Princess of Snow - Part 2
Title: Princess of Snow
Part: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Spoilers: None
Notices: AU, female!Kurogane and female!Fai
Summary: In a world where the connections between nature and human are on the brink of full extinction, Kurogane embarks on a personal journey to reconnect with her roots. However, a blizzard gets in her way, throwing her into different directions in more ways than one.
Author's Note: Written for the remix challenge over at kuroxfai. This is a remix of Warmth in the Cold Winter by yoshikochan, in which Kurogane is surprised that Fai, out of all people, is able to find so much warmth and happiness in the cold season. So I took that, concocted a completely new fantasy AU, threw Kurogane and Fai in there, AND also made them females. It's still in progress, and I hope to finish it by the end of this weekend.
Also, I must give many thanks to chilly-3x4 for input, advice, and most of all, for just being there all those times I talked to her about my budding ideas and struggles.
Chapter 2 - Awakening
Fire was everywhere, violently burning and dancing across her eyelids. It started out as small those first few nights but then they kept increasing bit by bit until she felt like choking on them. Ashes were raining down and charring over her eyes and her lungs were coughing violently. Everywhere buildings were being incinerated in the raging maelstrom and people were screaming. But one person’s scream would always stand out to her, and for some reason she would always want to go towards that voice. Why this? Why now?
The dreams had been haunting her for nearly a month and yet it had been so horrible and vivid that Kurogane kept thinking it was real. She kept waking up in beads of sweat and with a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach and lungs. But dreams were just dreams and shouldn’t mean something to really fret over about, she would constantly scold herself.
So why then was it that her performance in the training field was so lower than her usual standards? Why was she becoming increasingly hesitant whenever she was near fire? No matter how hard she tried, they persistently would come back to haunt her at night. It became severe that she suddenly felt a sense of disillusionment even in the waking world since the images and terrified voices wouldn’t leave her even when she was awake. But there was no reason to feel like that, Kurogane would chide herself, for she was in command as one of the high ranking generals under the service of Princess Tomoyo, the beloved ruler who took her in as an orphan, cared for her, and sought that she would be raised into a fine, strong woman so that she could be proud of her. The Land of the Lotus Blossoms was a peaceful province that had declared neutrality for as long as anyone could remember. So why then was Kurogane unable to cope with the differences between her dreams and reality?
But her princess would have of course noticed her change in demeanor and Kurogane dreaded that, but at the same time she expected all the same that the matronly leader would eventually seek a private consultation. Sure enough, Kurogane had found herself inside the throne room on one cool autumn evening.
"You wish to speak to me?" Kurogane asked as soon as she stepped inside the wings where the ruler sat comfortably in her throne.
"Yes.” The princess opened her arms to ask her general to come closer. Princess Tomoyo was very much an honorable mother figure to Kurogane and she was very much a daughter to the princess and so it was common for the princess and the general to be on such close terms. Kurogane acquiesced and proceeded to kneel in front of her.
"Has something been troubling you lately?" She knew, Kurogane thought in shame, and she most likely knew because the general had not been at her forte the last few weeks. But dreams were just dreams and she would do all she could to conquer those uneasiness on her own if she had to.
"There's nothing going on," she insisted.
The princess shook her head. "I know how you could be," she said. Princess Tomoyo reached over to cup Kurogane's chin and tilt her head up so that she could do her best to help her troubled general. "You are stubborn, and that can be a good trait, Kurogane. But your stubbornness is not helping you right now, so please tell me whatever the matter is."
The general frowned for she had no choice but to let it out. "I keep having these dreams. Nightmares, I guess you would call them.”
"Ah, I see." The princess nodded in complete sympathy. "And what have you been seeing in those dreams?"
"I keep seeing fire that won't go away. Then there's places that are burning and people screaming, but the voice of a woman especially," Kurogane recounted. But there was something that had been troubling her the most. "But then I always feel like something's choking me, beyond the smoke and ashes in the dreams."
"I am guessing that they have been persistent?"
Kurogane reluctantly nodded. "And the thoughts won't leave me. It's as if I'm...questioning things in regards to life right now." And she didn't know why and was troubled by that, but she did not want to tell her princess that immediately.
Princess Tomoyo clasped her fingertips together and concentrated heavily in deep thought. Pools of black hair framed her delicate face. Despite the fact that she was nearing her fortieth birthday, the princess still retained her youthful looks. Muttering to herself, the princess kept eying Kurogane.
"It seems to me," she spoke at last, breaking the unsettling silence, "that you have entered your awakening."
"My what?"
"It will take some explaining, Kurogane," she cautioned. "The time has come for me to tell you your true past, your origins."
Kurogane scowled. "I very well know that I am an orphan since I was an infant, but I am perfectly fine and normal."
Her princess remained calm, for she was perfectly used to her general's bout of outbursts. "Yes, you are an orphan, but that doesn't mean you are originally from here."
The general opened her mouth in shock, bewildered. "I- how is that even possible?"
Her princess looked at her intently. "Kurogane, did you ever wondered why you were different? Why you were known to possess such 'fiery' disposition and a knack for fighting? Or why you were always sensitive to fire in general and vice versa?"
