On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor - Five Hundred And Sixty-Seven / Side Two Hundred And Fourteen – Aliyah James, Fenrir

Gazing deep into Tsukiko with my Eyes, the intensity making her shift restlessly, I felt the reassuring and inquisitive presence of Rose, an unimaginable distance away from me, yet linked by a bond that transcended such. Honestly, there’s a secret there. One I’ve pondered before. The Silver Cord is a bond that’s tangible, and can be cut, in the right circumstances, but… what of my Silver Connection? It’s not the same…

Honestly, the way my twin selves functioned was strange. They were both me, one mind running on two processors, but… the distance should have caused complications, there was no way that my thoughts should remain perfectly aligned, yet they did. I wasn’t two separate versions of me, like shadow clones from the anime with the highly visible ninjas, as my sister liked to call it. No, I was me, and somehow able to operate as such, despite the impossibility of it, at least by Material Laws. No, by Astral ones too. After all, the Silver Cord connects the Astral body…

I had considered spatial element the answer, and there were certainly spatial components to a lot of abilities like that, the Ring Gates, and Saionji Gin-san’s Gaze Of Avalokiteśvara, to name a few, but… that’s not the true answer either. Not to this question, anyway.

I had become increasingly sensitive to connections and bonds since I had discovered my Path, and I had a feeling there was definitely something deeper to be discovered, though thinking about it, my Foresight started blaring incessantly, which warned me off for now. Either it’s knowledge I’m not meant to have, or there’s some hidden danger. I can’t be certain. So for now all I can do is speculate, rather than experiment, but… it still gives me a few ideas how to maximise the bonds we do have.

“If you stare at me like that, I fear I shall feel rather shy.” Tsukiko gently spoke, her tone as embarrassed as the faint flush in her pale cheeks would indicate. “If it is… difficult, I am happy with how things are now.” she assured me, and I shook my head, snapping out of my thoughts, a rapid stream that had considered the problem from all angles and would have taken someone without my stats and Split Thoughts a significant amount of time to process.

Shaeula was snickering, amused, and beside me, Tsurugi tilted her head, wondering just why Tsukiko was embarrassed. Seeing that, Kana chuckled too.

“It’s very intense when Akio is looking at us with those Eyes of his.” She couldn’t help but touch her cheeks below her own, perhaps marvelling at her now augmented sight. “It’s like he sees all of us. All our hidden aspects we’re embarrassed about, or ashamed of. But… he doesn’t judge. Honestly… that’s one of the things that attracted me to him.”

Kana was trying to lighten the mood, which had grown tense, everyone infected by Tsukiko’s nerves. I knew that while she claimed to be unbothered about retrieving Tsukuyomi’s Favour, even to herself, it was actually a source of sorrow for her, one she denied, as she had denied too much in her life. I was done letting her fall back into those patterns. When I accepted responsibility for her life, her kiss, and more… I’m glad my stats give me more control over my bodily functions, or I’d be blushing right now. That time in the hot springs at the mansion…

Setting that image aside, I realised once again that Kana was a very perceptive girl. She proved me right by her explanation.

“A lot of guys think I’m an idiot, just because I’m pretty and can be a bit flirty. Or they disregard me because I’m younger. Worse, they always try and talk down to me, and lecture me, for my own good.” Eri nodded at that, agreeing, and Kana continued. “Of course, most of them are doing it just to score points with me. I am a catch. Or I was. Now I’m caught.” She raised one eyebrow in amusement. “But Akio, he does it so that we can be our best selves, and… so that we don’t have any regrets. That’s why, Tsurugi, it’s so embarrassing. Because to help us become better, he has to see what’s worst about us, and to fix our regrets… well, there’s no going back after that, is there? He’s a bad man, the enemy of women indeed!” Kana joked, but Tsurugi didn’t get it.

“You take that back! Father is the best!” she pouted, and Kana giggled, patting her head. For a moment she squirmed, angry, before giving in, enjoying the petting like she was a kid.

“I know. That’s why I said it, Tsurugi!” Kana agreed. “It’s just a joking expression. But… when Akio gets into your heart that way, there’s no room for other guys. After all, how can they compete with that? So, Tsukiko is a little nervous, because… well, everyone wants to look good in front of who they love, right?” She winked, and Tsukiko nodded slowly.

“Yes, I find myself simultaneously unburdened and free, now my decision is made. Yet… somehow that makes me feel rather pressured. I never dreamed I would face such complicated, such womanly emotions.” She glanced over with her crimson eyes to where Yukiko and Eleanor were chatting. “I wished for Yukiko to experience this, and now she is, never knowing I would feel the same way, for… the same man. If this was Tsukuyomi’s plan…”

“No, do not rely on prophecy, or the so-called Gods!” Shinkume-no-Hana insisted, which was rather self-serving, I thought, after she had used Uranai’s prophecy to urge me to action. Seeing my wry gaze, she had the grace to grin shamefacedly, her five tails, which proved that Uranai’s prophecy either had truth, or we had forced it to contain truth, waving. “I am not saying it is wrong to take heed of those who can see the way things might be clearer than most. Uranai, the poor Kudan, is a marvel indeed. I am simply saying… place both blame and credit for your future where it is due. A plan?” Hana shook her head. “I care not for plans, and neither should you. We simply must enjoy what time we have. We both believed our time was almost up, and we were both proven wrong. That does not mean we will not perish tomorrow, so… enjoy today, and thank Akio, not your God.”

“Those are good-good sentiments.” Shaeula agreed, looking quizzically at Hana. “For-for a moment there, I almost respected you, fox. It is not-not a feeling I am accustomed to.”

“Harsh as ever. You are indeed Urakaze’s daughter. But…” Hana waved her tails, using them to point at Shaeula. “…I shall win you over yet. I can be quite… adorable… when I set my mind to it.”

“Damn-damn old hag!” Shaeula spat, annoyed by her teasing, and as they bickered, Tsukiko took a deep breath, nodding.

