Work Text:
Out of the old building’s window, a samurai falls out. He wears metal springs on his shoes, and he jumps away from the building. The building spits out a flying vase, chair, two ghosts and a dog, which chase our hero.
Masahiro’s goal is a fire set up ahead. He clears out the overgrowth with his spear. “Oh Gods, Oh Gods, help!”
The Yōkai laugh and keep pursuing. They’re at his tail, mere few steps away from catching him.
The flying chair lets out a noise.
“Slippery little bastard.”
“Don’t worry brother, we’ll get him.”
Every bounce feeling heavy, Masahiro finally reaches the fire surrounded by bottles. He throws a bottle with a shiny purple liquid hidden in his hand at the fire, and hits. But due to his heavy momentum, he loses balance and falls.
As Yōkai start beating him up, the fire turns purple, and a purple cloud engulfs the vicinity.
They shrivel up and scream in pain. Objects’ spirit abandons their physical forms. Masahiro pulls a hidden wire that launches the bottles, capturing the evil spirits. Some of them. A few bottles missed so Masahiro had to manually put them in.
As he wraps everything up in his backpack, satisfied with his work, looking forward to the bounty reward, a horrifying thought crosses his mind.
“Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no!!!!! I forgot to pay the priest for the holier water!”
He still remembers the scene vividly.
The Marketplace outside the village he recently visited. While others stroll around, casually shopping, he has a clear goal. He needs a stronger variation of holy water.
And there’s a priest from the temple selling it. He’s a middle aged fellow, face stern and body disciplined.
Masahiro still remembers the great effort it took to approach and form a sentence.
“Greetings, priest. I’m interested in purchasing the item you have.”
“What item do you seek, child?”
“Uhhh, I uhm...”
“Yes?”
“What I seek is the uhhh, holier water.”
“Holier water, eh? Are you perhaps daring to go against the supernatural?”
“Uh, affirmatively.”
“Well, I can ‘affirmatively’ sell it to you, but it won’t come cheap.”
The priest measures Masahiro, eyes jumping up and down. The lack of sword and a really light purse. Masahiro’s eyes confirmed the lack of any funding. The priest wasn’t in a mood for sorry excuses.
“Given your circumstances, I’ll give you until the end of this day to pay me. And you better have a good reason if you’re late.”
“You have my gratitudes, sir. I won’t let you down.”
Masahiro caught 15 Yōkai and wasted 2 days.
“I gotta run to the market, there’s something I can sell, something I can do to get that money.”
He used the springs on his shoes to hop there. The leaves and branches of the forest waved in the wind Masahiro created. Until the road went downhill. Then Masahiro fell badly and rolled to the village.
Masahiro moaned in pain, cursing. He stood up, annoyed at the broken springs on his shoes. He took them off and limped around the road, looking for anything. Then he ran into a notice board.
“Farm work needed. Go to the Yusuke The Farmer.”
“Selling a house at the centre of the village. Contact Denji for information.”
“Play: Brave Ishitama vs. The Army of Kappas.”
“Lecture from Dr. Hitawa about ghosts, curses and monsters”
“Steamy Geisha in y-”
Masahiro stopped reading that last one. The sixth poster however, awakened his curiosity.
“Have dinner with us, and you’ll get money!”
The handwriting on it was smooth and pretty. The paper was really old and well kept, like the ones wealthy families uses. Whoever has this, definitely has that money. The ink itself was red, with really good quality.
The location of the dinner, unfortunately, was scribbled over. It was brutishly done, in the contrast of the delicateness of the rest of the paper. The ink that was used in scribbling over was black and of way lesser quality.
Thinking for a few minutes, Masahiro had an idea. Out of his huge backpack, he pulled out a small magnet, which he used on the ink. The magnet made the black in looser. Putting the magnet away, Masahiro scratched the black ink away.
Pleased with himself, he smiled. Ink was easily going off the paper, until the bit of the red ink got removed too.
He almost threw it all away, but he couldn’t let the anger make it worse. At least he has a partial knowledge of where the dinner should be.
When he reached the part of the village mentioned. It was the east side, where old people lived their entire lives. Lot of the houses were abandoned, with a chilly wind passing northeast.
Masahiro glanced around, looking for someone to talk to, and there was an old lady knitting something in front of her house.
Deep breath, thought of himself as a hero, and haste were gathered. Masahiro walked up to the lady. Her eyes were relaxed, and focused on the knitting.
