Komo-Doubutsu

Chapter 15: The Three Traits - Part 1

By: Midori Ushi Law

Snow still falls here, but it isn't as chilly.

The view is still the same, but I never took in its beauty like this.

The climb now isn't as difficult. The cave now isn't as dark. The fear is nonexistent now.

But this place is sacred. This place, though barren of life, is welcoming. This place is... Home.

As I sit upon a creaky branch of the old tree where you first revealed yourself, I feel a warm reassuring wind blow through my hair. I see the sun cover the land for miles and I smile. So many things happen on this Earth, yet the sun still shines its glorious light. You created that light didn't you? That's a part of your fairy tale.

No. That's a part of this world's true beginning. Now, they don't even believe you took a step onto this land of ours.

I came back here not to call upon you. I did not come to search for you.

I came back here, to the place of my rebirth, because it was here I stared Death in the eye, and you picked me up.

This is where you first called upon me. This is where you searched for me.

And though you revealed yourself from behind this tree, I revealed myself to you that day.

If what Vibora said was true, you snatched me from my inheritance and gave me an even greater one. You called me to be the first in our modern society to have your power, and for that, I say Thank You.

Chapter 15: The Three Traits - Part 1

Illuminus stood before Ray, so she took a seat on a large rock in the grassy field where they trained. She was a little bummed that her face had mud over it after the amount of mud and dirt she had to scrub off the night before. Still, she attentively listened to her new teacher, hoping she wouldn't nod off. After all, it was an honor to be lectured by one of the twelve elders on how to become better.

The tall man knew it was time to let her know about traits. He sensed they were being watched from the woods about three hundred yards away, but he planned to deal with that situation later. "Creationer. Incarnate. Comforter. To make. To be. To Influence. Every human on this earth is born with one of these traits at random. It was said that traits were in humans since the beginning of our existence. Knowing what trait you have and recognizing the traits of others could be the difference between a long life or a hasty death in the Great Quest."

"You said I am an Incarnate," Ray asked in confusion. "What exactly does that mean?"

Illuminus summoned his wings, almost changing the entire atmosphere around them. The young woman almost jumped from the slab she was sitting on. "Remember, Incarnate means 'To be'. It's the most visually common among the three traits. When a person with the Incarnate trait accepts a Doubutsu's power, it biologically affects his or her body. You accepted the Great Porcupine's abilities, so you have more protein in your body than the average person, in order to summon quills from your skin. Quills on a porcupine are made up of protein and, in simplest terms, is just hair. Your limits are only what your body can and cannot produce," he explained. He noticed Ray examining a quill she protruded from her wrist.

The man flapped his wings twice, causing wind under him to propel him into the air. He asked, "So far, I've punched you in the face a couple times, right?"

Ray immediately nodded, confused on why he decided to fly.

"Did you notice a difference between the hit I made in the hospital and the hit I just made during our training exercise?"