Saturday, August 13, 2005

Lazarus Heart: Found in the mist
*episode 11*

Sango is sitting by herself in the shrine; humming and cleaning her weapons. She and Kiri had returned from their climb several hours ago. About ten minutes earlier, he had left the shrine, saying that he had something to attend to. Miroku approaches Sango. She seems distracted and doesn’t notice him. He sits down and waits; in time, she looks up. “Miroku,” she says, “Did you want something?” He says, “I noticed that Kiri has left us; I thought this might be a good time to share what I have learn of this mountain.” Turning back to her blade, Sango nods, indicating that she is listening. Miroku begins, “The mist on this mountain has been here continuously since before the construction of this temple. In fact, the shrine was built to honor the force behind the mist. As we have seen, demonic magic will not function within the mist; also, it is not possible to fly over the mist. Anyone who enters the mist will become instantly lost and, without help, will most likely die in the mist. The texts I have found say that, with very few exceptions, no demons can use this pass; the same is true of human armies. The magic behind the mist is truly incredible; almost unfathomable. Do you have any idea what could wield such might?” Sango says, “Presumably that is what you are going to tell me.” Miroku says, “In fact, I am. The scrolls confirm what I already suspected. The mist is created by the spirit of the mountains themselves. The life force or Kami of this place protects it.” Sango says, “That means that this is a sacred mountain.” Miroku says, “Indeed; and tremendously so. But to put that aside for a moment, the texts talk of a guardian who navigates through the mist.” Sango says, “Kiri.” Miroku says, “Yes, but there is more. This guardian is not what he appears to be. He seems to be a human with green-grey eyes; however, he is in fact the embodiment of the spirit of this place, the avatar of the mountains’ Kami, in short, a god.” Sango has dropped the Hiraikotsu and is now focused solely on the monk. She says, “You don’t mean…” Miroku says, “…Kiri is the Kami of Kiri-Yama.” Sango says, “No, that can’t be…If he were a god, why would he be wasting time with us?” Miroku says, accusingly, “He doesn’t seem to be wasting any time at all.” Sango blushes and says, “No, that can’t be.” Miroku says, “There is more.” Waiting for Sango to acknowledge, he continues, “The rest is shear conjecture, and none of it is specific to this place. The scrolls make no reference to the guardian ever seeking companionship; but there are legends from elsewhere which are similar. I have drawn these conclusions as a worst case scenario based on them. Kiri has chosen you; he has selected you to be his companion. When a god or goddess makes such a choice, they are not easily dissuaded. He cannot leave this place; which means that you would have to remain here for the rest of your life. More than likely, he would then trap your spirit here for all time. We cannot leave; he may offer our freedom if you accept him. Assuming you say no, we would all be stuck here. Of course, Inuyasha would refuse to accept this and would either be killed or banished into the mist. He seems to like Kirara, and Shippo is only a child; but Kiri might dislike having a full grown demoness on his mountain for an extended stay. You must consider the impact on Kohaku of something happening to Kagura.” “Stop it!” Sango says. “Kagome and I have sacred powers which might be somewhat effective against him and he certainly doesn’t like me. Kohaku would be enough to control you wit…” Sango punches him, square on the jaw. He says, “Sango, you have to consider the possibil…” She hits him again, harder; only this time she doesn’t stop. She keeps hitting him until his body goes limp as he loses consciousness. Her weapons forgotten, his blood on her fist; she runs blindly out of the shrine and into the mist.
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