ghikiJ: The world of these Trials is set in medieval Japan. However, as we continued to write, we decided to combine fantasy elements in it to make it less rigid and open to other plot points. After all, it will not be as fun to write about young women in a historically accurate setting.
This is the first Love Live! story we have written. To be honest, we have been hesitant but the more we watched and played with these characters, we just had to contribute a story. We hope to keep this short and sweet. If you have a Tumblr account, by all means, join us there as well at trialsofkaguya. The artwork for the story will be uploaded there.

Athyra: This story is written in separate scenes, since it was originally meant to be up on tumblr only. But since the later scenes and blips look more like proper chapters, we have decided to upload here on FFN too. So, really, this blip is more like a teaser trailer than anything. And, needless to say, this story is based off of "Kaguya no Shiro de Odoritai", though the content certainly differs from the song.

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Act I : Prologue
Trials Start

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"Where are they?"

"They're in Kaguyan territory, Sonoda-sama. They are due to arrive at the palace soon."

"Good. Inform me of any developments."

The woman's amber eyes furrowed not because of severity but habit. Sonoda Umi always took responsibilities seriously, and with royal dignitaries on their way to the capital, the captain of the royal guard must stay on her toes. It was the least she could do, especially since the journey from Antares was already for naught, much to the sorrow of both countries. Her lips drew a tight line as she recalled the death of Kaguya's crown prince, a tragedy that sent the country in turmoil. With him gone, the unborn alliance with Antares had died with him.

And they desperately needed allies for this war.

The captain climbed down her midnight black courser and handed the reins to a stable boy, who quickly bowed and stepped away. Without another glance, Umi marched towards the castle's grand stairs, her overlapping armor clinking with each step, and she ascended the turquoise steps until a pair of her subordinates opened large hardwood doors for her. The scent of incense filled her nose as soon as she stepped in. It almost felt like home. After weeks of patrolling with her men, the captain dearly missed the tranquility and stability of the castle's columns and walls.

She walked softly now to respectfully keep the peace of these hallowed halls. Soon, she found herself face to face with the remaining heir of Kaguya, who was also her most important person.

"Kotori-hime, I have returned." Umi bowed with utter humility to her fair princess, who smiled serenely in return. Clad in a green kimono that strongly reminded the captain of cool and peaceful springtime, Minami Kotori looked almost divine. However, her fond giggle made Umi recall that this was a girl she grew up with, a childhood friend that had been a pillar of strength in times of hardship.

"I am glad you are back, Umi-chan," the princess gestured for her to come closer, her face alight in genuine gladness. "It is too quiet here, especially when Honoka-chan is out on the field."

The raven-haired warrior hummed quietly to herself as she thought of the White Knight of Kaguya, who was another childhood friend of hers. "Last I heard, she had rendezvoused with the general. They should be on their way back now. Surely our guests from Antares would want to meet them. After all, Antares is entrusting us with their youngest daughter." She frowned at the words she could not say, that the marriage arranged prior would now be fruitless because Kotori's older brother had passed away.

Kind hazel eyes soften to the point of being glazed by tears, yet their owner smiled so bravely that it almost broke the captain's heart. It was painful to see Kotori sorrowful when she had been nothing but cheerful until now.

"So," an impertinent voice jarred the silence between princess and guard, "What exactly do we intend to do with this Antarean princess without a prince to wed her to? Keep her hostage so that her father would send soldiers for our cause? They're more likely to send those soldiers to stab us in the back once they hear the news."

Umi gritted her teeth in annoyance, yet found Yazawa Nico's logic to be sound. She replied honestly, "I do not know, and we will not let it come to that."

"Hnff," The black-haired ninja hopped down from one of the pillars, her low twin-tails fanning out in the air and drawing attention towards feral ruby-red eyes. Umi had always found those eyes eerily unnatural, almost not human. Yet Nico had always been a loyal servant to the crown of Kaguya, even if her origins and her place of birth remained largely elusive. "They're better off sending a son instead, if you know what I mean," Nico glanced at the princess with her sharp gaze for a brief moment, glaring haughtily at Kotori like an imp before she shrieked in utter surprise.

"You should not be so mean, Nicocchi," a sing-song voice hummed behind the black-haired girl, a voice Umi could only identify as Toujo Nozomi, the royal advisor and the temple's high priestess. While she was grateful of the older woman's timing, she remained disapproving of the latter's choice of... punishment. After all, the buxom advisor had her hands clamped over Nico's less blessed chest.

"E-err..." Nico stuttered as she stood there, laughing nervously due to her compromised situation. "I-I was just stating the obvious- let go of me!"

The captain decided not to question how a ninja could let a mere miko sneak up on her, but then again, this was Nozomi. She could sneak up on a ghost if she wanted to. The woman with Byzantium hair was a mystery, even to her closest friends. No one knew what she was thinking most of the time, and her cryptic messages were almost always prophetic as well. Due to her practicality, Umi liked to think of Nozomi's wisdom to be coincidental in nature but the general, a mutual friend, often jested not to question the miko's opinions, or at the very least, heed them with mild skepticism. After all, Nozomi was a high priestess even before she became a grown woman, before either Umi or the blonde general had earned their katana.

Kotori chuckled lightly, "I am sure there are ways of making the princess' visit worthwhile. At the very least, we can enlist her help in convincing her father to aid us. Is that not right?"

Umi ignored Nico's squirming and wails, and nodded in agreement with her princess. However, the slightly pessimistic part of her mind did nothing to ease her worries. A country did not offer financial and military support without something in return, and the Antarean lord wanted his daughter to sit as Kaguya's future empress in exchange for their cooperation. That was what was arranged for, and even if the princess was indeed sympathetic to their cause, it would not mean anything, not without a prince to seal the deal.

The captain clenched her fist around her katana's hilt. She knew the path ahead would be more arduous and treacherous than ever, but if her country was to be peaceful once again, she must strive onwards and brave the difficulties she must face.

Umi breathed in deeply.

Let the trials begin.