The Four Wheel Saga Book 1: THE LEGACY TRIALS

Chapter 10: Fish Out of Water 4

Illumi: “What is a monster like him, teaching in the Daigaku? I am grateful that he saved our lives, but I am horrified that he is allowed in our midst.”

Akako: “Hold your tongue, Illumi. He’s our teacher. Warriors live to kill, and to die. Isn't that something from the warrior code? Who cares about the number of lives taken? I’m sure all our elders who have been in the military, have killed a few. That is an undeniable truth. And who believes in curses these days?”

Kafu wanted to offer a rebuttal, but Daigo spoke over him.

Daigo: “Nonsense. Demons and curses don’t exist. Warriors have to fight with blades and kitsu. And in dire situations, with their bare hands. The weak will perish and the strong will live on. But I am curious to know, Shigeo- where do you think Keiji-sensei’s powers come from? I am outright sure that you have a theory.”

Nadeko: “Tell us, please!”

Shigeo: “I do have a theory. Ginko-sensei, in an appendix to the book, mentioned rare humans, born during a certain alignment of the stars, who, when awakened, gain passage to a transitional world between ours and Meido. Mugen-sekai, the world without an end. It is said to be brimming with kokyu- mugen, the anti-matter. And those cursed with the affliction, can do incredible feats without kitsu.”

Chiyo: “But how does it work? Those lamias exploded as he touched them. And, beyond doubt, he ran on water.”

Shigeo: “That was not explained in the book. Ginko sensei himself, never met a mugen user. It is rumored that there are, at best, five mugen users in the entire continent of Kinheni.”

Akako: “That sounds fascinating. Does that mean- Kento can be a mugen user as well?”

Shigeo: “Unfortunately, we have no way to know. Four out of ten children are kitsu-blind. But, mugen users are rare- perhaps, one in a hundred thousand people. And most of the cursed ones never awaken their abilities. Those who do, live very short lives. Mugen is corrosive to the human soul, writes Ginko-sensei. It is not malleable energy like kitsu, but a miasma that undoes matter. Imagine what it does to the soul. Now I have to disclaim, that all of this is my speculation, based on Ginko-sensei’s work.”

Kafu had a vein throbbing on his forehead. He finally broke character and voiced his opinion.

Kafu: “Ginko was a fool who did not believe in the goddess.”

The priest was speaking from his knowledge of history. Ogino Ginko had been incarcerated for his scepticism of the goddess Shibai Sharin. He wrote books and preached discourses that the goddess was an imaginary figure, a monogram of the temple, concocted to establish its authority over the people. Sadly, Ginko was dragged through the streets, beaten and then sent to the temple to be subjected to an exorcism. The priests claimed demons possessed him. The scholar spent his last days in captivity, starving, diseased, and in the end, lost his mind. It was reported that he died of the white death. But, nobody could affirm what really happened to him. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

The group went silent. While teenagers were sceptical of the existence of gods and goddesses, they had been instructed since they were old enough to understand, to not speak against the Shibai Sharin for fear of retribution from the priests. There were no stories as tragic as Ginko’s, but there were cases of how violators disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Shibai Sharin was the centre of civilisation in Kinheni. And particularly in Karasuma, she was revered and feared. Religion and politics had mixed amicably. Even the Overlord and the other kin-lords paid a weekly visit to the temple.

The forest cover parted, and the canoes entered a creek segment, which expanded on either side to form a vast circular bank. About half a mile onwards, the circle closed to create a linear stream again. About two dozen floating houses were anchored to the banks, away from the creek current. It served as the home of the Wajin tribe, which Karasuma governed. The village-nation’s territory extended to any land touching the three rivers- Reisui, Mizusashi and Kurosashi. There were several other tribes and communities interspersed throughout the plains and marshes.

The preceptor and sub-squad canoes closed in from both ends.

Yuuki: “It's late afternoon- the sun will set soon. It is ill-advised to sail in these parts after dark. We will be staying as guests here, for the night.”

The aspirants anticipated a night halt, but the location of their temporary sanctuary was entirely unexpected. The Wajin tribe was not a very friendly group. They had frequent tussles with the Kin- Council (the assembly of kin-lords) and the Hyougi (members of the Village High Council) over mining and forest rights.

The foundation of the floating houses was made of hollow logs, and the entire structures were tethered to the bank with oiled, hemp rope. The larger ones had ambulatory space around the houses for clothes-lines, children to play, and lounges. The Wajin people peeked at the outsiders- from their windows, open doors and sun-decks. They wore necklaces made from claws and colourful dresses with headbands made of feather. Some painted their faces. It was a new experience for someone like Kento, who had had restrictions on travelling since he was a child, on account of being the heir to the Overlord.

They drifted towards the house that was the largest and most elaborate, with a small tower and seemingly twenty or more rooms. The enormous weight of such a large establishment was evidently displaced with kitsu. Dahlias and fire lilies grew in vases on the gyre that surrounded it. Glade vines

hung down like streamers from the roof. Children frolicked around, engaged in games; women and men went about their daily chores. A few aged people rested in the sun on bamboo chairs.

Akako: “Whose house is this?”

Keiji: “You will realise that soon.”

A small dock house adjoined the main building. It harboured all the sailing vessels. As the canoes approached, two men with painted faces and the Wajin attire approached and bowed. They proceeded to help them tie-up, and come onboard the floating house. One of the men pointed to a boy standing on the dock house path, which led to the main building.

Man 1: “The young master has a message for you from Lord Hakaku.”

Shigeo: “This is Hakaku Yamazaki’s place? The Chief Strategist-Economist of Karasuma ?”

Keiji: “And we are lucky to have been granted a night’s stay.”

The sailing party approached the boy referred to as ‘the young master’. The latter bowed courteously to the preceptors. He had his face painted as well- a beeline of black dots, with a white line running down the middle of his face. He seemed to be the same age as Kento and Akako.

Boy: “I have come to welcome you on behalf of Lord Hakaku Yamazaki. He is waiting for you in his reading room.”

Yuuki: “We are grateful. And who might you be, child?”

Boy: “I am Uzziah Yamazaki.“