some giant totem they’ve constructed.
“And Ryuu doesn’t really have eyes or a face to see with or to be looked upon in return?” I ask.
Kitsune shrugs.
“Yes and no. For when summer and winter are mild, is it not surely Ryuu’s face smiling upon us?
“On the other hand, when the storm blows or the earth quakes, is it not the angry, furrowed brow of Ryuu that we gaze upon?”
Again with the Yoda-speak. She talks a lot, but says nothing.
“But what you suggest, Raymond-sai,” Kitsune continues, “that a living being could actually gaze upon Ryuu’s true face and live to speak of it?
“Impossible!
“Not even the shobijin would dare try such a thing.”
I scratch my head, considering.
“If Ryuu’s presence is strongest within the deep labyrinth, this supposed meeting place of all realities, and the shobijin are afraid to face him there—or anywhere else for that matter—why would we want to go poking around inside it?”
I throw up my hands.
“And that’s not even mentioning the Xenomians who supposedly dwell there.”
Kitsune sighs. It’s obvious my game of twenty questions is beginning to irritate her.
“It would indeed be quicker if we had a boat to sail the river running by my village,” she says. “But we do not. Not out here in the wild.
“And besides, I’m not entirely sure it would be any safer.
“The island has become unpredictable. The kappa’s attack is proof enough of that. If the nocturnal kaiju are becoming bold enough to walk in the open while the summer sun shines, I doubt even Kusanagi could protect us—especially if the dragon who attacked you returns!
“And what is more, I sense the kappa’s attack was only part of something greater to come—something that has been approaching the Toho clan for a long time and has at last caught up with us.
The forest suddenly feels cold. I fold my arms across my torso and rub my biceps.
“But do not let all my talk worry you, Raymond-sai,” Kitsune says. “We will only be traversing the deep labyrinth’s outer passages. Ryuu’s purest essence is located much deeper inside, far beyond Xenomian territory at the labyrinth’s heart.
“If we move quickly and quietly, we should pass through without notice from either.”
“I guess that’s it, then.”
Kitsune nods and turns to resume her walk.
“Wait a minute!” I say, halting her. “If only the shobijin traverse the deep labyrinth, how will you navigate—?”
Kitsune interrupts me.
“I have much of the shobijin’s training. I know the way through the deep labyrinth. Or, at least the part we need to use: the passages linking the various sides of the island. I travelled through them to reach this side when I saw your star fall from the sky.”
“So you are a priestess of Gryphina, then?”
Kitsune’s face darkens.
“No. My twin sister perished before we could complete our training. Without her, I was unable to continue my instruction and take up the mantle of a shobijin.”
I struggle for a response. “I...I’m sorry.”
Kitsune clasps my hand in hers. There’s a heartbreaking sadness in her eyes that I haven’t seen before. It’s terrible to look upon. Doing so makes my own eyes water.
“The—” Kitsune’s words catch in her throat, threatening to turn into sobs. “The wound of her passing still hurts, even after so long.”
Kitsune releases my hand.
“In some ways, I believe my sister’s passing was when this all truly began, Raymond-sai.”
“When what began, Kitsune?”
“The long, slow death of my people.”
Chapter 12
Chiroptophobia (ki’rop’toe’fo’bee’ah) n. – the excessive and uncontrollable fear of bats.
- Webber’s Dictionary (2009)
“Y ou were not kidding when you said the labyrinth was deep!”
Kitsune and I stand above a giant hole in the earth.
“Yes,” she says. “This place is called Doragon’s Mouth. It marks the beginning of the deep labyrinth on this side of the
“And Ryuu doesn’t really have eyes or a face to see with or to be looked upon in return?” I ask.
Kitsune shrugs.
“Yes and no. For when summer and winter are mild, is it not surely Ryuu’s face smiling upon us?
“On the other hand, when the storm blows or the earth quakes, is it not the angry, furrowed brow of Ryuu that we gaze upon?”
Again with the Yoda-speak. She talks a lot, but says nothing.
“But what you suggest, Raymond-sai,” Kitsune continues, “that a living being could actually gaze upon Ryuu’s true face and live to speak of it?
“Impossible!
“Not even the shobijin would dare try such a thing.”
I scratch my head, considering.
“If Ryuu’s presence is strongest within the deep labyrinth, this supposed meeting place of all realities, and the shobijin are afraid to face him there—or anywhere else for that matter—why would we want to go poking around inside it?”
I throw up my hands.
“And that’s not even mentioning the Xenomians who supposedly dwell there.”
Kitsune sighs. It’s obvious my game of twenty questions is beginning to irritate her.
“It would indeed be quicker if we had a boat to sail the river running by my village,” she says. “But we do not. Not out here in the wild.
“And besides, I’m not entirely sure it would be any safer.
“The island has become unpredictable. The kappa’s attack is proof enough of that. If the nocturnal kaiju are becoming bold enough to walk in the open while the summer sun shines, I doubt even Kusanagi could protect us—especially if the dragon who attacked you returns!
“And what is more, I sense the kappa’s attack was only part of something greater to come—something that has been approaching the Toho clan for a long time and has at last caught up with us.
The forest suddenly feels cold. I fold my arms across my torso and rub my biceps.
“But do not let all my talk worry you, Raymond-sai,” Kitsune says. “We will only be traversing the deep labyrinth’s outer passages. Ryuu’s purest essence is located much deeper inside, far beyond Xenomian territory at the labyrinth’s heart.
“If we move quickly and quietly, we should pass through without notice from either.”
“I guess that’s it, then.”
Kitsune nods and turns to resume her walk.
“Wait a minute!” I say, halting her. “If only the shobijin traverse the deep labyrinth, how will you navigate—?”
Kitsune interrupts me.
“I have much of the shobijin’s training. I know the way through the deep labyrinth. Or, at least the part we need to use: the passages linking the various sides of the island. I travelled through them to reach this side when I saw your star fall from the sky.”
“So you are a priestess of Gryphina, then?”
Kitsune’s face darkens.
“No. My twin sister perished before we could complete our training. Without her, I was unable to continue my instruction and take up the mantle of a shobijin.”
I struggle for a response. “I...I’m sorry.”
Kitsune clasps my hand in hers. There’s a heartbreaking sadness in her eyes that I haven’t seen before. It’s terrible to look upon. Doing so makes my own eyes water.
“The—” Kitsune’s words catch in her throat, threatening to turn into sobs. “The wound of her passing still hurts, even after so long.”
Kitsune releases my hand.
“In some ways, I believe my sister’s passing was when this all truly began, Raymond-sai.”
“When what began, Kitsune?”
“The long, slow death of my people.”
Chapter 12
Chiroptophobia (ki’rop’toe’fo’bee’ah) n. – the excessive and uncontrollable fear of bats.
- Webber’s Dictionary (2009)
“Y ou were not kidding when you said the labyrinth was deep!”
Kitsune and I stand above a giant hole in the earth.
“Yes,” she says. “This place is called Doragon’s Mouth. It marks the beginning of the deep labyrinth on this side of the
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