by Adam Lynch
Ashkii couldn’t see the figure, but he knew it was there—there was a continuing inconsistency in the magical flow. Camouflage; it had to be. The figure was shaped as a humanoid, short—about five feet tall. A Mystic yousei. No doubt about it.
Creeping where Ashkii had thought that the target was hiding, suddenly, a female voice spoke to him from behind. “The Spirit Bow?”
Immediately, Ashkii back-stepped, pivoting around. His and Kel’s bow pointed in the figure’s direction, the kodama all gasping dramatically. The figure was just as Ashkii predicted. She was a five-foot yousei—a naturally magical fairy. She had spiritual butterfly wings that could appear and disappear at will and had the magical glow on her skin that all yousei had—revealing that she had what was called a Mystic Gift. Ashkii had remembered studying the yousei fairies, how they acted as the kingdom’s mages and messengers, while the kitsune samurai and oni acted as the kingdom’s warriors. Her clothes were made of silk, though other yousei wore anything from ramie, linen, and wooden armor. While all yousei had green eyes, blue or green hair, and a light skin tone, this one had black hair, brown eyes, and dark skin—much like a Spirit Hunter…
“Are you the prophesied Spirit Gatherer the legends had written of?” she continued.
“Who are you?” Ashkii asked, perplexed.
“I suspected this when I saw the glowing bow over your shoulder, but I wanted to see it in demonstration first. The arrow I released next to you—you really did it. You transformed my arrow into a Spirit Arrow, just as the legends had written...”
“I asked you a question.” He added stress to the bow to intimidate, but the yousei didn’t flinch.
“That explains how there are Spirit Hunters here...” Suddenly, she gasped, gaping. “You broke through the barrier, didn’t you?”
“That’s right. What will you do now that you know?”
A moment to process, she regained herself. “It’s alright. I am not the enemy. You can lower your weapons.”
Ashkii did so, believing her. “Are you a spy appointed by Dyami of Autumnum?”
“That’s right. I am a half-breed. My real name is Taa of Autumnum from the Woodpecker Clan. But here I go by the name, Yokota Gen. I am the only spy and have been trapped here since the barrier was set up. All this time I’ve been unable to communicate with our tribe. Naturally, I have many questions—but if you’ve pierced the barrier, then we’re very short on time. What is it that you’ve been assigned to do here?”
“We’re hunting the Hypnotist. And we have reasons to believe that Chiharu Fantasia is connected somehow.”
“The Hypnotist? You mean that monster who killed one of Springeria’s shoguns, dumping his mutilated body like livestock in the throne room?”
“Anything you can tell us about it?” Kel asked, Taa suddenly noticing her.
“Who are you?” she asked her.
“This is Kelanassa Kaliete,” said Ashkii. “She is immune to the Hypnotist’s illusions and has been assisting me on this contract.”
Taa gaped. “What? That’s amazing. I’ve never heard of such an incredible ability. Even if she was part yousei, she should never have a Mystic Gift that powerful—unless she’s someone like Chiharu Fantasia.”
“That is why I’m the only one who can help him find it,” Kel added.
“Can you tell us anything about it or not?” Ashkii asked Taa, getting back on the subject.
“Do not think ill of my work, but I haven’t been able to gather any information. No one seems to know anything about it.”
“It’s alright. It’s the same everywhere else,” said Kel.
“But shortly before the barrier was built, the queen became highly reserved—and that hasn’t changed to this day. Like a nightmare she won’t awaken from, she’s constantly disturbed and seemingly paranoid. Using bodily chi alone, she has constructed a barrier over Springeria without telling anyone why—not even her Grand Chamberlain. She’s always distracted, exhausted, afraid. She keeps her appearances minimal, and locks herself in her chambers most of every day.”
“What does she say concerning national affairs?”
“You mean all the affairs that concern the Hypnotist, the Sky Pirates, and the civil war? Very little. When asked about any of the following, she answers, ‘Do not be anxious about such things. I am your queen and I will protect Springeria and its people with my life. That is all you need to know for now.’”
“A cautious answer...” said Kel, facing Ashkii for his reaction.
