The sun of the seventh day rose faster than usual, as if eager to see what the two boys would accomplish.
But to its surprise, they were already awake, each sitting on their side, deep in meditation.
Their auras pulsed gently in the air, like two hearts beating in the same rhythm.
Benkei stood with his arms crossed, observing them in silence.
BENKEI:
— Impressive. Few ever reach this level in such a short time. You should be proud of yourselves.
Ban opened his eyes, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and exhaled:
Ban:
— Yeah… I can feel the anima flowing inside me… even moving it. Inside and outside.
But… something feels strange. Like something's missing.
On the other side, the transmitter dragonfly vibrated, and Hastur's voice echoed:
Hastur:
— I feel the same. Every time I use the anima… it leaves some kind of emptiness inside me.
Benkei nodded, a mysterious smile forming on his lips.
BENKEI:
— That is normal. You've learned to sense and manipulate anima…
but right now, it is only a canvas without color.
Yes, anima recognizes you as its masters… but now, it must learn who you truly are.
The powers it will grant you depend on the deepest nature of your souls.
Hastur frowned.
Hastur:
— So… it has to "read" us like a book?
BENKEI:
— Exactly. But if your nature doesn't suit it… it will never open to you.
Ban began shaking his head frantically, thinking hard.
Ban:
— Then how do I show it the real nature of my soul?!
A predatory grin stretched across the giant's face.
BENKEI:
— The best way to know yourself… is to face death.
Prepare yourself.
Ban:
— Huh?!
In a fraction of a second, Benkei vanished.
Then reappeared right in front of Ban, blade raised, ready to strike him down.
Instinctively, Ban curled up like a turtle.
The strike seemed unavoidable.
Ban (panicking):
— I'm seeing… my whole life… and honestly, it wasn't that amazing!!
But the blow never came.
Benkei had stopped his blade just before impact.
BENKEI:
— I have no intention of killing you. Not today.
He grabbed Ban by the leg with one hand, as casually as picking up a piece of cloth, and hoisted him onto his shoulder.
Then, through the transmitter dragonfly:
BENKEI:
— Hastur, you too must discover your true nature. And you won't find it by staying there.
If you want results… head to the heart of the forest.
Hastur stood up, determined.
Hastur:
— You're right, Benkei. I won't stagnate here any longer!
Behind him, Ban—still upside down—groaned:
Ban:
— Uh… before all that… could you maybe put me down? The blood is rushing to my head…
Benkei smiled again. A very bad sign.
BENKEI:
— Put you down? Of course…
I can do even better.
He shifted into a throwing stance.
BENKEI:
— Good luck!
And Ban was launched like a baseball.
---
Hastur's Side
Hastur sighed as Ban's distant screams echoed through the forest.
Hastur:
— He's suffering… but I warned him. He's reaping what he sowed.
He walked deeper into the forest, determined.
Hastur:
— Let's see what I can do.
He made his aura vibrate, focusing it at several points around him.
That was when the noises began.
BOOM!
BOOM!
They sounded like war drums.
The ground trembled.
Massive silhouettes appeared between the trees: giant gorillas perched above him, their eyes glowing in the shadows.
Then one of them—far larger than all the others—leapt out from the darkness.
When it landed, it slammed both arms onto the ground.
The earth rose, rippling like a living trampoline.
Hastur was thrown upward but caught himself on a tree using his anima, a nervous smile growing on his face.
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
Hastur:
— So… this is my trial.
This won't be easy.