Aokaze Shrine — Haruki

“So you’ve been trapped in this cave for almost a hundred years now?” I meowed curiously.

Avicula was a priestess and the granddaughter of Xavier, an old companion of mine. She has a mysterious white veil over her head, and wings all over her body. If you had to choose one word to describe her, it would be heavenly.

“Yes, it’s getting quite boring here, and having to hide from the monsters constantly is tiring.” She replied, “It’s nice that I got to meet you people; otherwise, I would’ve been locked there forever.”

The party was nearing the exit. A beam of sunlight shone from outside, brightening the spirits of the party members who hadn’t witnessed light in forever.

“The sun!” Yasmin chirped in delight. She reached her arms out as if inviting the sun to embrace.

One by one, we crawled out of the dark cave.

“It feels so warm…” Himari sighed, rubbing her hands. Being in a cave for so long was indeed freezing.

I took Himari’s hands in an attempt to warm them up. “Your hands are cold.” As soon as I took her hands, her fingers warmed right up, as well as her bright red face.

“Hmm.” Avicula stood in front of the sun, humming a soft melody. “I haven’t felt warmth in forever.” Her body shone golden, reflecting the sun’s radiance. We all turned to look at her.

Her feathers slowly faded away. The sunlight and Avicula forged as one, like a perfect harmony. As she played her final notes, the sky opened, as if embracing a new soul.

"So it's finally time for me to fly to the sky..." Avicula beamed. At that moment, I could almost see Xavier's smile drawn on his granddaughter's face.

At that moment, there was no clear line between land and sky. Only a bird perched in between. The bird’s eyes gleamed a golden ambition as it spread its wings and soared to the sky, returning the goddess of purity's embrace. With one final chirp, it left behind a single golden feather, landing on the hands of Jianyun. Her final song lingered in the air, a hymn no words could capture.

The spectators all let out the breaths they had been holding.

It was as if the heavens greeted the land with a soft kiss. Even I had to shut up for once, to marvel at the sight. The person named Avicula was no longer in sight. Still, the bird would forever remain in the travelers' hearts—this bird that connected heaven and Elysium for just a moment, which felt like an eternity.

With a soft blow, the winds separated the land and sky once again. But the hero’s party will never forget that paradisiacal sight, and of course, the tour guide, Yasmin.

“Wow.” Himari breathed. We could catch a glimpse of Aokaze Peak’s outline on the horizon.

“We finally made it.” Jianyun beamed. The gentle breeze blew away all the sorrow and grief that had been there before. We glanced at the mountain ahead, filled with hope for a better future.

However, this journey is not over yet.

We made our way to the final checkpoint. “It’s exhausting without camels to ride on.” Yasmin booed, chattering nonstop.

“Oh, that’s right, we lost your camels…” Himari had a troubled look, “Perhaps we could repay you? You were so much help to us anyway.”

“It’s alright! If anything, I’m glad you didn’t charge me for emotional distress. Anyways, I’ve brought you to the destination now, bye-bye!” Yasmin then went off with a “hoho!”

“Bye-bye, Yasmin!” Himari called after the tour guide.

A large shrine gate loomed over us. It has been so long since I’ve last been here, nya…

“Welcome to Aokaze Shrine.” A deep, charming, feminine voice called out.

“It’s been forever, Mikako,” I said, with perfect pronunciation.

A tall shrine maiden with mocha brown hair strode towards us. She had an unusual pair of ears, resembling those of a fox. Behind her were five fluffy white tails with a red tip. While greeting guests, she always wore a scowl, as if being forced to do her job. However, some people found her frown alluring, which only made her thoroughly disgusted at the human species. But today she had put on a sly smirk.

“Why, Haruki, you look cuter than I expected.” Mikako was another traveling partner of Madame Cecilia. Her immensely long life had made her half a deity. She was a kitsune, a proud one at that, who despised most humans, except for Madame Cecilia. Seeing me in a human form must’ve left her quite amused.

“A new party of heroes with you, I see.” She squinted at my human companions. “Took you a hundred years to finally visit your old friend, huh? Look, I already grew another tail waiting for you.”

Mikako led us inside the shrine.

“I suppose you came here to fight the dragon?” She snacked on a bowl of fried tofu, slurping it up in a manner that was typically masculine. “Funny thing, a person came to fight it just around half a year ago. So this one is a fresh spirit.”

The procedure inside the shrine involves fighting the dragon. Once the dragon is defeated, a new soul is required to wield the dragon orb. After a new spirit is absorbed, the gates of Hieron Shrine shall open. That’s where the wish-making happens.

“Which one are you planning to sacrifice?" Mikako pointed to the party members. Himari was busy training with Jianyun, while Meilin observed from a distance. “I suppose you wouldn’t dump the witch, so maybe the girl? Or that boy?”

“I’m thinking of using myself.”

Mikako stared at me as if she had eaten the foulest fried tofu ever. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Well, I’m not going to miss you.” She frowned and returned to gobbling down her snacks. Only Mikako could insult me with one hand and slurp tofu like a starving fox with the other, nya.

I sighed. Typical Mikako. She has lost many close ones due to her long lifespan; it was not unusual for her to behave that way—just a way to deny the pain.

And besides, after this quest, it will be a long time until I can find my new owner. I wouldn’t want to stay in my little house, waiting day after day for news from Madame Cecilia. Soon it’d be cold again…I wonder if Mikako feels the same way, nya.

“Well, are you ready to fight?” Mikako handed her finished bowl to one of the other shrine maidens. “My apprentice will lead you there.”

“Nya? We don’t receive your special treatment?” I teased my old friend.

“Please, Haruki, I’m getting old. I’m even thinking of retiring soon.” She gestured to a young lady behind her. I suppose that’s her apprentice.

Despite what Mikako says, she still has many years ahead of her. She’s just too lazy to do her job.

The apprentice has dark eyes and hair the color of blackberries. Her hair was tidy and straight, and she had a cold demeanor resembling that of her mentor. She, too, greeted guests with a frown, as if being charitable to dirty beggars. Butterflies fluttered around her, and her outfit was printed with butterfly motifs as well. It was hard to determine whether she was a human or a stray.

“My name is Himeka. I’m honoured to make your acquaintance, dear guests. Please follow me.” Her tone was robotic and devoid of emotion; it was so monotone that it was unnerving. Mikako sure chose an interesting apprentice.

The gates to the inside of the mountain opened. The same red gates as before.

I held my staff tight.

Time to slay a dragon, nya!