The path to the Wind Cave has been chosen...
So, it came as a great relief when Kengo's ears perked up at the familiar rustling of wind between the trees. And not just because of the welcome sounds of nature, but because Colt--who abhorred silence--had resorted to singing country songs to 'lighten up the mood'.
"There's a yellow rose in Texas, that I'm going down to see!"
Kengo admired Colt for his spellbreaking. He did not admire him for his singing voice. Still, to protest would be rude (especially as Colt was his boss), so Kengo said nothing.
Colt suddenly stopped. As did Kengo's heart. "What is it?" the shy sumo asked the gentleman.
"Hmm." Colt licked his index finger and raised it towards the forest canopy. "Just testin' the wind. Mighty strong current comin' from..." He pointed to a path, mangled with tree rots and brush. "Thata'ways."
Kengo swallowed. He imagined catching his ankle on the tree roots and twisting it. Out here. Where nobody could come assist. "Sir, I am a big guy. That path looks dangerous for me."
"Hmm." Colt examined Kengo, who felt put on the spot. "You know. You're a real wild bear in the ring. I wonder why it doesn't translate outside. Being cautious is prudent, but I sometimes worry if you're holding yourself back."
Kengo sighed. "Sir, I just want to find the wellspring. This is not meant to be a liver test."
"Liver test?"
"It is something we do in Japan when we're teenagers. Go to haunted or abandoned places." Kengo swallowed. "Like this one, for instance."
"But your power is spirit. So why are you afraid of...er...spirits?"
Frustrated, Kengo balled his hands into fists. "Sir, I am afraid of everything except fighting people. Because fighting is something I know I'm good at."
"Ah, well. That's okay. Maybe you aren't so much afraid of the thing, but the doing the thing."
"I...don't understand."
"Or maybe it's failure you're afraid of." Colt shrugged. "Fall off the saddle, cowboy, you get back on it. Nobody is perfect. Not even me! And anybody who says they are is cruisin' for life to hit them up the side of the head." The cowboy, dressed rather 'locally' in his hakama and kimono, pat Kengo on the shoulder. "I saw you kick Rai's butt. How long did that childhood rivalry take to resolve? It's all about persistence, Kengo. I wouldn't have added you to the roster if I didn't think you had it in you. Besides, you're beefy as hell, and fans love a thick boy!"
Colt gave Kengo a friendly slap on his (rather large) butt.
Kengo blushed. "T-thank you, sir." Oh no, did I like that?"
Kengo followed Colt, carefully, as they ascended the root covered slope, towards the source of the cool breeze. Colt was patient, helpful, pulling Kengo up when he needed. Kengo had never fully comprehended Colt's strength. The man could basically lift him up with ease! Now, he understood why Spike admired him so much.
As Kengo and Colt ascended the slop leading to the base of the formidable mountain, the wind began picking up. What started as a gentle breeze, soon turned into a forceful gale. Kengo had to hold up his arms in front of his face and push against the wind, to advance.
Colt clenched his teeth, more annoyed than anything. He shouted to Kengo, over the rush and din. "Looks like this gust is coming out of that cave mouth over yonder. It ain't normal wind, that's for sure. Give me a second and let me see if I can spellbreak it, in the traditional sense of the word." He winked at Kengo, held up his hands, and made a graceful 'parting' motion with his hands. It was a subtle power (as most magick was), save for the threads of electricity that wicked off the loose tendrils from Colt's hair (tied back in a ponytail).
The wind died down, as quickly as it had come on. Kengo, impressed, followed Colt forward into the cave mouth.
The tunnel, covered in stalactites and stalagmites, was more like a man-made corridor than a work of nature. Melting candles, curiously lit with green fire, adorned the nooks and crevices, giving the cavern the appearance of a cathedral. Or rather, as Kengo astutely noted from the various shrines and stacks of stones along the path, a shrine.
"Green fire," Keno pointed out to Colt. "This is enchanted stuff. It burns really slow. You can keep candles lit for years that way, but only a certain type of spirit summoner knows how to make those."
Colt scratched his head. "Er...so you're tellin' me we're dealin' with old magick here?"
"Yes. Definitely."
