"So how much trouble are we in," Darren asked. Akira rubbed the back of his sheepishly, wincing at the tongue lashing that was in store for him.
"For myself a considerable amount," Akira sighed. "Yuriko and Ayami have a... complicated relationship with Abolith and Fukushu. You should be okay though."
"Well I don't want you to shoulder all the blame," Darren stated. "I could have said no."
"I appreciate that Guardian," Akira smirked. "At the end of the day though I am the one responsible."
"We can assign blame for my presence another time," Fukushu scoffed. "For now I am going to show the Catalyst one of the powers of the Dragons Tongue."
Darren and Akira now focused on Fukushu as the nine tailed kitsune gazed at them intently. "As I said before," he started. "The spirits of the previous wielder of the blade lie within the Dragons Tongue. These spirits can be easily contacted by the guardian. Today, I shall show you how we commune with them."
Darren now watched as Fukushu made an intricate sign in the air. "Do as I do Catalyst," he stated. Darren nodded, following Fukushus movements. As he did he felt a mild tingling sensation wash over him. "Do you feel that," Fukushu asked to which Darren nodded. "Good now grasp the hilt of the blade tightly and clear your mind."
Darren did as he was told, clearing his mind. Darren now gasped, his head spinning as he felt like he was falling before everything went black.
Slowly the teenage boy now opened his eyes, his head spinning as he tried to clear his thoughts. "Where am I?"
"Inside the blade."
Darren looked up, seeing Fukushu standing next to him. As he now slowly stood he was puzzled by his surroundings. Instead of Yurikos backyard, the two appeared to be in a meadow. Tress swayed from a slight breeze as the falling of a waterfall echoed around them. "Did you say we're inside the blade?"
"Yes Catalyst we are," Fukushu nodded. "The blade, much like Excalibur, is a holy weapon. Connected to the heavens themselves."
"So does that mean we're dead!"
"No," Fukushu chuckled. "Our spirits are simply visiting. We still are connected to the land of the living. The protector though is able to visit the outskirts of the heavens in order to commune with the spirits of the past wielders." Darren now watched as Fukushu gestured towards a lone figure approaching from a wooded area, a figure Darren and Fukushu immediately recognized.
"Tatsu!"
The divine kitsune now approached, dressed in the robes he was buried in. Despite a serene smile upon his face, his eyes maintained the fierceness he had in life.
"Greetings Darren," he said softly. "I see my...son is assisting in your training." Darren simply nodded as Tatsu now turned to Fukushu. The two nine tails giving eachother a steely glance.
"Father."
"Son."
Time seemed to slow as the two nine tails stared at one another. Darren, unsure of what to say, fidgeted nervously. It was finally Tatsu who broke the silence. "It is good to see you my son," he grinned.
Fukushu said nothing as Tatsu now studied him. "I had hoped you would contact the Catalyst," he said. "You were the only one I had taught this technique to. Darren will need your help if he is to be the guardian of our people."
"You placed our clans future in the hands of this child," Fukushu replied, his voice cold. "What choice did I have?"
"You always have a choice my son," Tatsu stated. "You could have easily refused, but you didn't. In life I may have been stern with you, stern with your siblings but like your mother I always believed you would do what is right."
Fukushu chuckled softly, shaking his head. "So another trick," he laughed. "Force me to set aside my pride for the sake of our people. And to think Chisai thought you didn't have a sense of humor."
"Partly," Tatsu grinned. "But also to bring you here. There is someone who wishes to speak with you."
Fukushu gave is father a curious look as the kitsune god now gestured towards the woods. Fukushus jaw dropping, his eyes going wide as he saw a two tailed silver kitsune emerge. "Raiden?!"
Raiden, the long dead silver two tailed son of Tatsu, now approached Darren and Fukushu. The teen smiling broadly as he gazed at his brother. "Whats the matter little brother," he grinned. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Fukushu trembled slightly, before throwing himself onto his long dead brother. "Raiden," he choked. "I've...I've missed you brother!"
"I missed you too Jiro," Raiden replied warmly. The teenage two tail now pulled back, smiling as he studied his brother. "Come little brother," he said happily. "Father needs to talk with the Catalyst and I wish to catch up." Taking Fukushus hand the two tailed now led his brother away as Tatsu watched.
"You have done well Darren," Tatsu said proudly. "My son has been consumed by his hatred for mortals for far too long. That you were able to win his trust says something."
"I'm not even sure what I did sir," Darren replied.
"You made him belief in the goodness of humanity through your actions," Tatsu said. "You showed him that not all humans wish death upon those different than themselves. I am hoping, finally, my son can redeem himself and become a force for good."