On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“Phew. Good job, Tarōbō, Grulgor. That wasn’t easy, not at all.” Kana wiped her brow, before realising that was just making her a bigger mess, soil and rock dust smeared in the mixture of sweat and groundwater giving her face, already pale from exertion, a rather grubby cast. Her sturdy work clothes, which were a distinctly unflattering set of thick jeans and zip-up fleece jacket, were also wet and muddy, and she knew she looked a fright. I’m so glad Akio can’t see me now. Being this filthy and bedraggled is surely the death of romance. No, that’s not fair…

Shaking her head, her hair, tied into a tight braid to keep it out of her way, bouncing, scattering more filthy water droplets, she couldn’t help but smile. In fact, Akio would probably be more turned on by me now, due to all the hard work I’ve put in here. He’s a strange one like that. On the surface, he’s the kind of man you can find anywhere, but dig a little deeper, and… he’s definitely got his unique quirks. Of course, those are most of the reason why I fell for him. It’s not just the suspension bridge effect, I’m not an idiot, and… while my selfishness and desire for an easy life may have been part of what first attracted me to him, look at me now! I’m far from the Izumi Kana I was. I can… I can like myself now, so worthwhile people will like me too.

“Being so close to the coast means that the hills are saturated. The pumps are in place now though. And I have to say… using Sekkai-ka kokyū, Petrifying Breath, to turn a tricky patch of subsiding, waterlogged ground into solid stone, and then you merging with it and reshaping it, Grulgor… I can’t believe between us we managed to complete a step of the project that wasn’t due until late next month!”

Kana pumped her fist, feeling a thrill. The submarine dock access tunnel (though the dock itself hadn’t been constructed yet, of course, being one of the final stages, and requiring support from Motoko’s father and grandfather, due to the fact that while it was going to be theirs, which Kana could still hardly believe, it was a clear military installation) was a straight line from the bunker under the main estate to the coast, travelling more than fifty metres underground, terminating at the selected site on the nearby Tokyo bay, a hundred metres below sea level.

I can’t believe how huge all this is. Everything important has to be at least fifty metres deep, to protect from potential nuclear strikes, of all things! Though really, I’d be more worried about Chosen. Akio could get in anywhere, and honestly… even I could break into a guarded military bunker so long as it’s underground. Yes, we’ll have to take further steps to protect everything.

Anyway, the underground base here was different to the one that was under construction at Sagami Bay. That one was more a small port, where incoming ships laden with goods, and oddly enough, heaps of garbage, would disembark their cargoes, and have it ferried via underground railways to the factory site, for recycling. Kana still couldn’t believe it. The fees for collecting waste are essentially nominal, so countries like Japan will see a huge drop in their bills for waste disposal. That benefits everyone. But… collecting iron, copper, Aluminium, silver, gold, lithium, nickel, cobalt… and then even high purity silicon, carbon and more… each ton of waste could bring us in a fortune! A ship bringing in fifty-thousand tons… I can barely process the numbers!

Of course, they’d need space to store all of the materials, though some underground warehouses were already built by the factory site, and their goods could be transported back to Sagami Bay by the same rail network goods came in on. A lot of work was needed still, but… I’ll just be helping out a bit now and then. Once the bones are complete for everything we need, the rest relies on others… then I’m going to relax and enjoy myself, and the life I’ve worked for.

We’re going to have a mooring fit for a superyacht above the Tokyo Bay underground dock, partially as camouflage, and partially because it’s awesome! We don’t own a superyacht yet, but thinking about it, we’re rich enough. In fact, we’re one of the richest families in Japan! Even securing that mooring spot on the shore of the Bay must have cost tens of millions of yen or more. Oh, I can’t wait until things quieten down a bit and we can all go on a trip together. Relax and have fun. You know… that might not be a bad time to…

“Grul says your face is red, Kana. Grulgor hopes you have not overexerted yourself. Grul is strong…” The oddly handsome version of Grulgor pounded his muscular chest, the sound ringing out and echoing underground. “…but even I take breaks. This tunnel was not scheduled yet. Grul approves of pushing through the pain barrier to grow stronger, but Grulgor also does not want Akio to beat me senseless for putting your health at risk.”

