On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Once I destroyed the Territory of the erstwhile Chosen of Osiris, and eased out his somewhat corrupted Favour, he began to thrash and writhe, but I used Chirurgery to keep him unconscious, as it was easier that way. After Hyacinth purified the store of polluted and baleful energies that he had been hoarding under the volcano, with the aid of the slain fragments of Akoman, the situation was largely resolved, except for finding a couple of suitable spots for setting up Ring Gates.

It’s not wise leaving Rebun Island and what lies there intact, especially not now the space it was trapped in is damaged. If that leaks out and erodes the Boundary, as Mae fears… quite frankly, our battle had done enough damage to the area, Mae’s strength, as well as mine, and the stronger fragment of Akoman, all pressuring the fragile cloth of the Boundary, adding rips and tears, and the ether density was gradually increasing, but it was a difference large enough to perceive in real time.

As a stopgap, we can move in Mobile Ether Spires and artificially lower the density, preventing a rapid escalation of the damage, but… there’s no way this Boundary is lasting dozens of years, like supposedly it should… already we’re playing catchup, and who the hell knows what the damn toad and other absurdly strong entities are doing where we can’t see…

As Mae and the others were collecting a bounty of useful Etherites, and in fact had also stumbled upon a number of interesting crystals and metals inside the shattered volcano, which we were hastily collecting samples of, and marking for potential mining later, back in the Material, Tsukiko and I checked that the Pillars polluting the water source were gone. Once that was confirmed, we bound the troublemaker we’d captured with some bedsheets cut into strips, and then we went outside and waited for the help I’d requested via my frantic phone calls to arrive.

Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long. First came several transport helicopters, the JSDF’s Kawasaki Type-47 Chinooks landing on the open spaces around the foot of Mount Rishiri. It was late at night, so the noise attracted attention from the few residents around, but whether it was the Evil Wisdom they’d consumed, or simply Japanese reticence, after a brief glimpse, curtains and blinds were shut, and silence returned.

Just before they’d arrived, our efforts in the Boundary had paid off, and we were just resting while planning our next move, so Mae had returned to the Material, and was now waiting with us, her expression calm, yet judging by the motions of her ears and tail, I could sense she was worried, likely about Su Caihong and her daughter. I had assured her that I’d pass on any news the moment I received it, but perhaps she felt more at ease on the Material, closer to them, as it were.

As the soldiers disembarked, I saw a number of familiar faces. The first, with hair now bleached to an even more garish blonde, his ears studded with silver piercings, upping the delinquent vibe, was the handsome, if rather rakish, Lieutenant Nakano Banri. I also recognised a number of the Special Forces soldiers I’d worked Chirurgery on, and the split was rather even between men and women, which must have been a deliberate choice, due to the paucity of girls in that unit.

“Been a couple of days, man.” Nakano-san raised a lazy hand in greeting. He was dressed in full combat uniform, but on closer inspection, I realised in fact it was our new product that Ixitt’s Mortal Engineers had made for testing, before large-scale production was undertaken when the factories came online next year. Prototype-Ix Tactical Gear, wasn’t it? I remembered seeing the reports. Obviously the armour paled in comparison to our Brigandine, but that was custom made.

Before I could reply, another familiar voice spoke up, and Major Sasaki Yasu, his short-cropped hair cut in impeccable military fashion, his brown eyes as earnest as ever, chastised his colleague. He too wore the Prototype-Ix gear, which was body armour woven with threads made from leftover Myrcolaxriath materials and a very diluted bluesteel alloy, which was attuned specifically for wind and light elements, allowing for adaptive camouflage and audio stealth, and in emergencies, a blinding stun-grenade effect, at the cost of emptying the reserves.

“Lieutenant Banri, show some decorum! I apologise.” He nodded to us, his eyes a little wide on seeing Mae, though he soon shook that off. He was followed by what looked like ordinary JSDF troops, again, the gender rations balanced. From the third helicopter, only a couple of soldiers had disembarked, but some heavy equipment was being unloaded, and I guessed at the purpose, seeing the significant size of the generator, and the large, durable rubber hoses each as thick as Tsukiko’s waist.

“I get the feeling you are thinking something rude…” Tsukiko chided, and I shook my head.

“Nope. You’re perfect just the way you are…” I promised, and while Major Sasaki managed to keep his calm expression of military competence, the Lieutenant, and some of the Special Forces who I’d worked on, couldn’t help but smile, though Nakano-san followed that up with a deep belly-laugh, tears in his eyes.

