Chapter 30, The White Tiger's Castle and the Lost Little Girl

I stand in front of the castle gates, you can see the grandeur of the castle from the gates alone. What's inside must be even better than what we can see out here. I notice that there aren't that many people here which helps. Who knows what's inside this castle.

I read the writings on the walls and smile. This is without a doubt Aerial Language. They're written on the frame of the gate. The gate is a tall bar gate with a round seal at the center. At the center of the seal is a magic stone.

"Haruka? Is there anything?" Luna-san asked.

"It's pretty basic. If I had to guess, in order to open ot you just have to pass some mana with earth magic imbued into it through this magic stone." I said and touched the magic stone and passed some magical energy through it.

In an instant I was engulfed by light and when I opened my eyes again I was inside the gate. The two were beside me. There are people wlaking but can they not see us?

"They can't see you." A voice said and I turned to see a fairy, with blue hair, white skin and emerlad eyes in a blue dress.

"You are?" I asked.

"Pixie. The one who watches over this Castle." She said and bowed. "I have been waiting for you. One who shares the blood of the Hero Gou."

"I see. Gou-jii-sama made this place then?" I asked her.

"Yes." She answered. "It serves as the place that banishes the darkness in the west."

"Darkness?" I asked her.

"There are three more Towers similar to mine." She stated. "They help in sealing the darkness away from the world."

"And that darkness is?" Mana-san asked.

"The Four Calamaties." She answered and my eyes grew wide with surprise.

"Pixie, does that mean that this is the Fourth Castle, The White Tiger's Castle?!" I exclaimed.

I learned about them with Haruki when we were kids. There are five castles in this world that were erected by our ancestor Gou-jii-sama, the four are the White Tiger's Castle, the Black Turtle's Sea Palace, the Vermillion Bird's Temple and the Green Dragon's Fortress. The four are said to banish the Four Calamaties past the distant skies towards the light of the Moon.

"Yes. This is the White Tiger's Castle." She answered.

"Um, can you fill us in?" Luna-san asked and I smiled.

"There were once beings known as the Calamaties who walked this world. They brought destruction and choas wherever they went." I told them the story of the Four Towers and the Calamaties. "My Ancestor created four Towers that would banish them war into the distant sky to be purified by the Moon. He then had four creatures imbue their power into them. The Four Divine Beasts. The Black Tortoise to the North, the White Tiger to the West, the Vermillion Bird to the South and the Green Dragon to the East."

"I see." Mana-san answered.

"The four gave their power to the four towers and the towers banished the Calamaties to the distant sky to be purified. In each sleeps a guardian who guards it from the darkness." I added. "That's all I know."

"The Guardian of this Tower is currently dormant. None of them are to be awakened unless it is necessary or so my master once told me." Pixie stated.

"It's fine. We're leaving anyway." I answered.

"Why?" Pixie asked.

"These four Towers serve as seals to banish the Four Calamaties, an ancient darkness past the heavenly skies. They have no use to us." I answered. "We're better off heading to Athena City."

"Okay then." The two answered.

"Pixie, we'll be leaving now." I told her and she nodded. "If you need hell you can contact me via telepathy."

"I understand." She said and bowed her head. "Haruka-sama, take care on your journey."

"Thanks." I answered and we left.

We spent the night at the inn and I told the two I was going out to look for Selene and they said they'd come with. I went to Selene's shrine and offered a prayer but the place was empty. Later that day, when we returned to our inn, a young woman was waiting for us at the counter. She has beautiful silver hair and silver eeys with pale white skin. Dressed in a beautiful white sleeveless dress.She wanted to talk in private so we brought her to our room and I erected a barrier so no one would hear what we were talking about.

"My name is Selene. The Guardian of Moon." She bowed her head. "I was told by Hermes you needed my power so her I am."

"Thank you." I bowed my head in thanks.

"Here is alittle something from me as well." She siad and handed me a crystal ball.

"This is, your Anti-Titan Artifact?" I asked and she smiled.

"The Sphere of Selene let you see all that has happened. It grants you the power of the guiding moon." She stated. "Well, I have duties to attend to. Goodbye for now."

She disappeared and we were left alone. We were fixing our packs when I noticed we were low on supplies. A shopping trip is in order. Luna-san covers herself with her cloak and Mana-san slings her bag over her shoulder and we descend the stairs. I return the key and we leave the inn. We head for the market place first before leaving for Athena City.

We've bought everything and were heading to the gate when we heard the cries of a little girl. I turned to see a smallgirl, only seven I think. She has straight brown hair and brown eyes with light brown skin, a fox tail and ears can be seen as well. A beastmen. I approached her worried she might be hurt.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"S-sister!!" She cried. I guess she was seperated from her sister.

"Can you tell us your name?" Mana-san asked.

You can tell how the girl relaxes when she sees a fellow demihuman. I change myself partially into a demonkin. She seems to relax when she sees the wings on my back.

"M-my name is May Mania." She said.

"For now, let's go to the guard post." Luna-san said and we agreed.

We went to the guard post and asked the guard but he shook his head saldy and said that there wasn't anyone who came here. He offered May a lollipop though. We walked away and tried to think of a way to help her and then I recalled Selene's Anti-Titan Artifact.

"I think I know how to find her family." I answered and took out the crystal ball from my bag. "Oh moon which watches over all, reveal the past that you ahve seen."

We watched the crystal ball and then a woman, with the same hue of hair and eye color and skin color appeaeed on the crystal ball.

"Sister." May said.

The crystal ball showed us where she was, she was waiting by the Amber Tree Inn. We went with May there and the young woman saw her and ran for her.

They both hugged and her older sister, April thanked and thanked us. We waved the two farewell and set off for our journey again.

We departed for Athena Town since it was still early. It was a long trip. Four days of travelling snd camping but we finally arrived to Athena City. But I didn't expect to be surprised by the people who were waiting for me there.