CH. 62 - A Fairy's Tale

In a dark winter’s storm, snow falls heavily, and the wind whips around like small slashes in the cold. A wandering Traveler can be seen marching through the storm, holding something close to her chest as she looks through the storm.

“So.. cold..”

This Traveler, Shiori, says, shivering. As she speaks, her eyes widen. She sees a faint glow in the darkness. She rushes to it to find a modest cabin in the woods with lights on inside.

She makes her way to the door and knocks on it. She waits for a moment before a large man, Touma, answers the door. He looks confused at the woman standing before him.

“Please… may I find refuge here with you? Even if for only a night?” The Traveler begs. The Woodsman nods assuringly and steps aside, welcoming her in. She rushes inside as the Woodsman closes the door behind him. 

“H-here.. Take a seat by the fire.” He pulls a chair close to the fireplace, offering it to her.

“Thank you…” The Traveler says, taking a seat. The Woodsman grabs a log and places it into the fireplace before poking at it with his fire rod. 

“If you don’t mind my asking, what is a Traveler like yourself doing out in a storm like that? It is certainly no weather for a walk.” The Woodsman prods, not taking his gaze away from the fire.

“I’m… on a quest.” The Traveler says softly. The Woodsman looks intrigued, glancing over his shoulder at her. “I was given an item by an old seer. She said to follow my heart, for it is pure, and soon I would find the… the Wishing Rose.” The Traveler reveals, lowering her head a bit. The Woodsman’s eyes widen as she says this. The Traveler looks a bit embarrassed for admitting that.

“The magical artifact that supposedly can grant any wish to anyone who finds it. I know it has only been mentioned in legend and no one’s ever seen it but… if what the seer said is true, then perhaps I can actually find it. She gave me this.” The Traveler then pulls out an empty sheet of wrapping paper with a gold trim along the edges. She shows it to the Woodsman before putting it back into her bag.

“The seer said this is a map of some kind, but there’s nothing on it. Yet, despite that, I feel as if it is leading me somewhere. I know it is.” The Traveler says, softly determined. The Woodsman steps back from the fire and takes a seat in a chair across from the Traveler. He looks her in the eye before speaking.

“I have heard of the Wishing Rose. My late wife believed in the legend. She believed that one day we would find it and use it to bring our home village back to its glory. Cure the sick, feed the hungry, fix the broken. …When she passed away many years ago, she promised me that one day, our wish would come true. She died believing in the Wishing Rose.” he says as he looks down, leaning on his elbows. The Traveler gives a sad look, but then the Woodsman lifts his head again and gives her a serious look. 

“But I warn you. I have heard many stories of those who seek the Rose. I have seen many come through these mountains and have heard much worse. Tales of death and danger. Of a beast who lurks in the woods and of bandits who seek the Rose for themselves. It is certainly a perilous journey, so I beg you to be safe on your way.” The Woodsman says with a serious but caring look in his eyes. The Traveler gives a confident nod when suddenly there is a knocking on the door. They both look at the door confused as the Woodsman gets up. He approaches the door and opens it to find two cloaked individuals standing before him. One tall and the other short. 

“May we come in?” The tall one asks.

“What for?” The Woodsman asks back, cautious about these people. Suddenly, a gun is drawn on the Woodsman. He puts his hands up as the cloaked people remove their hoods.

“Wrong answer.” The tall bandit, Haru, says with an evil smirk. They push the Woodsman inside as they close the door behind them. The other short bandit, Sugawara, points a gun at the Traveler, who also puts her hands up.

“Who are you people?” She asks.

“Just a married couple of bandits who have been going around causing all kinds of havoc for the kingdom’s people. Especially my home village ever since the Prince up and disappeared.” The Woodsman answers for them. Bandit Suga smirks.

“That’s right.”

“What do you two want with me? I don’t have anything of value here.” The Woodsman says angrily.

“We’ve been following this trail from not too far ago. We caught some spicy news about the Wishing Rose around here. Heard there was a map of some kind floating around, so we’re simply checking to see if the rumors were true.” Bandit Haru says. The Traveler shakes nervously as she lowers her hand to the map, on the verge of giving it up, when the Woodsman speaks. 

“There is nothing having to do with the Wishing Rose here. You know I’ve given up on that dream long ago.” He says with an angry look at the bandits. They smirk at each other before speaking.

“Then you wouldn’t mind if I had a look around, would you?”

