Fiction Academy: CAS' Never Ending Story 2022

|70| The Abandoned Shrine

The Abandoned Shrine 
by Eugelyn M. De Mesa

During the Kamakura period (1192-1333), with the rise of samurai, a belief circulated about a shrine on the small island of Shikoku capable of granting any wish. This shrine was said to be an ancient place protected by benevolent spirits.

Shinto, a supremely confident warrior from Edo (Tokyo), aspired to find this mystical place. He sought the blessings of the Kami (god) to enhance his strength, as the pride of samurais lay in their formidable might. Determined, Shinto embarked on a challenging journey to locate the elusive shrine.

Despite receiving a map from his master, Shinto refused it, claiming he could find his own way. His master sighed, pondering why he had chosen Shinto as his disciple.

After a month of arduous travel, Shinto arrived at the small island of Shikoku. Inquiring with the locals, he learned of two shrines on the island. One was frequently visited, protected by benevolent spirits and heavenly kitsunes. The other, abandoned and believed to be cursed, was said to harbor malevolent spirits like Yokais.

Locals warned Shinto about the second shrine, cautioning him against trusting anyone he encountered along the way. They spoke of deceptive spirits in the forest, capable of transforming into a beautiful shrine to mislead seekers.

Arrogant and dismissive, Shinto ignored their warnings, proclaiming his ability to handle any spirits he might encounter.

Undeterred, Shinto delved into the forest and encountered a figure beneath a tree. Despite locals' warnings echoing in his mind, he assumed it was a beggar or eccentric forest dweller. To his surprise, it was a stunning lady dressed as a shrine maiden. Her name was Jinkyo.

Seizing the opportunity, Shinto offered assistance when he noticed her apparent struggle. Jinkyo accepted, revealing a sprained ankle. Shinto, recognizing a chance to be guided to the shrine, volunteered to carry her. Jinkyo agreed, and they proceeded on their journey.

As they walked, Shinto questioned Jinkyo about the abandoned shrine. She shared a grim tale of a shogun who blamed the shrine for his war loss, leading to a massacre of all present. The shrine closed, believed to be haunted by the ghost of the vengeful shogun.

Upon reaching the shrine, Shinto was captivated by its beauty. Night fell, and Jinkyo invited him to stay in a cabin-like structure on the shrine's outskirts. The night turned stormy, and after a delicious meal, Shinto retired to his room.

In the darkness, he noticed unsettling paintings of eerie figures around the room. They wore sinister smiles that sent shivers down his spine. Exhausted, Shinto fell asleep, momentarily forgetting the unsettling images.

Awakening early, Shinto was shocked to find no paintings, only windows. Bewildered, he sought Jinkyo but found her missing. Venturing outside, the once majestic shrine now looked decrepit and ominous.

Realization struck Shinto — he had been deceived by Jinkyo and was trapped in the abandoned shrine. Panic set in as he tried to escape, but a familiar figure, Jinkyo, blocked his path. However, instead of a beautiful woman, he saw a horrific figure resembling the sinister paintings from the night before.

Remembering Jinkyo's tale, Shinto sweated profusely as she laughed maniacally. Suddenly, the shogun, with a katana in hand, emerged. Shinto grasped that the paintings from the night before were manifestations of the dead shogun.

Terrified, Shinto attempted to flee but found himself repeatedly returning to the shrine gate. Desperation etched his face. Hoping for alternative exits, he reentered the shrine, finding it empty.

Heading to the cabin to retrieve his belongings, Shinto encountered a putrid smell. Investigating, he discovered a lifeless body — his own. Shocked and unable to comprehend, he ran to the living room and found a bowl of rotten flesh, realizing it was the same dish he had consumed the night before.

Understanding his fate, Shinto realized the eerie portraits were not paintings but depictions of those who shared his grim destiny. Forever bound to the cursed shrine, he saw his smiling corpse, forever trapped in that spectral place.

The End