On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor - Six Hundred And Twenty-Six

The Parade proper was as chaotic as I remembered, perhaps even more so. The packed ranks of innumerable Yōkai were watching us with a mixture of emotions, and as we passed through, Shinkume-no-Hana waved happily at those who remembered her, swaying her five tails behind her proudly. One Yōkai, a small, childlike cross between a Kappa and a monkey, draped in long red hair, stumbled over. “Nebisuki, you have returned… and you have a fifth tail?”

“Indeed I do, young Kenmun… though I forget your name, I fear.” Hana declared boldly, clutching her fifth fluffy golden tail happily. “It has been a long time coming, but fortune favours the bold, does it not?”

The Kenmun, some sort of variant Kappa, I supposed, grinned, showing teeth, and faint droplets of shining drool leaked from its mouth. It then brought out a silver-inlaid smoking pipe, dipped its stubby fingers in the oily indentation on its head amidst its hair, and then snapped them, striking a spark, which it used to light the pipe. Acrid smoke rose, and it bowed, offering it to Hana, who paused for a moment, before shaking her head a touch regretfully, ears drooping comically.

“I appreciate your kindness, but I have given that habit up. He and the others are not fond of the smell.” She nodded to me, and beside me, Shaeula grinned, agreeing. She enjoyed alcohol, as most of the Fae did, but smoking had never appealed to her. Maybe it was her wind affinity? After all, what creature of wind wants to poison the air?

The Kenmun seemed shocked, but Hana’s toothy grin only grew broader. “Surprised? I hardly see why. I was a bored creature, waiting for destiny to find me, none can blame me for seeking pleasures where I could during the long years. But now I am reformed…” She winked at me, and I had to shake my head ruefully while Shaeula snickered, and Mae grimaced. “…I am in no hurry. Just… enjoying the chaos, as we of the Parade are wont to do.”

“Har. Har. Har.” Red rumbled out a guttural laugh. “Always running your mouth, fox. But it’s true. Chaos and fighting stirs the blood. And spills it too. Looks like there shall be more blood spilled on snow soon enough. Come.” he beckoned, and he and Blue led us through the crowds.

It didn’t take long for Shaeula’s amber eyes to light up with happiness, as her mother, still accompanied by her large black and white Kamaitachi bodyguards, stepped down from their exotic means of transportation, and Shaeula rushed to her, opening her arms wide for a hug, which confused Urakaze for a second, before she hesitantly spread her own arms, golden-amber fur, shaded to red at the tips, glimmering like metal under the light of the bonfires and lanterns of the Parade.

“I have-have missed you, mother!” Shaeula cried as she snuggled into her mother’s hesitant embrace.

“Is that true-so?” Urakaze’s amber and ruby eyes expressed a complicated mixture of emotions as she gently patted Shaeula’s back. “You are not a child-girl anymore, Shaeula, but a grown woman. Should you not be contented by your mate-husband?” Her eyes met mine, and I smiled back warmly, unwilling to make a bad impression on her.

“Of course-course.” Shaeula agreed, as their hug ended. “And I am indeed greatly content, with no-no cause for complaint. Why, even just-just yesterday, we were having a magnificent party, with much-much food and more alcohol.” She suddenly produced a bottle of brandy she must have swiped from the Christmas meal and put in her spatial storage. “Here-here, mother!” She pressed the bottle into Urakaze’s hand. “A little token for you. Next-next time you surely must come, it was a time-time for family.”

“Hey, little brat.” Red grumbled. “What happened to having no booze? Holding out on us, were you?”

Shaeula stuck out her tongue playfully, and I stepped in. “Like I said, we’re running dry but there’ll be ample stocks later if you wait for the Pilgrimage behind us. That’s just some she’s stockpiled herself. Besides, a little bottle like that won’t satisfy you, let alone Blue too, will it?”

“He’s got ya there, Red.” Blue agreed, inclining her head.

“A gathering you speak-say?” Urakaze mused, eyeing the bottle, before tossing it to her black-furred attendant. “Was Shaetanao, your father, there-present?”

