After what happened at the alley I managed to catch up to Rebecca. As luck would have it she was waiting at the entrance of the inn. It was rather a relief that she was still there. But then again I double backed to have that sense of dread. I could see from behind the window those menacing stares. But I decided to pay no mind and use my poker face. "Maybe we should get going before the sun's up. I would want to get a good place to train after all." I insisted. Rebecca agreed as she nodded her head. "You're right. The place we're gonna train is rather popular for runners." She says, "We gotta get going if we want time to train."
A few words that summed up our goal. Yet despite the goal being to become stronger, my limit was a ticking time bomb. Either way I could say that it was a matter of time till my memory kicks into another spell. The spells that I know of tough are actually above the E level. The explosive paper charm was ranked a C-rank spell while barrier seal charm was of B-rank. On the other hand the bird shikigami was labeled as an S-rank spell due to its high and unpredictable capabilities. All three of those spells were given special permission from the capital but only those three. The rest of the spells I know such as the doll shikigami, the clone doppelganger, and the tinder spell were classified as utility and low tier spells. Even if some of these spells had combat applications, some of these spells were useful to start a fire or extra hands when it comes to odd jobs in the capital kind of work.
To make things easier, it was best for me to summon my scribe. From twist and turns, we decided to walk our way there. But to my surprise, the route to our location was rather long. "Are you sure we can't just go for a ride at one of the carriages or any of the public transportation here?" I asked. "It's a good way to get your blood rushing. Besides, Isn't our group obsessed in becoming stronger or something?" She convinced me. Rebecca got me there. Plus there is the issue of going a rank up but I rather not share it. For now it's just the hope for me to get better.
As we follow my scribe, determination turns into confusion. The more we stride the more we soon recognized on how crippled the landscape became. From the clean old renaissance architecture soon shifts to ruins as condemned windows with broken windows to wrecked establishments. We then stop in front of a large sign. It was seven feet tall and a with a marble board five feet in length and six feet and width. It says: 'Here lies the Battle of Crippled Bones Memorial Park, where thousands have died for the sake of one fate. By the fall of the No Life King it brings the cost of others. May you honor their deaths by giving these ruins with care. By the words of Mori Katami, 'Take those whom you care in your heart and help you stand. May they live within you and push you forward'.'
Around the sign there were flowers and offering of various kinds. There were even candles and various types of incense around. But at the other side of the sign I was rather exhausted by shock. Behind the sign stood ruins of various buildings of different architecture. There was Greek, modern, Japanese, Chinese, industrial, victorian, and many others. Vegetation was taken over from vines, grass, trees and bushes. It looked as if these were a crippled wasteland from a war long before with green trying to grow over it. "What happened here?" I asked out of curiosity. "During the Battle of Crippled Bones there was a raid done by a couple of undead soldiers. These vary from, zombies, ghouls, and even skeletons." She said.
"So an HAP happened inside Trium?" I asked Rebecca.
"From what I got from my superiors, this was an attack. The ghouls eyes were visible and zombies are rarely seen in Laputa." Rebecca clarified.
"So the Pale Rider, Damien Morte caused this?" I asked.
"You catch on really fast." Rebecca complemented.
"Well it does say on the sign that this was a battle against the No Life King." I pointed out.
"Anyways, nobody knows why the four horsemen were even there in the first place. They just suddenly appeared out of nowhere and the next thing you know havoc comes loose with an undead horde. Nobody knows what happened after that." She told me.
"From what I can tell Damien agreed to be a distraction while the rest of them fell back and retreated." I guessed.
"What makes you say that?" She asked me.
"Back when I was still Toshizo Hijikata there was a strategy of men doing cover fire with their rifles while the others snuck from behind and attack with stealth. Sometimes we would do that to make an escape plan to evacuate the rest of the soldiers and the injured. This was no different." I explained.
"It's amazing how working with the reincarnated brings new information from their past lives." Rebecca said outspoken.
"Don't kiss my ass just yet. I'm still green to this whole thing." I implied.
"Then we might as well get going. Maybe training with you can help me level up." Rebecca insisted.
