Hollow Phantasm Heritage

The starlit sky was a saving grace for many travelers that acted as the guide in harsh conditions and worse situations.

”21…22- how many was I on…23? ” A gentle voice asked out.

In this case, they were being used as the only thing keeping Asuka conscious in that moment. She desperately clung onto the painful wake she almost lost. Many times over she found herself slipping in and out of small rests so she needed to keep her eyes open, or at least as much as she could.

Snowflakes covered the area in layers of heavy snow, these flakes rained down gently over with no rest. She could feel the slight sting of its cold touch against her scratched cheek; it would melt the very moment it reached her.

Even in an intense snow like that she was radiating a powerful heat, her bodys last attempt to keep her victorious.

”You guys are lucky…getting to fly up there where nobody can touch you… even if everyone knows who you are- isn it lonely? ” She muttered while staring up to the sky.

She was on the floor with her back to the sky but out the corner of her eye she was able to bear witness to the sights which Weepnest Mountain offered.

”Why am I climbing again…Was it a mistake in the end? I should just go back before I get hurt- uh…oh yeah. ” Asuka glanced down to the bloody pool surrounding her.

Her entire left arm was missing as well as her right eye; the longer she waited the more she started to feel her grasp of reality slipping. ”How did it end up like this…? ”

*The day before the Weepnest Mountain Race*

Asuka trudged through the snow with light movements, she made sure not to let her feet sink all the way through the snow. By the time her ankle began to lower into the mass she was already extending the other foot out.

She was agile in her movements and often smirked when she was able to pull of feats like that. Asuka grinned down at her boots and watched as she practically flew over the high snow with her impressive footwork.

She brought her head up and noticed a tree in front of her but at that point it was too late. She had already smashed into the tree with a large motion and went flying through the snow. When falling into the snow she felt the ground beneath her crumble and realised that it was a hillside.

”Oh shoot- aaaaaaahhh! ” She screamed out in terror.

Barely a second passed and she was buried in a pile of snow but solid on the ground. ”Whats the deal, I thought that was it for me?! ”

She jolted up from the snow and cringed at the sight of a 2 meter high cliff in front of her. Small clumps of snow sat on her hair and shoulders, so she patted it off in a vigorous manner.

Asuka wasn cold at all wearing a thick camo jacket, and a red scarf around her neck. She refused to wear any other type of Gi or training uniform because it restricted her movements. The rest of her outfit isn anything special, just tights, combat boots and a white headband from her father.

Even with only a jacket to keep her warm she didn seem that cold, it was common for her body to do adapt to situations and change accordingly. It was often something she gloated about that the body she was born with was perfect for her ideals- complete victory! That was the lessons that her father had passed on to her before he got sick a couple of years prior.

Asuka Miyamoto had recently turned 18 and was heading towards Cyan village for the Weepnest Mountain Race. The biggest sporting event that would be broadcasted worldwide, it consisted of participants from every inch of the earth.

Unfathomable heights, dangerous creatures never before seen and even unknown terrains…forget a mountain, it should be considered a living ecosystem of its own.

If you
e wondering why a person would take such a risk, its simple. Fame, fortune, money! All that and more awaits the person who is able to conquer the mountain, but it is something that no one has done before.

”Damn it- that was really embarrassing. Luckily nobody saw that, where am I anyways? ” She muttered while patting off excess snow from her clothes.

The area she was crossing was packed with heavy snow but the sun was still apparent, she could see through the trees and area because it was daylight. When she stood up she noticed that the light couldn be seen, in fact a large shadow had been cast over her.

Is it night time only in this spot, whats going on he- oh… Asuka turned her attention to a large structure towering out from the snow.

It was built in the centre of a small clearing that would have been difficult to notice had she not fallen in. There were many trees in the area but even so it seemed strange that the building wasn spotted from a distance.

Asuka scratched her head in confusion and then decided to enter the building. After closer inspection she noticed strange markings carved into the sides of the buildings pillars, there were 4 in total placed at the edges.

”Oh this must be some type of temple, but what for? ” She stated while walking inside.

The walls were made from the same dark stone that made up the exterior, it came off as slightly dreary which spooked her slightly.

Why did it have to be a temple of all things…I hate spooky things so much. She tried to stay near the centre and avoid the walls as she crossed into the temple.

The inside was a large open room with halls leading off to the side, but in the centre of the room was a figure bent over a boiling pot. It looked like a rather older man making tea on a hot plate; he didn react when Asuka walked in so she assumed he didn notice.

”Hey mister! Mister- what is this place, do you live here! ”

Asuka barged in with her left arm raised into the air to draw attention while the other cupped around her mouth like a megaphone. She started waving the arm side to side even though the man was facing the other direction.

The old man didn seem to mind much and just giggled to himself while pouring his tea. ”Would you like a cup missy? ”

His voice was rugged and dry but had a charming quality to it, like it carri