(Mael's POV)
The next day, I was sitting at the porch of the shrine building, hearing the birds chirping as the sunlight bathed the area.
I didn't get much sleep last night, hearing growling and howling every time I tried to close my eyes and drift off to sleep. I didn't know if it was an effect of the Subjugation, taking in the very being of the wolves that I killed.
I let out a sigh, "Man...." I said, looking down at the kimono I was wearing, "This is great."
I was wearing a black kimono with a black sash. Ren had gifted it to me, telling me my regular clothes were already too damaged and worn. These felt quite comfortable, despite my worries about it. It was as if I was wrapped in silk, wearing this thing.
"Here." I heard Ren say
I looked to my side, seeing her walk up to me, holding a small bowl of cooked rice. She sat next to me and handed it to me.
I took it in my hands, "Thank you." I said, "Smells good."
She gave me the chopsticks, watching me intently as I began to eat from the bowl. After several moments of silence, she simply looked ahead and let out a sigh.
"It was a tragedy." She spoke up, "Losing two yesterday."
I nodded, "Hm, yes." I said, "I'm sorry about that."
"It is no fault of yours." She said, her hands on her lap, "I only wish I could've prevented it."
"What keeps you from leaving the Shrine?" I asked
"I am bound to it." She said softly, "I cannot leave. Leaving an Inari Shrine unattended will invite misfortune. We must keep the balance of the Forest."
"I see." I said
She looked at me, "I have been thinking about your power." She said, "This.....Distorted Subjugation."
"What about it?" I asked
"How did you obtain it?" She asked
"I don't know." I said with a shrug, "I told you, when crossing, I was bestowed with this ability. I didn't choose it."
"I see." She said, "And summoning a bow out of thin air is part of that magic?"
I stayed quiet for a couple of seconds, "...No."
"I see." She said, "Is there something you are not telling me? I would like to know if I am making a mistake in housing you. I don't-"
"You're not." I cut her off, "I have no intention of malice, I swear it. I just mean what I said that everything is confusing to me. I don't know this place. I wish to know where I am. I wish to get used to what the Godlands are."
"I see." She said, looking ahead of her, "Then, be honest with me."
"I.....I was given this ability." I said, "The Magic is one thing. I don't know how it works, but when crossing through, I obtained it. But the ability to summon three weapons.....that was given to me."
I raised my arm, showing her the mark.
She looked at it, "To whom does that mark belong to?"
"I don't know." I said, "I was hoping you'd know."
"I do not recognize it." She said
"Well, it was given to me." I said, "I don't know what it is, but it told me about my Distorted Subjugation."
"I understand." She said, "About the Subjugation. If it is what I think it is, you could wield the Subjugated Yokai as weapons to do your bidding."
I looked at her, "Oh." I said, "I figured it was something like that."
She glanced at me, "You must be careful." She said, "It is not something you could control easily."
"Do you think you could help me?" I asked her
"I wield magic, yes." she said, "But my Magic is not like yours."
"Oh, that's a bummer," I said
"I cannot help you in that manner." She said, "But someone else can."
"Oh? Who?" I asked
"My Sister, Tsuki." She said softly, "She is the Guardian of the Eastern Shrine. If you go to her, she could give you tips on how to control your power. Her magic is Beast Taming. If Subjugation is similar to that, she might help you."
"Beast Taming...." I said, "That's..."
"Consider that to be a thank you, from me." She said as she stood up, "I owe you plenty for helping out the people of the Ichitsune Village."
"Plenty of help those two got." I said, "The ones that died."
"Yes." She said, turning around, "They were unfortunate souls. But you have helped the others by killing the Okuri, saving them from a future so violent and bloody."
"So do I head South-East?" I said, "To the Shrine?"
"Head to the Village, from there, a carriage might take you to the closest stop." She said as she began to walk away, "Perhaps my sister can help you."
**************************
"H-Hello!" I saw the woman from yesterday limp towards me, her leg wrapped in bandages, "I came to thank you!"
I had just walked outside the Shrine, making my way down the path when I ran into the woman. She was short, slim yet curvy, wearing a dark blue kimono and holding onto a wooden crutch.
"W-What are you doing here?" I said, "You shouldn't be walking, you're injured."
She looked at me, "Whoa..." She said, "Your eyes...they're scary...."
I frowned, "My eyes...."
"But I know you're not a bad guy." She said, giving me a bright smile, "You helped me out, saved my life even."
"Yea...." I said, "Why are you out here anyway?"
She pouted, "I came to say thanks." She said, "I couldn't just sit by and not thank my savior, so I walked back here!"
"You shouldn't have." I said, "I was on my way to your village."
She stared at me with a shocked face, "I....wasted my time....?" She said, "Oh, man...my leg hurts....."
I sighed and shook my head, "You're....not very smart, are you?" I said, "Oh well....I do need guidance to the village, I'll carry you on my back there."
She smiled, "Thank you!" She said, "I'll give you proper thanks when we get to my place then!"
"Yea, yea." I said, crouching down, "Come on, let's go."
"Hop on."