The Tengu Mountain

Himari wandered the silent mountain choked with the heavy clouds of the cloud barrier. No rustle of movement. No voices of community. No sounds of footsteps or wings. Only the slow, mournful whistle of wind threading through the hollows. 

Himari's new wings retreated into her back without her realizing.

The air was thick and unmoving, every breath tasting of stone and silence. Visibility was scarce - just at arm's reach everything vanished into the oppressive gray. 

All around the trees stood bare and skeletal, their towering limbs reached for the nonexistent sun like pleading hands frozen in time. 

Himari continued searching through the lifeless mountain, her steps muffled by the dense fog curling around her feet. But the deeper she journeyed, the more the mountain felt forsaken. No footprints. No trails. No signs of life. It was as if the mountain itself had exhaled its last breath.

Himari looked around. She was sure this was the right place, otherwise why would the black feather lead her here? 

Suddenly, a violent gust of wind tore through the area with a howling cry, as if the mountain finally awoke. The thick clouds were flung aside in a swirling rush, revealing the barren landscape in a pale golden light. Dead leaves spiraled through the air, and the once blanketing fog dissolved.

When Himari looked around, she was surrounded by hundreds of Tengu. Perched on tree branches, crouched atop boulders, and standing still like statues before her. Their eyes faintly glowed red in the half-light, watching her without blinking. Their red skin, sharp teeth, and claws reflected the light. Their large black wings, tucked tightly against their backs, shimmered faintly with the residue of the dispersing clouds.

The Tengu made way for two Tengu to come through. A small, older, frail looking Tengu with wings larger than his body stood beside a taller Tengu who did not show his wings.

The Tengu without his wings spoke, his voice echoing across the mountain. "How have you found our home and why do you dare enter it?"

Himari tensed up. Now that she was here, she didn't really know what to do.

The wingless Tengu unsheathed his sword. "Speak when spoken to human!"

The rest of the Tengu also unsheathed their swords, following their leader.

"I..." Himari's voice shook. She knew it would be dangerous, but she wasn't expecting to be surrounded by hundreds of trained warriors. "I followed a feather..." 

"Huh?" The Tengu leader's voice fell flat. "You followed a feather...?"

Himari pulled Nobu's black feather out of her pocket. "I followed this feather."

The Tengu leader looked down to the older and smaller Tengu. "Do you think this human is stupid?"

The older Tengu chuckled. "Hayato lower your weapon, do you not see this human has not drawn her sword in retaliation?"

"But elder Tsubasa, it is a human and humans cannot be trusted." Hayato protested.

Elder Tsubasa nodded and looked towards Himari. "Human child. Why have you come to this mountain?"

"I come as an envoy for the humans to speak of an alliance between the humans and Tengu once more." Himari answered.

Elder Tsubasa's eyes grew dark, and his voice turned stern. "Well, I'm afraid your journey was wasted. The Tengu wish nothing to do with the humans. You should take your leave now while we are being civil."

Elder Tsubasa turned to leave as Hayato infused his sword with magic.

Himari threw her own sword to the ground. "I have not come to fight. You may strike me down if you wish, but at the very least hear what I have to say."

Elder Tsubasa looked at the sword that laid on the ground, turning to whisper to Hayato. "Hayato, have my eyes grown weary or is that human's sword made from Tengu magic?"

Hayato stared at the fallen sword, analyzing its magical components. "Where did you get that sword human?"

"It was given to me by a Tengu of this mountain."

Hayato laughed. "A blatant lie! You killed the Tengu and took the weapon for yourself."

"If that were true then how do you explain this?" Himari pointed at her back.

Hayato looked at Himari's back and then to elder Tsubasa. "I don't think this one is normal in the head."

Tsubasa stared at Himari confused.

Himari looked over her shoulder and realized her wings had disappeared. Huh? When did they disappear? How do I get them back? Was it only a one-time use?

Himari tried feeling around her back and concentrating hard on finding a way to get her wings to come back out.

