Three Spheres

Chapter 22 - Curse

Amadeo hides behind a tree, watching the "woman" tear down the researchers' tents. "Shitanaga uba*. This one is rare. And she said "home"? What if...?". Suddenly, his thoughts are interrupted by a damp sensation around his neck. The air no longer enters or leaves and Amadeo struggles in panic. Pulling out the small knife he was carrying in his belt, he cuts the rough tongue and breaks free. The creature's cry scares the birds around. Amadeo runs between the trees.

_ You filthy boy!!! Did the Nomori fail to scare you? That useless snake... Come here, boy... Come here...

Amadeo takes a deep breath, remaining as quiet as possible in his hiding place. "Shitanaga uba. She eats people with her huge tongue and controls other creatures to do the dirty work. She lives in abandoned huts... Shit", he slaps his own face, frustrated: "She was probably living in the ruins and we disturbed her. But why did she just appear now?"; in that instant Amadeo remembers what Fumio had said: "All I did today was study stones and help with the purification ritual on the ruins...".

_ Ah... Dang it!! That was it, then. _ Amadeo whispers to himself.

After a sigh, he concludes the reasoning: "She's a spectral and rational creature, so she will nullify any magic I cast at her... In this case, I need to force her to stay in her physical state and then...", he rummages in his pockets taking the dagger again, while listening to the hoarse voice of the old woman calling to him. Keeping his voice low, he creates a small weapon creation portal, through which he crosses the dagger. At the other end, a bifurcated "manji sai" appears.

_ I found you!

Amadeo looks up, facing the woman upside down in the tree. He leaves the weapon and runs. The winding tongue chases him, fast. He climbs a tree quickly, but soon returns to the ground. The woman slowly approaches... Amadeo continues to evade the attacks, while forcing her to embrace the trunks.

_ Do you think you can trick me, boy...? Poor little thing...

Amadeo doesn't answer and smiles, extending his arm for the tongue to strangle it. With a strong movement, he pulls down, causing the Shitanaga uba to release a few more meters of her tongue, already repositioning himself. Amadeo's arm becomes increasingly dark and necrotic. He continues to smile.

_ Filthy little child... I'll devour you...!

_ Sorry, but I'll have to refuse. _ With those words, he pulls the "sai" he had conjured, but it is only half of it _ Let's get this over with, 'kay?

He touches her tongue with the weapon, without piercing it and, with a nod, he makes the other half, that was laying on the ground, fly at high speed towards him. However, it pierces the Fabulare's chest.

_ This won't kill me! _ Shitanaga uba growls, while running towards the boy.

_ I know, but this will...!

Pronouncing ancient words, Amadeo creates an electric current only between the two halves of his "sai". The merciless bolts pass through the creature's body, burning it from inside out. Moments later, the energy stops. The tongue loosens its tourniquet and Amadeo frees his cyanotic arm.

_ Ah, that hurt a lot! _ He rips a part of the sleeve of his shirt and uses it as bandages around the lesions, while approaching the woman _ Shitanaga uba, I'm sorry we invaded your house.

The body continues to agonize, the tongue twitches, and she grunts...

_ But I'll have to eliminate you, okay? You eat people, ya'know. I can't let you free to...

He is interrupted by a rough slap of the reactive tongue. He feels his cheek burn.

_ Don't ... k-kill... human... disgusting... _ The woman mumbles, trying to drag herself away.