On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

After a relaxing night’s sleep, which I spent sandwiched between Eri and Tsukiko, in their arms (but we went to bed without any sexy fun, as Ileana and Valeska were staying in the mansion for security, using my room, while we slept in Tsukiko’s) I opened my eyes to the smiling face of Eri, sitting on the edge of the bed. Tsukiko was already up too, in her white lingerie, breasts straining against the attractive fabric, washing her face in the attached bathroom.

“Did you sleep well?” Eri asked me, and I nodded.

“Here, yeah, most definitely. Like a baby. In the Boundary I travelled on to the Fae mansion, with Arisu-san’s help, and spent the extra time just meditating and repairing my damaged body. So I’m not near a hundred percent ready, but I should be fine for whatever ritual we need to do upon Mount Atago. I just hope my sis calmed down and recovered too…”

“I’m sure she will. Aiko may be an expert at fumbling the competition at the final hurdle, but… this means so much to her, and to you, there’s no way she won’t have rested. And say what you like about Aiko, barring her ability to blow it at the last minute, when she gets into a competition  mindset, she’s focussed, more so than you, perhaps.”

“That’s true.” I agreed, giving Eri a morning kiss which turned rather passionate. As our lips parted, a faint string of saliva linking our tongues for a moment, she giggled happily, before standing, still naked, a black tail waving around behind her. I couldn’t help but admire her cute ass and long legs, before Tsukiko, still in her underwear, came over and kissed me just as fervently, her tongue greedily tangling mine.

“Good morning.” she managed, after we parted, her lips now as damp as Eri’s. Her face was pink, and her ruby eyes were moist, which evoked a gap from her usual stoic, calm personality, which was hugely alluring. Behind us, Eri, chuckling, was putting on her own underwear, pulling up a pair of low-rise black lacy panties. They were rather mature, and seeing me staring, Eri wiggled her ass and tail.

“Low-rise just works better in case I accidentally pop out my tail when I get stressed. I’m much better at control now, obviously, but for some reason, I still go half-cat all the time. Luckily I’ve worked out some ways to deal with that in jeans. I don’t want to wear skirts all the time.” Eri explained, before pulling on a similarly sexy bra. Seeing my raised eyebrow, she blushed, just as red as Tsukiko.

“Oh come on. I’m not wearing mismatched underwear. Girls who do that have no pride. Besides, I like to feel sexy. For you, of course.” She rolled her black eyes. “I’m mature enough for black, I think. Though it amuses me thinking about our school regulations. Plain white only. Though I bet Yae-san and Rika-san flouted that, if even only for their own amusement.”

That was an image I didn’t want to dwell on. I threw aside the sheets, and for a moment, the girls’ eyes were attracted to my naked body, still smelling faintly of their fragrances. “I’d better have a shower. Anyway… I didn’t have any prophetic dreams last night. Just… good ones.” I yawned, pleased.

One interesting side-effect of Split Thoughts and two bodies was that if I slept with one, the dreams still happened, but because I also had a conscious mind, I could experience and remember them as if they were actual memories. It’s quite a recreational bonus. Huh… I wonder if there’s any way to leverage that into some sort of training? As time in dreams can be subjective…

“Nor did I. Though I suspect…” Tsukiko’s flush deepened. “…my dreams were simply pleasant, like yours. Tsukuyomi did not bless me with a visitation. Nor did I honestly expect him to. Visions come unbidden, not at our demand.”

“Yeah, well it was worth a try. Look at it this way…” I chuckled, as I grabbed a towel and stepped into the bathroom. “…he didn’t come shouting on Amaterasu’s behalf, so we can assume that our repurposing of the adherence at Ise was accepted.”

“You know what your mother says, Akio…” Eri called to me. “…when you assume, it make an ass of you and me.”

