Chapter Text
Once upon a time, there was a kingdom located in a faraway land. The kingdom was split between two civilizations, this is the story of how they were brought together.
This land was home to two legendary spirit creatures: The Pegasus, which is said to have taught humans the concept of “mind”, and the Phoenix, which supposedly taught the concept of “heart”. Before leaving the human world, the two left precious treasures in the hands of the people to protect them.
For many years, the treasure of the Pegasus was passed down throughout the generations of those who live in the cities and towns. Specifically, it was kept in the capital city of Pegasus, named after the spirit itself.
Not far from the capital's boundaries, there was the Great Forest of Niccori, home to tribes of people who dwelt in the wilderness, far away from the city. The tribe that dwelt near the Sekai Tree, where the Phoenix and Pegasus supposedly lived before leaving the world, kept the Phoenix's treasure.
Despite being part of the same kingdom, these two civilizations lived divided: The town dwellers who lived in the towns and were ruled by the king, and the forest dwellers who lived in the woods and led by their chiefs and elders.
Even though the spirits played an important role to both people, neither side got along with or mingled with the other for many years, always at loggerheads and mistreating each other.
And that's where the story begins.
It all began with a young man who was from the town dwellers' side. His name was Tsukasa Tenma, the son of a noble family in the kingdom.
Tsukasa was a talented young man in his own right, having trained to become a knight to protect the kingdom for many years. Over time, he climbed the ranks of the knights and became an officer entrusted with the safety of the capital.
When Tsukasa earned his new title, he and his family moved to the capital for his new work, as his new job was to keep an eye on the forest boundaries in case of any intruders from the forest dwellers.
The day after he settled into his new environment, Tsukasa took a stroll through the town, getting to know his new home. Despite his success, he held a blank and serious expression on his face as he walked.
“So this is the capital, huh?” He thought to himself as he walked.
“Brother!”
He turned around in response to a female voice calling to him. A smile crept onto his face. “Ah, Saki!”
Running towards the young blond man was a girl with blonde pigtails, wearing a fancy dress. “Tsukasa, wait for me! W-whoa!”
She lost her balance while running, falling forward, only for Tsukasa's reflexes to kick in and catch her.
“Whoa, there! I gotcha!” He laughed, helping her back to her feet. “Saki, what do we say about the running?”
“Sorry! I just saw you walking and wanted to check on you!” Saki insisted. “You've looked really serious since we came here, Brother!”
“Ah, well... This is a new environment for me. I'm still getting used to things, and I'm supposed to start working in my new position tomorrow.” He explained.
Saki sighed and gave him a smile. “I get that, but try to smile more! That frown's gonna get stuck on your face if you don't!”
“Okay, okay, I get it.” Tsukasa shook his head. “Honestly though, I still kind of wish we didn't have to move here. It's less tense back in the smaller cities than it is here in the capital. Only reason I agreed to it is to help care for you.”
Saki sighed again. “Yeah, I get it... Wanna go for a walk?”
“Eh, why not.”
The two siblings grasped hands and began continuing their walk through the town. As they did, they overheard conversations from the townsfolk.
“To think that such uncivilized people wearing what they have are living so close by... Scary, isn't it?”
“That's right... Even though the soldiers are watching over the forest, it's still rather scary, isn't it?”
“Everyone says they're dangerous. I wish I could get rid of them!”
Tsukasa frowned. “The forest dwellers in Niccori really are the talk of the town, aren't they? And not in a good way.”
“Have any of these people ever even met a forest dweller?” Saki asked. “Maybe they're not as bad as they seem!”
Tsukasa turned to her with a smile. “If they're as open as you are, we'd get along great.”
“Hehe!” She blushed pink, before stumbling a little. “Eek...!”
Tsukasa helped to steady her. “Whoa, are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry... Just tripped on my own feet again.” She insisted before looking at the back of her hand. Black scales were crawling up her skin from under her dress sleeve.
Tsukasa sighed. “Come on, let's get you home so you can rest. We can walk later, okay?”
“Okaaaaayy...” Saki huffed, frustrated.
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Deep within the Great Forest of Niccori, atop a waterfall, there was a girl Tsukasa's age with pink hair in a bob the same color as her eyes. She wore a sleeveless dress with a short front skirt and a longer back skirt, mostly beige with hints of black, blue, gold, red, orange, and gray. Detached sleeves covered her arms, furry edges on the shoulders and black wristbands on the wrists.
