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

After finishing up some more administrative details and other pressing issues which had stacked up during Pilgrimage, I passed the time until the evening, while Haru had been dispatched to help interview the other detainees. In the Territory, the build queues now held the three Anchor Spires, so we could start the laborious process of upgrading them to Rank 3. It would take less time than I expected, due to the increased temporal flow of the merged lower Astral, but it was still a necessary commitment.

Now, the work on securing the defences for the Ring Gate hub were ongoing, though fortunately each Building at Rank 1 was a trivial cost, and to Rank 2 was also cheap. At Rank 3 and Rank 4, the costs went up dramatically, but we were going to spare no expense on securing our Territory’s greatest vulnerability and necessary point of connection to our allied Territories.

In addition, my Rank 2 Throne Of Heroes was slated to an upgrade to Rank 3 at some point soon, gaining us three more Chosen Heroes, and I had some ideas in mind for those, and the White Snake Earth Altar to Rank 3 and then Rank 4 were very pressing needs. The problem was the elemental resources. We brought in a great deal of earth element, thanks to Asha’s Tree, but storing it would likely necessitate upgrading the nearby Elemental Silos first. Still, ether wise, at ten million for Rank 3, and sixty-two and a half million for Rank 4, rush built… yeah, not a trivial commitment. I think we’ll do to Rank 3 first and then save up for Rank 4 a little at a time. In fact, we can put it in the Build Queue Anchor Spire slot and save a little cash ticking it down that way. Miyu… might have to do some more Dancing… Miyu…

“What’s on your mind?” Hinata asked me, and I waved a hand, indicating it wasn’t serious.

“Just thinking about… Miyu and Michiru, I guess.”

“Just do as you see fit. Obviously, from my perspective, there’s no disadvantages, only advantages, to making Miyu yours, and Michiru is a bonus. Politically, it’s a shrewd move, though honestly, Fujiwara house can’t escape your clutches anyway, and Shige-sama surely knows that. So long as Fujiwara house endures and retains its bloodline, and what he wishes protected is secured… that will do. And…” Hinata continued, unbothered, though she did glance over at Eri before speaking. “…we all rather like Miyu. She’s worked hard without complaint… well, without much complaint…” she tittered, and Eri rolled her black eyes ruefully.

“I don’t blame her. Her ability is very enviable, in that it’s of use all the time, but it’s also extremely tiring. But she mostly just complains so as you’ll pay attention to her, Akio. Yes, she’s a polite, well-mannered young woman. Michiru though… yeah. She’s a menace. We know what she did in that bathroom to ward off that bitch…”

“Of course we know. She bragged about it at great length.” Hinata chuckled, cheeks red. “I think Miyu also has some… proclivities…” I nodded, and Hinata grinned. “…but Akio’s a man who can handle that. But regardless, it might also give some hope to those in Adamant who wish to catch your attention.” She nodded at Kanami-san, who was trying to appear cheerful and upbeat, but was obviously still hurting.

“Still, it’s up to you, and I guess those two.” Eri insisted. “I think you’re learning, not just getting swept away by the situation, and taking your time to get to know them properly.”

“Quite the playboy, aren’t you?” Valeska observed. “Are you ever satisfied?”

“Why be satisfied? It’s greed for more happiness which drives progress.” Hinata insisted. “And Akio wouldn’t do it if it harmed our happiness. Yours too, Ileana, Valeska.” Hinata slyly brought them into the conversation. “After all, you’re working with us now.” The plants grown by Bianca’s tainted Favour were a point of contention, but in the end we decided to pay for replacements and take them into Arisu-san’s Room and move them elsewhere to be checked for further hidden traps. My Eyes weren’t picking up any of the tainted dust element within, but it paid to be cautious. Thus, for now, Bianca’s ability was also off-limits, but if after extensive testing and precautions, she proved safe, her potential was great.

“I… think we have nowhere else to go.” Ileana told her grandmother. She still seemed nervous, but was definitely calmer after taking my blood, and she kept shooting glances at my neck, her eyes shimmering with prismatic metallic colours. I was more than happy to give her the blood she needed, but I didn’t want to turn her into an addict, so I’d have to sit down with her and come up with a sensible schedule that met her needs without going overboard. As if sensing my resolve, Valeska snorted.