“True.” I laughed. “But what else can we do?” I stepped into the shower, and after a refreshing soak, I was done. I pulled on a new suit, this time with a black shirt, as while it wasn’t exactly a funeral I was going to, I would be attending to the comatose Yasaka-san today. Outside, Tsukiko was in fresh shrine maiden attire, her hair bound up with tasteful silver chains, and a fine mesh of moonstones were scattered within her black hair. Seeing me looking, her smile was fond.

“I am the Diviner, of Tsukuyomi, and today we shall be visiting my home shrine of Tsukuyomi-jinja. But… now the moonstones have taken on a rather different perspective to me.”

“She’s got such young-girl-in-love vibes, it’s almost a bit sickening, considering…” Eri teased, and Tsukiko sighed.

“I may be older than you both, but… in terms of life experience, other than duty, I am simply a wide-eyed teen.”

“That’s fair.” Eri stood, clearly expecting a compliment, and I gave it.

“You look great too, Eri. Those jeans though…”

Eri twirled, showing off her slightly boyish black silk shirt and blue jeans combination, though the layered blue cardigan pushed it back into the realms of girly. As she spun, the back of her designer jeans caught my eyes.

“Yeah, it’s as you imagined. I spoke to Natsumi, and her parents modified most of my clothing. The back part is cleverly elasticated now, so my tail…” She grinned and it popped free, pushing out the jeans slightly without gaping them or showing off her underwear. “…can come out and I don’t have any accidents.”

“That is clever. But you really need to master your half-Bakeneko nature. I mean, you can grow wings and fly now, how hard can it be?”

“You’re right, and I’ll get it eventually. Though I’m more concerned with tangible applications, rather than avoiding odd bits of embarrassment when ears appear.” Eri shrugged. “Now, breakfast, and we should see how our guests fared.”

Entering the dining room, maids were bustling around to make food, and we found Ileana and Valeska sitting at the table, wearing the same clothes as they had yesterday, a pensive expression on Ileana’s face. On seeing us, her expression brightened, before she bit her lip softly, as if to control her emotions.

Yeah. There’s got to be a measure of trust between us now, but she’d be a fool if she let her guard down fully so quickly, after what she’s been through.

“Good morning, Ileana, Valeska.” I greeted them, as Eri asked the maids for what we wanted. Western style today, I see? I guess a hearty fry-up will fill us up for a long day around Kyoto. Though my day is going to be more packed than most… “I hope you slept well?”

“I… did. Though sleeping in what is clearly someone else’s room is a little disconcerting. The bed is rather unique, though.”

“I would say so. A custom order, cost me a fortune.” I grinned sheepishly, tipping my head to Valeska, who slowly nodded back, her hands around a mug of steaming hot coffee. “Don’t worry, that’s my room, so…”

“Your room?” Ileana cut me off, eyes shimmering with a myriad of colours. “But there are female clothes, underwear, and more scattered everywhere…”

“That’s easy to explain.” Eri shrugged, sitting down beside us. “Akio’s room is everyone’s room. And while we all have our own rooms, it’s a pain going back and forth, so we usually end up leaving little bits and pieces there. Did you see the bathroom?”

Valeska spoke in Romanian, and Ileana chuckled. “She says there were so many toothbrushes, and that…” Valeska spoke again and Ileana flushed faintly. “…I am not saying that!” she grumbled, before sipping at her own drink, a tea which smelled of honey and sugar. Western style again rather than Japanese, I see. Makes sense, considering they come from Europe.

“Anyway, we’ll make some more permanent arrangements for the pair of you soon. But the hotel is a risk. A minor one, but a risk nonetheless.”

“I agree.” she nodded at my words. “And I do appreciate you have all been thinking of our wellbeing. It was certainly… comforting, to not worry about pursuit for one night. But I am still unsure of my future, our future.”

“Yeah, the world’s an uncertain place right now.” I agreed. Soon plates of bacon, fried eggs, sausages, beans, toast and more were placed down, along with more tea, orange juice and other drinks. “Great. I worked up an appetite yesterday and today’s an even more important day for me. I need the carbs.” We busied ourselves with eating, and I was pleased to see that Ileana and Valeska had a healthy appetite. It’s a sign they are more at ease here.

