Red River Fan Fiction ❯ A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE ❯ Vol 4 Chap 1 The Lord of Darkness ( Chapter 14 )

A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE

OR

WHERE THE RED FIRE AND RED RIVER MEET

 

 

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Miyuki Kanzaki.

 

Notes: Already three volumes treated. Wow! I'm good!

 

 

Vol 4 Chap 1:The Lord of Darkness.

 

 

The story thus far:

 

The main characters:

 

Miyuki: Long black hair and emerald eyes. She was a third-year middle schooler. She was also a powerful Miko (Japanese priestess) fighting with a group of friends to protect the Nexus, a dimensional gate to other worlds. She was kidnapped and brought by Queen Nakia to ancient Anatolia (Hittite kingdom).

 

Kail: Blond hair and amber eyes. He is the third prince of the Hittite Empire. He holds the rank of a high-priest.

 

Queen Nakia: Long blond hair and violet eyes. She is trying to sacrifice Miyuki to bring her own Prince-son to the throne. She is a high-priestess of the Storm-God Teshub.

 

What happened before:

 

Miyuki is an atypical high school student.

The night, she fights as a Miko with the “Circle”, a group of super-powered friends dedicated to protect the “Nexus”, a gateway to other worlds.

But, out of a sudden, while happily dating, she is pulled into a puddle of water.

 

When she awakes, she finds herself in the ancient Hittite Empire.

She has been brought over through time and space as part of a scheme conceived by the Queen Nakia.

 

Being targeted by the Queen, cut off her powers as a priestess, while in danger Miyuki is saved by Prince Kail and is acknowledged as his concubine.

She is kept under his care in his palace.

 

Miyuki needs to fulfil three conditions to be able to return to the 20th century and her duties.

 

Firstly: She needs the strength of a High Priest such as Prince Kail.

Secondly: She must wait for the 7 spring wells of Hattusa to be filled up.

Lastly: Miyuki must wear the same clothes as when she came to the ancient world.

However, those clothes are inside the Queen's palace.

So Miyuki and Prince Kail's servant Tito sneak into the palace.

 

However Tito is killed in an attempt to save Miyuki. Thus, Miyuki swears a blood oath to avenge Tito's death before returning to Japan.

Because of this, she finds herself blocked in ancient Middle-East for one year.

 

With Prince Kail's aptitude, the people worships Miyuki as the avatar of Ishtar, the Goddess of War.

Unfortunately, it has the side-effect to draw the attention of the Hittite Pantheon to the young girl.

Prince Kail's and his brother's vision is to create a peaceful world without war.

Due to her partial revenge for Tito, Miyuki hold the secret of iron that could greatly help the two princes' vision.

 

But the Queen wishes to break up the relationship, so by controlling Prince Zannanza through spells she makes him kidnap Miyuki.

Thanks to Miyuki's cleverness, Prince Zannanza returns to his normal self.

However now they are faced with the sudden attacks from Mitanni.

 

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Zannanza, fourth Prince of the Hittites wasn't feeling very optimist about the threat against his land. “We can't allow the Mitanni armies to enter our land. We must mobilize our forces immediately.”

 

At his side, the Japanese Miko Miyuki raised an eyebrow. “Doesn't Kizzuwadna have any soldiers?”

 

Around them fires continued to consume the houses. Zannanza shoo his head. “Not enough to hold back the Mitanni flood. They'll need the help of our armies.” The blond young man thought about the situation. There must be a solution! He frowned. “Miyuki… Can you get out of the city on your own?”

 

Miyuki blinked. “What?” `He wants me to escape? Alone? I will not abandon the people of this place or him like that!'

 

Zannanza turned to the long black-haired girl. “Kail must know of this invasion! Can you find him without my help?”

 

The emerald-eyed girl considered the idea. “Yes…I think so, but… What are you going to do?”

 

The amber-eyed man frowned as he looked to the bodies of the dead. “If I don't act, Kizzuwadna will fall to the Mitanni this day. I will gather our border troops and buy Kail some time.” He nodded to himself. “But you must get word of this to him!”

 

Miyuki's eyes narrowed in concentration. `If Kail used my `gift'…he should be in the vicinity.' “But, I don't know how long it is going to take me to find him.”