“No, just sister Anna.” Shaeula shook her head. “But it was still-still a great deal of fun. We have a large-large family indeed now, and in the future, it would be most-most delightful to have all present. For now-now though…”

Before Shaeula could speak further, a shrill cry rang out. “Shaeula, Seventy-first of the Hyakki Yagyō, I challenge you!” We all turned, to see a woman in a kimono, pale white with pink blossoms as a pattern, step out. Her hair was piled into an intricate black knot, pinned with silvery metal, and her face was deadly pale and covered in bone-white makeup, with rouged cheeks, like an old-fashioned geisha. “I, Honenodo, Seventy-ninth, shall crush you and take your place!”

“I fear I am far-far too busy…” Shaeula scoffed, but the revellers of the Parade hooted, booed and called her a coward, and the ring of Yōkai around us tightened up.

Blue shook her head, her expression hard. “Ya won’t be getting away with that this time, little Kamaitachi. Last time we made allowances, but… the right of challenge was decreed by Great Nurarihyon himself, and now… we have a guest ya can’t insult or disdain.” She waved a mighty hand towards the imposing temple-wagon that was Nurarihyon’s mobile Territory, and the first thing I saw, Yamato’s battered, tortured body, still hanging in a cage from it, made me feel slightly bitter and ashamed, the second thing… oh, I see. A familiar face indeed.

“The big oaf-fool…” At Urakaze’s criticism, Blue snorted and spat a large gobbet of reeking spit into a nearby fire, insulted. “…does unfortunately speak the truth. If you are one of us, you must-shall meet all challenges. However…” Her amber and crimson gaze hardened as she glowered at the rest of the Parade. “They are indeed in a hurry-rush, so… one challenge only for now. You can-shall meet any others on your return. That is the only terms-agreement we can offer. Are you still intent to challenge?”

Honenodo bowed mockingly, her hands clasped together, before she pulled out a fan with a similar pattern to her kimono, attached to a long, rusty iron chain, with a savage butcher’s hook on the other end. She swung it menacingly, the chain whistling through the air, matching the hooting and howling of the watching Parade, who were already starting to gamble, tossing cheap trinkets and small Etherites into piles.

Red mostly, with a few orange ones. We really have plundered them all. Perhaps knowing what I was thinking, Hana winked at me pridefully. Beside her, Mae watched on, but she was drawing a great deal of attention as well, though it seemed most of the Parade was frightened of her and unwilling to approach.

“I shall exercise my right. Have no fear, noble superior biting winds.” Honenodo bowed again to Urakaze. “Should your daughter yield, I shall not take her life, only her pride. There should not be two Kamaitachi amongst the Numbers, or if it must be so, not her.”

“Oh, you think-think so, do you?” Shaeula glanced at me, and I nodded, so she puffed out her chest pridefully, sneering disdainfully at her new rival. “I am indeed-indeed in a great hurry, but if you wish to stop my, Akio’s, and even-even Tamamo-no-Mae’s progress to an urgent goal, then please-please, be my guest.” As several other Yōkai who seemed displeased by Urakaze’s announcement that the challenges would be deferred heard that, they lost a lot of their insolence, and slinked back into the crowds, and joined the others in drinking and wagering.

“As for you-you… Honenodo, was it?” Shaeula grinned fearlessly. “I shall not-not take your life either, since you are so merciful…” Her tone was scornful. “…but I shall most-most certainly steal your dignity. I am in no-no mood to play nice.”

Mae then spoke up, glancing over at Nurarihyon’s grand wagon. “It has been a very long time, small one. Why not come over and watch up close. Perhaps I can even spare a drink for an… old acquaintance.”

“Insolence.” A tall, powerful-looking Yōkai, one-eyed and wearing white, tattered priestly robes, was carrying a small, cute doll-like woman, with shining eyes of many colours, neat black hair and perfect, delicate features. Her white child’s kimono was set off beautifully by a sash of cloth-of-gold, and the glittering jewelled rings and earrings she wore, though it came across as tasteful, rather than tacky, because of her noble bearing. “You have no right to speak to me so, lost wanderer. But you are correct, it has indeed by a long, long time.” Her smile was suddenly cold. “And what do you wish for, to celebrate this fortuitous reunion?”

