by Adam Lynch
This was Ashkii’s first time actually seeing one—the kitsune. In human form, they appeared as normal humans who had black, white, or orange hair (or gold hair if they had reached the stage of kyubi). They also had a fox’s ears and eyes. Some had a single tail, but others had two or three tails.
Touring past the courtyards, Ashkii spotted a few kitsune out of their samurai armor, hovering mid-air and meditating intimately. He also spotted yousei fairies training their Mystic Gifts for battle. Then, he noticed oni being tamed and directly hypnotized—this was certainly interesting to watch. When the oni had rebelled, a powerful shogun kitsune of four tails would perplex its mind, manipulating the oni’s senses to perceive him as its master. Was this how the Hypnotist did it? Or did it use its power more like the sirens? From everything that Ashkii had learned about hypnosis so far, there seemed to be two forms of it. If he was to speculate and give give them names, he’d call one, Perception Hypnosis, and the other, Mind-Control Hypnosis. Perception Hypnosis, for when the senses were manipulated to perceive specific things, and Mind-Control Hypnosis, for when the mind was directly forced to perform a specific task. Both forms were extremely dangerous depending on how powerful and skilled the user was—the Hypnotist of course being the master above them all. But with this subject in mind, which form was the Hypnotist practicing? Was it directly brainwashing random individuals to kill its targets? Like a wizard? Or was it tricking its targets, having them see the Hypnotist as something safer than what it really was? Like a succubus. Was it perhaps using both of these forms? Was that even possible? Or was it possible that the Hypnotist could be using another form entirely? Perhaps a formula of its own?
In the midst of this thought, Ashkii and company arrived in the Grand Chamberlain’s presence, a yousei. He seemed curious with the guests, especially when Taa informed him of their request of audience with the queen.
“What is this concerning?” the Grand Chamberlain asked.
“Two Mystics of the north-western kodama forests are investigating the Hypnotist. They’ve learned much about it. They wish to inform her majesty and ask her her a few questions.”
“A fantasy! No one can investigate the Hypnotist. It only reveals what it wishes us to see. Not even her majesty can gather a single lead—its hypnosis is insurmountable.”
“Not for these Mystics. The yousei possesses a Mystic Gift that grants her immunity to all illusion-based spells, including hypnosis.”
“What’s that? Impossible. No yousei possesses a gift that powerful.”
“It is true, Grand Chamberlain.”
Taken aback, he needed a minute to process. Then, after examining them carefully, he nodded. “Very well,” he said. “I’ll entertain the matter with the queen, but no promises, Miss Gen. As you know, the queen is not well.”
Yet to everyone’s surprise, the queen accepted the proposed audience with keen interest. She demanded that their attendance be made immediately to the throne room. Doing as the queen had commanded, the Grand Chamberlain led Taa and her guests up to the Palace’s peak, The Starlight Heavens—a place said to be built for recognizing Mother Nature’s anointed ruler.
Sliding the shoji open, they arrived at the throne room. There was a vast opening of space, kitsune and oni samurai and other military ranks lined up left and right of the throne. Many of the palace’s household filled the room, standing anticipated of the approaching guests. The Grand Chamberlain led Ashkii and Kel into position, the direct center of the room, facing the throne. Then, he and Taa stood with the household.
Ahead of them was the chrysanthemum throne, an ornate chair called the takamikura—if Ashkii had remembered reading about correctly. It sat on an octagonal dais, 16 feet above the floor, separated from the rest of the room by a magical glowing curtain. The walls of the room were embedded with paintings of past rulers of Springeria and Mother Nature.
But it was the sparkling, transparent roof above them that stood out most of all, made and presented by the queen’s chi. This viewing allowed the sun to cast its setting light over the room.
Then finally, the queen made her entrance—ascending from the steps hidden behind the throne. Her chamberlains fully extending the curtains, the queen sat on the takamikura, her presence revealed for all to gawk in aspiration. She wore a jūnihitoe, a 12 layered robe made of divine silk garments. Half yousei and half kitsune, the queen possessed a Mystic Gift as well as all the powers a kitsune could receive. Her eyes a radiating green, she had the sharp ears of a fox and eight divinely luminous tails.
