Ashitaka walked over to where San sat with wolf brother Star Stepper. She looked back at him with a smile although her eyes revealed her true feelings of sorrow.

"Do you really have to leave?" she asked with a tear rolling down her cheek.

"I'm afraid I have to," replied Ashitaka, "its by order of lady Oboshi."

"Well, good luck. May the spirit of the forest be with you."

"And with you." Ashitaka gave San a big hug and departed. At this moment Moon Pelt trotted in. the three of them watched as Ashitaka mounted Yaku and bounded of into Iron Town.

"Good luck…Ashitaka."

As Ashitaka arrived he found that the gate was already open and Lady Oboshi was waiting for him.

"Come Ashitaka. I have much to tell you before your quest." They made their way across the new improved Iron Town to lady Oboshi's new quarters. Once inside and in a place that they could not be overheard Oboshi began to explain Ashitaka's quest.

"Ashitaka," she began in a cool dreamy sort of voice, "Your quest is fairly simple. As you may know a strange presence has been creeping over the land. I feel that there is but one way to stop it."

"What's that?"

"To find the Hero of Time."

"Who?"

"The Hero of Time. A boy such as yourself. He wears an outfit of green and rides on the finest horse you'd ever seen." Oboshi began to look out into the heavens as one does when they're in love. "He wields a sword of unthinkable power and protects himself with a shield of the strongest iron. He…" At this moment Lady Oboshi fainted. She woke up five minutes later with Ashitaka over her looking almost concerned.

"Uhhgh. What happened? Where was I?"

" You were telling me about this Hero of Time I have to find and you blacked out."

" Oh Yeah! He's so dreamy. I think I lov…" Oboshi passed out again. This time it was only two minutes before she came to because Ashitaka had dumped a bucket of cold water over her.

"Umm, Oboshi…If you could avoid fainting again I think its probably a good idea for me to start my quest. I mean Iron Towns in trouble and I'm wasting time…"

"Oh yeah. Of course. Certainly. What you need to do is follow the road out of Iron Town. When you reach the cliff you must detour up the mountain. Legend has it that thy who finds the cave shall be able to travel through time and space." she said quoting the last part.

"Alright. I shall leave at once…Wait what am I going to need?"

"Here." Oboshi handed Ashitaka a bag filled with food, water, and some other provisions he may need.

"Thank you. And now I'm off to seek out the Hero of Time. He pulled out his sword and pointed it towards the sky for a dramatic effect.