On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Four Hundred And Twelve

Arangbō reached out, grasping a massive, thick wooden staff, both ends tipped with blackened metal that was covered in small bumps. It resembled a giant version of Fungbō’s staff, except there were no rings attached. This one looked crude and brutal, a pure weapon, rather than elegant. On seeing my gaze, Arangbō laughed.

“This staff of mine has crushed many skulls over the long years, many enemies of mount Atago and Great Tarōbō. Fear not, I have no intention of killing you. But as the Spring East, he who carries the will of Seiryū, I can hardly let you triumph without a fight. Besides…” I could tell he was grinning beneath his mask, his eyes narrowed with amusement as he looked at Haanōbō, who was covering herself with her hair, even now there was no need. “… as a brother, how can I let you steal away my sister without seeing what kind of man you truly are?”

“Okay, that line was kind of cool.” Kana giggled. “The worst thing is, I can see you saying exactly the same to whoever asks out Aiko-chan. You’d like to crush his skull too, I bet! Maybe the two of you are more alike than you thought?”

“Any husband for Aiko must be a warrior.” Motoko said stoutly. “She is like us, she loves her bow. Her Kyūdō is quite beautiful. To waste that on a man who has no skills, no bravery… even if Akio allowed it, I surely would not! I am her family too.”

“That’s bold…” Kana giggled, and as Natsumi joined in, I frowned. I met Haru-san’s eyes, and she merely smiled, shrugging, as if to say it couldn’t be helped. True. I suppose I should be thankful that everybody is getting along, and my sis having more close friends and sisters is a good thing. She’ll be in Tokyo soon with the rest of my family… that’ll be interesting, if a bit nerve-wracking…

“I’m not planning on taking her away. I can see that the situation was unusual…” I began, and Haanōbō squawked out a few annoyed words.

“I keep telling everyone, a mistake is being made here…”

Arangbō ignored his sister, booming a laugh, swinging his staff. “Yes, your intervention has been unexpected. But I feel the prickling of Fate at work. The flame must not fall, we have guarded mount Atago too long to let it be corrupted. So we shall accept your aid. That comes above our pride. Pride is for the strong.” He looked at his brothers, a mocking sneer in is voice. “Not for those who have drowned in the mud.”

Fungbō growled at that, but said nothing, merely staring at me hatefully. He’ll get over it. If he doesn’t, I’m more than happy to beat the anger out of him again…

“Like I said before, me winning doesn’t mean they are weak. I’m simply strong. As you’ll find out.” I took a Tsumura Arts stance, my centre of balance sturdy yet flexible. We weren’t using the prepared arena, since this was a battle to showcase all of Arangbō’s strength. Seeing me readying myself, he chortled happily.

“Yes, you are. But defeat is still defeat. Let your tears over your opponent being stronger bring back the dead lost to weakness. Can they? Excuses never wash out blood.”

At his harsh words, I glanced at the spirit-light of Tsukiko-san. It was getting brighter hour by hour, since it no longer had to share the flow with Ginneka. The dull light of Kinneka was also orbiting me, but it was only receiving a trickle until I had bound Ginneka with my Throne to be safe. And work out how to block any voyeurism. “No, you’re right. I apologise.” I nodded to him, surprising the massive Tengu. “I’ve lost those I should have been strong enough to protect. But… even so, it doesn’t change the fact that there is always a new limit, a sky beyond the sky, as Daiyu might day.” She nodded at that, and I continued. “Even in defeat, I believe that the hard work that went into trying to avert it matters. And I hope…” I remembered Mine-san, the dead trainees, those killed in Kyoto when Nie Ling pulled them into the Boundary and more… “…that the dead find peace knowing we did our best.”

“I see.” Arangbō rumbled. “That is your philosophy, is it? Well then…” he swung his huge staff effortlessly, whistling through the air menacingly. “… we shall see whether my strength can overcome yours. Are you not drawing your sword?” he asked me, eyeing it on my back, and I shrugged.

