On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Two Hundred And Seventy-Seven

As we were about to leave for a private room in the Palace, Uchida-san came over, followed by Yamato-san and Hikawa-san, who at least had the grace to look somewhat ashamed. Kudou-san raised one eyebrow sardonically as they approached. “What brings you here? Going to make more complaints about my stance?” he said.

“Hardly. I understand it.” Uchida-san sighed. “No, you saw it the earliest. There isn’t another way. It might be different if most of the Chosen rather than a few were from the shrines and temples, or you were…” he looked at me then. “… but we have to accept that we will be unable to control everyone. Though that does not diminish our expertise. I still believe we should have the most influential voice on these matters.”

“Right, right!” I felt sudden slaps on my back. I had sensed Mine-san approaching, but as she meant no harm I let it pass. As she clutched her hand, shaking it weakly, she muttered. “Damn, are you made of, like, granite? No wonder you can fight.”

Eri shot her a look, while Shaeula merely cackled. It was then several people I didn’t recognise, two men my age and an older woman wearing hakama that looked a bit out of place on her, came over to us, going to Haru-san directly.

“Excuse me.” The first man said. “I would like to tell you the bloodline of our shrine. I’ve thought it useless, but…”

Haru-san exchanged a glance with me, before pulling out a tablet computer from her handbag. “All right. I’ll collect your information and put you forwards, but he’ll make the final decision on your priority, all right?”

“I’ll leave you to it.” I said. “It’ll be good practice for later, so do your best. Haru-san.”

“You don’t have to tell me that.” She grimaced, more animated than I usually saw her. She must be happy to do something normal, like she used to. “I’ve got experience. I’ll do it right.” More were coming over, a line forming, so she moved to the side. That gave me an idea. “Hey, Eri. Can you stay here with Haru-san and organise the queue and keep people in check? You did say you wanted to learn, so consider it some work experience.”

She looked at me for a moment, before nodding. “Fine. But you have to tell me everything later.” She glanced sideways at the Diviner then. “I’m worried about Matsumuro-san.”

“You are a kind girl.” The Diviner inclined her head, embarrassing her.

“No, no… I just don’t want Akio to be sad if you die. That’s all. For all I care you could go live in Antarctica or somewhere far away. I just don’t like it when Akio is sad.” She then turned to the Princess. “Uh, you be safe as well, Princess Mikasa. I don’t know what Princess of Heaven means or anything, but… I think you’ll have it hard.” She looked at Shaeula. “No causing trouble, all right?”

“Well, I’m hoping I don’t need to display my power anymore, to get you all to fall in line.” I said to Uchida-san, who shook his head. “No, but I am still interested in this Chirurgery you mentioned. I would still very much like to take you up on your offer. My son can show me this Boundary you speak of afterwards.”

Figures. I was using it to browbeat them in the heat of the moment. “What about you?” I asked Kudou-san and Takakura-san, who both declined.

“I am an old man, I do not need it.” Takakura-san said, while Kudou-san merely chuckled heartily.

“Maybe some other time. I’m grateful enough you did it for Shiori. I am too busy managing issues here in Kyoto to play around with the kami.”

“And I have no need of it.” A third voice said, and I could see Saionji-san, followed by Akai who was hiding behind his back, peering at Shaeula and I as if we were dangerous animals, her hair sticking up as if it was a cat’s tail bristling at a rival. Next to him was the man who had been with him at our meeting, and he looked incredibly unhealthy, with grey skin, dark bags under his eyes, and streaks of blood beside his nose and ears.

“Uh, is he all right?” I asked, and Saionji-san shrugged.

“Yasaka-san here has been overusing his gift. Normally I would keep such a thing to myself, but… cooperation.” He said mildly. “Sharing information is key, is it not?”

“What about Bankei-san?” I asked, and Kudou-san assured me he was on good terms with the old monk and would fill him in later.

“All right. So, we need some privacy.” I sighed as Shaeula grabbed my hand, flowing some of her aether into me, making sure I was topped up. I had recovered a decent amount of energy while Conclave was going on, but doing it this way we could both recover aether, helping me reach full significantly quicker.

“Do I have to go?” Akai whined. “I could stay out here…”

“For a mythical firebird you are quite-quite the coward.” Shaeula snapped as we walked, still holding my hand, now for pleasure, not work. “Are you sure-sure you are not a chicken?”

