Seven Hundred And Twenty-Four – Contains Status, Chiaki 1, Chiasa 1

One interesting thing about everyone mingling together as a group after a battle is… you see some unusual combinations. I’d spotted Shuta-san, I presumed alone, as there was quite the age gap between him and most of the others who came here to fight, in a quiet corner café and bar. I decided it would be wise to speak to him, get his thoughts on the battle, only for an unexpected face, Ling, to come out of the toilets, and sit down beside him. I was already committed to going over, as Shuta-san had seen me, so I merely smiled.

“Fancy seeing the two of you together.” I sat down on a vacant chair. “So, you’ve not gone back yet, Ling?”

“It hardly seems worth it. I have a feeling there will be more work regardless, and I would only have to come here again.” She sipped at her glass of juice, though I could smell alcohol in it, at least a little. Some sort of cocktail?

“I guess that’s true.” I chuckled. We were trying to move Fossegrim to our Territory, where we’d come up with a more long-term holding facility than a mere jar, as while he was brutally weakened now, and had lost his shapeshifting, to an extent, such inherent facets of his nature could never truly be suppressed by Ginneka, I imagined.

“Still, I hope the battle proved worth it for both of you?” I was looking at Shuta-san, who was nursing a strong, black coffee, as I spoke, and he shrugged.

“I did my part, certainly. The scarab beetles are actually quite useful against armoured creatures like the sea beasts. They can burrow in between the scales and into soft tissue. Ghastly, but… I suppose effective. I certainly do feel stronger, and the beetles…” He raised one finger, and a single bug appeared.

Ling shivered, looking away, like most women, not a fan of such creatures, but I appraised it carefully, noticing the subtle differences to what I remembered. The beetle was larger, and its jade and golden shell glimmered with a jewel-like shine. It was oddly charming, in an icky way, as I hardly loved bugs and insects myself. Still… I let my Eyes glow, and noted that oddly enough, the beetles seemed to possess a tiny amount of crystal element now. And while it’s hard to quantify the Level of a summoned insect, if anything, they’ve gone from Level one to… about ten, maybe?

Checking out Shuta-san, I could see that indeed, his Skill, Khepri’s Jewelled Scarab Tide, had breached the first bottleneck and reached Rank six. His other basic Skills had seen a little improvement, but not much, evidencing his lack of urgency, but his Level had jumped up by a dozen during the battle, which was still a decent boost to him.

“…they have grown too.” he finished, and I nodded.

“I think if you were to learn crystal element, and ideally jade, from Daiyu, your Swarm would reach new realms of combat effectiveness.”

“I hardly wish for that. My ambitions are modest. Still…” He glanced at Ling then, who nodded. “…we understand that strength is a necessity for commanding our own destiny.”

“It’s too late for that.” Ling downed the remainder of her fruity drink, glancing at it meaningfully, and with a smile, I picked up the menu. Remembering the colour and the fragrance my nose had detected, I realised what she was drinking, and quickly ordered a pair of tequila sunrise cocktails. As I sat back down from that, Ling made her point, as the barmaid worked her shaker, the noise accompanying her words, which were a little bitter, but lacked her usual self-pity.

“Our destinies have been bought already, Shuta.”

On first name basis, huh? I never expected…

“Knock it off.” Shuta-san chided me, a sour expression on his face. “Ling here is around the same age as my son. There is nothing like that going on. It’s just… well, we’ve both had a similar shared experience. We both had to work under impossibly cruel slavers, who would dispose of us when our usefulness ended, and…”

“We were both freed by you.” Ling finished. “Oh, thank you.” She did have manners, as she nodded at me when our drinks arrived, and she sipped at it pensively. “And while I still don’t have freedom in the truest sense… the chains are quite light. And she was right…”

“She?” I raised an eyebrow questioningly, and Ling shook her head.

“Your bitchy girlfriend. The one who’s a cat now.”

Shuta-san nearly spat coffee at that description, and within my thoughts Eri was wryly amused. Still, Ling didn’t seem to like Eri, but… sherespects her, maybe?

All I did was tell her a harsh truth. She had to pick. Run or fight. Just wallowing in her self-pity and guilt and not choosing would have destroyed her eventually. Trust me, I know. She’d have been happy if she gave up her Favour, able to forget. That’s one form of salvation. But… atonement is ultimately better over the longer term.

You’ve grown wise, Eri!

Yes, she has. Hyacinth agreed. Mistress Eri understands. As do I. Run or fight. But if one fights, one must win, as losing… such is a tragedy.

There seemed to be an underlying tension in Hyacinth’s words, but she projected a bright mental image, so I let it slide. For now. We will talk about what troubles you soon enough. I promise.

“Anyway, she was correct.” Ling repeated. “That pisses me off though.” Her Japanese and her English were excellent now, as she’d studied hard, so she had no trouble conversing with us. In fact, Ling, much like Ginneka, had gained tremendously in terms of Skill improvements and she’d even picked up an interesting new Class.

Shifting Assassin is a Class granted to those who use either the ability to move targets, or move themselves, or in some rare cases both methods, between Material and Astral realms to effect swift, deadly executions. Aether significantly increases, and Skills involving manipulating Aether, Adherence, Soullight and Elemental energies are slightly strengthened.

The ability to perceive Silver Cords and other similar Connections is granted, and the ability to damage such is also strengthened.

A scary Class, but… I want it. If only for the Skill boosts. And as a Connection-based Class, in a way, even if it’s a reverse of mine… couldn’t I use that to do the opposite, to strengthen Silver Cords and the like?

“Stop staring at me. I’m not interested.” Ling crossed her arms defensively, flushing. “Is it such a shock? Maybe. I was quite miserable. After all, I never deserved any of this. But that stupid God Zhōu Gōng chose me. If I have to do it, I might as well be proud of it. Otherwise like your cat says, I should have just given up and shut myself away. I can never take back what I did, and even if I think the choice, while not right, wasn’t truly wrong, I get that a braver, better person would have just let that vile toad eat them, soul… spirit, I guess, and all…”

“Yeah. I don’t think that pestilent sack of slime…” I cursed out the toad, still holding a grudge, and knowing we’d settle the score one day soon. “…could eat the Truesoul, but destroying and consuming the spirit, sure, it can do that. Anyway, I’m just pleased you’re finally understanding. I felt a bit bad, bullying you, as you were a victim as well as a perpetrator, but…”

“But my gift is too precious to ignore.” She smirked at Shuta-san, who shrugged. “After all, Shuta here can be replaced by any number of combatants. Me… I’m unique, alongside the other cat, the pining silver one.”

Pining? Never mind…

“I feel rather foolish now too.” she sighed, and Shuta-san made rather consoling noises. I glanced at him, and he shrugged.

