***-Arisu's Prospective- -Midday, Many Hours Before The Time-Bell Tolls-***
Tranquility, steam, and the soft touch of a lover.
Hidden between Nala and Dragons Mort, I was at a 'Pond' I'd recently helped set up.
A spiritual gateway between Mother and Father Earth, traversable by those with such nature, if they possessed the knowhow, or companions that could ferry them along.
Wild magic concealed our little getaway, which had been touched up by a Dryad overnight into a small animal and spirit sanctuary. A union of Druidic and Spirit practices kept this location hidden.
More or less, this body of water separated by rock, alongside a small amount of land around, had somehow become a natural hot spring. Smooth seating amongst other unnatural formations made this place comfortable.
Various effects such as candles, incense, ropes with purifying zig-zag attachments that I knew as Shide, adorned the area. Nearby, on a large flat rock, out equipment and a few rugged bags of supplies.
Intentional or not, we tied our hair in towels as if visiting an onsen and treated the place as such. Knowing my wife, she may even choose to change her hair again with her expensive hair growth potions, dyes and products.
Yet, for me, this was a place to try and connect to Kuzunoha. All with the added bonus to reflect, relax, and unfortunately, relive the worst part of my previous life. The seemingly inescapable ode of death, enclosing around me.
Once upon a time, this was a fight I'd given up on, as back then I felt that someone such as myself was not worthy of the path of redemption. It was my choice to slip further into the darkness.
A kiss on the cheek from behind brought me to my senses.
Judgement and I sat together in towels, enjoying the warmth of hot water, and of each other. She wrapped her bronzed arms over my shoulders, as if taking possession, and pressed her body against my back.
"Worried?"
This was not a cage of flesh holding my body in its place, it was a bulwark of intimacy. In her arms, I felt safe, and yet I leaned on them like a scared little girl.
Maybe, that was who I'd become. A body that I'd tried and every stage to reject, yet now I began to feel comfortable in it, if only for the moment, as a means to be with a person I loved.
Yet, what little connection I once shared with the Goddess that gave birth to my new vessel had faded.
"She still hasn't said anything"
"What else?"
Ever able to see through me, and still I had to translate the true meanings of her few words.
"It's not every day I get to relive the feeling I ran from years ago… knowing my life is a coinflip away from death, but it's a toss I don't get to see"
"You're lucky charm will ensure it lands in your favor"
To others, this may have been romantic, to me, those words sank like a stone in my gut. Another reminder of my mistakes.
In a past life, I'd stolen the hearts of others, and used them solemnly for my benefit. Be it practical, or more physical use. Now, both realizations had reared their ugly head.
Yet the girl that rested her head on my shoulders seemed to see right through me and peer into the darkness.
"I- I don't want you to kill people. It hurts, knowing so many died for me. Not just you, Touji, Ota as well"
"Tigers and Dragons-"
As quickly as the thought of how to decipher her implication, it was quickly dissuaded with wisdom of her own. A story stemming from a land I once visited back in twenty-eighteen, a year before my 'death'.
"-Convincing one person is possible- but not when their weapons are drawn and they're at our doorstep. Sometimes, we have to bear our fangs"
Two powerful creatures, divided in their mentality, united in their purpose. But where do I fit in this painting? Or am I the one with the brush, recreating destruction from afar?
"Please, don't lie to me again"
"You'd of never opened up if I didn't tell that little white lie~"
"..."
"And now I get to proclaim that I outwitted the most cunning creature in the world"
Another reminder of the importance of regaining what I'd lost, and why I must seek peace. Unburdened by filtered souls of those she damned, spilling blood was a prerogative she could seek as penance.
Even so, I hated that Touji and my wife now walked down the same path of bloodshed.
A path that almost killed me, severed my connection, and forcibly removed any chance of having children.
Judgement had yet to realize the only reason why I could restore at least a little of what I once had was thanks to Kuzunoha. Now that was gone as well.
I felt that unless I could learn how to transform as a Kitsune, beyond my spirit fox form, and embrace the multiformed nature of Inari, I was unsuited to be her partner.
At least I had time to practice, and some new advice from Laika.
"Another method is required to ease your mind, hmm~?"
"No- not now"
Warm, soaked hands slipped under my towel, touching the new scar that ran from belly to chest.
If Touji hit me just a little higher, I would have died. Even if it wasn't his fault, it scared me, the look on his face. Pure unfiltered hatred. In him I saw the potential to destroy the world.
Knowingly or not, even if it was lesser, his family's blood held properties I'd only vaguely known about from Enda's recalling of events.
He may not be able to absorb all magic, all energy, however, only a fraction of that could be enough to shatter the obstacles he will face. Human and Dragon melding of body and mind.
Beneath the surface, his bloodline prospered. Resisting most magic, absorbing what was related to a storm, and the thing that frightened me the most, somehow, the ability to subconsciously assimilate knowledge.
