WONDER ( Twisted Forbidden Tales ) Book Three

Mu Drama Part Two

Clad in a simple tunic woven from the fibers of ancient mushrooms, Elder Shitake moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior and the serenity of a sage. His sandalled feet, grounded in the fertile soil of Mushroom Bay, carry him with purpose and determination as he heads toward the two families in the middle of a feud.

His eyes swept over Alissa and me in her arms. His eyes, a deep shade of earthy brown, gleam with an otherworldly wisdom that seems to pierce through the veil of reality. Beneath a gently sloping nose, his lips curve into a serene smile, conveying both warmth and authority.

Nodding in greeting and seemingly a confirmation. Alissa keeps a distance from the feud happening in the Bay City Center in wait for the Elder Master Shitake we came to meet. As Elder Shiitake steps into the heart of Mushroom Bay, the air seems to be still, and a hushed reverence descends upon the bustling streets. The surroundings transform into a tableau of vibrant colors and surreal landscapes as if the very essence of the Bay City itself bends to his will.

“Head Ms. Enoki of the Mu Medi Family and Mr. Fly the Head of the Mu Death Family. Is this the way your families have taught you to behave, in greetings of guests? What is all this? Do you not know all things can be settled justly and even better with tonight's first day of the Mushroom Festival.” he said as he walked forward.

Within the grand hall of Mushroom Bay's central plaza, where towering mushroom caps serve as pillars and iridescent fungi illuminate the space with an ethereal glow, Elder Shiitake takes his place at the center of the gathering.

Around him as I quickly realized, representatives from the MuMedi and Mudeath families stand with simmering tension, their grievances echoing through the cavernous hall. I could not help feeling this feud was somehow deliberate. Alissa was right something was odd, why a feud now just right we we were so close to Mu Garden’s?

“Master Shitake, we mean no harm or disrespect toward you and your esteemed guests. However, Mr. Fly is certainly displaying his Fungi nature by stealing my family’s new recipe for the festival healing stew cook-off that is sure to win this year. He didn’t even attempt to conceal his wrongdoing, the recipe is there in his pocket I cannot mistake the special parchment that only our MuMedi Family uses.” the woman named Ms. Enoki stated. She pointed her finger at the jacket pocket of the accused, where indeed a piece of parchment was sticking out.

“How dare you accuse me unjustly! Here is our family’s recipe for this year's festival Ms. Enoki. Are you still holding a cycle over our win last year when we proved the Mu Death Family can also change lives despite our poisonous background, if used correctly we can also shift helpful results! Shame on you to look down on us and even say we are stealing. Apologize right now for your blasphemy!” yelled the man named Mr. Fly as he stared at Ms. Enoki with hurt and anger.

A bout of shouts and yells gathered about among the crowd between the two families. Things could escalate quickly if not handled well. Mr. Fly reached his hand into his jacket pocket to retrieve the parchment just as Elder Shitake intervened stopping his actions. Had he noticed something amiss? Was this sudden feud a distraction from something else going on behind the scenes?

With a gentle gesture of his hand, Elder Shiitake calls for silence, and the tension in the air dissipates like morning mist. His voice, resonant and wise, carries across the hall like a soothing melody, calming even the most restless of hearts.

“These two families haven't had an ounce of discord in decades and I won't allow it to change even now over something trivial. As the elder, I announce that we should settle this the proper way. Both your family recipes for the contest are now invalid as this way you both can start from scratch on the spot. I now announce a Battle of the Best competition added to our three-day Mushroom festival. On the third day, you will produce your results before the perfect judges I have chosen, to prevent any discordance. May I welcome our Guests, Alissa come forward please.” Elder Shitake beckoned us forward.

Alissa walked toward his side with a frown.” What you up to old man?” she whispered in his ear among the crowd.

“Trust me, I’m covering your ass you brat!” he whispered back with a smile.

“She’s only one judge, Elder, you can’t just leave at that.” said someone in the crowd.

“Who said she was the only guest that arrived? Enzo and Zuri Tweedle were you just going to think you could sneak inside the Bay and not show any manners.” Elder Shitake said with a knowing smirk on his face. He held his hands folding in front of him across his stomach and rocked back and forth a tad bit as he looked through the crowd.

The crowd slowly parted to show indeed Enzo and Zuri Tweedle clad in the most unsightly comical mushroom disguise one could muster. Their backs were turned to us but their scent could not be denied. Both of them turned around to embarrassingly greet the Elder Master Shittake.

“Elder Shitake, long time no see. It’s good to see you.” The Tweedle twins spoke in sync. Unable to run away with so many eyes on them now.

“And there you have it my dear Mu Family and Friends, your other two judges. Enzo and Zuri Tweedle should suffice for you. Do you agree?” Elder Shitake spoke in an authoritative tone leaving no room for discord let alone a rebuttal.

“Well, f**k!” Alissa let out a grumpy whisper. Mirroring my thoughts at the turn of events before us. Now we were stuck in Mushroom Bay for three days for a festival as honored guests of the Elder.

I could only hope that Haku could hold out wherever he was and that the warning he sent was because of trouble he had met with. The Tweedle twins had come to Mushroom Bay for a reason, while we were forced to make the time I didn’t mind prying my cat nose in to figure out what was their deal. Either way, my instincts were tingling that another big thing was about to happen, but an unsettling thought in the back of my mind kept me thinking that this time it wouldn’t be a good thing but a deadly one.

Neither I nor Alissa had sensed the Tweedles on the way here, meaning we weren't followed. They carried an unmistakable scent that I couldn’t shake from my nose from the first moment we met in Tweedle Club. They had already been here in Mushroom Bay, things were never as simple as a so-called visit when it came to those two.

After all the Mad Bandit and Dark Rabbit had caused quite a fuss and upheaval back in Tweedle City inside the Dream Forest. On top of that they had both taken a beating, my cat claws did a bit of damage to Zuri as surely Alissa had slightly disfigured Enzo’s face with her hits.

They will surely be out for revenge once they got themselves right, hence the disguises they were sporting, that covered up the injuries they wanted to keep hidden for now. The old man Elder Shitake was indeed clever, they hadn't escaped his radar in the feud and raised questions as to why they were sneakily routing around in the Bay among the crowd.

Now being also appointed as judges they too were caught up in the ruckus they more than likely had a hand in starting between the two Mu Families. From here on out they would have eyes on them. It was a smart move from the old man and a roundabout way of settling the dispute between the two heads.

There were objections to his plan, and many in the crowd became excited over a new contest for this Mushroom Festival. With a pleased grin, Mr. Shitake eyed the Tweedle twins as they made their way over to the head of the Mu Death Family Mr. Fly. Muddled words were spoken between them and Mr. Fly looked at the two in disdain. It was clear he did not like them one bit as he made his way out of the dispersing crowd and to wherever he was headed.

With a sigh and shake of her head, the other head Ms. Enoki shrugged her shoulder, and with a bow and nod to Mr. Shitake, she too took off with her crew leaving the three of us standing there and me patiently waiting for the old man's next movements.