“See, nothing ever changes, no matter how high and mighty he gets. We’re bros, been on the battlefields together, haven’t we?” He held out his hand, and I clasped it, nodding.

“That’s great.” he continued. “And you’re with a fine pair of beauties, just like usual. I like it!” He gave us a thumbs up, and Tsukiko flushed, still not fully used to being the centre of attention. Mae of course merely took it as her due, and fidgeted with one of her tails, uninterested.

“Lieutenant, show some respect. That’s Matsumuro Tsukiko, the Diviner, and advisor to the Ministry for Spiritual Matters. As well as Akio-san’s fiancée. Best not cause trouble, or your promotion…”

“Promotion, he says.” Nakano-san chuckled. “I don’t want to be a Captain! They’ll have me leading my own squad of Chosen and trained elites, and it’ll just depress me. They aren’t going to be a patch on you guys.” He winked at us. “I bet even Miss Diviner can hold her own, to say nothing of… nine tails. Fuck me, meeting a myth in the flesh. She yours too?” he enquired cheekily, making Sasaki-san flinch.

“Not exactly. Though I am taking care of her for now…” I insisted, noticing that long metal rods were being ferried from the last chopper, as well as some sort of what looked like a large pneumatic hammer, and also thin, multi-metre long drill bits. There were a pair of what looked like scientists too, with all sorts of glassware and probes.

“Sure, man. She’s rolling her eyes at you.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Anyway…” He yawned. “…looks like you hit the jackpot again. How is it you find trouble everywhere you go? Don’t ever join the army, or we’ll be in World War Three before you can say ‘oh shit’!”

Tsukiko smiled at that but did speak up to defend me. “This was Divinely inspired. We were acting upon the sage guidance of Tsukuyomi. This situation would only have grown to encompass all of Hokkaido and perhaps further, if left alone. We sought to resolve this trial, though we did not know the content of it prior to arriving.”

“Damn, a drop-dead gorgeous wife, who stands up for her man. I’d be in love, except I’m not going to be the first moron to try and cuck you, Akio-kun. Though it’s one way to get in the history books, I bet…” His chuckle was as rough as his appearance. “…anyway, I can feel the Major… or, if the brass has their way next year, the soon-to-be Lieutenant colonel of the new Chosen branch of the JSDF…”

At his words I nodded to the Major, who graciously accepted my congratulations, while Nakano-san continued rambling, as the last of the equipment, a special cage with potent restraints, surely designed to hold Chosen, was brought out.

“…burning a hole in my back with his gaze. Shit, we can catch up in the New Year, when I hear you’ll be going through the top-level training with the Major, amongst others. Since you’re always too busy and surrounded by women during the Pilgrimage. It takes a brave man to ask for any time to grab some beers with that pack of cute, hungry wolves watching. For now…” He stepped back, and Sasaki-san took over, after giving him a withering glance.

“We have been briefed on the situation, and the Maritime Self-Defence Force is on route. We’ll blockade and quarantine Rishiri Island until the potential spiritual contamination has been resolved. I can hardly believe I am speaking of such. But we have seen what happens if we act unwisely, in South Korea.”

I agreed with the Major. “Yes, it’s actually a similar cause. Fortunately, like Choe-Museon, it’s a somewhat closed ecosystem, though far larger in scale. Anyway… he’s inside. His Favour is gone, but he might still have some fight left in him. I’ve knocked him out for now though.”

The Major nodded, and Nakano-san and several others entered the house, while the scientists were studying schematics of the water sources, and soldiers were setting up the metal rods, ready to drive them into the pipework at various intervals before the residence. “The law, even the new laws, make this a bit tricky. You say he’s surely killed a number of other Chosen?”

“Yeah. But they were all either unregistered, or dead before we even revealed the Ministry openly.”

“Even so, there’s potentially domestic terrorism legislation he breached, and… well, we’re operating within our rights. You’ll be questioned, all of you, of course, but we don’t want to delay the Pilgrimage. In fact…”

“Yeah.” It seemed that most of the Special Forces, the Major and the Lieutenant included, were actually pulled from the small JSDF contingent who the government paid for to attend, in the hope of boosting their strengths. “Don’t worry, if you miss a few shrines, we’ll run you a top-up session if you don’t max out the Class.”

