HP: Spirit Talker

You'd have to be a monster to take it away from those who came for a respite, a brief moment of peace, a chance to talk to the world. I did not count the time we were silent, I myself was drawn to the contemplation of the spiritual fire and the subtle but infinite in its power voice of peace.

— What is your name, boy? — her voice was deep and velvety.

I tore my gaze from the fire to the side and met the black-haired girl in the purple kimono with stars.

— Hoshino Sora. — I answered without hesitation, feeling that I was telling the truth.

— Wakana, my name is Wakana and hers is Maya. — The girl made a graceful gesture with her palm to her neighbor, who nodded.

— Nice to meet you. — It's true again, because these ayakashi don't smell of evil or blood or, Gods forbid, decay, which means sinfulness and utter insanity.

— Who inspired you, child, to perform the revenge ritual that night?

— No one. — I turn my back to the fire, resting my chin on my palm and my elbow on my knee. — I hadn't planned anything like this, it's just that New Year's Eve has always been an important holiday for me, so I decided to celebrate it with my brothers — the closest creatures to me. ....

— But you got the presents right, and the treats too, hmm? — Watching the girl out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that she was looking at me intently.

— It was in case the brothers had already made friends and wanted to call me... and the gifts... I just wanted them... I think... — I finished quietly, because I didn't understand why I had laid them out.

— We're lucky to have you, Maya, — Wakana turned to her neighbor. — It was not for nothing that we followed the call you heard in these unfriendly lands. — Maya nodded earnestly to her friend and looked at me, and Vakana turned to her. — Bless us, we beg you! — And they both bowed deeply in unison, waiting for an answer.

I turned to the strange ayakashi, not understanding why they were asking this of me, but something infinitely soft and warm blurred my critical thinking. I found myself in a trance, feeling a strange need to respond to their request. Without realizing what I was doing, I stood up and walked almost right up to the bent girls.

— Raise your heads, innocently mutilated. — My voice turned to a whisper that everyone could hear, even the world seemed to freeze at the sound of it. — It is not your fault for the misfortune that has befallen you, but pure hearts demand reward! — My head is in a fog, and I do everything like an automaton; I reach out my hand to the fire and scoop up a silver-blue lump. — Maya, the silver bell. — I reach out with my free hand and pull off her scarf, under which there is a horrible scar on her throat, disfiguring the positive and pure image of the Ayakashi Fox. — Evil traitors have robbed you of what is most precious to you: your family and your voice. — I bring a calm fire to the girl's throat, and it soaks in like water in sand, quickly and without a trace, smoothing the scars on her skin and inside. — Make the world happy again with your songs! Sing the dawn song again, together with the birds, and mark new days! — I placed the palm of my hand on the top of her head and stroked her tasseled ears.

This young fox had been through too much grief without deserving it, and without becoming angry afterwards. She deserved to be healed, and her goodness and purity would benefit the world. I looked at the black-haired spider woman.

That's right, she's the one who wove the cloths, and it's my spokes that are now in her belt pouch. This Dorogumo is not evil, and her nature is not aggressive toward anyone. Their misfortune is a prophetic gift, they see the world and the fates, some better, some worse, on a feeling level.

The Spinner of Fate saw a young tanuki betray his father and leave him in the hands of human hunters. Saw two tanuki villages being completely destroyed. Told the tanuki's father. Eventually, the trap was discovered and the traitor was executed, but the traitor's mother took revenge by hiring bandits who maimed the soothsayer for the rest of her life. Another blob of fire warms my palm, and I lift the Spiderwoman by her shoulder.

— Wakana, don't give up on life, you are destined to save more than one life! — With these words, I press the blob of fire against the girl's abdomen. — Teach your children as your mother taught you!

The spider girl stared at my emotionless face in disbelief. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she smiled broadly, flashed her sharp fangs, and kept her hands on the spot where the fire had seeped.

Looking at the happy faces of the ayakashi, I felt nothing but peace and a faint satisfaction at what had happened. I moved my gaze from one frozen spirit to the next until I felt something tearing at me. I spread my arms wide and exhaled. Consciousness faded.

***

Ayakashi, Yokai, spirits and others saw a wave of warm, sun— and herb-scented light emanating from the boy. The blessing enveloped all who came, no matter who they were — everyone felt a surge of strength, relief from worry, healing of old ailments. In a few seconds, the circle of light faded, and with it, like a puppet with its strings cut, the boy began to fall, but was quickly picked up by Dorogumo. Lightly and gently, she set the boy down beside her, smiling broadly and stroking his short hair.

— How is he? — The fox's voice sounded ringing and enchanting, like the chiming of bells, the murmuring of mountain streams, it was impossible not to fall in love with her voice.

— He was too young and weak to perform such miracles in peace. He is tired. — The black-haired Ayakashi girl replied with a smile. — But he is already strong like few others in this land. — The happy expression was replaced by a wistful one. — Two legacies carry his blood, and the third... yes... the third is almost awakened... almost... — the girl's eyes lost their shine and her voice became a whisper. — Maya, give him a drop of your blood.

The fox didn't hesitate for a moment and quickly pricked her finger on a fang, just a little, and pressed a red drop onto the boy's open lips. It was as if he had been waiting for it, licking up the gift immediately. For a moment, the room around him shuddered, as if a mirage had floated by, smelling warmth, and everything stopped. And the boy smiled broadly in his sleep, bright and friendly.

— The third gift has awakened, — the spider whispered. — Good... there is one more thing... — The spider woman lifted her head and looked at the brothers. — When the time comes, the boy will look for a helper and a protector. They will point him to the Green Old Woman. He needs her and she needs him. Remember, this is important.

The birds nodded silently — they will remember, they have understood what has happened here, they will help.

Dawn approached, the sky was pink, and the girl with honey eyes and brown fox ears sang. A slow, soft song that seemed to make the sun rise faster — it became brighter, warmer, happier in her soul. And her friend could hardly hold back her tears — she felt a faint pulse of magic in her belly, and the spider understood perfectly well what it meant....

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