RG VEDA Volume 1 Rebirth of Ashura Translated by Christophe (goujon@b3e.jussieu.fr) from French edition of RG VEDA p5 Rebirth of Ashura At the dawn of this world, everything in the universe was ruled by the gods. The humans, who weren't in power yet, lived in peace under the rule of the emperor of Heaven. Colors of the rainbow ran across a fertile land, where everyone lived in joy. Happiness was such that even the god of war, mighty Ashura-ou,hadn't thought of fighting in a long time. Until the day when darkness smothered the world. Taishaku-ten, then a general serving the emperor of Heaven, was driven to revolt by his thirst for power. p6 After beheading the emperor, he proudly exposed his head to the people. And thus began an era of darkness. p7 Rebirth of Ashura p8 Taishaku-ten : Kuyo escaped ! How could the Stargazer of the late Emperor escape her sunken jail in the Heavenly City ? Man : When he catches her, he'll be pitiless. Man : She won't escape Taishaku-ten. Wasn't Ashura-ou himself defeated 300 years ago ? Man : The lady Karura-ou graces us with her presence ... She's so beautiful. Man : Ryu-ou won't come. I heard he was sick ... and his heir is too young to step in. p9 Crowd : Look, it's Yasha-ou. Taishaku-ten : Yasha-ou, you are late. Didn't my messenger give you the correct time for our meeting ? Yasha-ou : My lord, I beg forgivness. Taishaku-ten : Oh, perhaps you were very busy ? I am glad you would visit the Heavenly City. p10 Taishaku-ten : It is said that with your sword Yama-to, you successfully fought off the demons. Clan Yasha is really the most powerful. Yasha-ou, answer truthfully. You are a friend of Kuyo, aren't you ? It's been 300 years, since the death of the emperor, and still she will not be my ally. She renounced her extraordinary divining powers instead of serving me. Yasha-ou, I command you to kill her ! p11 Karura-ou : No, my lord ! You cannot force him to. Taishaku-ten : Karura-ou, what is it ? Karura-ou : My lord ... Yasha-ou and Kuyo are friends; it must be unknowingly that you demand such a deed. Taishaku-ten : Karura-ou, I am fully aware of that. Do not infringe on my business, nor question my orders. You may leave. p12 Taishaku-ten : Yasha-ou, you may leave. Do not forget that I'm counting on you. Bishamon-ten, did you do as I said ? Bishamon-ten : It is done. Karura-ou : Yasha-ou ... Do you plan to obey him ? Yasha-ou : I do not know. p13 Karura-ou : Yasha-ou ! Yasha-ou : Kuyo ... What were your thoughts during those three centuries of captivity ? And why did you refuse to serve our new Emperor ? p14 Yasha-ou : The temple is in ruin. Kuyo : I was expecting you, Yasha-ou p15 Kuyo : All my friends are dead. You are the only one I can trust. I knew when I escaped that Taishaku-ten would send you after me. This temple is the place where all my memories belong. Yasha-ou : Indeed, you often told me about this place. Kuyo : I stayed alive to give you a message of the utmost importance. p16 Kuyo : Six stars wander and fall ... Thou shalt find a child, and foster him thyself. He shalt be the key to your destiny. The six stars shall unite ... p17 Kuyo : There is one who shalt descent to the house of Darkness, One who shalt govern the orbit of the stars. The blaze of the red lotus thou rear'st shall burn away all evil The six stars shall be opposed by all, but dominated by none And the six stars shall be the break, which destroys Heaven. p18 Yasha-ou : Kuyo ?! p19 Kuyo : The prophecy ... is told. Yasha-ou : What are those six stars, and this break ? Kuyo : I do not know. Yasha-ou : And this child, must I raise it ? Kuyo : The child is destined to kill you. Yasha-ou : Kill me ?! Kuyo : I promised somebody to transmit the prophecy. It was the last will of ... Ashura-ou. p20 Kuyo : I had to keep silent to resist the Emperor but ... Yasha-ou : Is it Ashura-ou ? Kuyo : No, no, not him Yasha-ou : A child destined to kill me ... If such is the prophecy ... Where is he ? Kuyo : To the north ... in the Shadow Woods. p21 Kuyo : This forest grew 300 years ago, and it is protected by a mysterious force. Nobody was ever able to enter it. People say it shelters a demon. Yasha-ou : I'm eager to know this child. Keep alive until we return. Fare thee well, Kuyo. Kuyo : Yasha-ou ! I loved Ashura-ou so much. His last will must be done. Ashura-ou!... p22 The wheel of destiny is in motion. Yasha-ou : What a strange forest. I feel like I'm walking in circles. Is it a labyrinth ? p23 Yasha-ou : My sword Yama-to parted the trees. p24 Yasha-ou : What a strange tree. I hear a beating heart. Could it be inside ? p27 Yasha-ou : A child ?! Dark Ashura : Who art thou ? p28 Dark Ashura : Thou who disturbed my rest by entering those woods So deep was my sleep ... p29 Dark Ashura : Who art thou ? p30 Yasha-ou : Is this an illusion ? Dark Ashura : Because of thee, the woods won't protect me anymore. Thou who disturbed my rest, what art thou called ? What is thy purpose here ? p31 Yasha-ou : I am named Yasha-ou. I came to free you. Dark Ashura : For what purpose, did thou think ? Because of thee, this world shall know Hell's flames. I am named ... Ashura. p33 Yasha-ou : So this is Ashura, the child destined to kill me ? Did he really sleep 300 years in this forest ? Dark Ashura : I am named Ashura p34 Boy : Yasha-ou ... my lord. I've been looking everywhere for you. Yasha-ou : What is going on ? p35 Boy : We are under attack from monsters. The kekkai is still