In The Land of Ni (Yayoi Warriors Book 1)

Book summary

In a world where ancient magic and hidden forces collide, Spartan warrior Pausanias and Japanese sorceress Saoka must unite to prevent demonic destruction. As they uncover a fallen empire’s dark history, their journey spans from Japan to Persia, racing against time to save humanity with their son and a mystical wolf.

Excerpt from In The Land of Ni (Yayoi Warriors Book 1)

Chapter 1

281 B.C.E. What is present-day Niitsu, Niigata, Japan.

Dawn arrived, painting the sky with shades of peach and fire as it bounced off three parallel rows of clouds over the forested Mt. Akiha. The golden glow cast on the land of Ni brought the peaceful village below to life. Nestled among lush rice paddies and simple wooden huts, the inhabitants of the village began their day.

Magumi, a white wolf as large as a horse, prowled through the beech trees, her senses alert. For over a thousand years, she had protected these lands.

Her ears twitched, sensing a disturbance—a faint, ominous presence on the wind. Time was running out to prepare Eurotasu, the fourteen-year-old boy under her care. Armies of demons and mercenaries gathered in the north, threatening to destroy the earth. Eurotasu’s parents, busy fighting to prevent the apocalypse, had left him in Magumi’s capable paws.

How long do we have left? she wondered as her paws splashed through a small puddle. Will our struggles against the demons be enough?

At a small clearing atop the mountain, Eurotasu slept outside a straw hut built into the ground. Two Dotaku bells hung high on a nearby tree. A fire pit and a rock pathway led down the rise to a natural spring that fed the basin.

His features held the grace of his enchantress mother, Saoka, and his tall frame was a testament to his Spartan father, Pausanias. As Magumi approached, Eurotasu’s piercing blue eyes opened. By the stars, those eyes are like magic every time I see them.

“Good morning,” Eurotasu greeted.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” Magumi replied.

“Wonderfully. I dreamed of flying on a giant bird and swimming in deep waters.”

“That’s amazing,” she said with a warm smile. “Are you ready to start the day?”

Eurotasu reached out to pet her head. “I guess, but first…”

Magumi playfully snapped at his hand.

“Hey, bad wolf.”

“Stinky human,” Magumi retorted with a laugh.

He got up, ready for the day. They moved to the two bronze Dotaku bells. Eurotasu struck them seven times, sending a soft azure magic ripple through the air.

Small teal-colored forest spirits gathered, attracted by the sound. Their forms shimmered with an ethereal glow. Some danced while others sat, vibrating like over-energized toddlers, their curious eyes wide with wonder as they watched the magic unfold. They moved with a playful grace, popping in and out of sight, leaving trails of light that sparkled like fireflies in the dim forest air.

Eurotasu smiled at them, then sat down to begin his morning meditation, a practice ingrained in him since he could walk.

His parents—how I wish they were here not only to look after and teach Eurotasu but to answer so many questions.

As the boy meditated, Magumi joined him in reflection, opening her mind to remember what was lost, take stock of what remained, and ponder the future.

“Hey, runt, stand up. We have a village to protect,” Magumi called.

Eurotasu grabbed his bow, quiver, and his father’s sword. His father had left it for him to safeguard. Pausanias could more than capably defend himself without it.

Magumi allowed Eurotasu to mount her back, and they trotted off together. They traveled in silence for a while, content to feel the warmth of the sun filtering through the red and yellow maple trees and listen to the sounds of the forest. They descended the mountain, passing a small lake. A fun-loving troop of monkeys scurried past, breaking the relative quiet.

“So, Magumi, can you tell me more about the demons the villagers reported seeing?” Eurotasu asked, eyeing a Kiji bird fluttering overhead.

“My experience spans centuries. I’ll sense a demon long before you. You’ve heard plenty about demons from your parents and me already. How about a history lesson instead?”

“Oh no, not another speech about your first taste of cooked rice—soft, almost neutral, with a subtle sweetness and nuttiness.”

“It was sublime. Don’t tease me. Over a millennium, I’ve witnessed humanity’s evolution from fur-clad hunters to silk-wearers as rice cultivation reshaped Wa. A diverse array of professions have arisen, including artisans and cooks, while traditional roles like hunting wane, giving rise to specialists such as healers and scouts.”

Eurotasu’s eyes rolled as he pushed a lazy birch tree branch out of his face. “Huh, isn’t that a…”

Magumi twisted to the left, surprising Eurotasu, who held on tight. A hundred paces away, a creature hid in the bushes, the cypress trees blocking a clear view.

“Dismount and ready your bow. Don’t move until I tell you,” Magumi said, her thoughts racing. Why hadn’t I sensed the Oni? She positioned herself between it and the boy, getting into a defensive stance.

Then Eurotasu laughed.

“Look, it’s just a chiko fox wearing a tattered dress and walking on its hind legs,” Eurotasu said, waving at the yokai.

The harmless yokai bore no evil energy. No wonder I didn't sense it. “Why do you want to scare people?” Magumi yelled.

It shrugged, laughed, dropped down on all fours, and took off.

“You should have seen your face. ‘Dismount and ready your bow,’” Eurotasu said, holding his stomach and pointing at Magumi.

Despite her pride, she smiled. The villagers were safe. “Okay, you’ve had your fun; let’s go back to the hut. Then you need to start your training. We can’t waste any time. Next time it might not be a prank, and you are yet untested.”

