Chapter 22: The Shadow Territory

The group took in the words in silence.

Mozir was the first to react.

-What? How can they do something like that?

-It can't be true -said Yuzo, still not fully believing it.

-I couldn't stand not having any memories -Naiden murmured.

Eldren looked at all of them.

-Is that actually possible?

Renir turned to the hooded figure.

-Who wipes your memories? And why?

The hooded figure took a moment.

-I don't know why. The only fixed memory I have is serving the will of the leader.

Joshido looked at him.

-Then you're going to lead us to the Shadow Territory.

-No.

Joshido didn't push with words.

The metallic blades came out from his wrists slowly. His presence climbed, dense, unhurried.

The hooded figure looked at him for a moment.

This presence...

Something in his expression shifted.

-A-alright -he said, nervous-. I'll take you there.

They started walking through the trees with the hooded figure up front.

On the outside he looked calm. But on the inside it was a different story.

I need to find the right moment and get out of here. I just need one opening.

Heliya spoke without looking at him.

-I hope you're not thinking about running.

The hooded figure stopped for a second.

-I don't know what you're talking about.

-My stellar ability is telepathy -said Heliya calmly-. I can hear what others are thinking.

The hooded figure didn't respond.

But the nervousness showed.

Joshido glanced at him sideways.

-If I were you I'd take Heliya's advice. For your own good.

Yuzo walked in silence, but his mind was somewhere else.

I get that they want to scare him into staying in line. But... is that really the right way?

I guess sometimes there's no other choice.

They kept walking.

Eldren moved closer to the hooded figure.

-What's the Shadow Territory like?

The hooded figure walked a few steps before answering.

-I'm not telling you anything about that. The only thing I'll say is that when we get close... you'll know. And they'll already be waiting for us.

-How will they know we're close? -said Renir.

The hooded figure answered without looking back.

-The leader knows everything. There's nothing that happens on Mount Tanjō that slips past him. There are shadows everywhere... and in every shadow there's a chance one of ours is watching.

Naiden looked at him.

-So there's a chance they're watching us right now?

-Yes.

Short. Nothing more.

Mozir frowned.

-We need to stay alert in case they decide to attack.

-I don't think that's going to happen -said Yuzo-. If they'd wanted to they would have already. I think they're curious about us. And if it's true that the leader knows everything... then all of this was planned from the start.

The hooded figure let out a small laugh.

-Finally someone intelligent.

Eldren looked at everyone.

-Wouldn't it be better to just forget this and keep going our own way?

-No -said Joshido.

A brief pause.

-I don't care if it's a trap. We're going in anyway. I'm not letting them claim our home.

After a long while of walking, the hooded figure stopped.

-I told you. They know we're close.

Heliya didn't need to look for them. She picked them up right away.

Up in the trees. Behind the trunks. In the grass.

There were several. Still. Waiting.

Eldren felt the weight of it.

-I don't like this. They're waiting for the right moment to come after us. We're their prey.

Before anyone else could speak, Joshido said:

-Act like you don't see them. It's a lot easier if you just ignore them.

Yuzo processed that quietly.

Ignore them? That doesn't seem like the best idea right now, brother.

-Thank you for coming with me this far.

Joshido moved to grab him before he could go.

But another hooded figure appeared out of nowhere, stepping between them and pulling everyone's attention for just a second.

That was enough.

When Joshido looked back, the hooded figure was gone.

I knew it.

-I can't believe it -said Renir-. He got away. Now what?

-What if we attack them? -said Mozir.

-We keep going -said Joshido-. We're walking into their territory. They should already be expecting us.

They kept walking.

It didn't take long.

They stopped in front of a dark opening in the rock. A cave that seemed to swallow the light before it could get in.

-Is this the place? -Naiden asked.

Two hooded figures emerged from the darkness of the entrance.

-Welcome to the Shadow Territory -they said-. We've been expecting you.

Joshido looked at them.

-Good. Take us to your leader.