Not So Far from Home

Toyo peered out at the horizon, a vast ocean stretching far into the distance shimmered the glow of the rising sun. She leaned out of the carriage as the breeze sang through the strands of her hair. It was the first time she’d seen the ocean of this world, and much like the sky, it somehow felt more alive, more colorful than she’d expected. It was scenes like these that made her believe that perhaps if this was all just in her dreams, then staying asleep wouldn’t be too bad after all.

SMACK!

“Eek!”

Toyo fell back into her seat, her hands clasped onto her right backside. The permeating sting bringing her eyes to tears. Daku hadn’t the slightest bit of remorse, as she held her hand high and mighty with her face as flush as a cherry. “Bullseye!”

Nertu jumped up with arms raised sky high, praising his sister’s impressive performance. “A perfect score for big sis!”

Zida and Sina sat at the opposite end of the carriage, boiling over with impatience for the rambunctious siblings, while Lugal was trembling with embarrassment. With a raging fire in her eyes, Toyo howled at the top of her lungs, “Temee wo bukkorosuzo!”

With the carriage still steaming hot, they made their way over the bridge then through a dense forest, the road ascending and descending with never-ending curves. With the trees stretching high into the sky above them, a brisk feeling of prying eyes began to burry itself into Toyo’s skin. It was as if the forest itself was watching her.

As the trees parted and the tumultuous road finally opened to the horizon, the group was mesmerized by the view before them.

“This place looks… familiar.”

Zida faced Toyo, finding her words particular. He’d always questioned whether the Japan that she spoke of was in fact real, and exactly what kind of place it was.

Daku and Nertu, however, were head over heels, practically hanging out of the carriage yearning to get a view of the village.

“We’re here.”

Lugal’s voice was overcast with anxiety. His memories of the village were murky at best, and stepping out of the carriage he felt no different than a stranger to his own home. The group were met by a guard that demanded a reason for their arrival. Just as the shop owner had mentioned, it seemed that without a resident of the village present, getting through would be a problem. Unfortunately, despite Lugal’s connections he didn’t seem to be as welcomed as they’d hoped. Trotting back to the group after having spoken to the gatekeeper, he informed Zida that for them to enter, their movements were to be restricted to the mausoleum, with a guard accompanying the group the entire way.

Despite the blatant disregard for Zida’s royal status, he wasn’t too bothered by the guardrails set in place, as he expected to find what he needed at the mausoleum eitherway. Daku and Nertu, however, had a notably bitter reaction, while Toyo gazed off towards the village, as if she was almost in a trance.

The village was situated between two mountains covered with dense forestry, but high enough to overlook the flanking sea. What Toyo couldn’t keep her eyes off, however, was its uncannily familiar architecture. Had Toyo not known any better, she would’ve thought she was looking through a window back to her home. Houses filled the basin of the mountain, with a mixture of dirt and stone roads weaving in between them.

Although a long way from the paved streets of Kanmu-mura, the impression was no different than when she looked over the town from the school rooftop. Her eyes followed the winding paths, climbing up the side of the mountain where another plethora of homes lay perched. Some made of wood with straw roofs, while others were more eye-catching, with plastered walls and embellished stone accents. The exposed wooden beams on their exterior were also a familiar design feature, as was the rooftops swooping down from the center and swerving up to a distinct point at each of its four corners. Its layered tiles cascading over one another. Throughout the land were carved out platforms, ripe with produce, and trees that harkened back to the persimmon trees that Toyo vividly remembered throughout Kanmu-mura. But what struck her the most were the lanterns. Paper lanterns were sprinkled throughout, like reinforcing accents to a painting that already screamed… home.

Everything about the village resembled the world that she knew, the world that she was once a part of, the world that she needed to believe still existed.

“We’re not here for sightseeing,” Zida informed the group, his weighted voice looking to steal their attention as usual. “We get what we need, and we leave.”

Despite his firm words, the group appeared undeterred, with Daku and Nertu still sinking into despair and Toyo not even flinching in his direction. The only person that seemed to pay him any mind was Sina, which considering how she often never hesitated to scold him when necessary, didn’t really help his case much either.

With the group marching towards the mausoleum, they passed through the outskirts of the village, where Toyo took notice of the village members noticeably making preparations. “What are they doing?” she asked, with Lugal informing, “I guess the yearly Takane festival is tonight. My grandad used to talk about it sometimes. It’s why the homes lining the mountains have lanterns set out. Each one has their family insignia written on it, so that the spirits of the dead can be safely directed to their family homes.”

“It’s kind of like Obon in a way,” Toyo mentioned, but their conversion wouldn’t get far before Zida warned Lugal that, “You know the Sovereign doesn’t allow unsanctioned festivals.”

Lugal peered at Zida with plain eyes, before noting, “I’m really not a good advocate for much regarding this village. But I know it’s been ongoing for years. Why the royal family hasn’t stepped in yet is a question I would rather be asking you.”

Zida furled his lips, at the unexpected slight, choosing to leave any further remarks to himself. Daku then jabbed Zida with a sharp elbow to the side. “You’re uptight as shit,” she pestered, “that’s why nobody likes you!” Zida diverted his eyes away from her, walking ahead as if fleeing her words.

Arriving at the gate of the mausoleum, a long, straight path extended through the forest and up a set of stone stairs climbing up the mountain. “You walk ahead,” the guard issued to Lugal, “We’ll be meeting with the warden soon.”

As they reached the top of the stairs, they stood beneath a massive stone gate not dissimilar to a traditional Japanese torii. Standing dead center beneath it was a man bearing a full-face mask. It’s façade that of a snake like appearance. A design that Toyo found to be unusual. Beside him on either side were two more men bearing weapons. It was clear that whatever the mausoleum was to the village, it was worth shedding blood to protect.

Lugal barely opened his mouth to speak when the warden thumped his staff against the ground. Silencing Lugal before he could utter a word.

“Whatever your reason is for appearing before this respected land, may it remain unspoken. Leave this mountain.”