Akai hissed at her, before realising what she was doing and cowering again. Shaeula’s laughter was joined by Mine-san, who had somehow inveigled herself into the group, behind Yamato-san. “Well, I, like… was kind of moved by your speech. And I do owe you, for your help with, like, that kami that gave me her blessing. So… I thought I’d come along, right?” she said, as if it was a question.

“Well, as long as nobody else objects?” As there were none, we entered a smaller, richly appointed side room, led there by Princess Mikasa, whose family owned the Palace, even if they seldom used it due to the move of the Imperial Family to Tokyo.

“All right then. I suppose we should clarify our objectives. That is… to avert the threat of this Red Dragon, and make sure that Matsumuro-san and Princess Mikasa stay alive, right?”

“Yes, I don’t want my friend to die.” Princess Mikasa agreed. “I… I obviously don’t want to die either.”

“Since this is a matter concerning Kyoto and the faith, I think you should share the details in full with everyone here. After all, it looks like the consensus is that we’ll all be working with the Ministry, even if some details need to be worked out.” It’s going better than I had planned for, which is always nice.

“I know this already. The Lady Diviner is of my faction, well, was. I guess Tsukuyomi has served its purpose.” Kudou-san said, taking a seat.

“Susanoo shall do what it takes to prevent disaster befalling our sacred Kyoto.” Uchida-san said, and his son echoed him.

“And as for me, well, what better way for the Chosen of Avalokitesvara to display compassion? Besides, it will show why I am the best person to be the voice of the faith in this new Ministry.” Saionji-san mocked his political opponent.

“Well, first I’ll get the Chirurgery out of the way. Consider it a demonstration, though some of you have seen what those worked on can do, first hand.” Well, all of them saw Eri at Conclave, but seeing her in the Boundary gives a better impression. She does look powerful, wearing that dress armour and swinging her axe. 

“I would appreciate it.” Uchida-san said, and I shook my head.

“You can say that after the pain. It hurts a ton and then takes a few days for the prickling and aches to stop. Oh well…” my Eye blazed, and as people were getting a closer look at the amber glow they were impressed. “… Interesting. Yeah, your bloodline is pretty strong, I can see why Yamato-san was chosen. Chances are some sort of ability will be usable when you get used to the supply of aether. Oh well, here goes…”

********

“So how was it?” Saionji-san grinned maliciously, revelling in the pain his rival had endured. “It sounded delightful.”

The pale Uchida-san, who was being comforted by his son, shook his head. “It felt like fire was boiling through my veins. Still… I do feel… sharper. Though the itching is infernal.”

“That should wear off in due-due time.” Shaeula smirked.

“So, my children, they went though this too?” Hikawa-san sighed. “Brave little tykes. I think I’ll pass for now. We have more pressing matters.”

“First up…” I turned my gaze on the adjunct to Saionji-san. “Your network is suffering wear and tear, especially around the crown chakra. I’m not sure what your ability is, but it’s hard on your body. You need to gain some levels, get higher stats, if you are going to keep using it. For now…” I began Ether Healing, and the man yelped, though it shouldn’t be painful, quite the opposite, in fact.

“You like, mention stats and levels and classes a lot, Akio-kun.” Mine-san had changed her way of speaking to me too, following Kudou-san. It was a bit embarrassing having a woman around my age address me with -kun, but I let it slide. “This isn’t a game, but… I definitely feel stronger after I got that blessing. So, like… what’s it all about?”

Yamato-san, who had been there when my sis got her new class, was looking eager as well, so I touched on it briefly.

“Well, my Eye gives me the ability to rationalise things that way. It helps for analytical purposes. Obviously the Ministry will put together all the information we know and share it with those who work with us.” I said, as I worked on Yasaka-san. His complexion was improving, and his chakras stabilising. “… one reason I’m having Haru-san gather up people and their bloodlines is for the Ministry, though of course I will give Chirurgery to the ones with promise as I discussed.”

“Thank you. I feel a lot better.” The man said, and Saionji-san urged him to speak, even as Akai was still cowering in one corner.

“My ability is an informational one too.” Yasaka-san said, after properly introducing himself to everyone. “I think… a demonstration. Book of Providence, tell me what level Oshiro-san is.” I could feel a surge of aether, and my Eye caught an invisible book forming in his hands. Shaeula could see it too, her own eyes glowing.

“I see. It tells me you are level ninety-one, whatever that means.” Spot on. Fascinating. Before I could agree, he noticed I seemed to be able to see his book. “You can see this?”

I nodded. “Ask it what my Eye skill is, I’m curious.”

