Happiness

Japan in the Taisho Era is a beautiful land of wonder and darkness, there is beautiful scenery of the land with fruitful colors expanded throughout and mystery that many would call myth. Civilization is moving from agricultural villages into spectacle cities where the darkness would be as bright as the stars at night, traditional economical culture will be replaced in the near future as progression is made.

In one particular village near the unpopulated Mountain of Sagiri, towards the North lived a boy whose life will change at the very instant and this is his story, for in this world:

Happiness can end at the sight of blood.

Days before New Years

The air is fresh with winter winds, while the sun took a grasp on the land, granting it a clear day. By the village river, there kneeled a boy, who had already entered two years past the age of starting pubescence . He had long black to blue tousle hair that he kept tied back in a low ponytail, his eyes were reminiscent of the night sky, dark and hopeful, the boy also wore a dark blue floral Haori that would blend with the dark shade of his hair and eyes. He loved seeing the water flow downstream, it was very calming for him, the water reminded him of his mother.

"Faolan!" a voice calls from the distance

Faolan, who was the boy awoke from the calming trance of the stream. He looked towards the sound in which was directed to him. He believed that it was his mother's voice, since her voice was filled with passion and patience. She stood uphill, with a smile that crafted the aroma of love, and her eyes as gentle as the moon, her long dark hair blossomed with beauty, she wore a beautiful dark blue kimono, that still shined in the bright day. Faolan rose to his feet and proceeded to climb up to his mother. Once Faolan reached uphill, he notices the luggage his mother was carrying.

"I'll carry it all for you mom, I got this!" Faolan smiled as he began to lift up the luggage.

"I appreciate your help my son, it always seems like you're growing older everyday." The mother smiled with appreciation of her son's honorability.

The elders of the village looked fondly of the boy, seeing the actions of Faolan brought great pride.The two walk together on the path that leads to the outskirts of the village, although old the village remained beautiful with greenery organized all throughout, as well as the care for the buildings that have long sustained themselves to do extensive maintenance they receive, Faolan has helped several times in taking care of the village. Along the way to the outskirts of the village a ball was kicked onto the shin of Faolan.

"Sorry, sorry I kicked it too hard!" a child from the village approached Faolan with a frown.

"Don't worry about it, I'm okay and here take it back with you." Faolan placed the luggage he was holding to pick up the ball to pass it back to the child.

"Ah, Thank you very much." The child picked his head back up.

"Watch how hard you kick now." Faolan smiled with kindness.

The child smiled at Faolan and ran back closer to the outer edges of the village to his friends. Faolan lifted his mother's luggage. 'Faolan, you've grown so much', she thought. With one arm she pulled Faolan close to her and with that arm she wrapped it around him as they continued walking.

"What's the matter mom?" asked Faolan for her sudden action.

"My son, everything I've taught and told you, I'm glad that you are a man of integrity." she looked forward with a smile that the sun could rival.

Faolan blushed from the words of appreciation from his mother like he always does. Faolan loved his mother for her respectable and humble nature. He would remember the days where his mother stood for him, and guided him through his sick days all throughout his life. With so much care from her and her humbleness, Faolan believed that his mother deserves the utmost respect and honor. 'I will always support you mom, no matter what,'Faolan held his thought into heart.

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The wind was soon starting to turn icier, and Faolan noticed with his sharp eyes that darkness is soon to come. His mother unusually understood when it was going to be dark just with the look of her eyes too. Faolan had realized that he must have inherited the vision of his mother. The luggage was soon to weigh onto Faolan, so he applied extra pseudo strength by breathing like his mother taught him. She told him to breathe in the way the water was pulled back and forth on a gentle shore, but he was unable to ever feel any difference to what she meant, however he would still try to do so regardless.

"Not long before we get home." she looked on ahead with ever calmness, focused forward.

"Yes mother." Faolan continued orderly behind his mother.

The day would even further fade as the night sky rose and darkened the forest around them. Faolan look towards his mother and she still kept the same expression, a calm one, looking forward. With just a couple more steps, they finally arrive home, a worn but sturdy home that Faolan had lived in since he was young. Inside he placed his mother's luggage down. Faolan's mother headed to the storage room to receive the materials to prepare for dinner. She gathered the ingredients for a Miso-shiro soup. Even though it was a usual homemade plate, his mother's touch had always made the soup more special with each time he ate.

While the food was being made Faolan was relieving the many clothes he had on to a more home appropriate comfort. After he was done he would watch his mother stir the soup. Faolan loved watching her make any kind of food, not because of the food, it is because every single stroke of movement she made had a significant purpose. There would hardly be any struggle, only a gentle calming, like the downstream river Faolan was entranced earlier in the day. The fragrance of the soup was distinct and pure, even though Faolan did not have a special sense of smell, he knew the soup Mother was cooking, the technique was something beyond Faolan could fathom.

"Faolan." she glances over at Faolan.

Faolan gazed upon her call to his name.

"Yes Mother." He gifted her all his attention.

"You may fail many times as you get older my son, however you must never sprawl in your failure. You must keep pushing onward, like the ocean, and when you find yourself in a place of darkness, look to the sky and seek that guiding moonlight." She smiled, overcome by the hope of her son, she finishes the soup, and prepares the dish for Faolan and herself.

"Thank you very much Mother, I'll try my best!" Faolan bowed in respect for his mother and she patted him on the head.

Mother and Son bowed in respect and blessing for their meal and they began to eat together.

