On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Four Hundred And Eleven

“I feel there has been some sort of mistake…” Haanōbō said as I spun the manacles threateningly. “I did not ask you to do this. I was not looking for pity…”

“I know just how you feel.” Haru-san commiserated. “I was lost and broken, and Akio-kun reached out a hand to me. At first, I felt like smacking it aside. I have… trust issues… I suppose I would say, especially with men.”

“That’s understandable, Haru-chan.” Kana said, still holding one of Haanōbō’s hands, while Daiyu gripped the other. “It can be scary to ask for help. That’s why he doesn’t usually wait for you to ask.” Her smile was kind.

“It’s simply that I realised, what is the point of having the power to do what I want, and not use it? Sure, there has to be checks and balances, otherwise I’ll turn into a tyrant, which is bad, but… using that power to help someone within my sight isn’t wrong, is it? Besides…”

“He feels guilty for putting you in this situation in the first place.” Kana finished for me. “It’s a bit stupid, as you were the one who attacked us, but… he doesn’t like bullies, right?”

True. “Yes, there’s no need for it. Even if we were enemies set to invade mount Atago, you fought your hardest. If the merit of an action is only measured by whether you win or lose, then almost nothing anyone ever does is worthwhile.”

“Fool.” Fungbō snorted, clamping the manacle to his wrist, looking down at it, irritated. “These is no merit in defeat. As protectors of mount Atago, the Tengu and the sacred flame, defeat is the death of all we are sworn to guard, and a disgrace to Great Tarōbō.”

“Yes, you do not carry the weight we do.” Shungbō agreed, also affixing the manacle, the set of his wings showing his distaste. “Do not speak of matters you fail to understand. Besides…” His head tilted, and even though we were similar heights, the set of his crimson, long-nosed mask was such he seemed to be looking down on me. “This is a matter for Tengu, for the Four Directions, of… family.” His tone was disgusted. “You spoke of your sister, would you welcome others meddling in your affairs?”

“If I was being a total prick, then damn right I’d want someone to step in and tell me to stop. But…” I glanced over at Haanōbō, her face hidden, and shrugged, chains clinking. “… perhaps it’s those cultural differences again. Personally, I see nothing wrong with her face, she was cute enough. But I know the Fae do worry about half-breeds and things like that so it’s not a stretch for Yōkai to have their own issues… if victory and defeat matter so much, well, you’d better beat me then.” My grin was vicious.

As I heard Kana cheerily telling Haanōbō and Daiyu that I was surprisingly aggressive when it came to certain matters, Tarōbō slammed down his staff, and suddenly the arena darkened, my vision obscured, only brief flashes visible where the flickering braziers cast their dim, ominous glows.

“The rift is dark and cramped, quite unlike the skies around mount Atago, where our Tengu can battle with impunity… or so I would have said.” Tarōbō declared, and I couldn’t see outside the small arena, but I imagined Haanōbō was flinching again, as the words seemed to jab at her. Though the tone has improved. Tarōbō seems less angry at her for her defeat now. And after these two…

“While we can see within, the darkness oppresses. Our opponents are not simply the poor corrupted dead, the fragments of spirits drawn in and tortured with these flames, but… darkness, fear, paranoia. So those who have the strength to face their fears, and the belief to defend mount Atago and our brethren, test yourselves in this arena. But first… we will see if words are truth, or if confidence is in fact recklessness. Shungbō of the Summer South, Fungbō of the Autumn West, you will brave the darkness, as the Four Directions, proud inheritors of my will. But first… you must face your own fears, against this outsider who defeated Haanōbō of the Winter North, and now takes up her cause.”

I’m not exactly doing that, but I’ll keep that to myself. Getting Mount Atago onside offers a load of opportunities. Perhaps we could even recruit Tengu from the Barracks then. Having flying troops would be a huge tactical advantage, especially coupled with some of the fruits of Mortal Engineering…

“Great Tarōbō, I will not lose.” Fungbō said, having resolved himself. “By Byakko, my metal will crush him and his insolent words under my feet and trample him to the ground. Not that a flightless being who crawls on the earth will know what shame that is that he inflicted upon our sister. If you are concerned for her, you should have died obediently under her water, or else retreated, leaving mount Atago to us, as it has been for millennia!”