“I hope not to need it. It’s a tool for killing, and this isn’t a battle, but a duel.”

“I see. Bold words. But I agree. I shall only break a few bones.” Arangbō said happily. He turned to his father. “Great Tarōbō, I, the Spring East of your Four Directions, and oldest surviving child… I will prove that I am worthy to lead!”

Tarōbō looked at him, his yellow robes covered in ruby letters and sigils a match to the crimson mask he wore that was chased with gold. The jewel shining in the Staff of Muted Desires flickered a little, giving off rays of brilliant light, illuminating him, and all eyes were on him. “Very well, my son…” he said solemnly. “Clash your wills and strengths, prove whose ideals burn the brightest. Begin!”

Even as the word left the Tengu’s mouth, Arangbō was rushing at me, wings propelling him forwards. He was fast, but not possessing my more balanced attributes, so I could easily react. I dodged the sweep of his staff, which blasted a crater in the ground, showering the onlookers with dirt and debris. He grunted, whipping his staff around surprisingly gracefully, and I blocked the blow, arms crossed, wanting to test his strength. The impact jolted my body, and my bones creaked, but I held my ground, surprising him. Not bad. A bit weaker than Grulgor, on a par strength-wise with Ulfuric. But… he doesn’t have Ulfuric’s impeccable skills…

Seeing my grin, Arangbō let out a laugh. “Not bad. But I am just getting started!” A flurry of blows from his staff came at me from all angles, and even though I was several times faster than him, it was impossible to dodge them all. My hands, remembering the earlier training I had done in martial arts from YouTube videos, coupled with Tsumura Arts, formed open palms, deflecting most of the thrusts and swings. Those that I couldn’t deflect I took on areas of my body that were the least vital, and Ether Healing quickly took care of those modest injuries.

“You are strong… but strength alone won’t do.” I caught his staff, impact stinging my palms, and he grunted, trying to pull it free. I let Body Enhancement surge, and suddenly he was unable to keep his grip on the staff, despite his strength. As I tore it free, he leapt backwards, wings spreading, and he let out a cry.

“Seiryū, Lord Of Spring, Master Of Wood…” he cut his chant short as I hurled the staff at him like a javelin. He caught it, though he was unable to arrest the momentum and one of the metal ends slammed into his shoulder, numbing his wing, and he dropped to earth. “Saikou Aokigahara!”

Greatest sea of trees, huh? The ground around us burst into life, great bark-covered vines ripping free in their dozens, converging on me in a scattering of brown energies. My thoughts were running fast, and I felt a little dizzy, as in the moment I was also just leaving a late-night meeting with Hinata, and the dichotomy in places and temporal flows was jarring.

“I am not the most skilled with the use of the elements.” Arangbō admitted, as the vines surged towards me like a tidal wave of wood and greenery. “But when it comes to sheer power…”

“Power is good…” I agreed, my own surge of Wood element responding. Vines sprouted, grabbing and snaring some of the incoming tentacles, slowing them, but it was insufficient to halt the attack.

“You have it too? Interesting. Fire, wind, earth, now this… but you are too weak!” Arangbō crowed.

“True.” He looked surprised as all of the vines around me fell, sliced apart, and Storming Moonlight was gleaming in my hands, wind and lightning wreathing the blade. “I need to practise it more. But if Hyacinth was here, she’d show you what Wood element can really do…”

“Impressive.” Bell muttered, as the girls were cheering me on happily. “Your movements are certainly fast, no doubt about that.”

“So, you drew your sword…” Arangbō flourished his staff. More vines rolled down towards me, blotting out the skies and the crowds, only for them to fall apart, a cage of wind threads around me cutting through them like a buzzsaw.

“Yes, though I have other ways to cut. But I’m trying to practice. Round two then?” I cracked my neck, acting cool because I was trying to show the Tengu I was worth an alliance. And I suppose I do want to show off in front of the girls…

“Why not?” Arangbō laughed, and his staff met my sword, the impact making him take a step back. Flustered, not used to being outmatched in terms of muscle, he swung again. I see. I parried, and swept my blade down. Blood bloomed, and his right arm was suddenly useless.