“What? Is it so strange for me to be sympathetic? I have children of my own, you know. My Maiko was fighting alongside her friends today. The thought of it rather stops my heart, but she came through it unharmed, luckily. Not even an injury.” He shuddered then. “If she was to suffer what I did at the hands of that madman…” He gazed at me sincerely. “…please don’t let that happen. Not to her, not to her friends…”

“That’s why we’re striving now. Gaining strength will never betray us. And building bonds… that’s the definition of unbreakable strength.” I assured him piously, and Ling rolled her eyes, while Shuta-san sighed again.

“Anyway, like I said, my son Natsuo… I was even more terrified he’d be one of the fools leaking information, since he’s stayed out of everything, and wants nothing to do with this world. Though he does approve that you’ve made our lives financially secure. To his credit though, he’s not as stupid or as reckless as that, and he’s simply carrying on as though the world hasn’t changed at all…”

“A luxury he can do only because others struggle.” Ling grumbled, sipping at her cocktail. “If anything, your daughter Maiko is the clever one. I see that now. No…” Ling leaned back. “…I was like your son. Naïve. But I had nobody to take my burden. Now…” She flexed one hand as if making a fist. “…my powers seemed useless alone, but they aren’t. I just didn’t know how to use them properly.”

I nodded. “Yes, and while I wouldn’t put it past the Gods to give Favours while decline in usefulness over time, I expect there are always ways to utilise them to great effect. In any case, Ling, you’re not weak, not anymore.”

“I expect endless hard work will lead to that.” She shrugged, unamused. “I would say I am the busiest, most put-upon person in this world, but… I have eyes. You don’t spare yourself, either.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’d love a relaxing break. On a yacht, sailing around, drinks, my girlfriends, a few of the guys, just having fun… one day for sure. But we’re making ourselves miserable, pushing ourselves to the limits now, so that later can come. And your daughter Maiko-chan understands that, Shuta-san.”

“I guess she does…” he sighed, nodding. “Still, both as her father, and only parent, since her mother passed, and as one who has been through too much, I worry. Please, take care of her.”

“I wouldn’t.” Ling snorted sourly. “If he takes that the wrong way the next time you see her, she’ll be pregnant and saying she’s getting married to him.”

“Oh, come on. I’m not indiscriminate…” I began, and she rolled her eyes at me, disbelieving. “I’m not.” I protested again. “But… I’ll make sure that she gets access to some of the first tranches of upgraded gear. It makes a difference.”

“It does indeed.” Ling agreed, her bitter teasing fading away for a moment. “Especially for one such as me. I am able to raise my… Level… as you call it...” I nodded, and she continued. “…rather steadily, in the downtime when my strength is spent from moving others. Though now…”

She finished her drink again, waving the empty glass, and I knew she was having a small, petty revenge, making me pay. I couldn’t help but hold in a smile, though, as my own niggling conscience was feeling a lot better, seeing Ling act like anyone else, more at peace with her own fate. “…the bitter irony is I can perform, even without the toad’s wicked enhancement of the ability Shiro now wields, better than ever. But the more I can do…”

“The more he’ll make you do.” Shuta-san agreed, sipping at his coffee. “Which is why I like to keep a low profile.”

“You can dream, but when we get back from the Quest, you’ll be learning from Daiyu.” I warned. “For now though, you can relax.” I chuckled, seeing groups of women dressed in the military uniform of Adamant walking past the windows. “That probably goes for you too, Ling. You’ll obviously always have to shuttle about a few people, but no more mass migrations for a while…”

“I’ll believe that when I see it.” she grumbled, and then talk turned to more light-hearted matters, and I found myself having quite a pleasant time, chatting to those I didn’t often get much time with…

***

“Akio!” Yae greeted me, a brilliant smile on her face as she rushed over. She was accompanied by Hisano-chan, Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan, and another pair of sisters, the boisterous and teasing Iroha-chan and Nana-chan. While I didn’t know them that well, they were long-time friends of Kana and Keomi-chan and had quickly joined Adamant when they finally got the opportunity to receive Chirurgery. So we’d rapidly become acquaintances, and they were definitely -chan girls, younger and cheerfully energetic and friendly.

“Yes, it’s me.” I greeted Yae and the others with a playful wave. I was just outside of the old town area now, along the seafront, and in an underground area, there were a number of small, quaint bars, which had a similar flavour to Japanese izakaya bars, with modest space, and a cozy atmosphere. None of the girls here were drinking alcohol, but they still seemed to be enjoying the adult atmosphere.

“So…” I sat down as Yae scooted to the side, making space between her and the ponytailed Nana-chan. Yae then leaned in close to me, and I could smell a hint of sweat, mostly masked by perfume. “…I saw you do well, Yae. But you took a nasty wound.”

“I did. Shaeula fixed me up personally though.” Yae grimaced, hand going to her side. “It was frightening, for sure, battle. But…”

“But Yae-chan’s really spoiled.” Iroha-chan teased, nodding her head, hair buns, bound by cute red and white ribbons, not really going with the Adamant outfit, but reminding of her shrine maiden nature, drawing my eyes for a moment. “Hisano-chan too. We won’t even dare talk about the twins-chan here.”

“It is only natural.” “Yes, quite logical.” Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan began to retort, their tones a little cheekier than I remembered, which was a good thing. Yes, they’re changing too. I’m happy to see it.

“Hisano-san is the cousin of one of Akio-sama’s precious friends…” “…and indeed a person close to Akio-sama in her own right.” “Yes, she seeks guidance, and trains hard…” “…and has risen to be one of the stars of Adamant…”

Hisano-chan flushed red like a lobster, but even though she bit her lip, she didn’t shy away from the compliments. Without her glasses, and with her training and stats having an effect, she was no longer the shy, mousy girl she was before, but a quietly confident asset to Adamant. And it irks Yasu-kun too, which is its own reward. No, I shouldn’t bully him, but… he makes it too easy, sometimes. But since he’s somehow managing to get along with Karen-chan, we have to stop his ego from self-sabotaging him. That’s my excuse, anyway…

“I just don’t want any regrets! I’m lucky enough, just by coincidence, having been in the same class as Kana-chan, and by being the cousin to one of Akio-kun’s best friends, to have this chance. And of course it’s terrifying. But… it’s also never boring!”

“Indeed, you are wise, Hisano-san…” “…you understand well how things must be.” the twins agreed. “Akio-sama’s warm embrace shall let no harm befall us…” “…pain and injury are not harm, but learning experiences, they make us stronger…” “…yes, a lot stronger.” “Suffering builds character!” Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan seemed oddly cheeky today, and their brown eyes were sparkling with eager anticipation. I knew they could hear my thoughts, as their own Telepathy was a lot stronger recently, so I guessed they’d be amused by my impression of them, and indeed, their cheeks were a little rosy.

