by C. J. Anaya
Despite my phobia where the statue was concerned, the entire area was breathtakingly gorgeous.
“Quite the prison they have here,” Angie whispered candidly. “You almost forget what that golden dome is for as you take in landscape.”
Leave it to Angie to tell it how she saw it. She was on high alert, not liking the idea of entering an enchanted area and possibly being trapped in it. I didn’t blame her. I knew a thing or two about being trapped.
We followed Hachiman’s group down the slope toward the gate and waited as Hachiman placed his fist on the outer dome, parting the golden light with his hands and allowing us passage.
“Well, that was awesome,” Kirby said in excitement after we had all passed through. “What other freaky tricks do you think these guys can do?”
“How about bringing people back from the dead?” said a familiar voice up ahead. I brought my eyes to the path and zeroed in on a figure of a man I never thought I would ever see again.
“Daiki,” I breathed as he drew closer.
His grin widened once he made eye-contact with me, and his arms opened wide as he ran forward.
I sprinted in his direction, ignoring the shocked noises from everyone in my group. Throwing myself into his arms I laughed and cried as he spun me around and planted a kiss on my forehead. This could not be happening. It didn’t make any sense at all, but I could feel his strong arms around me. Arms that had sheltered me and comforted me during some of the most difficult moments of my first life.
Setting me down, he inched back to study me, examining this new me with paternal interest.
“How?” I asked. “I thought you passed away. I thought you died of old age, or possibly in battle, or something!” I could hardly catch my breath I was so overwhelmed by this turn of events.
“Old? Do I look old to you?” he chuckled.
In truth, he looked exactly the same as he had before. I couldn’t account for it. Someone needed to explain it to me and quick.
I took in our large group, noticing that most of the monks had dispersed, leaving behind only Hachiman and the rest of our group. Ms. Mori, Victor, and Tie stared at Daiki in disbelief while my father looked at him in total confusion. He recognized him from some of his memories, I could tell, and there was a fierce longing to go to Daiki and reconnect, but he hadn’t completely regained every moment of his first life back. The best he could offer was a host of conflicting desires as he stared at his father from a previous life.
Ms. Mori raised an eyebrow at Hachiman, her annoyance obvious.
“Explain, Hachiman. I don’t understand how he is here, why he is here, or why you kept us in the dark about this. He passed away in service to The Healer long before his own son.”
Hachiman gave her a patient smile—what a saint—and strode forward to shake Daiki’s hand.
“That’s not true, Chinatsu. I made Daiki an offer several centuries ago in gratitude of his constant service in protecting The Healer despite the fact that it would have been safer if he and his family had permanently left Kagami after Fukurokuju discovered his involvement with Hope. He agreed that it would be best for him to remain a key player in this war we have fought for so long now. Through my help, he ascended and became a kami.”
I kept forgetting these major deities were capable of helping others ascend without losing their immortality in the process.
Handy.
I wasn’t about to complain if it meant being with the people I loved for eternity. Then I thought about Daiki’s wife.
“Hatsumie,” I said. “You’ve been without her all this time.”
Daiki’s eyes softened at my words, but he didn’t appear saddened by them. “I often feel her light touch through the veil, Hope. I promise you, though our loved ones may move on to the next phase of this glorious journey, they are never far from us.”
I sensed a double meaning in that where Kirby was concerned, and tried to imagine myself feeling so calm and tranquil about outliving a family member. I still hadn’t completely accepted my own mother’s death, but maybe that was the problem. Maybe if I could make peace with it, I might actually feel her presence the way Daiki felt Hatsumie’s. Still, he’d made some enormous sacrifices for this cause.
For me.
Why did I continually feel so undeserving of it?
Probably because I was so undeserving of it.
“Where have you been for all these centuries?” Tie wondered.