“I see. I once more have been foolish, too set in my ways.” She then smiled at me, and it was breathtaking, both pure and yet somehow seductive. Combined with her explosive figure, she stunned me, my breath indrawn, and seeing my reaction, her flush deepened, but her smile broadened. “Akio. Thank you for this. For… this wonderful future where everything I dreamed of has come to pass. I have no regrets choosing you. As she says…” She nodded at Hana. “…maybe it was Tsukuyomi’s plan, and you are the hero he foretold, or maybe you simply made yourself the hero we needed…” She paused, considering. “I am not sure which is more romantic. But it is irrelevant. I have naught to hide from you. Yes, I miss the extra closeness with Tsukuyomi, but… I passed the Favour to you because I chose you. That is a connection only we share.”

“So I’m guessing you wouldn’t take the Favour back then?” I asked, and she shook her head.

“No. A gift given should not be returned. That is simply good manners, yes?” Her smile was pure yet teasing, a little clumsy but endearing.

“It’s lucky I’ve had a different idea then.” I winked. “Since you have resolved to spend your life with me, what’s mine is yours, right? So… I was thinking.” I tapped my Eye. “If Rose can share this, why can’t you share the Favour? It came from you originally, and it wasn’t cleanly removed.”

“Can you do that?” Tsukiko asked in surprise, and I shrugged.

“Maybe? I think it’s got a fair chance of working. And if not, you don’t lose anything.” I pointed out. “I’ll be honest, I… don’t sleep often. The visions can be rather… harrowing.” At Tsukiko’s nod, I sighed. “I don’t want you to suffer them as you did before. Not… not alone.”

“I see.” Tsukiko sighed, after a contemplative pause. “Yes, you would say that. And I understand. You saw my piety leading me to destruction. I was stubborn, refusing to flee, but… even with your determination, the Definite is not so easy to overturn. But… things are different now. I am not carrying it alone. I am not just the Diviner, but Matsumuro Tsukiko as well. Soon to be… Oshiro Tsukiko.”

With her slightly embarrassed yet joyous expression at those words, I wasn’t able to stop myself pulling her into a hug. I could feel the softness of her ripe body through her shrine maiden robes, and it was a great effort not to indulge, but I had more important things to do right now. She hugged me back for a long moment, before I let her go, and she stepped back, breathing heavily, straightening her hakama in embarrassment.

“Fascinating. I can hardly wait to see what happens next…” Christina chirped brightly, trying to observe us with her new Spiritual Eyes, despite crimson and silver blood running down her arm in great rivulets, and Shaeula turned, snorting coldly.

“You should pay-pay attention to your own training.” she warned. “Akio has invested much-much effort into you. Be worth it!”

Ignoring Christina’s protests that she ‘was being worth it, as her insights might help…’ I gazed deep into Tsukiko, my vision clearer than ever. It wasn’t something I could see, but I almost felt like I could perceive the strands of connection and bonds between us, Lovers’ Link, the Throne Of Heroes, and even the faint stirrings of emotion. In addition, the Favour’s remnants left behind in Tsukiko, they felt like they were still connected tenuously to the greater whole within me.

I’m not Arisu-san, my physics knowledge is basic, even if I’ve read a few books recently just to help build my knowledge. But… maybe it’s like quantum entanglement? No matter how separated they are, there’s still a connection. That… reminds me a little of what I was considering earlier…

“All right then. I have an idea.” Feeling the curiosity of Rose, wondering idly if she didn’t have much else to do up there in the higher Astral, as she usually seemed to be watching when I used my Eyes, I began to work. First, I went with my initial idea, tidying up the damaged adherence and faint fragments of Truesoul that lingered within Tsukiko. For a seemingly inviolate thing, these strands of Truesoul were remarkably fragile.

Interesting. Perhaps when separated it becomes weaker… huh. That’s like diamond, isn’t it? A covalent network solid, if I remember my chemistry from school. All sorts of knowledge I’d crammed for exams and forgotten had resurfaced within me as my stats rose, and considering that, it almost made sense. It could have to do with the soullight as well. Huh, a larger object with a larger surface area radiates more energy, so… won’t a complete, stronger Truesoul do the same? So maybe a superheated diamond, radiating light…?

The answer I came to was just an analogy, but it did help focus my mind, as I smoothed out the remains. The faint trickles of soullight which were hard to see, even with my Eyes, I strengthened, infusing my own into it. At first, it didn’t respond well, but then I changed my approach, reminiscent of the one Rose took. I used my own soullight to infuse into the Favour, and as it radiated a greater invisible brilliance, I tried to use that to connect the remnants inside Tsukiko.

No, it’s not working as I hoped. For a moment, the remnants seemed stronger, but they were too denuded to repair themselves, and they didn’t connect. I wasn’t giving up though. “Sorry Tsukiko, I might have to get a little rough.” I warned, and she nodded, her ruby eyes trusting. I then concentrated on the bond aspect of it. The Favour itself was a bond with Tsukuyomi, but Tsukiko had possessed such a bond before any of this had happened.

Which again, doesn’t make any sense. The Boundary should be falling to pieces, more holes in it than a colander. Even now, I’m connected to Lin and Rose, and… every Favour, at least the ones I haven’t taken apart, likely has a similar connection. It’s not like Gin-san’s ability, there’s definitely an underlying principle I just don’t get…

Of course, I didn’t fully understand what the Boundary was, so this was all conjecture. But my current best guess was that it was a bit like a thermos flask. Earth was the contents, and then there was a layer within the walls of the flask that insulated us, and outside there was a vast ocean. That didn’t take into account the lower Astral, but… honestly, that was strange in itself. Tan had certainly seemed oddly puzzled by the lands of the Fae.

Well, none of that helps me now. What does… what connection is best here? I was a Bondweaver, so I should be able to make a bond between the remnants Tsukiko held and the Favour she gave away. I considered each connection carefully. I quickly discarded using a Seed. I was certain that would work, and might even have potent additional effects, but each one had to be martialled carefully. Besides, if I have to rely on a limited resource to do things, I’m not progressing. At the end of that lies stagnation. If I’m going to walk a Path to the end, I need to be unlimited, unbound.

Of course, I could still use the connections with Lin and Rose as an inspiration, and just like Kana and the others now had fresh Eyes, which might not have been the best, but were certainly good enough for now, if I could make it work, we could always strive to improve it later. After all, I was just a beginner.