The questions were preposterous, Kurogane deducted. "Sometimes," she admitted, "but that's just the way I am. Doesn't mean I'm completely different from others."
Princess Tomoyo sighed. "You are more than just a talented fighter with an unusual way with the flames. Your mother did die here, but she was in fact a refugee. She fled and left behind her family, her war-torn home with you when you were just a baby. You come from a different kingdom, one that had been lost and destroyed for a long time.” She paused and noticed how speechless her general was at this sudden notice.
“Kurogane, you hail from the Kingdom of Ember.”
“Kingdom … of Ember?” the other repeated numbly.
She was familiar with the history of kingdoms that had met their dooms due to the loss of the delicate balance between nature and humans from the onslaughts of warfare and the rise of civilization. In fact, there were several refugees inside the Land of the Lotus Blossoms who were displaced from their homes. But as the years went by and the past became mere echoes, these people too had adapted to the ways of modern life and started over. But to finally find out that she was a descendant of a kingdom that crumbled into nothingness was overtly startling. If indeed this was true - and it wasn’t that she questioned Princess Tomoyo for she would never lie on such a subject matter - then it changed everything. This newfound fact of her roots shook her to her core. But instead of assuaging the pains and confusion of her recent vivid dreams, it raised more questions and uncertainty.
“I am afraid so,” the princess said solemnly. “Your mother had hoped that the ember spirits would never communicate and arouse an awakening within you. But if anything, the dreams you had been having lately confirms it.”
“So what does that mean?” Kurogane asked.
“It means that they are calling for you to return in the hopes that you could somehow restore the glory of the kingdom,” Princess Tomoyo answered. “And it also means it is something you had wanted to do for a very long time, even though you are just learning about this now. As you know, Kurogane, it is not easy to break the connections between you and your affixed element, which in your case is ember.”
Kurogane frowned at the heavy implication of all of this. “But what if I don’t want to return there?”
“You think you may not want to, but never underestimate your dreams, especially your hidden connections with your elements,” the princess warned. “I’m afraid that until you try to return to the Kingdom of Ember your dreams will not stop.”
Kurogane didn’t want to be necessarily tied down to something if it prevented her from adjusting to her customary life as the way it was now. It wasn’t that she was disrespecting her origins, but at the same time those dreams were a nuisance. But if it meant that she would have to leave the land for a while in order to settle with these “spirits”, then so be it.
“Fine,” she decided. “If it means I could shake off these unsettling dreams just so I can go back to the way I am, then I’ll go.”
“Very well,” the princess said. “But it is best that you leave as soon as possible. Even though it will take you a few months, perhaps half a year to get there, not to mention even when winter is on its way, you will still do it?”
“Yes.”
“And even though the roads leading there will be perilous?” she continued asking.
It would be a journey the general would undertake on her own, that was assumed. It would mean leaving the land she had always thought was her true home, until now, for a long time.
“Yes.”
“I understand, Kurogane.” Princess Tomoyo was no longer smiling. “There is one last thing I must tell you.”
She procured a lacquered box that was conveniently lying on the floor. Opening it, she pulled out an item and handed it over to the general. Kurogane accepted it and held the object, examining it. The item turned out to be a rather elaborate torch, made with charred ebony and wrapped in a flammable material. Yet there was something extraordinary about this torch as it was still in good condition despite that it must had been used other times before.
“Your mother bequeathed this to me before her death,” Princess Tomoyo explained. “It was a precious possession in her family and she wanted me to save this should you ever need it. I believe the time has come.”
Kurogane gripped the torch, and even though it was her very first time holding her mother’s possession, she knew and could feel it was something very valuable. She wondered if she was capable and even worthy of possessing this, let alone using it.
“Tomoyo,” she said, pushing away the emotions from all of these revelations. She needed to stay strong. “Even though I may very well be the sole survivor of this kingdom, I promise I will come back here someday. I swear upon it.”
The princess solemnly accepted her general’s words. A promise was a promise, and Kurogane always kept to them to the best that she could. “Until that day, I wish that you find what you seek.” Both the princess and the general were silently coping with this sudden revelation of Kurogane’s imminent departure.
“But I already know what I need to seek,” Kurogane said in defiance. “I want to settle with the spirits to leave me alone once and for all.”
The princess inwardly sighed, yet she knew if her general was focused on something, she would set out to do it on a whim, though a determined one. For the remainder of their private consultation, Kurogane and Princess Tomoyo went straight to talking about when and how soon the general should leave the Land of the Lotus Blossoms and what provisions she would need in anticipation of the approaching winter season. The princess also advised the general to be cautious with fire because of her recent awakening - especially with the torch - and that therefore it would be a good time for her to practice being at ease with it anytime she set down somewhere along the way and had to start a campfire.
After Kurogane left the throne room, the princess was still in deep thought. Even though Kurogane had the ambitions to visit the ruins of her original homeland in order to wrestle with the nagging spirits and their consequential connections in order to feel at peace back here in the Land of the Lotus Blossoms, she had a feeling that there may be more in store along the way if her general truly wanted that inner peace she was seeking.
