神の妖怪

God’s Youkai

十三

“Another protection spell besides the paper ones you already know is creating a barrier. This action requires you to have full control of your spiritual energy, and absolute concentration. It will take long years of practice and meditation before you actually could create one. But before that you need---”

The monk's voice melted into one incoherent sound, as Minami barely could focus his attention. He was kneeling at the very back of the room, so no one really noticed the boy spacing out. Honestly, neither of them cared much.

It’s been three days since Ryou went back to TEN, together with the other God Ennou. Minami didn’t know much about that place, but everyone called it the home for all Gods. They were only visiting their shrines, mostly for rituals, not really living there. The youth kept thinking that even if the God promised to come back as soon as possible, maybe he decided that staying there was a better option. Minami would rather think positively than admit the possibility that something happened to the man. On the other hand, Jirou’s face the past few days was so concerned, and the boy couldn’t help but feel anxious as well. The ritual which was supposed to be held that day when the God left, was postponed until his return which was still unclear.

Minami, lost in his thoughts, missed that moment when the monk let the students go. He slightly flinched when one of them passing by bumped into the boy on purpose. Then he left the room laughing with friends from their joke and the boy’s reaction.

“Minami.” The monk called him, as the boy was getting back on his feet. “I know you are Jirou-san’s and Ryou-sama’s favorite, and therefore you think you have some special rights. But you don’t. You were given this privilege to attend training with gifted students, I recommend you to take this seriously instead of spacing out.” He scolded the boy with a strict voice. It was low and full of sarcasm, which was way worse than actual yelling.

“Ye-es, sir… I’m so--orry…” The youth deeply bowed for the man, who sighed but didn’t even glance at him before leaving.

The boy knew it was his fault this time, but Minami also thought he was doing pretty good in most of the training, even though only Jirou had noticed that. He just needed time to prove himself to everyone, Minami wanted to earn his place by hard work. He may not have been gifted, but he sure tried his best. Well, not today. This day was weird. From early morning until now, as the sun was about to set, the boy kept feeling some strange anxiety inside, similar to the one he had at night when Youkais tried to attack him. Minami knew that there was no safer place than the one where he lived now. Since he moved to the monks' quarters, he wasn’t attacked, not even once. For the first time in his life, Minami could sleep peacefully, without being afraid to wake up with hands or face covered in bites.

“Hey, peasant!” The same student, who bumped into Minami before leaving the room, yelled across the yard. The boy pretended these words were not meant for him. He continued walking slowly with his head down, but students caught up with him, blocking the way. “We were talking to you.” One of them grabbed Minami on the shoulder, making sure that the boy wouldn’t move.

“My name is Minami…” The boy dared to say quietly. He never actually talked with them before, he wanted to avoid trouble. Minami didn’t want to fight with anyone, neither did he trust in himself that much. “Why… would you always act with me like this..?”

“Like what?” One of them laughed and the others joined. The strong sound, full of joy and excitement - anyone from the side would think the boys were having a nice conversation. “You, who came from nowhere, getting everything so easily, what we all worked so hard for. Why do you think you deserve that, peasant? Our families generously donated for this shrine for decades, while you did nothing. And yet…”

Minami knew he didn’t earn his place here. If only he could, he would have done something, but since the boy didn’t have anything, he did the best he could in the shrine. No one noticed how he was working hard for everyone even without being asked. And Minami didn’t complain, no matter what task it was.

“I don’t want… anything bad for anyone… I’m grateful that… Jirou-san let’s me… study here with other students… and…”

“I don’t understand a thing this peasant is mumbling. See, no one even taught him how to speak with nobles.” The one who was holding Minami pushed him away. All of them were a little bit taller than the boy, and way more stronger built. “We are future monks, who will serve for this shrine and our God, Ryou-sama. And it’s not a place for such lowborn like you.”

Minami clenched his fists. Then where was his place? Weren’t they all here because of the same thing? Shouldn't they have the hope and belief in the God that brought them together, in the shrine, where they all would be equal no matter where they came from.

“Maybe we should show your way out if you couldn’t find it on your own. What do you think?” One of them suggested and the others laughed in agreement. “Of course, not through the main gate. We don’t want any misunderstandings.” The student who talked showed others to follow.

Minami didn’t want to go anywhere with them, he could have just stayed in the place or ran away, but he didn’t have enough courage for that. Few of them pushed Minami from behind, making him move and the youth’s heart painfully pounded. They were going behind the monks' sleeping quarters, through the gardens towards the forest.

The part there was so dense, that almost no sunlight came through. Minami wouldn’t even consider crossing that. He didn’t know the forest at all. The only place through the forest, where students could enter, was a narrow path just after the main gates, leading them to the river nearby to get water supplies every day. Even if the place was protected and well known, students would go there in teams carrying some paper spells just in case. Minami still didn’t have a chance to be a part of it. Even to go there you had to be prepared enough, but here… they shouldn’t have gone.

“Look, he’s trembling so hard!”

The student, who seemed to have the strongest voice here, chuckled, gripping on Minami’s clothes, pulling him closer to the ropes with paper spells hanging on them. They separated the shrine’s territory from the forest and assured protection from any darkness that would try to come in. Students would go around every morning to change them.

“What? He’s scared of the big trees?” The one standing at the very back laughed. Most of them stayed behind and didn't dare to come closer.

Minami was next to the paper spells, only with that daredevil one student. And yes, he was trembling. But not because of the forest itself. The anxious feeling that was haunting the boy from the very morning just became stronger. He just knew they shouldn’t go there, not only because they weren’t allowed, but… it was not safe. The youth couldn’t explain how he knew it, but the shadows, as if they could be visible, were making cold chills run through Minami’s spine. He stood there immobilized staring somewhere between the trees. As if he could actually see something move. The sounds of students continuing making fun of him just melted somewhere in the background as the only thing left was a strange crackling sound coming from the depths of the forest. It could have been only his imagination, and Minami would have given everything so it would be only that.

“Pathetic aren’t you?!” The student rolled his eyes dramatically. “I will show you how it is done. That’s why we are different and way better than you.”

The boy spoke as he was already lifting the rope, making a gap so he could climb under them.

“N-o… don’t… ” Minami’s lips shivered but no one heard him.

“You see, peasant! That’s it. Simple as that!” The student stood there, on the other side of paper spells, proud of himself as his other friends cheered from the back.

His wide smile, eyes shining in victory - the moment that froze in Minami’s eyes before the view drowned in red.

The only thing left was a pair of mahogany bloodish eyes, staring at the boy from behind the trees, and its claws… long black claws that slew through a human's body like it was nothing.