Endless Rain

g0004-A lot later	Sendo attacked the smaller Tiko Tribe. Mikomi and Chi wanted to protect the Tiko Tribe. The Mikomi Tribe came to help and slaughtered the Sendo Tribe warriors and a Mikomi warrior, Okala, killed Sendo. The Tiko Tribe became enraged by this and turned to pacifists and retreated to the mountains. After a while the Sendo Tribe attacked the Mikomi Tribe. The Chi came to help them and the Sendo was defeated again.	Part 45 & Untold Story 1
g0004-A lot later	Okala is assassinated for killing Sendo	Untold Story 1
g0004-A lot later	The Sendo Tribe attacked once more in revenge of the death of Sendo. Mikomi lied to her tribe that she was dieing of old age, but in fact she couldn't die because never ate the poisoned fruit. She left Techahan in command. However this time the Chi refused to offer their help. The Mikomi barely won the battle, having lost more than half of their population, but Techahan's leadership was accepted and he was praised for his acts of courage displayed during the conflict. Mikomi lay on her death bed and before she died Chi made a promise with her. The Chi Tribe would help the Mikomi whenever it was needed.	Part 45 & Untold Story 1
g0004-A lot later	Mikomi faked her own death, with Baku's help, being tired of war. She was buried but dug up again by Baku. She went back one more time that night and made sure some of the citizens saw her before she actually left.	Part 70 & Untold Story 1

The Story

Endless Rain Untold Stories

The Tribe Wars: The Death of a Lady

Prologue

“He's over here! Hurry, Lady, he's dying!”

The Lady, dressed in blue, knelt down next to a man lying in a puddle of his own blood, his already red shirt even redder than it had been before. He was lying in the streets of Tiko Village. Around him lay warriors from all the tribes, slaughtered.

“Sendo...” Mikomi whispered in his ear.

“Why did yo-” Sendo began to speak, but blood gushed up his throat and his voice was cut off.

Mikomi ignored it and put both her hands on Sendo's chest. Soft sparkles of light emanated from them. Mikomi focused even more, but nothing happened as tears were setting in her eyes.

Mikomi turned to one of her soldiers. “Who did this?!” she asked.

One of the soldiers, Okala, stepped forward. “It was me, mistress.” His clothes bore the symbol of the Mikomi Tribe.

“Why did you kill him? The Tiko Tribe is safe! We've won! It was all over!” Mikomi said furiously. Her tears dropped from her chin onto her dress.

“He's Sendo. He doesn't deserve to live, your highness,” Okala answered, not flinching.

Mikomi turned back at Sendo. “He was my brother...” she whispered. His eyes had lost their shine. Even though his chest still rose and sank, Mikomi knew she had lost him and removed her hands.

Outside the endless rain flowed.

Mikomi's decision

Following the death of Sendo, the founder of the Sendo Tribe, and the massacre in the center of the Tiko village leaving dozens of its citizens traumatized, the Tiko Tribe decided to cut all connection with the other tribes and retreat into the mountains and isolate them from any contact. They would live in peace, never to have war ever again.

Years past and violence and war continued between the Mikomi and Sendo Tribes, with the Sendo Tribe continuing to seek revenge for the death of its leader. Even when Okala had been assassinated, they still attacked.

Even though Mikomi never wanted to fight, she was always forced to ask the Chi Tribe for help, until one day...

“This has got to stop!” Mikomi said while slamming her fist into the table. She sat at the head of the table while the members of the Council and field commander sat on this side.

Mikomi continued. “There is a security leak, someone is feeding information to the enemy and I want to know how.”

“We lock the gate to our village every night, my lady, and the wall around our village is always guarded. There is no way anyone can get information through that way,” commander Techahan said.

“I've asked the guards to also look out for suspicious birds that may carry a letter,” one of the field officers explained, “But we can never truly be sure if the leak is there or not.”

“What about the merchants that travel through our gates every day?” Mikomi asked.

“They are always searched, but it's a possibility that the enemy might be getting information through one of those merchants,” Techahan answered. His mustache moving from side to side as he spoke.

