On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Two Hundred And Ninety-One

“… long hath the Hyakki Yagyō endured…” Uranai continued, her prophecy spilling from perfect lips. “… yet time drains as sand from an hourglass, soon to be spent.” Her eyes went vacant, as if she was watching something far distant, and I caught flickers of violet and gold within them. “Verily, within the shallow tides across the ocean a great beast lurks, harbinger of a darker fate for the spirits of the land the Gods called the Rising Sun.” Uranai shuddered, her already shaky legs vibrating alarmingly. “Gleaming eyes of gold, and a rapacious hunger, no boundaries does it or shall its greed know.”

That sounds a little similar to what Matsumuro-san said, regarding Princess Mikasa. Though there seems to be a little more detail. As I thought that, Nurarihyon raised one eyebrow at me questioningly, while he stroked at the handle of the conjured cleaver wistfully. I get it. I’ll keep silent for now…

“… already cause swirls endlessly, fixed into immutable event. The hunger devoured carelessly, and other lives were drawn into the maelstrom. A being of such fell power, it can never be satisfied with meagre spoils. And events… already set… progress.” Uranai blew out a long shuddering breath, close to a moo. “… those bound to they who call themselves Divine, scattered by the winds whipped up by this descent, that shattered the Boundary like a falling star, Prithee, they shall cross the seas and clash with others like them, and the Hyakki Yagyō too. Blood shall rain on Kyoto, city of countless shrines, and Yokai will perish, yet Yokai such as we hath always died, one day perhaps to be born anew.”

I see. I think that must be the event that Matsumuro-san fears. This is good information. I’m grateful, even if their hospitality leaves a little to be desired. Crossing the sea and ‘bound to those who call themselves Divine’, well, coupled with the Red Dragon, that made our prior speculations look more likely.

“… no, verily, we must dread the stirring of the hunger, and what comes in its wake. For the fell beast will be aroused by those fleeing insects, and will see sweeter prey. And against such, we are helpless, for this hunger is a being that should not be, it hath no place in this sheltered world.” Uranai slumped down, momentarily spent by the effort of her visions.

“Ominous.” Nurarihyon proclaimed. “Though isolated within my world here, I have felt the rippling echoes of something powerful recently. I wondered if some fool using borrowed Divinity was kicking up a needless fuss, but it seems something worse has descended.”

“What do you wish for, dear? You look downhearted, please wish!” Seirei proclaimed, her face downcast. Well, in this light they do look like husband and wife. It’s actually… a little cute.

Nurarihyon snorted. “Perhaps for the power to easily defeat this creature, no, such a wish is too greedy, my dear.” He reached out and ruffled her hair, disarraying her ribbon headdress, which she fixed with her small hands. “No, perhaps…” he turned to me, an amused yet evil expression on his face that caused me to shiver. “… what would you wish for?” he asked me, as Uranai remained silent barring soft, fatigued moo’s.

Me? Okay, I know how this goes. Making wishes with Yokai is only going to backfire, but… Nurarihyon’s hand was on the handle of the cleaver, and I knew he could split me in half before I could even react if he wanted. Shaeula had told me about the power of the Queen of the Fae, and Ulfuric had mentioned the dreadful power of the Fomorans who destroyed his home, but I had got a little cocky after my recent victories and had believed I was a top-tier combatant. But meeting the numbers of the Night Parade, and most of all, these three… well, it’d be just as foolish to start considering myself weak, as I’m clearly not, but… I have a long way to go, and beings that can squash me like a bug if they wish are out there, possibly many of them. “It would be presumptuous for me to make any wishes, especially since I’m sure your wife only wants to grant yours, uh, Lord, Nurarihyon.” I stumbled over his title, deciding at the last minute to address him respectfully. As I declined the wish his grip tightened on the handle, so I made my pitch. “So, I believe it should be you who makes such a request. Though I like to think as the husband of Shaeula, the Seventy-First, I could be an honorary member of your Parade, it is still too presumptuous. However, I would advise…” I was clear to stress it was only advice. “… if you don’t want to be greedy, then why not wish for the help of those who can stand against the oncoming disaster?” I’ve learned. I can’t do everything alone. I’m guessing even those with real power such as Nurarihyon can’t.

