Seven Hundred And Twenty

As the fog billowed across the land, spreading from the cliffs and down over the stony beach where the battle was winding down, reaching the tainted seas, where it frothed and churned as though it was alive, indeed, a faint chill afflicted me, and everyone else present, as though ghostly fingers were trailing up our spines.

“How… unpleasant.” Shaeula curled her lips into a bitter scowl, and she wasn’t alone in that, though at least one person was having a good time, Liz watching on with exhausted curiosity. I could see why, as the ghostly flames resolved into burning eyes, phantom men striding through the fog.

“We are seeing history, young Henry…” My keen hearing picked up Liz’s words even from this distance. “…look at them. Braided beards, long hair, heavy battle-axes, the armour… why, they must be húskarl, housecarls, I suppose they would be in modern English. They cut quite the intimidating display, don’t you think?”

“They’d look better if they weren’t dead.” Henry shook his head. “Some of them look like pincushions.” They were wearing sleeveless mail armour, conical helmets and carried wooden shields along with their axes, but indeed, many of them were bristling with arrows, had bloodless rents in both mail and flesh, or were missing limbs, and even in some cases, their heads, and I noticed plenty of the Adamant girls shuddering as they saw some gaping, leathery heads and bleached, ghostly skulls, rolling along with the host of spectres.

Behind them marched a ragtag group of what was potentially peasant militia, carrying spears and clubs, only a few with swords or shields. Their incorporeal bodies were in even worse states, stumps of limbs, phantom ropes of intestines spilling free, seeming so visceral it almost conjured up the smell of decaying flesh, skulls crushed or missing altogether. The tide of ghosts kept coming, the mist deepening, and then the housecarls parted, and out of the fog came a phantom, desolate whinnying, and then the striking of hooves on stone.

“Not every day you see this, yeah?” Väinö stared, scratching his jaw as if confused by the whole situation. Nearby, David barked a laugh.

“No shit, man, no shit. First more fucking fishmen… I hate fishmen, dealt with enough of them trying to claim around the Thames, bad memories…” David shook his head. “…but at least we can punch the fuckers. Ghosts? Not happening.” he paused, grimacing. “No offense, miss secretary. I’m not… uh… shit, what would it be called, being prejudiced against ghosts?”

“I don’t think it matters…” Haru chuckled, though her expression was rather solemn, after the sudden shock of their appearance wore off. “…what does is… they aren’t… individual spirits, not like me. It’s more… oh, it’s hard to explain. But…” She pointed at the rider of the horse, who not only had an arrow lodged in his eye, which was weeping blue flames, but whose body seemed to have been quartered, only held together by fire and mist. “…he’s close to the centre, the… presenting face, if you will.”

Miyu’s Dance continued, but wasn’t attacking the undead host, perhaps as they hadn’t acted as our enemies yet, but this situation couldn’t continue. As the two great sandstone hills hummed and whined, drowning out the screams of the battlefield as the Tengu and our ranged troops dealt with the last of the seagull beasts, I split my perception between the newly arrived ghosts, and our two troublemakers still trapped within my barrier of wind and their own waterspout.

I don’t want to be precipitous. After all, ghosts aren’t necessarily evil. No-one knows that better than me. So if they are just here to drive off invaders on British soil, or the like, we can avoid them. But if it comes to a battle…

No need to spare my feelings. Just as all humans aren’t virtuous, why should we expect all ghosts and spirits to be? Haru drifted closer to me, though the haze… she was releasing her Purifying Summer Spirit Flame in a faint, nearly invisible haze around herself, and it was consuming the fog, and I noticed Haru’s Chakra network working overtime. Seeing that, she titled her head and flushed rather adorably. Oh, it’s… very nutritious to me. Though I wouldn’t dare touch it if it wasn’t purified. The… well, I’d say it’s a kind of adherence, wouldn’t you…?

I nodded, as her thoughts continued. There’s a great deal of anger, fear, resentment and despair in it too. Yin, I daresay Daiyu would call it. In fact… Some of the mist was being burned and condensed into a blue ball of light, though a different shade to the fiery Will-o'-the-wisp lights of the undead horde’s eyes, a deeper, purer blue, with an almost black tinge to it, and my Eyes recognised it as Purified Yin.

…I might as well reserve her a treat. But… there is also… Other flames were condensing around her, into an indigo light which almost glowed white when viewed from other angles. Purified Yang too, huh?

…the determination to protect, to repel invaders, heroism, sacrifice… yes, these revenants are unusual, but they aren’t either good or evil, I’d wager, but something else. Something purposeful.

“Harald Godwinson…” Liz breathed out, seeing the rider on the horse. She retrieved her Crown from storage, before mournfully shaking her head. “No good, this isn’t the one he would have worn. Curse the fools that melted down such precious relics for scrap. Japan is rather more advanced than us in that regard. There’s much to be said for dynastic consistency” Still, Liz placed the crown on her trembling brow.

“What do we do?” Eri asked, landing beside me, her Tengu-style black wings vanishing. “We’re outnumbered, and we can’t exactly slash ghosts…” She brandished her axe for emphasis. “…but… there are enough of us with fire and light elements to wipe them out. They… don’t seem that dangerous, honestly?” She shrugged, feline ears flickering, and I had the feeling Eri was relying on senses beyond human, more to the Yōkai side, to make such a determination.

“Appearances can be deceptive. Always be cautiooous, mistress Eri.” Hyacinth eyed the advancing host warily. “Pray you never meet the Wooomen of the Faerie mounds.” Hyacinth’s eyes were vacant for a moment, as if witnessing something, or perhaps reminiscing, before her eyes flashed back into focus, clarity returning.