“Looking for the lost gods of fortune, and having some success in that respect. I was able to locate Ebisu, who had hidden for centuries amongst a group of fishermen in Port Isaac along the northern coast of Cornwall. He is here now, protected within these enchantments, but if Amatsu were to find him, our trials and tribulations would become the very bane of our existence. We can’t fight this war if Amatsu has the gods tipping the balance of things in his favor. It would seem, however, that you have had some success in finding your own god of fortune.” He looked at the nekomata standing just next to Angie and bowed at the hip in a show of respect. “Bishamonten. You are a difficult deity to find, and an even harder one to rescue.”
Bishu grinned his toothy grin and bowed low at the waist.
“Perhaps it is because I am not quite myself these days.”
“I can see that,” Daiki said good-naturedly.
“No idea of Benzaiten or Daikokuten’s whereabouts?” Victor asked.
Daiki’s face clouded. “No, but the gods of wealth and knowledge are too valuable to be killed. It is highly likely that they met Bishamonten’s same fate and are now trapped somewhere within the Underworld.”
Hachiman surveyed the group for a moment before saying, “I think you all have had enough surprises for one day. Perhaps it would be best if we get everyone situated within the temple. Once you have rested and been fed, we can begin to plan our next steps.”
“Isn’t it wise to begin our plans immediately?” Victor asked. “What if Amatsu attacks now that he knows exactly where Hope is?”
Hachiman patted his shoulder in a reassuring manner, obviously familiar with Victor’s aggressive, he-man behavior. “We cannot plan effectively if our minds and bodies are not given sustenance. We have waited centuries for this monumental time in the prophecy. Surely we can wait a few hours more.”
Victor nodded a bit reluctantly and followed Hachiman toward the entrance of the temple with the rest of us close behind.
“Daiki, I think there is someone you should meet,” I said as I walked over to my father.
Daiki’s eyes lightened with happiness as he took in my father and held out his hand.
“Dr. Fairmont, I have heard many great things about you. I’m grateful you have taken such good care of Hope.”
My father cleared his throat.
“Well, I promised you I would. A very long time ago.”
Daiki paused to register my father’s words. He studied him in a way that made me wonder if he had the power to see a person’s soul.
“Tadashi,” he said in a hushed tone.
My father nodded.
Daiki placed both hands on my father’s shoulders and then pulled him into a bear hug.
“I’m beginning to understand why Chinatsu is always so annoyed with Hachiman,” Daiki said as he pulled back to study my father’s features. His emotions were all over the place, but in a good way. “He doesn’t seem to be one for sharing all of the important details.”
My father laughed and shook his head, patting Daiki on the back and then wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “I’m pretty used to navigating my way through the dark by now.”
***
The temple’s construction was made entirely of wood and spread out into three separate buildings, each one a few stories high. On the outside, the different floors were separated by the dominant feature of most Japanese architecture, that of the roofing and the flared eaves extending far beyond the walls. Posts and lintels supported the largest gently curved roof on the first floor of each bui
lding.
On the inside it was obvious the building was made to last. The Ivory Palace where I used to live as The Healer had been unorthodox in its construction and this temple also fell under that category. Where walls and doors were generally built thin and made to slide open, the heavy doors, thick walls, and sturdy ceiling made me think the monks had done some hefty reconstruction over the centuries. Upkeep would be necessary, but the temple looked as if it had been prepared for war.
I figured that’s exactly what this structure was now fortified to withstand. We entered a great hall and followed Hachiman into a large eating area where a long, rectangular table hovered just high enough above the ground for us to sit with our legs folded on thin cushions. Bowls of steaming miso ramyeun—basically yellow noodles in miso broth with bean sprouts, and slices of cooked pork—were quickly placed before us by some of the monks in residence.
I breathed in the savory meal’s enticing smell and decided I’d take this over my regular packet of ramen any day.