“You think I haven’t done that?” Nurarihyon laughed. “My dear, I wish to know who can aid us, and how they can be swayed to our cause.”

“You already wished for that.” Seirei pouted. “And we stayed in Kyoto long, rather than roaming. My head… agh, it hurts…” the pretty doll clutched at her forehead, tears rolling down her pale cheeks, and Nurarihyon pulled free the cleaver, before slamming it back into the table a hair’s breadth from my chained body. “My dear, I wish for you and Uranai to be free of pain.”

As he did so, she relaxed, and Uranai rose on unsteady legs, commencing her prophecy again. “Cause flows, and effects shift. The world hath no certainties, only probably's.” Uranai intoned. “There is a hunger, a thirst that can surpass the greed of this creature. Only she can devour it, before all is consumed. The world is yet too small for such a being. Such a hunger that was bound by chains is now bound by other manacles, those of emotion. Verily, she shall not stir unless…” her gaze fixed on me, and it all started to make sense as to why I was here, and not dead. “… he who holds the manacles speaks.”

“I know who you are talking about, but… I don’t hold her in any chains. And I can’t order her around. But… do you really think she can fight a creature that even the Night Parade, you, yourself, Lord Nurarihyon, cannot? I can see you love your wife, and I love Shiro. I wouldn’t expose her to such danger carelessly.”

“I see. Well, that is quite understandable, is it…” he began, only for the cleaver to be slammed down, this time severing the table cleanly in two. “… not.” His voice was as cold as the grave and as commanding as the devil himself. “Do you think the Hyakki Yagyō loitered here for fun? Well, I admit, we spend much of our time here in Kyoto, for it is the old capital, the place closest to our hearts. But we must roam, parade. It is what we do. But instead we have waited… now, it is time to claim our due!”

“Your due? You mean reparations for the deaths in the Parade?” I asked, Resilience keeping my tone level, even though I was deeply frustrated and angry.

“Indeed. The shame and deaths the Hyakki Yagyō had suffered.” Nurarihyon grinned. “So many dead…”

“Well, forgive me for saying this, but… how is that my fault? After all, you’ve just admitted to waiting here for us, lying in ambush. Yamato-san may have been out unwisely, the stupid bastard, but even so, you were the ones who attacked first. We were only defending ourselves. As for the Kitsune, and I argue the Matriarch too, you could say they were rank challenges, which you approve of anyway.”

“Dear, do you wish for his insolent tongue to be torn from his mouth? To think he would be so disrespectful when he is in such a position.” Seirei complained.

“No, not yet, my dear. I confess to being somewhat amazed at his bravery, or is it idiocy? One gesture and he is dead, yet he dares talk back to me, Nurarihyon! Shocking. No, I wish for the table to be restored, it was such a shame to destroy your work.”

As she granted that wish, he sneered at me. “You would bargain with me? I am Nurarihyon, the one who takes as he pleases. Perhaps I can defeat this threat, perhaps not, but if I came out to battle, it would only hasten the worst fate, that lies beyond. The descent of far worse.” He sighed. “No, do you pity the rabbit caught in the snare of the hunter? Does the rabbit get to complain and whine? You are here, and I shall have my due compensation. Else I can split you apart now.”

“No.” I resisted. My nerves were screaming at me, his League was trying to pressure me to relent, and he must have had quite the Majesty as well. Even so, I focused on what mattered. Shiro. No way I’ll ever hand you over to the Night Parade, even if you weren’t injured. “I’ll never give Shiro up. And if I die here, well, she called me the one who holds the manacles. I disagree.” I looked at Uranai, who was once more exhausted. “But I’ll never be able to tell her to help you, and she won’t on her own.” I doubt Taṇhā would either.

“Your foolish little half-kitten is still outside.” Nurarihyon warned. “The daughter of Urakaze too. It would pain me so to sacrifice her, and I may have to bleed the Kamaitachi if they protest, but… when I torment them, you will…”

Chains creaked as I flexed all my strength, even using Body Enhancement, making up for the lacking elements with aether. Blood, silver and red, ran down the chains, but with a great effort I managed to tear one hand free, though it broke my thumb painfully.