“A Tsumura Arts counter… did you see that Motoko?” Natsumi giggled happily, and Motoko nodded, also excited.

“Yes, and so beautifully done too!” she praised. Daiyu, also watching, added her own insights.

“It is not merely just swordplay. It is similar to how a Sword Cultivator would use their whole body and Qi to strike. Perhaps your arts hold more secrets than I expected…”

“That badgerkin Ulfuric would likely complain about the sloppiness of the footwork, it can still be greatly improved. Bad habits need training out, and with greater speed and strength, the easier it is to just let them slide until they are too deeply ingrained to shift. But I am impressed anew…” Bell giggled.

Even as the audience chattered amongst themselves, Arangbō was not defeated. Wood element surged, and vines twisted around his wounded arm, forcing it back into use. With an aggrieved snort, he brandished his staff, charging anew, a rain of long barbed thorns erupting from behind him and firing at me like a hail of bullets. Verdant wind energy flared from me, deflecting the thorns, and my sword clashed with his staff, only for me to duck inside his defences as he staggered, the flat edge of my blade slamming into his ribs. I then punched him in the head, shattering the nose of his mask, and he shook his head, momentarily dazed.

“Careful, you fool!” Shungbō shouted, and the words seemed to snap him out of his daze. With a grunt he swept backwards, wings opening, and soon he was in the air above me, looking down, his mask a wreck.

“I see I underestimated you. Maybe I am just as foolish as the others. In that respect, only Haanōbō has some excuse.” He nodded at her, and she dipped her wings, puzzled. “But no more.” I could see his mouth under the shattered mask, and though it was largely hidden by a thick beard, I could see it twitch into a grin. “I saw you bring down Fungbō despite him being in the sky, so I shall not be complacent. But… try it if you can!” he roared, exultant. Vines burst from the ground, and I called on flame element, burning them as they swung at me. I vanished in a spray of purple spatial element, and Arangbō rolled, dodging my sudden sword stroke as he anticipated my moves. He grinned, flapping his wings as he glided back, and his staff suddenly elongated, flying at me, the metal head surrounded by a halo of wooden spikes.

“Are you a damn monkey now?” I complained, vanishing again. My Void Motion drained a significant amount of my spatial element, so I couldn’t keep it up for long, which I suspected Arangbō was banking on. Time to set up my finishing blow then… I was enjoying myself, originally I started the duels to soothe my conscience on Haanōbō’s treatment, but Arangbō, having seen my strength, was no longer treating her badly, so now it was a duel with lesser yet still important stakes. Wind element surged from me, as well as some earth element, which was far harder to control at this altitude. Haanōbō looked up as her feathers rustled in the sudden breeze. Perhaps she remembers…

“How long can you keep this up?” Arangbō laughed, flying higher. I teleported, and as I emerged I hurled some water bullets at him. He spun his staff, deflecting them, though he did take some painful hits, blood scattering, but he was rather durable too, ignoring the falling droplets and scattered feathers. For around a minute we continued to clash, and I came out better in each collision, Arangbō starting to look rather ragged, but as I landed on the ground, he was high above me, staff poised.

“I am of the sky, you are of the ground.” He called. “I mean no offense, that is simply the difference between us. You may enter the sky, touch it, but you will never command it. Now, you can do nothing to me, so I suggest you concede.” He held his staff and channelled wood element, the heavy rod growing until it was the size of a tree-trunk, a veritable battering ram.

You think? Just as I thought that, a smile forming on my face, Haanōbō sighed. “Brother, look up.” she called, and as Arangbō craned his neck, his eyes widened at the swirling mass of wind element shining emerald above him. He barely had time to move before it slammed down on him, driving him down towards the ground. Roaring, he used his staff to block the worst, flecks of wood shaving off in the storm of boiling winds, and as he beat his wings frantically, managing to stabilise himself a dozen metres overhead, I spoke.

