He lets Zaniel take a few steps more, then spreads his wings, flaps them twice, and takes flight high above the trees. And that makes three. They always come in threes.

Zaniel is not disappointed to see him go. Tengu are renowned for their wisdom in swordsmanship and martial arts but are even more famous for playing tricks on unsuspecting humans. He would never hear the end of it; Akki would call him all sorts of names and chastise him for being so gullible. And Zaniel has no idea if that would come before or after Akki’s fiery rampage. It would all depend upon the fearsome yokai’s mood, untameable and ever changing as it is. Case in point, Akki had let him off easy the other night. On the other hand, perhaps the Tengu simply wanted to be helpful. It is Zaniel’s nature to be suspicious, after all these years of wandering the woods. He will never know now, and that suits him fine.

Zaniel arrives at an opening in the forest, a crossroad in the path. One direction, he knows, will lead him deeper into the woods, farther away from the supposed safety of Akki’s domain. The other will take him closer to the city. He makes a face. He does not really wish to choose either one. There is no telling what yokai he will encounter should he take the road on the left, and he has no indication that he may find the Yokai should he choose the road on the right. He does not suppose her to be much of a social creature. He sighs. His search was fruitless after all. All he wants now is to awaken. Perhaps he can try again another night — if he can gather the courage to do so all over again, that is. He lays his flowers at the intersection and heads down the path to the right. A place closer to the city will be safer to rest long enough to wake up.

If only he had waited a moment longer, for someone is running up from behind.

“Hello? HELLO?”

It is the Yokai. She comes running down the path, stopping at the crossroads. She is certain she saw someone heading this way, but which way could he have gone? “Damn.” She is more than lost, now. Maybe it is for the best. There are so many strange noises and shapes in the dark, there is no telling if the one she has been following would have been any benefit to her. None of the others were. At least here she can see the stars up above, providing her with a little more vision and comfort than the forest. She can see a city below the mountains, brimming with life and lights. She can see her hands before her face. Now if only she can determine which way to go.