Chapter Text
“Hey, you ready?” Jade’s voice was soft, her hand resting on his arm as she smiled up at him. There was a heavy weight settling over his chest, growing heavier still at the sight of flowers bundled in her hand. Her hand slid down, squeezing lightly against his own before he finally gave a single dip of his head. As ready as ever. As ready as one could be to visit a grave.
He still wasn’t sure why it still left him so off-balanced. He barely remembered seeing his mother, and Daigo never spoke much about her. Jade was too young to even remember her at all. It wasn’t as if there was an abundance of memories that he had to mourn. But there was an image of a life they never got that tugged at his chest, wishing they could have at least had the chance to know her, even a little bit. Just for a moment.
When they neared the car, Jade rushed forward and he didn’t bother to race against her. If she wanted the front seat today, she could have it. Daigo was silent when they got in the car, staring blankly ahead until the doors finally closed. The sound seemed to pull him out of whatever thoughts he was lost in, meeting Kendo’s eyes through the rearview with something hidden beneath them. Breaking his stare just as fast to look at Jade, and the flowers that rested in her lap.
“Those are nice,” he murmured, and Jade gave him a bright smile in return. Missing the way Daigo’s voice seemed to fall oddly flat, no conviction held in the words even if Kendo managed to catch it. But he wasn’t looking back at him, and now wasn’t the time to question it. He didn’t want another fight between them, not today of all days.
“Aren’t they? Dad used to say that they were mom’s favourite, so I started planting them around the pond. I didn’t think I would be able -” She continued, explaining every step of her journey as Daigo hummed along at the appropriate times. And Kendo continued to watch him, wondering just what was going through his brother’s head now. Something was distracting him; he wasn’t usually so inattentive, at least not when it came to Jade.
The tall hedges rose in the distance, quickly drawing closer as an unnamed feeling twisted through his gut. “Cut it out,” Daigo sighed, and he stilled his leg, not realising he had been bouncing it so quickly. Pausing only for a second before it started again, this time staring at the rearview mirror so Daigo would know that he didn’t care.
The car came to a stop at the entrance of the hedged circle. All three got out in silence as they stared into the shaded pathway that would lead them to the centre, before Jade turned to smile at them once more. “Come on, I’m sure she would be happy we’re here.” She turned quickly, a bright eagerness in her step that the boys didn’t mimic as they followed her in.
As soon as they stepped into the circle, the air seemed to grow thinner. An uneasy feeling settled along Kendo’s shoulders the closer he got to the centre. There was something that wasn’t quite right, but he didn’t know where he could even start to try and figure it out. What it even was that he was trying to figure out. Instead, he focused on his siblings as they entered the last opening, staring at the thick, marbled stone arch that rested at the centre.
A beautiful piece of work, really. Pieced back together by their father when they were still young, as a way to honour their mother. One of the few, tangible things he had left behind before he too disappeared, too distraught over the loss of his wife. A portal, he had called it, that had been blessed by the spirits themselves as a way to keep them all connected. One that would keep her alive, in their minds at least. Something tangible since they no longer had her.
Not that they ever really had.
But the spirits weren’t real. None of the old legends were. They all knew it, no matter how much his father had believed. No matter how many times he had told them their time would come again, a manic excitement bubbling up that used to scare Kendo when he was still small. Now, he could see it for what it was; a man desperate for a way to pretend the loss he experienced wasn’t so final. That they could still have a connection long after someone was gone.
Jade knelt down at the base of the arch, knees resting against the worn stone as she laid the bundle of flowers down. Smiling up at the open space as if there was something there. As if their mother could actually hear them. He could hear her speaking softly, staying back close to Daigo now.
A sidelong glance at his brother made him pause, brows furrowing at the sight of him. Lost in thought, once again. Staring blankly at the stonework, the muscles of his jaw tensing over and over as if he was beginning to become annoyed by whatever he was thinking.
“What’s up with you?” He finally asked, wincing at the sharp bite in his words. And he knew that Daigo heard it too, his attention snapping back to Kendo as annoyance twisted over his face.
“Nothing. Am I not allowed to pay my respects to our mother while we’re here?”
