PREVIEW

CHAPTER 1

 

 

Prelude

 

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Her round, ice blue eyes glittered beneath the simmering sun as she watched the boy swinging his katana in a pivot, every step of his filled with grace and poise.

    “See? If your enemy is charging in from ahead, this is how you handle them, like so!”

    Save for the village soldiers, she had never witnessed anyone with such deft footwork, let alone handwork. She always enjoyed those days beneath sapphire skies, when she could just watch her brother, and ofttimes, find herself mimicking him with her own blade.

    “As still as water.” The boy leapt high into the air with his katana drawn back, and forming behind him was a beautiful hydro Long.

    Her heart raced through her chest at the sight. The rushing waters surrounding the boy glittered like diamonds, and the Long obeyed his command to remain. Above all, she admired the valiant look on his face. It was not one of headstrong confidence, but rather, steady resolve, as though he were looking straight into the eyes of his opponent.

    With a shout, he pivoted midair and sliced his blade towards the great cherry blossom tree, and it was at his behest the Long darted for it like a river in a tempest.

    Before it could strike it, however, the Long vanished, its lingering drops raining onto the grass.

    “Wow…!”

    The boy landed before her, sheathing his sword. “Only the finest trick taught to me by Master Xiao. You can learn the legendary Dragon Slash move, as well, with just a bit more practice. Keep up the training, and you’ll go far.”

    “Mm! You’re amazing, Nii-san— the best swordsman in Ingens Terra. No, in all Ōkoku and Terrakis! Really, is there anything you can’t do?!”

    “Th-That’s—”

    “Tsumugi, Haruka! I’ve sliced some fresh, yummy watermelon, straight from the garden!” Their youthful, beautiful mother, Saki, stood at the patio door of the Yanase Dynasty Estate, presenting a silver tray of vibrant watermelon. “Come get it while it’s fresh!”

    “Watermelon! Let’s go!” The 13-year-old girl, Tsumugi, sprinted for the patio without waiting for a response.

    “Wh— slow down, alright?!” The boy, Haruka, 14, ran after her. “Hurry along now, Runa! You don’t want to miss out, do you?”

    With eager, the Yanase family dog— a tan-and-white little one— ran after the two with her tongue out.

    Their mother’s watermelon was only the finest in Hikari Village, popular among the villagers, and the soldiers were no exception. There was a technique to growing them, that which was her little secret, but if anyone else knew it well, it was Juri, the family maid.

    “Silly kids, the watermelon isn’t going anywhere.” Juri, sweeping the patio, giggled. “Wash your hands, and then, you can enjoy as much as you’d like!”

    Once the young siblings washed their hands in the kitchen, they headed back out to enjoy the cool, hydrating watermelon on the baked patio.

    It was the dawn of summer break, which could only mean it was time for their first-ever trip to Sakuraba City, and if anyone was looking forward to the itinerary, it was their mother. First and foremost, though, what held the family’s anticipation was the 500-year anniversary festival honoring the legends of Kusami.

    “Tonight is the festival in Aozoramaru Village, remember?” The eager Saki was preparing another plate with her usual beam— one that donned her face whenever her children were home. “Are you two looking forward to it?”

    At those words, Tsumugi’s eyes illuminated like a thousand stars, and she swallowed the bit of watermelon she had been chewing. “Mm! I wanna go fishing for goldfish a-and stuff my face with yummy yakitori skewers— you know, the ones we had last year?”

    Haruka smiled at her. “Those were the best, yeah, but I might be biased since Grandma Yuki’s the one who’s been making them all these years. Hard to believe a whole year’s gone by already, though. You look at the sky and all that glitters, and the next thing you know, they’re back again.”

    “Mm. That’s a great way of putting it.” She swung her legs from the wooden walkway. “So, what’s your favorite thing about the festival?”

    “My favorite thing? Hmm, it’d probably have to be the fireworks. There’s something about wearing traditional Kusamin attire and watching the show— both villages combined. It reminds you of the harmony we’ve achieved since the Ether War 500 years ago.”

    “Wow… Has it already been 500 years? Do you think the legend is true?”