Kurogane didn’t mean to meander her way into the dangerous Kingdom of Snow. She knew this place was probably the most brutal and dangerous uninhabited land among all of the fallen kingdoms. But now here she was, stuck in the pounding blizzard and pressing her back against the cold walls of the locked shack and helplessly shielding her exposed face from the howling winds and flurry snow with her thick black cloak. Unfortunately, even though the snowfall was moderate when Kurogane had discovered this abandoned place, the blizzard had completely come along with no warning. And now the general was sure that she could no longer see the place she had just walked from. All of the pathways from each direction of the shack were caught in the heavy storm so her range of vision was severely limited, especially now that since the sky was so thick that sunlight was essentially nonexistent. This truly was a bad predicament, for if she were to even scavenge for a piece of rock or something to break the window of the shack to get in for emergency shelter there was no way she could patch the holes up and expect to be protected from the malevolent snow.
Well, she couldn’t just stand there forever otherwise she would freeze to death. Better keep walking around cautiously and try than give up in despair, she thought. The chances that she would find shelter, let alone leave behind this dead kingdom alive, was clearly getting slimmer as time ticked by, but perhaps there was a way - maybe even a cavern she could seek shelter in for any warmth. Warmth…but of course, she suddenly realized.
“Mother’s torch…” she muttered to herself, but even then it was hard to speak out loud in the face of the harsh weather.
Wasting no time, Kurogane scrambled in her traveling pack for the torch Princess Tomoyo had presented to her on that evening. Even though she had her thick gloves on, she could feel the sturdy ebony of the torch. Grabbing it out, she also fished around to find pieces of rough wood sticks. However, they were thinner and consequently harder to grasp with her gloves, so Kurogane wrenched one off. Cursing at how freezing and harsh the cold overwhelmed her hand, she forced herself to grasp a stick and struggled to get the torch lighted. It was then that the general realized how foolish she must be if she had hoped to start a fire, let alone keep it burning when the blizzard was producing such hostile gales that could easily snuff out her torch fire. The punctuating cold air was not making it easy as Kurogane bit her lip to ease the pain and tried her hardest to maneuver her freezing hand to start a fire. “Come on now,” she kept saying, and finally she was able light her mother’s torch.
To her utter amazement, the flame didn’t even start small nor was it immediately doused from the whipping wind. It instantly spread to every tip of the flammable material and burst with its bright red-orange glow, instantly warming her hand and her cold face. Kurogane placed the torch in a crumbling bracket lining the shack and shoved her hand back in the glove before reclaiming her blessed item. Perhaps it was foolish to think so, but hell in this predicament she had never been gladder for such a companion. But now Kurogane had to decide where she should keep walking because she no longer knew which compass direction she was in, being foolish enough to lost track of her position of where she came from before this horrible blizzard swept in and overwhelmed her.
As she held the torch at bay in front of her, she was able to see slightly better despite her limited range of vision. Even though the howling wind was lashing out in full force, the longer she observed them, the clearer she saw that everywhere the wind was blowing in circular and random motions - except for one area. She walked towards that spot where the wind was unusually predictable compared to the others, which was most intriguing considering this was a blizzard that was going horribly out of control in the fallen Kingdom of Snow.
Curious at this peculiar area, Kurogane illuminated the path the best she could in front of it with her torch. After waving it back and forth, she saw that the wind was blowing in one direction - which was against her face at the moment. Even though this wind pattern was still treacherous, a large part of her instinct told her that this should be the direction she should carefully proceed towards. Her torch was still miraculously well-lit and alive, demonstrating that it could withstand the forces of the blizzard. Really, there weren’t many options Kurogane could have or take at this point, so it was with grave determination that the general started making her way in the only direction where the wind and snow was having their own pattern. Clutching her cloak closer around her body and making sure that everything amongst her possessions was secure, Kurogane proceeded carefully in that direction.
She already had lost track of time ever since she chose to inspect the shack, and with the current predicament she had ended up in, there was no point in determining how late it is. For all she knew, the sun could have already been sinking in the horizon - and yet the blurry surrounding was not completely dark, so she still had hope that she could locate a safe spot before complete darkness left her stranded with her torch as her only safety companion. And so it stayed like this for a while as Kurogane continued checking for the source of the stray windy condition that proved not to be as dangerous as the others and advanced forward accordingly. Regardless, time seemed to stretch eons for the general, and it was a sheer wonder that Kurogane could still stay alert in such a hostile environment. Yet even so, she did not have bountiful energy supply for soon enough she found out that the further she walked and waved the torch, the more wearisome she became. It was only because she was using all of her mental and physical strength to keep on going, she would keep telling herself, and that was why her body was getting heavily exhausted. Still, at the very least, Kurogane could still feel each and every part of her nerves and muscles in sore pains and coldness, but at least she knew that all vital organs and functions were operating and that there was no danger of her freezing. No matter what, she gritted against the bitter and cold winds, she was bound to find a suitable shelter and make it out alive. A promise was a promise.
But soon, even a strong and persistent person like her was starting to get burdened by the harsh trek through the blizzard, and it seemed that any moment, the general from the Land of the Lotus Blossoms would lose complete hope on ever making out of this dead kingdom alive. At least the torch was still lit and alive as ever, and perhaps it was because she was from the Kingdom of Ember and thus had a mystic connection with fire, but it did gave her an ounce of strength and an amazing source of warmth. And how soon she discovered that it was an element worthy of trust and companionship, for at last, the general spotted something dark in the distance.
