In the vast expanse of the cerulean sky, Mitsuaki's solitary figure soared with an unwavering determination. Fueled by love and concern for his ailing brother, Takaharu. Sunlight danced upon the insignia of a maple leaf on the back of his warm hued robes; the symbol of their family. Mitsuaki pushed forward, the rush of wind tussling his long, straight hair.
His heart throbbed with a mixture of anticipation and worry, for he knew that his brother's well-being depended on his swift arrival.
'Who knows how long he's been suffering! I was so busy goofing off with Ren..!' He thought harshly to himself, biting his lip hard enough to taste blood.
Within forty minutes, Mitsuaki was able to see the lush vegetation that adorned the edges of the lake and its clear, shimmering waters that billowed out around the stones that seemed placed ever so specifically. Two figures stood out like dots that were familiar to Mitsuaki, yet, he regarded them as insignificant to the one that sat upon a stone like a dried fish.
His nose flared for a second, anger building up within his belly as his fist balled up tight.
'The audacity to leave my little brother out to bask in such a state..'
The owner of the lake was going to hear a lot from him, that's for sure.
As soon as his padded shoes touched the cultivated area of green grass, Kikuyo immediately rushed up towards him. A severe limp in her step.
"M-Master Mitsuaki..!!"
Already a freezing glare caused her to stop in her track from the inheritor. His brown eyes were not welcoming and his aura had become deadly. Yes, Mitsuaki knew it was not her fault, but his anger was always his flaw and those in path were often unsafe.
No matter who they were.
"Tell me why exactly is Takaharu laying on top of that stone like some cloth set out to dry?" His tone cold, almost said through gritted teeth.
"I—Well—Lord Kunio—I" Kikuyo sputtered, she gestured between the Old Man and Takaharu's faint form.
A stare down from him. Kikuyo immediately crumbled, bowing deeply at him. Her lips sealed from just a second glance. Mitsuaki brushed past her, Kunio, who was previously half out of the water had went ahead and submerged himself back in the water. Leaving only the top portion of his face to be seen.
"Old Man, tell me, what has happened to my brother. Make it quick."
"The doll brought the Young Boy here seeking aid. He has come down with some sort of infliction."
"Ren has let me know of that, my patience is thin. What else? Why is he sitting on that rock in the summer heat? Do you want me to gut you?"
A slight chord was struck within Kunio but he took a deep breath underwater and rose.
"Before you make threats how about a thank you first?" Kunio grumbled from the obvious disrespect, but a motion of his finger and his daughter gently pulled Takaharu's body into the water with them. They had the boy on their backs, the lot of them rippling on top one another to bring him to Mitsuaki.
Ignoring Kunio, Mitsuaki quickly took his younger brother from them, cradling his cold body. Worry settled deep within his beating heart, a moment of gentleness and softness. Almost foreign to Kunio eyes who's used to seeing Mitsuaki be ever abrasive and rude. Mitsuaki caressed his brother's cheek, the younger of the two pale beyond reality. Unusual and alien.
"Something or someone is doing something funky on the mountain, Mitsuaki. As the inheritor, it is your responsibility to investigate what may be causing it." Kunio explained.
The blonde haired dragonkin rolled his eyes. "Don't you think I know that? That's all I ever have to do on this forsaken mountain my father forced me to take."
Kunio frowned, he wasn't exactly sure on how to respond to that. "I haven't had any of the other neighboring spirits or kin come to visit, seeing that it's the Young Boy who is the only one effective. They could be doing this for your attention."
Mitsuaki glared at the ground beside his brother's comatose face.
'For my attention? They must be crazy. Or desperate.'
The Old Man crossed his arms as he continued. "I think I have a lead though that can help. Years ago, when your father was still here on the mountain, there was a being or a man – its been a long time, so excuse if I'm not accurate – who was able to perform magic that looked a little like what's affecting the Young Boy."
"Do you have a name for this being?"
"Ahh.. Unfortunately, their name leaves me. But I do recall where exactly they lived, it was impossible for me to forget. They lived in this massive home, it nearly resembled a castle in its design and was a pearlescent white."
Mitsuaki nodded his head. "Kikuyo, take Takaharu home. You are to be by his side twenty-four seven. No less. I do not know when I'll be back."
"Y-Yes, Master!"
With no hesitation, Kikuyo lifted her young master onto her back, she gave a quick wave of farewell to Kunio and hurried off back to the house.
"If you ever need help, I'm here, Mitsuaki."
