A rumbling engine echoed through the Tree Corridor as it closed in on Obake.
   No way.
   Yumo tore down the path on a sleek motorcycle, its iron wheels carving figure-eight tracks into the dirt. He screeched to a halt so abruptly that Obake nearly took a face full of dirt and gravel. Killing the engine, Yumo kicked down the stand and raised his goggles, revealing a small bandage on his left eyebrow. The machine was so gorgeous, it gave Obake a reprieve from his stewing anger.
   “I’m sorry I ever doubted you,” said Obake with adoration.
   A broad grin spread across Yumo’s face. “Didn’t I tell you?”
   “You definitely did.”
   “I’ll have a girlfriend by the end of the day. Just watch! I can’t wait to see the stupid looks on Jevoss and Eshra’s faces.”
   “That’s going to be priceless.”
   Obake examined the craftsmanship. “A Stinger: Model 0.” Gold and black, it was designed to look like a honey bee forged from metal. “Classic. I didn’t even know these were still around.”
   “I got super lucky. My dad found it in some old junkyard.”
   “What? I would’ve never let this go if I were them.” Obake opened the Stinger’s fuel tank to find it full of teal stones. “How much zoganite does it take?”
   “Eight pounds. I’ll be able to go a hundred and seventy-five miles before having to fill up again.”
   “You really did luck out. Looks like you already made all the modifications too.”
   “Sure did. Took me forever. That’s why I’m running so late. I didn’t sleep much either. This thing is addicting.”
   “I bet. I wouldn’t even go to the academy if I had one of these.”
   Yumo reignited the engine, releasing teal smoke from the exhaust pipe. “Sorry I didn’t have time to look at your fuel tank. I can fix it after the academy, though.”
   “Don’t worry about it. How’s the eye?”
   “Stings like crazy. Damn bear.”
   “I would’ve brought you some puapo, but I’m not on the best of terms with my grandparents right now.”
   “Oh yeah, I saw them. They didn’t look too happy.”
   “That’s their problem,” spat Obake.
   “Still keeping secrets?”
   “Their favorite thing. It’ll never end.”
   A sympathetic shrug rose from Yumo. “You’ll have to find the truth some other way.”
   “Yeah, I’ll figure it out somehow.”
   “All right, well, I’ll see you down there.”
   Caught off guard, Obake let a brief frown cross his face.
   “I’m messing with you.” Laughing aloud, Yumo swung his backpack around and fetched another pair of goggles from its depths. “Hop on.”
   As they sped down the Serpentine Trail, Obake and Yumo yelled with exhilaration. The gong signaling the imminent start of classes reached their ears. Revving the engine harder, Yumo careened toward the front entrance where Miss Jiaou stood.
   “Well now. Aren’t we luxurious today?” she said.
   The pair dismounted.
   She lifted her chin. “Have you forgotten the rules?”
   They decided it would be in their best interest to play dumb.
   “No bicycles. No skateboards. No scooters. No glissaders or motorized transporters of any kind.”
   “Uh… we forgot,” said Obake with a pathetic level of conviction.
   “Well, in that case, let me remind you we’re on a mountain. What if you fell off? That wouldn’t be pleasant now, would it?”
   Yumo pushed his goggles up. “I know, but I’m almost eighteen, so I figured it’d be okay.”
   “You figured wrong.”
   “Look, I was going to hide it in the garden. Can I?”
   “No other options come to mind. I certainly won’t send you back home on that thing. Does your father know you drove that here?”
   “Uh… no,” said Yumo, with the same level of pathetic conviction as Obake’s previous lie.
   The boys walked through the garden.
   Miss Jiaou followed close behind. “Be sure to secure that thing. There are those who’d find great satisfaction in stealing it.”
   From Yumo’s backpack came a lock and chain. “That’s why I have this bad boy.” He fastened the Stinger to a burly tree.
   “Careful not to leak any zoganite. Don’t make more work for me.”
   “I won’t. Don’t worry.”
   “Hurry now. You only have a few minutes left.”
   “Hey, Miss Jiaou,” called Yumo.
   With one brow raised, the groundskeeper glared at him.
   “Can you keep an eye on it for me?”