Motoko was instituting an ordered repositioning of our forces, we had no need to strike for the coast now, as only a scattered handful of enemies remained there, alongside our two watchers, of course, so Adamant and the Fae were arrayed in a formation around Miyu and the idols, as her Dance continued and would be a potent weapon if the spectral army appeared to be a threat. The beached longships also disgorged ghosts, though some of these were mounted on ethereal horses like Harald Godwinson, and many carried bows and crossbows.

Caught between two ghost armies, huh? What is this, the Lord of the Rings? Now then…

Haru was continuing to subtly refine the fog, and I saw through my Eyes she’d suddenly started displaying an aptitude, minor, but tangible, for manipulating adherence. As she expanded her range, pulling in more and more, the ghostly Normans parted, and out of the ocean rose a figure carrying a faded banner, white silk with blue tassels, a red and gold cross emblazoned upon it, and the adherence it carried was familiar, and repellent to Haru, who pulled in her Flames, redirecting them away from the new arrival.

“What do we do?” Dorte asked, her gaze cold as she observed the translucent armies. Instead of answering, I turned to Haru, who shrugged, though she didn’t slow her refining of the spiritual haze.

“The ghosts here, the ones from the sea, they’re… also not strictly individuals, but a jumble of thoughts, emotions, memories… look out!” Haru cried suddenly, as the wind barrier I’d woven was penetrated by a rapid, unanticipated surge of tangled plants, thorny vines ripe with both hanging, bruised-looking fruits which almost seemed like severed heads to match the ghostly ones bouncing around the churned, foggy battlefield, and white, sickly flowers tinged with blue, pulsing ominously with azure and indigo shades. Wait, those are…

“Pandemonium Curse Flooowers!” Hyacinth cried, having come to the same realisation as I had. I’d seen her use them as Woe during the battle against the Kijo, but… Ugh, fuck. My Chakra network backlashed and I coughed silver and red blood as the wind barrier I wove shredded apart, the vines and flowers growing to prodigious size, rivalling Asha’s Tree for a moment, before the vines swept the shoreline.

“Jumalauta! Fish up some easy benefits you say? Think this is easy? Seas, answer my call!” Väinö grumbled, and water element surged, the Seeds within him responding, and he suddenly widened his eyes, as one of them melted away like quicksilver, merging with his sacral Chakra and the surrounding network, and his control and power had gained another significant enhancement. Muscles bulging, he clenched his fists, and the ocean exploded, hundreds of watery tentacles grappling with the rushing vines.

Even with that sudden Rank up, he won’t last long, as he was almost out of water element. Fortunately for us his Favour is absurdly efficient around large bodies of water.

 “Drómi!” Dorte once more called her chains, and the two sets of lashing whip-like elements clashed. “Break!” As the chains met vines, chains won, metal element cutting wood, but the weight of the tangle of branches was too great. Seeing that, Dorte placed a hand over her eye, grimacing almost ferally.

Scary. She’s got quite the temper it seems.

“Left eye, sight. Take it for now” Dorte declared, and suddenly her Chakra network shivered, her Favour forcibly extracting aether and adherence from parts of her network. Drómi intensified, chains thickening and shimmering wit energies, and as the vines halted, blood streamed down Dorte’s face.

“Stupid.” I clicked my tongue, stepping up and pressing my hand to her wound. I let Ether Healing flow, only to discover that she wasn’t injured.

“Piss off.” She slapped my hand away. “Ask before you touch a woman!” She tugged on Drómi as though pulling a net through water, and as she did so, Hyacinth acted.

“Wealless Woe! Pandemonium Curse Flowers!” A massive tide of adherence and wood element, mixed in with darkness and light, rippled, and a massive mirror image of the vines tore through the stony beach. Dorte staggered and was struck by several weighty stones hurled up from the ground due to being blind in one eye, and I saw Hyacinth smirk.

That’s… did you…?

She was rude. A little chastisement…

She’s not wrong, Hyacinth. Eri chided her. Akio should have asked. But… As our reformed battle lines had begun to engage the mass of vines, to little effect, honestly, as our guns and even our higher order firepower such as Mortal Engineering grenades and RPGs were designed to battle other sapient beings, Grulgor flashed to light, severing several of the trapped vines, both Hyacinth’s and our opponent’s, with the hissing of seared plant matter.

Eri then landed, swinging her axe, but the shockwave from her blow staggered Dorte, making her stumble, and Hyacinth turned her head, giving Eri a pointed stare, and she had the grace to look away, expression rueful.

She was rude though… Eri’s prim thought made Shaeula laugh uproariously in our minds. I wasn’t paying much attention though, as my attention was on the Fossegrim and Glitonea, whoever they were. Now that the waterspout they were shielded in collapsed as the Curse Flowers were summoned, I got a good look at them both.

Glitonea was beautiful, certainly, though… yeah, that’s… inhuman. She seemed to be a woman in her late twenties or early thirties, perhaps, with stunningly beautiful features in the vein of Tsukiko’s or Shiro’s, hinting at some abnormal ancestry. With black hair and green eyes, and a voluptuous figure, she was a woman any man would look twice, then another dozen times after, at, but… her skin was deathly pale, and the green of her eyes shimmered with rainbow hues, dizzying and oddly unpleasant. A pair of matching butterfly-like wings protruded from the back of her gown, shimmering with the same aura as her eyes.

“Is she… Unseelie? No… not-not quite…” Shaeula’s Pinwheels were slowly cutting through the Corpse Flowers as she stared at our enemies. “She is… like you?” She seemed puzzled, but I understood, and while my Eyes couldn’t penetrate her secrets, possibly due to the necklace she wore, which radiated significant adherence, she did seem to straddle the line between mortal and Fae.

