On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Side One Hundred And Thirty-Four – Shaeula Tu Shae Dannan

“Yes, you are doing quite-quite well, sister-in-law.” I praised Selensha, who was struggling to integrate the jade wind energy that was swirling about the park where I had made my initial lair, back before Akio defeated me. Even now, the shimmering silver Ether Spires were drawing in the surrounding energies, funnelling wind to the Elemental Silo. We are gathering a respectable amount. Well, perhaps soon… I sniffed the air, the scent of the wind refreshing, but under it lay a tang of other energies. My Mystic Eyes shone a brilliant amber, and as I momentarily glanced at the sky, I could see vivid dark rainbows behind the endless silver lightning, faint trickles of dark unlight leaking free, dancing in the skies.

Perhaps this calm is beginning to turn. That would be most welcome, considering the delays the slowing has caused our construction. Putting those thoughts aside, I continued to use my Eyes to observe Selensha. Her body was suffering, emerald needles of wind energy piercing her network in unlikely, inappropriate places, and she was even bleeding, red and silver. On seeing that, Selensha ground her teeth, clutching at her ornate staff, the orange crystal atop it glowing brilliantly, and her internal water element surged, washing away the wind, beginning to repair her injuries.

“Not-not a bad effort.” I sighed, offering my own Healing, her body knitting back together, fur regaining its brilliant white lustre. “Sometimes I wonder just how-how my brother managed to win such a fine female as you, Selensha.”

“I do often wonder, consider that myself.” Anna, my sister, was visiting from the Fae Realms, and had been watching Selensha train with a little guidance from myself. “Well, Raggy is not so bad, not too terrible. Though he should not forget that I am still rather angry, quite furious about the trials he put you through before.”

“All water under the bridge, as the mortals say, Anna.” I replied calmly. “In the end, if brother Shaeraggo had not-not have been such a fool, we would likely have suffered greatly trying to secure our Territory and defeated our many-many enemies. And the Spring would never have been recaptured. Results do matter, my dear-dear Anna. And he has helped us greatly since. I hold-hold no further ill-will.” Ixitt, Bjarki and Hyacinth would not have been with us, most likely. I looked down at the rather fetching armoured dress Master Bjarki had made me, liking the way it both protected me and looked charming, the black cloth lined with shimmering dark scales of metal very pretty. It is a shame Akio did not have time to see me don it.

I had barely thought that before Anna had rushed at me, grabbing me in a hug. Even with my newfound abilities I was still no match for her in terms of physical strength and speed, though I believed my elemental aptitudes rather outstripped her. “Oh, my Ula, so cute, so adorable! Raggy is lucky to have such a forgiving, sweet little sister!”

“Please, let me go-go, Anna!” I squirmed in her embrace, and eventually she released me, eyes gleaming. Straightening my dress armour, I smiled. “Thank you. Well, from what-what I can see, Selensha, you are not-not too far from your goal.” I detailed my findings, mostly about how the wind energy was not circulating to her heart chakra, and was instead mixing in with the water in her sacral one, leading to the wind growing too powerful, and exploding within her, causing injury. “… so you must-must balance the flow. It is not-not trivial, I know. But… I like to believe myself a master of such!” I puffed out my chest proudly, missing the head pats I would likely receive after a declaration such as that were Akio here, so a sigh leaked from my lips.

“Do not be downcast, so disheartened, my Ula! Sister Anna is here for you!” My sister consoled me, and I smiled.

“I know. I am not-not down, not-not truly. I have many tasks to occupy my time. But… back to the matter at hand-hand. Mortals seem to have a far-far easier time adapting to elements, perhaps because their existence is plain, unaspected. Our aspects, they do surely-surely fight against what we try and achieve. However…” my gaze was intense, and Selensha shivered, while Anna shuddered with a different emotion. “We know it can-can be achieved. In the past, more Fae managed, such as Princess Estalian and others. But most importantly… I stand before you as proof-proof positive. I did even overcome the earth that should be inimical to me, and now…” I gestured, and the ground exploded, though my earth element was far weaker than I had anticipated. Perhaps there is still more to do, to learn… “… I command many elements.”

