On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor - Six Hundred And Fifty-Six
As I clasped my sister’s hand, I could feel her total trust in me, and willingness to accede to whatever I felt best, though Brother’s Bond. I could also sense her determination, her desire to succeed, and make the power of Byakko her own. I respect that. But… this is a priceless opportunity, and one we can’t miss…
After all, as the fiery heat of adherence, aether, flame elemental energies and also soullight, poured into me, my sis having the same flood, just with metal energies instead of fiery ones, I could also sense the bonds, the connections attempting to form. They were with Suzaku and Byakko, yes, that went without saying, but also with the other Divine beings here, and with Haanōbō, Arangbō and Tarōbō. That wasn’t all, though…
It’s faint, and I’m not sure if I’m imagining it, but… it almost seems like there’s a connection forming with the very Boundary, no, the Astral itself too… I was certain that my sis and I would gain at least one Class from this, so I pushed my Eyes to their limits, attempting to glean any insights I could, and spy any way we could maximise gains, while minimising potential dangers. It’s not that I don’t trust these Four Auspicious Beasts, and the Divine Yellow Dragon, it’s just…
Power from others is power that might be a collar, or a hidden needle tipped with poison. Daiyu’s voice, moderated by Haru’s Telepathy, sounded in my mind, and her tone was approving. Let your Qi out. I shall try and sense through your energies, if such is possible…
With a grunt of effort, I released my Qi as she asked, and I could feel Daiyu’s consciousness, once more mediated by Haru, spreading, and it was an odd sensation, as if our senses were overlapping a little. However, Seiryū started to speak, and my attention was distracted by that, so I kept my focus on his words, as well as the ongoing monitoring of the power of the Directions my sis and I were receiving.
That… gives me an idea. How did I not think of it before? Perhaps I have been too busy… Rose’s words overlapped with Seiryū’s in my mind, before she fell silent, her illusory clone here covered in shimmering ripples, filled with static now, as if a badly tuned television.
[This world, one of a myriad jewels sparkling in the eddies of the Astral, the realm of consciousness and spirit, seemed unremarkable…] Seiryū’s statue breathed, wood element accompanying every word like a faint brown mist, hanging around our legs. It seemed to invigorate Arangbō, so I tried drawing in a trickle myself, and my lunar, root and sacral Chakras did indeed respond, growing slightly denser.
[The Multiverse is old, far older than even we…] Seiryū continued. […before eternity, all are dust. Yet clump enough dust and… it forms soil, which can give rise to life]
[The point. Be swift. Our reserves… limited] the Yellow Dragon statue of gold warned, and Seiryū managed a tired, dull exhalation.
[Life is born on worlds, worlds grow and mature, they draw the Astral to them, or they to the Astral, perhaps… wisdom blooms, like flowering buds, struggling to reach the sun… but all gardens need a… gardener]
“Ominous.” Haru spoke, her expression pensive, showing none of the strain that was doubtless in her mind from her Telepathy. “Are you saying that Earth… needed management? Pruning, weeding and cultivating?”
[Of course. Worlds that have come before have been as innumerable grains of sand, and worlds that come later… shall be the same. Barring…]
[Silence. Some things are not for these to know, Qīnglóng] the Yellow Dragon spoke quietly, but his tone contained power, menace and great League, making the threads of energies within my grasp start to slip, forcing me to grip tighter, my soullight and aether depleting.
[Apologies. I shall be swift. This world is fecund and fertile, an excellent garden. Many beings of Spirit and numerous Material beings capable of reason, inquisition, prayer and worship. Naturally, such a world draws… competition. Yet… one anomaly. Not unheard of, but… instead of a grain of sand, perhaps this world was a shining, uncut diamond]
Oh? Interested, we continued to listen.