This again, huh? Honestly, even with my strength, I was still wary of Seirei, the powerful Hinnagami, or ‘wishing god doll’. In terms of raw might, she was far weaker than Nurarihyon, certainly, but… I’m far more afraid of cheat abilities like hers, ones that I can’t predict or easily face. It’s like the kids say nowadays, it’s all about ‘hax’, though no doubt my sis would mock me for trying to pretend to be young again…

It seemed I had nothing to worry about, as Mae merely waved one hand dismissively, her nine tails also wagging. “Wish? What need have I of wishes, Seirei? There is naught I desire than I cannot obtain by my own efforts…” As Seirei’s eyes narrowed knowingly, I was surprised to see Mae actually seem abashed for a moment, before her high pride reasserted itself. “…even if I must suffer for it. And rather than wish, I prefer those who aid me from their own will.” She glanced at me, and I nodded.

“So keep your wishes. The world shaped by your fantasies is nothing but a bitter dream. I… have had enough of such dreams. I shall wake, and whatever my eyes behold shall be my truth.” Mae finished, and Seirei seemed impressed.

“How noble. It seems time has not been kind to you.” She crossed her little arms as the Hitotsume Nyūdō, the one-eyed priest, carried her over. “Now then… a challenge, is it? I dislike being away from my dear too long, and I have a matter to discuss so…”

“I have no wish to keep you waiting, Lady Seirei.” Honenodo folded into a low bow, almost touching the floor, before rapidly straightening up, her tone awed and desperate. “I shall defeat this arrogant Itachi swiftly. To have your august presence here is such a rare honour.”

Shaeula merely snorted, arms folded imperiously, remembering my tales of Seirei. “Get-get on with it then. I would hear this matter… of which she speaks-speaks. Be swift-swift then!”

As the bonfires blazed, and the sound of fireworks, horns, drums and strange stringed instruments blended into the hooting and cheers of the mob, Shaeula and Honenodo leapt back, facing each other across some twenty metres, before Honenodo reacted. “Shut your arrogant mouth, whelp!” With that, she flicked her wrist, and the hook on the end of her chain spun out towards Shaeula, while her fan gathered up the dust and ashes around them, blowing it out in a smokescreen of burning sparks.

“Is that-that it?” Shaeula grinned, her amber eyes easily piercing the gloom, shining like fireflies amidst the smoke and ashes. The spinning chain flashed past her head, as she merely tilted her neck casually to avoid the strike. She then retaliated, two blades of invisible wind cutting trails through the smog, and Honenodo leapt aside as the ground where she was standing exploded, two deep furrows etched in the snow-covered soil.

“Ah…” Shaeula wasn’t careless either, the butcher’s hook coming at her from behind as the chain was withdrawn. She dodged that too by a gentle step to the side, and two more blades of air slashed out, but again Honenodo evaded, though this time some fragments of her kimono fluttered to the ground, white and pink fabric scattering like butterflies.

“Little Kamaitachi bitch…” Honenodo spat, glancing down at her side for a moment. “I’ll make you submit!”

“Will-will you now?” Shaeula raised one eyebrow mockingly. “Only Akio can make-make me do anything. You are far-far from qualified. I see… you are detecting my wind by the trails in-in the smokescreen. Clever… how rude!” She was interrupted by Honenodo’s chain, which swept in again. It looked like it was going to be evaded easily, but then the pale-faced woman smirked, and the chain suddenly turned at a right angle as it was going past Shaeula’s head, the hook gleaming wickedly.

“You have-have no manners, wretch.” Shaeula reached up and caught the chain in her small hand, the hook quivering beside her cheek as if hungry for blood. “I was-was speaking. Do you not-not know it is only good manners to allow an explanation for the crowd?” She waved her free hand at the watching Parade, whose thirst for blood was up, and their betting and catcalling was becoming ever more raucous. “This is-is a contest, no? Perhaps…” She smiled a wicked smirk to match the one that had now fallen off Honenodo’s face. “…it would not-not be a terrible idea to hold a grand tournament when matters calm down-down a little. The great Night Parade showdown. What say you, mother, Nebisuki?”

Urakaze was silent, seeming a pit puzzled, but Hana laughed loudly, in good humour. “Oh, how very… human. A tournament arc. I have seen those now. Where the underdog fights and wins great glory. Though with my position, I fear I would be one of those doomed to fail.” She flourished her tails proudly. “Of course, I did already get my ‘sudden powerup’, and who is to say I cannot get another? The power of love and friendship is a thing you approve of, is it not? If it happens that we do clash, then please go easy on me. Akio would be sad if we were to hurt each other.”