“Seems so, little light. It seems so. At least here seems… safer. At least from the wolves of the church. A different sort of wolf lurks here, Ileana.”

Ileana flushed, as Hinata laughed cheerfully, but she still spoke up. “I… will be careful, I promise.”

“Much as it pains me to admit it, it’s your life, Ileana. Just… remember your lost family, and their wishes for you. My wishes for you now, little light. Don’t be… foolish.”

“While I understand your concerns, I think that’s a little rude.” Eri lashed her tail in a desultory fashion, her expression rather pensive. “Akio’s not the sort of man to pursue women just for the sake of it. Ileana wouldn’t be left disgraced… that’s so old-fashioned…” she snorted. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted I gave my chastity to Akio…” Hinata nodded, agreeing. “…but just because a woman may have had a prior partner doesn’t make her tainted.” Her black eyes flickered for a second. “After all, when Akio slept with Shaeula he wasn’t a virgin, because he’d given me his virginity.” her tail waved, proud. “You should know how the modern world works, Valeska.”

“I do.” The old woman sighed. “And I’m no blushing virgin myself.” She snorted, matching Eri’s earlier indelicate interjection. “You wouldn’t expect so, at my age, would you? Though I was living alone and had been a long time before my little light fetched up on my door, changing my life forever. So… I’m rather protective of her, as you can imagine.”

“Which is good.” Hinata agreed, glancing over at poor Kanami-san, who blushed. “We’ll never disdain loving families. They are all too precious. But trust us. Akio never takes the feelings of women lightly. If anything, he can be too reticent. But… honestly, there’s nobody better. Trust us.”

Ileana slowly nodded. “I… wish to find my way in this new world. But my blood child is correct. I need to uphold the dignity… of… of my family.” Tears beaded in her pretty, multicoloured eyes, and I felt a deep sympathy for her, but it was Eri who reached out and patted her shoulder reassuringly, a little surprising.

Why? Yes, I’m not overly keen on touching others, I’ve always liked my personal space, but… I’ve grown used to it. And… I can offer sympathy when needed. Besides, you know my feelings on her and this other Princess we’ve not met yet. If I can’t show her any compassion, I’d be a fool.

I see. I have to say, I’m proud of how you’ve grown.

Of course. We all have. You too. We can’t stay the same as the world changes around us. That will only leave us unhappy…

“Your family would want you to be safe and happy, more than any so-called honour or dignity.” Eri insisted, and Hinata nodded too. “But of course, here you can have both. Trust me on that.”

“It’s… reassuring, isn’t it?” Yuuna-san murmured to Kanami-san, who nodded.

“Yes. It makes me sad though. Here, they are so welcoming and kind, but… our own family…”

“It’ll be fine. Adamant is your family now.” Hinata insisted. “And you, Yuuna-chan, you still have most of yours intact. Don’t forget that. And… it’s not like she’s dead and gone, your parents neither, Kanami-chan. Yes, they’ll be punished, yes, they’ll regret this day for the rest of their lives… but in time, you can reconcile. Though that doesn’t mean you can mitigate their judgement or their punishments!”

“We understand.” Kanami-chan admitted, and Hinata smiled.

“Good girls. With an attitude like that, promotion should come easy. We’ll look after you. Speaking of…” Hinata chuckled. “Kazumi, Katana and the others are having a rough time. Kazumi… she struggles, as I don’t really need a bodyguard anymore.” She struck a heroic pose, which made us all smile. “Though she says my combat senses are non-existent. Luckily, my Favour is broken, haxx, as Shiro calls it, so I can still be effective. But… that just means she needs a new role. And I’m happy to have her as a friend, just like Natsumi doesn’t need to guard Motoko anymore. Still, she’s feeling like I usurped her position. Akio…”

“I know.” I answered her earnest pleas. “Not just her, but Michiru, I think. Though I worry…”

Eri winced. “Yes, I can see it now. But remain strong. I won’t have any objections if you do things properly, but she’s a handful. If you let her, she’ll have swept you up in her pace before you know it. She’s a masochist, but… a very aggressively needy one, it seems. No wonder poor Miyu is struggling to keep her in line. Though she herself seems odd. If you ask me, she’s a masochist too, but also…”

Yes. From the Dance and the cave, it seems that Miyu likes to dominate girls, or rather, Michiru, but seeks to be dominated by a man, or rather… by me. What a mess. But that aside, their… proclivities… don’t matter. What does is whether we can grow to truly like… love… each other.

