Prophecy (4 page)

Kira was surprised. “But I haven’t heard any of this before.”

Her father waved at the numerous scrolls covering his desk. “News doesn’t move quickly from the islands to the mainland. This is information we have received from our spy network. I’m still not sure of what is happening. But it is troubling. The danger is the daimyo and his surprising rise to power.”

“Surprising?” Kira asked. “Do you think it’s unnatural?”

Brother Woojin spoke up.

“Young mistress, in your studies, you learned of the great battle for civilization between the gods and the demons,” Brother Woojin said. “The Heavenly Father battled with the Demon Lord for seven years before defeating him. Had the outcome been different, then the world as we know it would have ceased to exist, and humans would have been enslaved by the demons. It was the Heavenly Father who banished all the fiends to the underworld. Only the lesser demons, imps, and hobgoblins can enter our world, for like insects, they were too numerous to banish.”

Kira was puzzled. Why was the monk talking history?

“After the great battle, we were a united country called Gojosun under our founder, King Dang, son of a she-bear, grandson of the Heavenly Father, who ruled for nearly two thousand years.” The monk pressed his palms together and raised them to the sky. “It was King Dang who became the great Dragon King. He had the power of prophecy, longevity of life, wisdom of the ages, and mystical power over nature. He could summon the winds, raise the seas, and even bring forth a rumble from the bowels of the earth. He foretold a time when the world would be faced with an evil unlike anything seen before. It would sweep through our peninsula, into Cathay and the lands beyond, and wipe out the civilization of man,” he said.

“The Dragon King’s prophecy,” Kira breathed. “He said that the Demon Lord would one day return to destroy mankind.” Dread coursed up her spine.

Brother Woojin nodded, looking pleased with her quick understanding.

“When King Dang died, his sons bickered and fought for the throne until Gojosun was broken apart, leaving it vulnerable to invaders. Eventually, King Dang’s heirs formed the Seven Kingdoms, and the prophecy was nearly forgotten.”

He pulled a bundle of bamboo sticks from the folds of his robe. Unrolling the bamboo scroll, he revealed the beautiful pictorial characters of
hanja
flowing down each strip. The monk stroked the bamboo reverently. “This is a copy of Master Ahn’s scriptures, the first head monk of Dragon Springs Temple, who recorded the Dragon King’s prophecy. ‘Seven will become three. Three will become one. One will save us all.’ Ever since then, my brothers have made it our mission to study the scriptures and discover how to protect the world from the coming danger.”

Brother Woojin addressed the general. “With the rise in the number of demon possessions, it is clear that a greater force is at work.”

“But how?” Kira asked.

“Through a human medium,” Brother Woojin said. “We understand the daimyo of Yamato is skilled in the demon arts. The Demon Lord has sought out a human subject to bond with. We believe that through the daimyo, he has begun his campaign for domination.”

Kira tried to process what she had just heard. Part of her did not want to believe it. The other part recognized that it explained much of what she had been dealing with.

Kira’s wounds began throbbing again, and she could feel the beginnings of a headache. “Sunim, do you mean to say that you believe the end of the world is coming?”

“I believe that the danger is real and will happen. But Master Ahn has written that there is a savior. He believed that it was written into the prophecy itself.”

She frowned, unsure of what he meant. “No one knows what the prophecy means,” she said.

“No one knows for sure, but there have been many interpretations, including Master Ahn’s,” the monk replied. “We believe that the ‘one’ of the prophecy refers to a royal descendant of the Dragon King—the Dragon Musado, a warrior who will unite the kingdoms and save us from the Demon Lord.”

“A royal descendant of the Dragon King? That would explain why they’re assassinating the royals,” Kira said. She laughed derisively. “And why is it always ‘the one’ that saves the world, like some fairy tale? One man against the Demon Lord and his legions of evil soldiers? Unbelievable! Good luck finding that poor guy. If he’s smart, he’ll either kill himself or run far, far away.”

