Chapter 6: The Keeper of the Temple

The glowing reindeer led Ryu down a quiet stone corridor at the back of the temple. The lanterns faded behind him, and mist thickened as they descended a winding stairway carved into the rock itself. The marble underfoot slowly gave way to moss and gravel, and the air grew colder, heavier, ancient.

Ryu blinked as the mist thinned. He stepped outside into a hidden courtyard behind the temple. It was early morning now—dawn creeping over the sky, washing the land in hues of gold and silver.

And there, in the courtyard, stood a familiar figure.

Bent over a faded, old-fashioned taxi, sponge in hand, was the same driver who had told him about the shrine.

He was casually scrubbing the side of the dusty car, humming a tune as if he had all the time in the world.

Ryu stared in disbelief. "Wait... you?!"

The driver glanced up, a knowing smile on his face. “So you finally made it.”

Ryu nodded slowly, eyes still wide. “I… followed a reindeer. It brought me here.”

The man chuckled. “Yup, that’ll happen. Always the reindeer. Classic.”

“What are you doing here? You live here or something?”

The driver tossed the sponge into a nearby bucket. “You could say that. Come on, let’s go inside. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

Ryu followed him to a small structure nearby—an old, broken-down building that looked like a forgotten prayer hall. The wood was warped with age, the doors half hanging from their hinges, and ivy had crept over most of the roof.

“You live in this?” Ryu asked, raising an eyebrow. “It looks like a ghost house.”

The driver burst out laughing. “Ghost house, huh? Well, maybe the ghosts and I get along.”

Ryu hesitated before stepping through the creaky doorway.

And froze.

Inside… was nothing like what he’d expected.

It was massive. The space unfolded like a stadium—no, larger—like a never-ending white field. The ground was polished marble, the walls stretched infinitely, and everything glowed in a clean, calm light. There were couches, bookshelves, glowing lanterns, and a fire pit with a kettle gently steaming. The ceiling arched like the sky, painted in soft hues of sunrise.

It was beautiful. And impossible.

Ryu blinked. “What… is this place?”

The driver grinned, gesturing toward a soft white couch. “Have a seat. It’s always weird at first.”

Ryu sat, still trying to understand.

The driver took the seat across from him, leaned back, and crossed one leg over the other. “Welcome. I go by many names, but you can call me Mamu.”

“Mamu…” Ryu repeated. “Are you the god who’s going to grant my wish?”

Mamu let out a hearty laugh. “I wish I were! Nah, I’m just a humble guide. My job’s to help people like you get where they need to go. Let’s say… I’m the ride before the miracle.”

Ryu stared. “Then… everything I did up to this point?”

“Just to find me,” Mamu said, folding his hands. “You walking through that never-ending path, the sincerity of your heart, your tears in the hall—that was your first test.”

Ryu swallowed. “First?”

“Yes,” Mamu said, more serious now. “Now comes the final test. I will take you to the grounds where souls are judged, where desires are measured. There, you’ll be tested not for how much you want your wish—but for how much you’re willing to give… to make it come true.”

Ryu’s breath caught. “Will I see her again?”

“If your heart is true,” Mamu said softly, “and if your will does not break.”

Ryu nodded.

“Good,” Mamu smiled. “Then come. Let’s take you to the Crossing Ground.”

To be continued...