“I too will do you proud, Great Tarōbō.” Shungbō promised. “My fires will burn him to ashes, Suzaku will witness my flames triumphing this time.” He paused. “I will not trample you, for you have proved your own flames have merit. But your arrogance must be punished, as must be the insults to us. We need no aid from outsiders, and I will show Great Tarōbō this!”

“I see. Good luck with that.” My Eye glowed, and I could pierce the gloom. Originally, I thought it was darkness element creating the arena, but I was wrong. I suppose it makes sense. Light and darkness are fairly interchangeable. “For me… I was always ordinary, but ever since the early days when I was starting with nothing but a few appraisal skills and a bit of advice and guidance, I realised that I couldn’t do everything alone, and having allies and friends is better than going solo. But I’m getting more selective about just who I’m friends with. I hope after this we can resolve all these issues and work together. So, shall we start?” I gestured with my hands, beckoning the two Tengu towards me.

Flames were burning over the head of Shungbō, piercing the darkness. “The time for talk has passed! Summer Blaze, Suzaku’s breath!” Since the chains limited our movement range to just three metres, and I was wrapped by both arms, making it harder for me to evade, simulating the conditions that must have been inside the dungeon. Flames blazed from his mouth under the mask, a yellow and red tide. Fungbō squawked, also in the blast radius, and the sheen of metal covered his body, flames scattering.

I countered with wind element, the olivine glow making Shungbō snort derisorily. “Your wind will merely fuel my flames!” he scoffed, only to twitch in surprise as the majority of his flames winked out, as they fell into the vacuum I created. Some flames still passed through, scorching me, but it was merely a few superficial burns.

“What? How?” he protested, and I didn’t feel the need to answer. I was suddenly assailed by dozens of spear-like metal blasts from my flank, but my expanded vision saw them coming. I tried to bat them aside with my free hand, only for Fungbō to pull on his chain. The momentary pause allowed several to strike me, before my strength overpowered his and I struck the others away. I don’t feel like explaining how vacuums work. It’s been a while since I used this trick. Prominence Dusk would have been easier but…

“Wretched wingless fool…” Fungbō growled, as I yanked him off balance, his next volley of metal blades missing me. The few that had hit drew blood, but that was all, some cuts and bruising that Ether Healing would rapidly fix. “… and watch your flames, Summer South, I was almost burned!”

“I have no time for caution!” he cried back, as I moved towards him. He tried to back up, flames bombarding the area, wings flapping, but then the chain binding us went taut, and he found himself flying back towards me, eyes wide behind his mask. Flames cascaded all around me, and I sheathed myself in earth element this time, deflecting the worst of it.

“This… you…” Jerked off-balance too, flames scattered from Fungbō’s metal skin. “Useless! It is up to me. Great Tarōbō, I will not lose!” A surge of golden energies streaked with red and yellow flashed, and suddenly I grimaced, hurt for the first time. Shit, that… isn’t good… metal element shone on the shackles around my wrists, the metal contorting, digging into my flesh, spiked blades growing out of the inside of the cuffs, piercing even my defences, flesh tearing, blood scattering, bone grating.

“Fungbō, this is not fair.” Shungbō said, shocked, and his movements slowed. I’m already taking you down, sorry… Earth element surged, forging a club from the ground, and I swung it. Shungbō may have been caught off-balance by his inability to fly, but he was still no fool, and my club was melted by a blazing wave of heat. A shame my fists are good enough. One punch slammed into his face, cracking his mask, and with a squawk, he stumbled back, unused to melee combat. I tugged on his chain, trying to ignore the agony of having my wrists crushed and nearly severed, and as he flew down at me I switched to a Tsumura Arts stance, and my next blow drove him head-first into the ground, feathers scattering, and my foot slammed down on his back.

“One down. Now you…” I growled. Foehn formed a thin line, and the shackle binding me to the defeated Shungbō was sliced off, falling free. That didn’t stop the metal element and the digging thorns of blackened iron that were still causing me damage, but it offered me more freedom.

“Fungbō, the shackles are not weapons…” Tarōbō said, and Fungbō snarled, annoyed, even forgetting he was talking to his father, as he saw his brother shaking his head, trying to clear his daze, still under my boot. My rather nice boots that were a treasure from London, in fact. At least he’s being trampled in style…

“They are! Victory is everything! I will not let us be laughed at, mocked and insulted! Not by outsiders!”