The tunnel terminated in a wide, circular room, with the cave floor covered in a lattice of hay and wood. It looked almost like someone had been living here. Massive clay jars flanked the room, as well as piles and piles of...
"B-bones!" Colt yelped. He looked over at Kengo, embarrassed, and coughed. "I mean...oh look, skeletons. Hehehe. Sure as heck don't see that every day, do ya, Ken!"
Kengo shivered. "Something's...been eating humans. And I don't think it's a bear."
The light from the candles only extended so far, and it was only when the shadowy shape at the far end of the cavern moved, that Kengo and Colt realized they weren't alone.
"Who the f*** are you a***les?" a gruff voice called out from the dark.
Kengo and Colt heard a long yawn, as the shadow stood tall (very tall) and stretched. The hulking figure came out of the dark, but in the light, he was almost even more ferocious. Human shaped (indeed, he resembled a human in all but skin color, height, and certain appendages), the muscular figure standing before Kengo and Colt had skin the color of red pepper, snow-whit hair (long), and a pair of horns like an ox...though one was broken off at the base. Fangs protruding slightly from the lower mouth, the creature was--nevertheless--handsome and appealing in certain respects, despite the deep scars running from shoulder to chest. The humanoid wore a loincloth assembled from the skin of a tiger, but naught much else.
Colt was more intrigued than afraid. He blinked, sizing the muscular creature up, from head to toe. "You're...a red guy."
The red ogre glared at his intruder. "And you're a little punk, pale-flesh. Were you the moron who messed with the wind enchantment. That's really inconvenient for me, you know. In fact..."
The creature growled, bestially, stamping its massive foot on the ground. "IT PISSES ME OFF!"
The whole room shook. An earthquake. Colt and Kengo, trained in the warrior arts as they were, only just managed to stand their ground. The tremor passed. And when it did, Colt--never one to back down from a challenge--stepped forward, much to the creature's surprise.
Colt sneered. "Oh, think you're scary, huh?" He contracted his hand, showing off his veiny forearm.
Kengo could tell Colt was ready to scrap. That wasn't good. He also suddenly realized the type of entity that presided over this cave. No...it cannot be. But the oni surely no longer exist! They died out, ages ago!
The red-skinned being blew its white hair out of its face (revealing a milky white, right eye), and bore its sharp teeth towards Colt. "HELL YEAH, I DO, PUNK!" he roared. "You think you can just waltz in here like you own the place. Do you know whose cave this is? DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM, YOU BASTARDS?"
Kengo could practically see the steam coming out Colt's ears. He knew his coach well enough that being challenged rudely was one of his biggest pet peeves. He was forgiving for guys smaller than him (mostly because he knew he could throw them across the horizon without breaking a sweat) but guys who threw their weight around like jerks really made him ornery, be they human or no.
Colt puffed out his chest and dove into his best, tough babyface cowboy schtick. "Yeah, I know who you are. A red demon man who needs his mouth washed out with soap, I reckon!" He rolled up his kimono sleeves. "After a good whoopin' that is! I ain't got much patience after today. But what I do got? Plenty of time to show a big muscle headed punk like you who the real menace is around these parts, BOY."
That last syllable echoed off the wall. The ogre's eyes swelled with anger, as he grinded his jaw. "GrrrrRRRRRRR!!!!" Tendrils of electricity flaked off his skin, and Colt thought he felt the cavern floor tremble slightly beneath his boots.
Kengo went into disaster mode. "C-Colt, this is not a spellbreaking match! He is an oni!"
"An oni?" Colt huffed. "Those things Joseph was talkin' about? Heh. I thought they'd be scarier. Not this angry beefsteak tomato standin' before us!"
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST CALL ME?" the oni barked. His head whipped towards Kengo. Suddenly, his expression dropped. Instead of enraged, he looked...hungry. "Oh, aren't you a big piece of meat!" He licked his sharp lips, leaning in like a sweet-starved child peering through glass at the ice cream tubs. "I...I could feast for days! Looks like dinner came to me tonight."
Kengo gulped. "I...I do not know if you are meaning to eat me literally or..." He shook his head. This was getting out of hand. Time for the spiritual approach. Kengo bowed his head, deeply, and flared his glyph of spirit, hoping to make a connection. "Oh, wise and powerful oni, we're simply looking for the Divine Wellspring of Wisdom, and meant you no off--"
"SAVE YOUR BREATH, beefy boy," the oni cut him off, rudely.
