Chapter 24.2 Escape       

I draw how a directed flow of magic blocks one of the smaller channels, so that under the pressure of the main channel rupturing, the other branches of the network can barely handle the increased flow. One more blockage, and the channels begin to tear, and the escaping stream touches the neighboring main line.

The domino effect rips the network of charms to shreds, and the ritual anchors are simply washed away by the pure stream of magic. The altar cracks, releasing the spirit. Silence again.

The spirit is silent for a few minutes, and then I feel the magic, now available to the spirit, no longer suppressed by the seals of restriction, begin to do its work. For about ten minutes I watched as the web of enchantments tore, spread, fell and dispersed, splitting the stone.

 Blue smoke rose from the point of rupture, gathered in a cloud, swirled, and transformed into a teenage girl. Wearing a dark red short kimono and a bright pink obi sash, woven flip-flops on her bare feet. A short black bob, with a flower pin, a nice clean face, and big brown eyes. The girl was sitting on her knees in the classic low bowing pose of "extreme respect and gratitude".

— Arata-sama. — The Ayakashi girl spoke, raising her head. — I am immensely grateful for your release. Has the great clan found another spirit to take my place? — and the look of an innocent, kind child.

And at that moment, I fell into a stupor. What could I tell her? This Ayakashi is like a normal child, and her behavior is natural — I can feel it. Leaving her here is like leaving an ordinary child, and I grew up in this clan myself, so I know a thing or two. What shall we do?

— What's your name?

— Ah, please forgive me! — The girl bowed deeply again. — My name is Momo, I am a Zashikiwarashi, a tatami child. I'm happy to serve my master! — The girl bowed low again.

But I paid a little attention to this, all my thoughts turned sharply in the other direction, remembering the characteristics of zashikivarashi, or the spirit of the house.

These spirits usually live in one place and rarely move to another. They are a kind of guardian of the house, protecting it from creatures up to the middle level. Over the years, it becomes stronger if the owners are at peace and share energy with the spirit... There is a way out.

— Momo, you've been watching me all these years, haven't you? — The girl nodded silently and looked at me friendly. — You've seen what kind of person I am. — Again the nod and the interest in her eyes. — I'm going to leave here tonight and take my mother with me. Do you want to come with me? Or do you want to stay here?

— Well, — the girl looked away and began to fiddle with the wide sleeve of her kimono. — I've lived here for a long time, I've kept these lands, but I haven't grown up at all. — The girl sighs heavily, and I want to smile slyly at the thought of Miyazaki sharing magic with an 'evil spirit'. — It's hard for me, and the promise of the former head to replace me has not been fulfilled by anyone... and the noise is strong, walking, almost without interruption... I would like to leave, but is it possible?

I don't answer the question — I have to hurry, and we'll still have time to talk. I pull my tanto from my sleeve and with a few strokes cut a piece of wood from the shutters of the house.

After a few more minutes of work, I have a five-pointed board with the kanji for "house" carved in the middle. I pierce my finger and smear the wood generously with blood, infusing it with magic as well. The amulet is finished. I hold it out to the girl.

The spirit immediately sensed what kind of amulet it was and easily entered it. Put simply, such amulets are like a carrier bag for cats and small dogs. The amulet is slightly warm. I put it to my throat and a simple rope came out of the wood and immediately looped around my neck. Now it can only be removed when I find a real home. Okay, time to move on. Just one more thing first...

I pull four strips of paper out of my bag, universal amulets. A dab of blood on each one, a mental message of magic, and a wave of my hand. They're stuck to the stones in the corners of the hall, at the very bottom.

Now, for the defense system to work at all, I have to break my seals, and that won't be easy — it will take time and expertise. A few seconds later, I'm on the surface, walking towards the mansion, listening and looking closely.

Tonight, for some reason, all my senses are heightened, a calm, cold stream of thoughts in my head. A good state of mind, just right for combat or a covert operation. Except I used to have to prepare: meditate for a few hours, use a few special blessing rituals, and drink a cleanser and then a stimulant.

That's the only time I've ever been able to achieve that state of mind during surgery. And today it just happened on its own. It must be a good day...that's what I thought until I got to my mother's room, who wasn't there. Before I realized what I was seeing, I was hit on the head and fell into darkness: just a "bam" — sparks in my eyes and pain in the back of my head, and in a second I blacked out.