We walked around the ruined area as the mixture of limestone and green glowed at the morning sun. Rotting wood pillars and beams were at the floor. Some of the roofs were giving in as some of them were leaning downwards. Everything was abandoned and left what it was. It did strike me odd that something like that would exist in Cletus. There were even hobos sleeping in some of these abandoned houses and buildings as they would settle camp. "Sometimes whenever the inns were full or when people were flat broke, they would sleep here and make their own villages." Rebecca tells me, "They may be poor but they're the best scavengers both in and out of the capital." Even without her saying that, it was easy to tell that these guys were seasoned fighters and adventurers. I could see from the weapons that they used are worn out from the niches and scratches if their blades and spears. Some were even stained in blood and rough. A man on the next turn had a large iron buster sword with dents and scratches mixed with dried blood. What struck me most was the fact the blade was rigid and jagged. It was at least six feet long and the wielder was scrawny and a foot smaller. The sword must weigh a lot since it was purely made out of iron.
But once more Rebecca reads my face instantly as I was occupied by the blade. "We call those Rigid Punk Weapons. They're handmade by scrap but they do a better job in killing monsters." She told me. It was after we passed by a few houses that we see a makeshift forge dug from the ground. Someone was forging out of coal pit and a foot pump. "I thought you need a forge to make metalworks?" I asked curiously. "Not really, makeshift ones are pretty handy and they do the job good." Rebecca replied.
"Then why don't these blacksmiths just do their work at a guild?"
"That's because they're not. Most classes like hunters and rogues prefer to make their own weapons."
"Eh...why is that?"
"Their jobs actually require more creativity. You might end up needing a special tool or weapon that they don't sell in the market."
"Such as?"
"Rare variants usually need special kinds of weapons and ammo. Even rogues need special tools to pick locks or even wander to new territories."
Rebecca then takes out a small crossbow with a quiver. Some of the bolts had a cavity at the middle with some dried dark purple paste on it. "I had to make this poison arrow myself out of bone and wolfsbane poison. It is hard to get some of the materials but it was worth it." She said.
"Where did you even get a pistol crossbow?" I asked.
"Tyrell got some inspiration from Mr. Williams and figured he might as well make a prototype. I figured I might as well test it." Rebecca replied.
Looking at it, it made me realize how short I am at arrows at the moment. My guess was right and I turned out to be a few arrows short to getting an empty quiver. "Maybe I should take a few blacksmith classes while I get time to spare." I suggested to myself. "Relax, you can buy them off Tyrell later. Spare the guy a few coins, will ya?" Rebecca told me off.
But watching them make weapons did bring a few questions. "Wait... aren't you supposed to be classed as a blacksmith to learn this stuff?" I asked. "As far as they go, most of this stuff is trial and error. Blacksmiths specialize in the more complicated stuff with the tools. What they're doing is just basics." Rebecca told me.
"Yeah and weapons are getting expensive. And UTU is putting it against us for making our own rather than buying their goods." The homeless man on the forge butted in.
He was around Mr. Williams age and had a snowy white beard. He then diverts his gaze at me. "You best be on your way, freelancer. Talking about getting other class skills here isn't safe. Especially with UTU doing a food drive a few blocks away." He warned me. Embarrassed as I was, it was really my fault for letting my guard down. I then bowed and said, "Thanks for the information." I then lend him a few coins but he shrugs it off and passes it back to me. "It's alright, like the major guilds say, 'we need to look after each other if we need to survive'." He told us. I felt guilty about not giving anything back so I started pointing at the arrowheads at the forge. "Then can I buy those off of you?" I insisted. "I need those more to hunt some deer later, sonny. Just take care of yourself and help us out on hunts later when you rank up." The homeless man assured me. He then gets a whiff of the air and takes some crackers out of his pocket. "Damned UTU. Charity means shit if you keep blaming everybody." He groaned. His stomach growled in hunger.
"Aren't you gonna head to the food drive?" Rebecca asked.
"Fuck that! I may be homeless but I'm not desperate!" The man exclaimed.