“As for Yae-sama…” “Yes, Yae-sama…”

“I’m no -sama, but now I’m embarrassed!” Yae covered her face, an unusual display from the bold gal, who had even wheedled her way into Adamant, and made it plain her reason was… for the intended purpose Shaeula had in mind for the organisation. Of course I’d given Yae a few items to make sure she was safe. To do otherwise wouldn’t have sat well with me, after all, she was Aiko’s friend, and much as Eri would deny it, hers too. Speaking of… I gave Megumi-chan that bracelet, but I do have one other thing I can hand out…

“No need for embarrassment, Yae-sama…” “No, be proud, Yae-sama!” “You went on a date with Akio-sama, Yae-sama…” “Yes, his first, I believe, Yae-sama…”

Okay, now I know they are messing with her. It’s cute though…

“Yeah, okay, please stop! Death by shame hurts worse than battlefield wounds…” Yae grumbled. “…besides, it’s true. I dated Akio even before little Ri-Ri did, technically…”

“If you tell her that, she’ll take her axe to you…” Nana-chan giggled.

“No, she won’t. She’s all bluster when it comes to those she’s friendly with.” Yae shook her head. “And little Ri-Ri might deny it, but we’re close now! Anyway, there’s no glory in being the one loser Akio didn’t fall in love with.”

“Maybe not.” Hisano-chan shrugged. “But I can tell Akio-san cares for you.”

“I do. As a friend.” I winked, pulling out an item from my storage. “Here. A token of commiseration. But Yae, you can easily find love out there. Especially now.”

“I’m not a quitter. Even if sometimes, that seems the most realistic thing to do.” Yae took the small object from me. As she leant over, a necklace, or perhaps a locket, fell out of her neckline. She flushed and tucked it away, before whistling. “Oh, wow, as Ai-chan might say… for me?”

“Yes. Consider it an apology for… uh, everything, I guess?” I shrugged.

“I swear, how can a guy with twenty girlfriends be so frustrating?” Yae grimaced. “But that’s the way you are. It’s hot, in some ways. Anyway, you have nothing to apologise for. Rika and I, our lives have improved so much since you came back to Nishimorioka to see little Ri-Ri and Ai-chan. Though Rika…” She smiled knowingly. “…she’s making me jealous. Not only did she avoid the battle, not being in Adamant, she… well, I guess that’s a secret. She’s lucky…”

I raised an eyebrow, understanding, or at least I thought I had. Oh, so Rika-chan’s got her eye on someone, and it seems it’s going well then? Love is in the air. Well, it’s only natural. Adamant, the training school, Pilgrimage, all of those cram people together, force teamwork and camaraderie. It’d be stranger if more couples weren’t starting to pop up. Mio-chan will be biting at her handkerchief in jealousy though.

“…anyway, I love it. Thank you, Akio.” Yae pinned on the small brooch. It was delicately engraved out of a series of different metals in a knotwork pattern and contained an experimental new alloy that could retain soullight. And its use… consider it temporary doping. I still can’t do what I want to, even though I made Brother’s Bond for my sis, but I’m getting closer. This byproduct could save Yae’s life in a pinch.

“Don’t mention it. If it’s life or death, for you, or someone you care about, just… feel your Connection with me, and this brooch, and draw out what lies within.”

“I will. Thanks again. It’s pretty too.” Yae grinned, tapping her earrings. “Though it would match if you had a ruby…”

“Oh, no problem.” The factory and its alchemical devices were making plenty of diamonds, but Ixitt had shown we could artificially make other gemstones by combining the pure elements, so I had a selection. I whipped one out, tinkered a little with the brooch, before nodding in satisfaction. “There. All done.”

“Uh…” Yae was as red as the ruby now, but she took a deep breath, patting her chest. “Yes, you’re a bad man, Akio. You must have… no, forget it. I can’t stay mad when you’ve given me such a gift. That ruby is massive. It must be worth tens of millions of yen. Look at the colour! It’s so flawless, and… you’ve cut it perfectly too!”

“I imagine the prices of gems will drop a lot over the upcoming years.” I chuckled. “But for now, yes, it’s the sort that sits on the British Crown Jewels, so consider it priceless indeed.”

“Hey, where’s ours, Akio-kun?” Nana-chan asked cheekily. “I’ll go on a date with you!”

“Me too. Dating cute sisters, every man’s dream!” Iroha-chan added teasingly, only to stop when Hisano-chan snorted.

“Kana-chan would skin you both alive. And that’s before Eri-chan catches you. Yae-chan isn’t mercenary, so she’s naturally treated like a sister by Akio-kun. You’ll get nothing by being selfish. We know one girl who found that out.”

“Oh yeah.” Nana-chan nodded. “Sewer-chan!” As everyone nodded, I must have looked puzzled,

“Abe Hotaru-san.” Hisano-chan clarified. As everyone’s expression soured, so did mine.

“She’s foul-mouthed, hence a mouth like a sewer.” Iroha-chan snickered. “She’s pretty, in a tomboyish way. Big boobs, which guys like too, but…”

“Yes, but!” Nana-chan and Iroha-chan dragged out the word, seeming very satisfied.

“She’s blown it more than you, Yae-chan!” Iroha-chan playfully prodded at Yae’s shame. “She wasn’t just turned down, I hear, but she’s barely clinging to the fringes. If Shiori-chan and the Takakura trio didn’t feel sorry for her, she’d be out!”

“There’s also the fact I don’t want to add to her father’s stresses. Right now, we need the country running smoothly.” I agreed, remembering her ill-judged toilet ambush. “You girls take note. It may seem like guys want a girl who’s going to throw herself at us, but… a lot of us are actually quite sensitive. Don’t be like her, okay, Iroha-chan, Nana-chan?”

“Why only pick on us? Oh, we get it.” Nana-chan waved a hand. “We’re only joking, anyway. But yes, Yae-chan! Akio-kun still really likes you, so you didn’t do that badly!”

“Okay, okay! Let’s not bother him. I joined Adamant like everyone here, and I take it seriously!” Yae waved off their teasing. “Today sure was something, but… I feel better now it’s over.”

“Indeed. Experience is the best teacher.” Chiaki-chan agreed.

“Speaking of…” Chiasa-chan eyed me, an almost hungry light in her eyes. “…Akio-sama, can you spare us some time?”

“Yes. It will not take long. We have prepared.” Chiaki-chan supported her.

“Looks like the twins-chan are making a play.” Nana-chan declared unhelpfully, and I gave her a flat stare. She then tittered. “I’m not saying you’re a lolicon, Akio-kun. Just that… well, the twins-chan here clearly adore you.”

“Yes, like a brother.” I suggested and tried to ignore the thoughts being shared with me in my mind.

“Indeed. You are someone we look up to.” “Someone we wish to serve wholeheartedly.” The twins agreed. “But more importantly… your Path…” “…it is the Path we see shining before us.”