He sighed, wishing he could take back the words already. “No, that’s not what I meant. You just seem like something -”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.” Again, Daigo turned, staring stonily ahead as Jade stood. His expression softened for just a moment as she turned towards them, just as Kendo’s own did, not wanting her to catch them arguing. Kendo stepped forward then, knowing it was his turn.
Kneeling before the archway, he placed the small omamori along the bundle of flowers. Tying a knot around it to keep it secured against the stems before it was once more placed back at the centre. While he might not have believed all his fathers teachings, there was something about knowing that maybe, just maybe, he could offer a little protection for his mother’s spirit wherever it was. That maybe he could give her a little peace.
When he stood, Jade was still by his side. Her arm wrapping around his own to give a bit of comfort that she seemed to know would be needed. Daigo had finally joined them, the oddity of his stare still itching at Kendo. But for now, Jade seemed to not notice. Keeping quiet as he watched Daigo brush the fallen leaves from the stone base, before he stood beside them once more and dipped his head.
Just as his brother opened his mouth, readying himself to speak, the sky above them darkened unexpectedly. Their heads snapped up simultaneously, watching as something bright seemed to burst through the sky. Searing against their eyes and burning into their vision as Kendo raised a hand to try and block some of the sudden glow. A soft ring of air pulsed around the object as it seemed to gain speed, catapulting itself towards the island now.
Jade’s hand gripped at his, tightening before Daigo stepped backwards. No warning was given before he was rushing back through the hedges, and Kendo followed almost directly behind. Whatever it was, he knew there was only seconds left before it crashed somewhere nearby. He sent out a quick prayer that wherever it landed, the people around there remained unharmed.
As soon as they were through the main entrance, they watched whatever was falling crash down. Disappearing beyond the mountains before a loud crack echoed over the island. And seconds after that, the sound of rushing wind filled their ears, growing louder and louder as he tried to grab for Daigo’s arm.
They needed to get away. They needed to find cover from -
The first gust of wind stole the breath from his lungs, staggering back from the force of it. Barely getting a second to brace himself before another blast knocked all three from their feet. Crashing backwards into the wooden fence that was behind them, Jade’s surprised shout was barely heard before he was able to breathe once more.
Staggering to his feet, he scanned the area in a panic. Looking for his siblings, the fear in his chest settled only slightly at the sight of them. They were fine. They were alive, and unharmed. Daigo looked how he felt, both of them having crashed into something much more solid. Jade, at least, had been tossed back into the hedges, her landing softened by the bounce of the thin branches and leaves.
Daigo rushed back to the car, not bothering to shut the door as he tried to start it. Growling and smashing a fist against the steering wheel when it wouldn’t start. A string of curses left him, but Kendo ignored that as he limped to where Jade was brushing dirt from her clothes.
“You okay?” He asked softly, checking over her for any major injuries that maybe she somehow hadn’t noticed. She gave him a shaky nod, glancing towards the mountains before her attention was turned back to him. Paling instantly before she was calling for Daigo. His head spun as he tried to turn quickly, wondering just what she had seen, and he watched Daigo slam the door before he paused. His eyes focused down on Kendo before he was rushing into the back seat, searching for something.
What did he need from there?
The thought left him curious, his head spinning far too quickly as Jade guided him onto the ground. Why was he on the ground? He could hear them talking, frantic over something that seemed important, he was sure. Unable to figure it out for himself as he became aware of an ache forming along his thigh.
“- and it wont turn on. We need -”
“Give me it, we’ll need to walk him -”
His vision blurred, aware of a wetness creeping down his leg and soaking into his pant leg before there was a tight pinch. Everything went white for a moment, a world he couldn’t see spinning around him as Daigo pulled him from the ground. Ringing filled his ears and blocked out the conversation he knew was happening around him. A few times he managed to open his eyes, barely registering Jade’s voice as she called his name. Daigo’s voice was right beside him, realising that his brother was helping him walk somewhere. Where were they going? Laboured breaths fell slower as he stumbled, Daigo biting out words that he couldn’t understand before his vision went dark once more.
–
When he woke up, he knew not much time had passed. The faint ache he had originally felt in his leg had turned into a sharp, throbbing pulse, wincing when he tried to move it. Instantly Jade was by his side, helping him sit up on the bed he was laid on. A quick view of the room let him know they were above Daigo’s shop; the old, framed masks that adorned the walls gave his chest a tight, almost painful beat.
