16 years later
“Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos. That is the mantra you must all use to maintain your centre during meditation,” Mother Harumi says while facing the students dressed in white robes and her back turned to the black chalkboard. Some stare with intrigue. Some stare with bored expressions on their faces. And some look half asleep. It’s 8 in the morning. Of course, they would look tired. “Azarath is the name of our own dimension. Metrion represents balance. Zinthos represents peace. Remember that.”
“Yes, Mother Harumi,” the kids say in unison.
Two boys with clean-shaved heads, most likely twins, poke each other, giggling. Mother Harumi frowns in annoyance. Not this again. She claps her hands loudly. Startled, the two boys stop giggling and sit up straight.
“Tamdin, Tenzin,” she says, “Stop your fussing right this moment.”
Tamdin, the youngest twin, hangs his head in shame. “Sorry, Mother Harumi.”
The children are all of the ages between 9 and 18. Children below the age of 9 are more difficult to teach meditation as they have slightly shorter attention spans, according to her and Father Torao. But Tamdin and Tenzin are seventeen. They have no excuse for their short attention spans.
“All right, everyone, get into a siddhasana position and find your centre.”
However, Mother Harumi notices something is amiss. She counts all the students. There’s supposed to be 43 students. There are only 42 present. The flat orange mat in the back corner next to Kiran Singh remains empty and untouched. Harumi is one student short. And she knows who is missing. She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose in frustration. This is the fourth time this month.
“Where’s Rachel?”
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Water flows over the chunky grey slates and slides down into a large clear pool with moss-covered rocks at the bottom. White and orange koi fishes swim beneath the water. 15-year-old Rachel, a young girl with a pale round face and dark narrow eyes, sits on the soft green grass at the edge of the pond, her legs folded beneath her body, her hands rest on her thighs and her long black hair tied back in a bun to make sure it’s not blown into her face by the wind.
Rachel enjoys the peace and tranquillity of Azarath’s lake. Hearing the sound of the water falling and the occasional chirping of birds. Better than having to sit in the same classroom full of kids that interrupt her meditation with giggles and whispers. Not to mention the constant ticking clock breaking her concentration. It’s annoying at time. She knows she’s probably missing out Mother Harumi’s lessons but she prefers meditation in an open space.
Rachel takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. “Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos,” she whispers to herself. “Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos.”
This is her place of peace. If only she can sleep here instead of her room, where she suffers reoccurring nightmarish. They get worse each year. She discussed the nightmares with Mother Harumi and Father Torao. They say it’s nothing to worry about. It’s all a dream. But Rachel can tell by their concerned looks that they’re lying. And there’s some sort of negative energy emerging from them. They know something she doesn’t. Mother Azarath, protect me.
She meditates here, hoping that this tranquil ambience might diminish her nightmares.
“Akumu…”
There it is again. That name. Akumu. She’s heard that name since she was five years old. At night when she struggles to sleep. And sometimes during the day when she least expects it. Akumu. Meaning Nightmare. She heard the name before, but doesn’t remember where. But it frightens her. At first, she thinks it’s the other kids trying to scare her. She’s not exactly liked by most of them. But after a while, she doesn’t think that anymore.
“Akumu…”
The voice whispers louder as if getting closer. Gasping, Rachel opens her eyes and whips her head around to see who’s out there. As always there’s no one there. She always finds this off. It’s like a hot breath close to her ear. She could hear and feel them but she’s never able to see who’s there. If there is anyone ducking behind the trees and shrubs, she would have sensed their presence. But nothing. Yet, she keeps hearing the voice as if it’s there.
Rachel sighs and tries to recover concentration. “It’s all in my head. It’s all in my head.”
She closes her eyes and proceeds to meditate. “Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos. Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos.”
“Akumu…”
She hears the voice again. A dark growl. Louder this time. As if the voice is in front of her.
Rachel opens her eyes and gasps.
A terrifying face stares back at her. Its face has the colour of blood, long white hair resembling cotton, yellow round eyes the size of saucers and three long horns sticking out of its head like that of a deer. The face grins its sharp yellow teeth at Rachel with malice. She stares back at the creature. Her face turns pale and her eyes widen in terror.
An oni demon. Here, in Azarath. No, it can’t be. They’re not supposed to be here. They’re supposed to be in hell. How did one end up here in Azarath?
As she scrambles back, the oni reaches out and places its hand on Rachel’s forehead.
Rachel gasps, her brown eyes turning yellow as gold and her face gaining a tint of red.
Visions flash and screams seem to echo in her head. Sights of people killing each other. Some turning into stone. The seas turn red. Skies the colour of blood. Demon everywhere in swarms. A burst of demonic laughter. Death. Devastation. Rachel bathing in a pool of blood, cackling maliciously. This can’t be me, she thinks. This is an illusion.
