Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [118]
Wataru was surprised. “My mother?”
“Do not think that time stops in the other world just because you are here in Vision. Don’t you wonder what has become of your mother? Don’t you think your disappearance has caused her terrible pain? Don’t you want to show her your face, tell her you’re okay?”
It was as the old man said. Wataru had been so distracted by all the new sights and information filling his eyes, he had completely forgotten about everything he had left behind.
“Of-of course I’m worried about her. She’s why I came to Vision in the first place.”
The old man took a deep breath and shook his head slowly. “Then you too will need to use a Corridor of Light after all. And for that, you must seek the sigils.”
“Then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll find the sigils.”
Wayfinder Lau stood up from the table and peered out through the window. “The sun’s gone down,” he said. “You will stay in the village tonight, and leave in the morning. You may use any of the unoccupied huts. There’s only one bed in each, you see, and I’ll be staying here. I’ll bring you food later.”
“Thank you,” Wataru said. He bowed deeply and walked toward the door.
“Ah yes, one more thing,” Wayfinder Lau called out. Wataru turned to find the old man staring at him, a stern expression on his face. “You must not seek out Mitsuru.”
“I know. Mitsuru told me. He said you had to reach the Tower of Destiny on your own—that two Travelers couldn’t walk together.”
Wayfinder Lau walked over and placed both of his hands—like withered branches—upon Wataru’s shoulders. “That is not all,” he said. “You see, you could not search for Mitsuru even if you wanted to—because your Vision and the Vision through which he travels are not the same.”
Startled, Wataru clutched the Wayfinder’s robes. “What do you mean? There’s more than one Vision? You mean, this isn’t the same place he was talking about?”
“It is, and it isn’t. Vision changes for each person who comes to it.”
That’s right. Wataru vaguely remembered Mitsuru trying to explain the peculiarities of Vision to him.
“I see. This is good,” the old man said, with a satisfied nod. “So then you must realize that part of the energy that creates Vision comes from Travelers, like you and Mitsuru. Because you have come here, your energies have a far more profound effect on Vision. This is why the Vision that Mitsuru sees and the Vision that you see are, by nature, quite different.”
Wataru scratched his head. He understood when two travelers came, their energies would be added to the world—that part was easy to get—but he didn’t quite see why they would have to be separate.
Wayfinder Lau gave Wataru a final slap on the forehead. “In any case, as you yourself said, no two Travelers may travel together. Do not search for Mitsuru, for it would be in vain. That, and he’s much farther along the path than you.”
“Well, of course he is. He came here a lot sooner.”
“Yes, and he’s a sight smarter too,” Wayfinder Lau added bluntly. “Mitsuru has used the Mirror of Truth once on your behalf. That means he’s found at least one of the gemstones. You’ll have to hurry to catch up.”
The wizard helped Wataru fasten the Brave’s Sword to his belt. Somehow he managed to get it to stay.
“You don’t look half bad.”
Wayfinder Lau hustled him out of the hut. The forest surrounding the tiny village was already dark. The grass beneath Wataru’s feet seemed damp. He heard no songs—the birds must have already gone back to their nests.
The sky above his head was studded with stars. He stared up at them until the back of his neck began to ache. He could find nothing familiar—no Orion, or Big Dipper. The night sky in Vision must not be a reflection of the real one. For that matter, there didn’t even seem to be a moon.
Wataru decided to stay in the Hut of Kindness. Much to his surprise, the moment he stepped in the door, a flame lit in a small fireplace. An oil lamp atop the table sputtered to life as well. The old wizard’s doing, no doubt. Alone, he found he was suddenly very tired. Throwing himself upon the bed, he was soon deep