On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Three Hundred And Thirteen

“I’m all right now.” Shiro said, after crying herself out for a while. Wiping at her nose, she looked very embarrassed. “Seriously, Aki, you just forget about this, all right?” she insisted. “I’m not myself, I’m normally … ugh, I don’t know.”

“I won’t forget it.” I said, surprising her. As she looked at me, I bent down and kissed her forehead softly. “After all, it’s not every day I get to see such a genuine side of you.”

Shaeula was snickering nastily now, adding to her embarrassment and confusion, while Hyacinth was merely standing there, impassive, and Daiyu was still on alert, surrounded by Yokai as we were.

“Oh well, I apologise.” I said to the surrounding crowd. “I’m sure you can understand she was just overcome by emotion. Now, onto the details.” I looked at Bintara as she floated there. “If it’s going to take time and be a difficult process, is the Parade going to remain in Kyoto? Or are you going to come with us?”

Bintara frowned. “I cannot chain the Hyakki Yagyō to this place. It has been long since we roamed, and many grow restless, and Kyoto is being exhausted. I shall accompany you for the moment, until my task is done, the healing complete.”

“Best treat her with respect, or the old sea-cow will rampage. She may be a healer, but she’s been alive a long time, the old crone.” The kitsune, Nebisuki, laughed.

“Old crone?” the atmosphere changed, the lake rippling under the force of her aether, as Bintara raised her upper body, dark eyes glaring at the fox. “That is rich, coming from a whelp who has only recently grown her fourth tail. If you wish, I can show you the gulf between us.”

So strong. She’s pretty damn powerful… the pressure coming off her was intense. “Of course we’ll treat Lady Bintara with the utmost respect and courtesy. Not only is she an honoured guest and emissary from the Night Parade, but as I’ve said, I couldn’t be more grateful for your help healing Shiro. If you have any needs or requests, we’d be happy to accommodate you.”

“I require water.” She said, turning away from Nebisuki, who was grinning, her tails lashing happily. “I am no sea-cow…” she exhaled, and a lance of water shot out, drenching the kitsune, who shuddered, being bombarded with icy cold water, her loose kimono soaked and dragging down, exposing her skin, her tails and ears drooping, fur and hair sodden. Red and Blue were guffawing happily at the humiliation the fox suffered, while Urakaze merely crossed her arms, frowning, unimpressed by the display.

“… however, I am a Yokai of water, and without it, I cannot fully utilise my powers.” She finished, as Nebisuki sneezed, her tails shuddering.

“So cruel. It sems that your temper hasn’t mellowed with your age…” Nebisuki sneezed again, blowing her nose nosily as she began to wring the water from her with a shimmer of yellow energies, steam rising from her fur and clothes.

Water Yokai? Well, considering that Selensha is an expert healer, and water element as well, I see the correlation. “Don’t worry, my Territory contains some coastal areas and the sea. There are a lot of creatures there, but within the barrier it’s perfectly safe.” I assured her.

“Perhaps I can feast well then.” Bintara declared, seemingly interested, dark eyes gleaming.

“Oh, we’ll be sure to provide you with food and alcohol, if you wish it.” I assured her, and Shaeula chimed in.

“Indeed. Our Territory is now-now producing delightful honey wines and mead, as well as fruit wines, ciders and stronger-stronger spirits. With Hyacinth’s talents, and the aid of Asha, a Dryad, we have rich-rich orchards and bountiful fields.” She puffed out her chest proudly.

“Oy!” Red declared, interested. “Didn’t you say that I’d be getting booze? To show there is no hard feelings for the death of my dumbass bro? I haven’t forgotten!”

“Of course.” I assured him. “In fact, we should sort that out now, as well as prepare some for Nurarihyon and his noble wife.” I smiled politely at Seirei. “I’m sure he would wish to try some.”

“Har. Now you are talking!” Red grunted happily. “My gourd is near empty.” He flicked the large clay vessel, and indeed the sloshing sound from within was faint. “I could use a refill.”

“Leave it tooo me!” Hyacinth declared proudly. “I shall make sure ooonly the finest alcohol is brought out!”

“Now that matters seem-seem settled…” Shaeula glanced up to the cage where Yamato-san was held, before glancing at me, a little worried. I shook my head, indicating there was nothing we could or should do. I’m not bargaining for his return, there’s such a thing as pushing your luck too far. “Mother, I shall take-take the Kamaitachi you are so graciously providing me, as is befitting my station as your-your daughter, and the Seventy-First. However, I would ask-ask that you allow me to retain the Kamaitachi who were their substitutes. Despite their presence being an act of treachery, they-they themselves have not-not failed me, and have even fought and died for me. I count them as my loyal kin.” Shaeula continued after my dismissal.

