A story untold

The ride in the stars was as enchanting and magical as it sounds. One would get to choose from the few exotic soul animals that would help them complete this voyage with ease and comfort. Then a path would be laid out to connect the land with the heavens. This was no ordinary road. It was made of the finest pearls, with gems and precious stones scattered all over. It was luminous. It shone with a brilliant gleam made up of several colors at once. To prepare for the ride one had to take the purifying shower under the souther spring in the northeastern mountain. Though the journey was a nocturnal one, it diverged beyond time after the first space bent. As a result, the voyage lasted for almost around three days and nights instead of just one night. It was an experience of a life time. This bent in space took place only once a year, hence everything had to be prepared before even the start of the completions. Both the winners was super excited about it. But little did they know that this bent in space was about to bend the course of their lives forever as well.

The prince from the east was called Jin. He was the most famous pupil of his time. He excelled in every possible aspect. He had the most handsome face,the most well sculpted body, the strongest arms, the sharpest mind and the most courteous manners. His popularity was not only amongst the students but the teachers alike. Girls literally drooled after him.

On the other hand, the Western princess was an introvert, smart but not very popular, mostly feared or envied for her position, pampered and spoilt, though very beautiful never did she actually dressed up unless the occasion demanded her to.There was one aspect where she was on par with Jin, that is her expertise and skills. She was trained by her father since she was a baby, hence it was no wonder. Everytime her father called out her name, "Nanako, you can do it" she felt there was nothing impossible in the universe for her to achieve.

None of these two children, so full of life, had ever imagined that they would both end up in the transitional space, repenting, reflecting and rectifying grudges from the past. Jin, now a disappearing soul, stuck in the lonely tower in the last of the mist, scuffling and crumbling, trying to decipher the distortions inside his own head. Nana, on the other hand, though still alive , cursed with the sight of the future, now temporarily giving company to Mia, in the world where no living can go.

Their story began at a slow pace. After the finale, where they exchanged their first words, they both kept thinking about each other all night. They seemed different from the prejudices their families had of each other. The next day was the auspicious day for the ride. They both had to get themselves cleansed at the spring before attending the departure ceremony. As they rushed to the mountains, Jin had some followers tug behind as usual. Nanako felt very awkward taking the dip with audiences present around. Jin could sense that and offered the spot all to her as he took the group a few spots away. Soon after he came to take his turn and found Nanako long gone. They saw each other at the departure ceremony. Nanako intentionally ignored him, as she had a strange feeling everytime he was around. Jin however could not take his eyes off Nana as she was all decked up in traditional royal attire, dazzling and beautiful.

"This must be the first woman to ignore you" Jin's friends teased him. He took no notice. They kept on pushing and pushing until pride got the better of him and he burst out "fine, you will see after the ride is over".

" You bet? " His friends pushed harder.

"Sure thing" He replied and then marched towards the departure platform along with Nana.

Jin had a panther as his ride and Nanako had an eagle. With a brilliant explosion of water and lights, they darted off towards the stars, twinkling far away.

Across the galaxies, away from the world, sweeping past meteors, floating beyond space, they smiled and laughed together, as time slowly faded away. They talked about this and that. It seemed like they had known eachother forever. They gazed at each other's stary eyes , floating around in nothingness. Three days, seemed like moments and it was finally time to return.

Soon after they returned, they got busy with their respective training in their respective camps. They hardly had much interaction though they both craved it. Jin's friends kept pestering about his challenge, but he dismissed it. However they had not given up on it entirely.They were looking constantly for a loophole to create mischief. And soon enough they found their chance when they had to go

hunting in the wastelands, in groups. The wastelands were full of filthy and hideous creatures from the netherworld. Though it was part if their training, many had failed to complete this rigourous task. Fate had it and hence both Jin's and Nanako's camps were paired up for the job. In the fields they had a hard time. Fearlessly chopping and killing the creatures, but two of their members got seriously injured, forcing them to camp there for the night. Jin's friends grabbed the opportunity and fed both of them with the nether-berries. Those were known to intoxicate it's eater and arose their erotic desires. Both Jin and Nanako, unaware of the drug, gobbled down their food. Soon they were left alone by the others. One thing led to another and they ended up sleeping with each other. Though they both had feelings for each other, none was ready to take that a leap. Moreover neither of them were aware of what they were doing. It was bound to lead misfortune instead of bliss. Their story was doomed even before it could bloom. The next morning came in, but it ushered many a evil along with it.