“Alright, I want you to search those merchants even more, when they arrive and when they depart,” Mikomi ordered and then turned to the field officer. “I want you to capture every bird you see on the ground or near the ground and see if they carry any sort of letter or paper, field officer- ah, I'm sorry, I didn't get your name.”

The field officer smiled. “It's Tebok, my lady.”

“Tough day?” a voice asked from the shadows.

“Yeah,” Mikomi said as she sat down on her bed in the huge room that was solely for her as the Lady of the tribe, “It was horrible.”

The voice stepped out of the shadows and reveals himself to be Baku. His features showed the signs of his age. His cheeks drooped, he's face was wrinkled and his hair was turning white.

“Aw, I'm really sorry to hear that,” he said in his genuinely caring voice. Then he turned serious, “If it wasn't for that damned poisoned fruit I would've helped you with my transport ability... But of course I can't go around and look everywhere. I am supposed to be just a common farmer.”

“I know, thanks anyway,” Mikomi sighed.

“Something wrong, dear?” her brother asked.

“It's this war... I don't think I can do it anymore... Everyone knows I'm the goddess of this tribe, but I am limited to the things I can do. My only ability doesn't matter in the long run. Sure, I'll live forever, but when you're gone-”

“I'm not gone yet. I might be mortal but I still have a few years or so left on me.” Then Baku started coughing uncontrollably.

“You better lie down.” Mikomi said and guided him to her bed.

When he had a little to drink Baku continued. “You have to save your village, Mikomi. They can't go on without you. They need you.”

“Are you sure? I think they don't need me. Apart from my ability and that I can only be killed by a God, which of course they don't have, I am just like them. My dear brother, you are the one that needs me...”

Baku started laughing. “Ha! I can gather those Hikari Crystals just fine without your help.”

“Liar!” Mikomi said, “I remember. You told me that you need five people with just a bit of pure blood to help you. As far as I can recall, I am the only one who has pure blood, and apart from me, only my children can help you, but they don't know. They're not immortal, or don't have any abilities, but only they can touch the Crystals without them turning dark.”

“I know... I just don't want you to leave the people you raised. The people you took under your care. They really do need you.”

“I've been thinking,” Mikomi said and looked through her window. There was only a slight drizzle, even a few strokes of light that peered through the clouds. “Right now, you need me. I can come back to my tribe any day. It'll just be the same when I leave, the Sendo will strike and the Chi will come to save us. We can count on them, I'm sure. And I'm sure that if Techahan takes over nothing will change.”

“But I can't ask you to do this. If I just kill myself I won't need The Hikari Crystals. You can live without me!”

“I refuse to do that! And if you were in my place, you'd refuse just the same. Think of it this way. With The Hikari Crystals we can make sure the war ends. We can save your life and save this tribe and all the other tribes. We just have to bring those five Crystals together.”

“If you're sure that'll work... I might be able to help you.”

Rumors

“Have you heard? They're saying that the Lady is dying.”

“She's dying? You can't be serious. She's a god!”

“They say because she ate from the poisoned fruit she's just as mortal as Sendo was, and remember, he was killed twenty years ago.”

“She doesn't look old, where's she dying from?”

“We're not sure.”

“I can't believe it!”

“It's true! They're talking about it all over the village.”

“Oh, by Afrain, it can't be true!”

“They say she's dying from old age, but they're also saying Gods can't look old.”

“One of the guards just told me that someone confirmed that she's dying.”

“Oh, Lady Mikomi!”

“Welcome, my decendants,” Mikomi started, “I've called for you with an important assignment and also to keep a secret.”

The room was filled with about a dozen people and to everyone's surprise, Baku.

“I've told the village that I was going to die. However, this is not the the truth. The truth is that there is something I need to do. This old man standing next to me... he's my actually my brother, Baku.”

The room filled with surprising looks and gasps until Mikomi asked them to be silent again.

“Nobody must know this. He is indeed one of Afrain's children, however he has eaten from the Poisoned Fruit. Before you ask, no, I have not in fact eaten any of it and therefore I am still pure. As are you. And that's the reason why you are here. I want to ask four of you to help me with a quest. It's a dangerous quest, but if we succeed... we will save not only him, but the entire Valley of Endless Rain.”

The room listened in awe to her story.

