Ch. 8: The Chosen One?

Aspect blinked his eyes open and sat up, staring out the window. He had come back inside really late the past night, and had only slept for possibly a few hours at most. But he wasn’t tired now- he looked forward to seeing Snowshoe again.

After watching the dawn sun gradually caress the sky with its golden flames, he got out of bed, dressed himself, and headed down the hall. I wonder how she’s doing. Time to tell her good morning, I suppose!

But the palace felt strangely empty. Sure, there were a few servants here and there, but not even the Shogun seemed to be present. Aspect began to grow a little worried as he traversed the halls, feeling tempted to call out for his friend.

He eventually gave in, and his voice seemed to echo: “Snowshoe! Snowshoe, where are you?”

He passed by a room, with the sliding door slightly ajar, and poked his head in. “Hello?”

Staring back at him was Kojo. He scowled, not pleased in the slightest at Aspect’s appearance. “What do you want?” He growled.

Aspect shuffled his paws sheepishly. “...I was wondering where Lady Snowshoe was,” He finally replied.

Kojo snorted. “Looks as if you’re out of luck, Mien. Her and the Shogun Isu left at dawn. They went to the other side of the valley, and won’t be back until moon high.” As Aspect turned, he added brusquely, “And don’t even think about trying to find them. Isu took her out to make up for not seeing her the past few days.”

Aspect groaned, feeling betrayed. The whole reason Isu even stayed away from her was due to the black fox’s own advice he gave him. Was it all for nothing?

He didn’t reply to the grumpy official and left without a word, heading outside to clear his thoughts. Breakfast could wait.

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The black fox sat on the hill where he and Snowshoe had met the previous night, looking over the valley and the city of Jiang-lao. It seemed far less magical in the bright daylight; instead of a myriad of lights shining in the darkness he was met with an almost dismal array of reddish-brown curved roofs.

Fat white clouds raced overhead, coming down from the mountains in the north and descending to the valley and the plains.

After a while Aspect began to think. Being away from Snowshoe had surprisingly cleared his thoughts, and he remembered with a pang that he would have to leave Jiang-lao anytime now. But who was supposed to join him?

Maybe it’s Isu. It would be good to have someone skilled on my side. He shook his head. Isu was a Shogun, with his own matters at hand. It was unlikely that Fire would send him to Dragonscale Ridge.

I doubt it’s Kojo. Or Todokii. I don’t know Todokii very well, and I don’t think Kojo would be happy to join me.

He thought for a moment longer before his ears pricked with a sudden realization.

Maybe it’s Snowshoe! We’ve become good friends since I first came here. I wonder if Fire will pick her? Then he sighed dreamily. Sure, she doesn’t see me the same way I see her, but that could always change.

His face flushed red. Idiot! She has her own dreams. Quit trying to force yourself inside of them!

Besides, he was on a quest to save his brother, not to find a mate. He huffed grumpily and got up, heading back for the palace.

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Aspect…

Aspect… wake up…

“WAKE UP!”

Aspect sleepily opened his eyes to find a familiar blue face staring back at him. She was dressed in her armor, and the moon shone lazily behind hazy clouds.

He sighed, stretched, and looked around. “...Hey, Snowshoe,” He murmured.

Then it hit him.

“WAH! S-SNOWSHOE! What are you- WHY ARE YOU IN MY ROOM?!” He snatched up his blanket and covered himself, staring wild-eyed at the Blacklai Fox.

Snowshoe sighed irritably. “No need to act so ‘excited’, furball,” She growled. “Listen. I need you to come with me to the woods.”

“R-right now?”

She rolled her eyes. “Noooo, next week. YES, RIGHT NOW!”

Aspect shuffled around as he tied the blanket around his waist to cover himself, making sure that Snowshoe couldn’t see anything. “...What’s going on? Why can’t you just tell me right here?”

“LISTEN HERE, HOT SHOT.” Snowshoe snarled suddenly. “I have only slept for three hours. THREE! Just do what I say, okay? We don’t have much time.” She turned, not waiting for a response, and hopped out the window.

Aspect sat there dumbly, then shook his head slowly. He quickly put on a cloak, then followed her.

They both made it to the clearing where they met regularly the past few nights and Snowshoe plopped down with a huff.

“What’s wrong?” Aspect asked her sternly.

She looked at him, an unreadable expression on her soft face. “I… I had a dream.” Her voice had changed from an irritable demeanor to one of worry. “I was hoping you could help me work it out.”

“Well, go ahead,” He replied, a little surprised. Why would a dream bother her this much? It must be important. Or maybe she’s scared. His heart warmed at the thought that she had a nightmare and she had turned to him for comfort.

She began after a moment, retracing her thoughts. “...I dreamed that a fox came to me. He was glowing, so brightly that I had to narrow my eyes. I thought that something I ate was making me see really vivid hallucinations, but this was different.

He told me that he needed my help, and he was waiting for me to join someone to follow him before the new moon. He said that I was the chosen one.

And… and then he left.” She stared at the black fox with wide eyes. “What does it mean?”

“...Did he tell you his name?” Aspect asked, feeling his heart begin to race. He said that his sign would be knowledge of his name, didn’t he?

“...It was… Fire, I think.” She stared off into the distance thoughtfully. “What a weird name.” Then she turned to find Aspect’s face looking grim. “...Do you happen to know what any of this means?”

A long pause followed before Aspect nodded at last. “...I never told you why I was here, did I? It’s because I was waiting for someone to join me, to travel with me to Dragonscale so I could save my brother Fire.” His green eyes glimmered with satisfaction as he stared into Snowshoe’s wondering eyes. “I was right. It was you all along. You’re the chosen one, Snowshoe.”

“What?” She shook her head, staring at the ground in disbelief. “No… no, it can’t be. I’m just a princess. Why would a ghost need me? I don’t even know him!”

“Snowshoe. Listen.” Suddenly Aspect lifted her chin so that she could meet his gaze. “There’s a reason for everything, and I think my brother knows that, too. I’ve fought you in battle. I’ve seen your ambition. I’ve heard your hopes and dreams. I know for a fact that, whatever happens, he made the right choice.” When she didn’t respond, he added softly, “If you can stand up against expectations thrown at you from all sides, if you can defeat the odds, and if you can hold so strongly to your dream… then you can do this as well. I believe in you, Snowshoe. And my brother needs you. He needs both of us.”

Snowshoe was silent. For a long time, the only things audible were the rustling of the pines, the wind blowing in the night sky, and the beating of Aspect’s anxious heart.

Finally she spoke once more. “I… I need time, Aspect. To think this over.” She got up and turned, not looking back. “If I do the wrong thing, then it’ll be the end of me.”

She left, leaving Aspect sitting in the clearing all alone, with only the woods to comfort him.

Then he sighed heavily. “I understand.” He whispered. “Fire, I can only hope you can convince her, or all of this would be for nothing.”

If an answer was there, then he couldn’t see or hear it. All that was present was the half moon staring down at him, alone in the night sky.