Torakichi followed Amai back to the camp where Keii and Hanabira packed up their things.

“The path up the mountain will be cold meaning now is the appropriate time to teach you how to protect yourselves from the cold. Do you remember General Sakaeru Hokubu still?” Keii asked.

“Of course. Mightiest warrior of the north. She who commanded storms and could halt the very winds.” Torakichi said as he tightened the binds that kept Hibana from falling.

Hanabira's eyes remained on Torakichi as his tall figure slowly curled under the weight of her child.

She averted her eyes from Torakichi for a moment before noticing something in the woods behind her.

It looked like a woman was standing there. Her body clad in a dark kimono, but just as Hanabira narrowed her eyes in an attempt to focus on the woman, she disappeared.

Hanabira blinked several times before returning her her focus to Torakichi, who's body was covered in a certain dark cloak.

“Yes. I’m sure you also heard the legends about how she and her men felt not the winter cold.” Keii said as they began their trip upwards.

“Yes, but I always thought it was just something people said to further bolster the already legendary status of the northern wolves.” Torakichi said while keeping a close eye on Hanabira and Amai who followed closely behind.

“Well, that is true. What’s also true is that the northern wolves coat themselves in a layer of Ne, protecting their skin from harsh winds. Why don’t you all give it a try?” Keii instructed.

Torakichi watched as faint streams of Ne flowed around Amai, Hanabira and Keii. Their bodies were eventually covered in a thin layer of Ne with Keii having the thickest and least transparent.

Torakichi, on the other hand, still couldn’t control Ne that existed beyond the bounds of his body and so he tried something else.

He sent Ne from the bottom of his feet up to his chest then back to his feet.

He did this repeatedly until his breath hastened and his body warmed up.

“Oh? Interesting technique, but it’s pretty clear that you won’t be able to use it for prolonged periods of time.” Keii said.

“I agree. I’ll use it only when necessary. How about you two? How are you feeling?” Torakichi asked.

“I’m fine, for the most part. Although I can feel sweat accumulating on my skin and I’m getting warmer with each passing second.” Hanabira said as she looked at her Ne covered arms.

“I concur. I hope the colder temperatures alleviate this effect somehow.” Amai said.

“Come now, surely a bit of sweat is nothing for warriors such as yourselves, mmm?” Torakichi said with a smirk.

“Exactly. I’ve never been up the Shinsei Mountains, but how cold could they possibly be?” Keii asked with a hearty chuckle.

.

..

“Dammit! Why is it so cold?” Keii asked as he vigorously rubbed his hands.

The group had gotten quite far up the rocky path that led the mountaintop and the winter winds only added to the harshness of the mountainous environment.

Torakichi had given Hanabira and Amai all the blankets they had because it had quickly become clear that Keii was the only one who could maintain a Ne barrier around his skin for extended periods of time.

“Are you alright, Mr. Kanemoto?” Hanabira asked quite loudly as powerful winds blew by.

“Quite alright. Also, you needn’t worry about me. Just keep moving.” Torakichi said as they walked further up the mountain.

A fairly thick layer of snow covered the ground which was uneven and jagged, making walking that much more challenging.

The group walked for hours on end and the snow only got deeper.

“Mr. Umihara!” Hanabira called.

“Yes?” Keii asked while shielding his face from the blasting winds.

“You once spoke of a temple atop the mountain. Do you think people still visit it?” Hanabira asked.

“I don’t think so. The worship of dragons saw a steep decline, especially after the first unification so I don’t think too many people visit it nowadays if any at all.”

“Why did people stop worshipping the Dragons?” Hanabira asked with a sniffle.

“Its hard to pick just one reason. After the emperor and his generals united all of Chūshin under a single banner, the lands saw a time of peace where people didn’t see the need for divine protection. This disconnect from the spiritual only grew after the first war.” Keii said before spotting something in the distance.

“Follow me!” He said before leading everyone off the path towards something to the west.

They trudged further up the mountain before coming across a cave surrounded by a small patch of trees and large boulders.

Next to the cave’s mouth stood a slab of stone with something carved onto its smooth face.

[This place is best left well alone. Let those who dwell here rest a bit longer]

Torakichi and Keii exchanged glances before looking at the tree covered area around the cave’s mouth.

