【48 - Rebirth of the Phoenixes! The Mountain's Peak and a Strange Visitor!?】


YouTube: Sounds of nature: Gondwana Rainforests of Australia | #NSWParks


That first day it was just the two of them. They did a lot of walking and the occasional resting. Every four hours they'd pass a rest stop like the one they slept at. Sometimes they took a little look then went right on by. Other times they'd stop, Kanoa or Heidi would fetch the kettle in its cupboard and go looking for water so they could drink. As needed they'd take turns cleaning themselves behind trees. The barbecues all worked which made them think somebody must be maintaining them. When off the 'trail' Heidi had to be sure not to slip and slide down the steeper parts. Kanoa tried to not startle any of the larger animals that might be around. They saw two other scarecrows composed of human bones, by the trees. Long dead chieftains forever watching the path to ensure nobody was there who wasn't supposed to be.

They ate as they walked. Kanoa told Heidi which nuts and berries were okay to eat, so whenever the specific plants were in view they'd walk over and start picking. It kept them hungry but not starving. Their calf muscles began to burn from the constant uphill climb. Since it was just the two of them they shared stories of their upbringing and past. They shared a lot of silences too. Once it started to get dark again they agreed to sleep at the next rest stop. They were sweating from the long exertion and tropical heat.

"So, first day of walking done." Heidi said while laying out her sleeping bag. "You feel any more mystical?"

"No." Kanoa admitted while pressing the barbecue's on-off button. "You?"

"Not really. How much further do we have to go?"

"I'd say we're a third of the way to the top. But it will take us longer as the mountain gets steeper."

"Who'd have thought enlightenment would be this much work?" Heidi joked. She'd not heard the islander teen laugh, but he cracked a smirk at that.

Before sleep that night he sat, closed his eyes and took deep breaths. Heidi was massaging her leg muscles. The gas lantern was off, but she could tell from his silhouette that Kanoa was meditating. She wiggled up in her sleeping bag, into a sitting position and decided to try meditating too. She focused just like Kaleo had taught her, sensing out the places of tension or discomfort in her own emotions. She worked to release the stress, then she worked to quiet her mind entirely. Crickets and cicadas rang in the night, along with a distant trilling bird.

When day two came around they got up and hopped to it. The path did get steeper. In the late morning Heidi was trudging through the jungle with an empty kettle in hand, following the sound of a stream. She cried out. Kanoa raced into the jungle after her, expecting an injury of some kind. Heidi clung to a tree, having dropped the kettle down a ditch.

She pointed "I saw someone!"

"...no one else would be on this island, Heidi. No one's allowed to be."

"But I saw him!" She pressed. "A man, right over there!"

"Could he have been a spirit?" Kanoa wondered. The creaks and sounds of nature were suddenly ominious. It wasn't an idea either of them felt happy to entertain at the moment.

"I don't think so. He was an old guy, but he was also Caucasian."

That was strange. Kanoa recalled the pirate he'd duelled off the shore a week before Heidi came. He remembered the deity standing in its shimmering kimono, brightly reflecting the sun.

"Let's go back to the path."

"What about water? I'm thirsty."

"An outsider might be on this mountain, roaming around us and you want to stay here?"

"Yes. We can't not have water. The only places to go on this mountain is up or down, so if this guy is following us we're not gonna be able to lose him."

Kanoa sighed "I'll grab the kettle. We'll check the other side of the jungle trail." He slid down, used vines and plants to lower himself. He was careful to not knock the kettle down further; he secured the handle around his wrist to keep both hands free, then climbed back up. With his experience and upper body strength, he made it look easy. The two trudged back through underbrush.

They crossed the path and went looking for a stream. Kanoa was on guard. Heidi seemed to jump and twitch towards any noise they heard. A pitiful stream was flowing over rocks, Kanoa pressed the tin against its surface and waited as water filled it up.

"We need some more rain..." Kanoa murmured.

