Sign of the Zodiac: Aries
[Sign 1: Aries] Princess Aroha

A middle-aged woman welcomes the arrival of Anaru and Airyung inside the main bamboo house of Khitai Village. The woman wore a dark channel with a typical Khitai lion ornament embedded in the chest, as well as a hornbill ornament in the skirt of her subordinates.

The feathers of the hornbill were strung together in such a way as a crown on the woman's head. Her hair was black with a few strands that were already bleached. To the left of the woman stood two men of great stature wearing uluwero uniforms. Both carried long spears, instead of Mandau like other uluwero.

“Tenako, Aroha-tanema.” Anaru bowed while raising both hands, a greeting typical of the Khitai tribe.

The middle-aged woman raised her hand and placed it on the head of Anaru.

“Tu ki runga[1],” the princess told Anaru.

Anaru re-enforced his body, then glanced at Airyung who greeted him by cupping a fist on his chest, a greeting typical of the Giyatsa tribe.

“Greetings, Princess Aroha. I am Airyung, a Giyatsa horseman,” Airyung said as she lowered her head.

Princess Aroha smiled at him, then turned around and sat back on her throne at the end of the room. Two uluwero who escorted him then stood behind the throne. The throne is a large chair with a lamb fur pad as its seat. The backrest is covered in black cloth with lion and bird ornaments made of glistening beads.

The Princess put on a flat face while staring at Airyung. To be honest Airyung did not think that the Chief of the Khitai Tribe was a middle-aged woman. When Anaru mentioned the princess, Airyung thought she was young, at least a few years on it. But the truth is he is old enough. Why do they call her a princess instead of a queen? There may be a reason of its own. Airyung does not have time to explore things outside of his interests.

“What are your destinations in Khitai?” ask Princess Aroha later.

“I brought a message from the Luterian mainland in the form of an Ehawee Tribe prediction about the future of this continent. I hope the Princess is willing to listen to him,” Airyung replied while still looking down with a fist in the chest.

The Princess nodded slowly. “Say.”

Airyung again repeated the words of the Ehawee Tribe prophecy that he had spoken in front of Anaru the other day. Once again his eyes were closed, as if he were living word for word.

...“When the month of Skirof ends in the twelfth leap year...

...Orion's gate will open...

...Twelve errors will be made...

...Twelve stars from the twelve directions...

...Inviting the wrath of the thief of peace...

...Only twelve or not at all”...

“How can I trust the words of the prophecy?” princess Aroha asked after a while of watching Airyung.

Airyung then took something from behind the bag of his fur coat. His hand then came out with a small, faded brown bundle. Airyung carefully handed the package to Princess Aroha. The two uluwero who were guarding Princess Aroha immediately advanced blocking Airyung. One of them took the package in Airyung's hand and opened it in front of the Princess.

A red colored gemstone glistened within the package. The stone was relatively small, only as big as a berry. Anaru noticed the small stone. It felt like there was something unusual about the stone. Every now and then, mysteriously, the stone glittered reddishly, as if giving off a light. Anaru felt inside the stone as if stored light that revolted wanted to come out.

Anaru had never seen such a stone. Airyung had not told him about the stone before. He also did not know what the prophecy had to do with the red stone now being observed by Princess Aroha. But it seems the Princess is very interested in the goods given by Airyung. Princess Aroha's face turned soft. He who initially seemed a little surprised when he saw the contents of the package, now it looks friendly.

“Carnelian,” says Princess Aroha short.

Airyung nodded in confirming. The girl retreated back to her place and let the Chieftain watch over the Carnelian Stone for longer. Princess Aroha took the stone and lifted it up, towards the torchlight on the wall behind her throne. He seemed to be confirming something and seemed satisfied with the result.

“This stone is a symbol of the Khitai tribe. This is the last piece my ancestor gave me when the Luteria Continent was still at peace. The twelve tribes gave each tribe the symbol stone, as well as sending the twelve tribal heroes to keep Luteria at peace. But this stone lost its power when the kinokambe in power,” said Princess Aroha while reminiscing about the past.

“Therefore I am here to find the owner of this stone, Princess. Aries fighters from the Khitai Tribe,” Airyung said later.

Anaru once again never knew that there had been such a legend in the past. After hearing the story, Anaru became so interested in the Carnelian Stone that the Princess brought. The stone looks literal. It was like there was a light locked inside, and it was forcing out. Anaru stared in amazement at the glowing stone, which was as if it was indeed alive.

“How will you find the owner of this stone power?” ask Princess Aroha who seems to have trusted Airyung. The Carnelian Stone is real. And that is enough to prove that Airyung did come as a messenger. The Twelve Sacred Crystal Stones were indeed supposed to be kept by the Ehawee Tribe's Sacred Astrologers. Not just anyone can carry the Crystal stone anywhere, unless it is with an important purpose.

“I may have to meet the strongest people in Khitai,” Airyung replied later.

“Although you say so, our tribal people have long been deprived of strength. The Kinokambe had annihilated many things from this tribe. And our best men have long fallen against the kinokambe. Are you sure you'll find him before the end of the year?”

“I have to try it first. The prophecy cannot be wrong. I can definitely find Aries.” Fighters Airyung looked sure. The forced belief. After seeing the quality of the Khitai people, he was indeed a little doubtful. But mission is mission. He has to find the person he's looking for, no matter what.

“Alright then, I allow you to search the entire island. By my power, you are free to enter any village and meet anyone on this island. Go with the shepherd with you. He knows the ins and outs of this island. I heard you also saved him from kinokambe.”

Airyung automatically turned to Anaru. The young man did not seem to be listening too much to their conversation, and instead focused on the stone the Princess was holding. Airyung refrained from removing the pickled decak. He then went back to Princess Aroha while greeting the tribe of Giyatsa.

“Thanks for the Princess' trust. I will go with Anna.. this shepherd to find people in the prophecy,” Airyung replied later.

Princess Aroha smiled with satisfaction. He then returned the Carnelian Crystal to Airyung. Anaru's eyes continued to be glued to the Crystal and only came to a realization after Airyung deliberately stepped on Anaru's feet hard. They must immediately withdraw.

...***...

[1] Wake.