Nonsensical, yet he did so with Conquest's lightning, her martial arts, my sword strikes. Information absorbed through the senses.
"Tell me a story, from before"
"More guns?"
"Peace isn't always an option"
"I know, I'm just… naive"
"You're not naive by trying to save lives. Aiming to minimize death is a just cause. It is why I choose you, the scales you wield. Please, trust me to render judgement onto others"
When she spoke of scales, her eyes wandered towards my Relic, Unforged.
Perhaps, it had become more than a blade that weighed hornor, but rather, sin and virtue.
At least, that would explain what happened with Alameda.
Is it possible for her to set up a fight like that? Maybe if Cyra-
Judgement nibbled on my ear. She knew when my mind drifted away from her. I took a deep breath, taking in an earthy smell of sulfur, and recalled my past.
"...When I traveled the world, my bodyguard liked to visit museums. She was fascinated with World War Two"
"Did you date her?"
We agreed to keep no secrets between us now we were engaged, which meant I had opened up to her about who I was in the past.
"No, we grew to be close acquaintances, nothing more. If you two met, I'm sure you'd become her friend"
"'Nothing'?"
I could tell this was a subject she was starting to get hung up on thanks to the recession of her speech. Nevertheless, we made a promise.
"I tried a few times. When I was drunk, tired, high, it never worked out. Blank cards…?"
"Goblets; the element of water, matters of clergy, symbolized by spirits, emotions, and love"
From underneath my towel, Judgement pulled out a set of fourteen blank cards. Each word she spoke, the card backs filled with color, and now awaited an assignment to be drawn later.
Once upon a time, she told me her Relic revealed each card in the 'spaces unseen', now I began to realize there was a bit more to it. And this new suit was something we'd create together.
Out of curiosity, I spoke of a weapon that might be able to damage a large Monster. Not the greatest of anti tank rifles, but certainly a unique piece that my korean bodyguard found interesting.
"Twenty by one hundred and eighty millimeter tungsten cored armor piercing round traveling at nine hundred and fifty meters per second. Shot from a recoilless anti tank rifle, hinged breech loaded"
Each word sketched the face of a single card, second in the deck, straight after the joker. The Ace of a suit of weaponry from the second World War.
"Swedish, eleven kilo's, fifty seven inches, single shot. Iron sights and a powered four times optic"
More and more, a picture came to light. One of a Swedish soldier with the weapon over his shoulder, shooting with fire bellowing out both ends of the weapon. An incredible amount of backblast.
"Effective range of three hundred meters, far more powerful up close. In your arms, with your aura, that range and penetration by would be multiplied by ten"
'Awakened', my Aura brought all within it up to my speed, with hers, ranged stopping power.
That was to say, she could bring out the potential of what she wielded at range, however, only her well trained steady hand and keen instincts allowed her to strike true.
Color came into play to finish the Ace of Goblets, the Soldier replaced with Judgement.
"Halfway between a rocket launcher and rifle, its service name; The Twenty Millimeter Pansarvarngsevar M-Fourty Two. The first Carl Gustaf"
"Now I don't have to worry about big Monsters"
We kissed for only a brief moment and I wondered if this was my American side bleeding through, or a Kitsune's clear memory.
"What other weapons-"
Bubbles began to emerge from the water in the middle of the heated Pond as Judgement attempted to take the initiative for the other blank cards.
Seconds later, a gray haired Wizard rose from the shallow depths, heading straight to dry ground.
At the sound of a gun cock, he threw his hands up.
"Only one person in this world has that sort of weapon"
*BANG!*
As Merlin turned his head slightly to the right, a deafening warning shot was fired off from a Derringer. A small double-barreled concealed pistol popularized in the wild west era, or as I knew it, Judgement's Two-Of-Hearts.
My sensitive Kitsune ears ached at the sudden gunshot.
Inches to the right of the Wizards cheek, a bullet was caught in a series of complex magic that looked tailor made to deal with projectiles. A series of disconnected glowing orange circles that acted like a bungee cord held it in place and as a complete circle slowly realigned itself.
"MERLIN, GET A TOWEL AND STRIP. BRANCH, LEAF, DON'T ATTACK"
We assigned the Elven twins as hidden protection, who by all accounts, could be ready to strike at any time, given their own training and family.
Clutching the corners of my head, I issued him an order out of necessity. By the looks of things, mere nanoseconds of a head turn, he'd been stuck for a long degree of time.
"WE'RE WEARING TOWELS, YOU CAN LOOK"
Judgement kissed the back of my head as an apology for practically blowing my ears out.
Slowly, Merlin turned around and shrugged, showing the extent of what had occurred. His regular long blue robes soaked and dirtied, his beard down to his belly. And his hair down below his waist.
Holding the top of my towel, I reached over to grab a healing talisman and applied it to my ears as my wife muffled something relatively possessive towards the Hero as a warning.