 

Zannanza smiled a little. “Oh, I'm sure Kail will be nearer than what you think.” `He loves you too much.'

 

Miyuki blinked. “Huh?”

 

Zannanza retired his seal from his ring-finger. “Take this with you. It will give you or my brother full authority to my men in Kanesh. My brother can be with them in two days.” He put the ring in the hand of the surprised young girl and closed it around the precious seal. “Our outpost here is protected by strong walls. I'll hold out for as long as I can behind them.” He looked grimly in the emerald eyes. “But you must get to Kanesh in one day, Miyuki.”

 

`One day…' The student gulped as she understood the enormous responsibility. `It took us TWO days to get here from Kanesh. Can I make it there in one?'

 

She clenched tightly her borrowed sword. There was really only one answer to that. “I'll make it!” Her eyes shone with her determination. “No matter what, I'll be back here with Prince Kail in three days.”

 

Zannanza pointed his finger to the night sky. “Good. Kanesh lies north of here. Just follow the Lone North Star.”

 

The Japanese priestess turned to see where he was pointing. “The Lone North Star? Oh, you mean Polaris.” She nodded. “I got it.”

 

Zannanza hesitated. “Miyuki…” He grabbed her hand. “Wait a moment.” The teenager stopped and turned to the fourth prince. “I'm sorry for getting you into this.” The amber eyes were full of shame. “I've wronged you terribly.”

 

Miyuki reddened a little. The raid and the fight with the Mitanni soldiers had made her forgot for a time her near-rape at his hands. “Uhm, well…”

 

“Forgive me. I don't know why I said those things.” He frowned as he examined his emotions. “I respect my brother deeply, but I said I envied him.” He looked down. “Perhaps, deep down I do.”

 

Miyuki frowned and took her decision. “Don't worry. That was just the Queen's spell talking!” She reached and forced the surprised prince to look into her eyes. “I don't hold it against you.” She smiled sadly. “Do you really think that there is no darkness in my heart too?” `Or I would not envy the future wife of Kail.' The young man blinked. “This Rose Water took advantage of something deep down in you perhaps. But choices are where we are human. It is your choices that make you who you are and not some mind control spell.” She smiled to the bewildered prince. “I'll see you soon. And good luck.”

 

“Miyuki!” `A darkness in her heart?'

 

“I promise I'll be back in three days!” The Miko began to run. `I still remember the feel of his hands on my body, but…' She especially remembered her shame to have been aroused by the ministrations of the possessed prince. `How can I hate a man who looks like Prince Kail?' In fact, she was much angry with her traitorous flesh than with the victimized fourth prince.

 

Zannanza could only saw the young girl disappeared among the streets. “Miyuki…”

 

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Using the chaos around her, Miyuki managed to find some food to replenish her strength, an abandoned horse and a dark toga to hide her features. However, there were other obstacles to her mission. She approached the third gate she had visited so far.

 

`Damn it! Here also, Mitanni soldiers are guarding the city gates.' She knew she could fight against a group of soldiers, but here also, they were too numerous. `How can I get past them?' Her unfamiliarity with the city prevented her to find an unguarded exit.

 

“NO! STOP!” The feminine scream drew her attention. A group of three soldiers was attacking a woman and a child. The intention of the soldiers was easily perceptible. “PLEASE! DON'T HURT MY SON!”

 

A soldier shoved rudely the boy who was attempting to help his mother. “It's not the brat we want.”

 

The emerald eyes almost glowed with an internal firestorm as Miyuki witnessed the scene. “Grrr!” Her thumb readied her sword out of the scabbard. She winced. `No, I can't. I have no time to lose. I can't get involved in this.'

 

“OOOH!” The scream filled with despair pierced her heart. `Screw this! I'm going to crush some `nuts'!' She whirled around, toga falling and sword almost out of the sheath. But a hand reached from the alley behind her and pulled her in.

 

The young girl found herself facing some women and children. A mature woman was the one who had drew her in this darkened alley. “Don't go over there. I know you pity the woman, but you can't help her.”

 

“What?” `Who are they?'

 

The woman sighed. “If you go there, you will share her fate.”