Once breakfast had finished, I eyed them up and down. Valeska frowned, and Ileana slid her chair backwards instinctively, but I ignored that and turned to Eri. “We’ve probably got some spare shrine maiden attire which would fit them both. Having them join the Pilgrimage without fanfare would help disguise them.”

Eri nodded. “Yes, that makes sense. And…” Eri pursed her lips. “…you didn’t come with luggage, did you?”

“Grandmother’s house was burned down by the Church. And we had to sell her… car… and use the money for our escape. We had no time nor funds for luxuries such as new clothes. Only enough to replace the bloody rags and ripped cloth we wore.”

Eri winced. “I can’t say my life was ever that bad, but I didn’t have much other than hand-me-downs and Aiko’s spares as a young girl. Anyway, this won’t do at all.” Eri took out her phone and did a quick search. “There’s a lot of decent stores on Shijō-dori. And it’s not too far from a number of the shrines we’ll be visiting. Akio, leave it to me. I’ll take them shopping.”

“Thanks, that would be a big help. Tsukiko’s one of the leads today since it’s Kyoto, so she’ll be busy.”

“It’s not a problem. Like I said, if anything, I’m relieved.” Eri smiled slightly at Ileana, a barest twitch of her lips. “The unknown is always the most frightening. But when the answer is there, it’s possible to accept it.”

“Is that some sort of wisdom?” Ileana asked, and Eri shrugged.

“It’s my wisdom, though it’s probably applicable to you too, Ileana.”

“I feel rather… unhappy… about accepting such largesse. And…” she glanced at her grandmother. “…my blood child fears too much charity, saying that it comes with strings attached, and such strings can form a strangling collar if we are not alert.”

“True.” Eri agreed. “I don’t blame you. But Akio’s always too generous to women in need. And besides, it’s not charity, we’re up front about what we want from you.”

Tsukiko took over. “Indeed. You simply must not perish. That is your first duty, if you are indeed the Princess of Hell. For your death would be a disaster. Yet… your Fate is to struggle. Without the other Princesses, and without he who carries light in one hand, darkness in the other, and twilight upon his back…” Tsukiko gazed at me warmly. “…or rather, without Akio, he who has severed our misfortunate fates…”

Oh damn, even Tsukiko’s talking like Yggdrasil now…

“…you will be imperilled. And surviving alone in this world is difficult. Yet together…” her ruby eyes gleamed knowingly. “…there is naught to fear!”

“What they said.” I chuckled dryly. “Besides, it’s only some clothes. If you had any idea of the amount we’ve spent on this Pilgrimage, you’d not worry about such trivial expenditures, even if clothing for girls does cost a lot.”

“I… am not sure, yet…” Ileana exchanged a long conversation with Valeska, who fixed me with her steely blue gaze for a while, before she shrugged, shaking her head, and Ileana smiled faintly.

“My grandmother cautions me to be wary of wolves, but she agrees that generosity is the virtue of the strong, and you certainly are that. So we accept. Honestly, I agree, I am tired of these same clothes.” She sniffed herself softly, and frowned.

“It’s settled then. Eri, Tsukiko, you know what you’ve got to do today. I’ll be speedrunning my part of the Pilgrimage again with the group I’m taking to Mount Atago.”

“Oh, that’s Daiyu, Motoko, Natsumi, Kana, Haru-chan… Bellaera and… I suppose Yasaka-san is out of the question. Aiko too, of course, is going this time.”

“Yes, even when he wakes up, he’ll need to convalesce, and I doubt he wants to dwell on things.” I agreed. “Anyway…” I checked my watch. “Arisu-san should be here to pick us up soon.”

“You will earn her ire if you keep using her as a taxi service.” Tsukiko warned gently, and I nodded, scratching my head in embarrassment.

“Yeah, luckily there’s only a few days left, then she can have a well-deserved break. Though knowing her, she’ll simply present more WTV broadcasts.”

