Chapter Text
Author’s Note:
This story was greatly inspired by Final Fantasy XVI. It takes place in the PJO Universe and I wanted to write an original story that references the original tale. Bear in mind that this is purely fictional and none of it is real. I do hope you enjoy the story though.
[Land of Eikon - Masayoshi Soken & Nobuo Uemastu]
You know of the tale of Kaguya, the Moon Princess, correct? The princess who is from the moon and was raised by a bamboo cutter and his wife? The same princess who offered an Emperor the elixir of life which would give immortality? What if I were to tell you that the tale was a lie? The real truth of this tale was not just a tragic love story, but a tragic story of a brave warrior who fought for her people and her family. To understand the truth, we must go to the very beginning.
Kaguya was born with a twin sister, Jishaku, and both were frail children in a small village filled with people with pale-like skin and white hair. Their mother was desperate and prayed to the gods to save her daughters. No response was made until one day, a stranger appeared. The villagers were not fond of strangers and passersby, but this one had an immense aura on her.
The stranger revealed to be none other but the Greek Moon Goddess herself, Artemis.
She was on a hunt for a deadly foe for the sake of her sister, Athena.
The villagers were willing to cooperate if Artemis were to spare the child of certain death. And so, with her powers, Artemis saved Kaguya by giving her a blessing. It was known as the Luna Blessing. And with that, Kaguya and Jishaku became the first Yuuki Onna, A Yokai that can control extremely low temperatures around them and conjure snow and ice.
They were spared from death at an early age, but the villagers must contribute and assist Artemis on her hunt against a vile foe. They guided Artemis their land and culture to understand where the beast may hide. As Artemis was about to corner the monster, she was tricked and was trapped while the monster escaped. However, it figured out that the villagers helped Artemis and went to exact revenge. It slaughtered nearly all the villagers, but before she could finish off the remaining ones, Kaguya used her powers and wounded the monster. Unfortunately, she got away before Artemis could free herself.
Artemis went off to chase after the monster, but she tasked her hunters with assisting the villagers on rebuilding. Words of Kaguya’s deeds spread and the people across Japan began calling her the Moon Priestess. As time passed, Kaguya and Jishaku grew up and were later encountered by the Emperor’s sons, Tadashi and Akihito. Akihito had a great admiration for Yokai and wished to learn more about their kind because his family claimed to have the blessing of the Phoenix, a blazing bird who can reincarnate into a younger form before death and become immortal, within them. Unfortunately, Tadashi was not blessed with the Phoenix power and so their mother shuns him as a disgrace. But his father and brother love him dearly for he is strong-willed and loyal to his dear ones. Kaguya fell in love with Tadashi, the older brother who swore to protect his younger brother who is the true heir to the throne.
They would have a prosperous life if the land was not at war. An enemy clan invaded Kaguya’s village and kidnapped most of the villagers, including the Akihito and Jishaku. Tadashi and Kaguya began their journey to rescue their families. The journey was long and harsh, but eventually they were able to rescue them; however, Jishaku was never the same afterwards. No-one knows what happened to her, but eventually, she began to despise the humans for how they mistreat yokai. The emperor’s sons have seen such mistreatment in their own eyes and when it was time for Akihito’s ascension to the throne, he vowed to change the way humans view yokai and hoped for coexistence. Jishaku, however, does not believe that coexistence is possible and seeks the survival of her kind. And so, she left Kaguya and was never seen again.
Time has passed and Kaguya and Tadashi got married and had twins, Mizuki and Takeo. Kaguya and her family continued to support Akihito for it was her dream as well to see humanity and yokai live in harmony. Her home village were already aware of her and Jishaku being yokai; however, they accepted them as one of their own and lived in harmony. Kaguya wishes to express that towards all the yokai across the world.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as open-minded. It could take many years before results can truly reveal themselves. There was no telling how long it will take for changes to be made and feared too much time will pass before then; Kaguya, however, had an idea. During her travels with Tadashi to save Akihito and Jishaku, she encounters a secret recipe from the gods above for a powerful potion.
An elixir that shall grant immortality.
Kaguya plans to make it for Akihito so that he may continue his lifelong dream to achieve such a noble goal. Unfortunately, several lords have heard rumors of such elixir and seek to obtain it themselves. A coup was then attempted to retrieve the Elixir; but Tadashi was aware of their plot and planned for his brother’s escape and kept him hidden along with his family until Kaguya could finish the elixir. And now, Kaguya was nearly done with creating the Elixir but required one more ingredient that only Akihito can give.
What you are about to read are her final moments defending all that she holds dear. For her sacrifice will forever be forgotten through time. But at least here… you will know the truth of her story.
The Tragedy of Kaguya, The Moon Princess
Chapter 1
On a cold breezy night in Japan, near the Aokigahara Forest, guards patrol around a small villa. Where the young lord, Akihito, and Kaguya finalize the elixir.
“My lord…”
“Kaguya, there’s no need to be so formal. We are family.”
Kaguya hesitated but nodded.
“Hito… are you sure you want to do this? I know you wish to fulfill our dreams of a united homeland… and it was my idea, of course, but… spending eternity to achieve it is… a burden too heavy for you to bear alone.”
Akihito gave a faint smile and grasped Kaguya’s hand.
“Kaguya… you and Jishaku have been one of the first yokai I have ever met. You both have been so kind to me and Tadashi. You even went as far as to save me despite the many hatred my people have towards you and the yokai. And what’s worse… I failed to help Jishaku in her time of need.”
