On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Four Hundred And Twenty

“Where… am I?” she said slowly. As she shifted her hair parted, revealing she was wearing simple, plain and unadorned shrine maiden hakama, the red and white contrasting with the black of her hair, and matching her red eyes and pale white skin. That’s lucky. It wasn’t just our Neko who was going to get blinded if she was naked too… “I remember… dying. My duty done, and… sleeping, dreamlessly in a dark, warm place. No, not dreamlessly…”

It seemed that being reborn was a shocking process, as both Kinneka and Tsukiko-san seemed stunned and lethargic, but as her eyes regained their focus and her voice its strength, she continued. “…I do remember some dreams. Seeing what I think you saw. And a Yōkai, a cat…” she glanced at the still frozen Kinneka, his tail lashing instinctively, his eyes still spinning. “She spoke to me, I think. It is all so hard to remember, fragments that fade as the dawn sun breaks. But…” her pale skin reddened. “…I do remember enough.”

The downside of Kin Restoration in full force. I’m sorry Tsukiko-san, I didn’t know! Apologising in my mind, I glossed over that. “That doesn’t matter. What does is, welcome back Tsukiko-san.” I said warmly, and for a moment she again looked puzzled, before she smiled, like a flower in bloom, an expression that looked at odds with her usually serious, taciturn face.

“So, the Definite can be halted. I see I was right to hope, but wrong to accept it. But…” her eyes narrowed. “Where are we? I see Tengu. This must be the spiritual realm of the kami.”

The Tengu were equally as stunned, seeing two beings effectively being born from me in a surge of aether and the Sacred Flame, and as they flapped their wings, expressing shock, I spoke gently and calmly, not wanting to unduly stress Tsukiko-san after her rebirth.

“You’re actually not far from home. This is mount Atago.”

“Atago? I see, the sacred mountain on the borders of Kyoto. Then I wonder…” her words were cut off by Kinneka finally regaining his senses, and he surged into a combat stance, claws out, tail waving rapidly, hissing, his golden mane bristling.

“You bastards, I’ll never forgive you for killing my sister, and… me?” His thoughts and memories started to catch up with his current situation. Even so, he moved on instinct, leaping to attack the closest person to him, which happened to be Natsumi. She tensed, grabbing for her sword, but before there was any trouble, I was there, seizing him by the scruff of the neck and slamming him down into the shattered ground. He yelped, shifting his form to try and escape my grasp, shrinking in an instant, but my arm shot out, grabbing his head in a vice-like grip, fingers squirming into his skull, applying pressure, and he yowled in pain.

“I know your tricks, you can’t shrink your head away, or change it too much. So calm down, I’d hate you to die again so soon after your practically miraculous rebirth.” I said, a touch maliciously. I don’t have any good feelings towards these two cats at all. But Ginneka has a vital use, so if we can leash her, I’ll let her make it up to us through service… “I’m not the man I was when we fought before. You’re not my match. Even Nurarihyon acknowledges me. I remember you were going to throw my skull at his feet.”

“I… remember?” he shuddered, looking rather small and helpless, being the size of a young boy as he tried to escape my painful control. “Then that bitch… no, that hurts, stop squeezing…” he cried, and Kana laughed meanly at the comical sight.

“Then don’t call Shaeula a bitch. I won’t stand for it.” I warned. “Besides…” My grin was triumphant, as I explained his current situation. “… since she’s a Number of the Hyakki Yagyō, you should show her more respect.”

That surprised him. For a moment he froze, before realising he could tell he was no longer Ninetieth. “So, her Kamaitachi blood tells. Ninetieth. Her mother must be so proud… ouch, stop it!” the cat cried, as I shook him savagely.

“I warned you. Be nice. And not Ninetieth. Seventy-First.”

At that the Bakeneko gaped, stunned. On seeing that, I did feel a slight tinge of sympathy for him, but it was quickly swallowed by memories of him tearing apart the weaselkin maid for sport. She was a traitor and an enemy, but that didn’t make their cruelty and attempts to hurt Shaeula any more acceptable.

“Things have changed. So I’m going to let you down now, but if you make any suspicious moves…” I raised my hand, a last flicker of Foehn, my stock nearly exhausted, glimmering above my palm. “…it could be the shortest-lived resurrection ever.”

I released the cat, and he resumed his full size. It was then his green eyes opened wide. “My sister, Ginneka… you killed her. But… I’m here. Is she…”

At least he does worry for his sister. I suppose he’s not irredeemable, or the Sacred Flame would have left nothing after burning away the bad, just ashes of the spirit. “She’s back too. And we’ve come to an arrangement. As compensation for her crimes, she’ll be serving us for a while.”