 

Miyuki blinked and detailed the people hidden. `These women must be locals.' “Do you know her? How can you let her…”

 

A young mother with some burns was squeezing her baby on her heart. “Yes, we know her, but what can we do? This always happens in war.” Miyuki looked back in dismay at the horrible scene. “The soldiers burn our houses, rape us women, and steal our valuables.” She had read about those things in some historic novels, but this was reality. “And we can only hide like rats.”

 

Words from the Prince Kail echoed in her mind. `“I shall rule the Empire with justice. We shall neither invade other lands, nor allow our lands to be invaded.”' She remembered how those words had deeply touched her heart. `“I wish to rule a peaceful empire.”' The serious visage of the amber-eyed blond man was etched in her memory. “Prince Kail…”

 

The soldiers laughed as they continued to manhandling the young woman. “AAAGH!”

 

The young boy was desperately trying to reach his mother. “Mommy!”

 

This time, the young girl actually snarled in rage. “Stay out of it!” The mature woman was trying to restrain the teenager. “There's nothing you can do about it.”

 

“NO!” The woman screamed as she saw a soldier lifting a sword against her son.

 

The Mitanni soldier was feeling a little blood-thirsty. “You're beginning to annoy me, brat!” He seized the boy.

 

It was too much for the Miko. “I can't stand by and let this happen.” She rushed out.

 

The mature woman was dismayed. “Wait, girl!”

 

In the deep shadows in the vicinity of the scene, a tall masculine silhouette smiled. “Well, Miko, we're going to see what you are made of.”

 

The young woman yelled as she was maintained on the ground by two men. “AAAH!”

 

Miyuki jumped in the air. The soldier holding the young boy blinked as something fell on him. He saw a delicate fist coming to his face then he saw or felt nothing more for some time.

 

The two soldiers molesting the woman turned to the sound of a body hitting the ground to witness the young girl reaching for the beam of the ruined barn above them and using it to hit both of them with her feet, forcing them off the young woman.

 

Miyuki drew her sword as the two Mitanni soldiers recovered. “How dare you?!”

 

Rage burned in her emerald eyes. “No, soldier, how dare YOU?!” She camped herself in a low crouching attack posture. The shadows, in the destroyed barn they were, were too dense so she let them the initiative.

 

The soldiers didn't seem to be fazed by the darkness as they flanked the young girl. Miyuki perceived fire reflecting on their blades and reacted. Due to her nocturnal activities, she had learned how to fight with impaired vision. In fact, back in Tokyo, Lina had taken a full day to spar with her with a blindfold.

 

Metal clashed with metal as the lethal dance began. Miyuki didn't look to her adversaries: She listened to the whispers of her intuition. Eyes and ears could easily be misdirected in the darkness.

 

Taunts, however, were useful. “You weasels like to pick on girls? Try me!”

 

The men were prideful and enraged that they had been interrupted. They charged recklessly, counting on the shadows to mask their offensive. Miyuki parried a slash and circled around the arm to evade the thrust of the other soldier. The surprised soldier withdrew his arm but she followed in point-blank range. “Hey!” The handle of her sword hit the chin of the man in a vicious uppercut: The soldier almost flew out of the barn under the attack.

 

Thinking he had the perfect opening, the other soldier charged to the back of the young girl. Miyuki jumped in a backward flip above the rushing man. “Wha…” She cut across the exposed back in a diagonal slash, severing the spine. She had no mercy for men like that.

 

The mature woman blinked as she witnessed the amazing swordsmanship. “She's good!” For a moment, she had feared that it was the end of the courageous girl when she was fighting blind in the shadows and then… “Cut them up, girl!”

 

The remaining soldier blanched as his adversary walked calmly out of the barn with her bloodied sword and emerald eyes shining like those of a predator. He helped his dizzied comrade on his feet and retreated. “Let's go… We'll get her later.”

 

The hidden women had also witnessed the scene. “She killed one and drove the rest off!”

 

The young mother grinned. “Run, you Mitanni cowards!”

 

The mature woman rushed to Miyuki. “You…You were wonderful!”

 

The Japanese priestess repressed a shudder. She had killed again. She flicked her sword to shed off the blood before sheathing it. “Are you okay, little boy?” At least, she had killed to protect others. The crying mother was squeezing her child on her heart. Around them, the women were acclaiming the young girl.