Bandit Suga asks then goes around trashing the place. Flipping the table and destroying any kitchenware as the other Bandit keeps the gun pointed at them. After a few minutes of the Woodsman’s home getting destroyed and the Traveler tearing up a bit, the smaller bandit comes back.

“The place really does seem clean. I can’t find any kind of map anywhere.” Bandit Suga says, a little frustrated.

“Well, it looks like this was a whole waste of time.” Bandit Haru says, lifting the gun up and turning away. As they begin to walk, the taller bandit notices the map sticking out of the traveler’s bag. “Hey, what you got there?” He asks, his eyes narrowed in on it. The Traveler is frightened as the taller bandit walks closer to her. “Give that to me.” Bandit Haru reaches forward to grab the map when the Woodsman grabs the bandit’s arm.

“Leave her alone.” He says. The split second he finishes speaking, the gun goes off, shooting the Woodsman in the side. The Woodsman is shocked as Bandit Haru stares at him, a little shocked by his speaking up. The Woodsman falls back and holds himself as the Traveler is shocked. Bandit Haru then turns the gun on the Traveler.

“Hand over the map now or you’ll be next.” He says.

“Take it! Just let me help him!” The Traveler shouts. She quickly hands the map to the Bandits then rushes to the Woodsman’s side. The Bandits look at the map and laugh.

“Looks like our luck has finally come around!” Bandit Suga shouts.

“Let’s get out of here.” Bandit Haru says as they leave the cabin. The Woodsman props himself up as the Traveler puts a rag on his side.

“Are you okay? How bad does it hurt?” She asks, her voice shaking.

“This… is nothing. Living out here in the woods alone, animals tend to take a bite at you every now and then.. I’ll be fine, I’m not worried. But they got your map..” The Woodsman says, obviously in pain but more worried about the map.

“Who cares about the stupid map?” The Traveler says, not worrying about it. The Woodsman then grabs her by the collar and pulls her closer a bit.

“No, you have to get that map back. You cannot let those bandits get that wish! If they do… who knows what might happen next.” He says sternly. The Traveler is confused at first but then gets an understanding look. The Woodsman lets her go and leans back.

“They’ll probably head to the nearby village, my home village, for supplies and the like. Give them some time and distance so they don’t get wise to what you’re doing, then tail them. Get the map back, they cannot have that wish!” he says as the Traveler nods.

She does just that. After some time, she heads back out into the now lighter storm and heads for the village. There, her stomach growls a bit. She looks up to see a sign with a bowl of soup on it. She heads inside the small and worn down inn. There are only two other people sitting at a table and the Cook, Ryuji, behind the bar. She takes a seat at the bar as the Cook approaches her.

“What would you like to eat?” he asks with a smile. She digs in her pockets and pulls out a few small coins and offers them to the cook.

“Whatever this can get me…” she says weakly. The Cook gives her a soft look before pushing her hand back towards her. She looks at him confused as he smiles a bit.

“Wait here. I’ll get you some of the house special today. Free of charge.”

She smiles and nods at him as he walks away towards his large pot over the fire. The Traveler then turns and looks around the small inn when she notices the two people at a table.

They look young, almost children. One is wrapped in a blanket and coughing while the other rubs her back and encourages her to drink a warm drink. The sick girl then starts coughing aggressively and struggles to breathe a little. The Traveler comes over and gently pats her back and also encourages her to drink, so she does, temporarily causing the coughing to stop. 

“Is she okay?” The Traveler asks. The Boy, Daiki, shakes his head with a worried look on his face.

“She hasn’t gotten any better. I’m trying all I can, but she won’t get any less sick. I don’t know what else to do…” The Boy says, anxiety across his face. The kids look worried and sad as the Traveler gets an upset look. She thinks of something to do as she gets an idea.

“How about I tell you guys a story? Just to ease your minds?” She offers. The kids both get slightly excited as they look at the Traveler. The Traveler smiles a bit before speaking.

“A long time ago, there was a powerful fairy. She was beautiful and graceful as she rode the wind that blew through the trees. As time went on and as humankind grew, so did the bad things. Eventually, there were people left behind and forgotten as the kingdoms grew bigger and bigger. So the fairy, with her love for humans and her gentle heart, decided to make a difference. She decided that she would give them a chance to use her powerful magic.” The Traveler says with an exciting tone, making the children’s eyes light up as she continues.

