Chapter 82 - Eiji Stumbling Over a Truth (1/2)

Eiji rested his head on his arm, which was propped up against his side of the bus window. He started out to random pasteurized land and low growing forests that whizzed by. His mind replayed events of the night before, which had led him to his solitary bus ride towards Hiroshima City.

The day before he had sprinted from Tyne and the others. Running a distance through the wild growing forests in a random direction with Ren's image plaguing his thoughts; continuously reviving brief moments of their rival archery matches and the drinking session at the inn with vividness.

He had killed in his country's name. But the death of a civilian because of him, hurt. Especially when Ren was a good man. The image of his face, and knowledge of his life, made Eiji's heart slow drastically. Monster. Traitor. He was not a man worthy for Hinata's love.

”Hinata.”

Eiji raised his head and eased back into his chair, looking up to the bus's curvaceous metal roof. He closed his eyes to play out more of the night before.

-

Despite his right arm inflamed with agony from heavy bruises he had received from stopping Kei's impact to the windshield, he had pushed on through the chilling dense forest.

The air was thinner, but also heavy with an unnerving silence and overwhelming stench of musk. Yet there was barely activity amongst the bushes. The only animals during the waning evening were distant outlines of tanuki foraging about for food.

He was alone to suffer whatever karmic fate Okamisama deemed he should suffer.

So he kept running, stumbling, wandering and moving deeper into the forest.  Immersing himself into the depths of a pitch black ambience.

”I'm a monster.” His voice had spilled out to an unsympathetic darkness. Tears made crude streak marks down his dirt stained cheeks.

He cursed aloud when his run was stopped by a trip over a boulder.

He tumbled pitifully down a rocky slop to stop before a bigger rock crop.  When he was able to peel himself off the ground, he made out a shape from the rocks beneath the moonlight. The shape was a raised arm holding a spear towards the moon.  As he was able to define more of the shape, he realized the arm was connected to a statue of Bishamonten.

He gulped at the glaring frown and scowling lips from the carved face. So this was where he'd be judged before Okamisama, beneath the glaring image of Japan's god of war.

”I'll accept my punishment.” He cried, wishing his hands held a tantou blade.

Yet a tantou was for honourable men. He was not one of those, so it was fitting he didn't.

”Young man?” A papery voice called out to him from Bishamonten's image.

Eiji stiffened to the sound of the voice.

”Okamisama?” he whimpered.

Light flashed before his eyes, causing them to sting and blink madly.

”Oh dear.” The papery voice sighed with a tone of understanding.

Eiji felt his head lifted and water trickle into his open mouth.  The water's taste was oddly tangy and sweet. Yet it was refreshing and invigorating, granting him a temporary relief from his pains.

”Are you able to stand young man?”

Eiji nodded and wobbled to his feet, shying away from the hands that wanted to assist him.

He was able to make a face to the voice. His heart raced at the sight of an elderly priest in a kimono and  umanori hakama with a straw utility belt supporting small pouches and a gourd.  His head was shaven like a Buddhist monk.  He held up the torch he was carrying to reveal more of his aged face, etched with many wisdom lines across his round forehead and sides of his wide mouth.

”Follow me.” He beckoned to Eiji with a weak, inviting smile.

Eiji bowed his head and followed the elderly priest's sprightly trail down a path through the bush. It connected to a cleared moonstone footpath between god's entrance, illuminated by lanterns hanging from tall stakes either side of the path.

He gazed up to the tall hashira poles and entrance face looming over him; absorbing the images of a hefty and stolid Bishamonten carved all over the surfaces. They depicted the god's moments of rest amongst lotus flowers, conch shells or his majestic image mounted on a snow lion. His crown and body armour was covered with images of luxurious jewels. A reminder of the luck power the god of war and wealth could curse or bless on a man.

He felt sure Bishamonten would only grant him the foulest of luck for having an innocent man die.  There was no honourable reason to justify Ren's death.

Eiji was led to the Temizuya stone basin to wash away his worldly filthy. Yet he felt no amount of shrine water could purify his soul for his wrong doings.

”Come.” The elderly priest bade Eiji when they finished their ablutions.

”I'm sorry, but I can't go further.” Eiji bowed with his apologies before the sight of the subduely lit pristine shrine the priest was beckoning him towards.

”Why?”