Book 1 Epilogue: A Journey to Come

Written by: Fern

Matsuri had recovered from her illness a few years ago. In time, she built up her strength and ventured into the human village, taking in everything she had been missing while holed up in the shrine. She even ventured into the forest to find Kemuri and meet him in his home, as he would hers. Matsuri became a beloved figure in the Mahucrin village, a true shrine maiden, helping villagers in their spiritual needs and serving as a beacon of faith and goodness. 

Kemuri remained exiled from the village, but with Matsuri’s continued advocacy, was able to acquire something to help his poor eyesight, a mask fashioned by one of the lensecrafters in the village. Kemuri returned the gift in time, giving Matsuri a headband with fake cat ears, something to bring her closer to the Hucrinis villagers.

After a time, they went together to visit the witch Maira, who took them under her wing, training them to become adventurers. Now, they return to her abode once more, to meet another person from her order, the Fabled Tellers.

Maira introduces them, “Kemuri, Matsuri, this is the recruiter. One of the few of us who care to wander throughout the continent of Kradia. I have asked that they be here to sanction your entry into the Fabled Tellers and admit you into our ranks.”

“A pleasure, young ones, to see you have grown so much in so little time. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish.” The figure responds in kind.

“You were here before. An envoy to the shrine for some meeting, right?” Kemuri asks.

“Just a Teller, visiting the shrine seeking fortune and health.” They reply. “As the countless before me.”

“Well it’s nice to meet you for real then. And it would be an honor to formally greet you at the shrine and draw you a fortune.” Matsuri bows in greeting.

“No need, young one. My fate has already been decided. It is yours that is still to bloom.” They say, nodding at Matsuri’s gesture. “Please give Maira and me a moment to converse amongst ourselves, and then we will begin the induction ritual.”

The two acknowledge the figure’s request and decide to chat, catching up over recent happenings while Maira and the figure discuss their matters. Maira recounts the two’s progress under her tutelage and their wish to venture out and explore. 

The teller seems intrigued. “They are still needed here for the time being. Once the ‘visitors’ are dealt with, they will be free to go where they wish.”

“Visitors? You mean the prophecy?” Maira questions.

The figure recants:

“Borne on the border of Day and Night,

Claimed by both Sun and Moon,

Bearing the blood of the sky,

And burdened by their divine lineage,

They will hear the call of their ancestors,

And face a fate thrust upon them,

For their birth bears witness to calamity,

And their existence, a duty to shape it.”

“So which of these two is the prophecy for?” Maira asks.

“The monsters coming are Celestials, divine beasts from the starry sky, sent to claim their kin, a half-breed born from a secret descendant of two major clans.” The figure replies.

“So star-crossed lovers then, both literally and figuratively.” She comments.

“Yes, their child fled to Kradia seeking solace, but was tracked down by another faction before Kemuri was born.” They explain,  “According to record, Kemuri’s existence wasn’t known to them, but I believe the assassin couldn’t bear to harm an unborn child, enemy or not, and assumed that he would remain hidden in his land, as his father had wanted to.”

Maira gives a slight nod to the figure’s words, but they continue after a brief pause. “The prophecy, however, pertains to both of them.”

“What do you mean? How can a prophecy like that be about multiple people?” Maira presses.

The figure responds, “Fate finds a way of misleading us, even as it tells the truth. The boy’s divine heritage might have been a red herring, but the circumstances of Matsuri’s birth also match the prophecy’s text.”

Maira deliberates, “A blood curse, housed within a single human, whose only reprieve from suffering is the moment they pass it to their next of kin.”

“Solena’s sacrifice might be the last, thanks to your help, Maira. Speaking of, how did you know that poison was a part of her disease? I read the notes of her condition, but nothing pointed to a toxin.” The figure asks.

Maira grins at the question. “You may be all brooding and mysterious, but I have my own methods. To be honest, I would have tried it at some point, but I heard passing word of something that at first I found hard to believe. Long ago, an ancient civilization, in its own hubris, crafted a weapon to rid the gods from this world, and they almost succeeded. They named it the ‘godkiller poison’.”

“If what you say is true, then she may well be the chosen one.” The figure speaks, turning to face Maira at the new information. “Why didn’t you notify me when you learned this?”

“Just doin’ what I’m told, or whatever you say.” Maira imitates the figure’s tone before continuing, “If I contacted you at every lead, or responded to every one of your summons, you wouldn’t have the need to visit me anymore.” She snides back. “Besides, I’m still not certain if it’s true. And, that damned bird has expensive tastes, I’d run out kethel seeds in no time.”

“I sense we may learn in time. The sands of time are stirring, and the sins of the past may once again reveal themselves. We will need to investigate further.” The figure says, before calling Matsuri and Kemuri over. “I hereby induct you into the Fabled Tellers. From now on, you and I are peers; Tellers of an ancient truth, and servants to a cause most noble.”