By the time I applied some healing, their conversation ended, and I was left a little concerned. It was nice she cared for me, but we were both rude to him.
"Please don't shoot people for something like that"
"He caught it"
"Never expected you to lose the plot ______… Seems I've missed a tad while I was away"
Nothing but spit waffled out his mouth as he tried to speak Judgment's old name.
It had become currency for an exchange, and inheritance of power. A origin, sold, a family, erased. We knew it could happen, so I revisited some paperwork after I proposed.
Remarkably, much of this world's law was similar- adjacent, more or less. Probably Themis's doing, that was the impression I got from the few books that I read last night at least.
"Do I need to ask?"
Pointing at his appearance gave credence to owing us an explanation.
"Five years in Blighty, ten lost in the 'space between'"
So is it twenty-four or thirty-four over there…
Between worlds was essentially purgatory. When I died, Kuzonoha forced me to relive my entire life, minute by minute. In that sense, spending ten years in such little time seemed possible, given my own experience.
However, five years seemed a little excessive. Although I had my questions as to what my world had become in that time, I ultimately decided against pursuing my curiosity, for now.
"Well, it's almost Gale"
"Yeah, sheems about rioght"
"Can you drop the cockney?"
"I'll try dial it back a tad"
As Merlin took off his wet clothes, I held on to my towel and rummaged through our supplies to pick out a small black bag. Simple toiletries, including grooming tools.
Might as well give him a haircut
"Zuno lost all connection after your battle with Touji- thought you were brown bread. Only reason I'm here at all is because of this place, and you. Ah, thanks"
Zuno? When did they get close…
Judgement passed Merlin a spare towel while keeping her gun at the ready.
"What changed?"
"You prayed, paid tribute, so we connected some new pipes"
Better than no explanation I guess
Whereas mortals and monsters could be separated by heart or core, the divine could always hear thoughts projected to them. Sometimes, that process was more complicated than others.
That was the exact reason why a small shrine had been erected in the area.
If I had the chance, I hoped to order some fox statues that could be embedded with power to ward off natural curiosity through trickery.
"Well, I lost a few organs and almost died. Enda made some temporary replacements- But to do so, all the copies…"
"Figured the old bird would have to pull out that magic at some point. It's why she gave each of 'em Lich stones"
"Yeah well, they work, but now its two sets of memories in a single body, fighting for dominance- sit wherever"
"Two… Tricky topic- Brewie's a good bloke, he might be able to help with that. Druids love messing with minds, dreams… dead things. Not as complicated as another case that's got me gobsmacked"
Judgment stared daggers at both Merlin and I as we got comfortable, to which I responded by pointing at the bullet hovering in the air nearby. This would be the least we could do as an apology.
"One bullet left"
"Take it out, flatten the tip, draw an hourglass, then shoot it over to Rider. Unless you can't make the shot?"
"..."
It helped knowing how competitive she was at times, especially within her own idea of a skill bracket.
Even without her Relic, Rider could match her accuracy. However, that history of ranged rivalry had eroded ever since her ascension. My hope was this would reinvigorate the competition, or perhaps jog her lost memory.
Horsemen split the power of Gods in two or more, sharing it with their partners. It stood to reason that if anyone, V could reclaim what was lost, depending on the who and why.
"Speaking of target shooting, I've got a bounty I'll be posting for a Greater Frost Wyrm if you're interested in claiming a new trophy for the bar"
"I don't have a weapon strong enough to penetrate that Monster's shell"
"What about the new card we made? The Carl Gustaf?"
Only when I started to operate on the Hero's uncut mane from behind him did my wife ease up and open her weapon to take out the live round.
"...A rocket launcher?"
"Not without heating its shell, and I can't use any card without the full suit"
"There is a version that came later which kinda- sorta is a rocket launcher, but we'll save it for another suit. We'll stick World War Two weapons for the theme- what about the jester?"
"Erhh, I see. The second great war came about when we were dealing with the Destroyer…"
"It must be unrelated and flow into the next suit. I need something with great destructive power- more than the ace"
Judgment continued to ignore Merlin as she flattened the bullet using her immense strength, then pulled out another card hidden in her hair towel to form a flip knife.
"Hmmm… How about a cold war weapon with an electric motor? It's meant to be bolted down though I'm sure you'd be strong enough to hold it. We'd have to engineer a way to shoot it as well"
"I've got time before I need to head off and look into another 'incident', so how about a brainstorming session?"
"..."
Refusing to apologize and ultimately unhappy with my actions, Judgement loaded the bullet back in her weapon, aimed up high in an arc that would pass high over the twisting highway to Nala and land near the Broken-Blade estate.
*BANG!*
Staring at her weapon as it reverted back into a playing card, I finally realized.
Some people put on a smile, others simply pretend not to know… each of them looked at someone who had been condemned to an early grave.
Familiarity does not ease an ultimate uncertainty, nor can naivety shield one's wits.