Urakaze pursed her lips, but nodded. “That is not a problem-issue. If they have not betrayed-harmed you, then I praise them for their labours and I will see them compensated-rewarded. But I shall need to consult-speak with them. I intend to root out those who would harm-hurt my daughter, as well as collude with foreign powers.”

“In that case…” Shaeula looked at me, a touch of pleading in her eyes. “… mother, would you care-care to see our Territory? I can reassure you that I am well-well cared for and protected, as well as make-make the Kamaitachi available to you. I too would like to unearth those who have worked against me-me.”

“I don’t see a problem.” Well, there clearly are issues, but I think we should be able to suppress Urakaze were she to try something treacherous. And I don’t think she will. She seems to have affection for Shaeula. “Though I’m sure you’ll understand some areas are delicate and under construction, so are best avoided.”

“Well, I’m not interested in sightseeing. I just want booze!” Red declared.

“All right then. You fine now?” I asked Shiro, still in my arms, who had been tidying herself up and recomposing herself as we talked.

“Yes.” We parted, a touch of regret on Shiro’s face. “I’m fine. This princess is made of sterner stuff, really. Well…” she smiled at the still-floating Bintara. “… I apologise for my weakness. No matter the pain, bring it on!”

“Haste is foolish. Such work must be done delicately. Yours are no simple wounds, to be healed in a moment, and your circumstances are complicated by that parasite…”

Shiro’s eye flashed red, as Tan objected to her words, but she remained quiescent, likely knowing provoking the healer was a bad idea. “I understand. If it takes time, it takes time. I’m not greedy.” Shiro said. “Though I admit, I would like to be beautiful again soon…” I caught her barely whispered words, and the earnest thoughts held within them…

********

“Do you take part in matters such as these often?” Daiyu was asking me, as we reached the borders of Haru-san’s new Territory. We were being followed by Red and Blue, Urakaze and the Kamaitachi, as well as Bintara and the kitsune Nebisuki, who after drying herself out had managed to inveigle herself into this procession. I had invited Seirei, but she had refused, returning to her husband within the Territory.

“More often than I’d like, and definitely more often than I’d ever have believed only a few short months ago.” I replied ruefully, watching as Shaeula was talking to her mother and the Kamaitachi excitedly, while Hyacinth was being bothered by the kitsune. “I’ve still got to meet Shaeula’s father and her other two brothers. Come to think of it, she’s not mentioned the third one much…”

“China is a realm that has many Spiritual Beings, but… the path of Cultivation seldom lends itself to amicable contact between us. Many would see them as treasures to harvest, fools to plunder, or even to be enslaved, tamed. In the distant past, Kunlun supposedly tamed so many Spiritual Beings that Taming was considered one of the Six Great Noble Pursuits of Cultivation.” She looked at Shaeula and Hyacinth. “Perhaps you could be considered to have mastered that already.”

“Hardly.” I scoffed. “If anything, they’ve tamed me. Besides, I don’t see Hyacinth and Shaeula as Spiritual Beings. The more you interact with them, you’ll see that they are pretty much just like us. So, taming, huh? What are the other arts?” I asked, curious. Beside me, Shiro nodded, Tan obviously translating for her.

“Yeah, I’d like to know as well. If they are the Six Great Noble Pursuits, they must be pretty powerful.” She smiled, her love of all things game-like kicking in.

“Well, ignoring Taming, there is Divination, the art of predicting the immediate and distant future, be it great or small events. Formations, which is largely a lost art.” She sighed bitterly. “To activate a Formation Plate, or worse, to call upon a Formation through one’s own Qi and techniques, is largely beyond us now. The Incorruptible Jade had several ancient Plates, I used to admire them so, dreaming of being able to activate them…” she looked pale, troubled. “Now they are either destroyed, or those traitors have them…”

“I understand you’re in pain.” Shiro said reassuringly. “But put that aside for now. What was that saying I remember from a novel… oh, yes. You’re a fox borrowing a tiger’s authority. Aki is definitely a bit like a big cat at the moment. More a lion though.” She snorted. “Lazing around, gathering women. But in Japanese, we’d say you are boarding a big ship. Aki will look after you.”