“Wasn't saying that you were going to die a bit excessive?” Baku asked, “You were planning on going back, weren't you?”

“There are more ways to help this Tribe than as a Lady, Baku,” his sister answered, “I plan on doing the same as you. Staying in the shadows, not to be seen, not to be noticed.”

“I must warn you,” the old man chuckled, “It's a very boring life.” He smiled at her and she smiled back.

“After you're all better,” Mikomi said, “it'll be worth it.”

“The Sendo! They're on their way! They've mobilized their entire army!”

“How is Lady Mikomi?”

“Still lying in bed. She says it won't be long now.”

“Damn!”

“She put Techahan in command. She says he's now the Master of the Mikomi Tribe.”

“We shall honor her decision then. Mobilize the troops! Quickly send a messenger to the Chi Tribe.”

“We already did, sir, when we heard they were importing arms from the Market Square. But I think we have a problem.”

“What's that?”

“They're refusing our help, sir.”

“They're what?”

“Mikomi, listen to me!” Baku circled around her bed anxiously. “Chi is not going to help us this time. They need you!”

“I can't do that. It would ruin everything we've worked for up till this point!” Mikomi[ said, still lying in her bed. “If anything this'll proof they can survive without me.”

“You're risking your entire tribe and family over this!”

“I'm trying to save them, Baku! I'm trying to save everyone!”

Chi's promise

Two weeks later.

“Lady Mikomi,” Techahan said softly, “Lady Chi of the Chi Tribe is here to see you.” His face was now divided in two by a scar running from the left side of his chin between his eyes to the right side of his forehead. He had barely escaped alive, but was present when the Sendo had entered the council room. He had defended every member until he couldn't move anymore because of the pain he had from one of the sword strikes to his face. His actions had inspired many civilians to also become a warrior.

“Bring her in,” Mikomi said even more softly.

Lady Chi came in and knelt next to Mikomi. She had become frighteningly old. She wasn't as far gone as Baku, but it definitely showed.

“We haven't seen in so long... I'm so sorry, Mikomi...” Chi said, “Half your tribe is dead. Your family, your friends... And you're also dieing. I can't believe my eyes, though. How come you don't look a day older than last we met?”

“I never ate from the fruit. I was never poisoned,” Mikomi said, her voice fully returned, “But there is something I need you to know. Because I'm still immortal I want to find The Hikari Crystals, but to do that I need to leave my tribe. So that's why I've told them I'm dying. So that I can go and help everyone in this Valley. If it works I can heal you too, Chi, and I will. I will heal everyone.”

“But your tribe...” Chi said.

“If this works, their deaths will mean that they helped save everyone in the Valley. Their deaths will not be in vane and remembered as such,” Mikomi said with confidence.

“It's all my fault...”

“How can it be your fault?!”

“I shouldn't have denied your request for help. I had no idea, but... I'm so sorry. I look outside and I can't feel anything else but shame,” Chi said almost sobbing, “Therefore, I promise you, and your tribe that the Chi Tribe will be ready for you, when you need us. You just have to call.”

Mikomi sat up straight. “Chi... you have no idea how much that means to me. Stay alive, and I will save you too.”

The next day Mikomi was buried outside of the village near a beautiful flower field. The whole village mourned her passing. Even Baku couldn't help but cry.

That evening Baku dug up her body. Mikomi could never die of course, unless killed by a God.

“There's one thing I need to do, Baku...” Mikomi said and headed for the gate. There was no one on patrol. The whole village was understaffed and the risk at the moment was minimal.

One last time she looked around the village. Some of the houses were in ruins, but the light of the moon made the whole scene seem like a fairy tale. Wait, the moon? The night was clear. There wasn't a cloud in the sky anywhere. There were times that there was no rain and that you could see the sun, but they were very rare, but seeing a clear sky... it seemed impossible.

She continued walking around for a little longer, looking around, and then left as silently as she came in.

“Is it time?” Baku asked waiting by the gate.

“It's time.”

Epilogue

“Have you heard?”

“What?”

“Someone saw Lady Mikomi last night.”

“Are you serious?”

“Maybe that's why her grave looks disturbed.”

“It's just your imagination.”

“They say Mikomi passed on and became a ghost.”

“You think?”