    “About the great Pyro Long: King Zheng, and his longtime rival, the Hydro Long: Tiānkōng? Yeah. I believe every bit of it. It’s why I’m aiming to perfect my skills.” He knocked his head to the left.

    Tsumugi returned a knowing nod, and so, the two said goodbye to their mother and Juri before heading off for the marketplace.

    “Every day, Hikari Village is dying.”

    “But it looks fine to me…” She saw the people she knew well— all of their smiles and lively conversation. “Everyone looks so happy.”

    “So it seems. Have you heard of, ‘honne and tatamae?’”

    “Mm. We learned about it in training. Honne refers to a person’s true feelings while tatamae refers to the front they put up in public. I-Is that really what it is?”

    “The Jewel Tree is dying, and so water is running scarce, meaning the fruits and vegetables can no longer thrive, let alone survive past budding. Not only that, but the animals in the wild lack water, causing the population to drop by thousands every month.”

    “Now that you mention it…” Tsumugi saw the younger children pulling up buckets of water from the well. Her head then turned to the right, where more were watering the garden. “I never realized how miserable they all were…”

    “But it’s their love for one another, in this village where everyone is family, that keeps them going.” Upon realizing she had stopped in her tracks, Haruka, too, came to a stop and looked back at her. “Mugi?”

    “I want to find the Jewel Tree.”

    “What?”

    She narrowed her eyes at him. “I want to find the Jewel Tree! If I don’t, everyone here will run out of food and water…”

    He exhaled.

    “Nii-san! You said you believe in the legend, right?!”

    “I do, but…”

    “And you wanna do whatever you can to help people, so please, help me find it! We can do this together— save Kusami!”

    “Pfsh! Does this dumbass chick even hear herself?!” demanded a familiar voice.

    Haruka turned to see a group of boys strutting their way, specifically, his underclassmen from Shikano Academy, led by none other than the top dog and silver rank of the class: Hiroshi Hidano. To the former, even if it was his break from school, a break from the latter would have been all but a fever dream…

    With that same smirk painted on his face, Hiroshi cackled. “Who would have thought that someone was foolish enough to actually believe in the legend?!”

    His entourage joined him in his fit of laughter, and as Tsumugi’s vision, blurred with diamonds, shifted to the dirt path beneath her feet, Haruka stepped before her.

    “Aww, who’s your big bro now? Your bodyguard?” Hiroshi rotated his fists beneath his eyes. “Do you need a bodyguard to hide behind wherever you go, Tsugumi? ‘Waaaahh!’”

    Drawing his sword from its sheath, Haruka aimed its tip right at him. “Her name is ‘Tsumugi.’ Get it right.”

    “Haru!” she exclaimed.

    Hiroshi stepped back, terrified eyes fixed on the blade. “Tch, i-is this your way of challenging me to a duel?!”

    “Shit, man, the guy’s top of the class— master of Dragon Slash,” whispered another boy in the group. “Are you sure you wanna humiliate yourself in front of the entire village?”

    “I-I’ll do it! I’ll do what it takes to prove myself, and it’s this punk right here who’s about to be humiliated!! I’ll pummel you into the cold, hard ground, Yanase! We’ll duel this afternoon— you and me both!”

    With that, the huffing Hiroshi stormed off with his entourage.

    Clicking his tongue, Haruka sheathed his sword.

    Tsumugi ran into his field of sight. “Nii-san! You don’t gotta do this! It was my fault for getting so excited over nothing…”

    “Don’t give up on what you believe just ‘cause someone else tells you you’re wrong.”

    “Huh?”

    “I’ll help you search for the Jewel Tree.” He faced her. “Everyone at home is counting on it, and if I convince him, I’m sure Dad’ll let us go. Either way, today’s the duel between Hidano and me”—he fixed his jet, fitted gloves—“and I won’t be holding back out there.”

 

 

“Fight, fight, fight! You’ve got this, Hida!” The boys cheered at the tops of their lungs.

    A group of girls standing nearby shot them an awkward look.

    “They’re actual children,” one of them whispered. “Even when they’re adults, they’ll still be acting like men-children.”

    Surrounding the ring were all of the members of the village, and seated at the side, gazing upon the two boys from his vantage point, was none other than the famed samurai and village head: Kenshiro Yanase, father of Haruka and Tsumugi.