“You are too kind.” The Major sighed. “I agree this takes precedence. And we were in Hokkaido, so it makes sense for a swift response. Anyway, the plan is…” He looked over as the pneumatic hammer drove down the first metal rod, piercing the soil and bedrock, and into the underground water pipeline. “…work out where the contamination starts, seal off the island’s water source to prevent further contamination, and then drain all the rest. We have a small tanker being escorted by the JMSDF Destroyers, which we’ve calculated is enough to hold all the pumped-out water.”

“And the populace?” I asked, and as I did so, Nakano-san returned, his aides carrying the unconscious ex-Chosen, quickly taking him to the restraint cage.

“Quarantine until we can be sure that everything is normal. Bottled water only, a massive shipment will be delivered via our incoming fleet.” The Major explained. “That goes for all personnel here, and the native population. Not even washing food or using tap water for a toothbrush. We’ll pump out the water…” More metal rods were driven into the pipelines, and the scientists were letting down wired probes. “…and go house to house, draining it all.”

Even as he explained, the Chosen was locked in the cage, arms and legs secured behind him against the bars. The long rubber piping was being dragged into the house, the soldiers none too careful about causing collateral damage. The generator was being fuelled, though it would quickly burn the supply of diesel the helicopters ferried in, so was likely being resupplied from the sea.

“Hopefully this is a quick job. Though it won’t be ours.” Nakano-san grinned, now the prisoner was secure. “The Major and I are just here to kickstart matters and make sure it’s safe for the boys and girls in uniform to do their job. The government paid a lot for our slot on your merry tour of the shrines and temples.” He winked playfully. “Oh, and we’ve got some new faces. One of them is a huge fan of yours.” He chuckled, before putting on a satisfied smirk. “Don’t get any fancy ideas though, it’s a guy. Freshly recruited Chosen, via the Ministry drive. There are some out there, I guess. Though judging by Hokkaido we’ve lost a load more… not good for our national power.”

“Enough.” Major Sasaki rubbed his temples, as if stressed. “Yes, Serenity… oh, you probably are not aware…” The Major frowned slightly. “…the Ministry plans to follow the American way of codenames for Chosen and other key figures, to preserve some anonymity and secure data, though in your case, that likely comes too late. Serenity is a Chosen of Omoikane, and he has the ability to calm his mind and the minds of others, not dissimilar to Suzuki-san, though on a wider scale. He lacks a great deal of strength, though he makes up for it with a few other tricks. Hopefully he can wash out the influence on the citizens. Worst case, we’ll have to keep the island in lockdown, pay the citizens for lost employment and opportunities, and supply food and drink for weeks to months. A budget drain, but a necessary one.”

The scientists had received the results of their first probing, and it seemed that the water was clean. They confirmed the second and third samples, and then the drill started, securing an entry point for pumping down a special resin that when exposed to water would swell and flawlessly block the pipes and resist great pressure. The other heavy machinery was for the pumping, apparently….

“Looks like you’re free to go and take your babes back with you.” Nakano-san chuckled. “We’ve got it under control here. We’ll be joining you once we’ve escorted out our troublemaker, and the navy reinforcements arrive.”

That’s a relief. I have more important things to worry about. Like…

Back in the Boundary, we’d filled our Spatial Storage treasures with Etherites, rock and ore samples and more, and had established a site that was possibly suitable for a Ring Gate, on the edge of Rishiri Island. Some uncontaminated earth element was now flowing free from the wreckage, and there was plentiful fire element too, though that wasn’t required for the Ring Gates, merely a bonus.

As we pondered it, Hyacinth was smiling at me, waiting patiently, hands folded, seeming more like a composed, calm servant than ever. In fact, her aura’s changed. And her eyes. There’s almost no silver sheen to them anymore, now they’re a beautiful, clear and stunning violet, like shining amethysts.

“If yooou stare at me like that, Akio, I shall becooome quite bashful.” She giggled happily, and I was relieved to see that she was still the same Hyacinth we knew, just… rather more relaxed. “Nooow then. The distances here are proooblematic, but Hyacinth thinks, if I use a territory Expansiooon Anchor Spire, like Haru did, then I can establish a solid foooooothold on both islands. I am sooo very fatigued now, but we cannot allow such an opportunity to gooo to waste, or to cause trouble through inaction.”

“I have not known her long, but… seeing her be so rational, I find it rather disturbing.” Hana grumbled, and Shaeula barked a laugh, giving her a slightly bitter gaze.