“Well, surprising. But I wish he would fail.” Nurarihyon said, and suddenly fresh chains were wrapping me.

“Futile.” He snorted. “But I am impressed with the effort.” The cleaver was in his hand, glittering cruelly. “Now, about that defiance…”

When I die, Shaeula will too, according to the description of Pledged One… but then, what about Kin Restoration? Shit, I don’t know what would happen, and I’m not eager to test it, but…this was just another in the line of bad positions Yamato-san had thrust us into, so I could talk my way out of it. I had to be able to.

“… defiance? Of course I’m defiant. I love Shiro. I may seem to be a trapped rabbit, but I’m not a rabbit. I’m a person. I think, I feel. No more than you would sacrifice your wife, would I hand Shiro over to you, even to save the Night Parade. Don’t get me wrong, Shaeula holds fondness for it, as her mother is a part of it, and so’s she now. But… well, you Yokai are cruel, and callous, with no regard for life. Why would I ask Shiro to risk herself for you?”

“No regard for the living?” Uranai spoke, surprising me. “Prithee, tell me, how many creatures that think and feel hast thou sent to Yomi? More than a handful.”

I winced at that, unable to deny it. While most of the dwellers of the Boundary I had defeated or my armies had were undead or bestial creatures, I had attacked the jorogumo, the gnolls, even the Myconids first. “Well, I didn’t take delight in torture or cruelty. I’m ashamed yes, but I’m hoping to create a world where all can live in peace, regardless of who they are. After all, Shaeula, Hyacinth, I love them both. Shiro too, perhaps she can’t be counted as truly human anymore.”

“So it’s the pain that worries you? You humans truly have grown weak. I remember the good old days…” he smirked. “Battles where the winning army impaled the losing ones alive. Hands and heads cut off and piled in baskets. Even when I visited lonely houses at night, the father would offer me a daughter or a sister, and I would have my sport. If she pleased me, I would leave behind gifts, if not… well, you get the idea.” He snorted, and I was once more struck by a wave of his League, only my anger and urge to hit him keeping me from capitulating. “Dead is dead. Those under your protection who perished, do they care that they suffered so? No, it is all forgotten…”

“Bullshit. If that was true, Haru-san wouldn’t be in such pain.” I said, and Nurarihyon looked puzzled.

“I wish I knew what you were talking about…”

“Granted.” Seirei said softly, and his eyes went wide in sudden recognition.

“I see. Well, an unusual circumstance indeed. And I admit… you have a point. Though I hold the cleaver, and you in chains. So your point is hardly important.”

“Well, I find it hard to forgive the Night Parade, after all, even the friendliest such as the Red and Blue Oni were threatening to rip us limb from limb and have us tortured, mere minutes before sharing drinks with us. But those who did the deed and killed my comrades are dead in return. I think that should be an end to it. Can’t you accept that, for Shaeula’s sake? You were happy to see her return, you said. And I’m sure she’ll be a proud member of the Night Parade. Maybe she can change things for the better, like we are in the Seelie Court.”

“I see. You wish to bargain. Fair.” Nurarihyon laughed. “But I am not one of these foreign spirits, bound to honour my word. Though…” he sighed. “… it might well be true that if I kill you here, it would ruin a cause and shatter an effect. Even so… my position is unassailable. So, out of consideration for the Seventy-First, I will allow you to make me an offer. I wish it would be a good one.”

“Granted.” His wife declared, and the sudden tide of aether that overpowered my body was shocking. My own League was somewhat lower than the doll’s, and while it was not such an insurmountable gap like it was to Nurarihyon, I still failed to halt whatever it was she had done. My mouth opened despite itself, and I realised that I was going to say something I didn’t want to. With a wrench, I broke my own arm, the pain clearing my mind for a second.

“Shiro, you need her assistance.” My mouth formed words. I wrenched my broken arm again, twisting the broken bone into astral flesh and nerves, silver mist rising, red blood splattering the ground. It helped a little, and I was able to change what I was going to say, though I was still unable to refuse. Shiro… if she’s needed to defeat the threat that could kill Princess Mikasa… can I really refuse that and condemn her to death, especially if the Diviner says that would end up dooming Japan and maybe the entire world? My thoughts were bitter, and I wasn’t sure whether they were really mine or not, but… they felt like mine. If I support Shiro, then…

“I can tell her about this, and convince her to aid the Night Parade. However… I can’t fail her again. I already have once. So I can’t let her die. And I’ll need… surety, compensation. Reparations.” I threw his words back at him.

