Four Hundred And Seven

Four Hundred And Seven

As the cheers continued, the jewel on Tarōbō’s staff glowed brilliantly, the light intensifying as it seemed to draw aether out of the cheering crowd. As the fervour boiled to a peak, Tarōbō slammed the butt of his staff down again, the noise shockingly loud, and the Tengu quietened momentarily.

“All is a prayer to the flame.” He intoned. “The first trial, to weed out the unworthy, to send our prayers to flame and ascend them to the divine world above, is a simple one. Flame is life, and life is flame. Only by food may one be sated, may the flames of body and spirit burn. The sacred boars...” he proclaimed, to a murmured buzz from the rapt audience. “... those who wish to prove themselves must descend to the hunting ground of the boars and claim a life, returning the boar to us so we may feast! But just one!” he roared. “We are not as the kami, greedy and careless with the lives of those beneath them. All have merit under the flames! Make haste, bring back a single boar, and the greatest, the mightiest, shall have the right to brave battle and seek to close the spreading rifts!”

As the crowd cheered, several Tengu already losing control and flying off, I considered it. A hunting challenge, huh? Should be easy enough I’d say... but the main point is...

Before I could speak, Haanōbō dashed off, the remaining three Directions looking its way scornfully. Near us, a Tengu shook its head.

“Poor disgraced North. Normally such a menial task would be ill-befitting a Direction, their challenges will come... but now, bare-faced and defeated, honour must be reclaimed...”

Way to make me feel kind of guilty. That confirms there are a number more challenges to come, testing other things. Bedside me, Motoko and Natsumi were looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“A hunting trial. Most excellent!” Motoko clutched her bow. “Akio, can we partake? I am confident of hunting down a boar of significant size.”

“That’s right.” Natsumi agreed. “The ones on display being roasted were massive, but if we use our archery, we can bring them down.”

I’m sure you can, but you are missing the main point here... Before I could voice my thoughts, Bell spoke up. “I have confidence in your skills. I too could effortlessly fell a boar with a well-placed shaft. No matter how brave the beast, an arrow through the eye, piercing the brain, or in the throat, bleeding it out... but tell me, how will you carry back your prey?”

“Oh...” Motoko said, moth flapping open, quite unlike her usual poise. She glanced over at the carcasses still turning on spits over firepits behind us, weighing them up. “I am stronger now, yes, far superior to the fragile girl I was before, but...”

“We have limits. Carrying such a boar up a mountain, over rocks and bad terrain... we would be restricted in what we can catch.” Natsumi finished.

“You do get it. Otherwise I would put my skills to the test. But you’ll be going, right Akio?” Bell asked confidently. As we discussed it more Tengu were taking flight, soaring down the mountainside, and Tarōbō was declaring that a mere hour would be dedicated to this task. Not much time to cross to the other side of the mountain, descend, find and catch a boar and return...

“Of course. I have a point to prove. And if we are going to forge an alliance, we have to show we are worth it. Motoko, Natsumi...” I stroked their heads as they looked disappointed. “...I get you want to prove yourselves too. But this isn’t well-suited to your strengths. You heard Tarōbō, there are other challenges to come. Those three...” I nodded at the remaining Directions. “... are sitting this one out. So bide your time. You’ll have the chance to show your mettle. So... smile for me, okay? And cheer for me when I bring back the damn king of boars!”

Their smiles were beautiful as they nodded. “I understand. I shall cheer louder than anyone!” Motoko said.

“No, I shall, I won’t lose!” Natsumi giggled, and then Kana broke in.

“Don’t forget about me! I’m here too, and I can cheer louder than anyone! I’ve had to cheer for our athletics team at school in meets.” She looked at me, grinning impishly. “Time’s ticking, Akio. You have less than an hour now, and the Tengu might get the best boars. They can fly too...”

“Don’t worry. It’s not how fast you start, but how great you finish.” I changed up the quote I had used earlier.

“I am temped by this trial, you know.” Kana said. “I think I’d have a way to get the boar back, but... it’s no sure thing, and I don’t want to go alone. So...” she looked at Daiyu, who also demurred.

“I too shall wait. I am strong, but with my small frame it would be difficult.”

“Don’t look at me.” Yasaka-san laughed. “When they come up with a quiz, I’ll win.” The Prince also bowed out, saying it wasn’t appropriate for an emissary to compete, and Haru-san merely laughed, not proud of her physical might.

“All right then. Next challenge.” I promised. “I’ll watch and cheer when your time comes, so for now...”

“Good luck!” they echoed, and with that I leapt, the ground cracking underneath me as I cycled Body Enhancement to the maximum. Shooting forwards, I used wind element to further increase my speed and reduce friction and drag, clearing hundreds of metres in a single bound, almost like flying. Not that I can really fly, it’s more like crude gliding... I did have other ways of moving quickly, but there was no need. As the Tengu flew down past me, some late stragglers starting to compete, my keen vision picked out the front-runners. I don’t see Haanōbō though...