“…well, that’s a worry for another time.” Eri finished, tail lashing. “For now… we should be going, shouldn’t we?”

I checked my watch and nodded. “Yes, according to the schedule, Arisu-san will be back to fetch us, and everyone is off to Mount Fuji. I know that the events of today messed with the schedule a bit, but she’s always punctual, so…”

“I am indeed.” Arisu-san agreed, having arrived with a smirking Shaeula, and a calm Haru again. “Fortunately, with Shaeula’s and Haru-san’s assistance, matters of the… leaks… were dealt with relatively swiftly. I have returned Sono-san to the Pilgrimage after her questioning indeed revealed no further issues. The others… well, they await formal action. Now come. I am glad that my travails are nearly over. Though I can hardly argue with the results. My Room is far stronger than it was.”

I nodded. “Uh, Arisu-san, can I just check…” I began, and she nodded, letting out a sharp sigh.

“Yes, precision is important, in both science and life.” she agreed. “I trust you will not pry, however?”

“I’ll try and keep it focussed.” I promised. My Eyes shone, and I confirmed that Arisu-san had completed the Kami-Blessed Class. “Yeah, you’re all done. Can you feel the difference?”

“Yes. My Room is very sensitive to my League, it seems. Dominating the turbulent nature of space is far from trivial. Though I suspect that my Skill itself also Ranked up.”

I nodded. “Yes. That’s all I checked though, as promised. But… Rank eight is very impressive. If you can break the second wall, you’ll transform what you can do again, I’m sure.”

“Coming from you, that praise seems rather… ironic.” Shaeula was laughing at Arisu-san’s slight mockery, and then Arisu-san shrugged. “Though I know you mean the praise, which is somehow also rather annoying. Now then…”

“If I may give a quick report.” Haru smiled, though now there wa no humour in it. “I have scanned the minds of those we picked up thanks to the efforts of the Kōga ninjas…” Byakuren and Kokuren showed relief and pride on their faces at that. “…Shaeula’s Winds And Waters made it easy enough. Doing so has revealed a number more sympathisers, who we will merely be watching, as they’ve done nothing, and also conspirators, who have conspired either with foreign governments, South Korea most notably…”

Hinata frowned at that. I knew she planned to go with Yu-mi after the new year and handle our long-overdue redress the Koreans owed us, so hearing that couldn’t please her.

“…though America did feature, as did several other nations. More to the point, Ruby Serpent was entangled in this mess as well as several other organisations we haven’t yet come across. I’ll file a full report, but…” Haru, with a sigh, took off her jacket, and vanished it into her storage in a puff of sparks and removed her tie, her collar unbuttoned. “…Morita-sama promised me no overtime tonight, and so did you, Akio. You promised things, and I know you’ll keep your word.”

I nodded, amused at the side of Haru people seldom saw, as she now looked like a real working woman, ready to relax after a hard day.

“Yeah, just Mount Fuji to go. It’s on the borders of our Territory, so we can’t leave it alone. We don’t have to claim it, but we have to at least have them on friendly terms, otherwise we’d have to ring the mountain with defences, and I don’t want to spend the Buildings or the ether on it.”

“I very much hope this doesn’t take too long.” Haru insisted, and Shaeula nodded at her sympathetically.

“I’m sure it won’t.” Eri agreed. “I too am eager for tonight.” She smiled, showing cute little cat fangs, perhaps mimicry left over from her shapeshifting before. She turned her attention back to Valeska and Ileana. “Might as well see how we do things. It’s not all by violence, diplomacy is good too. Of course, if they’re hostile…” Eri’s massive axe made a sudden appearance again. “…then we can be too. But if they’re friendly, or even if they just want to be left alone, we can work with that.”