“You are not-not mistaken. I too find it challenging to my perception of her. Yet it is not-not a cause for concern, no, it is indeed-indeed one for celebration. Though I do suspect that the old Hyacinth lurks within still, so my maids had best-best watch themselves, lest they be fooled and let down-down their guard and slack off.”

“Oooh, mistress Shaeula, you dooo amuse me.” Hyacinth chuckled. “Of course I will tolerate nooo backsliding, no laziness.” Her fingers twitched. “Perhaps I will nooot choke worthless servants, but I shall certainly still nooot spare the rod!”

Yep, there’s still a little crazy in there. It’s reassuring, in a way…

“Sooo… the Anchor?” Hyacinth pressed, and it was unusual for her to ask me for things, so I was inclined to grant it, did I have a suitable Favour. The jumbled mass of restorative ones I pulled from the fragment of Akoman were incomplete and tainted, and while I briefly considered the prospect of trying to reconstruct them, I realised my Skills and knowledge were insufficient and not up to the task. Of course, just like Jarovid’s and Morena’s Favours, I believe I can extract some of the core value and gift it to others…

“I am aware it is a preciooous treasure, and one you must use carefully.” Hyacinth continued, and her calm wisdom was leaking through, and it wasn’t just me who felt it, as even Daiyu was looking at her with traces of respect, even awe. “Yet I still ask this boon. I believe… I can make it work. And with that strength, I shall turn this lake of despair Tamamo-no-Mae spoke of, into ooour strength. And it is ooours, not borrowed such as these favours, which Hyacinth thinks makes it precious, do you nooot agree?

I had no answer, not yet, so instead I examined what I had taken.

Osiris’ Rebirth From Scattered Clay – This Divine Favour is made of concentrated Adherence, refined Ether and Soullight-infused Truesoul strands, though it is currently impure and significantly degraded, and is not functioning properly, and contains a lingering, corrupting will, which has shifted the nature of some of the power within.

The Favour allows one to separate their Spiritual subtle body from their Material subtle body by altering the nature of one’s Silver Cord and Material subtle body and creating a doubled self, the true Spiritual self merged within the Material body. If this body of spiritual clay is destroyed, then very little damage is passed to the Material self and what it holds, and the clay self can be reconstituted rapidly, though at significant cost in Aether, Adherence and Elemental energies, or a matching tainted source of strength.

This Favour also offered beneficial affinities to Earth Elemental energies and Water Elemental energies, though the corrupting nature of the Evil Wisdom that afflicts this Favour has polluted this benefit, and it now instead offers affinity for Dust Elemental energies, and if the bearer has access to Water, Earth, Wood or similar Elemental energies, there is a risk of pollution and contamination.

Just as Osiris was betrayed by his brother Set and slain, his body dismembered and scattered, only to have life breathed back into him, what was sundered, rejoined and moulded with the river’s clay back to life and dominion over death, so too will you be able to reconstitute your slain Spiritual form from the clay that is the river of the Spiritual realm. [Class: Legendary] [Type: Law]

It’s… powerful, yes, though likely the poor so-called Ainu Chosen could only use it beyond its scale due to the power hoarded from the repository without Rebun Isle. Sadly, it’s also a dangerous Favour.

“Hyacinth, I want to grant you what you asked for. It’d be my joy to do so after all you’ve given for us, but even if you were compatible, or could be made so, this Favour… it’s dangerous, especially to you.” I read out the description, and Shaeula was impressed by its potency, but also worried by its flaws.

“Indeed. I can not-not say I am lacking jealousy. I wish a Favour too, though even without one, I have come so-so far… yet, it does indeed have troubling drawbacks, does it not-not?”

“I fear nooot such.” Hyacinth declared. “And I do not wish yooou to think me foolish, yet… I have been reborn. Nooot merely once!” Hyacinth insisted. “Betrayed by his brother and slain? Hyacinth was betrayed… by… my sisters…” Faint flecks of silver were floating in her eyes, but she blinked them away. “…and whooo I was died, to be booorn anew in darkness. Then I was betrayed again and ended up in the box. And I died when yooou named me and was reborn. Once mooore… here, I have becooome more than Hyacinth again. As for the lingering, cooorrupting will… Hyacinth’s smile was prideful, confident, and somehow cold. “I fear it nooot. For all Woe shall pass and become our Weal. I, Hyacinth do swear it.”

Her violet gaze met mine. “I swear three Oaths to you, Akio. If yooou trust me, I shall deliver results that exceed your expectations, taming this darkness, making its pooower ours. If you honour me with the gift I have asked for, then in return, ooone day I shall give you the truest gift of all. And if yooou believe in me… I shall never betray yooour trust.”

