"Let me tell you a story" The lady told Mia as she sat comfortably beside her "this is the story of girl. Daughter of a proud father who ruled the kingdom in the West. She was more precious to than his entire kingdom put together. He spotted her. She was the most pampered in the and earth. There was nothing that she wished for that she didn't have. The tiniest and whimsical of her whims were written down as Royal edicts. Soldiers would scout the three just to fulfill her cravings in the middle of the night. Even though the king had many sons, world started and ended with his darling daughter. She was the Apple of his eyes. For the girl, life was like a fairytale. There was nothing called sorrow or pain in her books. Little did know that the rest of her life would have just those words written in every chapter and page her existence. "
She paused and took a deep breath. Mia couldn't understand whether she was catching her or heaving a sigh. Anyway she moved a bit closer and sat comfortably to catch the rest the story. The lady continued.
"The girl was often taken out by her father on his hunting trips. They would eat together. Train . Runaround wild streams catching fish together. She was always by his side. He even brought her to court. She would sit there and marvel at the sight of her father passing . To her, he was like a Lord, the supreme. He was the invincible force in her life that her fear nothing, no one. The entire palace knew that the father and daughter duo was . Even at night. He would often abandon his wives in their chambers, just to sit her, telling stories of the old and far away kingdoms. She would go to sleep still tugging his sleeve. He wouldn't even move from his position for the rest of the night, afraid that he disturb her sleep. People often gossiped at their unusually strong bond. They would worry the king would give all his kingdom away to his daughter instead of his sons. The worried that too. However her brothers loved her just as much as her father. And all she worry about was dancing away under the shades of her beautiful garden , singing all day . Nothing was more enjoyable to her than jumping around her father and nagging at her . " She paused again, giving Mia the opportunity to put in a few words.
"But what happened to this lovely miss? You said she knew only pain and sorrow for the rest of life. What went so wrong? Mia asked, trying to figure it out.
"Patience child. We will get to that. Make yourself comfortable. Do you like the story so far?
Does the baby like it too? " She asked, patting Mia's baby bump.
"How did you know? Mia asked, rather shocked that the woman knew about her pregnancy.
"Don't worry. You will get to know about that too. Fear not. I mean no evil" She assured her as
Mia clearly showed her unease. "Shall we continue? " She asked for permission. Mia nodded .
"Years went by . It was almost time for the girl to come of age. It was a very difficult phase in her life. Like most fathers, it was difficult for him to believe that his little baby was going to an adult soon. The king was suggested by his ministers to send her away to the grand 's house to complete her training. With a heavy heart the king agreed. The two of them a teary farewell. They knew they would not get to see each other for years. But little did know their lives were going downhill henceforth. Their entire world was about to come down. "
She stopped for a while to let Mia ask her question "go on, say it" She said.
"Is this girl from the Fox clan? " She asked directly to the point.The lady nodded in agreement.
"Please continue. What happened next? "
"The day she entered the premises of her teacher, her eyes marveled at the mere skills of the as they practiced all around. They were the best of her generation. Each one masters own skills, carefully chosen from across the world. The master himself was no ordinary . He was known to find the most precious of gems from amongst each nation. She was to the rest of them and assigned a house that she would share with three others. Her there had started to witness the change. From being a spoilt royalty, she was now a . "
"Days went by. Though she was easy going, people often shunned her. It was due to her notorious image. She knew her father to be the most kind hearted person in her , but he was infamous all over for his ill temper. Though most of the students were good her on the face, they despised her behind her back. She had just one or two to actually call friends. Anyway, after a few months into training, the annual event day arrived. It was awaited by the students as the winner got the special ride to the stars. From the competitors there was only one that could match her demeanor, the prince from neighboring kingdom.Though she had seen him from afar, they had never met or talked . It was for the first time that they finally exchanged words when they both reached the , beating the rest. At that moment it seemed magical. She couldn't understand if he did it purpose or if she was lucky, but they both tied for the first spot, even though he was much in the competition than her. The master had no other option but to give away two rides year, among the stars. " She sighed as if lamenting.
"What happened then? How was this ride you are talking about? Tell me more about it" Mia her at the sleeve. She smiled and answered "that my dear , is another story in itself.
Should we continue? "
Mia nodded eagerly.
