Another curse from the twins or their moon god father?

It would certainly explain the villagers’ zombielike state. Why they didn’t care about strangers or anything else.

Gods, what am I walking into? Koichi had no idea, and he liked that even less.

Masaru cocked his head, following Koichi’s observant gaze. “Funny, isn’t it?”

Keiko scowled at him. “What?”

“How much effort mortals have to go through to touch the divine . . . or even glimpse it.” He passed an irritated smirk toward Koichi. “This would have been so much simpler if Koichi were a kitsune. Then we could have simply walked him into the Ryukage’s lands.”

Koichi scoffed. “Spare us your wit, Masaru. After all, we’re here to correct your mistake, kitsune.”

With a growl, Masaru moved toward him.

Keiko stepped between the two and caught Masaru before he could make contact with Koichi. “Regardless of why we’re here, I’m sure the Ryukage has discovered the subterfuge by now.” She looked at Masaru and then Koichi. “Every road and path will have the Shadow King’s dark eyes and ears all over them. He will not expect the mighty Masaru to go through all this effort to take the same route as mortals.” She smiled at Masaru. “You are many things, my dear, but hardworking is not one of them. He’ll expect you to take the easy route back to his door.”

Masaru laughed. “What can I say? I’m a creature of habit. Besides, why should I run when I can walk? Or, better yet, sit.”

Koichi shook his head. Yōkai. So predictable. Even sneaky kitsune.

Unless they were involved with mortals. Then the mortals tended to wear off on them and make them wretchedly unpredictable again.

A sudden shout rang out, drawing his attention away from his thoughts.

That could only mean one thing—the Noh play had started, and the gods were being summoned to this plane.

Suddenly, Ryuichi began struggling even harder than before. Not that it mattered. The crowd now appeared to be in an even deeper trance. He doubted if they had any clue who or what was among them.

Out of the darkness, two men in elaborate happy-face Noh masks came forward. Their robes were a dark, solemn blue that contrasted starkly with their masks as they danced across the stage.

From the left side, a third actor who wore the mask of an elaborate oni appeared, with a candle in his hands. A small, little thing, flickering in the dark.

The other two ran to the flame, captivated by its light. In an elaborate dance, they fought the oni for the candle and won, taking it from his hands. Then they drove him off so they could pass the light back and forth between them, laughing the entire time.

At first Koichi didn’t understand the point of the performance.