Desperately, Lung's last swing connects and finishes off the ferocious spirit. It howls one final time as its body dissolves into ash and ink, leaving a coarse residue where it once stood.
You pause to catch your breaths. As you do, the mists part slightly and feel less cloying. The shrine seems to glow softly in the pale spirit-light and you hear a hum, not quite a voice, echo through your head and...
... you feel your wounds fade slowly away.
You have cleansed this place, and are rewarded for it.
A small scream vented out of the little gnome as Lung connected with the beast and it dissolved before her. She was unsure if it was going to explode or something? Who knew? After a moment, sounds and glowing seem to fill the area and Piella slowly puts away her crossbow.
With a trembled breath, she whimpers, partially in response to Lung, "I'm sorry...I was afraid to shoot it. It was jumping in between you all and Gou, and I'm not very good with my crossbow. I did my best to make sure you wouldn't die..." She felt somewhat useless, despite her aid, as it was her own hesitation at the onset that let the beast even get a bite. She bit her little lip and crossed her injured leg behind her with clasped hands in front.
She looked over each of them to see if they were still bleeding, but she felt as if this place was slowly healing their wounds, as she herself felt vitalized and full of life, much like with her own magic when giving it out or healing herself.
"It's all right, Piella. The balance between healing and harming is a difficult one, and we would all be better were we to choose healing," says Lung.
He twirls his scroll and replaces it at its side. "We thank you, O Spirits," he says to the air.
Shiro was quiet as the spirits healed his wounds. All of the council's agents received combat training, but he'd worked undercover for so long that he had neglected upkeep it. A mistake that almost cost him his life. Shiro resolved to fix this mistake as soon as he was able.
He turned to small shrine and clasped his hands together in a form of silent prayer. Thank you spirits of the mountain. May we continue to serve in your good graces.
After about a minute, the masked man moves aside and sits down, resting. "There is still quite a journey ahead, let us get some rest." He gently strokes Gou's fur, rewarding the dog with a treat for his bravery.
The longer she stood there, the more comforted she felt. Whatever negativity she had considered from the battle fades as both of her allies were thankful, or seemed to be, and the spirits of that place were also quite welcoming. In her heart, she would pay them homage, but had nothing of worth to leave them except some silver dust.
"Are you still hurt either of you?" she would ask.
"No...I am healed, with a little extra gift from the spirits, it seems," says Lung, clenching and unclenching his hands, which seem to vibrate with power and vitality.
Lung drinks a sip of water. "Well. Ready when you are," he says to the others with a smile. "Piella, if you want to lead with the crossbow, I'll be right behind you. That way you can shoot without fear."
"Yes...I feel that too. I wonder very much if we will find any other cursed zones up ahead to cleanse like this one."
Part of her was worried at that, but now that they were mentally prepared for it, perhaps they could help out the spirit realm?
She would nod to Lung and head up the path with a loaded bolt in the crossbow--just in case. She wondered if she could discern spiritual zones that were putrified, based on what little of her divine connection she had.
You progress up the mountainside. Piella's keen eyes spot a few other heavily mist-shrouded areas, but being patient proves well worth it as the mist parts after a few minutes.
You stay careful, and eventually reach the summit of Blue Crane Mountain where the Qigang family shrine stands proudly.
As you approach the gate to the walls surrounding the shrine, a whispered song can be faintly heard.
The song is hard to hear, but it appears to be a prayer invoking good luck, protection, and tranquility.
The shrine itself looms some three stories tall behind the walls. A lone ghostly crane glides by overhead before landing on the roof of the shrine. Despite the mist growing thick, you feel safe.
Lung listens carefully, then relaxes a little with a smile.
"It's a prayer. It invoked good luck, protection, and tranquility. I think we are all right here." He rubs the container with the Qigang ancestral offerings on his side. "We'll be able to deliver these."
"Good..." she commented to Lung with a slight smile, matching his own. "Let's remember why we are here. The True History of Yuanzi. If anyone knows what The Four Flavors of Heaven contained, hopefully only here we'll learn this. This may very well set us apart from the others in the competition. And...personally...I just want to make the Celestial Council happy. That would be a milestone in my life. To sort of pay them back for the foresight and powers they've given me."
