Chapter 5:The Cursed Book
Back in Japan,
Kurisu and Irai had said their goodbyes to their family and left for the palace.While on their horses,heavy rain started to come into their area.
"I hate rain and I hate getting wet."Irai got worried and the rain started to get heavier.
"We need to make these horses faster."
"So how do we make them faster?"Irai asked.
"Well,you see these straps?"
"Yes."
"You want to raise them up and pull them down as fast as you can,like lifting something up and throwing it down."
"Ok,I'll try."
Irai raised the straps of the horses and pulled them as quick as he could.The horse started to go faster.
"There you go."By the time they arrived at the palace,Irai told Kurisu something.
"Father, I have to tell you something."
"Yes son?"
"Aizakku and I found an odd book in the Library."
"What was it about?"
"It had these things called awakenings,beast forms and-"
"STOP."
"Why?Is there something bad about the book?"
"That book was found in the library and the librarian didn't think anything of it?"
"No,he didn't."
"That's strange…..where is the book now?"
"I gave it to Aizakku for safe keeping."
"We need to get that book back as soon as possible."
"But we just arrived."
"You stay here,there are some other Genshi on the west side of the palace."Irai looked down to the ground and sighed,
"Just you wait and see,now go.I will be back in 2 hours."
"Ok Father."Irai went on the west side of the palace to see some men practising kung fu on the dummies and some women sharpening swords in another room.Irai trotted up to the men.
"Excuse me, but could you teach me some fighting skills?"
"Who are you,?"
"I'm Kurisu's son if you know him."
"Oh,yes!The Genshi leader."He cleared his throat then looked at me again.
"Ok,I will train you,what do you want to learn?"
"I want to learn speed and agility.That's my weak spot and I want to make it my strength."
"Alright,my name is Maku."
" Irai."
"Irai,do a little warm up so you are ready.Come talk back to me once you have completed that task."
"Ok Maku."Irai started to run on the spot.
Squat after squat,lap after lap around the palace.His legs began to ache.He started to sweat but he kept going.After minutes of exercise,Irai just fell onto the ground.
"Finished."Panting for breath,his face was tomato red."
"I want you to race me."
"My legs are in so much pain!"
"Well,pain builds up anger,anger leads to rage,rage leads to energy and you need energy for races."
"That makes perfect sense now you have explained it."
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."Irai said
"We are going to run a whole lap around this room and whoever meets back at this point wins the race."
"Ok I get it."
"On your marks."Irai became fully focused.
"Get set."Maku looked at Irai then looked back his way."
"GO!"The 2 bolted across the room,both running at fast speeds.
Irai started to get left behind.Maku was in the lead and already more than halfway done.But then Irai thought to himself about what Maku said,
"Pain builds anger,anger is rage,rage leads to energy and you need energy for races."
The thought echoed through his mind,like someone's voice echoing through cave walls.
Maybe overworking was good for his legs,for his mindset,for his power.Irai began pushing himself further and further.
Irai ran and ran and ran.Irai passed Maku and the finish line in a blink of an eye.Maku stopped in his tracks,looking terrified but amazed.
"How…how did you…do that?"
"Like you said,pain is anger,anger is rage and rage is power."
"I'm going to be brutally honest,you're a fast learner."
"Really?"
"Yes,really."They heard a familiar voice behind them.
"I'm back!."Kurisu shouted.Maku and Irai turned around to see him standing there.
"Hello again,Kurisu."
Maku bowed down.
"Ah,Maku,you were the one who baked that chocolate cake didn't you?
"Yes I did.You found the note right?"
"Yes I found it, I found this too.The Secrets Of The World."
"Well,what do those things mean in the book?"Irai wondered,staring in confusion.
"We shall find out,right now."Kurisu placed his hands on the book and lifted the book's front cover to the side.
Inside the book,was some weird language with pictures of elusive humans.
"I recognise this.My Father taught me everything he knew before passing away.Now normally you would have to be a young adult to master this,but I am giving you this now so consider it an early birthday gift."
Irai's birthday was one day away.Kurisu gave the book to Irai to look at.There were letters he could not understand,pictures of what looked so human but at the same time it did not.
Symbols covered most of the book.
Irai started flicking through each of the pages carefully,analysing what everything could have meant.
"So what does all of this mean?"
"Great power,I have achieved all of it,now it is your turn to gain this knowledge,for when my time has come,you shall be the new protector of the Moonstone.As I am coming of an old age,I will either die soon or retire later."
"How will you teach me?"
"First,we meditate for 20 minutes,to freshen our minds,follow me."
"I will see you later Kurisu!"Maku shouted.He waved at us and we waved back.I followed my Father into a room with a crystal floor illuminating the place.
On both sides,were wooden boxes and cupboards covered in spider webs and dust.
He sat down without saying a word and so did I,placing the book down in front of me.
"Close your eyes.Breath the fresh air,think you are in your own fantasy dream.With flowers of all kinds that cover hills,a lush river that will quench your thirst.Fantastic juicy fruits.Enormous trees that stretch miles into the air.Think of it,as a lucid dream,where anything you want can happen.Relax,just relax."