“I pray to the Heavens that is true.” Daiyu said, still not trusting in me fully, despite her oath. I guess that proves how decisive she is, or how desperate. She’s certainly one to commit to a course of action once she has decided though, it seems. Poor girl. It must be hard being in a foreign country, not being sure but believing your parents, your extended family, are all dead… “Well, I shall continue.” She gathered her strength, thinking on Cultivation, which seemed to soothe her a little, her desire to master the arts strong. “Refining is the art of creating pills and elixirs that can do many miraculous things. This art is also said to include cooking with special herbs and techniques, though I confess to not having much talent in that area.” She sighed. “Refining is the art that remains the most viable, in this modern, Qi-starved era, along with Smithing, the art of creating weapons and tools that use and enhance Qi. Then there is Talismans.”

“I think I know that one.” I remembered the Kijo and the kitsune, with their annoying talismans and curses. I mentioned them, and Daiyu nodded.

“Yes, though those are Talismans that contain far more Qi than any Sect can muster. Talismans are a disposable, consumable resource, and in the past, every Cultivator would have numerous for emergencies. Now, few treasured items remain, and crafting new ones is laborious, and the effects weak.”

“Oh how your kind has fallen.” Nebisuki chuckled, speaking perfect Mandarin Chinese. At my look of surprise, she grinned, amused. “What? I have travelled extensively outside Japan. Many kitsune do. I have fought with, against and wrestled in bed…” her smile was lascivious, embarrassing both Daiyu and Shiro. “… against many. Yes, the days of the strong have passed. Yet it seems it is rising again.” she sniffed, tasting the air, tails lashing. “This Territory is rather pathetic. I hope you weren’t merely boasting. I hate men who don’t follow though.”

“Shut up, yooou annoying fox!” Hyacinth declared, having been annoyed by her during our stroll towards Tsukuyomi-jinja shrine. “This is nooot master’s Territory, it is…”

“I can speak for myself.” A voice said, and I saw Haru-san had ventured out, accompanied by Kudou-san and the others, as well as Prince Shōtoku and Ulfuric. “I am Suzuki Haru. I am a vassal to Akio-san, and this is the Territory I have been granted to protect. It’s rude to compare it to Akio-san’s. Well, honoured guests, welcome.” She bowed in greeting, her Government-trained etiquette perfect.

“I see.” Bintara spoke up, her dark eyes looking at Haru-san curiously. “You are like me. You were human, once, but now a Yokai. An event that changes your very nature is unusual.”

“An event? You mean I was murdered.” She said, her smile barely wavering. “But yes, I’m an Onryo now, apparently. Not that it matters. After all, I can go home when I want, eat cake with my friends, work a job, have a career… but here, I’m simply Akio-san’s vassal. So, what brings you here?”

Before we could answer, Red swaggered up to Ulfuric, followed by Blue, who was looking down at the ground. “Well, aren’t you a big one?” he grinned. “Tough too, I wager.”

“You shouldn’t wager, Red. You already owe me a large sum of treasures. Urakaze too. After all, didn’t they walk away from Lady Seirei unharmed?” the kitsune laughed, but Red ignored her with an annoyed grunt.

Ulfuric merely held his position, golden armour gleaming, resting on the shaft of his heavy, spiked mace. He looked Red up and down, before he answered. “I am Ulfuric, commander of the forces of Prince Shaetanao, currently serving as the commander of the forces of his daughter. I have strength befitting the role, I assure you. The blood of noble, lost Salamandrastrae runs through my veins, strong and cold as stone.”

“Interesting.” Red showed a mouthful of sharp teeth as he grinned. “Don’t you think so, Blue? Uh, Blue?” The Blue Oni was looking down at the floor still, occasionally glancing up at Ulfuric, and she seemed far more reserved than usual.

“What do ya want?” she snapped, before looking between Ulfuric and Red, then bowing her head again. “Leave me out of ya arguing, Red. Stop thinking with ya muscles all the time. We’ve only just met, ya know!”

“Uh, Blue, why are you so mad?” he said, puzzled, and this gave me time to interject and start sorting out the chaos.

“Haru-san, this here is Lady Bintara.” I continued to show her great respect. “She is an honoured guest from the Night Parade, who is here to heal Shiro.”

“I see. I am pleased to meet you.” Haru-san took charge. “If you have any needs in terms of accommodation, let me know and I’ll see it done.”