standing, but we don't know how long it will hold. I beg you, let's hurry back to the village. p36 Yasha-ou : Please, take him in your arms. Boy : But, who is he ? Yasha-ou : He's Ashura, the lone survivor of a warrior clan that was exterminated 300 years ago. p37 Boy : What ? Yasha-ou : Hold him close. Boy : Fear not. Yasha-ou : Forgive me, Kuyo. I have found the child. I will soon be back. Boy : Yasha-ou, look ! p38 Boy : What a dreadful monster ... Yasha-ou : Let's cast our kekkai, and go to the village. p39 Soldier : Yasha-ou. Soldier : Young lord. Yasha-ou : Protect the child. Boy : Yes. Yasha-ou : Spread the kekkai to the forest to the west. p40 Woman : Who is this lovely baby ? Boy : Yasha-ou trusted me with him. He's so cute. Soldier : Let's hope our kekkai will hold. Soldier : Monsters rushed in so suddenly, we barely had the time to raise it. Soldier : I thought we had seen the last of the monsters. Soldier : It's strange there are any left, but our lord will see us safe. Yasha-ou : What is this noise ? p41 Yasha-ou : What is this thing ? Soldier : It's growing by the second ! Soldier : The babe our young lord brought in is inside. Soldier : We tried to open it ... but our swords and axes are useless. Yasha-ou : He felt the danger, and protected himself. p42 Soldier : How could he grow in a minute ? Yasha-ou : Ashura ! Ashura : Yasha p43 Elder : No, that cannot be ... A child of the Ashura clan will bring down the wrath of the Emperor of Heaven. Yasha-ou : Emperor of Heaven ? Taishaku-ten is but an upstart ! Elder : You are a very young lord. You didn't witness that awful war that Taishaku-ten started 300 years ago. After murdering the Emperor of Heaven, he imprisoned his daughter Kisho-ten, and killed all who opposed him. Do you know what happened to the Ashura clan ? p44 Yasha-ou : Yes, I do know. Only Shashi, wife to the Emperor, survived; She was a priestess in the human world. Now she is Taishaku-ten's wife. Elder : Taishaku-ten never forgives. He is pitiless with those who disobey him. Yasha-ou : Ashura-ou was a man of outstanding worth. He served and protected our late Emperor until the end of his life. I feel compassion for the Ashura clan. ... Elder : Their sad destiny is no matter of ours. You are head of the Yasha clan; by keeping this child, you will make yourself look a rebel. p45 Elder : If you want us to stay alive, think about it. Yasha-ou : But this child is innocent. Elder : He will bring nothing but misery. Yasha-ou, don't go against the Emperor, the destiny of our clan is in your hands. Yasha-ou : Since the demise of the Ashura clan, the Yasha clan has been the protector of Heaven. Woman : Come here. Yasha-ou : Our duty is to protect Heaven and the world of humans from monsters. p46 Yasha-ou : We must now assemble our troops to fight off these monsters. Woman : You're lovely like that. Yasha-ou messed you all up. Elder : We cannot be in disagreement with the Emperor of Heaven. Yasha-ou : I'll go patrolling. Come, Ashura. Elder : This child is cursed. His whole clan was meant to die. My lord ! p47 Yasha-ou : Do not go further, you would step out of the kekkai. Ashura : Oh ! Are you all right ? Yasha-ou : What's going on ? Kujaku : I ... I ... Hungry. Ashura : Yasha, he's hungry. p48 Kujaku : Please forgive me, but I almost died on my way. Ashura : Kujaku, open your mouth. Kujaku : You too, Ashura. Yasha-ou : Kujaku, what a strange name. Kujaku : Not any stranger than Ashura. It's very strange to bear a forbidden name. His ears are pointed. His eyes are golden, and his features are typical of the Ashura clan. The blood of the ruling family runs in his veins. p49 Kujaku : The people of Heaven have great respect for those of the ruling family. They have peculiar physical features, and live three thousand years, whereas the humans live only a hundred. The heir is severely selected. That is why he may be called by the name of his clan. I can't beleive this child is the last survivor of the Ashura clan. If you keep him with you, everybody will think you're rebelling. Yasha-ou : I don't understand. He's so lovely. Kujaku : Hey, Yasha. Such carelessness. You're playing today with the child that will kill you tomorrow. Yasha-ou : Who are you ? p50 Kujaku : No, don't take it that bad. I'm just a mere traveller. Ouch, ouch ouch Yasha-ou : Your purple eyes prove you of the demon tribe. How can you be under the Yasha clan's kekkai ? Kujaku : That ... is a secret. I was only joking about Ashura. Soldier : My lord, the kekkai has been breached to the west. p51 Yasha-ou : Must I really ... bring Ashura on the battlefield ? Soldier : Yes, because only the women and the children will stay in the village during the battle. If he is left among them, we fear he might be a danger with that strange tree-protection of his. This child is cursed. Ashura : What are they talking about ? Soldier : If the Emperor's men find him here, they'll destroy our village. Kujaku : Why won't you take him, Yasha-ou ? p52 Kujaku : Any one of them could kill him while you're away. He'll be safer on the battlefield than in the village. Yasha-ou : Come, Ashura. p53 Kujaku : Thanks for the food. Ashura : Kujaku ? Soldier : He left so fast ! Ashura : A pity. Yasha-ou : Get my horse, we're heading for the front. p54 Soldier : Let's follow our lord. Yasha-ou : Careful, they're coming from everywhere. p55 Yasha-ou : Haaaaa... Ashura ! p56 Ashura : Yasha !! Yasha-ou : Ashura ?! Ashura : Yasha-ou ! Yasha-ou : You look after Ashura. Boy : I will. p57 Boy : Our lord is a magnificent fighter. I wish I could be like him someday. He's strong enough to protect Heaven. Waaaaaaaa p58 Yasha-ou : Ashura !! p60 Yasha-ou : Everybody OK ? Boy : In the village, they say you're bad luck. You just saved my life. Yasha-ou : Ashura Ashura : Yes Yasha ? Yasha-ou : Go back to the village with the others. Boy : But, my lord, where are you going ? p61 Yasha-ou : I must go, I made a promise. Ashura : Yasha, where are we going ? Yasha-ou : We're visiting a lady who wants to meet you. Yasha-ou : Kuyo, I'm back with the child as I said. Kuyo ?... p63 Yasha-ou : Oh, no, Kuyo !... p64 Ashura : Yasha, who is this lady ? Yasha-ou : Kuyo ... Kujaku : Didn't I tell you ... He would bring you ill luck. p65 Yasha-ou : Kujaku, did you kill her ? Kujaku : No, it's an Emperor's man. I think you know him well. Bishamon-ten, general of the north. Were you naive enough to think that Taishaku-ten wouldn't find her here ? The moment you chose to spare Kuyo and keep this child, your destiny was set. p66 Kujaku : Kuyo's prophecy has come true : the wheel of destiny is in motion. Hell willl break loose on this world. p68 Kujaku : And it will be so as long as Ashura is by your side. He'll bring your doom. Yasha-ou, you should have listened to your village's elder. Yasha-ou : Why didn't you prevent Kuyo's murder ? Kujaku, answer me ! p69 Kujaku : Why ?... Because it's none of my business. Yasha-ou : You ... are a traitor ! p70 Kujaku : Is that your only reaction ? Do you know where Bishamon-ten is right now ? Think, where could he go after murdering Kuyo ? Yasha-ou : Shut up ! Yasha-ou : Taishaku-ten will never forgive your betrayal. Right now, the Yasha clan must ... p71 Dark Ashura : Hee,hee,hee, yes, it must know Hell. I warned thee not to disturb my rest. Hee, hee, hee. Yasha-ou : Ashura ! Dark Ashura : Thou shall now know thy acts' consequences. Thou shouldn't have braved the forbidding. p72 Dark Ashura : From now on, thou shalt be alone in thy agony. Yasha-ou : Ashura !?? p73 Soldier : Alert, we are under attack. Douse this fire ! Soldier : But who's attacking us ? Soldier : Look, these are the Emperor of Heaven's army's flags. Soldier : No, that can't be ... p74 Woman : What's going on ? Woman : Look, it's incredible. Elder : But, this is ... p75 Elder : One of the emperor of Heaven's vassals; General of the North Bishamon-ten. p76 Elder : Oh, I'm struck. What I feared has come true. Soldier : The Emperor's army is encircling us. Soldier : It's all because of this child our lord brought to the village. Soldier : But why would he do such a thing ? Boy : No. Ashura is not the reason for this. He saved my life. Soldier : You're too young to understand. They'll kill us all as rebels. Elder : Keep quiet. Yasha-ou is our lord, and we must stick with him. It's too late, our destiny was decided the moment the child set foot in our village. p77 Elder : We cannot go back, we must assemble our forces to fight Bishamon-ten. Nothing must stop us. Soldier : My general Bishamon-ten, they look ready to resist our attack. Bishamon-ten : So we expected. Clan Yasha is among the fiercest warrior clans. And remember, no one must survive, not even an infant. No seed of evil may remain, to one day spring roots ... p78 Soldier : So many of them ... p79 Soldier : Be brave, men. Charge ! p80 Taishaku-ten : Han-Ranya, can you see them ? Han-Ranya : Yes, the magic of the water mirror allows me to. p81 Taishaku-ten : Have they begun ? As powerful as the Yasha clan might be, they won't measure up to Bishamon-ten. Han-Ranya : Isn't this clan part of the army of the North ? Bishamon-ten seems to lose his people. May our defenses to the North be sufficient. Taishaku-ten : Fear not, there are other clans. If trouble arises, clan Ryu and Karura would help. I'd rather worry about that prophecy of six Stars. p82 Taishaku-ten : Yasha-ou has freed Ashura-ou's son. That child is the core for one of the six Stars. Yasha-ou doesn't suspect that he too is the core of one of the six Stars. If I do not act, all six Stars will assemble under Ashura's lead. United, they'd end my reign. I will never let them! ... p83 Taishaku-ten : The throne is mine. As long as I am Emperor of Heaven ... I will maintain peace; but sacrifices will be necessary. I built this world with the blood of clan Ashura, and a few others. A drop of blood from clan Yasha won't change anything. Han-Ranya : I agree with you, my lord. p84 Bishamon-ten : Finish those still alive, and put the village to the torch. When you are done, you will return to the Heavenly City. Soldier : Yes my general. Bishamon-ten : A mighty warrior clan. Yasha clan is but an unpleasant memory. p85 Boy : Disaster ... p86 Boy : Why would such an awful thing happen to us. The village Elder ! Elder : Tell our lord he must stay alive. He must not seek vengeance. Boy : No, wait I beg you ... p87 Boy : Ha, ha, ha ... Soldier : It's a kid. Soldier : But he's of Yasha blood. Soldier : Right. p88 Boy : Ahhhhhhh Soldier : That's the fifth one I kill. Soldier : I already killed seven. Boy : No, it's not true, I won't believe Yasha clan is destroyed. Help us, Yasha-ou. Soldier : By protecting the last Ashura survivor, their lord sentenced his own clan to death. p89 Boy : Is Ashura really the cause of all this ? If Yasha knew the danger, why did he bring him to the village. Elder, tell me it's