I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I'm about to leave the Eclipse Tribe with no idea of how my future will turn out. I had no idea when I would return or if I would return. As I am about to walk off and leave for the Shrine of the Gods, Chiaki puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Hold up, Amaterasu. Before you leave, I should tell you about the other five tribes," Chiaki said before stepping in front of me.
Chiaki told me quite a lot of information. There are six tribes within the Roku Tribe Union. I'm a part of the Eclipse Tribe, the tribe home to the first 3 High Priestesses. Next there was the Yggdrasil Tribe. A tribe consisting of mostly elves, with a natural affinity for magic but usually lack physical strength. Elves are the longest living race in the Roku Tribe Union, living up to 500 years.
The next tribe is the Vulpo Tribe, a tribe consisting of kitsune's. Kitsune's are a human-fox hybrid species. Kitsune can have one to nine tails. The more tails they have, the stronger they are. Most members of the Vulpo Tribe are farmers which helps contribute to their agile and resilient nature. I was told that some Kitsune can be quite mischievous. I should try to avoid getting on a kitsune's bad side if that's the case.
The fourth tribe is known as the Volk Tribe, consisting of okami's. Okami's are kinda similar to kitsune, but being a human-wolf hybrid species, they can only have one tail. But, they are usually a lot stronger with physical strength, and physical resiliency. They are very prideful, and at times can be aggressive. This often causes them to be called barbaric, but they can be negotiated with. If you can appease their sense of pride that is.
Next is the Acier Tribe, a tribe consisting of dwarves. While at a combat standpoint, the Acier Tribe isn't much to look at. They mainly thrive through their skills in blacksmithing. The High Priestess selection for them is to show off their blacksmith skills. Other than that, they are pretty average in everything else, comparable to the humans in the Eclipse Tribe, just shorter and living around 20 years longer.
The final tribe is the Kalashtar Tribe. Another tribe consisting of humans, like the Eclipse tribe. Their traditions and norms though are greatly different than that of the Eclipse Tribe. In the Kalashtar Tribe, someone becomes an adult at 16 instead of 18 like in the Eclipse Tribe. They are also a lot more religious, usually focusing more on spiritual magic rather than those in the Eclipse Tribe focusing on whatever they like or are good at. The families in the Kalashtar Tribe are a lot bigger too. The average family there has around three to five kids.
It was a lot of information but vital information as well. It gives me a general idea of what to expect with the other candidates. I'll have to truly learn what my competition will be all on my own though. It's hard to completely predict my competition. All I can do is assume based on what each tribe is known for.
As I make sure I have everything I will need, I look at the crowd of people to watch me leave. I can hear the murmurs and whispers. They aren't sure if I will do well. I can't blame them though. I only really have skill in music and only trained my agility for 3 days. My odds of winning are close to none. But I won't go down easily. I grab my bag and turn to face my parents and Chiaki.
"Mom, dad. Please let me know when Tsukuyomi wakes up." I say, smiling, trying to ease their sadness.
My mom and dad smile back before my mom responds, "We will, honey. Please be safe."
My dad quickly follows up, "And you are strong. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You'll do great."
"Of course. I'll try to write to you as often as I can." I answer before turning to Chiaki.
Chiaki speaks before I get a chance. "You have real talent, Amaterasu. Keep training and you could become stronger than your sister."
I chuckle before responding, "Haha, yeah. I won't forget everything you taught me."
And with that, I turn and begin to walk on the main road that leads to the Shrine of the Gods. I look back one final time, waving to everyone watching me leave. Eventually they leave my sight and I'm alone, walking.
It'll take me about 3 days to make it to the Shrine of the Gods assuming everything goes according to plan. But who knows what the weather will do. But now that I think about it, this is probably the beginning of the test. I have 3 days to make it where I need to be regardless of what happens. I guess I better make the most of the clear weather while I can. I have no idea what will happen in the coming days.
As the first day of traveling comes to a close, nothing too eventful happened. The weather stayed clear and I managed to find an abandoned cave to set up camp to rest. It has a nice view too. The glowing stars in the sky, with a bright full moon reminded me of when I saw the eclipse with Tsukuyomi when we were younger. She was always pretty energetic. I didn't change too much though. I've never been that energetic but because I suddenly became a candidate for High Priestess, I've been more active than I've ever been before.
I sigh and before talking to myself. "I should get some sleep. I need to be up early so I can make it in time."
I stretch slightly before slowly drifting off to sleep. Preparing myself for a long day tomorrow. 2 more days to make it to the Shrine of the Gods. Hopefully the weather will stay clear.
The second day of traveling, the weather was not clear. It was absolutely pouring rain. I didn't have an umbrella, so everything I had was getting soaked. All I could do was press forward. I completely jinxed myself. I should've knocked on wood. It's literally all around me. Other than the rain, and a couple of lower tier monsters that I was able to quickly kill, I was able to travel quite the distance. I should be close to the shrine now. Just one more day. I got this.
As the sun rose on the third day of the journey, I was a bit hesitant to get up. The rain made it hard to sleep even with the cover I managed to find. My clothes were mostly dry but still felt uncomfortably wet in some areas. Regardless I had to power through. I grabbed my stuff and continued my journey. I was writing in a diary so I could send it to my parents on how my trip was going but it got soaked and ruined in the rain so I have to restart it.
"Things may be bad now… But surely it'll get better." As I said that, I jumped after hearing a low growl.
I drew my short sword and quickly looked around trying to spot anything moving. I just had to open my big mouth. When I thought the coast was clear and went to sheath my short sword, a terra tiger jumped out at me. I was quickly able to jump out of the way but just barely. Terra tigers are able to use earth magic so I have to be cautious. I stood there, watching the terra tiger as it circled me. I had to wait for it to make a move so I could counter. After a bit more waiting, the terra tiger pounced forward, while launching chunks of earth at me. I jumped up, using the chunks of earth hurling towards me to boost myself up higher. After getting myself above the tiger, I pushed myself off from the earth chunk and plunged down, stabbing the tiger in the back of the throat. Some blood splattered onto my hands and face, but the tiger was soon dead.
"Wow, I actually defeated a terra tiger easily. I guess I really am stronger." I thought to myself, looking at my short sword.
I wiped the blood off my face and short sword using a clean rag before sheathing my short sword. I grabbed my stuff again making sure everything was ok and continued my journey. It wasn't long now.
With a couple more hours passing, and the sun beginning to set, I was starting to think I wouldn't make it to the shrine on time. But, as I was ready to make a camp and accept being late, I saw the tallest tower of the temple. A giant golden bell. My eyes gleamed with excitement and I quickly ran up the final hill. There it was. The Shrine of the Gods. It was a lot bigger than I expected. The entrance alone shined blindingly bright. The biggest building I had seen before the shrine was the eclipse tribe's manor for the daimyo! The shrine was at least 10 times bigger!
As I approached the entrance, a cloaked figure stepped out and spoke to me.
"Welcome, Amaterasu, to the Shrine of the Gods. We have been awaiting your arrival." The cloaked figure said to me in a bow.
I instinctively bow back and say, "Thank you. I hope I-"
The cloaked figure interrupts me, "You are not late. Just on time. Please, come in."
As the cloaked figure steps to the side, the gates opening fully, I was mentally preparing for what I was about to see. God I hope I am ready for what's to come.