Kengo's Spirit - Part 4

Mr. Wheeler pointed Kengo towards the path ahead, the approximate direction from where Rai's horrified scream originated. It didn’t take long for the two men to go barrelling into the brush. The eerie mist overtook them, however, to the point that Kengo could scarcely see inches in front of his nose. No trees. No rocks. No path. Just a vague shape suggesting Mr. Wheeler, and an endless fog stretching onward into the infinite.

This is a spirit's realm, Kengo thought. He'd heard stories of powerful entities being able to warp reality in such a way as to create their own pockets of time and space. Unstable dominions, to be sure, but not unlike the supernatural equivalent of a spider web. There were many tales of humans vanishing into thin air in the mountain--quite literally 'spirited away'. 

Another roar, louder—angrier—pulled Kengo’s attention to the left. “This way!” He shouted—as there was little room for the element of surprise at this point. So much for the quiet approach!

All at once, the mist subsided. When Kengo stepped out of the subsiding fog, which lifted just as quickly as it had fallen, the day was suddenly gone, replaced by a cold, starless night. A vermillion disc, a lightless sun, loomed large in the endless black overhead. The pool of steaming light reflected it. All around the spring was a hollowness of atmosphere, an emptiness, an omnipresence of dread.

Rai sat on the pools rocky shore, flat on his butt and back peddling on hands and feet from the massive, glowing shape floating above the water. Kengo froze. Either he was so struck with terror, or captivated by the most beautiful, unearthly creature he had ever seen--Minoru of the Sun, King of Bears.

In essence, the spirit resembled the black bears commonly seen around the mountain, distinguishable by the characteristic “v” shape on their chests. But the guardian of the spring was larger than its cousins, ethereally transparent—as if made of black glass—and its eyes burned the same as the 'empty' vermillion sun above its dominion.

The creature moved like the after-burn of an image on film—impossibly fast. It bounded towards the spring's edge within the blink of an eye. Rai attempted to stand but fell backwards at its advance. The spirit roared, a deafening blow strong enough to shake the soul.  

Oh god, I want to go home! Kengo tried to push the thoughts away, but admittedly it was very hard to do so when confronted with a giant, phantom creature that was mere seconds from disembowelling a childhood friend—or eating their soul, neither which sounded like a good time. Mr. Wheeler, looking for the first time at a loss for words, turned his head to Kengo as if to say, “Sorry, but I’m a bit out of my depth here, kid.”

“O-o-oh great spirit!” Kengo called out. "Minoru of the Sun, Great King of Bears, I beseech thee."

The spirit turned from its intended victim, glaring straight at Kengo with its cold-fire eyes. It reared its head back and roared so loudly, and with such force, that Kengo felt a wind push back his hair.

“Foul apes!” The bear said. Well, it didn’t so much ‘say’ anything, as its jaws didn’t move. But it projected its voice all the same, through a metaphysical means that Kengo didn’t understand nor had the luxury of attempting to comprehend at the moment. “Atone for your transgressions by purifying yourself in your own blood. This spring is forbidden. You have intruded. These are the edicts. For breaking this sacred oath, your lives are forfeit!”

On his feet again, Rai threw back his arm to create a barricade between Kengo and the bear. “I got this,” he said—all too confidently. “You want to fight you big, dumb, bear? Come at me!”

Kengo, whipped his head between Bear and Rai, and tried to decide which problem was worse. “Rai, no!”

But it was too late. Kengo’s words were swallowed by the lightning-whip crack of Rai’s summoning. The spellbreaker dropped his robe—leaving him clad only in a fundoshi to cover his dignity. A dragon sprouted from his back in a blue tendril of light, corkscrewing up into the air and rearing back like a serpent ready to strike.

Blue and white light washed over Rai’s determined face. “Minoru of the Sun Spring. Lay down your assault and allow us passage!”

The bear didn’t even roar. It didn’t have to. It jumped through the air faster than any human could process, lunging for the dragon’s throat. Its jaws clamped down on the evanescent creature, tearing into its spirit substance. The dragon cried out, like a distant echo, before exploding into silver particles of light.

It happened so quickly that Rai didn’t have time to react. Minoru, the guardian, landed upright on the spring, without so much disturbing the tranquillity of the water. It bore its fangs at the challenger, who had been foolish enough to try and conjure a lowly spirit in its presence.

“As you were saying...puny human?”

Rai went white, and Kengo had never seen him take to his feet so quickly. “Run!” He shrieked, taking off near naked into the misted woods and leaving Kengo and Mr. Wheeler at the mercy of the spring guardian.

Rai, you massive idiot! But Kengo didn’t have time to call his name. The guardian now stood but meters away from him, daring him to make another foolish mistake. Spirit summoning was futile. Fighting was futile. There was only one way out of this now.

