"Fate's Unraveling: A Tale Beyond the Stars"

Chapter 20: The Road to Kutou

Miaka’s heart raced as she snuck quietly out of the house, the darkness of the night shielding her from view. She couldn’t stay. The fear that Yui or Isuna might be the one they were searching for gnawed at her insides, and she couldn’t risk putting anyone else in harm’s way. With every step she took, she hoped her decision was right, even though she knew deep down it might not be.

She made her way toward the edge of the village, taking a well-known shortcut through the dense forest that led to Kutou. Her breath hitched as the familiar woods loomed around her, the night alive with the rustling of unseen creatures. Miaka forced herself to keep moving, the weight of her mission heavier than the fear that crept up her spine.

Suddenly, the sound of something crashing through the underbrush stopped her in her tracks. Before she could react, a massive tiger leaped from the shadows, its glowing eyes fixed on her. Miaka’s breath caught in her throat, and instinctively, she drew the sword at her side, though her hands trembled. She swung it in a desperate arc, trying to fend off the beast, but it was too fast. The tiger batted her weapon aside with one swipe, knocking her to the ground.

Panic rose in her chest as the tiger advanced, but before it could strike again, a blur of motion caught her eye. Tamahome.

He appeared like a flash of lightning, his figure slicing through the air as he kicked the tiger back, sending it crashing into a tree. It growled but retreated, sensing the power in Tamahome’s presence.

“Tamahome!” Miaka gasped, her voice hoarse as she tried to sit up, her body aching from the fall. “What are you doing here?”

He knelt beside her, his expression a mixture of concern and determination. “I should be asking you that,” he replied, his voice soft but stern. “You’re not alone in this. I’m here to protect you.”

Miaka pushed herself up, shaking her head in frustration. “I don’t want to cause you any more trouble. You should go back.”

Tamahome’s blue eyes softened, and his hand gently brushed aside a strand of her hair. “I don’t care about trouble. I care about you,” he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “I promised I’d protect you, Miaka. And I will, no matter what.”

She hesitated, torn between her stubbornness and the warmth in his words. Finally, her shoulders slumped in defeat. She knew he wouldn’t leave her. Not now.

“I’m... I’m too hungry to move,” she muttered, trying to hide her embarrassment. “Can you bring me some food from my horse?”

Tamahome gave her a brief, reassuring smile. “Of course.” He stood and turned toward her horse, not knowing that Miaka had already made up her mind. As soon as he turned his back, she pushed herself to her feet, her legs unsteady but determined. She couldn’t let him follow her, not this time.

She ran, her breath ragged as she darted into the forest, hoping to lose him. After a few moments, she spotted a wagon heading toward the next village. Without thinking twice, she climbed aboard, praying it would take her far enough away.

---

Back at the village, Tamahome found the spot where Miaka had been, only to see her footprints leading into the woods. His heart sank. He called out her name, but the only answer was the soft rustle of the wind.

Realizing she had gone ahead, he mounted her horse, spurring it forward, determination in his eyes. “I won’t let you run off alone, Miaka.”

---

At the palace, Hotohori paced the floor of his chambers, his brow furrowed with worry. His advisors hovered nearby, watching his every move. “She’s gone,” Hotohori said, his voice heavy with frustration. “We need to send soldiers after her.”

His chief advisor, an elderly man with sharp eyes, stepped forward. “Your Majesty, sending soldiers to find her would be considered an act of aggression against Kutou. It could worsen the war.”

“But she’s in danger!” Hotohori protested, clenching his fists. “I can’t just sit here while Miaka is out there alone.”

“We understand, Your Majesty,” another advisor said, bowing. “But there is little we can do without risking open conflict.”

Hotohori’s shoulders slumped in resignation. “We can’t let her slip away like this.”

---

Miaka finally arrived at the gates of Kutou, her heart pounding with the reality of her situation. The city loomed before her, its tall walls and towering gates seeming like an insurmountable barrier. She took a deep breath and approached the guards at the gate.

“State your business,” one of the guards demanded, his voice gruff.

“I’m... I’m the Priestess of Seiryuu,” Miaka said, her voice wavering as she tried to sound convincing. “I need to speak with the emperor immediately.”

The guards exchanged skeptical glances, but before they could respond, Chichiri appeared, his presence a quiet shadow in the background. With a subtle wave of his hand, he froze the guards in place, their bodies stiffening like statues.

Miaka didn’t waste any time. She hurried through the gates, but before she could get far, a booming voice echoed from behind her.

“What is the meaning of this?” a general demanded, breaking the spell with a flick of his own power. The guards unfroze, and all eyes turned to Miaka. “Who are you?”

Miaka straightened her posture, despite the nervous flutter in her chest. She met the general’s gaze, her voice steady now. “I am the Priestess of Seiryuu.”

The general’s eyes narrowed, and after a long moment of silence, he gave a curt nod. “Then I shall escort you to the emperor immediately.”

Miaka’s heart raced, her mind spinning with the consequences of her actions. She had made her claim, and now she would face whatever came next.