—Wait, wait, wait! We’re not going in there —Jacob stopped the entire group.
—I figured. This guy wants to trick us into getting robbed —Magaska joined Jacob; both drew their weapons.
—Ufufuf, aaah, what a problem… —Ayakashi laughed softly while the group stopped at the edge of Velez-Valar.
—Mina’s idea should help us, Ithil. This was a waste of time, let’s go —Inola took Ithil’s hand and pulled him, but he didn’t move an inch. He looked at the group and said:
—I think we should accept Ayakashi’s help… after all, he seems trustworthy —Ithil replied to the others while Ayakashi whispered in his ear. Ithil recited his words as if it were a mantra:
—Ayakashi is trustworthy. Don’t worry, haven’t you heard that the most trustworthy animal is a fox? —Ayakashi said in a low voice, and Ithil repeated aloud what was being whispered to him.
—…… —Mina and the others couldn’t take their eyes off Ayakashi.
—I CAN HEAR YOU, YOU DEGENERATE FOX! —Inola shouted at the top of his lungs.
—What are your intentions? Ayakashi, it’s obvious they aren’t entirely selfless —Mina separated Ithil from Ayakashi, picking him up. With a firm tone, she asked point-blank:
—Aaw, I was having fun, very well, very well, I’ll tell you what you need to know —Ayakashi waved his fan. Almost as if it were an order, the fearsome grass of Al-Darius shrank and retreated among the stones without a trace, creating a path for the group.
—Brothers, did you see that? —Leonidas couldn’t hide his surprise at Ayakashi’s maneuver.
—Mmmm, my head… aah, I’m dizzy —Ithil suddenly sat down, putting his head between his knees, dizzy from Ayakashi’s influence.
—One more time before I get violent… Who are you? Is "Ayakashi" even your real name? —Mina lifted Ithil.
—Oooh, giving a name is a very intimate thing between spirits, Miss Mina; it is not advisable or prudent —Ayakashi turned around, waving his fan, and looked at them over his shoulder.
—Ufufufuf, come in, come in, don’t fear curiosity. Mister Leader, bring your team this way; you will be safe with Ayakashi. As long as you don’t cross these ropes, the forest will respect you… besides, the forest also requires your help.
Thick white silk ropes stretched across the cobblestones; dyed colorful ribbons hung between the ropes here and there. The path ahead extended into shadows; strange breathing noises and beings chewing could be heard from time to time. The young adventurers looked at each other in total distrust. Mina took Ithil, deciding not to set a single foot in the forest.
—I think we’ll look for another option, Mr. Ayakashi, thank you very much —Mina replied with a short bow. Ithil, still dizzy, had trouble standing.
—Wai… wait —Ithil gathered strength to speak.
—Ithil, we don’t even know who this person is; your judgment is compromised and, as such, I am responsible for the group now —Mina, firm and authoritative, picked up Ithil and threw him into Leonidas’s arms; the strong man caught him without difficulty.
—Exactly, and you’re unbearable; for some reason, I can’t stop myself from wanting to punch you!! —Inola turned to look at Ayakashi.
—Ufufufuf, I see, I see, Mister Leader, your group is quite united; that makes me want to like you even more!! —Ayakashi’s voice suddenly shifted mid-sentence into a marked, deep masculine tone without explaining how or why. His fox mask changed into a beautiful red mask with fangs; a cold grimace was reflected on it.
—I imagine you are going to the town of Nichiren… I think it’s in your interest to prevent it from ending up like the town of Nivoria… Isn’t that right… Varneth? —Ayakashi suddenly seemed like a fearsome being; horns grew on his mask with a creak of wood and lacquer. The young people immediately went on guard again.
—Aaaawww, I offer my apologies!! You make me lose my patience, I don’t like it when I get like this —Ayakashi covered his face with his fan. The red mask disappeared and, in its place, a smiling monkey mask appeared. Delicately, he knelt and made a deep bow, placing his fan in front, joining the tips of his fingers on the fan without separating them.