“I see.” His tail drooped, ears flat against his skull. “I… this is very strange. A fierce battle, my sister dying, then I was slain, by the weaklings it should have been easy to deal with. Then I knew nothing, until I burned with agony, my mind feeling as if it would explode. And then… here I am.”

“Yes, here you are.” I agreed. “Now I promised your sister I would bring you back as part of the deal, but I never said I wouldn’t kill you again afterwards if you cause trouble. So sit down, be quiet, and you’ll naturally learn something.” I flared my League and Majesty, and he leapt down, tail erect, feeling the distance between our powers now. “And will you please put on some clothes? There are ladies present.”

As the Bakeneko was suddenly wrapped in an ordinary robe, I turned back to Tsukiko-san. “Sorry about the interruption. Shall we continue?”

She still seemed a little overwhelmed by her sudden revival, but managed a polite nod. “Yes. I think I have grasped the main point. I remember when you asked me to marry you…” At that Kana rolled her eyes. “…it was so that your ability could save me in the worst scenario. Instead I…” she flushed, perhaps remembering, touching her lips with her graceful fingers.

“Yes, receiving your Divine Favour, and understanding your intentions, they were enough for me to see you as Kin in my heart.” I said calmly. “So I was able to protect your spirit. In the end, even as you were dying, you came back to reassure me, to give me a hint on how to defeat the vile toad. Do you remember?”

Her flush deepened, fingers on her lips. “Yes, it is coming back to me. I was so… flippant. Quite unlike me. Perhaps laying down the burden I had carried all those years, being untethered to a body of flesh, affected me, made me giddy. And I…” She was now scarlet, and she looked down, a little ashamed.

“I hardly see a problem.” Motoko said solemnly. “I have heard much about you and your struggles. You have fought fate and the future for many long years, always alone, always facing matters only you can understand. It is only natural to seek release. Besides…” she knelt down beside the sitting Tsukiko-san. “…everyone has the right to their own happiness. Any Gods that would deny such are not Gods but demons.”

“But someone must make the sacrifice…” she protested weakly, and I took over, nodding gratefully to Motoko.

“… and you made yours. You died, after giving everything. You can tell, right?”

Tsukiko-san nodded. “It is quite strange. I have entered the spiritual world of Kyoto a number of times, but… it is missing.” She looked down at her lower body, where the Silver Cord would have been. “I have no ties to the world that I was born in. I am a free, untethered spirit.”

“Yes, but as you said before you left us, if Haru can, you can. Oh, by the way, you should thank Haru, she helped bring you back much faster. It could have been another month or two otherwise.”

“I didn’t do much.” Haru was embarrassed. “I just helped Akio-kun take this opportunity. Besides, us murder victims have to stick together.” She said, her expression and tone deadpan, bringing another giggle from Kana. “But… if you want to go home…” she was suddenly serious. “Obviously there’s a way, but…” she looked at me, and I nodded.

“You’ll need a slot on the Throne Of Heroes. I think it’s probably likely that as the ether density of Earth rises and the Boundary collapses, spiritual beings will be able to visit the Material unaided if they are strong enough, but who knows how long that’ll take. But you are more than welcome to stay in my Territory if you prefer. It’s linked to Kyoto, and has some modern amenities, and no shortage of visitors. You could be comfortable there. If you do want to go back, and… I think there’s reason to…” I know she wasn’t close to her family, not at all, but unlike Shiro’s they weren’t selfish or disregarded her, instead they were too in awe of her and her purpose to be a proper family, but they grieved at her funeral. “… you have people waiting for you, so if you do take a slot on my Throne, I will give you the minimum possible restrictions and obligations. Or you could take one under Haru if that’d be more comfortable for you. She’s a woman and also the one who knows what you’ve been through the best.”

I then reached out a hand, and Tsukiko-san took it, letting me pull her to her feet. As she brushed her long hair back and straightened her hakama, her expression changed, and she looked more like the calm, composed Diviner I had met before. “It is a lot to decide. I feel… strange. My burden has passed to you, and I feel regret. And an unwillingness to step aside. Tsukuyomi still whispers to me, even now. But… for the moment, this moment, I am a blank slate again, free. So I shall decide when I am ready, and the decision will be as I wish it.”

“That’s great, and all I can ask. There’s truly no rush.” I agreed.

“So for now, I would ask that you tell me what I have missed during my long slumber. How… how fares the Princesses?” she asked, unable to forget her visions or duties.