With those words, we left the Ministry, Arisu-san’s Room ferrying us to Mount Fuji, where all of our fellow Pilgrims were waiting at Hakone, the famous hot springs village at the foot of the mountain. The facilities had been booked for everyone to enter the Boundary safely, and as we disembarked, I saw Kanami-san’s friends running to her, asking her if she was all right. Hinata nodded gravely, and after a moment, face red, tears in her eyes, Kanami-san explained to her horrified friends just what her parents were done. Keomi-chan, Hotene-san and a number of the other shrine maidens had accosted Yuuna-san, who sighed bitterly as she recounted that her own cousin had been selling them out for money.

Seeing that, I left everyone to go get ready, while also calling for a group of people, as I had something to discuss with them. Soon, I was sitting in a little café nearby, seven idols around me, the Pleiades. Suzu was the first to speak, a smile on her face.

“What’s up, Akio-kun? That’s a serious expression on your face. Rough day? Ayako-chan wasn’t happy when she returned.”

The members of AKB who made up three sevenths of Pleiades nodded, Keiko-chan speaking for all of them. “Yes, she’s… she swears she didn’t mean any betrayal. She’s sorry! But…”

“It’s fine. Being naïve isn’t a sin.” I assured them. “And maybe long-term she’ll benefit. But she’ll likely wish she had graduated, I know that Hinata’s planning on working her so hard she’ll not even think such foolish thoughts again. You girls joined Adamant, or the Incorruptible Jade, or both, so… sorry, but we take that seriously, as should you.”

“And we do. We do…” Asuka-san insisted. She glanced at the idols from Red and White, who made up the rest of Pleiades, and they nodded their agreement.

“We’re even ready for our big underground idol show. Literally. It’s in a mine!” Ema-chan tittered adorably. “Working with a European band too. Metal. Not what we usually do at all, but metal idols do exist. There’s that quite famous group…”

“Dwarves and Kobolds, mines and forges, it would have to be metal, wouldn’t it?” Tamami-chan, the centre of Red and White, smiled charmingly. If my sis could see her now, she’d be ecstatic, being such a huge fan of her group, and Tamami-chan in particular.

“Yes. I guess so.” I agreed, knowing that Arisu-san had everything in hand. “Anyway… we need to get today wrapped up…”

“Yes, because the boss wants to have some fun tonight.” Suzu giggled, tugging on one blonde hair-drill idly. “So if you keep her and the others waiting, it’ll only go badly for you.”

“Maybe so.” I agreed. “…anyway… we were talking about loyalty. Adamant is one thing. If you have genuine reasons to withdraw, Hinata and the others will process it. Daiyu too… she’d be sorrowful, but if you no longer wish to follow the way of Cultivation, she’d understand. But… there are times when you can’t step down, so consider this very carefully.”

“I’m suddenly feeling very nervous…” Kanako-san, the short girl of Red and White, remarked, and Ema-chan nodded.

“No kidding. I think Akio-kun’s about to spring something major on us.”

“I’ll pass.” Suzu had realised.

“Don’t you want to hear first?” I asked, and she shook her head.

“I’m happy enough with my Karakuri backup dancers. Let someone else change their life, like I changed mine. Besides…” Her smile was suddenly wickedly calculating, her blue eyes, a different shade to my sister’s, gleaming. “…Pleiades needs more than one Chosen.”

At that, the idols realised what was happening, and they all had mixed reactions. Keiko-chan froze, while Ema-chan, Kanako-san and Tsubame-san were clearly wary. Asuka-san and Tamami-chan were contemplative, and Suzu only smiled knowingly.

“Let me say what we have, first. But… bear in mind this cost ten million. Dollars, not yen. No pressure though.” I teased, and now everyone was pale, apart from Suzu, who snickered teasingly.

