8. Hanako Learns About The World.

Hanako climbed down from the rooftop using the ladder and sprinted in a crouch toward the Haiden. 

Slipping over the low fence, she hurried up the fifty stairs to a solitary rock pillar which housed the temple and nothing else. The place was surprisingly empty of Zombies, and she wondered if they ever came here. There was even a temple path leading up to the stairs.

Reaching the top, Hanako dropped to her knees, exhausted. She just wanted to see the place, but now she had wasted precious time before sunset.

Despite the weathered state, the temple was everything she remembered from the old world: from the worn Komainu statues, to a Shimenawa: the sacred rope. 

Standing on the rock pillar surrounded by the sea, Hanako felt an overwhelming sense of calm. The crash of waves, combined with the salty air, reminded her of old times, the good times.

"C-can I help you?" said a Shrine Maiden peering out from behind.

Hanako placed with one hand on the dagger, but she kept it sheathed. 

How? How was someone else here? Living in this cursed town of the undead?

If in fact,  this thing was alive.

Hanako wasn't sure what to make of it.

The Shrine Maiden waved her hands in a panic.

"I didn't mean to startle you! It was unusual to get visitors." She looked down and tapped both forefingers together. "I am not used to seeing anyone except the dead."

The being was dressed like a Shrine Maiden, or this world's version of one. They wore a silk hood, but their face was the most unusual part. It was completely covered with a purple mask, sealed to the head with a brass 'X' and decorated with gold branches lining the edges.

Whoever it was seemed more nervous. 

"Are-Are you here to pay your respects?"

~ Can you understand me? ~ Hanako signed.

The stranger signed back. ~Yes. I have been programmed to translate sign language.~

~ Programmed? ~

~ This place is based on another world's religion, but it is more accepting of robot worshippers. You can call me Miko! ~  The girl spelt her name out.

~Hanako. You're a robot? Why are you so small? ~

Miko looked out to sea.

~ In a previous life, I was a Shrine Maiden, but my body became diseased when I was ten and one year later, I died. My final wish was that my brain be preserved and placed in a shell so that I could continue the work. ~

~Do you have any regrets about it? ~

The girl-bot shook her head

 ~Why would I? I am doing what I love. Every day is a gift! Plus, I do not need to eat or drink. Even though I do not sleep, I power down, just in case. The sea air is not good for circuits.~

Hanako shoulders slumped, finally able to talk to someone near her age. 

 ~ I was twelve when I died. I did not get to live the life I wanted. Even in death, I woke up without a head. Now I'm trying to find my way back. ~

~Have you thought that you not having a head, is because you have not accepted your death? 

Stepping back in surprise, Hanako wondered if it was connected. She hadn't given it much thought or pondered so deeply about it.  Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she fell silent. Miko did the same.

~I have been chased ever since I got here by monsters and people. Hanako recalled.  It is not something I really focused on, but if it is true, then why am I here and not in the good place or the bad place? Why am I not judged? ~

~ Judgement is not a coin you flip.~  Miko signed, touching the girl's knee as a comfort.  ~It was never as simplistic as good place, bad place. Those were just scare stories to keep people in line and prevent them from straying into idleness or vice. What it comes down to is how strongly you believe in yourself. How strong are you against temptation and outsiders keeping you down?  True judgment comes from within. ~

Hanako nodded and looked up.

~ You are too good at this. No wonder you wanted to stay.~

Miko giggled. 

~It is not about how good you are, but what good you can offer. It is the righteous that build torture chambers, after all. ~ She tilted her head out of curiosity. ~Is that why you came here? Seeking answers? ~

~In my world, we have shrines similar to this place. I was wondering if someone from Japan came here long ago. Maybe they're one of the dead in the town. ~

~No. ~ Miko said, shaking her head. ~This Shrine was around long before the Town arrived. Even if they were the living-dead, they could not have lasted hundreds of years.~

~ Have they ever come up here?~ 

~You have experienced the climb; have you not?  The steps are high and numerous. Even if they did make it. I have no flesh for them to seek, and my brain is encased in an airtight shell. ~

~Guess I was hoping to find out a little more about this world.~

Miko got to her feet and held out a hand.