    He raised his hand in the air. “Today, Hikari Village bears witness to a mutual challenge between Haruka Yanase: The Future of the Yanase Dynasty”—his gaze shifted over to the other boy—“and Hiroshi Hidano: son of Io Hidano of the Blacksmiths Guild.”

    “Woo! Do your best, Hida!” his entourage cheered. “You got this in the bag! Show ‘em the underdogs can win, too!”

    “The winner will receive 10 points towards their overall grade at Shikano Academy as well as a badge of honor, as per the rules of challenging a classmate to a duel.”

    All of his words, however, flew right over the zealous boy’s head as his glare was fixed on Haruka, and Haruka alone— the latter returning an equally stern one.

    “Challengers, unsheathe your respective blades!”

    And so, they did.

    “Five! Four…”

    Haruka gripped his hands on its woven hilt.

    “…two, one! Begin!”

    The two boys wasted no time in shooting for each other like bullets, their respective steel blades clashing with sparks flying in every direction. Haruka leapt as light as a feather in dodging Hiroshi’s attempts at striking his blind spot, and just like that, he swerved around the latter, drew back his sword, and struck its tip right for his back.

    “Tch!” Hiroshi dropped to the ground then sprinted to the back of the arena, where he hid behind a wooden wall. “This bozo— he’s as fast as a cheetah. I’ll just have to catch him unawares— go for his weak point. That ought to stagger him.” He leapt back out into sight, though Haruka was nowhere to be seen. “Where’d he—?!”

    “Looking for someone?”

    “…!” Hiroshi pivoted, and just like that, Haruka swung his blade to knock his out of grip. All seemed to be traveling in slow motion as he saw the resolved glare in his foe’s eyes, and once he hit the ground— his sword landing a few feet behind him— the buzzer sounded.

    “And with that, the victory goes to Haruka Yanase!”

    The crowd cheered, and the squealing girls called his name, but the boys merely kicked the ground before taking their leave.

    “Wait, guys!” Hiroshi reached out to them.

    However, a shadow casted upon him, and so his gaze drew up to see Haruka, the latter’s hand extended to him. “Tch. Get lost.” Hiroshi smacked his hand away before pushing himself up. “Had you not come out of thin air like that, I could have won, and my friends—!”

    “Are they really your friends?”

    His eyes shot open. “What?”

    “If they were really your friends, they wouldn’t have up and left the way they did. I think it’s about time you fix your attitude and find a better group— one that’ll build your character in the right direction.”

    “SHUT UP! I don’t need you to lecture me, let alone backseat on my life! You won, alright?! So just take your W and get out of here!” With that, he turned, picked up his blade, then headed off.

    Haruka frowned.

    “Nii-san!!” Tsumugi sprinted into the ring in exchange for Hiroshi, only to be met by her brother’s silence. “Are you okay? You won, didn’t you?”

    “For some reason, it doesn’t feel much like a victory. He’s the one who challenged me, wanting to win, while I’m the one who walked into this half-heartedly with no intention of doing so to begin with. I should have let him win, but I—”

    “Y-You didn’t hold back…”

    He sheathed his sword on its hilt. “I’ll be in my room. See you.”

    With that, he took his leave.

    “Nii-san…” She extended her reach to him, only for the tips of her fingers to fall just short of the hem of his cape. Will I ever grow to be as strong as you? If I can’t soon, how will I ever find the Jewel Tree and protect you, Mommy, Daddy, Juri-san, and Runa? Someday… Someday, I’ll surpass you, Nii-san. I dunno how yet, but I will.

 

 

——————————————————————————

 

 

“Welcome, villages of Hikari and Aozoramaru!” A man donning a silk kimono— one with intricate designs— stood at the stage before his estate. “It is with deepest pleasure that I, Yūta Majima, initiate the commencement of the Annual Summer Festival on the 500th year since the Ether War. On this day, 500 years ago, we have lost many comrades-in-arms and loved ones, and so tonight, let us honor their memory.”

    Tsumugi stood on the tips of her toes, attempting to see past the crowd of adults standing before her, but soon, she felt herself lifting up into air, and so she looked down to see the dark brown head of hair and brawny arms of her father. Dad!