More aether surged, and I could see his crown chakra starting to be damaged, sparks of deep purple light flickering in and out of the Material. Some sort of spatial skill too, I see. In that case, my Eye, which measures things against a certain standard, it has to have a spatial element to it as well?

“Mystic Eye of The Tree of Knowledge…” he answered.

I see. He just asked for the name. One last test. “Can you ask it about any other details regarding my Eye? Don’t worry, I’ll heal you up and resupply you.”

“Rank 3, Legendary Law.” came back the answer from his weary voice.

“Damn, okay. Yeah, you have a great skill.” I was impressed. “It seems very similar to my Eye. What else can it do?”

Saionji-san answered for him. “Well, it won’t answer questions that he has no understanding of, and it won’t answer questions used for ill purposes. After all, his Book of Providence was gifted to him by Minerva, Roman Goddess of Wisdom.”

The Diviner was frowning. “That ability… it shares some little similarity with mine. Tell me… can it foresee the future?”

Yasaka-san shuddered, perhaps remembering prior attempts. “It can a little, but… it leaves me very drained, and if I try and reach too far, or be too exacting… well, I suffer horribly.”

“I see. Even so… Minerva, huh?” The Roman Gods are basically the Greek ones repackaged, right? No wonder Saionji-san was confident when he talked about Avalokitesvara and Kannon the way he did…

“Hang on a minute, Gin you bastard!” The weary Uchida-san complained suddenly. “With an ability like that at your disposal, you could find out any secret and spy on people easily. Have you been…”

“Perish the thought.” He shook his head. “I have only used it to verify some claims. Such as yours, Akio-san. Apparently I can damage this Boundary, it seems. How very problematic.”

“This is another reason we need the Ministry. Powers such as that can be abused easily. Though of course restricting the information from being stolen or leaked to foreign powers is going to be a hard but necessary task. Well, there was a binding power of contracts that existed, but that was destroyed, as it… well, let’s just say the side effects were too severe for my taste. But where there’s one, they may be others. But we are getting off topic, although your ability might help us here, Yasaka-san.” I turned to the Diviner, Matsumuro-san. “So, you’ve told me some of it, about Shaeula and Shiro. But… time to tell us everything. With all of us gathered here, there must be something we can do.”

“Very well then.” The Diviner said, letting out a long sigh, quite unlike her usual temperament. “You are remarkably bossy.”

“Well, he does not-not wish you to die, Tsukiko.” Shaeula reiterated. “Nor do I. your gift is too-too precious. It is not-not merely the mortal realm in danger, the Seelie Court, the Astral, my home… that will be imperilled too. I shall not-not stand for that. So we shall aid you. But we must know what we fight against!”

“I think you should tell them.” Kudou-san agreed.

“Master Kudou, you too?” she said, and he frowned.

“I know you like to call me that when you are speaking on behalf of Tsukuyomi, but… it feels inappropriate now.”

“Very well.” Another sigh. “Yasuhide, you think I should speak of it? I do respect your opinion, and you know what awaits us.”

“Yes, I wish for you to live. If Akio-kun can help, then take his hand. Oh, you already did.” He grinned, and Matsumuro-san shifted uncomfortably at the memory. Princess Mikasa likewise urged her to speak, saying she could reveal her own destiny.

“I see. Well then. My gift has been strengthened noticeably of late, since I received Tsukuyomi’s blessing. And in the reflected light of the moon, a moon omen, the most powerful kind, I received a revelation. Six Princesses, each conforming to a Buddhist Realm. You, Yukiko, of Heaven. This girl here, of Beasts.”

Once more Shaeula pouted at that.

“A third, dangerous, thirsty, of Hungry Ghosts. I am led to believe it is an acquaintance of yours.”

I nodded. “Yes, she is.”

“Fourth… a foreign Princess. The fifth is a pink bird, wounded and afraid, from elsewhere. And the sixth, she has long been slumbering, but has been awakened. Each faces a threat of grave danger, that will see their end.” She looked at Shaeula. “I have told you of the Black Giant that seeks your life.”

“Damn Fomorians.” Shaeula sniffed. “Well, if they come I shall defeat them. I am not-not afraid.” Even so, her hand sought mine, and the watching Mine-san giggled at that, despite the tension, earning her exasperated looks from Hikawa-san and Yamato-san.

“For Yukiko, it is the Red Dragon, though not directly. The Red Dragon will waken and lure in something darker, worse, of golden eyes and dark fangs, seeking her silver lifeline to the Gods.”