“You think-think most highly of yourself, fox.” Shaeula’s lip curled, even as the chain she held in her hand trembled as Honenodo flexed her slender arms, trying to pull it free, but Shaeula was immovable, her great Might no less than an Oni’s. Though I am sure Red and Blue are far stronger, at least physically. “But yes, I can-can see it now. Great entertainment, gambling, many Numbers changing hands… it is-is surely a spectacle worth seeing. But alas… for now-now we are far too busy…”

“Are you mocking me, you wretch?” Honenodo screamed. Her fan waved, as she couldn’t free her chain, and ash, dust and snow surged towards Shaeula, only to be blocked by her wind, scattering harmlessly.

“Mocking?” Shaeula raised one eyebrow. “Far-far from it. You are simply not-not my match.” She glanced at her hand holding the trembling chain. “Iron. We Fae do not-not care for it, not-not at all, but I am a Kamaitachi too, so it no longer bothers me. You really should-should keep your weapons in better condition.” She scratched off the rust with one fingernail. “My Pinwheels are always kept-kept pristine. Now, iron…” She grinned viciously. “…conducts!” Lightning element crackled around her, and the chain was suddenly shining as the metal heated from red, to orange, to yellow and then to a blinding, actinic white within a brief instant.

Honenodo let out a shrill scream, smoke rising from her body, and then she collapsed, lying still in the snow. At that, Shaeula raised one eyebrow, but she released the smoking chain, letting it fall to the ground, sparks of lightning element still fading around her. Taking a slow walk towards her fallen opponent, she appeared calm, but I noticed… yeah, she’s cautious. That’s good. There was one oddity…

“Your skills are not-not…” Shaeula began as she closed in, the smouldering body of her opponent silent and lifeless. “…bad, but…”

Shaeula was interrupted by the eyes of Honenodo springing open, full of malice, and her mouth gaped wide, revealing wicked fangs. Suddenly her head was flying at Shaeula, faster than a bullet, a long neck trailing behind her, and then detaching from the body completely, the end a ragged, dripping stump.

She’s a Nukekubi, then? A vampiric head and neck of a woman… I’d seen that Yōkai in several games and manga, and it was as unpleasant then as seeing it in real life.

“I’ll kill you! Drain you dry…” the floating head with the trailing neck howled, only for Shaeula to sneer, spinning on one foot, her other delicate leg slamming into the face flying at her faster than a bullet with a resounding impact. Honenodo’s words were cut off as her fangs shattered, along with her jaw, and as she bounced in the ash-strewn snow, kicked as if Shaeula was playing a game of soccer, Shaeula lowered her leg while pointing with one finger and an actinic blast of lightning leapt from her, striking the Nukekubi in the forehead. Honenodo screamed again, this time her flesh beginning to blacken, unlike the dead corpse she was parasitising before, and moments later her eyes rolled up in her skull, and her burned tongue lolled out, as the neck twitched spasmodically, giving off the smell of cooked meat.

“I do rather like-like lightning.” Shaeula murmured, as the surrounding Parade erupted in cheers and boos, those who won their wagers grabbing up piles of loot, while the losers bayed curses and howled insults at the fallen. “Light may be more-more destructive, but despite her attitude, I was not-not in the mood to kill.” She then bowed to the Oni. “I do-do believe the challenge is over?”

“Ya think?” Blue chortled, clearly amused. “Dumb bitch can’t even move, can she? She should be thankful she’s even alive. How very… charitable… of ya.”

Indeed, I got what Blue meant, and so did Shaeula, as she was joining Hana and the others in smiling ruefully. I could see several Yōkai in the crowd eyeing the fallen, spasming Honenodo rapaciously, and I expected that someone else would be challenging her soon, taking advantage of her weakness and injuries to secure an easy victory. It sure is a dog-eat-dog world, the Night Parade. I can’t forget that. There are a lot of Yōkai here which… I don’t feel comfortable with. Still, there are those that… aren’t so bad, I guess.

Shaeula must have felt the same way, as she walked back to us and grabbed my arm cheerfully. She winked at Daiyu, who nodded approvingly at her performance, then sighed. “I am a Fae. I keep-keep my word. I did not-not take anything but her dignity. In time, she would surely make a full-full recovery. But here in the Parade? I fear time is not-not on her side…”

“Everyone knows the rules Great Nurarihyon has set.” Hana shrugged. “If you challenge and fail, death is only to be expected. And if the challenged shows weakness… there are always more challengers. It keeps us strong. However, I am not… averse…” She reached out for my other arm, only for Shaeula’s glare to drive her hand away, leaving her chuckling playfully. “…to changing my ways. But we were in a hurry, were we not?”