What I need, then… Lovers’ Link made the most sense. While the bond from being Enthroned was perhaps more comprehensive, as through it I could even forcibly control Tsukiko, to an extent, able to set rules she would have no choice but to obey, not that I would ever use them in such a way, it wasn’t a bond I liked. In fact, it gave me a faint sense of disappointment. And an idea. I wonder… can the Throne be updated? I like that it allows Tsukiko and Haru to be more than spiritual beings, to walk the Material, but… a more limited version can be achieved through powers such as Nie Ling’s anyway. That has more drawbacks, but… bonds, connections, aren’t tools of force, but… sharing.

Honestly, I had the same, no, a worse issue with the zeroth tail of Mae and Hana. Mae’s, I had tried to change, though I didn’t achieve my goal, but Hana refused. Seeing me looking, she stretched, yawning languidly, showing off her prided body.

“Stop that.” I complained. “I’m serious. Why… why won’t you let me relinquish your tail?”

“Is it not obvious?” she snorted, clearly amused. “I have my pride. And I am not well liked.” Shaeula matched her with an angry snort. “So… I have to prove my loyalty. Besides… at heart, we Kitsune are all flawed. At least those of us from grandmother’s line. We are cruel and capricious yes, sadistic, but… all things contain duality. We yearn to finally find the one to dominate us, to possess us. We run free because no firm hand controls us.”

“So you’re a masochist too?” Kana shot an odd glance at Christina, who was still listening, though she was at least attempting to heal her wounded arm, beside Mary-Jane, who was having more success, perhaps remembering her previous abilities. “Oh great.” Kana finished. “That’s all we need, another pervert around here.”

“It is hardly perverted to wish to be ruled.” Hana shrugged. “Perhaps it is in the blood of us Yōkai. Do you not feel it, little daughter of Urakaze?”

Shaeula paused, before shaking her head. “No, instead I shall rule. Though to be fair-fair, you are not-not entirely mistaken. If I rule, I shall-shall also serve my husband, who stands beside me and supports me.”

Their banter gave me an idea, and I called over Daiyu, who was using her Qi Perception to probe what we were doing. “Sorry we’ve not made much progress on you yet.” I apologised, but Daiyu simply shook her head, unbothered.

“While I am most eager to begin, I have patience. One must climb Mount Tai a single step at a time, with firm footing. For a fall from the heights will shatter flesh and bones.”

“You’re so understanding.” I chuckled. “But we’ll definitely make progress over the Pilgrimage. You’re right, this is only day one, so much has happened I forgot that for a moment. But… hmm, single step at a time, duality.” I considered Dual Cultivating, compared to the Fae way of sharing lunar Chakras. They seemed complimentary as well.

“All right, since you’re a genius…” Daiyu puffed up at my praise, which was cute, so I stroked her head playfully. “…you can help me. I’m looking for a bond…” I explained my thoughts, and Daiyu pondered, before nodding.

“Yes, I agree. What you are seeking is to link two complimentary halves, like your Silver Connection, but… Tsukiko does not have such. Yet… Lovers’ Link… it shares some characteristics. But can you change it? It is not tangible, not a thing…”

“Yeah, I’m not trying to change it, merely… piggyback off it, maybe? I mean, we can share Statistics. Aether, I get, but the others don’t make a lot of sense, unless… it is tangible, just… not in the way we understand.”

Grasping at the edge of an idea, I considered the other bonds, such as the ones I had forged for the Regalia. Thinking on it, they were even stranger, as they connected the Tsukumogami like Tsurugi to their Regalia, but they could also become the Regalia, and perhaps even be Tsukumogami in the Material and Astral at once, and double up on the Regalia too. That bond was complicated, and… sort of what I needed. Though they’re still too weak, but… My Eyes could see adherence gathering around them, strengthening them, and around Yukiko too. And I could feel it gathering around me.

It’s a small trickle, but it’s growing all the time…

“All right. Thanks Daiyu, that’s helped crystallise an idea.” I turned my attention back to the patiently waiting Tsukiko. I noticed a faint flicker of envy in her eyes, but hesitated. Rubbing Daiyu’s head seemed natural, but Tsukiko was a mature woman. So instead, I leaned forwards and softly kissed her forehead. “Tsukiko, do you trust me?”

She nodded. “Of course. My life is in your hands, after all. As you gave it back to me.”

“I don’t like it when you put it like that.” I frowned. “But… Okay, a gift given that can’t be given away isn’t a gift but a shackle. So… I’m going to try something a little reckless.”

“Always.” Shaeula chortled. “But if you are not-not taking brave risks, I would not-not recognise you.”

“Just what do you mean?” Tsukiko narrowed her crimson eyes, and at that moment, the world around us suddenly brightened, the perpetual twilight of the Fae lands banished. As Eri and the others gasped in wonder, I looked up, only to see the moon wrapped in a blazing haze of silver and violet aurorae, accompanied by a host of gleaming, golden stars that shot through the darkness, like sparks from a bonfire, just on a far grander scale. It reminds me of the nights I spent stargazing with Eri and my sis, just more beautiful…

Eri obviously thought the same, as she gazed at the skies fondly.

“What’s going on?” I asked Shaeula, who was also watching the skies, her amber eyes soft.

“It seems-seems my birthday has arrived.” She chuckled then. “Do not-not fear, my day shall not-not start until we arrive back in the Material in the early morning. I am not-not greedy, but generous and benevolent.” As Hana snorted at that, Shaeula gave her a withering glare. “It seems the time for the Seelie Court to migrate has come-come upon us. And look… shooting stars. It is said to herald great-great fortune.” Indeed, the swirling jade winds around me seemed to be stimulated.

“I do most-most certainly feel fortunate. Here on my birthday with all of you.” Shaeula winked. “We shall have much-much fun tonight, and then tomorrow I shall-shall replenish my Akionium supply.”

At her very anime-like quip, guessing she had seen a similar line on one of her magical girl shows, I smiled, before I froze, having a worrying thought. “Hey, Shaeula, will this cause any problems with the Ring Gates?”