In contrast, the Fossegrim was pissing me off. He was a handsome, muscular man, but wearing nothing, his manhood dangling down, his skin a pale blue hue, his hair and eyes green as stormy seas. He was holding a plain, wooden fiddle in his arms, and on seeing my glower, he said something in words I couldn’t understand. Glitonea added more in what sounded like English, though I barely understood a handful of the words, perhaps it was a very old dialect? Something about… death… time… wake? No, I don’t know…

Then the Fossegrim spoke, and it was in modern English. “Ah… you glower at me so, man!” He flexed his body, waggling his manhood at me insultingly. “Are you one who craves male companionship? Alas, I do not dally with any but… the finest of women. Now then…”

Glitonea spoke in her old accent, before coughing, clearing her throat, and managing to speak as he did, words comprehensible. I wonder… it is like Ileana, or how Fae and Yōkai obtain language and understanding? “Enough, Grim. The opportunity we have been searching for is...”

The Corpse Flower vines around her formed a shield, as the light element I sent flying towards the Fossegrim scattered against it, ripping through several layers.

“That was not nice. Jealous? Is your twig pitiful?” Fossegrim chuckled, poking his head out past the vines, only to duck back as I sent out another bolt. Beside me, Eri turned to Hyacinth and Shaeula, speaking loudly enough for the Fossegrim to hear.

“Did you see anything? I don’t think my eyes are good enough, even with perfect vision…”

“Prooobably just some little maggot…” Hyacinth played along with Eri’s taunts. “…no woman would be content with such.”

“I for one am most-most outraged. First my ears are insulted, now-now my eyes… he has no manners. A male must be appealing, not-not a charmless flasher!”

“You wound me, my beauties. But no matter…” He began to draw his bow over the strings of his fiddle, and the music rang out again over the battlefield. The two ghost armies had started to clash, the Normans, led by the wraith holding the banner, slamming into the housecarls, their cavalry carrying them through, rains of phantom bolts and arrows supporting them. Harald Godwinson watched on, his blue eyes blazing with fire, while Haru quietly kept absorbing and burning the fog…

Meanwhile, our forces had pulled back, and Miyu, deciding that her Dance was no longer suitable, seeing as the ghosts weren’t fighting us, ceased, and that allowed us to reposition. Not only that though… even as the sound of the music struck, the women around me started to falter and grow dazed and red-faced, panting, except for those such as Eri, Hyacinth, Shaeula and the like, of course, who were merely irritated by the sounds, and then Miyu made a bold move.

“Everyone, amplify Tillyae’s music!” Miyu cried, weaving her own wind element to increase the vibrations which made sound, and around her others joined in, and soon the music clashed, and as Shaeula, smirking, added her own winds, as did I, the Fossegrim was overpowered, and with a sour grimace, he lowered his bow, music ceasing.

“Useless.” Glitonea tossed her head, flapping her wings.

“Oh, you did not say that last night, when I made you moan and cry out for…” A thin line of blood shimmered on his cheek, as Glitonea struck out with a barbed, thorny whip, seemingly a small Corpse Flower vine.

“Never forget, you are but a beneficiary of the scheme. Now then… do it!” she ordered, and the Fossegrim sighed.

“I shall make you squeal under me tonight, when this is done… ugh…” My laser light bent, it was a trick using spatial element, and only his rapid reflexes prevented me from piercing his head, as I had a feeling nothing good would come of letting him live. My Foresight was screaming something was looming, something we hadn’t considered. As the phantom armies clashed, though none fell, the dead rising and reforming no matter how many times they slew each other, a hail of beams of light were reflected by spatial mirrors, evading the thorny barrier.

“I will drown you yet!” Fossegrim cried, before changing shape into a small, silvery fish and dodging the many beams. As he fell towards the water, Dorte cried out.

“My hearing. Third stage! Gleipnir!” At her shrill cry, her final word sounding off-key and unlike her usual manner of speech, aether and metal element surged, and the falling fish was wrapped in a ball of chains. She clenched her fist, and the chains constricted, a sickening crunch echoing. Glitonea seemed only mildly puzzled, as she watched liquid drizzle out from the mass of chains, before she clapped loudly.

“Oh, how senseless. You, woman, are a cold one, to kill such a handsome man so.”

Dorte merely ignored her, no, she simply couldn’t hear her, and her chains erupted, trying to snare Glitonea, only for her to suddenly frown, seeing no blood on the heavy, metallic links.

“Ah. What ripens…” Glitonea raised a hand, and a scythe of light appeared in it. Suddenly my Foresight screamed at me, and I broke out in a cold sweat, almost as if a wicked premonition was presenting itself to me.  “…must also be harvested.” She swept the scythe, and I leapt, grabbing Hyacinth and throwing us both aside. Quickly, this isn’t good…

I couldn’t see any of Glitonea’s information, but I could see her scythe, and I reached for Hyacinth’s Connections, the Woe she was controlling, and tore that bond apart. Destroying bonds was the exact opposite of my Path, anathema to me, so instead I reforged the torn strands, directing the Woe through a filter, through me, and then the scythe fell, and I felt an excruciating sense of finality. Blood spurted, and in an instant my body disintegrated, motes scattering, even as the two sets of Corpse Flowers withered and turned to dust and sparks of spent wood element.

Fuck. “That hurts like a bastard…” Back in the Material, I was playing cards with Carrie, Arisa-san and the other members of Adamant on guard duty, when I suddenly spewed blood from my mouth. Alarmed, Arisa-san offered me a cloth, and I waved it aside, immediately rematerializing my Astral body, and within an instant I’d leapt back to the battlefield in a single bound of spatial element, even as my Material self regenerated, every Chakra, my capillaries and meridians, all feeling like they’d been dipped in acid. The pain is quite excruciating. But then, I suppose I wasn’t damaged in just one area like the heart, but took the full disintegration…

“What happened?” Carrie asked, and in response I simply closed my eyes, recovering, saying only a few words.

