As I thought about my new found purpose, the more I began to wonder how in the world will I achieve this goal? How will I get stronger to protect Orochi and Tomoko?
Only one woman popped into my head and determination to speak with her was higher than ever before, "Tomoko, I need to speak with Aiya."
Tomoko laughed nervously, "Are you sure? Orochi might not be willing to help you."
I squint at her, "Will him throwing a fit put me in danger," she stays silent, "Exactly. Where did he go off to?"
She sighs, "More than likely, he bathing or guarding the grounds for you."
I grimace and get up from my bed, stretching out my sore muscles. "Tomoko, from now on, if you leave make sure you don't stay out for too long."
She bows her head and I walk out of the door, down the hall, and outside back into the chilling night. The air was cooler now since the summer has passed and just getting into the beginning of fall. It was a light nip to the cheeks if anything.
Winter was my favorite time of the year. Staying inside with family, eating season winter food, and the beautiful scenery would be covered in white. I walked down the steps and down the stone path to head down into the mountain. Leaves crunched under my steps giving away to where I was if Orochi was around.
"Leaving to see someone, are we?" His figure was leaning up against the giant tree that sat beside the house. His yellow eyes slightly glowed against the pale grey of his skin, making it easy to see his face.
"I was going to see you." I turn and walk a few steps to him.
His thin eyebrow raises, "Really, why?"
"Well, I need to speak with Aiya."
"No."
"I need to. She is the only one that can help me!"
"You aren't going to risk getting hurt because of a stupid vision a spirit showed."
Anger bubbled in the back of my throat, "Just because you think I'm supposed to be your wife, doesn't mean you can control me like a puppet. I am the last Lotus and I will make my family proud. Not sit here and wait for Beliath to finish me off, not when I have a chance."
Anger read all across his face as the bugs in the distance chirped, "Fine."
He gets off the tree and walks past me quietly, I follow suit behind him. "So..."
"Of course, not now. I am going to bathe for the night, so unless you mean to join me?" He raises an eyebrow at me teasing.
I scoff, "What in the world! Are you out of your mind?!"
He smirks, "Well, you didn't have any problem sleeping in my room."
My face goes red with embarrassment and I fall silent. How dare he?!
We walk towards the house and stop in front of the steps I came down only a few moments ago. "I will help you in a bit. Tomoko will give you dinner since it is very late and I will join after."
I nod as I turn to head in when his hand grabs my wrist, "Ren, it is not because I don't want you to be warrior, it is because you aren't one."
His eyes stare into mine, "Well duh, I know I'm not one."
Orochi's face goes blank, "Huh?"
"Thank you for the concern though!"
I head in the house and turn to close the door and see a very flustered Orochi.
I laugh and turn towards the kitchen to see hot steaming fish and some of the things we bought from the market earlier cooked. I gasp, "Wow! Tomoko that looks so good!"
She peeks her head from below the table and smiles, "Thank you! I hope it tastes good as much as it looks."
I gleefully smile and take the try down to the table to eat. The smells of fish and herbs fill my nose before I eat gratefully.
My stomach growled pleased at the amazing tastes, "Tomoko, these vegetables are so good! The market certainly has great things, we do need to go again."
Tomoko emerges with a bowl in hand and a plate of her food to sit beside me, "So what did the Master say?"
"He said he would help but only after he bathes." I roll my eyes and take in another bite of fish.
She laughs, "You can never disturb a man when he has his mindset on himself. Do you have any way to contact Aiya"
I shake my head in disappointment, "No, the only way that I have seen Aiya through dreams and visions. I have never sought her out on my own, only she has. Orochi is the only chance I have to contact her."
She nods as she chews taking into what I have said, "Maybe Aiya is waiting for you to call out to her."
I meet her eyes puzzled, "What do you mean waiting?"
As Tomoko puts down her bowl and looks at me, she says, "Could it be possible that she is testing you to see if you will pursue being a true Lotus? I could see why she doing so. Beliath maybe is out for you; but, Aiya isn't going to be a savior unless she begged or wanted."
I take in Tomoko's words and judge myself carefully as if I was Aiya.
It does make sense that I have not seen or heard from her after the most terrifying night of my life and the most sorrowful. She must feel pain like I do for the death of the whole clan, right?
Or is it possible that I am dead to her for not stopping Beliath that night?
"Do not worry, Miss. Orochi will help you when he can. You just must prepare yourself for the worst if it comes to that." We sit there eating our delicious food eagerly as Orochi walks in.
"Ah, it's good to see you two have started eating. I was wondering if I was going to keep you from it." He sits down and Tomoko hurryingly scurries to the kitchen to grab his food.
"So, what were you ladies talking about?" He sips his tea as Tomoko places down his tray in front of him.
"Nothing that important, just discussing Aiya," I say.
He nods and starts to eat the food Tomoko gave him. It stays silent as Orochi eats and the two of us drink our tea. "So, the ways you can contact a spirit is through 2 ways. They contact you or you contact them, simple right?"
I nod my head, "Ye-"
"Wrong."
"Huh?"
He laughs, "They can contact you easily like a door in your mind. But since you are a half-human and half-demon. It is harder when you are human to contact them but since you're a demon, this makes it a little easier on us."
"Oh."
"Since you are a half-demon, all you have to do is create a mental 'path' to her and you are there." He chews his last bit of food and stares at me like what he said was no big deal.
"Seriously? You think it's just that easy?"
"Well... it is." I hear Tomoko say beside me.
My mouth opens in shock, "You too?! I thought you were always on my side." She laughs at me, "I am always on your side but this is easy."
"So what you need to do is when your sleeping since that is your calmest state of mind, imagine the person you desire to see. Imagine your body is slowly going deeper into the world and a deep-sea of sleep. As if your body is fading from this world to the spiritual one."
I look at him, "That just sounds confusing."
"Well, that's the best chance you got so." He shrugs his shoulders and pushes his hair back from his face.
Is it that simple? Or is it one of those challenges where it seems super simple but super hard when you attempt it? I huff and put my chin on my hand, "Thanks for the help... I guess."
"If it doesn't work, then I can help you later but I feel just drained." He says.
"Why don't you rest then? I'm pretty sure everyone is out of it today. I can go another day without trying to contact Aiya. If anything we all need some well-needed sleep." I admit and look to Tomoko for support.
"Please, my body feels so heavy with so many things to do here. It's taken a lot out of me." She gratefully smiles and puts her hands together begging.
Orochi frowns, "Alright but I don't want to hear complaining."
She cheers and two hours later, we all go to bed for the night to gain energy for the experiment ahead to properly pursue my connection with Aiya.