The man's stomach growls again. Already feeling bad for the guy I give him a small bag of smoked deer meat. The guy may be stubborn but he has good intentions. "At least take some food before we go. You won't be able to hunt on an empty stomach." I insisted. The man gives me a doubtful stare. Eventually he gives in and snatches it from me. "I am thankful but please be on your way. UTU is gonna move here once they're done feeding the other area. I get stronger if I was you, Freelancer." The man warned me.
We parted our ways after that. I kept those words into mind as I started to walk. But on the bright side I didn't feel any blood lust around me. But it soon started to become even more like ruins as decaying building soon turned to rubble. Pillars and foundations were sticking out as vegetation was growing in between the rubble. In the very center lies a ruined cathedral. It was one that looked like the Spanish cathedrals at Europe. The only problem was that part of the foundation was broken and the roof and been collapsed a long time ago. "Looks like we're here." Rebecca said. "What is this place?" I asked.
"This is the Cornerstone Loft. It's also where the tomb of Katami Mori is." She told me.
"What do people do here?" I asked.
"Train. Look over there, looks like my guild's doing parkour at some of the rubble there." She points out of the horizon.
And she was right. My friend then goes to her guildmates. Rebecca was at the horizon doing a bit of free running with the rest of the group. It looked as if she has been improving since the last few weeks. Rebecca was barely able to run a mile before the HAP, now she's doing wall runs and vaulting like a pro. Rebecca's then comes back. She then vaults towards us then does a double front flip from a high place and lands gracefully just a foot near us. I then whistles as I was quite impressed. "You're getting lighter on your feet now." I complemented. "Yeah, looks like all those messenger jobs paid off in and out of the capital. Gotta thank the guild for that." Rebecca said.
We look up to see Rebecca's fellow guild members dropping down to meet us. But it was there I was pushed away by Rebecca's guild members and they started crowding her. She was getting a lot of traction. Lots of people were going up to her. They even gave me their phones and asked me to give a group picture for them. I really didn't have that much choice but to comply. Rebecca has often been like the overprotective big sister at times.
But before her fans wanted to talk to her more, Rebecca cuts away and grabs a hold of my arm. "As much as I want to talk to you guys, I still need to train this guy over here. Sorry." She insisted in a cutesy way. The crowd grew disappointed but that soon shifted as she squeezed my arm between her breast. My face at first turned red until it turned pale white. Daggers started to appear at eyes of the male guild members of the Winged Sandals. There we go with Rebecca's popularity. Rebecca produced her signature cheeky smile. This girl read me like a book and all I can do was gulp air down my throat.
Oddly enough the Winged Sandals joined us on our walk towards the Cornerstone. Rebecca's guild was talking to her group, asking questions and tips on how to go up in the class system. But I was behind them, just a few feet away. Rebecca was looking at me the whole time, smiling out of curiosity. Already pissed I decided to give in with a sigh. "What is it?" I asked. "Nothing...just curious how much you changed. According to my sources, you have been going to the Hunter's Fangs guild." She said.
"And who are those sources?" I asked out of suspicion.
"A couple of friends in my guild. Rumors are spreading fast of a with a rookie adventurer. He is quiet like a ninja" Rebecca told me.
"How is this even a thing? I'm just a 'rookie' after all." I insisted out of disbelief.
"Hate to say it but your presence is unusual. You look weird with that mask. Like some backstory behind it." Rebecca told me.
"I guess that makes sense. I'm not one for socializing... most of the time I'm just the guy people talk to, not the other way around." I answered.
Rebecca snickers from my response. Her cheeky eyes expect something. "Hoho! I guess this is why I hear Richard busting your balls behind your back for being a virgin, huh?" She joked.
I look at Rebecca in doubt, and brushed it off. "Eh… I thought that would get you to react or something." She thought. "Well it's hard to react to something like that if people just want you dead by a stare." I said.
"Oh yeah… how's being under the radar?" Rebecca asked as diverted the conversation.
"Me and Mr. Williams are getting better with the hunts. Hunter's Fangs guildmaster has been a big help in information of monsters and how to butcher them. But with more information I guess I have gone more cautious of others."