Brother Woojin tut-tutted as he frowned at her. “Young mistress, this is no laughing matter.”

“I’m sorry, Sunim. But it’s just too ridiculous,” she said. “Father, you don’t believe this, do you?”

The general stepped away from the map he’d been studying, a troubled look on his face.

“Who’s to say if any of this is true? No one has ever been able to clearly decipher the prophecy,” he said. “What knowledge we have is shrouded with myths and legends, to the extent that we can’t know what is truth and what is fiction. I’ve been trying to study the prophecy myself. But ultimately it is all conjecture and interpretation.”

“It’s more than theory, General Kang,” the monk said. “These myths are real; the prophecy is true.”

General Kang sighed. “Perhaps. But one thing I do know is that we are weaker divided. If the Seven Kingdoms were united, as we once were under the Dragon King, the Demon Lord would find it harder to attack us. Instead, we must rely on some myth about a royal savior—”

“Dragon Musado,” Brother Woojin interrupted.

“—who will save the world.” General Kang rubbed a hand over his eyes and turned back to the large wall map. “Whether or not we believe that there is a savior is irrelevant. What is important is that the daimyo believes it and is not taking any chances. And neither will we.”

Kira absently gnawed on a fingernail, her eyes fixed on the map. Hansong appeared so vulnerable, hemmed in by danger from all sides. “Then the prince is in danger also,” she said.

“As are you and your brothers,” the general said. “All three of you are possible heirs to the throne.”

“Yes, but the greatest danger is to the prince, for he is descended from the Dragon King through both his mother’s and father’s lines,” Brother Woojin said. “His blood will run purest. It is why the demons have targeted him from birth.”

The general waved his hand, irritated. “He is but a mere child of twelve years!”

Kira started in surprise. “What? Do you believe Taejo is our savior?” Taejo was just a boy. What could the monk be thinking?

Brother Woojin clucked his tongue in reproof. He spread out his book on the table again, his fingers flicking through the bamboo strips until he reached the middle. He motioned Kira closer to read the inscription.

“The last time the Demon Lord entered our world, it was all the gods could do to keep a few of us safe.” He pushed the book away and faced the general. “This is only the beginning. We must protect the prince, or all is lost.”

With one last bow, Brother Woojin left the room.

“Has the world gone so crazy that even a rational being like Sunim would believe utter nonsense?” Kira pulled at her hair. “Or am I the mad one for not believing?”

General Kang dropped down onto the padded stool. Buried in the piles of scrolls and books were several jade figurines and his heavy gold seal. He picked up the small statue of a
haetae
, a mythical fire-eating dog. With its round head, long hair, and massive body, it didn’t look much like a dog. Kira liked it because the haetae was the guardian of justice and protector from disasters.

She could see the deep grooves that worry had etched into her father’s forehead and around his eyes. Even as she knew she should not add to his already heavy burden, the words slipped from her mouth.

“Father, did you know about my aunt’s plan to betroth me to Shin Bo Hyun?”

He gazed at her, no expression on his brown, weathered face.

“Yes, I knew.”

Kira’s stomach lurched with a deep sense of betrayal.

“Father! I can’t marry. I will never marry! I’m not wife material!”

“Don’t belittle yourself,” her father said. “You will make a wonderful wife and mother one day.”

Kira’s hands curled into tight fists as she glared at him. “I’m a warrior, not a court lady. My duty is to protect the prince.”

“Your mother keeps reminding me that you’re also a woman,” her father said. He put down the statue, still gazing at it fondly. “But I’ve treated you no different than your brothers. My soldier girl.”

He sighed and then faced her. “Just like your brothers, you have a duty to marry well and have your own family. But not with Shin Bo Hyun.”

The sudden relief unknotted her stomach.

“Thank you, Father!”

“Don’t thank me yet. It’s nearly impossible to say no to the queen. It was Lord Shin who broached the idea of betrothing his nephew to you to Their Majesties. And you know how protective the king is of his friendship with Lord Shin. He never lets us forget that he’s the king’s oldest and closest friend.” The general grimaced.