“It should not-not, after all, the ones within the Court function… oh. I see-see.” Shaeula narrowed her eyes, understanding. “But they do not-not cross to the lowest Astral, do they? We should seek council, Princess Estalian is wise, she likely knows the answer.”

“Fascinating.” Christina grinned. Her original wound had healed, and now her other arm was dripping blood. Much as I hated to admit it, she was driven and intelligent, and learned rapidly when her interest was piqued. “But I have a question. Isn’t that what you would call a great tide of spatial element?” As the purple and silver auroras spread from the moon, shooting stars streaking through it as the violet waves headed for the horizon, I could see faint sparks falling like almost unnoticed purple rain.

I nodded, and she shrugged. “Well then, shouldn’t you be trying to gather what you can? And also understand it, to further your own insights?”

She’s right, damn it! As I called for empty bluesteel batteries to be brought over, hoping the Ring Gates would be fine, I watched the skies, only for Eri to speak.

“Tsukiko… isn’t this a good omen? Tsukuyomi is the Moon God, and… it’s almost as if the moon is cheering for you, don’t you think?”

“No, it was always going to happen…” I began, but Tsukuyomi stopped me, returning the kiss to my forehead, before boldly taking my lips. She was somewhat shy, yet oddly brave, and her tongue was soon entwined with mine. After we parted, her breathing heavily, she pointed to the moon.

“I think Eri is not wrong.” Tsukiko’s crimson eyes reflected the silver and violet glow, dyed purple by the light. “I put my faith in omens and visions, and perhaps they were simply chance or coincidence. But… just as you were prepared to risk the Moon, the Moon answers. What else can I call it but providence? After all, eclipses are predetermined, yet many are the omens they have spawned. I… feel like now is the time.”

“Indeed.” Shaeula agreed. “It is a fortunate coincidence to be sure-sure. But just as my birth was fortunate, and I will not-not let any say otherwise… we are here this day, together.”

I nodded. Yes, perhaps she’s right. As the winds blew around me, I made up my mind, and reached for Tsukiko once more…

***

Aliyah James, Fenrir, Shaeula’s Mansion, The Lands of the Fae

“Fuck me, aren’t you just the prodigy, Luciana?” Aliyah folded her arms in irritation as she watched her one-time colleague, who now wore the uniform of Adamant, which Aliyah had to admit, did make women look great. Say what you like about Shaeula, she’s a cold bitch, but she knows what’s cute. That Hinata’s the same, she’d steal all your money in a trade deal, all the while smiling like a kid. And I’m saying nothing about Shiro and what’s inside her…

“Sour grapes, they do not suit you, Aliyah.” Luciana stated, her tone lacking any sort of triumph as the vivid bolt of blue light flickered out of existence. That somehow irritated Aliyah more, but deciding to be the bigger woman, she held in her complaints.

“Besides, it is not terribly hard to learn, when we have such skilled teachers offering guidance.” she finished, having mastered light element, to add to her wind and earth elements.

“Speak for yourself. She’s definitely angling for praise, ain’t she Trey?” Aliyah asked her brother, who was likewise struggling. Barrels of blue metal containing light element from Kyoto were being drained, and not just by them. Princess Ffionnan, the odd, large Leprechaun who had all sorts of coins and jewels weaved into her hair, which reminded Aliyah of her own beads, was also trying, while beside them, the small, winged Fae Princess Estalian was gently, carefully feeding a little jade wind energy into a strange contraption, being watched over closely by Ixitt and several of his comrades.

“I don’t know about that.” Trey shrugged. “You know Luciana well. She’s one of the best we’ve got. We still do have you, don’t we?” he asked, eyeing her uniform in a professional manner.

“There is no la contradicción, not a conflict.” Luciana assured them. “I am still a Wolf in my heart, and so are you. Fenrir, now. An imposing name, and names… here, they have meaning, yes? But me, I do not turn coat. I put on the uniform and am Adamant. But I will likely be working closely with you, as other others lack… la experiencia.”

Trey nodded. “Yeah, I get that. You’re one of the best, Luciana. Loyal, and with a clear head. Mean with a knife too. Although…” he frowned. “I’m a bit worried about all this.” He ran a hand through his dark hair, grimacing, showing off his muscled arms. “This light element, it’s good. Too good.” At his words, they all nodded, though the Fae around them seemed interested, so Trey clarified.

“Basically, it’s like having an invisible sniper rifle. You’re just getting started, Luciana, but even you’d be able to burn a hole in someone’s head from a reasonable distance, yeah?”

“Certainly.” she agreed. “It is the perfect weapon for an assassin.”

“That’s my fear.” Trey agreed. “Sure, now it’s just us here, at least we think that’s the case, but when we start using this in earnest, others will figure out how. Sure, it’s going to be tough without the advantages here, of Miss Haru and the young twins, but… shit, we all know enough history to understand that weapons can and will be duplicated. And let’s face it, nobody would look twice at you, Luciana, so you could be in and out, assassinate a high value target with a flash of light, just like that!” He snapped his fingers to illustrate his point.

“Grosero!” Luciana complained. “How rude you are, Captain Treyvon! I am eye-catching indeed.”

Aliyah found herself nodding. Luciana was definitely hot, in that sultry, Latin-American way. Despite being short, she had a great figure, and with her big dark eyes, tanned olive skin and long brown hair, she was gorgeous. Aliyah had a brief memory of when she had tried to hit on her when drunk a few times, only for Luciana to politely rebuff her again and again, until she had finally lost her patience and pulled a knife in the hopes it would shut Aliyah up. That just endeared me to her more, but shit, I ain’t a woman who can’t take a hint. She’s not into girls…

“Yeah, sorry Luciana, my bad.” Trey apologised. “You’re definitely one to turn heads but you know what I mean, don’t you? You could stroll in anywhere, and without even a bulky gun or rifle, you could shoot through the head or heart of a high-value VIP. And nobody might even notice. You’d just walk out of there.”