Tie was on my right, of course, and Kirby had snuggled himself against my left side with my father next to him. Hachiman and Daiki sat directly across from us with Angie and Bishu on their left. Ms. Mori and Victor situated themselves near either ends of the table. There wasn’t much talking as everyone inhaled the warm bowls of noodles, pork, and sprouts. Platters of rice cooked in green tea were served as well. I thought it interesting, but wasn’t really a fan of green tea even though I remembered enjoying it in my first life.
Weird how that preference had changed.
Some veggies were added to the mix, but I was only able to enjoy a bit of the broccoli before I found myself completely stuffed. Once Hachiman noticed we’d begun to slow down, he asked us about our journey and our discovery of Bishu.
Victor took the lead on bringing the deity up to date. I think, for once, we were all grateful that Victor’s take charge manner never lost its steam. Based on everyone’s emotions, I didn’t think there was a single person besides Victor who felt up to summarizing the main concerns.
“We may have arrived here in one piece, but we have several things to worry about,” Victor said as he finished up his excessively detailed narrative. Seriously, I thought I saw Angie nodding off at one point. The only thing saving her from face-planting it into her soup was the gentle nudge Bishu aimed at her ribs. “We have no idea where the prophecy is located, and Amatsu’s bond with Hope is now capable of transporting her to the Underworld permanently.”
Hachiman studied me for a moment, his intense eyes clear and unnerving.
“Hope, how often have you absorbed a nekomata’s essence?” he asked in a reserved voice.
“What are you talking about?” Tie asked. “That isn’t possible—”
Hachiman held up a hand to silence him, but refrained from saying anything else, his eyes never wavering from mine.
I hesitated for a moment, unclear as to what kind of trouble I might be in, but figuring honesty was the best policy at this point.
“I think two, maybe three, times. I didn’t realize what was happening the first time. Once I killed the nekomata, a green substance rose from its body and I absorbed it without intending to.” Victor let out a disapproving hiss through his teeth, so I rushed through the rest of my explanation before he could interrupt. “I may have been anxious for it to happen again the next time. The feelings it produced were addicting, but I was beginning to freak out about the way it affected my bond with Amatsu. I tried to avoid it after that.”
“Is that why we almost lost you in Alaska?” Tie asked. His voice sounded tense, strained even.
“Each time she absorbs a nekomata’s essence she is essentially doing what a nekomata does when he goes after a human victim,” Hachiman stated. His voice held no accusation or judgment. He simply stated the facts, but I felt the wave of revulsion that hit Victor, the worry that washed over Ms. Mori, and the devastation that swept through Tie. I shrank in on myself, feeling wholly unworthy, once again, of this calling I’d been given, of the responsibility that had been placed upon my shoulders. I knew what I had done was wrong, but the first time it had been an accident, and the second time I honestly didn’t realize what was happening. I simply knew it made me feel wonderful. More powerful.
“I’m sorry,” I said in a small voice. “I wasn’t aware of what I was doing, but I haven’t allowed it to happen for a while. So I don’t know why Amatsu was able to reach me now.”
“You’re in Kagami,” Hachiman stated. “The bond is naturally going to be stronger the closer you are to the demon god.”
“This isn’t Hope’s fault,” my father defended. “None of you ever warned her that absorbing someone’s essence was even a possibility. How was she supposed to know she had to avoid it? How was she supposed to know what she was even doing?”
“She shouldn’t be capable of this,” Victor said. He ran a hand through his hair in extreme agitation. “I swear, Hope, the more I learn about you and your powers…killing people with simple contact and a single touch, breaking through the veil to save people who aren’t meant to be saved, downloading memories, training with Tie to learn to fight…absorbing the filthy essence of a nekomata.” He nearly let spittle fly as his outrage grew. “Knowing what I know now, if you were still my soul mate, why I’d probably—”
“I swear to you, Victor, if you even dare finish that thought, I will launch my half eaten bowl of food at your head and watch with great delight as the noodles mess up your perfectly coiffed hairdo,” Angie threatened.
