Chapter 11- The Descendant

The time slowly passed. The commencement of the Shaman Fight was soon signalled by a bright star striking the sky, Lago. The members of her tribe had stood and stared, mesmerized. But, the star signified something different for her... The beginning of an almost-impossible quest, the burden of which she would have to carry alone.

It was not long before the men of the Patch tribe officials came to test the men of the Seminoa tribe. One by one, each was called to be tested, and either passed or failed the initiation into the tournament. Aiyana was not obliged to attend these pre-tournament matches because they were simply designed to differentiate among those of the tribe with potential, and those who did not meet up to the standard. It wasn't considered a useful application of her time.

Even the preliminary matches were deemed a waste of her time. Instead, she was expected to continue with her teachings to the little ones and with her own shaman training. This she had to do in private, however, because the other members of the tribe couldn't know just how much more advanced she was than the rest of them, or they would surely become suspicious. Oddly enough, since birth, Aya had been with her. She didn't know if Aya's spirit had been resurrected with her, or if Aya had simply waited on Earth 500 years for her return. Whatever the reason, she was extremely grateful to have her spirit ally with her still, and this only added to her advantage over the others, because she had far more experience with her spirit than they had with theirs.

There was one preliminary match, however, that Suni requested she accompany her to. It was Payatt's second preliminary battle. Aiyana knew of Suni and Payatt's secret romance, so she did not mind accompanying her so that she may support her secret lover. Aiyana knew what it was like to want to have faith in a loved one. Although Aiyana was by far the most beautiful girl in the tribe, she was also considered the one least likely to be married. She held little to no interest in any men of the tribe, despite many of their efforts, and Chief Tuketu did not seem preoccupied with marrying her off. In fact, it seemed he was perfectly pleased with her simply focusing on her shaman training for the rest of her life. And Aiyana herself was more than willing to remain celibate for the rest of her days. Nevertheless, many of the men of the village complained of unjust preference, and continued to press the idea that she should be married. With the Shaman Fight in the midst, however, these debates were put on hold, to Aiyana's great relief.

Payatt's fight was late at night, so Suni and Aiyana had to be discreet when leaving the village to get to the match. The location of the match was deep in the forest area around their village. It took Suni and Aiyana some time to find it in the dark. Finally, she had Aya lead them. There was a small clearing among the trees where the battle was just about to begin. Payatt's opponent had somewhat long hair and wore traditional Japanese attire. With a pang of realization, she suddenly noticed his uncanny resemblance to Hao.

'Could it be...?'

"Suni, what's the name of his opponent?"

"Hmmm... Asakura...Yohken... Was it?"

Her heart stopped... Asakura? So... This man... was Hao...?

"The match is about to begin," the Asakura said smugly to his opponent. "Are you prepared to be defeated?"

"You are the one who will be defeated"

"Payatt! I have faith in you!"

Payatt turned his head to see Suni smiling at him from the sidelines.

"It seems you have an admirer," Yohken laughed.

Aiyana still remained half-hidden in the trees, not wishing to face her former husband at this time. She debated her options in her mind. She could go back to the village, but Suni would be upset. But how could she face him now, after all these years..?

"Have you become so shy, Amaya?"

'That voice...!'

"Hao..."

She whipped around, her eyes wide. There was no mistaking it. The man who stood before her was indeed the man she had married 500 years ago. Although his attire was foreign, she could easily recognize the sound of his voice and his features. He was inches away from her. She took a step back. Something about him startled her. He was different somehow. His eyes seemed void of emotion. His air was cool, calm and... Cold. It was unnerving to see how greatly he had changed since the first day she met him... Unnerving and heart-breaking.

"Can you so easily mistake your own husband?" Although the question seemed light, she could sense the seriousness of its undertone.

"I...You... Wh-What are you doing here?" Was all she could manage to ask after 500 years.

He chuckled darkly.

"Is this the way I'm greeted after 500 years?"

She didn't have time to respond because he had already grabbed her and pressed her into a rough kiss. The initial shock quickly resided and she desperately struggled to push him off. Finally, he released her.

"... You're not... the man I married," she sputtered, trying to catch her breath. She engaged her oversoul into the ground, preparing to attack. He simply laughed in amusement.

"You're not very grateful, Amaya. I'm the reason you're alive in this moment. And I'm the reason your precious spirit found her way to you. And this is how you repay me? By challenging me?"

"...I know why you've resurrected yourself. I won't let you fulfill your goal" Her eyes were hard, her tone ruthless.

He laughed again.

"Hmm, well you can try. I look forward to seeing your efforts..."