“They have a great deal of determination.” Hisano-chan said to Yae. “I could learn a lot from them. But…”

“Yeah. They’re special from birth. We just have to be special from now.” Yae responded, displaying unexpected wisdom. Once more, a woman seemed to discern my thoughts, as Yae then giggled wickedly.

“I’ll let you off because you gave me this brooch with care in your heart, Akio, but you thought something along the lines of ‘Yae’s normally dumb, why is she so insightful today’ didn’t you?”

“No, I was thinking you’re quite mature.” I deflected, smiling. “Anyway, I’m glad you want to walk my Path, Chiaki-chan, Chiasa-chan. Your talents are truly precious. And seeing you work so hard, Ren-kun’s stepped up and become a respected leader. A lot of people go to him for advice now, I know.”

“Yes, it annoys Asami-chan, as most are girls.” Hisano-chan laughed. “But now I’m curious.” She glanced at the twins. “You say you’re almost ready?”

“Akio-sama… please guard our mortal forms here.” “And come to the Boundary.” the two of them asked, and I couldn’t refuse them.

“All right then. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on you all.” I promised, and ignoring Nana-chan’s teasing about me sneaking a peek up their skirts while they were unconscious, they were soon all in the Boundary, which was currently safe as the sea creatures had been repelled.

“Akio-sama, it is time. For us to master darkness.” Chiaki-chan insisted, bowing before me, and her sister agreed, also bending down.

“Yes. We could wait, but… our instincts tell us if we do it now, your burden can be lightened. And as your shrine maidens, your First Demagogues, if you will have us…”

“…taking burdens and spreading your glory is what we wish to do!”

As the twins explained, Hisano-chan chuckled dryly. “It’s humbling. Just how much they want this. One day I’d like to be as resolute about something. For now…”

“Yeah, for now, we’ll just try our hardest to rise the ranks.” Yae nodded. “I won’t settle for anything less than Asscher! It even sounds awesome.”

“Me, I’d be happy as a Brilliant.” Hisano-chan shrugged, and Yae rebuked her, insisting she should aim for the top, and Hisano-chan helplessly agreed.

“That’s fine…” I addressed the twins. “…but while I can take you back to Japan quickly to the Tree…”

“There is no need.” “Yes, we are prepared.” the twins countered, and they materialised a small bluesteel barrel. It was empty, but their eyes were eager. “We understand it well.” “We know the risks.” “We have also practised until the last moment…” “…watched over by Hyacinth-sama, of course.” “…so we can succeed.” “…but… it should be your darkness…” “…as it is your Path. We follow…” “…and you lead, your light bright…” “…darkness soothing.” “So please…” they finally both echoed. “…grace us with the spark to kindle our true selves!”

“No way you can refuse that cute entreaty, is there?” Iroha-chan added, and I nodded.

“I guess not. Hey, it’s getting late, so after this, let’s all go play mini golf, okay?”

“Oh, I saw the course as we walked to here. It looked fun!” Nana-chan agreed, and so, feeling a little worried as well as a growing sense of anticipation, I took the metallic cylinder from the twins and began to fill it with my Shingetsu, the New Moon Darkness…

***

“This is quite the strange sensation, sister!” Chiaki-chan’s face was red, her eyes moist. “We do not normally express ourselves so… boldly.”

“That is right, sister!” Chiasa-chan agreed. “I feel hot and greedy. But… we must remain composed! Emotions from Yin are within us, but do not rule us.”

“Indeed. Akio-sama’s darkness is potent and blissful, but… we must not shame ourselves…”

“Nor must we make the same mistakes as Abe-san…”

The twins had emptied the darkness from the barrel after I’d filled it and were now trying to consolidate it around their throat Chakras. With my Eyes, I could see that their balance with light element was excellent, as if indeed they’d practiced before. With Hyacinth there, she could certainly Heal them if anything went wrong.

“Yes, Abe-san is far too self-centred…”

“I agree, sister! She thinks just because she has a large chest, she is going to catch Akio-sama’s eyes!”

“…she needs to look at herself objectively…”

As our other pair of sisters here tittered at the twins’ scathing words, which were quite unlike their usual polite demeanours, and probably a result of disordered emotion from the darkness element they were holding, I gently patted their heads, calming them down. Unlike Eri, they weren’t expressing lust, which was a relief, not that I’d have allowed things to go too far.

After all, you see them as little sisters, yes? Eri added smugly. And now that Aiko wishes a different role, there’s an opening…

Wow, Eri! Don’t be a jerk! You know I’m a greedy girl. I can have both!

My sis spent the mental effort bickering. They were still with our parents, though that conversation was winding down, at least for now.

I have some advice, tell them… Eri, with her experience of darkness element, advised them to accept that positive emotions in excess could be more ruinous than negative ones, as she knew well, as too much love had caused Eri troubles until she was finally honest with herself, and that negative emotions, jealousy, lust, hatred, envy, in modest doses, could do more to improve a person than positive ones, sometimes.

After I explained that, the twins nodded. “We understood such already.” “But do thank Eri-sama for us. Now then...” “Yes, it is time!”

Their minds churned, as did their spiritual bodies. They were sustaining damage, of course, but their own Ether Healing could cope. More to the point, they had the experiences of many stored within their memories, and soon the flows began to stabilise. Chiaki-chan was first, the turbulence within dying down, and then, a few seconds later, Chiasa-chan also tamed the torrent.

“I was first, Chiasa!” Chiaki-chan cheekily pointed out, and her sister pouted for a moment, before smirking in an unusually animated fashion.

“Maybe so, but it is not who is fastest, but who does it better, Chiaki!”

“Whoa, seeing them bicker is fresh!” Nana-chan giggled, and I couldn’t help but agree, and…

You are pleased to see it, Akio-sama? Yes, you are. Because it makes us individuals. We are indeed two halves of a whole, Akio-sama. But by being two halves, we are two as well as one, Akio-sama!

The twins’ thoughts ran together in my head, and then they gazed at me expectantly.

Our reward? We shall take your burdens. Yes, we will put them to excellent use. Give them to us, Akio-sama, and we shall never disappoint! Ren-kun will be jealous, but also proud of us. And then you will like him more, Akio-sama! Yes, a brother who is proud of his sisters is a brother you can respect, Akio-sama!

Their jumbled thoughts were both playful and serious, but… it was time. “Okay, so, who wants which? Light, or darkness?”

“I believe I should have the light, as I am the sweeter sister, Chiaki!” Chiasa-chan insisted, but Chiaki-chan shook her head.

“If you want light, by all means, but I cannot let that pass. I am the cuter, brighter sister!”

“I disagree. But…” She laughed, a clear, bell-like sound, and soon her sister joined her. “…it does amuse Akio-sama. Not only that…” I felt a gentle tugging on Lovers’ Link, that of their emotions. “…but we are both Adherents and experiment. You know what to do. And if we succeed…”

“Yes. Then perhaps you can unravel the conundrum of the Takakura sisters.”

