The shrine building was a simple rectangle in plan, with a veranda running around it above Akiko’s head. The roof sloped down to the front and back, with two beams projecting above the ridge at each end, and a number of cylinders apparently resting on the ridge itself. Back at the front, a simple wooden flight of stairs led up to the veranda, and to a double door.

Akiko paused at the bottom of the steps, unsure as to whether she should do this. A glance around reminded her of why she needed answers, however, and, holding tightly onto the rail, she began to climb.

As she stepped onto the veranda, she realised that her knee was no longer at all painful. She wondered about that for a few moments, but then dismissed it as just another mystery, and an excuse not to think about the door.

It was a simple double door, although it had elaborate metal hinges, which appeared to be gold. Akiko looked at the closed doors, and wondered what to do now.

“Hello?â€ she called out. There was no immediate response. “Is anyone there?â€ The precincts remained silent apart from the rustling of the trees in the breeze. Akiko looked around again, hoping that someone would appear to explain things, but there was no-one. Tentatively, she reached out to touch the doors.

As soon as her fingers brushed the wood, smooth and warm, somehow alive and welcoming, the doors began to swing slowly open. Akiko stepped back, and looked into the dim interior, lit only by the light falling through the now open door.

The floor was bare wooden boards, no different from the veranda, and halfway in a line of white curtains, supported on wooden poles with golden fittings, divided the single room in two. The curtains were decorated with a circular design, of something that looked like a string of beads spiralling in to the centre. Akiko stepped into the room, the floor warm on her bare soles, and called out again.

“Excuse me? Is there anyone there?â€

There was still no response, so she made her way to the curtains, and carefully pushed them aside. The rear of the shrine was even darker, and she paused to let her eyes adjust.

As they did, she could make out several shapes, apparently items of furniture, but the central area was dominated by a square platform, surrounded by curtains. These curtains were embroidered, although all that Akiko could make out was the occasional glint of light on gold and silver thread, and the gleam of dozens of small bells lining the bottom. She stepped forward again, letting the central curtain fall shut behind her, deepening the gloom. No longer entirely sure what she expected to find, she reached out and slowly pulled the curtain aside to the gentle murmur of bells.

Light spilled out, briefly dazzling her, and for a moment she thought there was a pile of jewels inside, flashing red, purple, green, gold, and silver.

Then they shifted, and she realised that she was looking at an enormous snake, its head as large as her whole body, coiled on the platform. Its eyes snapped open, fixed on her.