Eleven
“Churi looks quite sparkling!” Sayaka noted. “Miyuki does too.”
“Sayaka and the other two look ravishing.” Miyuki reported glancing next to the women by Churi when the final pair came from the rooms.
Antan had been quick to note the rest although Yui had peeked out as she adjusted her clothing, exiting the room. The final person to join had reached her arms out to the sky, holding the bag in her grasp. Viewing the majority in a sheen that reflected the bright sun, Emika knew what effects the lake had over many of them with the small few electing to rest rather than dip into the lake for the night. Churi waved towards the owner before leading them out to the path to the next location.
“I think Tokyo is next.” Churi stated.
“Before that, we have venture to Fuji-san to pray. It’ll probably be a few days away but better head in that area.” Sayaka informed them as the rest of the group nodded in unison.
The time together had attracted a new sense of the companionship that was brought along from the first part of just being the two of them. Emika reminded more of it along the way with the views of the sea upon the hilly areas along the way when they seemed to speed through the sights along the way, taking in the offerings of food throughout the journey. Resting at the small huts were of little consequences but they found a change in the approach of the efforts from all the parties involved.
“You okay?” The voice broke the concentration upon the bright moon.
“Yeah… just occupied that we are heading up this quickly.” Emika answered.
“Yui and I were talking while you were in the midst of your thinking and we feel that after Tokyo, we may have to split our own ways.” Antan informed the woman.
“What do you mean?” She asked when the figures came into the light.
“Our paths have crossed for a special reason and when we all reach the main city. There will be something else to look forward to as it is a large area to cover and we all have to accomplish something.” Sayaka explained.
“To be honest, we are facing the last stand against everything but how can we accomplish it without any other issue.” Churi added.
“What exactly is your guys’ plans?” Emika quipped, the eyes immediately turn to the side.
“The adventure has been fun but with what has happened to all of us… it’ll only be the end game.” Sayaka sighed.
“The world won’t end. We have to keep pushing forward.” Emika growled when she glanced away. “I’ve had too much fun just to give up.”
“You’re right yet I’ve sensed deep in my heart that we have to release our issues.” Churi noted. “I’ll be honest that I rather keep up our drive although it’ll end in a horrible way.”
Emika had let the words linger before walking away from the group. In the shadows, she found solace in the darkness for once to sleep until the morning light. The cycle seemed endless to just continue but the goal was ever changing since the start although now it was an empty cause when they kept on the efforts until the night where they had seen the lights blast out in the distance. Awaking the group was the chorus of voices when they had seen a prism of light beaming from afar. Emika was the first to chase it with the rest slowly following up until the glimmers had caught their eyes.
The curiosity of what had brought them to the point was now in the darkness and huddled into the cave nearby for shelter. The group had pondered over the prism that flew up as a mirage in the sky after the few days they were on the road. The sheen they had been covered by had disappeared and now the continuance had been questioned until Emika, grunted as the moon being the light for the road, had taken off to see where the light had appeared from. The structure was tattered with the smell of the sea lingering.
She searched deeper into the abandoned place when she had seen the open hole with the shadows of the waves crashing up to the cliffs. Hearing the floor creaked prompted her to walk away when she saw the ocean out in the distance. Taking the deep breath, Emika heard the call from the distance as it slithered into the ears. “Wait until morning.”
“Why?” She questioned in he abandoned area.
“They will come to you.” The voice rattled her when she scanned around. “Leave here and stay with your friends until sunlight.”
“Where are you exactly?” Emika called out.
“I’m everywhere around you.” The voice chimed.
She found herself on facing the ocean when the structure blew over the cliff and crashed into water below. The fate had driven her out by the consequence of the curious nature she possessed. Jogging back, she found the cave had turned mute as she fitted into the hole for her and closed her eyes immediately. The voice was soothing although it was difficult to consider the problems she would have to face and awoke to consider the options. Emika was pondering why anyone would leave and who would be behind the voice.