A kitsune could obtain as many as 9 tails, and with each one, it was said to give one more power, wisdom, and beauty. Their skin had never withered, their bones had never deteriorated, and their hair had never greyed. The queen, having 8 tails and being nearly 900 years old, was the most beautiful kitsune in all the kingdom. Her skin shined like the sun, her tails nearly gold, a glowing orange.
A kitsune had learned more abilities with age. Their physical powers had included generating fire and lightning from their mouths or tails, flight, shapeshifting, and invisibility. But it was their mentally and spiritually influencing abilities that were more concerning, such as willfully manifesting one’s dreams, possession, and a powerful harness over hypnosis. The queen could and had likely possessed all of these abilities. It was no surprise to Ashkii why she was so greatly feared.
“Your majesty,” began the Grand Chamberlain, stepping out in front of the guests and bowing.
“Skip the introductions,” she said with a tone that shut him up and swept him back into position. With formalities brushed aside, she keenly gazed at Ashkii and Kel—as if excited to meet them. “So I’ve heard some interesting things about you,” she began, pausing a moment. “Things like you were investigating the Hypnotist, and other things like…” She paused again, looking at the ceiling, intrigued. “My, will this sun ever set? It’s quite bright out, isn’t it? Does it hurt your eyes, Yokata Gen?”
“No, your majesty,” Taa replied, turning to face her and bowing.
“Though you would agree that its rays are rather fierce at the moment, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, your majesty.”
She smiled as if pleased with her response. She then directed her attention back towards the guests. “How about you two? Would you not agree with Yokata Gen, my personal assistant?”
Kel nudged Ashkii, gesturing him not to respond. Facing her, confused, she directed his attention back at the ceiling. When he looked again, the sky was completely dark—a luminous constellation of stars, large, colorful and heavenly. Ashkii couldn’t believe the view—it was unlike anything he’d ever seen. For a second he found himself lost in the spectacle. The queen grinned, playing back his attention. “Why, it doesn’t burn your eyes? Staring at the sun like that?”
“The sun has set,” Ashkii replied.
The queen, impressed, flared her eyebrows, applauding. Perplexed, the audience looked around, not understanding until day became night for all eyes to see.
“So it is true.” Resting her head on her hand, she leaned against the arm of the chair, appearing amused. “You really are immune to illusions.”
Ashkii didn’t reply, focused and fully attentive.
“This is very exciting news. I’ve never heard of such an ability. I never knew such a one existed. You might just very well be the only individuals capable of pursuing the Hypnotist. So please, do tell. what have you learned so far?”
“That it holds a lot of secrets,” said Ashkii, his gaze piercing the queen, throwing her a tad off guard.
“Yes… we all have our secrets...”
Whatever vulnerability he had exposed in her vanished. She was composed, leaving Ashkii in a state of scrutiny.
“Your majesty, if you don’t mind...” began Kel. “We’d like to discuss this with you in private as what we have to say may jeopardize our confidentiality and advantage. But we knew we’d first have to gain your trust by letting you see our faces first.”
The queen was silent after hearing this, her gaze as scrutinizing as Ashkii’s. It appeared like she was making deductions of her own. “No,” she said soon after. “We will not have a private audience. Whatever information you have to share with me, you can share with my audience. The people of Springeria are not to be kept in the dark.”
Ashkii scoffed, everyone facing him. The queen became the most curious with this of them all.
“Did I say something you’re not in agreement with?”
Kel nudged him again, gesturing him to be careful. But Ashkii paid her no mind, returning his gaze of scrutiny to the queen.
Then Kel spoke up. “Your majesty, with all due respect, the Hypnotist could be any member of this audience. It is imperative that we discuss this with you in private.”
Again, the queen was silent, studying them both intensely as if in deep thought. Then finally, she leaned forward from her throne, her gaze aiming solely at Ashkii now.