 

“That was incredible!”

 

Between two relieved sobs, the young mother turned to Miyuki. “Thank you…Thank you so much.”

 

Miyuki smiled then turned to contemplate the burning houses. “I have to go.”

 

The matron blinked. “Go where? The Mitanni soldiers are everywhere.”

 

“I know, but I'm on an urgent mission!”

 

The matron raised an eyebrow. “You don't look like you're from around here. Are you going home to your family?” Miyuki softly shook her head. If only… The matron narrowed her eyes. “You're only a child, but…is there a man?”

 

This time, the young girl blushed. `My face isn't so easily readable, is it?'

 

The matron nodded. “Aha! I understand. Very well, I'll show you a secret path. Follow me.”

 

Miyuki blinked. “A secret path? Why don't you escape then?”

 

The older woman sighed. “We have nowhere to go. This is our home.” She hugged herself, unshed tears shining in her eyes. “Besides, the soldiers killed my husband. I have to bury him.”

 

The Miko looked down, ashamed of herself. “I suppose… In view of the alliance, Hittite soldiers will surely come and save you.”

 

“Humph!” The matron shrugged. The young girl was still naïve. “They are no different from Mitanni.”

 

Miyuki exploded, her heart speaking before her head. “That's not true! The Hittite soldiers won't do these terrible things to you!” `Prince Kail would never allow that!'

 

The group emerged from the labyrinth of streets to a large hole in the defensive wall. Miyuki mounted her horse. The matron turned to her. “Is your man a Hittite? If he is a man of rank, please ask him to treat us well.”

 

The young girl looked into the wise eyes and nodded. “I will.”

 

The older woman smiled and hit the backside of the horse. “May the gods speed you!”

 

It was difficult for Miyuki to abandon those women, but their safety on the long term depended on her. “Thank you. Good luck to all of you, too!” She launched the horse at full gallop, determined to hold her promises. `I'll be back soon!' She was galloping back to the man she loved. `At the side of Prince Kail and his army!'

 

She gazed up to the night sky. `Just follow the Lone North Star.' Polaris twinkled to her as if the star was lending her light and hope to her. She leaned to her horse and focused her power in it. “Run fast, horse!” The Red Flame answered her call and weaved itself in the animal. `Even if I can't breath.' With this particular spell, she could sustain the stamina of the horse. `Or even if my heart stops beating.' She was going to feel it later, but she was determined. `I must reach Kanesh within a day!'

 

Her heartfelt prayer leaped from her very soul. `Oh stars! Anatolia's stars up in the sky!' She was a Miko cut off from her native pantheon, but she prayed without hesitation to the gods that the Hittite Empire followed. `I beg of you, please guide me to Prince Kail's side!'

 

A dark-skinned man, clad in elaborate robes, emerged from the shadows and looked to the rapidly shrinking frail silhouette on a horse. “Well, it was rather impressive. It's the first time that my darkness is ignored so quickly by such a young warrior.” He smirked. “Perhaps another test is required?”

 

“Anshar!” (Babylonian God of Darkness and the Night.) A tall and powerful feminine silhouette interrupted the musing of the dark-skinned man. He frowned and turned to the arrival. “You know that you can only test her once!”

 

The god sighed. “Too bad. She is interesting.” He smiled wickedly. “However, this night will prove to be quite the test for her, won't it?”

 

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In the plains, the group of Prince Kail was galloping and following the direction indicated by the talisman created by Miyuki to always point at her.

 

Kikkuri was feeling concerned about the state of the group. “We are nearing Kizzuwadna, my Prince.” He hoped it worked. Kail was pushing himself hard. “Will you rest awhile?”

 

The third Prince shook his head. “I'm not tired.” All his thoughts were focused on one person. `Miyuki.' He was really feeling worried despite the `gift' that was guiding him. `It's been six days since you left Hattusa. Please be safe.'

 

Ryui blinked under her hood as she remarked something on the horizon. “What is that? A stray horse?”

 

It was a brown horse with a prostrated form on it. Kail raised an eyebrow. To his priestly eyes, the horse was lightly glowing with a red fiery light. He blinked and focused on the silhouette on its back. “No, it's…” It was a small form with long black hair. He launched his horse to the approaching mount. “MIYUKI!”