Oh. Rose was watching on with interest, though there seemed to be some sort of commotion up there, which she was hiding, and I chose not to pry. I’m grateful for that… she answered my unspoken thoughts. But the timing is suspiciously good. Now then, little sisters… it seemed even Rose saw them that way, and I remembered they’d said they had been sneaking instruction via Wisdom World. Ordinarily, I doubt the Path would support a First Demagogue, but… why not try for another unprecedented feat?

Yes, we are ready, Rossweisse-sama. Indeed, Rose-sama, we are! Akio-sama surely is too. Yes, Akio-sama will not fail.

I could pick out whose thought was whose, and while I disagreed that Chiasa-chan was any kinder than her sister, the way she called Rose by a nickname made me think indeed, if I had to choose, she could have the light.

“I see…” Chiaki-chan murmured. “So it is the little things like that you notice. No matter. We are not one, but two halves do still make one.” It was quite a long sentence for her, and I understood her meaning. “And if we become one, while still remaining two… distinct, but entwined… or perhaps entwinned…” she made a rare joke. “…then we can both be First Demagogue. But…”

“I see it.” My Eyes burned. My Path felt heavy around me, and I reached out. The sisters had Lovers’ Link, they had their own Connections too, Telepathic, and others deeper and more intimate. Their spirts had tangled, perhaps even before birth, faint threads which touched, but did not penetrate, their Truesouls, tying them together. But they do have separate Truesouls, as they should. Because they’re two young woman, sisters. But… I can use this.

Fides’ Dutiful Blessing - This Divine Favour is made of concentrated Adherence, refined Ether and Soullight infused Truesoul strands. The bearer can call upon a potent Light-based Adherence, calming and soothing troubled, tumultuous minds, strengthening Resilience and Determination. However, that is not the true purpose. Those who hold to and honour Oaths, Bonds and other similar pacts will find themselves strengthened temporarily, escalating based on the number of such Bonds and Oaths, and this effect also applies to the wielder of this Favour. Though breaking or dismissing such loyal pledges renders the effect invalid.

It also has the side-effect of dramatically increasing the Majesty of the bearer.

Just as Fides embodies trust and good faith, and unfailingly honours that which has been pledged, so too shall you judge the faithfulness of others, and those whose Bona Fides are true shall be blessed by your Light.

I see. Yes, it’s perfect… I tied the Favour into Chiasa-chan, around her crown, third eye and heart Chakras, but not just that, a trickle of it leaked out, like an extended string of glowing indigo beads, and I spread them to where it needed to go, before turning my attention to Chiaki-chan.

Discordia’s Disrupting Darkness - This Divine Favour is made of concentrated Adherence, refined Ether and Soullight infused Truesoul strands. The bearer can bathe an area in an Adherence-based Darkness attack, which specifically targets the mind and Spirit of all who bear hostility to the bearer or those they choose to defend. All Skills and abilities will be weakened while under this shroud, and the effect is strengthened if the afflicted party has a weaker Determination and Resilience.

Those caught under the Disrupting Darkness are significantly more likely to be susceptible to suggestion and mental commands, and abilities which utilise such, as well as intrusive mental projections.

It also has the side-effect of dramatically increasing the Charm of the bearer.

Just as Discordia embodies strife and discord, and sows chaos and despair amongst the unworthy, spreading disaster, so too shall bring chaos and discord to those you judge as enemies, and darkness shall cleave to your words and answer their deeds.

Chiaki-chan resisted the pain as boldly as her sister had, as I tied the Favour to her crown, throat and heart Chakras. Again, some beads, this time a deep blue, scattered, and I guided them, even as I worked my own efforts.

Two as one. Lovers’ Link. Paired, yet almost opposite Favours. It’s just too perfect. Two Demagogues in one, yet each is unique, irreplaceable, and without their other half, still incomplete. A dichotomy, or a paradox, perhaps. They embody opposition as well as unity. Just as…

Your Path has stabilised slightly and can now bear a First Demagogue. The position of First Demagogue has been allocated. There are… two… no, one… successful candidate. Hikawa Chiaki and Hikawa Chiasa have become First Demagogue of the… Bondweaver… Path. The Demagogues… shall Twist the strands of Connection, hearts and minds, they shall Weave both Wisdom and Chaos amongst your allies and enemies, and they shall Sever faithlessness and enmity alike, while leaving loyalty and faith uncut.

Yggdrasil gave a very poetic description of what the two of them could do and their role, and I held in a chuckle at her pettiness. But thanks, Yggdrasil. That’s helpful to know…

…

… …

… … … Your Class, Bondweaver, has increased…

Your Class, Taker Of Paths Unknown, has increased…

Your Skills, Truesoul Crafting, Soullight Crafting, Adherence Crafting, Ether Crafting and Shapercraft have all combined into a Unique Skill…

…

… …

… … …

Bondweaving

…

… …

… … …

Have all combined into a Unique Skill, Bond Weaving, Shaping, Twisting, Growing And Cutting Rank 1. This Skill has become one with your Path, or has grown out of your Path, the relationship is complicated. This Skill contains all your prior knowledge and affinities, additionally strengthened. This

… … …

is a Divine Class Skill, achieved without igniting and feeding a Flame to a raging heat, Cultivating to the Realms beyond Immortal, or other standard methods of advancement the Pantheons have grown and shaped over the endless march of time.

My Path shook, as did I. My Vessel screamed, Waters Of Past, Present And Future surging within me. I could hear those on my Path concerned for me, even those like Aine and her Goblins, but I concentrated, delving into my new Skill, and I understood what to do. For an instant I flickered, my spirit coming apart, before my work was done, and I stabilised, the pain diminishing. Not over, not fixed, but… I think I see the answer that Tan and the Norns want for me. Or if not the exact answer, it’s an answer that will achieve what they hope for.

You have gained a Class, Wielder Of Might Beyond Mortal. This Class is given to those who have reached the merest fragment of what it is to be a Divinity, while still in a fragile, mortal form. While this Class is not Unique, as such impossible prodigies have appeared before, it is even rarer than those who would devour a Virgin Goddess. Your Vessel and League strengthen slightly, and those sensitive to power will instinctively comprehend you are hiding significant might.

…

… …

…However, do not grow conceited. The gap between the foothills of the Divine and the peak is as vast as the distance between the deeply burrowed roots of the Most Perfect, Eternal Tree, and the canopy of leaves it spreads out overhead, offering shade and Wisdom to all they shelter. And even a thrown stone in the palm of a master is more deadly than a Dvergr masterwork blade in the hand of the inexperienced.

Thank you for the warning. I know. But…

We can do it now! Lin broke in, unnaturally excited. Akio, my Verr, you are the hope we craved! Rose, Rose, start the preparations!