Kana giggled while Tarōbō watched on, his golden eyes impassive. Fanning herself with one hand, her face indeed now red, but not from fatigue, she smiled reassuringly. “I was just thinking of something fun. I’m tired, yeah, but our work here is done, so now we might as well head back to the Territory and enjoy the show, don’t you think? I’m getting goosebumps. Even I know what a huge deal Rank Four is. We’re surely the first humans to achieve it. We haven’t had thousands of years like your Seelie Court, Grulgor.”

He rumbled a laugh, and Tarōbō sighed, glancing at the tunnel they had made. “Will this remain stable? It is quite deep underground, and I know the mortal realm is rather more… driven by Laws of matter, rather than of spiritual beliefs.”

“Yeah, thanks to you solidifying the weak points the surveys picked up.” Kana insisted, surprised how knowledgeable she was about such things now. “Though Grulgor and I will have to add some supporting struts to protect against earthquakes and the like, and a lot of earth elemental energies will be infused in over time to further bond everything.”

Eyeing the wide tunnel, in a smooth, circular shape, as that had the highest resistance to the immense pressure of the weight of rock above, Kana clapped her hands. “Anyway, we dug the main access shaft to the Material location of the Anchor, and your Tengu and the earth-aspected Fae Shaeula sent for will have finished preparing the Boundary version. Do you… really think that the Anchor will show up here too?” she asked, as they began walking back towards the main estate.

Tarōbō shrugged, his wings flapping. “I can not say. We did not try and strengthen Mount Atago beyond what was… sensible. Too many potential enemies, and besides, there was no need for it. The Directions were enough of a wall to our foes. And…” His face was hidden, but Kana could hear a mixture of wistful sorrow and fierce pride in his voice. “…they are again. Stronger than ever.”

“Yeah. No kidding.” Kana agreed, and Grulgor nodded his big, bald head. “Akio alone can protect the mountain, and his sister’s not to be trifled with either. She’s certainly fiery, maybe she’d have suited Summer South more.” Kana giggled again, in good humour. At their walking pace, which was a fast jog for others, they quickly traversed the tunnel, reaching the metal blast doors they’d installed, though the power supply, meant to be some of Ixitt’s creations, wasn’t in yet. Now that I can hardly wait to see.

A spherical terminus room had also been dug, and another set of doors led to the Anchor room, which they’d created carefully, a sphere thirty metres in radius, the walls carefully smoothed, a task which would have taken professionals weeks, but for Kana and Grulgor together, it was fairly trivial. Yeah, together with Grulgor, two plus two equals about twenty. And Tarōbō’s assisting, so we can make it near fifty… I’m definitely insisting he continues to help out, so we can finish all my work way ahead of schedule!

“Up we go then.” Kana glanced at the spiral staircase that rose up the access shaft to the mansion’s basement above. There was a lift shaft too, but again, the lift wasn’t installed or powered yet. Still bare bones, but the tunnelling and bracing is the biggest part of the work by a long way. To think we’ve monopolised such a huge amount of the deep underground of Tokyo… yeah, if you just look at the square footage of space we’ve taken, we’re trillionaires for sure…

“Hmm…” as they reached the top, exiting into the basement, Kana had an idea. “I’m just going to shower and change really quick, okay? Wait for me?”

Grulgor smirked knowingly, an odd expression for him. “Grul thinks you worry Akio will arrive and see you in such a state. Fine, Grul shall wait. Little Tengu too…”

Tarōbō remained silent. He had bridled at Grulgor’s attitude at first, and very mush disliked being called ‘little crow’, but Grul had compromised to at least calling him a Tengu and working together they had quickly stopped bickering. Kana still couldn’t believe that in just a few hours they’d dug out a tunnel, shaft, massive cavern, and in the Boundary had also completed an even larger shaft in what was currently unclaimed land, though it should immediately revert to Akio’s control when the upgrade was finished.

“Great, it’s settled then.” As Kana ran to the shower that was used by those who were playing in the heated underground swimming pool, she couldn’t help but smile. I’m exhausted and practically out of earth element. I can get a top-up in the Boundary, but… I’ve done my part. Now… now the work belongs to others, and I’m just along to enjoy the show and give moral support!