"Why is that? There's nothing wrong with knowing new people."
"It looks like gaining infamy from UTU is messing everybody's privacy. Plus some other guilds want a piece of me."
"Just..how is this even possible? It's barely two weeks."
"Apparently the guildmaster of Hunter's Fangs has a reputation to being a sty in UTU's eyes. Now I'm part of it."
"Did you at least wear your mask?"
"Same one I'm wearing right now. But at least being outside of the capital for too long is making me an enigma. However I might need to change routes because some people are starting to get obsessive."
"Is Mr. Williams involved in this?"
"It doesn't look like it. We talk during our hunts but we kinda made it clear that we separate once we gain our shillings and merits. I am the target after all."
"You having to be alone most of the time, you doing alright?"
"I'm used to being alone most of the time. As soon as I go home it's either hobbies or meditation. "
"So you've been at this for awhile in secret? This past life thing?"
"It's my sixth time living here. Even if some of my past lives were well known, most of them prefer solitude."
Rebecca then stops for a moment out of concern. It must have been something that I said. "How are those memories? They must be hell." She asked. I then exhaled and corrected her. "I think I had it easier back at the time. Now I think it's more complicated." I insisted. "What makes you say that? Issues back at the time were based on hunger, poverty, pride, discrimination, and bloodshed. How was it easier back then?" Rebecca asked me. I then paused as a lot of memories started to synchronize. There was pride of gods and people. Poverty, greed, and hunger in society and countries. Then later on discrimination at the later end. But the only thing that never changed was bloodshed. How much shit have I been eating for the past millennium or so? I really don't know. But soon I was shoveling more of it as soon as I reached the sixth one. Again a bunch of new ones. However this fight ended up being different. "I guess the only difference now is that even when all of us wants the same thing, people started to eat each other when how they want it was different." I said. Rebecca turned to me confused. "What are you trying to say then?" She asked me. All I could do was sigh as I was lost for words. "I don't know...it's like we're running out of things to do and fight for. And now being here is starting to become a pain in the ass by just branding each other as enemies just by not liking somebody's opinion." I rambled.
"Sounds like we didn't even change even before Laputa. What do you think of it now?" Rebecca asked.
"I think it's full of shit now that people are thinking of ideas and feeling rather than thinking of the consequences. If this keeps up we'll be losing our heads in a city full of ghouls." I complained.
"Just try not to think of it. You need a break."
"Hard to think of that when some SOB keeps on shoving BS up your throat to the point they'll knife you for it."
"At least UTU doesn't go to these parts. Lots of runners train here so most likely those ass-hats would avoid this place."
I then notice something flying over me. My head tilts as I see what was at the sky. It turned out to be an owl flying over us. "I thought owls were nocturnal." Rebecca said. I didn't like it either. If I knew well, there was a storm brewing. From what I can tell, this was a bad omen.
We continued on our walk to the Cornerstone and with every pace came a memory. But the memories felt like nothing now. It felt more of a Blue Collar job that you hated going to but in the end you had to deal with it to get results. Most of those memories were of me in and out of the intelligence division of the base. Eventually I was at the front lines to circulate information in and out of the war zone. The whole experience was a drag but I did managed to avoid most of the fighting. But in recalling all those memories I accidentally trip on a pipe sticking out of the path. I was rather disappointed in myself. I laid at the floor with a dumbstruck look on my face. I can do a wall run-backflip combo with a couple of knife throws but I can't take watch out for a rusty pipe at some stinking ruins? Following up Rebecca helps me up. "What's wrong? Didn't get that much sleep?" Rebecca asked. I got up and patted the dirt off my clothes. "I'll be fine as soon as we get to the cornerstone." I insisted. I continue to walk to the ruined church and forget it was nothing. In truth even if I bruised my ankle a little, the healing factor of my demonfolk abilities healed in barely just a few seconds. Everyday the pace just went too fast. I didn't know how to cope as all these memories were so painful.
