Long ago in a mythical land a young boy, Hiroshi, while attempting to escape from his tormenters, encounters a mysterious old woman. The old woman shares with him a tale of young prince- Ichiro. The princes’s father while enroute to sign a peace treaty is thrown from his horse and killed. Ichiro suspects the enemy ambassador, Yasuo, of foul play (the king's sword is missing) but Ichiro has no proof of his enemy’s guilt.
Years pass and King Ichiro marries and has a daughter- Kumiko. But again fate takes a turn for the worse as Ichiro’s wife is taken by plague. Ichiro overwhelmed by grief orders that the palace be closed off from the outside world to protect Kumiko from the evils of the world. Kumiko is raised in a world of perfection but on her sixteenth birthday and upon inheriting an enchanted necklace, strange events begin to occur. Each night, she is flown out of the castle by ghostly figures that reveal to her the true nature of the world. Kumiko shares with her father what she belives are dreams which cause Ichiro to become alarmed and takes steps to further isolate her. When, Kumiko realizes her dreams are real, she confronts her father demanding to know why she has been deceived. Ichiro more fearful than ever imprisons Kumiko in her room. Later remorseful for his actions and suspecting the visits were not imaginings, Ichiro rushes to Kumiko’s room only to see her wrapped in swirling lights and whisked off into the night sky.
Years pass and Ichiro searches relentlessly for Kumiko. Distracted by his grief he allows the kingdom to decline and soon Yasuo and his armies attack. The king must now choose between his daughter and his kingdom. Ichiro chooses to abandon his quest and rallies his troops and leads them into battle. He and his armies fight valiantly driving back the invaders until finally, Ichiro and Yasuo meet and as they battle, Ichiro discovers his father’s lost sword. Ichiro defeats Yasuo but is mortally wounded. The kingdom is saved but Ichiro is dying. Hope seems lost until word of a great healer reaches the palace. The king’s ministers summon him and the healer treats the wounded king. Each day Ichiro gains strength until finally in gratitude he reaches out and grabs the healer’s hands only to discover that the healer is his long lost daughter- Kumiko! Father and daughter are reunited! The king is healed! And Kumiko becomes queen!
As the storyteller finishes her tale, Hiroshi again encounters his bully again but now- moved by the story- Hirohsi summons up newfound courage and stands up to his attacker who skulks away. When Hiroshi turns back to the storyteller to share his triumph he sees she has removed her cloak and there about her neck bathed in light is the pearl medallion! All along he had been in company of the great queen! Hiroshi’s father approaches and the queen disappears into the night but Hiroshi is left changed and emboldened by his magical encounter!