“Unless you’ve got the strength of Akio, you’d be fucked.” Aliyah agreed. “But the man’s not a moron. He’s got to be working on countermeasures. No way he’s going to let his women or anyone else he cares about get picked off that way. What?” Seeing Trey gazing at her with surprise, she shrugged defensively. “I ain’t a fool either. Akio’s not a bad guy, I get that now. It’s all water under the bridge. Sure, I’d like to get my revenge on Shaeula, but I ain’t sure I can afford the comeback, so that’ll just have to remain a sweet dream.”

“Yeah, no kidding.” Trey agreed. “She’s sure something. Anyway… why did you join Adamant? I mean, you certainly look great in the uniform, but…” He paused unsure of how to phrase the question.

“I shall take the compliment in the spirit it was offered.” Luciana smiled. “Considering your inclinations, Captain.” She took a deep breath. “Adamant shares many of the traits of the Black Wolf. Loyalty, la camaradería, discipline. Yet it is all las mujeres. Only women. And I am not seeking a relationship with him. But…” Her brown eyes were contemplative. “If it happens, so be it. I am no blushing young woman. We grew up in the slums, yes?” At their nods, she continued. “There is no shame in it. Not everyone is as fortunate as we, to avoid it, find another way to live. Me? I saw an opportunity. And I took it. My conscience, it is clear.”

Aliyah nodded, understanding. Yeah, if Trey and me, we weren’t as big as we were mean, chances are we’d have ended up selling ourselves to get by. Shit, Trey would have had it worse, those old perverts can be black-hearted and vile. There ain’t many women in the Black Wolf, but a few of those who are come from the slums and shantytowns and have had to make ends meet by selling themselves until they finally snapped or got a lucky break. Ain’t no shame in doing what you have to do to get ahead, so long as you stay true to yourself.

“Yeah, well, if he does take a fancy to you, and he isn’t kind, you tell me, and I’ll kick his ass.” Aliyah promised, and Luciana let out an amused chuckle.

“Should it come to that, I assure you this chica can handle herself. Besides, I have seen you hit him before, and… it did nothing.” She mimicked shaking her hand, a pained grimace on her face, and Aliyah looked away, remembering. Shit, way to kick me when I’m down…

“This is all fascinating.” Princess Ffionnan broke in, much to Aliyah’s relief, as she was trying to change the subject. “I do agree though, I am fascinated by the way you use the light. The few light-aspected Fae are more annoying than dangerous, often blinding and distracting, using illusions, though they can overpower certain particularly foul Unseelie with their light, as it burns them.”

“It’s all how you use it.” Aliyah shrugged. “Anyway, you managed yet?”

Ffionnan shook her head, jewels and coins clinking. “Not yet, though I feel I am close. A… unique sensation.” She winked at the tiny Estalian. “Maybe I will catch you up and overtake you, and become the true prodigy of the Seelie Court? I’ve bought enough shares to get some assistance!”

“I’m busy, don’t bother me, this is hard!” Estalian waved her beautiful, gossamer wings. “If I trickle in too much, the whole thing will explode, and we might even die!”

Shit, that damn thing contains some sort of dangerous wind and lightning I hear, not that I understood. We’re certainly messing with shit we shouldn’t. But then… if we don’t build the nukes, our enemies will. Fuck me, who’d have thought I’d sympathise with those Project Manhattan clowns.

“Besides…” Estalian brushed back her moss-green hair. “…A prodigy? You’re too old for that! Besides, our little weasel princess has us both well beaten.”

“Old? I’m in the prime of my youth. I was feeling rather stale and melancholy, you as well, admit it…” Ffionnan pressed. “But now every day brings fresh experiences. If I wish to be young again, I can be!”

“Careful…” Ixitt warned suddenly, and Estalian paled, lessening the flow, and the faint humming and trembling the strange, shifting polyhedral jewel was experiencing calmed, much to everyone’s relief. “…we certainly could use the aid of the princess, but she is quite busy. Perhaps later.”

“Fuck me, Trey. I’d say we should practice elsewhere, but if that thing blows, won’t it take the mansion with it anyway?”

“It would not do that. I believe not.” Ixitt added, unconvincing. “But from what I surmise, it would certainly cause a great number of deaths amongst the unprepared, from what I gather of these Tribulations.” He switched to lecture mode. “Yes, only those of the most exacting will would endure, and likely as it is separated from the whole, it might act purely as destructive wind and lightning, and…” He paused, as the sky rippled suddenly, dyed silver and violet, the twilight banished. Looking up, Aliyah gasped in wonder, and she wasn’t alone.

What the hell is that?

“Oh, it’s that time again, is it?” Ffionnan mused. “I do always lose track of the seasons. It is time for the Court to migrate. At least this time… the Spring shall move with us after these long centuries. I wonder where it shall end up. Depending on what borders it, we may require further Way-Wardens…”

“I see. Is it dangerous?” Trey asked, not quite understanding, and Ixitt shrugged.

“It should not be, not in terms of personal danger. The Court moves with the ebbing and flowing of the seasons. It always has, and likely always will. However, where we alight may be hostile. While the Court is strong, and Fae Stone Wards are set… there may be trouble. Though equally, all could be well.”

“It ain’t wise to bank on good luck. We’ll keep tense.” At Trey and Luciana’s nods, Aliyah looked around. The sky was beautiful, dyed silver and violet, a bit like the eyes of the mad maid, and golden shooting stars were cascading through the heavens. You never see sights like this back on Earth. Fuck me if I ain’t a little grateful to Akio and Shaeula. Just. A. Little.

As she looked around, something caught her eye. “See that, Trey?”

“Yeah, for a while now. I don’t recognise the one with him, but that’s the Goblin we’ve hung out with at Asha’s bar a few times, yeah?”

Aliyah nodded. “Yeah, I’d recognise the inquisitive little bastard anywhere. Now, if he and his companion were trouble, they ain’t getting in here. Security has finally tightened up. It could be better, but I get that there’s constraints for now Akio’s working on. But…”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Trey nodded. “Coming, Luciana?”

“If anyone should stay, Captain, it should be you two. After all, I have achieved el entrenamiento, my training goal. I will have to ask the Commanders what they next have for me.”

“All right, you smug bitch…” Aliyah cursed her good-naturedly. “No need to rub it in. Come on…” Everyone seemed captivated by the sudden change in the skies, so nobody paid much attention as they headed for the Goblin and his companion, who looked rather like a Dwarf, just less bulky and more fragile.

