Aika

The Dawn Miko

Overview

Hailing from the esteemed Daigos, she is one of the most celebrated Novas in Fontiera's chronicles. Alongside her princess, she forged prosperous epoch that will be etched in history.

Chapter One

(5008–5106, Era of Frost Veil) Born into a traditional family of mikos, Aika was a prominent figure in Fontiera's history.
"No teachings have had such an influence since ancient times as Eishin's. By using wise men and taking advice, the nation will be enlightened, serving as a model for future generations. Her contributions are unparalleled."
This record from Tales of Fontiera speaks about Monarch Eishin, with whom Aika, as the Saiō, was closely associated.
Aika, a descendant of the previous Saiō, was highly anticipated by her family from birth, mastering etiquette and various arts at a young age.
Her grace and talent were exceptional, but she failed to form a bond with the royal family, casting a shadow over her clan. The offspring of Emperor Tokuyasu couldn't endure her pure faith power.
Even the most skilled miko held no value if she couldn't serve the royal family, leading to great disappointment for the Daigos, who had invested heavily in her.
In the past 30 years, the Daigos produced two consecutive Saiōs. With the decline of the royal Shadow Guard and Samurai, another Saiō from the Daigos became crucial.
This was their chance to secure their position and even lead their church to prosperity.
The royal family, unstable for over a decade, needed a strong monarch to inherit the throne. However, the monarch's power often stemmed from mikos.
It was clear that if one of Emperor Tokuyasu's children could bond with the most skilled miko, that child could replace Crown Prince Lungchi.
For millennia, Fontiera's monarchy had concentrated all power in the emperor, overshadowing the church.
Some nobles even openly defied church rules. When nobles ignored the church's guidance, the nation's decline became obvious
In times of suffering, people turned to their beliefs, allowing the church's power to grow among the populace, threatening royal authority.

Chapter Two

As heirs of the divine, the Fontiera monarchy recalls past catastrophes. They seek to maintain a unified royal front to temper the church's influence.
For Prince Lungchi, Aika is a threat larger than her potential benefits. If someone inherits Aika's power after the monarch's death, will the throne stay stable?
But now, Lungchi is unwilling to let go of this advantage. To prevent Aika from supporting any heir not under his influence, Lungchi schemes to permanently remove his sister Yana from the line of succession.
In 5023, during the Frost Veil Era, five-year-old Yana went to Sunnyhill to learn etiquette and met Aika. They quickly bonded, and Yana gained significant magical power as a shrine miko.
However, Aika and Yana knew a miko's power had limits. Meanwhile, Lungchi, Fontiera's crown prince, was revered for his humility and justice, cherished more than any miko clan.
The sole contender to his claim as heir was the current emperor; only by persuading His Majesty that Yana was a fitter successor than Lungchi could they have a chance!
The only challenge to his inheritance was the current emperor; their only hope was convincing him that Yana was a better successor than Lungchi!
Accompanying them were Princess Yana and her mentor, Aika. As they oversaw the realm in the emperor's absence, Emperor Tokuyasu's directives to Aika and her apprentice raised troubling questions.
Aika became Yana's mentor, hidden from Lungchi but known to Fontiera's emperor. As they journeyed south, leaving Lungchi in charge, doubts surfaced: was this merely his strategy? Suspicion gnawed at Lungchi like a poisonous thorn.
Aika foresaw Lungchi's concerns and reactions based on a prior discussion. It's notable that the current Saiō descended from Aika's maternal line, the Daigos, ensuring an audience with the emperor was inevitable.
"Your Majesty, Yana and I, despite our official titles, share a bond akin to teacher and student. It saddens me to think of her caught in family strife after your reign."
"Despite rumors, my servant and I have no intention to compete with Prince Lungchi for succession. We humbly request Your Majesty's mercy."
"Your Majesty might consider appointing another royal son as steward, relocating us from Kyotara's center of power to ease Prince Lungchi's concerns."

