On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Having reached Nishimorioka in the Boundary, I was glad that the Territory was starting to pull in trickles of spatial element too, allowing me to top up. My Seven-League Wings Skill was incredibly fast, but not particularly cheap or accurate, not like Void Serpent Steps, which were optimised for battle. Of course, it makes me wonder. There was a lag before the Ether Spires close to spatial overlaps began drawing it in. Did I have to recognise it was there and what it was first?

That wasn’t the only thing I’d noticed. Even with the outstanding efforts of all my allies, as I could constantly feel, through the connection to my Anchor, more lands being brought under my control, several Special Rank Buildings I’d have to investigate later too, the amount of ether we were gaining was abnormal. Though quickly thinking about it, the cause was obvious.

Asha’s Tree is at Shirohebizumi shrine. Like the factory site and our Jonan Hills estate, that’s a major area of full merging with the part of the lower Astral the Fae Realms occupies. So while I’ve been testing things out, time has been running faster for the Trees and Ether Spires there. It’s… around four times, rather than two and a half times? There were always fluctuations, especially since the Boundary was turbulent around it, but on average that would be right, though what I was pulling in still seemed a little on the high side, even taking that into account…

Hey, if it was lower than expected, I’d worry, but higher? I’m not a fool to reject a gift. Anyway, call it five million per Material day originally with Shiro’s basic buffs, though obviously it can and is running hotter. But at four times, that would be… around eight million a day? Thus, even dropping half into the Silos for Haru, and then Ellie, our overall ability to spend on infrastructure wouldn’t be much hampered. It was a very welcome surprise.

Setting that aside, I headed towards Shirohebizumi shrine, to meet with the Brown Dog Kami, Chairo, as Marika-chan called him, though she used an honorific, of course the polite little girl did, only to come across an… unusual… sight. The shrine itself seemed fine and unharmed, but the mountainside and forest around it were a mess, trees shattered and heaped everywhere, craters in the ground, as if a huge battle had taken place. And sitting at the edge, on a large, upturned and doubtless empty barrel of sake, was…

Blue? Seeing me arriving, she raised her head, expression morose, before shrugging, her chest wrap barely holding in her huge breasts, her muscles rippling within her brawny arms and shoulders. “An unexpected guest then? Why do ya be coming here?”

“Just stabilising the area.” I could hear grunts and groans, and the sound of flesh slapping together, and dust was rising, the ground faintly trembling. “I can set up a proper barrier at the shrine, so no need to guard it as carefully. But… I’m surprised you are still here. And where are Red, and… Muratsuno?”

“Can’t ya guess?” Blue’s gaze seemed a little pitiful, and hearing distant laughter, sweaty grunting and flesh colliding, I had some idea of what they were up to, considering how my sis said Muratsuno idolised Red. I wasn’t going to use my Eyes or Energetic Perception to check, though. I’m almost afraid of what I might find, and I’m no voyeur.

“I see.” Feeling a little sorry for the burly Oni, I pulled a bottle of shochu out of storage and tossed it to her. She caught it gratefully, though in her massive fist the bottle seemed small. Not even bothering to open it, she bit through the glass and began to gulp down the strong liquor. When half the bottle was gone, she belched, her free hand idly rubbing one horn.

“Thanks. Ya not be so bad. I’m glad Red and me, we didn’t end up killing ya after all. Maybe it’s thanks to Shaeula, she’s not much like her cold bitch of a mother, but… she’s certainly one of us, the Parade. And ya feel like us too, ya know?” She finished off the rest of the bottle, and taking pity on her, I fished out another, though I’d need to restock soon.

“Better than some of the useless bastards who claim to be Numbers. Ya, it’s… rough. But the pair of ya, ya be okay.”