In the flickering darkness, Fungbō elongated the chain, stretching it to a greater distance, while the one I had cut free whipped at me, growing cruel barbs. I leapt, calling on earth missiles to counter his metal, though metal won out. The injuries the impacts inflicted were nothing compared to what was happening in my wrists, so I activated Body Enhancement, and Spirit Water surged inside me, trying to force out the foreign contamination, golden, red and yellow energies sizzling free from my flesh.

“This isn’t just a contest between us, is it?” He dodged my blow by snapping the chain, flapping up, reaching a height of some thirty metres, leaving the prepared arena entirely. As I looked up, my words taunting, he sneered.

“No, it is not. We must cleanse the flame. But we do not need you for that!” The fallen chains snaked out towards me, and I called on Foehn as they struck at me. Metal burned, white and red droplets scattering, burning my skin. Metal chunks and spikes, greater in scale than before, rained down on me, and he crowed triumphantly. “Your flames are strong, stronger than Summer South…” Shungbō groaned at that, as he picked himself up off the ground, his mask cracked and flaking off.

“…but I will not grub on the ground like a worm! Here in the skies, what can you do? I am untouchable!”

“You think so?” I smashed away the projectiles, some burning to molten slag, others cut apart by blades of wind. “Seems to me you can’t fly inside the dungeon, that’s the point of this…” I winced as even the molten metal was coming under his control now, though it was clumsy and slow, tentacles of liquid mental whipping at me, which I dodged, slicing them apart with fine threads of wind.

“My metal is invincible! Arangbō was right, Byakko would weep to see how arrogant you are. There is nothing to be…” he paused, suddenly confused as I vanished in a spray of deep indigo energies. “… frightened…” I appeared above him, Void Motion taking me out of the blazing arena. “…of.” His final word was punctuated by the impact of all the strength I could muster, focusing light element into a single explosive burst of energy. Metal shattered, and blood bloomed, followed by the sound of scorching flesh, the stench joining that of burned metal and earth.

“I see…” Shungbō groaned, holding his broken mask together as best he could, as he watched us from below, defeated. “Your efforts…”

“Bottomless Swamp!” I recycled the move name I had created without much thought all those weeks ago, and I flared ruby, my energies sinking into the ground, churning it into a viscous mud, which was heated by the flames around us until it looked like a mudpot fumarole. Fungbō was clutching at the burned wound pierced through his torso, silver and red blood dripping from the hole, though only a trickle was between his fingers as the heat of the laser had cauterised his flesh.

I missed your vitals on purpose. I’m not trying to do you harm, unlike you… I used Spirit Water and wind element to dig out the metallic thorns now that his control over them was momentarily disrupted, and they popped out from my flesh in a painful, gory shower. Mere seconds later, Fungbō slammed into the hot mud and squealed as I slammed my foot down into his head, pressing him down. It’s shallow. I’m only making a point…

Metal energy surged, spikes growing from his skin, but I ignored the discomfort of that, only stamping down harder. I turned to see Shungbō, and he merely nodded, conceding defeat, and as his brother thrashed around feebly, Tarōbō slammed down his staff.

“This farce is over.” He boomed, and everyone could hear his displeasure. “Stand down.”

“Fine.” I dragged Fungbō out of the mud, my lips quirking into a smile as he was absolutely caked in gloopy muck, his mask’s nose shattered, his wings missing a number of feathers and his white robes a burned, soiled mess. Tossing him face first to the ground again, I faced off against Tarōbō. I could feel my anger starting to diminish, aether being pulled from me, and I held my ground, the flow stopping, before my Resilience kicked in and I sighed. “I don’t think that was how these challenges were supposed to go, no?”

“Indeed.” Tarōbō agreed, frustrated. Arangbō looked at him meaningfully, and he nodded, producing a mask from his yellow-gold robes, which he handed to him. “The point has been made.”

“I am ashamed of my loss, Great Tarōbō…” Shungbō said hastily, dipping his head and his wings. “But I maintained the rules of the challenge…” he glanced sideways at his fallen brother. Meanwhile, Arangbō approached Haanōbō and handed her the mask.

