On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Arisugawa Arisu, WTW headquarters (previously FujiTV), Tokyo, Japan

“So yes, have no fear, it may seem totally scary, but everything’s under control!” Shimizu Ema-san, the youngest of the idols in Adamant, who was wearing her Pleiades version Adamant idol costume, with short mini-skirt, waistcoat, golden shirt, and matching ribbons in her twin-tailed hair, declared cheerily, making sideways peace signs with her fingers beside her eyes, giving a beaming smile.

“It’s just a little light show, not an attack or anything. We’re very sorry if you were woken up, we know how hard it is to be a working man or woman today! We’re up to train every morning before the sun, and the diet… oh, the dieting…” Ema-san’s face fell, pouting exaggeratedly, before she brightened up. “But that’s a thing of the past! Now I can eat what I want, and my exercise routine more than makes up for it. Oh, where was I?”

“You were saying about the aurorae…” Yoshino Asuka-san, her fellow Pleiades and AKB idol prompted her. She was somewhat older, hair in a ponytail, and more fuller-figured, but also cut a very fine image in her Adamant outfit. Yes, Arisu-san had a hand in designing them herself, but Hinata-san and Suzanne-san had also contributed.

“Oh yes, I was!” Ema-san agreed, her bubbly personality shining through.

She appeals to men with her youthful vibrancy and slight airheadedness, provoking their desires to both posses and protect, while to women she is like a cute, cheerful daughter or sister they wish they had. She was born to be an idol… Asuka-san and Keiko-san too… diamonds in the rough. Hah, Diamonds…

Arisu was rather fatigued, even with the number of significant breakthroughs she’d made recently in controlling her Room, the Doors, and spatial energies overall, and a handful of gained Levels, she was still being run ragged. Fortunately… If all goes well here, the frequency of my required assistance should drop significantly. I would welcome a break, yet… I am not one for resting on my laurels. That Tengoku-seki is a fascinating item, worthy of further study. Though I fear if it was to break somehow, the damage would be catastrophic…

“So yeah, consider it a freak weather condition. Like a snowstorm. Remember last year? That one was crazy. Everywhere was so white. It sure did make Tokyo look pretty though…”

“Ema-chan…” Asuka-san warned, and the younger idol giggled, though it was all part of the act, the charm, the watching, frightened populace unable to keep feeling tension under the face of such cute absurdity and relaxed banter.

“My bad!” She knuckled her forehead with fake contrition. “Look, it’s harmless, and has already mostly faded. It’s not an attack, nor the end of the world. What it is… is just a sign of things to come. Now…” Ema-san cleared her throat, striking a pose. “…we’ve covered this, but I’ll put it all together, just for you all! I wonder if you’re watching too? Hi mom!” She waved cheerily, and Asuka-san rolled her eyes theatrically, ordering her to get back on topic.

“Anway, point one… the lights are just an energetic discharge. It’s like the northern lights, you know? Super beautiful, but ultimately harmless. I hope you got photos, as they might not come again, or if they do, not for a while! But don’t worry, WTV will be displaying full footage of it, we don’t miss a thing. It would have been so awesome to do a concert with that as a backdrop, don’t you think, Yoshino-chan?”

“I sure do. But you’re getting distracted again…”

“My bad. The second point is… geographic changes. If your morning commute got a little longer, tell your boss to be understanding! In all seriousness, these are mostly localised to specific regions, but… if you’re one of the lucky few whose house or garden has expanded, please call the Ministry hotline on the below number, so that you can have your claim to the expanded space verified. It’s free money! As to how it works, tomorrow, we’re expecting our very own Arisugawa Arisu-sama to be hosting a program with several of Japan’s finest Physicists. Don’t worry, I’m told it’s not going to have any dangerous effects!” She paused and struck another cutesy pose before continuing.

“And thirdly… again, this should be largely localised, but if you end up wandering into another world, or meet a strange visitor, you’ve not died and gone to the afterlife, I assure you!” Such a proclamation was made harmless by her demeanour and comforting stage presence, as befitted an idol of AKB0048, one of Japan’s most culturally relevant idol groups, and while they lacked some mainstream appeal, the charity concert had rocketed them to prominence. Their management are overjoyed, with a number of their songs charting hot. We really should be charging commission. Oh well, I suppose the fact that Akio-san has managed to steal them all should be compensation enough. That man… he does little but cause me great consternation.

“That’s a nice smile, Arisu-chan. You should smile more often.” Keiko-san, the third member of this particular unit of AKB, and the one Arisu was closest too, after their talk show appearances, and subsequent drinks on some Pilgrimage nights, remarked, and Arisu sighed, provoking a further clarification.

“I don’t mean to say that you’re stern, Arisu-chan, just… I think you’re having fun, aren’t you? You complain a lot about the workload, but… you take pride in a job well done. Just like us! Idols and actors are the same field, and… I guess being Chosen, a Cultivator, an Adamant member… those are the same too.”

Arisu thought about that for a moment, before inclining her head. “Yes. Honestly… my interests do intersect with the current situation.”

They watched Asuka-san and Ema-san explain that any spiritual beings the populace met would have been safely vetted and come from Akio-san’s Territory, and likewise, the other world was mysterious, yet ultimately, so long as it was entered from here, largely safe. Asuka-san pointed out the government would issue an updated map of locations to be aware of, as well as updated safety guidance, shortly.

“I suppose…” Arisu continued, giving it some thought. Yes. I do complain, but only because I feel I should. White, Akio-san, the others… I feel comfortable. Arisu couldn’t help but snort with wry amusement, rather unlike her. No fear of betrayal here. The idiot could not betray a woman if he was held at gunpoint, least of all one of White’s friends, one he himself considers a friend. Friends… yes, it is hard to trust again, but… “…I simply wish to have more time to pursue some leisurely interests. I had far too much free time before, but now I find it ironic. We do not miss it until it is gone.”