***

“You made it.” Shiro grinned, as Kana, Grulgor and Tarōbō arrived at the Territory Anchor. After she’d showered and changed into a decent pair of figure-hugging jeans and a cute red shirt cut charmingly feminine, washed and tidied her hair, and put on her favourite hair stick Akio bought her, Kana had taken a helicopter back to her own shrine, and quickly entered the Boundary.

“Good job on all the construction work. We maybe should have started earlier, but things escalated quickly, you know?” Shiro shrugged. “Besides, you needed to get your Kami-Blessed Class maxed out first.”

Kana nodded. “Yeah, it was a bit of a pain, but you know me, Shiro. I’m just as eager to do things for Akio as you are.”

“Sure. Sure.” Shiro fixed her with a knowing gaze, and Kana met her onyx eyes for a moment, until she finally blushed and looked away. Damn it, you really do love to tease, don’t you? Changing the subject, Kana looked around. Asha was here too, as was Ixitt and Tsukiko, Magatama and Ulfuric the burly badgerkin as well. “I didn’t miss the start, did I?”

“Nope, right on time.” Shiro promised. She glanced up at Asha’s Tree, which was generating a vast, brilliant tide of aether, faster and faster, almost too bright to look at from below, though from the terrace café, it was truly gorgeous, seeming like one was drifting in a sea of shining stars. As she watched it, Kana felt a twinge of pain inside, from the Resonance Link. She barely thought about it most of the time and did feel a little guilty… “Show’s just about to kick off.” Shiro finished.

“Great. But… are you sure you don’t need me to take more of the Link? I can handle a lot more, you know? I’m not a fragile little flower.”

Shiro snorted at that, shaking her head. “I know you aren’t, Kana, and we appreciate it. But let the big girls handle it. Tan, Shaeula, the Valkyries, even Mae. Hyacinth too… they can take the sort of punishment and pain that would knock us out crying. Though to be fair, I’m not exactly… comfortable… right now. The Link and my escalating buffs probably shouldn’t be abused this way, but hey… when the cash is spent, it’ll all feel worth it. And speaking of…” she glanced at Ixitt. “…we good to go?”

“Yes, indeed.” the ratkin laughed, lashing his wite-furred tail eagerly. “It is a great shame that Silos do not function across Territories with Haru’s Pledged Vassal Class, or this would be trivial, but… the Silos here are full, and we have ferried back over enough extra to begin. We should make haste, lest the ether attract unwelcome attention, or start to dissipate. Oh, how I wish I could do it myself.”

“No way.” Shiro snorted. “I totally get why Aki’s given you read only permissions from the Throne. Experimentation is all well and good, but you take it too far sometimes.” As Ixitt snorted, shrugging, admitting he agreed, Shiro turned to Tsukiko. “All right, you get to do the honours, since Shaeula is busy on Pilgrimage for now and we can’t wait for her. She’ll have her fun later, anyway.”

“Very well.” Tsukiko’s ample… or rather excessive. I’m proud of my decent chest, but Tsukiko’s massive. Not on Tamamo-no-Mae’s level, but then again, apart from her granddaughter, nobody is… chest heaved as she scanned the information she had access to. “It all seems very complicated.”

“It’s just like a video game. I don’t really play…” Kana reassured her. “…and I know you hardly had the time or the inclination, but…” she winked playfully. “…Akio’s a gamer otaku too, so we’d probably best all learn, otherwise girls like Shiro will monopolise his time.”

“Hey, Shaeula’s really into games too, believe it or not.” Shiro protested, arms folded. “Besides, Aki may love games, but when we’re before him, he can think of better ways to play, trust me.” She then winked too, a teasing grin on her lips. “But honestly, if we’re going to live for a thousand years or more, at least games, books, anime… it fills up some time. But for now… it’s in your hands, Tsuki.”

She nodded, and Ulfuric bellowed out his orders. “Send the runners. The Territory will go into dormancy for the next hours. Protect the borders at all costs. Notify prince Shaeraggo, princess Shaeranna, and the forces Princess Ffionnan has sent. None are allowed entry until the work is done.”

