A spirit's sphere - chapter XXVII

The whole group assembled in a circle and discussed how they shall proceed for getting the blueprints of that Monzaemon human. „First of all, we need someone, who´s willing to travel to the human´s realm. Was anyone of you already there, knowing a way HOW and WHERE to get there? Anyone having some ideas or suggestions?“ Yuki has opened the discussion round.
Many Yokais looked at each other and lowly mumbled, not sure if they are suited for this difficult job.

Maku lifted his hand holding the fan and said: „This would need someone, who´s quite good at sneaking into that grave or...I mean, haven´t you heard all about these traps, which can be set up by the humans at something, which shall be protected? And what about these…“ he shivered being frightened about the bare thought: „…exorcists? Remember what they did with Roido-sama? Others like me would have mostly instantly perished!“

Jodan, his older brother slapped the Compunzer with his own fan. „Don´t be ridiculous about them! The exorcists only appeared around the time, when Roido-sama left for the seals being renewed. And his last trip happened…uuhh…around a half year ago, I guess.“

„Oww, but if they aren´t there, the seals are mostly too strong for trespassing the barrier or? I have no clue what Rodio-sama actually had set up each year.“ Maku sighted with hanging arms.

Karakuri grasped the arm of Kurokage and lifted it up: „Here´s our Yokai in need! Who else can surpass a Blandon´s infiltration-skills?“

The surprised Kurokage blushed and freed himself from the grip. He mumbled shyly: „Uhh…as much I appreciate your praise...I don´t feel ready for doing this mission all by my own…“ He nervously searched with his eyes in hope someone else will join him.

„Not a problem, pal. I would like to join you too. Man, what miraculous knowledge could have been revealed to us!“ the Robogappa eagerly said. He really wanted to fill the information of his lacking skills for restoring the theatre leader. But scratching his metallic head, Karakuri asked: „Buut~ we still have no clue how to travel to the human´s realm. Is there really no one, who had made the way up there?“

Iory  didn´t wish to constantly put herself into the limelight, but she hovered a bit upwards and replied: „I do know how to get there. I can explain you the way, because I had an excursion back then as a small Draggie. But it was a long time ago and I don´t know if the path is still open. Especially now, since I don´t have the clan´s benefits anymore.“ The Dragon Lord looked down being embarrassed.

Both comedian brothers approached Iory, got a grip on her and dragged the confused Dragon Lord to the other two Yokais, who more or less offered themselves for the mission. „And theere~ we have our missing member, specters and spirits! It´s none else than Iory herself!“

„Why me? You know I still have to guard Roido-sama´s sphere here.“ Iory defended herself, not really enjoying to be involved again in a greater thing.

„But isn´t this obvious, Iory?“ The Frostina said and continued: „Instead of just laboriously explaining these two how to travel to the other realm, why you won´t accompany them? Aren´t you just bounded with Roido-sama´s sphere instead of the body itself?“

Iory stared at the group and asked: „Are you seriously thinking about me taking Roido-sama´s spirit WITH me to that journey? I mean…nobody has a clue what can happen there and I do not wish to endanger our beloved master that greatly, since since….“

The Blizzaria gently patted on Iory´s slender shoulder and tried to convince her: „If you´re wanting to say that you´re fearing to fail again, like you strongly believed you did at that fight before, then we all have to include ourselves too. Nobody managed to drive out this evil trio. But as you can see, you´re not alone. Both Karakuri and Kurokage have really useful skills, which all are required for this task and you´re the third one with exactly these fitting abilities to fill out the remaining gap.“

„And what about the sphere? You mean?...Oh!“ Iory had to realize something: „Of course, I completely have overseen this detail about the seals. Do you imply that with the help of Roido-sama, they can be opened again for us ?“
The Alloo nodded and added: „I´m pretty sure about this and so far you´re the one with the biggest positive influence on Roido´s current state.“ He made a confident smile.

Yuki nodded and asked into the round: „It seems that anything is set, after everyone here is agreeing to this chosen retrieving-team? And that Roido´s sphere will be carried with them?“

A positive mumbling was heard and Maku cheerfully said: „When not doing in this way, what other options do we have? So go on you three and take the most care you can have!“

It felt quite like a crazy dream for Iory. Everybody was looking full of hope at her and the other two. What if she missed that highly placed expectation? The Dragon Lord never was good in dealing with this. But wasn´t this her own suggestion? So in the return, there ARE Yokais being needed for doing this task.. Yuki and Nenju have also been right about the connective side effects between Iory and the sphere.