Shaeula and I exchanged glances at that. “Her silver cord then. Some type of creature that can see and attack it, like Duke Myrcolaxriath. The Red Dragon, that’s what is coming for you, right?” I asked, and the Diviner nodded.

“But we do not speak of me yet. These Six Princesses, if even one falls, even those such as the Hungry Ghost, the Demon or the Asura, who will, or would have…” she remembered the changed fate of Shiro. “….caused us much grief, then Japan is doomed, and the world will follow.”

“I see. So, you have, like, two under your protection then?” Mine-san asked. “That’s badass.”

“No, I have three.” I disagreed. “Princess Mikasa, will you work with me?”

“I will. After all…” she said shyly, looking down, her glasses reflecting the light. “… you hold darkness in one hand, and light in the other. Twilight will be within you. Isn’t that what you said, Diviner, no… Tsukiko-chan.” She shook her head, braids bouncing. “I can say it now. After all, the harm is done. Though I think it’ll be your good fortune rather than ill. Why not… take off your veil? After all, he’s seen your face.”

“No, I am… not ready for that. It has been nearly thirty years since anyone has seen me without my veil. Even my maids… no. No. But you are correct. I foresaw one who could save the Princesses. But none has matched what I have seen.”

“Well, we’ve been over this, Diviner… no, Yukiko-chan.” Kudou-san struggled to speak the name, but at last he did. “As I said, I see you as a precious daughter to me. I would not want you to wait for someone that might never come.”

“Well, I am not waiting, my death is certain. But Yukiko, the Princesses, and the world, they can still be saved. Hence why the vision. Tsukuyomi is a benevolent God, he sends me visions only for what I can possibly change, even if it is hard, near impossible.”

I see the flaw in that argument. “Then surely you can change your death too. It isn’t definite!” I declared, and others echoed me.

“I wish that were so. Sadly, I was given the vision of my death for another reason, not to change what cannot be, but to do something first.” she shook her head sadly. “Anyway, the Princesses face their own disasters. Masked Figures, the Red Dragon, the Black Giant, more. But that is not the end. The true threat comes later. On the first sunrise of a new year, reality will shudder and something foul will break through and ravage the earth. If even one of these Princesses has fallen, then… our chances of victory dwindle away…”

“A new year? That’s less than three months away!” Saionji-san complained, alarmed. “And you kept this to yourselves?”

“Peace. It is not this year. I am certain of that. The threat felt distant. But it is also near. I doubt we have ten years. Maybe not even five. And I advised Yasuhide to delay Conclave, as it was needed to find the one who could stave off the Red Dragon, and its opposite the Divine White Dragon of the West.”

“Two dragons huh? Well, that’s twice the experience points for us.” I tried to remain positive, though one question had been answered.

“So that’s why you supported me in my request to hold off on Conclave, huh you old fox?” Saionji-san grimaced. “Damn, having access to the future is rather helpful.”

“You can talk, what with him.” Yamato-san spoke up, looking at Yasaka-san, who flinched under his regard.

“Well, here’s a question. Yasaka-san, can you tell when this will happen, or find out the identity of this Human Princess?”

He nodded, and as the book flapped open, only visible to him, Shaeula and I, I was surprised. “Really? Princess Eleanor Windsor? She’s from the UK right? My mom talks about her sometimes, being a Brit herself.”

Yasaka-san nodded, before asking the second question, only to stagger, his crown chakra starting to fracture. The book vanished in a spray of aether, and I leapt to him, flooding him with healing energies. “Shit, your ability is a damn death-trap.” I complained as I rapidly worked Chirurgery and Ether Healing, patching up the rather brutal damage.

“You very-very nearly died there. I fear asking questions related to this is quite-quite impossible.” Shaeula observed. “Though you did name the Princess, I wonder…”

“I had identified her already.” Matsumuro-san sighed. “Perhaps that is why he could find an answer.”

Seems likely. “Well, for now it’s too risky to try and find out more. But… did you get anything?” I asked, and he nodded, sweat still streaming from him, body twitching with remembered pain.

“Not five years.” He gasped hoarsely. “Then as I tried to concentrate on the answer something inside my head exploded.”

“That was your crown chakra. If that completely broke you’d likely not only lose your ability, but your life. Okay, so best case we have just over four years. Worst case, just over a year. Well shit. I’d hoped for a lot longer before the apocalypse. I guess it’s time to step up my game.”

“You seem rather calm?” Saionji-san observed, but it was Hikawa-san who answered.