Faolan loved to eat his plate quickly, since he loved his mother's cooking. He took little time into nearly finishing his plate. While his Mother consumed with great patience. She interjects with a question to Faolan.

"You're nearly the age Faolan, where you could get married." Mother cocked her head with a smile.

"Mother, I just wish to be able to support you." Faolan drew a little sweat.

"You must live your life, my son there isn't anything wrong with moving on." Mother elevated her chin.

"I suppose I understand, as long as I can still support you, I don't want to leave you all alone." he made minimal eye contact with Mother.

"Son, I will never be alone as long as we're in each other's hearts." She made a soft smile. Faolan reacted with wide eyes.

They finished their plates and prepare for the rest of the night.

Marriage, I don't need to worry about marriage now, either way I'm not really interested in anyone from the village. Faolan continued to think to himself, solutionizing a fact to not get married.

Faolan yawned greatly, his exhaustion increased after holding his mother's heavy luggage for such a long time his arms felt extremely numb and his legs worn out, the pressure was really starting to take a toll on him. He headed quickly towards his room to rest.

"Aaaaaaaah." He moaned.

Faolan finally laid down and wrapped himself comfortably in a sheet with massive sigh of relief. His eyes quickly dimmed, and with overwhelming fatigue, Faolan was asleep.

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A joyous hymn had started to surround the home, the mother sang a praise that echoed even into the room of Faolan

The hymn has startled Faolan from his sleep. His eyes slightly opened and shut it itself in the need for the rest. His eyes could not keep themselves shut anymore, there he lay on the bed with eyes open, listening to the hymn.

'How beautiful.' He thought

The singing was reminiscent of peace, love, and patience. Faolan rose from his bed to spectate the marvelous hymn. He would struggle in standing due to how sore his arms and legs were. He manages to keep a standing form with a balance and with a weak pad towards the exit of his room.

There was only a faint light of candles up ahead near the center of the home. Faolan continued on padding towards the light and to the glorious hymn. The sound of the hymn grew closer and closer as he approached, and Faolan hugged the wall peeking left on the other side of the room. The mother was in a stationary position different from the seiza, however Faolan can see that her presence surrounded the whole room, possibly even the entire house. Unlike usual Japanese folk, she worshipped a Western God and she was always private about it, Faolan never questioned why she believed in the Western God, but it had something to do with his Father who Mother rarely ever speaks about. Faolan continued to listen to his Mother sing, she sung the glory and thanks for all of her blessings in life, Faolan can see the beautiful expression of love she has for her Western God, she sung like the Western God was everything she ever needed in her life. When she continued on with the song, she had always mentioned the protection from demons, Faolan was startled so he decided to slink back into his room, before his Mother caught him awake instead of resting.

Quietly returning to his bed, Faolan wrapped himself with his sheet and laid sideways. 'Demons huh. I thought those were just a myth, why would Mom pray that we are protected from them?' Faolan had kept this thought, and wondered about the possibility. 'I'm sure we're safe, I haven't heard of any demons around the village so that means we're safe,' this particular thought reassured the worried Faolan. He laid on his back staring into the wooden ceiling,

"We're all gonna be okay, right mom?" Faolan's eyes were once again requesting for the urge to be closed, his eyelids slowly closed with the help of the reassurance that he and his mother would be safe. The sound of the hymn would slowly fade, the sound of peace. The icy air grew thicker and the night sky ever blossomed with the rich stars above.

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A new day

Faolan awoke with a dry throat, he nimbled up to his feet, still sore from the day before. Faolan did make his bedding before he left the room to quench his thirst. In the small halls of his home, he wiped the fatigue from his eyes Reaching the kitchen, his Mother who was tireless had already prepared the meal of the morning for Faolan. A small meal, it was a filling rice dish and freshly prepared hot green tea.

"If you're in need of more food, there is some soup leftover from last night." Mother said.

Faolan nodded in acknowledgement, once he finished the morning food he helped himself further with the soup. 'Not a single drop will be wasted,' he thought. Faolan decided to inspect if there was any more left to consume while his mother began preparing Faolan's crafting coach bag. The bag had essential crafting tools Faolan worked with to earn money from the village in order to buy supplemental items for the home.

"Faolan, I have prepared your tools for today." Mother held the bag with gentle care, even with its rugged edges.

"Thank You, Mother!" he retrieved the bag,then pulled the strap used to be held over the shoulder and proceeded to exit out the front.

The Mother of Faolan followed him outside to see him gone for the day. A loud shout came from the path-road to their home. 'Who's calling?' Faolan thought. He looked towards his mother, who looked calmly into the direction of the shout. Stumbling sounds eventually came closer, a young man, sweaty with a short cut arrived in front of Faolan. The young man looked towards the Mother.

"Excuse me! You are Miss Okami Akari?" the young man humbled at the question.

"Yes, Iam Okami-San, is there something of the matter?" Okami, delivered a relaxing smile.

"I have a special delivery from Mister Nakama." The young man pulled out a boxed item, the size of a palm.

"Thank you so much, Faolan would you bring the package to me." she politely asks Faolan.

Faolan retrieves the package from the young man, he quickly heads back in the opposite direction. 'I wonder what's in this box, and it's from Mister Nakama?' wondered Faolan. He passed the box to his mother

"Thank you, my son." Okami retrieves the box

Faolan was further interested in knowing what was inside, but his Mother turned away.

"Be on your way Son, before you're late." she added with a smile.

"Oh right!" Faolan begun his journey to the village waving his mother goodbye, to the wise blacksmith himself :

Hito Nakama.