Even if they were sometimes random, I didn't know why were they so painful. It's like every step felt like the feeling of broken glass. However all I could do was stay calm as I can feel my demonic form was begging to wreck havoc. My hand was slowly turning black but with a little will power I managed to get a grip and revert it. I looked behind me and it looks like nobody seem to notice. There I took the jacket tied at my waist and put it on and wore the hood over me. I looked ahead and saw at the distance that we were there at the ruined church at the edge of the wall that separates Trium from Tetra.
The church had old wooden doors with partially rusted hinges and bolts. It was the right door that was open and gave a small glimpse of the church interior. Once inside I see what was left of the church. the only thing that was standing was the walls near the altar, the entrance, and partially the wall on the right. The left wing was shattered with some kind of tomb. It was the size of a small shop. The tomb look a year old as it was made out of white-gray marble. Only a few people stayed in the ruined church as they stretched and doing a few warm-ups. There was a metal plaque under the platform where the holy water should be. It was a sign that said, 'Light Fellows Catholic Church'. My group then catches up with me and started to stretch. "That shrine over there is the Cornerstone. It's where they keep the remains of Katami Mori." Rebecca told me. "Who are 'they'?" I asked.
But my question was answered as the small shrine doors were opened with a swift kick from the inside. Out comes a buff guy with a orange mustache wearing a tank top and lower military garb, holding a large stack of boxes. "Hey! Watch the door meat head!" Someone shouted from inside the tomb. Out comes another individual. It was a black woman with braided dreadlocks, pulling a few folding chairs and a table out. The man then helps the woman set up a tent and a front desk in front of the shrine. Opening the contents we find a variety of incense sticks, candles, and lots of origami paper sheets. There was even a donation box the size of a small safe there. "Thanks Brutus. Me and Eun-hi will take care of it from here." The black girl said to the buff guy. The man ten nodded and went behind the tomb. There turned out to be a storage container. He opened it and put a sign on top that says, "Temporary storage, a copper an hour." Heck there was even a refreshment stand that gave out water for free. It made me wonder what was going on. But in lack of any surprise, Rebecca read my face again. "Those guys are the people who take care of the shrine." She says, "A couple of guilds take turns in taking care of the shrine and maintain it."
"As for the store and the temporary storage room?" I asked, pointing at those.
"They're used to keep the maintenance of the shrine. You can't do repairs and cleaning without the materials for it." Rebecca answered.
"That does make sense... even recreating of cleaning supplies cost money as well." I agreed.
With all of Rebecca's progress on gathering information, I wondered what happened while I was gone. Soon one of Rebecca's guildmates then goes to her. "So you're still gonna be with us?" The Winged Sandals member asked.
"In a minute. I gotta get this guy to the shrine."
"What was that about?" I asked. "While on jobs, sometimes I train with them on techniques and parkour." She told me. I stood there quietly and gave her a blank stare. "You really changed a lot haven't you. ?" I asked her. "Well...yeah but I had to do a lot of work." Rebecca replied
"What do you mean by 'a lot of work'?"
"Well I did stealth training, parkour and a bit of hand to hand combat but barely managed to get it"
"How exactly…?"
"Our guildmaster would train us early in the morning and some traps that would make us hang upside-down and some of my paint balls."
"Those stinky ones that they sell at the Rose Line?"
"Yeah with a slingshot. Why?"
"Did he at least tone down the difficulty?"
"Well most of our training was done here. Some of what you do helps a little."
"Please don't tell me you tried to do my wallrun- backflip with knives."
"Well yeah… I might need it...eventually."
I then groaned out of distaste. "Maybe you should tone down a little. My moves are hard to do." I suggested. "Relax Rin. I'll be fine.." Rebecca said.
"You do realize most of those moves required practice and the ones I did were flukes, right?" I point out.
"That's why it's good for training. It makes you feel that you're up against a powerful opponent." She said.
"Yeah…but I got five lives behind me. How doesn't that sound fair?" I put out.
"I did tone it down with just by gainers. Then I did make do target practice with knives. I thought I can at least do it." Rebecca told me.
"Thinking back you did hanging upside down on a clothes line the last time you did that back at the surface. I even had to pull you down like a pinata..." I put into light.
