Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ryuichi stepped off the boat with the distinct feeling he might die.
Maybe it was the hungry yōkai flying above him, licking their lips and beaks while waiting for an order from his father to eat him and all his companions. Or it might be the large sign on the shoreline, inscribed with a petrifying warning: “Disturb the Ryukage at Your Own Peril.”
Perhaps it was both.
The one thing Ryuichi knew for certain: He really, really wanted to go back to Kagemura, where the atmosphere was more “rob you blind” than “stab you mercilessly.”
What struck him the most was how isolated this island was.
No humble servants to greet them. No intimidating guards to stop them.
The yōkai circling above their heads were more animalistic, trained to kill on command instead of sentient beings who balked at having masters, like the ones Ryuichi was used to.
But more than that, this place was less a formidable lair and more akin to a cemetery, where someone would go to be forgotten or welcome death.
Judging by his companions’ eerie silence, Ryuichi assumed they picked up on that aura too. If he had to guess, he’d say the Ryukage hadn’t vanished from his throne as part of some grand plan to shake up the spirit realm.
He went off in search of somewhere to take his final breaths.
Why else would he be here with no real guards? No, this wasn’t how his father lived. This was where evil went when it was done fighting and didn’t care about survival anymore.
Ryuichi felt a branch break underfoot and something cried out. Confused, he lifted his sandal and saw a small, crushed face looking up at him from the broken twig.
Ouch! He had no idea yōkai could be twigs too.
“Get out!” the small creature yelled at him.
Cringing, Ryuichi gently picked up the twiglike yōkai and cradled him in his hands. “I’m so sorry, little buddy. I didn’t mean to hurt you. And I’d leave this second if I could.”
He carefully placed the yōkai off to the side, where hopefully no one else would step on him.
“You don’t want to be here. I’m telling you. Leave before the Ryukage slays you!”
“I need to see the Ryukage. He’s why we’ve come.”
The yōkai giggled at Ryuichi, then rolled off into the dark brush.
“Well, that wasn’t very reassuring,” Yumi said.
Inumagami whimpered. “I’m starting to think this might have been a bad idea. Obviously, Ryukage doesn’t want visitors. Kagemura is a wonderful place. Wouldn’t it be better if we go back? Besides, I’m feeling a bit peckish. A feast sounds wonderful about now.”
But Satoru moved forward regardless of the little lord’s protests. Ryuichi let out a tired breath as he followed them, hoping for the best.
The trail they followed funneled them into a narrow path through a valley that was flanked by sharp mountains. As they came up over a large rise, a large rock blocked their passage—until it began to move.
More than that, it began to stand upright.
“Who goes there?” The rock asked, revealing it to be a huge oni. Muscled and red-skinned, he rose to his incredible height. He glared at their group. “No visitors. Ryukage’s orders.”
Then he sat down in their way, fully confident his massive size alone was enough to block them.
And he was right. Even if they were somehow able to defeat him, all of them together couldn’t possibly move the oni’s body out of the way. Not to mention fighting him would be a nightmare, as all he would have to do was sit on Ryuichi and it’d be over.
One foot would take out most, if not all, of their company.
Approaching the oni cautiously, Katsu cleared his throat. “Please let us pass. We have important business with the Ryukage.”
The oni chuckled. “Everyone has important business with the Ryukage. No one would be stupid enough to bother him with anything else.” The massive oni scratched his belly. It was painfully obvious he didn’t take their motley crew seriously, as he knew they were powerless against him.
Cocking his massive head, the oni narrowed his gaze on Satoru. “How did you even get here? This place is supposed to be a secret. Hidden, even.”
Katsu was the one who answered. “By sea. On a boat.”
The oni nodded. “That’s quite unlucky for you. No trespassers means no trespassers. Which means I have to eat you now. It’s nothing personal. Just my orders.”
A suit of armor appeared out of thin air, floating for a moment before it landed at the oni’s feet. He picked up the first piece to put it on.
Grimacing, he struggled with the straps.
“One moment. Got to get the old armor on. Been a while since I last had to do this. Most leave my master alone because they’re not dumb, like you all. But I have to make this official, as it’s my sole duty.”
He struggled to get the breastplate around his body. He’d outgrown that armor by quite a bit, which made Ryuichi wonder how many trespassers he’d eaten.
With a fierce growl, the oni continued to fight the armor. “Too long, really, since my last fight. This is why daily exercise is so import . . . oh, there we go. Just a little more . . .” He made a terrible face as he finally managed to secure it around his massive torso. “Now we’re in business.”
He slammed his mighty fist into his chest to make sure the armor was still sturdy.
With a satisfied look, the oni strode around and cracked his neck.
“My name is Yamaguchi, and it’s my pleasure to kill you today.
I know we’re fighting to the death and all, but please remember to always obey the primary rule of martial arts. Have fun.”
Since when was that a rule? It certainly wasn’t one Ryuichi had learned at Master Hanzō’s school. Definitely not something Koichi had ever said to him.
Confused, he met Yumi’s gaze. Shrugging, she handed him a sword, then created a bow out of a flash of light. The oni grabbed a boulder and heaved it at Masaru, who barely got out of the way in time.