“I don’t think she finds that work, or at least she enjoys it enough that she doesn’t mind.” Eri agreed, and while Ileana was bemused by our conversation, and Valeska couldn’t understand it… that reminds me. Tanya’s device seems to work fine, though she complaints of occasional headaches and mental strain. I wonder if Valeska can handle it now she’s a blood child, a Solar Dhampir of sorts?

“Relax. It’ll be another day you don’t have to stress about your safety. Within the Pilgrimage, even when I’m not there, we have any number of powerhouses. If the Church tries anything, then they’ll get crushed, I promise you. Anyway, she’s here.” I sensed the ripples of spatial element that signalled Arisu-san’s Room had arrived. Soon, she strode in, as imperious as ever, her dress today an impressive dark crimson, a black fur stole around her shoulders covering her exposed cleavage.

“I am here as… requested. Oh…” Arisu-san’s gaze fell upon Ileana, who shivered, a bit overawed by Arisu-san’s raw presence and intensity. “…newcomers, I see? Are these those you were talking about?”

“Yeah. There are some others, but… we think Ileana here is the one. We’ll confirm later, but today there’s not much time.”

“That is true. Busy, always so busy.” Arisu-san sighed. “Come then.” She led us to the place set aside for her Room, and Ileana and Valeska were both rather worried, holding each other’s hands, but I led them in without fear, and moments later, we were exiting, stepping out near Kyoto station.

“That was… incredible.” Ileana breathed, shocked. “This is…”

“Roughly two hundred and eighty miles. That’s like crossing most of Romania in a mere few moments.” I boasted, and Eri sighed, complaining to Tsukiko that she didn’t know why I was proud, as it was Arisu-san’s achievements.

True, but I’m as proud of my allies’ successes as I am of my own! That’s what being a good boss is all about.

Crowds of the Pilgrims had already gathered, including the group that would be accompanying me. Seeing me arrive, my sis rushed over cheerfully. “Wow, bro, you made it… so, she’s the one, huh?” My sis eyed Ileana up and down, which made her flinch, wary and overwhelmed, until Eri whispered to her this was my sister. “You’re a pretty one. Love the hair and eyes. Might as well jump to it and call you sister-in-law, yeah… ouch!”

I flicked my sis with a faint bolt of wind, to calm her down, and as she rubbed at her forehead, she chuckled. “Sorry bro, I’m still hyper after yesterday, and excited for today. But I did rest properly after that, I promise. You were too busy mediating, but I was chilling at the mansion too, having a few drinks with the maids… oops… forget I said that!” She mimed zipping her lips, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Yeah, I’ll let it slide this once. But next time… I’ll share a little treasure you gave me with everyone.” I patted my pocket meaningfully, though obviously the stickers weren’t there, but back in my room, securely stored.

“You wouldn’t dare, bro.” My sis surprised me by laughing loudly, unfazed by my childish threat. “You’d be the one suffering most of the damage.”

“More than I did already that Christmas Eve?” I snorted dryly. “I wouldn’t bet on it. Anyway… she’s probably the next Princess, yes, so we’ll be protecting her for now.”

“Great. Anyway, I’m Oshiro Sapphire Aiko. But you can just call me Aiko. Since I’m with Eri on this one…” She chuckled like a dirty old man.

“I… am pleased to meet you.” Ileana managed at last. “Sapphire? For your eyes?”

“Yep, you got it. If you were my sister, you’d have a middle name Opal, I reckon. Mom’s so predictable. Anyway, got to run. Catch up with you tonight, yeah?” My sis grabbed my hand and hauled me off, so I merely waved, resigned to dealing with her immense enthusiasm today. I can’t say I’m not excited to see just what it’s like to be one of the Four Directions…

Soon, I reached the group, Haanōbō and her brother Arangbō included, showing just how hard Nie Ling was working over the Pilgrimage. She’s another one that can get a break when we’re done… I then paused, spying an unanticipated face, and Bell, her smile a little strained, stepped forward, dragging Teare, her fellow Way-Warden and Elf.