She continued to move forward, giving a cute little wave to the crane, even though it was just watching them. Inside would be the place to give the offering most likely, but she would slink back and let the boys open the door as they were more melee focused if they did have to fight.
Gou had the most difficulty with the stairs and Shiro eventually resorted to carrying the dog. By the time thy'd made it to the top, the ninja was worn out, gently setting the Shiba down before quaffing noisily from his canteen. After his thirst was slaked, Shiro popped a honey candy into his mouth and joined the others.
He felt soothed by the whispered song and moreso when Lung revealed its purpose. Once he noticed the crane, Shiro bowed deeply, as one might when seeing the spirit of a mountain. "The Qigang family must be powerful indeed to have such a shrine. I expect their competition to be quite fierce."
Taking the lead, Shiro opens the door.
Piella hid the pain of her leg from the boys the whole trip up the mountain, but at times they would have to have slowed a bit to give her a break, now at the shrine, she could finally rest it a bit, and she leans on the doorway while Shiro seeks to enter. If the doors were to open for him, she would peer widely inside, looking for creatures, people, hidden doors or anything else that would catch the eye.
As Shiro slips inside, Piella shoots a quick peek.
The inside of the shrine proper is sparse but well built. Memorial stones carved with the names of the deceased Qigang family members fill the edges of the great circular chamber.
A squat stone offering table sits in the middle of the room, carved to resemble a crane spreading its wings in flight.
The room is illuminated by pale, ghostly-blue flames that ebb and flow above you. Occasionally one dips low enough and touches a memorial stone, which echoes with a glow of its own before fading away.
The chanting continues, slightly louder, but there's no one to be seen.
Shiro is rather blunt "Lung, the offering. I do not like being in the shrine of another's family, even with their blessing." The ninja stays by the door, not wishing to intrude any farther than he already had.
"Of course," says Lung, hastening to the offering table. He opens the box and places the items on the flat cool surface. He does a quick prostration before the table.
"I bear these items as a lowly messenger for the clan of Qigang," he says. "May they reach the Qigang ancestors and please them."
Piella thought it strange that the living children of these ancestors didn't feel like coming up here with them. Such an act was somewhat disrespectful in her opinion--to send someone else--even if they had questions. Piella thought it also rude to linger at the doorway and just peer inside, so she urged Shiro also to come with her and she moved inside back behind Lung to bow as well in respect.
As you present the offering, the memorial stones glow blue and faint ripple surges through the mist.
Incorporeal forms, humanoid in appearance, form from within the spectral mists.
A low susurrus cuts through the hummed prayer, a simple question forming:
"What is it you seek in the land of spirits?"
One of the figures floats above the offering table, featureless and unmoving.
At Piella's urging Shiro entered the shrine, shivering at the sight of actual spirits. A gradual unease settled into the young man's mind as stories of being spirited away came to his thoughts. Still, this is one of many trials that must be overcome.
Catching his nervous breath, Shiro spoke. "We have come to pay our respects in place of young Gen Qigang and to beseech your knowledge of the True History."
Lung rises from his prostration. "We would like to give the Celestial Court our earthly best to provide a recreation of their first feast. If there is knowledge here of that, we beseech you to grant it. ...and if it is not a simple request and we must face challenges to earn it--we are ready to face those challenges."
He places a fist in a palm and bows. "We do this not for ourselves, but for the Court. Whatever merit we may earn, we return to the Court."
"We are here as members of the Soeji Clan, I believe an old friend of those in your family's lineage. We seek to fulfill Old Soeji's desires as well as the Celestial Court's. Many along the road have sympathized with us and have aided us in this quest. Here we are now as well, before you, with a strong desire to win. We have the determination and the guts, but we just don't know the history. Please, help us."
The figure slowly condenses into a more recognizable form, that of a young human dressed in fine, but clearly well worn traveling clothes. A smile cracks its shadowy face.
"Soejis! Why didn't you start with that? Well, this is a surprise, but a welcome one at that!"
