Chasing Dreams (Discontinued)

Chapter 222: God of Thunder

Fighting came naturally to Maija. As a warrior, it was second nature. In the heat of battle, Maija didn't have to think or formulate an elaborate strategic plan. All Maija had to do was swing and hope that her blows were strong enough to keep her opponent down.

Maija leaped from the railing and plunged into the ocean. Even the cold seawater wasn't enough to dampen her excitement. She felt the currents surge beneath her in a pathetic attempt to drag her below.

But Maija ignored them. She fought back by kicking her legs and expanding her arms. She refused to be chained down by the god of the sea. If Seiryuu desired to subvert her from her destiny, then he had to be the one to stop her.

As far as Maija knew, Seiryuu didn't have a chosen vessel. He shared a similar sentiment to Byakko and wished only for a vessel that represented him. And one day, they would grow to become a powerful sage. Naturally, Maija was curious who Seiryuu might have an eye for.

Legends describe Seiryuu as an arrogant and prideful god. He rarely offers his power to mortals believing his gifts are too powerful for humans to withstand.

Maija heard of one warrior picked by Seiryuu. It was a man by the name of Iou. He was the heir to the Tsuki tribe and next in line to become Raja. According to Prisha, Iou was a strange man. Unlike the previous Chiefs, he had no interest in uniting the four tribes or waging war with them. His sole focus was the perseverance of the Fujiwara Clan. The Fujiwara lost many of their people in the wars against the Fumiko. Many royal family members died, and the villagers lost several of the elders, also known as the great wise ones.

After seeing that the clan was slowly dying, Iou proposed the idea of setting out to sea. Of course, most of the tribesmen opposed the idea. How could they abandon their home? The Fujiwara Isles contained not only their history but their heritage as well.

But Iou made sure to remind the people that it wasn't the first time they had set out to sea. Centuries prior, their ancestors traveled from Japan, India, Libya, and the Philippines to join together and strengthen their forces against the Fumiko Clan.

However, among the villagers, only one didn't oppose him, a girl named Homura. She was a descendant of the Agni and Sultan tribe and was tasked with the role of great protector as a member of the Agni Tribe Homura was destined to watch over the royal family. She was to act like a warrior to defend them from any potential harm.

Rumors have it that Homura and Iou's relationship wasn't as clear-cut. Many villagers gossiped that Homura and Iou were lovers, and he secretly took Homura as his second wife.

With Homura's influence, Iou managed to converse with the Gods. The Gods favored him and presented him gifts to aid him in his journey. The wise tortoise-snake Genbu offered his knowledge to Samir, a friend of Iou's younger brother. The vermilion sparrow Suzaku awakened Prisha's mind to the cosmos and the spiritual realm. Chandra promised to clear the skies so they'd be able to sail at night, and Surya swore to make the heat bearable so they wouldn't dehydrate during their travels.

Among the gods, only three differed in opinion. Parvati, Seiryuu and Manasa-Devi. Seiryuu thought it to be cowardly to turn their backs and run from the Fumiko Clan. In comparison, Parvati took abandoning the islands she created as an insult. Manasa-Devi was the only one of the three gods who didn't look upon Iou scornfully. Instead, she looked upon Homura, interested in what the future held for her. Manasa-Devi gave Homura two gifts; an indestructible spear and a red diamond known as the eye of Devi. Manasa-Devi offered it to all the Fujiwara women to protect their minds from the madness of men.

In return, thinking of Iou's preposition as a slight Seiryuu cursed him and his bloodline. Those carrying the blood of Iou in their veins would find themselves dying of an incurable disease that made their flesh as hard as a rock and as scaly as lizard's scales. After Iou's death, Parvati took pity on his children, especially his first wife, Itsue. She was struggling carrying their third child. Seiryuu's curse extended to the unborn child but didn't change Itsue's anatomy in any way.