“Wear it, Haanōbō of the Winter North. Sister. We can hardly strip three of the Four Directions of their masks, can we?” She took it in trembling hands, and Kana muttered that it was hardly fair that the others didn’t share her humiliation. Haanōbō hesitated, her yellow eyes looking at the mask, before she placed it on her face, pushing her violet hair back.

“Four.” She said, and Arangbō tilted his head, confused.

“Four.” She repeated. “Your mask would be taken too.”

Arangbō froze for a moment, before he burst out with great peals of loud laughter, genuinely amused. “I see you still hold a grudge, sister. As well you might. I was… unkind.”

“You certainly were.” Kana sniffed. “A brother should be supportive. I’m an only child, but… if I had an older brother, I’d rather have one like Akio than you.”

“Your words sting, girl.” He said, before turning back to his sister. “Four, you say? He is strong, I admit it. And Fungbō was worthless, profaning the ideals of the challenge in front of us all. But I am not so weak as to be easily defeated. But…” he allowed. “…I do consider it no shame to lose to him. Stand proud, Haanōbō of the Winter North. Genbu will be thankful it is not Fungbō who represents him.”

“How dare you…” the filthy, wounded Fungbō snarled, only for Arangbō to gesture, and vines tore from the ground, entangling him.

“I dare, you fool. Yes, I too wished to show our visitor that he needs to be more mannerly. But above all…” The vines tightened, and his brother squawked, some more feathers drifting free. “…these trials are without weapons for a reason.” He nodded at the staff Fungbō had relinquished before the match. “This is a trial to select the brave and the skilled to cleanse the corruption of our charge, the sacred flame! Trying to maim those that would fight it, weaken our chances, that goes against the very essence of it!”

“He is not one of us…” Fungbō spat, and it was Shungbō who spoke. He had cleansed his damaged mask with flame, hands covering the bare, exposed flesh beneath.

“Great Tarōbō declared that he and his party who passed the challenges would participate. We were tasked to see if his words were arrogance. I tasted the earth, brother. Though I did not bathe in it repeatedly as you did.” He couldn’t resist a dig at Fungbō, perhaps happy he was able to still look down on someone despite his ignominious defeat.

“Yeah, that’s why I pulled my blow.” I said, holding in my temper. “But bear in mind, if I aimed a bit to the side, your tin armour wouldn’t have protected you.” I flourished my wrists, which were in the process of healing, flesh and muscle regenerating under my Ether Healing. “Because diminishing our fighting strength before a dangerous expedition is the act of an idiot. At least Haanōbō had the valid excuse she was trying to protect your Territory, even if she should have asked some questions before attacking without warning.” I turned to Arangbō then. “I hope when we duel, it’ll be in the spirit of what Tarōbō intended.”

“Of course.” He nodded. “But you had a hard…” he paused, and Shungbō’s wings dipped in embarrassment. “… a battle.” He corrected. “Rest, I would not have you say I defeated you when you were not at your best. Besides…”

“Yes, let the final challenge take place properly.” I said with a wry grin, and Tarōbō agreed, his staff hammering down, drawing all eyes…

********

“They aren’t bad…” I observed to Daiyu, who was watching the challengers with interest, her own challenge next. The two Tengu, bound together by chains, were fumbling in the dark, trying to subdue each other. “But it seems that the trial here isn’t pure combat, but perception and bravery.”

“Yes, you are correct. A cowardly dragon will fall to a determined snake.” she quoted piously. “Nothing is more ruinous to a battlefield than cowardice. It spreads like poison. And…” Her black eyes narrowed as she watched one Tengu get the upper hand, twisting the arm of his fellow savagely. “…from the effort Tarōbō has put in to obscure vision and keep the challengers in close quarters, preventing much movement, I can only surmise this rift he speaks of is a dark, confined place. Ideal to weaken resolve.”

“It is.” Haanōbō agreed. She was still sitting with our group, but now she was masked again, her posture was more relaxed and confident, her voice no longer a shy whisper. I had actually given her and her brothers Ether Healing, though a small part of me still wished to leave Fungbō to suffer for a bit, repent of his actions, but that was merely my petty side speaking. The important thing is the alliance, and cleansing the flame so Haru-san and Chen Na aren’t at risk in Kyoto. Speaking of…

“I have seen it.” She continued. “Twisting narrow paths, as if dug into the mountain, yet they are not in mount Atago. Great Tarōbō did try and breach some of the tunnels, knowing where it should be, but all that was left after his great working of the earth was a dark hole, empty and useless.”

