Chapter 26
Sukuna went into the woods.
He has been doing so as of late to hopefully gain better insight to his elemental ability. So far, he has had no such luck.
But oddly enough, he has seen more and more of these green orbs when he sits in the forest.
He got some advice from Chusi who explained that spirits are fickled creatures. "My uncle was lucky since they respected him and he respected the spirits. Sometimes, one has to lower their head in order to see what is before them."
So, with that advice, he would sit in the forest. For a while he did so in silence, but found few of these orbs that lingered. He began to speak aloud, normally just thoughts going through his head not to mention he would put himself down.
But now, he has a new conversation to have with these spirits.
Taking a seat, Sukuna sighed aloud and focused on the elemental power within him. Once more it circulated around his body like thick mud. It's not a smooth transition, as well, this power is being forced through his channels. "I know I am in no position to ask of this, but can I please, have some assistance?" he asked aloud and as gently as he could.
"My voice is not trusted among you, I understand that. At the same time I have a hard time speaking in a gentle tone. Please pardon my voice…"
Peering about, he saw more orbs than before. "You linger out of curiosity? Or are you trying to decide if you are going to assist me?" he asked.
Of course there were no answers.
He sighed to it all, as frustrating as it is.
"Look, my past has ruined a lot of things for me, even this. But can I tell you my reason for wanting to learn such a thing? Normally, I wouldn't have bothered with elemental since I thought it was beneath me. After all, I was a master of curse energy, I didn't need anything else… until I gave it up to have the woman I loved returned to me…"
Sukuna took a moment to think of what he wanted to say. "I don't regret the deal I made, not one bit. At the same time… I feel powerless now to help keep my wife safe. You many also not believe me, but the boy I have been training with… I feel he is in greater danger than what he realizes. I want to be at the ready to help him, I need some way of standing my ground for I know, even if I have elemental power. I won't be a match for that child if the dragon takes over. So… Gah… why do I even bother?"
He was about to stand up to leave, when something caught his eye.
Sukuna froze as he stared into the eyes of a massive serpent!
"You… weren't here before…"
The serpent refused to break eye contact with him, Sukuna refused to look away and kept focus on the beast before him. "Are you searching to see if I speak the truth? Search to your heart's desire. I hide nothing!" he decreed.
The snake was larger than him. As tall as he stood, the serpent was twice that, and yet, it slithered through these woods without a sound. Despite its size, it never took out the trees or destroyed the foliage under its body. Yet, it continued to inspect him.
"If I am given permission as well as assistance in the matter, know I will never hide anything from those who help me. I will be an open book as the humans would say. But I need this to work, for the sake of that child, I have to be prepared in case I have to help him restrain the dragon within him!"
Sukuna then realized, there were no other orbs around. They vanished the moment this monster came before him.
The serpent continued to coil, inspecting Sukuna and yet… Sukuna realized it was getting a firm grip on him!
He didn't resist.
In fact, he kept himself calm and continued to stare down the serpent. "Do what you must to know what I say is the truth, but if you deem I am telling you so. Then help me!" he demanded.
The snake stopped coiling.
It stared him in the face and he stared back. "Are you going to help me or not?!" he demanded of it.
There came a hiss from the serpent, the sad thing is, it sounded like a laugh to him. "How intriguing…"
Sukuna froze.
"You can speak?" he asked oddly.
The snake was suddenly taken aback. "You understood my words?!"
"You are talking, aren't you?" Sukuna muttered back.
He and the snake continued to stare each other down. "What gives you the right to ask for help?" the serpent questioned. Remarkably, it sounded like a female.
"I don't," he replied bluntly. "Considering everything that has happened, caused by my hands, I don't deserve any sort of help whatsoever. However… I know when I need to ask for it."
The coil… suddenly lightened around his body. He was released and yet the serpent continued to peer at him with interest. "Do you know who I am?"
He smiled.
In fact, he does.
Lady Tiamat did give him one hint when he gained his elemental power. 'It is a long shot, but there is one who may help you. For, it appears humans have misused their name for generations. I do suggest if they approach… be respectful, for they are a good friend of mine…'
He stood up off the ground and continued to look into the serpent's eyes. "The books had it all wrong about you, didn't they? You have been written in many tales as a creature of lore. In fact, your power mainly resides in Greece but for the wrong reason as well as what you are known for."
The serpent appeared intrigued. "Go on, I will agree to help you, if you speak my name! If you know my name, then I will assist you. I offer no familiar contract, however, I can help you overcome the hurdle you face with your elemental power"
His smile only grew. "Very well then, an introduction. I am Ryomen Sukuna…" He then got on his knees and prostrated before the serpent. "And I am honored to stand in your presence and meet you… Medusa."