“Sorry.” The blue-haired Elf apologised. “But Teare was just so jealous, she begged me to come along, saying she’d never ‘get a chance to raise her favourability’ as princess Shaeula put it, if she didn’t get to spend more ‘major events’ in your company.”

“That’s… not untrue.” Teara managed, with her green hair braided with pink flowers. She, unusual for her, was wearing a pink sun dress, despite the winter chill in the air, almost the same shade as her flushed cheeks, and her ample chest heaved with embarrassment, not hidden by her delicate outfit. “Besides, I missed out on the initial trip to Mount Atago, and now Bell is being honoured? I at least want to see that.”

My sister tightened her grip on my hand, but when I glanced at her, she had her usual teasing smile on her face, and she released me. “Hey, the more the merrier, right? Unless it’s a problem, sister Haanōbō?”

“Sister?” the Tengu sighed, dipping her wings. “I suppose so. No, one more shall make little difference to father.”

“Though it might to you, little sister!” Arangbō boomed with his usual lack of tact, smile doubtless hidden behind his crimson mask.

“Be quiet. Please!” Haanōbō begged. “Now then… Akio, I trust you retained your mask?”

“Yeah, safely in my storage.” I promised. “So, we good to go? I’ve several non-Pilgrimage stops to make along the way, so we need to hurry.”

“Yes, we can proceed.” Motoko declared, excitement plain on her face, Natsumi’s too, and even taciturn Daiyu and Kana were showing their enthusiasm. “Kana, since you are a true shrine maiden, do the honours.”

“No problem.” She grinned, looking both mature and adorable in her red and white hakama. “I’ve studied the route. I wonder what that moron Yamato-san would think, seeing the shrine maiden he denigrated as coming from a worthless minor shrine leading such a Pilgrimage? On second thoughts, I don’t care what he’d think. Come on, this way!”

As Kana led out procession, I shook my head. Yeah, no kidding. I don’t care about what Yamato would think about this. His end was undeservedly cruel, it was arrogance and incompetence which wounded many hearts and left more dead, not ill-intent or malice. But… we have to keep moving forward. And there are those more deserving of my help…

***

“Glad you could make it, Akio-kun.” Saionji Gin-san smiled warmly at me. “Take a seat. Oh, come on, Akai. We should be over this by now.”

“It’s just… he’s…” Akai, her rich brown skin somehow managing to blanch, stammered, her crimson eyes narrowing. She wrapped herself in her long brown hair as if to shield herself, but after swallowing nervously, she managed not to throw herself under the bed, which, judging by her longing, sideways glance, she was thinking about. “…I’ll stay. I’m… fine. He’s not scary. Not scary, not frightening at all!” she repeated as if to reassure herself.

“That’s the spirit.” Gin-san chuckled warmly. “Oh, I suppose humour here is inappropriate. We are in hospital, after all.” He glanced over at the bed, where Yasaka-san slept in a comatose state, hooked up to various machines. “It’s the same one where the victims of… the other incidents were brought, so at least we don’t have to explain much.”

I nodded, remembering. “Yeah. I daresay some of our first batch of Chirurgeons and Ether Healers will come from here, as well as the military, and the veterans from Britain. Anyway…” I struggled to change the subject, and Gin-san, experienced politician that he was, helped me out.

“So, Pilgrimage is progressing well, I believe? I have seen the reports crossing the Ministry desks. Coupled with the propaganda… oh, I’m sorry…” His smirk was wicked. “…educational broadcasts, the shrines the Pilgrimage has visited have seen a surge of traffic and offerings, and even other shrines have noticed a significant boost. I’m pleased to see it. And I trust that your personal gains have been… substantial?”

“Yes, and our data will be analysed by the Ministry, so tailored Pilgrimage plans can be given to those who need them. This might be the main event, but smaller, or even solo, Pilgrimages should continue, to gain the full benefit of a maximised Class. But… that’s not what I’m here for, is it?”