“Oh g-g-great spirit,” Kengo began, stumbling over his words. He bowed, but kept his eyes trained on the bear, lest it go for his neck. “We honor you and apologize for our companion’s grave indiscretions.”

The bear seethed with rage. “A little late now for apologies!” It took a step forward, sending the slightest ripple off on the pool’s deep surface. “Do you bot think so, little one?”

Kengo gulped. He refused to look at Mr. Wheeler. He was now solely responsible for both their lives. “Great Minoru, I am a spirit summoner from the temple, and I honor and respect all the guardians of the woods. We have come here not to disturb your rest, but to seek the waters of the spring for—"

“Enough ass-kissing, kid!” The bear roared. It held up its claws, glinting in moonlight. “Do you want to die slow, or quick?”

Don’t panic, Kengo thought, panicking. It was impossible to disguise the tremor in his voice, or how much he quivered in front of the spirit’s presence. So much for strong!

“I-I would prefer not to die at all, actually.” Kengo said. “I…am tired of death, in truth.”

The bear narrow’s its marble, white eyes. “What do you mean? Enough puzzles!”

“What do I—” Kengo gave Mr. Wheeler a fleeting glance. Oh well, if he was going to die, he might as well tell the truth, pour his heart out. "This man beside me has been cursed. He is not an innocent man, but he is not deserving of this. He is a father. He has come here to—”

“And these words are supposed to move me?” The bear laughed, hollowly. “Do you think your petty human needs are worthy of my time? I despise you apes. Long ago, you had a sense of decorum and respect, but now you are tainted. You kill only for selfish reasons! War. Greed. Insatiable hunger. All you do is take and defile! How the Shining Lady of Heaven ever bestowed mercy on your rotten souls, I shall never know!”

“Great Minoru, I know that foolish men took your mate from you, and I—”

“DO NOT SPEAK OF THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW, APE!”

Now Kengo really was on the verge of tears. How was he supposed to get out of this situation? This was worse than any spellbreaking match. “I…I am saying that it was not fair. And I am tired of death because I lost my father when I was very young. It’s…not something one gets over easy. It affects one’s life in different, strange ways, forever.” He nodded to Mr. Wheeler. “This man here is a father too. I brought him here to cure the curse laid on him. I just don’t want his children to have to go through what I did.”

He stepped forward, even though every cell in his body resisted. The bear stood there, saying nothing, which he figured was better than charging at him, right? Kengo bowed again. “If death would slake your thirst, then I offer myself...if it comes to it. But please, spare this man.”

The bear looked between them, ‘breathing’ heavily. The flames in its eyes appeared to dull, but only slightly. “And what makes you think I’d keep that promise, human? I could just kill him right after.”

Kengo blinked. “Well, yes, I suppose.”

The bear laughed cruelly. “And what reason do you have for helping this man? Really? Amuse me with your game.”

“Because…it’s the right thing to do?" Kengo blinked. Was it not that obvious? "Because it is as I said, I do not want his children to suffer as I have.” Kengo looked down, failing to notice his voice had stabilized. “I have no quarrel with you, Bear King. If anything, I would like all spirits everywhere to be happy.”

Minoru bore its teeth. “I do not seek your pity, mortal!”

“It is not pity, Great Minoru, but understanding.” Kengo nodded. “I admire you greatly. I wish I had your strength. I admire how you have defended this sacred spring because you loved someone dear to you. If I could, I would take all the bad that has happened to you. I would do that for anyone. But…the truth is, I am not strong like you are.”

The spirit narrowed its sunless eyes. “You...you are a strange human.” Then, the Bear King laughed again, but this time, there was less venom in it. “Spirit is not measured in physical strength, you mortal idiot."

The great bear circle Kengo, who felt as if his whole body had frozen solid. He bit hit tongue and tried not to tremble, but it was no use.

The bear sniffed the air. "Hmm. You know, there is a quite a lot of meat on you, human. I have no hunger for flesh these days, but I must say, you are quite a tasty, beefy treat.”

“I…thank you?” Was...was the spirit hitting on him?

The bear growled softly. This was starting to get a little weird. “You...appear to have the body of a sumo.”

This conversation had taken a strange turn, not at all what Kengo was expecting—but he felt himself ease up, if only for a little. “I do sumo, actually, s-sir”

“Ah!” The bear nodded. “Then we must fight!” The bear reared up on its feet, like a human, and took a wrestler's stance.

“WHAT!” Kengo looked round, wildly, but Mr. Wheeler merely shrugged. He was right to do so of course. Whether he’d expected it or not, Kengo had taken control of the conversation, even if he did feel like passing out any moment now.