[Beings unknown, with power comparable to the Divine, had sprouted. With the potential to take the last step, and claim the world, as an Emperor and foundation of perhaps a new Pantheon]
[You ssspeak too ssshallowly] the snake on Genbu’s turtle back hissed. [Allow me to elucidate them. Or rather…] Genbu’s turtle head took over, the voice oddly melodious and charming, and dripping with wisdom, and his black eyes were full of calm contemplation. [You asked about the Kamuy, yes? They were the anomaly. A completely new yet powerful race of beings. It of course must happen. We did not spring from nowhere, nor did the Throne, nor any other of the current rulers of the multiverse. Each has a world, a cradle from whence they sprang, though many others join them in time, for to be a Pantheon is to be numberless as the stars that sprinkle Material skies] The Snake head took over again. [Ssso there wasss a choice. To take or to nurture, conquer or sssupport. Of courssse, none agreed, not precisssely. But the consssensssus was to wait and sssee. Taking sssuch a world for our own, binding it with an Assstral Emperor… enticesss, but… it wasss difficult to sssee sssuch a route bearing sweet fruit]
[I was telling this tale] Seiryū huffed. [Yes, in the end, many sent emissaries and veiled forces, watching, witnessing, considering. The world was one in a million, but still not unique, we thought. Yet… we were mistaken]
“Is this…” my sis managed, face pale and sweating. Her solar plexus and root Chakras, her lunar Chakra too, were raging with energies, and sucking in soullight. It was easier to feel what was happening within me, but easier to watch Aiko, so combining the two, in addition to Daiyu’s insights from our shared Qi, was giving me a more complete picture of what was happening slowly to us.
“…where you tell us Earth’s like the original world, or something like that? So cliché…” she muttered.
[No] Seiryū blinked. [Such can obviously not be the case. Yet this world was not a diamond amongst gravel, but… a shining star, whose radiance could not be easily hidden. For… not just one set of powerful beings had been birthed here]
I… see? Does that make sense? What do you think, Rose? I glanced over at her flickering image, sending her my thoughts.
I’m a little busy. Sorry, I won’t be long. Just let me… Isa. To challenge my limits, our limits. Nauthiz. No hardship nor delay shall stymie our need for this. Kanaz…
Sorry… It seemed that Rose was investing all her attention in weaving some sort of Runic Word to aid me, so I stopped distracting her, and I could feel her wry affection shining through, her image now smiling.
“So, it wasn’t just the Kamuy, but Earth was teeming with powerful beings… wait. I get it. Kami, Yōkai… probably the Fae and others too? And… huh, I’m no scholar of history…”
“That you aren’t, bro.” my sis managed a dry giggle despite the strain. She was trying to match my own efforts and assist me, but her capacity to understand and use soullight was still non-existent, so all she could do was aid me with aether. “But wow, you’re certainly not a big bro moonstone when it comes to stuff like this, so… what did you realise?”
“So many of our old civilisations have myths involving Gods and Pantheons. That’s because everyone was watching, deciding, and even meddling and interfering, yes?”
[Insolent. But accurate] the Yellow Dragon rumbled. [But there is… disappointment… in strength. A diamond, all wants and admires such. A star… too hot to hold, burns]
[Indeed] Seiryū took the interruption from the Huánglóng in stride. Wood creaked as he talked, and further small cracks fissured the material of the statue. [Alas, it seemed hopeless that the world could be claimed by a singular ruler. Yet, even without an Astral Emperor, such a world had inestimable value. Yet…]
[Rivalsss…] Genbu’s serpent head hissed. [None wisssh to sssee further competitorsss. The field isss already crowded, and… back then, ssskirmissshesss, no, warsss… I sssupposse you do not need to know thisss…] Then the turtle head spoke, faint flecks of black stone falling away from the head as it intoned calm words. [The choice was clear. Either nurture and claim, or… destroy. Many were interested in adding this world to their own demesne, but… there was no unifying ruler, or even ruling group. Instead…]
“Too many mouths, not enough soup, right?” I understood. “So various Pantheons decided to reduce the hungry, in the hopes those that remained would follow, and even if that plan failed, then the bowl would be left unattended, and ripe for the taking?”
