The massive white wolf kicked off the ground, soared nose and whiskers first, then pushed from the mountain facets and disappeared over the tooth of the highest summit.
Kichi watched and then ducked into a cave behind Masahide. Inside, they discovered it shallow and cramped. The entrance light outlined the angles of something at the back. It was a shrine, but not like any she’d ever seen. Two columns held a peek, and a wolf was in the interior.
Masahide kneeled and put the point of his sword down in front of him. “I saw a vision of Felix fighting alongside elemental druids. This shrine looks like their temples, and I saw them burn twelve centuries ago.”
Kichi looked closer at the figure within. “This must be the same wolf. Why don’t they pay respect to it anymore?”
“I don't know, but it isn't right. The Duke claims to protect this area but ignores the mountain's greatest spirit. Perhaps he is more insidious than I imagined.”
Bowing twice, Kichi smiled at the wolf figurine. “I think this mountain is in good hands in case the Duke ever tries anything.”
Afterward, they returned to the windy slope and left footprints all the way up the spine of the peek. For the second time in her life, she could see both sides of the Great Divide. On one side, it was lush and green; on the other, it was brown and harsh.
A few wind spirits danced at a granite knuckle at the top of the world. The light died behind the horizon. The wind spirits looked like beings made of stars as they whisked spangles from the snow.
Hello Kichi. Hello.
“I can hear the wind spirits.”
Masahide looked thoughtful. “Then you are part spirit. Try asking them a question.”
“Wind spirits. We didn’t know about the white wolf. Is he still the protector spirit of this place?”
It is one of the six guardians.
“What does he think of the Duke?”
He does not think of humans unless they disturb what he has trapped under the mountain.
Kichi felt the conversation was going nowhere, so she took the feather from Masahide and held it aloft. “Will you bless our falcon feather?”
The spirits spun, and the feather ripped from her fingers. It fluttered in the current and began to shine. When she took it back, it kept a slight glow.
“Thank you.”
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They bowed to the spirits and departed, half stepping and half sliding downward. The twilight gave them a deep chill, which they wanted to escape.
Kichi no longer felt her hands on the way back, though she'd stuffed them in her armpits, sacrificing balance for warmth. As the cliffs appeared before her, she had to slow and turn to the side. Somewhere below in the trees, the path began back down to the castle.
A hand patted her shoulder.
The red splotches had intensified on Masahide’s pale skin. “We must keep moving. It'll keep us warm.”
The scramble continued, and the snow thinned until the earth became more common than snow, allowing them to move much faster. The trees were black rows behind mounds of moonlit snow.
She missed Bin. Her little squirrel cat was the most lovable thing. It felt wrong not to be able to reach into her package and pet a head that fit in her palm. Bin, I hope you and Ema are safe. We’re coming!
But a white creature with a dark face landed in their path. It looked like a bear at first but had a human build. It loomed over them and had a mouth of sharp teeth that opened wide when it roared.
Metal flashed, and Kichi and Masahide held their swords to defend themselves.
Kichi moved to the side so it couldn’t charge them both at the same time. “What is it?”
“It’s an abominable hinagon. If it jumps, run. It’ll try to land on you.”
The hinagon bent its knees and vanished. Two large footprints from feet that no boots in history would ever fit were left behind.
Kichi craned her neck and spotted the creature overhead. It had jumped so high that if there had been a tree, it could have leapt over it. It reached a pinnacle and began a downward dive.
“Run,” Masahide said and made a circle.
She couldn’t tell where it was headed. It was like a catapult shot coming head-on, but she could not distinguish precisely where it would impact.
He tackled her.
The ground smacked her, and the earth erupted beside them, raining debris. A hairy arm launched him. Kichi turned and drew a red line across a broad stomach, but it didn’t make a difference. She dodged around the huge hand and rolled to the side. She found him lying face down with a bleeding temple. “Masahide.”
Her only chance was to drive the sword point first into the beast. Its skin was too tough to slash, and it barely bled along the line she’d left over her stomach.
The hinagon raised its arms and roared before it charged. Its arm was as thick as a tree trunk.
Her teeth clapped together, and she staggered. It had barely touched her, and pain exploded in her back. She hadn’t even attacked. What’s wrong with me? I have to do this.
She turned and meant to meet the next charge with the point of her blade. Even if it crushed her, she would use its own weight against it.
It bent its knees again and took to the air.
Kichi
Level: 7
Focus: Prescience
Secondary focus: Lava+2
Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure
Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)