Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 30
Chapter Overview
30 New experiences
We had been traveling in
this country for many months now and slowly it was autumn. Even now
Zipangu was showing its beauty again.
But the constant traveling around took its toll. We all needed some
relaxation. The scientists had enough of the wooden carts and the
soldiers needed some practice. Only training every day is
frustrating in the long run. We needed something or someone for
blowing off steam.
Once again Kai had the
right idea. He heared about a monastery where monks learned and
practiced martial arts. We decided to make a detour to visit the
monastery. I was looking forward to see what the warriors of this
country could do and if I was better than them.
After 5 days we reached a village. The monaste…
Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 29
Chapter Overview
29 Wisdom
We were on our way inland
and stopped in a city. It was slightly cloudy and pleasantly
warm.
"Mareus, why cannot you pronounce the words correctly?"
"Because I can not knot my tongue."
"It's not that hard. Here, I'll show you."
Kai kept trying to teach me Zipangi, but I was a horrible
student.
"Was that better?"
"No. Here, I'll show you again."
He was really trying.
Then suddenly a man stood in front of us. He bowed before us in
greeting.
"Excuse me, gentlemen. Could I talk to you for a moment?"
Kai and I looked at each other in question. We both did not know
him.
"Yes of course. What is it about?"
"My name is Riku. I was instructed to give this envelope to 2
strangers who should come to this city today. "
He handed us the enve…
Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 28
Violence against monsters warning.
Chapter Overview
28 Trouble in paradise
Zipangu. This island
kingdom was amazingly varied. From flat coastal plains to snow
capped mountains. It was fabulous.
Our next destination took us to a mountainous region. There were
more Oni than on the coast and it was not long before we were
stopped by one.
She was so drunk and muttered that even Kai did not understand a word. She only wagged her bludgeon wildly. Since she did not want to let us pass, I had to put her to sleep with a targeted blow. Then at least she could become sober again.
In the next village, we heard that this Oni repeatedly did mischief and robbed the people in the area to get more sake. Otherwise, they were harmless.
We continued our journey. Th…
Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 27
Chapter Overview
27 The land of cherry blossoms
Pink cherry blossoms. Pink
cherry blossoms everywhere. It was a wonderful sight. Too bad that
Lara and the children could not see that.
We had been traveling continuously for 2 weeks and now stopped in a
bigger city to buy supplies and do some trading. We wanted to stay
2 days. So Kai and I were able to explore the city in peace.
On the market, we
discovered several of these Mamono, which we had seen earlier in
Niskara. Something with Danuki or so. Who comes up with such
unpronounceable names?
Kai could talk to them well now. He learned the writing and
language pretty fast. From one of the dealers Kai heard something
interesting.
Kai and I were walking down
the main street.
"Kai, what did she say? W…
Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 26
Chapter Overview
26 Zipangu
The island kingdom of
Zipangu. The goal of my journey. A week at sea had passed and
except for a slight motion sickness, I was fine. However, one of
the soldiers did not handle the trip well and fed the fish most of
the time.
On our journey we were accompanied by 2 mermaids. They took care of
us and the ship. Unfortunately, they did not understand any of my
words and I did not understand them. Not everyone spoke the
language of the West.
We finally reached a harbor
and went ashore. Here I was. I had reached Zipangu. The land where
humans and Mamono have lived together for centuries. A land full of
secrets. And I wanted to uncover as many of them as possible.
It was only the question where to start. First I had to le…