“Excuse me, could you inform me if there’s a wealthier place around here, I’m seeking someone.”
Masahiro’s presence was now revealed to the granny, and she slowly looked towards him. She smiled at him, all the more relaxed.
“Hello, young man. You’re seething for a weather? I know it’s cloudy, but this wind is here when the village was built. You want a candy?”
She pulled a small, red sugar candy. Masahiro sighed, taking the candy, repeating what he said loudly.
“No, I need you to inform me if there’s a wealthier place around here, I’m seeking them!”
“Sorry, dear, granny can’t hear well from the wind going towards a cursed estate. Can you repeat it?”
It clicked now.
“I just wanted the candy, thank you!”
“Take care, dear. And don’t go where the wind goes ehehehehe.”
She went back to knitting, and Masahiro let the wind guide him towards the estate.
The more he followed the wind, the more colors faded. Normally, there’s birds chirping or singing or hitting trees, but their song got quieter. Grass got blander and blander. The presence of flowers waned, until only roses remained. They’re the only flower to be greater, not smaller. Air got thicker and thicker, and at one point, iron aroma spread around. Small fairies disappeared, but the presence of the supernatural wasn’t gone. It was just different.
Masahiro felt the change in his skin. It got colder, his hairs were raised.
The wind guided him true. A house with white spotless walls, surrounded by dark wood so clean it reflects. Around the house, are many plants used in potionmaking. Some rows are neat and efficiently put, while the other were miniature paintings made of plants depicting the moon, and the nature. The front porch and the roof were extended, shading the door at any time.
Masahiro finally stepped and knocked on the door. Door suddenly and quickly opened, revealing a soft, pale face. Person behind it looked at Masahiro without blinking. They smelled of chemicals and plants.
“A visitor. Say, what brings you here?”
“Uhhh, I travelled far due to your posting on the noti-”
Before he had a chance to finish the sentence, they called someone in the back.
“Star, someone actually read your posting for the notice board!”
At the inhumane speed, another pale person dashed in front of Masahiro. They were messy, with paint all over them, and a brush in their hand. They looked at Masahiro excitedly.
“Moon, Moon, Moon we finally have a visitor! I’m so happy!”
Moon calmed Star down.
“We didn’t prepare the food, Star. Remember? It was so long when you posted that thing that we gave up hope.”
Star smiled goofily, revealing their pointy fangs. Masahiro wasn’t surprised exactly, but the regret of not preparing for vampires settled in now. He pulled his hand towards the backpack, ready for improvisation. Moon noticed his action. Their face shifted into a menacing expression, ready for anything, and he steadily, bit threateningly spoke.
“Human, is something a problem? A shiver in your spine? Are your legs begging you to start running? To threaten my Star? Or will we sit and act like polite society for once?”
Star, worried, jumped in between them.
“Hey, hey, hey, Moon. He’s seen us for the first time. Relax, he’s just surprised.”
“He better be just surprised.”
Star’s behavior defused Masahiro’s fear.
“I’m sorry. It was inconsiderate of me to threaten you. I’m a monster hunter. Name is Masahiro and I want to be a good company.”
“See, Moon? He’s not here to hurt us or judge us. Well, nice to meet you, Masahiro! I’m Star, and this is my partner, Moon! We’ve been living here for a looooong time. Don’t just stand there, come in!”
They all entered the house, which was neat and tidy, save for the Star’s painting room. Moon and Star sitting next to each other, spending time with Masahiro.
“Thank you so much for visiting us! Thankfully, we saved enough money to be able to actually pay you. My paintings sold really well. And, I can make potions, just like Moon hehe.”
“You just made tea, I can do it too with a property of having an entire day of energy.”
“Considering how much free time you have, you probably honed your skills to perfection.”
“Art can’t be ‘perfected’. It’s like flying up. You can fly and fly, and you’ll only get higher and higher.” Moon looks towards Star “But it is subjective too, so in my eyes it’s as perfect as my Star is.”
“Oh you, -”, Star blushed.
“I was jesting about the tea however. Moon is the real brewer here.”
“Again, I can’t reach perfection. Even if I try to get the exact measurements or temperatures, there’s always the vampire error. And sometimes even the best get the stroke of bad luck.”
“Heh, sometimes, sure. There’s this village I went sometime back, and trust me, in there not even expertise could help you. Bad luck overruled even the steadiest hands there.”