“First time I died. Can’t say I enjoyed it…”

That left them baffled, but I was thankful that damage between subtle bodies was significantly reduced due to my mastery of Connections. That scythe…

Panic had swept the battlefield, Adamant and the Knights frozen as I disappeared, but obviously Eri and those with Lovers’ Link knew I’d not been killed, and even those such as Hinata, who were aware of my dual bodies, trusted in me, though their eyes were now bloodshot with rage.

“Oh? I thought that would harvest you, Fae. Wait, do I… recognise… you?” Glitonea narrowed her eyes as the Scythe, the Manifestation Of Frozen Time, vanished. Her breath was coming fast now, and her pale skin was now translucent, her chakra networks, running low on energy, visible underneath.

That was… a mutated spatial element, affecting the passage of time! Rose had analysed it. Worse, it extends via the connections all things have to living plants! It has a difficult usage condition, but it is thus… dreadful. A thousand years compressed to a single instant…

I guess that proves I’m not truly immortal. Though I’d take living to a thousand for now…

The shock of such an expanded moment would break down and destroy even those who can live far longer, I would wager. Rose’s words were teasing, but her tone was anything but, and she and Lin were equally as furious. Rose’s pearly eyes glowed like full moons, while Lin’s eyes blazed like molten gold.

That’s good to know. It hurt a lot, that’s for sure. But… My Waters Past, Present And Future boiled, absorbing the lingering energies within my Material body, and I felt the second wall crack, a glimpse of a way forward for them growing clearer. Opportunities always come with danger.

Wow, fuck that, bro! Aiko was furious. She’d abandoned the battle the moment I’d disintegrated, and had raced towards mom, who’d collapsed against our father and vomited when she’d seen me sweep aside Hyacinth then get turned to dust.

Father didn’t seem much better, his eyes red, and Hana was burying her face in uncle’s shoulder. Junpei seemed the most composed, and as he saw my return, I was shocked when he nodded at me and mouthed “I knew you were fine. Eri’s still calm…”

I guess he’s more perceptive than I gave him credit for.

We can totally fucking kill her, right? my sis continued, and Eri agreed.

I won’t rest until we have. My axe is crying out for blood! Indeed, Eri was becoming more catlike, but not a slender Bakeneko like Ginneka, but a hulking, black-tiger-like woman, her muscles bulging, fangs extending, black eyes now gleaming with feral rage.

As I landed beside them again, I shook my head. “No need to be hasty, I’m…” I then took Hyacinth’s fist to the face, blood blooming from my nose, before she pulled my head into her cleavage, hugging me fiercely.

“Why did yooou do that, Akio?” Her violet eyes were stormy with silver. “You could have perished. Nooo, you did, but you are hard tooo kill properly…”

“Why? Because you’re my woman, Hyacinth, and I love you. I’d take that blow for any of you. Though to be fair, with Osiris’ Favour, I reckon you’d have lived. But believing that and risking it…” I glowered at Glitonea, who’d fallen silent. Fog was billowing around us, the battle of the silent ghosts not drowning out the shocked and relieved sobs of those who’d believed I’d perished. “…are two different matters.”

“I think…” Astrid was saying to Ekaterini, who was nodding thoughtfully. “…we’d best fall in line. It’s what Helmwige wants anyway. Rossweisse too.”

“I do… I knew it.” Glitonea sighed. “How fascinating. A long-forgotten memory in the flesh. But unimportant. What puzzles me is…” Her gaze then turned to me. “You died. None can survive the abyss of time where apples no longer fall.”

“Oh yeah, you totally killed me. Thing is, I’m not a believer in making those I love sad, so… the times have changed.”

Glitonea paused for a second, her translucent skin reddening with either amusement or anger, her expressionless face made it hard to tell. “So say the fools who misunderstand. All is a cycle. The mists rise, the mists dissipate. Kings rule, are betrayed, perish, and rise again. Time marches on, reduces all to dust, but there is a narrow path to…”

“Die, whore!” Eri leapt, a tiger catgirl with wings, soaring towards Glitonea.

“Whore? Hardly. Do not listen to the Fossegrim’s boasts. Women should not chastise their own for seeking pleasure!” She raised her hand, and Shaeula’s eyes narrowed, her fortunate winds swirling around her, Mortal Fragarach pointed at Glitonea.

“Now then, farewell, aberrant Fae creature. No, not entirely…” She flapped her wings idly, gaining distance, hovering over the ocean. “Less perfect even that I. Then…”

“Foehn!” Eri cried, emptying her ring, as well as drawing on my reserves. A bright, hungry orb shot forward, even as Glitonea pointed at Eri, and the scythe reappeared, though it was pale and flickering, lacking strength.

“Useless…” She swept the scythe through the flame, only to recoil in shock as Foehn erupted, clinging to the spatial element, devouring it. Her hand was engulfed too, and she called upon the seas below, a massive waterspout billowing up, knocking Eri away just in time, but her axe, which would have beheaded her, only sliced across Glitonea’s cheeks and nose, gouging a brutal, bloody scar on her beautiful features.

“You bitch!” she shrieked, and as Eri flapped her wings, she raised one finger in an offensive gesture, even as she drifted backwards.

“I thought women shouldn’t chastise their own for seeking pleasure? I certainly enjoyed that.”

The water covered Glitonea, washing away her blood, but Foehn stubbornly resisted, and in the end, she screamed in rage and chopped off her arm at the elbow, burning hand falling away, blood gushing. Roaring, she screamed out a pained cry.

“Fossegrim, you lazy, licentious trash! Do it! Else we will need another great bloodletting battle to…” She seemed stunned and pushed her remaining hand to her mouth.

“Speak the truth when the blade is pointed at you indeed-indeed.” Shaeula preened, before casting a cheeky gaze at the half-blind, deaf Dorte. “It seems you did not-not kill the wretched male after all.”

“Ah. Got him…” Väinö grinned. “Nice try, but in water…” He raised his hand, and the sea burped, hundreds of small beads of water rising. My Eyes glowed, and I was amused to see each droplet registered as Fossegrim.