I was not the only person in a circus of love, wearing the mask of a fool so I could lie to myself and others.
Sadness hid behind her whiskey eyes. In the end, all she wanted was to spend a few moments with me. Moments that could be my last.
"After this is over, how about we go on a honeymoon? Just the two of us?"
"I- I'd like that"
***
***-Observer's Perspective-***
Deep within a bright forest several kilometers from Dragons Mort, up a slowly inclining well trodden path, two humanoid women dragged a small cart ever upwards.
Flora in this location was not nearly as dense or disruptive, almost as if it had been purposely pruned back and kept low thanks to ever falling yellowed leaves.
Rumor claimed the Broken-Blade clan planted this choice of foreign tree long ago to minimize the potential cover for approaching attackers.
Occasionally, a gust of wind picked up loose leaves as if the world was playing with the decay of life that would lead to new birth.
A light coral-skinned Oni wore an outfit fit for training, mirroring the task before her. Short black shorts with two bright red stripes down the side, a loose fitting white shirt with matching red iconography.
The purpose of such a design was to indicate their elemental resistance and strength. Not that the Oni understood, she simply accepted the gift and would provide feedback to Enda as payment.
"Just a couple hundred meters more, c'mon. Ah' know you can do it"
Holding an appropriately sized blacksmith's hammer in her right hand and gazing over a couple of metallic cards in her other hand, the seven foot tall half-dragon spoke with a friendly southern accent.
Known by many names; from Rider, Strife, Conflict, all stemming from her true identity, Conquest, First Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
She wore baggy dark green cargo pants with a belt that held up a set of tools. Of course, all her pockets had also been filled to the brim with anything she may need.
A fuzzy leather jacket with shortened sleeves granted her a little bit of warmth in the chilly ascent, as her greasy tank top underneath was only enough to serve as cover when working the forge.
"Aaargh! What- the hell- is in this!?"
Despite their end goal being in sight up a steady incline, Rider saw this trip as an opportunity for the Oni to train and gain strength.
Converting a small cart often used to carry a pair of passengers into an apparatus to hold the many tools the blacksmith may need, it weighed the perfect amount for this exercise.
Both seats brimmed with barrels of ore, crates of tools, an anvil, and a few pieces of armor. All that weight on two reinforced wooden and metal wheels pulled by a single vertical bar up front.
"Heh, you know, stuff to do stuff. Threw in a little extra after yer performance earlier"
"I promised- I'd beat my- record!"
"Yerp, got two stars in strength now too. Could be three at this pace"
Rider looked over two Adventurers Guild cards they had picked up before fulfilling a pledge from yesterday then setting off up a well trodden path marked with the occasional stone torch.
Stamped into metal with a unique reflective pattern that helped disway forgery, they collect a card for Ota Shattered-Axe and Touji Himura.
Each dictated their current progress of different general 'catch all' attributes on the path of ranking up. Strength, Agility, Ranged, Capacity and Skills, alongside their most relevant role.
A select few were granted means of examination and contraptions to mark down an individual's progress. Maemi Broken-Blade just so happened to recognize her first step up the ladder towards A-Rank earlier today.
What was of great concern was not the Oni's card, no, it was Rider's apprentices classification. 'Race; Human*' and 'Class; ?*'.
For an aspiring middle of the pack Adventures to receive multiple asterisks and a question mark would draw far too much unwanted attention. It was practically unheard of for a B-Rank to ever receive special treatment.
Not only not, but both cards stated next of kin, and an alternative. 'NOK/P/G Enda (Phoenix Witch), V (Relicsmith)' and 'NOK/P/G Rose (Nightress), Enda (Phoenix Witch)'. Their specified nicknames stated on their cards could certainly help them greatly, or be of great hindrance.
As such, Rider would hold onto them, at least until she could trust in their independence. Perhaps, at a later time, she'd scratch out those pesky details.
"Ya know, ah could still fight em, but ain't really feeling up fer fisticuffs right now, not without the little Coney"
"She'll- be fine. She's staying- ah- with Brewie- at the farm"
"You ain't seen what I saw. A break-up laike that, and both of ya'll don't know half of what's goin' on with him. She should be 'ere with ya"
"I don't- know, Fae seemed pretty- down when she answered the door- stupid cart! Doubt- she'll be in the mood- to train"
"Uh-oh. Ota, leet kite shield, downhill, face upwards"
"Huh!?"
Ota followed Riders instructions as she too sensed a powerful attack arching towards them from afar.
"Half a step to yer left"
"Yep"
Seconds later, a small bullet collided with Ota's conjured shield with enough force to cause a ricochet and dig into the ground, kicking up fallen leaves and spraining the Oni's arm in the process.
"Ow"
"The fuck…"
"What was that?"
"A bullet, by the looks of it, from the Nyx"
Ota flexed her arm at the shoulder, heating up and regenerating what damage was done.
