Far away, in the secluded training grounds of the Inuzuka family, Kagami's focus was interrupted by a flicker within his spider's web of vision.
The source? A prophecy from the Great Toad Sage.
As the vision faded, he was confused. "A toad sage?" he muttered, puzzled. "What's that supposed to be?"
He wanted to laugh it off, but the Hokage's serious face made him think twice. Their reactions suggested this wasn't just some random amphibian spouting nonsense.
Maybe there's more to this toad sage. The Hokage seemed to take it seriously. And if he believes it...
His thoughts drifted to the content of the prophecy. The toad had come dangerously close to naming these powers the Old Ones.
How could this toad know about the Old Ones? The term referred to entities so ancient, so powerful, that even Kagami, with his unusual connection to Atlach-Nacha, could barely grasp their true nature.
"Billions of years," he whispered. "The Old Ones ruled everything billions of years ago. Before this world, before... everything."
The fact that the toad had foreseen their existence at all was impressive. It lent credibility to the local myths and legends he had previously dismissed.
As he thought of the prophecy, a strange feeling began to well up inside him.
A sense of superiority, of being above it all. He found himself looking down on the Hokage and the others for their limited understanding.
They're all so blind, he smirked. They can't see the big picture. Not like I can.
The smirk faded as quickly as it had appeared. He blinked, confusion replacing the arrogance. Wait, what am I thinking? Weird. Where'd that come from?
He shook his head, trying to clear the unfamiliar thoughts. Why am I acting like this? I've never felt superior to the Hokage before. He's one of the strongest ninja in the village!
Kagami was searching for an explanation. Atlach-Nacha?
The spider god could be messing with his head, making him more arrogant and dismissive of others. But as he examined the feeling more closely, he realized it didn't quite fit. The arrogance felt... different.
More human, somehow. Not like the alien presence of Atlach-Nacha at all.
No, this is something else. But what? And why now?
Pushing the thoughts aside for the moment, he refocused on the prophecy. The toad sage had seen the essence of the Old Ones' power but had missed a crucial detail - the catalyst that brought that power into this world.
Me. I'm the reason this power is here. My connection to Atlach-Nacha opened the door.
He paused, considering the possibilities. Or did it? Am I giving myself too much credit?
Kagami shook his head, frustrated by his own uncertainty. I've always felt I was meant for something bigger. Why can't this be it?
The prophecy, in its incomplete state, had inadvertently provided him with cover. It suggested that the power wasn't tied to any one person, but rather a force that had been overlooked for generations.
This could work in my favor. No one would suspect a kid my age of being connected to some ancient power.
A plan began to form in his mind. He'd play along with the prophecy. If these were powers from the Old Ones, then surely there must have been other intelligent beings before humans arrived on the scene.
What if humans weren't the first advanced civilization here? What if there were others, long before us, who ruled this world?
He grinned, the possibilities seeming endless.
No one can picture what those ancient species looked like. They've faded into history. But now... now I might be able to bring them back. To make these ideas real.
Kagami's thoughts were interrupted by a cool breeze. He blinked, suddenly aware of his surroundings again. The training ground seemed smaller now, less significant in the face of the vast cosmic forces he was contemplating.
As he stood up, brushing dirt from his clothes, he made a decision. He would need to play his cards close to his chest. But he would also need to push forward and see where it led him.
I need to know more. About the Old Ones, about this power... and about myself.
Why am I changing?
What am I becoming?
---
Meanwhile, in the extreme northern reaches of the Land of Snow, sixteen figures trudged through an endless white wassteland. Fierce winds whipped snow and ice at their thick winter clothes, battering them endlessly.
Yoshiro, leading the group, squinted against the cold wind. "Keep going! We'll reach the rest spot before dark!" His muffled voice barely carried over the storm.
The team gripped a strong rope to stay together in the blinding snow. his mind wandered to their mission: Princess Koyuki's dream of a geothermal generator at the northernmost point.
It could change everything for the Land of Snow.
Himeko, the team's geologist, moved beside him. "This storm is getting worse," she shouted. "You sure we're headed the right way?"
Yoshiro nodded, projecting more confidence than he felt. "Trust the compass! We've come too far to turn back now!"
Himeko stumbled, catching herself. "You said that an hour ago!"
He didn't respond. The storm had thrown off his calculations, and the terrain was proving more challenging than expected. We should've waited out the storm. But there's no turning back now.
Each step was a battle against the elements. Kenji felt his foot slip on hidden ice. His heart leaped as he desperately tried to regain balance.
