The Sky Beast

Prologue

Prologue

Her chin upturned to the navy sky, the wind brushed against her cold cheek as her dark eyes focused on the stars above. She closed her eyes, inhaled the sweet smell of grass, wet from the earlier rain shower. Another gust of wind ruffled against her, her hands flattened down at the torn kimono around her shoulders, exhaled as she shivered at the cold.

Her toes dug into the damp soil, the long blades tickled against her bare, pale legs. The young woman was alone, the mud and blood painted onto her body in long streaks and splotches.

At the end of the clearing, the woman dipped her head down at the glow of light in the distance. She inhaled once more, this time in an attempt of confidence.

The glow revealed the lights of a hundred men, their hands wielded deadly weapons. Sickles, katanas, spears, bows and arrows drawn ready for release. In front of the lights, she heard the quick patter of feet against the soft soil, her ear twitched to the noise that echoed in the wind. Her dark eyes sharpened as the archers took their arm, awaited the command.

A horse dressed in armour trotted forward, the General rode on top, his fellow soldiers followed him loyally, a herd with its shepherd.

The General removed his decorated helmet, the large object rested on top of his knee. The woman spotted a tear among the fabric connected to the armour, two strands separated delicately at the tip. A man with a torch walked forward, the glow radiated, revealed the General’s contorted expression.

His mouth opened, a bark followed. “Ketsuryū!”

The woman stared at him; the wind caused her long, black silk hair to fall over her shoulder. The kimono ruffled against her body.

The horse circled, the General forced his expression upon her. “Ketsuryū! On the order of the Emperor, you are to be brought to him immediately! Do not resist!”

The woman rolled back her shoulders, the gentle crack against her neck and collarbone released a sigh of relief. The General’s aged face stared at the woman, his hand reached for his katana. It unsheathed, the blade raised high above his head. “Attack!”

The roar of the army behind him erupted as the archers tilted back, the drawstring released. A storm of arrows soared into the air, the light of the crescent moon revealed black dots of rain towards the woman.

The woman’s head tilted forward, another sigh escaped her lips. She released her grip on the kimono, the torn fabric dropped to the ground. She stood bare, the wind against her body, the blood splatter dried against her face.

A crack of a contented smile appeared on the General’s lips as he watched the arrows soar, his army behind him charged. They had planned this beforehand, the strategy was his idea.

The Emperor would reward him well.

Suddenly, the ground shook violently. The horse reared back, threw the General to the ground before it fled back down the mountain. The armour was heavy; he struggled getting to his feet, but remained flat in the mud.

“Earthquake!” soldiers around him cried out. The General turned his head, his eyes widened in shock.

Before him, the ground separated into a variety of cracks. Pieces of ground rubble flew about. He pushed himself onto his elbows as he witness the rubble pierce through the soldiers’ bodies, their screams echoed in the mountain air.

“Retreat!” he roared over the screams as he pushed himself to his feet. He looked on, the katana held tightly in his hand.

Before him, a scaled monster hovered where the woman had once been; its body weaved with the wind. He watched the transformation from the tail towards the head, the white that beamed with each part of its body. The head was stoic, its golden eyes narrowed at the General’s direction.