Well, mostly out of the way. A piece of his yukata was caught underneath the rock. “Katsu? Hayasaka? I’m in a spot of trouble. Want to lend a hand?”
The others were too busy dealing with the charging oni to assist Masaru. Ryuichi tried to reach him, but he couldn’t get around the mountainous yōkai.
Masaru cursed. “Figures.” He pulled out a small knife and cut the hem of his yukata. “It was one of my favorites too.”
Katsu slashed at Yamaguchi’s knees. Ryuichi stepped in to help. He was proud he was finally able to hold his own in a real fight. When Katsu went for one leg, Ryuichi went for the other.
Yamaguchi wasn’t happy about it. “Hey, stop that! Trying to watch you two is making my head spin.” He tried and failed to kick the two of them away. Yumi shot a slew of arrows at him, but they bounced off without doing any real damage.
Masaru looked at Hayasaka and Inumagami. “Are you two planning to sit this one out?”
Inumagami shook his paw. “Of course not. We are soldiers.”
Hayasaka found a comfortable patch of ground and sat down. “Actually, that’s what Katsu’s for.”
Masaru rolled his eyes. “Idiots.” And with that, he looked at Ryuichi. “Time for a little bit of teamwork, right?”
Ryuichi nodded and cleared his thoughts so Masaru could join with his body. Yamaguchi’s skin was too thick for their swords and Yumi’s arrows, so they needed a power move badly.
Still, it was hard to stay alive, even with Masaru and Yumi by his side. They were up against two tons of rock-solid oni. Whenever Katsu went for a slash at the legs, Ryuichi would follow up with a cut of his own. This went on for a couple of hours, and they made some progress.
Against his armor.
Of course, one would have to squint to see where the blades had struck.
In a month, maybe two, they might even be able to get past it and do something more than make the oni laugh as he claimed they “tickled” him with their blows.
Not even their magical powers made a dent in anything. Ryuichi, Masaru, and Yumi tried every one of their best tricks, but none of them did any damage.
Exhausted and breathless, Ryuichi retreated back to the others, who were apparently having a picnic, complete with a blanket, a tea set, and several books from the ship to help them pass the time.
Seriously? He was tempted to run them through.
Inumagami gave him a haughty stare. “Are you finished, Ryuichi?”
Since the oni was still standing and Katsu was staggering, sure . . . “I’m taking a break. Why don’t you help Katsu out?”
“Good thought.” Katsu continued his fight. “We’ll wear him down. It’ll be a battle of attrition, then.”
Ryuichi collapsed on the ground, his breath heaving.
“So, how’s it going?” Inumagami asked.
“Oh, splendid. I’m having a great time,” Ryuichi said sarcastically. “If you help us battle him, it might go a little quicker.”
Inumagami drank some lovely green tea, which Hayasaka had prepared.
“And what would I be able to do? It’s an oni.
Of all yōkai, they are the closest to the primordial forces that make up the spirit realm.
Second only to the gods themselves. That’s why magic doesn’t work on them.
It’s funny when you think about it. So close to us, and yet so different. ”
Ryuichi scowled. “Is there anything useful in what you’re saying?”
“No,” Inumagami replied. “I thought it might be a little helpful to explain why you’re losing.”
“Thanks.” Ryuichi was irritated but thirsty, so he gestured toward the tea. “May I have some?”
“Of course.” Hayasaka poured Ryuichi a cup and held it out to him.
He took it from his hand and then drank the tea in one gulp. It was amazingly refreshing and hit the spot.
Inumagami cleared his throat to get their attention. “Do you think Katsu will be okay?”
“Him?” Lord Hayasaka watched as Katsu ran up a group of rocks to prevent himself from getting squashed by the oni’s club. “He’ll be fine. Probably. Katsu! You’re doing great. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you, my lord! I appreciate it.” Katsu jumped down and slashed the oni on the shoulder, as useless as all the other blows were. It didn’t even scratch the beast.
Same for the fireballs Yumi and Masaru were throwing at him. Those just made the oni laugh.
Ryuichi shook his head. He needed to get back to the fight. And they needed to finish what they started. “I can’t believe it—after all we’ve been through, this is where we get stuck.”
“Give it time, young boy. Not everything can be rushed.” Hayasaka blew on his hot tea.
Katsu was out of breath. “Ryuichi! Your. Turn. I need help, please.”
Ryuichi returned his cup to the blanket and grabbed his sword. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to take so long.”
Yamaguchi slammed on his belly like a drum. “Come on, I can do this all day.” He was still as eager as ever.
Ryuichi wasn’t nearly so enthusiastic to continue. He was almost ready to surrender the fight. “Can’t we call it a draw, Yamaguchi-san?”
“As long as I draw breath, no man or yōkai shall pass. If you want to stop, then leave.”
Ryuichi could feel Masaru’s spirit sighing inside him. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
If only Koichi were here. He’d figure a way out of this mess. Sadly, nothing came to Ryuichi’s mind.
He glanced at Katsu. “What do you think?”
“I think we’re goners. It was nice knowing you.”