“No, and you are in a hurry.” Gin-san agreed. Before I took a look at Yasaka-san, I produced a bag of sweets and a milkshake I’d picked up from a shop on the way here, handing them to Akai, who initially flinched, but then, wide-eyed, took them from me. She tore the bag open and devoured several treats, her expression melting, before she sucked on the milkshake’s straw happily.

“Such a childish bird. If she doesn’t grow up…” Gin-san sighed. “…no, I suppose I shouldn’t be unfair. Akai was instrumental in defending Kyoto against the invaders. She is young yet. Now…”

“Yes.” My Eyes shone, and I also extended out my Qi, using both in tandem. “I’m confident of waking him up and he should be able to live a normal life. But…”

“He’s an unfortunate man, poor Yasaka Yoshio. His parents named him to make him a ‘righteous man’ and he did indeed take over Namba Yasaka-jinja, like his parents wanted. But… he’s rather gloomy and not that personable.” Gin-san sighed. “But despite all his complaining and poor work ethic, he was loyal. Rather a loyal man than a brilliant one. A lesson all leaders need to know, Akio-kun.”

“A lesson I am aware of.” I promised. “And not just me. Hinata and the others make sure betrayal is as difficult as possible, and that the consequences will be ruinous.”

“But that won’t stop it entirely. Sometimes it’s not about profit or loss, but about hatred, envy, or ideology.” Gin-kun sighed. “Still, your way of securing loyalty certainly is… unique… but it’s true that love binds. Poor Yasaka-san didn’t ever find love, and as an only son… well, at least he doesn’t have family to mourn. His parents were never robust, and passed early.”

“He was boring, but not a bad old man.” Akai spoke up, taking another noisy sip from the milkshake. “Sometimes he gave me chocolate when I was hungry. I hope… I hope we wakes up. What… what is death?” She tilted her head, puzzled, and that surprised me.

“We’ve been through this, Akai. We are not all like you, reborn from your ashes. But even you, little bird, are not invulnerable. Your body can be destroyed, but if your spirit is corrupted… even you will fall to the great silence.” Gin-san explained gently.

“Isn’t that an odd thing to say for a religious man?” I asked, still inspecting Yasaka-san. Honestly, his physical state was fine, the hardship and training I’d put him through had at least developed a basic level of Ether Healing and strengthened his weary body, so the fact he was still comatose was due to spiritual degradation from having the Favour torn from him. Faint trickles of soullight were leaking, and that was the area I needed to focus on. “Shouldn’t you tell her about Yomi?”

“You think? It’s clear to me, and should be clearer to you than anyone, Akio-kun, that such concepts and places are allegorical. If Yomi exists, then it is just another world or realm within the Pantheons, yes?”

“I suppose that’s true.” I agreed. “But, Akai…” I addressed the young Phoenix. “…death isn’t the end. But it is a separation. So cherish your life, okay?” I reached out and idly patted her head, and her hair was hot, as if she was heated by a furnace within. “Even if you can be reborn, ask Haru or Tsukiko, it’s not something we humans can easily get over. But… so long as we remember them, the silence isn’t truly absolute, is it Gin-san?”

“A philosopher now, are you?” he chuckled. “But yes, Akai, listen well to Akio-kun. Don’t be reckless. And… I hope that you don’t understand death for a long, long time… for the silence is for those left behind. A void that was once filled.” His tone was contemplative, and I expected he was thinking the same as I was. Yes, Yamato’s foolishness left a sad silence behind. One that will never be filled. So those who survived have to live, shout loud enough, for those who fell.

“I’ll… try my best.” She tilted her head as if she didn’t understand, and I leaked a dry chuckle, even as I finished my assessment of Yasaka-san.

“What’s the verdict then?” Gin-san asked, and I shrugged.

“I’m a hundred percent certain he’ll be fine physically. As for the Skills and so on he’ll retain… fifty-fifty I can salvage a little of the remnants of his Favour. But even that will be a work in progress.”