“So, are you saying mortals will surpass us, Ula? That I cannot tolerate, will not allow. If the war returns, the Seelie Court will surely be in grave peril, deadly danger!”

I shook my head. “That will not-not happen, never. Akio and those he has allied with would fight with us against other mortals, I am quite certain. But we have other strengths, sister Anna, Selensha.” It was gratifying seeing them listen to me carefully, considering I used to be thought of as merely arrogant and weak. “I believe that mortals find it far-far easier to change themselves, but we Fae and others like us, such as Yokai, we have inherent strengths, born stronger and most-most gifted. They are blank-blank canvasses, whereas we are already beautiful artworks, yet…” I gathered my thoughts. “…blank canvasses can be painted, and already beautiful artworks can surely-surely be further improved upon. We, none-none of us, have found our limits yet.” Every day I discover more that we can do.

“You motivate me, Ula! I shall never let you go so far, too distant ahead of me. I have my pride as your sister to think of! I will surely master a second element, break my limits, shatter my boundaries.” She was pumped up, and I was happy to see it. I gave her encouragement, and as she once more grabbed me for a hug, my new maid-in-training, one of the many interchangeable daughters of Ixitt, rushed in.

“Princesses, Lady Selensha, Grulgor has come to see you. I asked him to wait to check it was fine and he did, but…” she wiped silvery sweat from her brow and I grinned.

“Why yes, Grulgor has-has become almost embarrassingly well-behaved recently. Did he say what he wished-wished to discuss?”

“No, I forgot to ask. Forgive me!” my maid said, mortified, and I waved it away with good humour.

“Well, please do better next time. You may-may allow him entry.”

Anna bristled, reaching for her spear. Even though we were now in alliance with Duke Formor, and he had stopped his provoking of my father, my sister still did not trust trolls or giants, and the fact Grulgor had been sent to the Boundary of Japan to kill me was another strike against him. Though, it is most strange that I now trust Grulgor with my back in battle. Akio is right. Today’s enemies may be tomorrow’s friends. Well, those who are not beyond redemption, of course.

Moments later, Grulgor traipsed in, his body a twisted mess of wounds and torn flesh, craters gouged out of his sturdy body. Even as we watched in disgust, his flesh was bubbling and regrowing, his regeneration, which was abnormal even for trolls, rapidly repairing him… my thoughts stopped, as I noticed something strange.

“Little princess would notice, Grulgor knew.” He laughed, massive teeth grinding. “Yes, Grul has done it!”

My Eye picked up a haze of orange around him, and he frowned, water splashing, and the pace of his regeneration increased, even some of his old scars and wounds that had regenerated improperly beginning to break down, orange mist rising.

“Wait, water healing?” Selensha said, stunned, and I nodded.

“Well, it seems like Grulgor has-has defeated you, sister-in-law. Rather shameful. I do expect you to try much-much harder.” I teased her, smirking at her chagrin. Anna was looking at him, her eyes cold, and I shrugged, amused. “So, how-how did you succeed? You look quite the fright still.”

“Grulgor brute-forced it. Grul is still not too smart. Grulgor tried with the little twin girls and it helped a little, but…”

“Ah yes, none amongst them has-has mastered the water yet. An oversight.” I sniffed. “So, you just destroyed your body with failures, and fought until you finally-finally succeeded? A very Grulgor way to do it. Well, congratulations. Akio will be most-most pleased. I know I surely am.”

“Grul wanted you to know. Now Duke Formor will have no choice but to send more and more trolls and giants for training here. Grulgor thinks that will make us safer, no foolish foe would try and crush so many powerful Fae.”

“Well, you are quite-quite the sly tactician.” I laughed, approving. “Our training should come at a modest-modest cost. We will use the forces we receive as labour. Now, I think you should rest-rest and heal. You will scare the mortals looking like that.”

