Aberration

Chapter 28: Moonlit Sea

Night had come with a swollen moon, dark with the chirps of crickets and the flutter of silent moths. Inari had retired to her room while Ami and Yukimura sat on the stone steps of the Kagami estate. The trees swayed with the wind, casting a lukewarm chill through the pair. "Are you feeling alright enough to stay, Senpai?"
    "Yeah. I'm good. I don't have much spirit energy, but thanks to Kimi, I'm strong enough to fight with my spear for a while. Plus, I always have my famliars." He chimed with a smile, wrapped cozily in a kimono. "Hey, Ami?" He asked quietly, "Do you ever get scared?" She pursed her lips but gently said, "Yeah! I'm anxious all the time. Before Yoko redesigned my body, I used to sweat buckets from my anxiety. Kids used to make fun of me for the pit stains or... smell... you know. A-Anyways, why do you ask?"
    "Whenever you're in the face of danger, you never seem to run away. When we first met Inari, you managed to stay while I tried to run away. When you fought Raiyu, even if you knew you were going to lose, you still kept fighting up until Arash came."
-"Well, I guess I just feel like I should do what I can to help. I was given a second chance at life, so I don't want to use it selfishly. I guess."
-"That's a sweet sentiment, but that life you were given is only temporary. They're going to execute you once they feel you've used up your usefulness."
-"I-I know, but... if it weren't for The Church, I would have died alongside my parents. Even if it's borrowed time, I should use it to make sure no one else is put into my position. Heh."
-"Is that so...? Alright. In other words, you agreed to become an Exorcist because you were going to be killed off anyway, but at least this way you get some extra time to have a life."
-"Well, why did you become an Exorcist?" Yukimura cradled his spear, tilting his head towards the moon. "There is someone that I love." Starry-eyed, Ami leaned forward at the edge of her seat. "That's so cool! You're like a vintage manga hero fighting through the desert to find his love!"
-"She passed away some time ago."
-"O-Oh... I'm so sorry to hear that."
-"My sister, Chihiro. I don't wanna get specific, but it's been a goal of mine to get strong enough to..." He paused for a moment, biting his bottom lip: "To get strong enough for her sake."
-"You and I aren't too different then, right? I know what I said my goal was, but I also still want to make my parents proud." Yukimura smiled shallowly, "Yeah. I guess you're right, Ami."

•••

Within the closed doors of the temple chamber were two souls, sitting with crossed legs and closed hands. As expected of a meditative trance, their eyes were closed, and their breathing was slow and regulated to the sound of a singing bowl being struck every once and again by a tentative Kimi.

The priestess held her hands loosely on top of each other in a relaxed, yet sturdy position. Both palms faced upwards, the right on top of the left, and didn't move even slightly when she breathed in and out with long, deep motions. This was a meditative Mudra called bhairava that created a balanced flow of energy throughout her body as she meditated, bringing the flow of her chakras into a steady stream. Her clothing radiated with the sense of ritualistic usage; it was the standard attire of a shrine maiden preparing a ceremonial dance for the spirits and gods: a red pair of loose pants called hibakama that appeared baggy throughout their length, but stopped short just above her feet. They were quite obviously fit for her body, just like the white chihaya (a long-sleeve shirt reminiscent of a martial arts gi with drooping sleeves) that supported her bust while still tightening itself around her stomach and waist just enough to feel snug without constricting her movements.

Exactly two feet away, facing the same wall, and sitting in a similar position was Arash: still, but not stiff; relaxed, but not slobbish; focused, and yet completely calm. He too held his hands in a Mudra, though a different one from Shiho's. Arash's fingers were closely together, holding each hand by their fingertips in a position called Ganesha, used to clear the mind of all obstacles and stress. He didn't wear the traditional garbs of a shrine maiden or priestess, and instead wore the traditional garbs of a Shaltish ceremonial dancer: a Badlah. The outfit seen by belly dancers, fully equipped with an exposed midriff, a veil over his nose and mouth, both bracelets and anklets, and a shimmering dress. It wasn't quite something he preferred to wear, but just like Shiho's clothing, this attire was for the sake of tradition.