[I do not quite grasp your… metaphor… but you are substantially correct. Though we cannot speak of what others did. Yet… Eight Million Invitations did seek to dominate. Though they are not a group that resorts to violence unprepared]
“Hah.” Tarōbō snorted, his golden gaze mocking, even overwhelming his reverence for a moment. “They were surely not unprepared and were cunning indeed. The Kami they created, empowered, taught, and the Yōkai, those who chose freedom over servitude but took power nonetheless… was their soup, as you put it, my new son…”
Tarōbō addressed me, while his biological children watched on in nervous silence. The set of Haanōbō’s wings clearly showed how she dodn’t want to be listening to this, perhaps learning more than she was meant to. “…and thus expendable, so long as the bowl was theirs in the end. Worse, they did seek to erode the Kamuy by stealing their foundation. The mortals… they were taught to love and respect the Male and Female Inviters, the Sun, the Moon and the Storms and Seas. And thus, you humans, fecund and numerous, and surprisingly clever and adaptable, did what you humans did best.”
“Persecute and push out, right?” My sis was pale, and not from her struggles with the blessing of the Autumn West. “Mom said we Japanese were terrible to the native Ainu people, even to this day. Though it has got a little better…”
“But as we’ve seen on Hokkaido, too little, far, far too late.” I shook my head, the pieces starting to fit. “If Divinity requires faith, adherence, then that would cut off the power of the Kamuy and their chance of becoming a true Pantheon at the root, losing their mortal believers. So then, they either have the choice of submitting to the Invitation…” I snorted bitterly. “…or face war. And I know war came.” Mae was a part of it, and not just her. Hana is too young, it was over by the time of her birth, in fact, it seems to have concluded long before fifteen hundred years ago, when most events seemed to have happened, though perhaps the dregs of fighting carried on, just like the Ainu dwindled. That certainly makes me consider… if a second…
[We are not part of the Eight Million Invitations, though… we do extract our veneration, from efforts we lend to them at times…] the turtle continued, cutting off my fumbling thoughts, before its snake head hissed out further words. […nor are we from the Sssix Pathsss, but again we have our place there, and alssso elsewhere]
“If you were, we would not stand here as your Directions. While you share the guilt, you at least do not bear the hypocrisy.” Tarōbō insisted. “Though we who carry the power of Yōkai within us all bear the same stigma. All we can do is… our duty and hold that shame within.”
“Father…” Arangbō muttered, clearly troubled by his admission.
[The Kamuy did not sssumbit. War came, and it wasss bloody. With ooonly one inevitable outcome. They perissshed to the last. And here… upon thisss mountain…]
[Apemerukoyan-mat Unamerukoyan-mat was slain, and her blood flowed] Seiryū intoned. [The hearth she tended should have fallen to cold ashes, been extinguished, yet… Suma-no-kamuy, her living stone bead, absorbed much of her essence. We… shattered it… and it was refined into a Magatama with its original self lost, yet its life kept the Sacred Flame, now Apemerukoyan-mat Unamerukoyan-mat’s remnants, blazing. My breath was one of the forces that slew her] Seiryū revealed the expected truth. [It was a war, one we were offered significant compensation to prosecute, and yet…]
I stroked the hilt of Tsurugi, as I could feel her blade softly trembling as she heard the tale of her sister’s birth, or rather rebirth. Don’t worry. I thought to her, warmth in my thoughts. No matter what, she’s Magatama now, but… we’ll help her reconcile her past, if she so wishes, and we’ll always have her back, won’t we? Tsurugi’s answer was a wordless expression of gratitude and hope, which only firmed up my resolve to find out more.
“The Kami, once it was all over, could not face the guilt, nor the… purifying nature of the Sacred Flame, that burned with the Karma they accrued.” Tarōbō whispered solemnly. “They shackled what remained of the Kamuy to her hearth… and wished to preserve the power, yet… not confront it.”