All of them had been made by them when they were still young. When their father had still been around to encourage them to continue family tradition. Before Daigo took over the shop, and told them not to bother if they weren’t going to take it seriously.
As soon as he tried to stand, Jade was pushing him back down. Gently, but still firmly enough that he gave up on trying. “What happened?” He sighed, glancing down at the bandages wrapped tightly around his thigh. His head still felt woozy, grimacing as he looked away. Gritting his teeth in an effort to ignore the pain until Jade was pressing a few pills into his hand with a sympathetic smile.
“You were out cold so I couldn’t get you to take any,” she offered in explanation. Another breath was taken, the girl taking a moment to ready herself as if she knew he was going to be unhappy with whatever was told to him. “Whatever it was that crashed knocked us off our feet, and the fence you hit cut your leg. Not bad, but enough that you still lost a lot of blood. We had to carry you back because you passed out and the car stopped working.”
He waited in silence and she chewed at her lip, groaning before she continued. “We patched you up and now Daigo’s gone to see just what it was that happened.” There it was. Daigo had gone off alone, to something that clearly affected the entire island, believing that he could handle himself. "So... You coming with?"
He wanted to. Just as he wanted to Jade to stay tucked safely away at the shop until they figured out just what had happened. But he knew by the throb in his thigh, travelling down and making his knee weak and his head spin, that he wouldn't be able to drive. “Alright. Let’s go.” He tried to push himself up once more, Jade trying to stop him only for a moment this time. “I’ll let you drive if you want,” he sighed, and instantly her hands fell away. Like she hadn't expected him to actually agree.
“For real?”
Too easy. “Yeah, just help me up.” Now she helped him to his feet, letting him lean against her shoulder as he shuffled his way down the stairs. Biting back every wince and groan with the hope that she wouldn’t hear and change her mind. His other hand gripped tightly at the railing, focusing on keeping his legs as steady as he could, pulled from his focus at Jade’s voice.
“Yeah, yeah, he’s fine. We’re gunna head to -” Silence, and he could hear a murmur of Daigo’s voice through the phone. She shouldn’t have called. She should have just let them show up . “Oh my god, stop worrying so much. We’re fine, we’ll just -” Another pause, wincing slightly at the final step in the main shop. “Well then, what’s so dangerous that we can’t come? Uh huh, oh yeah, I’m sure.” There was a roll of her eyes before she looked at Kendo, shaking her head in annoyed disbelief. “Anyways, Kendo says he’s coming either way and I’m not letting him go alone so we’ll see you soon.”
With that, she hung up the phone, grinning at her little joke, and Kendo gave a deep sigh. A harmless, fully intended joke. One that he and Daigo were bound to fight over as soon as they got there, for daring to insist on coming and dragging Jade along no matter how much she tried to take the words back.
Trying to get himself into the car was rough, eventually opting to just fall backwards into the passenger seat before picking up his injured leg to pull it inside. It probably wasn’t a good idea, really. If there was something wrong, or they needed to make a quick getaway, he would be the one to hold them back. But he couldn’t not go, and leave his brother to check out whatever had happened alone. What if he needed their help?
“ Wait,” he rushed out as soon as Jade started the car. “Can you stop by the house and grab my sword?”
She gave him a blank stare for a moment, before she shrugged. He pointedly ignored the smirk that was pulling at the corner of her lips, knowing that she had always thought it was a little silly. He could feel his cheeks warm, looking out the window instead. There was no room for her to talk though. Studying extinct little creatures that they weren’t even sure ever existed like her life depended on it. They all had their things.
Whatever. It was a respectable way to fight. And it was good for exercise too.
Whatever.
Once the sword was resting in his lap, they began to make their way across the island. Passing by the forest, surprised to see it covered in shadows today when the sun was still so bright. Someone must have angered the earth spirits for them to take the sunlight - He stopped that train of thoughts with an eye roll. That was purely his dad echoing through his head; he didn’t really believe in stuff like that.
