Just Shy the Peak

With little else immediate to occupy his attention, Maxim's mind had drifted back to his experiences in Jigoku and the diminished Ruler of Hell he'd sworn an oath to there. The Oni were connected with Jigoku somehow, and these two called the "Hags" most of all. So, if he wanted to learn more about Enma, that's where he'd need to begin.   Shigeaki Fujino was only too happy to teleport Maxim and his sheele to the base of the mountain. From there, it would be a difficult climb to the third tier where the only Warden he knew held residence. Evaine made another remark about the difficult walk and how she'd like a mount, so Maxim made a note to look into one for her once they returned. For now, the climb would be good for them; and, after all, they didn't want to look weak in front of the Oni.   About halfway up the slope, Evaine grew tired of clambering up and began to fly. This came as something of a surprise to Maxim, who hadn't known she possessed this ability at all.   "It's not good to neglect one's training, Sir Maxim," she said by way of prim explanation. "But I make an exception for mountains."   Soon enough, they reached the barrier of low-hanging clouds that flocked around Mount Ōe's third tier. From there, it was only a short climb before Maxim's foot found not craggy mountainside but polished stone floor. Myoroguma-dōji arrived from the depths of the well-appointed cavern to greet them. A platter in his hand held two cups and a bottle of sake. Though his eyes were, as always, covered by a blindfold, he glanced apologetically in the direction of Evaine.   "...Oh, excuse me. I only sensed one person approaching, so I didn't prepare a third cup."   "That's alright, I don't drink," Evaine reassured him.   Maxim, meanwhile, strode across the room to place a brotherly hand upon Myoroguma's shoulder. With a friendly grin, the knight introduced his sheele to the warden.   "It's been some time," Maxim continued, "Is everything going well here?"   "It's been uneventful," Myoroguma conceded as he poured them each a measure from the bottle. "Would you believe that no one has attempted to climb to the peak since you last visited?" He shook his head at this dismal state of affairs. "Of course, there's that business."   It wasn't difficult to see what Myoroguma was referring to. Even through the clouds crowding around his cave entrance, the landscape of Japan could be seen rolling out into the distance. Far away from them, on the horizon, a great tree of light branched up into the heavens. So massive in scale was it that even here, over a hundred miles away, it never failed to draw the eye.   "I'm told some of the Hashinara's best are attempting to handle that situation as we speak, so I don't think we have anything to worry about."   Maxim's reassurance seemed to hold weight for Myoroguma, as he soon turned his eyes from the tree and a smile graced his face once again. "That's good to hear. The man upstairs is a little concerned about that, if you can believe it." Anyone else might have been referring to a deity, but a gesture from one of Myoroguma's fans at the peak above made it clear just who he meant.   "That's a bit unusual from what I understand of him, but either way, I'm sure he'll be relieved to hear the news."   The two sat together companionably for a few minutes, looking out over the scenery below. Evaine, true to her training as a squire, remained in the background to let these two friends enjoy their time together uninterrupted.   "So," Myoroguma began eventually, "Did you come by looking for a rematch?" With his empty sake cup, he gestured at the go board set up over a rug in the corner.   "I have been practicing my skills of late," Maxim admitted, "But...no, today I am looking for two oni and I was hoping you might be able to introduce me, or point me in the right direction." The board did look very tempting, especially since Maxim had been putting in some practice. But the sun was already setting and his mission, for now, lay elsewhere.   "I don't get down from here much, but I can probably help. Who are you after?"   "I don't know their names aside from a title: The Hags."   "Ah." Myoroguma's lips contorted into a distasteful frown under his blindfold. "That'll be Datsueba and Ken'eba. They're relatively new here from Jigoku."   Maxim took note of the expression but nodded all the same. "That would be the main reason I want to meet the Hags. I have a job for them."   "You'll find them on the second tier," the other explained with only the slightest hint of derision in his voice, "Probably in some den of disrepute while the festival is underway."   "Mm." Looking down the slope, Maxim could see the lights of torches moving in lines and patterns through the cloud cover. The Eternal Feast had begun in full, it seemed. "We must have just passed there, then. Tell me, though. Have you been sharpening your go skills?"   The oni chuckled. "I'm afraid I lack for opponents to test myself against up here. You can only learn so much from theory before you must actually put that into practice."   "I suppose 'the man upstairs' isn't interested in such things. Hm..." Maxim cast one last longing look at the game board. "While I'd love to have a match right now, aI do need to get this meeting done. If I have time after the Hags, I shall come back and we can have a match. If not, we shall have one tomorrow."   "I'll hold you to that," Myoroguma said. With Evaine's sharp eyes on his back, Maxim knew the oni wasn't the only one holding him to his oaths.   As he stood to leave, a pang of guilt caused Maxim to hesitate. "I could perhaps bring someone else who is versed in the game, if you like. I'd have to make sure they are fine with it, but..."   "Don't concern yourself on my behalf," Myoroguma waved the suggestion away. "Just come by once in a while for a game, if you're able."   With a fraternal smile, Maxim clasped Myoroguma on the shoulder one last time as he prepared to depart. "It's always a pleasure meeting with you. Next time I come you'd better be ready to lose."   "Ha!" the other barked. "We'll see about that."   "Now..." Maxim rolled his shoulders. "I get the feeling this next meeting will be a headache, so I'd better get it over with now."