“Better than he could have expected. That was my oversight too. We were careless. We expected the main thrust of any attack to be at Kyoto and Tokyo, maybe at Ise too. But we were wrong.”

“True. I’d imagine any number of Chosen disappeared and we don’t know the full extent, and might never. What with Hokkaido as well, we’ve had our numbers reduced dramatically.”

“A troubling thought. After all, Chosen are national power.” Gin-san agreed. “Minister Morita-san is losing sleep over it. She’s aged terribly, perhaps you could extend her some Ether Healing when you have some free time. Women appreciate that.”

“Free time, huh? In January, at some point…” I muttered, as I began to weave in aether, my own soullight, and some of the purified adherence I’d filled myself with at Ise. “Maybe some of our potions could help her. I’ll get Ixitt to send out a prototype set.” As Gin-san nodded, I stoked my concentration to a high intensity, reaching out for the remnant fragments of Minerva’s Book Of Providence. It’s in a far less complete state than the damaged Favours I’ve dealt with before. Of course it is, these are dregs left behind when it was torn out. There’s probably barely ten, or at best, fifteen percent of it scattered around. But… Yasaka-san used and improved the Skill, as much as he struggled, so… traces should be left within his spiritual body and even his mortal one… and perhaps even… okay, I need to be sparing with my energy, but…

With a sigh, I retrieved a blue potion from my storage and downed it. Aether flooded me, and I wiped my mouth. Seering Akai looking on with eager curiosity, I tossed her one, and she caught it, grinning shyly. At least her wariness around me is slowly diminishing. Though she’s still jumpy.

She cuddled the bottle, as if guarding it from Gin-san, who laughed and told her he wouldn’t steal it. She popped off the lid, and sniffed it curiously, before taking a swig. “Oh, I feel funny. Warm inside!” she muttered, surprised, and the heat she always gave off intensified.

Curious. But I’ve no attention to spare for her right now. I inspected the faintly leaking mist of soullight, and perceived the Truesoul beyond, albeit faintly. Right. If this is where the strands of the Truesoul within the Favour connected, mostly to his spiritual body and Chakra network, but of course there’s a faint Truesoul link as well… then…

I’d experience of scarring my own Truesoul and watching it slowly heal, so even with my insufficient Skills, I could make some temporary stitches out of my own soullight and the adherence, which smoothed over my mistakes and made it safer. I began to sweat, the work was incredibly delicate, as I wanted not just to help the Truesoul slowly recover, which it normally would struggle to do, considering it wasn’t supposed to be vulnerable to damage in the first place, but also to… yeah. Connection. It was severed, usurped, but…

A sudden grin on my face, I continued my weaving. That done, I turned my attention to his wrecked spiritual body, which had been fixed up enough not to be fatal. I cleared out broken pathways, capillaries and meridians, reworked his Chakras, and all the while gathered up and transplanted the remnants of the Favour, consolidating it around the Truesoul stitches. Okay, since there’s not much worry about messing with his network now the Favour is gone, might as well set him up with a lunar Chakra and all the benefits that entails. And…

Qi Perception was useful in ways I hadn’t imagined. Yes, my Eyes could see, but the injection of Qi formed a sort of tactile three, or perhaps more, dimensional image of his spiritual body. Like sonar maybe?

Time seemed to slow, and as my concentration sharpened, the work continued, and then, moments later, I wiped sweat from my brow, only for someone to hand me a towel. I took it, only to be surprised when I saw a shy Akai looking up at me. “Thank you for the treats…” she managed. “…I won’t be scared. I won’t.”

“Thanks.” I wiped my face, marvelling at how the towel was heated to a delightful temperature, like the hot offerings one sometimes got at the end of a meal at a fancy restaurant. Though I only know that now because of my new lifestyle… “You’re our friend, Akai. Think of it this way, if you’re scared of me because I’m strong, then anyone who wants to hurt you will be terrified, won’t they? And my strength can keep you, Gin-san and your friends safe.”