Jade’s gasp broke him from his thoughts, focusing ahead on the massive crater that had blown apart the ground. Not a single hint of any of the grass or trees that had been there, only dark brown dirt flung up from the centre of the impact. Thankfully, it had missed the small village just a little further west, and there was surprisingly no one else around except a lone figure at the edge.
Biting back his wince, he pushed himself onto his feet the moment the car came to a stop. The sword was now fit perfectly between his shoulder blades, so focused on making his way towards the crater he missed the faint rattle of metal along his back.
The air around them was heavy, almost hard to breath the closer they got. So thick he could feel it coating the back of his throat, the hair along his arms raising in response to the weird energy that zapped around them. Colours seemed to shift oddly in his eyes, unsure if it was his injury or something more serious. What if the impact ruptured a gas line? Was there even something like that here? Maybe they should leave.
“I told you guys not to come,” Daigo sighed, yet he didn’t sound angry at least. Tired, more than anything before he frowned at Kendo. “And you shouldn’t have dragged her here either. You should know better than -”
“Oh my god, Daigo. That was a joke. It was my idea.”
Instead of an answer, they got a scoff in return, arms crossing his chest as he looked back to the centre of the crater. Kendo knew that the conversation wasn’t over. That he didn’t believe them. Just tucked away until Jade was gone and he could be lectured without her interference as his own explanations fell on deaf ears.
When he finally crested the ridge, his head tilted as he stared down. “What is that?”
Something sparkled under the sunlight, wisps of thick, white steam still swirling around it. Blocking the full thing from view as he squinted, trying to piece together what it might be. Whatever it was was a dark purple; it almost reminded him of an amethyst, sharp edges shown off before it was covered over by steam once more. There was a hum of energy that continued to grow the longer they stood there, swallowing thickly as he continued to stare.
This thing was dangerous.
A car pulled up next to them, watching a man and a young girl hop out. He and Daigo moved in unison, stepping away from the ledge to stand in front of Jade, eyes glued to the newcomers and the gun in the man’s hand. He studied them back, just as wary before he slowly holstered the weapon.
“You guys should head home. We’re here to deal with this.” Kendo’s eyes narrowed at that, and he watched the way Daigo’s shoulders tensed. As if he thought he could take them on. As if there was something there worth fighting for. But there wasn’t; just a crater with a weird rock in it that made him almost positive things on the island had changed in ways he couldn’t describe.
“Who are you?” Kendo finally asked, the man’s eyes flickering over to him. There was a heaviness to his gaze that left Kendo feeling unsure of his words. A vague question that had a thousand answers. The girl stepped forward instead though, a small wave and an uneasy smile given.
“My name’s Hope. This is Jones.” She paused for a moment, looking back to the man as a silent conversation passed between them. “We’ve been tracking this thing to study it for a while. We’re just here to collect some samples.” She said it with surety, not even a hint of a waver in her voice. Really, nothing said that would cast even a shred of doubt to her words.
She was lying. And it seemed Daigo knew it too.
His brother frowned, fingers strumming against his leg. Debating on if he should argue or not, and Kendo itched to have his sword in his hand. Almost positive it was calling to him to pull the blade free. Just as his hand moved, still unsure how he would have a chance at fighting when he could barely stand on one leg, the man’s hand was already raised back at them. Gun drawn with his own frown there now.
“Move along. It isn’t safe, and doesn’t concern you. The last thing we need is you getting in our way.”
Jade stepped passed, slipping away from Kendo’s hand as he grabbed for her. Yet she stopped at Daigo’s side, wrapping a hand around his arm to get his attention. “Come on. Let’s just go. It’s not worth a fight right now, okay?” Appreciation rushed through Kendo with the words. He wouldn’t have a chance in hell at convincing Daigo to leave, but she would. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
And sure enough, he gave a soft sigh before nodding. Glaring back at the two strangers to address them one last time. “I don’t know you, and I don’t trust you. If I hear anything about the people of this island being hurt because of you, I’ll come after you myself.”
They remained silent at his words, watching them make their way back to the car. Jade opened the passenger door for him, surprised that there hadn’t been an argument on who would get to sit in front this time. Small perks of being injured, he guessed, and one that he wasn’t going to take for granted while he had it.