“Akumu.” She hears the voice calling her. A male voice. Deep, raspy and menacing. It’s trying to draw her in. To lead her to her doom. “Akumu.”
No, no stay away. Stay away!
“Rachel!”
She opens her eyes upon hearing Mother Harumi calling her name. She suddenly finds herself being pulled out of the pond by Father Torao and Brother Shiro. Both of them look terrified and worried. Rachel stares at them in confusion. Her heart races rapidly and her breathing is shallow.
Rachel gets pulled onto the shore. Mother Harumi quickly rushes to her side and puts a blanket over her. Rachel hyperventilates slightly, as she is shocked by what she just saw.
“Karasu, what happened?” Mother Harumi asks. She sometimes calls Rachel by that nickname.
Shaking in fear, Rachel clings to her and whimpers. “It was awful, Mother,” she sniffles. “It was an oni.”
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“An oni?” Mother Harumi says. “What are you saying?”
“There was an oni right in front of me and it showed me horrible things. It was horrifying, Mother. I thought I was drowning.”
“You were floating in the middle of the pond,” Brother Shiro says, “Of course you were about to drown.”
“Shiro, not now,” Father Torao says harshly before looking back at Rachel. “An oni. Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more certain, Father,” she says in a trembling voice, “It was right in front of me. It was the most terrifying thing I ever saw. I smelled its sulfur-scented breath. And it touched my head. It was real. I know it was. It kept whispering the same word to me.”
Father Torao frowns. “What word?”
“It…it kept saying Akumu. It called me Akumu.”
Rachel soon notices something in Father Torao’s face. It turned pale and his eyes seem to be full of fear.
“Harumi, get her back to her room and make sure she stays there for the rest of the day. We’ll check the premises and see if any of the portals have been opened for the past 24 hours.”
“Yes, Father. Come, Karasu, let us go.” Mother Harumi puts her arm around Rachel’s shoulder and leads her away from the pond.
Rachel looks back, however. Her eyes widen upon seeing the water turn black as ink. The fishes now flat dead on the surface.
She turns to Mother Harumi in shock. “Did I do that?”
“Don’t look,” Harumi tugs her away.
Rachel can’t help but look every now and then. Now, she can’t get the demon’s face or the images of her head.
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“Are you sure Sister Rachel saw a demon, Father?” Brother Shiro asks as he walks alongside Father Torao on their way to the Chamber of Worlds. “She could be wrong. Or lying. She’s never been right in the head, you know.”
“I believe Sister Rachel is very sane. She’s simply been tormented by nightmares for many years,” Father Torao says calmly.
“But those nightmares have brought disaster to the human world.”
Father Torao sighs. Must he bring that up again? “Not every disaster in history is Rachel’s fault. Would you also blame her for World War I and World War II, when her fetus didn’t even exist at the time?”
“All I’m saying is that many of those coincidences have become more frequent. What will happen if these coincidences get worse?”
“They won’t. As long as Rachel remains here and unaware of her heritage, things will be all right.”
“But that’s the thing, Father. How long will the lies last?”
Father Torao knows Brother Shiro is right. Secrets can’t be hidden forever. He and Mother Harumi are so focused on keeping the secret hidden that they’re not considering what will happen once the lies eventually fall. How this will affect Rachel. She’s the daughter of the evilest being in the universe. A destroyer of worlds. A creature that could destroy Azarath with just the clap snap of his fingers.
Yet, Father Torao’s main concern is Rachel. Despite who her father is, she’s innocent. Even Mother Harumi knows this. She worries more for Rachel than her own home.
Since the day of her birth, they promised to protect the child at all costs and they must keep it, for everyone’s sake.
Once arriving at the Chamber of Worlds, they check every portal that leads to different worlds, including the one to Kyoto in the main earth. And the demon world, with the mark of Scath on the doorknob. However, none of the portals have been opened recently. Father Torao doesn’t want to think Rachel is losing sanity. But perhaps Brother Shiro is right. It was probably a mistake. Even so, they must remain cautious. A mistake like this can repeat itself.
Or get worse.
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Rachel and Mother Harumi sit around the table, eating fish-shaped bread stuffed with sweetened bean paste. Rachel smiles slightly as she takes another bite. Taiyaki bread has always been her favourite treat. Well, second favourite. Her favourite is still the Marble Chocolates she keeps hidden under her bed.
She sighs and sips her tea.
She hates being locked up in her room this way but she doesn’t seem to have any choice at the moment. After what happened at the lake, Rachel is now tired and light-headed. She hopes the tea will calm her nerves, but her hands still tremble. Even Mother Harumi seems to be frightened by the event.
“Would you like to talk about what happened?” Mother Harumi asks gently.
“I already said what happened,” Rachel speaks softly before sipping her tea once more.
“Are you sure what you saw was real?”
“You may believe I’ve lost my mind. But I know what I saw.”
