The Flaming Steed carried them swiftly through the sky.
Kagome sat in front, while Kikyo held her gently from behind. The faint scent of medicinal herbs from Kikyo lingered in Kagome's senses, causing her cheeks to flush slightly. She unconsciously stiffened and whispered,
"Kikyo… where are we going?"
"To the Spirit Temple on Mount Azusa," Kikyo replied softly, guiding the Flaming Steed forward.
"Fifty years ago, I placed a demon-slaying bow there—one I crafted myself."
After years of offerings and spiritual accumulation, it should now have become a powerful Sacred Bow, one I intend to give to you."
"A Sacred Bow from fifty years ago?"
Kagome's eyes widened slightly. She hesitated, wondering if such an old bow could still be used.
As if reading her thoughts, Kikyo let out a faint, knowing chuckle.
"Don't worry. The Spirit Temple of Mount Azusa is protected by the mountain's spirit. The bow preserved there will not deteriorate."
"Oh… I see…"
Kagome smiled awkwardly, a little embarrassed that her thoughts had been so easily understood.
"However, Kagome…" Kikyo continued, her tone turning more serious,
"It won't be easy for you to obtain the Sacred Bow."
Kagome blinked in surprise.
"There's danger?"
"It's not danger, it's a trial," Kikyo explained calmly.
"The spirit of Mount Azusa guards the temple. If you cannot pass its test, you will not be allowed to take the bow."
"What kind of test…?"
For some reason, Kagome suddenly recalled staring blankly at a test paper during one of her exams.
A strange worry crept into her mind, what if the spirit suddenly gave her an actual written test?
Unaware of Kagome's thoughts, Kikyo continued,
"The spirit of Mount Azusa has no fixed form. It appears according to the mind of the one who sees it. It creates illusions to test a person's heart and judges whether they are worthy of the Sacred Bow."
"An illusion… a test of the heart…"
Kagome looked uneasy, nervousness flickering in her eyes.
"Then I…"
"Don't worry," Kikyo said, a faint smile appearing.
"With your straightforward nature, you likely won't have much trouble."
She paused briefly, then added with a hint of teasing,
"Perhaps the spirit might even let you take the bow without much resistance."
"R-Really?"
Kagome blinked, unsure whether to feel relieved or not.
Being considered "too simple" to test didn't exactly sound like a compliment.
At that moment, the Flaming Steed let out a sharp cry and began descending.
"We've arrived," Kikyo said.
Kagome looked down.
Below them stood a lush, verdant mountain. At its base stretched an ancient stone staircase leading upward, winding into thin mist. The outline of the Spirit Temple could barely be seen among the clouds.
The Flaming Steed landed at the foot of the mountain, and the two dismounted.
"So… this is the Spirit Temple of Mount Azusa…"
Kagome gazed upward with curiosity.
"Yes. Just follow the path up," Kikyo said.
"I… go alone?"
Kagome froze, turning to Kikyo in surprise.
"You're not coming with me?"
Kikyo shook her head gently.
"No. Only those who truly seek the Sacred Bow may enter. Even if we went together, the spirit would separate us."
She placed a reassuring hand on Kagome's shoulder.
"Go. There is nothing to fear. If you cannot pass the trial, simply leave. It will be fine."
Kagome took a deep breath, clenched her fist, and nodded firmly.
"Alright… I'll go!"
She stepped onto the stone stairs.
After only a few steps, she couldn't help but look back.
Kikyo stood there quietly, her red-and-white miko robes swaying softly in the wind.
"Go on," Kikyo said gently.
"I'll be waiting for you."
"Okay!"
This time, Kagome nodded firmly and continued forward, her steps growing more resolute as she ascended.
Kikyo watched as Kagome's figure gradually disappeared into the mist, silently hoping for her success.
Mount Azusa was a sacred place, and the Spirit Temple held special significance.
When priestesses or spiritual practitioners sensed their approaching death, they would place their weapons imbued with their spiritual power within the temple.
Fifty years ago, after being cursed by Tsubaki and foreseeing a tragic fate with Inuyasha, Kikyo had placed the bow she crafted into this very temple.
Now it was time for Kagome, her reincarnation, to inherit it.
Meanwhile, Kagome continued climbing the stone steps.
The mist thickened, and the steps beneath her feet grew damp with moss, carrying a cool, humid chill.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, the path behind her was suddenly swallowed by dense fog.
"Kikyo?!"
Kagome turned abruptly and called out, but no answer came.
Her heart tightened.
She quickly turned forward again, and froze.
A figure had suddenly appeared on the steps ahead.
It wore a simple white hunting robe, with long silver hair flowing down to its waist.
But its face was completely blank.
"Are you… human?"
A cold voice emerged from that featureless face, sending a chill down Kagome's spine.
"The spirit of Mount Azusa…!"
Kagome immediately recalled Kikyo's words.
She steadied herself, preparing to state her purpose, but suddenly, the figure lifted its sleeve, covering its face.
As the sleeve slowly lowered, Kagome's eyes widened.
"Inuyasha?!"
The spirit had taken on Inuyasha's appearance.
Kagome stared, her heart skipping.
Why… Inuyasha?
Does this mean he's the person I care about most?
The thought made her cheeks flush and her heart pound faster.
But she quickly remembered that this was an illusion, a test.
"Come with me."
The spirit, now appearing as Inuyasha, spoke in a flat tone, its voice identical to the real one.
Then it turned and walked toward the Spirit Temple.
Kagome steadied herself and followed.
There were no obstacles along the way. Soon, they arrived at the temple entrance.
The spirit pushed open the doors and stepped inside.
Kagome followed closely.
The interior was simple, almost empty, except for a shrine at the center.
Without hesitation, the spirit walked to it, opened it, and revealed a dark crimson demon-slaying bow inside.
It reached in, took the bow, then turned and handed it to her.
"Take it. This is what you came for."
"…Huh?"
Kagome blinked in shock as she instinctively accepted the bow.
"That's it…?"
Everything had gone far too smoothly.
Aside from the spirit taking Inuyasha's form, there had been no trial, no struggle.
"Th-Thank you…" she said, though unease lingered in her chest.
"Take it and leave."
The spirit nodded. Its body gradually turned transparent before fading completely into the air.
"O-Okay…"
Kagome held the Sacred Bow tightly and turned to leave.
As she descended the stone steps, she looked down at the dark crimson bow in her hands, gently running her fingers along it.
"…Am I really that simple?" she murmured softly.
"Simple enough that even the spirits didn't bother testing me…?"