I nodded, calling out to the surrounding Yōkai. “If any of you want to challenge Shaeula on our next visit, go right ahead, but… maybe Shaeula’s right and bringing some formality into it might be fun.” We’ve already rinsed dry the Night Parade of Etherites, and we’re getting a lot from the Seelie Court, but there’s those we haven’t tapped the wealth from. Most Fae are bored, and there are some more warlike ones who rest uneasily in our alliance, who might be stimulated by watching such battles…  I set that idea aside, before addressing Seirei with respect. “You said you’d brought words for us to hear, noble wife of Nurarihyon?”

The doll-like Hinnagami eyed me dubiously, before her lips curled into a cold, almost chilling smile. “I do indeed have a matter to speak of. Would you wish to hear it?”

“I wouldn’t dream of wishing anything from you. A wife should fulfil her husband’s desires, not another man’s.” I dodged the hidden trap in her words easily enough. “But I suspect he wishes you to tell us, doesn’t he?”

“I do not care for you. You are rude, and insolent.” Seirei declared, sparking crude laughter from Red and Blue, while Urakaze watched on warily. Most of the rest of the Parade, now the excitement was over, were back to doing their own carousing, other than the ones who were petrified of Mae and keeping a wary, watchful distance. “And your gift to my dear…” She nodded at the cage still swinging idly on its chains. “…is ill-befitting his gracious hospitality. However, my dear wishes to remind you the appointed time is coming nearer, that hunger must be met by thirst, and destruction turned aside. Have you the hands on the chains?”

I nodded. “I wouldn’t call them chains, but she’ll stand with us, and do what needs to be done, when the time is right. Nurarihyon will not stand alone, I’ll be there, as will she, and the rest of us who can fight. I pay my debts. As I know your husband will. After all, they say the measure a man is his wife.” I flattered her outrageously.

“In that case, do you not-not think Akio is a mighty male indeed?” Shaeula teased Hyacinth, who had been on edge since we arrived, perhaps ready to unleash her deadly spores just like last time.

“Careful, mistress Shaeula. I sense there is mooore to this than you know.” she whispered, and at her warning, Shaeula nodded, her expression suddenly pensive.

As if those background whispers had reminded Seirei, the little woman slowly glowered at me. “I do not care for your mockery, rude guest. But my husbands wishes for me to pass on words from the prophesying cow, new words. Each of great importance.” We all fell silent, waiting for her to speak, and she clasped her little hands together, almost as if praying. “The sins of the Divine, of the Kami, and of the foolish who followed out of greed, vengeance or boredom…” For a moment I saw her gaze flicker over, and with aether expanding my vision, I was sure she was looking at Mae, who was now stony-faced and impassive, quite unlike her usual appearance. “…shall sprout in ice and fire. The skies shall thunder, and the seas boil. Mud rises, and with it the corpses and hatreds of history. Already, the earth trembles, dirt and water spilling free. Be wary you do not perish with the tides or taste the fury of thunder. Many shall perish, though each has a path to salvation, an itaomacip. All must be sure to be dragged aboard, be that by hand, hair, leg or tail. The seas rise, the earth trembles, the skies burn, and the sins long lost cast longer, darker, deeper shadows.”

She then fell silent after that ominous proclamation. “I have done as my dear bids and passed on Uranai’s words. He would not wish me to linger here.” She gazed at Mae again, shaking her head. “You have no home, no itaomacip to see out the storm. Wagons may have wheels, yet within ours lies the storm-tossed, black seas. We shall endure, so long as the thirsting flame illuminates the darkness. You…”

“I never apologise, nor regret. Done is done.” Mae responded, her tone oddly gentle. “Even then, I acted on my own whims. I am hardly one to be bullied.” She couldn’t help but smile with bitter pride. “I cannot see out the storm, you say? Perhaps. Nothing lasts forever, not even us. All that lives eventually perishes. Perhaps even the stars themselves shall fall into darkness one day.”

I didn’t want to interrupt her to tell her that was true, as the conversation seemed rather meaningful, between old, very old, acquaintances.