“A hiatus only made the fans crave your performances more!” Keiko-san insisted. “But that’s not what’s important. What is… is that we’re not just entertainers, we’re the face of Japan in this moment! I bet more people are tuning into WTV than are watching the Prime Minister!”

“No doubt.” Arisu agreed, having had the ongoing live ratings delivered to her phone. Rather unprecedented for this time of night, barring major worldwide sporting events. “The information we have to communicate is… unprecedented. Yet from the callers and questions we have been sent, panic is… surprisingly muted.”

“Not such a surprise.” Keiko-san disagreed. “Compared to the Church attacks, or London… this is just a spectacle. And honestly, people trust Akio-kun, and they trust you. If we say it’s fine, they’ll take us at our word. So, it’s our role to make sure they are fine. We protect people’s smiles, Arisu-chan. As idols, as Adamant… as…” She tilted her head, smiling with smug satisfaction. “…Akio-kun’s precious friends.”

“How… droll.” Arisu sent a mote of spatial element out, flicking her forehead, and as Keiko-san pouted playfully, rubbing at the slight redness, which would quickly fade as Arisu was far from unprofessional enough to leave a woman less than perfect before the cameras. “But yes. We are calm, and knowledgeable, and that shines through. Coupled with the cheerful charm of you idols, used to being the centre of attention, the populace sees there is naught to fear. If only that was true. This is but the beginning. Akio-san can control matters, but, worldwide… no, this is the beginning of the end of peace, I fear.”

As they fell silent, Asuka-san and Ema-san finishing up their spot, ready to return, and to let Keiko-chan and the members of Pleiades from Red and White to take over and handle some audience questions, Arisu narrowed her black eyes and was slightly irritated that Keiko-san flinched reflexively. I know I am said to have a firm, intimidating stare, but… there is no cause for alarm.

“When you receive your second Rank of Lovers’ Link, I shall take you out on a little… expedition.” Arisu promised. “You should strive hard. It cannot be that difficult to make the fool see you that way. Sixteen extra Levels makes a huge difference, even to those like you girls without practical combat Skills or abilities. The others too.”

Keiko-san blushed. “I… but I’m an idol, it’s not…” she stammered, and Arisu sighed.

“Really? Now you blush and simper? I was under the impression you rather liked him. But that is beside the point. You are his idols now. And it hardly has to be romantic. It is… a naming convention issue. I fear even I…” Arisu sighed at that though. “Statistics have no sin, better to have them than not. Two percent of numbers in the thousands is hardly trivial and is more use to those like you than they are to me.”

At that moment, the two returned backstage, and Keiko-san bowed, rushing off.

“Something we said?” Asuka-san joked, as Arisu handed her a towel to mop her sweat, Ema-chan too.

“Wow, thanks Arisu-chan!” Ema-san enthused, wiping her brow. “You really should have a gopher for this.”

“Ordinarily. But tonight, it is wise to keep the backstage area quiet. We are managing the news, we have no need of mistakes. As for Keiko-san… simply embarrassed. I posited she should encourage Akio-san to extend you the full Lovers’ Link he can. The gain in strength is substantial, and it can only help your Cultivation and elemental training.”

“True. I don’t mind.” Asuka-san agreed. “I’ve talked to everyone, and I mean, his male friends have that advantage. And Akio-kun’s not bi, is he Ema?”

“Nope!” she giggled. “Keiko’s just super shy, thinking about lovers… me, I’m hoping to catch his eye in other ways! I want to be the best Adamant idol there is, and for that, I need to be super strong, and super energetic all the time!”

“You are too energetic as is.” Arisu remarked, well pleased. “As I said to Keiko-san before she decided retreat was advisable, while I have no wish to step on the toes of any of your Commanders, once you all secure the needed Lovers’ Link, I shall take you out to train. Sixteen Levels should take us but a day, with… the dedication you have shown to reach where you are today.”

Asuka-san and Ema-san exchanged amused glances, before Asuka-san nodded. “That sounds ominous. But if we think of it like an idol boot camp, we can endure!”

“Excellent. Anyway…” Arisu continued checking the incoming questions. “…if we ignore all the foolish drivel about meeting cute magical creatures… the populace is surprisingly calm and accepting. I guess it is true. With enough time and exposure, people can get used to anything…”

Of course, managing the local population is only half the battle. Though internationally… Arisu glanced over at one cameraman, and several of the AKB idols who spoke excellent English, who were doing the voiceover for the broadcast they were lending to BBC News. …I suppose at least in Britain, the populace will not be too panicked…

***

Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace, London, United Kingdom

“This is so frustrating!” Elizabeth swung around her half-empty glass of brandy, ice clinking. “Why wasn’t I allowed to go? I’m fit as a fiddle now, you know? My new grandson gave me a full tune-up and a clean bill of health! Why, I’ve never felt so spry!”

“Please do calm down, mother.” Diana, her daughter-in-law, responded, and Elizabeth shook her head.

“Calm? I am calm. Besides…” she narrowed her eyes. “You had the opportunity to spend Christmas Day with them in Japan. How enviable. I never thought I’d see the day when dear Eleanor was eager to get married. Besides…” Her smirk was wicked, and Diana held in a sigh. “…can’t you picture it, how wonderful it will be? The Palace awash with so many beauties. We’ll be the envy of the world!”

“Don’t be such a dirty old man…” Diana chided her, and Elizabeth spited her by gulping the rest of the brandy, and pouring herself another massive slug of it, revelling in going against the orders of her personal physician. It doesn’t matter now, does it? I’m healthy as a woman half my age, and any wear and tear can be buffed out and I’ll be as good as new. And if we can’t drink tonight, when can we?

“I think what grandmother means to say…” Henry, her grandson, who was also there, began, only to fall silent as his mother turned her hard gaze on him.