The drive back was silent, Daigo stopping at the small house that Kendo now had along the canyon. No words were spoken from his brother as Jade hopped out, helping him up the stairs and into the living room. “We’ll figure out what that thing is soon enough, I’m sure of it.” Already she was back to her ever present optimism, and he couldn’t help but smile at that.
“Yeah, I know. Just try not to do anything too reckless until I’m all healed up, okay?”
His words earned him a laugh in return, a kick kiss placed on his cheek. “Rest up. Take lots of pain killers. You know the drill.” When she reached the door, she called out her goodbyes before it latched shut, leaving him in an odd, empty silence. The sound of the car slowly disappeared, and he finally let out a tired sigh, exhaustion already creeping back through his body.
Making his way into his room, he pulled the sword from his back, readying to place it along the wall. Another faint rattle echoed from it, the sheath of it trembling in his hands. He paused, staring at the now still blade. Surely he had imagined that. He must have been much more exhausted than he had realised, reaching up to place the blade back along its spot on his wall.
Another rattle rang out, this time stronger. Enough that he was worried the sword might fall off its perch, rushing to take it back down. Another rattle, and Kendo was at a loss for what might be happening. Why couldn’t it have happened when the others were with him? Why did this happen as soon as he was alone?
He pulled the sword from its sheath, looking to inspect the blade before a rush of air swept through the room. Stumbling back, his leg giving out on its second step before he crashed against his bed frame. Staring with wide eyes at the little, purple thing staring back at him.
No more than a foot and a half tall, tiny horns spiked out of its forehead as it watched him in return. Keeping himself as still as possible in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, if he didn’t move, it wouldn’t notice him. There was a faint growling coming from it, and Kendo gulped, scanning his room for the blade that had fallen from his hands. Laying now just beside the creature that was still staring directly at him.
He inched his hand towards it, the growling growing stronger. If he was going to do this he needed to be quick, unsure of just how much damage the little thing could do. The moment he shot forward, the creature made an odd chirping noise. Darting over the sword and out through the bedroom door, disappearing into the house. The faint pattering of footsteps growing fainter.
Instantly, Kendo’s stomach twisted. The thing could be hiding anywhere. With his blade finally in hand, he groaned as he pushed himself up, limping slowly into the hallway. Scanning every place he could think it might hide before he heard the tell tale sound of jars clinking against each other. Familiar, but he couldn’t place why.
Continuing forwards, he rounded the corner that led into his kitchen and paused. The growling was still coming from the little thing, louder than ever, as a half eaten pickle was held in its hand. Looking utterly content on his floor, and not a care in the world as it glanced his way and then back to the jar before it.
“What are you?” He muttered, raising the blade towards it. Surely now, it would know that he meant business. Instead, the creature tilted its head at the action before a loud crunch rang through the room; happily taking another bite from the pickle in hand. “I said, what are you?” His voice rose, and still the creature didn’t pay him any mind.
Growling, he leaned forward on his good leg, snatching the jar of pickles away. That, at least, got a response. The creature made a soft sound, confused and disappointed, and Kendo almost, almost, felt bad. He stumbled back when it stood, slowly making its way towards him, arms reaching for what he was sure to be an attack.
Small hands tugged at his pants before reaching upwards. He glanced to the jar in his hand, and then back, before he frowned. Whatever it was, it didn’t seem dangerous. Really, it seemed entirely harmless. And it must be hungry, if it wasn’t worried about Kendo or the sword that he held.
He slowly lowered the jar, the growling sound growing once again making him pause before it clicked. “Is that - Are you purring?” The moment the jar was in its hands, it dropped it to the floor to fish out another pickle. “So you … like pickles?”
Something was itching along the back of his mind, and he stepped away from the kitchen. Scanning through the books piled in his living room for one of the ones that had been passed down through his family. A small history of the blades forged, one of which he now had. He knew he had read something in there about his own blade; something he never really paid any mind to before, because why would he? Spirits weren’t real. Oni weren’t real.
And anyways, oni were supposed to be large. Powerful. Something to be terrified of. This thing just seemed to be a little hungry.