“I have tasted the joys of ultimate power, and the despair of being naught but a wretched slave, no, not even that… a battery, it is called now. Naught but a source of Qi for a wretched fool. Yet I betrayed him first, so perhaps it was Karma. I never believed in such. So if I am to sink into the ocean of my sorrows, be swallowed up…” Her lips curled into bitter remembrance at that. “…so be it. I stand proud, as pride is all I have left. I am not one to turn my face away from the tribulations of this world. But perhaps… I do have a place to shelter from this storm. And it might be sturdier than you think, Seirei. I am not so pathetic as to wish, but… perhaps I believe.”

“I see.” Seirei mused after a long silence. “All is indeed changing. For good or for ill. Yet not even Uranai can see all ends, for… she can look up from the ground and see the sky, but… in darkness below, much is hidden. I shall depart.” She kicked the one-eyed priest who as acting as her mount. “I grow weary and worried. My dear must want tea and comfort. I have been gone far too long.”

“Wait a minute.” I broke in, earning a sour glare from her. “I wouldn’t call this a wish, merely a request. Can we borrow Bintara, just for a short while? Her expertise and experience might make a difference in our errand.”

Seirei rolled her eyes contemptuously, before nodding. “I shall consult with her. She is free to do as she pleases. The Hyakki Yagyō is chaos, and while the Hundred Demons all bow to my dear Nurarihyon… he allows them to do as they please, so long as his will is respected.”

Hana snickered at the implied criticism but was otherwise silent. I thanked Seirei, and she soon vanished, carried by her unconventional Yōkai steed, into the great dark gates of the shrine-wagon. Black water gushed out when the gates were opened, steaming in the cold snow, and as the doors shut, Red snorted.

“Always trouble when you show your face. But it’s never boring, is it?” He attempted to jostle Urakaze with his burly shoulder, but she gracefully dodged, glowering at him. “Don’t be like that. Now then…” he grinned at Shaeula wickedly. “What other booze do you have tucked away? Even a swig to get a taste for it would be grand. It’s thirsty work, a journey…”

We glanced at each other, surprised, and Red pounded his chest. “We’re bored, Blue and I. And from what the old missus…” I wasn’t sure it was appropriate to refer to Seirei in that manner, but Red was quite the crude fellow, I supposed. “…says, seems like there’s going to be no shortage of fun soon. Besides…” He grinned at Mae, exposing his tusk-like fangs. “I want to see what’s got our so-called Queen of the Yōkai all riled up and stressed out. You can’t fool me. Har. Har. Har.”

As his booming echo cut through the noise of the Parade, I couldn’t help but wince. Red and Blue, huh? Not the sort of company we were expecting, but… My foresight was prickling again, and as the Lost Droplet churned inside me, still stubbornly resisting my body’s efforts to break it down and unveil the mysteries within, I peeked at Mae, who merely shrugged, though her expression was resolute. Yeah, if the two Oni try and cause any trouble with Su Caihong and Su Liena… well, there’ll be a new opening in the Numbers, and quite high up at that…

***

It turned out that Hyacinth, ever the complicated mix of Boggart and Brownie, forming something wholly her, had stored away supplies in her new spatial storage. Red, Blue and Urakaze were happily drinking from the barrel of Fae mead, though there was quite the complicated atmosphere between them. Of course, I’m a bit wary, as her storage also contains her Cauldron, as well as other nasty things she’s been working on… still, they shouldn’t be in contact with each other, it’s a spatial storage, after all…

As we waited, Mae starting to show her impatience, the doors of Nurarihyon’s Territory opened once more, and out stepped a solitary, familiar figure. On seeing us, she snorted sourly, her dark eyes surveying us, though they widened a little, seeing Mae. With her aloof, womanly figure, impressive purple horns and a deep violet robe that showed off her arms and legs, she was certainly easier on the eyes than most Yōkai.

“I understand now.” Bintara declared as she crossed the Parade to where we were waiting, none daring to block her way. Makes sense, as I’m fairly certain those ordinarily within Nurarihyon’s domain like Uranai and Bintaraare single digit Numbers, the pride of the Parade. And while Bintara may not be the strongest… everyone knows what heals can be deadly poison just as easily. Nobody messes with those who understand and can manipulate the body if they have any sense…

“You have come back.” She spoke to Mae calmly, with a hint of fatigue. “It has been far, far too long. Surely they have perished now.”