“For ten million dollars, in the dark side of the industry you could probably buy any of our virginities. Not mine of course…” Suzu hastened to add. “I don’t need the money, I live with you, big brother.” She delivered that in an Aiko-like tone, and once more I was struck by confusion over whether Suzu was actually a total airhead, or actually very shrewd. Or maybe both. She’s good at reading people, probably due to her isolated and borderline abusive home life, but she’s completely lacking in common sense or the ability to calculate risks and normal social behaviour…

“That’s like… a billion yen.” Tsubame-san paled. “Our fans and our dignity are important, but… that’s enough money to live well for life. Nobody would pay that for me, but… I’d be tempted.”

Ema-chan and Kanako-san frowned, and Asuka-san sadly nodded, only for Suzu to giggle again.

“I wouldn’t worry. Akio-kun’s not that sort of guy. But… the Favour is a treasure which can change someone’s life. But… your lives have already changed.”

“Yes.” Keiko-chan agreed. “From the day Sora-kun went mad…”

“For us, though we didn’t know it, it was our guerilla concert in Kyoto…” Tamami-chan nodded.

“Me, my life changed when I met the boss. Things didn’t work out as she planned, but… it’s for the best. I like the boss and the Goddess far more now than when they were White and Red, as Arisu-chan would say. So… out with it, Akio-kun. What goodies did you get hold of?”

“Well…”

Benzaiten’s Song Of Learning – This Divine Favour is made of concentrated Adherence, refined Ether and Soullight-infused Truesoul strands. The Favour allows one to call upon the Adherence of Fortune, Dance and Song, to amplify one’s ability to learn and strengthen themselves, and this blessing can be extended to others nearby, enhancing their capacity to learn and grow. In addition, it offers a beneficial affinity to Wind Elemental energies.

Just as Benzaiten’s song and biwa ring out and bring harmony, inspiration, wealth and protection to those who hear her music, so too will you be able to exceed your limits if you embrace the song within your heart and share wisdom and wealth with others. [Class: Imperious] [Type: Principle]

“How’s your biwa?” Suzu snorted a laugh. “I can play a guitar, so it can’t be that different, can it?”

“The biwa’s an old-fashioned lute with four or five strings…” Tamami-chan pointed out. “Though dancing while playing one would be very hard, but… perhaps not impossible, if you gain a lot of… Statistics… from gaining the Favour.”

“The issue is… whoever gets it is going to be working with the boss and Miyu until they wish they could stop.” Suzu chuckled. “Another… buffbot, as she calls it. But… strengthening one’s own learning… isn’t that the path to becoming like you, Akio-kun?” Suzu raised one blonde eyebrow questioningly, and I nodded.

“It’s a very precious gift. If Shaeula had any sort of affinity for it, other than wind and her great Fortune, I’d want her to have it, except… she’s not cut out for a life as a support character. She might be able to use it slightly better, in some respects, but… I want someone who will be dedicated to this. The person I bought it from, and Goddess Benzaiten, would surely want that too. An idol… in the truest sense of the word. Using song, dance, instrument and her heart to bring hope, strength and growth to others. So…”

“It should be Keiko.” Asuka-san insisted, and Ema-chan nodded.

“I think so too. I’d… be too scared of screwing up. For now, anyway. Besides…” Ema-chan’s cheeky smile was bright. “Keiko, it’s your chance! If you miss it, you’ll regret it forever.”

“I don’t think we three…” Tamami-chan spoke for Red and White. “…can bear this burden yet. Though, we hope to learn from our centre…” She grinned, conceding the spot in Pleiades. “…at least for now. We’re Red and White, we may not have the fanbase of AKB0048, but… we’re your equals on this stage!”

Seeing them getting fired up, Suzu came up beside me and smirked. “You’re a bad man, Akio-kun, corrupting such pure idols. But… also a kind one. So, is she compatible?”

“Nobody here’s a terrible fit, but none of you are amazing either. Fortunately, I’m getting better at the adjustments, and I think with a bit of creative Chirurgery I can make it work. Assuming…” I glanced at Keiko-chan, who nodded slowly.

“No going back then, is there?”