Kira was well aware of her father’s opinion of Lord Shin. The senior adviser had tried to disgrace her father ten years ago, and they hadn’t gotten along ever since. Lord Shin Mulchin was once a contender for the throne of Hansong. The previous king had no children and no siblings. Shin was the king’s heir from his paternal line and related to the Kudara royal family. Lord Kim Yuri descended from the prior king’s Jinhan maternal line and married Guru royalty, Kira’s aunt. When Shin’s line fell out of favor, the last king chose Yuri as his heir.

Kira always wondered why Shin would remain in Hansong after such a disappointment or why he and her uncle were such close friends. She had, however, heard a rumor that Shin had saved Yuri’s life when they were boys.

“But I don’t understand why Lord Shin would wish for this betrothal. He’s the one person who hates you more than he hates me.”

“He doesn’t like anyone. To be honest, I’m not sure he is even that fond of his nephew, other than for whatever political gain he can provide,” her father replied. “But you are the king’s closest eligible female relation; it only makes sense to push for such an alliance. And as Lord Shin’s nephew, Bo Hyun has ties to the Kudara royal family that the king may be interested in promoting.”

Kira snorted. “I’m far from eligible!”

Her father stood up and came to stand before her. “Kira, you are my only daughter and my pride and joy. I have seen you grow into a strong, intelligent, and brave young woman. Be proud of who you are, my child.”

She dropped her eyes and spoke in a whisper. “I’m so different. I terrify people.”

“Your differences are what make you unique. They’re what make you special. You have nothing in common with these ignorant wretches who thrive on superstition and fear. You were meant for greatness. Why, I would be less surprised if you were the Dragon Musado instead of the prince.”

Kira could feel her cheeks flushing in pride.

“That’s impossible. I’m not a leader—”

“You’re a warrior. And nothing is impossible unless you believe it is so,” he replied.

“Why are we even talking about this?” she asked. “There’s no such thing as a Dragon Musado. It’s just a fairy tale that the monks are making up!”

With an abrupt turn, her father marched toward the large map of the Seven Kingdoms.

“But what if it’s true? I can’t discount it. I’ve seen too many unusual things in my lifetime to ignore this prophecy. The most unusual and wondrous thing I’ve ever seen is my very own daughter.” He paced back and forth for a moment as he spoke. “When your mother was carrying you, we all believed that her tiger dream was an omen—a sign that you would be a great warrior. And we were right. But over the years, as I have watched you grow and seen your remarkable talents, I’ve come to realize that the dream was in fact not an omen but a visitation.”

“A visitation?” Kira asked. “What do you mean?”

“In your mother’s dream, a large tiger leaped out of the bushes and placed its head gently on her lap. Its golden eyes were the same color as your own. I believe that tiger was the embodiment of your tiger spirit. Your gifts come from it—your great strength and speed, your keen senses, and your ability to hunt demons. There is no one else in the world like you. It is your tiger spirit that makes you who you are.”

Kira blinked in surprise at her father’s words.

“Kira, I’ve never shared this story with anyone else, not even your mother. But when you were a very small child, I took you and your brothers on a pilgrimage to Stone Temple. On our way, we stopped for lunch and you wandered off. When I found you, you were lying between the paws of a sleeping tiger, fast asleep. At my approach, the tiger growled at me and I froze. It rose to its feet and stalked away. I should have been frightened, but I wasn’t. I knew that the tiger would not harm you.”

Her father’s words brought to mind a long-ago memory. She had an impression of being lost and then comforted by the warmth of a large but gentle animal. She also knew that when she was very injured or sick, she would dream of a tiger and she would always feel better.

“If I can believe that the heavens have blessed me with a tiger-spirit daughter, then how can I doubt the existence of a Dragon Musado?” he asked.

Kira didn’t know how to react to her father’s words.