—Adventurers who liberated Nivoria, I require your help to avoid a tragedy relevant to both your people and mine. My name is Ayakashi Hososhi, and I humbly ask for your collaboration —this time Ayakashi’s voice turned almost childlike; his tone exuded confidence and humility. For the first time, they saw Ayakashi asking for help directly; upon lifting his gaze, the calm fox mask returned.
—That… was unsettling, to say the least… —Mina, with her fist raised and about to punch Ayakashi, lowered her guard a bit.
—Nnngg, Magaska doesn’t want another Nivoria to happen… neither does Varneth… Mina? We want to avoid it at all costs —Magaska and Varneth pleaded with wide eyes to Mina.
—Neither do I, girls, I understand… AYAKASHI, we will cooperate, but we don’t want you interfering with our decisions —Mina put away her weapons. Ithil, still dizzy, processed what had happened little by little; his mind, still clouded by Ayakashi’s interference, laboriously ordered his thoughts. He looked at Mina and, from Leonidas’s shoulder, said:
—I leave it to you, Mina —before closing his eyes again.
—Oooh, I feel honored to have your trust, ufufuf —Ayakashi laughed softly.
—Sister Mina, we are ready —Leonidas loaded his huge backpack with various items and consumables again, with Ithil on his other shoulder.
—Oh, oh, oh, what do you have there?… huuum —Ayakashi put his closed fan to his mouth; the fox mask changed into that of an old man.
—The immortal forest is especially jealous of objects made and procured outside of it. I can advise that we store the items in my humble house, which by the way, you are welcome to visit —Ayakashi said, giving a small bow.
—We gladly accept your offer, and forgive us if we make mistakes; we still don’t know how to behave in your house —Jacob gave a small bow; Ayakashi responded in the same manner.
—Oooh, with pleasure, you are welcome —Ayakashi seemed to be happier; his masks, dyed in a soft peach color, shone with a cheerful, soft pink tone.
—Let’s go, let’s go… hum, yes… yes, I have snacks at home… oh, but I don’t have tea… what a problem!!… Kawazu!! Sanshouo!! —Ayakashi shouted to the air in a cheerful and hurried tone. From among the branches, with dew and moss, a frog and a salamander emerged.
—Yes!! Your excellence —both creatures responded to Ayakashi and looked at the group.
—Are these people your guests, your great excellence? —asked the salamander, who wore a belt of clover stalks.
—Ooh, yes, yes they are, Sanshouo —Ayakashi replied to the little salamander.
—Oh, what happiness, Mr. Ayakashi, you don’t know how much joy it gives us that your excellence has guests… buhuhuhu, it’s such a happy day that it makes us cry.
The little frog rubbed its huge eyes before Ayakashi; it wore a small vest made of dry grass dyed with fruit.
—Yes!! Yes!! Ehem, ufufufu, I need you to go to Jakuto and ask him to bring tea to my house; you can take sesame seeds from my house… I want good tea for me and my guests. Aaa, yes, and if you can, bring some Rebril fruits —Ayakashi cleared his throat and with his fan sent both creatures back into the forest.
Inola and Jacob looked at each other and then at the others, who were watching how the little animals talked to Ayakashi. Inola tried to speak, but Jacob stopped him.
—Rebril? Like the expensive liquor? —Inola asked aloud.
—Rebril is an extremely expensive and rare fruit… it only grows in certain regions and with very little success; for every hundred bushes, only one bears fruit, and it only happens every ten years… the liquor people drink is an infusion in alcohol… I’ve never tasted real Rebril, only byproduct macerations —Jacob laughed and scratched his nose, answering in a low voice.
—This way… this way!! Dear guests, the forest receives you with pleasure —Ayakashi continued his path; one animal or another came out from under the ropes to greet the group.
—Magaska feels a lot of movement around us —Magaska directed her hand to a rope to lift it and look underneath, but was stopped by Inola.
—Let’s not be reckless, Magaska… those ropes are there to protect us, it’s better if it stays that way —Inola, without looking underneath, continued with the others.
—All right —Magaska moved away while a huge eye with three pupils shaped like cherry blossoms watched her from under the rope.
