The Day of Thunder

"What happened here when that cycle ended?"

She frowned. She had been too vague and there was only one question left. "Are these markers for human dead?"

The earth elements returned their attention elsewhere and Nao turned hers to Kaijarisuigyo.

"These markers are centuries old, but they are for human dead."

"I'm confused by what they call a cycle. The 1,000 years between each time light and dark clash for the fate of the world?"

"I think it may be something like that." she nodded. "I'm not familiar with that in particular, though."

"So... Uh... What did we learn exactly? I feel as if not more confused than a few minutes prior."

"This village has been here for a very long time." she answered. "But, different groups of people have lived here throughout its history. If these markers represent that history in its entirety, then the village was first settled at the end of or just after the last cycle."

"Hmm.

It's easy to make theories out of thin air.

For example, it could be like one of these islands cut from the mainland by the sea, except once in every century, when the tides recess so much you can walk on the ocean ground from one to the other.

Except, here, the island would be Jigoku, and that village a fort built across that centennial ford just after the last celestial war, so nothing bad can use that opportunity to cross.

But that's a human downfall to pile up and pile up ideas that sound pretty but are nonetheless fully untrue.

So, like, how do we obtain actual answers?"

"That's a good question. I don't think the spirits here can tell me anything more, not without knowing the right questions." She sighed. "But, I am curious as to whether the other unique aspects of this area have been the way they are for just as long."

"As for theories, if the cycle does refer to a previous challenge from jigoku or another realm. It's possible that the challenge was settled here. That could explain the supernatural aspects of the area, the shrine, and even the festival. But, that's a theory with very little to support it."

"Thinking back of the festival, aren't you supposed to carry around the protective spirit of the place on such occasions? Take them out of the shrine for a stroll in their personal liter? I don't remember such thing happening.

Well, unless the spirit was already walking among us. How good is that magic of yours at revealing greater spirits when they're hiding under a mortal guise?"

"Unfortunately, that would be more my sister's expertise." she said. "There may be a few spells I could try, but I'd have to look into it."

"Was a far short anyway. More born of my desire to speak with the protective spirit to this place than of out factual basis.

... You wouldn't happen to be able to summon a pair of guardian lions either? Seems there would be right in their place guarding the shrine, or even the whole village."

"No. Was there an indication that the shrine had such guardians before?"

"No. But if this village works on a cycle, feels natural for each new group to update their defenses with the latest advance in magical protection. Especially if what's outside is keeping up with the times."

"You're right. We really need to consider every possible option." she agreed. "I'll see what I can come up with."