They went back to the shelter. Kanoa held the button in until the barbecue beeped and switched on. The kettle sat on the metal surface as it heated. Heidi cried out again and Kanoa darted out, looking up the trail to see someone standing and staring. Not so much staring, as there were bandages wrapped around his eyes. But he was facing them, and instead of being a spirit he was very much alive. His clothes were rags, his hair was long and grey. He said nothing, just faced them and waited. Kanoa narrowed his eyes before they widened in amazement.

"It's you... it's really you... the blind hermit."

The man was still, then he gave a short nod.

"I'm sorry, who!?" Heidi demanded.

"The blind hermit. He's a Kaijudo Master. He lives on the island by himself. I've never encountered him before, it didn't occur to me that he might be out here."

"Is he... friendly?" Heidi asked and when she received a nod she calmed down.


+ 8 Terra Firma (Lara's Mix) - Delerium (featuring Aude) - Tomb Raider


The man raised his deck which shone and rippled blue "Kettou da, chosen duelist."

"Yoshi," Kanoa pulled out his deck, burning green. Their tables appeared on a slant so as to be upright. "You may have the answers I seek."

"He's… blind." Heidi's questioning look was comical.

"Yes." Kanoa nodded as he stood against the old hermit. Those bandages were wrapped tightly around his eyes. By his paler skin tone it was clear he'd once been a visitor to the island.

"But how can he see his cards?" Heidi regarded the silent wildman.

"He perceives his surroundings through his mastery of Kaijudo energy. That's how he knows his cards, and can live completely alone, find his own food and survive." There was obvious respect in Kanoa's voice as he watched the man opposite.

"Is that true?" Heidi turned.

"..." the man dipped his head. His voice rumbled "Yes. I was once a Kaijudo master. But many years ago I lost my vision in an accident. Glass from my opponent's attack penetrated my eyes."

Kanoa could imagine it: the younger duelist wide-eyed as his shields were broken, sharp pieces rolling through air straight toward his open expression. Both Kanoa and Heidi cringed.

"I came to this mountain to learn how to control Jupiter. Then lo and behold you turn up. To have you as a teacher to train me, would be a great honour." Kanoa dipped his head.

The blind hermit said nothing and there was no change in his expression. He raised a hand over the cards he held, selected one for mana and set it purposely down. His table shone green and he raised his head at Kanoa in waiting, signalling the end of his turn.

Heidi blinked from the sidelines. He really can sense his cards without eyesight. That's incredible!

Kanoa charged and ended. The hermit charged water mana "I summon Jasmine, Mist Faerie and sacrifice her to boost Shuff, Eureka." Once more he signalled the end of his turn by lowering his hand and waiting, turning his face to Kanoa.

"I summon Yattar Wan, Adventuring Fox. I charge additional mana. Done." The fox cheered, tongue lolling out its mouth.

"Water mana…"

"Nature mana." Both tables shone.

"I summon Ragnarok, the Clock." A blue being on the face of a clock appeared, time warped and the turn was finished.

Kanoa drew "I summon Marinyan, Dragon Edge! It's time to open hyperspace!" The pink-haired catgirl appeared, high-fiving her fox companion before raising a paw. Chains whipped up around them, crackling with blue electricity. A tunnel opened up above "I bring out Euru=Bucca, Mystery Gathering Ruins!" Kanoa shouted and the jurassic temple flattened the trees behind him. The mountain trembled. "Done."

"I summon Macallan Fine, Explosive Roar!" He surprised them by bringing out a fire speed attacker. The human baku was covered in armour and held a flaming sword. "Shield break!" It leapt and slashed, shards flew. "Ragnarok, shield break!" The clock-bound hero flew, splaying a palm and warping space before another panel burst.

"No triggers…" Kanoa lowered his arms while the two opposing creatures sank back into place. At the hermit's waiting Kanoa reached and drew from his deck.