That really bothered Colt. "Hey, don't you talk to my son like that!"
"Colt, I'm not your son."
The oni spat on the cave floor, dangerously close to Colt's boots. "I know why you came here. You're looking for the spring, eh? Well, sucks for you. I was put here--against my damn will--to guard the thing." The oni laughed, heartily, his (rather protruding) pectorals bouncing up and down with his mocking laughter. "Heh. But it ain't here! You got the wrong cave, dips***ts."
He swears as much as Minoru, Kengo thought. He wondered if he should bring out the bear spirit now. At the very least, he could separate the oni and Colt before they killed each other.
Then again, there was no need for it. The oni had fallen for Kengo's mental trickery. He'd told them what he needed to know. The spring wasn't here.
Which means Joseph and Robbie must be at the real one. I hope they're okay, and not dealing with mucle-headed idiots like this. Kengo smiled and gave the oni a polite head bow. "Ah. Well, then we shall leave you in peace." His eyes darted to Colt. "We're leaving. Back away slowly..."
"Heh." The oni pointed his finger directly at Kengo. "Oh, you thought! Come in here pissing me off. The least you can do is offer up that tasty body of yours."
Colt had it. With a swift motion, he yanked the top of his kimono off and threw it to the ground. "So you wanna scrap, demon boy?" Colt flexed his biceps and showed them off to an invisible audience, posing and grinning for invisible camera. "That it, huh? You wanna take on the cowboy king, devil boy?"
"COLT!" Kengo stammered.
But it was too late. Threads of lightning sparked off either combatant, charging towards each other from across the room. "OH, IT'S ON!" the oni said, wild-eyed and gleeful with blood lust. "I'M GONNA BASH YOUR SKULLS IN, RIGHT NOW!"
He and Colt clashed in the middle, with a peel of thunder. Locked up, elbow and collar, the two men (well, Kengo assumed the oni considered himself male) grunted and pushed against each other, circling in movements that reminded Kengo more of sumo than street fighting.
Colt broke away first and went with a takedown, but the oni happily road the momentum, rolling onto his back.
And inadvertently giving Colt a look under his loincloth. "Huh?" The cowboy's faced turned as red as his opponent's body. "Ah, so...you don't wear underwear. Got it."
"Underwear's for chumps afraid to show off their muscles," the demon said, getting back onto his feet. He took a swing at Colt with his fist. "Bet you didn't expect this, huh!"
As the oni threw his punch, his knuckles sparked with tendrils of lightning. "This'll stop your heart!" the demon roared.
Colt caught his fist, instantly, smirking at the oni as the electricity travelled from his fist into Colt's build. "Too bad for you, this cowboy is electricity proof." The influx of electricity running through Colt's body only seemed to pump up his already large muscular structure. He twisted the oni's hand, putting him into a wrist lock, and brining him to his knees. "You're a loose wire, boy. Time to get grounded."
"Tch." The demon spit. "Lightning isn't the only trick I got up my loincloth, you blond bimbo." The cocky oni slammed his other hand into the cavern floor.
The tremor came on so quickly, that Kengo didn't have time to find his footing. He fell onto his hands and knees. "An earthquake!" He looked up at the ceiling, at the array of dagger-like stalactites. Shaken loose, they'd become like spears and impale anybody below them.
The rumble destabilized Colt just enough that the oni was able to wrest his hand free and drive himself forward, into Colt's gut, taking him down. Colt went on guard, wrapping his enormous thighs (somewhat encumbered by his hakama trousers) around the oni's waist.
"You a thick one, ain't ya," Colt grunted, trying to keep the demon off him. "Earth powers too?" Colt realized he wasn't going to get a tight enough hold on this demon punk, so he twisted his body and hip escaped, bounding back onto his feet. He and the oni faced each other anew.
"Heh." The demon dragged his meaty forearm across his mouth, wiping his face. "I recognize those moves. You're a wrestler, eh? Pretty showy stuff."
"Better than a damn wrestler," Colt shouted. He called down a bolt of miniature lighting into his open hand, the cave flashing bright as he did. "I'm a spellbreaker!"