“Yeah. I’ve done the rough calculations, and losing some of the effect of the Ether Spires will delay us a little, but it’s so trivial compared to what your Tree puts out under our buffs, Asha…” Shiro patted Magatama on the shoulder.  “…that it’s a rounding error really. Besides, if we do it any other way, we’ll probably either lose more to ether evaporation, or it’ll attract something big we don’t want to see.”

“No kidding. A hundred and seventy million ether is absurd.” Kana laughed, though Grulgor did grumble that he’d very much like to fight whatever showed up, but everyone, Kana included, ignored him, knowing he was smart enough now not to put the Territory in jeopardy just to have a good brawl.

“In that case, since we are ready…” Tsukiko took a reflexive deep breath, and Kana once more found herself shocked at how her life had changed. Sure, I hated my shrine and my duties, thought it all nonsense, but even I’d heard of the noble Lady Diviner of Kyoto, and what a mystical figure she was. And now… and now she’s my sister, in a way…

“First, we clear the build queues…” Either was spent, and one of the upgrading Ether Spires finally became Rank Four, and the Spire on the Anchor also solidified, forming a small, pointed stake. “And now… Rank Four.” She issued another mental command, and the ether around them, as well as in the Silos, immediately was sucked to and formed a ring around the Anchor.

“Eri would love this…” Kana murmured, as the brilliant nimbus seemed like a galaxy, though then it was drawn into the silvery, almost tree-like Anchor, which then swelled up, growing by a good twenty percent instantly, more odd protrusions beginning to bud. “…though ordinarily we’d be stuck waiting for what, five thousand Astral days? So roughly five or six years on Earth, give or take? No way that would work… we’d die from stress.”

“Oh, undoubtedly.” Ixitt laughed, as his Mortal Engineers, and indeed swarms of other Fae, who had been dragged in to help, were rushing back and forth through the Ring Gates to Haru-chan’s Territory, “I do remember our first visit, when the Territory was under attack while in a dormant growth state. It was nearly destroyed several times. But we have learned from that. Allies are standing by in the Fae realms if we need them, and London would no doubt dispatch aid if called for…”

“Yep, we’ve thought this through. And Kana’s even got the new cradle for the Anchor ready. So as soon as it’s upgraded, we’ll do the move. That way we can bring everything back online as soon as possible. Then it’s time to spend, baby, spend!” Shiro waved her hands theatrically, and Kana had to smile.

“Maybe so, but don’t forget half the ether is being saved up for Haru-chan’s upgrade.” she warned, and Shiro shrugged.

“True, but half of what Asha’s Tree pulls in buffed is still a wealth of resources. And if I’m not mistaken…” She smirked at Kana again, clearly in an extremely good mood today, making her more playful than usual. “…someone offered to take more of the Resonance to keep pushing the generation even further. How noble of her…”

“No need to go too far. I’m not up for being a quivering, drooling mess of snot and tears.” Kana shook her head, playing along. “Anyway, one hundred and sixty million, divided by five thousand… that’s thirty-two thousand ether just to shave off an Astral day, or around a hundred thousand for a day on Earth. That’s crazy… so much ether thrown away. I expect other Chosen will weep if they hear…”

It was then that Shiro’s eyes and hair changed colour, as if red dye was leaching through her silver locks. The change always fascinated Kana, and she was somewhat in awe of how Shiro lived with a genuine, bona fide Goddess inside her, whom Kana had even looked up on the internet, not that there were many myths about her, and those that were… yeah, mentioning the Buddha is a total no-go around her. Besides, she’s with Akio now. Damn, I keep forgetting sometimes, that one of my romantic… not exactly rivals, but it feels close enough… is a Goddess.

