The Shogun and the Traveller

Chapter 5: A day's work done

We followed the path that lead us to the north east. The walk was quiet aside from the chatter amongst the party. Ayaka had been briefing Thoma on the situation with the Sacred Sakura and the two outlanders were admiring the scenery. The party soon arrived at a crossroad and followed it east where it lead to the base of Mount Yougou.

The path wound to the base of the mountain; Kitsune statues were placed sporadically along the path sides. we approached Tori gates: marking the threshold of the shrine grounds. A nearby shrine box stood beside the grounds' main gate along with a shrine maiden though, there was something off. The maiden was translucent and glowed with a blue hue. When approached and confronted, it faded away, all without a sound. 

The party made its way further on the grounds. There were more of the apparitions of shine maidens though, they all reacted identically as the first when approached. This was most peculiar, the others were becoming unsettled. Were these ghosts, memories or some trick by mischievous spirits? Following the maidens around led the group to a larger Kitsune statue similar to that in Konda village; if so, then a ward would likely be stored within as well.

There were was writing engraved into the base of the statue, "The ward has been sealed within by sacred words. Although I hope the seal will never be broken, and although you have now been missing for many years... If the seal must be broken and the Cleansing Ritual conducted, I hope that you shall be the one to break it. The third line of the sacred words is something you often used to say in the past." it read. Rather unfortunate that the hopes of the writer would not be fulfilled: for the words needed may be forever unknown.

The engravings contained further instruction: Three shikigami guardians must be gathered in one place. It was not very robust form of security as it was primarily used to deter "petty thieves".

"Who is this talking about?" the traveller commented.

"Probably the person who was supposed to perform the ritual next," Ayaka answered

"And, what's a 'Shikigami'?" Paimon asked.

"They're these paper slips imbued with magic," Ayaka explained, "Some people use them to make spells, wards and even spirits."

The traveller mentioned the similarities to seals used by the exorcists and Adepti of Liyue. In fact, that is where the art originated. At the least, The two outlanders already had a grasp of the principles that created this deterrent. After a brief discussion, a plan of action was created,

"Okay, so these Shikigami created to protect and watch over this place need to be gathered in one spot." The traveller monologued, taking in the area. Along with Paimon, they point to figures standing in the distance. They glowed with a blue hue. "Those ghosts must be them."

The group split apart to gather their shikigami. The process was more involved as the maidens would relocate after vanishing, mainly to a random place on the shrine grounds. We would cross paths with each other when following our Shikigami. After many instances of walking back and forth and repeated utterances of,  "That spot again?" and "I was just there." It was discovered that the Shikigami rotated the same spots. One place they shared in common was by this stone platform surrounded by three large kitsune statues. It was only a matter  of time before all three ghosts were gathered by the statues.

The once dormant markings on the statues lit up in a familiar purple glow. There were panels in the statues and platform that shifted slightly. The statues contained chests filled with miscellaneous trinkets: cups, hats, a broken watch, a spear. I refused any of it for I found no need for them. The panel on the platform was lifted to reveal a compartment containing a book. It was tattered and had been eroded from being stored there for possibly decades. I carefully extracted it.