1 - Awake

“So are you going to tell me where we are going?” she asked.

He didn’t answer, continuing on through the coniferous woods.

“Answer me, you Katichei.” she asked again.

He stopped and looked at the girl following him.

“Don’t call me that.” he whispered.

“It’s true though. You're nothing but a Katichei, and I am a Caure. You have to deal with it.” she said mockingly

“Shut up then, Caure” he said, looking away, and continuing on.

He pulled his Bear Pelt coat together, fighting the cold from the dark night. Under it was a leather shirt made of hide, the stitches made of red painted fibres, not trying to hide themselves. His pants followed the same design. His belt held gourds, a leather sac, and a sword that sat in a leather sheathe.

She wore a hide jacket, its black and white telling of the animal it came from. She wore a skirt, reaching past her knees. She was unbothered by the night, unlike Katichei was.

“Come on tell me. I know you felt it last night. That pulse, tormenting your Spirit. Are you going to find a Priest?” Caure asked, whispering in Katichei’s ear.

“Do you remember the closest village around here?” Katichei asked, pulling away from Caure.

“Should I remember?” Caure asked.

“Do you really need me to remind you?” Katichei asked.

“No, I have it. Ugnika.” Caure said.

“Kohotseka. Wrong village, wrong band.” Katichei answered.

“So not our distant cousins. How did I get them backwards?” Caure asked herself.

“Because you are so busy annoying me.” Katichei said.

As they walked by a particularly large conifer, a necklace with a rabbit foot’s that was wrapped around Katichei’s neck got caught in the tree.

“Oh, don’t let the tree steal it away.” Caure said with malice hiding in her voice.

“Shut up.” Katichei said, pulling his necklace from the tree.

“I don’t want to hear you say anything else until we get to the village.” Katichei said.

Hours had passed, and the two reached the edge of a cliff. They looked down seeing a river. a village sitting around it, a bridge connecting both sides. The campfires were lit during the middle of the night.

“Yapatio. The river is flooded.” Caure said.

“And the Kohotseka villagers are still awake. I wonder if it’s a weather thing.” Katichei said.

“It’s gourd season. Can’t wait to eat pumpkin bread. What village did we find those?” Caure asked.

“You just ate not that long ago. I don’t remember the city, but it was Akida controlled. They’ve been coming more eastern.” Katichei said.

“I know that.” Caure said.

“Did you? You don’t remember names at all.” Katichei said.

“Blah, blah, blah.” Caure whispered.

Katichei walked down the path off the cliff. Heading towards the village. Caure watched him for a few seconds, before catching up and following. When they reached the village they found a Priest, wearing clothes adorning the Sun’s image. Akida, soldiers wearing heavy leather armour, with copper rings covering their limbs, adorning swords. The villagers surrounded them. The Priest was talking, giving a speech.

“Welp, I hate this place now.” Caure said.

“Shut up, I can’t hear.” Katichei said.

“Our weapons, our techniques can bring your people into a new age. One where we don’t need to live in the grace of heroes. Whether the Hero Without Mercy, The Hero Twins, or even the last Hero before us, Cloaked In Shadows. We need to-” The Priest rambled.

“Can we get something to eat?” Caure asked, catching Katichei’s attention.

“Shut up.” Katichei said loudly.

“You there, are you interested in Spirit Contracting? The procedure is quite simple.” the Priest asked, looking at Katichei.

The villagers looked to Katichei.

Katichei lifted his hand, showing off a Blue symbol of the Moon.

“Ah, a Spirit related to the Underwater Realm. Good choice. I am partial to the Sun, but times are changing.” the Priest said.

“Are you just forcing these people awake in the middle of the night?” Katichei asked.

“No, of course not.” The Priest said.

Katichei looked at him unconvinced.

“Let’s get food.” Caure said.

“Come we can set you and your compatriots up in a lodge for the night, please let’s continue tomorrow.” A man wearing a feather headdress said, walking up to the Priest.

Katichei looked away, seeing a Spirit roaming the empty streets of the village.

“Caure, let’s go.” Katichei whispered, heading towards where the Spirit was.

“As long as I can get something to eat.” Caure said, following after.