"Maybe that was a bit too brash on training. Don't worry...I didn't do anything beyond that combo." Rebecca bashfully confessed.
"You better not. It took me two weeks at the apartment to get that right." I told Rebecca.
"We are mortal." She corrected.
"At least you're 'normal mortal'. You didn't fall in the rabbit hole as far as me." I insisted.
"Are you worried about us?" Mika asked.
"Of course I am! You guys are my friends. It's only natural." I answered.
Rebecca then pats me at the back. "You really are like a mom." Rebecca assured me. "It's an old habit for being a teacher. We need to get stronger if we wish to get out of this in one piece." I answered. My expression became serious. But with that, Rebecca pulls me away and towards the shrine.
I fall in line with a couple of others. It wasn't actually long. There was five people in front of me and they had their own gear and some others. Soon it was my turn. The woman looks at me. But it was later that her gaze was directed towards Rebecca. "Rebecca Smith? You looking good." The woman greeted. "Hey Steph. It's how's it going?" Rebecca greeted back.
"So who's this guy with you?"
"This is Rin, he's a new rookie like me."
"Really? So you're training together?"
"Yeah, he's pretty rough on the edges but he's pretty skilled."
The woman then turns to me. She had a convinced look at my eyes as I peaked her interest. But honestly her smile was something a dirty old man would give. But I ignored that and tried to focus on the goal. "Name's Stephanie Meyers from Gentle Hand, a.k.a 'Steph'. What's yours?" She asked me. I bowed my head a little and introduced myself. "Rin Kamiyama, I'm from Hanami." I replied. Steph eyes open wide. It looks like she was surprised of something. "You wouldn't happen to know Tyrell Powers, would you?" She asked. "Yeah, I was gonna ask you the same thing." I commented. "That boy's been at it for awhile at the forge. He's good company to hang out with." Steph told me.
"Is that so? It's good that he's blending in." I replied.
"It's all good. The guy's getting addicted to his job. Maybe you should take him out of the forge." She suggested.
"All of us in the group are getting addicted." I joked.
Steph then turns to the selection of merchandise. "So what do you wish to put at the altar?" She asked me. "I'll get the candles and some incense sticks." I said. She takes a packet out of the counter and gives it to me. "That will be five shillings." Steph told me. I paid my coin and waited for Rebecca. Both of us then entered the shrine. We were greeted with many things. There were various candle racks and incense vases around the whole room. But at the very center lies a statue. It was a statue of a woman holding standing straight and proud with a staff at her left hand. However I did find it odd that the staff was petrified wood. "Not be rude...but why are we here?" I asked. But it was there we were approached by someone. It was an Asian woman with a rabbit hoodie and a frilled skirt. "Welcome to the Cornerstone Shrine. My name is Eun-hi Kim of Lunar Rabbit Guild. How may I help you?" She greeted. There was something off about her and yet I couldn't point it out. Yet what struck me most was that she was holding a silver crucifix with red linings. The item was practically as long as her arms. She then lifted her hood to get a good look at me. Yet there it was, a set of two white bunny ears at her head, strands of silver hair and red eyes. This girl was a beastfolk. Anthropomorphic beings with slight animal traits and abilities. She then takes a good whiff of me. "That smell… its faint but you smell like Tsukuyomi." She said in glee. "Tsukuyomi is the god I'm under. What about it?" I asked. There it was, a playful look in wonder. She then says in a cheerful way, "Nothing. Imaba and Tsukuyomi are like friends. It's good to meet a few new friends."
That phrase alone made me dumbstruck. It was hard to read the mood. But another thing to worry about. "Come to think of it...Tsukuyomi-sama did say that there was a person under her, I just won't be able to see him that much." Eun-hi put out. "You're kinda right about the not seeing part… I haven't seen her in my visions for awhile." I said. But Eun-hi nodded in disagreement. "Judging by that smell, she sees you a lot." She disagreed. Yeah this was getting weird. This just means Tsukuyomi watches me in my sleep. And the fact that this teenage girl is happily telling me this by her sense of smell was quite odd. But what am I supposed to expect in Laputa? If tweedle dee and tweedle dumb came out of a book, were doing cartwheels and chugging beer kegs down my throat...that would actually considered to be normal. But it was high time for me to shift the conversation before this goes out of hand. I then put up my candles. "So...what are these for?" I asked.