Kurogane waved her torch again and squinted. Looming in front of her was a massive gray slab of rock with an even darker opening. At last, she had found a cavern, and her arduous expedition was worth it in the end. Kurogane knew it was getting really late, so she hastily made her way over to the opening. Why, the cavern must be eagerly greeting her, for she realized something equally extraordinary and unusual about this location. Perhaps the cold was getting the best of her, but here, the blizzard seemed to be dying down and now to her immense relief, she could see everything. Silently thanking the gods for her good fortune again, Kurogane went increasingly closer to the cavern's mouth. It was getting bigger and bigger. Almost there, every fiber of her body wanted to scream. Kurogane could see it, see that it was about to swallow her, and by the gods she would-
Wham!
Her body screamed in shock as she fell on her side hard in the cold snow. The torch nearly fell out of her hand but she was able to keep a good grip on it. Kurogane didn't even have to check whether it was extinguished or not yet, because soon enough she had to roll out of the way of whatever blasted thing had just viciously knocked her down. Grunting, the general was now on her back and registered in shock just exactly what was looming over her.
It was a beast, a foul hideous beast that easily outmatched the tallest man in height and girth as it stood menacingly over her. Its coat was white and gray yet it was far from smooth and woolen. Protruding from its head was two horns and saliva was dripping down from its bared yellow teeth - more so fangs. The monster snared and uttered a loud growl, lifting one paw at the ready to attack again, but Kurogane was prepared.
She automatically retrieved the dagger from her belt and swiped it in front of her. How could she let her guard down like that? She was ashamed of herself - she, one of the strongest generals under Princess Tomoyo, not being on her guard for any vile monsters in the vicinity. But now wasn't the time to curse about her stupidity. Kurogane quickly dodged the beast and sidestepped, maddeningly finding the creature's weak side. It had been many days since she had to defend herself even though she made sure to train during her journey, plus she was not used to fighting in such dreary conditions. But she had to fight, keep on fighting to spare her life - not when she was that close to getting inside the cavern. She had to get rid of this beast to ensure it would not get in her way again after she headed out again to resume her journey.
But the weather was unmerciful again and soon enough the wind picked up severely again, blowing snow everywhere. Now it was extremely hard to see anything around her. And the beast had to blend in so well. Kurogane tried to rely on hearing for the beast's stealthy attacks, but alas she found that the wind was violently too loud for her to even pick up other noises. Cursing, Kurogane swiped her dagger violently in the air for defensive measures while keeping the torch afloat in the other. But even the flames were not helping much because soon her lungs were starting to hurt and she couldn't breathe. In an instant Kurogane thought back to her dreams when ashes and other malevolent forces were robbing her of her breath and just then she heard that same roar again. Heaving in pain, she spun around with her dagger and for an instant the beast's black nose hovered in the air. Kurogane was ready to strike it in the face but soon found that her body was getting rapidly weaker.
She missed.
The beast struck its paws again and knocked her dagger out in the snow, where she couldn't even find it. There were no other weapons in her arsenal, and there was no way she could risk scrounging the thick layer of snows for her beloved dagger. Huffing in pain, Kurogane started waving her torch violently in front of the beast in a last ditch effect. Nothing happened, and she felt increasingly foolish. Here she was, a proud and strong general of the Land of the Lotus Blossoms, stuck in the blizzard facing a beast without any weapon and aimlessly waving her torch back and forth. She never thought she could end up like this - not here and not now. Kurogane just wanted the beast to go away, and gods damn it, if fire could spare her from the cold snow, then this region’s beast should be afraid of this, it had to be. Swearing even louder inside her head, Kurogane kept dodging it as best as she could. But all the while she could feel her body dangerously growing weary with fraught and exhaustion.
I'm warning you! she thought, waving her torch more vehemently for good measures. And yet to her horror, each and every time she was waving it she could feel her energy being quickly depleting from her. Everything was too much - and if she couldn't get the beast to leave her alone soon, she swore she could collapse. Her vision was getting fuzzy, her chest was getting tighter and now she found herself gasping for air. The blizzard was violently wavering on and off. Please, she was begging at that point, don't let me die.
And then, just then, the flame in her torch leapt extraordinarily. She felt her heart leaping along with it the same time the beast roared, but this time in fear. It retreated from her and immediately lost its offensive stance, running away from her. Kurogane could only stare at her torch in awe, but even to her eyes the flame was getting dimmer. Nothing was getting clearer anymore. Her head was filling empty and she could feel blood rushing maddeningly to her chest, where her lungs wanted to burst from the frigid air. No! I can't die, I can't die, I can't die…
But even she couldn't control this as the world around her started to turn completely pitch black.
I can’t die…I can’t die… Not when she was so close to that damn cavern.
Her head felt dangerously light the same moment she lost control of her muscles.
I can’t die…
The torch dropped out of her hands and landed in the snow, surely going to end up being extinguished. Perhaps it was her imagination, but the wind was dying down again. Too late though.
I…can’t…
With her eyelids snapping shut and her lips quivering violently in the cold, the woman from the Kingdom of Ember collapsed in the Kingdom of Snow.