Kaguya can hear the guilty tone in the young emperor’s tone. Akihito was there with Jishaku when they were taken by the Emperor’s rival clan. When all hope felt lost, they had each other; until suddenly… Jishaku changed. She was distant and filled with anger…
…and fear…
Akihito did his best to heal her. To bring her brighter mood back that he once admired…
…Until she ran off… never to be seen again.
Before Kaguya could respond, the sliders to the room open, revealing two young, black hair and silver-eyed children.
Mizuki and Takeo. Kaguya and Tadashi’s precious children.
“Mama?” Mizuki spoke, rubbing her eyes while holding her brother’s hand. “What’s wrong?”
Kaguya simply smiled and gestured to her children to come to her side as she replied.
“Hito… I miss Jishaku as well. But I have hope that she will come back to us. For no matter how far she stray… her home will always be here. And we shall welcome her with open arms.”
Akihito glimmers at how hopeful Kaguya is when it comes to her family. Tadashi always told him that during their travels to rescue him, Kaguya was always there to brighten his day, even when he would lose hope and fall to dread. She was there to bring him back on his feet and continue onward.
Kaguya was the moonlight to their blackest nights.
Which is why he must do this.
“And that is precisely why I must do this… Kaguya. To build a home that Jishaku can fully be welcomed back to. No matter how long it will take.”
Footsteps were heard outside and Tadashi appeared, looking around and spotted Kaguya and their kids.
“Children,” Tadashi said quietly. “I told you not to disturb your uncle and mother.”
Tadashi tries to pull the children away but they hold tightly to their mother. Kaguya chuckles at how childish they are acting.
“My love, leave them be. They wish to be close to their mother.”
Tadashi kneels next to Kaguya and caresses her cheek.
“I know, as I would as well. But we must not disturb you with your task.”
Akihito caught his brother’s saddened tone before he attempted to hide it.
“Brother… I know you are sad. But I must do this to ensure a future for our closest allies. I can’t stand to watch those who suffer simply because they are different. Especially when those that suffer are the ones we care deeply about,” Akihito replied as he watched his nephew and niece snuggle with their mother. “Speaking of, have you already made preparations for your departure?”
Tadashi grimaced but nodded.
“Yes… Kaguya, the children and I will make our way to the west and seek out this… Chiron.”
During his time of capture, Akihito encounters a half-goat man who claims to be an ally to yokai. More specifically, an ally to mother nature and peace. He claimed that a great and noble man who’s half-horse would welcome him and the yokai should they seek shelter and safety.
And since war continues to fall all over Japan, Akihito has no choice but to force his family to flee and avoid bloodshed. If what the satyr said is true, Chiron may be their only hope for survival.
“All we can do now is wait for our scout to return and ensure that this Chiron will truly be an ally to our cause,” Tadashi replied. He sent a scout a while back to locate Chiron and learn of his identity and who he truly is. That was nearly five years ago and since then, she continues to send letters of Chiron and his noble cause of guiding, raising and… training noble warriors to protect the world from forces of dark intentions and evil.
As far as Tadashi was aware, Chiron is a man they can truly trust. But he can not be sure he should risk his family’s safety on that trust.
“But are you sure it’s wise to meet this man?” Tadashi asked.
“I understand your concern, brother. But from what Venus says in her letters, Chiron has a noble duty to protect all that is noble and true. With his help, we may have a chance at ensuring coexistence between man and yokai. Plus…” Akihito looks ahead at his wife and children. “...I do not wish for your children to suffer for such behavior of our people. I want them to live their lives without any concerns or fear of being different.”
The young emperor watches as his nephew and niece cuddle to their mother’s side as she finishes the elixir. Normally it’d be dangerous for children to be near such sensitive-process, but Kaguya was nearly finished with it. All she requires now is one key ingredient that only Akihito can give.
“My time in that… prison… I couldn’t forget the many faces I have seen. The many kind and scared yokai who would be dragged into their temple and… never return.”
Kaguya and Tadashi comfort Akihito. They heard the tales of the many horrendous activities that occurred behind those doors. Especially of a certain evil physician who was in charge of such atrocity. To this day, they have not yet captured him.
Suddenly, rapid footsteps were heard and the sliders opened, revealing a panic guard.
“My lord! Scouts have reported that a large group is heading towards here!”
“Is it the rebels?” Tadashi asked, getting up quickly.
“No sir… we were told this group are… yokai.”
“What?!” Akihito said. “That can’t be! Why would they come here?!”
Akihito stood up and replied, “Let me speak to them. I’m not sure why they are marching here, but I’m sure I can reason with them.”
“Let me go with you! We don’t know-”
“No, brother. Stay and protect Kaguya. She must finish the elixir.”
“But what about the final ingredient?” Tadashi asked.
Kaguya replied while revealing the final piece. She is holding a jar and in the jar was a small calm flame that was bursting from a single red feather.
“He already has my love. The phoenix feather.”
Legend has it that a single feather of the Phoenix can fully restore one’s health completely. It was one of the many reasons why many attempts to kidnap the emperor were committed, only to fail in vain thanks to Tadashi’s effort.
“But my lord, my husband is correct. You mustn't risk your safety so easily.”
“I will be fine, you two,” Akihito replied. “If we’re ever going to see a future where humanity and yokai can coexist, we must take risks and have faith in each other.”
Later, the young emperor stepped outside to confront the group. However, before he could even speak, he was shocked to see who was leading them. In front of the group of yokai, lead a woman with long white hair and silver eyes. She was wearing a purple and black kimono and had hair tied up into a ponytail. Another thing that caught his attention was the sword strapped to her hip.
Of all the time he has spent with her, he knew how much she loathed weapons.
How much she hated violence.
“...Jishaku?”