Now, how to argue his way out of this one? “What! Minoru. You’re a spirit, and I—”

The bear arched its back, and then squatted down, stomping the spring with each heavy leg, yet not interrupting so much as a drop of water water beneath. “No time for talk. I’m coming at you! Give me all you got, mortal!”

“OH NO!” Kengo shouted.

He readied himself, but it was like standing in front of an oncoming train. Just think of him like a human opponent, Kengo thought, though the time for thinking was nearing its—

Heavy claws came down at Kengo like boulders falling from a mountaintop. Kengo took a grappling stance at the last minute and caught both claws, which were cool to the touch, and surprisingly smooth. It was a lot like trying to hold back liquid; there was something semi-gelatinous and incorporeal about the spirit’s essence, as if Kengo was fighting against a heavy wind. Still, he struggled.

Kengo tensed. Oh Gods, I'm giving it all I got--I think I'm gonna break. Or hurl! ...BOTH!

“Not bad!” Minoru roared—with something that sounded a lot like honest amusement. “You have a very strong spirit, Kengo. It has been tempered with kindness—and it is indeed strong. But...will it be enough?”

Kindness? Kengo blinked. He struggled under the pressure. Claws crushed his hands, pushing him backwards. What would happen if he lost? Would this thing kill him and Mr. Wheeler outright?

“Come on kid!” Mr. Wheeler shouted some distance behind the action. “Give him hell!”

Show me your strength.

It was so strange. Kengo didn’t feel like he was using most of his muscle, but he was fighting back with something else. The will to protect. No animosity toward his opponent. No desire to seek approval or 'take a win'. Just a steady, simple calm. I am strong. I protect what I care about. I defend those who do not have the means to do so. 

Is this what the spirit fox meant?

Well, kindness or no, there was only one way out of this situation. Kengo lowered his head and met the bear’s gaze head on. He narrowed his eyes, which was probably quite foolish, but he needed to prove to this Bear King that he meant business. 

“Let this man pass," Kengo said, firmly. "I will hold you back forever if I must! I am Kengo Oyama, immovable. And a human I may be, but I too possess a bear's spirit! Hear...me...ROAR!”

Well, it was more like a heavy grunt, but Kengo did his best. He threw one, heavy leg forward, rippling with muscle as his feet tried to grip the earth...or water, rather. He pushed.

And Minoru moved.

The bear grinned—showing off a disconcerting array of phantom teeth. “Now...that's interesting..."

This is probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in my whole life. Kengo took a deep breath, channelled his energy, and thought about his mother, Mr. Wheeler, Rai, and even the old Reverend. He would lay down his life to protect all of them. He might not be a good spellbreaker, but it didn’t take muscles or spiritual mastery to try to be a good human.

Kengo ripped his hands free of the bear’s grasp, and then, as quick as he could, he wrapped is huge arms around the bear’s waist and arms, clasping his hands like an iron manacle around its back.

I’m really giving a bear a bear hug!?

“Spirit or not, you’re about to get crushed!” Kengo yelled. He squeezed as hard as he could, as if it meant holding back the tides. He struggled, trying to keep the bear’s claws fastened to its sides. “Go now, Mr. Wheeler! Run!"

But the bear laughed. “Hahaha! No need, kid. I submit.”

“What?” Kengo couldn’t believe it. Was this a trick? Should he let go?

He didn’t have a choice. The phantom bear’s mass contorted, and then became like liquid light, slipping through his palms. The light travelled back into the center of the spring, and the bear reformed itself on all fours again. Kengo could only stare.

Then, the dam broke. He started crying. This was too much.

A consoling hand on his shoulder. Kengo looked at Mr. Wheeler. “I…don’t—”

“Quit the waterworks, kid!” The bear called out. “Tears don’t suit you. In truth, that was probably the most fun I’ve had in centuries!”

Kengo wiped his face. He was too tired for games. “Great Minoru. I-I don’t understand.”

“Heh. Is that skull of yours as thick as your belly? That was a mean bearhug! I’m impressed.” The bear lowered its head, and the mood shifted. “So, you just want this old coot to use the spring, right? Hmm." It bowed its head. "Show me the wound.”

Kengo looked at Mr. Wheeler and nudged him in the side.

“Oh, right.” The man pulled back his sleeve, holding his arm out. It looked worse than Kengo thought. Indescribable.

“Phew,” Minoru said. “That’s a nasty one alright. But nothing I haven’t seen before.” He moved forward on his haunches, but without the same hostility shown as before. “That disrespectful runt who ran off reminds me a lot of the scum that fouled this place up so many moons ago. You’re right, kid. It’s hard to let go of something like that. But it looks like some of you humans aren’t half-bad...”

The after effects of adrenaline still took their toll, and Kengo couldn’t help but shiver. “I’m so sorry, Great One. What happened here was awful. I do not think there’s anything we could do to atone.” He smiled, and a pink bloom colored his cheeks. “You are…pretty strong too you know. It’s too bad bears can’t do sumo. I think my sensei might have a lot of questions if we invited you to train.”

