2 - Kohotseka Village

Katichei found himself in darkness. Around him was the sound of a heartbeat. He looked around.

“I am going to assume a Spirit is wanting to torment me. So can we ditch the subtlety here, and just let me know whatever you want.” Katichei said.

White light surrounded Katichei. He breathed slowly, smiling slightly, before another heartbeat. He opened his eyes, showing rage.

“Go away. Like I would ever accept that.” Katichei said, loudly

Caure woke up hearing Katichei muttering. She sat up, and looked around, seeing Katichei sleeping. She stood up, and walked to him.

“Wake up.” she said.

Katichei didn’t move. Caure got over her and plopped down onto his lap. Katichei sat up immediately.

“Ow.” he said loudly.

“Wake up.” Caure said, hugging Katichei.

“I am up.” Katichei said.

Katichei grabbed Caure’s hips, and pushed her off. She landed on her back, staring at the sky.

“I am hungry, get me food.” Caure said, not getting up.

“Find your own food.” Katichei said, getting onto his feet.

“So I guess we are going to spend the day apart?” Caure asked.

“Yep, you find food. I’ll find whatever keeps drawing me.” Katichei said.

Katichei walked over to the edge of the hill, seeing the villagers groggily moving about their morning. Katichei left, and headed into the village. Caure looked at the blue sky.

“Nkakxi’di kiya ni, ekan nkapi xo wo?” Caure whispered.

She stood up, following after Katichei.

Katichei walked into the village. The air was crisp, and Katichei took a moment to absorb it. He walked past several villagers who were wearing heavy clothes and pelts. He walked next to a vendor who was selling baked pastry. Katichei grabbed a pastry and bit into it.

“I would not have guessed a pawpaw flavoured bread.” Katichei whispered.

Katichei reached the temple. He opened the doors, and walked in, seeing the stained remnants from last night. There was a Kohotseka Priest trying to sweep away dark stains.

“Hey yicwe’hi’wi, I ne-.” Katichei started.

“I am busy. What did you call me?” the Kohotseka Priest asked, cutting off Katichei.

“Medicine Man.” Katichei answered.

“Oh yes, my job. What do you need?” the Kohotseka Priest asked.

“Why don’t you tell me? I have no clue, except I keep hearing people's heartbeats in my sleep.” Katichei said.

“Do you sleep with someone?” the Kohotseka Priest asked.

“Yes.” Katichei answered.

“That settles it, you’re hearing their heartbeat.” the Kohotseka priest said.

“Do your job, you tontaunette.” Katichei said.

“I don’t speak that language.” the Kohotseka priest said.

“Just give me a ritual. Cleanse my Spirit or something.” Katichei said.

The Kohotseka Priest threw the broom on the ground and walked away.

“Taking orders from a forsaken random boy. Are you coming?” the Kohotseka Priest complained, then asked.

Katichei followed after the Kohotseka Priest.

Caure walked through the village. She came next to a vendor who was selling baked pastry, she grabbed a pastry and bit into it.

“I love pawpaw.” Caure whispered, as she walked down the street.

She looked between the villagers, and the sky, not keeping her attention anywhere. She finished off the pastry.

“Where oh where am I going to find food?” Caure asked.

She looked down seeing the Spirit from last night. It walked through the street with ease. Caure smiled, and followed after. The Spirit walked a path leading down towards the water. Small tents were set up near the water. The Spirit walked into one. Caure reached the tent, and peered in. The Shapeshifter from last night was lying on the ground. She was awake, but she was breathing slowly.

“How are you holding up?” the Spirit asked the woman.

“Just kill me, ‘Yo.” the woman said.

“I can’t do that pet. Not until the Akida are done can we go back on our adventures. I promise Ispifa, the pain will come to an end, and we will be together again, with no one in our way.” The Spirit, ‘Yo said.

Caure walked in, and looked at the woman Ispifa, seeing the fangs, claws, and wolf pelt all stabbed into her body and gums. The Akida Priest walked in, holding a plate, not noticing Caure. He set the plate down in front of Ispifa, raw meat.

“Eat wolf.” the Akida Priest commanded.

Ispifa looked at the meat, and sniffed it, then at the Priest with disdain.

“You’re lucky I am even feeding you after last night’s mess.” the Akida Priest said.

“What mess? You didn’t even give us enough time to do anything.” ‘Yo said.

“That’s because I saw that stupid boy heading your way. It’s odd, it seems like he was actually following you.” the Akida Priest said.

“The boy, no, he only saw Ispifa.” ‘Yo said.

Caure walked and grabbed the meat from the plate and started eating it. ‘Yo looked at Caure.

“What?” the Akida Priest asked, trying to track ‘Yo’s eyes, but finding nothing.

“There is a-, what are you?” ‘Yo asked Caure.

“Explain?” the Akida Priest asked.

“She is eating the meat.” ‘Yo said.

The Akida Priest looked at the plate, seeing the meat gone. Ispifa looked up trying to see Caure.

“Creator grant me waapinkosita sakisaapiinkwion.” the Akida Priest said, before blinking.

He looked at Caure.

“Are-, are you dead?” the Akida Priest asked.

"Looks like my cover has been blown, but so has yours. What will the villagers think when they learn you are sending a Shapeshifter to attack its village, all to sell them your ideology?” Caure asked.

“How are you going to tell them?” ‘Yo asked, walking in front of Caure.

“Are you underestimating me?” Caure asked.

“Yes, you are nothing but a woman's Soul, you aren’t a Spirit. You can’t talk to anyone, nor really affect anything.” ‘Yo said.

“Seems like you’ve been around a while, long enough to understand the differences between Ghosts and Spirits. That’s neat.” Caure said.

She took a deep breath, then ran out the tent.

“Kill her.” the Akida Priest said.

“Kill her? She is already dead.” ‘Yo said chasing after Caure.