The spirit makes a swirling motion with his left hand and a voluminous tome materializes out of the mists, its form composed of the same ink and mist substance as all other spiritual beings.
"It is true however, the True History is not something we share so lightly. Considering our past relations however, I'm sure a lighter challenge could be proposed?"
A shimmer passes through the other spectral forms.
"Perfect! It's in agreement then!"
Another swirl of the hand, and the book vanishes. Taking its place is a circular stone disc, with two dozen wooden pieces arranged upon it. The spirit holds the disc aloft in front of the four of you.
"I propose a game of Hao Gushi. I shall play as the blue pieces, while you shall play as red, green, and yellow. The rules are simple, each turn we..."
The explanations go on for some time, but you quickly grasp the premise. Hao Gushi is a miniature war game of sorts, where you attempt to capture the other player's pieces.
The figure finishes setting up the pieces and wraps up the explanations.
He motions to the three of you.
"Guests always make the first move.
Taking the yellow side, Shiro moved his pieces with a subtle hand, trying not to betray any of his intentions. His pieces flow into a simple bait formation, hoping to catch the spirit's stronger pieces by sacrificing one of his weaker ones. The ninja wasn't a particularly great player, but knew the art of misdirection well.
Lung takes the red side, considering the pieces quietly and academically. He then raises his head, looking across at the spirit with eyes that seem to blaze and drip venom. He assembles a devastating strike against the spirit side, risking an all-out assault.
Hao Gushi? She had never heard of it. It took her a little to watch the boys play the game and to finally understand how to play, but to her own unique strengths. She wondered who conceptualized this game and how long ago it was that it was made if some ancestral being knew how to play.
When he states she gets the first move, she kindly says, "Thank you. That's nice of you."
She then opens with a move only she could have conceptualized--a gnome-like move. Sneaky and small to start.
The Qigang ancestor thinks for a moment, then makes a move of its own.
Moving the blue pieces in thought out, straightforward formations, he closes in around Piella's pieces, losing a few to Lung's strategic advances. A few turns later, he pauses, finally noticing Shiro's maneuver.
"It would appear my timing was slightly off. No matter, in battle, one must be willing to sacrifice to gain the upper hand. The lady's weakness seemed to be the perfect target to take advantage of, but it looks like you already form a formidable team. I will be more careful in the following round."
"There are three of us," says Lung apologetically, "And thus we have an advantage over you. Of course, off the gaming board our combined powers do not match yours."
He moves his pieces decisively yet again. "But we would be remiss and dishonorable if we held back. Accordingly, I will be the hammer."
The trap sprung, Shiro proceeded to press his pieces into the spirit's vulnerabilities, though his efforts lacked the confidence of Lung's assault. With the two of them forming a pincer, hopefully the spirit's pieces would collapse.
Piella was not good at intimidation, or at least she didn't think so. She had grown so accustomed to friendly Lung and Shiro, that she did not know they had threatening sides to them. In turn, she too took a similar approach.
She, however, was about as threatening as a baby duckling.
The spirit winces as Lung charges into his pieces. Shio springs his trap and the spirit attempts to counter...
... landing Shio and Piella's pieces into a trap. Their pieces cornered, the spirit breathes a sigh of relief.
"There are indeed three of you, and one of me, but the match isn't over until the enemy is defeated. Do not be overly confident. Much can still happen in the final round."
"Much. Can. Happen." says Lung in agreement, practically stabbing his pieces into the game board. If his previous attacks seemed like an all out strike, he had clearly been saving up for something even more ruthless and unexpected, like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
"To know my enemy, I become my enemy," he says by way of explanation. "I offer you a golden bridge for your honorable retreat."
"I think you have me cornered again, oh no!"
While she was obviously failing and landing her pieces into a trap, it was cornering the spirit in obvious moves, allowing Lung and occasionally Shiro to take advantage.
"Hmm." Engrossed in the game, the ninja says little, his hands flying over his pieces.