not our lord's fault. No, no, I won't believe this ! Our lord must have had good reasons to act this way. He never wanted his clan destroyed. Please, answer me ... p90 Boy : Oh, I beg, answer me ... Dark Ashura : It's too late for regrets now, it's all done. Such was the fate of clan Yasha. I warned thee that rousing me would fan the flames of Hell. But you're so selfish, you'd rather sacrifice your whole clan. p91 Yasha-ou : Shut up Ashura. Dark Ashura : All right, if such is your will, I shall depart ... Kujaku : Yasha-ou. You have no reason to return to your village. Yasha-ou : I am head of the Yasha clan. My duty is to protect it. p92 Kujaku : Yasha-ou ! Whatever he does, he won't change destiny. Kuyo foretold it. Ashura is back, and none can stop him. The destruction of clan Yasha was unavoidable. p93 Ashura : Yasha, I smell blood. Over there ! It's my friend ! Yasha-ou : My brother ! Ashura : Hold on ! Boy : Ashura ??? Ashura !!! Ashura : Kyaaa p94 Boy : If you hadn't ... If you hadn't been here, we'd all still be alive. Murderer ! Give me my clan back, you should have been the one to die. Yasha-ou : Stop it ! Boy : You can't know how much I hate you ! p95 Boy : Yasha-ou my lord, don't go to the village, everyone is dead. Yasha-ou : How ? What happened ? Boy : You must live on... Don't try to avenge us. It was the elder's last will, I promised him I would tell you. I shall pray to the god of victory for you, my lord. Yasha-ou : I'm your lord, and I order you to stay alive. If you die, I'll be called a weak lord, unable to protect his people. p96 Yasha-ou : Now ... whom am I lord to ? Boy : It's all your fault. They all died because of you. You can't know how much I hate you. p97 Ashura : Yasha ... Yasha-ou : Yes, Ashura ? Ashura : Is it Ashura's fault ? Tell me, is it Ashura's fault that my friend died ? Yasha-ou : No, no, don't cry, it's not you. I know who ordered this slaughter. p98 Yasha-ou : Taishaku-ten, Emperor of Heaven. So, the death of the Emperor and the whole Ashura clan wasn't enough. You thirsted for Yasha blood as well. p99 Yasha-ou : I will never forgive what you did to my clan. I'll unite the six Stars to destroy you, and put an end to your reign, Taishaku-ten. p100 Yasha-ou : Now, we are both alone in this world. You are the last one from clan Ashura, and I from clan Yasha. I must seek out the Emperor, to avenge our clans. You're just a child, what will I do with you ? Ashura : Take me with you ! p101 Ashura : I want to come with you, Yasha. If you leave alone, without me, you'll be so sad. Ashura will never leave you ... Yasha : Ashura ... p102 Kujaku : And thus met Yasha and Ashura, as their destiny dictated ... ... so that the six Stars would unite ... ... and that the blaze from Hell burn away all evil in this world. The six Stars will unite against the Emperor of Heaven ... And Ashura's hand will turn the wheel of destiny. Hey, that ain't bad ... I'm good at telling that kind of story, don't you think ? Rebirth of Ashura/End RG VEDA Volume 1 Chapter 2 Hoshi Matsuri : Festival of the Star Translated by Christophe (goujon@b3e.jussieu.fr) from French edition of RG VEDA p103 At the dawn of this world, every thing in the universe was ruled by the gods. The humans, who weren't in power yet, lived in peace under the rule of the emperor of Heaven. Colors of the rainbow ran across a fertile land, where everyone lived in joy. Happiness was such that even the god of war, mighty Ashura-ou, hadn't thought of fighting in a long time. Until the day when darkness smothered the world. Taishaku-ten, then a general serving the emperor of Heaven, was driven to revolt by his thirst for power. After beheading the emperor, he proudly exposed his head to the people. And thus began an era of darkness. p104 Hoshi Matsuri : Festival of the Star p106 Han-Ranya : My lord Taishaku-ten, look ... Taishaku-ten : It's Yasha-ou, together with Ashura-ou's son. p107 Taishaku-ten : I didn't know Yasha-ou was still alive. Han-Ranya : They are the only ones who escaped the slaughter. Taishaku-ten : So it's just the king and this ... child. Han-Ranya : My lord, you must not spare them. Stewart : My lord, I had a troop of dancers sent to Kisho-ten as you ordered. Han-Ranya : Dancers, what for ? Taishaku-ten : We will soon celebrate the festival of the Star, in tribute to Kisho-ten, who foretells our future with her star mirror. This year, I wish to see to the celebration myself, which is why I had artists sent already. p108 Taishaku-ten : If I gain her trust ... I'm sure she won't be able to refuse me. She must be my ally ... Yasha-ou : Is somebody following us ? Ashura : Uh ? There was somebody right there ! Yasha, wait ... I'm sure I felt someone ... p109 Ashura : Yasha, look how beautiful she is ! But who is she ? Yasha-ou : They're dancers. Ashura : Dancers ? Here ? Gigei : Who's there ? p110 Woman : Gigei ? Gigei : Get out of here, and show your face ! Oh, no, it's not possible, you are ... ! p111 Ashura : Eh ? What ? Hey, what's wrong with you ? Gigei : I'm sorry. Did you sleep well ? You've had the honor to sleep in my bed. You're not the talkative kind. p112 Gigei : Say, what's your name ? Ashura : Ashura. Gigei : Oh ... I don't like that kind of joke very much. Ashura : But I'm not joking. Gigei : It's forbidden to even say this word. If a soldier of the Emperor's army heard you ... Ashura : My name is Ashura, Yasha gave it to me. Gigei : Truly ? But then ... p113 