“Thanks.” I grinned dryly, not sure how to feel about her words. “It’s like everything else. There’s a lot about the Parade…” I sat down on a shattered tree trunk beside her. I noticed that some of the adherents of the Brown Dog Kami had gathered at the entrance to the shrine, watching, so I waved at them, signalling I’d see them soon, and they rolled on the ground, showing their bellies, and… I felt nothing. Maybe… I’m finally getting over my fear of dogs? It’d make sense… it would have to be a very scary dog to harm me or those I love now…

“…which I find… well, quite frankly, unacceptable. Shaeula feels the same way. But… it’s her heritage, from her mother, Urakaze, like you’ve said. And just as some of the Fae ways are troubling, it’s not just limited to you spiritual beings.” I turned my thoughts to Japan, and its problems. The nobility, especially, though… My mind went to Miyu and Michiru then, and how the system of Japanese nobility had constrained them. It’s far from all bad. Miyu is an incredibly elegant young woman, and even Michiru is well-educated and clever, if… eccentric. But… it’s unbalanced and unfair.

“No, with power comes responsibility. I’m not claiming I won’t use my power for selfish ends…” I grinned, as Blue was listening, still sucking shochu out of her second bottle. “…I’m no saint, nor the Buddha. I’m full of worldly desires. I love… far too freely, it seems… and I want entertainment, joy, luxury, not just for me, but for those I love, those I’m friends with… and honestly, for those who deserve it. But… power means that my voice weighs heavy. So if I don’t like something…”

“Har. Har.” Blue snorted a laugh, sounding just like Red, pounding me on the back with her free hand. “Ya know, it’s the greed. That’s what makes a Yōkai. That’s what makes a person. Without greed, what are ya but a hollow gourd, worthless and empty? I like that. And ya, it’s crazy, even Nebisuki, and…” Blue shuddered, even as she pounded on my back. “…that mad old demon, the nine-tailed fox. Best watch ya don’t get devoured. Foxes are lusty bitches. But if ya can break them… foxes, just dogs at heart, ya know?”

She glanced back at the unharmed shrine and the dogs waiting there. “When they submit, it’s over. Nobody’s ever been able to force Tamamo-no-Mae though. Not even Great Nurarihyon. So I be mightily impressed. To think she’d come back. Like… old times. And Sekka too. Things are changing, ya know?”

I nodded. “Yeah. They most certainly are. My last bottle… savour it.” I handed it over, and she grinned, her humour seemingly restored.

“Thanks. Ya not be so bad. Though…” she let out a cavernous sigh. “…I want to leave. That burly Fae, I want to wrestle with him, that would raise my spirits.”

Ulfuric? That reminds me…  “Sorry if this is a rude question…”

“Ya think I care about manners? If I don’t like what ya say, I’ll simply punch ya. Won’t kill ya anyway, will it?”

I had to laugh at that. “Nope, though I reckon taking a hit from you still wouldn’t be any fun, despite how tough I’ve grown.”

“Ya not be wrong. So, out with it.”

“…it’s just… are you and Red… siblings? Lovers?” I swallowed nervously. “Both?”

At my question she narrowed her eyes, before bursting into hearty laughter, pounding my back and shoulders unmercifully with cheerful slaps, and it did indeed sting a little. When she recovered, she snorted, thinking on how to answer, and while she did, I elaborated.

“It’s just… in the myth of the Red and Blue Oni I’ve read, you were just friends, but in some versions of the story you’re family, or lovers. And… you seem very close and intimate, just that when we killed Red’s brother, back when we first met…” That was quite the painful memory, as it was the start of the mess with Yamato. Eri felt the same, as I could feel her bitter anger and grief at those events.

 “…it seemed like the dead Oni wasn’t your brother too.”

“It’s complicated.” Blue shrugged, smirking as my eyes followed her motions. “Ya know, we don’t put the same stock in such relationships as ya humans do. Else Red would never have forgiven ya for killing his idiot brother. Or perhaps that’s what ya be hoping.” She smirked knowingly. “Ya be very close to ya own sister, yes? Too close for comfort, perhaps?”

“I… resent that accusation. Though…” I gave up, remembering Christmas Eve. “…I totally get why you’d say that. And honestly, when I searched my heart, I realised I’d do anything for her, just as I would for Eri. After all… I never treated them any differently as kids. But don’t take that in a weird way. Or I suppose… it’s not so strange to you or the Kami?”