“Oh? I assure you, a mere hundred thousand…” Tan sniffed, as indeed, roughly that much ether had already been piled up from the swarms of portable Ether Silos being brought in fully laden and dumping their cargo, the only limiting factor the size of the Ring Gate…  “…is but the sort of ether I would throw about on a whim. Yet…” One of her eyes was black again, and Shiro had twisted her body’s mouth into a grin. “…I must concede that to amass such so quickly after a Boundary event is certainly unexpected, and rather praiseworthy. Perhaps by the time you see my palatial home, it will not seem so impressive…”

Shiro winked at Kana, and she held in a snigger desperately, not wanting to offend the prickly Goddess. She’s so… tsundere, as Akio or Shiro would put it. Desperate to show off, but always eager to help. I thought she was terrifying at first, but when you dig deeper, she’s no different to anyone else.

“I fear you are thinking something rude, Kana…” Tan grumbled, before changing the subject. “My point is, such sums are small to the Pantheons. Why, ten times that might easily be expended charging a mighty attack upon the battlefield, spent in a blazing storm of destructive glory. But I do suppose wealth is… comparative. To here, a hundred thousand ether is worth its weight in gems and precious metals.”

“Does ether have weight?” Kana asked and then smiled as she was passed a goblet of sweet, refreshing fruity juice by Asha, who was watching on as the Anchor upgraded with both excitement and concern. Makes sense, her Tree is here after all. “Thanks. I could use a drink. I worked up a real thirst earlier. Digging holes is work for a mole, not a cute girl!”

“You know you love it.” Shiro spoke up, Tan taking a drink from Asha as well. Taking a sip, she took over the body again.

“It was figurative, as you well know. Though it does indeed have a sort of mass. I believe weight and mass are not the same, as the Laws reckon it.”

Kana nodded. “Mass is what matter an object contains and is constant. Weight is the force acting on that object from gravity, which varies.”

“Indeed. So as ether obviously exists, it has mass. The weight… now that is quite metaphysical. I have read books and treatise on such…” Tan began, only for Shiro to shush her.

“No time for that now, Tan, that’s a conversation for over a few beers late at night in a bar somewhere. You’re more than welcome to listen to her ramblings though, Kana.” As Shiro chuckled at that, she shook her head, hair returning to silver partially, though red strands were interspersed, giving her a rather Hyacinth-like appearance, a sign of her improving skills at partial Divine Possession. “Looks like Tsuki’s on top of things.”

Indeed, Tsukiko was frowning, mentally commanding the Anchor to consume the ether as it was brought over, and the radiance around the silvery metal spire, with its rough, bark-like surface, was continuing to increase in intensity. The Anchor was slowly growing, mostly in height, and Tan had suggested it would likely reach perhaps twenty metres in height at Rank Four, a substantial jump, and instead of being as thick as a person, it might double or triple in width, to the size of a large tree, perhaps an oak.  And then extend to around fifty metres tall at Rank Five, and triple the width again. Hence why I’ve dug out a massive spherical cave on the Material, with a little extra room to spare…

For several hours they sat around, watching and drinking juice and eating rather nice fruits and pastries, the variety of what was available in the Boundary increasing every day, as the maids and servants grew ever more skilled, and were taught Japanese, British and even recipes from other countries. As the amount of ether ferried over continued to grow, Tsukiko commanding the Anchor to directly absorb it, from very little happening, the Anchor began to change, creaks and groans echoing around the site of Shirohebizumi in the Boundary.

“It is growing faster now. Fascinating. But we should still pick up the pace.” Ixitt’s many lenses and eyepieces were whirling around, assessing this new phase of growth, and he frowned. “Oh, how I wish I had your Eyes, Kana. Perhaps I should put in for set when Christina is well enough for further transplants…”

“Be my guest.” Kana shuddered at the memory. “I can’t say it hurt too badly, but it still wasn’t any fun at all, and the sensations… yeah, nobody likes having their eyes gouged out, and having new ones put in somehow feels even more disgusting.”

“No kidding.” Shiro laughed, drinking her juice with relish as she eyed the blazing glow around the Anchor, now beginning to eclipse even Asha’s Tree. “I’ll let Tan see things for me, thank you very much. Shit, damaging this face…” she tapped under her eyes, smile boastful yet teasing. “…would be a crime against humanity. No, against the very Gods themselves, and one that I’ve already been through once, and that was certainly more than enough!”