“I wished to come sooner, but… small betrayals lead to bigger ones, and eventually I was snared by my own treachery.” Mae admitted, surprising Bintara.

“That is not like you. Nor…” Aether surged around her, and she frowned. “…your body, it is… strange. Imperfect. Yet… also somehow functioning largely normally. You did this?” She turned to me, her questioning gaze hot, and I nodded.

“Yeah, though in Mae’s case, it wasn’t just Ether healing or Chirurgery. It was… how do I say this? Crafting too. A multidisciplinary approach. Mae has had a… rough time.”

“Mae?” Bintara scoffed. “How simply… adorable. And you tolerate this, oh proud nine-tailed fox, she who would declare herself Queen, below none, equal to the Divine?”

“I believe it a matter that is not your concern.” Mae shook her head. “And no, Caihong’er and her daughter somehow live, or at least they did, a few days past. It would be incredibly cruel of fate to have them perish in such a short time now. It is time… to see if they can be saved. I would ask a favour from you again, old comrade.”

“Hah. Your favours are as fickle as your moods.” Bintara shrugged. “Give me some of that.” Urakaze silently passed her a mug, and she dipped out a cupful of mead, taking a swig. “Pleasant. No, I would instead ask if you will shoulder it on her behalf?” Her dark gaze questioned me, but I merely nodded.

“Of course. I promised Mae I’d help, and if you can, I’ll remember.”

“It seems strange. Your talents have surely surpassed mine, if our lost companion…” her tone was slightly mocking. “…and her… recovery… are an indication.” It seemed Bintara, with her wealth of experience and knowledge, could see the hidden scars that only time could truly heal. “And even before, I could not halt their inevitable death. Within Sekka’s frozen coffins, and with mortal craft to slow the passage of time… their wounds will still surely have worsened. Be prepared. To free them from their slumber is to see them perish. I do not wish this outcome, but… you must be ready.”

“I am.” Mae nodded, taking no offense, and neither did we. Bintara spoke harshly, but she was always focussed on healing and saving lives, an odd Yōkai indeed. “I declared so to Seirei. Wishes are worthless. If we do not have the power to save them, it was simply meant to be. I shall grieve, and… walk onwards.” Mae’s green eyes were like fathomless pools as she glanced at me. “But sometimes wishes, worthless as they are, come true. So we shall see.”

“I may have more raw skill now, but you have a lot more knowledge.” I assured Bintara. “Besides, just because my Ether Healing is at a higher Rank, doesn’t mean you don’t have other Skills which might have different benefits. I want to do everything we can.” I remembered the Tribulation I had shared with Mae, and while I’d only seen a little of Su Caihong, and almost nothing of Su Liena, their end didn’t sit well with me. Besides, Mae is a Truesoul-bound Artefact, hard as that is to believe, and also… someone I’ve chosen to protect.

“Blushing? How-how suspicious.” Shaeula chuckled. “What-what is on your mind?”

“Nothing important.” I had just remembered the time I had brushed Mae’s tails. It was an innocent, if intimate act, even if her moans had been rather salacious. If Su Caihong lives, perhaps she’ll be the one holding the comb next time… “Anyway, we’ve got to finish off the Pilgrimage and head north.”

As everyone agreed, we left the remaining half barrel of Fae liquor with Urakaze, who waved us off with a wry smile on her face, and soon we were racing around Hokkaido, visiting shrines at a rapid pace, our new tagalongs, Red, Blue and Bintara, enjoying being able to go onto hallowed ground since we vouched for them to the Kami here. It was a lot faster, me just running in the Material, carrying the unconscious bodies of Daiyu and the others, rather than taking a car or even a helicopter. Sure, over longer distances the helicopter would win easily, but here there was no need, as the shrines weren’t separated by great distances, only a matter of forty or fifty miles, usually.

As we were reaching the end of our Hokkaido Pilgrimage, it was early afternoon. We’d made very good time, the main Pilgrimage still a number of shrines and temples behind, but as we headed for Sekka’s lair, in the frozen mountains of the north, in the Boundary we ran into an issue.

