Chapter 2 - The Savior Monk

The next day, every warrior was up and ready, practicing their new abilities. Mitsukake can now use his healing abilities more than once, only for small injuries. However he can only heal large damages up to three times and after that his life force will be much weakened. Chiriko can probe into his enemies mind and Nuriko have more strength while Hotohori have a holy shield to complement his holy sword.

Though they have discovered their new powers, they still need to practice with it as they realize that this new power is linked directly to their emotion. So if they get too emotional, using those powers greatly elevates their intensity which not only can destroy the enemy but also their own body.

With all this development, the priestess and princess were still unconscious. One early morning, as Chichiri was preparing to meditate, he saw someone walk past his door. Peeking out he realize that it was the guardian princess. Glad that she has finally woken up, Chichiri wondered why she is up this early and where she is going. He wanted her explanation for healing the scar and so he followed her.

After a while it seems that she was walking towards the lake and the way she walks is not her own, kind of robotic as though she's being controlled somehow. Chichiri was curious and followed on and when he realized that she's going to commit suicide he tried to stop her.

However, when Chichiri tried to approach her from behind, he was blown away by a powerful blast of purple light from the princess. She turned around, smiling evilly and in her eyes purple light glowed. Chichiri concentrated on locating Hoshi's aura and find that it is completely gone.

Chichiri realized that Lady Hoshi must be under the enemy's influence and he had to break the link before she drowns. He concentrated even harder and as soon as he broke the connection, he immediately jumps into the lake to rescue her.

After searching for quite some time, he found her entangled in seaweed. He brought her up and notices that she was blue in the face and her heart was not beating. Fearing the worst, he quickly gave her mouth to mouth resuscitation but it didn't work.

Then Chichiri remembered reading a scroll about resuscitation and that it works better if the chest is pushed to get the heart beating again. Chichiri began to alternate giving her air and pressing her chest.

Five minutes later, Lady Hoshi coughed out lots of water and was semi conscious. Chichiri can still feel the enemy presence within her and need to cleanse her chi of the evil otherwise the enemy can still take control of her again. Chichiri brought her to her room and asked the maids to remove her top half.

As the maids undress Lady Hoshi top half, Chichiri had his eyes closed deep in concentration. The maids left and then a red glow surround Chichiri. Chichiri directed his chi, through his hands, into Hoshi's certain pressure points and it started channeling itself into Lady Hoshi causing her purple aura to diminish little by little. The enemy's grip over Hoshi was strong because Chichiri started to sweat and tire.

After two long hours, the process was completed with Lady Hoshi glowing in red aura and an exhausted Chichiri. Quickly dressed by the maids again, Lady Hoshi was immediately conscious but weak. Softly she apologized for the trouble she has caused Chichiri. Tiredly Chichiri replied that it's his honor and duty to protect both the priestess and guardian princess as a Suzaku warrior.

Nevertheless Hoshi thanked Chichiri sincerely from the bottom of her heart. Lady Hoshi explained that her true aura was aware all the time but she couldn't do anything because she was being controlled. She explained that when Suzaku entered her, her strength was temporarily weakened and the enemy took advantage to sneak in. "I am alright now, I just need to rest a bit more" continued Hoshi.

Before Chichiri went to rest, she explained that his best friend, Hikou wanted Chichiri's scar to be healed. When she absorbed Suzaku, she could hear Chichiri's guardian spirit requesting her to use Suzaku's power to heal Chichiri's scar, which will help him forgive himself and put the past behind him as his best friend, the spirit, has already forgiven him.

Hearing this, Chichiri now understood why his scar was healed and was grateful to Hikou and Lady Hoshi. Then aided by the other Suzaku warriors, he returned to his room to regenerate.