.

The villagers halted, except for Tatsuya, who kept on advancing up the hill until he almost bumped into the broad-shouldered man.

"Out of my way, Kaito!" yelled Tatsuya.

He tried to push the man he called Kaito away, but wasn't able to. Kaito stood stubbornly in his way. The villagers huddled behind Tatsuya, their voices muffled.

"This is the last warning, Kaito," said Tatsuya forcefully.

"I'm unarmed," replied Kaito wearily, standing his ground. He turned to the rest of the crowd. "What grievance do you have against Aiko? How has she harmed you and your village?"

Tatsuya gave Kaito another powerful push in the chest. "You know that pretty well, Kaito. She destroyed our dam!"

The villagers behind Tatsuya roared in approval.

"She had nothing to do with your dam, and you know that," replied Kaito slowly but in a loud and clear low voice. "Your dam was illegal, to begin with. But aside from that it was poorly designed–by you, Tatsuya–and was unable to withstand the storm. Now leave her alone!"

What an honorable and brave man!

Kaito glanced at Mika. She suddenly sprang back to life.

Am I a useless bystander? I have to help Aiko!

Mika rushed to find Aiko. The mountain princess was already making her way further up the mountain. She only paused for a moment to glance back at Mika.

"Don't follow me, girl!" she exclaimed. "My journey is to the land of loneliness and sorrow. No one will ever hear of poor Aiko ever again." She took a few more steps and turned back to Mika again. "Go, hide yourself in the woods, girl. The world doesn't understand goodness or beauty. It only bows to power and greed. Save yourself, before it's too late!"

As Aiko disappeared in the forest, Mika glanced back at the group of men surrounding Kaito. The two others ran away, and Kaito was alone against the angry mob.

"I told you to get out of my way, Kaito," growled Tatsuya. "You never listen!"

Tatsuya raised his sword, and Kaito fell to the ground with a hollow moan.

He killed him! He killed the brave man!

Forgetting herself, Mika ran towards the villagers, not away from them as Aiko had implored. Blood was throbbing in her temples, and she pushed the villagers aside trying to get to Kaito. She didn't know what she could do, only that she couldn't stand by and watch him die like this. But before she could reach him, Tatsuya's hand shot out, grabbing her by the wrist. His grip was brutal, and Mika cried out in pain, ashamed of her own weakness.

With a snarl, Tatsuya yanked her roughly toward him, his dark gaze locking onto hers with intensity.

"Foolish girl," he spat. "You cannot save him. You cannot save anyone."

"You're the devil!" yelled Mika.

Tatsuya just smiled. He pushed Mika to the ground, and she landed on her back with a thud. She turned her head to glance toward Kaito. Their eyes met.

"Did Aiko… escape…" Kaito grunted.

"Yes," breathed out Mika.

A faint smile touched Kaito's lips. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, but then opened again, with urgency. "Then save yourself," he stammered. "You must live."

"What about you?" Mika choked on sudden tears.

"It doesn't matter," his voice was fading. "Take care of her."

The sudden burst of wind pushed the villagers away from Mika and Kaito. A thunderous roar rolled down the mountain deafening everyone.

Mika's pain forced her to curl into a ball, knees drawn to her chest. Everything was ringing and howling around her and then–there was nothing.