[The struggle is cruel, yet there is no right, nor wrong, only power] Seiryū sighed. [And once blades are drawn, only the utter ruination of your foes is safe. Leave none behind to nurture hatred and thoughts of vengeance, for that is folly. Sweep clean all the shoots of future troubles, salt the soil so that no pernicious weeds of revenge rises again]
[The matter. Discussed] The Yellow Dragon rumbled, and with its stilted, halting method of speech, I wondered if perhaps it found it hard to manifest even this kind of pseudo-Avatar here, if it was far stronger than its fellow Directions. [Byakko, Suzaku. Be swift. Delays annoy and drain]
[A struggle to forge metal in the spirit] Byakko’s small statue roared, ivory cracking. His gaze was accusatory and fierce. [Stop resisting and welcome the blessing in!]
“Nope.” my sis insisted. “I’m honoured, and I’ve worked hard for your favour, and this position.” She placed her hands on her hips boastfully, and I smiled, as my sis was at her most brilliant, and her cutest, when she was being playfully arrogant. “But my bro’s the one to ultimately decide. He’s just… checking there are no hidden loopholes or fees, you know? Like a loan agreement, maybe? Dad always said not to borrow money carelessly, and I guess power is the same way?”
A loan agreement? Seriously? I mean, it’s apt, but… “Don’t be borrowing money, sis. If you need any, just ask me, or even Eri, Shaeula or the others. I’ll not have you getting into debt…”
As the Four Auspicious Beasts, the Tengu and the Yellow Dragon were momentarily confused, though Haru was nodding, as if agreeing with my wisdom, my sis burst out with tired laughter.
“Don’t want me getting hassled by loan sharks, huh bro? I get it, I’m a catch, they’d want to force me to pay off my debt in any number of fun and sleazy ways. I’ll let you and Eri keep me bro, don’t worry. I’ll be that lazy sister-in-law that just leeches off you both…”
“You might leech, but lazy, no way.” I chuckled. “And you’ve got one hell of an imagination.”
“Or I found the hidden folders on your computer, bro.” she shot back, giggling, and I rolled my eyes.
“Now I know you’re lying. I’ve no need of such nowadays, my hard drive is as clean as freshly laid snow. You think I have the time or inclination for porn?”
“Hey, just because you have steak at home, doesn’t mean you might not fancy an illicit, greasy burger sometimes…”
Suzaku, losing patience, was next to speak. [Accept my fires and become the Summer South. To do this is… taxing… my ire is now raging like an inferno]
“Soon. Sorry!” I apologised. “It’s hardly like my sister and I will get such an opportunity again, so I’m making the most of it…”
Stall just a little longer. Rose’s image beside me rippled, wavering in and out of existence as though it was smoke in a breeze. The tale here was interesting and I have much to say, but… first… Ansuz. Through walking this Path, we communicate the truth of each other. Tiwaz. As first Adherent, and Brúðr to…
[Disrespect. We give, yes. But honour us] the yellow Dragon growled, causing Tarōbō to panic, and quickly begin to offer soothing words. I ignored that, feeling a great surge of power building within Rose, and her visual representation was now little more than blurry, indistinct static, yet her voice rang out again, ripples created by wind element and aether shouting loudly.
“…Akio, our Verr. Kenaz. Revelation is born through inspiration, and I have been inspired. Sometimes… we cannot see the World Tree for the forest that hides it!” Rose scoffed, before declaring not one, but three interlinked Runic Words, forming… wait, is that… a Runic Phrase? Damn, has Rose made another breakthrough?
Yes. Though I have not gained a Rank, as you might say. But I now see the way to perhaps reaching a further height. The Words themselves are but components of phrases… As Rose’s thoughts reached me, she declared the Words and the Runes that constructed them, meaning linked in chains, and reinforced both by the composite word, and the constructed phrase, a threefold magnification.
“Tiwaz. Raido. Uruz. Ehwaz. Sowulo. Othala. Uruz. Laguz. Laguz. Isa. Nauthiz. Kanaz. Ehwaz. Dagaz. Pertho. Ansuz. Tiwaz. Hagalaz.” She took a deep breath, her image returning to a transparent, beautiful representation of the short yet full-figured Valkyrie. “Truesoul. Linked. Path.” She groaned, and her voice rang out in my head.
The effort of using so many Runes in one go has… worsened my lingering wounds and exhaustion from battle, I fear, but…
You always were too reckless, Rossweisse! A familiar voice joined her in my thoughts, and I couldn’t help but smile and gasp in shock.
