CHAPTER 17
Megumi sat on the icy floor of the mountain, his head resting against the wall of the great peak. Gripped between his hands was a juicy meat steak, which he hungrily devoured.
It was now night, with the gaze of the moonlight casting a silver glow over everything around him. Above him, the sky was a deep inky canvas, splattered with a million twinkling diamonds—stars scattered like stardust across the vast expanse.
The moon was full, rising like a glowing pearl, full and radiant, casting a faint silver glow. Looming shadows shied away from the light, and in the distance, the massive trees danced to some unheard rhythm.
First, the stream going through the chasm back at the Moonlight Temple, and now the brilliant gaze of the radiant full moon as he sat atop the snow peak. The land of Tsukimori had truly earned its name; there was never a day when the moon failed to impress him.
He enjoyed the view of the magnificent starry night while he savored every bite of the succulent meat he held. At some point, though, he had become so immersed in the beauty of everything around him that he didn't know when he had ended up finishing his savory steak.
"Shit."
He cursed under his breath, his forehead tensed. His face scrowned as he looked at his palms which were now covered in the juice of the meat he had just finished chowing.
He rolled his eyes, leaning his head against the wall of the mountain.
"I really wish I could have more."
He made a wish as he stared at the countless shimmering stars that lay across the boundless sky. It was a simple habit of his; he never really believed in fairy tales until a decade ago. Wishes never came true anyway…
Just as he was done wandering in thought, he heard the subtle sound of footsteps approaching him from the side. He quickly turned his head only to see Yuki approaching him with a smile.
She stopped just a little distance away from him, staring up at the sky.
"It sure is a beautiful night today."
Then, she moved towards the wall and leaned against it, heaving a sigh; she sank to the floor. Soon, she was sitting on the floor with her arm gently wrapped around her knees. And then, just when he least expected it, she reached out and handed him a piece of succulent, juicy, dripping meat.
His mouth was already watering as he stared at the marvelous steak. Wishes really could come true…
He quickly gobbled it down. Yuki chuckled slightly as she watched him. And then, just as he was done, he nodded, his mouth full, and gestured a grateful smile. Then, he turned away and gazed silently at the sky.
Meanwhile, Megumi wiped his lips and reached to his side, grabbing a bottle of water and immediately gulping down its contents, letting out a mild gasp of satisfaction.
'That hit the spot.'
He placed the bottle away, turning toward his friend, who was staring at the star-filled, moonlit sky in the eerie stillness of the night.
He smiled, gently placing his hand on her shoulder.
"What's up, Yuki?"
Silence ensued for a moment, her arms gently wrapping tighter around her knees as she shifted a bit. Her gaze at the night sky remained the same as she finally voiced her words.
"It's nothing, really. I was just... wondering what it must be like training on the mountain with your sister. I... I really wish I could join you guys, but practicing the Great Dragon Sway in a place such as this would be a great risk."
She heaved a sigh, slowly stuffing her face between her knees.
'Great Dragon Sway? So she's already adopted a fighting style best suited for her. Yuki practices the shadow dance, and I'm sure Tsukina has a battle style she's incorporating that's well-suited to her philosophies and abilities…'
He heaved a sigh as he closed his eyes, plastering both of his palms against the sides of his face.
'Man, I really have nothing going for me… Well, I'm good with my fists, and after learning shadow strike, I'll probably have to stick to using my hands in combat for a little while longer. But still, though, I'll have to learn a distinct fighting style soon enough; otherwise, I'll just end up being a walking cliché.'
'What could possibly be worse than your opponent knowing your very moves before you could even get to perform them?'
After a while, he slowly got up from the icy floor. He stretched out his arms, yawning as he gazed into the distance of looming shadows scattered in the wake of night.
He gently tapped Yuki on the shoulder, drawing her attention.
Her words a few minutes ago lingered in his mind, and he truly understood just how she felt—it was the feeling of being left behind; perhaps you could even call it weakness. Either way, it was a feeling he really dreaded.
He got down on his knees and stared at her straight in the eye, a solemn expression on his face.
"Well, what do you know, Yuki? The move Rikiyo is teaching me is actually a move derived from the shadow dance, so it can be seamlessly woven into any battle art."
He chuckled slightly, then added:
"You should have asked earlier."
Instantly, Yuki's eyes lit up as she jumped to her feet, her voice beaming with excitement.
"Really?"
Megumi nodded his head in affirmation, and then they had a few more minutes of chatter and pointless banter before finally returning to their resting point on the plateau.
*********
The horizon blazed in the wake of morning, the sky painted orange with faint streaks of gold, and the clouds tinged pink. The sun burst free, its rays fanning out like whispers, casting away looming shadows.
Just forty meters above the ground on a magnificently perilous icy mountain, a boy was sitting on the floor of a carefully carved path with his legs crossed and his hands placed together. His eyes were closed, and his face was writhing in pain.
Soon, though, he opened his eyes, drawing in hoarse breaths as he placed his hands on the floor to keep himself from falling. A considerable smile was drawn across his face, and then, just as he finally mustered enough strength, he opened his mouth wide and yelled at the top of his lungs.
"I finally did it!"