As they approached, the Goblin was nervous, but he held his ground. Indeed, several of the guarding weaselkin had kept an eye on them, likely contributing to his furtive demeanour.

“You, what’s up… oh, I never did get your name.” Aliyah cried, and the Goblin shrugged.

“Our names are not easily disclosed. I mean no offense. As for why I am here…” He cast his gaze up at the purple-tinged moon, eyes following the shooting stars. “…I am… wondering if I am lucky. I wished to speak to the princess, or her consort, but… my feet will not move.”

His companion chuckled. “Quite. He is aiming to use his final strength to dig and see if he strikes ore. If only barren rock is struck, then… not only he, but his whole family, his whole clan… will starve.”

“Ain’t nobody here starving.” Aliyah shook her head, beads jingling. “Sure, without the coins, you ain’t getting too many luxuries, but… there’s a decent safety net. Not exactly the American way, but… it ain’t bad.”

“Metaphorically. There are many kinds of starvation.” the unknown Dwarf-like being agreed, softly spoken yet his eyes were inquisitive, almost mocking. “Without hope, without a purpose, the spirit starves, or worse… warps and shifts with the waxing and waning of such dreams.”

The Goblin nodded sadly, and Aliyah exchanged glances with Trey and Luciana. When they both shrugged, she nodded, mind made up. “All right. Fuck it… we’ll go grab a drink. Asha may not be there, but somebody will be. Besides, nobody’s paying attention to us right now…”

“Skipping training? Don’t blame me if Shaeula punishes you!” Trey warned, and she snorted a laugh.

“Come on, Trey? You think I care if she tries to humiliate me again? I’m a big girl, I can take it. And it ain’t like he’s not already had an eyeful. But nah…” She narrowed her eyes, instincts, which on the battlefield had served her well in keeping her alive, screaming at her this was important. “…I get the feeling we pitch in here, and we might even be getting a damn promotion.” She winked at Luciana, who tapped her rank badges. She wasn’t a mere Private but had come in at Officer level.

“That… sounds most pleasant indeed. Besides, if anyone asks…” Her smile was mischievous. “I shall say that since I succeeded, I am merely… your tutora. Teaching you how I succeeded!”

“Yeah, yeah. I ain’t going to lose to you. I’m not just a wolf anymore, I’m a fucking Fenrir, a mythical, God-slaying wolf!” Aliyah boasted proudly, feeling a little stupid she liked the name so much. “Anyway, we’ll have to slip by the ones training back at the Territory, I bet a few of them are slacking off to…” Smacking her lips, Aliyah was now craving a drink, but she knew first, she’d have to get to the bottom of whatever this Goblin and his odd, sly companion wanted…

***

“All right.” The skies overhead were distracting, but if I was going to admire them with everyone else, I needed to finish this up. “I think I’ve got the idea.”

Using scalpels of aether and soullight, I carefully pulled apart Tsukuyomi’s The Future Reflected By The Moon. Fortunately, I had experience, having combined two Favours for Hinata, and also dissected a couple and shared some of the fragments with Shiro and Shaeula. I’ve also made them suitable for spiritual beings… honestly, with steady Chirurgery and the right Eyes, it’s far from impossible. But then, if they can be made in the first place, of course it’s not impossible.

Rose was still watching, and for a brief moment I wished that I could share my thoughts with her, just like I did with Eri, though… Yeah, Lovers’ Link is a long way from reaching that sort of Rank. She’s pushed it to Rank five somehow, but the gap past the bottleneck, wall and pinnacle, and even the fourth horizon, is far too big to easily surpass.

That made me think, though. My thoughts with Eri were instantaneous, even when we were separated across the entire Earth, or I was in the lower Astral. That again defied the normal behaviour of space and time.

Sadly, there’s not much time to dwell on that. No, now I have to do this. But… I was the beneficiary of a decent set of Statistics from Rossweisse and Ortlinde, and I was incredibly grateful. Flattered too, of course. Tan had mocked me, saying no Valkyrie would be interested in such as me, but… she also conceded that if they gave their vows, they would never break them, being as they were prideful servants of the Divine, and at least semi-Divine themselves. It still surprised me, but then, considering Taṇhā was a genuine Goddess, perhaps it wasn’t so unusual…

It’s abnormal. Totally. Eri’s thoughts echoed, but she kept them quiet and calm so as not to distract me. Oh, I was thinking of Eri, so must have shared them unconsciously.

Yes, you did.Anyway, Tan I can understand, but these two Valkyries… you barely know them at all. I think Ortlinde has a sense of guilt towards you, and also of hope, but this Rossweisse… she’s one I’ll need to watch. I can’t say they don’t have excellent taste in men though. Making sure of you before you inevitably rise to the top… but… I could sense Eri’s smug pride. For now, I’m glad to have you to myself, but… I know it’s only a matter of time for someone else to reach Rank eleven. Which is why I need to keep ahead of them and reach Rank twelve!

It was such an Eri thing to say, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I don’t think it’s that easy, once you are past Rank ten, it gets harder and harder.

Maybe so, but with enough willpower, guts and love, I can do it! Anyway… so can you. She was serious again. If these Favours were truly irreplaceable and Divine, they wouldn’t be giving them out so freely. Like you said before, Lovers’ Link is more impressive than a lot of the Favours, Foehn too. Kin Bonding is certainly a cut above. They’re the apps, like you said, and you’re a man who can see the code with his Eyes. So… just tweak it a little.

Once more I chuckled. You make it sound so easy. But honestly… in this case, it… might just be!

I didn’t even want to make any changes this time, not truly. It was more just a transfer, and then… wiring in a few new outputs, and tweaking the code a little so it could be accessed and displayed via two terminals. Tsukiko and me.

Cutting with the precision that my boosted stats and buffed Skills could give, my focus intense, all my Split Thoughts paying attention to various possibilities, I carefully eased apart the strands. They began to fracture, the Truesoul strands again oddly fragile, but I poured in my soullight to fortify them. It was draining, tiring work, but the adherence gathering around me was fortifying me, reversing the constant drain of the Favours I was carrying, and I converted it as best I could. Fortunately, as a lot of it was belief in Amaterasu, with even some of Tsukuyomi mixed in, after my announcement, it was greatly compatible, and the strands stabilised, and even grew stronger.