“And this is Urakaze, Shaeula’s mother. The Kamaitachi with us are Shaeula’s new guards. So we need to get them settled, but Urakaze would like to make sure her daughter is being looked after properly.”

“That’s very understandable.” Haru-san bowed to Urakaze, who looked a bit bemused, and was glaring at the Prince. “My mother died when I was young, but my daddy… err, father, he does worry about me. Luckily, I’m working under a good employer, and he has no reason left to worry.” Her lips quirked, and I could tell she wished to make a joke about being already dead or something similar, but due to the circumstances she didn’t. “Your Kamaitachi will be an asset, I’m sure. They look strong.”

As several of them did chime in proudly that they were some of the strongest of the Itachi, I continued. “We promised Red and Blue here ample alcohol as part of a peace offering. Can you send a runner back to my Territory to have some brought over?”

“And what of me?” the kitsune asked, smiling, and I shrugged.

“What of you? You just decided to tag along, I’ve no actual business with you.”

As Shaeula and Shiro laughed, the fox put on an affronted, teasing look. “Such a shame. You don’t know what you are missing out on. But I confess to being satisfied seeing the outer edges of your lands. Well, I know where to find you, if I need to.” Her smile was equal parts seductive, mocking and malicious.

“That’s fine, I was going to talk about what I want from the Night Parade and how we should communicate, to head off the threat from our mutual enemy. But…” I warned her. “… if you end up trying to cause trouble here, for your amusement or any other reason, I think you’ll regret it.”

“Such a domineering man.” The kitsune licked her lips seductively once more. “While us foxes do enjoy mischief, I would not care to face you all at once. I would hardly wish to end up like the Matriarch. But what if I have… offers… to make?”

“We have no-no need of your seductions, fox.” Shaeula snorted.

“How rude. No, I meant business, trades. After all, I am still one of the most powerful of the Night Parade, an equal to your mother here.”

“Well, if you have any real need, then come here and someone should notice and fetch us, but be warned…” as we hashed out the details, weaselkin arrived carrying heavy barrels of mead and other spirits, which was more than enough to stop the bragging and posturing of Red, at least for the moment…

********

“This is good stuff!” Red belched, having emptied half a barrel down his throat by now. Drunkenly, he had offered to wrestle Ulfuric, who as he was sober, had quickly subdued Red, who had drowned his sorrows with more honeyed wine. “Blue, why don’t you give him a try? Is that why you aren’t drinking?”

“Shut up, will ya?” Blue said, not for the first time. “I’m not fighting, not now.” she frowned, thinking. “This is serious, ya get it? Lord Nurarihyon let them go, even though the toy was broken. Ya can’t be the one to stuff this up.”

“Since when did you get so sensible, Blue?” Nebisuki laughed, also enjoying some spirits, her tails lashing happily. Even the presence of a kami, one they should be very wary of, could not dampen the festivities that had sprung up on the borders of Haru-san’s territory. Urakaze was talking to Shaeula and Hyacinth, drink in hand, while Shiro was with Bintara and Haru-san. Kudou-san and the others from Kyoto were also taking this rare opportunity to socialise with such potent spiritual beings, though it amused me to see how nervous Yasaka-san was getting. Sorry, but you’re integral to my plans, you’ll have to get used to this…

“Do you want a drink?” I asked Daiyu. “It’s pretty good.”

She looked as if she was going to refuse, before she nodded, a little curious. I poured her out some golden liquid, and I could feel her Qi sense spreading out, enveloping it. She raised one eyebrow a little in an expression of surprise. “This contains energy that can be refined into Qi.” She said, surprised. “It is weak, but definitely there.” She took a sip, shocked again by the rich, smooth flavour.

“Good, yes?” I grinned, and she nodded, taking another small swig, and with my Eye I could see she was also drawing the lingering aether out of the drink, changing it slightly to a form her body was more used to and could better process.

“It is not inferior to our cooking in China, using the arts of Refining.” She admitted. “Though I do miss the tastes of home…” she whispered.

“This is definitely welcome booze!” Red snorted drunkenly, the bruises he had suffering wrestling Ulfuric fading already. “Damn, I really want more now.”

Oh do you? I held in a smile. Shaeula and Hinata had planned for this sort of occasion. “Well, obviously our supplies aren’t unlimited. It’s quite the effort to raise such succulent fruits and ferment them, adding in precious honey, ingredients from the Seelie Court…”

“Ugh…” Red groaned, licking his lips. “But booze is life, isn’t that right, Blue?”