The oni growled. Once again, he advanced. "I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT IS!"
The two boisterous wrestlers were at it again, grappling and trying to throw the other man off his game. Colt was a powerhouse who used his strength and grappling technique. The oni, however, had a very 'unbridled', animalistic style incorporating strikes and 'illegal moves'. Colt, fighting 'clean', might be in danger, Kengo thought.
"Cute hair," the oni laughed, trying to put Colt into a full nelson. He grabbed his ponytail and tugged it. "Awwww, what's a matter prettboy?"
"WHY, YOU!" Colt roared. He turned his body into a live wire, electrifying himself.
The oni seemed unphased. "Idiot. They used to call me Lightning Drinker. Do you think a little spark like that is gonna hurt ME?"
Kengo blinked. "Lightning Drinker? I know that name from somewhere." Kengo stepped forward, trying to recall. His focus was more on assisting his coach right now. "Do not touch my friend..."
If this oni wasn't going to fight fair, then neither was he.
"Ken?" Colt said, eyes still trained on his opponent. He held his hands up, protecting his face from the oni's punches. "Damn, boy, your courage came just in time!"
The oni turned his attention onto Kengo. "Oh?" he said, cocking an eyebrow.
"Hmph." Kengo, now quite stern, carefully removed his robe, letting it fall to the ground, leaving him clad in his signature battle fundoshi
The oni practically fell to his knees, his eyes bugging out. "OH! OHHHH! DAAAAAMN! Look at all that MEAT."
Kengo blinked. "Uh..."
Drooling! The oni was literally salivating. Colt was now very concerned about the integrity of the demon man's loincloth. "That big belly. Bulging arms. Juicy pecs. Oh man, baby, turn around and let me see what you're working with BACK THERE."
Suddenly (and thankfully to all involved) the oni's expression changed. It looked like he'd been struck by something. A thought.
He hesitated. For the first time since attacking them, the red-skinned ogre lowered his voice. It was still rough, but Kengo thought he sounded clear and resonate, like the cascade of a waterfall pouring into an open basin. "Wait a second...you look just like!"
But Kengo was done. If this cheat was going to try and pull tricks, Kengo would play his game. He nearly belly flopped on top of the demon. "TAKE THIS!" he said, grabbing the demon's arms and pushing him right into the cavern wall.
"GAH!"
Taking out his hair tie, Colt threw back his mane of dirty blonde hair and looked over at his apprentice slamming his 300+ pound of sumo self into the oni. "That's right, Ken, you get 'em!"
"You damn brat," the oni said, pushing off. "You're...strong like him too."
Kengo and the oni locked hands, pushing against each other. This really was a sumo contest now!
His adaptation to different styles of grappling is fascinating. Even though the oni was a jerk, Kengo was fascinated by his combat knowledge. How old was he? He knew oni could live for centuries, and physical age meant nothing. And that name, Lightning Drinker. Of course, oni always loved coming up with boastful names for themselves, the minute they raised the tiniest human settlement. Or so the tomes in Kengo's temple had told him. They were destructive, indulgent, wild, and quick tempered.
They were also rare, these days. Despite their malicious nature, Kengo's spiritual teachings had also taught him to regard all life as vital and interconnected. Even the spirit summoners mourned the loss of so many monsters, spirits, and yokai that once thrived across the Japanese isles. The oni were to be feared, yes, but respected a well. This foul-mouthed fighter holding his own against Kengo wasn't to be scorned and written off.
He was a treasure.
Therefore, Kengo tried a new approach. "You said I look like someone I know," Kengo huffed, trying to control his breath. It was like holding back a steam train. "What do you mean?"
But the oni's handsome eyes only sharpened further. "I WON'T BE BEATEN AGAIN!" he bellowed. This time, he kneed Kengo right in the gut.
"Ugh," Kengo shook off the blow, his stomach hard like a boulder. "You big...putz!" Yes, that was the word Spike always used for idiots who annoyed him.
"Wow, got a nice belly too," the oni sneered. "How about we go a little lower!"
True to his words, the oni kneed Kengo in...parts more tender.
Kengo doubled over in pain, but had enough wherewithal to forced himself onto his back, should the oni decide to tray and go for his neck. "You....jerk."
