Episode 1 "A 1st Journey Begins"

photo from: http://www.weltrekordreise.ch/a_akt_d_japane.html

January 12, 101P.A.

A young Takeo Takahido, son of a retired Demon Queller, returns home after going out and checking his traps for game. Upon the horizon he sees burning homes in the small fishing village, smoldering ruins, screaming women and children. Takeo sprints into the village headed straight for home, passing a number of burning homes. He hears screams from one of the buildings, and runs in to investigate. Running upstairs he sees a little girl hiding in a closet and tells her to run. A small amount of burning rubble falls on her when she runs, Takeo is forced to carry her out ending his search of the home. Takeo hears gun shots in the distance and begins running toward the shoreline, passing his burning house on the way. He arrives at the shore in time to see a Horune Dream Ship sailing away. Takeo returns home to burnt ruins, he finds the charred remains of his two youngest siblings. He then heads towards the center of town, where the villagers made their last stand. Among the dead he find his mother and barely alive father. With his dying breath Takeo's father tells him to take his sword and to find his last living relative, Takeo's brother who was sent away to the monastery at a very young age. Takeo collects some of his families valuables and mourns for a day.

Takeo searches the village for Nagano the map maker. When he finds him Nagano tells him that the shop was burned, but that he keeps his most important maps in a fire proof container. If Takeo were to retrieve it he would make Takeo a free map to the monastery. But that drawing a map would take some time. Meanwhile the remaining survivors have formed a council, and have voted to send out three riders in all directions except the sea in search of help. The council hires Takeo to go out and find and capture three horses, since all others were lost. Takeo does so skillfully and decides to join the riders as they begin their journey through the mountain valley before they can split up. Takeo's 1st Journey Begins...