Chapter Three

Aika knows her opponent is Lungchi, the suspicious and jealous crown prince. As long as she leaves a trace of flaw, Lungchi will take the chance to wipe her out, relentlessly.
In the summer of the Era of Frost Veil, 5025, Lungchi, who holds actual control over the capital city, requires Emperor Tokuyasu, who is on a southern tour, to execute Aika, accusing her of being a miko throwing the nation into chaos. At the same time, in the distant city of Kyotara, almost the entire Daigos is beheaded.
The Daigos is beloved by the people. The extermination brings much criticism to their political opponent Lungchi, usually known for his kindness and generosity.
Emperor Tokuyasu, who has reigned for 18 years, understands the implications of this event. Executing the miko is just an excuse of his son, whose real purpose is forcing him to abdicate and eliminating other possible competitors.
"My lord."
"You are from the Kisaragi family, aren't you? I remember you as a learning attendant to Lungchi when you were young," she said.
"Yes, I am now one of his Shadow Guards, second rank."
"The matter of Lungchi is in your hands then. Keep the body... intact."
In 5025, the Era of Frost Veil, Lungchi's insurrection is quickly suppressed. Rumors say the crown prince is hanged by his subordinates in his bedroom. The elderly Emperor Tokuyasu, exhausted from losing his son, dies the same year, passing the throne to his 7-year-old daughter, Princess Yana, who adopts the reign name Eishin.
During the Eishin era, the Tenkei Sect flourishes, acquiring advanced culture and ideas from Mahaylee the Grand Sage of Ciaran. As Yana reforms the political system and appoints virtuous talents, Fontiera experiences unprecedented prosperity, with the seeds of maritime trade sprouting.
Aika, serving as the Saiō during Eishin, contributes greatly to this prosperous era and ranks second among the top ten ministers in Eishin history.

Historical Notes

Eishin:
Yana (5018–5106, Era of Frost Veil), the Holy Spirit, reigned as one of Fontiera's wisest monarchs, with Eishin being his era name. He ascended to the throne at seven, succeeding his father Hideyoshi, whose era was named Tokuyasu. During Yana's reign, he restructured the internal affairs, bringing the samurais and ninjas firmly under his control.

Northa and Dorine:
Refers to Northa Dais and Dorine Owen, pioneering human leaders in the Genesis era, setting models for future monarchs.

Tenkei Sect:
Fontiera's official religion, established by Gaia's attendant Seerame. At the dawn of Fontiera, many of the exiled Hilbeyans still clung to their traditional beliefs. Therefore, Gaia, proclaiming herself a divine progeny, declared that the church, tasked with delivering divine visions, must submit to her. This declaration significantly reduced the church's political influence, turning it into an extension of the royal will. For many years, the church's primary role was to train mikos to serve the emperor, relegating religious practices like sacrifices and coronations to mere formalities. Things changed during Aika's tenure.

Miko:
In the Tenkei Sect, a witch is tasked with serving the deities, leading prayers, exorcisms, and rituals. Aika's attire is her everyday dress rather than the formal red and white garb of official ceremonies. In Fontiera's culture, where the monarch is viewed as a divine embodiment, mikos from Sunnyhill serve the monarch directly. Aika served under Yana, the Holy Spirit. The most esteemed miko, known as Saiō, is forbidden from engaging in romantic relationships during their tenure, focusing solely on their duties to the monarch and preparing the next Saiō.

Aika's Mother:
Haru (4983–5025, Era of Frost Veil), born into a lineage of mikos, became a Saiō at 13, serving under the notorious Emperor Daystar. Following Daystar's death in 5007 of the Era of Frost Veil, Haru retired from her Saiō duties and married later that year. Her husband's name has been lost to history, but he was often referred to as "Goro", as he was the fifth in his family.

Miko Factions:
Three major miko factions in Fontiera include: the Daigos, the Zanamis, and the Tsugetsukis, all descendants of Seerame and her two apprentices. The Tsugetsukis: Identified by their emblem of twin moons. Originating from Seerame herself, the Tsugetsukis are revered for their noble bloodline yet feared by later emperors, which paradoxically places them at a political disadvantage. The Daigos: Symbolized by their emblem of an ox tail intertwined with rice. The Daigos stand as the principal among the three factions, having produced more than half of all Saiōs. The Zanamis: Originating from the Mindo River, the Zanamis boasted an emblem featuring a river and has deep roots in Silvermoon. They typically stayed out of Kyotara's political conflicts. Mikos from different factions are usually referred to as "XX of the XXs."

Extinction of the Daigos:
In a devastating political gambit, Aika, upon leaving the city, disavowed her connection to the Daigos. Believing that a mentor free of factional ties is more effective, she convinced Lungchi that she and Yana were unprepared, making the Daigos in Kyotara expendable. This ruthless sacrifice was to make Tenkei Sect flourish in Fontiera.

Kurokami Eiji:
Kurokami Eiji, the father of Lord Deity, was previously a samurai before turning himself a pirate. Historical records about him are few. It is known that Lord Deity maintained a strained relationship with Kurokami Eiji's family.

The Disaster:
The Rainwhisper Pavilion Uprising led by the Tsugetsukis was met with massive public support. However, it was quashed by Prince Naruhito, who led the samurais to extinguish the rebels at Rainwhisper Pavilion. This brutal suppression remains a forbidden topic within the royal family, leaving a permanent scar on the monarchy's divine image.