“…Väinö Järvinen is unbeatable!” He flexed his hand, only to be confused. “Wow, this is embarrassing, that’s never happened to me before.”

“Sure, sure.” I chuckled, understanding the problem. “Bring him over here then, and…”

There was a boom, and Glitonea staggered, one wing torn apart. Bell smirked, having moved to a vantage point, boldly using the battling ghost armies as cover, and unleashing a brutally accurate sniper round. Then Grulgor surged from the ocean, water turning to light, and her other hand vanished at the wrist, along with one leg and much of her torso. She vomited blood, and then Eri was there, Beheading Axe Of Trials glimmering with shimmering blue motes along the keenly sharp blade.

“This almost seems… unfair.” Dorte muttered, her sighted eye peering at the battle.

I shrugged, knowing she couldn’t hear me. “All’s fair in life-or-death struggles.”

“Die for daring to hurt Akio, you bitch!” Eri swung the axe, even as Väinö passed me the water, and my Foehn roared up. At that moment the balls of water quivered, trying to break free of his control, while Glitonea…

“This was not… supposed to happen this way. Youngest grandson, eldest sister… we were… supposed to… no, I shall not…”

Eri’s axe slammed into her neck, and even as flesh parted, blood blooming, Glitonea’s eyes flared with rainbow light. It was then, as my Foehn burned and devoured all the separate Fossegrim fragments, one, which had remained hidden as a speck of mist, flew desperately towards the ghost carrying the banner. It transformed into a butterfly, perhaps mimicking Glitonea, picking up speed, but an imperious voice cried out a command.

“Abrogation! Cease, you wretch!”

Tan’s cold words were accompanied by a massive surge of aether, and the butterfly imploded into a bloody mist. From the ocean, a thrashing flailing figure rose, the Fossegrim now far smaller, the size of a young child. My Eyes could see him now, obviously whatever treasure was protecting him lost, but even as the information scrolled across my vision, Glitonea screamed, her severed body turning to ash, and something descended…

Fossegrim is an ancient Nixie, a type of spiritual creature with both shapeshifting and charming powers. It…

I blinked the description away, as the sky cracked, Boundary shuddering. The weight was oppressive, and those who had only received Chirurgery were suddenly staggering, my mom, still being supported by my sis, vomiting again, blue eyes wide and teary with terror and shock. The twins were working with Haru, even as she continued burning the mist, to stabilise those who were panicking, and I saw Mizuki-chan, Kamani-chan, Yae, and others stepping up, despite the chaos.

Overhead, a fog was falling from the sky, like a billowing, cloudy river, and a shadow appeared. For a moment, everyone froze, though my water element surged within me, and I found I could still move and act. Then, I heard Tan’s voice, and turned to see she was staring up at what was looming in the fog, some sort of… island?

“This is… not as anticipated. Wait, where do you think you are going? Wretch.” Tan flicked her wrist, and a manacle of flame snapped around the neck of the fleeing Fossegrim, and she hoisted him out of the ocean by it, having him slam down on the ground painfully in front of us. As he rolled onto his back, panting and sweating, Tan’s expression grew colder.

“Not so proud now, are you? Sullying my pure eyes is a grievous offense.” She glanced sideways at me, and I understood what she wanted, and I slammed my boot down. The Fossegrim let out a yelp as I crushed his groin, and then Tan let loose flame, and his screams intensified. When the sobs died down, she pointed to the descending shadow above, even as the cascading mists, pouring over the edge of the island like waterfalls of fog, clashed with the ones the ghost armies inhabited.

“Best talk, wretch. I can burn you alive piece by piece…” she warned, and as the small Fossegrim shuddered and wept, Shaeula strode over, Mortal Fragarach in hand.

“There is no-no need for such barbarity. Yet…”  Shaeula kicked at some stones with wind element, her small feet sending the pebbles cannoning into his scorched, ragged lower body, stunning him. “I do not-not have much sympathy. So…” her Wind And Waters surged. “…answer her. Before our jealous husband loses all-all patience with you.”

At my quizzical glance, Shaeula smirked pridefully, puffing out her modest chest. “Oh, I can share your Waters, as I have before. It seems they rather counteract this, whatever this-this is…”

“A gestalt of a place of great spiritual significance. Fifth Heightening, without question. But to manifest even a shadow here, the Boundary will not hold.” Tan’s ruby eyes stared up at it. “Yet… when you were… wounded…” Tan rolled the word around her tongue as if tasting it, and she grimaced, obviously not liking the flavour, before her dark, chocolate skin turned faintly pink. “…I knew such an assault could not destroy you. The princess had faith also. Even so, such a compressed, temporal strike… and look around us…”

I nodded. “It’s like time’s standing still. A massively enhanced version of what kept the Su’s alive, or the sort of place Nebisuki searched for to pass through the centuries. But why now? And…” I glowered at the Fossegrim. “…what was your plan here? She said it ‘wasn’t supposed to happen this way…’ so what was?”

“Speak no falsehoods, and the complete and total-total truth…” Shaeula ordered, and in my mind, Haru spoke up.

I get it, I think. Tan said it herself. A gestalt of a place. Remember, I studied a little of the classics? I think that the ghosts here are a genius loci…

Uh, sorry, but…?

Oh, Akio. You’ll have to learn a bit more, else you’ll embarrass Miyu, Motoko and the others when you escort them.

And you?

That’s not fair. You know I’d never be embarrassed by you. Though I’d be proud if my boyfriend was well-read. And not just the sort of stuff your sister complains about.

Hey, you can learn a surprising amount from manga, so… uh?