"Dragsolution! My Ruins becomes Rejiru=Euru=Bucca, Mystery Ruinskind!" There was zapping as it transformed into a terrifying dragon with 5000 power. It looked like one of the mountains come alive. "My creatures cost 2 less to summon now. I charge Ragmal, then I summon Sasoris, Dragon Edge and retrieve Boaroaxe, Evil Tomohawk!" The green squirrel leapt up, electric chains flew and the dreaded bladed weapon was fished from hyperspace. Despite being arguably more cuter the masked critter was serious unlike the fox and catgirl either side of it.

Kanoa pointed "I use it to bring out Ragmal, Spirit Knight from my mana zone and because of its effect I send it right back, along with one of your creatures!"

The hermit wordlessly moved Ragnarok, the Clock out of play and it vanished.

"With my last mana I summon another Yattar Wan and boost again. Then I can summon Nam=Daeddo, Bronze Style and boost once more." The green spearfighter landed as Kanoa's seventh creature. For a legendary Kaijudo master the blind hermit wasn't living up to his expected hype so far. Kanoa brushed the thought away "Mystery Ruinskind attacks Macallan Fine!" The last opposing creature was dino-dragon chow. "I end my turn and since the total mana cost of my creatures is 24 Boaroaxe dragsolutions into Boaropagos, Evil Emperor Ruins." The cursed weapon levitated from out the squirrel's hand. It shone and a sinister temple landed behind Kanoa, various statues of Jurassic dragons leaking multi-coloured rivers from their mouths.

When the tremors stopped the motionless hermit reached for his deck and drew.

"Inka, Karma's Curse Crest." A single faerie on 3000 appeared and he was done.

Kanoa hesitated and then started. He had eight mana, for three he summoned "Baron Gouyama!" A green bean in patchwork clothing appeared. "I search my deck and add… Supernova Jupiter King Empire to my mana zone! Then I can move Kabra Katabra to the battle zone!" Another wild veggie wrapped in lettuce leaves appeared. "This in turn lets me then put Jupiter into my hand. Boaropagos still hasn't been activated, so I bring out Ragmal and send it back once more to remove your only creature." Inka was swallowed up by vines, leaving its battlezone clear. The blind hermit clenched his hands ever-so-slightly.

Kanoa took a readying breath "...I evolve Baron Gouyama, Kabra Katabra and a Yattar Wan into Supernova Jupiter King Empire! Galaxy Vortex Evolution!" Energy and light surged. The chosen creatures were engulfed in green and pulled together. Kanoa's green energy whisped over his entire body. Light shot upward, thick tree roots burst forth and spread. Flowers opened and spewed white pollen into the air. A deep growl reverberated through the landscape, and there was the phoenix crossing its leaf blades. Gold helmet shining as it surveyed the opponent from above the tiger face on its lower-body. The phoenix remained still until… it shone green and retreated from the battle-zone. Its magnificent presence receded and the three creatures used to summon it were spat back out.

"It left again…" Heidi scowled.

The blind hermit said nothing.

"...this is why I need your help!" Kanoa yelled painfully. "Half the time Jupiter won't answer my call to battle… and I need to know why! Is it me? Am I not good enough? I tried so hard to be perfect but… it's not enough."

"I see…" The hermit began. "Proceed with your attacks. And I'll tell you what you need to know."

Gratitude flashed on his face. He pointed "Mystery Ruinskind, shield break!" There was a roar and slash, glass breaking. "Marinyan, shield break!" A huff and crash. "Sasoris, shield break!" The squirrel kicked and finally hit a trigger.

"Faerie Life! I boost Imen=Bugo, Dragon Edge." With that being all, the attacks continued.

"Yattar Wan, shield break!" A rabid scratch from the clothed fox, glass ripping the other duelists's rags.

"Bronze Style, final shield break!" A spear hurled through the last panel. It was Ochappi, a strike-back, but even if the blind hermit could've used it it wouldn't have helped. "I have one last untapped Yattar Wan, so is this the end of the game?"