“Did you want to go back?” I asked, and she shook her head, giving me a brilliant, heartwarming grin, before making the diamond salute of Adamant, and then bowing Cultivator fashion.

“No, I think this was all going to happen ever since the day I was interviewed alongside you and Arisu-chan. So…” She took a deep breath. “…if I have to dance and sing and play the koto… I’ll learn it, don’t worry… I’ll do it, do it until my throat is raw, my feet are bruised and my fingers bloody. At least Miyu-chan will have the company…”

Yeah. Keiko-chan is a decent fit, honestly. As a professional idol, she’s used to gruelling repetition and needs great willpower to endlessly rehearse until everything is flawless. “In that case, this might… hurt a bit, but it’ll soon be over, and then…”

“Maybe he is buying her virginity…” Ema-chan chuckled, only for Asuka-san to shush her. I quickly let my Eyes glow, and I added the Favour to Keiko-chan’s subtle bodies, all the while flooding her heart Chakra with wind element, helping raise her affinity, and in this case, the Favour actually sparked it to life, stabilising it for me, a welcome bonus. The Favour was indeed like four shining strings, wrapped around her heart, throat and crown, and they vibrated subtly within her.

“How do you feel?” Asuka-san asked curiously, and Keiko-chan blinked, as if coming out of a daze.

“It hurt. A lot.” she pouted, before embracing me in a hug, shocking everyone. It wasn’t particularly seductive, more just genuine delight and affection, and when she released me, she straightened her Adamant idol uniform and smiled broadly, face pink. “But… now I can change the idol world. Alongside Pleiades, alongside AKB, alongside those who joined us at the charity concert… yes, an idol… someone who brings hope to the masses.”  She then sang a few lines from their latest single, and the wind swirled, and my Eyes picked up faint adherence. I could feel a slight stirring with me, my mind running slightly clearer, my spiritual body shivering.

I see. It works on a similar principle to the Wisdom of the Runes… Rose added. …no, that’s misleading. Mechanism, I should say, perhaps, as this is fuelled by adherence and also by manipulating Fortune, to maximise beneficial results of a specific subset of actions. Training and learning. Ingenious. It’s often these seemingly weak Favours which have the greatest potential. Just look at Arisu…

No kidding. She’s turned a transportation Favour into both shield, sword, domain and more…

“I… need to practice.” Keiko=chan suggested, and I stopped her there.

“You do. Together, as a group. But not yet. Everyone will be waiting for us.” I insisted, and she nodded.

“Yes, I want… to share the good news. With everyone.”

“Tonight, make a party of it. After all, this is the finish of Pilgrimage, barring tomorrow, for most of us other than a few stragglers.” Though I’ll have to check everyone’s Level in Kami-Blessed after Fuji to work out who needs the remedial trek tomorrow. My work, it never ends, still…

As the Favours’ drain on my adherence, plentiful as it currently was, scaled exponentially with each I was holding, handing one out dropped the expenditure massively, but… it’s still too high. I need to sort another one at least, two would be better, than Hyacinth can keep things ticking over while I prepare some other suitable candidates… I’ve a few solid ideas, but… shaking my head, I materialised my own Astral body, while the idols, Suzu included, headed for their lodgings, to make the transition themselves…

***

“Wow, the mountain sure is impressive here.” my sis declared, staring up at Mount Fuji in the Boundary. It was… well, like most geographical features, more impressive, but Fuji stood like a majestic pillar, spearing high up into the aurorae-streaked skies above. “I’m not sure, but that’s way more than four kilometres, isn’t it?”

“I would say so.” Eri agreed. “And can you feel that?” We were at the base of the mountain, a shimmering, barely visible wall of energy, a Territory barrier, preventing us entry. “I’m not the best judge, but… it’s stronger than our Territory was before Ranking up.”

“Yes, it feels rather like Mount Atago was, though… stronger, certainly.” Motoko agreed, Natsumi and Daiyu nodding their support.

“Yes, Rank Three.” I agreed, at the head of all the Pilgrims, a large, rather impressive group. Though after tomorrow and the Tengokusentou, we’ll all be going our separate ways for a bit… “An old Rank Three. Powerful.” The mountain itself was swimming with adherence, and my eyes could pick up a number of fountains of elemental energies leaking from cracks in the towering edifice.