“I think we have waited long enough.” Arangbō broke in, and I agreed, as we had been talking for several minutes, ignoring them. “I believe I have understood from listening. Quite a miraculous gift, you never fail to surprise. But…” he thumped the barrier bubble holding his treacherous murderer of a brother. “…we must return to mount Atago and Great Tarōbō. Only when judgement falls on this coward will our duties end.” He then paused, and his eyes behind his long-nosed crimson mask narrowed with amusement. “So, your Kin are immortal, it seems? I wonder…” he smirked. “…how does it feel, sister, knowing that he can bring you back from death.”

Haanōbō crossed her arms over her chest, wings dipping, annoyed. “I am grateful that he stood up for me, but you can not simply win a sister by battle. It is all nonsense!”

“Yes, not a sister.” he agreed and she missed his tone.

“I have no dislike for Haanōbō, but… yeah, the bond isn’t deep enough for that yet, so don’t go being reckless.” I said, advising caution, and my keen ears picked up a whisper of “Yet?” from Arangbō, who then shrugged.

“It is a shame. If we were brothers in truth then poor Shungbō might have met a less miserable end. But not even Great Tarōbō, the damn kami, or the Gods themselves are omnipotent.”

“That is correct.” Tsukiko-san agreed. “My apologies, good Tengu. I am an intruder here, and have no wish to interrupt your important matters. I see you are with Akio, can I ask what you were doing?” She turned to me then. “And I have much to ask about the Princesses and the world…”

I nodded. “We can talk as we navigate back up to the summit, and out of this damn dungeon. You.” I said to Kinneka, who flinched. “Stay quiet and come with me. Don’t cause any trouble, I’m not in the mood for it right now.”

As the Bakeneko nodded, cowed, I took one last look at the hearth containing the Sacred Flame, and the ashes of Atago-un-kamuy. Victory, though it came at a cost. And a happy coincidence, of Tsukiko-san returning faster than planned. But I can’t rest on my laurels. What I need now is to finalise the alliance… and get some answers.

********

“… so Princess Eleanor survived? Thank Tsukuyomi.” Tsukiko-san said, relieved. We had been walking for a while, but were getting close to the exit of the dungeon. We had run across a small number of damned spirits and elementals, and a few tongues of orphaned Lost Flames, which we had dealt with, but as we passed the fountains of flame, they were running clean, as Haru had predicted, greatly relieving the Tengu.

“Yes, though it was a close-run thing. So, the Princesses I know of are all safe.” I assured her. “But I still don’t know about the Hell Princess or the Asura.”

“I know little myself. Only that they must not fall, as despite the chaos and danger they promise, without them greater threats will befall us all.” Tsukiko-san said gravely. “But there is hope. After all, you changed the fate of the Hungry Ghost, and my own. Destiny, Definite… I thought one immutable, the other a fate we can change. But it seems I was mistaken.”

“Yeah, it’s all merely a matter of difficulty.” I agreed. “Even if something is definite, that doesn’t mean we should stop fighting to the end. It’s like I said, ten minutes, right?” I called back to my earlier conversation with her, before the battle of Kyoto.

“I remember. And seeing these girls, I believe I see why you wish to spend a minute with them, even at the end. Perhaps you need more than a single minute.” Tsukiko-san said, surprising me, and this time it wasn’t just Kana that laughed, Haru was too.

“So, setting that aside, what do you think of the one with light and dark in his hands, twilight on his back? Still looking for him?” I asked, and she shook her head.

“No, because you are what we have, and that will have to do.” Her words came from the heart, and she gave me a slight, shy smile. “Even if he exists, he was not there to save the Hungry Ghost, nor the Princess of Humans. You were. And… my life as well.”

We were all silent at that, her words impactful, and it was Haru who broke the silence, giving me a sly wink. “Not exactly, you’re still dead, Matsumuro-san… that’s a mouthful, we’re both ghosts, can I call you Tsukiko?”

“I suppose it does not matter anymore who calls me by my name. The prophecy regarding my name and face is fulfilled, the Diviner is dead and I am Tsukiko now.” she agreed, and I had to correct her.

“No, you’re still the Diviner, as well as Tsukiko-san. You don’t have to throw everything away. You still have a great love for your role, for Tsukuyomi, I can tell. If you want to continue, by all means do so. But you can’t just throw yourself away for it, surpass your wants and desires. That sacrifice isn’t worth it.”

“Is he always so terribly pushy?” she asked, and Natsumi giggled softly.