“She went deep into the forest and picked out a flower. It was a beautiful rose that bloomed in the most fantastic way. She picked up the rose and whispered to it, and as she did, the rose shifted and changed until it looked like it was made of crystal.” The children look in awe, eyes shining bright from the imaginative tale. 

“What did she do to the rose?..” The coughing child, Airi asks.

“She enchanted the rose with a single purpose. Anyone who finds it, gets granted one wish of any kind, anything they can think of! After she placed the rose back down, she disappeared, never to be seen again. But not before leaving behind a single clue to the Wishing Rose. A map, made from a single pedal that fell from the rose, that will guide you to it, and once you reunite the map and the rose, you will be granted your wish.” The Traveler tells. The children look excited and happy for a moment before the boy gets a slightly sad look.

“I wish the rose was real…” He says. The Traveler looks around a bit before leaning closer to the children and whispering.

“Want to know a secret?.. I have the map!..” she says, covering her mouth with her hand. The children’s eyes widen.

“You mean…” the boy says. The Traveler nods as they smile.

“Does that mean you’ll make me better with the wish?” The coughing girl asks. The Traveler gets a sad look knowing the map is in the hands of the bandits. 

“I will do everything I can to make you all better.” She gives the sick child a smile as she smiles back. The Cook then brings the Traveler a bowl of stew and places it right in front of her. The Traveler thanks the Cook as he steps back behind the bar. She takes a spoonful of stew before she is interrupted.

“My, that looks mighty tasty. Wish I had a bowl.” The familiar voice causes the Traveler to turn around with a fearful look. She sees the two bandits from before sitting at a table across the room. 

“We knew you’d be here since, well, this is the only place in the village who offers food to the poor.” Bandit Suga says with a chuckle. The Cook gets an upset look.

“What are you two doing here?” He asks.

“Oh, nothing much. Happened across this map to unlimited power but just can’t quite seem to figure out how it works.” Bandit Haru says.

“I mean, it’s just a picture, is this thing even real?” Bandit Suga says, frustrated. The Traveler gets an angry look.

“It is real! I know it is.” She shouts. The Bandits smirk.

“So that must mean you know where this is, right?” Bandit Haru asks. The Traveler sweats.

“No… I don’t know where it is, but I can feel where it is. The map guides me there.” She explains. The Bandits pause for a moment before smirking.

“Great, then you can take us there.” Bandit Suga says. They get up with their guns drawn and grab her by the wrist before pulling her away as the others watch with concerned and sad looks.

Elsewhere in the kingdom, in the King’s throne room. The King, Kuzan, sits upon his throne with his head leaning on his fist. A sad look on his face and a Handmaid, Chizuru, by his side. The King sighs as his Advisor, Kitaro, steps next to him from another room. 

“It’s about that time of the year, sire.” The Advisor says. The King nods softly. “Would you like for me to finally call off the search for your son? It has been many years since his disappearance, perhaps the resources would be of better use elsewhere?” The Advisor offers reluctantly. The King gives a sad look before sighing. Before he can speak, a knight and his lady walk into the throne room and approach the King.

“You can’t call off the search! It’s too soon! He could still be out there!” The Lady, Milo, shouts with a worried look on her face. The Knight, Tsuki, gets an upset look and argues.

“It is unrealistic to assume he would still be alive after ten years. And even if he was, don’t you think he would have returned by this point?” The Knight asks. The Lady gets an upset look as the Advisor hushes the two. He turns back to the King with an understanding look.

“What would you like to do, sire?” The Advisor asks. The King pauses for a moment before speaking.

“If my son has not returned by the next time the moon sits full in the sky on these cold winter nights, we will call off any search efforts attempting to find the prince.” The King commands reluctantly. The Lady thinks for a moment before realizing.

“But that’s less than a week!” She shouts. The King gives her a sad look as tears begin to form in her eyes. She runs out of the room crying as the King motions for the Handmaid to chase after her. She follows quickly, calling her name.

“My lady! Please wait!” The Handmaid calls out as they leave the room. The Advisor and the Knight stand next to each other and watch as they leave. 

“As much as I’d rather he died and not suffered alone in those dark woods, for her sake, I hope he’s alive.” The Knight says harshly but quietly before walking off. The Advisor nods, agreeing.

Back in the woods, the Traveler and the Bandits push through harsh weather and cold winds as the Traveler holds the map in hand. She guides them down a path and through the brush as the Bandits follow close behind. 

“If you’re lying to us, we will leave you out here in the woods to be food for the wolves!” Bandit Haru shouts through the howling winds.

