“The creature you search for,” the Konaki Jiji tells him, “is a Dream Eater. A very rare specimen in these parts, but a genuine yokai nonetheless. Rumour has it she manipulated and consumed the boar god’s home, then ate one of his fattest nightmares, and gained access to Jibun Jishin with its blood. She has been pining for the restaurant ever since. Yes. Akki and the Dream Eater. Their names are now oft-mentioned in the same breath in these woods.”

“That’s nice and disturbing,” Zaniel says in a dry tone.

“Disturbing. Yes. What a pair they would make, would you not say?”

Zaniel stops and looks down at the Konaki Jiji with a sharp look. “What do you mean? They’d be enemies … wouldn’t they?”

“Who knows?” The Konaki Jiji pauses. “Maybe you,” he answers his own question. “Yes. You know the nightmare demon best. He who shuts himself away from most yokai, leading a solitary afterlife … and yet, once upon a time, he made himself available to you and your entreaties for protection. Yes … you may know better than anyone. But I digress. I search for the Dream Eater to thank and reward her. Are you sure you do not know where to find her?”

“Wish I could help you.”

“As do I. In which case, this is where we part.”

The Konaki Jiji points a chubby finger in the air. Zaniel can see the roof of the old house beyond the trees. “Good luck in your search, child. Should you find that creature before I, please relay my message to her, will you not?”

The Konaki Jiji does not wait for a response; instead, he waddles right back into the bush as he speaks, and the sound of his little feet disappear instantly. Zaniel is alone again, left at the invisible border that separates Akki’s territory from the rest of the yokai domain. He sighs. He feels somewhat disheartened that perhaps the Konaki Jiji would have walked with him farther and divulged more information about the Yokai. Dream Eater, the demon called her. Zaniel allows himself a small grin. At least now he has a name to give to a face. His grin fades. “Damn,” he says aloud. He had no intention of coming this way. Not without a companion for his protector to meet. He turns away from the house and closes his eyes. Okay … think … you still have a bit of time. You’ve got to find somewhere with a lot of people, and fast.