Chapter 122

((Author's note 10/13/04: I have a pet peeve to bring up. QUICKEDIT SUCKS! It takes out the special symbols I use for spacing as well as symbols for different people talking. So, yet again, I have a different key: "This is Genji talking." And this is demon talk. I shouldn't have to fool around with anything else. So, my plans for editing Singing Mountain for a rerelease will have to be put on hold, or be done and moved to another fanfic site. So, that's all. Enjoy.))

((Author's note 10/12/04: After months of a huge hiatus, I'm back. And I'm more than ever determined to finish this story. So, we'll be seeing more updates in the future. So, now, enjoy the next chapter of the story. Masq))

Genji walked by his mother's side through the main hall of the temple. The walls were a deep black stone, polished to perfection, and strewn with white carvings. The carvings were of gods, priests, and events in Mononoke history..... Genji was unfamiliar with most of them.

The hall opened into the main chamber, a spacious cavern big enough to fit Enma-sama and two of his relatives. In the middle of the large space was an alter, a wide ring was embedded in it. All the priests and priestesses gathered around the alter, filling the entire open space.

Masq stepped up to the alter, and waved her hands to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone! An emergancy exorcism must be performed! We need a spare soul for Genji! Is anyone here a career warrior?"

"Career warrior?" 17 blinked.

"She's asking for a strong and experienced warrior." Eboshi answered.

Both Genji and 17 looked at her as she continued.

"The high priestess is going to perform an exorcism on a spiritual body. She must give the demon a spiritual body of its own to purify Genji. But this monster has such a tight hold of the boy's soul, there is a chance his soul could rip apart."

Genji's eyes widened in shock as 17 only raised an eyebrow.

"So one of us dead people has to be a replacement soul just in case that happens?"

"Yes."

"Oh man, oh man...."

Both Eboshi and 17 looked at him, so Genji decided to explain himself.

"My soul is me, right? It makes me me, right? What's going to happen to me if someone replaces my soul?"

"Nothing of absolute change. A soul of a warrior should keep anything too drastic from changing your body....or personality. However, Masquerade has done exceptionally well with exorcisms. There will be no problems, Genji."

Genji nodded, but was still nervous.

He could feel that Cell was nervous too, and the demon was growling in his ears.

The demon could be destroyed......

.....but what about Cell?

After a warrior wolf priestess was chosen to be the replacement soul, the exorcism began in the Mononoke temple. Priests and priestesses of every clan began chanting, waving leafy branches to ward away unwanted spirits. Two dragon priests tied Genji's hands onto the alter's circle bannisters. His feet were tied to poles on the ground so he was standing upright. 17 and Eboshi stood off to the side, staying quiet. Both were also chosen as replacements just in case....

Masquerade stood before Genji, holding two leafy branches with prayers tied to them.

Genji held onto his bindings, and stood as straight as he could. He put his faith in his mother, who had sixteen years of experience of exorcisms and ceremonies of the dead. He just prayed to himself that nothing would go wrong.

Masquerade started chanting along, swinging her branches and swaying. Genji watched on as she started to move her feet and dance. The priests's chanting became more rhythmic, and Masq started a melody, singing.

It was a song of banishment, but not for spirits. It was for Genji's demon.

He heard his demon growling again, but much louder. It was frightened. Genji clutched his binds tighter. He was getting scared too.

Masq's singing got louder.....

.....and Genji's heart beat faster. He was growing more and more afraid. The demon was going to do something, he knew it.

Then, it did.

He felt his chest lurch, but it didn't feel like a heart attack. It felt more like he was punched from the inside. He started to slump over, and shake. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The demon was trying to possess his concious body.

He tried to tell his mother, but he couldn't lift his head. He couldn't make eye contact, he couldn't tell her! He did try......

"M.....MOTHER!"

.....suddenly, his head shot up, and a hiss sounded from his throat.

HSSSSSSST!

Masq paused for a brief, surprised moment. She quickly continued to dance and sing, waving the branches.

Genji felt his body squirm and struggle against the bindings on its own. The demon used his mouth to hiss and shriek in anger. He couldn't control a thing his body was doing!

He screamed in his own head.......

.....then he suddenly went limp and unconcious.

After all this time.....A CLIFFHANGER! I promise, more soon! Masq