Niseko Quest

As we join our heroes they have left the comfort of their families and homeland. They find themselves in a foreign land, searching for happiness and adventure. This tale takes place a few months into said adventure. It depicts the ageless struggle between man and nature and takes part in the setting of Niseko.

In the land of Nihon, on an island in the far north, two heroes established a new life. These lives were full of curiosity, love, and exploration. Our heroes had found peace and love in this new land, but forces around them were changing. Temperatures dropped, the green life around died, and a new foul beast had invaded. Tiny cold, and frozen without any hope of warmth. Alone the beast is harmless and almost beautiful as it descends from the skies. The beast however is rarely alone and often innumerable. They fly down from the darkened skies to cover all in whiteness and to steal the very heat from your body.

Now, our heroes are not afraid of these beasts and welcome them. They don their armor to protect their precious heat. They bind their feet with boards to slice and rip through as many of these beasts as possible. Their new home of Sapporo is now completely overrun with the frozen beasts. Our heroes do what they can and take several trips to the peaks of local mountains to slay as many beasts as possible. The journey to this new land was long and not all weaponry could be brought. The people of Sapporo are no novices to the frozen menaces and allow the heroes to resupply with stunning new equipment. Defending their new home has been a worthy endeavor, but whispers on the wind speak of a village buried in the white beasts.

The heroes hear of a village by the name of Niseko and its plight with the frozen beasts. They know what they must do and prepare for the journey ahead. A metal steed takes them toward the besieged village. Passing through the rising steam waters of Jozankei, to the roots of the mighty Mount Yotei. Yotei defies the beasts and rises above the clouds the beasts are birthed from, as a monument to be seen for miles in every direction. The heroes successfully make it to their lodgings of the name Snow Dog Village. Greeted with great hospitality the heroes dine at a local establishment by the name of Ichi Ichi. After the welcome meal, it is time to sleep, for the following day they will battle the wicked creatures.

Annupuri and Niseko Village are the names of the first day's battlegrounds. The people of Niseko have built many ways to summit the mountain and gain an advantage over the sea of white beasts. For gravity and the hero's movements combine to slash and dislodge the beasts from their gathering spots. The heroes spend hours doing what they can to the beasts. Even the greatest of heroes and riders get fatigued from the relentless carving and slashing. They have given a mighty fight on this first encounter and they shall return after a day's rest. Upon their return to the lodging, they dine at a local izakaya to regain their strength. Upeshi Seta is a warm hero's delight, with many good plates and flowing alcohol. The first day's battle is a success, but only the beginning of another fight to come.

The beasts may be tiny and without heat or life, but the fighting and riding cause much exhaustion. The heroes must take a day of rest. This is a perfect time to explore the nearby village of Hirafu. The heroes regain their strength with a heavenly soup curry from Tsubara Tsubara. The spiced broth is littered with local vegetables and meat that can hardly be contained by the bowl. With the warmth in their bellies, they continue to explore the village. Shops, housing, lodges, and restaurants are abundant. As the heroes explore the cunning beasts replenish their numbers and with every passing moment thousands of the white beasts plummet from the dark skies. Their numbers and height increase most rapidly.

An early rise and a kind ride from their hosts to the slopes of the Hirafu mountain. The beasts are numerous and deep, but the heroes carve and rip them from their resting places. Many great turns and war cries are shared between the heroes. The white beasts fight back as the heroes ride through the ranks. Flinging themselves recklessly all around the heroes, trying to blind and steal their heat. The heroes gain a sense of peace and serenity as they ride through the countless depths and clouds of the white beasts. The battles are long and many and the heroes ride with all their effort and emotion. The heroes replenish themselves at a lodge deep in the heart of the mountain. Bo-Yo-So provides the heroes with warm ramen to fight off fatigue and the cold. Heat from the ramen cleanses their half-frozen faces. The heroes regain some fight and continue to attack the beasts with fury. Their efforts are valiant and yet there are still too many.

The heroes have done what they can and have enjoyed the contest. Many more heroes will defend Niseko this winter and the beasts will eventually succumb to the power of the sun. It is time for the heroes to return to Sapporo and defend their new home once more. The frozen beasts have not been removed from the area, but the locals and heroes alike have learned how to fight them and welcome the onslaught. Niseko is a magical village and our heroes shall return whenever the mountain villages are in need of defending.