Sprinting at absurd speeds, leaping over obstacles, I quickly reached the northern slopes and began to descend. Already I could see a number of boars, some the size of large horses. No way, too ordinary. I’ll leave those to the Tengu... Extending my vision I chuckled, contrasting what I was doing now to the rather mundane events in the Material. No, that’s hardly fair. Important matters are going down there too...

“You have some wisdom, it seems. Yes, fire consumes, but if left unchecked, all that remains is ashes and nothing. We do not pray for destruction, but for rebirth, growth from controlled ruin. That is the way of the sacred flame. And it must be again. We have a champion of this trial.” He intoned. The stone on his staff was glowing, absorbing more of the frenzied emotions of the surrounding Tengu. “But Haanōbō, you have also proved yourself...”

“No.” Its voice was high and quiet. “...I have done nothing but prove I am inferior yet again. I will challenge further trials.”

“As you wish.” Tarōbō sighed. “But I perceive some truth in your earlier words.” He addressed me. “I see no shame in losing to this. Perhaps... I have been too harsh. But the flame burns hot within me, my temper...”

“Great Tarōbō, do not humble yourself!” Fungbō declared. “He may have defeated North again, but... if he has the courage, let him challenge more trials. I will put him in his place! This is a matter for the Tengu of mount Atago, we need no help from outsiders!”

“I see. But first...” Tarōbō gestured, and the Tengu were carrying off the boars, several dozen teaming up to move my prey. “Prepare for the third trial.” Third? What about the second?

As Tarōbō turned away, everyone came rushing over. I felt the hot gaze of Fungbō and the one known as Summer on my back, but I ignored them, holding wide my arms, as all the girls, even the shyer Daiyu, leapt into my embrace.

“That was most impressive, but...” Daiyu narrowed her eyes. “I sensed Qi within the boar, did you...?”

“I did. I’m nowhere near as skilled as you, but I thought I’d give it a try.” I smiled at her fondly. “It’s a hunting competition, so I wanted to damage the meat as little as possible.”

“I see. Yes, you are not skilled.” she sniffed, before her lips quirked in a shy smile. “But you will learn. I shall teach you.”

“I see you had the same idea as me.” Kana said, eyeing the mud, and my filthy legs. “It’s not elegant, but... damn, that boar was the size of an elephant. I could hardly believe it. But...” she looked around at the gawking Tengu. “I always wanted a boyfriend that would make those around me stop and stare in awe.” She giggled.

“I only hope we can show our mettle soon.” Motoko said.

“Yeah, I’m envious.” Natsumi agreed. “But also proud. This is our husband, Motoko! A great warrior and hunter!”

“That is right. Our husband. Of whom we are very proud.” She agreed.

“Nice going.” Yasaka-san said grumpily. “Are you not joining the huddle?” he addressed Bell.

“I would, but I’m trying to appeal, not push myself between him and the others. I must say, that was some excellent hunting. I am very much of the opinion of my pupils here...” she smiled at Motoko and Natsumi. “My husband should be strong and skilled. But again, congratulations on your victory.”

“The congratulations are all very well.” Yasaka-san continued. “But are you sure you should be goading them so? Some of the glares from the robed Tengu were vicious.”

“It would be insulting not to give it my all.” I insisted, and Haru-san laughed, though I could see Chen Na looking nervous too.

“This is just what Akio-san does. Always bigger than we imagine, or could anticipate. I’ve been listening. Most of the Tengu are impressed. I think Akio-san’s triumph makes them like us more. Or scares them into pretending.” Haru-san giggled, hand over her mouth.

Before I could answer that, Tarōbō once more called for quiet.

“Those who understand the hunt, what must be taken to feed the belly and spirit of those that depend on them, yet also have the strength to feed the multitudes, are worthy to take on the task at hand. Haanōbō and ... Akio.” He said my name and I nodded. “They are worthy, and we hope their prayer flames will light the way to victory. But... those that feed the flames are not alone. There must also be those that... create flame!”

With his words, Summer tilted its head at me, eyes glaring, as if to say it wouldn’t lose. “A flame can flicker, waver, be extinguished. Sometimes it must be...reignited.” Tarōbō said solemnly, as a hush descended over the packed throng. “Let those who believe they can ignite our flame anew, cleaning impurity, step forward and challenge victory!”

Seriously? That’s the second challenge? It’s almost as if they just want me to show them up. Although... Summer looked awfully confident. Red robes, Summer?

As if hearing my thoughts, Daiyu, still in my arms with the other girls, spoke. “If that Tengu is in red, of the Summer South, and of the Vermillion Bird, then by the five elements, it will specialise in fire. Be careful.”

“I suspected as much. But...” I said confidently. “My fire burns brightly too. And it’s always hungry...”Nêww chapters will be fully updated at novelhall.com