As my mind was blank, Rose chortled. Do forgive our littlest sister. She is simply overwhelmed. We had hoped to exploit your Lovers’ Link, in a similar manner to how I used the Runes, and what you experienced earlier, but this is far superior a method. Now is the chance. The Path, it is more stable. Still fragile and ephemeral, but I suspect more of the universal Adherent positions might be available. We should fill them with suitable candidates to further envisage the Path.

My apologies… Lin calmed herself with great effort. …it is just… I believed in sacrifice. I always have. We made one, those of you we Chose make them. The dead made them. But now… we can perhaps gain something for free, without such a loss in return. It almost feels wrong, but… Heroic Tyr forgive me, if we can win without such sacrifices, I am willing to do so!

Of course. Who would want to suffer when they don’t have to. Uh… just tell me what you need…

Rest first. Gather your strength, focus on yourself and your Path. Soon we shall speak of it… Rose had grown mysterious, and I stifled a chuckle, now allaying the concerns of everyone staring at me.

“I’m fine. Just… unexpected windfalls are a bit uncomfortable, you know?” I reassured them. “Now, don’t worry about me. How are you two feeling?” I asked Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan, and their answers came back instantly, as they knelt before me, making Nana-chan and Iroha-chan giggle at the spectacle.

“Wonderful, Akio-sama. This is… to touch the Divine, yet…” Chiaki-chan began, and her sister took over, awe on her face.

“Yes. It is a Divine not of the cold, distant Gods, but… one we can touch and shape with our own hands, words, wills…”

“Yes. And you, my two clever girls…” I ruffled their hair playfully, and they giggled. “…are going to have to help with that.”

“Lucky…” Yae murmured, and I snorted.

“If you’re that bothered, then here…” I held out a hand. “…but be warned, you take my Path, it’s going to be a rocky road…” I made the pun, and Yae didn’t hesitate. Neither did Hisano-chan, and after a moment, even the other two sisters joined in, placing their hands on top of mine as a pyramid. I then extended my Path, and they shuddered as they felt the weight enveloping them, strengthening all their Bonds, their Fortune, their Growth and Connections, and… perhaps something more. The Path weakened noticeably as I shared, but then strength came flooding back, and I gazed at Yae with a complicated expression on my face.

Seeing that, she shook her head. “Don’t worry about it, Akio. I’m not Hotaru-chan. My language is far cleaner, for a start, I’m a gal, not a bitch.” She giggled then. “I’m going to make Asscher, trust me. I’m determined!”

“I believe in you.” I nodded. How could I not? Now then…

My Eyes glowed as I inspected the changes to Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan… which are… plentiful, and…

“Uh, welcome to the transcending humanity club…” I chuckled wryly. “Though is it really if you’re still technically human…”

Well, just what do I comment on first? The fact that this pair together can now take on threats others would fear? No, I’ll start with what I did…

It made sense their League and other intangible Statistics were higher than expected, League being far higher. They were intimately tied to my Path, giving strength to it and taking from it. Plus they’d gained Favours. And it seemed they were somehow sharing such, though they could only use weakened versions of the one they didn’t possess. Probably worth a couple of points, at the least…

I’d created a Bond since they were on the Path, and it was…

Twin Bonding And Restoration is a Skill which allows the two so bound to shelter each other’s Spirit and nurture it. If one is slain and the other survives, then eventually a Spiritual body can be recreated for the fallen twin. This appears to be a modified, singular version of Kin Bonding And Restoration, and has become a Skill of the Bondweaver Path, and has been added to Knowledge.

Yes, I felt the potential there. The twins are indeed two in one, but not one. They have so many Connections and Bonds, weaving this through the Path to them wasn’t impossible. And now… Lovers’ Link had jumped to Rank 4, and they were definitely suitable for my own Kin Bonding, as I cherished the twins like my own little sisters, how could I not? But now even alone they could safeguard each other. Especially as…

High Human is a racial change and a Class which fortifies and enhances all Spiritual aspects of a being. High Humans can survive without a Material body, as a purely Spiritual being, and in time, it may be possible to recover a destroyed Material form. Spiritual death is still fatal, however. All Statistics increase as the nature of the High Human strengthens. Longevity is guaranteed as a Spiritual being, though while living hundreds or thousands of years is possible, even the Spirit decays and it is far from immortality.

The bearers of this nature have some affinity for a Faeduine state, yet they lack the spark, a Lunar Chakra of sufficient activated strength. Becoming a Faeduine, which is a further evolved, but less human, Spiritual being is quite possible.

Okay. I know I can help with aging with my Ether… no, it’s Soullight Healing now, isn’t it, but… that’s a short-term fix. Looks like everyone will be becoming High Humans and Faeduine soon, it’s a priority now… besides… becoming a being of spiritual nature had a whole host of benefits women enjoyed and valued rather more than men did. Anyway, moving on…

Twin Bound Lunar Chakra Networks is a Fae-style Chakra Network, with a functioning Lunar Chakra, yet they already share an entanglement with each other’s Lunar Chakra, a Connection. This makes it significantly harder to merge their Elemental energies with the Lunar Chakra, a defect, some might say, but if this is overcome, not only will it likely trigger a shift to a Faeduine nature, but they will resonate, growing so connected Elemental energies at a faster rate, finding it easier to overcome bottlenecks, walls and pinnacles.

Yeah. Another Connection they share. Telepathic Bonds is the same, it’s Telepathy like Haru has, just closely entwined with each other…

I noticed that the light element the twins had was sunlight, which made sense, as they shared Ren-kun’s bloodline, but it had changed somewhat, as had my Shingetsu, perhaps as they’d merged and diluted with each other through their linked networks?

Half Moon Darkness – Hangetsu is a Darkness Elemental energy which also contains the Light, both moon and sun, Yin and Yang. This Elemental energy contains properties of both Sunlight and Mangetsu and may have some unique benefits in Cultivation.

Eclipse Light – Kinkanshoku is a Light Elemental energy which also contains Darkness, both sun and moon, Yang and Yin. This Elemental energy contains both Sunlight and Mangetsu and may have unique benefits in Cultivation. It seems at first glance to be identical to Hangetsu, but in fact they are paired opposites and mirrors, yet can also form a seamless combination in two ways, additive or subtractive.

Okay. Daiyu will definitely want to take a look at these. My mutated elements were something she had her eyes on, but the twins have cooked up something potentially better for her…

Empathic Teacher is a Class which specialises in remembering, collating, and manipulating knowledge, wisdom and perception from other beings, and making that information accessible to others, aiding them in mastering such Skills. It is easier to learn Skills the more you are exposed to the knowledge of those who understand how to use them, and bottlenecks, walls and pinnacles are smoothed and easier to breach.

Empathic Repository is the next step beyond an Empathic Teacher, when the accumulated wisdom and knowledge goes far beyond the ordinary. In this case, these High Humans, even before their transformation, had received the Wisdom of higher-order Spiritual beings.

