Unlike the last days, both the ones our heroes were in and the ones they were not in, the village or city as you want to see it, is in absolute silence.
Such silence is not only obtained because of the time of day, since it is night, but also because all activity, noise or movement has been stopped.
*Bam* *Bam* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* * *Bam!
Deep in the night, a drumming noise, as if it were thunder, spreads all over the place. They were not proper noises, but followed a clear pattern.
As if responding to the call, from houses, street stalls, lodging areas and every possible place, people start to come out.
*Bang, bang, bang, bang* *Bang, bang, bang* *Bang, bang, bang* *Bang, bang, bang* *Bang, bang, bang!
The eyes of all the young couples are glazed over, just like those of the head priestess Yaeko, but that doesn't happen to the older ones.
It's those older ones, who look the worst of all. Their eyes are certainly not glazed, as they have none and were replaced by roots emerging from there.
...Christopher/Asahiko pov…
"No reaction?"
Turning from looking out the window of the room we were staying in, I look over to Kikyo and give her a small complicated smile.
"Nothing at all, my flames with purification capabilities are quite effective against those pollutants"
Using yourself as a subject for experimentation is not the smartest thing to do, but at first it was only with that dango and I gradually raised the level of exposure towards Eien's abilities.
Simply put, my flames can purify those seeds, at least before they connect with the host's body and modify it. The thing is whether it works also with a more advanced level of exposure... Like with Yaeko.
"They seem to be in a trance induced by the drums, though I can't feel any kind of energy..."
"Maybe it's nothing magical, but something natural, like sunflowers following the sun with their heads. This may also be a natural reaction, hearing this particular noise, they advance towards the temple."
If my thoughts are real, this whole place is a huge automated farm, which follows this cycle of actions over and over again.
But if Eien is so smart, why would he risk attracting attention with this taking down spiritually fit people. Wouldn't it be easier to just stand still and keep getting these benefits.
"I'm going to follow them on foot, will you take the heights and cover me?"
"Understand, stay in open places."
"Sure, the stars will always be over my head and your eyes on my body."
"[...]"
Holding back the laughter that threatens to escape, as Kikyo's look is one of absolute displeasure, I wink at her and watch as she leaps towards the rooftops.
Nothing is better than annoying Kikyo, though Kagome is also a good target... Tss... What was that cold I felt on my back.
Glancing to the side quickly, I see Kikyo perfectly mimicking the darkness of the night with her brown eyes peering this way.
"Every day my words about her being dangerous become more real... I better do what I came here to do."
Nodding at my superior intelligence, I leap through the window, since I can and want to, before melting into the tide of bodies heading towards the temple.
All the movements of the people are robotic, they follow the same pattern of movement and even those who guide them also follow a certain pattern, this looks like a finely oiled machine.
*Bang, bang, bang* *Bang, bang, bang* *Bang, bang, bang*
With the sound of the drums in the background, which are like lightning in the depths of the night, I slowly approach the temple along with the rows of people.
After a few minutes, we finally reach the main doors, which are open from side to side and welcome us.
"Be, be, be, welcome. Be, be, welcome."
Standing in front of the doors leading inside the temple is the little priestess Yaeko. Her wardrobe has changed from the previous priestess outfit of red and white to one that is all white.
One change that could be overlooked was the costume, but one thing to note is her actions.
Before you could feel the struggle between two personalities within her, but now there is no trace of such a thing and all erratic movement has been suppressed.
*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!
Slowly we move deeper into the interior of the temple, passing through pavilions totally devoid of life and swallowed by nature.
Nothing in here is the same as what is observed from the outside, apparently there is a barrier that distorts what the observer sees.
"We have... We have arrived. It's time to start giving the blessings."
We now find ourselves in a large courtyard in the center of the complex, in this place there is nothing but dirt and a strange... tree? The tree is strangely transparent and seems to be in the center of a formation.
It's not that I'm an idiot, it's just that this thing seems to be everything and nothing at the same time. With just one glance I could already notice cherry leaves, lotus blossoms, strange roses, vines and multiple other plants.
All of it is strangely distorted, squeezed and compacted into the shape of a tree. It's almost as if everything anyone could think of as being synonymous with "Nature" is in there together and squeezed together.
*Bang!* *Bang...* *Bang .... *Bang!
The drums ceased their constant noise, causing my attention to be drawn in certain directions. It was a quick glance, but I easily managed to deduce where the noise was coming from.
Obviously those drums are something important to the ritual, so with that information I'm left. Hey... Why is everyone staring at me?
"It's time for you to get the blessing, little fox. Hehehehe."
A sinister smile hangs on Yaeko's lips, while from the barren land, very varied and abundant vegetation begins to emerge.
"[...]"
Wait, I've fallen into one of humanity's most basic mistakes.... jumping to conclusions.