Shadow Warriors

Chapter four

The next few days passed without any sign of the smoke or Axin. Her fear of the smoke appearing at night didn't cripple her as much, and for the first time in a long time, Sarah managed to get a good night's sleep.

She packed the last of the papers into a folder and shoved it into her laptop bag. Mr Takamori was to sign the contract today, and she arranged with him to do it in person. She needed a few final details of the house as well before the contractors moved in to tear it all apart.

Lexi had been kind enough to let Sarah borrow her car while she was at work, and after almost an hour's drive, she stood in front of the house, smiling at the old lady.

She was led to an office with large double doors leading in, to find Mr Takamori sitting behind his desk.

"Good afternoon, Mr Takamori," Sarah greeted, thanking the elderly lady as she scurried out of the room.

"Good afternoon, Miss Weller. It's nice to see you again," he said, standing up from his desk.

Coming over to her to shake her hand, Sarah couldn't help but notice the stunning library he had on the wall behind his chair. Old spines of ancient books, many looking like first editions lined the shelves from floor to ceiling.

She tore her eyes away from the impressive sight and smiled as she greeted her client. "Thank you for seeing me today, Mr Takamori. I just need to go over what you wish to keep and what can be torn down one last time, so the movers and builders don't get it wrong, then we can sign the contract."

"Of course. Where would you like to begin?"

"The only part that I was not clear on, was the main wall in the dining room. You mentioned that there is a one of a kind painting on that wall. May I see it?"

With a nod, he led her out of the office, and down the hallway towards another set of doors.

"It is very old. Painted by the villagers of a small town in Japan. I would like this to be treated with care."

"Of course. That is why I want to see it, so I know who to call to store it for you."

They reached the doors, and Mr Takamori swung them open to reveal a luxurious dining room, with a massive wooden table, surrounded by ten large chairs in the center.

But it was what was on the wall in front of her that made Sarah gasp and drop the tube in her hands. It clattered to the tile floor, making Mr Takamori spin to look at her.

"Miss Weller? Are you alright?"

The concern in his voice was warranted. She could feel the color drain from her face and knew her mouth hung open.

"What is that?" She breathed out, not once tearing her eyes off the painting on the wall.

It was on an old canvas, taking up most of the wall. Dark shades of grey and black filled most of the surface in a boiling rage of smoke. Tiny stick figures running away in fear from the two, bright red eyes that froze her in place.

Mr Takamori turned back to the picture with a frown, "This is Shadōu~ōkā no densetsu. The legend of the Shadow people. It is an old tale from Japan."

"Can you tell me about it, please?" she asked, not once tearing her eyes off the red dots looking back at her.

"The legend says that the Shadow people live in a world next to ours. Behind a very thin veil."

She swallowed. "Are they evil?"

He turned to Sarah with a frown. "No. In fact, they are our protectors."