“Their foolish Gods were doing that all the time, ya know.” Blue snorted, nodding. Her cascade of long indigo hair, coupled with the deep blue of her skin, meant that her red eyes and horns were the only contrasting colour she had. “But who cares? Not me, and ya shouldn’t worry either. Ya said it, didn’t ya? Might makes right. That’s the Hyakki Yagyō way, the Yōkai way, the Oni way. What’s Red to me? My other half, ya know. We don’t need to be understood. Just to be. I just wish…” Her gaze went to the distant sounds of wrestling and surely lewd activity. “…that they’d get on with it, ya know? It’s so pitiful. Mwah-ha-ha…” Blue mimicked Muratsuno’s odd laugh quite well. “…another bout? Your blows feel like drops of rain, I expected more from the great, handsome Red, Oni second only to grand Ōtakemaru! Gwe-he-he!”

As I blinked, surprised, she now parroted Red. “Har. Har. Har. Not many Oni can keep up with my might! Light as rain? I shall break your bones, snap your horns and leave you in the dirt under my feet!”

“So, a very… physical… relationship?” I ventured, and now I finally extended my Energetic Perception, I could see that the grunting and slapping wasn’t intimate contact, but the pair of Oni simply punching and kicking each other, heedless of their bruised and bleeding bodies. Punches strong enough to blow holes in the ground were exchanged, and while Muratsuno was clearly outclassed in terms of raw Might, she was surprisingly canny, and her combat skills were rather more refined than Red’s sheer brute force, so what should have been a one-sided beatdown was rather closer than expected.

“Have they… been doing that the whole time?” Judging by the devastation, it seemed so, and Blue nodded morosely. She seemed so aggrieved it was my turn to pat her shoulder.

“Ya got it. Just endless fighting. Don’t misunderstand. I like a good brawl as much as anyone, but… ya know, I think it would be less aggravating if they would just fuck…” At her crudity, I nodded, understanding.

“Yeah, it’s… not even belligerent sexual tension at this point. Muscle-brains are built differently, huh?”

“Ya know it.” Blue snorted. “The booze was fine at first to stave off the boredom, but who would have thought… even alcohol can taste bitter…”

“Yeah, never drink when depressed, it only makes it worse. Just give me a minute, and I’ll secure the area.” With one last reassuring slap on her muscular back, I headed up the steps, and the dogs stood to attention, ushering me into the shrine proper, where Chairo waited, his usual tri-corner hat with tassels and his similar cushion upon which he sat, reminding me a little of a ninja village leader in that famous manga.

“Is it me or is the shrine looking fancier?” I glanced around, and indeed, the rather drab interior was sparkling, and new decorations, shimenawa ropes and statues of dogs and Komainu were watching the perimeter.

“Indeed it is, grr. All thanks to your efforts, child of this shrine.” The Brown Dog Kami growled, sounding pleased. “This Pilgrimage did not pass us by, but instead the many prayers and offerings, and sincere faith… the adherence, grr, did fortify us. Perhaps because we are your home shrine, the effect was greatly enhanced.”

 “Makes sense. And… it must have been a burden for you to grant your blessing to so many outsiders.” I sympathised. “This… isn’t a large shrine. And, no offense, but you aren’t exactly a powerful Kami.”

“None… grr… taken.” he barked cheerfully. “Though perhaps you should prefix that with yet. Many of the Pilgrims were most eager to learn more about you and your home. While indeed, we do not have much favour to spare, grr, with the wealth of offerings and respect, we managed. And in such blessings, strength returns to us. Perhaps, like the White Snake of Shirohebizumi, we too, grr, shall one day be seen as Kami with the strength of mighty Emperor Ōjin.”

