The Last Elementalist

Part 15 - Inochi no ki

Yuri's second birthday came around the corner. A year ago now, he started training to gain control over his kekkei genkai and his emotions. It was going fairly well, momentarily he was training with his uncle Yuka who taught him how to transfer the soul of dead person into 'Inochi no ki' the tree of life. It's a way to store away the wisdom of the clan and in a way, to keep their spirits alive. This way, you never truly have to say goodbye to your loved ones because in a way they're still part of the village. You can even still communicate with them through touching the tree. Although the only thing you'll see, if you're lucky, are images or something that's similar to watching a movie. This was a kekkei genkai firstly used by one of the founders, Yasuda Gin. His ability went a lot further than just raising the dead, he was the one to create 'Inochi no ki' and put his first soul into it. His daughter's, who past away from an incurable disease that made her suffer endlessly. She was the first leaf on the big sakura tree that stood in the center of the village.

This kekkei genkai became a lot more common within the clan of Elementalists. There were always at least two or three people in every generation with soul transference. A lot less with the actual ability to raise dead. Yasuda Gin was the only one known that was able to do just that, although it is said that anyone with soul transference could do it, they just didn't know how. Through the tree his and many many others' wisdom were carried on, teaching new generations everything they know just by touching the tree. That's three thousand years of knowledge, so specifying your question might be a good idea. 

In the village at the moment, it was only Yuka and Yuri that possessed the ability to transfer souls. And today was Yuri's first time of performing the art of transference by himself. He couldn't be more excited, which was hard to contain and not very appropriate. Someone died for crying out loud! But Yuri was none the less very excited for his first ever soul transference! This also made it a very sunny day. He'd always just watched his uncle Yuka perform it and to be doing this for the first time also made him very very nervous. Yuka was standing next to his nephew, the entire village had come to watch the soul transference and say goodbye. "Remember to focus, Yuri. There's not much that can go wrong so just do your best, okay. I'm proud of you." he whispers, ruffling the boys hair after his encouraging words. "Daisuke Nakamura. Friend, husband, father.,..." Yuka speaks facing the villagers that surrounded them at the tree of life. Yuri patiently stood next to his uncle as Yuka did his part "Three hundred fifteen years did he grace us with his presence, now may his body rest in peace and may his soul reunite with all of our ancestors. His time has come, but his wisdom will never be lost." he adds, the family of the deceased came carrying Daisuke Nakamura on a carrier of vines and flowers. All were dressed in white cloaks as per usual at a service like this one. They carried him to the three of life and set him in front of Yuka and Yuri. 

The family said their last goodbyes and then fused with the other villagers, standing around the tree of life. "Now my nephew Yuri will transfer Daisuke's soul into inochi no ki" he says and nods at his nephew, giving the boy a small squeeze in his shoulder. Yuri nods back and steps towards the body, suddenly very nervous. He took a deep breath and sat down between the tree and the body, placing one hand on the tree and the other on Daisuke's body. He closed his eyes and concentrated. "Clear your mind, Yuri. You can do it" Yuka whispered as he crouched down next to the small boy, seeing that his nephew was struggling. "Picture the golden orbs, coming out of Daisuke's body" he continued. Yuri, who still had his eyes closed, did what his uncle told him. Just the way he had learned it. "Don't forget to breath, Yuri. Breathing is everything" Yuka says. Small golden orbs came from the body as the transference was starting. "Good. Now, guide the orbs into the tree and remember to not put too much chakra into it. It's neither good for the tree nor is it good for the soul." Yuka goes on. Yuri wanted to snap at his uncle, telling him to shut up and that he already knew those things. But he didn't, his uncle was only trying to guide him through the difficult process that is the soul transference. And to be completely honest.... he was glad with his uncle's guidance since he would've never made it through without him.

The orbs flew in the air a while and then floated towards the tree, circling around it before disappearing into the tree of life. The transference was complete and successful. The villagers clapped. Yuka ruffled his nephews white locks. "You did it, little one. Your first soul transference was a success!" Yuka exclaims. Yuri smiled tiredly at his uncle, the transference had taken a toll on the small child. "You did well, kiddo" Yuka says as he scoops up the small child in his arms and handed the boy to his mother. Yuri laid his head on his mother's shoulder. It didn't take long before sleep consumed him as the exhaustion washed over his body.