   “Most certainly not.”
   Yumo put on his best puppy-dog impression. “Please?”
   “Oh, all right.” She waved them off. “Now hurry along.”
   Obake returned his goggles to their rightful owner. Yumo left his goggles above his forehead, his Stinger key dangling from a golden chain he wore with pride, like an expensive necklace.
   “Seriously?” asked Obake.
   Yumo smirked. “What?”
   Shaking his head, Obake entered the academy with Yumo and Miss Jiaou. 
   “It was so easy getting through the mountains today,” said Yumo. 
   “Don’t rub it in.” Obake set his sights on Sensei Gwell’s classroom. “I still have to walk.”
   “Where do you two think you’re going?”
   They turned to see Miss Jiaou pointing at a sign on an easel. It read: Assembly in the Supreme Chamber Today. Joy erupted from the duo. 
   “Yes. I hope it lasts all day,” said Obake as he and Yumo raced up to the third floor.
   The chamber doors were thick, but student chatter still leaked into the hall—and two familiar voices came around the corner.
   “Thanks. My stomach was hurting so bad. I’m surprised I didn’t pass out.”
   “Anytime. We have to look out for each other.”
   “I hope I’m not a burden.”
   “Of course not. But your mom should be feeding you, too. This isn’t right.”
   “Not much I can do about it. She’s always too strung out to think straight.”
   “You should tell the Supreme Sensei.”
   “No way. I can’t. My mom would go crazy.”
   “Well, you have lunch to look forward to, I guess.”
   Obake and Yumo each took a peek and glimpsed Eshra and Jevoss heading into the Supreme Chamber.
   “Did you hear that?” asked Yumo, surprised.
   “Damn. That’s rough, even for Eshra.”
   Carrying on, they entered the chamber, shuffling between almost two hundred students before the late gong blared. 
   “I sometimes wonder if you two delinquents will ever get your acts together.”
   Sensei Oldro appeared among the crowd, wearing a sharp scowl.
   Obake scowled back. “What?”
   “You two were very close to being late yet again,” she continued, disdain flashing in her eyes.
   “But we weren’t late,” snapped Yumo.
   “Ah. Ah. No back talk. Find your seats.”
   She shooed them away like a dreadful queen would a couple of peasants. They took refuge from her wrath near the front of the chamber, sitting cross-legged on the hardwood floor.
   “What’s with her? I’m going to go off one of these days, I swear.”
   Yumo grinned. “We should put one of those little needles in her seat.”
   “I’m so down. Monday?”
   “Let’s do it. That’ll shut her up for a while.”
   Hysterical laughter burst from Obake and Yumo as other students took their seats. The rollaway blackboard proved absent, leaving the three platforms unobstructed. Faculty members found their seats on the bottom two platforms. Pretending not to notice, Sensei Gwell ignored all the boys drooling over her. Dr. Kauzo smiled and conversed with a group of students. Without a care, Sensei Pelssa still read from his book. Even when seated, Mr. Batta towered at least a foot above everyone else. Sensei Oldro kept glancing at Obake and Yumo, disgust blatant on her face. Miss Jiaou sat last and began squirming, none too happy with her seating arrangement.
   Over ten minutes passed before Kinichi appeared, striding out from his office on the left. The students simmered down as he took his place atop the third and highest platform. He grasped a tungsten scepter topped with four sharp curves.
   “What is that thing?” asked Obake.
   Yumo couldn’t take his eyes off Kinichi. “Maybe he’s planning to punish Sensei Dumb Bitch for us.” 
   Kinichi held up a silencing hand. “Quiet down now, scholars.” A white and red shawl covered in angular symbols draped over his body. “I have a considerable announcement to make.”
   What was left of the chatter died out, followed by an uneasy stretch of silence.
   “It brings me great joy to disclose that today will be my last day as Supreme Sensei of this academy.”
   Sensei Pelssa’s book flopped to the floor. He opened his mouth, but words eluded him.
   Bolting to her feet, Sensei Oldro glowered. “What’s the meaning of this?”
   Mr. Batta stood as well, his muscle-bound body slumped with sadness. “You’re leaving us?”
   “Not exactly, my friend,” said Kinichi, refusing to look at him.