There. It’s in two halves… yin and yang again. But… each half has to contain the other. Just as I contain Tsukiko’s spirit, and she mine, through Lovers’ Link.

Tsukiko shivered as I reattached half of the Favour within her. Yet her crimson eyes were warm and trusting, and I longed to show her a happy future. She seemed to sense my emotions, and her breathing was fast and hot, as I gently tugged on Lovers’ Link.

It can transmit what you need, can’t it? Eri insisted, as I was sharing my thoughts with her as I worked. Nodding, I used my new insights to reexamine her Lovers’ Link, confirming that.

This ability links the subtle bodies and hearts of the Lovers together, allowing them to share in the strength each possesses. If nearby, the possessor and their Loved one can freely share their thoughts and a portion of their strengths with each other, and even when separated by impossible distance or bitter strife, their linked hearts will allow two percent of the stronger Lover’s Statistics to be shared, up to a maximum of the partner’s maximum Statistics, as it Links through the Truesoul of the Lovers, which knows no bounds of space or temporal flow.

In addition, the Link can freely share Aether, Adherence and Soullight over the Link, though this requires loving consent of both parties. Refined or Aspected variants cannot be freely shared at this Rank. It also strengthens the potential of the pair of Lovers, allowing their maximum Level to increase up to a maximum of the Level of the other. It also allows the Lovers to sense the emotions and feelings towards each other and as it strengthens all effects increase, and the Lovers will find their compatibility in romance strengthened greatly.

Sadly, elemental energies and Qi still can’t be shared, but the pure, baseline energies… they are fine. The Truesoul… exists independent of distance, it seems. No wonder the Gods seem confident they’ll reclaim most of their dispersed Favours. But the issue isn’t that the connection seems distanceless and instantaneous, I’ve observed a number of bonds like that, it’s how and why that matters. But for now that’s academic, and Foresight’s warning me not to meddle too much.

“Tsukiko…”

“Yes, Akio?” she replied calmly, faint beads of silvery sweat on her forehead dyed purple by the glowing aurorae above.

“This may seem rude, but… are you prepared to share everything with me, for the rest of your life?”

“It is rude.” Tsukiko shook her head. “I would think I have made that plain. I only have a life…” She paused, an impish expression quite unlike her usual stoic elegance crossing her features. “…perhaps calling it a life would upset Suzuki-san, as… like her, I am already dead. But an existence… certainly, thanks to you.”

“Yes but… that’s not enough.” I insisted, and she sighed again.

“I know. But it is a fact still.  And I am not one to shy away from unpleasant truths. I wanted to experience it. Perhaps Yukiko and I were friends by more than chance, for we are very alike. At first, you were there, so gallant, facing down the Definite for me. I was moved. So I kissed you, not wanting to perish without even having done that mere token of a life well lived.”

I nodded as I worked, allowing her to speak her mind. As she did so, I strained all my senses, trying to sense the minute fluctuations in her incredibly faint soullight production. Everyone generated it, seemingly, but compared to the amount of aether in an average body, it was utterly drowned out.

“Yes, it was selfish of me, but… you seemed the sort to allow selfishness. And then… I was adrift, waiting for rebirth, yet… it was comfortable, warm. I imagine it was like being in a mother’s womb.” Her smile was shy yet earnest now. “My feelings grew then, even as I barely remembered my own self. You said I could have been reborn under Yukiko, and… that might not have been so bad, but… I realised it. My heart belonged to the one who overturned my preconceived notions of how the world worked, who would face down anything for my sake. It helps…” She winked then, surprising me. “…that your appearance is rather fetching, and you are most certainly my type. You are younger, yes, but… I have lived such a sheltered life, I hardly feel I have as much experience as my age indicates, so a younger man is better for me.”

“I’m flattered…” I managed. Hmm… yes, there. It’s rather like trying to observe a candle next to the sun, but my Eyes can do it…

“You should be.” Her smile was still teasing. “I am so very beautiful. As if sculpted by Tsukuyomi himself. I am the moon none were to look upon, until… until you did.”

“You have huge breasts too.” I shocked her with that, and she flushed crimson. Shaeula, Christina and Hana were laughing, while Eri scolded me, and Kana rolled her eyes. Daiyu didn’t seem too bothered by my words, but Mary-Jane tutted, muttering under her breath.

There. The fluctuation in her true self, and also… her bonds. It’s… easier to see in Tsukiko. It is because she’s more raw, being a spiritual existence, only supplied with a body due to my Throne?

“Yes. You like that, so I suppose I am grateful. But… Japanese women should be slender. The cruel corset I wore under my ceremonial garb was wicked indeed…” Tsukiko was babbling a little, shocked by my directness.

“I do like them.” I poked at her again, making her feel shame and arousal, and she glanced at me, her eyes moist.

“Then… soon. I promise.”

“Great.” I leaned in for a kiss. We started it chaste, lips touching, but soon the passion spiked, and her mouth opened. I sucked on her tongue, teasing it out, and we kissed deeply. Not quite enough, but… With one hand I reached out and squeezed her chest, and she froze for a moment, before allowing my touch. Our lips pulled apart, damp saliva scattering, and she whispered in a shy voice.

“Just… a little. If you wish it…”

“Sorry, but… I’m done. Thanks.” I released my grip, and once more her soullight fluctuated. I think I’ve got it, or… I’ve grasped at the edge of a mystery.

Seeming equal parts relieved and disappointed, she looked away from me, face as crimson as her eyes, straightening her hakama. Eri’s disapproving look was quelled, as I shared my thoughts with her, and she nodded, frowning, trying to think through the implications.

“It’s always good when what I need to do aligns with what I want to do…” I teased Tsukiko. As her eyes widened, she understood when I made a kissing gesture and with my free hand opened and closed it as though I was groping something large, and her soullight fluctuated once more, tiny, nigh undetectable, but definitely there.