“Got it. I’ll zip it. Though if the public knew you were such an authoritarian in private, mother, they’d be shocked…”

“Someone has to be.” Diana complained. “I haven’t forgotten your terrible injuries, Henry, or all the times Eleanor has come back hurt and weeping from that place. They can say it’s safe all they want, but… I’m not risking your grandmother, not now. Britain needs stability more than ever, and Charles isn’t ready to assume the throne.”

“Oh, there’s life in this old bird yet!” Elizabeth insisted, enjoying another long sip of the fiery brandy. “Besides, this was a monumental, once-in-a-lifetime event, wasn’t it? Though I wasn’t warned about the lightshow. Even London lit up briefly around the Tower.”

“I don’t think anyone was imagining it to be so… visible.” Henry shrugged. “Ellie told me they’d expected the Boundary to be chaotic for a day or two, and there would be localised effects on Tokyo, but… yes, it’s changed the approach, for sure. Luckily, Ellie says she doesn’t have to come up with any plans, just… follow along.”

“Eleanor does herself a disservice.” Elizabeth grumbled. The TV was on in the background, showing footage from Japan, presented by another couple of attractive young Eastern women, “She’s quite a capable young woman, if a little hardheaded and stubborn. But being in love changes a person. Besides, she also knows how to respect her grandmother.”

She glowered at her daughter-in-law and grandson, though it was more out of habit than any genuine annoyance. “Catching the eye of a wonderful young man. Though sadly I suspect there’ll be no time for grandchildren, with their roles, so… Henry, as soon as you’re married to Melissa, best catch up with your brother…”

Henry flushed. “Of course, grandmother. I’ll… work on it.”

“Enthusiastically, I imagine. Knowing you.” Elizabeth chuckled. “But my point is… it was the opening of a new world, wasn’t it? The first true Avalon. I surmise that we Brits know a great deal more about all this than most.” She leaned back on her comfortable chair, proud, looking every inch the Queen despite being in comfy slippers, dowdy slacks and woollen cardigan. “I very much wanted to see the wonder of it. Speaking of…” she eyed Henry. “…is it done?”

“Yes.” he nodded eagerly. “Though… are you sure you shouldn’t tell Ellie and Akio first? They might be annoyed.”

“They’ll have to get used to it.” Elizabeth swirled her brandy idly, watching the shifting play of light in the rich amber liquid, reminding her of the images from Tokyo earlier. “Like it or not, power comes with trade-offs. And they’ll never have a private life. The tabloids will always be watching, waiting for slipups. Of course…” Elizabeth grinned. “…it would be a brave and clever journalist who manages to get a scoop on them, and also, it’s hardly like there can be any romance scandals with Akio.”

“Maybe not.” Diana agreed. “But with so many women in his orbit, if one was to cheat…”

“No way.” Henry shuddered. “I don’t think any of them are that stupid.” As Diana’s expression hardened, Henry rushed to clarify. Yes, best watch your words, fool boy, else your mother and your fiancée will string you up and have your guts for garters. Both are very… progressive… when it comes to relationships, and the role of women within them.

“I don’t mean they’re scared of Akio, or anything like that. He’s a top man, treats them with utmost kindness and respect. I’d never let Ellie be with him otherwise!” Henry puffed out his chest like a rooster, quite the comical sight. “I’d fight him, man to man.”

Elizabeth nearly spat out her brandy at that image, and Henry seemed slightly hurt, but he clarified.

“He’d… lower himself my level, I reckon. For that. Besides, he’s a man who has a sister he cherishes too. So he treats women like he wants his sister to be treated. Mother, grandmother, it’s not him they have to fear.”

“Ah, well, we suspect if any of the women our dear grandson-in-law falls for are no good, Shaeula will not bar-bar their way to the door. Or the grave. Oh, we… I… slipped into Royal speak there for a moment.” Elizabeth chuckled heartily. “I don’t blame her. The relationship might be different to what is customary, but everyone entering it knows the standards. I don’t have much respect for those who break faith.”

Diana shuffled guiltily, and… Oh, a blunder. “My apologies.” Elizabeth lowered her head. “I know my son can be hard to live with, and your marriage wasn’t a happy one at first. But you’ve raised three good kids. Not the brightest…”

Henry snorted at that but kept silent.

“…but brave and good-hearted. Eleanor… will do her duty, but fortunately, no longer alone.” Downing more brandy, she poured out a further glass, topping up Henry’s too, before Diana gave in with a sigh and offered her own glass.

“There. Naught better than a tot or two of brandy on a chilly winter afternoon, watching the world change. Though I do like to watch entertaining things first-hand…”

“Enough, please. Content yourself with the fact they’ll be back in Britain in but a couple of days, and you can monopolise them then.” Diana chided.

“That’s right. It’s ready.” Henry agreed. “Testing it out was challenging, but it’ll be spectacular. Every newspaper and TV station in Britain, no, the world, will have it on the front page. Though whether it can top tonight…”

“Yes.” Elizabeth agreed. “Tonight has rather stolen our thunder. Fortunately, we Brits are made of stern stuff. The old Dunkirk spirit will keep us going. And at least we’ll know what to expect when Eleanor illuminates London. The Prime Minister is having a rough old time, though. Oh well, at least we’re not the Americans. I very much wonder how they’re taking this.” Idly swirling her glass once more, Elizabeth leaned back, grinning. “Not well, I imagine. Not well at all…”

***

Adam White, Director of the NSA Paranormal Branch, Maryland, USA

“Damn it all.” After hanging up the phone with Akio, Adam grimaced. Running a hand through his hair, he felt the damp, clammy sweat that was seeping from him. The data before him… “This is everything I feared and worse.” A global map of data extracted from observation satellites. It wasn’t the visible light, though that was bad enough, Tokyo lit up like a nuke had gone off, and at first Adam, when the reports came in interrupting his day, panicked, fearing the Chinese had done something insanely suicidal.