 

He caught the unresponsive form in his arms. “Miyuki!” It was really the young girl he was desperately searching for. “MIYUKI! SPEAK TO ME!”

 

The Japanese teenager opened bleary eyes. “Prince Kail…Is this…a dream?”

 

She was speaking. She was all right. “No, it's me! Do you understand?”

 

The young girl gasped as she emerged from her haze. “Prince Kail? The real Kail?” She grabbed the shoulders of the blond young man. “Listen! The Mitanni have overrun Kizzuwadna! You have to go there with your armies at once!”

 

“What?!”

 

“Prince Zannanza is trying to hold them back until you arrive! You've got to go there at once!”

 

“I shall.” What courage in this small frame. “You've done well, girl.”

 

“Thank the gods I found you…” She was feeling herself falling back into the seducing darkness of her fatigue. She pulled off the ring of her finger and dropped if in the hand of Kail. “Here, the seal to command the men of Kanesh…” She was rapidly loosing her strength and focus. The night had been exhausting for her. “One more thing… Please, tell your soldiers not to mistreat the people. Please…” Her stamina had reached the end of its course and darkness claimed her.

 

“MIYUKI!” Kail embraced the precious girl. He blinked as he remarked something about her.

 

Kikkuri raised an eyebrow at the strange expression of his lord. “What's wrong, Prince Kail?”

 

“Nothing.” He turned to the Hatti sisters and gently put down his precious bundle. “Take care of Miyuki, Hadi. Follow, but not too fast.” He whirled around his horse. “Kikkuri, we're going to Kanesh to get an army!”

 

“Yes, my Prince!”

 

The long honey-haired girl rapidly organized a small camp. The Japanese girl was nowhere ready to be moved in her actual state. “Ryui, Shalla! Put up a cloth to block the sunlight, we have to lower Princess Miyuki's body temperature.”

 

Shalla took a wet cloth and began to wash the sweating body. She stopped and frowned after opening the tunic. “Hadi, look here.”

 

Hadi narrowed her black eyes as she saw the marks on the ivory skin. “Love bites. Prince Zannanza must have done this.”

 

She gasped and turned to her sisters. “Do you think…that Prince Kail saw?” The twins winced at that.

 

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Near Kizzuwadna, the Mitanni were determined to bring down the Hittite outpost. Numerous bodies of the two camps littered the ground. A belier was hammering the main door.

 

A slightly wounded soldier rushed to his commanding officer. “Prince Zannanza… The gates can't hold much longer! We've got to have reinforcements…soon!”

 

The panting fourth prince launched another arrow on a Mitanni soldier and turned to his man. “What about Kizzuwadna's troops? Did you ask King Sunash to send troops here?”

 

The soldier bowed to mask his dismay. “Yes…Yes sir, but it seems there's no movement from their soldiers.”

 

Zannanza was in a quandary. He couldn't last long at this rhythm. He thought about beautiful and mysterious emerald eyes shining with determination. `Miyuki…she may not have made it.'

 

A Hittite soldier pointed to the north. “Your highness! Look there!”

 

Zannanza looked on what was appearing on the northern horizon. In a great rumble, thousands of foot soldiers were marching, preceded by hundreds of war chariots. Zannanza blinked. The troops of Kanesh? Already? “My brother?!”

 

A Mitanni soldier knelt to a long black-haired man with a scar on the visage. “Prince of Darkness…a Hittite army approaches from the north!”

 

Mattiwaza whirled around, surprised. “What?! How did they get here so quickly?”

 

Zannanza beamed as he suddenly recognized two persons on the lead chariot. “KAIL! MIYUKI!”

 

Clad in a white tunic shining under the sun, flanked by Kikkuri and Kail, the long black-haired and emerald-eyed girl waved to the defenders of the Hittite outpost. “PRINCE ZANNANZA! WE MADE IT!”

 

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Notes: I'm going to use mainly the gods of the Babylonian pantheon because I have more data on them than on the Hittite pantheon.

 

Thank you for their reviews to NUNICHAN, Inu Toy and Kane-Sakura.

 

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