Chapter 660 The Druid In Capitol City

Keng stepped out of the car, closing it. He rounded the car over to the sidewalk as Akio followed suit. The West side of Capitol City was filled with shops of all kinds.

"This is a shopping area." Akio informed Keng. "Mostly, spiritual shops. Where should we go first?"

"Not sure." Keng looked at Akio. "I just need to find a place where 'heaven meets earth.' You wouldn't happen to know a shop like that, hm?" Akio shook his head. He had never heard of a shop like that.

"I think we're in the right area, though. Maybe we should ask around?" Akio suggested. Keng and Akio walked the streets together. There were plenty of people out and about. The sun gave, maybe, another hour or so of sun before it was ready to set. Akio and Keng asked random stores if they knew anything about a store that 'heaven meets earth.' Each store gave them the same answer, 'they didn't know of such a store.'

Keng sighed as he exited the store. The bell dinged as the mixed smell of spices lingered in the air behind him. He rubbed his nose, sneezing as he found Akio talking to someone he didn't recognize.

"You've been there before?" Akio asked.

"Yes!" The woman nodded. "It isn't a well known place. Most people just go to the seers, fortune tellers and shamans in this area. I personally believe it's because most people are scared to seek out a Druid."

"Where did you say this place was, again?" Akio asked as Keng stood someways off behind him.

"Take a left here and go four blocks. It'll be on the right, down an alleyway." The woman explained, pointing in the general direction.

"Thanks. I appreciate it." Akio smiled and shook her hand.

"I'm more interested in why you're going there. Nobody goes to her without a good reason since she's… Out of the way." The woman looked at Akio. Her eyes flicked over to "Lee Seng" who was leaning against a railing, arms and legs crossed.

"Oh, my brother and I have something we want to ask her. Heard she's useful." Akio lied. The woman nodded and turned back to point in the direction.

"She's that way. Good luck."

"Thank you for the help." Akio smiled at her. The woman went on her way and Keng pushed himself off the railing and came to Akio's side. "Found it. It's that way."

The alleyway as sketchy. Keng and Akio stood at the entrance of it, wondering if the woman was serious about this. It was a small alleyway and it looked like a regular person couldn't even fit through this alleyway.

"Is there a different way we could go?" Akio asked looking around.

"I'll go alone." Keng told Akio. "I can shapeshift and fit through that easy."

"You sure? I should come with just in case something happens." Akio was right about being cautious. They didn't know what the Druid woman was like. For all they knew, the Grand Healer could've been lying about finding "help."

"Just look for another way through if you can, then. I won't be long." Keng patted Akio's shoulder and looked around. When there was no one in sight, Keng shifted into a small child. He turned to look up at Akio who wore a surprise face.

"You look just like him." Akio commented. Keng smiled.

"Cute? He was extremely cute and kind of chubby with these cheeks." Keng pinched himself.

"I wish he could've stayed that age forever." Akio sighed. He snapped out of it, shaking his head. "Go. I'll wait for you here." Keng nodded and turned around and moved into the alleyway. It was quite tiny, but a child could easily fit through this. He moved through for awhile until he popped out of alleyway.

Keng's body shifted back into his regular self, looking around. Brick walls, the smell of trash and random wet puddles lingered. A wooden door stood out to him amongst the brick wall to his left. It stuck out like a sore thumb. He made his way over to the door, noticing there another alleyway that could easily fit a human and pulled his phone out.

"There's an alleyway around the corner to the left. It should fit a human. I'll come out that way." Keng texted Akio. He stuck his phone in his pocket and opened the door. The sound of trees rustling caught his attention. He stepped into the shop and looked up. Trees rustled in the wind as flowers grew around the shop floor. The space was strange.

"Hello?" Keng called out. He slowly walked forward, noticing strange plants line the edge of the 'wall.' "The Grand Healer referred me to you. She said you could help me."

"The Grand Healer?" A British voice spoke. A Druid stepped out behind a tree. She wore a dress unfit for the Midwest weather. Her hair was pink and braided like a crown a top her head. "I haven't heard that name in ages. Who are you? You're clearly not a human customer." The Druid came closer to the human-looking Keng. She looked at him inquisitively, walking around him like she was accessing his 'aura.'

"Y-yes, the Grand Healer directed me to you… Sh-she said you could help me with my problem." Keng answered.

"And what is your problem, strange human?" The Druid asked. She stopped in front of him. She didn't wear any metal whatsoever. A necklace braided with vines and a rock crushed to fit the flowery pendant attached to it. She held a large staff and stood with a purpose. Her eyes narrowed at him and nodded like she had figured it out. "Or shall I say Fox Spirit? Why do you look like a human? You smell like one too. Tell me, I am interested."

"Well…" Keng scratched his neck. "Y'see,  I don't have much time. If I don't find my partner - my Vessel, I guess most call it - then we'll both turn from the… Curse… into Demonic foxes and…" He trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence. The Druid nodded and turned.

"Follow me, Fox." The Druid motioned, leading the way. Keng followed the woman forwards and noticed the place went further than what was actually do-able within the standards of a building.

"Is this place a portal?" Keng asked looking around. "It doesn't fit the parameters of the city at all."

"Not many people think of that first." The Druid smiled. "I'm glad you know. Yes, my door is a gateway to this place. I operate within the human city but only those brave enough to seek me out find me." She went and sat at the table in the middle of the lush area of grass. She motioned for Keng to sit and poured some tea.

"So can you help me with my problem?" Keng asked sitting down. The Druid handed him some tea and he took it. He pulled it to his nose and sniffed it. It smelt like flowers. He took a sip and his face lit up. "Mmm, its good."

"Thank you. The flowers make good tea." The Druid smiled. "Yes, I can help you with your problem, Fox… But I feel like introductions are needed." She set her cup down and straightened herself. "My name is Druid Corrum."

"I'm Keng." Keng bowed at her. She gave a small bow before continuing on.

"Well, Keng, it seems like it's a conflict from within. I don't know much about Fox Spirits so I won't be able to be as much of help with that, but if there's something you seek in specific, your partner, then I can potentially help."

"Y-yes." Keng nodded. "I just need to know where my friend is. If you could find him for me, I'd appreciate it."

"Do you have something of his I could have?"

"Does technology count?" Keng asked.

"It's less effective but it'll work." Druid Corrum nodded. Keng could only feel his phone and Lee Seng's phone. Just as he was about to pull the phone out, he decided to check the inner coat pockets. A random note was tucked in there. He unfolded it, noticing it was Lee Seng's handwriting.

"Will this work?" Keng handed the note over. The Druid took it and nodded. She set it on the table and took a sip of her tea.

"I hope you don't need it." The Druid told him. Keng watched her pour her tea on top of it. A few drops spilled onto the paper and then the tea swirled. "You wish to find your partner, correct? What is his name, again?"

"Lee Seng Chang." Keng answered.

"The Creator's son." Druid Corrum added. Keng nodded. The Druid lifted her head and arms up. She began to chant in a language unfamiliar to Keng. Wind picked up and leaves, flower petals began to flutter around them. Druid Corrum grew louder and louder as the table started to shake. Keng watched as everything around him began to distort.