Here’s the prologue: Clouds, soft, delicate. The citizens always told me that a cloud is to a lover. Clouds can move, you can feel them, but eventually, it will all fade away. Sometimes, there is that special cloud that stays with you, cushioning your deep dreams every night. My family and I lived on the side of the moon. This cloud would always follow the moon for some reason. The only way to live on one is to be born on it, which makes you a spirit. Humans cannot climb to be on one, they will fall through the stars, rip through the sky, and land face down in their bed. They will fall asleep and never remember what happened ever again. There is no explanation on why life is like this, for my grandfather and all the wise spirits state.
Then there are the spirits that live on the cloud on the side of the sun. They wear robes of fire, hearts of hate and souls of death. People wonder why there are eclipses. Eclipses are when the sun and moon fight for the Earth’s eye to view its precious beauty, and during
this time, the sun and moon cloud spirits are fighting. This is rare, and whenever there is an eclipse, food is scarce, and spirits are greatly afraid. I always just wanted peace, like there is on Earth.
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NOT PART OF THE STORY: The prologue is in the view of a child who lives in the clouds. The first chapter is about a child who lives on Earth and dreams about the clouds. Say your opinion, thanks! :]
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I always wondered, what are clouds like? Where do they go? Questions like these endlessly emerged from my head, and it spiraled. I eventually grew drowsy and silently slept. I knew
there was something out in the moon, stars, maybe even clouds.
This is a poor village we have, my parents and I are happy to have a small wood and straw home. It is shaped as a rather small tent and has rocks surrounding it. Although no one within 100 miles is wealthy, I am grateful for shelter, water, and food. Apparently, food is scarce, as my mother says.
The next day, my parents were panicked. My eyes spread wide as I listened to the thorough details that a local friend, Hanuko, spat the terrible news. There was a war in our village! Thievery was common here in this small town in Japan, but this time the community took action. They created arrows and bows, knives and whips. A large group of thieves arrived,
armed and ready.
"I must protect our village," My father, Rukano, had bellowed with subtle pride. "Please, Kara," He passionately said my mother’s name. "Create weapons, take care of our boy, and pray. It is all you can do while I am protecting us and everything around us." Rukano had already equipped several 100′s of arrows, a couple of bows, and 5 knives. These were made long ago for emergencies.
"Goodbye…" Kara weakly whispered. She sweetly smiled, but my father and I could see the wistfullness in her eyes. A warm tear ran down my cheek, however, my heart felt cold and frozen as ice. My mother pecked Rukano a small kiss and limped away.
"Son," My father ripped through the deadly moment of silence, which felt like hours of dead silence. "Stay strong and help your mother, I promise we’ll all be fine." I had a slight doubt in his promise, but hoped to God that he was correct. "I hope this war is short, and very few die, goodbye now, Hyinu." My dad marched away. It all happened too quickly.
You’re probably wondering what the thieves are stealing and why they are stealing. First of all, even areas that are not the wealthiest have valuable items and precious artwork. This place in Japan has a great reputation for traditional silk kimonos. Kimonos are in high demand, and they keep the village running with trade and money. When other areas buy all they can legally, and if they desire more, they are willing to steal. Our village obviously wants this to end.
Sometimes, I wish I could fly up to a cloud and escape Earth, for peace.