They walked back toward the mountaintop, taking their time winding up the far side. They stopped for a cold drink from a trickling stream. Magumi sniffed at a chestnut tree, knowing its spiny package filled with delicious fruit would fall soon.

The forest air grew still. A low, ominous growl rolled in from the distance, and Eurotasu instinctively reached for his weapon. An unnatural chill raised the fur on Magumi's back. She halted, ears pricked, muscles tense.

A sudden rustling in the bushes further up the stream snapped her focus. Out stepped a monstrous figure—a horned Oni with red and black blistered skin, wild hair, and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. A Namahage. Its wet blisters glistened in the dawn light. It hissed, eyes glowing with malice.

“Eurotasu, stay back!” Magumi growled, positioning herself between the boy and the creature.

Eurotasu’s eyes widened, but he didn’t hesitate. He drew an arrow from his quiver, his movements swift and precise. “What do we do, Magumi?”

The Namahage advanced, its feet squelching in the mud. Magumi knew they couldn’t afford to underestimate it.

“Hold your ground,” Magumi said calmly. “Aim for its head but be ready to move if it charges.”

Eurotasu nodded, his focus unwavering. He took a deep breath, nocking the arrow. The air grew thick with tension.

The Namahage lunged forward with a guttural roar.

Magumi sprang to intercept it. Her powerful jaws snapped at the creature, fangs grazing its scaly arm. The Namahage recoiled, hissing.

“Now, Eurotasu!” Magumi shouted.

The creature swung its massive arm, catching Magumi off guard and sending her sprawling into the underbrush. She shook her head, disoriented.

Eurotasu’s hands trembled as the Namahage advanced on her, eyes burning with malice.

Magumi struggled to her feet, blood dripping from a wound on her side. Eurotasu’s arrow flew, missing its mark. The creature turned its attention toward the boy, its growl deepening.

Magumi forced herself to lunge at the Namahage again, her body aching from the impact of the demon's blow. Eurotasu's next arrow flew truer, striking the creature in the shoulder. The Namahage howled, momentarily stunned.

Seizing the opportunity, Magumi lunged again, clamping her jaws around its neck. With a powerful shake, she threw it to the ground. But the Namahage remained relentless, its claws raking across her back as it struggled beneath her. Magumi's grip faltered. The creature pushed her off, rising once more.

She bit down harder, feeling the resistance of its tough hide. The Namahage's strength began to wane, its movements growing sluggish. Finally, with a final savage twist, she broke the creature’s neck. The Namahage lay still, lifeless.

Eurotasu stood frozen, his hands shook as he fumbled for another arrow. His breath came in ragged gasps, eyes wide. The bow slipped from his grasp, and he stumbled backward, nearly tripping over a root. "I can't do this, Magumi!" he cried, panic rising in his chest. "It's too much!"

Magumi panted, blood seeping from her wounds. Eurotasu rushed to her, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay, Magumi? What if more demons come?" His hands rested on her chest.

“I’ll be fine,” she replied, her voice strained. “You did well, Eurotasu. But remember, this is just the beginning. This Oni wasn't as large as others, and it had no magic. Others are far more dangerous.”

The forest seemed to close in around them, shadows lengthening as if anticipating the next threat. Eurotasu scanned the trees, every rustle of leaves setting his nerves on edge. Magumi sensed his fear, and though she shared it, she knew she had to be strong for him. She limped forward, the pain in her side sharp with each step, but the urgency of their mission pushed her onward.

Eurotasu nodded. “I’m ready. Whatever comes, we’ll face it together. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Magumi looked at him, pride and a hint of sadness in her eyes. The path ahead would be fraught with peril, but together they stood a chance. “I am already starting to heal," she said, motioning with her head towards her wound. She closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath. A soft glow began to emanate from her body, bathing her in a gentle light. The air around her shimmered with hues of blue and green, swirling together in a mesmerizing dance of colors.

The glow intensified, centering on the gash along her side. Wisps of golden light wove themselves into the wound, knitting the torn flesh together with delicate threads of magic. The bleeding slowed, then stopped altogether as the radiant energy worked its way deeper into the injury. Tiny sparks of silver flickered within the golden light, adding a celestial quality to the healing process. Magumi's fur, previously matted with blood, began to gleam with a pristine white sheen as the magic cleansed and rejuvenated her. The colors—blue, green, gold, and silver—twined together in a harmonious symphony, their light casting intricate patterns on the forest floor.

As the final threads of magic settled into place, the glow gradually faded, leaving Magumi's wound fully healed without a scar to mar her pristine coat. She opened her eyes, the luminous colors reflected in her gaze, and gave Eurotasu a reassuring nod.

Eurotasu stared in awe, his earlier panic melting away in the face of such an extraordinary display of magic. "Magumi, that was... amazing. I've never seen anything like that before."

Magumi smiled, her strength renewed. "Magic has its wonders, Eurotasu. Now let’s not waste any more time. We have a village to protect."

Eurotasu hesitated, lowering his bow. “What if I’m not ready, Magumi? What if I fail?”

His voice wavered; the weight of his fears heavy in the air. Magumi nuzzled his side gently, trying to infuse him with the strength she herself barely felt. The memory of past battles, both won and lost, flashed through her mind. She knew the cost of failure all too well.

“You are stronger than you think, Eurotasu. But doubt is a dangerous enemy. You must trust in your training and in me.”

The forest air grew still again, the wildlife silent as if sensing the impending danger. Magumi's thoughts were clouded with concerns about the demons' increasing presence.