“Really?” my sis asked, confused. “Because I don’t feel anything at all. If anything, it feels like your Territory, bro.” She then paused, blue eyes wide in an expression of realisation. “Oh, I get it. This, right?” She reached into her Brigandine at the neck and brought out a treasure I’d given her in the past.

“This pendant, yeah? I remember the big purple Oni… Muratsuno, yeah, her… she said it was to do with the sacred mountain and the Yōkai there. There isn’t a mountain more sacred than Fuji, is there?”

“It is called the Obsidian Amulet Of Sacred Fuji.” I agreed. “The description says this amulet wards off misfortune and will warn Yōkai that the bearer is an important figure, not to be touched carelessly, lest they invoke the anger of powerful beings. So I guess that also affects the Territory.”

“Want it back, bro?” my sis asked, but I shook my head.

“No, I don’t take back a gift once I’ve given it.” At my words, Keiko-chan, who was waiting behind us, flushed. Several of her fellow idols and even other Adamant members had noticed the change in her, and they were quietly giggling and laughing as they talked.

“We don’t want trouble, no more than we did at Mount Atago. Let’s try not to start a fight, I don’t want to have to kick down this barrier and start a war. Just… be careful, okay?”

“Wow, overprotective much?” my sis shrugged. “I can certainly run away if I get into any trouble, and you’re right here. But just to be safe…” She summoned her Sisters, a half-dozen of them, only now they were, instead of Golden, a fiery red metallic shade of Hihi’irokane. As they formed up to guard her, she waved one hand lazily, stepping through the barrier as though it wasn’t there.

“All right then…” my sis smirked, before shouting, her voice amplified by her stats. “…we come in peace. I’m authorised!” She flourished the pendant airily. “So then, I’d very much appreciate if you can let my bro and the rest through the barrier. We’d very much like to talk! You must know about the changes happening in the world today, right?”

There was a long silence, almost painful to sit through, and then, just as my sis was about to call out again, Mount Fuji shuddered. High up in the dark skies filled with unlight aurorae, a brilliant crimson and yellow glow was visible, shimmering and flickering like an ever-shifting star. Then, out of the many cracks and fissures in the mountain, Yōkai poured out, hundreds of them, Oni, Tengu, and many others, both familiar and not.

“Careful…” I urged my sis, but she shrugged, though she was sweating a bit.

“It’s fine. I’m pretty certain anyway.” my sis laughed nervously, still holding the amulet in her hand.

“Hi there…” she called out again, as several hundred Yōkai, numbers a match to our Pilgrims, formed up, staring at her, a cavalcade of forms and shapes that was definitely reminiscent of the Night Parade, just with quiet menace, instead of their raucous, violent revelry.

“…like I said, we’re here in peace, to conduct a Pilgrimage to see the Kami of Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine… and also talk to whoever rules Mount Fuji here.” my sis called out. The silence stretched out again, until from the summit descended a woman dressed in a brilliantly coloured kimono, covered in red, yellow, orange and white feathers. Her hair was long and black as night, and her eyes were red. In fact, if not for her much smaller chest, she certainly resembled Tsukiko. She was also carrying a white lotus-like flower, large as an umbrella, by the green stalk, using it like a parasol, as she flew through the air.

As she arrived, to land in front of my sister, the Yōkai parted peacefully. The woman eyed my sister and her statues for a moment, before lowering her lotus, and with that, the barrier dropped. As it did so, Tsurugi brought out her Tsukumogami form, and stared at the woman, as if she was trying to remember her name, though judging by her frowny, troubled expression, she failed.

“Come.” Yata said to me, grabbing my hand, while Magatama had grasped Yukiko’s hand and led her forward. As we joined my sister on the lower slopes of the mountain, the woman sighed.

“It has been long, it seems. Poor Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, how you have weakened, to forget me, the handmaiden to Konohanasakuya-hime, she who is worshipped upon this mountain.”