“Yeah, it’ll be down to the spatial element. Creating our own dungeons and pocket spaces would have endless uses, just like Arisu-san’s room, but… that’s far beyond us for now.” Following up on my earlier thought, I put together our party. “So, everyone’s passed a challenge except for Yasaka-san and Prince Shōtoku. That’s fine.”

“Yes, I am no warrior, as I sadly proved in the invasion that took the life of noble Tsukiko-sama.” The Prince said sadly. “And I would be better served as an emissary, imparting my wisdom.”

“I’m not going in there.” Yasaka-san insisted. “I’m an old, tired man. I’ll leave the combat and danger to you younger kids.”

“That’s hardly the case. With the levels you’ve been gaining and the Divine Favour, you’re healthy as a man in his twenties.” I assured him. “But yeah, I don’t want to risk you. I’ll have plenty of questions for you too, the better prepared we are the happier I’ll be. As for not wanting to risk people…” I turned my gaze to Motoko and Natsumi.

“I understand. We wished to take part in these battles too, but with what they are testing…” Motoko shook her head. “Our senses are keen, but we cannot fight in near-darkness easily.”

“But that won’t be a problem, since we’re with you all.” Natsumi said, looking at us. “You can conjure light in a number of ways. And while it might be dangerous… we have to take some risks to grow. We can retreat if things take a turn for the worse.”

“That’s right. With Chen Na here for protection, if you are determined to go, I can allow it. But if the dangers grow too great, only those of us who have the best chances will continue. I cherish you both too much to risk you carelessly.” As they blushed, touched by my concern, I addressed the rest of my companions. “That goes for you all. But this alliance is important, so we need to do our best.”

Bell agreed, saying that a warrior needed to judge her limits, and yet push them where she could, and that a leader had to know when to risk others and when not to. I agree. It’d be easy to wrap them in cotton wool, keep them out of danger, but then they won’t grow. But then, recklessness is bad too, as Kyoto proved… it’s a hard line to walk, which is why Chen Na and Yasaka-san can play their part in gathering knowledge and protection in emergencies.

As the winner was declared, and it was time for Daiyu to step up, she addressed Motoko and Natsumi in her slightly halting Japanese. “The ability to perceive dangers and opponents is… fundamental… yes, fundamental. When you learn the basics of Qi Refining, using Qi to sense those around you will be the first thing I teach you.”

As Motoko and Natsumi thanked her, Haru-san turned to me. “So, Akio-kun. Are we precious to you too?” Her smile was teasing, and it seemed that one of the barriers between us had finally broken. That’s good. If she can grow more comfortable around men, she can finally regain what she lost, her normal life.

“Of course. I cherish my friends and allies.”

“And your new sister.” Kana teased, before addressing the Tengu beside her. “Just Arangbō to go, and I can’t see him beating Akio. How does it feel, to be won in a duel?”

“Please, stop.” Haanōbō dipped her white wings. “I fear there has been a dreadful misunderstanding somewhere. Still…” she touched her mask tenderly. “I do thank you for redeeming my honour. You had little cause to.”

“Nope, as a huge siscon, I’d say he had cause enough. Now, let’s watch Daiyu do her thing.” Kana said, and we all watched as she was shackled to her opponent, a powerful-looking Tengu only a bit smaller than Arangbō, who dwarfed her. “He’s a big one. I’d worry for Daiyu, she’s a dainty girl, but I’ve seen her in action, so…”

“Indeed. She will strike first and fast.” Motoko predicted.

“Using her speed and skills to defeat her larger opponent quickly before greater stamina tells?” Natsumi said, and Motoko agreed.

“Yes, it is what I would do. But…” Motoko glanced at me, and I nodded.

“That only holds true if we discount the Divine Favour and Daiyu’s gains. I doubt she’s going to be bullied in there.” As if to prove my words true, Daiyu clashed with her opponent, moving quickly just as Motoko predicted, but her strength was pushing the Tengu back. The manacle was hampering her usual stance, but her free palm was constantly darting out, and the Tengu was desperately fending her off, each blow making his eyes narrow in pain even as he parried as best he could.

