Restoring Faith
Chapter 10
Waka peered forward in an attempt to make out the tunnels ahead. The trio had been following their rescuer through a maze of tunnels that formed the river's source, with only Amaterasu's holy aura for light. The path's treachery was so great that even Waka, despite his extensive martial arts training, was forced to grope for his balance as footholds shifted.
Their guide, Waka noted absently as he moved to avoid an overhanging rock that sprung out of the darkness, apparently had another method of sight, for its movements did not seem to be affected by the lack of visibility.
Waka's mind wandered as he recalled the creature's form as he had seen it on the riverbank. The face had long since faded from his memory. The feeling it invoked, a feeling of both sharpness and flowing, had been firmly impressed in his senses. The creature's coloring was a sea of purples and blues, matching the river that it assumedly called home. Breasts suggested it was female, but Waka reserved his judgement. Experience had assured him that most things were not as they appeared.
Suddenly a small spark of natural light pierced his senses. He blinked in incomprehension as his mind, used to the never-ending darkness, attempted to convince him that the light was merely a phantasm, a thing created out of longing. However, Amaterasu's ears perked up, and the goddess gave a hoarse bark of joy. Issun's natural green aura, having long since vanished within the murkiness of their surroundings, returned full-force, the Poncle bouncing in anticipation.
The group approached the light, and it soon became apparent that light was in fact the cave's exit. An odd cascade of light rippled over the prophet's skin, giving him a pale blue coloring as he stepped through the opening, raising one hand to shield his eyes from the sudden brightness.
Removing his hand revealed an underground lake surrounded by various types of buildings made of a curious white stone that reflected the light in such as way that that stone appeared to be flowing like a liquid.
The lake itself held only one landmark, a large building floating in its center. Despite the fact that it was at the mercy of the waters, it never seemed to rock with the waves. The building itself seemed to grow out of the lake, made of corals and sponges of every color.
All around were the inhabitants of the lake. They held the same coloring as the deep parts of the lake, a kind of purplish-blue, with fluid purple hair and a single blue fin parting their scalp. They were too far off to make out much else.
Their guide led them silently to the largest of the shore-dwellings and motioned for them to enter. Man, wolf and sprite passed through the door silently.
They were greeted by a long hall, pillars on either side of the rugged main path, many doors branching off. A new water-creature approached and led them down the long rug to the other end of the room.
Before them was a large statue, enshrined in a white marble fountain. The statue seemed to depict a large, fish-like man, wielding a deadly sword at an unseen enemy. The man was dressed in robes that fell to his knees, bound around his waist by a strip of seaweed. Fins flared from the man's writs and head, making him a male counterpart to the apparently female creatures surrounding them.
Before the statue sat a high-backed chair, draped with sea plants and decked out in precious sea-jewels. Upon it sat a wizened, withered fish-woman. Their guide bowed before the wrinkled form, rose, and departed.
The elderly fish-creature beckoned them forward with one gnarled hand. Waka approached with a bow of respect, and then submitted to the fish-creature's inspection. Eyes raked up and down his body, shifting then to Amaterasu, and finally to the Poncle perched on her head.
Silence filled the hall, and Amaterasu shifted uncomfortably. Waka's legs had sized up before the creature spoke.
"Welcome outsiders. You are the first of your kind to be admitted to the home of the Nymphs, servants to the great water god, Suijin." The fish-creature, or nymph, Waka guessed, glared at the trio, as if they were intruding upon sacred grounds. Which, he supposed, they were.
When the nymph made no further conversation, Waka attempted to ease the tension.
"We are most grateful for your tribe's hospitality. Your kinsman has saved us from an untimely demise." Waka glanced at the elderly nymph, attempting to gauge her reaction. The creature sat, unreadable. "We shall leave as soon as Amaterasu has completely healed."
"You will do no such thing."
Waka stared in shock at the nymph's sudden declaration.
"We know of your quest, Waka of the moon tribe. All the rivers across Nippon are our ears. We know what it is that you seek. The power of the water spirit resides here, past a series of trials. If you can earn the right, you may take the spirit."
Amaterasu barked gratefully, but her bark carried an undertone of weariness. Waka turned to her, concern shown plainly on his features.
"Are you all right, Ammy?"
The nymph elder, clapped her hands, and another nymph appeared from the shadows. The nymph bowed and beckoned for the trio to follow her. Waka turned to the nymph elder questioningly.
"This is Undine. She will take to you to where you can get food and rest. Once you are refreshed, I shall explain the trials." The elder reached out to smooth Amaterasu's fur. "Sleep well, Great Mother."
Waka and Amaterasu slowly followed the nymph, Amaterasu's energy almost spent.
-.-.-.-.-.-
Once the strange water-creature had left the trio to themselves, Waka set himself to taking stock of their supplies, every so often glancing at the wounded goddess. Upon arriving at their lodgings, Amaterasu had immediately slumped on top of set of blankets no doubt provided for that purpose and hadn't moved since.
Waka had moved on to polishing his sword out of nerves when Issun spoke.
"I think there's somethin' wrong with Ammy."
Waka looked up at the Poncle's declaration.
"Of course there is," the prophet replied with irritation. "You wouldn't feel like bouncing if you had a hole in your side." Waka turned back to his sword, sharply striking the sword on its whetstone.
"Nah. It's more than that." Issun shook his head. "Normally, by this point furball would've healed and be bouncing around with that stupid look on her face. She's taken' too long to heal."
Waka looked over to where the wounded goddess. The white wolf was lying curled on the only bed-like structure in the room, sleeping soundly. Her fur was stained red with the drying blood the wolf had been too tired to clean. As Waka watched, her breathing seemed labored. The prophet frowned.
"I might've be able to do something about that wound, but all out herbs were in the pack left in Kamiki."
A soft ruffle indicated the curtain covering the door of the room being pulled back. Their nymph guide entered quietly and bowed.
"Oh Holy Mother, I thank you for the honor of serving you." She glanced nervously at Waka, who was testing the edge of his sword. "May I offer you the services of the healers?"
Amaterasu looked up from the bed and gave a quiet affirmative yip. Pulling herself carefully to her feet, the goddess slowly made her way over to the nymph. Waka rose to follow her, but sat back when Amaterasu sent him a sharp glare. Man and Poncle watched silently as the pair left the tent.
"Can we trust these fish people with furball that injured?" Issun glanced over at the prophet, veiled worry in his eyes. Waka set his jaw, replying with reluctance.
"Do we have a choice?"
To be continued…
Just as an added note, if you're wondering what the nymphs look like, I based the description off of the summon spirit Undine from Tales of Symphonia for the GameCube.