Titans of the Current: Hands of God Edition

Part 6:1:1 High Tide, High Tension

Hmph

I've sat in the same spot for nearly an hour... I don't need to move any further, I've seen what this barrier can do to birds and fish. Honestly, it is not a priority of mine to die by fire. Shit, maybe I can find a dark soul without the help of the oni.

"Haha, that wouldn't be destiny, now would it ,Nelly?"

I rotate my focus behind me.. Nothing. Then I turn back... Where?

"Up here, girl!"

I center my gaze at the wall of fiery light, to find Torpor. He's standing completely vertically in respect to the barrier. More importantly, he's isn't bothered by the cursed wall.

He moves his foot from the wall as he confidently strides from his suspended position. He stops just a foot from my face. Finally, he dismounts in a forward flip before halting his descent to an immediate stop.

"They promised the shini of Kituno village paradise beyond the barrier. All they have to do is bring a soul offering for one of each of the council. What do you notice that's interesting about all this, Nelly?"

"There are no shini... No where. And you can't enter the temple or leave the city."

Torpor had yet look me in the eye for an odd reason. "Precisely. That is because the shini are so comfortable in their new homes. And who wouldn't be. Especially one you can't leave."

He's right. All these buildings are incredible, yet there is neither door nor window on any. Just a black, chrome sword hanging from a chain from reach roof. And some drip with blood. As the puddle next to me shows.

"Nelly, what this is... It's a tempt with honor and with prosperity. Honor derives from the object of working for the council directly. Prosperity is living an immortal life in a city of fabled fortune. Irony of it all... It's completely true."

But how? This city is a ruin scape. I can't begin to imagine what it must be line inside the buildings. But there is a village beyond the barrier. It looks so peaceful, so happy.

"That is Kituno village, Nelly. Everyone there is a shini." For the first time, he looks at me. This must mean his preceding words are of grave importance.

"They know of two barriers. One twenty five kilometers in any direction. And one around the city. But there is a third... Around the temple. These barriers are more than divisions of class.. They are division of race."

"What do you mean?"

"Long ago, a demon named Kiri threatened the Sage of Spirits by creating Zitsu-kato, an oni manifested in solid metal. The legend says that his body was melted and crafted into mine blades. And handed the defected death lords. The power corrupted them, causing then to undergo metamorphosis. The initial touch consumed their souls, rendering then death omens in the form of shinis. Whenever the entire cycle was complete, and the sword consumed it's weilder, both the blade and its weilder were one."

But this still doesn't clarify'a division of race'.

"So what does all this have to do with my destiny?"

Torpor glared at me through his gray shades. "Must you always rush a good legend?"

Embarrassment over took me as I promptly asked for his forgiveness.

"Haha! It's no trouble, you remind me of my son." He looks up as if in reminisce.

"Oh yes! The blades devide his strength. Whenever the two became one, they would share a form. He could make anyone an oni. What's more, touching the blade feeds ones soul to Zitsu-kato, making him stronger."