Lin!
Indeed, it is me. Her thoughts crackled with emotion. So this is what Rossweisse has been doing these past weeks. No wonder she has been smiling foolishly.
Are you any different, littlest sister Lin? Rose used Run’s teasing nickname for their youngest sister. You eagerly await every scrap of information I pass on about Akio, his comrades and their doings. But… as for me being reckless, of course I am. But you are the boldest of us all. None of this would have happened without your insane idea.
I’m… happy I get to talk to you like this, Lin! But… Lovers’ Link hasn’t improved…
… … … Silence from Lin, and Rose giggled in my thoughts.
Yes, well, perhaps the way I did it was not the correct way. Honestly, as First Adherent of your Bondweaver Path, I can see mine is flawed. I will… shatter it… when the time is right, but… fear not. I am honestly confident of being able to forge it anew in short order, in the proper manner, to perhaps even greater heights. But for now, you need it, I need it, so… even an improper bond, forged from necessity and affection, is a Connection worth cherishing. But my pride as a woman, as a Brúðr, demands only truth.
It was then my crowded thoughts were filled with more words, Eri’s teasing challenge declared into our minds. Oh, I welcome the competition, Rossweisse. When it comes to my Connection with Akio, I won’t lose. I get why you’d want to cheat to keep up with me, so I won’t disdain you…
You are… amusing. Lin’s thoughts sounded, having recovered from her embarrassment. As for my own… love… I suppose… it will bloom beautifully and grow mighty in time. The World Tree did not sprout in an instant. As for how this was achieved…
I will explain! Rose took over, excited. I simply understood, from what Haru is doing, and from your shared ability with Daiyu. Could I not simply act as a conduit as Haru does? I have no Telepathy or similar gifts, but… I can use the Runes, with the proper Wisdom, to forge a mental connection. It is… quite the strain. You are mentally strong, Haru…
Why thank you. she responded. Actually, I managed because I am weak. I learned to shut out what I didn’t want to hear, and that gave me strength for what I did.
I see. Rose mulled that over. I shall consider that. But yes, for now, my mind aches. Lin is not as pleasant company for me as you, my Verr, but… perhaps one day, all we sisters might converse with you. Now, Lin…
What do you mean I am not pleasant? I have nothing but gratitude for all you do for me… Rose. Now then…
Similar to how Rose was projecting her sight and voice through me, a shimmering version of Lin appeared, her fiery red hair bound behind her in a long ponytail, her dress white and gold, and very attractive. She fixed her golden eyes on the Divine Avatars around us and let out a quiet murmur of awe. “I can see, as if through my own eyes. Fascinating. It is… almost like being here in person once again.”
“Shit.” my sis exclaimed, eyes popping out of her head and a rare swearword leaving her mouth. “Another one? I’m in awe, bro, but also starting to wonder if I should be jealous…?”
“Wait until you see all nine of us together, my dear sister-in-law…” Rose giggled. “Though not all are my dear Verr’s Brúðr, I do know at least one sister who would not say no, were he to reach our halls in triumph and glory. Though nine…” Her image shook her head. “…even with just Lin, I have a fierce ache in my spirit and my truesoul shivers.”
I felt it too, a heavy oppression, but I could handle it, and seeing Lin again, hearing her voice, even an imperfect, simulated version, filled my chest with happiness and heat. However, despite all our thoughts taking place in a mere moment, and then Lin appearing and our conversation a handful more, we had annoyed the Yellow Dragon with our diverted attention.
[Further insolence. And you speak of matters best unsaid. Trouble will come] he boomed, golden coils rattling, as if sliding against each other, though I couldn’t see any movement.
“Oh, I think you’re mistaken.” Rose shrugged, pursing her lips in a lightly mocking smile. “If I was able to say it, they can hear it, yes? Besides, they discovered such knowledge themselves, or… close enough.” She paused. “Now then… I think you need to let Akio take his time. After all…”
[He may be yours…] Suzaku flapped their wings, brilliant crimson feathers, each intricately carved, reflecting the lights within the sealed space. […but he is accepting my power. You have no right to interfere, Valkyrie. Not can you. You may bluster, but you are not here…] Suzaku breathed out, and a hot wind dispersed the illusory bodies of Rose and Lin, though they soon reconstituted themselves, being mere projections routed through me.