“Jupiter Descending…” I raised my hand, and the aether and earth element I had been deploying was released, and from behind the jade torrent, hidden from view, a conjured boulder dropped. “… Io Falls!”

Arangbō, already off-balance from the wind, raised his staff, and it extended, slamming into the rock, shattering it with great effort. As he was pelted with debris, he grinned. “You will need harder fists than that little pebble to stop me…”

“Oh will I?” Void Motion surged, and this time my punches struck the base of his wings, numbing them. He yelped, slamming into the ground and I landed beside him, sword drawn, bared blade at his throat. “My fists hit plenty hard, trust me.” When it isn’t Grulgor as the projectile, Io Falls lacks impact, I admit it…

Arangbō looked up, but feeling the sting of cold metal on his neck, he waved a hand in surrender. “It seems so. I ache. But it was a good battle…”

“I thought defeat was never acceptable?” I said meanly, and he barked a laugh.

“Throwing my own words back at me? It seems you have proved a point. I surrender.”

As he did so, Fungbō shouted out a curse. “Useless! You mocked me, and now you grub in the dirt just as I did!” he spat some stickly phlegm on the earth, disgruntled.

“Hardly like you did. You did not just grub in the mud, you bathed in it, my brother.” Arangbō scoffed as he staggered to his feet. “I merely tasted it.”

I didn’t see the need to trample on Arangbō like the others, I had made my point, so as he rose, I stepped aside as he waved his wings, face twisted under his broken mask at the pain he still felt. “Great Tarōbō, I fear all of your children have been defeated. I would dread it was an ill omen, but…” he looked at the yellow-clad Tengu ruler, who nodded. Slamming his staff on the ground again, he spoke grandly.

“The challenges are concluded. Our champions are known. But these trials have been greatly tiring, so before you brave the rifts, rejoice. There will be more feasting and celebrations, libations to the sacred flame!” As the Tengu around us cheered, I exchanged a glance with Haru-san, who giggled softly, amused. Yeah, more feasting… these Tengu sure do like to eat and drink…

That thought left my mind, when he turned to Haanōbō, his voice softening. “Daughter. Haanōbō of the Winter North, she who praises Genbu… go to him. Your brothers lie defeated, and as promised, you are now his.” he paused. “It seems you chose, so I wish you happiness.”

Huh, what? Haanōbō seemed as confused as me, and more frustrated, as her wings flapped angrily, and she called out loudly. “I keep telling everyone I am being misunderstood! I am a Tengu of mount Atago, and one of the Four Directions, I have no wish to leave!”

“But you showed him your bare face, sister.” Arangbō said, puzzled. “Why else would you carry such shame, unless you thought he was one you would share all with?”

“Are you an idiot? No, I know you are…” she cried, frustrated. “I was already shamed beyond all reason. The three of you, rather, the other Tengu, all were looking at me as if I was a worthless woman, the sky denied to me. I felt that no further shame could worsen the feeling in my heart. It was not… not… not that!” her little exposed skin was flushed, and I fancied even her white feathers were lightly pink, though that might have been a trick of the light. “He was kind to me, despite crushing my dignity, so… it was cathartic!”

“I see.” Tarōbō paused. “But it is too late. To the victor, the spoils.” He looked at his crystal, glowing brilliantly. “Were I to break faith, most of this power would be wasted. We need it for our battle ahead. Besides, it is far from unusual for a man to battle brothers and fathers to steal a bride. And battle he did… at least you know he is a strong man, daughter. Not a Tengu, but powerful. If he was a mere human, I would never allow it, but he seems to be a kami like Shōtoku, though I have never heard of him. A new one, perhaps…”

“He was a human until recently.” The Prince spoke up. “But now he is a spiritual being, with a lifespan equal to any, I am sure. There will be no sad tale of bitter partings due to age.”