"Yes." They cleared up their decks and the creatures vanished.

"Huh." Heidi said.

Kanoa too had expected more from someone who was so good at the game that he'd developed superpowers. But he dismissed the thought. There was probably some wisdom to the blind hermit's actions that Kanoa couldn't fathom yet. Or at the very least, he'd probably been unlucky this time.

"Please Uncle," Kanoa pleaded. "What is the answer to fixing my connection with Jupiter? What must I do?"

"I have a secret home in a beach alcove on the East side of the island. When you're ready, come find me there and come alone." He turned.

"But wait! What about my phoenix? You have to tell me what to do?"

"You are close to the answer. Worry not." Then the old sage continued off, stepping into the jungle. Kanoa went to run after him but stopped after a few steps. He made himself calm down. Heidi appeared at his side.

"So... we continue to the top?"

"Yes, we do." He nodded, stern. They waited for the water to cool. Then they drank and moved off, taking an uphill direction once more.

That sure had been weird. It left them plenty to talk and think about.

"So that old guy... if being on this mountain is sacrilige, what's he doing here?" Heidi asked as she pulled berries from passing shrubs.

"Maybe he didn't know." Kanoa supposed.

"He wasn't that great of a duelist. Still, it's pretty cool that he can see without his eyes. Like a superhero. He must have a strong bond with his cards."

"Mmm."

They walked until it got dark once more. Kanoa shook out their bedding to make sure nothing was living inside. After rolling out the sleeping bags the two got themselves comfortable. At least neither of them had to worry that a stray nutjob was stalking them out there in the wilderness.

The next day of their journey was uneventful, apart from Heidi slipping and grazing her knee. The clouds looked closer, being held by the mountain.

"Tomorrow we will make it to the top." Kanoa said as they lay down for sleep.

"Do you have any idea what to expect?" Heidi asked.

"No." Kanoa was honest.

"I don't think we're gonna be able to get much sleep tonight."

Heidi was right. Kanoa couldn't be sure if he slept at all. From beside him the small girl tossed and turned, there was maybe an hour of light sleep for her. Kanoa did what he usually did on the rare nights he couldn't sleep. He closed his eyes, cleared his head with some deep breaths, and became one with the nature around him.

They started the fourth day by rubbing tired eyes, trekking up boulders and a narrower path. They weaved between spiky shrubs bigger than they were, pulling themselves up rocks. They slipped but didn't fall, and each of those brushes with harm forced them to redouble their concentration. After midday things levelled out and they reached the tip of the Sacred Mountain of Spirits. Such a wave of accomplishment washed through them both. The teens were dirty and sweaty, they looked at each other and smiled.

"We're here..." Kanoa said.

Heidi caught sight of the view and ran over. She gasped. Kanoa followed, already having a good idea of what he'd see but it struck him nonetheless. From here they could see the entirety of the island. The thick jungle beneath lay stretched out before them. The other mountains and the volcano were level with them but far off, surrounded by drifting clouds. The ocean was its beautiful tropical colour. They let the minutes drag by, then Heidi ran to a different edge for a different view. Kanoa wandered along the perimeter. The air was thinner and it was more gusty. After making their way around they both met back together in the centre.

"This is amazing. But I'm not sure what to do now." Kanoa said.

"Let's meditate on our phoenixes, together." Heidi replied.

They sat cross-legged, facing each other. The two pheonixes were laid out between them, Mars and Jupiter. They closed their eyes and breathed...

Okay, time for that epiphany...

The cards began to glow. Heidi didn't much like letting go or accepting defeat, but she could see the sense in moving on. The terrible things that happened weren't her fault. She'd never be perfect, she'd always just be herself. Heidi, fighting for the power to be the hero she wanted to be. Power, coursing through her veins. A rebirth. Just like how a phoenix is reborn from its ashes. Now is the time... to let everything go... to accept all that's happened... and unburdened, move forward into a future I can influence to the best of my ability.