The inheritor waved him off. Cold and frigid in his action. Mitsuaki's mood had been greatly soured, the sight of his brother in such a state angered him. When he got like this, he couldn't help but push others away.
Kunio was a great Dragonlord, he often attempted to be a paternal figure to both him and his younger brother. But, perhaps it was trauma or the fear of being left again, Mitsuaki could never find it in him to accept the nurturing figure.
In fact, Mitsuaki accepted no one into him that could warm that cold, black void that swirled inside of him. Takaharu helped, but Mitsuaki had to be strong for his younger brother. The other Lords were often perturbed by him;
'A problem that solves other problems.'
Yeah, he was problematic.
Yeah, he was vicious.
But they don't have to pretend to be strong. To pretend to carry the weight of something they never wanted. So everyone got his fangs. Even poor Kikuyo who also never had the choice to be stuck with the two of them, she served them with a smile - willfully. He watched as she struggled to carry Takaharu back home, looking over his shoulder at the two of them, their figures growing smaller and smaller.
A pang of guilt.
His father did nothing but throw unwanted responsibilities onto others. Now, Mitsuaki had to take care of it. Had to be a father to Takaharu when he barely was fathered himself.
How can someone not be angry?
"Mitsuaki." Kunio voice was soft, he pulled himself out of his lake this time. His tail magically forming into legs and extending instead from his tail bone region.
"Did you hear me?" He hesitated in placing a hand on the inheritors shoulder.
Mitsuaki let it rest there for a heartbeat or two, he had been too caught up in his thoughts to notice the touch.
"I can't ignore such an irritating tone." He grumbled. "I'll be fine. I've dealt with worst. Where do I need to head off to find such a place?"
Kunio smiled softly, looking down at Mitsuaki. Standing at his full size, one was able to realize how much of an absolute tower Kunio truly is and how fully built, and muscular he was.
"North of the mountain, not at the very top. Around a village, I'm not sure if its still there but I think it was called something like 'Matsusachi'."
"Matsusachi. Got it."
Mitsuaki turned, Kunio's palm falling off of his square shoulder and started heading north. He paused for a second. Awkwardly contemplating on if it would be worth it to say.
"Thank you, Old Man."
A stroke of vulnerability he offered to Kunio, something the Dragonlord didn't take for granted. Mitsuaki knew he never would. He could hear the splash of water behind him.
"If you ever need anything, you know where to find me."
- GLOSSARY -
As it was asked for (and rightfully so) I have included in this chapter a glossary to describe the certain words used especially reoccurring ones. I will also be providing slight history too!
Akiyama: Also known as the 'moving mountain' or by Mitsuaki that 'forsaken mountain' (lol). This mountain was handcrafted by Mitsuaki's father and through some magical influence, it allows it to uproot itself and in a sense, literally 'walk' all across Rukaba. He made the mountain to house the Dragonlords and their kin.
Rukaba: The world in which this story takes place, it is magical and is home to many spirits.
Dragonlords: Consider them essentially Gods. They have domains that are under their jurisdiction and represents their power as well as how powerful they are. Dragonlords are extremely old and what Dragonkin become after mastering their domain and surviving past two centuries. When they ascend to Dragonlord with recognition from other Lords, they are bestowed a new name that represents them or their power. Dragonlords are recognizable by their extreme draconic appearance; having tails, clawed hands, sharp ears, slit eyes, and scales that decorate their skin. They also wear bright, colorful garbs.
Dragonkins: Demi-gods essentially, they can be the offspring of Dragonlords or spiritual draconic beings that have accumulated vast power and on the path to Godhood. They are given a birth name at this stage and must wear warm, dull colors to show that they are still 'teens'. Unlike the evolved form of them, they only have sharp ears, clawed hands, and slit eyes.
Hinnagami: A doll the grants the wishes of its creator. They come to love and obsess over their creator so much, that they even follow them to the depths of hell if need be.
Zashiki-Warashi: House spirits that bring good fortune and riches to the homes they inhabit. They often appear as ghostly children and can be very mischievous.
Nigawarai: Large, ugly, hairy spirits made from uncomfortable smiles that people do to hide their discomfort. They cause ill-will, disgust and encourage arguments among those around them. Mitsuaki calling Hachiji this is him basically calling him a nasty person.
Old Man of the Lake: Kunio Uetakagawa title, he is one of if not the oldest living Dragonlords that exist on the mountain. He earned the nickname due to the beautiful lake he inhabits and calls home.