…

… …

…Some might say this breaks Compacts and agreements, but such beings would lack Wisdom. Nothing was shared to a being from a lower world in violation of such. If one or two happened somehow to be present mentally in reach of those of the Pantheons, it can hardly be helped, nor accounted for.

These two Classes also allow the easier breaching of bottlenecks, walls and pinnacles, accelerated by each and every success, to partially affect those they are sharing Telepathic teaching with. They are missing but one thing to truly become dispensaries of Wisdom the likes few worlds and Pantheons have seen…

And don’t I know it. I have the assets, but… balancing a triangle is much harder than Yin and Yang. Anyway, speaking of Yin… Somehow, Chiaki-chan had obtained Dark Temptress, which was problematic, very problematic, but…

“Please relax, Akio-sama.” Her Telepathy could read me even easier now. “I have it under control. It is a consequence of the way we mastered the final element. I accepted the darkness, while Chiasa…”

“…I moved to the light. But we are both ourselves. A little… differentiation… is no bad thing, Akio-sama.”

“And of course, we can swap.” Chiaki-chan agreed with her sister. “But let me assure you, I will not succumb to unbecoming behaviour. I am… we are… your priestesses, and priestesses of the Path, Akio-sama. It is the honour we did not know we were seeking our whole lives. While we still have great respect for Susanoo…”

“…and indeed all the Gods and Kami of the shrine, we have our new way.” Chiasa-san finished.

Looks like we’ll have to try harder. Eri’s thoughts were pensive, before my sis complained.

Wow, Eri, false modesty much? Who’s a Grand Half-Bakeneko already? And here I am, plain old human, growing old and wrinkly before my time! Nope, I want to stay young and beautiful for decades and centuries too. Ouch, my head, splitting my focus like this is rough…

Don’t mind her. Eri snorted mentally. She’s just being melodramatic. I get it though.But I can look as old as I want, any time I want. So it’s not my problem, and I’m pretty certain I already don’t physically age much, or if I do, I can revert it…

I guess so. Anyway, we know how it’s done now, so… time to enlist our new High Humans when we get a spare minute. More to the point…

Light Maiden is a Class which draws upon the aspects of Light which points towards respect, admiration, desire to support, and joy, turning them into power. Fortune will dramatically increase, and the effects of Fortune will also be increased. The charisma and physical beauty of the Maiden will increase, though such beauty will retain a wholesome edge, and Skills relating to the Light Element, camaraderie, love and supportiveness will also increase.

And how do we get Shaeula that Class? Anything that bolsters the effect of her Fortune will be crazy good…

Student Of Impossible Wisdom is a Class granted to those who have accessed Knowledge taught by those that they have no way of meeting or knowing, and it is on a Level beyond what their surrounding world or realm understands. This Class also has the effect of relaxing bottlenecks, and Skills in general become easier to learn, and the effect is magnified based on the rarity of the Skill.

And why didn’t I get that?

…you already met Ortlinde, Valkyrie of Tyr, therefore it is not possible for you to gain the Class in that manner. Likewise, meeting Taṇhā was a misfortune for you in that regard, as now you would need to be blessed by an even greater being to obtain it via normal methods.

Normal methods, huh? So there are abnormal ones?

??? ??? ??? ????!

Oh, come on, that’s funny, but not helpful. Hello. Anybody there? Huh, guess not… so, if I check this out…

Priestess Of The Bondweaver Path is a Class where instead of venerating a Divine being or similarly worshipped power, the prayer is directed towards a Path, in this case the… Bondweaver… Path, and the Architect and Master of said Path. Adherence manipulation relating to the Path is strengthened, and a small amount will be generated for the Master of the Path, based on the devotion and strength of the Priestess. In this case, Bonds and Connections, Fortune and Growth will strengthen incredibly slightly for the Priestess and the object of her devotion, and the Path will strengthen and stabilise by a minute amount.

Look, there you are! I knew you were still listening!

…

Anyway, last one…

First Demagogue Of The Bondweaver Path is … ?????? ??????? ?????? … …

… … …

… ??? ??? ????!

Okay, not being cheeky? There are really just question marks?

The Bondweaver Path is nascent and immaterial. To adequately know Wisdom about the First Demagogue is not a trivial task. In time, Wisdom shall record it.

Okay, okay, my bad. You’re helpful as ever. In fact… I suspected my Eyes were becoming stronger, perhaps evidenced by Yggdrasil’s ever-growing verbosity and personality. …I could use a break anyway.

“All right. We’ve done good work. We’ll celebrate later, I’m sure Ren-kun will be pleased… and hopefully motivated to make more progress himself. I doubt he’ll want you two to show him up. So… mini golf? I promised Eri and my sis a game, and everyone else will be interested. I hear it’s the course the play the world championship on.”

“You really want to play, huh?” Yae snickered. “All right then, I’m game.” As everyone else agreed, in the Material, the girls opened their eyes, and finishing their drinks, we headed back along the beach, where indeed, groups were starting to gather…

***

Obviously the revelation that Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan had become High Humans, with all the benefits that entailed, had caused quite a stir. All of Adamant, and indeed almost everyone else, including the Knights and David, which was amusing seeing such burly, grizzled men so eager, were desperate to follow in their footsteps. David saying Sir Arthur needed to hurry, else he’d be in the grave before he managed it, was both hilarious and mean. Ellie, however, obviously she’s thinking of her grandmother. And speaking of Liz…

“It does make me wonder, young Akio… oh, drat, I missed.” Her ball bounced out of the hole, as she’d hit slightly too hard. “My streak of holes-in-one in a row is broken… oh, never mind that…” Liz chuckled ruefully, gazing at the twins, who were on the hole ahead, as we played with her, Ellie, Yukiko, Eri and Aiko, who’d returned, leaving my parents to the tender care of Eri’s.

“…I just wonder how the world will take it. The one constant is, rich or poor, noble or peasant, priest or sinner, we all die in due time. It seems that’s no longer the case.”

“It’s not like they’re immortal, no more than I am.” I shrugged, and Yukiko chuckled, even as her ball sank into the hole effortlessly.

“You could have fooled us, what with the way you came back to life after Glitonea’s attack. But I don’t think that matters. Living to two hundred would be bad enough. Jealousy is a terrible thing. And unlike the longevity from Chirurgery, I doubt everyone can learn all seven elements.”

“Nor would the world survive if they could.” Ellie pointed out, levelling her club as she gauged the shot. This was the hole that’d caught everyone out, as the ones before this could be played straight, and thus stats made it trivial, but here, until one had bounced off a wall, the effect was hard to predict and calculate. “If everyone’s lifespan doubled, the population… it wouldn’t double, as there would be less pressure to have children, perhaps, but it would still increase significantly. That means more resources, further global climate issues… a damn mess.”