She wore blue and gold shorts under her dress, a dark belt with a sheathe hanging from it bearing a dagger in it, a furry protrusion hanging from her side. She wore a white leg warmer on one leg and the other had a gold leglet and green patterns on it. Her black sandals had flowers on them, she wore gold earrings, a blue headband with patterns and black horns on them with gold decorations. Triangular orange marks were on her cheeks.
She closed her eyes, feeling the wind flow by her, until a voice from below caught her attention.
“Emu!!!”
The girl, Emu Otori looked down to see a canoe on the waters below, a familiar face on it wearing similar clothing and having similar marks on her face.
“Your father's back! Come down here!”
Smiling, the girl dashed away from the edge a few yards... Before turning around and leaping right off to dive into the waters below.
“WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”
“E-Emu?!” The girl blurted, before her friend disappeared into the water with a splash. “Emu? You okay?”
She crossed her arms. “Well, you'd better be alright, because I'm not going in after yo- AH!” She let out a squeak as her canoe was suddenly turned over, knocking her into the water.
As soon as she resurfaced, her pale green hair damp, she saw the face of her pink haired friend emerge from the water as well. “Don't you think we're a little old for these games?” She coughed.
Emu spat water at her face in response, prompting the two girls to water fight playfully before finally returning to the canoe and flipping it back over.
Emu climbed into it first, grinning. “Hehe! Gotcha, Nene!”
Nene Kusanagi squeezed the water out of her hair. “You do this every time...”
The two girls were friends since they were children, and grew up as part of the Niccori Tribespeople of the forest, living near the Sekai Tree, the sacred sentient tree where the statue of the Phoenix sat.
“What were you doing up there anyway, Emu?” Nene asked.
Emu finished fixing her headband. “Eh... Thinking.”
Nene's eyes widened. “About the vision? Have you figured it out yet?”
“I know it means something, I just don't know what.” Emu said in response.
Nene frowned. “Really?”
“Yeah, but I just know it's trying to tell me something important. Something super important!”
Nene frowned in thought. “Hmm... Have you tried asking your father about it? Or your brothers and sister?”
“I've asked Big Sister Hinata about it, but she isn't sure either.” Emu shook her head. “But she suggested that I talk to Father and my brothers about it too! And maybe Grandpa!”
Nene smiled. “Sounds like you're on the same page as her, then. Good thing they just got back then. Why not ask them now that they're home?”
“Good idea! Besides, I'll have Hinata help me!” Emu giggled.
With that, the two paddled down the river back towards their village. But out of nowhere, Emu turned them towards a short waterfall and sent them flying down the currents.
“WHEEEEEEE!”
“WHHOOOOOAA, EMU!”
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Upon returning to her village, Emu's eyes widened at the familiar faces on the other side of the crowd. After quickly docking the boat, her and Nene ran to look past the crowd to see Emu's father, the chief, addressing the crowd, a proud looking warrior at his side.
“Is that Namon?” Nene asked, gesturing to the warrior next to the chief.
Emu nodded. “Mhm!”
“Our warriors fought with courage, but none as bravely as Namon. Tonight, we shall feast in his honor!” The chief finished, igniting cheers in the crowd.
As soon as the crowd dispersed, Emu ran up to meet her family.
“Father! Brothers!”
Her oldest brother Keisuke Otori turned to meet them first. “Ah, Emu, we were looking for you.”
“Hey, Keisuke! I'm glad you guys got back here safely!” Emu smiled big as another girl walked up to join them.
Hinata Otori greeted them with a smile. “Good to see you all again!”
“Yes, the rival tribe has been defeated. We won't have to worry about them anymore.” Shousuke Otori, Emu's second older brother announced.
As they walked towards their house, Emu's father spoke. “I want to hear everything about what you two girls have been up to.”
“You should ask Emu about it, Father. She's the adventurous one after all!” Hinata giggled.
“Hehe! I actually have something I want to talk to you guys about!” Emu explained.
Keisuke was curious. “Oh? What would that be?”
“Well... For some time now, I've been experiencing a strange vision that comes from the Sekai Tree. I even experience it every time I make a connection to the tree.” Emu explained as her father put his staff and headdress away. “I think it's trying to tell me that something's about to happen. Something exciting!”