If it was that easy to solve our problems, we’d have done it. But a nuclear attack on a major capital city would start a world war. Worse… Christina reports Akio’s not even in Tokyo! And he’d never believe we in the US weren’t responsible, or at least involved…

Fortunately, that seemed not to be the case, which was a momentary relief, until a further existential dread set in. Scryer and Christina were extremely unreliable now, just when Adam and indeed the United States, needed them the most, but at least as a sop, Christina fed him back basic information. I could do without the endless lurid descriptions of how infatuated she is with the man though, or her stupid questions. ‘You’re a married man, Adam. What should I do to appeal to Akio? I’ve offered him my body freely and he still won’t…’ Fuck. No, calm down. It’s … not fine, but… all our bridges aren’t burned, and… that’s not the worst problem either. Chris. I need to speak to Chris.

Mind racing, he studied the map, which looked like the very image of a warpstorm to him, reality showing where the cracks were. And in this case, the Eye of Terror would be… right in the heart of Tokyo, below the visible light explosion, was a massive reading of Cherenkov radiation, particle showers, Compton scattering and Gamma-ray radiance. Worse, a half-dozen spots barely a tenth of the luminosity occurred around the greater Tokyo area, and more across Japan. Many of those could be matched to Christina’s reports, so…

Territories, as they call them. But… There were also lines of reduced yet significant energetic events, and they crisscrossed the globe. If they were the patterns of areas that were fraying, the unknown, the abhorrent, ready to leak in… then the situation is dire. From what intel we have gathered, this protective shell should last for decades! It’s barely been six months. Akio, you dipshit. Are you trying to ruin the world, send humanity to extinction? No, calm… I have to be composed. What’s done is done, and I can’t afford mistakes. Now more than ever.

First, Adam, despite his reluctance, made good on his promise, reactivating Christina’s access privileges he’d revoked. He then forwarded the map data, despite knowing in Akio’s hands it could be a weapon. “At least it’s a weapon that isn’t much use against us. The US is quite… barren.” Speaking out loud made his fears rather more real, and he winced. “Still… there are a couple of areas of high intensity readings we can explore.”

That done, he messaged Christina, promising that if she helped persuade Akio to do his best in the request he’d agreed to, Adam would spare no effort trying to help her.

It… shouldn’t be so difficult. If not for her rotten personality and the fact Akio’s too much of a moralist. But… from his profile we’ve had the finest psychologists, behavioural scientists and criminal profilers put together on him, there are gaps she can dig into. We need women from the US, loyal women, at his side and in his bed. They all estimate that if a woman he’s sharing a bed with asks him for help, he is extremely unlikely to turn her down. If I have to, I’ll work out a way to get the finest, most beautiful federal agents and Hollywood stars to kneel before him. For America, for humanity…

Opening the door, he stepped out back into the main office, and Viola, an expression of concentration on her face, fingers drumming idly against her desk, asked him if he was all right.

“Yes, I just… had to make a call. A frustrating one.”

“The President again?” Viola commiserated, pursing her lips. “He’s becoming more insistent. I think today’s events have spooked him. And you’re the easiest to blame.”

“I know.” Adam clenched a fist, taking a deep breath to calm himself. “He’s been a changed man since the Chirurgery, as Christina Bakker calls it. If I didn’t know better, I’d suspect that Akio did something to his brain then, but no… it’s who he’s listening to. Viola…”

“Yes?” she asked, glancing up from her work.

“Be very careful who you speak to. Until we can get Scryer back, everyone’s a potential threat, understand?”

“I do.” she agreed, and her drumming nails stopped. “Powers heretical and antithetical. Somehow… open displays…” She pointed to the fading lightshow in Japan on the screen. “…are more reassuring than what we can’t see, the shadows in the darkness.”

“You understand it well.” Adam agreed. “It may be too late to do much about Akio without significant collateral damage, so we have to switch to mitigation and subversion, but those who don’t rely so openly on raw might are the biggest danger.”

“Indeed. A bomb can kill dozens, even hundreds…” Viola agreed. “…but a vial of Botulinum could potentially kill thousands, tens of thousands, and silently, without any overt display.”

“Yes.” Adam nodded, clearing his throat. “So, Viola… as a woman… just how would you train Christina to be a presentable, attractive woman, who a man would want to date?”

She blinked, a little surprised, before realising why he was asking. “I wouldn’t. Let me be blunt, Director. It’s the fable of the frog and the scorpion. Christina has no intentions of behaving abnormally, she simply knows no other way to be. And forgive me once again for my bluntness, but… as a man, you’d know better than me, wouldn’t you?” She pursed her lips, and with her hair in a tight bun, and impeccable crimson suit, white shirt and heels, she cut a very ministerial figure. “Even with her prior disinterest in anything but research, she must have attended conferences, completed research projects, and even worked with men who were attracted to her. Yet none successfully pursued her. You’d think a woman who puts little emphasis on her body, and called sex ‘mere biological urges’ might have easily given in, just to stop being bothered. It’s because, like the scorpion, like the Botulinum, men can scent danger, and it’s not worth even her body, is it?” Viola crossed her arms, displeased.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. It’s outside of your remit.” Adam apologised, but she shook her head.

“Whatever the job needs, America needs, is what we do…” Viola repeated his own past words back to him. “If I could help I would, but… you’re trying to market her to a man who knows what she’s done, what she’s capable of, and already has a number of attractive, attentive lovers. You’d have better chances trying to target some of the men in his inner circle…”

“But she’s infatuated with him. No matter… I’ll do what I can. Maybe a miracle will happen. Anyway, tell the President that the recent lightshow has all my attention, and I can’t brief him now. I need to go deal with something.”

Viola’s expression shifted, and Adam once more apologised internally, knowing he’d left her with a troublesome task, but… I’m going nowhere near the President until Scryer returns. And I have some… vaccines… against manipulation. Oh, how far I’ve fallen.