Part: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Spoilers: None
Notices: AU, female!Kurogane and female!Fai
Summary: In a world where the connections between nature and human are on the brink of full extinction, Kurogane embarks on a personal journey to reconnect with her roots. However, a blizzard gets in her way, throwing her into different directions in more ways than one.
Author's Note: Written for the remix challenge over at kuroxfai. This is a remix of Warmth in the Cold Winter by yoshikochan, in which Kurogane is surprised that Fai, out of all people, is able to find so much warmth and happiness in the cold season. So I took that, concocted a completely new fantasy AU, threw Kurogane and Fai in there, AND also made them females. It's still in progress, and I hope to finish it by the end of this weekend.
Also, I must give many thanks to chilly-3x4 for input, advice, and most of all, for just being there all those times I talked to her about my budding ideas and struggles.
Chapter 2 - Awakening
Fire was everywhere, violently burning and dancing across her eyelids. It started out as small those first few nights but then they kept increasing bit by bit until she felt like choking on them. Ashes were raining down and charring over her eyes and her lungs were coughing violently. Everywhere buildings were being incinerated in the raging maelstrom and people were screaming. But one person’s scream would always stand out to her, and for some reason she would always want to go towards that voice. Why this? Why now?
The dreams had been haunting her for nearly a month and yet it had been so horrible and vivid that Kurogane kept thinking it was real. She kept waking up in beads of sweat and with a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach and lungs. But dreams were just dreams and shouldn’t mean something to really fret over about, she would constantly scold herself.
So why then was it that her performance in the training field was so lower than her usual standards? Why was she becoming increasingly hesitant whenever she was near fire? No matter how hard she tried, they persistently would come back to haunt her at night. It became severe that she suddenly felt a sense of disillusionment even in the waking world since the images and terrified voices wouldn’t leave her even when she was awake. But there was no reason to feel like that, Kurogane would chide herself, for she was in command as one of the high ranking generals under the service of Princess Tomoyo, the beloved ruler who took her in as an orphan, cared for her, and sought that she would be raised into a fine, strong woman so that she could be proud of her. The Land of the Lotus Blossoms was a peaceful province that had declared neutrality for as long as anyone could remember. So why then was Kurogane unable to cope with the differences between her dreams and reality?
But her princess would have of course noticed her change in demeanor and Kurogane dreaded that, but at the same time she expected all the same that the matronly leader would eventually seek a private consultation. Sure enough, Kurogane had found herself inside the throne room on one cool autumn evening.
"You wish to speak to me?" Kurogane asked as soon as she stepped inside the wings where the ruler sat comfortably in her throne.
"Yes.” The princess opened her arms to ask her general to come closer. Princess Tomoyo was very much an honorable mother figure to Kurogane and she was very much a daughter to the princess and so it was common for the princess and the general to be on such close terms. Kurogane acquiesced and proceeded to kneel in front of her.
"Has something been troubling you lately?" She knew, Kurogane thought in shame, and she most likely knew because the general had not been at her forte the last few weeks. But dreams were just dreams and she would do all she could to conquer those uneasiness on her own if she had to.
"There's nothing going on," she insisted.
The princess shook her head. "I know how you could be," she said. Princess Tomoyo reached over to cup Kurogane's chin and tilt her head up so that she could do her best to help her troubled general. "You are stubborn, and that can be a good trait, Kurogane. But your stubbornness is not helping you right now, so please tell me whatever the matter is."
The general frowned for she had no choice but to let it out. "I keep having these dreams. Nightmares, I guess you would call them.”
"Ah, I see." The princess nodded in complete sympathy. "And what have you been seeing in those dreams?"
"I keep seeing fire that won't go away. Then there's places that are burning and people screaming, but the voice of a woman especially," Kurogane recounted. But there was something that had been troubling her the most. "But then I always feel like something's choking me, beyond the smoke and ashes in the dreams."
"I am guessing that they have been persistent?"
Kurogane reluctantly nodded. "And the thoughts won't leave me. It's as if I'm...questioning things in regards to life right now." And she didn't know why and was troubled by that, but she did not want to tell her princess that immediately.
Princess Tomoyo clasped her fingertips together and concentrated heavily in deep thought. Pools of black hair framed her delicate face. Despite the fact that she was nearing her fortieth birthday, the princess still retained her youthful looks. Muttering to herself, the princess kept eying Kurogane.
"It seems to me," she spoke at last, breaking the unsettling silence, "that you have entered your awakening."
"My what?"
"It will take some explaining, Kurogane," she cautioned. "The time has come for me to tell you your true past, your origins."
Kurogane scowled. "I very well know that I am an orphan since I was an infant, but I am perfectly fine and normal."
Her princess remained calm, for she was perfectly used to her general's bout of outbursts. "Yes, you are an orphan, but that doesn't mean you are originally from here."
The general opened her mouth in shock, bewildered. "I- how is that even possible?"
Her princess looked at her intently. "Kurogane, did you ever wondered why you were different? Why you were known to possess such 'fiery' disposition and a knack for fighting? Or why you were always sensitive to fire in general and vice versa?"
The questions were preposterous, Kurogane deducted. "Sometimes," she admitted, "but that's just the way I am. Doesn't mean I'm completely different from others."