Katichei followed after the Spirit as it crossed over the bridge atop the river. It creaked under Katichei’s weight. He slowed down, and walked sneakily.

“It’s not going to break under your weight.” Caure said, walking past.

“You don’t know that.” Katichei said.

The Spirit stopped and looked at Caure and Katichei. Caure stepped closer and reached toward it, causing it to flee.

“It doesn’t like me.” Caure said.

That makes two of us.” Katichei said, walking past Caure.

They continued to follow the Spirit reaching a temple. It entered, leaving Katichei and Caure outside the doors.

“Of course it would go somewhere like this.” Caure said.

Katichei ignored Caure, opening the door, and looking in cautiously, seeing nothing but darkness.

“Why are we being cautious? Why are you even chasing a Spirit?” Caure asked.

“Can you shut up and follow?” Katichei asked.

“No.”Caure said, walking past Katichei into the temple.

“Hey.” Katichei said, annoyed.

Caure walked into the dark, and Katichei followed. Katichei held out his hand, letting Spirit gather above his palm. It emitted a blue light breaking through the darkness. They came across a woman, sitting on the ground. Her eyes were open, but nothing was there. Blood covered her clothes, a wolf pelt over her back, and wolf claws in between her fingers. Her jaw was torn, and wolf fangs pinned into her gums.

“That’s grotesque.” Caure said.

Katichei walked to the woman and placed a finger on her neck.

“She is still alive. You want to take a guess about what happened?” Katichei asked.

“Same as always, the Akida.” Caure answered.

The Spirit from before appeared from behind the woman. It grabbed the woman’s and gripped the claws. It slashed at Katichei. He dodged by leaping back. The next time he looked at the woman, she was standing, covered in dark fur.

“A shapeshifter? Hostile as well. I wonder what you will do.” Caure said getting out of the way.

“Stop stating the obvious, and shut up.” Katichei said.

“Say anything besides shut up.” Caure said.

“No.” Katichei responded.

The woman, now a man-wolf stood tall, it fell onto its four limbs.

“My Katichei, don’t even think about it, just kill her already.” Caure said.

Katichei looked to Caure, as the Man-Wolf lunged at Katichei.

“Sorry, but I’d rather save who I can.” Katichei said, dodging the Man-Wolf.

“It’s your worst quality.” Caure threw in.

Spirit surrounded Katichei, emitting a blue light. The Man-Wolf swung at Katichei, he ducked and slammed his palm into the Man-Wolf’s chest, knocking it back. Katichei quickly grabbed his sword’s handle, ready to pull it out.

“You should flee.” The Priest from before said, walking next to Katichei.

The Akida followed, getting behind Katichei. The Man-Wolf looked at the Akida, and then the Priest, it got onto all fours, but didn’t move.

“Don’t get in my way.” Katichei said, looking back to see the Akida.

The Village Chief stood at the door of the temple.

“Matciteehiaahteehamaani. I pray to you Creator, save this woman's soul.” the Priest said, holding out his hand.

“Her?” Caure asked, looking at the Priest.

A circle of Spirit surrounded the Man-Wolf, burning it. It yowled out, as the fire burnt the fur, fangs, and claws away, returning the woman. She fell onto the ground. The Priest ran to her, and checked on her.

“Thank goodness. It seems I got here at the right time.” the Priest said.

Katichei walked over to Caure. They exchanged a quick glance.

“Well you guys have it here. I’m gonna go.” Katichei said.

“Wait. Are you a Hero? From before?” the Priest asked.

Katichei didn’t answer, he only left the temple. Caure looked at the woman, before following after. The two left the village, and set up a camp on a nearby hill. Katichei looked into the village seeing the Akida and Priest.

“Tomorrow you're gonna see a medicine man. Then we are leaving.” Caure said.

“Why are you heartless?” Katichei asked.

“Because of you. Besides the point, do you really want to start a fight against the Akida?” Caure asked.

“If someone needs help, then yes.” Katichei said.

“You and your old Heroicisms. I forget you were a Hero first, Sinner second.” Caure said, laying down.

“See you at dawn.” Katichei said.