Grulgor laughed and agreed, walking out, mostly healed, earth and water element boiling within him. I turned to my surprised sister and smiled. “See, Anna, my point, it is surely-surely made. If even Grulgor can master it, how can you and brother Shaeraggo, and you my dear sister in-law, not-not? But I am not-not cruel. Selensha, you can do what Grulgor did with your healing, but I do not-not like seeing you hurting. We will find the twins. I know wind well indeed-indeed. As for you, my sister…”

“I shall not be left behind, fall away!” she declared, resolute. “If the brute can master water, surely I can-can too. I would prefer flame, to match Talaisha better, but…”

“Yes, we lack flame element, so you would need-need to use our stocks in batteries. It is not-not easy, only those with great intellect such as Ixitt would succeed that way. Well, fret not-not my dear sister. After all, I have mastered wind, flame, water and earth. You can-can too!”

Yes, the twins will be happy to help sister Anna and Selensha. Perhaps I shall drag my foolish brother along too, for he is also floundering, I do believe… Well satisfied, I enjoyed the diversion this was bringing me, already starting to miss Akio. Well, he will return soon, and then we can advance our plans…

********

“Most excellent. These are quite-quite perfect.” I said happily, inspecting the saplings planted by the plantkin Primal Forest had sent us. “Now, I would be most-most grateful if wood element could be used to grow them to maturity. These are not-not sacred Rhyming Trees, it should be possible, no?”

Ala, the head of these plantkin, who I was acquainted with thanks to the Ring Gate pair we had secured for Kyoto, frowned at me, her face of woven vines and fronds surprisingly expressive. “That seems a waste of energy. These trees are healthy, they will grow into wonderful trees in time.”

“True. But these trees have another purpose. Yes, they are quite-quite healthy, but I wish for them to bear fruit soon and often. I am not-not expecting your brethren to exhaust themselves for free-free though.” I paused, allowing her to hang on my every word. “No, for those who aid me, I shall-shall offer priority passes to the Spring, to soak their roots in the sacred Spring of Clear Reflections. Have you not-not seen it? It is refilling very nicely, and the water shines so prettily, full-full of delightful…”

Ala gulped. “Fine. I shall consider it, as will some of my other kin. So, the lands around the Spring, they are not as before…”

“Of course not-not. I promised Primal Forest better than before, if he aided and supported me.” I puffed out my chest, adopting a regal pose. “The flows-flows of earth and water element the Spring was famous for are beginning to return. It is a shame-shame no Rhyming Trees have sprouted, but it is clearly too-too much to ask after the many hundreds of years of Myconid filth infesting the place. It was enough of a miracle Asha survived.” Well, one day when the Tree Asha dwells in bears seeds, perhaps we can reforest… but Rhyming Trees fruit so rarely…

“Yes, her Tree and the other, I weep to see them healthy. It is a deed that has endeared you to Primal Forest.” Ala agreed.

“Excellent. I too have great respect for Primal Forest and all-all he has achieved over the millennia. Well, you see, these-these trees are bearing many delightful fruits. We also have vineyards, fields full of vegetables and more, plus of course trees bearing nuts, and many-many flowers, for both beauty and their nectars and saps-saps.” I paused. “Of course, ordinary trees, oak, ash, elm, yew… trees the Fae dearly-dearly love, they too have been planted, as home to wildlife and many pixies, sprites and more, as well as…” I grinned, thinking of the success that had just happened. “…well, I want good harvests. Bountiful harvests.”

“The flowers do bloom beautifully.” Ala admitted, remembering a field of Fae roses she had sown recently. “The Spring will be beautiful.”

“That it will. And functional too-too.” One more reason for the larger oak and elm trees was that terraces could be erected similar to Asha’s tree, for cafés, bars, viewing platforms and more. The Spring will be a wonder of commerce and beauty, and a fitting monument to me. And the produce, all the alcohol and drinks and more we can make will flow, to the Seelie Court, the Night Parade, and anyone else who wishes to trade. Wealth comes our way, as well as support. And luxury fit for a princess such as me of course.

“Princess, are you well?” Ala said as I had stopped speaking, and I coughed, embarrassed.

“Yes, I was lost-lost in thought. Well, I must be going. If you can-can spread my offer, any who aid in the fortifying of the orchards and fields will be most-most handsomely rewarded.”