Princess Tomoyo sighed. "You are more than just a talented fighter with an unusual way with the flames. Your mother did die here, but she was in fact a refugee. She fled and left behind her family, her war-torn home with you when you were just a baby. You come from a different kingdom, one that had been lost and destroyed for a long time.” She paused and noticed how speechless her general was at this sudden notice.
“Kurogane, you hail from the Kingdom of Ember.”
“Kingdom … of Ember?” the other repeated numbly.
She was familiar with the history of kingdoms that had met their dooms due to the loss of the delicate balance between nature and humans from the onslaughts of warfare and the rise of civilization. In fact, there were several refugees inside the Land of the Lotus Blossoms who were displaced from their homes. But as the years went by and the past became mere echoes, these people too had adapted to the ways of modern life and started over. But to finally find out that she was a descendant of a kingdom that crumbled into nothingness was overtly startling. If indeed this was true - and it wasn’t that she questioned Princess Tomoyo for she would never lie on such a subject matter - then it changed everything. This newfound fact of her roots shook her to her core. But instead of assuaging the pains and confusion of her recent vivid dreams, it raised more questions and uncertainty.
“I am afraid so,” the princess said solemnly. “Your mother had hoped that the ember spirits would never communicate and arouse an awakening within you. But if anything, the dreams you had been having lately confirms it.”
“So what does that mean?” Kurogane asked.
“It means that they are calling for you to return in the hopes that you could somehow restore the glory of the kingdom,” Princess Tomoyo answered. “And it also means it is something you had wanted to do for a very long time, even though you are just learning about this now. As you know, Kurogane, it is not easy to break the connections between you and your affixed element, which in your case is ember.”
Kurogane frowned at the heavy implication of all of this. “But what if I don’t want to return there?”
“You think you may not want to, but never underestimate your dreams, especially your hidden connections with your elements,” the princess warned. “I’m afraid that until you try to return to the Kingdom of Ember your dreams will not stop.”
Kurogane didn’t want to be necessarily tied down to something if it prevented her from adjusting to her customary life as the way it was now. It wasn’t that she was disrespecting her origins, but at the same time those dreams were a nuisance. But if it meant that she would have to leave the land for a while in order to settle with these “spirits”, then so be it.
“Fine,” she decided. “If it means I could shake off these unsettling dreams just so I can go back to the way I am, then I’ll go.”
“Very well,” the princess said. “But it is best that you leave as soon as possible. Even though it will take you a few months, perhaps half a year to get there, not to mention even when winter is on its way, you will still do it?”
“Yes.”
“And even though the roads leading there will be perilous?” she continued asking.
It would be a journey the general would undertake on her own, that was assumed. It would mean leaving the land she had always thought was her true home, until now, for a long time.
“Yes.”
“I understand, Kurogane.” Princess Tomoyo was no longer smiling. “There is one last thing I must tell you.”
She procured a lacquered box that was conveniently lying on the floor. Opening it, she pulled out an item and handed it over to the general. Kurogane accepted it and held the object, examining it. The item turned out to be a rather elaborate torch, made with charred ebony and wrapped in a flammable material. Yet there was something extraordinary about this torch as it was still in good condition despite that it must had been used other times before.
“Your mother bequeathed this to me before her death,” Princess Tomoyo explained. “It was a precious possession in her family and she wanted me to save this should you ever need it. I believe the time has come.”
Kurogane gripped the torch, and even though it was her very first time holding her mother’s possession, she knew and could feel it was something very valuable. She wondered if she was capable and even worthy of possessing this, let alone using it.
“Tomoyo,” she said, pushing away the emotions from all of these revelations. She needed to stay strong. “Even though I may very well be the sole survivor of this kingdom, I promise I will come back here someday. I swear upon it.”
The princess solemnly accepted her general’s words. A promise was a promise, and Kurogane always kept to them to the best that she could. “Until that day, I wish that you find what you seek.” Both the princess and the general were silently coping with this sudden revelation of Kurogane’s imminent departure.
“But I already know what I need to seek,” Kurogane said in defiance. “I want to settle with the spirits to leave me alone once and for all.”
The princess inwardly sighed, yet she knew if her general was focused on something, she would set out to do it on a whim, though a determined one. For the remainder of their private consultation, Kurogane and Princess Tomoyo went straight to talking about when and how soon the general should leave the Land of the Lotus Blossoms and what provisions she would need in anticipation of the approaching winter season. The princess also advised the general to be cautious with fire because of her recent awakening - especially with the torch - and that therefore it would be a good time for her to practice being at ease with it anytime she set down somewhere along the way and had to start a campfire.
After Kurogane left the throne room, the princess was still in deep thought. Even though Kurogane had the ambitions to visit the ruins of her original homeland in order to wrestle with the nagging spirits and their consequential connections in order to feel at peace back here in the Land of the Lotus Blossoms, she had a feeling that there may be more in store along the way if her general truly wanted that inner peace she was seeking.