“No, I…” Tsurugi screwed up her face, nearly in tears, and I patted her head, before bowing to our guest.

“Apologies. But please don’t stress Tsurugi. She was… damaged… over the long centuries, but she’s still Tsurugi. Whether she can remember or not, her sisters still love her, as do we.”

“That is correct.” Yukiko agreed. “I am Princess Mikasa, of the direct Imperial Lineage, and holder of Amaterasu’s Blessing. I greet the handmaiden of Konohanasakuya-hime, one of our revered ancestors, husband to Ninigi-no-Mikoto. Even you, as her servant, show truly enviable beauty.”

“Beauty within is as important as beauty without.” the woman declared. “Now then, who is this?” she asked her, crimson eyes glancing at me, and after flushing, Yukiko grabbed my arm in an embrace.

“He is Oshiro Moonstone Akio, my husband-to-be, and the man who has the strength to claim this place, but the sense of justice and compassion to leave it be should those within wish to be left alone. Though… it is only right we should finish our Pilgrimage at the shrine here and pay our respects to Konohanasakuya-hime. Though if possible… we beg to meet whoever rules Mount Fuji. For it is not you, is it?” she asked shrewdly, and the handmaiden shook her head.

“Indeed it is not. We remain here due to an agreement with he who rules the Sacred Mountain. Fuji was created by him, so the legends say, though the truth of it is lost to me, alas. Yet…” she glanced at my sister and the amulet she held. “…you have the right to pass, though… such a talisman was lost long ago. Perhaps it found its way back here as an act of mischance, or perhaps… something more. Yes, you may all set foot upon the mountain. I shall take you to my shrine to pay your respects to your ancestor, Princess. As for the master of the mountain…”

The mountain trembled again, the summit shaking, and the ground rumbled, with the sound of rocks grinding together. Then, in an act that was shocking, even in these times where I thought I’d seen everything, a massive shape rose from the mountain, visible even to the barely enhanced eyes of the ordinary Pilgrims, ten kilometres or more below it.

The Yōkai here hooted, clapped and cheered, while the massive giant being, who must have been a hundred metres tall, dwarfing many skyscrapers, opened eyes the size of boulders, their pale, ghostly blue glowing orbs rolling and twitching wildly. With its bald head, black skin and oddly lolling serpentine tongue, longer than it should have been, it cut a frightening, otherworldly figure, but the handmaiden before us seemed unbothered by his presence.

“The greatest of the Daidarabotchi, he who claims to have forged Fuji from his own hands, will see you. Best be respectful, for even I am here on his sufferance, for Konohanasakuya-hime has long since departed this world…”

I wasn’t the only one gaping at the sight. I’d thought Duke Formor was big, but this creature outmatched him tenfold or more. It was so big my Resilience was having to work to keep me calm, and only Haru’s efforts, her Light Of Muted Emotions fanning the crowd, kept the more ordinary Pilgrims from panicking. Though I am pleased to note, those of us with experience are still calm, as is…

Michiru saw me glancing at her and smiled, waving, until Miyu flushed and hissed at her to behave. Her amusing reaction distracted me from the massive figure overhead for a moment, but then… a voice boomed, like an avalanche, words like thunder, rocks slamming together in a landslide…

“STRANGERS! I BID YOU WELCOME TO THIS SACRED MOUNTAIN. WE HAVE THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH AND CLEAR SPRING WATER. WE SHARE IT FREELY.” The sound was truly deafening, and Shaeula and I, alongside other skilled wind users, wove barriers to protect those weaker than us from the noise that rivalled summer storms.

“LET ALL WHO COME PEACEFULLY GO UNMOLESTED, YET…” the voice hardened. “…ALL WHO COMW WITH WICKEDNESS IN THEIR HEARTS WILL FIND NO SUCCOUR HERE!”

I see. Of course. Well then… With a smile I stepped forward, my sis, as holder of the pendant, Yukiko, as the descendant of the Imperial Family, and the three Regalia with us, the Pilgrims following behind. …let’s hope this wraps up quickly, or Eri and the others, and maybe even Haru, will kill me…