Princess Mononoke

~The Wolf God's Warning~

Time had passed and the sun had set. The wolf tribe offered shelter to Ashitaka for the night. But while he slept he felt his arm shocked with pains and he shuddered, sweat dripping down his face. He awoke slowly, and turned his head to see San, sleeping soundly, curled up at his side. As he watched her his arm burned again. He grabbed it by the wrist and groaned. Unable to sleep he stood and walked out of the shelter, onto a cliff bathed in silver moonlight.

Moro spoke from a perch above him,
"You know you could always jump. End it all. As soon as your strength returns that mark will spread and destroy you"
"It feels like I've been asleep for weeks... I dreamt that San was by my side... she nursed me."
"I was hoping you would cry out in your sleep, so I could bite your head off to silence you"
"It's a beautiful forest. Are Okkoto and the boars on the move yet?"
"Yes. The boars are marching. The trees cry out as they die, but you cannot hear them. I lie here listening to the pain of the Forest and feel the ache of the bullet in my chest and I dream of the day when I will finally get to crunch that gun woman's head in my jaws" "Moro, why can't the humans and the forest live together? Why can't we stop the fighting now?"
"The humans are gathering for the final battle, and the flames of their guns will burn us all"
"And what of San? Do you plan on just letting her die with you?"
"Typical. Selfish. You think like a human. San is my daughter and she is of the Wolf tribe. When the forest dies so does she."
Ashitaka couldn't bear this thought and begged the Wolf God, "You must set her free! She's not a wolf she's a human!"
"Silence boy!" Moro growled "How dare you speak to a God like that! Her human parents defiled my forest and then they threw their baby at my feet as they fled. Instead of eating her I raised her as my own. Now, my poor, ugly, beautiful daughter is neither wolf nor human. How could you help her?"
"I don't know" he said sullenly "But at least I may find a way for us both to live"
Moro cackled "How? Will you join forces with San and fight the humans?"
"No. That will only cause more hatred"
"There is nothing you can do. The demon mark is going to spread and kill you. Leave this place at sunrise. Return, and I will kill you"

San awoke suddenly to the sound of rustling, Ashitaka making his way back to where she lay. He sat next to her.
"You're feeling alright?" She asked softly.
He gasped not realizing she was awake and faced her, smiling "I'm fine... thanks to you. And the Forest Spirit."
She sighed happily and closed her eyes again, falling back asleep. He pulled his blanket over here and let himself rest again at her side. But when he awoke the following morning her, the pups, and Moro were gone.

He dressed and found Yakul. "Sorry if I worried you" he said jumping down to where the elk stood. But when he landed his legs gave out and he landed on his backside. "Guess my legs are still weak huh?" He lightly chuckled.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw one of the pups. He lifted himself onto Yakul's back and followed the wolf through a path in the forest. "It's so quiet" he spoke to himself, "I wonder where our friend the little Kodama went?"
They came across what was once the river, but covered in a bed of boulders. "I can smell the ironworks".
He turned to face the pup, now seated behind him, and called out, "Thank you for showing us the way, but I have one more favor to ask" He pulled the crystal dagger necklace from his neck "Will you please give this to San for me?" He tossed it and the wolf caught it with it's teeth. It trotted away. Ashitaka sighed.
"Let's go".