Sure enough, he found the pages he was looking for, scanning over the words until a small drawing stopped him. Almost a perfect match to the creature that was now happily snacking on pickles on his kitchen floor. And the more he read, the uneasier he felt. By the words on the page, this creature was something he should be scared of, yet it was so small and harmless. Bound to his sword through magic that he knew wasn’t real. Yet somehow, some way, it was now materialised and in his home.
Wincing as he sat on the couch, he poured over the pages until soft, little footsteps caught his attention. On guard at the sight of the creature before again, he sighed. Clearly, it had eaten far too much, its belly bloated as it waddled towards him. Tugging at his pant leg, he did the only thing that seemed to be reasonable in the moment; he picked it up and set it on the couch.
The growling sound was back, quieter again. It crossed the cushion, ignoring the way Kendo tensed before it was crawling into his lap and curling up along his legs. For something so small, he was astonished by how heavy it felt. Its breaths turned slow and heavy, eyes drifting shut, before it finally fell asleep.
If he stayed still, maybe it wouldn’t get angry. And there was still so much to re-read. He tried to focus on the words, truly, and it worked for a while. Reading the history of his blade and how they were forged; the magic that had been apparently used in its making. Before he knew it though, the exhaustion had taken over, and he had slid down onto the couch, the creature he had found curled up against his stomach as they both slept off the day.
–
The smell of food woke Kendo, blearily rising from where he had slept. His leg was aching again, trying to figure out who was in his house. There was no sign of the creature he had seen yesterday, and for a moment he wondered if it was cooking before he gave his head a hard shake.
No, the day had been long. He had been injured, and exhausted. Clearly, he had imagined all of that nonsense before passing out on the couch. Or even dreamed it. That would make more sense. Jade’s head popped around the kitchen entrance, smiling brightly at him with a far-too-excited look in her eyes. More confused about what she was doing there, wondering if he had forgotten that there was something they had planned.
“Hey, sleepy head. Food’s almost ready, are you hungry?” His stomach rumbled in response, and he gave a quick nod.
“You wouldn’t believe the dream I had last night,” he sighed out, making his way towards her to see what she was making.
The noodles on the stove were almost done, and he groaned in appreciation before he was handed two small bowls. “Go put those on the table.” He limped his way over, turning to begin explaining his dream before he paused. Watching the creature he had been sure he had imagined sipping from its own small bowl as it sat on the counter. There was a grin on its face as it stared at him, and Jade noticed his silence.
“Yeah, so… There’s a few things to go over.” Her voice trailed off, said more like a question, and he frowned as he sat down. More than anything wishing that he had his sword with him, in case it finally decided to attack. He sipped on his soup, eyes narrowing at the creature as it growled, almost playfully, before hopping onto Jade’s shoulder. Instead of speaking though, she finished plating the food and settled in the spot next to him.
Kendo watched her warily, eyes flickering between her and the creature that seemed far too comfortable around her for his liking. “So,” she sighed, carefully picking it off her shoulder to set in on the table between them. “Whatever happened yesterday was uh … pretty big. I think that’s what did it, anyways.”
“Did what?” The creature’s little hand shot out, grabbing one of his noodles from his plate and he frowned as he tried to stop him. When it tried again, he smacked the back of its hand, earning him an offended tsk from Jade.
In response to his question though, she shrugged. Evading for a moment before she sighed, the words rushing out of her in a stream so fast that he could barely make them out. “Soimprettysurewhatevercrashedheredidsomethingthatbroughmagicbackbecausethereareportalsallovertheplaceandthespritesarerealkendoohmygodisawonewithmyowntwoeyesyoudont -”
“Woah, woah. Woah. Take a breath, try again.” Wondering if he had heard some of the words he thought she said correctly, because surely, he hadn’t. There was no way that she had said that something had brought magic of all things back. And what was that about sprites?
Jade took a slow breath, reaching for the creature once more before it was being squeezed to her chest. After a moment, he was sure that he saw its eyes beginning to bulge and gently pried it from her arms, placing it along his lap instead. Not that he trusted it, but he didn’t think it deserved to be popped like a balloon from his sister’s anxious tendencies.