“That’s… true.” Akai thought her way through that. She then eyed Yasaka-san. “Will… will he wake up? The silence is scary. Scarier than you ever were. I don’t like it. He’s noisy and grumpy, but I like him…”

“Yes, do tell us, Akio-kun. What’s the prognosis?” Gin-san pressed.

“It’s… on hold. I can’t make a full decision without a visit to Britain to check something, or rather someone out. But I definitely don’t have time for that today. What I have done is fully repaired his spiritual body and Chakra network, and patched the hidden damage below. He’s gained a new Skill from the work…”

Knowledge Read From Torn Pages And Spilled Ink Rank 1 – This Skill allows the bearer to expend Aether, Adherence and Soullight to enhance their cognitive processes and memory, giving near-perfect recall of any information learned, and the ability to extrapolate based on both this knowledge and any surrounding wisdom.

There is a faint, almost intangible Connection to a greater source of Knowledge, and though it was forcibly severed, what was cut can be rejoined, though to do so is against the natural progression of such matters. Only those who have mastered both the Blade to sever Misfortune, and the Loom that weaves Bonds, will be able to twist these severed strands of Connection into a tangible link, reforming what was unwillingly sundered.

But do beware, for such a severed Connection is seen to be inevitable, and those who hold the torn strands of such will surely perceive any such weaving. [Class: Noble] [Type: Principle]

Okay, I’m not sure that someone else’s Skill description should have information which is clearly only pertinent to me, but… I do appreciate the warning, Yggdrasil. I wasn’t sure bringing any more attention to myself, especially after yesterday’s weird message, was wise, but conversely… if we could regain access to Minerva’s Book Of Wisdom, or whatever it’s become… no, I’m getting too ambitious. I need to check someone, and work out a few other issues…

I explained the Skill, at least the first paragraph, anyway, to Gin-san, while mentioning that Yasaka-san would likely wake in the next few hours, once the extreme fatigue and unconscious pain from the Chirurgery and Healing diminished.

“I’m glad. You too, yes, Akai?” Gin-san ruffled her hair, and she smiled warmly, nodding.

“Hopefully this will teach him a lesson in being cautious. He really should have died when his Territory was Conquered. I’m not going to hear any more whining. I’ll make him train until he spits blood!” I warned, and Gin-san snorted a laugh.

“I’ll be sure to let him know. I expect you’ll be going now? I’ll wait here until he wakes.”

“I will too!” Akai promised, and as a reward, I handed her another blue potion and a bar of chocolate. As she grinned at me, I took one last look at Yasaka-san.

“Oh, and don’t let him use the new Skill yet. I’m not entirely convinced it’s risk-free, and we’re not hurting for answers at the moment. Though I’ll have a question for him soon enough…”

With that, I left the hospital, where my sis and the others were waiting eagerly to continue the Pilgrimage.

“Come on, bro! Pick up the pace! The sooner we get done, the sooner we can hit Mount Atago! Wow, so slow, get a move on!”

As she boiled with excitement, I shook my head ruefully. “Fine, fine, I’m coming. It was slightly more complicated an operation than I planned, so don’t complain. Right, the next stop is… Jishu shrine, isn’t it?”

“That’s right bro, so come on! Let’s go, go, go…”

“Fine then. We can run there in short order.” I grinned. “Let’s see the fruits of your labour, sis.”

“Oh, great.” Kana rolled her eyes. “Way to make me exert myself, Aiko-chan!”

“You love it, Kana-chan, I know!” my sis retorted, and as we began to run through the streets which had been set aside for the Pilgrims, clear of pedestrians and traffic, everyone was bantering with each other, the Elves especially excited. All right then. Let’s get this done and start moving around Kyoto, back towards Mount Atago… and then… I glanced at Haanōbō, who instead of running was flying beside us, her white wings flapping softly. …the culmination of the unexpected events that happened during our first visit…