“Sekka’s domain… Territory, as you would call it now. It was by no means as mighty as Nurarihyon’s, but… it is gone. I can no longer feel the pressure.” Mae was wary, as she gazed up at the snowy peak in front of us, which towered far higher than in the material, nearly a match for Mount Fuji. Behind it, smaller yet still wildly enlarged mountains cut through the landscape. “Have you not also been puzzled by the… quiet?”

“Yes.” Daiyu agreed. Her rising trepidation and anticipation as we got closer was rather cute, but right now she was all business, her expression pensive. “There are very few inhabitants of the Boundary that we have seen. Everything is far too deserted. At first, I thought it was because when the Dragon soars overhead, the prey hides unless they wish to be devoured.” She quoted another of her Cultivator idioms. “After all, we have a group of powerful beings travelling openly. Wisdom dictates it is best to lie low. But… it still seems strange.”

Ignoring Red’s guffaws, I nodded. “Yeah. We’ve seen some interesting natural resources, and even here…” Geysers of water and wind element, as well as a colder, sharper ice, a very precious element indeed, were spraying from the cracks in the mountain, and I could tell with my Eye the true reservoir lay deeper within. “…well, perhaps nobody would challenge Sekka for them. But it’s ominous.”

“I do not think Sekka would fall so easily.” Mae’s tails swung for emphasis.  “While she was not my match…”

“Arrogance again…” Bintara muttered just loudly enough for us to hear.

“Not arrogance. Truth. Sekka was mighty indeed, but not to my level, nor Nurarihyon’s.” Mae insisted. “…still, she would not be an easy target, especially not with a Territory backing her. We must be cautious, but…” Her green eyes glimmered as she gazed at the cavern beneath the mountain, a mist of ice seeping out, making even me feel cold. Daiyu and Shaeula had bundled up in warm coats from storage, though Hyacinth seemed as unbothered by the cold as ever, still wearing her maid outfit, and the two Oni remained in their scanty loincloths (and Blue was wearing a makeshift chest wrap, fortunately, or I wouldn’t know where to look).

“… we are close. They lie within.” Mae’s words were barely a whisper, and I patted her shoulder gently.

“Let’s go in.” I suggested. “We can handle any dangers. If we can’t, then who the hell can?”

The cavern was a mixture of ice in a variety of pretty shades, blues, whites, pinks and colours you wouldn’t normally expect to see in ice. Behind that lay solid rock, and strange crystals were also protruding, almost like clumps of stalagmites. I set aside my curiosity and pressed on. The cave branched a number of times, but Mae and Bintara guided us, until the passageway started showing obvious signs of trouble. Great gashes were in the wall, even digging into the rock beneath the ice, and the crystals were shattered, and rubble from the roof of the cave had collapsed. We picked our way around it, until we could see a shimmering light ahead. Mae tensed, and I patted her shoulder again. She ground her teeth together, ears flickering with impatience, before her calm returned, and she nodded, showing she understood. I touched Tsurugi, still sleeping at my waist, ready for anything, and then I slid past the partial blockage.

As everyone followed, I could see the cavern was beautiful, a massive, cathedral-like ceiling of ice, and many ornate pillars in white and blue extending between the floor and the roof, but a significant number were shattered or had toppled. Piles of boulders were everywhere, and the floor was pink, not the pink of ice, but… frozen blood. It was then I could see a throne in the centre of the room, a massive icy edifice, but it too had seen better days, as had…

“I see I have visitors. Rather more welcome than the last.” Her voice was chilly, yet rather weak. Slowly, the woman, favouring one arm, as her other hung limp, the faintly blue flesh littered with gashes, red and black ice visible within, rose, descending the steps as if in great pain. “Tamamo-no-Mae. You are… rather late.”

The woman was tall, as tall as me, six feet in height, and her beauty would be significant, except one of her icy blue eyes was missing, her face disfigured by a number of gashes, again the red of frozen blood seen beneath. She was wearing a simple white robe, though that too was tattered and torn, smeared with frozen filth, and even as she stepped down, tiny fragments of her body were falling away to smash on the floor.

“Still, just as the glaciers move with measured care, no deed can be done before the time is ripe.” She let out a shuddering frosty breath, almost falling, and in a moment, Mae was at her side, steadying her.

“Yes. I am late. I nearly did not come at all. Now then, Sekka…” she addressed the wounded woman who she was supporting with her shoulder. “…it seems you must tell me what has happened here, before I can retrieve those I left in your care…”