"Hahaha!" the oni sneered. He lobbed a lightning bolt at Colt before the cowboy could intervene. It sprayed dust and smoke from its point of impact, temporarily blinding the man. "Last time, I played by your human rules," the oni continued. He reached for a dark crevasse in the back of the cavern. "BUT YOU'RE ON MY TERF NOW!"
The oni reached into the darkness and withdrew a long, spike-covered club. It was a traditional weapon, preferred by oni clans. An artefact of the past, more than anything. The oni looked down at Kengo, cradling his soft bits, on the ground. "Awww, just like a little baby!" he laughed, mockingly, slapping the head of his club into his open palm. "Well, baby, SAY HELLO TO BLACK EMPEROR!" He jumped forward, ready to smash the spiked club across Kengo's face. "I SAID I'D CAVE YOUR SKULLS IN. DID YOU THINK I WAS F*** LYING?"
Kengo looked up. Just in time to see a huge arrow of plasma knock into the oni's hand, with marksman-like-precision, and knock the club to the ground. The oni craddled his hand and looked up, glaring. "WHAT THE HELL, MAN!?" His face fell.
"ENOUGH!" Colt shouted, his voice echoing throughout the cavern. Eyes golden yellow, flashing like a summer storm, Colt's hair billowed behind his neck as he rose off the ground, arms extended. The wind from earlier returned, and in abundance, as the cave filled with the smell of ozone.
"You want to cheat, boy?" Colt said, threads of lighting wrapping around his muscular form. "I ain't just a grappler. I'm a damn good sorcerer too. You say you can tolerate a little voltage, boy? Why don't we put that to the test. 'Bout to be a Texas BBQ in here, and ONI IS ON THE MENU."
Kengo winced. "No...."
But the oni didn't protest. Instead, and unexpectedly, he dropped to his knees.
Colt lowered his stare. "Hmmm?"
The oni's expression shifted, yet again, from malevolence to deep respect "Lord...Raijin. Of course. I should have recognized you sooner."
"Uh...what?" Colt's eyes reverted to normal. Yet, wary of tricks, he maintained his stormy energy, wind still whipping up his hair.
Kengo, still sore (in unfortunate places too) got to his feet. As he did, his back sparked with blue light. Minoru, a phantom shape, took material form, righting himself in front of Kengo. The oni only paid this moment of summoning a passing interest.
The sun bear, on his hindquarters, looked down at his summoner host. "Yo, Ken, whose this red c***? Why didn't you summon me sooner, eh?
Kengo sighed. "I was trying to be diplomatic, Minoru."
The oni reacted to the name. "What? Bear King Minoru?"
"Gahhh, you're too soft, Ken!" the bear scolded, gently placing his large paw on Kengo's head and giving him in a ffectionate rub. The spirit turned to his target. "And as for YOU, you little s***". He hesitated. "Wait a godsdamn minute... Akanemaru? You old, strawberry-colored son of a b***. Long time no see, brother!"
The oni rose to his feet. His jaw dropped. "You gotta' be kiddin me! HAHAHA!!! Come here, you enormous a**h***"
The bear and oni jumped into each other's arms, giving each other a manly slap on the triceps before pulling away. There wasn't an ounce of malevolence between them.
Kengo winced. "So much...bad language." Looking over at Colt, he indicated to the man to stand down.
Cautiously, Colt turned his powers off. His feet met the floor. The wind died down. The cowboy combed his hair with his fingers, annoyed that he'd allowed it to get this messy. Still, he kept a watchful eye on this so-called 'Lightning Drinker' character. Now that the dust had settled, Colt had to admit he was impressed with the big, red bastard's technique. Boy would make a half-decent heel if he were in a fed.
Kengo and Colt needn't worry about Akanemaru causing trouble for them anymore. He was entirely distracted by this unexpected reunion. "What have you been up to?" the red one said, grunting as he took a seat atop one of the clay pots in the room. "Would offer you some sake, but I ran out like two-hundred years ago." He nodded to Kengo. "Why you hanging out with this brat, anyway?"
"I am not a brat!" Kengo huffed.