   “Well then, what’s going on and… why’re you holding that weapon?” asked Sensei Gwell.
   Hysteria trumpeted through Sensei Oldro’s voice. “If you’re leaving, then who will assume your position?”
   “Unfortunately, there will be no successor,” answered Kinichi.
   “Are you closing the academy?” said Dr. Kauzo with urgency.
   “I would say that is the safest conclusion to draw.”
   “I have bills to pay!” yelled a fuming Miss Jiaou.
   Dr. Kauzo pressed on. “How could you do this to us? What about the students?” 
   “I know you’re all upset, but I have waited far too long. Longer than any of you could fathom.”
   Sensei Pelssa managed to catch the words that had eluded him. “Brings you great joy? To leave us high and dry? Is that it?”
   “Worry not. Nobody will suffer long. I’ve grown fond of some of you during my tenure. It almost pains me to have to do this.”
   “A warning would’ve been nice!” roared Sensei Gwell.
   “Well, yes, but… that would’ve ruined everything.”
   Kinichi raised his scepter, a diabolical smile curling his lips. A scarlet flash burst from the scepter, enveloping everyone. Cold dread seized Obake when he saw it. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t draw breath. Once the flash dimmed, a strange sensation raced throughout his body. He scrutinized his arms for traces of bugs, certain he’d see some crawling beneath his skin, but there was nothing. Turning his arms over, he expected to see something swimming within his veins, but again… there was nothing.
   What’s happening to me?
   The horrible sound of students vomiting by the dozens gave him the strength needed to force a breath. He swallowed so much air his lungs burned. Yumo, on the other hand, sat clutching his stomach in agony. Yellow bile leaked through his gritted teeth. Obake tried to rise, but couldn’t break through whatever invisible force held him there.
   Why can’t I move?
   A few feet away, a brown-haired boy convulsed and tore at his own clothing. He wailed in pain as he began to change. Clumps of hair fell from his scalp, and his color drained to a snowy white. The teeth in his mouth became fangs, and bony nubs popped through his fingertips and toes, his wails of pain turning into growls of hunger.
   This isn’t real. I must be losing it.
   Tezza came crawling through the writhing crowd. As she transformed, her tear-soaked eyes fell upon Obake. They begged for help as the last trace of humanity escaped her.
   Everyone else in the chamber transformed as well—Sensei Gwell, Mr. Batta, Dr. Kauzo, Sensei Pelssa, Miss Jiaou, and Sensei Oldro. All were no more. The students were gone too, tall and short, fat and skinny, light complexion and dark, every last one of them. In their places stood gruesome creatures with blood-shot eyes, tattered clothes, protruding spines, and exposed rib cages. Aimless, the creatures howled and ran about, slamming into one another.
   A miniature cyclone of energy shot to the center of the chamber, just below the ceiling. It sent scarlet rays spinning around. Each creature fixated upon it, their crazed eyes glazing over. They became rooted in place, quaking and grunting like mindless beasts. Saliva dripped from their mouths onto the floor, mixing with the vomit at their feet.
   Obake’s muscles warped, his skin tingled, and his breakfast tried to wiggle up his esophagus. Convulsions came for him as well, followed by overwhelming heat. He desired nothing more than to remove his clothing, but with every fiber of his being, he fought the urge, every last bit of it. His unyielding resistance even shattered whatever held him in place.
   While sweat leaked from every pore, he checked on Yumo again—only to find he was gone. Frantic, he searched and searched. He soon spotted him stumbling into a room on the right side of the chamber. Yumo looked very different. Unlike the others, he was sprouting black feathers all over his body.
   Obake motioned toward him, but the chamber teeter-tottered, halting his progress. Shutting his eyes, he waited for the dizziness to subside.
   “How did you—” Although no longer soothing, Kinichi’s voice was unmistakable. From the top platform, he glared at Obake, astonishment clinging to his face. “You son of a bitch.”
   Kinichi aimed his scepter and fired a scarlet bolt of energy. Obake shielded himself behind one of the creatures. Taking the full force of the bolt, the creature dropped dead against the floor. Miss Jiaou’s face lay upon it, her features still recognizable despite the hideous alterations.