“Sure. I’d say you certainly don’t lack for confidence, but you’re a work of art, Shiro.” Kana was lying if she said she wasn’t a little envious, but she was beautiful enough to attract the attention of a certain man, so she was satisfied with that. Though now I’ll never stop trying to improve myself, raise my value and my charms. Pride in myself, it’s a wonderful thing… “But Tsukiko’s the same, and Tan isn’t any less pretty, is she?”

“Yeah, so we’re just a gathering of perfect beauties. You’re a looker yourself, Kana, so stand tall. None of the women Aki’s into are hard on the eyes. Even Yuki, who is quite down on herself, has really blossomed since she confessed, don’t you think?”

Tsukiko, who was listening, despite her constant updating of the Anchor, nodded. “She most certainly has. She was always fighting against expectations. Those of her parents, her brother, Japan, the world… and now Amaterasu. Now… her only battle is against herself, and that is one she will definitely not lose. Not with us supporting her.”

“You got it!” Shiro gave a lazy thumbs-up, before frowning. “Anyone else feel that? The ether density that’s been picking up seems to be spiking.”

“Yes.” One of Ixitt’s lenses glittered with multicoloured ripples of light, shading towards the green. “It is growing substantially, pulling in ether from the surrounding areas, I surmise, as well as… hmm…” He glanced up, and they followed his gaze. “…yes, fascinating. The Ring Gates too…”

Up above, the skies were now streaked with silvery bolts of lightning which flashed into a prismatic rainbow of colours, and the unlight aurorae were deepening, glowing in the antithesis of understandable hues, though Kana found it eerily, if indescribably, beautiful. Faint sparks of silver were falling, like snow, and it turned out to be small quantities of ether. The Ring Gates were vibrating visibly, red and purple sparks cascading off them, and for a moment Kana was alarmed, wondering what would happen if the Gates broke, preventing ether being transported and cutting off aid, before Grulgor spoke up.

“This reminds Grul of before. The tides flow back and forth here, as if pulled by the Moon.” He stuck his tongue out, catching a mote of the falling ether, before eating it, an odd expression on his face, one of faint distaste. “Grulgor can feel it. The Astral itself beckons…”

“What does that mean?” Kana asked. “If the Gates are damaged…”

“It will be fine.” Asha promised. “I understand plants, and while I am not Hyacinth, to grow these mushrooms, my affinity with them is great. If anything, they seem happy and are feasting.”

“If I may…” Tan spoke calmly, taking over Shiro for a moment. “…this is only natural. To go beyond the bottleneck of the Third Heightening, where your Territory is largely confined within the fragile Boundary, to the Fourth Heightening, where it touches the shallows of the Astral proper, and would be considered a true Territory, even in the Pantheons above, not merely a flimsy heap of sand which can be kicked apart by any errant boot, is a large step. Much will change. And the fragile Boundary can no longer encompass all that this is.”

Kana exchanged a rather worried glance with Tsukiko. “Doesn’t that mean that the Boundary will break? Isn’t that… very bad? And what we’ve been trying to avoid?”

“Indeed.” Tan was incredibly calm, which in a way kept Kana’s own fears under control. “Of course delay is good. Yet… this step must be taken eventually. And Akio knows it. Even a Territory of the Fourth Rank will not immediately destroy the Boundary, else even fewer worlds would survive to join the Pantheons. It shall certainly tear at the fraying cloth though and speed up the dissolution. But if we do not act, we cannot grow, cannot prepare. There are still… mitigations… we can implement. Akio is aware this has to happen. He is no fool. And the Boundary on this world has already begun to fray. Events in Kyoto, the presence of such beings as myself and that nine-tailed fox… even suppressed, our existence, our very natures, cause ripples. Faint, but the fraying naturally accelerates. No, this is a contest of swiftness.”

Tan drained the juice Shiro was holding, licking her purple-dyed lips. “From here to the Fifth, ideally before the Boundary becomes so ragged it collapses entirely. Then it is perhaps possible to stand firm against what washes in from without, eyeing the prize greedily. Perhaps possible.” She snorted sourly then. “Though with my aid, and my ability to act rather more freely when such occurs… I have some confidence. Though if I am too overt, it will still draw trouble we are not prepared for. So you should all increase your power in preparation, and… not fear the inevitable.”