Kurogane didn’t mean to meander her way into the dangerous Kingdom of Snow. She knew this place was probably the most brutal and dangerous uninhabited land among all of the fallen kingdoms. But now here she was, stuck in the pounding blizzard and pressing her back against the cold walls of the locked shack and helplessly shielding her exposed face from the howling winds and flurry snow with her thick black cloak. Unfortunately, even though the snowfall was moderate when Kurogane had discovered this abandoned place, the blizzard had completely come along with no warning. And now the general was sure that she could no longer see the place she had just walked from. All of the pathways from each direction of the shack were caught in the heavy storm so her range of vision was severely limited, especially now that since the sky was so thick that sunlight was essentially nonexistent. This truly was a bad predicament, for if she were to even scavenge for a piece of rock or something to break the window of the shack to get in for emergency shelter there was no way she could patch the holes up and expect to be protected from the malevolent snow.
Well, she couldn’t just stand there forever otherwise she would freeze to death. Better keep walking around cautiously and try than give up in despair, she thought. The chances that she would find shelter, let alone leave behind this dead kingdom alive, was clearly getting slimmer as time ticked by, but perhaps there was a way - maybe even a cavern she could seek shelter in for any warmth. Warmth…but of course, she suddenly realized.
“Mother’s torch…” she muttered to herself, but even then it was hard to speak out loud in the face of the harsh weather.
Wasting no time, Kurogane scrambled in her traveling pack for the torch Princess Tomoyo had presented to her on that evening. Even though she had her thick gloves on, she could feel the sturdy ebony of the torch. Grabbing it out, she also fished around to find pieces of rough wood sticks. However, they were thinner and consequently harder to grasp with her gloves, so Kurogane wrenched one off. Cursing at how freezing and harsh the cold overwhelmed her hand, she forced herself to grasp a stick and struggled to get the torch lighted. It was then that the general realized how foolish she must be if she had hoped to start a fire, let alone keep it burning when the blizzard was producing such hostile gales that could easily snuff out her torch fire. The punctuating cold air was not making it easy as Kurogane bit her lip to ease the pain and tried her hardest to maneuver her freezing hand to start a fire. “Come on now,” she kept saying, and finally she was able light her mother’s torch.
To her utter amazement, the flame didn’t even start small nor was it immediately doused from the whipping wind. It instantly spread to every tip of the flammable material and burst with its bright red-orange glow, instantly warming her hand and her cold face. Kurogane placed the torch in a crumbling bracket lining the shack and shoved her hand back in the glove before reclaiming her blessed item. Perhaps it was foolish to think so, but hell in this predicament she had never been gladder for such a companion. But now Kurogane had to decide where she should keep walking because she no longer knew which compass direction she was in, being foolish enough to lost track of her position of where she came from before this horrible blizzard swept in and overwhelmed her.
As she held the torch at bay in front of her, she was able to see slightly better despite her limited range of vision. Even though the howling wind was lashing out in full force, the longer she observed them, the clearer she saw that everywhere the wind was blowing in circular and random motions - except for one area. She walked towards that spot where the wind was unusually predictable compared to the others, which was most intriguing considering this was a blizzard that was going horribly out of control in the fallen Kingdom of Snow.
Curious at this peculiar area, Kurogane illuminated the path the best she could in front of it with her torch. After waving it back and forth, she saw that the wind was blowing in one direction - which was against her face at the moment. Even though this wind pattern was still treacherous, a large part of her instinct told her that this should be the direction she should carefully proceed towards. Her torch was still miraculously well-lit and alive, demonstrating that it could withstand the forces of the blizzard. Really, there weren’t many options Kurogane could have or take at this point, so it was with grave determination that the general started making her way in the only direction where the wind and snow was having their own pattern. Clutching her cloak closer around her body and making sure that everything amongst her possessions was secure, Kurogane proceeded carefully in that direction.
She already had lost track of time ever since she chose to inspect the shack, and with the current predicament she had ended up in, there was no point in determining how late it is. For all she knew, the sun could have already been sinking in the horizon - and yet the blurry surrounding was not completely dark, so she still had hope that she could locate a safe spot before complete darkness left her stranded with her torch as her only safety companion. And so it stayed like this for a while as Kurogane continued checking for the source of the stray windy condition that proved not to be as dangerous as the others and advanced forward accordingly. Regardless, time seemed to stretch eons for the general, and it was a sheer wonder that Kurogane could still stay alert in such a hostile environment. Yet even so, she did not have bountiful energy supply for soon enough she found out that the further she walked and waved the torch, the more wearisome she became. It was only because she was using all of her mental and physical strength to keep on going, she would keep telling herself, and that was why her body was getting heavily exhausted. Still, at the very least, Kurogane could still feel each and every part of her nerves and muscles in sore pains and coldness, but at least she knew that all vital organs and functions were operating and that there was no danger of her freezing. No matter what, she gritted against the bitter and cold winds, she was bound to find a suitable shelter and make it out alive. A promise was a promise.
But soon, even a strong and persistent person like her was starting to get burdened by the harsh trek through the blizzard, and it seemed that any moment, the general from the Land of the Lotus Blossoms would lose complete hope on ever making out of this dead kingdom alive. At least the torch was still lit and alive as ever, and perhaps it was because she was from the Kingdom of Ember and thus had a mystic connection with fire, but it did gave her an ounce of strength and an amazing source of warmth. And how soon she discovered that it was an element worthy of trust and companionship, for at last, the general spotted something dark in the distance.
