Chương 13: Beyond the Vermilion Gate & Conversation Beneath the Cherry Blossom Sky

Galan stepped off the dock and into a vibrant explosion of color and sound. The beachside village doubled as a marketplace, a labyrinth of stalls brimming with handcrafted trinkets and colorful textiles that fluttered in the sea breeze. The air was a fragrant, heavy trap. The rich smell of roasting pork and chicken skewers hit him first, chased by the crisp tang of pickled vegetables. He breathed it in, watching families gather around small tables while their laughter echoed over the crackle of sizzling meat.

Up on the second-floor balconies of the inns, travelers sipped steaming tea, looking down at the chaos with pure contentment. Can't believe the ten-gu let their island turn into this, Galan thought. Must've been a really good deal for them. He ventured alongside the delighted tourists, sightseeing through a picturesque seaside village before arriving at the majestic daitorii, a great divine gate that marked the entrance to the village proper.

Built in the "Bright Deity" style, its vibrant red pillars glowed with an orange hue, the lacquered surface gleaming despite the salty air. The two massive wooden columns towered above the crowd like sentinels, supporting the gracefully curved black beam at the top, creating a striking line that captures the gaze of those who pass beneath. A plaque between the beams bore the golden inscription: 'Divine Council.'

"Whoa," Galan murmured, looking up.

"The illustrations didn't do it justice. The author wasn't lying. I truly do have to see it for myself." He passed through the gate, merging with the stream of tourists. Above him, cherry trees shed their petals, pink fragments twirling through the air like whispers of spring. The skyfolk, which include sentient flying creatures, darted among the branches, catching the petals mid-flight and weaving them into delicate crowns for the visitors below.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. After a while, a young crow ten-gu girl flew toward him. She has the face of a human but with the beak of a crow for a nose. She wore short-sleeved, airy clothing patterned with the motifs of cherry blossoms. In her hands, she held a crown of woven twigs and pink petals as she hovered in front of him, her black wings beating effortlessly to match his stride.

"May I crown you a child of spring, traveler?" she asked.

"Heh, alright," Galan replied in Japanese, lowering his head slightly. She squealed with excitement and placed the crown on his head.

"Wow, it looks good on you!"

"Thanks. You made this yourself?"

"Yeah! Twisting the twigs without breaking them was tricky. Took me days to get it right!"

"That's good to hear," Galan said.

"Oh, by the way, were you around when the island wasn't as busy as it is now?"

"You mean before the gods came here? No, but my family told me stories. Most of it was boring, though."

"What was it like when they arrived?"

"Umm... it wasn't that great at first," she admitted.

"But that glowing goddess really knows how to get everyone working together. At least after she let her talk with everyone." So she took a more active role in her family after all our talk, Galan thought.

"What did she say?"

"I don't know. I only remember that she took the Great Ones to the Land of Forests. When they returned two weeks later, they were almost unrecognizable." Galan's mindcast quickly deciphered her meaning: the 'Great Ones' were the clan leaders, and the 'Land of Forests' was Central Island.

"You mean Central Island?"

"Oh yeah, that's what you humans call it, right?"

"Uh-huh. So, what happened to them?"

"Something about being born again," she said, her eyes wide.

"As if their feathers were cleansed under a waterfall blessed by the Goddess herself." I wonder if the formula for their wings is the same, Galan mused.

"And then they agreed to change the whole island."

"Yup," the girl continued.

"But the Great Ones made sure to lead the plan themselves, just in case." But suddenly, "Hey! Where are you going?!" a voice shouted from behind them. A young fairy, basket in hand, was waving frantically.

"We still need to collect more blossoms!"

"Coming!" The ten-gu girl looked at Galan apologetically.

"Sorry, I have to go."

"That's alright. Thanks for the talk."

"You're welcome! Have a nice day!" She waved and flew backward, rejoining her friends. Galan waved back, watching her go.

"You too!"