The Song That Remains

 “I can almost see it.” said Jin.

High, the ruin laid bare, gutted to the ruthless snow. The group, led by Debuu-ni, was climbing the side of a steep mountain vigilantly. The bug had called on them to visit the remnants in hopes that they would find something of value to aid in their mission to end this world. They had marched two days and a night to get on the oxbow path, soaring and treacherous. The further up they went, the thinner the air and the shorter their steps.

Debuu-ni was more determined than they'd ever seen it, maintaining its role as the ship's figurehead, fighting against the turbulent mountain gales.

“It won't be long, now!” it said. “Just a few more minutes.”

As they approached, the true nature of the vestiges revealed itself; it wasn't a shrine like the one they were accustomed to, this edifice had two gates in succession, of varying sizes, both dilapidated. There were two stone guardians on each side of the first gate, both with big, rounded faces and protruding eyes. That one was smaller than the red torī gate, but the second one was much bigger; as they passed it, they saw it was made of wood, probably from an ancient tree of some kind, because the girth of the columns was indomitable. For the derelict temple's part, the roof was curved tightly and its once colorful patterns had faded some. They stood in awe and observed the exenterated construction as the snowflakes, carried by the wind, roamed its halls. The place had an undeniable solemnity to it.

“This is a Korean temple.” said Jin to himself.

Marcel stepped toward him.

“There were many Korean people who came to Japan early on, right?” he asked.

“Right. The people from the Baekje, Gaya, and Silla kingdoms. Among many others.”

Jin seemed transfixed, like he was watching something unfold in front of him that only he could understand. Marcel put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it tight, sharing the moment with him in silence. A little while later, Jin came out of his daze to ask: “Can you hear that?”

The group shared a look. Inês couldn't hear anything but the shrill, howling wind.

“Hear what?” she asked.

Jin hesitated.

“It was like… a song.”

They exchanged another glance, circumspect.

“Are you sure you didn't just mistake the wind for…” started Lu.

“Yeah, I'm pretty sure.” he stated simply.

Jin looked ahead to the temple again and made a few steps, stopping before the short stairway. He turned to look at them.

“I have to go in.” he let them know. “But I don't think you can come with.”

Debuu-ni fluttered to him and turned to face the other three.

“Don't worry, I'll accompany him.”

“That's supposed to make us feel better?” asked Inês.

“It made me feel pretty safe against the big Kirby guy.” said Lu nonchalantly.

“Be quick, please.” asked Marcel.

Jin went up, Debuu-ni in tow. They saw the bug's pompon tail disappear as they entered the shadowy passage, and then they heard only their friend's footsteps reverberate. Inês and Lu sat down on the steps, huddled together against the cold. Meanwhile, Marcel started pacing up and down the alley, trying to catch a glimpse of Jin from afar in the naked areas of the temple.

Inês picked up a dried leaf off Lu's yukata sleeve and started folding it absentmindedly.

“I wonder how much longer we'll be stuck here.” asked Lu.

“I don't know.” answered Marcel nervously. “They'll probably be out any minute, now.”

“She doesn't mean here here. She means this… dimension.” said Inês, raising her arms and looking around.

The small paper plane she held lifted off her hand and into the emptiness at the side of the mountain.

“Oh.”

Marcel did an about face and went back to pacing, kicking a rock ahead of himself as he did.

“Are you done yet?!” Lu asked the temple.

But the answer they got came from the opposite direction; on the tall sanmon gate, a guttural plaint escaped Marcel's throat. The boy was suddenly laying on the roof of the structure, a giant shadow looming over him; it was shaggy and dark, with wild, bloodshot eyes bulging from its head. As it spat and snarled, its thick yellow tusks vibrated with force.

Inês and Lu ran up to the gate in a panic.

“What is that?!” screamed Lu.

Inês grabbed a fallen tile and threw it with all her strength. It was much too heavy to go against gravity and came crashing back down without reaching the height of the roof, but when the creature heard it shatter to pieces, it immediately turned its head to look at Inês.

“Oh, now you've made it mad!” exclaimed Lu.

The hulking monster leaped down, exposing its blue belly in the fall. It reached Inês with a growl and bared its teeth. Then, it halted; there was a sorrowful melody coming from the ruins. They all turned in chorus to look at its origin: Jin, emerging from the Korean temple, was playing an ancient-looking flute. He carried a calm, but potent expression, and his song was heavy with a meaning that Inês did not understand. Frozen, the creature quivered and lowered its head in reverence. It backed away through the gate and, as it reached the cliffside, it dissipated into a pale saxe mist, two glowing red eyes persisting an instant.

The group stood breathless as the song came to an end. Once finished, Jin said nothing, holding his instrument with melancholy.

“Jin?” said Marcel.

The boys shared a look. Jin smiled as if to signify he'd explain everything later.

“Great job, Jin!” said Debuu-ni excitedly. “You subdued that otoroshi with ease!”

“What was that?” asked Lu. “What did it want with us?”

“Otoroshi are creatures that haunt temples.” explained Debuu-ni. “They protect them from the profane, destruction, and delinquents.”

“Delinquents?!” asked Marcel with disgust as he struggled to get back down on the ground. “Us?!”

“Don't shoot the messenger! You must have done something to anger it!”

Inês looked at Jin. He seemed lighter; not happy, but content, as if a swirling tempest inside of him had finally been settled.

“And what is this about?” she asked, gesturing to the flute.

“A komabue, a Korean flute.” explained Debuu-ni. “An ancient artifact that Jin can use to channel his powers now that his netsuke isn't much more than a glorified pendant.”

“I didn't know you could play.” said Inês.

“Neither did I.” responded Jin. “But my grandfather used to do it often. I never understood why.”

Lu looked at him with envy.

“I wish I had powers to channel…” she grumbled. “And something to channel them with!”

“That's the plan.” said Debuu-ni. “Before long, you'll all be back in fighting form.”

Back to the House of Still Waters, they made their way down the mountain; Jin as their conductor.