Chương 83: Chapter XXII Verse I — The Ritual's Preparation

Umiginu turned to Galan, her eyes filled with a desperate hope.

"What do you require to summon my sister?"

"Her belongings," Galan said.

"Things she was attached to. Things she made, gifts she received." Umiginu looked at the coffin. The hair comb Father carved for her is already inside. She turned to Tadamaru.

"Bring me her medicine mortar and the book of pressed flowers from her bedside. Be gentle." Tadamaru nodded nervously and scampered off into the shadows. Umiginu then raised her voice to the gathering.

"If any of you have anything she gifted to you, please place it near the hearth. We need them to call her home." Slowly, a stream of yookai began to move, approaching the stage with items held like sacred relics. Sawako and her daughter, Mizuki, stepped forward, clutching the toys Asaka had given her.

"Don't you dare try to trick us," Sawako hissed at Galan.

"If you harm her soul, I will drown you in the deepest mud of the riverbed myself." Galan chuckled.

"It's okay, I'm a professional. Everything will be fine."

"Will I be able to talk to Asaka again?" Mizuki asked, her eyes wide.

"Of course." Galan nodded.

"But think of your questions now. We won't have much time later."

"Understood!" Mizuki pumped her fist. She moved to the platform, carefully placing her toys among the other offerings. As she stepped back, Umiginu turned her gaze toward Galan.

"Is that all you need?"

"I'd rather wait for more trinkets. But while we wait, can I ask some questions?"

"Of course." Umiginu coiled onto herself.

"What is it that you wish to know?" Galan swiped his finger, summoning a regal, crimson velvet chair from his divine vault, and sat on it. The crowd murmured in awe.

"First, how did Tadamaru contain his hatred for humans?"

"Did you expect him to be just like the vengeful yookai in the stories?" Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Yeah. A kid like him with nothing left to lose? Dying while fighting humans sounds like a good death for your kind, or so I understand you Japanese people."

"Is that so?" Umiginu took some time to gather her thoughts before she spoke.

"When I first gathered the survivors here, they were exactly as you described. Broken blades seeking a final death. I had to show them that the greatest vengeance against a world that wants you dead… is to survive. To thrive. To build a home where they cannot reach you. It took years. I shared my own food until I was faint with hunger to prove we were a family."

"And Tadamaru?"

"He listened," Umiginu said.

"He learned his life has value beyond being a weapon. He holds his anger like a coal in a brazier—used to warm his resolve, not to burn down his home."

"But didn't he try to get the ghosts' attention?" Galan asked.

"Told me he wanted to hire them." Umiginu's eyes widened.

"He did?" She looked down, troubled.

"I shall speak to him of this."

"Don't be too hard on him," Galan said.

"The boy's just trying to set things right. I admire that."

"I will keep that in mind." More yookai came forward, placing small, heartfelt offerings: a hand-carved bird, a woven bracelet, and a pouch of fragrant herbs. Umiginu watched, her heart swelling with bittersweet warmth. Galan watched the procession as well. She still matters so much to them… he thought, staring at the small, handmade offerings being placed near the hearth. Seeing them mourn so openly, he couldn't help but think of the closure he'd denied his own family back home.

Maybe I should've let the others grieve for her as well… He shook the thoughts away. But now's not the time.

"By the way, how long have you been running this place?"

"Ten winters," Umiginu replied, her gaze distant.

"Before that, there was no village. Only scattered survivors. I gathered them, family by family. I had to teach the oni to use their strength to build and the kappa that the river belonged to everyone. It was Asaka's way that guided me. She saw the heart in everyone. I simply tried to build a village worthy of her memory."

"My kids are like that too," Galan mused.

"I raised them to see others as people first, not as humans or yookai." Intriguing… perhaps he can repair the deep wounds within our country after all, Umiginu thought. Tadamaru returned, carrying the mortar and the book of pressed leaves.

"I have brought them, Great Elder!"

"Thank you, Tadamaru," Umiginu said, her voice turning stern.

"When this is over, I wish to speak with you. Alone." Tadamaru froze, a mask of pure terror on his face. Is she about to scold me for bringing him here? Seeing his panic, Umiginu softened.

"I will not yell at you. Your heart is true, and your actions have been brave. I merely wish to talk." Relief washed over Tadamaru so powerfully his legs almost buckled. He handed over the items, which Umiginu placed with the others.

"The rest are taking their time," Galan noted, looking at the thin crowd.

"Perhaps some are not willing to watch a soul be forced back to interact with the living," Umiginu said.

"Yeah, that makes sense." Galan rose, unsummoning his chair.

"Umi. I wish to confirm the state of your sister's body while we wait. Would you let me?" Umiginu showed a weak smile.

"Of course."