********
A story untold
The ride in the stars was as enchanting and magical as it sounds. One would get to choose the few exotic soul animals that would help them complete this voyage with ease and . Then a path would be laid out to connect the land with the heavens. This was no road. It was made of the finest pearls, with gems and precious stones scattered all . It was luminous. It shone with a brilliant gleam made up of several colors at once. To for the ride one had to take a purifying shower under the southern spring in the mountain. Though the journey was a nocturnal one, it diverged beyond time after first space bent. As a result, the voyage lasted for almost around three days and nights of just one night. It was an experience of a lifetime. This bent in space took place only a year, hence everything had to be prepared before even the start of the completions.
Both the winners were super excited about it. But little did they know that this bent in space was to bend the course of their lives forever as well.
The prince from the east was called Jin. He was the most famous pupil of his time. He excelled every possible aspect. He had the most handsome face,the most well sculpted body, the arms, the sharpest mind and the most courteous manners. His popularity was not only the students but the teachers alike. Girls literally drooled after him.
On the other hand, the Western princess was an introvert, smart but not very popular, mostly or envied for her position, pampered and spoilt, though very beautiful never did she dressed up unless the occasion demanded her to.There was one aspect where she on par with Jin, that is her expertise and skills. She was trained by her father since she was baby, hence it was no wonder. Everytime her father called out her name, "Nanako, you can do " she felt there was nothing impossible in the universe for her to achieve.
None of these two children, so full of life, had ever imagined that they would both end up in the space, repenting, reflecting and rectifying grudges from the past. Jin, now a soul, stuck in the lonely tower in the last of the mist, scuffling and crumbling, trying decipher the distortions inside his own head. Nana, on the other hand, though still alive , with the sight of the future, now temporarily giving company to Mia, in the world where living can go.
Their story began at a slow pace. After the finale, where they exchanged their first words, they kept thinking about each other all night. They seemed different from the prejudices their had of each other. The next day was the auspicious day for the ride. They both had to themselves cleansed in the spring before attending the departure ceremony. As they rushed the mountains, Jin had some followers tug behind as usual. Nanako felt very awkward taking dip with audiences present around. Jin could sense that and offered the spot all to her as he the group a few spots away. Soon after he came to take his turn and found Nanako long . They saw each other at the departure ceremony. Nanako intentionally ignored him, as had a strange feeling everytime he was around. Jin however could not take his eyes off
Nana as she was all decked up in traditional royal attire, dazzling and beautiful.
"This must be the first woman to ignore you" Jin's friends teased him. He took no notice. They on pushing and pushing until pride got the better of him and he burst out "fine, you will see the ride is over".
" You bet? " His friends pushed harder.
"Sure thing" He replied and then marched towards the departure platform along with Nana.
Jin had a panther as his ride and Nanako had an eagle. With a brilliant explosion of water and , they darted off towards the stars, twinkling far away.
Across the galaxies, away from the world, sweeping past meteors, floating beyond space, they and laughed together, as time slowly faded away. They talked about this and that. It like they had known eachother forever. They gazed at each other's starry eyes , around in nothingness. Three days seemed like moments and it was finally time to .
Soon after they returned, they got busy with their respective training in their respective camps.
They hardly had much interaction though they both craved it. Jin's friends kept pestering about challenge, but he dismissed it. However they had not given up on it entirely.They were constantly for a loophole to create mischief. And soon enough they found their chance they had to go in the wastelands, in groups. The wastelands were full of filthy and hideous creatures the netherworld. Though it was part of their training, many had failed to complete this task. Fate had it and hence both Jin's and Nanako's camps were paired up for the job.
In the fields they had a hard time. Fearlessly chopping and killing the creatures, but two of their got seriously injured, forcing them to camp there for the night. Jin's friends grabbed opportunity and fed both of them with the nether-berries. Those were known to intoxicate its and arose their erotic desires. Both Jin and Nanako, unaware of the drug, gobbled down food. Soon they were left alone by the others. One thing led to another and they ended up with each other. Though they both had feelings for each other, none was ready to take a leap. Moreover neither of them were aware of what they were doing. It was bound to lead misfortune instead of bliss. Their story was doomed even before it could bloom. The next came in, but it ushered many evil along with it.