“It’s good to dream.” I chuckled, not particularly enamoured with Hachiman’s Avatar, as we’d had a… turbulent… relationship so far. “Not to change the subject, but I’m here to make good on your safety. After all, we owe you a lot, and Marika-chan would be distraught if anything happened to you. So…” I looked around for a suitable location, and in the centre of the Shrine, I dropped the Satellite Anchor, though not before using earth element to dig a hole for it. The silvery spire looked like a miniature version of the main Anchor, maybe ten metres in height, and with the position I had left it, it made quite the eye-catching display, odd branches with what seemed crystalline leaves forming a panorama at ground level, catching the light.

The moment it was deployed, I felt my connection to this place harden, and then I blinked in surprise, as something felt wrong. On seeing my expression, Chairo barked a laugh.

“Surprised, grr? I would not be, if I were you.” Despite his amusement, he was still very well-spoken, his tone, barks notwithstanding, rather melodious and polite. “The Takeyabashi family, who have tended to my shrine for generations, have simply accepted the way it must be, and have handed the right to the shrine over to…grr… you.” His eyes were gently knowing. “They have no fear you will usurp the shrine, cast their family aside, but… as he who will marry the Priestess of Ise, who shall bear the descendants of Amaterasu… grr…”

“Hey now.” I wasn’t prepared to think of that with Yukiko yet. The Kami merely shook his head, somehow smirking, tongue lolling out between his teeth.

“…as a matter of faith, this should be yours. I believe my shrine maiden, Marika, did beg her family most adorably, grr, to sign the deeds, as she called them, over to your wife-to-be Hinata, grr.”

I see. Marika-chan, you’re far too mature for your own good. Don’t worry, I never repay generosity with betrayal. “I suppose it’s for the best. As now the Material of the shrine is merging with the lower Astral. It’s… a bit of a mess, but it means that at least you can come and go freely now.”

Speaking of that, Blue came stomping in, heedless of the fact this was hallowed ground, followed by Red and Muratsuno. On seeing me, Muratsuno blinked, a hungry, violent expression on her face, but I was in no mood for any sparring now.

“The feel of the place suddenly changed.” Red grumbled. “Interrupted my fighting!”

As Blue rolled her eyes and sighed in relief, I explained.

“Yeah. I’m… grateful you didn’t damage the shrine, but you’re ruining the mountain. Couldn’t you have moved a bit further away? Anyway, the damage would have caused the Territory to start draining your aether, I expect.”

“Mwa-ha-ha-ha. It was very unpleasant! I’m already fatigued, my whole body is sore, and then that!” Muratsuno complained. “I was so close to a victory!”

“Hardly. Your brain must be bruised, not just your body!” Red retorted, clearly enjoying himself. “I was going easy on you, in honour of your natural respect for me!”

Blue mouthed a plea of help silently, and I nodded, clapping my hands. “All right, I get it. Just… from now on, no fighting inside the barrier. And speaking of…” It seemed the efforts of my sister, and even maybe Yae and Rika-san, had left the surroundings claimable, and I found the highest point of ether density, as well as a source of elemental fire, on a nearby mountainside. “…time to set this place up to be self-sufficient. I can spend a little…”

With the ability to set up three Ether Spires, I quickly rush built the trio to Rank 2, as well as a Silo and Elemental Silo, also to Rank 2. That totalled just under ninety-five thousand ether. Then to protect the site, I dropped a couple of Rank 2 Defensive Emplacements. With fire element available, they could be upgraded later. That was sixty thousand more. I then added two more to protect the shrine itself, a further sixty thousand, as well as a Rank 2 Barracks to spawn supporting troops, at forty-two and a half thousand more. Lastly, using the one Anchor Spire slot, I dropped the Barrier Enhancement one into the queue, seeing no need to rush it, for ten thousand more. Overall, the cost wasn’t trivial, at around two hundred and seventy thousand ether, but it left the shrine well-defended, as breaking a Rank four defensive barrier would take time, and the ether drain and weakening of attackers was no joke.

“Grr, I thank you.” the Brown Dog Kami marvelled when I was done. “Such beneficence truly makes this shrine feel like it has seen a new dawn!”

