Run!

The Elder Kami took a step forward. And then another.

A deep murmur reached them.

Lily tensed. She spread her hand across all three kami-jars, establishing an easier link between Yellow, Blue and Emerald. “What does it want?”

Run! Yellow spoke before Lily had even finished her question. It thinks you were coveting the nest.

Gabriel was already dragging her after him.

Together, they sprinted into the Narrows.

Fumes stung Lily’s eyes, nose and throat, but there was no time to use her fibre mask – she had to flee. She muttered a formal prayer to the kami as she pumped her arms. Almost instantly, the bitter taste of poison eased. A glow rose from her belt as her three kami began to absorb the toxicity.

Thank you, Lily thought. She whipped her head around to check on their pursuer.

The Elder kami had grown.

It towered over her now, a hulking figure even at a distance. But it wasn’t fast. The fumes interfered with its ethereal form. Lucky! Blazing eyes in the fox-head were still trained on her as it followed, but if they could pass the narrows and create a Sanctuary Circle, it might just give Yellow and the others a chance to calm the Elder.

Or at least try.

Ahead, a deep gouge in the path appeared.

Lily leapt over it and landed easily. Gabriel matched her jump, and together they skidded into the next corner, boots thumping against stony earth.

Barely two steps beyond and a burst of fumes shot from the nearest wall.

Lily threw herself to the ground in a roll.

She sprang to her feet once she’d escaped, only to find herself alone. Gabriel had been caught on the other side! The stream of poison was already growing wide enough to block the Narrows. She lifted her hands, trying to catch his gaze, but he’d spun to face the Elder Kami.

It floated closer, dark stare seeming to boil.

She snatched a jar from her belt. “Blue, I need your help – can you distract the Elder?”

Not for long, but I’ll do my best. On one condition.

“Name it!”

Find me some more honey when we get out of this.

Lily wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of his request, but it was exactly like him. And she wasn’t going to refuse, anyway. “Deal!” She twisted the lid open. Blue shot into the sky like an arrow, exploding into stars before the Elder.

The Elder Kami slowed.

It swatted at Blue but its mighty fists couldn’t connect. The shimmering pieces of her kami darted around each blow, snaking forth to sting at the Elder’s torso and face with fire. Ink-coloured eyes blazed in frustration and each missed swing caused a gust of wind to reach Lily where she stood, stirring her coat.

But the wind was actually a blessing – it was enough to toss the wall of fumes into disarray!

Gabriel charged. He leapt through the thinning fumes with a grin. [Keep up,] he signed as he passed.

She couldn’t help but grin back. Even in the face of danger, he’d never change.

Lily sprinted after him, twisting to dodge the few remaining plumes of poison.

Then she was bursting into brighter light, escaping shadows of the Narrows to join her brother at the crossroads. It was a small clearing of pale stone with four exists and plenty of room to make a Sanctuary Circle. The northern trail would take them home, while east and west led eventually to other lands.

But it was the southern path that Lily turned back to face.

Blue was moving slower, flicking in the air above. The Elder Kami had not given up on its pursuit, and was simply ignoring Blue now.

Hurry up, you fool, Lily told herself as she pulled the powder-pouch from her belt. She let the powder spill free, starting a circle wide enough for two to stand within. Her powder ran out before the circle was complete, but Gabriel finished it with his own crushed stone.

She knelt and opened the jar for Emerald, muttering the prayer as she did.

Emerald nodded, wide eyes gleaming as he infused the powder and completed the Circle – just as the Elder Kami swooped down.

Lily flinched back.

Up close, the fox head had just as much grey as black in its ethereal fur. The dark eyes regarded them with disapproval. Power within almost had her cowering. Otherworldly murmurs echoed across the clearing – four distinct tones of voice.

Her kami gathered to hover in the air before her, with Yellow seeming to lead the other kami in whatever they discussed. The weight of the Elder Kami’s power grew harder to bear the longer it stared. Gabriel reached for her hand at one point, and she gripped it tight.

The Elder’s gaze did not waver. The force was now nearly enough to drive Lily to one knee.

But she straightened her back, even as her free hand trembled.

Finally, Yellow and the others returned to their jars without a word. Had Yellow been able to explain the misunderstanding? Was this Elder Kami more forgiving than some of the others?

There was a chance the Elder was less primal, considering that it actually stopped to speak with the lesser kami instead of continuing its attack.

Before she could ask any of her kami, the dark fox spoke.

Its voice rang in her ears like a thunderous bell.

So. The Young Ones claim that you wish to make amends for the transgressions of your kind?

She hesitated only a moment before answering. “I would try, Elder.”

The Ringwood does not welcome your kind.

Lily took a deep breath. “Then please help us.”

That is not our way.

Gabriel moved his hands beside her. [But it is our way, Kami-sama.]

The fox head tilted as it regarded her brother. Perhaps for you and your sister, here. But I doubt you’d make a similar claim for the rest of humanity.

[No, I wouldn’t tell such a lie,] he replied. [But I won’t turn my back on the good that’s left.]

So little good remains, I suspect.

“Even so,” Lily added her own voice to her brother’s declaration.

The Elder Kami sighed as it turned, striding back into the lavender fumes. Then find the Grave-Robbing Serpent and perhaps you will fare better than all the others.