Hayato pointed his sword in Himari's direction. "My people. Today a human has intruded on our home to show off its kill of one of our own. We shall take revenge for our brothers and sisters lives' this human has taken!"

The Tengu yelled in agreement.

Hayato charged his sword and struck the air, sending a slash of magic charging towards Himari.

Himari tried to reach for her sword to block the attack, but it was too quick. The attack hit her head on, knocking her to the ground.

Himari gasped for air as she held her body for comfort.

The rest of the Tengu charged their swords, following their leader's example, and threw strikes of magic at the defenseless Himari. Countless blasts of magic came hurling into Himari's direction. Her sword was too far to reach now, and her body was too exhausted and too hurt to be able to dodge it. She forced herself to stand her ground. "Go ahead and kill me! But unless peace is made your people will never be free!"

The attacks landed, the impact echoing across the mountain.

When the dust lifted, Himari still stood. Her wings protected her at the last minute. 

Elder Tsubasa's eyes widened. "How does a human have Tengu wings? Never in my life have I seen such a thing."

"Human have you no shame stealing the life of our people and also taking their magic!" Rage filled Hayato's voice.

Himari's wings unshielded her body and cleared the dust away. She slowly walked over and picked up her sword. "I did not kill anyone, nor did I take any magic. These wings and sword were given to me. You can choose to not believe me, but I speak the truth to you. I was saved by a Tengu, by one of your kind. That is why I carry the magic and wings of your people. I know I am unworthy of such a blessing, but I want to return the favor to the Tengu who saved me, by saving his people."

"Obvious lies!" Hayato unleashed a flurry of strikes, his blade slicing through the air like a storm of silver wind. Each swing cracked with force and his eyes burned with relentless fury.

But Himari stood her ground. 

Her gaze was calm, in stark contrast to the whirlwind bearing down on her. With her sword still sheathed, she danced in place - deflecting each incoming blow with the scabbard alone. Sparks burst from every impact. 

Each motion was minimal, exact, as if she had practiced this moment a thousand times. Her feet barely shifted, yet her defense was impenetrable - an elegant wall of disciplined technique against Hayato's raw, untamed aggression.

"Impossible..." Hayato couldn't understand how none of his attacks landed. He gritted his teeth and clutched his sword, ready to strike again.

"Hayato, wait." Elder Tsubasa commanded.

"But I can take her." Hayato argued.

Elder Tsubasa nodded. "You can. But it seems there is some truth in the girl's words." He looked at Himari. "Where did you learn the fighting techniques of the Tengu?"

"I told you before. I knew a Tengu, he saved me and taught me everything I know. He trained me in your fighting techniques."

"And where is this Tengu now?" Elder Tsubasa asked.

Himari clenched her fists. "He's gone. He sacrificed himself for me. That is why I bear his wings and power."

Elder Tsubasa sighed. "What was his name?"

"Nobu. Nobutoshi."

Elder Tsubasa's eyes lit up. "Someone bring Natsumi here. Until then, everyone stand down."

Before long, a woman pushed through the crowd. "You called for me elder Tsubasa?"

The woman's body was covered in deep scars from injuries long ago. Her wings seemed to have been cut, only remnants of them once existing covered her back. 

Elder Tsubasa pointed towards Himari. "Natsumi, take a look at this child and tell me what you see."

The woman by the name of Natsumi looked over Himari. Her breath quickened as her eyes filled with tears. "My son..."

The crowd of Tengu whispered among themselves.

"Did young Nobutoshi really save a human?"

"Why would he save a human?"

"Why would he give a human his powers?"

"Isn't this a trap?"

Elder Tsubasa sighed as he recalled young Nobu's words that he could not answer.

-

"What's the point of living if we just spend all of it trapped though?"

The elder grew silent, not having an answer for the child.

"We're Tengu. We're the beings of the sky. Our purpose is to fly, so if we can't use our wings then what is our purpose?" Young Nobu was desperate for an answer. 

-

"Tell me human child, did Nobutoshi find his purpose?" Elder Tsubasa asked.

Himari put her sword away on her hip. "He did. He flew freely whenever he wanted to. He never felt trapped once he came to the sky."