“Really, dear? I’m not sure…”

“No, you have been granted your wish. Have you another?” she asked, after pouting, a little hurt.

“I see, then perhaps…” he asked for a small, patterned fan, which he used with his free hand, the other holding the cleaver.

“I want Shaeula to retain her membership of the Parade and to be treated fairly. I want her to be able to see her mother when she wishes. Eri, Hyacinth, Grulgor and I, we are to go free, unharmed. After all, I need them. Shiro can’t fight alone, and until the time she is needed she will stay far from you and your Parade. So, when the time comes we can all stand beside the Night Parade and face this new threat. To that end, we need Yamato-san unharmed too. And for the attacks on those of us who traverse the Boundary to stop. We can’t be so wasteful. Look at what we’ve both lost!”

“Unacceptable.” Nurarihyon denied me. “Letting you go… it pains me. You would be such sweet fruit. But it seems I must. Else the Parade has no way of contacting this Shiro woman. Hunger must meet hunger, after all. Shaeula Tu Shae Dannan… my own rules allow her passage. Though she will face many challenges and troubles, I will not interfere, no more than I did to save the Matriarch or that Kitsune. As for the others… yes, I would have them gone. Kyoto is ours, they are unwelcome here. But the fool who serves the false Goddess of Mercy, he stays. That fool brother of Red’s wasted much power, killing those who should not be slain so easily. Some was rescued, but even so… no, the man, Yamato, he must… provide. How can you deny me fair spoils? We do not attack shrines and temples. That is our grand concession. And the followers of the Gods do not wander the Night carelessly. On this I cannot budge.”

I closed my eyes, still unable to refuse Shiro’s assistance, even though in my heart I knew it was not mine to promise. But this was inevitable, ever since Yamato-san screwed up and got greedy. Damn. “Will he suffer?” I asked, and Nurarihyon grinned.

“Oh, indisputably. The greater his cries to his God, the sweeter the power. And I will need much power, I and those under my command, are we to fight off this upcoming abomination. So, you will send us the girl who thirsts?”

“No. I won’t send you anyone.” I denied him with all my might. “I intend to link my own land to Kyoto. I’ll base it at a suitable shrine, so you have no right to interfere. However, I will allow Shaeula’s mother and those she and Shaeula approve of access. That doesn’t violate any of your rules, does it? After all, Shaeula has been Ninetieth for a while, and goes to Shirohebizumi all the time. Shiro is not your salvation, she’s a girl I cherish. But… much as it might be better if the Night Parade perishes, you’re right. We face many threats and everyone is needed. I can’t afford to care about the past, and whatever cruelties you all committed. Those I needed to punish died. So, when the time comes, Shiro, Shaeula and I, we’ll come and fight beside the Parade. But leave us alone. Unless…” I had an idea. “… can any of your Yokai heal wounds caused by excess adherence? If you can feed on it…”

“He is so insolent.” Seirei muttered. “Do you wish…”

“I wish to hear him out.” He ruffled her hair once more. “Yes, there are those who may be able to assist. But why should they?”

“Because if Shiro is still hurt and weak, then she won’t be saving your sorry Parade.” I snapped. “You need to offer something meaningful, otherwise it is just us losing out. And more threats won’t work. You obviously fear this monster with the golden eyes. Killing me out of a fit of pique will just doom you to fight it alone. You don’t even have the grounds to retain Yamato-san. You need us…” I said triumphantly, only to nearly piss myself as his League burned me, his eyes dark voids.

“I need you? Yes, I do. But I am Nurarihyon! For millennia I have roamed Japan, followed by my Parade. Emperors, Shogun, Priests, Warriors, Farmers, Peasants, Slaves. I have visited them all and been offered tribute, taken as I pleased! You think you can dictate to me? I am Nurarihyon, I will fight if I must, and if the world burns and the Parade dies, then so be…” he paused, his wife tugging on his sleeve, her eyes sad.