“I see.” Kana said at last, understanding. “You said… mitigation? I’m curious…”

“Yes. It is curious, this world. Beyond the Ring Gates lies the lower Astral. There are also many points of overlap, more than I would have anticipated for such a world. It is troubling, and if… what I have learned is true…” Shiro held up her phone, before speaking for Tan.

“A second Boundary phase. I don’t get it, but Tan thinks it’s not good.”

“Indeed it is not. But have no fear, even if this world is a disappointment, so long as I have this Eye, and Akio, and all of you who are of use… there shall always be a welcome in the Six Paths. My palace is expansive, and there shall be room for all.”

“A tempting offer. But what about our families?” Kana asked, and Tan shrugged.

“I will make it work. But… these Valkyries are defeatist. And despite their thoughts, they have not observed Akio, and all of you, as closely as I have. And they do not know what you have already made possible. Though my aid has been instrumental, of course…” she preened, and Ixitt, who was still examining the changing, growing Anchor, nodded, chuckling.

“Undoubtedly, noble Goddess Taṇhā… your wisdom is always appreciated. So, what do you mean by mitigation? From my readings, the cascade effect is spreading, and the differential between ether levels is growing extreme. On the bright side, I expect the performance of our Ether Spires to reach optimal, whereas now only the ones around Asha’s Rhyming Tree manages that. Overall, that would be a small but significant gain.”

“I have visited your Seelie Court. A Fifth Heightening realm. It should not be possible on a world with a Boundary for it to have existed for so long, and it should have prevented the formation of a second Boundary. The Valkyries are not quite as aware of such matters as I am.” Tan seemed very smug, almost as if she felt a rivalry and felt she had the upper hand, Kana noticed, and she stifled a giggle of her own by drinking some juice, straining to keep her face impassive, as she didn’t want to interrupt what Tan was saying and irritate her.

“There are others too. Such as the sealed realm of the Night Parade, as you call them, and… with my greater perception, I can faintly feel other Fifth Heightening Territories, distant from here. All of them have one thing in common. And it is why you kept your mountain at the Third Rank, I suspect, Tengu. Not merely to prevent vulnerability.”

Tarōbō nodded slowly. He had been a silent participant, watching the ether coming, emptied out from Mount Atago and ferried here to be used up. “Indeed. Were we to go further, then… I knew it would lead to tragedy. The so-called Gods above the Kami left such wisdom before they departed. I was tempted many times, to punish them for their reckless actions, yet… I hold what I am given. And the Four Directions, and the Mighty Yellow Dragon Who Carries Mountains Upon His Spine, I could not disappoint them.”

“Ah yes, the Divine Huánglóng. Not one to lay his loyalty down like a mountain, but a decent ally, my father said of him.” Tan nodded. “I suspect that you can now speak of the reason the Fifth can exist, in defiance of all that should be? The princess knows, and is desperate to boast of her wisdom, but I am offering one of you a chance to shine.”

Kana and Tsukiko exchanged another glance, and Kana knew they both understood, but as Tsukiko gave her a gentle smile, allowing her to answer, Kana did so. “It’s that… they’re all largely isolated somehow, right? The Hyakki Yagyō have that wagon, which is like a mobile dungeon… and it’s always moving. The Seelie Court moves too, doesn’t it? With the seasons. We saw it.” Kana remembered that beautiful, awe-inspiring spectacle. “Even so, they both are part of the Boundary too…”

“Indeed, you are correct. If they were not, if they were completely isolated, it would cause some significant issues. It does make me wonder, about that place…” Tan trailed off ominously, and Kana wanted to ask, but decided better of it. It’s not relevant to now, anyway.

“My point is that even several Fifth Heightening realms have not caused great damage to the Boundary. In fact, ordinarily now, our advancement here would cause far greater tearing.” She fell silent and allowed Shiro to speak at last.

