Qualifications

Aiko

"Master Aiko, I don't disapprove of your plan of entering the Shaman Fight, but I will be more useful to you if I had a weapon," Maia said to me as we walked.

"Okay. What do you need?"

"A fan. A tessen fan if you can manage it, but I can get by with any fan you can get a hold of."

"Okay…just direct me into any store that sells such things and guide my hands to them."

We walked for another hour or two. Then Maia said, "Stop, and turn left. There's a store with fans in the window."

I obediently turned and went in. I already knew my ghost would end up being my eyes for reading, but any shaman watching me would probably think I was some kind of crazy, listening to my servant. Still, what good master doesn't?

I'm…not sure if she possessed me or not, but I know she directed me to the rack with the fans and guided my hand onto the one she wanted. I grabbed two of them, in case I lost one. (I know, most kids my age wouldn't think ahead like I do, but being blind made me grow up a little faster.)

I spent the rest of the day practicing with Maia and those two fans. This consisted of my holding the fans and moving in different actions, and Maia coaching me, telling me how to alter my position, and praising me when I got a pose right. I memorized each pose and action, storing it away for whenever I needed it.

When it got dark – I am so glad I can see light! – I lay back and waited. What for, I don't know. But after about an hour, I heard some gust of wind that didn't fit the night's pattern.

Sitting up, I protested, "All right, I know you're out there. It's only fair to warn you, I'm not alone!"

A man's laugh reached my ears. "You're a bold one." He had a patient voice, and sounded like he'd be about my father's age, maybe a tad older. I also heard footsteps. The exact sound I'd heard, and what I'd felt, was a solid thump, followed by typical footsteps. He must have vaulted from a tree, and known exactly how to land. "Do you know why I'm here, Yokamaru Aiko?"

I didn't bother asking how he knew my name. Instead, I answered, "You're here to test me, and find out if I'm worthy of entering the Shaman Fight."

"Very good. What you need to do is very simple: you must land a hit on me."

I calmly noted that what he'd said was "simple," not "easy."

"Prepare yourself."

I called Maia into my hand and, in one smooth motion Mother would have been proud of, integrated. All of a sudden, I could see! Okay, I couldn't see clearly: it was more like I could see the spirit essence of everything around me, and namely on my tester. He had about two different ghosts on him – wait…they were around him, not on him. What could that mean?

Only one way to find out. I lunged at him, my fans moving into an intricate pattern I'd only just learned. My point at this moment wasn't to hit him: it was to figure out what was happening with his ghosts.

At point-blank range, he suddenly took flight! I fell down and rolled onto my back, staring up at him. One of his ghosts had taken on the form of wings!

"It's called furyoku. I'll be this nice to you, as you can't actually see me, and tell you how it works," he explained as he landed where I'd started, "it's when a spirit integrates, not with the shaman, but with the object that symbolizes the being itself."

Object that symbolizes the being?

"This is a difficult thing for a human spirit to accomplish, for they generally have only one shape: their own. But it can be done."

Hmmm…

I separated from Maia and stood up slowly, adjusting to the lack of 'seeing.'

"What are you going to do, Master?" Maia asked.

"Wait…I've almost got something."

I heard a laugh that sounded like an eagle's cry. "I doubt she'll get it. She's only a blind, helpless little girl."

Only a – well! I'll show that overweening turkey! "Maia! Integrate!"

My rage hadn't taken over me. Maia also wasn't integrating with me.

One fan fell to the ground, almost unnoticed. The other grew into a remarkable size, taking both hands to hold. I turned with the fan closed, opened it behind me while still pointing myself towards him, and brought it down hard towards the ground with a jump. The resulting wind blew me towards him, and I lifted the fan up, bringing it around with all my energy behind it.

"I AM NOT HELPLESS!!!" I screamed.

I don't really remember what happened next. I know I hit the ground, too tired to stand.

Then I heard soft clapping, from somewhere closer to my level. "Congratulations. You pass the test. You really ought to name your fans, as it makes a merge pass smoother."

"Did…did I knock you down?" I asked, smiling faintly.

I almost felt the smile. "Yes. Here, this is yours." Something slid onto my left wrist. "It's like a pager, allowing the Great Spirit to communicate with you and tell you your assignments. You will have to fight three times against different shamans; winning twice will qualify you for the Shaman Fight. Your ghost will have to read the instructions to you, as there wasn't a design that allowed it to speak."

"I understand," Maia answered him.

"And now, Little Bat," he teased, as he stood, helped me to my feet, and gave me my other fan, "good luck." And I felt him walk away.

I rolled my eyes, but appreciated the thought. Then I put away my fans, lifted my wrist, and asked, "All right, Maia: who do I fight first?"