“Ohohohoh, we’re getting a story, from Masahiro’s adventures! Did you beat up that curse, with all that you could?”
“I’m not that good at beating up and fighting...” (He speeds up his speech for a bit) “actually I’m not good at fighting at all.” (He continues normally) “No, it wasn’t a curse that haunted that place. It was a small girl.”
“Bwahahahahaha, these silly humans, getting humbled by small girls.”
“It’s true. She bent luck around her without knowing, I just helped her understand the power she has. I’m just a stepping stone usually for greater magics or hunting smaller time ghosts.”
“Masahiro, you’re too harsh on yourself. Even indirect help means a lot. Otherwise everyone’d make their own potions. You don’t see it, but I can promise you that you made a significant change to the girl’s fate.”
“You’re correct, but I sometimes I can’t help but want to do more, and maybe make it more about me. It’s a weird feeling I didn’t identify fully yet.”
“I’m sure you’ll discover it in due time.”
“Yeah, listen to Moon, They’ve got some wise words to say.”
“All experience.”
Time passed, and after some more chatting and Masahiro wondering what’s the line between helping and getting in the way, Moon prepared an apology.
“Masahiro, I want to apologize for the tension I created with my rudeness to your fear. Please let me know the way I can make it up to you.”
“Don’t worry, I’m used to it and you already made it up to me with your hospitality.”
“It’s just that we’re used to human fear and hostility. You’d think it’s the big things like stakes and fire and some even tried using garlic on us for some reason. But it’s the small gestures that hurt me. People can be so inconsiderate sometimes.”
“Thankfully we have each other! I dunno, I’d go crazy if it weren’t for Moon.”
“It’s that bad?”
“Yeah, those suckers won’t buy Moon’s potions unless he jumps through every hoop, obstacle, and trap to prove he’s ok. I’d suck them dry myself if we were evil.”
“Which we’re not.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe I can help you two?”
“Huh? You’d help us? You mean you’ll turn us evil so we can suck the village dry?”
“I think he meant making villagers see we won’t hurt them. As much as we appreciate the effort, Masahiro, we both know that you’re afraid of what you don’t know and what might hurt you. I remember when we started using spears and how much of an outrage there was.”
“Wait you’re that old?”
“Oh yes we are, darling. We’re very old. Gods, how weird painting used to be back in the day.”
“Still, I’ll help you because doing the right thing is above monster hunting.”
“And how do you think you’ll do that?”
“He looks smart, Moon. I’m sure he’ll think of a way. Right?” (whispers) “pleasesayyespleasesayyespleasesayyes.”
“Well now, I don’t know about smart, but I can plan something up. I’ll need you to come with me.”
“We’re going out, Moon! I haven’t been out of estate so much, and you don’t talk much about what happens out there.”
“You aren’t missing out much, my Star. And it’s not like I can get much news due to our ‘condition’.”
Moon and Star prepared to go outside and met Masahiro outside. On their way to the village, Masahiro briefed them.
“So, at the market of the village, a golem that owes me a favor for bringing him Mermaid bath water will appear and start scaring villagers. You’ll hide on the roof of the nearby house, and wait for my performance to end. Then you fly in and do whatever, punch him, bite him, anything. He’ll run away and the whole village will see you as saviors.”
“I doubt one savior act will be enough for us to change literal centuries of prejudice, but I guess Star and I needed a new activity.”
“Hahaha, legendary Vampire heroes! I can already read stories they’ll write about us.”
The group split up when they arrived to the village. Masahiro went behind the market, making a golem’s family emblem on the ground, all while chanting his name. As the sigil glowed, out of the glow, a golem has risen.
“Golem, remember that favor you owe me? I negotiated an entire hour with a mermaid for her bath water.”
“Masahiro, my valued acquaintance! Yes, I remember the favor I owe you, and I will hold up my end of the deal. What do you need?”
As Masahiro explained to the golem, he noticed a presence watching him from shadows. It was a familiar silhouette. Masahiro started worrying, but it was too late to stop the plan and any talking about the eyes stalking him would raise panic. Moon and Star quietly jumped from roof to roof, avoiding any and all villages that might sight them. Once they reached the roof overlooking the market, Moon asked Star something.
“Star, do you think this is a bit unusual? I’m not a soul of deceit and trickery.”