Heidi opened her eyes at the same time Kanoa did. But their expressions were very different.

"Nothing... I don't know." Kanoa murmured.

Heidi thought and gasped "Kanoa... the phoenixes bonded to chosen duelists so they could save Aurellia! Amira still had a connection with her phoenix, but she'd never got as close to Pluto as you did with Jupiter. Maybe since Jupiter got really close to you for a while, he wants you to stop focusing on your tribe and see the bigger picture!"

Kanoa stared at her.

"...Jupiter wants me to leave my tribe?"

"People want you to be the Hero of the Islands, but Jupiter chose you to be a Hero of Aurellia. Think about it. It makes sense, right?" Heidi prompted.

"..." Kanoa was silent and Heidi waited. He took a breath "I know that to be a hero is to sacrifice. But to sacrifice my own community, my own tribe."

"No offense, but this situation is bigger than your tribe. It's bigger than all tribes. You might not like it - Amira didn't - but you were called to something greater."

Kanoa's eyes were low as he thought. He took an even longer pause before finally saying "to keep Jupiter, I must give up my home."

Heidi didn't say anything else. Now Kanoa had his reason, and it was up to him to wrestle with the implications.

They remained on the mountain peak for the rest of that day. The two had drifted apart, thinking through their own stuff. The island sun became orange as it dipped toward the ocean edge. Heidi felt lighter, and more fulfilled than she'd thought was possible. She was at peace. She felt like a part of the nature around her. Kanoa was troubled but satisfied that he'd finally found his answer. It was time for them to climb down to the last resting post they saw not far from here.

Heidi slid her bottom down a rock "Do you see it now, Kanoa? Nothing was ever wrong with you. You're a great hero to your village. As for me, now I can finally start looking forward instead of looking back."

Kanoa smiled and offered his hand, he helped Heidi down a drop. The two of them made their descent until they reached the rest area. The stars were even more beautiful that night and sleep would readily come.

Before Heidi closed her eyes Kanoa murmured "I'm not sure I can be the chosen nature duelist."

Heidi paused sleepily "...in the end, I guess it's up to you."

They slept. Heidi woke at dawn, invigorated by her newfound freedom. Her lust for life reborn, her sense of hero duty inflamed. Kanoa followed as she bounded down the rocks.

"The trip back will be faster and easier, but you'll also be more likely to fall. So be careful." Kanoa warned.

The graze on Heidi's knee had scabbed over. It didn't look infected. Going downhill was a welcome change, she started using trees to stop her momentum instead of as an aid for climbing. The return trip took almost three full days. It was exempt of uphill effort as well as the questions and burdens they'd carried with them. It was nice that being stuck with just each other hadn't caused them to scrap, but they'd been distracted by the non-stop walking and their mission.

"It's getting close to evening. Should we stop here?" Heidi asked as they saw an undercover rest stop.

"No. There's no need." Kanoa said. The ground was getting close to level. "We'll be back at the village by the time it's dark, because we left in the middle of the day remember?"

Heidi felt excited. Not just because she'd be reunited with the tribe, but because of the feast that was sure to be waiting for them. She'd grown sick of nuts and berries.


+ [No Copyright] Cinematic Tribal Drums Background Music for Youtube Videos


And so it was that as dusk fell and their way was lit by the moon and starlight, the two chosens stepped off the mountain and took a path back through the jungle. A light from ahead made them lift their gazes curiously. The two weaved toward it and found an oil lantern burning away, sitting atop a bamboo stick pierced in the ground. Ahead was the flickering flame of another.

"It's a trail. It's here for us." Kanoa started to follow it and Heidi kept pace.

They passed more burning flames and soon they heard the beating of drums. Their heartbeats picked up with excitement as they walked faster toward the music. As the beating intensifed other instruments were added to the mix: rattling and chiming. It was brighter up ahead. The two were almost running as they brushed huge leaves aside. Abruptly the music stopped.