Hayato did not stand down. "Natsumi, are you saying this human holds your son's magic?"

Natsumi nodded as her tears fell. "I know my son's magic anywhere and those are his wings. I know those are his wings."

Himari slowly approached Natsumi, cautiously taking her hands into her own. "He lived a good life thanks to his brave mother. I couldn't be more grateful to you. Because of you, I got to meet a truly wonderful person."

Natsumi wiped her tears. "Were you fond of my son?"

Himari nodded. "Very fond."

Natsumi smiled as she traced her fingers over Himari's wings. "You must be very special for him to give you such a gift."

Hayato sighed as he sheathed his sword. "I take it we believe this human's story?"

Elder Tsubasa nodded. "So far her story has proven true, we cannot argue with that."

Hayato turned to Himari. "You said we would never be free unless there is peace and that you're here to save us? How do you intend to do that?"

"I'm sure you're aware of the prophecy and how it has been put into motion. If the sky islands fall on the surface and the evil Yokai are released, it won't just be the humans that suffer casualties. I propose an alliance between the Tengu and the humans once again, to put an end to the prophecy and bring about an era of peace." Himari explained, her wings disappearing into her back.

Hayato crossed his arms. "How do you expect us to trust humans again after how they treated our people in the past?"

"You can take back the magic you gave the humans. Humans were never supposed to have magic, and because of it they grew into fearful and hateful people. If you take back the magic surely that is reason for some trust?" Himari said.

Elder Tsubasa sighed. "Take back the magic from humans? That's sounds quite extreme. I don't have any problems with the humans using magic."

Hayato glared. "They use that very magic to kill us though. I say take it back, they don't deserve it anyway."

The crowd of Tengu formed their own opinions.

"Take their magic!"

"We can't trust humans!"

"Kill the humans!"

Elder Tsubasa hushed the crowd. "It is in our best interest to save the world from the prophecy for our people too. But working with humans..."

Himari stood in front of Hayato and elder Tsubasa, getting on her knees and lowering her head. "Would you please consider forming an alliance with the humans?"

Hayato scoffed. "Getting on your knees to beg won't solve anything. Your story may hold truths but we still can't trust you."

"Then let us show you that you can trust us." A familiar voice called out from above.

Himari lifted her head to see Soma fly down on his bird followed by hundreds of soldiers and officials.

The Tengu grabbed their swords, ready for battle.

Himari was surprised by Soma's presence. "Soma what are you doing here?"

Soma got on his knees beside Himari. "Doing my duties as the newly elected king." 

Soma knelt in front of Hayato and elder Tsubasa, the soldiers and officials joining his lead. "I am king Soma of Motokami. Our ancestors have done wrong by your people, but I would like to make that right and to start I believe an apology is in order. On behalf of the humans of Motokami, I offer you my sincerest apologies for driving your people away from land that is rightfully yours. I humbly ask if you would consider forming an alliance with the humans once again."

Soma bowed his head; Himari, the soldiers, and the officials followed.

Hayato looked at the hundreds of bowing heads before him. "Lift your head. It does not feel right for a king to be bowing... I will discuss your suggestion over with my people."

Hayato gestured for the Tengu to follow him and soon all the Tengu disappeared from the clearing, leaving just the people of Motokami.

Soma raised his head and turned to Himari. "I'm sorry about Nobu."

Himari looked at Soma. "How did you know?"

"I can just tell."

Himari smiled. "Thank you... So, king? How did that happen?"

Soma chuckled. "It wasn't easy overthrowing my own father, but I managed somehow."

"What made you come to the mountain?"

"Like we said before, we have to right the wrongs of the past. First step is making amends and finding some way to join together."

"How did you get through the cloud barrier?"

Soma looked at the soldiers that came with him. "Many sacrifices were made to get through the swarm of Yokai... How did you get here from the surface?"

Himari sighed. "I don't want to talk about it; I still haven't recovered... What happens if they don't want to have an alliance with humans?"

"Then we'll have to find some other way to save the world..."