Akechi scowls at Byue and asks, "Who are you?"
Byue answered, "No one of importance; however, I offer assistance to the undead and trapped spirits in this world,"
He raises himself back up. Akechi slightly softened her expression and said, "Am I truly dead?"
"Yes," replied the demonic being hanging on Byue's shoulder, "Would you like to join me?"
Byue briefly eyed the demonic being then at the girl.
Join? Akechi thought.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You can live in my belly carefree by providing your soul as an entree,"
Akechi made a downward chin, knitted her eyebrows, and tightened her lips.
"Get lost!"
"We'll be on our way," replied Byue and turned away from Akechi, "ponder on what you want when we meet again,"
Strange man, Akechi thought and watched him leave. Akechi steadied herself on the tree when he was out of sight while her cold body cranked at the stiffened joints. She looks at her injured hands, wiggles her fingers, and removes the pinned cards. Her fingers pitch on the playing king card, pulling and tugging, but it wouldn't budge.
Why won't this darn card comes off!
Akechi's concentrated on the playing king card, tightened her grip on the card, and pulled harder. Then a tiny glowing aura briefly appears on her hands when she rips out the card. She smiles as she watches the playing card glide to the ground and removes the second card on the other hand. Again, a slight glowing aura appears around her hand.
What is it? Akechi thought and inspected her hand; then, the glowing aura faded away.
"Hhhhaaaa," Akechi sighed.
-chirp chirp-
Akechi listens to the birds chirping and stares at the night sky slowly fading into reddish color with the last star in sight. She sluggishly moves out of the area without a clue to go.