“Don’t talk to me right now!” she said, hunched down, occasionally glancing over at the taciturn badgerkin who had defeated Red earlier.

“In that case… we could… no, maybe not.” I said, pretending to be troubled.

“You could what?” Red took the bait.

“Well, I suppose I could sell a few barrels now and then. It’d disappoint those I’ve already promised it to, but then, I do want to be on good terms with the Night Parade, especially since they seem to have suffered a disappointment recently…”

“Sell? For what?” Red leaned in, and I could see the kitsune smirking behind him.

“Well, all sorts of things. But Etherites are certainly acceptable. Any old artefacts that you find as well, or special metal ores like bluesteel. I saw some of those being exchanged during the wagers, so I know the Night Parade has them, right?”

“Hard luck for you, Red. I told you, they would walk out alive.” Nebisuki taunted him happily. “I think you lost most of your trinkets and baubles.”

“Yes, but…” he grumbled. Rummaging around in his loincloth, he grinned. “Ah, still have this!” he pulled out a rather impressive blue Etherite. “I found this one many years ago. It’s a lucky charm. Nearly forgot I had it. So, will this do?”

Blue Etherites are very useful to Ixitt, or for emergencies. Of course I want it… Even so, Hinata had been coaching me in not showing too much eagerness during negotiations. I hadn’t exactly heeded that advice with Bintara, but Shiro’s health wasn’t something to bargain for. This however… “I see. Well, it’s a shame it isn’t an Indigo one, but…”

As I was making a show of considering, Nebisuki produced not one, but three blue Etherites, as well as a number of green and yellow ones, plus some ores I didn’t recognise, and some pretty gems, casting them to the ground in front of me. “Oh, why take his pathetic savings, when I am rich with my recent winnings?” She winked. “You did help me to triumph, after all.”

“Back off, bitch!” Red groused. “I asked first, got it?”

“That’s not how commerce works. You think with your muscles, don’t you, Red? She who pays the most gets the prize.”

“Why, you…” as he surged up, meaty fists clenched, Blue grabbed his arm, holding him back.

“No fighting, ya moron! Not… we have to look good here, not be drunken fools, ya get it?” she was talking to him urgently, while the kitsune continued to taunt him. Well, in that case, these are mine. There was no way I was passing up such a bounty, and I quickly gathered them up.

Urakaze sighed. “They are always so noisy-loud. The Seelie Court has many annoyances-inconveniences, but at least it is not so… chaotic-savage. You should perhaps be happy-joyful you were raised there, Shaeula.”

“Oh I am. Though my upbringing was hardly-hardly flawless.” Shaeula agreed. “I do however rather enjoy the … sheer energy… of the Hyakki Yagyō. Though I do concede it is quite-quite likely to grow tiresome in time.”

Smiling at the chaos, and the potential profit, I turned to prince Shōtoku, and Tsukiko-san, who had sat beside him, her veil back on, uncomfortable about being around such Yokai. “Well, looks like everything is coming together. We have the healer we need, and Haru-san has this Territory well in hand. Now we wait. Days, you say?” I asked again, and Tsukiko-san nodded.

“I am not able to say precisely which day disaster will strike, but Tsukuyomi revealed to me my time is perilously short.”

Watching Red, Blue and Nebisuki squabble, while Urakaze and Bintara watched on disdainfully, Shaeula, Hyacinth and those from Kyoto laughing and joking, I clenched my fist. “Well, we’ll make every second count. I’ll leave no stone unturned in my preparations. And you’ll fight until the end too, right?”

“I shall.” Tsukiko-san nodded. “I do… I do want to live. Seeing an impossible scene like this… it makes me wonder, just what have I missed out on, what will I continue to miss?”

“Well, doesn’t that just mean you have a lot to look forward to?” I said, and Prince Shōtoku chuckled at that, nodding approvingly. “In any case, whether you were in danger or not, Tsukiko-san, I’d have to fight. After all, I was the one who pressured the Government to set up the Ministry, to protect Japan. So I’ll not let danger threaten it. So don’t feel guilty, or if you must, fight anyway. Because I’ll do the same.”

At her nod, I took a sip of my own drink. Yes, it’s more than just Tsukiko-san, as important as she is. Japan is mine to protect. Not alone, never alone. But if these red ants that intend to take Tsukiko-san down are coming, well, I’ll have to give them a warm, Japanese welcome, show them the… appropriate… hospitality for a troublesome, evil guest…