“He is, he really is! He hates sacrifices, he thinks everyone should be able to do what makes them happy, especially sad, lonely girls. And you were very lonely, weren’t you?”

“There were some joys. My friendship with Yasuhide, for one. And Yukiko… is she well?” she asked, hesitantly.

“Yes, and she’ll be eager to see you again.” I promised. “So, there’s no rush, but if you decide to take up a Throne, there’s a need to worry about your future. The role at the Ministry is still open, and…” as I talked earnestly, trying to give her hope for a brighter future, I found myself looking at her carefully. There was a lot that reminded me of Shiro, and not just her similarly beautiful appearance. No, it was the fragility. While Shiro’s was more helplessness at her weak body and lost family, Tsukiko-san’s was loneliness, yearning. But both came from the same place. And can be cured the same way, if she’s willing. With good times and happiness. The world may be heading towards disaster, but while on the way, we have to have hope…

“I don’t understand why there are so many powerful warriors here…” Kinneka was saying, keeping a low profile. His green eyes surveyed everyone, wary. “And my head hurts. I feel… strange. Not like me at all.”

“The flames take away, and also give.” Haru explained. The Tengu were listening closely, trying to glean as much information as they could from our casual conversations, perhaps to present to Tarōbō. “You had many dark deeds staining your spirit. You are cruel, wanton and spiteful, yet that is your nature. It is a part of who you are, not a conscious choice. If you had been a truly evil being, the flames would have purified you to nothing.” She raised one eyebrow. “As it is, you have been left rather empty. But your nature is your nature. If you do not take another path, your instincts will take over and you will perpetrate the same deeds anew. Just like a cat, you enjoy the hunt and tormenting prey.”

“I don’t recommend it.” I said coldly. “I’ve paid my debt to your sister, so if you go down the wrong path again… I’ll have to put you down, and don’t expect another miracle with Kin Bonding.”

As my League and Majesty oppressed him, Kinneka resisted the urge to prostrate himself on the floor, sweating. “I get it, I do! I’ll… I want to see Ginneka. And… her, the Princess. Seventy-First. It doesn’t seem possible.”

“It would have been higher, but they didn’t count it when I killed the Kijo Matriarch, they said it wasn’t Shaeula’s deeds and… what?” The cat had frozen, green eyes staring at me unblinkingly.

“You killed… the Matriarch? That hoary old bitch?” he stammered, stunned. “Impossible!”

“No, not impossible, you’re just behind the times.” I laughed. “We met Urakaze, Shaeula’s mother, and she was accepted by the Parade, and as I said, I met Nurarihyon and his wife, Bintara, the fortune-telling Kudan and more, and we came to an alliance. We’re even trading booze with the Oni, Red and Blue are insatiable.”

With every word, Kinneka was visibly distressed, before he managed to let out a growl and complain that the giant should have paid him more. Smiling, I continued to overawe him. It might help keep his sister in line if he’s docile. “Funny you should say that, but Duke Formor is now firmly behind Shaeula’s quest to defeat the Unseelie. So I doubt you’d have much joy asking for a pay rise…”

“It seems they live an interesting life, Haanōbō.” Arangbō declared, watching his trapped brother like a raptor watching prey. “Perhaps we have been isolated on our mountain for too long, and the world has begun to pass us by. Though that may change…”

“Surely you do not believe he can defeat our father?” Haanōbō said, surprised, and he shrugged, wings lifting.

“Whether he can or not, I feel it matters little. Our father is pragmatic. We care naught for outsiders, but the world is changing. And I believe they are good allies to have. Alone… the times will pass us by, and we may eventually find ourselves alone and surrounded by enemies.”

“Yes, it is a situation we of the Seelie are all too familiar with. We lost and lost and lost some more, but finally we have had a reversal, brought about by princess Shaeula and this man here.” Bell agreed, as we finally reached the exit to the warped space. “It is not the time to stand on foolish pride.”

“It seems not.” Arangbō agreed, with one last look at his brother, who started pleading earnestly.

“Please, Arangbō! I was wrong, I know it! Let me out, I shall go far away, never bother anyone again! Just… I do not wish to face father, to disappoint him…”

“You should have thought of that before killing your brother and plotting to kill your other siblings.” I said coldly. “Actions have consequences. Now… it’s time.” Eyeing the exit back to mount Atago, I shared a glance with everyone, including Tsukiko-san, who smiled back at me warmly, the expression suiting her beauty well. Deliver back the traitor, conclude my business with Tarōbō, and hopefully find out about the true nature of the Sacred Flame. It’s been a long day, but… it's almost over.