I thought you were supporting Tsukiko-san, you traitor? “You’re not helping.” I hissed at the Prince, while Kana was laughing loudly, muttering that Eri was going to be furious. Turning to Tarōbō, I spoke courteously. “I too think there’s been a misunderstanding. Yes, I challenged to win Haanōbō, but only as a sister. And taking her as a sister doesn’t take away her existing brothers.” I eyed them, and Fungbō looked away, still raging when our eyes met. “I merely wanted to stop her unfair treatment. Now you all see she did no worse than any of you… there’s no need for more, and even if there was, I wouldn’t take her from her home. When we conclude our alliance, then my Territory is literally a stone’s throw from here.”

“Nonsense.” Arangbō laughed, vines having bound his injuries, forcing his numb wings to work. “Who under the Gods would fight so hard just for that? I can see why you might be taken with little Haanōbō, she is talented, and you saw her face and said she was… ah yes, cute. Even if we dismissed that in our anger and shame that outsiders set foot on our mountain for the first time in a thousand years or more, we would be derided as cowards. Do not be shy…” he clapped me on the back. “We should toast to your union! You seek alliance, what better way than tradition, a binding of family?”

“There is no way you can say yes to that, and then refuse us.” Bell giggled, also not helping. “Back me up here, my pupils. You would be delighted if I joined your family, would you not? We could train together more, and I would smooth your path into the Way-Wardens as the first human members…”

“That does sound good.” Motoko agreed. “I never dreamed I could be a professional warrior, though the thought appeals. But we must grow stronger first.”

“That’s right!” Natsumi agreed. “If we aren’t, we’ll just make Akio worry. He won’t stop us following our dreams like a noble son would, but he’ll always think of us. It’s our duty as noble wives, taking the best of it, to make sure that he doesn’t feel bad, or have concerns about us and our safety and loyalty.”

“They’re a bit crazy, aren’t they Daiyu?” Kana was saying to her. “Me, I don’t exactly welcome more competition, but it’s hardly fair for me to say no, since I was last in. I may be many things, but I’m not that much of a hypocrite. I suppose there is one silver lining though.”

“Oh?” Daiyu asked, a bit puzzled by the situation.

“At least Akio can split himself in two. That means even adding another few, we’ll still be able to spend as much time with him as before, maybe even a bit more.” she giggled. “I’m not telling Eri though, someone else can do that…”

I listened to the girls talk nonsense, holding in a sigh. “Look, Haanōbō, you don’t want it, I wasn’t looking for it. I understand. I came in, humiliated you…”

“I hardly hate you.” she said. “You are a strong warrior, and you humbled my brothers when they looked down on me. And if you aid Great Tarōbō in cleansing the flame, our charge… I would be grateful. But everyone misunderstands us… this is not a story of great love from nothing.”

“Isn’t it? It sounds pretty romantic to me.” Haru-san said, surprising me. She’s the last person I’d expect to think about the romance of a situation. “It was a very fateful first meeting, wasn’t it?”

“I confess that is true.” Haanōbō nodded.

“But life isn’t a romantic comedy, even if your life seems like it sometimes, Akio-kun.” she giggled. “Haanōbō, I understand. But… you don’t hate him, it sounds like, or hold a grudge.

The Tengu shook her head, violet hair floating. “No. Another intruder who I failed to defeat could easily have killed me, slain many Tengu, despoiled the mountain… instead you offer aid…” she paused. “Even if you do have your own motives. I have no hatred towards you.”

“Then the answer is simple. Just do what Akio originally planned. Be his adopted sister. He’s a siscon through and through, so he’d always be good to you. And he’s right. You can stay on the mountain. Sometimes we might request your assistance, but… family help each other, right?” she looked at me and winked slyly, and I suddenly heard her thoughts.

It’s cute seeing you flustered. But really, the Tengu are right. Who would go to all this effort to gain a sister? It’s natural they think you had other motives. I would have thought so too, if I didn’t know better. But leave it to me, I know you want this alliance so we can access the flame element, I’ll steer things the right way.

