"Mom Mr. Satso says I'm prepared for the trials" Kayori says absentmindedly. "Honey you know you need a partner and it wouldn't be good for the family name if your sister didn't join you" my mother says. "I don't believe in the trials. I've told you" I say exasperated with this stupid topic. "No, you just can't use your powers" Kayori spits annoyed.
Well she is right.
"Whatever, I'm heading out" I say.
For the fifth time this week I've come to the wind temple. Five hundred and fifty two stairs to go. At least I could say I was in good shape. Once I reached the temple I come to see my favorite monk for some practice.
"why is it we only do this dumb dance"? I ask as I move slowly and gracefully. "Well I've never been able to get you to use your powers" he says. I frown. He's right. I'll never be able to enter the trials. "I think you need a break. You should take a hike tomorrow. Sit in the woods and meditate" he says. "I don't want to meditate, I want to use my powers and enter the stupid trials so I can make everyone happy". I storm out. Around the three hundredth stair my hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
"You can't use wind, because it's not your element".
"You don't know that"
"Everyone can read your wind aura. They see no power. But I can see what you're meant for" the voice says. Am I going to get kidnapped. "Hike the Hideki trail tomorrow if you want to find out more" he says and with that there was no presence and silence.
When I got back home my mother and father we're sitting by the door waiting for me. "We need to talk Kana". My heart dropped. Oh no, what did I do this time? Did they know I skipped all my lessons this month. No they'd of killed me already. "We've found you a suitor" my mother states. I stand there in mainly disgust. "Excuse me, what"? I say in shock. My father pipes up "you cant enter the trials with your sister, you'll never be ready. You have nothing in your aura sweetie. So we can get you out of the trials by finding you a husband that will publicly announce that he won't let you in them". The breath I was holding is caught in my throat. I'm getting married? Oh there is no way that's happening. "Okay" I say with a nod. "Is he cute at least"? I ask, knowing dang well I'm gonna be running away. "Yes I made sure he'd be extra cute. He's the son of the flame emperor. Our family name carried us very far on our search" my mother says excitedly. I nod. "Okay".
During dinner my sister excitedly asked questions about who could do the trials with her "cousin Hairo"? "Yes you may take him" my father says. "I can't believe you're gonna marry a prince. Maybe you'll be a queen" she says. "Well not quite. You know how it is, they have multiple wives" my father says dejected. My heart sinks farther into the floor. "Oh" my sister says. "I'm sure he'll be good to me" I say with a smile. Yeah you guys keep thinking that. You're crazy if I'm gonna be in someone's trophy collection.
After dinner I helped clean and my sister expressed her sympathy. After another couple hours I got to work. I packed my bag. I have no idea when the emperor's men will be here to "collect" me. I packed my essentials and quietly climbed out of my second story window. I clung to the birch as I slowly descended. I could hear my parents speaking on the porch. "She's going to be unhappy and we'll never see her again" my father says. "We can't afford to tarnish our name" my mother says leaving no room for argument. They continued to bicker. I climbed the rest of the way down. I quietly snuck off into the woods.
Silently praying nobody would catch me I began my ascent to the Hadeki trail. I allowed myself to be soothed by the silence. This guy wasn't even here. I need to use this time to run far and fast. I began to turn. But what if he is right? I can't come from a line of power users and be utterly useless? Something has to be different about me.
"It's a genetic mutation"
The voice says scaring me half to death. "Where are you" I ask into the woods. I turn to look at the rest of the trail and see a tall black figure. "Who are you"? I ask exasperated. "I'm Satsumo. " He says stately. "Ok, remind me why I'm here" I say annoyed at his cheerful voice. "I want to show you something" he says. I walk forward to meet him. He wore a black baggy cloak pants and sandels.