“You said the demon was showing you visions. Would you like to tell me about them?”
Rachel shakes her head. “I rather not talk about it.”
Mother Harumi holds her hand. “Talking will make you feel better.”
“…It showed me many things. Destruction People dying. It was so sad and awful. And then there was this gate…”
“A gate?”
“Yes.”
“To where?”
“I don’t know. But the gate glowed a blood red and I kept hearing the same voice calling Akumu. But I don’t know who Akumu is.”
Mother Harumi remains silent for a moment. “I don’t know… But remember, demons are tricksters. They lie. Whatever that thing showed you, it’s probably false. They’ll do anything to hurt you.”
“But why would it come to me? Is it because I’m weak?”
“No, you’re not weak.”
“Then, why attack me? I’m so confused. And scared.”
“You shouldn’t be scared.”
“It attacked me in my time of peace and it showed me things I don’t understand. I want to understand but at the same time, I’m too scared to understand.”
“Sometimes, it’s best if you don’t understand. There are some things that one should never know.”
“But…what if in order to destroy evil, I must understand it.”
Rachel watches Harumi press her lips together. What is she thinking?
Harumi then smiles at her. “Hey, let’s not talk about such things. Let’s try to enjoy our tea. All right?”
“I don’t know how I will enjoy my tea now.”
“…I have something for you.”
Rachel looks up at her, eyes blinking curiously. “What is it?”
Harumi smiles and reaches into her robe. “I was going to save this for your birthday next week but I thought you might like to have it today.”
Rachel’s eyes lighten when Harumi pulls out a ruby pendant necklace surrounded by an iron framework. A broad smile crosses Rachel’s face as she reaches for the necklace and takes it.
“Mother, it’s beautiful!”
Harumi smiles as well. “I knew you would love it. The jewel is made of pure ruby. It will protect you from evil. Father Torao helped me pick it out in Tokyo.”
“Can I wear it on my birthday?” she asks.
“Oh…Um, I thought you would wear it today.”
“Well, yes, but didn’t you say that Father Torao helped you pick it out? Wouldn’t he be upset if he found out you ruined the surprise?”
“Hmm. Maybe you’re right.” Harumi smiles and pets her head. “Look at you. All growing up and smart. I remember you were just a small bundle in my arms. You almost never cried. And that scared me sometimes.”
“But when I did cry, I was quite loud,” Rachel says.
Harumi giggles and nods. “Indeed. I wanted you to stay a baby forever so I can always hold you.”
“…Do you think my mom would have wanted to hold me?” Rachel asks meekly. “If she was still alive, I mean.”
Harumi’s smile falls slightly and she sighs. “Um, I’m sure she would have.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
Harumi takes her hand. “No, I’m sorry. You have every right to ask about your mother.”
“What was she like?”
“Well, she was a lot like you. Smart. Strong. Beautiful. However, I always thought she wouldn’t make for a good mother. She wouldn’t take care of her body while having you. Always drinking and smoking. That’s why you were born so small.”
“And is that why she died while giving birth to me?”
“Yes, but let’s not worry about that now. The important thing is that you’re here and you have us looking after you.”
Rachel smiles a little and hugs Harumi tightly. “Thank you, Mother…Can we sing the song?”
“Which one?”
“You know which one.”
“Well, all right. Come closer, my child.”
Rachel scoots closer to Harumi’s side and rests her head on her lap. Harumi gently rakes her fingers through Rachel’s black bangs.
“We lay my love and I,” Harumi sings softly like she used to do when she cradled three-year-old Rachel. “Beneath the weeping willow. But now alone I lie and weep beside the tree. Singing ‘O willow waly’ by the tree that weeps with me. Singing ‘O willow waly’ til my lover returns to me…”
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Crickets chirp in the middle of the night and the fireflies glow around Azarath, helping the moon illuminate the darkness.
Harumi had fallen asleep just after Rachel did. The song always makes her fall asleep no matter how old she is. She learned the song from a movie she used to watch a lot when she still lived on earth before coming here to Azarath. It’s sad and eerie but quite beautiful.
A small noise awakens Harumi from her slumber. When she opens her eyes, she finds Rachel no longer sleeping next to her. Gasping, Harumi sits up, her heart racing in panic.
“Rachel…” She looks around for any signs of her. “Karasu!”
Upon hearing a low growl, Harumi raises her head. On the ceiling, Rachel is crawling on all fours. Her hands and feet look crimson. Strands of white streak her black hair that hang like a curtain. Harumi’s eyes widen in horror.
“Rachel?”
Rachel quickly crawls down from the ceiling to the wall, like a spider. When she reaches the floor, she crawls over to Harumi, growling like an animal. Harumi sees that Rachel’s face is red as blood and her eyes are yellow as gold.
“Liar!” Rachel yells, exposing sharp teeth.
With this, Harumi screams.