Shousuke shot his father a glance. “What do you guys think? Should we tell her?”
“Tell me what? Tell me what?!” Emu asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Emu's father chuckled. “Namon has asked to seek your hand in marriage.”
Emu's smile fell. “Um... Marry Namon?”
“Yes, I told him it would make my heart soar.”
Emu turned and looked outside to see some kids trying to play with Namon, who stood there with a frown.
“I dunno... He's so... Serious.”
Keisuke frowned a little. “Why not? He'd make a fine husband, especially since the Sekai Tree chose you as the next cheiftess. He's loyal, strong, you'll be safe from harm with him. You're coming of age, you're almost 25, it's strongly recommended you marry before you inherit the title.”
“Does Emu really have what it takes to be a leader, though?” Shousuke asked. “It's just... Her demeanor...”
Hinata glared at him. “Hey, Emu is a fine leader! She's always known the best way to go for herself and her people! When has the Sekai Tree ever made a wrong decision about our next chief?”
“I get what you're saying, but I think my vision is pointing me down a different path.” Emu explained. “And to be honest, I don't exactly feel that kind of thing towards Namon. He's too serious! If I marry, I want to be in a mutually happy marriage, with someone who's a lot like me! Fun, adventurous, you know? Not a handsome sturdy husband who builds handsome sturdy walls!”
Emu's father sighed. “I understand what you want, Emu. But Keisuke is right, you know. It's strongly recommended that you marry before coming of age and taking your rightful place as chieftess.”
Emu sighed as well, an uncertain look on her face.
“...Just think about it, okay?” Keisuke suggested.
“Okay...”
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Sometime later, Emu journeyed through the woods a short distance, until she came to the trunk of the giant Sekai Tree. It was a magnificent tree with crystals as part of its bark, with crystalline leaves among the branches and vines shining in rainbow colors.
Accompanied by animals, she climbed up the path of roots and bark to get to the part of the tree where the branches met. There, she heard a familiar voice.
“Is that my dear granddaughter?”
Emu sat down. “Grandpa! I need to talk to you!”
The hanging vines parted to reveal an old man holding a beautiful staff sitting down on the bark. The man looked up and smiled behind his beard and mustache.
“Ah, Emu... I was hoping you'd visit today. Is something the matter? You seem troubled.”
She nodded. “That's kinda what I wanted to talk to you about... See, my father wants me to marry Namon.”
“Namon? Isn't he the serious one?”
“Yeah, and that's why I'm uncertain, even though my father thinks it's the right way to go.” Emu explained. “I really don't know what to do...”
Her grandfather elder smiled. “Aha, your mother once asked something quite similar to that.”
“She... Did?” Emu asked. “What did you say to her?”
“What I say to you every day, Emu.” He chuckled. “To follow your heart. That's how you've always figured things out, have you not?”
Emu thought for a second. “What if it leads me outside the forest? What if it leads me... To the town? Where my father tells us not to make contact with?”
“Oh? What makes you think that?”
“It's just... I've been having this vision from the Sekai Tree.” She revealed. “It features somebody I've never seen before.”
Her grandfather was instantly intrigued. “Oh? Could you tell me about it?”
“Well... I'm running through the woods towards the Sekai Tree, where I see the Pegasus and Phoenix resting. But then, I bump into a boy with bright colored hair, like the Phoenix's feathers!” Emu explained, smiling. “A light appears up ahead by the tree, a barrier between the town and the forest, so the boy and I grasp hands and run towards it together, leaping through the light at top speeds with the icons flying by our sides!”
Her grandfather is intrigued. “I see...”
“What do you think it means, Grandpa?” Emu asked.
“Perhaps the actions of your vision is meant to symbolize you leaping past the barriers between our people. The people of the forest, and the people of the town. It's likely the boy in your dream is there to help you with that.”
Emu blinked curiously. “So what do you think I should do? I've never seen that boy before outside my vision...”
“It is up to you whether you decide to take that leap, Emu.” Her grandfather told her. “But I believe, that if anyone can break down the walls between our people... It's you.”
Emu took in these words quietly and curiously. She had admittedly been curious about the townsfolk for some time. Was the boy in her vision supposed to help her take that leap?
She smiled, excited. She couldn't wait to find out what the future had in store for her.