"Long story," Minoru said, with a dismissive wave of his paw. "Was a bound guardian for awhile, much like your red self over there. Got bored. And the kid's actually alright." He nodded to his human companion. "He didn't mean to piss you off. And even though I don't understand a lick of sense about it, and even though these himbos might not have much between their heads, their hearts are damn pure, I can tell you that. These goobers are looking for the wellspring for honest reasons."
"That so?" The oni yawned loudly, reclined against the wall, and scratched at his side. "Well, I got trapped here because of a damn onmyoji after a bunch of humans pissed me off and challenged me to a sumo contest." He glanced over at Kengo. "Thought you were the same sumo. Got my hopes up. He's...probably long in the dirt by now."
Now, Kengo remembered. "Yes, the tale of Lightning Drinker and Thunder Caller. To end your destruction, a brave wrestler challenged you to a match, and won not only the safety of his people, but your heart as well."
The oni made a face, gagging. "BLEGH! You make it sound so disgusting like that." He hopped off the ceramic pot. "S*** is way more complicated than some fairy tale. And to make it clear...he was the best your stinking human kind had to offer. Wasn't his fault his own people sucked and turned against him." He clenched his fist. "And my kind too. It's how I ended up here."
"Ah," Minoru acknowledged, "Tale as old as time. Always a good looking piece of a** involved in a guy's downfall."
"Always, brother." Akanemaru glanced suspiciously at Colt. "Now, what I wanna know is, why you, Lord Raijin, are palling around with these mortal fools? You on a quest or somethin'?"
Colt stared at the demon blankly, and looked to his immediate company for assistance. "Uh..."
Minoru leaned in and whispered, "Cowboy, you know the rules. When someone asks if you're a god, say yes."
Kengo mouthed, 'god of lightning,' and pointed to Colt.
"Aw, shucks, Ken. I know I'm good but...a god?"
Minoru knocked him in the chest.
Coughing, Colt composed himself. "Er...why yes!" He puffed his chest out, and struck a magnificent pose, with his hands on his hips. "Yes, it is I! That...lightning guy you just mentioned!" He gave him the biggest s***-eating grin.
Akanemaru, picking up his frightening weapon, looked Colt up and down for awhile. Everyone held their breath (including Minoru, who didn't actually have any need to breathe). Finally, the white haird ogre reared his head back and laughed, loudly.
"That golden hair ain't foolin' nobody, my Lord. You and your pranks! This is a first one though. I mean, taking the guise of a white guy? I shoulda' known! But yeah, if you guys are lookin' for the spring, I won't stop you. It's in the ice cave on the other side of the moutnain." He scratched himself rudely again. "Er...maybe next time send a letter before you drop by. Almost turned your faces into ground meat."
Colt bowed his head awkwardly. "Well! Glad we cleared that up."
But now it was Kengo who, stricken by a moment of pensive sympathy, stepped forward instead. "Wait," he said, hesitantly, "you're...bound here? As in, stuck in this cave?"
"Ken, this is our chance to mosey," Colt whispered sharply.
Akanemaru looked at Kengo with confusion. "Huh? Well, yeah, sure. It's a long story."
Kengo scratched his chin, trying to recall the legend he'd been told in his youth. "Akanemaru, the Lightning Drinker. I didn't know you had a name. I think it is terrible they hid even your name from history."
The red ogre looked askance, and huffed. Perhaps it was only Minoru, who had met Kengo under similar circumstances, who knew exactly what Kengo was doing. The sumo had a way of words with sullen spirits with bad attitudes.
"Don't need your damn pity," Akanemaru spat.
"Empathy is different than pity," Kengo said. "You are obviously very strong. But even strong guys get put into some bad situations. I was only saying..."
"Haven't heard someone call me by my real name in years, kid. But yep. That's me. Hehehe. Not impressed, are ya?"
Kengo shook his head. "You're a legend."
"Well, I don't need you feelin' sorry for me, like I said. I do fine on my own. But I gotta admit. Those are some sick moves you got, boys. You say you're both sumos? Seems the sport has evolved since I was doin' it."
"Spellbreaking, actually," Colt corrected. He frowned. Then, his eyes lit up. "So...Aka...ney...mah...roo was it?"
The oni grunted. "When you say it like that, it sounds stupid. In your pig-fart-sounding language, a s** translation would be something like...I dunno...'He of the Crimson'." He pointed to his flesh. "We oni are known for many things, but we keep the naming conventions simple. Now, what's this new kind of wrestling you mentioned? Tell me about it, and I'll let you leave my sight with all your bones intact."