“Seriously though…” Now that I had what I needed, I had to be sure. “Tsukiko, I want to spend my life together with you. The others too, but I want you to be there. Do you… truly feel the same way?”

“You are hurting my feelings.” She shrugged. “I am not so pathetic I need to offer myself to just anyone to feel alive. Look at all you have done to win my heart. Perhaps that was not your intention, but… I want it to be you, I want to be with you. And yes, Yukiko too, and my other new friends and sisters. It is not… conventional… but I am Matsumuro Tsukiko, the Diviner. I am above the laws of mortals, I am the moon, that only you shall ever see the heart of.”

“In that case… hold fast to those feelings.” I declared. “Tan…” I called out loudly, and she raised a hand to say she had heard. “You might want to watch this.” Rose, Lin… watch too, from high above. I may have only set foot on the first steps of this Path, I may be far from catching up to those who have walked their own Paths before. But… it’s not he who walks fastest, but furthest, as Daiyu says!

My soullight surged into Tsukiko, and she shuddered, feeling an intrusion. That feeling soon faded, as her Lovers’ Link resonated. My Eye could see it Ranking up, and while I couldn’t push it to Rank 11, as that would have been far too convenient, I was able to, if not tweak it, almost copy it a little. I had created Bonds from scratch for Tsurugi, who was watching, a little confused, but I could also feel Yata’s eyes on me, observing, learning.

It’s a lot easier to create from a base, and while… I certainly can’t replicate all of the features of Lovers’ Link, if I could, wouldn’t that make me a God? I smirked at the thought. I can certainly adapt what’s there, twisting fine threads forged from our shared soullight. It wouldn’t last, ordinarily, without Truesoul strands, but… we have the compatible ones… so…

Your Class, Bondweaver, has increased from Level Four to Level Five. Your ability to perceive Bonds and Connections has increased. The strength of your Bonds and Connections greatly increase as your League increases. Bonds and Connections you forge will have greater stability.

Your Fortune has increased by Two. Your Charm has increased by Two. Your Majesty has increased by Two.

The pressure I felt previously resurfaced again, like a weight inside me, and this time I could see my Truesoul emitting further soullight, the intensity brightening.

Your Skill, Soullight Crafting, has increased from Rank Four to Rank Five and reached the first bottleneck. You can create more complicated structures from Soullight and are far better at infusing it into crafts, especially ephemeral ones such as Bonds and Connections. However, without a suitable Truesoul, such crafts will eventually lose their glow and fade away.

“I feel it… Tsukuyomi’s presence.” A few tears slid down Tsukiko’s face. “Yet… it is overshadowed in my heart… by yours!” She was the one kissing me now. Suddenly though, the world spun, and I found my senses moving upwards. Moreover, I could feel Tsukiko was moving with me. The adherence, aether and soullight that the Favour generated were shared between us, through the second, mirrored strand of Lovers’ Link, and it seemed we were both about to see the same vision.

“I recognise it…” Surprisingly enough, I could hear Tsukiko’s voice clearly, as my vision was swallowed up. It was as if the moon was filling my vision, and while all I could see was the images forming on the silver and purple surface, I could feel Tsukiko. The scene was of a mountaintop shrine, the darkness of night absolute, stars glimmering in the sky, the barest crescent edge of the moon visible. “…Gassan shrine. To Tsukuyomi. Where… I promise you, I shall never allow you to ask me such insulting questions again.”

At her slightly surly tone, so unlike her, I wished I could comfort her, but we were merely here in spirit.

We entered into the shrine, where a futon was laid out, and…

“Oh no. This… is embarrassing!” Tsukiko couldn’t even cover her face, as we shared a vision of her, hakama falling from her sculpted, marble-like form, her skin bare and glowing under the faint light leaking from the skylight set into the roof of the shrine. She opened her arms wide and I was there, pushing her down and…

This is a genuine kind of hell… watching a vision of me taking Tsukiko to bed was certainly something, and I tried to lighten the mood. “If you’re that passionate, I’ll be a happy man, I’m sure.”

There was silence, before Tsukiko’s voice came to me. “I shall strive to outdo the visions, I assure you. I can hardly believe this is what I see on the return of my Favour. Although… it is not returned, is it?” She had shrewdly realised the truth.

“Nope. Half each. Just like the full moon and the new moon. Yin and yang. Complimentary.” I promised. “Connected by your commitment to me, and mine to you. Connected by Love, I should say.”

“Yes, you should. Love is better than commitment. I committed enough to my role as the Diviner.”

Suddenly, the scene shifted, and the crescent moon in the vision suddenly turned into a full one, and a single clear gem dropped, changing from cool white crystal into a ruby-like jewel. It landed on Tsukiko, where it melted, absorbed into her, and the vision shattered, leaving only a faint voice behind.

A final gift for you, my dear precious daughter. Since you have chosen… and he has taken what is mine and… … … time will come when… glad you can be repaid for…. … … think fondly of us, and when you find out the truth… … … do not hate us. We did… had to… … …

The vision shattered, and I was back to my senses, Tsukiko likewise coming around in my arms. Her ruby eyes met mine, and I realised we were both worried about the same thing, but I shook my head. Later. Right now… we have other matters to attend to.

“It’s done then?” Eri asked, and I nodded.

“Yeah. I… wonder if it could be replicated with other Favours. Huh… something to think on. Anyway…”

“Anyway indeed.” Shaeula broke in. “You have worked hard, Akio, but now-now…” She pointed to the mansion, resplendent under the shifting, iridescent glow of the Seelie Court’s migration. “…we should relax and enjoy ourselves. You have-have a busy day with me tomorrow, no-no, today, so I would share you first.” Her grin was hungry, but honestly, after seeing the vision of Tsukiko and me together, I was feeling rather horny myself.

“I’ll go get everyone.” Eri promised, dashing off, and Daiyu spoke up compassionately.

“At least you can rest now. I applaud those who push past their limits, but without rest, even the strongest mind and body will suffer.”

“Rest now?” I shrugged. “Soon, but…” Eyeing Motoko and Natsumi, who were both dripping in sweat and in their form-fitting under armour, I shook my head. “One thing first…”