Chapter Text
The Call.
The Sound.
The Chorus of the Universe.
Each note woven into a melody, from which endless lines and tapestries form.
“What does it mean?”, Kiriko pondered, as she woke up from that same dream again. It’s ominous yet glorious-no awesome nature was something that Kiriko had never heard of before, despite her spiritual job as a shrine caretaker.
As she swept the floors and inspected the grounds, she failed to keep the thoughts away, zoning out while tending to the Tetsuzan shrine.
“I see something in your eyes Kiriko, what bothers you?” asked her grandmother, as she came by to inspect the shrine.
“You see right through me, grandma, but… I’m not sure how to explain it to you…”
“Oh Kiriko, the kitsune knows all. Take some time to meditate on it, I’ll handle the sweeping for today.”
“But what will the passers-by think if they see an old lady sweeping while the young and feisty caretaker is nowhere to be seen?”
“You must be truly bothered to be so concerned with what others may think, Kiriko. The shrine can wait. Come!”
Her grandmother brought her to one of the meditating rooms and sat opposite to her.
Better make this quick, so she doesn’t have to sit like that for long
“I’ve been hearing something in my dreams. At first, I thought it would pass, but it’s been recurring for quite a few days, each time growing in intensity. As I listen, the sound manifests into tangibility. I see it flowing on and on and on. There are many distant and greyed out threads by the side, but the stream moves me forward to the confluence of two rivers. One path shows a slow-moving thread, but I can see that it is short. The path seems to cut off and just disappear at some point, into a endless abyss. The other path shows a torrential stream, ebbing and flowing across the vibrant reaches of whatever that place is. The waves are violent, threatening to knock me around, despite the tranquil and serene radiance of the stars that dot the vast expanse. That other stream looks so cold and lifeless in contrast. Sure, I can lie down on it, and let it sail smoothly onward, but I never get to see the end where it drops off. The dream gets cut off or something.”
Her grandma had failed to hide her shock or was it amusement? Kiriko wasn’t sure of how to interpret whatever that signal was, but her grandma recovered quickly and replied.
“Hmm… I’m not sure how I can provide guidance on this matter, but it seems you will have to find out the answer yourself by contemplating on it in the presence of the great Inari Okami. I won’t bother you any further then.” She placed a divination board and a fox idol as she left.
Time to focus, Kiriko
Her eyes glowed a brilliant blue, and a cyan aura coalesced and enveloped her.