"I thought those weapons didn't work here"
"It's not that they don't, they're jus' one spell away from fucken' up, causin' the powder to go 'poof'. Judgement's Relic ain't got that issue. Now, let's see ere'"
Rider bent over to dig out the projectile, taking a few seconds to analyze what she saw. Seconds later, it dissipated to smoke.
"Looks like that Madman's back"
"Who?"
"Uhhh, Hero guy, uses Time Magic. There's a statue of him down the road from Enda's place"
"Oh, Mirrow- Merdin?"
"Just call him Merlin, or 'madman'. Name means it back where es' from"
Ota lifted up her shield to examine the impact of Judgment's bullet. The long distance arching shot left a large dent.
The thought crossed her mind that at closer range, an attack like that would penetrate armor far easier than the 'anti-paladin' windlass crossbows she had the pleasure of facing already.
"I thought he dealt with his own world"
"Hmm? Not really, but he's probably ere' for Ali. He'd kinda be her uncle I guess. Could be trouble brewin' too"
"Nala…"
Ota's immediate thought was of worry for the young man she shared the deepest parts of her soul, body and future with.
"If he's sayin' 'Hi', then he ain't gonna show up fer a while, so could be. But that don't mean we're trouble free neither. C'mon, we're almost there"
Ota ran her hands over the metal bar she used to pull the cart and pressed on.
"What's- the plan?"
"Uh, well, first ah thought I'd duel big boss fer what we're after, buuuuut, there might be a better option"
"Just fight- him. The other- clans will join- in too"
"I'll try talkin' first, case we destroy what we're after. Bring yer invertation?"
"I didn't- get one"
"Huh… Now I really would've liked havin' a Druid with us. Could always break the door down. Yokai defenses can be tricky…"
"We'll- Urgh- figure it out"
***
Dark blue and grey was the color theme Broken-Blade built their walls around.
A perimeter of tall whitewashed walls of aging stone, fitted with tiled roofs, built into the terrain. Unlike a normal castle, their land did not deforest the surrounding flora, but rather, selectively controlled said nature.
As it was Ota's first time to clan Broken-Blade castle, home to many that bullied her when she was young, the Oni became rather fixated by their defences.
Oversized and unnecessary, the estates main entrance was a five meter tall, perfectly square wooden door depicting an Oni smashing through a holy blade, cleaving it in two.
"Halt! To which clan do you serve!?"
One of five Oni guardsmen wielding a spear with two small crescent blades pointing outwards attached to the head, also known as a 'Bishamon yari', stepped forward to issue a question.
He wore a suit of navy blue painted metal plates around his chest to cover his vitals with hardy material covering his limbs. Strips of steel had been woven over his shins and arms in a relatively standard manner.
An odd uniform, yet all five Oni wore it, with slight differences in each. Three of which donned their own clans colors and heraldry. A beheaded Hydra on black, an impaled God on yellow, and a split mountain on purple.
All white to stand out against the background. All white so they may be baptised in blood.
Matching the estate door, clan Broken-Blade's symbol was a simple vertical sword whose blade was shattered in the middle with four small shards bursting from the break.
"I serve my own! Clan Shattered-Axe! I am here for the Oni Summit!"
"You, Blacksmith! Who do you serve!?"
"She serves me! We have come to bargain!"
"To bargain…? Wait here!"
Both Oni shouted in an undignified, aggravated tone, despite their proximity of roughly ten meters. Normalcy for Yokai once believed to be ogres that stalked the land.
Other Oni contained their snide laughter as best they could.
"Huh, ya think he ain't gonna blow us off?"
"Give him twenty seconds. If he still hides behind the door, we'll knock over some trees"
"...Which trees?"
"The overpopulated ones"
Ota spoke at a normal volume, knowing full well the other guards would pick up on the conversation, and sure enough, their threat was heeded.
"Fake-Horn, Miss Strife, what do you want?"
"Long time no see Fewie"
Slinking out from behind the large door was a lanky blue Oni with rings under his eyes. Unwashed white hair covered his purple eyes, and an oversized golden robe did its best to hide what hid beneath.
By Oni standards, he was less of a man, and more of a household pet due to his lack of muscle and snarly voice. However, he had one thing going for him.
"It's Fuyuhiko, not Fewie. At least respect my title"
"Of what? Dragon Mort's only unemployed?"
Instinctively, the seven foot tall half-dragon woman sized up her would be opponent, standing in front of the young woman he insulted.
"Magus you dimwit"
"Hehehe-"
"What's so funny reptile?"
"No wonder yer dad left ya off the will"
Each word he drew closer, slinking along with his arms raised. Fuyuhiko's posture was anything but ideal. Hunched over like some sort of horrendous monster.
"SHUT UP!"
"Woah, easy Tiger. Wait, I fergot you failed history. Ain't you ever seen those striped orange or white Beast-Kin? Nah, who am I kiddin', you ain't ever leaving daddy's home, do ya, neet?"