“Bottom line,” Tie added tersely, “she’s not your soul mate. She’s mine, and I’ll not hold any of it against her. She believed what she was doing was right, and she wasn’t prepared for any of this. I won’t fault her for that, especially since the blame for the bond with Amatsu falls on me and me alone.”
He placed a comforting arm around my shoulder as I tried to give myself the same slack he had, but I just didn’t think I was really off the hook here in the accountability department. Mainly because I felt zero remorse for many of my actions. That’s what I truly felt bad about. I felt remorse for feeling zero remorse. Ha!
Sure, I felt guilty for absorbing the essence of a nekomata, but I still wasn’t sorry for saving Kirby. I wasn’t thrilled about killing Amatsu’s minions, but I wasn’t going to apologize for it. Not if it meant saving a loved one. I wasn’t sorry for learning to fight. I wasn’t going to apologize for using my powers to help people remember previous lives.
Victor’s ideals of the perfect soul mate were an illusion, at least where I was concerned. Good thing we weren’t really tied to one another.
“Hope’s bond with Amatsu has probably affected some of her choices too,” Kirby said in another valiant attempt to defend me. “It isn’t her fault that the demon god has been able to control some of her feelings and choices.”
I squeezed his hand, grateful for his input, his ever-present faith in me.
Everyone sat in uncomfortable silence until Hachiman broke in a moment later by clearing his throat.
“I didn’t mean to cause an argument. I’m simply trying to help The Healer understand that any choice she makes that goes against the laws of nature will have terrible consequences. Her connection to Amatsu will strengthen, while her connection to Tie will eventually sever. In truth, it will happen either way, no matter what Hope does, but her actions will either speed up or slow down the process.”
“There’s no way to reverse it?” Tie asked. He tightened his hold on me. “We thought, we hoped, that you would be able to perform the marriage ceremony for us. I can’t help her ascend on my own. I’ve already tried.”
My father let out a disgruntled sound, but refrained from starting another argument at the table.
“I’m not surprised you actually tried without waiting for my part in it,” Hachiman said without censure, “but I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do to help you heal the taint within her heart.”
“Then it’s hopeless?” I asked
. “I’m eventually going to belong to Amatsu?”
“Well, who you decide to join with will be entirely up to you,” Hachiman stated.
“But…I have no choice.”
He gave me a smile that made me believe he knew far more about the mysteries of this world, of this Universe, than I would ever be capable of discovering in one lifetime.
“There is always a choice, Healer. I just pray you’ll know what that choice is when the time comes.”
Cryptic.
And utterly useless.
I wasn’t the only one beyond frustrated with what Hachiman had to say. Tie’s anger and bewilderment at this pronouncement joined the bevy of despairing emotions from every single person at the table.
Victor had embraced defeat with the determination to fight the good fight until the bitter end, almost thriving on the challenge. Geez, he had some issues. I really wanted to smack him a bit. Ms. Mori’s conflicting emotions confused me since some of the more tender feelings weren’t just for Kirby, but for me. I couldn’t process it, so I just moved on and assessed my father who felt nothing but agony at the thought of losing me. Angie was ready to kick some serious ass on my behalf, Bishu seemed more concerned about her restlessness, and Kirby was clinging to me as if I’d already disappeared and landed in the Underworld. I ground my teeth as the emotions became too much for me.
I was beyond exhausted.
I was toast.
“Let’s just start with the first thing on our to-do list,” I said in an attempt to regain control of my spiraling situation. “Not to beat this horse into the ground, but we need the prophecy.” I turned my gaze to Hachiman. “We hoped you might have an idea of where the original scroll is or if you stored it here with other sacred records.”
“No. I’m afraid not, and I’m not capable of translating it either way,” he said.
“Of course not. I’m not sure why we were hoping that things might go our way,” my father said.
“But I have an idea of who has it,” he continued.
Our collective focus sharpened on the wizened old man.