“That’s the advantage we have.” Kana said, puffing out her chest proudly. “Oh, sorry.” She looked at Motoko and Natsumi, momentarily forgetting they didn’t have Divine Favours. “Even without one, you can grow thanks to Lovers’ Link, and if you ask me, I’m sure Akio has plans to find you suitable Favours.”

“It would certainly be preferable than giving one to Ginneka, but… compatibility is key.” I sighed. “I doubt you are suitable for the favour Nie Ling holds either.”

“Just what do you speak of?” Haanōbō asked, and was we talked the Tengu fighting Daiyu had lost his patience and yanked on the chain, using his size and strength to hopefully throw her off-balance and drag her into his grasp. Good luck with that, I doubt it’ll work out how you wish…

I was proved right as Daiyu held the chain taut while the Tengu strained, then used his own momentum to leap forwards, and her fist shattered his defences, knocking him out in a single blow. She landed beside him, dusting off her clothes daintily, before unchaining herself and bowing to Tarōbō, walking out of the ring.

“The power of the kami, the Gods.” Kana smiled. “Akio possesses it, as does Daiyu and me. Those too.” Haru-san inclined her head, while Chen Na remained silent and Yasaka-san grumbled. “It’s rare, but even without it, you’ve seen how skilled Motoko and Natsumi are.”

“That is thanks to Akio.” Motoko declared. “Kana is correct, he can share his power with those he chooses.”

“No, it’s also down to your hard work and dedication. I love seeing people try their best. It’s sexy.” I smiled, and Motoko flushed, Natsumi taking up the conversation.

“It is attractive, seeing us in sweaty hakama, the cloth faintly transparent and sticking to our skin, our bodies flushed…” she teased, Haanōbō rather confused. Bell chimed in that she could be sexy too, loosening a few laces on her shirt as she practised the bow, and I rolled my eyes.

“Now I know you’ve all been talking to Shaeula or Shiro to joke like that. You’re not wrong though…” I said, changing the subject. “Daiyu, good match. Not that we ever doubted you.”

Daiyu nodded elegantly. “Yes, a better, fairer challenge would be you…” she looked at Haanōbō. “Or one of your brothers, but…” As more Tengu entered the arena, Arangbō came sauntering over, as arrogant as ever.

“Good fight.” He boomed at Daiyu, who inclined her head again at the compliment. “I am confident that we can succeed in defeating our enemies. But first...” he addressed me. “… our challenge awaits. But…” he flexed his massive biceps, wings spreading, blocking the light. “…we know what we face in the rifts, and our courage is not so weak as to be affected by a little darkness or lack of room to swing a weapon.”

I nodded at that. “That’s true. So what do you suggest?”

“Simple. Since my precious sister is on the line…” Haanōbō jolted at his amused teasing. “… we should fight at our best. No weakling can tame one of the Four Directions.”

“Again, I feel I have been greatly misunderstood…” she protested, but her brother ignored her.

“I’m happy enough with that.” I said, flexing my healed wrists. “It’ll be good to work the kinks out.”

“Excellent. Then we shall do battle once the final challenge has concluded.” He turned to his sister. “Will you wish me good fortune, Haanōbō of the Winter North?”

She paused, before letting out a long sigh. “Your disdain hurt me, Arangbō of the Spring East. I felt my heart would break. But…” she turned her masked face towards the flame at the centre of the mountain temple. “…were it Shungbō, Fungbō or even you that was defeated, I perhaps would have been unkind as well. So… I forgive you. As for good fortune…” she looked at us both, golden-yellow eyes moving between us. “… I wish you luck in battle, brother. And you, who defended my pride. I wish you good fortune as well. May Genbu smile on the winner, and the loser be treated with dignity.”

Arangbō laughed at that, clapping me on the back solidly. “It seems Haanōbō has chosen not to decide. How very… winter-like. She is as cold as the northern snows. If a miracle happens and you beat me, you will have your hands full with her. But win or lose, I shall not end up in such a sorry state as Fungbō, will I?”

I shook my head. “No, he had it coming. If you act honourably, I’ll offer you the same courtesy.”

“Excellent. Then…” He sat down with our group, watching as two more Tengu joined in battle, chains rattling as they jockeyed for position. “… we may as well enjoy the brief moment of calm, before you face my spring storms…”