Gigei : Is he your father ? Ashura : Who are you talking about ? Gigei : Yasha. Ah, better. Ashura : Hey, Yasha. Yasha-ou : Come, we're going ... Ashura. p114 Gigei : Wait ! How are you going to repay me ? I fed you. I'll take no gift, no money, and no bartering. Since you spent the night with us, here's what I say : you're part of the troop ! Yasha-ou : I'm not sure about that. p115 Gigei : Anyway ... I didn't give you your leave. Woman : Dinner's ready. Gigei : Help yourselves, take all you want. p116 Gigei : Here, meet the kids. From now on, you're part of our family. Here ! Boy : No ! I won't share my dinner with him. So your name's Ashura ? You're a liar ! Ashura : I am not a liar. p117 Boy : Clan Ashura is not anymore. They were the best fighters in Heaven. You can't be one of them. You're lying. Gigei : Stop it ! I said stop it ! STOP !!! p118 Gigei : Who allowed you to fight during dinner ? Boy : But he ... Gigei : He said his name was Ashura; if I say my name is Gigei, am I lying ? Boy : But ... Gigei : Say you're sorry Boy : Uh, sorry. Gigei : You say you're sorry too. SAY YOU'RE SORRY !!! p119 Ashura : Ooooh !... I'm sorry. Gigei : Alright. Your shirt is all torn. Come with me. Come on, come over here. Don't worry, I'm not angry anymore. I like your name a lot, Ashura. p120 Gigei : When I was a kid, my mother told me the legend of Ashura-ou, the god of war who fought the demons from the dark world. I still remember his story. Ashura : Nobody ever told me of him. Gigei : Ashura ... Ashura : When I came to the village, people said I was bad luck. They wanted me to leave ... Now, they're all dead. p121 Gigei : Don't listen to them. Ashura : But nobody wants me. Gigei : The world is full of cruel people who don't deserve to live. There are so many evil men; but you are not like them. Ashura : Really ? Gigei : Yes, I promise. It's been only two days since we met, but I feel so good around you. I'd like you to stay. I need you so. Ashura : Ah ? Gigei : So you don't believe me, do you ? p122 Gigei : I like your name a lot, but I still like mine better. Ashura : Gigei ? Gigei : Yes, because I was told it's the name of a beautiful goddess, a very good dancer. Our leader named me. Ashura : Is he your father ? Gigei : Not at all. I don't remember my father, I only know he sold me to the troop when I was a child. All done. You're a lot cuter this way, Ashura. p123 Yasha-ou : Why are you treating us so well ? Gigei : Do you really want to know ? Er, well, I'm in love with you. Yasha-ou : Do you even know who I am ? Gigei : You're Yasha-ou, subordinate to Bishamon-ten, general of the North in the Emperor of Heaven's army. You're a warrior ... looked for by Taishaku-ten. The last Festival of the Star happened about six years ago. It was a tribute from the Emperor to his daughter Kisho-ten. p124 Gigei : I was there, six years ago, with the best of all dancers ... She was my mother. I saw you for the first time there. That day, I understood I wouldn't love anybody but you. If only I had known I would see you again before the Festival of the Star. p125 Boy : Please excuse me; Gigei was really angry. Let's make a truce. Girl : I want to be your friend too! Er ... is it true you know Yasha-ou ? p126 Girl : Yasha-ou is a real warrior; they say there's no better swordsman in Heaven. Girl : And Gigei is in love with him. Ashura : What ? In love ? Boy : Gigei's been in love with Yasha ever since she saw him at the last Festival of the Star when she was young. Since then, she's been waiting for the day when they would be together again. Girl : I can't wait until they meet. Boy : Yes ! And they'll meet at the Festival of the Star ! Gigei : The first time I saw you, I asked the man next to me of your name. And he said it was Yasha-ou. Since then, I never stopped loving you. Yasha-ou : I'm sorry, but I don't even know you. p127 Gigei : Oh, but it's not important. I decided I would cherish my heart's chosen, and not make the same mistake as my mother : she was sorry all her life she couldn't marry her first love. My father made her dance until she died. Then, as he needed money, he sold me to the dancing troop. I know, it's a common story. For all these reasons, I decided I would be faithful to my first love. That way, I wouldn't have to compare him to another. I'll love only him, even if he's the dirtiest lout. p128 Yasha-ou : If you value your life, leave us alone. Gigei : That's wonderful; if I sacrifice myself for the one I love ... I'll fulfill my dearest wish. Ashura : Yasha ... You know, Gigei told me ... p129 Yasha-ou : It's not important, we're leaving tomorrow. Ashura : No, I don't want to ! Yasha-ou : Those dancers were sent by Taishaku-ten. Do you want Gigei to die because of us ? Ashura : Let's stay one more day. Just one day please ... p130 Gigei : That's good, Ashura, but you need to pluck more. It's for the Festival of the Star tomorrow. Ashura : Er ... Gigei : What do you want to say ? Ashura : Gigei, is it true you love Yasha ? Gigei : Yes, even if he doesn't love me, I've got enough love for both of us. Don't worry Ashura, I love you too. You're as cute as a little racoon. p131 Gigei : Especially when you're angry. Ashura : No, I don't look like a racoon ! You're teasing me. Gigei : OK, I'm sorry. Excuse me, I'm sorry. Here, I'll give you my ring. I hope you won't forget me. Anyway, I don't intend to leave you. p132 Gigei : Who are you ? Soldier : Surrender