Takemikazuchi, the gift that the ‘other’ Esha left me the other day, is an advanced application of alchemy and the bombs that I have created and I have spent the past couple of days trying to master it – to no avail. I have cleared out a good portion of the forest by now and the time of reckoning is coming ever closer.

Heron: It’s no good. I’m starting to get frustrated.

Esha?: Come Child. Surely you’re not giving up.

It was more of a statement than a question – but it works for me. I stand from my sitting position and picked up the bombs that I was synthesizing. I imagined that learning in a new world would be like those fantasy novels that I like but the reality is harsher than what I imagined in my world of fiction.

Heron: (Sigh)

Esha?: Boy, I was wondering something. Indulge me for a minute.

Hearing her refer to me as “Boy” is really disconcerting because she is doing it with Esha’s innocent face. I decided to play along.

Heron: What do you mean?

She’s probably going to ask me about why I never ask about –

Esha?: Have you never even bothered to think who or what I am after our initial meeting? No, you’re a pragmatic kid. Of course you’ve thought about it.

I knew it.

Heron: I have wondered about it but I know that you will simply brush me aside if I pursued the matter.

Esha?: Oh hush now. Do you really think that? Well I will give you a clue.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

It’s probably a red herring but okay. Let’s continue to play along.

Heron: Mhmm. I’m listening.

Esha?: Tree. That’s it.

Heron: Tree? And that’s it?

Esha?: Yes. Now figure it out.

Heron: I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

Esha?: I never said it was going to be easy.

Heron: You know what? I bet you’re probably an old lady with saggy brea –

I never finished that sentence as I felt an overwhelming surge of dread surround me, as though a thousand souls all cried out at the same time. I felt the earth shaking and atmosphere burning up.

Esha?: Child, the village!

Heron: Huh?

Over the horizon was a burning ball the size of twenty cannons falling from the heavens to rend destruction to my village.

To be continued.

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Author's Notes

Hi everyone. Alizoned here. I apologize for my absence and for the short chapter. This was supposed to be published immediately after Chapter 8 since it was just an interlude but a sudden change in my work plans forced me to travel overseas for a while but I'm back now. I'm still busy but I will still bust out a chapter or two every now and then. My goal is at least two a week!

Thank you for your patience and I apologize for the delay and good god is it good to be back.