The Sword of Souls

Chapter 2~ The Feast of Lanterns

D A S H

After slipping out of his bedroom window, Dash soon arrived at Golden Gate Park on his scooter.

He knew the park inside and out, and knew exactly where his sister was waiting for him- the Japanese Tea Garden. It was his sister's favorite spot in the entire city, and the only place he could think of with the right pizzazz to preform an ancient ritual.

The sun had begun melting away, painting the sky in vibrant hues of pink and orange. The warm September day had quickly cooled off, and Dash shivered slightly as he hiked deeper into the park.

He soon approached a large wooden gateway, the entrance into the Japanese Tea Garden. Its large wooden doors were closed, having been for hours now. He lifted a brow, knowing his lack of burglary skills could pose a problem.

Dash analyzed the wall enclosing the garden. After a few futile minutes of looking for a way inside, he started to turn back.

A sudden squawk that definitely was not a bird rang out, stopping him in his tracks. Dash began to inspect the area, but with no avail, started to walk away again.

Another screech sounded before a pebble nailed Dash in the back of the head. He winced, pivoting on his heel. Across the clearing, his sister's head poked out from a bush.

Naomi's blonde hair was pulled back in a bun, exposing her violet highlights like racing stripes. They shared the same warm brown eyes, but his sister's always seemed to be filled with trouble.

Naomi waved eagerly at Dash, and disappeared back into the foliage. Dash eventually acquiesced, and followed her into an unseen ditch underlying the wall.

"This is breaking and entering!" Dash muttered as he climbed to his feet.

Naomi made a face, speaking normally,"It's the park, Dash."

"It's the law, Naomi," Dash retorted. He tossed something from his pocket at her.

Naomi caught it, holding up a lighter. Dash smirked at her following expression,"I knew you would forget it."

Naomi gestured at her bag,"Hey, at least I brought the lantern."

She walked on, and Dash trailed behind her, stepping cautiously.

The Japanese Tea Garden was beautifully out of place, as if someone had plucked it from Japan and dropped it in the middle of San Francisco. Serene streams snaked through the twisting bonsai trees and flowering bushes, and pagoda temples overlooked the gardens.

Koi splashed around in the water below as Naomi and Dash crossed over an arched bridge. Following a series of winding footpaths, they passed a large Buddha statue and many stone lanterns, or tōrō. The lanterns were lit around the garden, shedding soft light as the last sliver of sunset vanished over the horizon.

Naomi led Dash through the garden before finally stopping where two streams merged together.

"This look like a good place for the Tōrō nagashi?" Naomi inquired. Dash gave a nod, and she pulled out a paper lantern from her backpack.

Tōro nagashi was a Japanese ceremony where one honored the spirits of the deceased by floating paper lanterns down a river. The lanterns were believed to guide the dead back to the spirit world.