"Why did you bring me back?" She demanded.

"Well, I thought that would be obvious by now..."

"..."

"I'll need a queen for when I am crowned king"

"I will never follow you!"

"Hm, I'm sorry you feel that way... You'll change your mind soon enough"

"I'd rather die"

He smirked.

"That really isn't your decision, is it? When I'm king, my will is the only one that will matter"

"What are you trying to say...?"

"... I'm not giving you a choice"

She stared at him angrily.

"Aya!" she exclaimed.

"Hahahaha, as much as I'd love to fight you, Amaya, there is a shaman battle that I must oversee. Perhaps another time..."

Again, he was inches from her. He lifted his hand and brushed her cheek softly.

"You're as beautiful as ever... Don't be too reckless, Amaya. I'll be watching you"

And with that, he disappeared... Only to reappear on the other side of the clearing, where the match was just beginning.

"Just because your sweetheart is here, doesn't mean I'll go easy on you" Yohken mocked, as he slashed his oversoul at Payatt. His oversoul medium was a katana. Payatt blocked the attack with his medium, a war club. His spirit was a Neanderthal warrior who died thousands of years ago while hunting game. Although not very vocal, he was a very resilient spirit. She had missed the introductions of Yohken's spirit.

'Is he... My descendant, then?'

She observed him. He did have a striking resemblance to Hao, although he looked nothing like her. He also seemed to be a bit older than her. Now that she thought about it, Hao also seemed slightly older than her. Perhaps he only resurrected her after he had been reborn for some time...?

"It seems you have another admirer," Yohken noted, as he blocked Payatt's attack, catching sight of her.

She blushed lightly. She was definitely not one of his admirers.

"Just a friend," Payatt assured, as he pushed his attack harder against Yohken, who continued to block.

"Are all the women of your tribe so beautiful?" He asked, risking another glance at her.

"You don't have a chance!" Payatt exclaimed, breaking his guard and pushing him back.

Yohken laughed.

"Enough playing around"

Suddenly his oversoul grew in size.

"I'll defeat you with my next blow"

And without further notice, he charged at Payatt and struck him with his extended oversoul. Payatt, taking the hit head on, fell to the ground, oversoul discharged. The match had been decided. Yohken held out his hand good-naturedly to help up his opponent.

"Good match," he smiled.

"You're strong," Payatt returned the smile, accepting his hand to help him off the ground.

Hao appeared next to them.

"The match has been decided. It seems my descendant will be moving on to the next round," he smirked.

"Grrr... Hao..." Yohken said, staring at him.

Hao laughed.

"Until next time," he called. "And... Aiyana was it?" he asked, shifting his gaze to meet hers. "Let's meet again"

And he was gone.

"How are you acquainted with him?" Yohken demanded, staring at her.

"We just met..." she lied.

"That guy..." He said, shaking with rage.

"Who is he?" Suni asked.

"One of the 10 Shaman Fight Officials" Payatt explained.

Yohken did not elaborate. Instead, he turned to her.

"Your name is... Aiyana?"

She nodded.

"Are you a shaman?"

"Yes"

"Are you a participant in the Shaman Fight?"

"No"

"She should be, with her skills!" Suni cried bitterly.

"Suni..." She gave her a look.

Yohken looked at Aiyana curiously.

"Really..? Hmm, you're that skilled..?"

She didn't answer.

"Maybe that's why he's interested in you..." he mumbled, more to himself. "Or perhaps it's because of your beauty," he said a little louder.

"Aiyana is not fazed by male advances" Suni said smugly.

"Advances...? I'm not making any advances! I have a fiancé!" Yohken said, slightly flustered.

Suni and Payatt laughed. Aiyana ignored them. She was far too concerned with the Hao situation to partake in this little exchange. She zoned out of the conversation but Suni soon claimed her attention again.

"We're foreseeing our tribe members in the tournament... Right Aiyana?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes, that's right"

"Not listening again..." Suni sighed, annoyed.

"It was nice to meet you all" Yohken said. "Good luck in your next match, Payatt. I hope to face you again one day in the tournament"

"Thank you"

" And Aiyana!" he called.

She looked up to meet his gaze.

"I hope to one day witness this skill of yours. I'll look forward to that day. I'll see you at the tournament"

And with that, he left.

'His spirit... It was familiar somehow... What was it though? I couldn't catch a glimpse...'

Aiyana tormented herself, as she walked back to the village with the two lovebirds.

"Good night," she called to them, as she separated from them and made her way to her own home. She could already predict...It would be a long and sleepless night...