Getting into his car, an armoured BMW X5 SUV in a standard black, Adam felt the urge to shout and scream in anger, but… only calm, cold calculation will win the day. I… have to trust that Akio won’t manipulate me with whatever he provides me. I have a rigorous self-testing regimen to identify any odd memory gaps or behavioural quirks that occur, indicating I’ve been tampered with, but even noticing that doesn’t help me too much… still, it’s clear the President isn’t just letting his newfound energy and good health go to his head. He’s a greedy bastard, and now… now he’s craving for more. I just hope whoever he has found to make a Faustian Bargain with doesn’t demand our ruin as the price…

***

Chong Gui, Patriarch Of The Unquenchable Sun, a secret location, somewhere in China…

“…so yes, the ripples have spread even to our shores, Old Gui.” This official… Gui had to hold in a sneer, keeping his face impassive… was overly familiar with him. A Party man. A necessary annoyance.

“And how does that impact our plans?” he responded, voice cold, a hard edge just enough to cow the mere mortal who dared to consider him close to equal. I have reached the Accumulation realm and am fully able to enjoy the delights of the Spirit Realm, though with one… bloated… problem.

Just thinking about it, Gui’s bald head began to perspire, an unforgivable lapse for an Accumulation Realm Cultivator, who by this point should be fully in control of his base bodily functions. Seeing his ire rising, the man in front of him, dressed in a neat, yet meaningless, military uniform, bowed hurriedly, tension rising, and he managed to squeeze out his words.

“It shouldn’t have too much of an impact… those that haven’t followed the Party line have been… either excised, or… sent for re-education. Though that does have the consequence of reducing the flow of this ether to the designated areas. But at the current rate, perhaps six months?”

“Six? We were anticipating three.” Gui’s voice was cold, and despite his appearance as an affable yet still fiery old uncle, wise and calm, with his long white beard, bald head and muscular frame, he was still easily able to intimidate the younger man, even without Qi. Of course, now that I am in the Accumulation Realm, my Qi could flense his insides with but a single touch, and ward off his little toy gun…

“It’s… difficult. The performance of the… staff… leaves a lot to be desired, and there have been unexplained disappearances. Everyone is… intimidated… fearful…”

“What they should fear…” Gui’s tone was icy cold, and now it was the man before him who was sweating, perspiration soaking through his shirt, damp patches forming. “…is the ire of the Department. Of my displeasure.”

“I… assure you, it’s only a setback, Old Gui…” As the minion, whose name escaped Gui, even with his keen mind, due to him being of no significance, stammered out excuses and tried to ingratiate himself, Gui let out a mere whisper of Qi, a Technique to cause the insides of a target to feel as if they were aflame. It caused no actual tangible damage, though if overused, the mental shock could indeed induce heart failure or burst blood vessels, yet Gui kept it moderate, and as the man paled, face twisting, Gui grimaced. We need these useless commoners still. There are too few of us Cultivators left, fewer after the fall of the Incorruptible Jade. A shame, I thought it. Zhao Daiyu, Black Jade the Ever Beautiful. I wanted her. But she died in a foolish attempt to curtail our growth. Or so I thought…

Since the thought brought him joy, he released the Qi, and the man before him sagged, wheezing, spitting blood where he’d slashed him own mouth and tongue with his teeth. “Thank you… for your… mercy, Master Chong…” the man changed his tone and manner of address, shuddering like a newborn fawn.

“Three months.” Gui insisted. “After all, it seems that across the eastern seas, an old rival is ahead of us. This cannot continue. If we have to pour all of China’s resources into it, we shall do it. Even if it breaks the unworthy. Trash will always be trash, after all.” Gui spat, disdainful, stroking his beard, and the man retreated, finally giving him some peace.

Japan. Yes. A problem. The… Master… Gui hated thinking of the creature as that, after all, he’d been the ruler of the Unquenchable Sun for many years, answerable to nobody, but conversely… If it is a choice of death, or worse, the dissolution of spirit, as opposed to riding a knife’s edge, or rather a bone blade’s edge, to greater power, perhaps enough to free me from my chains… then the choice is obvious. Power is power. Gui was already older than he appeared, being peak Qi Refining had taken years off his appearance, but now in Accumulation he could expect another fifty healthy years or more. Perfection Of Self, and he could double that. And Perfection he would reach.

The Master is… glutinous, but even the scraps he lets fall from his table are nourishing, enough for me and…

“Are you done?” A sultry voice echoed, and Gui grimaced.

“Yes. The… what was his name again?”

“Wu Shing. Supposedly our equal in the Department.” Her perfect, luscious lips curled into a smile, and normally, she was the sort of woman Gui would love to conquer, his mighty member iron hard as he made her beg, weep and wheeze, but… I remain limp. Beautiful as she is, Xiao Xia is a poisonous frog, her beauty a warning to men to stay away. Women too… many of her own Sect have been tasted by her and roughly used.

Black hair flowing down her back, she wore her usual green, and her mountainous breasts threatened to spill free. She had regressed in age after breaking through to Accumulation, and now looked as if she could pass for her mid-twenties, though her black eyes still held profound wisdom. “Of course, comparing mortals to we Cultivators is foolish, it was only natural we’d begin to consolidate power. These little politicians and their games, compared to the Sects it is merely children whispering and trying to ape their parents. Still, the news is not grand, is it? He will be… hungry… for some relief.”

“Yes.” Gui agreed. “Consult the roster. The lowest two… no, best make it three… can soothe his ire. We need to conduct more raids, but…”

“Yes, there is only so many times we can plunder a land before the inhabitants grow wise and the prey scarce. North Korea is off-limits, politically, we owe the Department that much face.” Xia sneered, even if they had treated… Shing… like he was a mere servant of the Sects. “India and Thailand have started fighting back, there have been casualties. I care not for these Chosen…” her Eyes flashed wickedly. “… only we Cultivators know best how to use power, but… the Sects under us have lost Disciples. Precious bloodlines…” She licked her lips reflexively and seductively. “The other southern countries, we would have to dig too deeply into… it is time to head north.”