“If both Haanōbō and Akio-kun say so, we should at least pretend to believe them.” Haru-san said professionally. “It doesn’t make a difference, does it? Besides, we have a more pressing matter.” She looked meaningfully at the flame burning in the temple, and Tarōbō slammed down his staff.

“It seems so. I have no great understanding of what customs you outsiders have, but I believe you said you do not denigrate our customs, so we should respect yours. Haanōbō…” at her name being called, she twitched her wings.

“Yes, Great Tarōbō?”

“You shall be the liaison for our… guests. See to your brother…” Arangbō laughed at that, while Fungbō looked murderous, and Shungbō merely seemed resigned, by the set of his wings. “… and his needs. Serve him well. Yet never forget your honour as the Winter North.”

“I understand…” she bowed low, before turning to me. “Brother…” the word crept from her lips, with a little resignation. “… we should rest. Your strength must have been depleted by your battles. I would not have you perish inside the rifts due to exhaustion.”

“See that? He smiled when she said brother!” Kana laughed. “Aiko-chan is going to be mad too!”

Ignoring her, I turned to Motoko and Natsumi. “It looks like you’ll be missing some school. Is that fine?” I asked, and they said that their parents and the Three Grandfathers had said they could prioritise our tasks. I see. Hopefully we can wrap it up before too much time passes on the Material, but… judging by the attitudes of the Tengu, this was no simple little dungeon…

********

“I’m jealous, you know.” Hinata was saying, snuggled into my embrace in the back of the car. “Motoko and Natsumi are venturing into such an exciting place with you.”

“It’s not a date. It’ll be dangerous.” I chided, and she merely grinned, her usual teasing smile.

“You’ll protect them, I know that. But… I have my own role.,” she grinned at the documents and her laptop. “We can get started as soon as the paperwork is filed for Nie Ling to be released into your custody, and that cat is able to enter our world. The Ministry is slowly conducting tests on ether depletion and exposure, but ideally if you can squeeze in some upgrades to the Connection buildings sooner than later… we can’t be having our workers fall ill…” as she brainstormed, I grinned, ruffling her hair, and I kissed her forehead softly. She blushed, brown eyes moist.

“Are Motoko and Natsumi showing you affection? They are quite shy.” She said, and I nodded.

“That’s good.” She nodded. “Us noble daughters are bad at that, and the more noble, the worse we are. I think that’s the sweetest change of all. We can love, just as our brothers do. Though Hiroto loves too easily.” She snorted. “I hear he’s had another fling at University. It’s only natural, he’s had the Chirurgery, and he’s rich. And like me, he has a good appearance.”

“A great appearance, if it’s like yours.” I teased, enjoying her shy yet excited reaction.

“Oh you. Anyway…” her smile turned mischievous. “If Motoko and Natsumi aren’t going home tonight, then neither am I. It’s a good time to get some things done.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you’re younger…” I began, but she cut me off.

“Yes, but I’m old enough, and your fiancée. Besides, I’ll be spending half the week living with you as soon as the last details of the new estate are finished. What will one night matter? I’ll contact father and grandfather. I want to talk to some of the girls.”

“If you’re sure. I guess I don’t mind.”

“Good.” She giggled. “I’d hate to think you didn’t want to spend time with me. Although…” she narrowed her eyes. “You should spend the night with Eri. She’s been through a lot. And I need to go to the Boundary, and you’re already there.”

The Boundary, huh? “So what are you planning?” I asked, curious, and her smile in return was cute and sly.

“Something important. Don’t worry, as always I’m looking after your interests, just like I always do. But… it’s exciting. I can hardly wait…” As she giggled to herself, I shook my head. Spending some time with Eri isn’t a bad thing, I’m delighted she’s healed, but… it does make me wonder why Hinata said that… At the same time, I was laughing and joking with my party on mount Atago, Haanōbō silently pouring me a cup of sake. Oh well, I trust Hinata. She’ll tell me when I need to know…