Dark Tale of Ancient Divine Spirit Valley :Chapter 1: A Single Spark of Light Upon the Silent Waters

Asuka was found in a small straw basket, looking fragile and weak. She hadn't even opened her eyes yet, still a complete stranger to the world’s nature and laws, and completely unaware of what was awaiting her in the future.

Deep in the woods, Hikari found herself standing near the shore of the river, suddenly cradling the baby in her arms. Without even realizing it, she felt an overwhelming rush of love and deep sympathy for the infant. Her hands hesitantly hovered around the baby’s face, and the moment she touched it, she felt a profound sense of being grounded. Hikari’s gentle heart could not bear to see the pain and suffering of this child; she willingly wanted to shelter the baby from this cruel world.

But where there is light, there are shadows too. It is simply the nature of the world.

A cruel reality soon stood in front of Hikari. She found herself kneeling with her head with her head bowed down on the cold floor of the looming grand hall. The young Federal Lord, Kaito, sat sharply on his platform, looking down coldly at the young girl and the tiny bundle in her hands.
Hikari’s voice rang out, loud, clear, and trembling. "Kaito-denka, please let me take this baby. Please... I will be in your debt forever—"
The young lord cut her off mid-sentence. "Hikari... do you realize what kind of demon you have brought here into this pure valley? Do you? Its Reiki is bleeding so intensely... do you realize that?" His voice rang out like pure ice as he continued, "Hikari, I need you to hand over the baby to me right now for its sealing. That creature is dangerous."

As Hikari heard his merciless tone, she sobbed loudly. But for a moment, the fear vanished from her eyes. She looked up and spoke.

"She is just a baby! A fragile little creature who doesn't even know how to glance at the world properly. Without giving the baby a chance, or without giving me a chance, how can you decide a fate for an innocent child? How could you do this to a fragile, helpless baby who hasn't even opened her eyes yet? And here you are, planning on closing them forever..."

Tears streamed down her face as she pressed the bundle tighter. "Kaito-denka, you know me. You have seen me since I was a child. I am an orphan. I know how it feels to be an outcast. I know how it feels when you don't belong to anyone or anywhere... when you don't have a place to return to, or someone who looks after you without question. I know what it's like when you don't have warmth, and your empty heart is filled only with the cold stares of pity. At that time, you don't need someone's pity... you just need warm hands cradling your face."

After hearing the heartbreaking plea of Hikari, the great genius and mighty landlord paused, deeply troubled by his own thoughts. He found himself tangled in heavy doubts. What if I'm wrong? What if I kill an innocent, helpless child? Am I going against the laws of nature?

Before long, he decided that giving a chance to this young lady and the baby was worth a try. If the baby's Reiki ever bled more than usual, or if she caused any destruction to the valley, he would end her life at that very moment. But for now, it was worth giving Hikari a chance.

He commanded her sternly, "Alright... The baby will live. You can look after her and take care of her, but if her Reiki—her energy—ever bleeds more than usual, you must report it to me immediately. Do take care of her. Be someone she needs. But do not forget what fate she bears, and what weight she carries on her head. "
Hearing his words, Hikari felt an overwhelming sense of relief for the baby. It felt as if a heavy sack of burden and suffocating fear was finally being lifted from her shoulders.

The young lord continued, "For now, she will grow up careless and reckless. I am sealing her power temporarily, so the village and the baby can live in peace. Hand over the child for the sealing ritual..."

Hikari’s hands trembled with a sudden rush of worry as she carefully handed the infant to the young landlord.
As the young lord lifted the tiny child, he raised his free hand near his face, forming the sacred Gesture of Life Force. Suddenly, a glowing, geometric Huan-Dan appeared right on the young lord's forehead. Concentrating his crushing Reiki directly into his hand, he cast the gathered energy onto the ground.

The moment his hand hit the earth, the energy exploded outward, forming a massive, flower-type geometric pattern across the floor. A mystical force gripped the room, and the baby began to float gently, suspended right in the middle of the glowing spiritual matrix.

Moving swiftly, the young lord created a Prism Seal hand sign—the sacred ninja mudra called Jin—and placed it directly in front of his heart.

Instantly, a concentrated stream of Reiki surged out from his chest, rocketing toward the floating baby. As it hit the child's chest, a thick blanket of green mist erupted, blanketing the entire area, growing more and more intense.

Then, finally, the seal was done.

The green mist evaporated into thin air, and the heavy Reiki disappeared from the baby’s body. Asuka fell gently back out of the air, landing softly into the arms of the young landlord, now fast asleep.

Walking down, he handed the sleeping baby back to Hikari.

Hikari thanked Kaito-Denka, bowing her head onto the cold floor once again in gratitude for his mercy. As she held her daughter close, she closed her eyes, looking up toward the ceiling with absolute relief. She whispered softly into the quiet room, pouring her soul out in a prayer, thanking the heavens for saving her child.