Shiro deftly moves his pieces free of the spirit's countertrap, moving to interfere with blue's attempts to bring down Piella. Each attack against the gnome finds yellow pieces ready to intercept, focusing entirely on defending as Lung presses his advantage.
"An honorable opponent does not flee before a mightier foe."
The spirit moves the last of its pieces as the round ends.
"A clear victory for the three of you." He motions to the board. "But also a lesson."
You notice the pieces' final positions form a pattern of sorts. The spirit indicates his own blue pieces first.
"There are few who will truly oppose you on your journey. While some may stand in your way, they are few and far between. Be mindful of their power, but be confident in your own strength and purpose."
He indicates Piella's green pieces. "You will meet many on this journey who will require aid. Help those in need, and surely you will find victory. Do not be misled by their plight either. Strong hearts and courage may not win every battle, but they will surely emerge victorious in the end."
He motions to the remaining yellow and red pieces. "Swiftness of action. The ability to make decisions and follow through. Whether through strength or subtlety, you possess everything needed to succeed in your task."
With a flick of his hand, the disc floats over to land in Lung's hands.
"A gift, from one player to another."
With a second flourish, a great tome fades in before him.
"And let's not forget the promised reward. You have shown courage and kindness, cunning and respect. I see no reason to not provide you with what you seek."
A handful of pages unfurl from the book and drift over to land on the game board.
"The Four Flavors of Heaven. Quite a fascinating read. You will need to return to the mortal realm before the pages manifest enough to be read. I do hope to hear what you make of them."
With that, the spirit waits if you have anything to add before vanishing into the mists of the shrine.
Piella had never won a game like this before. Most people in the mines worked for a living and drank the pain away due to their sore bodies. There were few games and cheer, except on festival days, and it is only the festival type games or ones she herself imagined as a girl that she had played before. It was why she was so horrible, but having won, she felt invigorated, despite her own clear loss.
The words of the spirit were attempted to be listened to, but as he presented more gifts, she could hardly focus. Fortunately for them, all that was in her nature was already needed for their road ahead. The Four Flavors of Heaven were now in their grasp, and their next task clear--to find the hidden drunk. She climbed one mountain, why not another?
Before he faded, she asked of him, "Mr. Spirit, before you go, what is your name that we might give you respect? And is there anything you would care to tell your descendants at the bottom of this mountain?" She figured she might as well start doing something nice for the ones who let them come up here in the first place.
Lung is momentarily speechless, taken aback by the gift. "I...you are too kind to offer this," he says, taking the proffered game disc. "I shall use it wisely. And...we are humbled that you would give us the Four Flavors of Heaven. We shall seek to do justice to its contents."
Shiro bowed as they received the book. "Thank you for the your guidance, wise spirit. May we live up to the expectations you have for us." The ninja thought over his experience playing Hao Gushi. Perhaps future games will be held, even in the near future. He just hoped that the go as well as this day's game.
Zhou Qigang. As for a message, I believe there is no need. I believe after this, Gen might take a renewed interest in connecting with his spiritual side. That is more than enough for me."
He waves towards the entrance and the mountain.
"I will ensure your return down Blue Crane Mountain goes smoothly. Beyond the gates however, you must be vigilant. You now possess quite a priceless treasure."
He pauses.
"And please, try not to get food on it while cooking."
With that he fades into the mists along with the other spirits.
"Thank you Zhou Qigang for your fun game and help," she will voice with a chuckle at his warning not to spill food on the book. They were going to be on the road. It was going to be hard enough to keep it clean from normal wear and tear. Thankfully they had Lung, who was quite proficient at dealing with books.
"Well, let's make our way back."
There was a bit of hesitation in her voice, as downhill was always a bit more painful if she didn't watch how fast she declined. It would be a slow-going process that if they didn't want to carry her, they would have to endure.
"We keep getting warned that we should be careful, but we haven't seen anything to warrant that yet. What do you guys think we can do to make sure it stays that way? Can we be a bit more incognito? Make it harder for people on our tail to track us?"
Shiro had mostly recovered from the climb and upon seeing Piella's struggle, he offers to carry her down, at least part way. The Shiba, Gou, had also recovered and descended alongside them. "So long as our opponents *huff* do not know we have part of the History, *huff* I think we are safe. We should *huff* read it only in private."
