~ A Recap ~

"Back to Shinshu Field then?" The blonde said. Ammy nodded, and Waka looked out over the horizon as the sun began to set.

"I'll take you," He offered after a moment, holding out his hand to her. "Believe me, it's much faster than walking, mon cherie."

Amaterasu's eyes moved from Waka's outstretched hand to Issun, who shrugged.

"Why not, Ammy," He said. "You are pretty slow."

The Goddess rolled her eyes and without looking, placed her hand in Waka's. In an instant, she felt her feet lift off the ground and the air rush in around her.

"W-wahh!" She cried as she watched the features of the landscape grow smaller and smaller. Waka gave a musical laugh and did a few tricks in the air. "Amazing, no~?" He called to her, his voice loud to be heard over the wind.

"You're gonna kill us!" Issun cried as he clung to the silky cloth of Amaterasu's kimono for dear life. "Would ya slow down!"

Again, the Prophet only laughed as they made quick progress toward Shinshu Field. Ammy shut her eyes and clung to Waka tighter, but in spite of all the excitement she still couldn't help but notice a feeling of dread that clutched at her stomach and sent her heart into her throat.

Whatever's coming…I hope I'm strong enough to face it.

( Amaterasu's P.O.V. )

The sun had sunk behind the trees, the sky faded to a dim orange-blue, the moon just barely visible. All was calm in Shinshu Field, but Amaterasu couldn't help but feel uneasy. There wasn't a single sound; no crickets chirping in the undergrowth, no sounds of birds making their way to their nests, nothing. Only an empty wind blew through the plain, and Amaterasu felt her heart ache at the sight of the once-busy field, now reduced to a barren landscape.

As they passed over the Guardian Sapling, Ammy noticed that even it looked more withered and sad than before. But as they drew closer and closer to their destination, the sadness in her heart was replaced with a fierce determination to restore the land to what it once was. Amaterasu could feel her heart beating faster and her blood pressure rising as adrenaline kicked in, and she reached down with her free hand to grip the set of scrolls that were nestled safely in her bag.

"Ah," Waka said, freeing her of her thoughts. "Here we are~"

The Tao Master floated slowly to the ground, sparkles emanating from his form. Amaterasu let go of him and shook her head a little.

"That…that was horrible…" She heard Issun say. "Never again!"

Ammy couldn't help but laugh as she looked over at the frazzled Poncle. "At least it was faster."

Waka clutched at his heart with his hand dramatically. "Oh, will you never learn to appreciate me, my little bouncing friend!"

The Goddess imagined Issun rolling his eyes. "Not if you keep doing that, you crazy prophet!"

"Alright, enough you two," Amaterasu cut in. "We have some business to care of."

As she said this, all three of them looked toward the lake shore, where the cursed Shrine stood.

"Are you ready, Amaterasu?" Waka said, breaking the silence that threatened to settle on them. Ammy looked over to him, but didn't say anything. In all honesty, she didn't know if she was ready or not.

"You can do it, Ammy!" Issun said, his voice full of fierce determination. "That creepy old hag will be sorry for ever messing with you!"

The Goddess closed her eyes and drew together all of her courage and determination, and a moment later she took off running toward the Shrine like a comet streaking across the night sky.

"Good luck, mah cherie!" Waka called from where they had left him. "I know you can do it!"

Amaterasu looked up at the boarded-up door that led into the Shrine. Once again, her hand went to the bundle in her bag, and she pulled the scrolls out and examined them for a moment.

Tentatively she took the first scroll, Mizaru, and slowly unraveled it to find an image of a monkey covering its eyes. The two watched as the image began to glow, and a moment later the monkey hopped right off the page.

"Greetings," Mizaru said as he plopped down on the grass in front of her, his eyes still covered. "I am Mizaru, the first of Sanbiki no Saru."

The two exchanged a bow, and Mizaru gave her a playful smile. "My brothers and I will assist you on your quest, Amaterasu," He said. "Bring them out and we'll explain."

The Goddess obeyed and soon the other two sat at Mizaru's side; Kikazaru, who covered his ears, and Iwazaru, who covered his mouth.

"Now," Mizaru said. "We can continue. I am Mizaru, who sees no evil; these are my brothers, Kikazaru, who hears no evil, and Iwazaru, who speaks no evil. Together, we form Sanbiki no Saru."

Amaterasu bowed. "It's nice to meet you all. You have my greatest thanks for assisting me with the task ahead."

"So wait," Issun interrupted. "These stupid monkeys are gonna help us!"

"We are more than stupid monkeys, little bug," Kikazaru said. "We are Celestial beings who have taken the form of monkeys. Besides, I've picked bigger bugs than you out of my fur."

"Who're you callin' bug!" Issun fumed. "I swear, if I get my hands on you-"

"Enough!" Ammy snapped at him. "Show some respect."

The Poncle held his tongue, allowing the three to continue. "Now," Mizaru said. "Let us explain.

"Your adversary," Kikazaru said. "Is the exact opposite of our teachings. We have deemed her Taishoku."

"She is a fierce, malicious demon," Iwazaru continued. "But she was once human. However, she ignored our teachings and was, as a result, consumed by greed."

"When she died," Mizaru said. "She became a malicious spirit, and her senses were engulfed by darkness and evil. Only her mouth remained, which she used to cast an enchanting spell over the land, and all who were caught in it became possessed."

Amaterasu nodded, her attention apt. So that explained the girl back in Kamiki…

"She is gluttonous," said Kikazaru. "And fed off of those who came to this shrine, where she resided. As time wore on, she continued feasting on travelers and villagers from Kamiki until there weren't any left."

"Aw man…" Issun said. "This sounds worse than we thought…what if there really aren't any villagers left?"

"We don't know that for sure," Ammy replied, trying to remain optimistic. "But there's only one way to find out."

She looked back up at the door as the three monkeys hovered up around her, and revolved in a circle.

"We'll help you," The three said in unison. "Use the knowledge we have given you to defeat Taishoku and restore the land to its former state."

Amaterasu nodded and focused all of her holy power on the door, where the evil seal still barred it shut. She felt three more focused beams of energy conjoin with hers, and with a burst of white light, the seal and the door behind it both exploded.

"Nice work!" Issun praised them. "Now get in there and show that hag who's boss!"