    He held onto her legs, and from where she sat on his shoulders, she could see the entire village.

    “And with that, may the festivities begin!”

 

 

Children ran down the rows of stalls, dragging their friends and parents with them. It was a vivid scene— one brimming with life and joy. Food, games, and entertainment traveled as far as the eye could see in Aozoramaru Village.

    Taking it all in, Tsumugi felt a rush of energy coursing through her veins, but in looking around, she bumped into a figure before turning to see them. “Huh?”

    The boy must have been her age, but a person bearing a head of silver hair? Nothing like that had ever been heard of— not even among the gossip of the village children.

    “Wow… your hair…” She reached out to touch his hair, only for him to smack it away.

    “Wh-Whatever is your deal?! You’d nearly broken my arm!”

    “Huh?” She gave him an unamused look. “It was an accident.”

    “Accident?! Is that all you have to say for yourself?!” He clicked his tongue and glared elsewhere. “Whatever…”

    A smirk took over her face. “See, you can’t be mad at me forever, buddy.”

    He smacked his forehead. “I was not angry…”

    “Your words say one thing, but your face totally says another.”

    “WH-WHAT WAS THAT?!”

    Tsumugi stuck her tongue out and laughed as she went running off. The boy let out an amused scoff before heading his own way.

 

 

An hour into the lively festival, watching it all from a bench from afar, Tsumugi held onto the pendant of her necklace. Runa was lying on the ground by her feet when her tail wagged and she perched up.

    “Hey-a.”

    “Nii-san!”

    “Mind if I sat?”

    “Nope! Please, sit!”

    Haruka took his seat to her right, and in silence, both of them watched the lively festival. “Are you enjoying it all?”

    “Mm! It’s a tonna fun!”

    “I’m glad. I’ve… been wanting to talk to you about our journey. Dad gave us the ‘okay.’”

    “Wait, actually?” She looked at him in shock. “Just like that?”

    He dipped his head.

    “But you’re The Future of the Yanase Dynasty! I-If anything—” She stopped herself right there.

    “Dad said he was confident that he’d be able to run the village till we got back— said he wanted me to protect you.”

    “‘Till we got back.’” Her frown turned down to her lap. “Do you think that we can really do it?”

    “If Mom, Dad, and Juri-san believe in us, then nothing can stop us.”

    Runa let out a bark.

    “And Runa, of course.” He chuckled.

    “Ahhh, I’m so excited!!” Tsumugi beamed. “I’ve never set out on a journey before!”

    “I-I know this is your first, but remember, this isn’t a vacation. A dangerous road lies ahead, so we’ll need to be on our guards at all times just like we practiced at school.”

    With narrowed eyes, she smacked her hands onto her cheeks and pumped her fists. “R-Right. Focus, Tsumugi. This is all to help our village. So, when do we set out?”

    “Tomorrow at first light. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll head back and pack our things.”

    Just then, the two heard cheering from the distance.

    A gasp escaping her lips, she rose from the bench. “Wait, I think the fireworks are about to begin! Let’s go and pack after, okay?!”

    At the sight of her excitement, he let out a chuckle— something she had not seen in a while. “Sure. Let’s enjoy the festival first. It’s why I waited to tell you towards the end. Tonight is a celebration for our ancestors, the legends of Kusami, after all. Let’s go have fun!”

 

 

Wow…! The rockets of light taking to the sky burst into all that glittered without so much as a sound, reflecting in Tsumugi’s mirrors.

    Groups of friends, families, and couples alike admired the beautiful sight of the fireworks display at the marina, the glittering remnants of the colorful bursts flitting towards the dark waters of Doré Beach.

    “Let’s always remember this moment.”

    “Huh?” He met her gaze. “Don’t we always remember them?”

    Tsumugi beamed. “Silly, it’s the 500-year anniversary. It’s a special night— one that I never wanna forget— so lemme share the memory with someone else, too!”

    Staring at her in surprise, a smile of warmth soon took over. “It’s a good thing you’re my sister. No one else words things the way you do. But yeah”—he held her hand and smiled skyward—“remembering this moment with you doesn’t sound like the worst thing in the world.”

    Just then, everyone in the area heard a shrilling scream, so they looked back.