“I’d rather we did as the passage says, but continuing our ascent would be a most painful experience.” Torakichi said.

“I agree and besides, we’re simply using this place to rest, right? Whatever lives in there wouldn’t have to deal with us for too long, no?” Keii asked and Torakichi nodded.

The group then cautiously entered the cave to find that it was filled with pleasantly warm air.

Not only that, but the air was moist and lively.

The light of the afternoon sky barely lit the cave’s interior, further adding to the darkness of the cave interior.

Torakichi’s eyes narrowed as he spotted a large statue of a kneeling person at front-most part of the cave.

“Can you sense the Ne of others?” He asked.

“No. Only the Ne in the environment as it is unbound.” Keii said as he too focused on the large dark statue.

“Hanabira, Amai. Return to the cave’s mouth for a moment.” Torakichi said before unsheathing his katana.

Keii did the same as Hanabira and Amai slowly backed away.

Torakichi and Keii then approached the large statue, but just as they stepped closer to it, the statue moved from a kneeling position to an upright position.

This revealed that it held in its right hand a large katana that was broken at the halfway point. The katana had the same twisted black appearance of their wielder. Almost as though the weapon and its wielder had been once burnt by a devastating fire.

The statue turned to face Torakichi and Keii, revealing its burnt and twisted face which only had a pair of dim red eyes. On its head, sat the burnt remains of what must once have been a glorious red plume.

Torakichi then noticed that behind the statue was the body of another large, equally burnt humanoid.

“Ah, so you’ve found yourself an Ochita.” Tetsujin said as he materialized next to Torakichi who inspected the being known as an Ochita.

He saw remnants of what looked like armor on various parts of the Ochita’s body which was at least four heads taller than he was.

“This dreg was once a spirit of the highest caliber. The sort that fought alongside the Dragons during the great War. Do put an end to her misery quickly.” Tetsujin said as he approached the Ochita, only for the Ochita to raise its katana.

Tetsujin slowly backed away, allowing Torakichi and Keii to make their move.

Torakichi took a deep breath before dashing towards the Ochita.

Keii followed him closely and watched as Torakichi raised his katana to attack the Ochita, but the dark being dashed towards him response and with a speed that defied what everyone thought possible, it swung its halved katana and deflected Torakichi’s strike before kicking him backwards.

Keii tried backing away, but the Ochita dashed towards him at a frightening speed before grabbing him and throwing him to where Torakichi landed.

The Ochita then assume battle ready stance as it raised its twisted katana.

“Haha! Fantastic! Truly fantastic. The being that stands before holds the title of dragon slayer. What chance do you have? Let’s find out.” Tetsujin said with a cackle as he sat on a nearby boulder.

Torakichi and Keii quickly got up before facing the Ochita once more.

They then slowly walked towards it again before stopping about five meters from where it stood.

The Ochita raised its katana again, but Torakichi lowered his weapon in response.

“Oh?” Tetsujin sounded.

Keii followed Torakichi’s lead and watched as Torakichi sheathed his katana.

He then walked towards the Ochita at an even pace before coming to a stop about a meter from the three meter tall obsidian being.

Torakichi took a single deep breath before deeply bowing before the Ochita which glanced over at Keii, who also bowed.

It then looked at the caves mouth to find Hanabira and Amai, who slowly approached.

Everyone except Tetsujin bowed before the Ochita before it slowly lowered its katana.

Torakichi then sat, prompting everyone to do the same as the Ochita crossed its arms.

“My, my. What would you have done if the fallen warrior wasn’t so merciful?” Tetsujin asked, but no one responded as the Ochita sat down as well.

Nothing was said as the Ochita looked at everyone keenly as a dim red flame burnt deep in its eyes.

“Hello. My name is Torakichi Kanemoto. We are at your mercy. Please allow us to rest here for a moment.” Torakichi said before bowing again.

Everyone bowed as well and this time, but the Ochita simply tilted its head in response.

A moment of silence passed as everyone exchanged nervous glances.

The Ochita sat back casually before a strange sound filled the air.

Everyone looked at Hanabira, who hid her face behind her hands.

Everyone then flinched as the Ochita seemingly silently laughed.

It then raised its hand before waving its hand making everyone frightfully flinch again.