“I doubt he is. But he’s been planning and making alliances for this very moment, right?”

“I have indeed. Okay, first step, I might need to take a trip to Britain. I wonder if Fujiwara-san might be able to get me into a party with the Princess. Mom was saying some pictures of her at a gala ball came out recently…”

“I see. So not only the white one, but you wish to claim two more-more.” Shaeula grinned. “I see one princess is not-not enough for you!”

“Yeah, you know you and Shiro are the only princesses I need.” I laughed, squeezing her hand. “But we need them all to live. But still… this is all stuff we need to know, but what about your death, Matsumuro-san? We haven’t heard about that.”

“The slumbering Red Dragon, it will shed scales, which will turn into ravenous ants, seeking prey. They will swarm over Tsukuyomi-jinja Shrine, and devour me, spreading filth and death across Kyoto. And it will happen soon. Very soon. I know not when, precisely, but I suspect I will not live to offer greetings to the new year.”

Princess Mikasa bit down a sob at that. “Oh, Tsukiko-chan…” she suddenly reached out and pulled the Diviner into a hug, shocking her. At first she struggled, but after a moment, she relaxed, her fatalistic sigh shifting her veil.

“I suppose it does not matter. My hands have been touched, what does a hug do further? I have one task to do before my end, that Tsukuyomi has charged me with, and I would like to find the one who can change the fate of my dear friend Yukiko, who understands my burdens.” I could hear tears in her voice, and Princess Mikasa was shedding them freely too.

“The one with light, darkness and twilight, right? And the favour of the moon?”

“Yes, and blessed by a God not of this land, but favoured by the kami of Japan.” Princess Mikasa sniffled. “That’s what she told me.”

“It sort of fits you.” Hikawa-san said. “Tyr isn’t from this land, but plenty of shrines and kami support you. As for the favour of the moon…”

“Well, you could argue Shaeula is a princess of the moon, a Fae version of Kaguya-sama from the legends. Hey, I wonder if she really exists too… no, stupid thought. I also have moonlight spirit water flowing through me… no twilight though. But hey, screw waiting around, if some hero shows up wanting to save the world, more power to him, but I guess I’ll have to do for now.”

At the agreeing nods from everyone except Matsumuro-san and the scared Akai, I started brainstorming.

“So yeah, Eri was right, you could leave Kyoto and that would break the vision, although… you have your Territory here. These ants… if they attacked the Boundary, well, even with the defences of Taishakama-san’s territory, I would imagine it could fall. And you don’t want that.” I remembered the fate of Kondou Kazuo. “I’m not sure what these ants are, but if they can rip your blessings from your Anchor…”

“That is why I cannot leave. For Tsukuyomi has tasked me to find a suitable person to carry the blessing, before I die. I cannot and will not abandon Kyoto!” she declared firmly.

“And you can’t move your Anchor? Well, I couldn’t until Rank 3, so… shit. I guess the easy plan is out. But then, it wouldn’t be inevitable if that was all it took.”

“You can not-not remain in Kyoto either. You have your own Territory to manage.” Shaeula warned. “And many-many other commitments.”

“True, but… okay, so these dragons… are they actual dragons or metaphors? I’ve fought a Wyrm before, but a real Dragon? Would the Material even be able to support one? I doubt it. And as for the Boundary… sure, Kyoto is very close to the lower Astral, but even so…” I was dubious.

“I often see in metaphors. The Dragon itself contains many dangers within. These scales that become ants are but a part of it.”

“If they are scales…” Kudou-san mused, thinking deeply. “… then they are but part of the whole, and so we will be facing numerous smaller opponents, rather than one huge one. An army, perhaps? What of the Night Parade?”

At that Shaeula flinched, but once more I held her hand. “Don’t worry. We hope to do something about the Night Parade, I don’t think it’s them.”

“So in that case, what can we do?” Saionji-san asked. “I am loathe to let Yasaka-san risk his Book again.”

“First up… if I can’t be in Kyoto all the time, then… I just have to make it so I can get here quickly when I’m needed.” I took out my mobile phone and made a call. It rang several times and I thought he wasn’t going to pick up, until finally someone answered. “Good afternoon, you just caught me, I was going to train the troops. So, do you need something?”

“Major Sasaki, yes, I do. I guess I could have called Tsumura-san directly, but I figured I’d come to you first…” Why have connections and people who owe me favours, if I can’t call them in when I’m in need? “… I need some military hardware, so…”