 ~ Come on. I will teach you all about our land's history.~

The Shrine Maiden led her inside to where a huge map was rolled out in faded parchment and old ink. She explained:

In a world of old magic, it was a period of darkness known as 'The Age of Descent.'  Witch-burning was considered righteous, bringing about a culture of fear, where anyone who spoke out was silenced, slandered or threatened with prison or worse. 

One night, many witnessed a shooting star streak across the sky. Others thought of it as a meteor, while some even believed a portal had spat out a spaceship and broken off a piece, leaving the ship to exit through another portal. 

No one knew what walked out of that crater, but the real impact came from what she brought.

In no time, the Empress changed how the elites operated. Where there was injustice came salvation, where there was ice came fire, and she had plenty of it.

The Empress repelled the Invaders by usurping negligent leaders, grown fat and lazy on their corruption. Obviously, a country with weakened defences and a compliant leadership is attractive to invaders, whereas a country with a reputation for disappearing the worst of them? Not so much.  No threat, no warning, just gone. 

All but Perdita, changed their ways, and a period of stability followed. Peace began to reign.

Surprising many, the Empress left Perdita alone. Allowing corruption to fester, bringing about rot and ruin. 

And when dark magic is left alone to rot, it can transform the environment, bringing those who should not be back to life. And someone out there...was building an army. 

Hanako was taken aback. She had not expected the history of lands to be so dark and crooked. Plus Aliens? What was that about? 

~ Thank you.~  She signed. ~I am up to date now.~

~It was fun telling you!~ Miko replied.  ~I have been waiting to play a tour guide, just for one day. Thank you for making it happen!~  She bowed. 

~ Will you come with me? I know a safe place.~ 

Miko shook her head. 

~ I appreciate the offer, but those people down there need me. Even though it may not seem so, I have hopes for them finding peace and a belief that they can be saved, no matter how long it takes. That's not my only reason; I asked to be here. To give up because it's more convenient to leave would betray everything I stand for.~  She looked up, clearly touched. ~Having said that, your concern for me warms my CPU and will carry me through the next century!~

~ I'd like to come back~

~It's dangerous, but I can't stop you. I would offer some tea, but neither of us will be able to drink it~

They both giggled and Hanako began to set off down the steps with a wave.

***

Reaching the bottom of the steps. Hanako, immediately crouched down and crawled under a nearby wagon. She could see a big building at the far end of the street and determined it must be the warehouse. 

Timing it just right, she scampered down the street, ducking behind obstacles and overturned carts and wagons, left scratched and chopped up in the street. 

As she was sprinting, she tripped and let go of the Haulier's bell, which went flying out of her hand. If it fell and hit the ground, it would alert every Zombie in the vicinity. 

Time slowed and she could feel her skin going cold. 

This was it. Now or never.

With a herculean lunge, she launched herself underneath and caught it with both hands.

She waited.

Nothing. No massive rush to strip her flesh off. Silence.

Rolling under another wagon, she took a few moments to centre herself. 

Just put it in the pocket. 

After leaving the safety of the wagon,  Hanako closed in on the Warehouse. It was then she noticed a Zombie sitting in a booth guarding the entrance. Its body was turned to the right, and somewhat focused on one particular wall. 

Sneaking under the broken window, Hanako had a chance to take it out, but remembered what Miko said about wanting to save them all. 

Really, really not the best time. 

Frustrating as it was, she decided to spare the Zombie out of respect for the girl-bot. 

Finding everything ahead clear, Hanako crept past the guard and sprinted quietly toward the main warehouse.

Who is going to save me? 

***

Keeping her back flat against the building, Hanako could feel a vibration coming from the central storage area. It was either a generator or something big that was snoring. 

Opening the door, she finally got her answer. 

For there in the dying sunlight, was Bumblebee the size of a Box Truck. 

~