Mysterious Play

At the National Library, Miaka Yuuki and Yui Hongo discover an ancient volume that suddenly shines with a crimson glow and pulls them into the world inside its pages. Thrown into danger almost immediately, they run afoul of slave traders and survive only with the help of Tamahome, a formidable young man marked with a Chinese character on his forehead—until the red light flares again and tears Yui away.

Left behind, Miaka turns to Tamahome as she searches for a way to bring her friend back. Their path soon crosses Emperor Hotohori, who is convinced Miaka is the prophesied priestess of Suzaku, guardian deity of his kingdom. If she can gather Suzaku’s seven Celestial Warriors, she can summon the god and have her wishes fulfilled—an answer Hotohori believes could save his country, and a possibility Miaka can’t ignore.

Back in the library, Yui finds herself returned to reality alone, powerless to interfere as she watches Miaka endure perilous ordeals as the book’s chosen heroine.