“Better those who are not our kind are the sacrifices.” Gui agreed. “Now, to matters of import…”

“Indeed.” Xia laughed. “Japan again. To think our little Jade lotus survived after all and escaped there. Really, such a shame. I wanted her too, you know? She would be a fitting Disciple for the Emerald Lotus. Perhaps you think differently?”

“It hardly matters.” Gui shrugged, his Cultivator robes of deep red, as opposed to Xia’s green, ornate gown, shifting with his muscular, burly shoulders. “The last attempt cost many lives, and he was greatly dissatisfied, losing too many morsels. He ate and ate and ate in his rage. Now… they are ahead of us, an attack would be folly.”

“Yes. I do agree. I am not one to risk my dear Lotus flowers needlessly.” Xia nodded, her long cascade of hair flowing like a black river of silk, and Gui once more had to remind herself she was not a flower one could safely pluck. “But…” She tilted her head coquettishly, a calculated gesture. “…I do have a plan, and not just for her. If we are behind… how did they do it back in Kunlun’s era?”

“It is not who walks fastest, but furthest.” Gui agreed, quoting the oft-said Cultivator aphorism. “And one well-timed push, and down the mountain one falls.”

“Exactly. Of course, we do not have the final say, but… greed is the easiest of all emotions to sate. Greed and lust.” She winked seductively, and Gui shook his head.

“Come then. Let us go see the Master and receive our… orders.”

“Yes. I can… hardly wait.” Xia agreed, as the two of them headed for their rooms, where they would enter the Spirit World, and commune with the glutinous aberration which lay like a parasite at the heart of China…

***

Tenoch Reyez Tlanextli, Huītzilōpōchtli, Mexico City, Mexico

“This… doesn’t match what Mētztli predicted, Tenoch.” Xochitl Reyes Tlanextli, his twin sister, shook her head in frustration. With her small stature and dark skin but impeccable beauty, Tenoch’s heart ached that he wasn’t able to prevent her from getting wrapped up in these matters, these life-or-death struggles. But then, you always were inquisitive, my dear sister. Rising to a tenured professor of Aztec and Mayan studies before the age of thirty, an expert in your field, at UNAM, the national Autonomous University of Mexico, no less…

“No, according to the words of the moon… it was due to happen on Sixth Cōzcacuāuhtli! That’s January the tenth! Today is Seventh Cuetzpalin, though it’s Eighth Cōātl across the seas, it’s not… not right at all!”

As his sister pouted, young at heart despite her having passed her twenty-ninth birthday in the summer, Tenoch felt a surge of protectiveness for her. After all, he was the prickly cactus, a big, burly man of more than six feet in height, and while his job as a nightclub bouncer and fixer for certain… problematic individuals, paid little, and wasn’t something he could bring up in polite company, or discuss much with Xochitl, it did mean he was free to keep an eye on her, protect her, direct his prickly thorns to keeping away predators and pests.

“Not even the Gods are infallible, little flower.” he soothed, glad that nobody else was around, that the realm of the Gods was a place only for them, as he hated people judging his sister because of him. When they mistake me for a bad boyfriend… that pisses me off more than anything! “Besides, it’s only a handful of days. It doesn’t change anything, does it?”

“It doesn’t change anything? Rockhead!” his sister cursed him lightly, and Tenoch had to hold in his amusement, knowing she would get worked up if he smiled. Even her curses were a play on his name. “Of course it changes things. How else do you think we’ve avoided trouble, and dealt with these who wished to harm us? Because of the Moon Conch and the Calendar Round, we’ve survived and thrived and even built up our own power. Two as one.”

“I know.” He resisted the urge to ruffle her hair, afraid he’d hurt her, as he had done by accident before, though she’d never held it against him, only smiling in that soft, understanding way of hers, and saying ‘you’re hard as a rock, brother, I’m as pitiful as a flower. Be gentle, or else I’ll wither’, words he always took to heart, now more than ever. “And the Mirror Of The Sun and the Sword Of Brilliant Flames will always protect you and slaughter any who would harm you. That won’t ever change, whether we know the future or not.”

“Even so… if… if the dangers we were warned of are also hastened… our preparations will be in vain, you stupid stone!” she cried, flustered.

“It’s fine. Hush, little flower. Your big prickly cactus will fight to the last to protect you. Now, talk to me. Just what was this? I didn’t get it…” He glanced up at the storm-tossed skies, sliver lightning flashing everywhere, silvery snow shimming in colours falling. “It’s like before, but… it came out of nowhere.”

“It was the second of the nēmontēmi omens, the five wasted days. Though in this case, day is more aptly translates as tōnalli, five strands of destiny encompassing the sun, ill-fates. We… defeated the first nēmontēmi, remember?” She was in lecture mode now, and Tenoch delighted in that. “This heralds the beginning of the second, the stirring of the rotting Tlaltecuhtli, perversion of the Earth. Yet… it’s not time!”

“Again, it’s only a handful of days. What does just under two weeks matter?” he asked patiently, and her withering gaze threatened to shake his resolve, loosen his smile. Instead, he glanced down at his hands, flexing the burly, thick, calloused fingers, almost imaging he could see the blood. To protect this place, to protect Xochitl, I have killed a number of those in this odd mirror world. I even… had to kill those who came for us in our normal lives, burning them to ashes, despite the great strain it put upon me. I don’t regret it, just… I hate seeing the hurt in her eyes, watching us scurry and hide. You can’t live like this forever, little flower, even if you can foretell the future, and twist fortune, find the linkages between two destines. If everything is set in stone, immutable, then… you’re just a puppet, a lifeless doll, and… I can’t tolerate that!

Glancing over at the twin spires, one golden as the sun, other silver as the moon, though, as his sister had pointed out, the sun actually appeared silvery white too, it was just the way they perceived light through earth’s atmosphere which made it seem gold. Yes, she does love to lecture, and… it’s part of her classes, though she has neither time nor leisure to teach now we are fugitives. That… is perhaps the cruellest blow of all.