“Like I said, we can’t let Marika-chan down, can we?” I winked, and the Kami barked an agreeable laugh, his adherents also howling and growling their approval. The Barracks would produce two types of his adherents, something which amused him, and while the mechanism was still a bit unclear, further allies would only strengthen the shrine. “I’ll send someone by every so often to empty out the Silo and make upgrades. There’s only one queue slot, but we might as well do what we can.” No point worrying about recouping the expense. It’s just peace of mind money.

“Har. Har. Har.” Red suddenly burst out laughing, confusing us, and at my quizzical gaze, he grinned, showing off his massive tusk-like canines. “Now we can brawl with no holding back! The barrier will block our fury!”

“Gwa-huh-hah!” Muratsuno joined in, and to my eyes they looked more like siblings than Red and Blue did in that moment. “Yes, I am not done, not done at all! Show me, noble Red, mighty Oni of the Hyakki Yagyō, that my idolisation of you was not in vain!”

“I shall! Though you may not thank me, when you are unable to chew fine meat or stomach booze, when I shatter your jaw!”

At Blue’s expectant gaze, I nodded. “Fine. But I think Blue’s a bit bored, so she’s coming to help me out. I think Ulfuric could use some additional support in the Territorial expansion.”

Red waved a massive hand. “Go then. When next the Parade descends, I shall rejoin you!”

“Ya heard him.” Blue was desperate now, before pausing. “How did ya get here? Are ya calling on that woman with her mysterious Doors again? Or… did ya run?”

As I finished my goodbyes with Chairo, I smirked. “Actually, I kind of did run. But you’re a big strong woman, you can take a bit of pressure, surely?” As Red and Muratsuno were descending the steps, leaving droplets of acrid blood behind from their healing injuries, I stepped up to Blue, offering her my back. She blinked, uncertain for a moment, before I shrugged. “Fine then. I’ll carry you.”

I reached out, grabbing the massive Oni, who was easily one and a half times my height, and easily thrice my bulk or more, into my arms. Her weight was… not something I should ponder over, she is a woman after all… a little awkward to balance, but with a surge of spatial element, I leapt seven leagues in a single bound, and she let out a rather girlish shriek, her long flow of azure hair spilling out behind her, as we moved again. Her fist pounded my chest, her crimson eyes wide, but with only a few more steps, we arrived back at my Territory.

“There. That beats running, doesn’t it?” I gallantly let her down, and she grimaced, pursing her lips.

“Give me a warning next time, will ya?” she grumbled, clearly trying to pretend she hadn’t cried out. “I nearly threw up that booze on ya. But I can’t argue. It was fast.” Stretching, she flashed a feral smirk at me, clearly trying to regain the upper hand, as she showed off her muscular thighs and massive cleavage, though seeing me not biting, she turned her head and spat, a sizzling gobbet of saliva lasting for a moment before I cleansed it with a touch of water. Speaking of… time to go see Shiro.

“Bah, ya must be used to huge tits, if those foxes are hanging off ya.” She suddenly paused. “Satisfy my curiosity, will ya?” Her eyes narrowed. “Ya can’t be as annoying as Red. Tell me ya have done more that wrestle with the bitches? Otherwise I’ll have no fun mocking Nebisuke when next we meet.”

“Tail brushing.” I allowed, and Blue boomed a laugh.

“Fuck me. By Great Nurarihyon and Grand Seirei, ya be a canny one.” Her smirk was positively vicious. “Those foxes cherish their tails as if they are them. The sly old fox really has fallen for ya. And… the old Queen of the Yōkai herself… we women love pushy, powerful men. Hah, if ya can subdue Tamamo-no-Mae, brush her tails, make her squirt…”

“That’s a bit rude.”

“Not denying it, are ya?” she snorted. “I’ve heard enough of Nebisuki’s exaggerated tales. Though…” Blue looked solemn for a moment. “…much as I loathe her uppity, sly ways, not bold and physical, like we Oni… to let you groom her tails, she must be serious. I haven’t heard her tell of others doing that.”