“We may not be physically present, but our minds are.” Lin warned, her golden eyes narrowing. Rose winked at me, gesturing with one transparent hand that Lin was wanting to show off at last. She’s been jealous of me, it’s awfully cute and quite unlike the determined Lin we knew. Though I suppose with her passionate, righteous nature, I should have expected her loves are felt as deeply as her sense of duty. Rose’s thoughts were private, so as not to provoke Lin.
“So do not think you can simply dismiss us. Your presence here is skirting the Compacts as well.” Lin finished.
[Prior. Not a concern] Huánglóng’s golden Avatar insisted.
“I don’t see we need to be at odds. While you, Divine Huánglóng…” Rose suggested. “…have your place, the Four Symbolic Gods….” She gave them a rather elegant title, which judging by the way Byakko shifted, Suzaku preened its feathers, the snake of Genbu hissed, and Seiryū blinked, pleased them. “…are out for your own interests. Aligned with certain Pantheons, yes, but able to make your own decisions and handle the consequences. And ever out for a suitable reward.”
“And you have your chance.” Lin insisted, taking up Rose’s ideas. “We will remember your aid here, for Akio and his sister. You know we Valkyries, daughters of the Divinities of the World Tree, are not faithless, do not break oath, and pay our debts.”
[True] the Yellow Dragon agreed. [You are mistaken. No harm shall come. Blessing, a boon, deserved]
“Indeed, noble… visitors.” Tarōbō’s hand on his staff trembled a bit, perhaps a little intimidated by the presence, even as a mere mirage, of the two sisters. “The power and blessings of the Directions are gifts, and while it is tied to the responsibility of guarding Mount Atago and the Sacred Flame, and the shame of the Kami… it is not a shackle. I have accepted them as my children through their relationship to Haanōbō…” The Tengu in question wisely held her tongue, merely glancing at us with her golden-yellow eyes, trying to appear strong before the Directions, yet also…
She seems very cautious of Rose and Lin, though… she doesn’t seem frightened, just… wary.
“…so this is merely an acceptance of a blessing!” Tarōbō finished. “I had not anticipated this situation.”
“I can see why.” Haru, who had been silent for a while, spoke up. “I have a question, though. So… clearly the Kamuy were massacred, Tamamo-no-Mae talked of great battles when they were driven to the far north, and equally great slaughters.”
[Indeed. The seeds of a new Pantheon were rendered barren] Seiryū sighed, and Genbu agreed.
[Any new Pantheon risssing in the modern age would be a miracle indeed. Too much isss ssset, too many powersss do not brook rivalsss, even in the… current ssstrife, no matter how foolisssh sssuch is]
The Huánglóng rumbled a warning. [Speak not of others. Provoking unwise. And secrets become known. Light from on high illuminates that hidden in darkness]
[Apologiesss…] Then Genbu’s turtle head took over. [Your question though, woman. You seek to know what happened to the world, why… only now it has changed anew, yes?]
“Wise as your myths portray.” Haru agreed. “It would be remiss of me if I didn’t ask. I am Akio’s secretary.” She winked at me, even as I continued to monitor and assess the power bedding into my sister and I. Oddly enough, some small fragments of energy were leaking into Haru too, and I hoped she’d also gain some benefits, even if she wasn’t specifically blessed. “So if Akio wants to know, as his secretary and Vassal, I should ask before he can, anticipate his needs. After all, I pride myself on my experience and talents as a bureaucrat.”
[Then yes. The… bowl was cracked, and the soups of many flavours spilled] Genbu continued my clumsy metaphor from earlier. [Too many rough hands. A shame. And patching the bowl… would be challenging, for reasons I cannot speak of]
I nodded at that. If the bowl in the metaphor is the Earth, then it touches on the secrets of Astral Emperors, which none of them will discuss, apparently.