The two structures were their treasures, the twin Sun and Moon to defend this place, though they had shuddered and wailed when the storms blew in here, almost as if alive, fearful. A bad omen. I’m not one for superstition, and Xochitl understood all the mythology, history and archaeology she taught as simple folktales and allegories, and I believed her. Why wouldn’t I have? She shines brightly, does my little flower. She should have been the Sun, and I the Moon, for I forever pursue her, my Sun and Stars… now, now we can’t even call our parents. Last time we tried that, more hunters found us…

“Are you even listening, stupid stone?” his sister groused, and he snapped back into focus.

“Of course. Yes. Just… thinking.”

“Leave the thinking to me, rockhead!” she sniffed, though her smile was warmer now. “I was saying, before you spaced out, that it’s a butterfly effect. Or perhaps, I should call it the flapping of hummingbird wings. I never paid enough attention to my physics classes, so I don’t know if a gentle perturbation of the air currents can really make such a change, but when it comes to foretelling the future… any small change is huge. Even wearing the wrong colour shirt can change the world, never mind a huge event happening twelve days earlier than it should!”

“How can wearing a shirt…” he began, curious, only to fall silent at her withering glower, though again, her impotent fury just gave him the urge to hold her close and soothe her, like a good brother should.

“What I’m worried about is… the second nēmontēmi was supposed to be consumed by a fire not of the Sun, yet with a hunger equal to its own. Before it ever affected us here. Now… now I need to check the Calendar Round, and see what the Moon has to say, but…” She looked up at the roiling skies. “…any reading I do here will be chaotic. I wonder, do you think that means others are reading the uncertain futures as well? You’re…” Her face fell but she covered it well. “…quite the brawler, brother. Always getting in trouble. Imagine you could see the future, nebulous, translucent, but overlaid on your opponent. Would you ever lose?”

“I would, if he was simply too fast or too strong to beat.” Tenoch admitted. “But if not… I see him going to react, move first and… wham.” He slammed his fist into his palm, the sound echoing. “The bastard is on the floor, with a broken jaw.”

“Now imagine… he can also see the future, your moves.”

“In that case, it’s even. No advantage… wait, that’s not right…” he trailed off at his sister’s knowing smile. “I react to his punch, he sees me react to his, so I change what I’m doing, so then he shifts, and… it continues forever. All that would happen is we’d be drowning in fake images of our futures. It’d be better shutting my eyes and throwing a blind punch. But then… he’d react to that and I wouldn’t react to his reaction… no, I’m stumped, little flower…”

“As rockheaded as ever.” she sighed, though she wasn’t displeased. She likes to teach, and… she can’t go back yet. I managed to get a message to her boss, but… there’s only so long they can cover for her. Bastards… if those foreign dogs hadn’t come for us… maybe I’m not sorry I burned them to death!

“The more of us who are trying to manipulate the faint future, the less predictable it becomes. And if so… who is to say that the other nēmontēmi won’t be our ruin, brother?” She glanced around them at the storm-tossed skies once more, the silver countering the usual ripples of dark light that made up the heavens. “Who is to say?”

“I can say. No matter if it’s a damn rotten toad, the stormy deeps, a hungry tide of ravenous eaters, or a horde of wretched Star Demons, I’ll burn them all before they can touch you.” Tenoch insisted. “Now, twelve days early or not, we can’t fall behind, can we? If their destiny, their futures can change, so can ours.”

As his sister nodded, Tenoch clapped his hands. “I’m in a bad mood now, so anyone who crosses my path today best not bother you, little flower, else they won’t have long to regret it…”

***

Constantine Nikolaou, Bergen, Norway

“You’re being quite the nuisance you know?”

Constatine winced at the woman he had been trying to woo, not in the romantic sense, of course, though she was certainly a pretty one, if you discounted her temper. Not that I ever would. One fiery, angry woman like Sophia is more than enough in my life.

As if hearing his thoughts, his sister glared at him coldly, before putting on an apologetic smile and speaking in her broken English, which admittedly had significantly improved after Chirurgery. Guess my sister’s head wasn’t the best, twenty or so of those Intellect points has made her functional… fuck…

Sophia had stamped on his foot, hard enough to sting like a bastard. “Skata… I mean… oh, my apologies…” The curse word leaked out, and the two women shot him disdainful looks, before his troublesome sister began her entreaties again. They were at a waterside café, not too far from the NORCE research centre Dorte Andreassen, their target, worked at, though she seldom managed to show herself there much nowadays. With her blonde hair pulled into a tight braid, and her blue eyes and pale skin, though she was rather reddened by the cold, salty sea breeze, her skin still smooth, likely due to her status as a Chosen and the benefits it brought, she was quite exotic to Constantine.

Exotic or not, just how does she tolerate the cold? The breeze is getting through the layers I’m wearing. Even Sophia was all bundled up, in fleece, coat, several t-shirts and more, gloves too, and she loathed being unfashionable. Whereas Dorte was in a simple blue hooded top and jeans, drinking an iced tea. No thanks. Hot coffee to warm me up is what I crave.

“…but… we still haven’t had your answer.” Sophia pressed.

“I think I’ve been quite clear. And rather patient. I don’t know how you tracked me down, I’d been careful, not like that stupid weightlifter… a shame.”

“At least he’ll get a funeral, by God. Though… which God still troubles me.” Sophia admitted, making the sign of the cross, and Constantine admired her clarity. It can’t be easy for her. My sister’s quite devout, especially in comparison to me, but she’s also smart enough to accept facts when they stare her in the face.

“Small mercies, I suppose.” Dorte was coldly unmoved, as intemperate as the weather. “But again, I’m not getting involved.”

“Haven’t you spoken to… Ortlinde… though?” Constanine tried the trump card again, though from her lack of reaction, it wasn’t that effective. “Shouldn’t you of the World Tree work together?”

“You’d think so, wouldn’t you?” she shrugged. “But how many of us are left?”