   The dizzy spell over Obake faded, allowing him to start a mad dash toward Yumo’s location. Kinichi fired several additional bolts, all of which missed their marks.
   As Obake drew near Yumo, a creature standing before the doorway dove at him. He caught it by the throat, digging his nails into its slimy skin. Its mouth opened wide, letting out a vile stench and a long pink tongue. Snaking its way over, the tongue licked Obake’s cheek. With a shove, he held the creature at arm’s length. Relentless, it tried to taste him again. The gangly build reminded him of someone he soon recognized as Eshra.
   A sharp click pulled Obake’s attention back to Kinichi. The wall behind the platforms parted down the middle and both halves slid apart. An enormous stone obelisk marked with dozens of symbols emerged. Although hard to see, its ancient design shone beneath a translucent white energy barrier. Kinichi stood in awe before it as two more creatures broke out of their trances and approached Obake.
   He slammed Eshra into one creature, then tossed him into the other. “Get out of my way!”
   All three of them tumbled across the floor. As Obake reached the platforms, two more creatures attacked. Ferocious slashing and chomping ensued. Evading their strikes, he knocked them both aside.
   A scarlet vortex burgeoned from Kinichi’s scepter. Dozens of creatures became caught within its pull. Golden fragments of light ruptured their chests, spraying blood about the vicinity. They let out chilling screams while the arms of death embraced them. Each golden fragment bore the face of its owner. 
   Kinichi guided the contorting faces into the translucent barrier surrounding the obelisk. “Nothing prettier than a freshly plucked soul.”
   Heavy cracking sounds rang out each time a soul made contact. Obake considered taking Yumo and fleeing, but as the thought entered his mind, so did another.
   ‘I will tell you this. They fought valiantly and died with the greatest of honor. They were the best of us and will never be forgotten.’
   Yokai’s words resonated far more than the desire to flee.
   I don’t know what this is, but I have to stop it.
   While Obake dashed toward the platforms, Kinichi hurled a flurry of scarlet bolts at him. He slipped past them with a burst of agility and drove a kick toward his sensei’s legs. To his shock, the strike passed straight through.
   What was that?
   He unleashed a barrage of punches, but each one phased through Kinichi as if he weren’t even there. Grinning, Kinichi struck him in the gut with his scepter. The young ninja tumbled down the platforms, landing face to face with a dead, beastly version of Sensei Oldro.
   “Wait there,” said Kinichi, summoning more golden souls. “I’m almost done.”
   All over the chamber, the creatures dropped into pools of their own blood and vomit. Cracks became ever-present throughout the translucent barrier, spreading each time a soul made impact. Soon, only twenty or so creatures remained. Despite the carnage, they all stood still, eyes devoid of consciousness.
   Defying Kinichi’s order, Obake stormed the platforms and lunged for the scepter. Once again, his hands sank through the Supreme Sensei, as though he were made of mist.
   “Winning isn’t one of your strong suits, is it, boy?” said Kinichi, the sharp end of his scepter slicing at Obake. 
   Twisting out of the way, Obake sent an elbow crashing into his enemy’s nose. Yes! I got him.
   He followed with a kick to the head, but his foot phased through, briefly distorting Kinichi’s face. At point-blank range, Kinichi retaliated with another bolt. It grazed Obake’s head as he ducked, burning the tips of his hair and filling his nose with the smell of scorched strands.
   “Asshole!” This time, Obake’s punches came much too fast, making Kinichi’s head spin. “What did you say about winning?”
   Blood trickled down Kinichi’s chin as fury sharpened his expression.
   “Give it up,” said Obake, still taunting him. “This is turning into elder abuse.”
   As Obake moved to continue his assault, Kinichi slammed the bottom of his scepter on the ground. Thousands of scarlet sparks erupted, driving the young ninja across the chamber floor. After tumbling for a bit, he came to a halt amid the many corpses of his former classmates.
   Kinichi extracted the remaining souls and sent them crashing into the translucent barrier. Unable to sustain any more damage, the barrier shattered. Shards sailed through the air, then vanished into nothingness.