“I wouldn’t! I want to see it too!” The Traveler shouts back. Suddenly, the Traveler stops, and her eyes grow wide as a tall shadow of a Beast stands ahead of her in the trees. 

“Why did you stop?” Bandit Suga asks as a loud growling noise is heard, and the taller bandit looks over, seeing the Beast. He immediately shoots at it, causing it to dart off in another direction.

“Scared it off… Maybe we should take a moment and light a fire in that cave over there!” Bandit Haru shouts, pointing to a small cave a little ways away. They all make their way to the cave, and the smaller bandit starts a fire as the Traveler examines the map. 

“We’re getting close, I can feel it. About north-east from the entrance of the cave.” She says with an excited look. 

“What makes you so sure that’s the direction we need to head in? I mean, there’s nothing even on the map to say so.” Bandit Haru asks, looking at the map.

“Well, I believe… It wants me to find it.” The Traveler says. The Bandits get an unpleased look as they sit for a moment. They look at each other, giving the other a look, then decide to stand up.

“I think we should get moving again then, especially if we’re so close.” Bandit Haru says.

“Yeah, but before that.” Bandit Suga says before suddenly grabbing the map out of the Traveler’s hands and kicking her over. “You’ve been such a big help, but I think we’re gonna leave you for the wolves, anyway.”

They smirk as they rush out of the cave and into the dark, shrouded night. The Traveler rushes after them but quickly loses sight of them. She wanders around in search of them frantically but to no avail. As she rushes through the brush, she trips over a branch and rolls down a small hill, covering her in dirt and scraping her knee in the process pretty badly.

She winces in pain and holds her leg as a small amount of blood drips out of her cut. Three wolves sniff the air and turn around to see the Traveler on the ground. They quickly surround her, growling and barking with hungry looks on their faces.

In real life, on stage, Suiyoubi, Alice and Hisana are in silly wolf costumes as they playfully growl and bark, circling Shiori on the stage. Riku giggles at the fun sight. 

Back in the story, the Traveler looks up with fear as the three wolves circle her. She grabs a branch from the ground and tries to use it to defend herself. They growl and prepare for attack when suddenly, a large beast lands before them.

They jump back as it stands much taller than them. The wolves hesitate for a moment before they charge at it. One jumps up to try to tackle the beast but only bites his shoulder. The beast throws the wolf off and against a tree as another bites his leg from behind and another shoves him down from the side.

He collapses as one wolf claws at him while the other bites hard on his leg. He grabs the wolf on top of him by the neck and lifts it up before throwing it off of him. He then slams his large fist onto the head of the wolf biting his leg. The wolf, now unconscious, is picked up by the scruff of its neck and lifted off the ground.

He turns and faces the final wolf still up. His intense aura causes the wolf to flee in fear. He then drops the wolf and turns to face the Traveler. She watched the entire fight, frozen in fear, with her back against the hill she just fell down.

She finally snaps out of it when she notices the beast, now covered in blood and wounds, step toward her. She swings her stick back and forth until it hits him and breaks on impact. She stares at it for a moment before nervously apologizing. The beast then points at her knee. 

“W-what?..” she asks confused. The Beast just rolls his eyes and grabs her ankle of the other leg and begins dragging her. She yells and shouts in fear as the Beast drags her off into the darkness of the forest.

Back within the castle, the Lady sits on her bed crying as the Handmaid tries to comfort her. 

“Oh, Prince, where have you gone?! You were always such an amazing and generous man! And my one true love!” The Lady admits through dramatic tears. The Handmaid gives her a confused look.

“But aren’t you married to the knight?” She asks.

“He’s nice and all, but the prince is truly handsome.” The Lady says, sniffling a bit. The Handmaid rolls her eyes as the Lady stops crying a bit. “I wish I could just wish him back here. Just one wish, you know?... What would you wish for? If you had just one wish.” The Lady asks the Handmaid softly, trying to distract herself. The Handmaid smiles softly and looks down.

“Well, it might be much for just a simple handmaid to wish for but, if I could even a little, I would help the citizens of the kingdom. Even the farthest villages and sickest people, at least a little.” She admits softly. The Lady gives her a smile as the Handmaid blushes in embarrassment. “Of course, that isn’t my place to say!”

“Oh shush! Your secret is safe with me. And thank you, for comforting me in my moment of vulnerability.” The Lady says, shushing the Handmaid’s embarrassment, calming her down. The Handmaid gives her a soft smile and a nod.