Rider puffed her chest out, not as an attempt to show off her natural charms, but to aggravate the Oni whose poor form failed to reach her height.
"Nngah!"
Hook, line and sinker, he attacked using an adept spell, with no equipment, yet its area and effect was enormous considering what he lacked. A torrent of water quickly froze into ice with a slithering upwards swipe of his right hand.
In a blink, 'Miss Strife' weaved behind the Ice Magus and grabbed the back of his neck. Without saying a word, a small spark traversed from her thumb to index finger, passing through the blue Oni's spine.
A single light shock, a single hand, put the Ice Magus out of commission.
Rider threw the man over her left shoulder, looking back at her companion, who'd become a prisoner of a frozen void, but not for long.
Steam rose, water boiler, a thud from inside the gigantic icicle that entrenched both her and the cart.
Then another bang, and once more.
Cracks formed over the shell until one final smash revealed an armored red Oni inside wearing a full set of shiny plate, her half amethyst horns twinkling in the light.
"We fighting already?"
"Nah, this dumbass needs to wake up. Earned the title and did fuck all with it. Kinda feel responsible"
"What a lazy dickhead"
"Cut the brat some slack. He's just some kid that got power and we failed to teach him how to use it. Let me get rid of this"
Spinning her hammer around once, streaks of vapor forming a faint rainbow line gathered in the instrument. In a single gentle move, the High-Drake bent down and tapped on the spell's origin point.
Soonafter, cracks formed across the frozen cocoon, then shattered completely into powder. Both Ota and their cart were free from restraint, and partially covered in snow.
"I'll drag the cart from 'ere"
"No, it's fine- I can- keep going"
"We're at the door, now I got somethin' else fer ya"
Using her draconic tail, Rider lifted up the cart so Ota could pass under.
Despite her surprising eagerness for her next task, the Oni couldn't help but be a little curious of Rider's relationship with her fellow Yokai.
"Why are they like, not attacking?"
"Cause' this idgiot, or they know me"
"This isn't your first summit…"
"Nope. Ah know the game, been to plenty of em. Hell, I've broken down this door twice cause' things got too rowdy. But, this is yer first summit-"
"So I shouldn't fight?"
"Sorta-"
The Oni guardsmen stood aside, allowing Rider to push her way through with a single clawed foot. Albeit, digging her other foot into the pavement, cracking tiles in the process.
"-With yer… let's call it 'skill', workin' hard, experience'll, it'll get ya places"
Regeneration, an extremely powerful ability.
She knew this well, more than anyone, as her family drilled in romanticized stories of Otamaru. The Oni that controlled his own ability and halted its everturning state so he could grow old with his wives.
However, Ota was unaware of Otamaru's true age when he settled down. Alas, much growing had yet to take place before she may achieve a cycle of perfect regeneration.
Something Rider wished to see sooner, rather than later. Yet, she would never let all her reasons as to why be known.
"Enjoy yer time, make friends, practice, fight like yer gonna die- fight, cause' if you go down- they take hold of ya-"
"You knew… didn't you?"
As they turned a corner to proceed up a flight of long stone stairs, Ota came to the realization that those around her stood by when she struggled. Walls of carved rock on every side save the intended route.
Behind them, several Oni pushed in unison to close the heavy wooden gate.
Once secure, Ota recalled her armor back into the heart, piece by piece.
"I took up a position in range while fightin' off twenty five thousand damn troops. If Touji didn't do what he had to, I'd of stepped in, same as Grim"
"You're wrong. Grim didn't step in- she watched, she planned, she hoped he failed"
Rider twisted to look Ota in the eyes. There was something about the way she spoke with confidence about the Motte's unwillingness to defend against vile darkness that caught her attention.
The High-Drake leaned in close, near whispering out of concern and in awareness of other listeners.
"If- that's a big if, she did nothin'... If she let either of you die, we'd be down a member"
"Would you? Or would she pop up again somewhere else, do whatever she had to do, become whatever you people are, and be forgotten? By everyone? Like that-"
"Stop. We'll talk bout' this later"
Waiting atop the stairs, a middle-aged blue Oni wearing a loose hakama with golden embroidery. Long dark blue hair covered his eyes, tied in a sharp knot behind, styled as if matching a scythe flowing either side of his head.
"I get yer worried bout' him. I'm sure he's worried bout' you too. Fer now, put that aside. Next few days ya gotta focus on control, buildin' yer 'skill', yer body, yer mind"
"...My mind?"
"Well, a summit ain't exactly somethin' ya bring kids to. Though it hasn't started just yet"
"Oi, what the hell are you doing with my son?"
An emotionless deep voice called out from a man whose throat had been peeled back by years of rice-wine and dried leaves.
Even now, he smoked a cigar, his arms crossed, his muscular chest slightly visible, and awaited all three atop the stairs.