“Yes, she’s hiding something, but no one knows what,” Taa continued. “I have noticed, however, that she seems to prioritize her attention with the Sky Pirates more than anything else… and she reacts strongly to any report anyone has of them.”
Ashkii’s eyes expanded when he heard this. “Do you know anything about a book with the symbol, 6, on its cover?” he asked. “Is the queen in possession of such an item?”
Taa appeared oblivious to what he was talking about. “I know nothing of what you speak of,” she replied honestly. “But she has forbidden entry to her chambers. If she is in possession of such a book, she could be hiding it in there.”
“Can you take us to see her?”
“We would need a disguise first,” said Kel.
Suddenly, Taa sprouted her spiritual wings, flapping magical dust off of them. The dust fell on her skin, lightening its tone, and her hair and eyes became green. She now appeared as a full-blooded Mystic. “Yes, I could disguise you,” she said. “As I’ve just demonstrated, anything that my dust touches, it transforms or camouflages what my mind demands. This is my Mystic Gift—every yousei fairy is born with one that is unique to him or her.”
“Good. We could use this to navigate the region without suspicion,” said Ashkii.
“The fact that I am half yousei is what uniquely qualifies me for this job. A Mystic Gift is the only way to fool discernible Springerians. Many, especially the queen can detect and identify sorcery and unnatural magic when it is used. So any disguises crafted in sorcery would be instantly identified.”
She’s right, Ashkii thought. Ashkii had remembered studying this. The Mystics were a unique people of Seasons. While the sorcery of every practitioner was unnatural, beckoned from the demons of Hell, the magical phenomena of the Mystics was all natural. It was commonly believed that all the Mystic’s powers and special abilities were given to them by their ancestors who after death became a part of Mother Nature—Mother Nature was said to have been their previous deceased ruler.
“If the Mystics can detect and identify sorcery when it is used, then why can’t they identify the Hypnotist?” asked Kel, arousing Ashkii’s interest suddenly.
“Perhaps because the Hypnotist isn’t using sorcery to fuel its hypnosis power,” said Ashkii.
“Are you saying that the Hypnotist would have to be a Mystic?” asked Taa. “That would make sense. All kitsune who’ve lived at least a hundred years are capable of conducting hypnosis and illusions as natural-born abilities—and any yousei born with an illusion-based Mystic Gift should be suspected as well.”
“It’s possible that the Hypnotist could be a Mystic, but I wouldn’t cut down the list solely from that,” said Ashkii. “Assuming that you are correct when you say that the Mystics can detect and identify sorcery, there are other ways that the Hypnotist can use hypnosis. Like the Mystics, the Hypnotist could be using hypnosis through naturally given abilities, but it doesn’t have to be a Mystic necessarily.”
“What other beings in Seasons are naturally born with such powers?”
“Sirens and succubi to name a few… but our search shouldn’t be limited to inhabitants of Seasons.”
“You think the Hypnotist could be an outlander? Perhaps a part of the Sky Pirates?”
“An outlander, yes. As for it being a part of the Sky Pirates, Kel and I have talked about that before. From what we know of them we don’t think so, but then again, we don’t know much.”
“I still wouldn’t ru
le out Chiharu Fantasia,” said Kel.
“I haven’t...” said Ashkii.
“You suspect the queen as being the Hypnotist?” asked Taa as if surprised. “I’d find that unlikely from what I’ve observed about her character. True, she’s reserved and hiding something important from all of us. But from all the time I’ve spent with her she seems very kind, honest, fair, and wise. She seems to want no part in the civil war. I know all of this because she has assigned me as her personal assistant. Any suspicion she has, or when she sends someone on special errands concerning her apprehensions, she sends me—which is why I’ve been sent out here by the way. But as I was saying, she’s expressed to me her sorrow and confusion concerning everything that’s happening. She wonders why Seasons is fighting each other instead of uniting strong.”
“What are these apprehensions she has?” asked Ashkii.
“I’ve tried inquiring, but even though I’m her close assistant, she shuts me out like everyone else. It’s like she only tells me things that she wants me to know.”