   Scarlet energy radiated from the scepter. The obelisk reacted and began to transform. Its entire composition shifted from stone to an array of pink, kaleidoscopic patterns made of light. With a hypnotic glare, Kinichi’s eyes shone. He reached out and crept toward the shimmering obelisk. Its surface rippled like water, swallowing his hand. Overcome with satisfaction, he placed his foot inside as well. 
   Obake clambered over the dead, Dr. Kauzo and Sensei Pelssa among them. “Hey, fuck face! Leaving already?”
   With a deep sigh, Kinichi backed out of the obelisk. “I see it’s going to take more than that to kill you, boy. You really are your father’s son.”
   Obake gasped. “You have no right to talk about him, traitor!” Jitters set into his muscles. “Why’re you doing this? These were innocent people. Innocent kids!”
   The Supreme Sensei offered no response. Instead, he amplified his scarlet energy; it flared in erratic bursts, licking the ceiling and scarring the walls. The shawl covering his body flapped despite the absence of wind. His eyes turned green, and his skin began to melt onto the already fluid-soaked floor. 
   Neither his clothing nor his boots could stop it. It seeped through as if he were wearing nothing at all. Not a single stain appeared as the gore fell in rivulets. Younger, dark gray skin emerged where the old brown had been. A pointy nose formed, and long ears grew. Oversized, clawed hands replaced the frail, wrinkled ones. Thin ashen hair shifted to blood-red, full and spiky. The man Obake once knew was now an entity he had always struggled to believe existed. A crushing guilt pierced his emotional state.
   It’s true. They’re real! I want to go back… forget about it all. The ninja squeezed his eyes so tight they throbbed. Papa was right. I thought I wanted this. 
   When he reopened them, nothing had changed. Again he tried, but the gray man didn’t transform back into Kinichi. His classmates and senseis didn’t turn back into humans.
   ‘I understand why you’re upset. I understand you feel left in the dark. But trust me, knowledge can be a heavy burden to bear—sometimes too heavy. You’re better off not knowing.’
   Yokai’s words replayed in his mind.
   Why didn’t I listen?
   Jumping down, the gray man released another burst of sparks. Every creature blasted away to the chamber’s perimeter. Obake saw Jevoss and Sensei Gwell’s dead stares rolling within the fleshy piles.
   “Let’s try this again,” said the gray man, closing the gap between them.
   Why couldn’t I tell? This thing was here all this time. Right here!
   As soon as his enemy was within range, Obake struck. With ease, the gray man evaded, so Obake followed with an axe kick. The attack collided with a scarlet energy shield the gray man conjured in a flash. Blasting forward, the shield mowed him down. He ricocheted between the shield and the floor until it finally passed over him.
   The scepter transformed into a sizzling, scarlet energy whip. It slashed at Obake, who vaulted from the floor as the wood burst into a terrible scar. Mr. Batta’s beastly corpse beckoned, and Obake rolled toward it. He lifted an arm, and another crack of the whip severed it. Now in possession of the limb, he rushed in for the kill. The gray man swung his whip, but Obake vanished, leaving wisps of Shadow Cloud in his wake.
   When he re-materialized, he bashed the arm against the gray man’s face. As if it were a hammer, he brought it down a second time. Before it could connect again, the limb disintegrated into nasty chunks.
   The gray man knocked Obake down. “Clever, but that doesn’t make for a good conduit, boy.”
   Summoning another scarlet shield, the gray man propelled it at his foe. It twisted, scraping gashes into the hardwood floor. Obake had time enough to get to one foot. Bracing for the collision, he extended both hands. As the shield crashed into them, his arms threatened to snap. It shoved him backward as he planted his other foot. Both of his zori sandals frayed with every slide across the floor. With absolute force, he pushed the shield back the way it came. It spiraled toward its creator, who dispersed it with a flick of his scepter.
   This might be my last chance.
   Obake flew into a drop kick, but like many of his prior strikes, it phased through. He fell to the floor as the gray man pointed his scepter. Expecting to dodge whatever attack was coming, Obake jumped. To his surprise, an attack had yet to start. First, the scepter tracked him through the air—only then did it fire. A scarlet bolt hit him in the chest, dead center. With a sickening crunch, he dropped to the floor.