the child ! Gigei : No, he's staying with me. p133 Soldier : This child is the last survivor of a cursed family. By the Emperor's will, give him to me ! Gigei : You'll never have him ! Ashura : GIGEI !! Gigei : Careful, don't stay here !! Can't you see you're in danger ? Flee !! p134 Gigei : Flee, Ashura !! Ashura : Whaaaa !! p135 : Gigei : Ashura ??!! p136 Gigei : Ashura !! p137 Yasha-ou : Come, Ashura ... p138 Gigei : Wait a minute ... Where are you going ? You're not leaving without me ! Yasha-ou : Are you finally aware of the danger ? Gigei : No, quite the opposite, you're still the man in my life ... and I feel even closer to Ashura. After the festival of the Star, nothing will hold me back. I'll come with you, I can promise that. p139 Stewart : Your highness Kisho-ten Taishaku-ten sends dancers for the festival of the Star. Kisho-ten : In these dark times, we have no reason to celebrate this event. Since the death of the Emperor, and the slaughter of the Ashura clan ... it has not been necessary to foresee the future. p140 Boy : Where is the little boy ? Girl : Gigei said he left. Boy : Too bad, I liked to play with him. p141 Gigei : Now that I've found him, I'll follow him to the end of the world. But before that, I must dance at the festival of the Star. It was my mother's wish. Like her, I must be the greatest dancer. Just this one day, just this one thing, and I'll leave with my love. p142 Kisho-ten : I enjoy this festive mood. I feel the happiness of all present. ... What a graceful dancer. Soldier : Hey you, where's Yasha-ou ? Answer ! p143 Gigei : ... Soldier : Woman If you don't answer, you're dead ! Ashura : You didn't even say goodbye ! Yasha-ou : Of course I did ... Ashura : That's not true. Who were the men who came when I was playing with Gigei ? Did you scare them off, Yasha ? Funny, I don't remember a thing. Maybe it was Gigei. I know she's strong and brave. p144 Soldier : For the last time, where is he hiding ? Kisho-ten : Who let these goons into my palace ? Serving girl : Highness, soldiers of the Emperor are threatening to kill a young dancer. Gigei : I'd give my life to save the one I love. My feelings for him are that strong ... and little Ashura trusts me so much. Soldier : Where are they !? p145 Gigei : I will not betray those I love. Ashura : I want to see Gigei ... She said she'd come to us after the festival. I didn't have time to ... p146 Ashura : thank her for her marvelous gift. She must know ... that Ashura loves her with all his heart. p147 Soldier : Get rid of the corpse. Serving Girl : Highness ! Kisho-ten : They tainted the festival of the Star with the blood of a maiden. Taishaku-ten is truly a soulless creature. Is this the behavior of a god ? p148 Kisho-ten : The Star of destiny is on its path ... Festival of the Star/End RG VEDA Volume 1 Chapter 3, 4 Flames purify Heaven in which lightning is a god & Ariane's thread Translated by Christophe (goujon@b3e.jussieu.fr) from French edition of RG VEDA p149 Let flames purify Heaven in which lightning is a god. The anecdote p151 At the dawn of this world, every thing in the universe was ruled by the gods. The humans, who weren't in power yet, lived in peace under the rule of the emperor of Heaven. Colors of the rainbow ran across a fertile land, where everyone lived in joy. Happiness was such that even the god of war, mighty Ashura-ou, hadn't thought of fighting in a long time. p152 Guardians : Ashura-ou Ashura-ou, our lord. We are the twelve Guardians of Serenity ... members of the Ashura clan. Priestess : We must preserve peace, and fight only to protect our people. Ashura-ou : Yet we must be on our guard, for demons are threatening at the far reaches of our world. We are awaited in the Heavenly City; follow me. p153 Priestess : How strange, the city seems sunken, but water won't flood in. Old woman : This is not easily understood by humans like you and Shashi. It's water ... and it is not. Ryu-ou himself, lord of the watery realms, cannot enter it. It's a direct manifestation of the kekkai protecting clan Ashura. Only a member of our clan can cross through it. And a few priestess who, like you, have reason to be in the palace. Priestess : From the outside, Ashura's palace doesn't seem real. Some think it's a reflection of the Emperor's palace. Exact as a reflection, and faithful as a shadow ... p154 Priestess : Ashura's palace is in perfect harmony with the Heavenly City where our Emperor lives. p156 Ashura-ou : Go to the audience hall without me. I'll join you. Guardian : Yes my lord. Ashura-ou : Kuyo ... p157 Kuyo : Highness, I wasn't expecting you. Ashura-ou : Please forgive me. I wasn't announced. Kuyo, I need to know ... Kuyo : I'm listening ... Ashura-ou : Can I change destiny's course ? Kuyo : ... No ... p158 Kuyo : Believe in my prophecy, such is the destiny of the Stars. Ashura-ou : I would never cast doubt on your abilities, but could you gaze one more time ? Kuyo : As you wish, highness. p160 Six dark stars will come down from the sky, and break Heaven and Earth to purify them. Lightning will reap Heaven, and the world will know darkness and terror. With time, the six stars will unite, and their blaze will burn away all evil. Many will oppose them, but none will stop them, and ... they shall be the break which destroys Heaven. p162 People : Taishaku-ten is held in great awe on returning from the East. An audition is held in is honor in the Heavenly City. With