“Alright. So. The thing that crashed yesterday, you remember the blast that hit us right? Well, obviously, I mean look at your leg.” She laughed to herself; half panicked, half excited. “And you could feel it in the air when we were at the crater, couldn’t you? I could. I don’t know.” Another deep breath was taken, Jade’s fingers finding his wrist and squeezing. “Anyways, this morning I woke up and went to go read at one of the shrines, and Kendo … The sprites are real. I swear. I swear I saw one, and it let me pick it up and I was so excited and I went to tell Daigo but he was already gone to work so I came here instead and found this little thing sleeping on your head!”
“What do you mean, they’re real?” He asked slowly. Because there was no way that what she was saying was true. There was no way that somehow that shockwave somehow managed to bring a magic he had never really believed in back to their homeland.
“I mean they’re real! Come on, they’re literally everywhere. I’ll show you.”
She was tugging him up, and he stared sadly at the barely touched food. Taking another bite before she was groaning, pulling incessantly at his wrist. “We'll heat it up later or I’ll cook again, just come on. ” He winced when he stood though, and that at least made her calm down a little on the pulling. Breaking away from her grip to return to his room, calling out over his shoulder. “Alright, let me change and we’ll go.”
He quickly changed, a silent prayer of gratitude sent skywards that his pants weren’t tight against his thigh. The weight of his sword along his back gave a hint of comfort, even as a twinge of regret built in him at the tug on his pants. “Sorry, buddy. You’re gunna stay here and watch the house okay.” He flushed with his words, shaking his head at the fact that he was speaking to the thing now like it could understand him.
Ignoring the guilt that was building in his chest at the sad look that was now on its face as he walked away, the door latching quietly behind him. Jade was already hurrying towards the stairs that led down into the hill, gritting his teeth at the thought of taking the zipline. It was going to be a rough landing. And sure enough, the jolt of it sent pain racing along his thigh, straight into his stomach. Twisting far easier with a lack of food, which he easily blamed on Jade.
She led them forward, crossing the river at its shallowest point before heading back into the canyon. Making their way across the pebbled riverside until the final zipline came into view. Leading up to the old shrines that Jade had spent so much time caring for, though why she was so interested in chunks of old rocks never really -
Jade was jumping excitedly beside him, eagerly waiting for his reaction to the new sight. The low thrum of energy pulsing through the air was enough of a sign that things had really changed. Along with the stone shrine, once lifeless and still, now glowing. Floating. The faint runes that adorned it from so many generations ago refreshed and vibrant with the power that flowed through it.
And as soon as they reached the top, a little blue thing seemed to hover over the ground, its little legs carrying it towards them. “Watch this,” Jade exclaimed, picking the creature up with ease before dropping it on the ground in front of them. He was worried, for less than a second, before a happy trill rang out. Blue liquid soaked their skin and clothes before drying instantly, a sharp hiss leaving him at the sudden feeling in his thigh.
Muscle and skin stitched together, the pain disappearing from the area as he peered down to look at it. Barely even a scar left behind now; just a faint, thin line to mark where the wound had been as if months had already passed.
A curious chirp sounded from his shoulder, his questions for his sister instantly forgotten at the sudden appearance of the purple creature he had definitely left behind.
“Oh, he’s attached to you,” Jade cooed, plucking it from Kendo’s shoulder. “He is just the cutest little thing, is he not?” It was placed back where she had found it after she had given it a hug, and he gave a soft sigh, rolling his eyes instead. One thing at a time, especially with the overload of information that he knew was coming.
“So, these are … sprites? And they’re real?” Jade’s attention snapped back to him, nodding eagerly as she picked up one of the soft, fluffy white ones. A sudden thought caught his attention, nodding towards the shrine that rested at the top of the slim mountain. “Have you checked there yet?”
Following his gaze, she frowned even as her face remained thoughtful. “No, I haven’t actually. How's your leg now? Good to go?”
“Uh, yeah. No, it’s fine.” He watched her reach for the secondary zip line, gently stepping in front of her. Ignoring the frustrated sigh, he didn’t bother to respond before he was rushing upwards, curious to see what other changes might have happened around the island. Pushing the rickety wooden door open into an overgrown courtyard before he paused at the sight of the stone arch way.
A thick, red mist swirled between it. Flashes of purple and black illuminating the vibrancy of it in a way that set his heart racing. Staring at it as he tilted his head, something whispering through his mind that if he stared long enough, he could understand just what was being shown to him.