“I think she means to say that you’re free to feed the woman.” Tetsujin said.

Torakichi nodded before standing and bowing to the Ochita again.

He then gestured that Keii follow him to the mouth of the cave.

Keii nodded before standing and bowing to the Ochita.

He then followed Torakichi out of the cave and into the mountain side.

Torakichi then loudly sighed before grabbing Keii’s shoulder.

“Hey! Are you alright?” Keii asked as Torakichi’s fingers tightened around his shoulder.

“In all my years as a warrior- no! In my entire life! I’ve never felt such palpable fear.” Torakichi said in a hushed scream.

“I know.” Keii concurred as he rested his hands on his knees.

“That thing- that warrior is an Ochita. I know Tetsujin said that they fought alongside the Dragons, but surely you can elaborate.” Torakichi said with widened eyes that trembled.

“There’s not much to say. The war in the spirit realm was one where all of spirit kind and possible all life would be at stake. I completely understand why the Dragons would recruit warriors to bolster their ranks, but still… my legs tremble even now.” Keii said.

“Do you think she’ll harm Hanabira and Amai?” He asked.

“Not in the slightest. If she wanted us dead she’d have killed us the moment we entered the cave.” Torakichi said as with a grin.

“What are you smiling for?”

"I honestly can’t say. It could be that my mind simply cannot make sense of any of this. Come. Let’s feed Hanabira and leave this place so that those warriors may continue their rest.”

.

..

Hanabira and Amai patiently waited as Torakichi prepared them some rice.

Hanabira couldn’t help but notice that as they cooked, Torakichi and Keii kept sneaking glances at the Ochita, who had returned to watching over what looked like the lifeless body of another Ochita.

Dinner eventually arrived and even though it took them some time, Torakichi and Keii eventually finished eating.

Everyone then sat quietly in front of the kneeling Ochita.

“Do you seriously plan on sitting there and doing nothing- wait a minute! I might as well try and manifest while we’re here.” Tetsujin said as he walked towards the hole that was about two meters from the Ochita.

He then lightly stretched before poising himself to jump into the water filled hole, but just as he readied himself, the Ochita dashed towards him before grabbing his head with a single hand.

“Unhand me! There is hateful flesh that needs to be tasted!” Tetsujin said before being thrown across the cave towards the cave’s mouth.

“Get out of my way!” Tetsujin yelled before crawling back towards the hole.

“What’s he doing?” Torakichi whispered.

“I’m sure it takes quite a bit of Ne for him to project himself into our world. I think he wants to use that hot spring to fully manifest his entire being here. You see, water is the key. It connects our worlds what with it being rich in Ne.” Keii whispered.

“I see. Then it’s a good thing that the Ochita wants to stop him. Tetsujin had the nasty habit of eating people while he still had a body.” Torakichi said only for Keii’s eyes to widen.

“Are you saying that he’s the one responsible for all the mutilated bodies that were turning up in all those villages?” Keii asked as he glared at Tetsujin who kept being kicked around by the Ochita.

“Yes.” Torakichi said.

Keii nodded before standing and walking to a spot between the Ochita and Tetsujin.

The Ochita simply crossed its arms as Keii slowly unsheathed his katana.

“Have you finally decided to challenge this fallen god slayer?” Tetsujin asked as Keii coated his katana with Ne.

“Wait. What are you doing?” Tetsujin asked as he slowly sat upright.

Keii then slowly walked towards him as his katana burnt brightly in the darkness of the cave.

“Stay back with that thing!” Tetsujin asked as his face twisted with dread.

“Why in the world would you want to hurt me? What did I ever do to you?” Tetsujin asked as he crawled away.

“Was it a parent? Did I eat your parents? Was it a child of yours? Why do you hate me so much?” Tetsujin asked as Keii raised his katana.

Tetsujin quickly stood up before dematerializing, but just as the last remnants of his Ne disappeared, Keii grabbed the air in front of him with a hand that was imbued with Ne.

“Ah!” Tetsujin screamed as he reappeared in front of Keii, only Keii’s hand had a firm grip on the pulsating orb in his chest.

“Please! Don’t do this! I… I still have so much to do!” Tetsujin cried as Keii placed his katana on the spirit’s neck.

“Old man! Help me-“