“She could be manipulating you...” said Kel. “Perhaps you’ve already fallen under her hypnosis spell.”
“Why did she send you here?” Ashkii asked her. “What did she say exactly?”
“She said she simply wanted me to thoroughly investigate the north-western area near the barrier. She wanted me to keep my eyes peeled for anything suspicious because she was worried.”
“About what?”
“She didn’t say...”
“I see… than I suppose the rest we’ll have to find out on our own. Will you take us to see her?”
“What will you do? Will it risk me of suspicion? I cannot have my identity revealed, you understand. I’m on a very important mission.”
“Escort us to the palace,” began Kel as if having an idea. “When we arrive, inform your Grand Chamberlain that there are two Mystics who request a public audience with the queen. Tell her we’re investigating the Hypnotist, have uncovered much information about it, and wish to ask her a few questions. To peak her interest and ensure she has an audience with us, tell her about my immunity to hypnosis and all illusion-based magic—sorcery or not. Tell her it is my Mystic Gift.”
“What will you ask her?”
“After she’s seen our faces and can trust us, we’ll request that our discussion be made in private. Then, we’ll reap information from her. If she invites us to her chambers—even better.”
“I’m not sure I like how this sounds. If you get reckless I could be accused of treason or in the very least held in suspicion. Then all the trust that I have gained will have been for naught.”
“We’ll keep in character,” Ashkii assured. “The goal is for us to get an inside look around the palace and observe Chiharu. That alone should give me plenty to work with. Besides, you’re being irrational. The queen has assigned you to search for anything suspicious. When you return with two individuals who have knowledge about the Hypnotist, she’ll know that you have done as ordered.”
“Won’t that hold you two at risk then?”
“That’s not your problem to worry about, is it?”
“Very well, I’ll escort you. But you should know that my dust cannot mask the Spirit Bow or any legendary treasure—I’ve noticed that you also carry the Bow and Knife of Embers. You’ll have to mask those through more conventional means.”
“Good. I’d prefer it no other way.”
○
When preparations were made at the forest of the kodama, Taa led Ashkii and Kel to the palace, beyond one of Springeria’s liveliest markets. Walking down the steep path of the mountainous hill, they arrived at the twenty-foot wooden gate. Ashkii noticed a sign there, reading it: Welcome to the Market of Light. Passing it, Heaven flashed, Ashkii shielding his eyes until adjustment was made. Thump, thump. After his ears had already heard, his vision unveiled a twelve-foot giant shifting off the main trail over near the forest of bamboo, yielding to the village’s guests—this was always required of them as manners were minded in Springeria. Staring was another offense, but Ashkii was too marveled by the beast to turn away. It was his first time seeing one—an oni that was. It was broad and muscular. Its skin was red. It had a head of black hair and tall horns, red flashing eyes, large sharp teeth, and big hands and feet for carrying the club sheathed on its back. It wore a full suit of fine samurai armor. Ashkii felt the oni’s grunts vibrating under his feet, oxygen sniffling in and out of its nose. It was a fearful creature to behold. From what Ashkii had remembered reading about them, they were highly dangerous, and normally unstable creatures. It was said that the Mystics had tamed them. When the oni had misbehaved, they were hypnotized back under control. His thought on this had suddenly made him recall memories of the mountains in Winteria, when the White Shuck had appeared, killing all the Sun-Shields and deliberately sparing him and Kel. Was it possible that the White Shuck was tamed and hypnotized like the Mystics have done with the oni?
Following their escort, they progressed down the trail that glowed dimly but colorfully. Ahead was a lively array of blue, green, and purple glowing fireflies, as well as buzzing dragonflies swishing about. Sprinkling pixie dust further added to the magic. Healthy gardens of flax, ramie and rainbow flowers complimented the rich soil beneath them, adjacent to the lowland homes made of thin wood, slanted roofs, and sliding shoji doors. There were also smaller homes made of oak and lumber, housing a family of yousei. Some properties hosted silk worm farms, while others enjoyed a mass of fire flies. A small irrigated river waited for them ahead, a small bridge of stepping stones going over it.