“But… many powerful beings had fought over the Earth, yes? Not just the Kamuy and the Ainu, but… these other prospective Divinities?” Haru got straight to the heart of matters, and as Genbu’s snake head hissed, the turtle agreed.
[Indeed. Many abnormally powerful beings remained. And treasures lent to pawns and allies. The world, despite being cracked, leaking, endured, though…]
[Abnormal] The Yellow Dragon declared. [Did not drift to the Reaches or face destruction]
[Thus we split off a little of ourselves] Seiryū explained. [Not a full Avatar, but a portion of ourselves nonetheless. Like… a cutting from a plant. To… observe. And satisfy curiosity. Doubtless others did… similar.]
Others? They mean like that bastard Akoman? But yes, some of the unexpected issues concerning Earth are definitely starting to become clearer…
“You are saying…” Rose exchange a glance with me, understanding, as did I. “…that instead this world went through a second period of blossoming? A second Boundary? It tallies with what that powerful nine-tailed woman, Tamamo-no-Mae intimated. And also your memories.” Careful. I have heard of such happening, yet… it was mostly theoretical, or rumour, tales amongst our oldest sisters, who lived for long millennia before we were born. This… changes things. And potentially not for the better…
Lin seemed troubled by this revelation too. “Then… Astral Emperor…” Now Lin’s voice sounded in my thoughts, and her tone was serious. The chances of the world even being claimable is… vanishingly small now. Was everything we did for nothing, Rose?
Hardly. Her mental reply was immediate. After all, even if the world can’t be saved, we have our Verr, and he and his companions have the strength to escape the impending doom, seek shelter with us, if there is no other way before them. Besides… we have done so much unprecedented, impossible. Don’t lose heart now, Lin!
You are right. Her image took a deep, calming breath, though I imagined she was doing that up on high, far from here. My apologies, Akio. I forgot myself for a moment. I am sorrowful you had to see such a weak side of me.
I’m not. If anything, I’m delighted to know you have a softer, vulnerable side. It makes me feel closer to you, and makes you feel rather more human. And yeah, no matter how tough the path ahead, I chose to walk it, and I don’t walk it alone.
Everyone’s voices responded to that, Eri’s, as well as all those Haru was linking in to me. As the cacophony of reassurances sounded, I addressed the Huánglóng. “I’m not sure whether it’s good or bad, but… the Kamuy aren’t entirely gone. At least…” I grimaced, remembering Mae’s words. “Kenas-unarpe, the aunt of the swampy bush… she was dead, yet somehow she lives again.” Though I myself shouldn’t be so surprised. After all, here I am with Haru, and there’s also Tsukiko, Ginneka, her brother…
At my words, the Yellow Dragon statue blinked his crimson eyes, surprised. [Truly?]
“Mae wouldn’t lie, and it wasn’t just her who was there.” I insisted. Tarōbō dipped his head and leaked a rather bitter sigh.
“Foolish Divinities and their Kami. Even their callous acts are flawed. What troubles will this bring to our Mountain?”
“It won’t bring any.” As Rose, having worked another Runic Word, communicated to me that the energies my sis and I were taking in seemed largely free of compulsions and other hidden traps, and what was there, I could surely handle, I declared my intentions boldly. “Because… I am Oshiro Moonstone Akio, the Summer South, and my sister…” I winked at Aiko. “…she’s Oshiro Sapphire Aiko, the Autumn West. And together with Winter North, Spring East, and Tarōbō, he who holds the Centre… with the patronage of the Four Symbolic Gods and the noble Huánglóng, the Yellow Dragon of the Mountains and the Earth…”
My Eyes flared with an amber light, and my soullight poured out, seizing the energies entering us, and quickly formed into scalpels, ready to perform Chirurgery to maximise our benefits, while my Eyes inspected and processed the very essence of gaining a multiversally recognised Class, as well as… the network of bonds, connections and threads of fortune that make this all up. Come on then… I’ll weave what must be woven, cut what needs severing, and connect and bond what should be joined, and what can be joined, and even what can’t be…