“There’s something else you want, isn’t there?” she asked. “Why don’t you ask me what you’re really after.” Hearing this alarmed her audience as well as puzzled them. Even Kel was taken aback. But Ashkii hadn’t flinched, not reacting with so much as a blink.
“Fine,” he said, Kel facing him with concern. “Then tell me… are you in possession of a book with the symbol 6 on its cover?”
Her complexion flushed pale after hearing this, her eyes peeled. Her first instinct was to regain composure, but Ashkii, foreseeing this, didn’t give her the chance. To everyone’s surprise, Ashkii unveiled the Spirit Bow from its covering, stringing it and aiming at the queen. The audience gasped and staggered, Kel and Taa most of all. The samurai drew their katana, the kitsune inflaming their tails, the yousei conjuring their spells, and the oni raising their clubs.
The queen sprang up, but instead of appearing threatened or infuriated, she grew even more pale, her eyes twinkling. “Th-the Spirit Gatherer?” she stammered.
The oni stepped forth, its club ready to hammer on its enemies. But Chiharu whipped her tail at its wrist, snatching it back. “Cease movement!” she exclaimed, enraged. “Have I given you the command to strike? Stand down!”
Immediately all samurai fell back, ears sharp for her next command. But instead, she sighed as if relieved, studying Kel and Ashkii with a new impression as she approached them. Ashkii retained sharp focus on where he believed her weakest area to be. Then seconds after silent tension, Ashkii spoke: “A powerful queen you may be, but you’re not immortal. This arrow will kill you before you have the time to do anything else. Now, I’m done getting mixed up in Season’s political runarounds. I’m after one thing, and that’s the head of this Hypnotist. I saw that look on your face. I know you’re in possession of the book I spoke of—and I have reason to believe that it will give me what I seek.”
In hearing this, the audience turned to one another, gossiping—many asking about what this book was. Obviously, none of them knew—no one but the queen.
“Enough,” Chiharu commanded strictly and irritably, silencing the audience. When all attention was given to her, she faced Ashkii, focused. “Spirit Gatherer, and the one immune to illusions… follow me to my chambers. I will tell you what you need to know.” At this, she pressed towards him, her eyes on the exit ahead. Ashkii, skeptical, locked his aim on her. But she paid him no mind, her mind set for the task. When she arrived by his side, she stopped suddenly, Ashkii tightening his grip. She turned her head to the side and then said, “And Yokota Gen...” Taa gasped in hearing her name called. “I expect your company as well.” At this, she went on, no intimidation of the weapon at her head.
When the queen slid open the shoji, Ashkii relaxed his arm, facing Taa who looked most concerned. Had the queen somehow suspected her involvement in this? Regardless, they were the ones in control now. So they followed her to the door.
“This audience is dismissed,” the queen announced as she waited for her guests to catch up. “We are to be given privacy. Is that understood?” At this, everyone proceeded, for the queen of Springeria—Mother Nature’s anointed ruler—had spoken.
They followed Chiharu through the palace’s intricate maze. The halls made of wood and paper were very thin, the turns sharp and more frequent than Ashkii would have liked. Traffic was manic. Household residents not present for the audience shifted from room to room, blocking Ashkii’s path. It was difficult to maneuver around them. Why were there some many rooms, he wondered. Why were all the residents pouring out simultaneously? Such obstruction made it difficult to keep up.