She firmly looked at the gathered Yokais and finally spoke up with a nervously flickering soul-flame:
„Guys, I never can tell, you how much honored I can feel about your deep entrust towards us. Especially towards me, who didn´t do things of great importance besides the vessel transferring ritual. But I should have been regarded as the main-reason for our lost…I…I..“

She deeply inhaled, hold the spirit´s sphere in front of her and spoke again: „That´s why I solemnly vow to Rodo-sama´s flaming spirit and also to my bare kind as a Dragon Lord, that I´l do anything! I repeat ANYTHING to retrieve these plans and getting back Roido-sama himself! If I shall fail, I do no longer wish to exist and shall instantly fade into oblivion, not deserving the final rest at the Nirvana.“ Tears of determination were rolling down the scaled face. As them vaporized, two other hands gently touched the sphere and Iory looked up to its owners.

„Quite a bold oath you made here Iory, but you won´t be alone.“ The small mechanical Yokai said and the Blandon added: „Remember the evening, where anything has starten with us two? From that moment on, you always were really supportive about me and my own kind. A thing about which I´m greatly thankful, Iory. I won´t leave your side and will do my best for this mission´s success.“

„Kurokage, Karakuri, …you all there. This really means a lot for me. Thank you ,thank you very much!“ Iory cried with a shaky voice, embracing her two allies. She released them and straightened up herself: „We have to do some last preparations and then we will depart. I hope we will return soon with the blueprints.“

To the Alloo Iory said: „I also want to thank you about all these kind and helpful words. I wish more benevolent clerics like you would work at all these temples.“ She smiled and looked back to the others.

„Good bye and be careful you three.“ Yuki and the others waved as Iory headed towards the Mirapo at the temple-area´s corner.

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At the metropolis, there was quite a ruckus at the plaza in front of the Yokai-za. It has been passed several days, without any single shown performance or a slight announcement. Many ghostly reporters and viewers have gathered there and wanted to hear some answers. Trying to get closer they shouted different questions: „What happened to this theatre lately?....Why all shows were canceled?...Did it really closed now?...How and why?“

Finally the door opened and three Yokais hovered to an elaborately decorated speaker´s desk, which was set in the middle of the place. A large Dragon Lord alongside with a Yami Kyuubi and Shadow Venoct were staring firmly at the crowd. Then the Dragon Lord rose his voice: „Silence everybody! If you wish for your questions being answered, you all have to calm down now!“
He made a low growl while his companions were still glaring without a word.

Tatsu continued: „You want to know about the sudden inactivity of this playhouse? Then let me inform you how this reason occurred. My name is Tatsu and I´m here for spreading the wisdom of our clan.“ He made a short pause and went on afterwards: „For most Yokais the actual Dragon Lord temple lays far distanced and the way is long and tiring. Even with the recently developed Mirapo-system.“ Tatsu smiled confidently and spread out his claws and continued: „That´s why, I´ve wandered off from the temple, repaying your faithfulness towards us Dragon Lords, who always will be at your service, by taking a visit her at the metropolis.“

But now he made a grim face: „Anything went smoothly but then I had to face a major disrespectful insult from this group´s leader!“ He pointed in an accusing way towards the theatre. „No one shall dare to do this without any given reason. And how shall we Dragon Lords even give you a reason to be mad about us, if my only wish is to help those ones in need?“ Tatsu made a pause with an innocent face. Then he slammed his claws together and shouted: „But not only the leader was challenging me, he also drove his comrades against me, who all had a refusal attitude towards an apology. That´s why this foolish action had to be punished in the name of our clan!“

Before Tatsu could continue the viewing Yokais shouted again several questions: „Is it true? The famous Roido doing such a reckless thing?...Unbelieveable!...What happened to him and the others?“

The Dragon Lord took a deep sigh, looked up towards the crowd and replied: „You want to know the fate of these culprits? This shouldn´t be a big concern for you anymore. But I´m afraid to say that I had to drive them out. Even I know you loved these performances…I can´t allow you to let yourself being inspirited by these falsely acting Yokais. You never can be sure whether it´s the truth or a mere act, what this group of Yokais was creating.“

With a pleading voice Tatsu ended his speech with outstretched claws: „So please allow me to accompany you all back to the righteous path, which will ensure you the guidance to the Nirvana when time is calling for this one day.“ His head looking down, Tatsu barely smirked about his spoken words and waits for the listener´s reaction.

