Escape to Tokyo

Satori continued to weave through Shin’s punches without breaking a sweat. In fact, Shin was the one sweating. The mix of the pain he was feeling and his relentless attacks made him grow exhausted. And when Satori saw an opening, they didn’t let it slip past them.

As soon as Shin slowed down, Satori swung at Shin with one of their daggers. Shin noticed it and started to unleash a burst of mana. However, Satori knew he would do that. That’s why they said, “Barrier,” as the blade approached Shin’s face.

A veil of wind surrounded the dagger, not only shielding the weapon and Satori from Shin’s mana, but also allowing the blade to still approach Shin. It was seconds away from piercing his peachy skin when a green flash wedged itself between the two. It was so sudden that the dagger got knocked out of Satori’s hand, dropping onto the floor.

“What the hell are you doing here, Satori?” Takeda asked while standing in front of Shin. His green mana was emanating from the short sword in his hand.

“What do you mean, Taku?” Satori sounded playful in contrast to Takeda’s strict and serious voice. “I’m here to kill you guys, obviously. Well… except for one.”

“It’s Shin, isn’t it?” Takeda asked as he reached into his pocket to grab two of his talismans. When he did, Satori hastily took two steps back.

“Bingo, you’re correct, Taku. The next million-dollar question is, who sent me?”

Takeda dropped one of his talismans, faced down on the floor as he answered. “It has to be Nurarihyon since you’re trying to stop us from getting to Tokyo.”

Satori smiled before they ran at him. “Correct!” Satori stopped one step before reaching the talisman, imbuing mana into their dagger and throwing it at Takeda. “Would you like to know why?”

Takeda saw that Shin was directly behind him, and if he dodged, then Shin’s skull would be pierced. So instead of dodging, Takeda used the talisman in his hand to transform his suit into a black kimono. Not only did the kimono protect him to an extent, but it also bolstered his physical capabilities, making it possible for Takeda to deflect the blade into the air.

As the dagger twirled in the air, Takeda said, “I already know why. And you know I know, too, since you can read my mind, you yokai!”

Shin looked up at Takeda’s back, confused by his words. “What do you mean they’re a yokai? I thought a yokai couldn’t be an Onmyoji.”

“Normally, they can’t. However, smarter and stronger yokai can use magic just like us. Then, if they’re able to look human and go undetected, could you even tell the difference between the two?” Shin’s silence served as an answer for Takeda. “That’s what you did, didn’t you, Satori?”

“You’re a hundred percent right so far, Taku. But did you know that General Hyon is a yokai, too?” Satori asked as they pulled out a talisman. They imbued purple mana into it to replace their clothes with a black kimono like the one Takeda was wearing.

“Yes, I know he’s Nurarihyon. I knew after I saw Isamu and Kurea dead without him there.”

Hearing that made Shin’s jaw drop. What do you mean that the old man is the one starting a war? Shin gazed up at Takeda’s unwavering back once more. Well, Takeda is the one saying it, so it must be true.

Shin recovered his strength after briefly standing behind Takeda and was about to use his mana again, but Takeda stopped him. “Shin, this isn’t your battle. You need to run to Tokyo with the others to stop the war, like the Hakutaku said you would.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll hold off, Satori.” However, before Shin could run, Satori mouthed a spell, erecting a wall of sharp winds in front of him.

“Sorry, Shin, you can’t go anywhere. Hyon told me to take you back alive, plus I haven’t changed yet.” Satori said this as their body grew larger and their skin began to get covered in hair. They had the tail of a monkey as they resembled a ginormous ape. “Aren’t I adorable?”

“Shin, take Yukimura and run into the well. Hurry!” Shin could hear Takeda’s seriousness in his voice.

I need to be as fast as possible, Shin thought to himself. When that thought formed, his crimson mana wrapped around his legs. He ran into the wall like Takeda advised, with blinding speed from the mana within his legs.

Shin was able to reach his group within seconds, but he didn’t say a word to them other than: “Retreat!”

“What about Takeda?” Hinako asked. She looked at Shin when she did, and saw Yukimura already in his arms. In response, Hinako chased after him and her patient, and Rentarou followed behind her.

The four individuals ran straight into the well of returning, and when they did, Takeda smiled before turning back to Satori. I’m glad to see they made it out. Now, time to deal with the nuisance in front of me.