Once upon a time on Okinawa island there lived a hermit. In the western region, deep in the enchanted forest of Kadina, Onago lived alone. He was not an old recluse running from the world; instead he was a youth seeking the knowledge of the Absolute. Onago was like a lotus flower born in a world of chaos and mire he grew powerful and spirited. Once he was able to care for himself he left the comfort of family and friends to find his place in the cosmos. Solitude was his strength.
In the nearby village of Kinblu lived a simple young man who was as handsome as a golden ray of sun. Vato was impetuous, audacious and always in trouble. When others tried to control his behavior, he would flash a smile and say, "Let me enjoy for I may not pass this way again!" Then off he would run to find his next adventure.
Vato stood out side the Kadina forest, he knew this was taboo territory, that would make exploring even more delightful. Many warned him not to enter the forest, some men did not return, those who did say they saw fairies, dragons and other queer things. All these warnings were like a Siren's call, seducing him closer to his doom. "What the hell," he thought, "I may never pass this way again," as he ran through a welcome mat of wild grass.
Near the end of the Summer day, he thought, that this place is not so strange. He sat on a cliff watching the orange sun moving downward into the sea. Looking to the beach below he saw the first sign of life that was not a plant or tree. It was Onago on his evening walk. Vato stood up, waving his arms over his head, and shouted "Hello!" Onago was to far away to hear. Vato ran to find a way down the cliff to the beach. His heart raced with determination to meet the stranger. By the time he finally arrived on the sand the sun had set and it was too dark to see. He called out to the night and looked around, but he knew he was alone.
Vato was going to sleep on the sand, when a flame on a distant hillside caught his attention. He resumed the search for the stranger, going toward the flame like a moth. Vato stood behind a tree outside a small cave, when he peaked in he thought the man was part of the flame but quickly realized that he was only sitting close to the fire. With his most charming smile, Vato stepped into the light and said; "Hello friend can I warm myself by your fire?" Onago looked up as if he was expecting a visitor and said, "An answer to a prayer." They talked and shared stories through out the night, they where drawn to each other as yin to yang. Vato asked Onago "Can I stay and share this life with you?" Onago replied, "Stay as long as you know this is where you want to be, but not a moment longer." For Onago and Vato years had passed like days, and each day was lived like it was a life time -- it was paradise.
Every paradise has its serpent, and Kadina was no exception. There was a creature who roamed the forest; he fed on the dead and decay. Dada was an evil creature his putrid heart had no place in it for mercy, joy or forgiveness. One day while Dada fed on the dead carcass of a unicorn he herd the sounds of laughter and rapture coming from the beach below. When he stood and looked down the bluff he saw Vato and Onago loving each other on the hot white sand. Dada's icicle heart cracked when he saw the beauty and strength of Vato, and this made him loathe the sight of Onago. Then and there he determined, Vato would be his next meal.
Onago had sensed a change in his companion. Vato was sullen and uneasy; nothing seemed to bring him serenity. Some nights he could hear Vato screaming at the moon. Finally, Onago asked, "My love, is it time for you to go?" "No!" "Maybe -- I don't know?" "When I sleep my dreams are filled with whispers that seduce me to the dark, but when I'm awake, I see you, and the world is right." What Vato did not say was that more and more he felt the need to destroy what he loved the most. In his dreams he saw himself scraping his nails into his lover's chest, then cracking it open he devoured Onago's heart. He could taste the copper blood go down his throat, his face and chest stained with blood, and the glow of the fire burned in his lunatic eyes -- he would wake screaming. He was torn between two choices, to stay would be the destruction of paradise, to leave would be to enter death's cold embrace.
Dada's stomach ached with hunger for Vato; he would not wait a moment longer. He went through the forest picking mushrooms, pulling decaying roots and gathering maggot filled hearts. With these ingredients he concocted a brew that would end the life of Onago. He placed the poison on a rock and again visited Vato while he slept. "Go to the black rock, take the vile and give it to Onago -- do this if you want to be free!" Vato did as he was ordered. He put the poison in Onago's herb tea. With dark eyes and clinched fists he watched as Onago drank the last drop. Onago looked into Vato's' eyes and said, "My prayer is answered," then he fell to the ground. Onago was not dead for his life force was too strong. Instead a silk like cocoon formed around his sleeping body.
Vato walked out without looking back, what is done is done, and he knew he would never pass this way again. In the forest Dada was a tight empty stomach waiting with open arms. Vato waked into Dada's virulent embrace and allowed him to satisfy his ferocious appetite. Dada ate Vato, then he puked him up, and ate him again. He did this until there was nothing to left to puke and Vato was completely digested. It was the best meal Dada had ever eaten he enjoy Vato very, very much.
The cocoon that protected Onago began to open and from it came a mystic butterfly with black wings filed with colors of electric blue, passion red and emerald green. Onago crawled out from the cocoon, and the dark cave, to the warmth of the sun. He stretched and allowed the wind to dry his new wings. Soon he found they were strong enough to lift him from the ground, higher and higher he arose. As he looked back at the home where he was so happy he promised that he would never forget Vato. Now he was living a new life, his prayer was answered, he was free to be one with the absolute. Onago lived happily every after.
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