Short Story

Land of Lightning

by Janzoe Mikaella Pablo

August 2, 2022

I stood at the middle of a bridge holding my sword in my hand, below the bridge I looked down seeing the river that flowed under. As I looked at my own reflection from the water, I recognized something else from the past, a person identical to me. There, I started to clearly remember everything that happened.

(500 Years ago)

(Kaminari)

I held onto my spear tightly, looking at my nation’s enemies on the other side. For one more time I thought thoroughly about the plans and strategies we went through and what could be the worst that could happen if we lost. Finally, I then raised my spear high and gestured to my army to attack. The samurai ran ahead of me to charge towards the enemies and attack, after moments I ran and fought alongside them and at last, we ended in victory.

“You have done well, beloved sister,” Adhira said, approaching me. Adhira was my twin sister who was also the Goddess of Lightning. She had a more peaceful mind than I had, so it was I who mostly took care of leading battles for Hikari.

But that did not end the troubles of our nation, Hikari, in fact, there were more troubles on its way. An enormous serpent came along threatening the nation. I took no second thought and immediately went to fight the serpent and managed to defeat it before it did anything else. A falcon the size of Hikari followed and attacked the nation, once again, I went to fight it. Fortunately, I managed to defeat it and Hikari was back to safety once again.

At last, Hikari was at peace for the longest time. My twin sister, Adhira, ruled with peace and great responsibility while I would assist her from behind. But who knew things like this would come to an end? And that wounds of terrible loss would stay forever?

One day, Adhira tagged me along with her to a nation that was to fall. The nation was in chaos, people were suffering and the places there were being destroyed in every direction. I lost sight of my sister and was separated from her by all that was happening, then the power of all the Gods were combined and caused a cataclysm.

I immediately went to find my sister and found her lying on the floor, cold and lifeless. All feelings mixed through my heart and mind, it couldn't, I can’t believe it. I ran

to my twin and hugged her tightly. She was gone and she was my only family left with me, my peace-minded loving twin sister has gone and left me all alone forever.

(Back to the present)

I saw myself again standing on the bridge, looking at my reflection on the water. A tear fell from my eyes and fell on the river below. Then I saw something different, I looked closer and didn’t see myself but Adhira and I laughing together one last time.