Chief Tenakoto stood on a rock, his garbs especially feathered. The other tribespeople were facing him and crouched down, their backs to the newcomers. Nobody moved. Flames from oil lanterns danced across the gathering.

"Chosen duelists, you have returned." He raised a staff, topped with an animal skull. Both teens were nervous and didn't budge. The chief motioned them over with his hand "Come."

They stepped across the dirt, between their motionless tribemates. It looked like a couple hundred people all up, but it was hard to see through the dancing shadows. Below the chief was an omninous fire pit. They stepped up onto the stone, in view of their audience.

"Kanoa Tuonga. The tribe has already accepted you as both a man and the Hero of the Islands. You are the Chosen Nature Duelist, and if Jupiter is willing then let that continue." He reached back and someone passed him a garland of flowers. Staffs were repeatedly drummed against the ground as Kanoa bowed his head, the big necklace was placed around him. Then the chief turned "Heidi Hirazumi. You came to our island little over a week ago. You've tried to help Kanoa and even made the pilgrimage to the Sacred Mountain of Souls. As such I believe it's time for you to be formally accepted as a member of this tribe." He reached back for a garland of flowers. Heidi didn't know what to say, she lowered her head and he put it around her neck "Welcome to the family, Niece Heidi!" The drumming continued as did the blowing of a horn. The drums started up again "Let the festivities commence!"

There was cheering and tribesmen hopped up to dance to music. The chief put his hands on their backs and guided them off the rock. This situation was surreal. Someone darted past Heidi and it was Meilani, bounding into her lover's arms. Various tribesmen came up to Heidi and patted her on the arm, gave more flowers and spoke words of welcome. A woman put a Frangipani in her hair. As Heidi kept walking the people went by until Dominic was standing before her.

"...welcome to the family." He said. Dominic was also wreathed in an oversized flower necklace and there was something hilarious about seeing it on the serious and macho guy. His dark eyes were as guarded as always and he frowned as Heidi had to get her snickering under control.

"You're now a member of the tribe too?" She asked.

"Yep. So's Malo."

"Dominic, about the stuff I said before I left..."

"Don't worry about it." He offered a small smile.

"Yeah." Heidi returned it. "I know you had nothing to do with the death of my parents. So it's all good, is what I'm trying to say..."

Dominic nodded and then Malo swung into view, wrapping Heidi in a crushing hug "Kia mākona haere mai!" He bellowed with his usual happiness.

After she'd had enough of that she went straight to the food. Heidi gorged on dripping fruit, strips of meat and fish. Soon Kanoa was at the other end, helping himself in a similar manner. The food was even better now. The melon was sweet like candy. An islander boy appeared at Heidi's elbow, he was smaller than Kanoa but just as in shape as the rest of them. She stared at him, his hair was a little more outgrown and wavy.

"Welcome to the tribe, sister. I'm Sione." He flashed a smile. He was beautiful, just like all the young islanders she'd seen since coming here.

Heidi had to swallow her mouthful. "Hey..."

"Want to dance?"

"Sure!" The atmosphere carried her away from the food, and it felt like she was bobbing as they went through the crowd. It wasn't anything modern, like the parties at the resort islands probably were. It didn't have 'real music'. But learning dance moves from Sione was fun. He moved pretty well. Heidi started to feel like she was a part of something. She didn't want the night to end.


AN: Konnichiwa, minasan! It seems that nowadays me and the guys are RPing again in full force. There will be some interesting new decks for next arc, let me tell you. But first things first, the mid-point is my big focus! That's right, all these years of work has been building to the point where we could be... halfway there. Anyways with the lockdowns extended my Uni stuff is online. I have a lecture tonight, and it's also my Dad's birthday so I'm going to make wonton soup once he gets home. I hope this latest installment has bit back at the blues caused by prior failures and tragedies. Like our protagonists, let's try moving forward!