Kurogane waved her torch again and squinted. Looming in front of her was a massive gray slab of rock with an even darker opening. At last, she had found a cavern, and her arduous expedition was worth it in the end. Kurogane knew it was getting really late, so she hastily made her way over to the opening. Why, the cavern must be eagerly greeting her, for she realized something equally extraordinary and unusual about this location. Perhaps the cold was getting the best of her, but here, the blizzard seemed to be dying down and now to her immense relief, she could see everything. Silently thanking the gods for her good fortune again, Kurogane went increasingly closer to the cavern's mouth. It was getting bigger and bigger. Almost there, every fiber of her body wanted to scream. Kurogane could see it, see that it was about to swallow her, and by the gods she would-
Wham!
Her body screamed in shock as she fell on her side hard in the cold snow. The torch nearly fell out of her hand but she was able to keep a good grip on it. Kurogane didn't even have to check whether it was extinguished or not yet, because soon enough she had to roll out of the way of whatever blasted thing had just viciously knocked her down. Grunting, the general was now on her back and registered in shock just exactly what was looming over her.
It was a beast, a foul hideous beast that easily outmatched the tallest man in height and girth as it stood menacingly over her. Its coat was white and gray yet it was far from smooth and woolen. Protruding from its head was two horns and saliva was dripping down from its bared yellow teeth - more so fangs. The monster snared and uttered a loud growl, lifting one paw at the ready to attack again, but Kurogane was prepared.
She automatically retrieved the dagger from her belt and swiped it in front of her. How could she let her guard down like that? She was ashamed of herself - she, one of the strongest generals under Princess Tomoyo, not being on her guard for any vile monsters in the vicinity. But now wasn't the time to curse about her stupidity. Kurogane quickly dodged the beast and sidestepped, maddeningly finding the creature's weak side. It had been many days since she had to defend herself even though she made sure to train during her journey, plus she was not used to fighting in such dreary conditions. But she had to fight, keep on fighting to spare her life - not when she was that close to getting inside the cavern. She had to get rid of this beast to ensure it would not get in her way again after she headed out again to resume her journey.
But the weather was unmerciful again and soon enough the wind picked up severely again, blowing snow everywhere. Now it was extremely hard to see anything around her. And the beast had to blend in so well. Kurogane tried to rely on hearing for the beast's stealthy attacks, but alas she found that the wind was violently too loud for her to even pick up other noises. Cursing, Kurogane swiped her dagger violently in the air for defensive measures while keeping the torch afloat in the other. But even the flames were not helping much because soon her lungs were starting to hurt and she couldn't breathe. In an instant Kurogane thought back to her dreams when ashes and other malevolent forces were robbing her of her breath and just then she heard that same roar again. Heaving in pain, she spun around with her dagger and for an instant the beast's black nose hovered in the air. Kurogane was ready to strike it in the face but soon found that her body was getting rapidly weaker.
She missed.
The beast struck its paws again and knocked her dagger out in the snow, where she couldn't even find it. There were no other weapons in her arsenal, and there was no way she could risk scrounging the thick layer of snows for her beloved dagger. Huffing in pain, Kurogane started waving her torch violently in front of the beast in a last ditch effect. Nothing happened, and she felt increasingly foolish. Here she was, a proud and strong general of the Land of the Lotus Blossoms, stuck in the blizzard facing a beast without any weapon and aimlessly waving her torch back and forth. She never thought she could end up like this - not here and not now. Kurogane just wanted the beast to go away, and gods damn it, if fire could spare her from the cold snow, then this region’s beast should be afraid of this, it had to be. Swearing even louder inside her head, Kurogane kept dodging it as best as she could. But all the while she could feel her body dangerously growing weary with fraught and exhaustion.
I'm warning you! she thought, waving her torch more vehemently for good measures. And yet to her horror, each and every time she was waving it she could feel her energy being quickly depleting from her. Everything was too much - and if she couldn't get the beast to leave her alone soon, she swore she could collapse. Her vision was getting fuzzy, her chest was getting tighter and now she found herself gasping for air. The blizzard was violently wavering on and off. Please, she was begging at that point, don't let me die.
And then, just then, the flame in her torch leapt extraordinarily. She felt her heart leaping along with it the same time the beast roared, but this time in fear. It retreated from her and immediately lost its offensive stance, running away from her. Kurogane could only stare at her torch in awe, but even to her eyes the flame was getting dimmer. Nothing was getting clearer anymore. Her head was filling empty and she could feel blood rushing maddeningly to her chest, where her lungs wanted to burst from the frigid air. No! I can't die, I can't die, I can't die…
But even she couldn't control this as the world around her started to turn completely pitch black.
I can’t die…I can’t die… Not when she was so close to that damn cavern.
Her head felt dangerously light the same moment she lost control of her muscles.
I can’t die…
The torch dropped out of her hands and landed in the snow, surely going to end up being extinguished. Perhaps it was her imagination, but the wind was dying down again. Too late though.
I…can’t…
With her eyelids snapping shut and her lips quivering violently in the cold, the woman from the Kingdom of Ember collapsed in the Kingdom of Snow.