Everything was blurry and spinning, but Obake reoriented himself before long. His bicep throbbed and it showed no sign of letting up. As his vision returned, he glanced down and saw yellow teeth, black beard hair and bits of food tucked within it. A putrid stench accosted his nostrils as well. Obake was close enough to kiss his overweight pursuer. He rolled off the unconscious samurai as fast as his achy body would allow.

Disgusting! What’s with this guy? It’s not that hard to brush your damn teeth.

Obake wanted nothing more than to remain lying right where he was and take a long nap. He dreaded the thought of pushing his body any further. Regardless, in a fashion similar to an eighty-year-old, he climbed back to a standing position. Blood spilled over his forearm like a broken valve. Agalo’s arrow pierced straight through the bicep muscle, but failed to exit. With a deep breath, Obake gripped above the arrow’s tail and… panicked.

This is going to suck. I don’t know if I can do this. For a second time, he inhaled. All right, I got this. One… Two… Three!

The arrow came free, accompanied by an awful sloshing sound. A decent amount of blood traveled the length of his arm. He took off his sash and used it as a tourniquet. Soon enough, leaking blood was no longer an immediate concern.

While gazing upon the bearded samurai, dark thoughts surged into Obake’s mind. I could stomp him out right now. Make sure he never shoots another arrow again. Or maybe I’ll throw him off instead. No. I’m not a murderer. Obake wondered if instances of this nature were what turned some warriors into cold-blooded savages. I better go before this bastard wakes up.

The horse Obake rode to the chasm was nowhere to be seen.

Did it fall?

Agalo’s horse however, stood by with ever so quiet patience, staring at Obake with its black, orb-like eyes.

Obake approached and began petting the horse. It behaved like it didn’t know what to make of the gesture. “Sorry about your friends. Believe it or not, I love animals.”

Although embarrassed, he hoped the horse would reassure him somehow. Tell him he wasn’t a monster. When his imagination failed to elicit a reaction from reality, he mounted the horse and searched the pouches on the saddle. All he found was a thermos filled with water and half of a sandwich. Most of the thermos’ contents slid down Obake’s throat, and he ate most of the leftover sandwich. The rest went straight to the horse. Again, it behaved like it didn’t know how to take the kind gesture.

Up through the trees, the giant wall still loomed. A pocket watch came from Obake’s keikogi. Unique patterns decorated its lid.

He flipped it open to view the ticking hands of time. 4:01 A.M. Looks like I’m not getting much sleep tonight.

An engraving on the bottom side of the lid read: Vai. Obake’s heart ached for the name.

I miss you, Mom.

Together, Obake and his new companion made their way and ten minutes later arrived beneath the massive sixty-foot wall. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Sandy brown stones stacked up the bottom half of the wall until they reached a partition. The upper half was a smooth surface that crawled higher, ending at a pagoda style roof. Draped in ruby colored shingles and copper accents, the roof was an architectural masterpiece. One Obake was prepared to reach.

He dismounted, then hesitated a moment before speaking. “Thanks for your help. I wouldn’t have made it without you and your friends. Take care of yourself.”

Obake smacked the animal on its hind and it shot off into the distance. From his satchel came two black climbing claws, each with three sharp spikes jutting from the palms. Taking a quick breath, he glanced up to brace himself for the task at hand. His ascent began when he stabbed the claws into the wall and inserted his fingertips between the stones. He also used any imperfections, unusual humps, cracks and holes, anything that enabled him to get a finger or foothold.

Despite the sting in his right arm and the physical exertion, the climb was tranquil. Whistling, serene wind brushed his ears and glistening stars grew closer. If it were possible, he would’ve stolen a star to keep as a memento.

Upon reaching the partition, it was time for the next step. Obake made sure his left hand had a firm grip and his feet were wedged between two blocks. Using extreme caution, he leaned back then reached into his bag. It took a mere millisecond before he found what he searched for—a wound-up black rope attached to a silver talon. The ropes slack twisted toward the ground after he unraveled it. Soon enough, the talon spun overhead like a propeller.

With a quick release, it bolted up and over the roof to latch onto its opposite side. Before trusting it, Obake gave a few tugs. Now, he dangled from a rope at thirty feet high. His ascension went fast, too fast. A spasm seized Obake’s wounded arm, sending him rappelling. Gripping in desperation caused the rope to burn his fingers. Against the blocks, his feet dug in, forcing the wall to scrape up the soles of his sandals.

Before reaching the ropes end, some twenty feet above ground, he slowed to a halt. That was too close.

Patience on his mind, he recommenced his climb until the ruby roof greeted him.

On top of the flat, eight-foot-wide roof, he gazed to one side then the other. Never fails to amaze me. They definitely didn’t botch the name with this one. The Colossal Divide… looks like it goes on forever. Obake found it surreal to survey the realm from on high, but it also brought him a bout of sadness. The lengths people will go to separate themselves from each other. Meilana circumvented his mind; he tried to push her out. He didn’t want to let emotions consume him, but it was futile. They kept building until they became too strong to hold back any longer.

I’m never going to see her again, am I? There’s no way I can be with her now. Why did I have to go over there tonight? His stomach performed a series of somersaults. How could I be so stupid? The expensive things, the fancy outfits, the Gazzo Clan symbol. I mean… I knew she was from Gazzo City, but… the daughter of the Grandmagistra.

One negative thought after the other hit his mind. I should’ve figured it out. I assumed everybody from Gazzo City was rich. Why didn’t I ask more questions? Stop! Come on Obake, you have to be strong. What’s done is done.

The internal agony throbbed far worse than the throbbing in his wounded arm. After a few moments of self-pity, Obake fastened the talon to the other side of the roof and rappelled with immense speed. Once halfway, he retrieved the talon and stuffed it back in his satchel. At a slow pace, he descended with his claws until he was close enough to drop the rest of the way. As his feet hit the dirt, he felt a tremendous weight lunge off his shoulders. He’d returned home.