The ghosts aren’t separate individuals, though there are focal points. I did think their thoughts were jumbled and odd. The genius loci is the spirit of a place. It’s a Roman term. I think if you look deeper…

My Eyes glowed, the effort intense due to the frozen time. My Waters Past, Present And Future boiled and stormed within me, keeping me active, and the strain and pressure was actually compressing them, and also me. I felt my overstressed Vessel creak, but the Waters spread out, pushing back against the tension.

Your Skill, Sacral Chakra Of High Moonlight Spirit Water has advanced from Rank 8 to Rank 9, the second wall crushed under the flow of a frozen time, after having been loosened by your experience of a millennium in but an instant. Your Water has been concentrated, and your affinity for Ice Elemental energies has increased.

Your Skill, Crown Chakra Of Flowing Space And Time has advanced from Rank 7 to Rank 8, reaching the second wall, but this wall is frozen and weathered by your Waters, and may soon shatter, leading you to what lies beyond. You can manipulate this potent Mutated Elemental energy through suitable Bonds or Connections, and the effect will be magnified.

Damn, the pressure. But… I’m not cracking, I don’t think… never mind that…

Eri, Hyacinth and Aiko suddenly felt themselves wake, as if from a long sleep. Glancing around at the frozen moment, my sis let out an alarmed exclamation, though she didn’t rush over, as she was still supporting our nigh-fainted, still mom.

“What the hell, bro? We ever going to finish up here? I thought we were done when Eri went all psycho axe murderer on that bitch…” she called over, as Eri landed, holding the severed head of Glitonea.

“It was her or us. Just look up.” Eri sniffed.

“I am.” my sis grumbled. “I still don’t believe it though.”

“I…” As they bickered good-naturedly, I put my arm around Eri. Even now, I grieved when she killed, but Eri, as expected, seemed unbothered.

I hope it doesn’t make you think less of me, but… she had it coming. As usual, Eri didn’t mince her words, as now she held nothing back, and hoped I’d do the same.

No, just sad I had to leave it to you.

Nonsense. We are happy to do it. Hyacinth broke in, though she was staring at the head with a complicated expression on her face. “Here. Allooow me.” She reached out, taking it from Eri. “She shall wish to be buried beneath apple trees, I dooo suspect.”

That tugged at the memory of what Glitonea had said. None can survive the abyss of time where apples no longer fall. I sharpened my gaze, the effort to use my Eyes an order of magnitude more than usual, and back in the Material, my eyes and ears were bleeding now, sparking more alarm I quickly quelled. There are trees on the island. Bare branches, no fruits, blossoms or leaves, but… yes, I think they are apple trees.

“So you did-did know her then, Hyacinth?” Shaeula asked, as Fossegrim fought to keep silent against her compulsion, a battle he was losing, especially as Tan was flogging him with flaming whips as he hesitated.

“A long, long, looong time ago. But… she was not as she is here. Not this… unhappy hybrid.” Hyacinth slid shut Glitonea’s staring, green eyes, the prismatic glow long departed for dull stillness. “She should have passed away, like all her kind. Except…” Hyacinth shuddered. “…soon we must speak of it. Lady Nimuë too… but for nooow…” Eyes silver and violet, she gazed at the floating apparition of the island, as it grew larger. “…we should act. This Isle does not belooong here!”

“Fine, I shall talk. Blasted woman! Did you not love my music, find me charming?” Fossegrim spat. “Be tender, and I shall be dashing… gah…” He cried out and broke into unintelligible screams and sobs, as Tan crossed her arms imperiously.

“No, I was not charmed. As for music, in my Palace I have listened to far better than your feeble caterwauling. Now… answer Shaeula.”

“This… you will let me go afterwards?” he asked hesitantly, and I shrugged.

“Let you live, if you don’t cause any more trouble, that’s the best we can do.”

“Fine then.” he conceded, sitting up, the pitiful, child-sized, burned and… emasculated… Fossegrim weeping bitter tears. “I only know this place was studied by someone Glitonea and her sisters knew, and he realised it was… the key to seizing the country.” The phantom hordes had ceased their endless war and were launching arrows and bolts at the island above, Harald Godwinson watching on, eyes burning with chilly flame. Even as he watched, the metaphysical weight of the island crushed ghosts to dust, though they quickly rose out of the fog and reformed.

Just a little longer. Haru promised. I’ve woken the twins, so we can work on others. So long as our minds are connected…

I can use my elements through the bonds to counteract the effect…

“This is supposedly a crossing point of belief, faith and history. A banner raised in the name of a foreign God, and a King who fell, defeat and conquest, the changing of rulership, is soaked into the stone and sea here like split blood. Though it was long dormant, now it rises again.” Fossegrim, despite his sorry state, seemed to enjoy the sound of his own voice, as he warmed to the tale, and he must have been speaking truth, due to Mortal Fragarach, else there would be silence.

“I was sought out as I was able to meet with the hosts beneath the sea.” He grinned then. “Oh, you might think you have a victory, but the dark, deep waters are home to legions you fools cannot comprehend. This was but a single army, there are countless more below. Although…” He fell silent, unwilling to speak falsehoods, but then Shaeula’s domination dragged the words out of him. “…the King Below still slumbers, and those who see themselves as mighty bicker, far from your notice. But nothing sleeps forever. Not even things that perhaps should have.” He looked up, and I followed his gaze to the shadow.

The weight of adherence, and also soullight, was tangible, though… that begs the question, where does the Truesoul generating it lie?

“And what was her plan? Why did you flee towards that ghost?” Eri asked, menacingly sweeping Glitonea’s blood from the blade of her axe with thumb and forefinger.

“That… you won’t kill me after you know?” he asked again, and Tan lashed him with a fiery blow, her ire rising.