"Disciplinin' him. He's paralyzed, not out cold"
"Tell him he's a disappointment"
"Oh don't worry, he can hear ya"
"Tell him anyway"
"Hey Fewie, yer dad thinks yer an idiot"
"Urrh"
The skinny Oni in his late twenties could only manage a groan, and was far too lazy to overpower the paralysis.
"Hehehe"
***
Broken-Blade Estate was far more of a village then estate or castle. An enclosed area of many houses, plenty of which open to all, including a Dojo, Bathhouse and General Store.
Residents gathered to raise poles and decorate their home throughout the main street that led up to several ramps, then a large, multi-layered traditional Japanese castle.
"Why's she here?"
"Brought 'er to cause a fuss, planned to bring a druid too. Saw an opportunity once we arrived"
"I may find your antics amusing, the other clans wont"
"Leave impressin' them to 'er. Can ya hold this?"
Rider tossed her hammer over to Fuyuhiko's father who caught it with a grunt. Rock beneath his sandals cracked under newfound weight.
"Does it need to be this heavy?"
"Yep, it's only a couple tons. Think of it liake… holdin' four of yer maces"
With her free hand, the blacksmith rummaged through her pants until she found what she was looking for, hiding deep inside a pocket.
"Here ya go, this should help ya out"
"That- I thought it was cut in half"
Ota caught a familiar weapon with confusion. It was something she believed was rightfully lost, as it was her that misused it. A weapon split in two after attempting to take the young man's life she had inadvertently connected to.
"Reforged it. Not many smiths able to do somethin' like that and make it stronger. Consider it a gift, a commission from the old General"
"He kept it…"
"Fer puttin yer life on the line to defend Tyrants Rest. Cain't give medals cause' you never finished basic trainin' and all that crap"
Pulling out from the small scabbard, the Oni saw her own reflection, and focused on a small unpolished line near the dagger's hilt.
"So she's earned your approval, but that doesn't explain why you're here"
"A trade, sorta. Could duel ya for what we know you got- that we need. Or we do it peaceful this time"
"That's a mouthful. Let's discuss this in my castle. Ota, Strife has convinced me you're worthy of staying. Good luck convincing the others when they arrive"
"Ain't gotta worry 'bout 'er, Ow-she. She'll win em' over with 'er skill"
"Still can't pronounce my name…"
***
After dropping off her cart outside a private enclosed workshop, Rider gave Ota a little shove towards the training hall they passed, seemingly confident with her plan.
Lord Aoshi Broken-Blade then guided his esteemed guest, who just so happened to be carrying his second son of five, on her shoulder, up a series of three ramps towards his castle, that sat on an artificially raised ground.
A well kept plateau higher than any of the houses in the village, with plenty of room to fit many more buildings.
Amenities for those of higher status, including traditional single story accommodation, nearby servants quarters, a private tucked away hot spring, and finally, an evergreen spirit garden with a teahouse in the middle.
The castle that overlooked all their land took up a fourth of this elevated location and came with its own fish-filled moat. Accessible by a single red bridge, to which, the tea house stood opposite.
"Huh, nice place"
"Don't destroy it again"
"Hey, what happened ain't my fault. Ya'll got caught, I covered"
"There gone"
"Scuse' me?"
Atop the small red wooden bridge with low guardrails, the Oni Lord looked back down upon his residence.
"Umeko was killed, and I've parted with Ayami. She stays for the kids"
"How'd it happen?"
"Attacked by Umibozu on her way to Akiryn for last year's summit"
"You cain't blame yerself fer a monster attack at sea"
"Then why do I feel guilty?"
"Cause ya wish you were there, fight the thing off. One of the worst feelin's of power is havin' it, but ya ain't able to use it. That's somethin' I know all too well. Could I- say hi?"
Perhaps it was for the best that the horned man that matched Rider's height kept his face hidden by hair and smoke. Or maybe the High-Drake didn't need to see it in the first place to sense what he felt as they walked away from the castle, and through the spirit garden.
***
Arranged in a large spiral, hundreds of waist high bushes and flowers,neat and tidy. Small glowing creatures danced on lustrous petals in the form of illuminated animals, past and present.
Butterflies whose wings housed tiny stars, moths that dared bask in the daylight, bee's that danced in unison with glowing blue bodies.
In the middle, a square house with open sliding doors for each side, save that closest to the Oni's large defensive building.
Inside, on that wall, a monument of regret, a portrait of whom had passed. A beautiful, mature blue Oni with a single horn above her right eye. Her hair was brown, her eyes, sunset. Kind, soft, caring, deceased.
After a minute to pray, Rider wandered around several small black tables, over a paralyzed young man, and sat down on a small pillow across from Lord Broken-Blade.
The smell of incense filled the room as each door was now closed for privacy.
Tea sets had been all but tossed aside, replaced with rice-wine and three dark blue shallow cups. One of which would be set aside for someone who was no longer with them.