As Ala departed, I headed for my next destination, in the shadow of the hill that crested the Spring. Soon I could see several large trees, between which hung a large hive, a number of shimmering Mirror Bees busily constructing further fortifications. On seeing me, the scouts buzzed over happily.

“I see all is well, is the Queen here?” I asked, and soon she buzzed out. It was not the Queen in Akio’s Territory, but since the Hive had joined us, it had been allowed to expand, all natural enemies gone, and a new Queen had been birthed. Such was a difficult situation, for new often competed with old, but I had the solution, and offered the Spring and its abundance of nectars, pollens and saps as a bounty. For fair exchange of course.

The Queen buzzed at me, not using words, but I understood well enough.

Yes, great ruler. I am well. The Hive is building apace. My workers are spawned, though perhaps we require more soldiers? I worry.

“No need. None-none shall harm you in my domain.” I promised. “I stake my reputation upon it. No, continue to spawn more workers, keep only the bare-bare minimum of soldiers and drones for your needs. Harvest the nectars, grow-grow strong, and bring forth honey, jelly and sugars for us.”

I shall. I am grateful I do not have to share land with my mother, it would be troubling. I have no wish to fight her hive. Here we can be free to grow.

I continued to talk for a while, establishing our plans. Wooden barrels had been set up for filling, and I hoped, with the Spring so full of flowers and the bees able to forage without worry, spawning workers en-masse, to be able to produce on an industrial scale. After this, I must see the pixies that have moved into the south. Faerie dew and Faerie nectar are also worth their weight in precious metals, so with them what wonders can we concoct…? Rubbing my hands together I resisted the urge to cackle happily. Soon, the true benefits of the Spring would start unfolding for us, and I could hardly wait…

********

After leaving the Spring I was called to Kyoto, through the Ring Gate. Ixitt was with me, as were my maids, Klena and Velna, who both looked rather intimidated by our guests, who met us in the shadow of Kiyomizu-dera, just outside the sacred grounds. Close by where we fought before. Apt.

“So, what have you done to Kyoto?” Red, the massive crimson Oni said, taking a swig from his huge clay gourd. “Looks like most of it is under a new control. Could be seen as a hostile act, I’d say.”

“Ya, if we wanted to bust on in, kick down this feeble barrier, ya think we couldn’t?” Blue snorted.

“Now you two…” the third guest said languidly, her four bushy tails twitching, as the beautiful kitsune woman gestured with her enamelled pipe, thin trails of blue smoke rising from it. “…the defences always allow us through, and we have no trouble Parading, if we so wish.”

“That is correct.” I said, a little disappointed, my gaze searching, and the blue Oni shrugged.

“Urakaze, she didn’t come, ya see she thought it’d be a bit awkward, if she ran into her old flame or one of ya kin, get it? Well, she can be a funny one, that Kamaitachi.”

“I see. Well, do tell my mother I am thinking of her, and that she can-can safely visit.” I said at last. “As for the Territory, I dare-dare say Lady Bintara has told you about what happened.”

“Yes, such a shame.” The foxwoman licked her lips and the stem of her pipe vulgarly. Ixitt was sniggering at the display, but I had no care for it. “Mortals fighting benefits naught but them, and many things of ours are destroyed in the meantime. Rather frustrating. But I hear your husband is well, little daughter of Urakaze.”

I do not like this fox, not at all. “Akio was triumphant. I myself slew several. And I do not-not care for your tone.” Lightning crackled, and the fox eyed me curiously.

“I see. Yes, the lightning. How auspicious. Well, don’t mind me…!” she yawned, stretching, her massive chest bouncing, barely contained within her patterned kimono. Yes, I do not like her at all. “I am only here to mediate the trade. I have a thirst for something… exotic.” She licked her lips. “Perhaps mortal.”

“Well, I hope soon-soon to be able to satisfy that in a way we can both enjoy.” I warned, not missing her implications. “Mortal alcohol, brought to the Boundary. I believe it to be quite-quite possible. But for now… make do with the treasures I have-have brought.”

Wesealkin and ratkin unloaded a number of heavy barrels and a few smaller ones, and Red looked rapturous. “That smells good, don’t you think, Blue? Worth coming all the way back to Kyoto for.”