Passing that, they encountered yousei playing 13-string zithers, 3-string lutes, and most frequently bamboo flutes. All players were masterfully harmonized, the entire village a true sight and sound spectacle. While playing their instruments, some rested by the white magnolia kobus trees that lined the path ahead while others fluttered about, sprinkling magical dust as they blew their flutes.
Passed the line of white magnolia trees and music performers, the company descendended downward steps surrounded by a lively marketplace. Above them were hundreds of colored paper lanterns, ignited with magical glowing orbs. The market place was brought to life with all the lights and music that advertised it. There were potion and elixir shops, rice and noodle dine-ins, garden shops, magical lantern shops, antique shops, a spell-casting dojo temple, and a fountain shrine for honoring Mother Nature—Springeria’s ancestry of past rulers.
About a half mile down the steps, passing a tall red gate, they left the market shielded inside the bamboo forest, entering a vast clearing. The short grass beneath their feet was the healthiest Ashkii had ever seen, wind rustling the field of fireflies towards the large weeping willow tree that had waited for them ahead. It had leaned close to a large lake, surrounded by a range of misty mountains. The palace was just ahead now. It lay elevated on sturdy stone ten feet above the lake’s surface at its center. Above it, magic dust fell from the sky like a thousand rainbows in droplet form. Every drop that touched the palace added to its heavenly color. The multi-colored palace sparkled like a radiating star, seen even better at dusk.
Though the palace was the smallest monarch estate he’d seen in all the land of Seasons, it captured celestial enchantment unlike any other. Towering up seven stories as a squared fortress, the palace had slanted roofs at every floor, balconies side to side. The seventh floor had the longest neck stretching from floor to floor, and the steepest roof with a large open balcony stretching all the way around the perimeter like a keep. Surrounding the seven-foot tower were inferior squares reaching up four stories. The entrance, facing Ashkii and company, had a longer rectangular structure pressed against the towers behind it. The palace stood like a fortress reinforced with stone, but was designed artistically with wood and twinkling light.
Traveling to the palace from the field, they crossed a rainbow bridge made purely of the queen’s chi. When he touched it, it felt like gooey water—troubling but fascinatin
g.
The royal residence carried with it a strong sense of peace and security. In spite of everything that’s happening outside of Seasons, the tension, fear, and apprehension within—it was all almost nonexistent here. But it wasn’t just because of the property’s display and naturally peaceful silence. To Ashkii there felt something unnatural, almost forced, like he was being drugged or hypnotized. But he couldn’t be hypnotized with Kelanassa beside him. Was it something in the air that was influencing this? Perhaps the magical dust?
“There is nothing to fear,” Taa assured them. “The magical dust falling from the sky was cast by the queen as a gift to her people. It relieves the mind of all its pain and suffering—giving them rest.”
“Keeping riots and rising tension at bay,” said Kel.
“Would that be so bad?”
“My concern is how much power the queen holds,” said Ashkii. She’s strong enough to form a barrier around the entire kingdom. She creates rain which she uses to drug her people. She’s half yousei, earning her a Mystic Gift. And she’s half kitsune, earning her all the abilities a kitsune can learn in its lifetime. A kitsune elevates in power with age, every hundred years earning one a tail and powerful new abilities. Chiharu is nearly 900 years old, which would earn her the full nine tails, making her the all-powerful kyubi and maxing a kitsune’s potential. To top it off, she’s the ruler of a kingdom, commanding an army of yousei, kitsune, and oni warriors.”
“What’s your point? We’ve already been over this. Chiharu, though greatly feared, is not the monster of Seasons that everyone makes her out to be. I doubt you’ll uncover her to be the Hypnotist.”
“Yet she is hiding something, and that cannot be ignored.”
Chiharu Fantasia
A Greater Mystery
Entering the palace with their Mystic disguises in tact—Ashkii appearing as a black-haired kitsune with a single tail and Kel appearing a five-foot yousei with green hair and eyes—Taa pardoned her guests from the samurai’s interrogations, being their escort. The samurai wore armor made of metals, colorful cloths and other materials, all carrying katana, kama, and wakizashi as their weapons. These samurai were mostly kitsune, with a single oni stationed at each post.
