The Girl In The Capsule
Leo
“Sir Lord Rose is requesting your presence in the throne room,” my partner Tom informs me, snapping me out of my slumber. I haul myself up in bed. “Come on in, Tom.”
As the door swings open, Tom stands before me, clad in his ninja uniform. I squint at the clock; it’s only 8 am. I shoot a questioning glance at Tom. “What does His Majesty want at this hour? It’s not even time for briefing him on our last mission.”
Tom exhales heavily. “I know, sir, but he has summoned you, so I suggest you prepare yourself, sir.”
With a resigned sigh, I nod. “Alright, I’ll be there shortly.”
I slide out of bed and make my way to the closet, slipping into my uniform and running a hand through my hair before fastening my ninja headband in place.
Stepping out of my chamber and striding purposefully towards the grandeur of the castle’s throne room, I am met with the imposing figure of King Rose seated upon his throne. His demeanor is stern, and as his eyes lock onto mine, a smirk dances across his lips.
“Leo,” he begins, his voice carrying the weight of command, “you are one of our top ninja, and soon it will be time for my daughter to awaken from her slumber and embark on the path of matrimony. I desire for you to be her husband. Will you do me the honor, Leo?”
I bow my head respectfully. “Sir, it would be my honor...” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “However, my lord, I’ve never had the privilege of meeting your daughter, and I would prefer to do so before committing to marriage, if that is understandable.”
A smile spreads across his face, and he rises from his throne. “Follow me then, and do not breathe a word of this to anyone, understand?”
I bow once more, silently acknowledging his command. “Of course, my lord.” With that, I fall into step behind him as we make our way through the labyrinthine corridors of the underground part of the castle.
As we stand before the imposing golden doors, His Majesty turns to me, his expression grave. “This is called Project Aya.”
Filled with curiosity, I can’t help but inquire, “What is Project Aya?”
A smile tugs at the corners of the king’s lips. “After my wife gave birth, she bore a daughter, my daughter Ayaka. However, Ayaka was born gravely ill. In an attempt to save her, I initiated this project. Unfortunately, her mother passed away shortly after Ayaka’s birth. Thus, we placed her in this capsule, only allowing her to emerge on her birthday to witness the kingdom and train with a sword. Despite her young age, she has mastered the art of swordsmanship, surpassing even seasoned ninjas who rely solely on handsigns. One could say she is a hybrid of ninja and swordswoman. Yet, she remains the princess of the kingdom. Now, she is on the brink of learning handsigns and fulfilling her destiny as both a warrior and a queen.”
Pushing open the doors, I am met with a sight that leaves me speechless. Suspended in a water-filled capsule, connected to various machines by cables, lies a breathtakingly beautiful girl with cascading light blue hair, clad in a delicate pink and white dress. My eyes widen in shock as I turn to the king. “What in the world, my lord? You’ve placed your daughter in this contraption! Is she even alive? Can she breathe?”
He chuckles softly. “She is in a state of suspended animation. I shall leave you to acquaint yourself with her. Although she cannot speak, everything you need to know about her is contained within the book beside her.”
The king departs, leaving me alone with the slumbering princess. As the door clicks shut behind him, I approach the capsule, my steps slow and cautious. Drawing nearer, I can see the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the only indication that she still breathes. It’s a relief, yet a pang of sadness grips my heart at the sight of her in such a state.
She lies before me, serene and peaceful, like a sleeping princess waiting for her true love’s kiss to awaken her from her eternal slumber. My gaze drifts to the myriad of machines surrounding her, each monitoring a vital aspect of her existence. They display her heart rate, her breathing, her pulse—all functioning smoothly, yet she remains trapped in this perpetual state of unconsciousness.
I reach out tentatively, my fingers hovering over the smooth surface of the capsule. It feels cool to the touch, a stark contrast to the warmth emanating from within. With a heavy heart, I withdraw my hand, unable to shake the feeling of helplessness that washes over me.
How long has she been like this? How many years have passed since she was first placed in this state? These questions plague my mind as I stand before her, feeling a deep sense of sorrow for the fate that has befallen her.
But amidst the sadness, there is also a glimmer of hope. Hope that one day, she will awaken from her slumber and reclaim her rightful place as princess of the kingdom. Hope that I can somehow play a part in bringing about that long-awaited moment of awakening.
With a determined resolve, I vow to do whatever it takes to ensure that Ayaka will awaken soon, I silently promise to be there for her when she finally opens her eyes to the world once more.
