Maori Kasuga sat upright in her bed. There is a strong spiritual disturbance. I feel something dark coming.
She got out of bed and lit the candle she kept near her bed. She pulled up her long night gown to allow her to walk faster. She left her room and entered the temple corridor. The temple looked different at night in the candle light. If she wasn't so familiar with the temple she might have been afraid to walk the halls at night.
The Kasuga family is expressly known for their practices in purification rituals and their ability to commune and sometimes channel spirits. Maori lives in the Kasuga Shrine Temple along with her older sister Tsuzune who is four years older than her. Her two younger sisters are Koito who is two years younger than Maori and Kouta who is three years younger.
No one else is awake. I must have been the only one to feel the disturbance. Maybe it's due to my high sensitivity to the spirits. She finally made her way to the meditation room.
Once inside she placed the candle on the altar and kneeled down. She began to move her hands making intrinsic signs. "Spirit world hear my plea. What is this threat that is coming?"
The candle flickered as if it was hit with a gust of wind. She closed her eyes and began to meditate deeply. In her mind's eye she saw a dark cloud. The cloud seemed to be continually growing. What is this growing darkness? Who is causing this?
The candle's flamed burned brighter. Inside the cloud a figure slowly came into view. All she could see was a girl's uniform. That's a Misono uniform. The person attends my school? Behind the girl uniform another image came into view. It looked like a skeleton with horns.
There was a chill. Moari couldn't break the meditation. What is this? This has never happened before. Her heart began to beat faster. Just as the chill almost overtook Maori, another presence appeared. At the appearance of this new presence the cold ominous feeling retreated.
'Priestess of the Kasuga shrine. Your family has worshipped and honored me for years. Now I return the favor. I will lend you my powers to combat the coming darkness.'
Maori was in shock. 'You are the earthen god Lord Ohtsuchi?'
'Yes.' Ohtsuchi responded.
Maori could not believe it. The guardian of the Kasuga clan had presented himself to her of all people. 'Thank you lord of the earth. I will do my best not to disappoint you.'
Maori could feel Ohtsuchi's spirit flow into her. The feeling was indescribable. She could feel his conscience alongside hers. Off in the distance there were voices calling her name. That was all she could remember before everything went black.