Page 72 of Son of Shadows

“So, how’s it going?” Inumagami asked.

“Oh, splendid. I’m having a great time,” Ryuichi said sarcastically. “If you help us battle him, it might go a little quicker.”

Inumagami drank some lovely green tea, which Hayasaka had prepared. “And what would I be able to do? It’s an oni. Of all yōkai, they are the closest to the primordial forces that make up the spirit realm. Second only to the gods themselves. That’s why magic doesn’t work on them. It’s funny when you think about it. So close to us, and yet so different.”

Ryuichi scowled. “Is there anything useful in what you’re saying?”

“No,” Inumagami replied. “I thought it might be a little helpful to explain why you’re losing.”

“Thanks.” Ryuichi was irritated but thirsty, so he gestured toward the tea. “May I have some?”

“Of course.” Hayasaka poured Ryuichi a cup and held it out to him.

He took it from his hand and then drank the tea in one gulp. It was amazingly refreshing and hit the spot.

Inumagami cleared his throat to get their attention. “Do you think Katsu will be okay?”

“Him?” Lord Hayasaka watched as Katsu ran up a group of rocks to prevent himself from getting squashed by the oni’s club. “He’ll be fine. Probably. Katsu! You’re doing great. Keep up the good work.”

“Thank you, my lord! I appreciate it.” Katsu jumped down and slashed the oni on the shoulder, as useless as all the other blows were. It didn’t even scratch the beast.

Same for the fireballs Yumi and Masaru were throwing at him. Those just made the oni laugh.

Ryuichi shook his head. He needed to get back to the fight. And they needed to finish what they started. “I can’t believe it—after all we’ve been through, this is where we get stuck.”

“Give it time, young boy. Not everything can be rushed.” Hayasaka blew on his hot tea.

Katsu was out of breath. “Ryuichi! Your. Turn. I need help, please.”

Ryuichi returned his cup to the blanket and grabbed his sword. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to take so long.”

Yamaguchi slammed on his belly like a drum. “Come on, I can do this all day.” He was still as eager as ever.

Ryuichi wasn’t nearly so enthusiastic to continue. He was almost ready to surrender the fight. “Can’t we call it a draw, Yamaguchi-san?”

“As long as I draw breath, no man or yōkai shall pass. If you want to stop, then leave.”

Ryuichi could feel Masaru’s spirit sighing inside him. “I was afraid you’d say that.”

If only Koichi were here. He’d figure a way out of this mess. Sadly, nothing came to Ryuichi’s mind.

He glanced at Katsu. “What do you think?”

“I think we’re goners. It was nice knowing you.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

As his soldiers blasted the portal to the human realm with a cascade of firebombs, Orochi stood back, his stomach rumbling with hunger.

Nothing could break through the gate. After unleashing all the magic they had, Orochi’s yōkai warriors hadn’t even made a dent.

His brothers were growing restless, their thirst for human blood intensifying.

“How much longer, Brother? I’m feeling weak,” Venom said to Orochi.

“This isn’t working. We need that child,” said Earth, growling loudly.

Orochi couldn’t agree more.