Soon they arrived at the end of the path; a small flame floated in the garden of a mansion made entirely of wood and copper roofing. Six stone jinzos rested on a covered altar to the side of the house entrance; two small stone mice with spears guarded the altar. Stone and mortar founded the construction, while huge debarked logs served as pillars carved with reliefs of animals and plants; a garden with stone lamps and red arches rested in the back.
—And here we are!! This is my humble home, come in, come in… oo, right, Slippers for the guests!! Wait a moment at the door, I’ll be right back —Ayakashi ran to the house door that was in front of them.
—Hey, have you noticed? It doesn’t feel exactly like the same person! —Leonidas looked at Ayakashi, who was running in a hurry to get sandals for the group, barely able to carry them all in both hands; they were spilling out the sides as he ran to the door.
—Let me help you —Leonidas instinctively approached Ayakashi and took some slippers.
—Oh heavens, thanks boy, you are very kind —Ayakashi covered his face with his fan, and a maiden’s mask appeared behind it; Leonidas took the slippers and blushed a little.
—Eerm, yes, thanks, I just like to help —Leonidas took the slippers to the main gate where Ayakashi, once again, wore his usual fox mask.
—Mmm, you should see your silly face —Inola threw a paper ball at Leonidas’s head. Ayakashi returned from the door and invited them in.
—Ready, come in, come in —the group entered, leaving their shoes behind and putting on the slippers; little animals and small spheres of light approached to peek curiously at the group and the house.
—This way… take a seat, I’ll be right back… Grandma Kasa… could you prepare us tea? —Ayakashi directed his attention to the end of a hallway that the group couldn’t see; they took seats on cushions on the floor and placed Ithil lying down to one side. A large table made from a slice of tree stood in the center of the room, varnished with a soft, perfect, mirror-like shine; in it, a grayish and old mansion was reflected, almost ruined, full of dust and in darkness, while they were in a posh mansion with beautiful finishes and paintings done on paper scrolls on the walls. Upon noticing it, a chill passed through the young adventurers.
—Sure, sure, your excellence, I will bring it in a moment. Just Jokuto brought the tea, I think he wanted to see it too, hu hu hu hu… —a very old voice replied; the kids could feel the supernatural air of the place.
—I’ll help you bring the tea, Grandma Kasa… wait a moment… Jokuto, what a pleasure —before entering the hallway, a sparrow with a small handkerchief on its head chirped at the window.
—Excellence!! It is always an honor; I brought you the best tea I possess and a generous portion of Rebril fruit. By the way, if it is not too much daring, the frogs from the west side are eager to come and talk to the guests; it is rare to see outsiders in the forest. The tanukis from the Sho river also want to know if your excellence’s guests can trade.
—Hummm, I think it wouldn’t be entirely appropriate… oo, what a problem. Miss Leader, what do you think? —Mina, upon hearing the chatter at the window, looked at the sparrow, which looked back at her joyfully and with high expectations.
—Mmm, that’s fine, although we don’t have much to trade —Mina gave a soft smile, and Jacob said to her:
—Mr. Jokuto, is it? It will be a pleasure to exchange items with you, although since we didn’t come with commercial intentions, we don’t have much; maybe a little food and some tools —Jacob gave a small bow; Jokuto, joyful, gave a couple of happy chirps and turned toward the forest from the window.
—We did it!! Eeeeeeh —a joyful cheering was heard from among the bushes outside the mansion’s fence; a couple of tanukis wearing white handkerchiefs on their heads scurried through the bushes; the frogs hopped into the small stream to spread the news as well.
—But! Maybe tomorrow. Tell the white tanukis and the frogs of the Lotus clan that they can come tomorrow; today my guests must rest; after all, they are on a mission!! —Ayakashi looked at the adventurers out of the corner of his eye; the brown happy monkey mask could be seen on Ayakashi.
—Allow me a moment, adventurers, I will go for the tea so we can discuss what comes next —Ayakashi made a delicate turn and, as if sliding down the hallway, disappeared to the end of it.