[dream] [week 12, day 3] The Mighty Pomegranate
How strange!
You could have sworn you were walking through the forest, toward the clearing where you’ve all set up camp for the evening. You’d gone to fill the water bottle from a nearby river. You started walking back…and then, just like that, all the trees and shrubs around you disappeared. The ground beneath your feet is no longer dirt and grass, but human skulls, packed together like cobbled stone and spreading out as far as the eye can see.
Which actually isn’t that far, since the sun seems to have made a hasty retreat, leaving behind a shadowy dusk of gray. You look around, hoping to spot the familiar silhouette of Jeep somewhere in the distance. You squint, but no dice. Very, very curious. Where in the world did everything go? And yet, as strange as your new surroundings are, you have a feeling you’ve been here before.
“What are YOU doing here, boy??”
A booming voice thunders out from behind you, making you jump.
“…Zakuro?”
A figure steps out into your view, and he looks a bit disheveled, as though he’s been hiking through the woods for several days. Bits of twigs and leaves are sticking out from his tangled hair, and the hem of his black coat is inches deep in dirt and grime.
“Indeed, it is I,” the youkai replies. “Funny to see YOU here, kid! Do you require assistance??”
“I dunno…I think I’m lost,” you say, looking somewhat puzzled.
“Lost? Fear not! The Great Zakuro will help you find your way!!” he cries, striking a very dramatic pose to emphasize his enthusiasm.
You laugh good naturedly.
“Cool. So how do we get outta here?”
“It will not be easy,” he says, lowering his voice to an ominous tone. “I have been traveling through this area for quite some time, entrapped by its treacherous labyrinth of twists and turns!”
“Ooh. So you’re lost too, huh?”
Zakuro’s eyebrow twitches.
“Er…yes, I suppose so,” he says after a pause. He clears his throat uncomfortably.
“Haha. That’s okay, we’ll find a way. Let’s just start walkin’. What about this way?” You point forward, and the two of you are off.
As you walk, you chat animatedly about martial arts, your magic staff, and some of the new moves you’ve been working on lately. Zakuro, in turn, describes his own skills with great flourish, proudly weaving together a masterful portrait of his awesome powers. He uses words like ‘illusion,’ ‘hypnosis’ and ‘suggestion,’ which you ponder over thoughtfully.
“So like…you can just tell people something, and they’ll think it’s for real? Can you suggest anything?”
“Haha!! There is nothing the Mighty Zakuro cannot do!” he declares. “What would you wish to see, kid? Your enemies’ weapons rendered useless? A hellish fire to smite your enemies down? A word from me, and poof! It is done!!”
“Hmmm…how about some food?” you say, eyes lighting up with anticipation.
“F…FOOD, you say?”
“Yeah sure. You said anything, right? If we’re gonna walk around for a while, might as well do it on a full stomach!” you say, grinning from ear to ear.
“Hm. Well, I suppose you are right, boy. Leave it to me!! I will show you the greatest feast you have ever beheld!!!”
Thus with an impressive sweep of his hand and a few words, a table appears, filled from end to end with a dazzling array of tastiness.
Hau gau dumplings filled with king prawns and bamboo shoots… honey roasted pork with carmelized onions wrapped in a flaky pastry puff… duck and spring onion spring roll with spicy sauce… puffy steamed char sui buns with barbequed pork… dumplings with crab, prawns, and onions… lemon glazed chicken served with chili sauce…
You can hardly believe your eyes. This can’t possibly be an illusion, for it most certainly smells real enough! The aroma wafts to your nose, a mouthwatering mix of sweet and savory paradise.
“Let’s eat!”
--
Mmmmmmm….
[The satisfied smile that spreads across Goku’s face makes it quite evident that this is a dream he would like to indulge in, just a few minutes more.]
Yeah…another…char sui. Thanks....
[He mumbles to the imaginary Zakuro of his dream. As far as he’s concerned, that youkai IS the Mighty One.]