To Kengo’s surprise, the bear laughed at the throw-away remark. “Kid, I’m stuck here. You’re from the temple; you know how it works. There’s no way for us guardian spirits to leave a place of tethering.”

The young spellbreaker nodded, sadly. 

"Wait..." the bear started. "You said you possessed the spirit of a bear. Well, how would you like to...for real?"

Kengo tried to discern what the bear meant, but he was still woozy from the fight and the negotiations. Then, he remembered something the Reverend had once said. Summoners did not seek out their bonded spirit; that the spirit would come to them.

“Great Minoru,” Kengo started. He bit his lip. Outside of combat now, the shyness came back tenfold. “I wish to ask you—”

“Spit it out, kid! I ain’t got all day.”

“Right,” Kengo said. He met the spirit’s sunless stare. “I want to help you too. Because I know that it sucks to be lonely, no matter how big and tough you are. Come with me. If you like wrestling--and beefy men--then I promise that you’d love hanging out with me!”

The bear cocked its head to the side, and even Mr. Wheeler gave Kengo a dubious look. “I dunno, kid. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself. A few minutes ago, I was ready to tear your limbs off one-by-one. This is all very sudden.”

Minoru lifted its head. “Then again...perhaps I have been here for too long, stewing in my anger. It’s not gotten me anywhere fast, has it? Yeah. Hmm. Maybe some travel could be good for me…til I meet with Ayase again.”

“Ayase is your mate?” Kengo guessed. He hoped he hadn’t just blown it by asking, but his heart hurt for the guardian spirit.

The bear looked towards the lightless sun. “Yes. Her soul is still out there. Somewhere. I never considered the possibility of being able to try to find it, thinking I’d be anchored here for another eternity or so." He huffed, snorted. That was enough dwelling on the past. "Well, with that out of the way, I guess we better formalize this thing, eh?”

The bear turned to Mr. Wheeler next. “Then your pasty, bearded fellow here can take a dip and get rid of that foul shit stinking up his arm. Poor bastard.”

Kengo grinned awkwardly. “Wow, you swear a lot for a spirit, don’t you?”

“Ah, don’t tell me you’re a goodie-goodie.” The bear laughed. “Now, get in here. Bathe yourself in the hollow sunlight and we’ll seal the deal.”

Bathe in--? Kengo pointed to his chest. “You mean…gg-et naked?” He sighed. His fear of nudity wasn't going to blow this now. He looked to Mr. Wheeler. “Umm...if you don’t mind—”

“I’m no peeping tom,” the man laughed, scratching his head. “To be honest, I’m still not sure I’m not hallucinating all of this.” He turned his back. “Do what you gotta do. I waited this long. Another minute won’t kill me.”

Not how Kengo expected to enter his soul contract with his spirit, but life was unexpected wasn’t it? And too often challenging of one’s limits. Kengo sighed. It was probably too much to ask the bear spirit to avert its eyes, but it was technically still an animal anyway, right?

Kengo shivered and removed his robes, letting them drop to the soil. Then, trying very hard to keep himself from turning completely red all over, he slid his fundoshi off from his body and let the cool, spring air onto his skin. Figuring he was more vulnerable the longer he staid above the surface, Kengo dipped a toe into the water, allow his body to adjust to the thermal temperature before he slowly submerged himself into the obsidian warmth. It felt like bathing in warm milk; a strangely relaxing feeling.

“Wow, kid,” Minoru said, coming face to face his new ward, who stuck out from the water from the chest upward. “I didn’t expect you’d be packing!”

It took Kengo an even more embarrassing long second before he realized just what Minoru was referring to. “OH MY GODS!” He cried out, drowning Mr. Wheeler’s offhanded laugh from the shore. Kengo gulped. “Let’s…just do this,” he sighed.

Fortunately, he had been preparing for this moment for most of his life—one of the few rituals he was able to recall with ease, every word practiced with rhythm and perfection under the supervision of his mother and the Reverend. “Guardian of the Spring. Minoru of the Sun. I humbly offer you the bond of my blood. Let it be engraved upon my flesh and soul. Bestow unto me your magatama.”

The bear snorted. Not the honorable reaction Kengo expected, but then again, on par with the course of the day so far. “So dramatic, you summoners,” the bear laughed. Nevertheless, it got onto its feet again, towering over Kengo in the warm spring water.

“Okay, kid. Get ready to be best friends!” With his mouth closed, his muzzle tight, Kengo thought it looked like Minoru was smiling at him before the vermillion sunlight intensified, dissolving the black sky into blinding daylight, washing out sight and sound and sense...

Next Chapter!