“You are in no position to question, yet Akio does not lie. Lying to the likes of you, the defeated dog who dared to raise his filthy tail at his betters…” Fossegrim winced and whimpered at that, his pride destroyed along with his flesh. “…is beneath us and would bring us shame. We shall hold you, for a time, until we are satisfied you have expended all use, and can cause us no further mischief. Though I doubt you would be so foolish…”

“No, beautiful woman!” He flung himself down, wincing as his burned body struck the uneven beach of stones. “I would not dare. The reason… it is the banner. Even as a remnant, the adherence remains, Glitonea told me, when we were in the throes of passion. Women love to talk then…”

I nodded without meaning to, earning a sour side-eye from Eri, and a snicker from Shaeula.

“…she says that as the remnants who defeated the King, and stole the Land, all we needed to do was mimic the Fisher King of old, drench the land in death, weaken it, then use the conduit…”

I see. Tan, Hyacinth, Shaeula and I all exchanged knowing glances, having worked out the scheme, and the significance of Hastings. That also explains the rising suicides. There probably isn’t one specific creature here responsible, unlike in Inuyama, but the constant battles and death here from the sea have reawakened the… genius loci, the spirit of this place, and all the spirits…

Understanding dawning, I asked Haru and Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan to wake up Ellie and Liz using my energies. As they agreed, our captive finished up, even as the situation was getting tense. The Boundary was fraying, and with no Territory here, if the lower Astral flooded in, it would put Britain’s whole Boundary at risk of loss.

“…then, with the schemes of the others, and no, I do not know what they plan, only that ‘the Hunt is afoot’, and that they shall soon realise their fondest dream, one they have all paid dearly for… I was supposed to be granted a demesne of my own on this land, full of women and tributes. Hah, all fool’s gold, it seems. Glittering promises, but pebble payment!”

“A fit-fit reward for a fool, then…” Shaeula grimaced, as Ellie and Liz were brought over by the twins.

“Are you all right, Akio? I was worried.” Ellie asked, coming over swiftly and fussing over me, squeezing my arm and running her hands over my body, though she flushed when she accidentally went too low. Even so, she didn’t stop, and I felt warmth in my heart.

“It’s good to see you close, my dear, but… what about that?” Liz was struggling to stand even with our energies fortifying her. “Is it the end of days?”

“Not exactly.” I quickly explained, and Liz was amazed.

“I see. The lingering regrets of the land, for being conquered. Even in death Harald stands firm. How uplifting and also rather tragic, I feel.” Liz gazed at the wraith King, as his armies futilely warred against the projection of the island, which in itself was a product of sacrifice and bloodshed. “So, what do we do?”

“Simple.” I suggested. “Eminent Domain. Make that island Britain, and the ghosts can destroy it, I wager.”

“If not, it shall come down to Akio and his living sword.” Tan added. “But that is a final resort, the damage to the Boundary would be… not insignificant.”

“I see. But… even with your aid, I have not the strength, so…” Liz looked at Ellie, her gaze calm, before the British Regalia appeared, and Liz pressed the Fisher Queen’s Crown onto Ellie’s head. She seemed shocked, but Liz merely chuckled.

“It is only a little early. You are the one who shall have to be one with the land, whose life gives back to the soil, water, and stone. I think… it is apt. So, stand tall, Eleanor, you who shall be First of your name.” She then handed me the Sovereign’s Ring. “Akio, my boy, do the honours, if you would…”

“With pleasure.” I pulled off Ellie’s emerald and copper gauntlet, gently taking her hand, then pressed the ring onto her finger next to the engagement ring she wore. Liz then handed her the Rod and the Orb, and stepped back, admiring her.

“Yes. Magnificent. Very regal, Eleanor.” she approved.

“Don’t tease me, grandmother…” Ellie puffed out her cheeks in a pout, but Liz looked to me.

“Am I, Akio?”

“Nope. Ellie, you look magnificent. But…” I placed my hand on her shoulder. “…it’s going to be tough.”

“It always is. But…” She glanced around at those of us who were resisting the frozen time. “…in such good company, who can complain? I would certainly not be so churlish. Eminent Domain!”

As she cried out, the land responded. The ghosts raised a hue and a cry, and the Norman spectres faded away, a sudden breeze dispersing their fog. Only the ghost carrying the banner lingered, but Haru, with a displeased expression, raised her hand, and a pillar of flame consumed him, and all the nearby mists. She groaned, a backlash of adherence flowing towards her, but her Flames purified it, and she absorbed it safely, her strength rising.

The fogs swirled together, and led by the ghost of Harald Godwinson, the spectres charged through the sky, now able to reach the illusion… solid illusion, I suppose. It definitely has weight and substance… of the island. Once upon it, Harald drew his sword and thrust it into the soil. Ellie’s eyes went wide with sudden understanding, and she raised the Orb above her head.

“I see it. Yes. Akio, this… I think I understand what it is you must do. As for me… one with the land, so…” With a cry, Ellie’s arm disintegrated, her aether and adherence flowing, merging with the tides being drawn from Britain as a whole, dyeing it. “…Dismissal! I sever my bond with this land!” The Orb fell, and she quickly grabbed it in her other hand before it could hit the floor.

At that declaration, the newly claimed island in the sky shivered, breaking apart, adherence clashing, and wails and groans of crumbling rock could be heard, as well as the pattering of a heavy downpour of rain. After some time, the storm of energies died down, and the fog lifted, and time restarted, those around us blinking in shock as none of us were where they expected us to be.

“Shit, what the… Princess, your arm?” David rushed over, aghast, but I raised a hand, stopping him.

“She’s fine. See?” I poured in Soullight Healing, aiding her own regrowth, and soon her arm was filling her armour once more, Ellie rotating her shoulder and flexing the fingers, checking everything was in order.

“I suppose one advantage of the Green Man’s Favour is it’s not much hardship giving one’s flesh to the land…”

“It seems your humour is getting rather more like that of a soldier, Eleanor.” Liz observed, and David shook his head, after giving me a hard glare.