Then Kel and company revved up the pace, speeding the thin crowded halls and sharp turns like they knew the place well. More residents poured out of rooms, flooding the halls. Company was getting too far ahead. He shouted for Kel’s name but she didn’t hear. She was disappearing into the crowd. Desperate to catch up, Ashkii moshed his way through the pit. He chased after the room he saw them enter. Arriving there, he was greeted by a large gathering of meditating kitsune. Peering ahead, he saw Kel exit through the shoji on the other side. He rushed after them the best he could, but with significant delay, there was no sight of them. He arrived at a hall that bent into a circle. They could have easily went right or left. Relying on his tracking skills, he searched the area for any clues. Then, on the shoulder of a samurai with large shoulder pads, he located a string of red hair. There was no doubt in his mind that it was Kel’s, so he went left. Shoving past the crowds, he spun his head every which way, shouting for Kel’s name. Suddenly, he spotted her entering a room nearby. He sprinted after her. Sliding the shoji open, he peered over the room and spotted Kel entering another room on the right. He ran for that. Once there, he saw her slipping into another room and chased after her again. The crowds were lessening significantly, but the rooms were brightening with this mysterious light. It was almost blinding. Ignoring it the best he could, he continued his pursuit after Kel from room to room, hall to hall, each time getting closer. He shouted for her name endlessly, but she wouldn’t acknowledge. Finally, he arrived at a straight hall—no residents, no turns, just a room straight ahead that Kel was now entering. With nothing but a bright light obstructing him, he dashed towards the shoji, sliding it open. At last, he had arrived at the queen’s chambers… or so he had assumed—instead, however, he had witnessed another thing entirely.
Pales In Comparison
He entered a large spacious white room, puddles of blood dripping from the wooded frames above. To the right of him, there was a vast opening that led to a balcony with a viewing of Springeria’s finest mountains and forestry. Though Ashkii was certain it was nightfall, powerful sunlight shined in, giving this disturbing room its much needed illumination.
Then suddenly, he noticed a pale young girl with purple eyes in front of him. Adrenalized, he proceeded very cautiously. His eyes shifted towards the balcony—she could jump, but so far she hadn’t budged an inch. She locked a blank stare at him and didn’t let up. Ashkii exchanged the gesture, approaching very slowly. So far so good. He was half way through the room.
The girl stomped the ground with one foot.
Ashkii froze. A focused glare, he thought about leaping for her. He was nearly in range.
A few more inches… he eased towards the goal line—slower than before.
Reaching it, he froze, predicting whether she’d enact sudden movement. Slowly he bent his legs… ready to leap...
Slam!
The shoji slammed shut behind him suddenly. He turned back to look at it—there was nothing. He quickly turned back. There were ten of them—ten children with purple eyes right in front of him.
He gasped, stumbling over himself when he backed. He graced himself, pulling out his bow. Suddenly, the floor board behind him creaked. He spun around. There were twenty of them standing there. He spun around again. Now there were twenty children on this side standing.
“Ashkii Dighin.” An older voice spoke his name like he was directly behind him. Ashkii spun around. A seven-foot man was besi
de him.
Ashkii sprang back, nearly stumbling over himself a second time. He strung his bow, aiming at the man’s head. Not him nor any of his children budged an inch, insisting that same blank stare that they always had. The man looked like his children: Ghostly pale with purple eyes. He was bald, anorexic—skin and bones—his face nearly skeletal. His voice was hollow like a ghost, but, like his posture, strict like a feared leader. Like his children, he wore a white robe, the drippings of blood from above staining its purity. Ashkii sensed a very haunting darkness and disturbance from this man. His eyes were incredibly piercing, magnetizing. It was difficult at first not to keep one’s eyes on them.
But then Ashkii glanced around the room. When it processed, he saw that he was surrounded by 40 children and a seven-foot man—all in a white room of dripping blood and artificial daylight shining in from the balcony. Evidently, he was trapped in an illusion, helpless inside the master’s mind. Without Kelanassa present, what hope had he of escaping this forceful manipulation? During hypnosis, there was no grasp of reality, no control over the future. With no one to help him distinguish reality from fantasy, there was nothing he could do. He was helpless. A separation from Kelanassa—was this what the Hypnotist was waiting for?
His futility understood, he withdrew his weapon, gathering himself and exchanging stares with the seven-foot man. Then he asked directly, “Are you the Hypnotist I’ve have been seeking?”
For a moment the being did not answer, persisting a haunting blank stare. Then he replied, “No.”
Ashkii unconvinced, held his suspicion. “Then what is it you claim to be?”