Hi Kishin

When I closed my eyes, I was only met with darkness and Satori’s voice.

“Good, now remember to visualize it.” Visualize it? What did it look like again? I know it had black horns that spiraled into themselves. Reddish skin, the color of blood. Oh yeah, and that unnerving fanged smile. I continued to rack my brain about the Kishin’s features until I could hear it loud and clear.

“Shin?” The voice came from behind me, despite there being a wall behind me. “Shin, you’re back.”

Hi Kishin. And yes, I’m back because I have a question to ask you.

“A question? Ask away.”

Can I borrow some of your power?

“Power? What do you mean?”

Well, Satori was saying that I need to be able to use your power to fight Takeda.

“Satori? Takeda? Who are they?”

Satori was the one who killed the Kitsune we saw last time, and Takeda—

“Then, isn’t Satori evil?” When the Kishin asked this, my mind went blank for a moment.

I-I guess so, but I need both their and your help to get stronger.

“So, it’s okay to get help from evil people?”

I don’t know, Kishin. But I need your help, please. I’m begging you.

“I don’t know how to help. Maybe if you feed me, I can. I am super hungry.”

What would you like to eat? I’ll try to get it for you.

However, the Kishin’s answer was not a type of food or drink; it was “Essence.”

Essence? You mentioned that last time, too? What is it?

“I’m not sure what it is, but I know where it is.”

Then, where can I get it?

“It’s in your blood.” When the Kishin said those words, I could feel my heart sink deep into my gut.

So, you need my blood?

“Yes, or someone else’s. I’ll take as much essence as I can get.”

No. Only a bit. I’ll let you sip it for a few seconds.

“Fine.” I could both hear and feel the Kishin’s disappointment before I also heard a slurping sound. It was loud, as if the Kishin had not had anything to drink in years. And when it finally stopped, my head started to hurt.

Ow.

“Shin, are you okay?”

Yes, I’m fine. I’ll talk to you later, Kishin.

“Okay, thanks for the meal.”

After those parting words, I woke up to a puddle of vomit in front of me. Immediately, I covered my nose to stop the stench from infiltrating it.

“Satori, did you vomit?”

“Nope. That was you, just a few seconds ago.”

“That was me?” Satori only nodded as quickly as they moved on.

“But congratulations, you took one step closer to controlling the Kishin. You can start using its power now. I can see it.”

“I can? How? I don’t feel any different.” However, when I said that, I felt a tug at my heart. It wasn’t any pain; if anything, it was power. With every pump of my heart, I could feel a weird sensation come over me, making me feel stronger than I was before.

“Do you feel it now? It took a second, but the Kishin’s mana is starting to flow through you.”

“Mana? I heard you mention that word before, but what is it?”

“Oh, that’s just the energy Onmyoji and yokai use to power their supernatural abilities. But don’t mind that, you should be going up to Taku and giving him hell.”

I nodded to Satori before I began walking up the stairs to Takeda’s room.

Oh, before I forget. “Thank you, Satori.”

“No, thank you, Shin. You’re the one who promised me a favor after all.”