Colt was all too glad to explain the ins and outs of the sport: the spectacle, the fighting, the showmanship, and a brief run-down of the rules. Kengo and Minoru looked on, patiently (or as patient as Minoru could muster).
"That healing bit sounds lame," Akanemaru said, sticking his finger in his ear and pulling out a clump of wax, flicking it. "What's the fun if the other guy isn't losing a limb after you kick his ass? But honestly, that other stuff sounds pretty damn awesome! You guys get PAID to sit on punks? Ugh, I wish I could do it. I'm stuck here. Sounds like the world has really moved on since I was locked up in this joint."
Kengo hung his head, solemnly. He hadn't expected to go from fearing this creature to feeling a kinship for him. "I really wish we could offer you a soul pact."
"As if I'd want to be tethered to a stinkin' human!" Akanemaru said, sticking his tongue out. "Er, no offense, Minoru."
"None taken!" the bear spirit said. He turned to his companion and host. "Look, Ken, I'm gonna leave this to you. Akanemaru? See you 'round." The bear disintegrated into blue sparks, reverting back into Kengo's tattoo.
Akanemaru, his mood changed, explained his situation. "Look, only way I'm getting out of here is the contract binding me to this cave is broken. But bastard who locked me up in here is long dead, may he rot in Yomi."
Colt snapped his fingers, inadvertently causing a spark. "Damn, I write contracts all the time. Would...a new one break the enchantment?"
Kengo straighten his back and looked Colt dead in the eye. "Sir, you do not mean..."
The oni scratched his neck, mulling over the laws of magick binding him to this stupid cave. "Huh? Well, yeah. My spirit would just need to be tethered to a new contract. What are you sayin?"
"I'm sayin', if you wanna be a spellbreaker, then I'm offering you a slot at my academy."
"COLT!" Kengo squealed. He grabbed his boss' arm and moved him off to the side, still keeping an eye on the wily Akanemaru. "He is an oni," Kengo whispered. "They're powerful creatures that don't listen to human rules. He could wreak havoc on the GSA and even San Antonio."
Colt wasn't having it. "Yeah, well Brax is a demon too, and he's one of the easiest workers I've ever had. Kengo, offering people who get overlooked for opportunities is how I run the GSA. Besides, a living, breathing oni on the roster? What a draw! And just look at those muscles. He'll be so over with the gays and the gals..."
Kengo bit his lip. "Okay. But the contract must be worded very carefully. He should be bound to it, until we can trust him."
Colt nodded. He picked up his kimono off the ground and removed the old, crumpled map he'd used to chart the way through the Sea of Trees. "Alright, let's do this. If you don't mind using the back of this map, that is." He took out a pen and clicked it.
Kengo cocked his head to the side. "You...have a pen?"
"What do I tell you kids? ALWAYS keep a pen on you, in case of autographs." Colt scrawled out (in his messy handwriting) the terms of employment he'd memorized long ago, and then presented the sheet to a very confused, annoyed Akanemaru. "Your terms are these. Give it a look over. But what I'm sayin', Akah-nay-maroooo, is come work for me."
The red oni took the paper and looked at it as if Colt had spit in his hands. "Huh. Been awhile since I read English. Let's see here....huh. What the hell is a 'Texas'?"
"Where we're from," Colt answered.
The oni looked up and glared at him. "What a stupid name. Is this land of yours full of meatheads like you? If so, count me in. Would be fun to knock some thick skulls..."
Kengo quickly cupped his hands to Colt's left ear. "Oh, and make sure to add the thing about..."
Colt nodded. "Oh, right. And, you are bound not to harm any human, unless they physically harm you first."
"AND ONLY AFTER AN ATTEMPT AT DE-ESCALATION!" Kengo quickly spat out.
The oni sucked his teeth. "Ugh, a lame stipulation. But...if it gets me out of this boring-ass cave, count me in." He stood up, swinging his club in a graceful circle, before tucking it behind his beck. "You got a deal, Lord Raijin. Spellbreaking, eh? Well, point me in the direction of the nearest ring. Me and Black Emperor are ready to bring the pain!"
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