“So you’re saying we either have riots… oh, unlucky…” my sis commiserated with Ellie as her ball bounced off the wall and lipped the hole. It was a fine effort though, using others who had gone before as a template. “…the ordinary people trying to kill their new long-lived aristocracy, or we wreck the world. Lucky that my bro’s got that second one handled then, isn’t it?”

My sis lined up her club, and we watched as she zinged it off three walls and into the hole neatly. She pumped her fist, blue eyes sparkling. “That’s what I was trying for. So, it’s just me and bro who’s sunk every hole in one shot so far.”

“I haven’t gone yet.” Eri grumbled, taking her own swing, chipping the ball over the path and landing it right in the hole, which gathered some scattered applause from the six girls from Adamant behind us, including Maiko-chan, Shuta-san’s daughter we’d talked about earlier.

“But yes…” Eri fetched the balls, tossing them back to us as we advanced to the next hole, which was blocked down the middle by a lighthouse which insulted poor shots, though we seldom heard such, as flawlessly straight putts were well in reach of anyone in Adamant. “…environmentally and in terms of resources, with Mortal Engineering and the like, we could easily support a much larger population. I’ve seen the plans for the high-rise towers. Population density can rise, without leading to overcrowding. Though the sky might be less visible.”

“True.” I agreed, swinging casually one-handed, the ball rattling through the lighthouse, and then falling into the hole.

“Nice shot, you charted a course to the whirlpool!” the lighthouse boomed, and my sis sniggered.

“I get it. It’s imagining the green here is the sea, so the hole must be a whirlpool. Witty. Anyway, Liz, that second issue’s not a big deal, and do you really think any mob can subdue Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan now? Look at them.”

Indeed, their stats had jumped not only from the huge boosts from getting their Favours and becoming High Human, but from Lovers’ Link going from Rank 2 to Rank 4. Sure, they were hardly invincible, but they also had a very decent League, so it’d take high-powered artillery or aerial bombardment to kill them now, and once they learned more tricks with their spatial element, that would become very risky for the attackers.

“Who knows, my dear?” Liz chuckled, her own ball earning the lighthouse’s approval as it joined mine in the hole. “Even so… societal change is nigh. But I suppose…” She glanced at Shaeula and Hyacinth, several holes ahead of us, Ginneka with them too. “…we already have to face that spiritual beings exist. But becoming them… when it’s just you, young Akio, people see it as a fluke, out of reach. But as more of your followers experience the same… it’ll be tricky. And surely something the Church of True Revelation will try to exploit. Oh, hard luck, Eleanor dear.”

“Annoying lighthouse…” Ellie grumbled. It had spat her ball out just slightly wonkily, and she’d edged the hole. My sis, Eri and Yukiko didn’t miss though.

“I think by the time everyone starts complaining about that, won’t everyone have bigger things to worry about?” Eri shrugged. “Like staying alive as the Boundary collapses.”

“Cold, but correct.” I nodded. “Even so, if all goes well, we’ll have enough Territories to at lest try and keep things stable. But a lot of things which bother others now won’t matter then. If people have time to complain about stupid shit…”

“People always have time for that.” Liz shook her head, interrupting me. “Even during the blitz, during rationing, the bombs dropping every night, our sons dying day by day, people still complained about their neighbours and their vices, or what they thought were vices. That won’t change. And speaking of…” She glanced at my sis as she deftly sank another putt. “…how did things go, young Aiko?”

“Could have been worse.” She shrugged. “Oh, sorry, Eleanor. That’s probably not what you want to hear.”

“Don’t put it all on me. You misunderstand me, I think. Yes, I find it terribly strange, and rather unpleasant, but…” She frowned, blue eyes narrowed, struggling to put it into words. “But I don’t find you that way, Aiko. And I do trust, and… oh, how it embarrasses me to say it, I suppose I do love Akio. So my entirely well-founded discomfort with the subject is natural, but… you won’t get rid of me so easily. I’m stubborn.”

“Yes.” Yukiko agreed. “Like the Green Knight himself.”

“I can’t say I understand it either, but…” Liz glanced at the twins again. “…then, when we’re looking at two young women who will likely be here to see the next millennium in person, in the year three thousand…”

“Assuming we aren’t killed first…” Ellie added, and Liz raised an eyebrow, and she had the grace to flush.

“It could happen.” Ellie insisted. “I don’t believe Akio will allow it, but… despite everything, he’s not invincible, and it’s a very dangerous universe out there.”

“True. Which is why the benefits of High Human and Faeduine or even becoming more like a Yōkai…” Eri nodded at that. “…go beyond mere vanity and longevity.” I insisted.

“Quite. So, granddaughter, you can… understand?” Liz asked, and Ellie snorted.

“Oh my God no, I most certainly can’t. To think of Henry or Richard in that way, I feel quite sick…”

“Guess you need a better set of brothers then…” Aiko teased, and as Ellie glowered at her, Eri gently knuckled my sis on the head.

“That’s not helping, Aiko.”

“Says you, the hypocrite.” my sis shot back. “Sorry Eleanor. It’s kind of true though. If my bro wasn’t who he is, I probably wouldn’t be this way either. I promise I’m not a pervert.”

“Judging how Eri is and the fact you were raised like sisters, I’m not sure I agree.” Yukiko teased, and the subject turned to quiet, slightly awkward banter as we finished off the final holes. It was moderately amusing to see the shocked staff having to rewrite the course records, which varied, on the three courses here, between twenty-six and thirty shorts for the eighteen holes. Now…

“Looks like they’ll need to think of something.” Liz chortled, touched. She would have smashed the course record before this, with a solid twenty-two, but now multiple dozens of us had eighteens, which meant the record was tied and could go no lower.

Not only that, but the strange tree-like nineteenth hole, in which you could win a free game if you sunk the ball in one, was constantly chanting out congratulations, a giggling Kana the most recent to triumph.

“That was fun, wasn’t it?” I asked as we handed back our clubs. The long-suffering, and rather starstruck, staff member wasn’t sure whether to pay attention to me, Liz, Ellie, or just the plethora of cute women in military uniforms. Seeing his dazed expression, I offered a suggestion.

“Best reset the scores back to what they were before and have a special commemorative plaque or something like that, showing the day we all came here and played around.”

As the man nodded dumbly, Liz smirked. “Played a round… how very witty you are, young Akio. Yes, young man. I can say, I give it my royal approval, as does my dear granddaughter…”

As she chatted grandly, my phone beeped, which was odd, as almost everyone was here. It could be mom or father, maybe Arisu-san. Huh… Glancing at the screen, there was a text from Hana. And not Eri’s mom, but our Kitsune. I guess she’s worked out how to use phones just fine. And why wouldn’t she? She freeloads in our house enough. Oh…

“What’s wrong?” Eri asked, seeing me freeze, and my answer made everyone else, barring Liz, stand in stunned, pensive silence too.

“It’s from back home. She’s awake. Su Liena has woken up…”