"Whoa!" he cried out.
Takeshi, right behind him, grabbed his pack. "I got you," he grunted, steadying the younger man.
Kenji nodded his thanks, heart still racing.
The terrain began to change, giving way to a steeper incline. Yoshiro held up a hand, signaling a stop. "We're starting the climb! Check your gear!"
The team paused, tightening straps and adjusting their loads. Himeko made her way to the front.
"Yoshiro," she whispered, "are you sure about this? We're not equipped for a serious climb."
He met her gaze, seeing his own doubts reflected. "What choice do we have? Back's not an option. Neither is staying put."
One foot after another, they inched up the slope. The wind picked up, fighting them every inch.
Despite the cold, Kenji's back was slick with sweat. "Keep moving," he told himself.
A sudden yell made him turn. He saw Yuki slip on an icy patch and lose her footing. Then she was gone. "Yu-"
"Aaahh" she cried. Time slowed.
Her face was filled with fear as she started sliding down. The rope joining the team pulled tight, yanking Kenji off-balance.
"Hold on!" Takeshi yelled, driving his ice axe into the frozen ground. Others quickly followed suit, anchoring themselves as best they could.
But the sudden strain was too much. Kenji felt the rope around his waist tighten painfully as Yuki's weight pulled at the line. His feet gave way, and he found himself falling too. The rope jerked again and someone swore.
"Help!" he yelled, trying to grab onto anything on the icy slope.
As Kenji rolled down the mountain, everything began to blur. The rope yanked hard. Above him, shouts of alarm - others were slipping.
Kenji's mind went blank. Then...
Wham!
The rope caught, squeezing the air from his lungs. Confused, Kenji looked up.
Yoshiro and Himeko were leaning over the edge of a small outcropping.
"We've got you!" Yoshiro shouted. "Everyone! Pull!"
The team pulled together, fighting against the cold and weight. Slowly but surely, they dragged their fallen friends back up.
When Kenji finally crawled onto solid ground, he collapsed. "Thanks," he gasped.
Yoshiro nodded. "We're a team. We look out for each other."
Himeko surveyed the path ahead. "This isn't working. Let's find shelter and wait it out."
"Yeah... we should find somewhere to camp." Yoshiro agreed slowly.
They moved slower now, testing each step with their ice axes. The wind kept howling, but it seemed to be changing direction.
After what felt like hours, Yoshiro held up a hand. "Look!" he shouted, pointing ahead.
Through the swirling snow, a dark mass was blocking the worst of the northern winds.
"A mountain?" Takeshi asked, disbelief in his voice.
Yoshiro shook his head, awe and confusion warring on his face. "Not just a mountain. A whole range. And it's... it's black?"
The team stared in stunned silence. The mountain range before them was like nothing they'd ever seen. Its peaks reached impossibly high, disappearing into the storm clouds above.
"How is this possible?" Himeko whispered. "There's nothing like this on any of our maps."
Yoshiro checked his instruments, frowning at the readings. "The map says we shouldn't hit the range for days. But it's right in front of us."
Kenji frowned. "This doesn't make sense."
"I know," Yoshiro admitted. He held up a hand. "We'll make camp here!"
The team quickly set about making camp, their movements efficient despite the harsh conditions. Tents went up, supplies were secured, and soon a small village of shelters stood against the harsh elements.
Later that night, Yoshiro huddled in the largest tent with Himeko and Takeshi. A hand-drawn map lay on the table before them, its edges fading into blank space.
Not much known about this area.
"Princess Koyuki's plan is ambitious," Yoshiro said, tracing the proposed route with his finger. "A geothermal generator here could change everything. Warm winds from the north... the whole Land of Snow experiencing spring..."
Himeko sat up straighter, fighting her fatigue. "This plan could really work. But this mountain range... it's not supposed to be here. And that's worrying."
"Worrying how?" Takeshi leaned in to get a better look at the map.
Himeko frowned. "Look at the scale. Given its size, someone should have noticed it before. How could a mountain range that big go undetected all this time?"
Yoshiro rubbed his forehead. "We could be the first ones here. Ever." He looked at the others. "I sent some of our people to check the area. Just in case-"
Shouts outside cut him off. The tent shook as someone crashed through the entrance. It was Kenji. Face flushed and breathless.
Yoshiro was on his feet in an instant. "Report!"
"We found... we found a cave." Kenji pointed outside.
Himeko leaned forward. "A cave? Natural formation?"
Kenji shook his head. "No. It's huge, way too big to be natural. It looks... it looks man-made."