Eun-hi then directs us towards the statue. "We often use this as a way to pray for the dead. It is by Katami Mori that we train here under those who risked their lives against the No Life King." She politely instructs us, "Just put your candles at the table. If you wish to put an offering, please leave it under the statue. If it's money then please put it in the offertory box." . Eun-hi then looks at her pocket watch and grabs a broom. "I better get going. I need to sweep the yard." She told us with a bow.
Eun-hi then leaves the both of us there with the others. Yet I still wasn't actually given an answer to my question. All that was explained to me about what to do with my incense but what they were for. But before I can ask Rebecca anything, she went on ahead to the statue. It looks like she was having trouble lighting up her candles. I then snapped my fingers to do the ignite spell. The wicks were lit and I used a tinder spell to light my incense. But kneeling there, I was stuck on what to do. "So what now?" I asked Rebecca. My question stuck as odd for her. In the end however she noticed how I was new to this and explained to me. Katami Mori was a member of the Rose Order guild. At often times the Rose Order guild would rescue people from the outside and give them refuge. Katami was head in most of these missions and was a naginata-jutsu instructor of Rose Order. She would even train individuals from other guilds and brought them together to fight against monsters in the defense raids. In the end she sacrificed her life and used a spell to end the No Life King. "People now train in these grounds in memory of her. Some say that in doing this, a piece of her watches over you and guides you in your practice." Rebecca said with a closing remarks.
"I never took you as the religious type." I commented.
"Every once in awhile I head to church too, you know!" She replied, defensively.
I sat there, staring at the statue was a relic born into this world. In front of me was what remained of a hero. All I could do was put a few coins in the offertory box. I then knelt my head down and clap my hands twice, then put them together for a prayer. I had nothing to pray for, only to thank her for what she has done. Oddly enough, this was the first time in awhile I did a long prayer. Rebecca was waiting for me. "So what was that thing that you did there, the one with putting offerings first then clapping hands? You were there a long time." Rebecca asked. "That was a Shinto prayer. We often leave an offering first before that though." I answered. "I didn't know you believe in Shintoism." Rebecca said.
"It isn't actually just that." I said.
"What do you mean by that?" Rebecca asked me.
"Most of Japan doesn't believe in organized religion. I also do sutras in Buddhist ways as well whenever I go to a monastery." I told them.
"I guess that explains why you and your uncle would visit the Shinto shrine and the Buddhist shrine whenever we were at downtown L.A." Rebecca added.
"It's not something that many people do. But a lot of people end up doing it either way." I said.
The sun was shining brighter by the minute. Soon people started to come in the church one by one. Lots of people did the same thing while others kinda bat and eye and head back to training. You can say that Katami Mori played a big role as part of the community. Whether or not they gave the offerings, it looked like this was a place trained in peace. People doing light exercise, training in magic and marksmanship, even spar with each other. Heck there were even producers testing out their own wares and gear on the field. This on its own felt like a community. "It looks like I need to work a little harder." I mumbled. "What was that?" Rebecca asked.
Before I can say anything I had another vision. It was the World War Two memory. I could see myself as him. I was stuck at a camp in China again. At unison I can see them training with their guns, fists, and swords. I was holding a bunch of papers and watch them. But just like that, a whole bunch of memories trigger from all of the remaining past lives. The only problem was that I was still stuck in that persona. The man was filled with rage that I could feel a storm within him. Kenshin then pats me at the back and says, "It's gonna be a long day. Looks like I'm teaching you." The memory stops from there. I gasp for breath as I fell on my knees. The bloodlust of this memory was strong. Who was this guy? Rebecca tried to help me up and there I saw him. Another memory flashed. The Japanese Soldier of my past life, he was covered in blood in a smile and looking at the mirror next to him. Just what the hell was I?