All filled as gently as an Oni could to the brim, as they spoke.
"We're expecting company this year"
"That'll happen when ya invite clans from round the world. I can help ya fight if ya want. Thanks"
"Cheers"
"Cheers"
They raised their joy and swallowed their pride.
"Our walls will hold, and our warriors will fight"
"If they fly over em'?"
"What have you heard?"
"Weird sh- Weird stuff, ever since that Overlord died. Break-ins across the place, targetin' remains. Even Skalbran's cabin got ransacked. Only thing they took was the Overlord's core"
"...Could they revive it?"
"Nope. Skally got it kit-whatevered, its unusable outside of alchemy. So could fer that, sendin' a message, or a disgruntled dad. Last one I ain't explainin'"
Rider reached into her inner breast pocket of her rolled up bomber jacket to pull out a glass flask, its lid sealed with wax. After blowing a few bursts of fire, she opened it up and poured them both a drink of fiery liquid.
"Down to business"
"We're after an Anqa feather, it's kinda important. We know ya got six in yer vault"
"How important?"
"Friend of mine's life is on the line, but ah figure it's better if I work for it"
"Mmm, I may have work for someone of your talents. Let's keep it private"
Once more, drinks slide down their throat in preparation for another round, this time, complemented by each other's blood. Palms cut open by Rider's sharp draconic claws.
After they swallowed, they took time to cough and bang their lungs. Liquor made for High-Drakes was not for the faint of heart. So much so that even seasoned warriors struggled to swig twice.
"Blindfolded, you'll fix several of my family's heirlooms. This includes two Relics"
"Ah've fixed broken Relics before, but I'll need a few things"
"Like what?"
"People, this bum here at least. Food, drink, nearby bathroom, and a guarantee ya won't blame me if whatever I'm workin' with does somethin' bull-"
Riders eye's wandered over towards the shrine of an Oni at peace.
"-Somethin' stupid. Ain't no guarantee they can be fixed neither, so I'll do em last"
"Elaborate"
"It could choose another master straight away, could fly off to find one, might refuse to let the pieces stick back together- that sorta thing. Cain't blame me if I get yoinked away with it"
"I assumed those stories where fake"
"No- that they ain't. Starfall, the cutlass, fixed it twenty years ago. Last hit of the hammer it flew off to some 'pirate queen' stuck on some island. Took me and my anvil with it. I ain't gonna be blamed fer that again"
"Sounds fair. I'll write a contract-"
"Oh! And I need a break before and after each Relic. Putin my energy into those things, a lot of it, gotta rest"
"I'll sort out the fine details after I've written it"
"Eergh! Raight, I'll catch up in a few hours, check everythin', then start tomorrow"
Stretching as she stood up, it was clear the High-Drake was surprisingly uncomfortable sitting down on a pillow, rather than using her tail as a tripod of sorts.
Aoshi let out a creepy chuckle as his business partner rubbed her glutes.
"Been that long?"
"Shuuut up. One last thin' though. Ah need two invitations fer the summit"
"Addressed to who?"
"Brewie Swiftsteal and his daughter, Aoife Swiftsteal. They're Druids, and the kid- she should be with er' friend, not stuck at home"
"They'll be Ota's responsibility"
"Deal"
The large Oni stood up and looked into the High-Drake's eyes.
"Strife, I trust you won't change your mind on my request"
"I'll get er' done, but no guarantee on those Relics"
With a single handshake, each committed to their agreement.
"Let's get your payment"
***
Hidden deep beneath the Broken-Blade's estate, a large vault held family treasures deemed unfit to be left behind a bank's doors.
Various important items throughout history had found their way to this dingy location. It came as no surprise to see fabulous armor and weapons amongst the trophies kept here.
Yet one particular set of items caught Rider's attention as they passed it, burning torches in hand.
"Ya gotta get rid of those coins"
"Why?"
"They attract Monsters, the kind ya don't wanna fuck with"
"It hasn't been an issue since we moved them down here"
"Nah, ya don't get it"
The Horsemen kneeled down to pick up a couple and demonstrate her very real issue with them. When rubbed together, small lines of electricity linked the two from their glowing cores.
"This shouldn't exist- the sparks. Most of the time other world stuff pops up, it ain't got this. Enda's student remade electricity"
"And that lured the undead?"
"It's nature did- otherworldly power. We did a few test's after that Overlord was dealt with. Turned out more than just death wanted a nibble. Other weird shit too. Gotta get rid of em, take em apart or let someone else do it"
"I'll handle it. Here's the feathers"
Rider slowly weaved over seemingly expensive looking pottery to pick out her choice of golden feather. Each reflected a sunset in their torch's flame.
"Preciate' ya doin' this. Don't have to talk my advice on the coins, but gotta be careful with em"
"...And if it's advice I cannot heed?"
"If ya cain't, then best pray this Summit pops off without a hitch"