“No, she’s just copying them. At least take battle seriously, you bastards. You nearly died, man! Who’d comfort miss samurai, fangirl and the others? Don’t put it all on me!”

“I know you’d do your best.” I chuckled, and as David angrily ran his hands though his messy hair, Väinö and the others came over, Dorte still a little unbalanced, one eye blind and her ears deaf.

Do not despair. She did not permanently give up her senses, like Heroic Tyr and his hand. Lin assured me. But to squeeze out even a little more strength, without paying a more final price, she did suffer. She is… you see why I had high hopes for her. Lin seemed embarrassed, and I remembered she didn’t have such great hopes for me.

As Rose tittered, Lin disavowed that. All our hopes are on you now, so I hope that suffices. But as you can see, she is ruthless to her enemies and more so to herself. Not an… easy… woman to like, but… a woman who has the spirit and Truesoul of a hero.

I know. I’ll look after her. After all of us who survived until now. I promised Lin, Rose, and the Valkyries who were distant, searching for knowledge, that.

“Whoa…” Väinö grimaced. “Look, you teleported around the place and caught our little bastard here. Not such a big man now, yeah?” He hoisted him up with water tentacles, ignoring Fossegrim’s screams, then winced as he saw the ruined groin, crossing his legs. I exchanged a glance with David and Sir Arthur behind him, and we all had the urge to do likewise.

“I made that joke already.” I sighed.

“Fuck me, bastard had it coming, but your women sure are vengeful. Yeah, stay alive, nobody else can handle them.” David turned his head and spat, earning a chiding from Mary-Jane, as she, Aditi and Cassie came running too.

“So, is it over? Wait… the ghosts…” Väinö remembered, and I pointed. Indeed, the fog had mostly lifted, and the wraith army was marching towards us. Everyone made ready for a fight, except for Eri’s parents and mine, of course, as my sis was looking after them, the four of them… no, three, as Junpei was actually shockingly composed… seeming as if they were shellshocked.

I raised a hand for calm, shaking my head, and soon the ghosts had lined up. Harald stared at us in silence, and Haru stepped forward.

“He doesn’t strictly have thoughts of his own, he’s not truly the ghost of the dead King, none of them are, they’re all a jumble of leftovers, pulled together by… adherence?” At her question, I nodded, and she continued. “But…” They exchanged a silent glance, and Harald Godwinson knelt to Ellie, as did the rest of the army, faint, almost wind-like moans blowing over the devastated Boundary beach.

“Please, you did your duty.” Ellie gestured for them to rise, and they did, though they were starting to fade. Ellie, noticing Haru’s spiritual flames floating around her now, almost like spirits themselves, then raised the Orb. “In fact, it is time to rest. Will you heed my command?”

The answer did not come from them, but from the land itself. The cracked skies, which were mending with painful slowness, leaked a drizzle of water, almost as if tears, an incredible rarity in the Boundary, which effectively had no weather. The seas roared and stormed, and the land shuddered, and vents of crimson earth element leaked free. Even so, it wasn’t a refusal, judging by the look on Ellie’s face.

“Thank you. Then… oh spirit of the land, scar left by usurpation and defeat, know… William did his duty, as did his heirs, and all that came after. So rest peacefully. All I would ask is… you let Haru here soothe your restless selves and take the strength she needs to protect us all.”

Harald was silent for a moment, and then he reached out to Haru, who, her eyes shimmering with tears, took it, and her Purifying Summer Spirit Flames consumed him, a massive ball of vivid indigo and white flame left orbiting her. As the other ghosts faded away, the lingering fog also dispersing, Haru pursed her lips, and didn’t even shy away as I gently, cautiously, draped my arm around her shoulder.

She leaned in, gazing into my eyes. “They aren’t ghosts. It’s as I said, they are… this place. This weakness for Britain. But… they still feel alive, in the way only the dead can.” Her sad smile was now a little melancholic. “A great amount still remains. Hyacinth’s treasure trove outmatches this greatly, but… if I can cleanse it, then I too shall grow far stronger, and… with the energy I refine, those who Cultivate can grow as well, I expect.”

“It’s for the best.” Liz agreed, before berating Henry, who had finally run over. “You’re slow, my boy. It’s all finished! Anyway… you are wise, Eleanor. Such a weakness can only be exploited. Best to start anew. As we will be forging a new Britain.”

“Exactly.” Ellie agreed. “Now then, it seems we are almost done. There are just a few minor enclaves to purge, and we can take a well-earned break.” She flexed her regenerated fingers again. “It has been quite the unexpected series of events.” She eyed Fossegrim sourly. “I trust we have seen the last of the troubles for now?”

“You might have.” I chuckled sourly, as did my sis, as I glanced over at her and our family. “But tonight I have to see just how the lesson sunk in. Anyway…” I raised my voice. “…good job everyone, you’ve all excelled. I’m impressed. You know, there are a couple of Favours I’ve got lying around that might just be suitable for some top performances, so don’t be reckless, but… do your best!”

There were some cheers, Watari Megumi-san for one, despite her exhaustion, eagerness clear to see, but mostly just a muted, tired response from those who’d fought hard. I nodded to Väinö and Dorte, and headed back towards Ekaterini and Astrid, hoping they too had learned something. I cast one last glance upwards, to where the ghostly island had appeared, and shook my head.

The King Below, huh? Yeah, the seas are vast and fathomless to us land dwellers. If it’s as populated as the land, then whole empires probably exist in the Boundary and linked lower Astral. Maybe I can get Ixitt to start working on a Boundary battleship, or better yet, a massive submarine…

Thinking trivial, yet somehow still important, thoughts, I shook my head once more. Seriously, that’s it for troubles now. I nearly died, so… I think I can take it easy until the Quest now! Yes, I want to get stronger, but… if I’m not alive to enjoy that, it kind of defeats the point…