A confused mumbling and whispering was heard. Yokais looked at each other and back to the odd trio. A journalist asked again: „Your words sounds trustworthy, honorable l Dragon Lord. But please explain me the presence of these two Yokais alongside with you?“

Moguri the Yami Kyuubi lowly hissed: „Foolish lesser being…“ while Gurumi the Shadow Venoct just narrowed his eyes. Their leader shook his head as he replied: „Another false assumption, which was spread through your poor spiritual soul-flames, specters and spirits. Despite their heavily misjudged appearance, these two already showed their true devotion towards the righteous wisdom. But you shall be forgiven, because I´ll open this building as a minor side-temple, where you can take a visit for your own guidance´s sake. We´re currently in the middle of the reconstruction and the opening shouldn´t last that long anymore.“

Again, much of the whispering mumblings were heard and one voice from the distanced rows, spoke up  as others joined it´s conversation: „I feel that this Dragon Lord has quite a point….Oh really?...But I really liked Roido´s powerful dances….Otherwise especially this Yokai can be quite superficial, don´t you think so?...Yes, somehow….“

Tatsu grinned even wider as he thought: „And again, it´s proven how easily these fools will gulp down my doctrines…“ It was a blunt fact that through the past the Dragon Lords widely enjoyed a high prestige amongst the Yokais but also humans. Whether it´s through their famed strength or the foretelling abilities.
And Tatsu knew well how to use this reputation for his own favor while still looking supportive for his clan, avoiding any real negative attention coming from them.

Then he spoke again: „Before any further question may be asked now, I humbly request for a short retreat for completing my first task and finish the temple´s structuring.“ He bowed and with the other two, Tatsu levitated towards the former theatre.

The doors were closed and with this, there were no more answers available. But the reporters nodded and talked with their team: „Did you all recorded this? We need to broadcast this big change. Everyone has to know about this hot news!“

Slowly the crowd was scattering, but not without a hot heated discussion here and there, how they shall deal with this new situation.

While this, Tatsu and the others checked each corner of his new domicile. During this process Moguri found some old costumes in the workshop and made quite an irritated face: „Look at this waste they made. Locking away all these precious stuff from us!“ With glistering eyes, she went on with the rough unpacking, throwing out one piece after another: „But just until now. What are you guys thinking about them?“

The Shadow Venoct replied with a disgracing tone: „Nah, it´s not my taste. All these shimmering things, But if you wish…I don´t care if you take a grap on them.“

„What about you Tatsu-san?“ the black fox Yokai asked and Tatsu looked at the scattered costumes with a blank expression: „Honestly I´m normally not that fond about artificial fancy things, but otherwise….giving the impression all these Yokais actually want to see, the costumes could be a handy thing.“
He scanned through the different fabrics, hats, and other props. Then the Dragon Lord picked up a few things, tried them on and looked confidently into a round Mirror standing in the corner.

His reflecting image showed a Dragon Lord wearing a black Yukata-like dress, embroidered with golden threads. Over it, Tatsu wore a red Haori-jacket with a black collar and long sleeves. In his red mane a small square-like Asian crown was placed. It was shimmering in gold just like the decorative brocade patterns on his Yukata.  „How do I look?“ he gently purred while swirling around admiring himself.

„Bleergh, just like an imposter, who took away the actor´s much valued costumes. You surely are the most narcisstic Yokai I ever had to meet!“ The Mirror in which Tatsu had looked, turned out to be a Mirapo.

Backing up, the insulted Dragon Lord rose his head and snarled towards the Mirapo:
„How dare you to mock me in this way?!“ He frowned: „No wonder why I´m not fancying you all here…. The travels between you are already making me sick enough.“

Sticking out the tongue, the Mirapo continued with her rant: „Bleergh! Don´t fool yourself Dragon Lord! I mostly witnessed anything, what you did to the others. My only duty as a Mirapo forced me to stay here…in hope the others may return…“ she looked down to the floor with a sad face.

„Stupid you, ignorant Yokai. Telling me anything here!“ Tatsu laughed while approaching the Yokai in a threatening way:  „If you wish to stay in this realm, I highly suggest you to be quiet and I forbid you to have any contact with your brethren. Otherwise, your spirit will be thrown into oblivion while your mere body will be shattered, fragile little thing!“

With a shocked face the Mirapo stared into Tatsu´s blue eyes and stumbled: „Y-you..won´t dare to...do this…“ But being aware about her disadvantaged situation, the Yokai didn´t continue to speak.  Instead of this she turned into the blank mirror, she was forced to be from now on.

Tatsu stretched his sleek body and yawned: „What for some pesky littles critters all these Mirapos are. But forget this one and onwards with our grand plans here.“ He hovered away towards the upper floor. Moguri followed him, but Gurumi stared at the silent mirror with his glistering red eye. „Tatsu-san really has some guts. Using the costumes of the driven out ones. Otherwise…he got a point if he wants to deceive the public even more efficiently…“ he sighed and also followed the other two Yokais.

Above the Naraku, Tatsu stared at the still damaged stage. The big hole in the center, several scratches here and there, but the most disturbing part for Tatsu were the faint oil stains. To him, they were a silent accusing witness of Tatsu´s first elimination of another Yokai. „This fool deserved nothing else than this…“ Tatsu growled and looked away trying to suppess a small flickering spark of guilt.

He ordered his two comrades:. „Make this mess disappear and we have to restore the center as well too. I want to have it as my temple´s main-hall.“ Both Yokais nodded and look around for something to fulfill this task.