“Yeah. It’s… a difficult situation.” I agreed.

“Don’t be like Red. Fuck. What’s so difficult? Ya must know how it’s done, what with Urakaze’s daughter and the others. I know ya fucked them. Just claim them, grab their tales, expose their pussies and thrust in ya cock. Pump a few times and done. When they’re drooling and twitching, fuck them again. Soon they’ll not be able to live without ya. It’s not like ya don’t fancy them, is it? Much as I hate to say it, they’re beauties, even if they lack muscle.”

“That’s a bit…” I grimaced. “…direct. I’m not going to just attack a woman, satisfy my lusts…”

“Attack? Ya think it’s rape?” she snorted. “Those damn foxes are shaking their asses for ya, inviting you in. Be a man.”

“It’s far from that simple. Mae…”

“Mae? Close, aren’t ya? Anyone else try the cutesy nicknames and she’d rip off their heads.” Blue crossed her arms commandingly. “And don’t ya bullshit me, ya know it.”

“I do. But it’s seriously not that simple. Nebisuki… Shaeula doesn’t like her much, and Mae has her own baggage. Besides, there’s only so much I have to give…”

“Weak.” Blue scoffed. “Ya be a Yōkai now, or close enough. Think like us. As for ya women, tell them to just shut up, listen and obey, get down and spread their asses wide for ya.”

“Would you?” I raised an eyebrow, and she laughed.

“If ya can force me, sure. The strong rule, the weak do what they can to survive.”

“Well sorry if I think differently. But I assure you…” I promised Blue. “…I’m not being deliberately obtuse. I’m just extremely busy. But I have no intention of ignoring their feelings, or mine. But if I can’t make it work for those I already love, it doesn’t happen. And that’s strength, Blue. It doesn’t take much for me to simply grab everyone I want. It’s harder and more noble to strive for everyone’s happiness, not just my own.”

“If ya say so. Just… take my advice, will ya?” She slammed her fists together, and honestly, Blue was quite captivating, in a feral, threatening way. “Forget ya mortal ways of thinking. I get it, the little Kamaitachi hates Nebisuki. Not sure why, but life is long. A hundred years, a thousand, and ya think such feelings stay the same? Therefore, don’t worry over love and hate. Such is ephemeral. Life is what ya make of it, and to be seized and enjoyed in the now. And speaking of that…”

I think it is quite obvious why I loathe that Kitsune. Shaeula interrupted. I had felt Eri’s thoughts earlier, she was clearly irritated by Blue’s advice, yet she kept her silence and now was allowing Shaeula to speak for them all. But it is not merely that my foolish brother has clearly enjoyed her in the past. It is… annoying, certainly. Uncomfortable, definitely. But I would not deny her purely for that. I still have not worked out my grudge over Eri and her deception. Even if… again, it is not entirely fair to blame her. Yet I do agree with the Oni in one regard. I am not one to tell you who you can and can not love. Eri, however…

Hey! Eri finally added her own thoughts. I don’t either. I just want Akio to have some discernment and good taste. Fortunately, after yesterday’s trials, Akio’s showing he can properly toss aside the trash, and give genuine consideration to those who might be worthy.

As they bickered in my thoughts, I smiled. Yeah, you’re all too accepting. But I don’t mind you stopping me if I’m getting too greedy, making poor choices.

“Yeah. Go find Ulfuric. If I remember correctly…” I pointed Blue in the right direction and pressed some of our Territory’s currency into her meaty hand. “Feel free to buy a barrel or two of the good stuff. I don’t know how much of a drinker he is, but… feel free to try your luck.”

“Decisive when it comes to others. Ya really are an odd one, little man. I don’t hate that though, ya know.”

With one long laugh, she strode away, before pausing and looking back. “And don’t think ya made me cry out in fear. I was just… surprised ya jump so fast. I only fear boredom and annoyance, ya know?”