his rage and his cruelty, he was able to overcome the worst demons. He's a mighty warrior ... The Emperor should be wary. He doesn't seem to realize the extent of Taishaku-ten's power. Taishaku-ten : Those people are too talkative. Their lives are all rumor and tranquility. Let them enjoy it for now ... p163 Emperor : Taishaku-ten, congratulations. Your fight against the demons makes you worthy of your title 'god of lightning'. As a reward, I'll grant you a wish. Taishaku-ten : I thank you. If you allow me, i would ask Ashura-ou ... for a fighting lesson. Ashura-ou : ... but my lord ... Emperor : A brilliant idea. It's been a long time since I have enjoyed such a fight. p164 Taishaku-ten : Ashura-ou, do you object ? Ashura-ou : No, if such is the will of the Emperor ... Kisho-ten : I beg you father, don't let them fight. Emperor : Be quiet, it's just a game. Guardian : Take this sword. Ashura-ou : No, thank you I'd rather use ... mine ... p165 People : Look, it's Shura-to ! Only a member of the Ashura clan may wield it. Taishaku-ten won't resist its might for long. p166 Taishaku-ten : En garde ! What an honor, using Shura-to against me ! Dare I imagine that you are comparing my power...with that of this blade? p167 Kisho-ten : I beg you, stop. p168 Emperor : Enough. The lesson is over, sheath your weapons !! You too, Ashura-ou. You are improving, Taishaku-ten. In a few years, you may grow as strong as Ashura-ou. p169 Emperor : Stand back, the show is over. Ashura-ou, never forget that your duty is to use your might for defense, and not for attack. Watch Shura-to closely, its power could cause enormous damages. You may leave now, with your twelve guardians. Ashura-ou : Yes, my lord. Guardian : My lord, are you injured ? Ashura-ou : No ... p170 Guardian : What is it, my lord. Ashura : Fear not, my cloth is slightly teared. He managed to wound me after all. Curses on the lightning god. Taishaku-ten !! Taishaku-ten : Know, Ashura-ou, that I always get what I want. p171 Guardian : Insolent ! Ashura : Let him go ! Better to just let him go p172 Six dark stars will come down from the sky, and break Heaven and Earth to purify them. Lightning will reap Heaven, and the world will know darkness and terror. With time, the six stars will unite, and their blaze will burn away all evil. Many will oppose them, but none will stop them, and ... they shall be the break which destroys Heaven. Flames purify Heaven in which lightning is a god/End p174 Ashura : Yasha !!! Yasha-ou : Yama Tenro Ken !! Ariane's thread p176 Ashura : Yasha, you're really the strongest ! Yasha-ou : My strength allows me to use Yama-to. Ashura : Why ? Yasha-ou : It's an ancient legend in the Yasha clan. Ashura : A legend ? p177 Yasha-ou : This legend says that once, when our clan was weakened, a winged man flew down from the sky to help us. He gave us this sword, and said it must always be in the hands of the strongest among us. This demon blade sheds a strange light when held by the strongest fighter in our clan. With it, I could level a mountain. It's name is ... Yama-to. The winged man gave us the sword while an evil shadow was spreading on our northern territories. Quickly, those of our clan understood that the sword's powers were eerie. After three months, the winged man disappeared. Ever since, this sword has become the symbol of clan Yasha's might. One day, I'll transmit it along with the legend to my heir. p178 Dark Ashura : p179 The man with the black wings. Yasha-ou : No ... Yama-to is real, but the winged man is legend. Members of clan Karura live in the sky, but they don't have wings on their backs. Ashura, we're sleeping here today. Ashura : No, I don't want to sleep in the trees again. Yasha-ou : To avoid the Emperor's soldiesr, we should sleep in an even more remote place. Ashura : Yasha, I'm afraid I'll fall. Yasha-ou : Stop squirming. Come close to me, I'm holding you, you're safe. Ashura : Tell me, Yasha ... p180 Ashura : Could you show me once more Yama-to's magic light ? This light is as pretty as Gigei. When I saw Gigei the first time, she looked as marvelous as the light. p181 Yasha-ou : You like Gigei a lot, don't you ? Ashura : Yes, almost as much as you. I'd love Gigei to be my mother. Yasha-ou : Your mother ? Who taught you this word ? Ashura : Children in the troop. They said a mother is a very gentle woman, who'll stay with you forever. That's what a mother is, isn't it ? I need a mother ... p182 Yasha-ou : Your mother is the woman who gave you birth. You can't just pick her. Ashura : So, Gigei can't be my mother ? Where is Ashura's mother ? Where is she ? Why isn't she with me ? p183 Ashura : Is she dead ? Yasha-ou : No ... She is alive. Would you like to meet her ? Ashura : Yes, I want to see her. Where is she ? Yasha-ou : She lives in the Tori-ten, in the palace of the Emperor of Heaven. p184 Yasha-ou : Shashi ... She is now Taishaku-ten's wife. Although she was once married to Ashura-ou, her ambition made her betray her own husband, for a marriage that would make her an Empress. When her two twins were born, she discovered that one of them was Ashura-ou's offspring, and tried to kill him herself. Ashura must never know ... Ashura : Please, take me to the Emperor's palace, I want to see my mother. But for now, I decided you'd be my mother ! ... Yasha-ou : What ?! Don't be stupid, and go to sleep ! p185 Ashura : I trust you ... I know you'll take me to her. Yasha-ou : Yes, I swear. When I'm done with Taishaku-ten. p186 Yasha-ou : For you, I'll move mountains. I swear to protect the little one sleeping in my arms and to be his Ariane's thread, to guide him through his dangerous journey. Ariane's thread/End. p187 Hi, Chinese food delivery. And suddenly, Yama Tenrou Ken With participation of all characters from RG Veda. Ashura : You're the strongest. You even use Yama Tenrou Ken to hunt boars. Yasha-ou : I would never have thought I'd use my best attack against a boar ... Ashura : We have food for a long time ! Kujaku : It looks delicious. May I join in ? p188 Vivian Leigh Yasha-ou : Kujaku, you're eating for free again ! Kujaku : Yeah, bro. Taishaku-ten : It's not admissible. We cannot let them dine in peace. Bishamon-ten : I think it's rather time for supper. Taishaku-ten : Bishamon-ten, I trust you're ready to fight the six Stars ? Bishamon-ten : You may count on me, my lord. Yes, you can count on me, Taishaku-ten. Taishaku-ten : Bishamon-ten ... I am glad to have you for a general. p189 Phew, feeling better ... Bishamon-ten/Taishaku-ten : I'm proud as the Sphinx when it still had its nose. I'm proud as the Sphinx when it still had its nose. I'm proud as the Sphinx when it still had its nose. I'm proud as the Sphinx when it still had its nose. Bishamon-ten : Good bye Taishaku-ten : I'm expecting good news. Night fell on Heaven and Earth Ashura : Yasha, you sleep here. Kujaku here, and me in the middle. I've always wanted to dream betwen my parents !! p190 Clamp's journal : a RG Veda prototype by Mic Nekoi Nekoi : All of you readers who read this manga for the first time, I'll explain what Clamp is. Clamp is ... the name of a group in charge of planning and production, whose four members are from Osaka, Kyoto and Shiga. I'll now introduce each group member Let's begin with me, I'm "cuty Nekoi" (I think I'm real cute with my new haircut). Ohkawa : Your complimenting yourself ? Nekoi : Who else does ? Here is miss Nanase Ohkawa, in charge of creation, production and planning; in short, she's our "boss". I draw her with a serious face, because she always is. That's what everybody thinks. She always works dressed like that. p191 Here is miss Mokona Apapa, who draws story boards and sketches according to Ohkawa's ideas. Nekoi : We choose her as Clamp's mascot. Apapa : They don't care about that, tell them about my job. Nekoi : When you see the mess on her desk, you can guess how hard she's working. Apapa : I'm gonna kill you ! Nekoi : Sorry, you're a wonderful gal. And here is miss Satsuki Igarashi, in charge of frames and half-tones. She's gifted for a lot of thinks, but she also makes mistakes. Igarashi : I want to eat crab. Ohkawa : She's an excellent cook. Apapa : She's smart. Nekoi : She eats a lot. Ohkawa : It's a good thing. Nekoi : Yes, she finishes the dishes. Apapa : But she won't eat when she not hungry. And finally, miss Mic Nekoi, who does finishing touches and backgrounds with Satsuki. p192 Nekoi : I do manga, like this one. Apapa : Nekoi eats a lot too. Igarashi : She only eats thrice a day. Ohkawa : Why are they talking about food ? Igarashi : We are the four girls in Clamp. Now, let's change subject. Clamp has moved recently. We've been in Tokyo for 3 years and 7 months, and we've moved 5 times already. Apapa : Near our new house, there's a ??, and it crows very loud in the afternoon. Igarashi : This time, everybody decorated her own room. I don't know where I'll put all my things. Ohkawa : Satsuki managed to fit all her things in her room. Strange. p193 Nekoi : We used to sleep on futons. Now we've bought beds. Igarashi : The beds take up half the room. We are close up now. Apapa : I'd loke to collect furniture, but it's too expensive. Ohkawa : From this year on, I'll go into chess. I've already bought a cute little playing table. I've put 'Alice in wonderland' men on it, and I've got Disney men as well. I'll buy some other. Apapa : And I like menus from 'Sky Lark' restaurants too. Igarashi : What are you talking about ? Apapa : There are a lot of good things in 'Sky Lark' restaurants. Clamps recomands 'maguro-tataki goahn' and 'kani-gohan'. They're delicious. Nekoi : And I like iced milk tea at 'Lotteria'. It's delicious. Ohkawa : And near our house, there's a nice little japanese restaurant, but I won't tell where it is. Nekoi : Let's stop speaking about food, I don't want to grow fat. And now ... Igarashi : We have some important information. p194 You know clamp was publishing 'Clamp laboratory'. We will stop. As you've seen in the papers and on TV, stamp prices have gone up. Clamp laboratory was on a tight budget, and we'll have to increase its price. If we increase the price, it will become too much for those who buy manga, videos and CDs. That's why we'll continue Clamp laboratory until April, and then stop. Subscriptions are already closed. But Clamp laboratory phone service is still active. We'll try to give you info on clamp through it. Please bear with us. p195 Since it's a normal phone line, you can call it from anywhere in the world. Since it's a phone line, you'll have info faster. Informations will change on the 1st and 15th of each month. If you call now, you can win prizes. Yasha-ou : I haven't appeared much in this comic strip. Ashura : Wow, I'm elegant. Ohkawa : Rg Veda will continue. (good for Hiro and Lisa) If you support us the Clamp team will be happy (Hiro and Lisa too) A good day to all.