“Moooon, it’s not really all that deceitful. Sure, we’re exaggerating a bit, but we’re giving the people hope and showing them we’re more then mindless beasts. It’s like in my paintings, all about perspective.”
“That’s an open minded way of seeing it, I suppose. That innocence and purity is the reason I fell for you, my Star.”
Market was sparsely occupied. The usual stands of vegetables and working materials were open with passerbys glancing around. Masahiro strolled in the market first, nervous. Priest was there, arms crossed, staring at Masahiro who was sweating rivers.
Then, with a thunderous roar, fell down a golem, and the plan was set into motion. Villagers gasped and panicked, causing a ruckus.
Masahiro screamed “Vile Yōkai, I will banish you” and rushed it, extending his spear. He hit it a few times with a spear, and threw a volley of useless firecrackers at it, screaming “HAIYAAAA” with a voice crack. The thing hit him, with a force stronger then pretending, and Masahiro didn’t need to fake falling, because he kissed the ground much sooner.
Bruised and actually hurt, Masahiro moaned in pain. He hoped the audience at least bought the act somewhat. Villagers’ reactions were genuinely shocked and scared, but the priest saw right through his act, unimpressed and angry. “This is bad”, Masahiro thought.
The climax of the play started, with Moon signaling Star.
“Star, that’s our que.”
“Showtime!”
And as soon as they landed, the priest conjured a magic from his prayer, in a shape of a ball in his hand. He threw it, and it shined, vacuuming the stone golem and disappearing.
Then, he cast the ray of light over Masahiro, that was so strong it started burning him. Masahiro shriveled and screamed. The memory of his misdeeds, his irresponsibility, the thought of how he just lost his sword and how he isn’t helping people but monsters, turned into the salt of his physical wounds. His own need to do everything right burned him up to his soul.
“I was kind by giving you a chance, thinking you’ll just hunt monsters. And your reason for not paying me is because you’re helping monsters terrifying the village. You’ll now pay with your life, I never needed your money.”
The Ray of Guilt crushed Masahiro as his screams intensified. His life was approaching death’s door. Moon couldn’t take it anymore and dropped on their knees.
“Stop! I surrender, take my life instead, and leave him alone! You wanted to kill a monster, and he brought you one. The debt is cleared.”
The priest stopped the Ray, and looked at Moon. The resolve they both had was showing.
“Very well. Die, foul beast!”
The priest barely vibrated his vocal chords before Star knocked him on the ground, fangs shining and eyes bloodshot. They were ready to rip his throat out right there and then. Right before they did... they stopped, and stood up. They turned towards Moon, smiling, yet with eyes still showing rage.
“Which we’re not.”
Masahiro was on the last of his consciousness. His ears buzzing, and vision blurring, he heard one more sentence from Star, after which he fainted.
“Come on, we’re leaving! I have a painting to finish! Can we bring Masahiro too, pleaseplease? He can’t go adventuring this hurt.”
Moon and Star carried Masahiro back to their estate, where they let him rest.
Masahiro woke up, feeling weak. He was in Moon and Star’s house. Moon entered the room with a tray holding a potion and tea.
“Star, he’s awake!”
Star rushed to Masahiro as fast as they could, happy, acting like the scene at market didn’t happen.
“I’m so glad you’re alright. Moon’s potion worked, I mean why wouldn’t it, their potions are the best. You took some serious damage from that light.”
Masahiro slowly got up, sitting straight now.
“Thank you. And yeah, priests are tough ones. Their magics are from Gods themselves, and nasty to both good and evil, for some reason. I really messed up. I got the golem killed, and you two in real danger.”
“Moon, you said he heard it all.”
“How could I know he was fully passed out? All right, so, after you got knocked out, and after Star spared the priest and took you to heal, they screamed to the entire village how you were the only one that treated us correctly and that we’ll heal you and how we could easily kill the priest, but didn’t.”
“So, there won’t be any backlash?”
“No, since we didn’t get anyone killed, we won’t be hunted, but rather accepted. It took a human getting almost killed for them to realize we’re good. So now they’ll slowly accept our existence as good.”
Masahiro got really happy with that revelation. After a few days of healing, he had to go further adventuring. As a parting gift, he received a small painting of a moon casting it’s rays on a lone hero from Star, and a potion that raises senses from Moon.
With the promise of staying in touch, a lone ronin walked off to further adventures.