“Six.” he confirmed.

“Out of… eighteen, I suppose.” Dorte shrugged. “Sixty-six percent fatality rate. That’s higher than the average, I’d imagine. It doesn’t inspire me with confidence. And besides… they were our Gods, why give such power to a foreigner?”

“Did you believe in them?” Sophia asked gently, breath steaming in the cold afternoon air.

“Of course not. Nobody did. But they’re real, it seems. So… why?”

“Because he was the right man for the job?” Constantine pressed. “You saw the news earlier. Rank Four, I believe? I’m not fully conversant of the specifics, but… it’s a big deal.”

“I don’t dispute that. I can’t see how he got the resources, so quickly, even with the rich ocean I can’t manage that, unless…” her gaze hardened. “I just don’t like him. A playboy, careless with relationships. Not hero material, if you ask me.”

“I beg to differ.” That was one thing Constantine was sure of. “He’s always prepared to fight for those that need it. But…” Glancing at his phone, Constantine sighed. “…I’ll be frank. My sister and I, we’re getting paid for this. So if you drag it out, it doesn’t matter. I wish it was warmer, I miss sunny Greece, but… it’s a working holiday.” As Dorte watched on, impassive, he shrugged. “And if you don’t want to speak to us anymore, he’ll come himself. And not to cause trouble. Out of respect. Ortlinde and the other Valkyries apparently told him to try and help you all.”

“I’m doing just fine, thank you very much.” she retorted, unmoved, as she’d been for quite some time now over the last few days. Still, while she rejected their offers, she always came to meet them, so Constantine knew deep down she was wishing to be persuaded. It’s like the conspiracy theories I used to believe in, before I realised the world was even crazier than those…

“Are you?” Sophia asked, so gently that Constantine blinked, wondering where his bossy sister had gone. Seeing his odd look, she sighed, before addressing Dorte. “You are a strong woman, a career woman, I admire that. But… you have to make sacrifices. Your job, you barely go now. You… have no friends to watch your back.”

“Fewer rivals though. Norway’s population is sparse. Plenty of freedom.” she insisted.

“I’d rather have friends.” Constantine followed what Sophia was saying. “My point is… you’ve seen the news. If you were to reach the same heights, even in Norway, people will notice. There’s the Church of True Revelation, they won’t leave you alone forever. It’s lonely and cold out here. A terrible place to die all alone.”

“Don’t jinx me. Anyway, maybe I like the solitude.” Dorte grumbled. “Why else would I be a Marine Biologist? Long boat rides, sometimes for days at a time…”

“True, but… you can have the best of both worlds. Living here, but access to Japan and allies, whenever you want or need. The work of a moment. Besides…” Constatine put on his most winning expression, frowning in pain as Sophia kicked him hard under the table, her eyes urging him to be serious.

“Hése mas, Sophia. That hurt!”

“I’ve told you about your language!” Sophia raged. “I’m your precious sister. Take a leaf from Akio’s book and treat me like the Goddess I am, to have put up with you!”

Constantine flailed his arms, attempting to block her blows, trying not to snigger at the changes in his sister, as she casually blasphemed, something she never could have done before. Dorte watched on, rather helpless, and winced as Constantine’s head rocked back, nose bleeding.

“Peace, Sophia… ugh, my face…” She did seem a little guilty, as Constantine mopped up his spilt blood. “You’ve got brutish strength now. No wonder you never keep a boyfriend.”

“I haven’t found the one yet. I’m… a catch!” she insisted, only to pause, face red. “Oh, forgive me, Dorte. That was… undignified. My brother just brings out the worst in me, but…” she confessed earnestly. “…he was right about one thing, if nothing else. The world is stranger than we ever believed. You know better than we do. But we’ve still seen it. The terrible side of power, in Korea, and what the Church did… you might think you’re fine, but… trust me. When the day comes, you’ll hate being alone. But then I’ll be too late to reach out. Far, far too late.”

“Besides…” Constantine jumped on Sophia’s entreaties. “…why not… ask Ortlinde?”

“If it was that simple, you fool, I would.” Dorte shrugged. “It’s not easy to make that connection, that leap. Even then, I barely remembered anything. Only you pair of nuisances jogging my memory brought much of it back.”

“Well…” Finally sensing a small crack in her armour, the two siblings exchanged a meaningful glance, though it was spoiled somewhat by the blood dripping from his nose. “…just like today’s unprecedented event in Japan shook the world, there’s another miracle. Come to London with us. They’ll be there in a couple of days, and you can meet. If there’s any treachery, you can hold my life in your hands, but… honestly, he’s not the sort for that. Who would know better than you, Chosen of Tyr, Dorte Andreassen? Tyr would never choose a treacherous man.”

“What would you know? But… I suppose…”

“And it won’t be just him you meet. Ortlinde too.” he promised, and her doubtful, mocking smile was dismissive.

“Don’t push your luck. If anything, it makes me want to dig my heels in…”

“It can be done. Thought projection, or something like that. After all…” Sophia seemed loathe to say it, but felt she had to. “…she wants you to meet the man she chose as her husband.”

Dorte blinked at that, falling silent, and the two siblings exchanged glances. I know we were allowed to say, but… we’ve been holding off on giving out too much information, yet… with what happened in Japan earlier making headlines around the world, a little push, and…

“Fine then.” She smiled, though it was far from pleasant. “I’ll go meet this… gentleman. And I can see I shall have to have a talk with Valkyrie Ortlinde too. As it seems… she has forgotten what it means to be a Chooser of the Slain!”

How would you even know? Constantine screamed internally, his nose aching fiercely again, adding to his suffering. But at least…

Under the table, Sophia shot him a thumbs-up, and he returned the gesture.

…at least the truth of how far behind she is, irrefutable, not just our words, has finally persuaded her to move. So, if she causes a scene or doesn’t get along with you, Akio… it’s not our fault, we just did what we needed to do to get her there!