“Dear, I do not wish for you to perish. Nor for my end. I wish…” she was unable to state her own wish, though her mouth opened and closed. At that, he let out a bitter sigh.

“I want the God-touched mortal. I will squeeze him dry. I will send you a healer. And I will leave you alone, your place in Kyoto as well. Until this threat is defeated.”

“You expect me to trust you? You even said I can’t believe your words.” I said, still shivering from his wrath. For a moment I had imagined the cleaver slamming into my head, and I thought I had gone too far. Sorry, Yamato-san. I tried. I did. But… I can’t give up my life or anyone else’s for you…

“I wish for our words to be binding on us for this pledge.” He declared, and his wife whispered that it was granted.

“I, Nurarihyon, will receive the mortal Yamato as my just compensation, as he roamed the night unwisely. All others who roamed tonight shall be forgiven and set free. Shaeula Tu Shae Dannan, she will be treated as the Yokai she is, a part of my Parade. Your Territory in Kyoto shall remain unmolested by the Hyakki Yagyō, and I shall dispatch a healer of the finest skills to the aid of this Shiro, though any adherence recovered shall be ours. In exchange, you shall bring the thirsty one to the aid of the Night Parade when we call for you, and provide aid yourself, to the best of your ability, until the beast is slain. Then we shall freely part ways.”

“I want no hostility between us and the Night Parade, yourself included, for a year afterwards.” I asked, and he nodded. “A year to us is a mere moment. Very well. Is it agreed then?”

“It is.” I said, and once more the weight of aether fell upon me, and I found myself agreeing to the terms. Well, other than Yamato-san… ugh… shit, how am I going to explain this and live with the decision? Well, it’s… the best outcome I can hope for. Considering we’ve been playing poker with no cards, we finally won our freedom.

“I did believe you would have succumbed to my demands with far less resistance.” Nurarihyon muttered. “I believe you are a worthy partner for one of the Parade. But be thankful for my mercy. I did not have to offer it.”

Keeping my thoughts placid, I managed a nod, and a wish later, I was free of my chains, forcing my savaged arm back into position. “Well, I shall see you out. Now be honoured, few have stepped foot inside my home and lived to tell the tale. Now depart.”

With a flick of his wrist a doorway opened, and I found myself falling through it. I landed outside the wagon, and as I did so, Shaeula and Eri cried out, spotting me.

“Akio, you have-have returned! I was worried!” Shaeula cried, while Eri staggered over, her face haggard.

“Akio, you’re back!” she grabbed me, hugging me awkwardly. “I’m so relieved!”

“Isn’t the curse broken?” I asked, and they shook their heads.

“No, it is.” Eri sighed. “I can barely keep myself here, only Shaeula trickling aether in has held me. But I couldn’t go until I saw you were safe. I am going to have a hard enough time when I return as it is without that worry…”

Oh yeah. Our parents… and the state of her body. “It’ll be all right.” I promised. “Now go. I’ll return soon. Hyacinth, Grulgor, you two head back as well.” Hyacinth was totally exhausted, more than I was, and Grulgor wouldn’t be needed for what I had planned.

I felt a fleeting press of lips against mine, and a furry tail brushed my leg, and then Eri was gone, vanishing from my arms.

“I shall rest toooooo. Hyacinth is… very weary.” She departed, as did Grulgor, the sack still over one shoulder.

“Well, mother. I shall-shall be off. But soon we shall meet once more. I can not-not wait.” Shaeula’s grin was bright.

“I will send you more-some Kamaitachi as I promised, and when I discover-find who misled my forces, I shall make them answer to us.” she promised. As I took Shaeula’s hands, Yamato-san spoke up, urgently.

“Wait. We can go? You managed to persuade Nurarihyon himself?” he said incredulously, hope in his eyes.

Returning his gaze silently, I held in a pained sigh. I’m not a god, I can’t work miracles. Though, this ending does sit badly with me. I’d like to strike back, even if just a little bit. I don’t feel I can go against what I’ve agreed, I can’t save Yamato-san, but I can…

Turning to Shaeula I whispered something into her ear her eyes went wide in surprise for a moment, before she nodded. I then answered Yamato-san, my tone apologetic.

“Sorry. I tried my best, but… there’s no escape for you.”