“What ya got here for us, little daughter of Urakaze? I got a raging thirst for something good, ya know.” Blue licked her lips.

“Well, the larger barrels are Fae wine and mead, just as before.” I received some from father as a gift. I do enjoy drinking them with Akio and the others, but right now I would rather have the Etherites. A shame, but when our full production at the Spring is in full swing, such temporary sacrifices will be forgotten.

“As for the smaller-smaller barrels…” I paused meaningfully. “They are sample products. Unique. Consider it the first trial run-run of a blend of Fae ingredients and mortal techniques. So you can not-not ever sample this elsewhere. Fae sake, Fae Whiskey and Fae Shochu.” I grinned at the way Red’s face turned expressionless, to hide his eagerness, and Blue gulped, her throat working. Even that fox’s tails are wagging.

“Well, I guess we can’t be too pissed at you trying to protect Kyoto against foreign mortal trash.” Red allowed graciously.

“Ya, since we can roam freely, it’s no big deal, ya get it?” Blue agreed, sweating, eyes on the barrels, nostrils twitching.

“Haru, the mistress of this Territory, under Akio, my dear-dear husband, she has graciously allowed the Night Parade to pass. All she asks is that-that you cause no trouble, and do not-not damage the new constructions or kill her people. I do not-not see this as an issue. We stick mostly to shrine grounds.” I pointed to the Spires in Kiyomizu-dera. “We both wish this continuing trade to go well-well, do we not-not?”

“Ya, the Hyakki Yagyō is always thirsty.” Blue agreed, speaking for them all, and I hid a grin behind my hand.

“Well, then let us talk-talk trade.” I suggested, and soon sparkling Etherites were arrayed before us, Ixitt looking on happily. The deal was soon swiftly concluded, and Red and Blue loaded up the barrels on their massive, broad shoulders.

“Pleasure to do business with you. If you ever get bored of playing around, well, you are seventy-first.”

“Ya, you can join the Parade anytime. The Kijo might complain, but might makes right, ya know. And most of the ones that hate ya all are already dead and gone.” Blue agreed.

“I thank you for the offer, and I do rather miss-miss my mother, but… for now, I shall remain here, with Akio and my friends, and my new domain. Of which I count Kyoto part-part. So just be warned…” I repeated, and the foxwoman blew smoke, grinning.

“Threats are so unbecoming of such a cute little thing. We have no wish for violence or bloodshed. After all, Lord Nurarihyon has common cause with you for now. The one who can aid him against his fated enemy is in your camp, no?”

Shiro, or the dreadful being inside her. How she does not go mad with such a presence dwelling within I do not know, but I respect her deeply for her strength of mind. “Indeed. And she will offer her aid only if Akio agrees. Bear that in mind.”

“Enough flapping ya lips. We get it. Until next time.” Blue said, and with that the powerful Yokai departed with their prizes, finally allowing me to release my tension, sweat dripping from clenched fists.

“Mistress, are you well?” Velna asked, and I sighed.

“Yes, just… facing the three of them alone, I would not-not be able to win. One, perhaps, though there are no certainties, but three? No. Well, Ixitt, you have-have your prizes. How then will you use them?”

He grinned. “More Artificial Ether Spires. If the calm ends as I suspect, it will put further pressure on the Boundary here in Kyoto. We need all the lowering of the ether density we can get.” He frowned, thoughtful. “I suspect soon this area would collapse, the lower Astral merging here, and then the Boundary would begin to unravel entirely. Then the lower Astral itself might even start to become unpredictable. The mortal engineer in me would love to see what would happen, but… no, we should delay as long as possible. So, more Spires.” He laughed then. “The side effect is, it will make Akio a significant sum of ether, so it is, as he would say, a win-win.”

“I agree.” I nodded. “Well, we have-have stripped the Hyakki Yagyō of more treasures. Now… we can search-search outside of Kyoto, Akio’s Territory and the Spring for more Etherites, as well as the ocean… and if I can extract more-more from the Seelie Court…” my mind worked, planning, and I found my thoughts turning idly to what Akio would be doing now. In the mortal realm, it should be nearly time for him to meet this other Princess. I do wonder how it will go…