“Hey, that was mean. I wanted to show off too. But anyway… there is a way, we think. Though it’s going to depend on a number of factors, and her willingness. Any time we can buy is good, isn’t it?” she smiled wickedly. “It’s a tough decision though, and one she’s really been mulling over.”

She? Kana opened her mouth to ask, and Shiro shrugged. “Wait and see. Might as well have some mystery. For now… let’s just enjoy the show, okay?”

Kana nodded. Yes, I suppose that’s all we can do. The work is done, now we’re finally picking the fruits of our labours. I just hope it’s sweet, not a poisoned apple…

***

Many more hours had passed, and the amount of aether transferred was in the tens of millions. Even so, there was still over a hundred million to go, but according to Tsukiko, the time to completion had dropped from five thousand days to a bit over three thousand five hundred. It’s rocketing down.

Kana was feeling less tired now, having restored her stocks of earth element she depleted from exposure to Asha’s Tree, and it had been fun, laughing and joking with Shiro, Asha and the others. The Anchor continued to grow, and a fourth weird nub, likely to hold another Anchor Spire, had sprouted. The ground had bulged up too, and Asha had been a little worried, but the mass of silvery root-like connections that Kana could sense under the ground had avoided the root system of the Rhyming Tree, though… it did get a little tangled with that, but there’s no harm as far as I can tell…

“Now that’s pretty.” she remarked, as the skies were now practically full of silvery lightning, and the ether snow had thickened, and was incredibly beautiful a sight. “But the density is still rising. Won’t the Boundary tear any time now?”

“Tan says not.” Shiro replied after a moment. “Yes, this is applying pressure, but the Boundary can recover from minor damage, otherwise it’d never last at all. Though that ability rapidly decreases once a world reaches this stage. So we have to expect and live with some fraying, regardless. Besides…” she smiled knowingly. “…here she comes.”

A slash in space opened in the distance, scattering purple sparks. Moments later, a small figure hurried over, and Kana smiled in welcome. “Hey Shaeula, how was the ninja village?” she asked, as Asha poured out some Fae spirits, which Shaeula took gratefully, downing it noisily, smacking her lips.

“Thank-thank you, Asha. I needed that. As for the ninjas, Kana, it was quite-quite unexpectedly trying. I had much to do, many winds and waters to cast, and still more-more, may I add. But…” She glanced at the blazing skies full of storms and aurorae, before her amber eyes shone with a resolution. “…this-this is a battle I must fight myself.”

“So you have decided then?” Tan asked, taking over Shiro once more. “It is not easy, I know it.”

Shaeula nodded. “Yes. I too-too have hesitated, somewhat torn. I was a bad daughter, and a worse-worse princess, but I still-still have great affection for my family. Even now, my foolish brother Shaeraggo and sister Anna are out protecting Akio’s Territory during this monumental time. I do not-not wish them any ill, nor do I wish to abandon my desires, my dreams, my-my ambitions, yet…” her amber eyes narrowed, and Kana was entranced for a moment, before she shook her head, clearing her thoughts.

No fair flexing your League and Charm like that! When will I get to such a level? I’m going to have to redouble my efforts. But if I’m going to work hard, I want to balance it by playing hard too…

“…I will not-not hesitate any longer.” Shaeula sat down beside Kana, staring at Shiro and Tan. “…so, tell-tell me what I must do, what-what only I can do. And please-please be swift, for I am needed to deal with the mess at that foolish village. I do not-not wish to leave all the effort to Haru, as competent as she is-is. That would be churlish of me…”

“Very well then. Though do understand this is merely my… speculation… a possible idea.” Tan warned, and Shaeula nodded, her expression conflicted by eager.

“Speak-speak then.”

As Tsukiko continued to force the rapid upgrading of the Anchor from the incoming ether, Kana and the others listened as Tan outlined her scheme. Grulgor and Ixitt were taken aback, though Grulgor was soon laughing like the sound of rocks smashing together, though Ixitt was far more hesitant, yet in the end he held his silence.

We… we can do that? No, I bet we can, if Tan says so. It’s just… should we do that? Isn’t it… going to really piss off the Fae? No, I trust that they know what they’re doing. And surely… surely Shaeula’s cleared it with her brother and sister at least… right, right?