Kurisu closed his eyes and sat still for a long time,breathing in…breathing out.
I started to get used to it when a sneeze was coming.
"Hold…your sneeze,save it for later,hold it."I tried my best not to make any movements for the next few minutes.Not an inch,not a muscle.
Just pure relaxation.
Finally,Father opened his eyes slowly,looking towards me.
"It should happen any moment now."
"What will happen?"The book opened itself mysteriously and the pages began to shine sapphire blue.
A creature wearing a cloak with a hood appeared.The cloak had strange symbols too.Before I knew it,the creature walked out of the book,like some fairy tale.
"Greetings,Kurisu Korinzu,it's been a while since we last encountered,what brings me to your presence?"
"This is my son,Irai Korinzu."
"Hello Irai,"I looked at him with my mind blank.I didn't know what to say to him.
"Forgive me for not addressing myself.Sosu.A sorcerer."
He took his hand out.It was something I couldn't describe.
Carefully,I shook his hand.Something was off about…Sosu.
"You,you..you look strange.I mean,the cloak,the deep anomalous voice,the symbols of the cloak,not to mention,you also float."
"Well,like I said,I am a sorcerer and my appearance may be odd but I can assure you no harm,only if you are worthy to fight."
The sorcerer came closer.He cleared his throat and looked me into my eyes.
"Well?What are we waiting for?What shall you learn today?"Sosu started to go around me in circles.Kurisu then spoke.
"Quantum leap?The enchantment of weapons?Animal transformation?Sorcery manipulation?"
"He is 16 years old Sosu."
"Pretty small for your age."
"HEY!"
"Don't raise your tone,you don't want to anger the demon."
"No it's fine really.They're bratty at his age."Irai growled while Sosu was laughing at the fact how angry Irai was.
"It has been a long day so I will teach you one simple thing before I disappear."
"It hasn't been long at all?"
"I can't stay outside in your dimension for long,it ruptures my DNA.Sorry if I didn't get to know you well.I should really only come out at important times so please let me teach you this."
"Alright fine what is it?"
"Chromo Visualling."Sosu replied
"Oh yes.I remember being taught that."Father said.
"How do I learn it?"
"Simple,"
Sosu brought out a black pot.
"Dip your eyes into this plasma.After that,when you close your eyes and speak chromo visualling.Not only can you see through walls but you can see spirits."
"WHAT?I'M NOT DIPPING MYSELF INTO PLASMA,"I then turned to Father,
"HOW DID YOU SURVIVE THAT."
"It only stings for a few seconds."
"SO YOUR OK WITH THIS?"
"Only if you want to.You don't have to do it yet if you're not ready."
"NO.DEFINITELY NOT."
"Very well then.Just meditate if you need me and I will come at your service!"
Sosu just went back into the book, becoming a drawing again,vanishing without a trace.
"Sorry,if you were alarmed."
"What is he exactly?I mean he is not a Navajo or Human right?So what is he?"
"A demon sorcerer.They master sorcery and will shape into what they kill."
"Is he not dangerous?"
"Yes,he might cause me a little trouble but I could seize him if he tried to do anything wrong,he is only useful to us to teach new things to future generations."
I nodded,my Father really does not tell me much about the world.
He picked up the book carefully and closed it shut.
"Come on now,it has been another day full of adventure,we shall rest in our bedrooms."
I followed Father upstairs into the bedroom which had a wooden bed in the middle.
"Get a good night's sleep son."
He then closed the door slowly,footsteps fading away.I then turned around to have a quick look at the room,there was a closed window that had raindrops from the rain on the outside.
Next to my bed,was some draws and shelves to put my things.The thunder roared loudly as I walked around to explore.
There was a bathroom which smelt of roses and had the perfect temperature.
When I got out of the bathroom,I heard a clock ring loudly,signalling it was curfew.I could hear doors closing and the palace getting quieter as I laid down on the bed.I put the covers over me and closed my eyes.
Suddenly,I was in a place of weird texture.It was some sort of distorted place that I could not describe correctly.
"Hello?Is anybody there?"My voice echoed through the halls of the place.
I started to wander around when I found a room with a fireplace,a couch,a table and tea.The door shut as soon as I stepped into the room.
"What the?"In confusion,I looked around the room to see if there was anything to help me escape from this place.
The fire crackled,the rain poured on the windows.This was starting to feel relaxing.I sat on the couch,which was soft and fluffy.
I wondered,where was I?How did I get here?
So many questions that had very few answers.
I then noticed something in the corner of my eye.It was the book,the book Sosu came out of.
I picked it up and opened it carefully.Instead of weird symbols and strange pictures,there were these sentences,I read each one carefully.
If you are reading this Irai,it means all your actions here affect what happens back in real life.
You are in a lucid dream and can do whatever you please.I know Quantum leap takes practice but it is useful.I just want to let you know that if you free me from your Father,I will teach you all the skills I know,you just have to tick the yes below with the pen beside the book,which will summon me,we shake hands and our deal is done.
Tick one please
YES NO
You can be given some time to think about my offer,take as much time as you need….