A sharp tug at his hair snapped him free from his thoughts, unsure of how he had managed to get so close to the arch. Now standing on the very stone it rested on, his hand halfway raised as if he had planned on touching it. When he turned his head, the little creature was staring intently at him. No trace of playfulness left, a chill creeping through him with the warning he knew it was.
It wasn’t just through him though, taking another step back as his breath misted out. Jade was by his side in an instant, on alert as she scanned the area for potential danger. Both of their eyes landed back on the arch. Feeling the shift of energy as everything around them seemed to blur and drain for less than a second before a sharp crack echoed around the canyon.
Kendo’s sword was drawn, taking a slow, barely shaking breath as he watched the figure standing before them now. Knowing without a doubt that it wasn’t just an arch. It was a portal.
Why had his father spent so much time fixing a portal? Did he even know?
The thought was tossed from his mind quickly though, shoving Jade out of the way as the figure’s own blade was drawn. He wasn’t sure if he would have the strength, but this was exactly what he had trained for, readying for the fight as if it had been years in the making.
The clash of metal against metal filled the air, followed by snarls and grunts with every forceful blow struck against him. Struck by him. Pulling the thing away from Jade, desperate to keep her out of harm’s way. He could still feel the weight of the creature on his shoulder, yet it didn’t seem to throw him off balance so he let it stay. In fact, it almost felt exactly as it always did, wondering if he only felt it because he knew it was there.
A slow breath left him, time slowing for a fraction of a heartbeat. Watching the tiniest shift of the figure’s foot as it turned, no doubt in his mind that it would swing its sword towards him in an overhand blow. Adjusting his own footing, darting forwards on his now healed leg, thanking the spirits that they were able to heal him; the first time he did it, wondering just who might hear it.
And just as he knew would happen, his blade sliced along the figure’s stomach. Watching as it dropped to his knee, thick, black blood spilling out and marring the ground. The grass around it withered and browned, death radiating from the spilled liquid before the little purple creature hopped from his shoulder with another happy chirp.
One second, there was a body. Of what, he wasn’t sure, but he knew it wasn’t human. The next, it was gone. The little creature licked at its lips as if it had finished a quaint little snack, and he stared wide-eyed down at it before he laughed. When he turned, he rushed towards Jade, who was already standing before the portal, poking at the mist that was there. Why did she always have to try and touch things?
“What do you think it is?” She asked quietly, her mind focused on testing it more. Her hand pressed into the mist, barely making it a few inches before it was sent flying backwards.
“Well, if everything about the legends is true… I would say whatever that thing was that crashed just broke the veil between the spirit realm and us.” Deeper in his mind, in a place he didn’t dare voice, his thoughts wandered. What if he could find his mother? Their mother. She would be there, somewhere, he was sure. More certain of that than anything else before.
“We should find Daigo,” she whispered, and Kendo nodded quickly. Clearing all the other thoughts from his head as he guided her towards the steps instead, opting to take the quicker route home.
His little creature was placed on his shoulder once more, this time much more at ease with it. It had saved him, after all. And cleaned up a horrible mess. “What are you gunna name him?” Jade asked quietly, and he hummed as he thought it over.
“I think Onimaru is a good name for him. Since he came with the sword and all.” That earned him a chuckle from Jade, even as she gave him a sharp nod. A half bow then given to the creature as it chirped happily.
“Onimaru, it is an honour to meet you. Please take good care of my brother.”
Kendo’s laugh rang deeply from his belly, the lightness of being around his sister beginning to take the weight from his shoulders. He knew that things weren’t good. That there were probably some even worse things coming, even. But just as he knew that, he knew he could count on them, at least, to always watch out for him. Just as he would for them.
Jade led them back to the canyon town, a faint hurry in her steps that Kendo instantly clocked. Rushing past her, darting forwards and into the driver seat even as she tried to pull him free. “No. Sorry, no you’re not driving.” She was stomping her feet now, and he laughed as he shook his head. “Hurry up, we need to go find Daigo and you’re making us take too long.”
That, at least, made her give up. Groaning and stomping her feet all the way over to the passenger side before slamming her door shut.