The young girl, whom they had yet to ask her name, guided them through the tunnels, avoiding several pitfalls along the way, one of which had not been far from where she'd found them. The tunnels stretched far, several winding around high inclines, though they were not dangerous by any means. They did not wander far before they arrived to an opening just ahead, the evening sky greeting them as they ventured out of the mountain cavern.
The storm had quieted, the snow high at their ankles, and the young girl guided them up a small slope. The slope wrapped around the mountain, its height still immense above them, and as they shivered in the evening air, the moon hidden by the gray clouds of winter, they noticed a small cottage situated against the side of the mountain, its roof curved inward and short.
When they arrived at the small house, smoke drifting from the chimney, Eri saw three large stacks of wood placed on the side of the house. Near it, there was also a small well which had a makeshift wooden cover over top of it.
"Please, come inside."
A blazing fire from a hearth across the room greeted them, it's warmth shedding away the cold clinging to their skin. Eri's friends sighed, relieved to have found shelter.
As the young girl skirted across the room, rummaging through one chest in the corner, she retrieved two large quilted blankets, dark in their color and white in their detailed intricacy. From there, she guided them with a wave of her hand, and as Eri and her friends seated themselves before the hearth, the young girl covered them in the thick blankets.
An abundance of furs and remnants of animal horns decorated the walls of this tiny home, but there was little furniture inside, all except a few wooden chairs by a circular wooden table near what she presumed was a kitchen. There was a cauldron and several weaved baskets nestled beside the hearth, two filled with mountain mushrooms and various green plants and black berries.
Several spears and swords laid against the furthest corner of the home, stacked in a tall wooden basket, with a few bows and quiver of arrows leaning against it. A practical measure of self-defense. These mountains were dangerous.
While Eri sat there, both she and her friends admiring the curious architecture of the one room home, she watched as the girl crossed the room, a small tray in hand with four cups of what appeared to be hot tea. Like her friends, she accepted her kindness, her hands warming against the cup.
When she sat beside them, it was then Eri realized she was no longer adorned in her heavy overcoat. In fact, she knelt before them in a very detailed two-layer brown and white dress, with snow boots hidden behind its flowing layers. But it wasn't the interesting style of her attire that drew her attention, but it was her face, her hair and those large doe blue eyes staring back at them.
Much like themselves, her skin was very fair, and she was beautiful, something straight out of a fairytale. The most alluring thing about her was her hair color; it was silver, long and flowing to her waist in soft curls, small sections adorned in long pigtails with leather bands. If she had to estimate her exact age, she assumed maybe the girl was fourteen, if not fifteen, though she was a little shorter than themselves.
"I'm sorry I have little to offer you, but please stay and warm yourselves."
"If you hadn't found us, I'm sure we would have been goners," Eri said, thanking the young girl.
On account of her reply, she smiled at them. "I'm glad to see you're all safe and that no harm has come to either of you. Though, if you don't mind me asking, why are you in these mountains?"
"Well…" Eri said, her gaze shifting to Ayumi and Yuka beside her. It didn't seem wise to reveal the truth, and the last thing she wanted was for their rescuer to turn on them. "We were looking for someone. Our friend went missing."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Wherever she may be, I pray she is safe. These mountains are dangerous, even at dusk. I never expected others to venture here…"
"Really?" Ayumi asked.
She nodded. "At first, I wasn't sure if it was a Houkyou luring me, but then I realized it would be impossible for them to travel through tight places, especially those tunnels."
"What's a Houkyou?" Eri asked.
The girl's eyes widened at this. "They are fearsome giants that dwell below the steeps and are carnivorous by nature."
Hearing this, Eri flinched, the very description leaving her trembling beneath her blanket. Could it be possible that was the creature that had chased after them? It wasn't small by any means and had even uprooted a tree and tossed it.
"I think that's what was chasing us earlier!" Ayumi said. "We heard what sounded like wolves howling, and then we heard someone screaming earlier. I don't suppose there are others living here?"
"I'm afraid not. If you heard those noises, then it was a Houkyou," She said, clarifying their fear. "When they picks up on a human's scent, they exude similar howls as wolves, and when they are close, they mimic the sounds of humans, hoping to lure them into a trap. But above all else, they will chase and devour their victims. They hunt in packs."
"Then, it's not safe for us to be here," Eri said, moving from her spot to stand up, her gaze drifting towards the glass windows of the cottage. "What if they find us!"
"Please, do not worry. You're all safe here, especially at this altitude. Those creatures never travel this far up."
Somewhat doubtful, Eri trusted her words, and seating herself once more, she watched as the young girl sipped her tea. Turning to her friends beside her, Eri caught their worried glances. They also didn't feel safe here, but what other choice did they have? They would freeze to death out there, and she wasn't interested in venturing through those tunnels again.
"They often terrorize the locals below the mountains," She said, lowering her cup of tea onto the tray. "Then again, it's no surprise. The nesting grounds of these monsters lie on Mount Cotareishin, just south across the river. It is a place haunted by criminal sacrifices.
"Whoa, what?! Are you serious?!" Yuka said, her expression fearful and somewhat agitated. "No wonder they have a taste for human meat; you're practically feeding them!"
But the girl shook her head. "It is not us, but the constables. To appease those Houkyou from terrorizing those below the mountains, these executions are necessary to keep them at bay. Even the strongest of man cannot prevail against those creatures…"
Yuka, though agitated by this, remained silent. Eri didn't blame her, but the girl's explanation stunned them. Were they trapped? Who was she, and why was she here?
Unable to hold back her curiosity, Eri said, "If these monsters are so dangerous, then why are you living here? Wouldn't it be safer far away?" From the corner of her eye, she saw her friends nod in agreement.
"My brother said it would be safest here. In the past, we succumbed to wandering bandits and thieves, our belongings stolen from us. Because of some other misfortunes, we've taken shelter here. It's been two years. The only passable way up here is through the tunnels, and since people fear them, they never come this far."
There was more to this girl's story than what she first let on. It might seem safe to hide behind the Houkyou to escape wandering bandits, but it was also risky. Why live away from others? And for two years?
"I just can't imagine how rough it must be," Ayumi said. "What about food?"
"Oh, well, there's vegetation and edible herbs on these steeps. Earlier this morning, I scavenged what I could just down the slope near the tunnels. I also use the seeds to grow what we need."
"Yeah, but what about meat? You probably don't get a lot of game up here…" Yuka asked.
"My brother hunts and sells for a living. He's more familiar with the terrain than I am. We manage well, and I'll sometimes help by weaving baskets for those in town."
"So, where is your brother?" Yuka asked. "Is he out hunting?"
"He left two days ago to sell furs south of the mountain. He should return any day now."
"We're sorry for imposing on you like this so suddenly, but we really appreciate your kindness."
"Yes, thank you," Yuka and Ayumi said.
"It's no trouble at all. In fact, it's nice to see people after so long. You're welcome to stay for as long as you need. Oh, that's right, you mentioned your friend. Are you certain she came up into these mountains?"
Eri wasn't sure. For all they knew, the book could have just sent Kagome elsewhere. Was she safe? "We're not sure. We got separated. It's been hours now since."
"I see. Well, don't lose hope. I'm sure she's out there safe. When Emutato returns, he'll help search for her."
"Really?" Ayumi asked.
"Like I said before, he knows these mountains more than I do. He's also an expert tracker. I'm sure he'll find her," She said.
"That would be great! Thank you so much!"
A sudden thought occurred to her, her eyes widening. "Forgive me, but it seems I've forgotten my manners. We haven't even introduced ourselves yet. My name is Chen Ayla."