Drawing closer, she sensed a soft whisper calling out to her. The master summoned her against her will, and despite her hesitation, she found herself drawn towards him. As he reached out to her, his hand brushed lightly against her neck, igniting an unexpected tremor within her, awakening a deep hunger that pulsated from her womb. It was the baby... she could feel its yearning. A voice echoed in her mind, urging her, "Bite him, bite him." It sounded childlike, yet there was something eerily familiar about it. Suddenly, she understood that the being inside her had identified its target; instead of fear, she was overtaken by a ravenous desire as she moved closer to the master.
In an instant, they stood face to face, surrounded by an overwhelming silence, as if entranced. She bit down so fast as if possessed just as he had done to that child, drinking from him with an exhilarating force that felt foreign yet powerful. He didn't merely wither away; his body fractured and crumbled to dust. The stillness lingered for a minute. Mr. Mu Kanjo, bewildered by the scene, charged at her in a fit of rage. "Stay," a commanding voice resonated within her. No one could budge. Empowered by the blood of the immortal she had just drained, she surveyed the crowd, declaring, "You're all next." Panic ensued as everyone fled in terror. If she could defeat the ancient ruler of the Elumini forest, the Grandmaster, who could possibly stand in her way? Chaos erupted, monsters shrieking and bursting forth from the walls of the castle in sheer fright, none daring to approach her.
She looked at the prisoners, and a smirk crept across her face. "Open that door," she instructed, and without a moment's hesitation, he complied, unlocking both the door and the chains binding their hands. The youngest among them called out, "Mommy, are we free now?" A flicker of hope sparked in the mother's eyes as she replied, "Yes, sweetheart, we are." The prisoners knelt down, clasping their hands together in gratitude.
One particular woman noticed a mark etched on her forehead, something she hadn't even realized was there. In unison, the prisoners began to chant a name: "ASHURA, ASHURA, ASHURA, ASHURA." A wave of disbelief washed over her as she processed the name—could the force residing within her truly be ASHURA? It seemed impossible. She reassured herself silently and then commanded, "Mu Kanjo, provide them with water and clothes, and let them return home." The tone of her voice left no room for argument.
Wanting to leave, she turned to Him and asked what day and month it was. To her surprise, it was Seisei, the month of rebirth, the fourth month of the year. Yet, she realized that 11 months had slipped away while she remained dormant in her cocoon.
"Is the Kingdom of Zoar far from here?" she inquired. "Four days if you go by horse," he answered. "Should I arrange a chariot for you, Master?"
It struck her as unusual that he didn't need any further persuasion; perhaps it was the Master's blood running through her veins that made him so obedient.
A bit of background: Mu Kanjo had once been a human who spent a millennium hunting for the Master. Ultimately, their paths crossed, and the Master transformed him into an immortal being to serve his will forever. What drove Mu Konji to search for him? His family had fallen victim to the Master's century-old games, and in the endless cycle of revenge, they became lost to time. But now, he was free—had he finally achieved his revenge?
"Shall I take you to your destination, my lord?" he asked, reaching deep inside her, sensing the same pull she felt.
She nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure of what was happening. But one thing was clear: she knew she would be safe.
In the icy chill of the night, safe within the confines of a chariot, Jean began her journey under the watchful gaze of Mr. Mu Kanjo, who expertly guided the horses toward her kingdom. With a sense of purpose, he shared crucial details about the route they were to take. Their path would lead them through the ominous Valley of the Dead, where no living soul was meant to tread. Next, he explained, they would turn sharply toward the towering Mountain of Storm, and finally follow the eerie expanse of the land that the sun never touched.
Curiosity bubbled within her; she was invigorated and ready to embark on this daunting journey, although a strong longing for home tugged at her heartstrings. Her family weighed heavily on her mind – her mother, her father – she couldn't help but wonder if they were safe, if they were still alive. All these questions flooded her thoughts, but she knew that this journey was essential to finding the answers she sought.
After what felt like an eternity, three long hours, their chariot finally came to a stop. Before them loomed the infamous Valley of the Dead, a place deemed impassable by the living, as indicated by a foreboding signpost near a narrow, precarious bridge.
Mr. Mu Kanjo turned to her, his expression grave. "Your Highness, from here on, we shall have to walk. Would you prefer that we release one or two of the horses, allowing us to cross the wooden bridge while mounted?"
As she gazed across the looming void, an uncomfortable sense of danger washed over her. Yet, the yearning to return home overshadowed her fear. Without hesitation, she nodded firmly and declared, "Let's do it."
With careful precision, they released the remaining horses into the wild and left the chariot behind. Climbing onto the backs of the two horses, they cautiously approached the bridge. The structure beneath them creaked ominously, straining under the combined weight of two riders and the horses.
As they navigated the steep incline of the bridge, a sharp sound pierced the air – a snapping noise that sent chills down her spine. One of the fraying ropes holding the bridge was giving way. Steeling themselves, they pressed on, determined to reach the other side. Suddenly, another rope let out a menacing crack just as they reached the center of the bridge.
"Sire, we need to run!" Mr. Mu Kanjo shouted, urgency radiating from his voice.
At that moment, panic surged through her. They spurred their horses, urging them into a furious gallop, and the steeds responded without hesitation. As they raced across the bridge, she could feel the structure tremble and begin to disintegrate behind them, the old wood splintering under the strain. With every hoofbeat, it felt like a ticking clock, pushing them to find safety before the unsettling valley engulfed them completely…