Shaking Hands

I remained still as possible while the soldiers kept yelling to say who I was. I could barely hold it together with the excitement welling up in my chest. I wanted to milk this as long as possible and started making up chants and speaking aloud as I kept my hands together, still facing away from the soldiers.

"To embrace eternity, the will of a thousand dying suns await they who take the path of flowers. When the soul lights, and the heart burns. All souls find peace in the eternal bliss. Nohm Vadaya Khattah."

What followed did startled me, if only a little. The sound of a loud gunshot into the air was able to silence me.

"What the fuck Sanchez?!" Another soldier screamed at who I assume fired the shot.

"He won't answer the question unless we wake him up. Or whatever he was doing."

I finally spoke to them, "What I was doing, was praying." I turned around but kept my eyes closed. To them I couldn't see them, but I saw them as clear as day. A trick I added to resemble the blind warrior trope. " Forgive me for not noticing you earlier. When I pray or meditate, most times it takes a monsoon to wake me or in this case a gun."

I wanted to get a little payback on these guys, and the only harmless kind I could think of was to freak them out. So I silently used a martial art as I took a step of the wooden pole "Air Walk" The soliders suddenly reeled back thinking I was going to fall to my ****, but all fell silent as I began slowly walking down a set of invisible stairs, Hands still together, and eyes still shut. If their were bells, they would be ringing with every step I took, but I didn't want to go too overboard.

When both my feet finally reached the ground I slowly opened my eyes and let their reactions speak for just how confused, and weirded out they were when they saw the symbols in my eyes instead of pupils.

"Nomak Samaan and welcome." I spoke respectively and bowed low. "Forgive my forwardness, but how exactly did individuals like yourselves find this place?" It was trick question of course but I wanted to see how they would respond. And as I expected it was a mixture of stuttering and silence. The leader stepped forward and put down his gun and tried talking through his shock.

"I-I'm fire team leader Lance Hayward. U.S. Marines. And we . . . uh. We're here to investigate . . . an anomaly."

I scanned through the crowd of shocked looks and began staring at their guns. "What strange weaponry. And these uniforms. I've never seen anything like you before."

"I'm . . . sure the feelings mutual."

"Indeed. Well then, Lance Hayward. Allow me to introduce myself." I bowed once again. "My name is Muzashi Oniwa, and I welcome you again to Eden Sky. The isle of heaven."

"Eden . . . Sky?"

"Yes. My monastery."

After some more talking. I got an idea of what the "Black Lightning Incident" they kept referring to actually was. Apparently during a bad storm, a massive bolt of black lightning fell from the sky and blew out the power of the entire city. And that wasn't the only effect, several people were struck by the bolts, and though they didn't die or anything like that, they suffer from a euphoric sensation in the nether regions. So that's what Black lightning really did. Onimusha you devious little devil.

"In summary, we're here and we need to find out what caused the lightning."

"black lightning" I mumbled and faked a pondering appearance. "Oh I know what happened. This is all a huge misunderstanding. I can tell you exactly what happened. Though if you wouldn't mind, I would like to give them to your commanding officer." All the soldiers had a look of 'How did you know that?'

"You do have one, yes? I mean sending a single team to explore the entire island would be rather foolhardy, so I'm sure there's more of you."

After some time, Lance agreed to take me to the camp. "But how are we gonna get back to camp with that thing still out there? We take a step past the stairs we're dead."

"Thing?" I asked

"Some big woman in leather prowling in the forest with fiery eyes."

"Ah, you must have met Hino. I guess you could call her the guard dog of Eden Sky. She can be mean to newcomers and most times overprotective. Once again I must apologize, on her behalf."

I moved to the steps and walked down to the forest and whistled for Hino, who came charging at full speed in excitement. "Woof! Woof!" she barked and rolled over, asking for what I guess I can now call a boob rub. I indulged her of course but only for a short while so the soldiers don't notice it completely. "Alright Hino. Listen up. You see these people? They are from now on my guests. Do you understand?" Hino excitedly nodded her head. "Good girl. Now get going. I promise we'll play together soon."

Hino then leapt back the way she came and vanished into the forest.

"What is she? Hino I mean." a random soldier asked.

"Well . . . I suppose the best answer would be . . . a spirit. And a tortured one at that." I knew that with question answered only produced more of the same, and that's how I wanted it. Give them some info but leave some blanks to let their imagination fill in the rest.

"Anyway. We were going to your camp? Please, lead the way."

Hayward spoke into his radio and informed command of who they were bringing with them. Though I could hear the slight shake in his voice I followed behind them with the same smile I started with.

We eventually reached the camp and all the expedition soldiers quickly formed a circle around me. I just kept smiling and closed my eyes as we neared the command tent. And standing there at the table was the famed Lacey, with the Doctor, Ash taking a seat next to her.

The soldiers dispersed as we entered and took places in and outside the tent. When Lacey's eyes fell on me, I quickly sensed her disbelief and Ash's bewilderment. I approached the table, put my hands together and bowed.

"Nomak Samaan." I said, and the final touch of opening my eyes to the amazement of a seemingly hardened leader of men. "I welcome you and yours to the bounty of Eden Sky."

"Uh . . . Thank you." Lacey spoke. "I'm Captain Lacey Buchanan." The doctor then stood up and adjusted her glasses. "And I'm Doctor Cassandra Ashford."

"The lieutenant said over the comms you have an explanation for the black lightning incident. And we will get to that but the good doctor and I have several questions we would like you to answer for us."

"But of course. If I can be of any help I shall try my utmost."

Lacey gestured to the empty seat next to me and I sat down, still smiling, and waiting. Ash pulled out a clipboard with questions she wrote while I was on my way here.

"Fire team leader Hayward said over the comms that you presented all kinds of strange abilities, and that you had symbols in your eyes, and now that I look at you. Can you tell us, what exactly are you?"

"That's a question with no simple answer. I am human. No different from you or you or mister Hayward. But if you're asking me to explain my abilities, that I cannot do. Under no circumstances."

Ash didn't press any further and moved to the next question. "What was that creature that hounded the expedition, no pun intended."

"That was Hino. She is a forest spirit, and an old one at that. Almost as old as I am. And that's no simple task. hm hm hm."

"How old are you?"

"Hmmmmm. Well when you live here long enough the days start to blend together, but my best guess would be 150." My answer had an immediate reaction. Lacey and Ash looked at each other before continuing the questions.

"How did you end up here?"

That was a question I wasn't expecting and I took my time thinking on what to say. My own backstory was never really fleshed out and I had no clue who I was supposed to be. I had to stall for time, but what to say. I suddenly had another light bulb moment.

"It's . . . It's not a pretty story. But if you truly wish to know the truth I'm afraid you'll have to indulge me. Just this once." I stood up and moved to the monitor that had the satelite image of Eden Sky and pointed at the center of the island, where a post it note was hanging reading, "Anomaly".

"You wish to know what lies at the center of the island, Yes?" Ash and Lacey nodded. "Then I have proposal for you. I accomplish two of your goals. I show you what lies at the center of the island, and answer your question along the way. In return I want a single thing that only you can grant me. But I cannot say what that is until all is said and done. Well? What say you?"

Lacey and Ash leaned close to each other and whispered into each others ears for a time. Whatever was to follow would test my creativity and my ingenuity. My peace and quiet could be at risk if I fail. But the rewards for coming out victorious were to precious to give up without trying. But what would make this plan complete is one individual, well two actually. Lacey, and the next guardian Moon.

"You have deal." Lacey announced and stretched out her hand. I grabbed it and shook hands.

"I'm glad we could agree terms."