“Sure. Got it.” I promised, and as she strode away, I chuckled, and leapt back to Shirohebizumi shrine, only to blink in surprise. Hang on… that’s…

“You made it then, Aki.” Shiro greeted me, followed by Magatama and Asha. Grinning wickedly, she pointed at the skyline, which was the distant Tokyo city centre, though the sky itself was pitch black and shining with clearly visible stars, and on the massively expanded hillside…

“Welcome to what I’m calling the ‘fuck physics show’.” Her crudity carried an entirely different vibe to Blue’s earlier. “Arisu’s probably either furious or excited. Maybe both, knowing her.” Shiro reached out, tapping the base of Asha’s Tree, which now occupied the hillside… twice. “Still not sure how this happened, but… maybe you can find out?”

That… is rather impressive. Now Rose was chiming in too. Compared to the majesty of the World Tree, it’s rather modest, but… every tree grows from but a single seed. Though this one… her knowing laughter echoed, as I gazed upon Asha’s other self… selves.

As the Boundary had collapsed and the lower Astral flowed in, the focal point was here. Asha’s Tree was now in the mixed area that inhabited both places, yet… that can’t be right. Even looking at it…

Your Skill, Silver Connection %$$&$%(*% ^%$$(^$ *&$^ *^$%& *&*^^…

Your Skill, Silver Connection $%$%^%^%&^ **&&* *(&**&*& $%£$$”*(* (&^^% ^^…

Your Skill, Silver…

“Crazy, isn’t it.” Shiro consoled me as my Eyes burned and my head ached. Shutting off my Eyes forcibly, I switched to other means of perceiving it, though I quickly asked Asha if she was fine.

“Oh, I have no discomfort. If anything, I feel perhaps what it is to be you, Akio.” the Dryad chuckled, her golden-yellow eyes indeed showing nothing but warmth and awe. As she too ran her hand over the bark of the Rhyming Trees, which had now appeared together, the Material version of Asha’s other half having grown tremendously, now a third of the height of Asha’s Boundary Tree, their branches growing into each other, glittering strands of silver within the verdant leaves a million stars glinting like a reflection of the dark skies above, I observed the swirling cascade of aether and elemental energies.

“Yeah. Two Trees. Impossible, right? But not if we think about you. Though having them both here together…”

I couldn’t help but think of what Eri had said, that Shiro was imagining certain lewd fantasies of me and my twin bodies, so I flicked her forehead playfully, soft enough not to hurt. When she reddened, asking me what that was for, I grinned, despite the nausea I felt as I examined Asha’s Trees carefully with aether, adherence, soullight, and even trying to use my Path…

“Sorry, but I can’t bring both of my selves into the same space like this. Too bad.” I joked, and Shiro’s blush deepened.

“I know you’re watching through his eyes, Eri! Traitor!” Shiro’s wronged voice held no malice or anger though, only affection, and I was glad everyone was close enough to tease each other that way. “That aside… I can be serious when the matter warrants it…” Shiro insisted. “…it’s not quite the jackpot you’re thinking, Aki. It’s like a Rank four, the Material Tree half. Not a Rank six like Asha’s after its growth. Though that does make me wonder…” Her black eyes gleamed with wicked ideas. “…maybe you should ask Ellie for another loan?”

At that, Asha chuckled anew. “I do not think it wise. Not… not yet. For they are still the same Tree, the same me. But it is certainly like my other self has expanded and can harvest more.”

“Great. Then a question. Shiro, how are the buffs? I don’t want you all straining yourselves.”

“Oh, don’t worry. You’ve got a feisty crew taking it on. We can go a little harder.” Shiro promised. “Let’s set up the Territory build binge the right way, even if we have to cool it later. I’m still good for more, and I know I’m not alone in that.” Within the Wisdom World, the Valkyries agreed, promising they could take significantly more of the strain over their bonds.

“Are you? In that case…” I asked her. “…can you layer on your best buffs on my Sacral Chakra? It’s time… to see if I can unlock what the Norns left for me. For some reason… I get a good feeling now is the best time.”

Yes. What does a Tree need to flourish. Soil, water, food and love. I think… here we can manage all four of those…