Sacred Curry Empire

“Rika… Rika… Rika…”

“Eh? Who is it?’

“I am Feena. You have the power…to save the Curry kingdom.”

“Power? But I’m just a…wait! Come back! What is this… a temple?”

I awoke from my estranging dream. Lying in my bed lazily as the sun rose, I suddenly remembered. The opening ceremony was today. It was the first time that the competition was being held in ten years – to look for the new Curry master. There was no way I could pass on such an opportunity.

“You’ll be late,” yelled mother. “But I’m never late!” I replied as I went downstairs. She did have a point, however. I was cutting it closer than I usually did. “Bye, mother!” I yelled as I left the front gate. It was a good thing that I lived right next to the curry temple. It was close enough that I could see its silhouette in the morning sun. As I approached the temple, I remembered the awe I felt when I first saw it all those years ago. It seemed unreasonable that man had the tools and intelligence to build such a divine structure. The way the stone was laid down and carved was like no other structure in the kingdom of Rolante. I was reminded of the legend that my parents told me when I was young.

“The curry temple was put in place by the Goddess of Curry. Its purpose is to connect the Curry Holy Land with our world. It’s been said that the Curry Holy Land contains the legendary spice, so divine in its existence that it has the power to heal the hearts of us all. If used properly, the spice will save the Curry kingdom from its downfall as told in the prophecy.” I wondered why the competition was being held for the first time after ten years. My father had also been dead for ten years, and I could never remember what kind of man he was. All I knew is that he became a hero after he formulated the blend of spices that saved the Curry kingdom from the awakening of Richter, the demon that tried to steal the legendary ingredient. I thought that the competition might have had something to do with Richter.

I approached the hall where the opening ceremony was being held. I saw one of the Curry masters; Master Sakuro. He was standing on the podium, his authority and rank asserted by his position in the hall. It appeared that he was holding a speech. “This competition will be our means of choosing who is to be the next Curry master. It will be held in the form of a tournament; duels between candidates who will fight each other with weapons imbued with the curry that they have formulated with their own skills. May the person with not only the strongest hand, but also the best culinary skills emerge victorious.” Master Sakuro went on with the speech, and I simply could no longer pay attention. Instead, I looked around to find anybody I recognised.

“Over here!”

I heard a familiar voice in the audience directly in front of me. Pushing through the audience, I discovered that the familiar voice belonged to Yunica, my best friend and archrival. She was one year older than me, and it was both our goals to train become a Curry master. I was always a little jealous of her, since she was always one step ahead of me in everything. She even stood taller than I did. We both trained under the same master, whose name was Master Cid. “I feel like I’m a character in a RPG,” remarked Yunica. “You have a point. Everything I’ve done today reminds me of a run-of-the-mill RPG plot.” I replied sarcastically. We both laughed out loud. Master Sakuro glared at us from the podium, at which point we realised that we were interrupting his speech. The audience also had their eyes set on us, as if we were outcasts. Embarrassed, my face flushed a deep red.

"Each candidate will receive permission in the form of a document to enter Anemone Valley to collect ingredients. The guards should let you through if you present the document. If anybody has any questions, please talk to my assistant Miglen. Your first match notice will be delivered to your given address in a few days time. And finally, good luck to you all.” Master Sakuro finished.

Having gone through a whole day of excitement and anticipation of my future adventures in Anemone Valley, my eyes remained wide open as I tossed and turned in bed. I glanced at the clock, and it was nearing midnight. I realised that I couldn’t stay still on a cold night like this, with a full moon and clear sky. I donned my training gear and hilted sword that Master Cid helped me forge. The blade gleamed in the moonlight that fell through the window. I suddenly remembered the dream that I had the previous night; about the temple. I was somehow compelled to find out more about what my dream meant. Who was Feena?

The temple’s majesty was expressed just as well in the moonlight as it was in the sunlight. Its huge shadow was cast over me as I approached it, displaying the contrast between the darkness and the moonlight. I entered the temple and approached the central altar, upon which stood the statue of the Goddess of Curry.

“Rika! What are you doing here?”

Yunica appeared from out of the darkness. “I was just taking a walk, but I felt like I needed to come here.” I replied.

“Oh my Goddess, so did I! I had a strange dream where a lady told me to come here.”

“Wow, so did I… what in the blazes of Rolante is going on?”

As we discussed the coincidental situation, an eminence of light passed through the glass ceiling and descended on the statue. I stood speechless as an ethereal figure diverged from the statue.

“My young heroes, you have met here by destiny. My name is Feena, the Goddess of Curry. You will be the saviours of the Curry Holy Land, and the kingdom of Rolante. You will discover the legendary ingredient necessary to formulate the Sacred Curry.”

“Ah, okay.” I replied. I had no idea how to reply to what the goddess Feena had told me.

TO BE CONTINUED SOMEDAY