Emika stepped out to the sight of the peeking sun and glanced out upon the sight of the uneven dirt road ahead. The voice was echoing but she walked forward with the bag in hand as she proceeded down the path. The words of the group was weighing when she ventured off however with the only road ahead, it was clear that even being far ahead wasn’t enough to get her off track by much with her slow, steady steps upon the hard ground. Furthering the distance away, she cleared the mind of the guilt.
“At least… you waited until morning.” The voice called when she turned to see a figure appear. “Damn me in getting this body.”
“Who are you?” Emika asked, tilting her head. “Also… you…”
“I have a big chest!” She smiled. “By the way, I’m Shu.”
“Shu… you were the one guiding me to get out of that house?” She asked, keeping her eyes away from the naked female.
“Yes! I was. The last person had to blow up because she finally gave in her last wish for her to be free from the body. Then, as the cycle continues, another body is formed and continued to live upon the earth until their time is up.” Shu explained.
“I guess you have to stay naked then…” Emika theorized, seeing her eyes stare back.
“I can always ask for clothes but I’m now your guardian to help you towards Fuji-san.” Shu grinned as Emika followed behind.
Shu developed what was a distraction away from the group that probably would have ended their journey at Tokyo but the stop was to shield one’s self against the dangers ahead. Climbing up the paved path to the summit where the shrine was located, Shu knew of the droves of people would travel along the route although only to the right eyes they would see her. Almost all would never see her unless they were monks or spiritual beings themselves as the brisk wind had blown against them.
“I forgot about being this chilly.” Shu commented.
“You sure you don’t want to ask for clothing?” Emika asked when she turned to the hut.
“I’ll be back.”
Emika stood in the middle of the area when a shadow had casted over her. The voices grew faint when Shu had walked out and ran towards the woman. The wind threw her onto the floor while Emika felt the crushing of her body before only seeing the darkness that had consumed her. Shu stood with her hands up, throwing the chants in the direction when she was pushed back as the next person came up and threw a sphere with the shadow growling out into the sky.
“Yuka! Hold Yuu.” He commanded when he charged into the shadow, dissipating the darkness, and grabbing the falling body.
“I could have handle that!” Shu moaned.
“I’m sorry but… it was an emergency.” He bowed. “I’m Ayumu.”
“Okaro informed me of you guys too but I have this girl too.” Shu pointed out. “Maybe you can take her until she is healed.”
“You will not leave another person with us just because we worshipped you.” Yuka snarled when the head snapped back.
“I’m not… I need to get dressed.” Shu lowered her head before returning back to the hut.
“She is a descendant.” Yuka snickered. “Okaro knew the later generations had a little extra.”
“I’ll carry her into the empty room.” Ayumu breathed when the image had drawn upon him. “She is cursed.”
“You have to commit to purifying her.” Yuka informed him. “It will take a few days to develop the cure and take her up to the summit to relieve her of the pains.”
“How?” Ayumu asked.
“Good question… Let her rest while I research.” Yuka turned her head away when Shu popped out in a red and white coat that covered the body from the neck down to the knees.
“Purification?” He thought.
“Take her into the shelter and I’ll find her physical pains while you can wait.”
Carrying the lifeless body had drawn to the image of her eyes completed closed, void of a beat. Laying her on top of the first bed he saw, Shu took over the work as she touched body while he stood outside with the ideas that would come into mind when Yuka stepped inside and stood next to him.
“You have to comfort her until you’re ready. Her injuries can heal but emotionally, it’ll be hard to reform them back after the curse is planted.” She informed him. “Work swiftly, yet carefully.”
Ayumu reminded of the issues Sai and Yuu had mentioned when he arrived. “Also… the cure will require some work on your end. Let the healer do her job and take over from there.”
“I see. Yuu can rest here as well.” Ayumu stated, taking a seat on the floor with the thought of the shadow entering his mind.