Once they make it down to the stone platform, Shiro sets the gnome down and asks to rest for a moment. His faithful hound is drawn to the small shrine there, sitting before it quietly. The masked man quaffs from his canteen, greedily quenching his thirst.
"We must keep moving--er, within reason--" says Lung, a little winded himself, "And not speak to anyone who might share secrets. I'm used to carrying books, and I can disguise...no, wait a second...Shiro...can you disguise a book? Perhaps we can work together to make it look highly unlikely," says the acolyte.
Gladly taking him on his offer, Piella would carefully climb onto Shiro's back. All told, he was carrying only roughly 28 lbs more, as she wasn't dead weight but even with all her items, she was still as light as a feather. Being in so close a proximity, he would be able to smell the soap she has used on their travels--a strawberry and mint-scented soap.
"If I get too heavy, just put me down. Don't risk falling on my account," she will briefly state in an effort to give him any reason to not tumble down the mountain with her. It was partly out of her own fear, but mostly for concern for him.
"I fear that people will know we went to the Qigang estate, and if they know the history themselves, they may be seeking it from the very same people we have. Still...disguising the book, with care, can definitely help us keep it in our possession. I am thinking with a title like 'Monk Bollywock's 4,000 proverbs of mental clarity', or something like that?"
As your discussion continues, you finally make your way to the base of the mountain.
There, you see Gen waiting for you, sitting cross legged in the shade of a tree near the mountain path, book in hand.
As you cross back into the mortal realm, he glances up, sees you, and waves you over.
"Welcome back! Come, sit with me and tell me of your travel to the summit. Was it a success? What was the shrine like?"
"Forgery isn't amongst my skills, unfortunately. Keeping the book hidden though, I can do." Shiro shook his head, he'd delivered plenty of letters before but never forged them.
The ninja reported their success like he was still on duty. "The offering was delivered. The spirits seemed satisfied."
"Your shrine was beautiful. We met an ancestor spirit at the shrine, and before that, prevailed against a predatory fire spirit," says Lung. He sits with Gen. "What else would you like to know?" He smiles, glancing at the book out of his usual bibliophilic curiosity.
He nods at Shiro's brief explanation and asks a few follow up questions to Lung, especially about the fire spirit and the shrine. Eventually, he gets to the heart of the subject.
"I take it you were successful then? I do not need to see it, but I am very curious as to whether or not the spirits provided you with a piece of the True History."
Shiro's hiding the book would have to do. She was not skilled in such things either.
As they make their way down, she stands next to Lung, not even hardly as tall as him sitting with Gen.
"It's hard to say," she answers, unsure as to whether to trust even Gen Qigang. "We were given some words of advice that should help us out, definitely, but whether the True History was provided, we aren't sure yet."
Which was true, because after all, they hadn't checked since coming back to the mortal realm.
"We can say with certainty that your ancestor we met was Zhou Qigang. Although he didn't say so, I'm sure he would appreciate you scaling the mountain yourself, and perhaps he can tell you the whole tale of everything from his own perspective," she grinned along with her response, encouraged in the fact they kicked a spirit's butt at his own game.
"We do not know, as Piella says, but I cannot see why the spirits would be false to us," says Lung.
Shiro's information on the Qigan family provided no reason to doubt them, be left such matters to the other's judgement. "The sprit challenged us to a game of wits. You should be prepared for a similar encounter, should you scale the mountain yourself."
Gen nods.
"We have been lax in our spiritual duties, it's true. It seems our ancestors still wish to give us a chance. I give you thanks for bringing this news to me."
He rises and stretches.
"I am glad that I was able to help you in your endeavors. Whatever the spirits saw fit to give you is yours to keep. I will make the trip up the mountain myself tomorrow, and after that make my way to Xin. I'm sure my father will understand."
He hesitates for a moment.
"If you would grant me a request, I'd very much like to be there when you present to the Celestial Court. It would be an honor for the Qigang to stand by the Soeji clan this year."