I felt the stirrings of my Faeduine nature respond, my lunar Chakra pulsing rhythmically, so I nodded, understanding the inevitability of this situation. It’s just a Favour. Even if it’s squandered, Hyacinth’s earnest desires demand an answer. I just hope she can handle the corruption. “Then I shall offer you my trust. I always have. Ever since we opened the box, and I gave you a name. And nothing has changed. I will give you the Favour. Thinking about it, you’ve quite a few points of similarity with it. Your nature element, or rather wood element, is quite compatible with Osiris’ myth of a reinvigorated Nile. But more importantly… whether it’s compatible or not, I’ll offer it to you, and I’ll do what I can to make it work.”

As everyone watched, Hyacinth’s violet eyes shimmering with silver, but this time of unshed tears, I finished my own Oaths. “And I believe you can handle this corruption. You’re strong. You won’t let it beat you…”

Unwilling to damage the Favour further, since Hyacinth was co confident, I avoided the Evil Wisdom within, and focussed on making the changes that made it possible for a more Spiritual, less Material being to accept it, just as I had with Ginneka, and then with Azuki… I’d continued to refine the craft since then, and as aether, adherence and soullight wove into the mix, I managed to make the needed adjustments.

What remained was a shining ball of two halves, one half pure, natural and full of life, the other dark, miserable and tainted with Evil Wisdom. I offered it to Hyacinth, and she reached out a hand for it, almost reverently, before placing it upon her chest. Immediately, the energies within responded, beginning to integrate with her. Again, despite my adjustments, this Favour was not meant for beings who were Astral in nature rather than Material, and in fact, due to the nature of Osiris’ Rebirth From Scattered Clay, this problem was magnified, but… I had some ideas. Chirurgery worked, all of my Split Thoughts except the one on the Material working at an accelerated rate, aether, adherence, of which I now had a plentiful supply due to Hyacinth’s efforts, and soullight, all modifying her Chakra network, and also… her Silver Cord.

I’d never have dared to try and change that in the past. Severing it would have undesirable consequences, though since Hyacinth uses a Throne body I don’t think it would kill her. Despite that risk, the Favour itself is having an effect on her Silver Cord, and I’m just piggybacking on that, tidying up the flaws that might prevent the Favour from working properly. Although… I can see her Material nature changing. I think… it might not be a Throne body anymore after this…

It was a near-priceless learning experience, and as elemental energies from her root, sacral, throat and third eye Chakras flooded down into her Cord, I could feel my understanding rise. Not enough for a breakthrough on Soullight Chirurgery, which made sense, as every Rank was the equivalent of a bottleneck now, but enough to point me in the direction as to how it might advance.

“Is it going well?” Daiyu asked Shaeula quietly, unwilling to disturb us or risk causing harm by probing with her Qi Perception. Shaeula, her Eyes glowing as she observed us, had a pensive expression on her face, and merely shrugged.

“It is far-far above what even I can do. But… they both-both seem calm, and I do not-not believe Akio would risk Hyacinth carelessly, nor-nor would Hyacinth overestimate herself, not-not and swear the Oaths she just-just did.”

“It is reckless.” Bintara muttered, her innate sense for healing predicting some of the dangers. “Such a power is not meant for us. It is so the pathetic, atrophied mortals can have a chance to stand against us. I did not fight, like Tamamo-no-Mae did…” She turned to Hana, who was watching in interested silence. “…in the wars of the Kami and their so-called benevolent Gods above. I was not yet born. Though if I was, like Sekka, I believe I would have refrained. But I know enough.”

Beside her, the Yuki-onna nodded slowly, her expression as cold as her breath. “The so-called Gods’ gifts are never free. Even if all they demand is your adherence, it is still an exchange. Often, they demand far more. Such power…”

“Is not ooours. I know.” Hyacinth spoke up, though she was sweating and shaking as her Silver Cord, and indeed, her nature, was slowly shifted. “But it can be made ours. If we but have the will. I shall wooork on it, every day. Akio has taken some before, broken down these Favooours many times. Yet to dooo so incurs losses. I loathe waste. So I shall… succeed. Leave it tooo a maid to do the hard work!”

Her smile was suddenly cheeky, and I felt the Favour finally settle, for want of a better expression, and the dark corruption, the Evil Wisdom, was spreading out, only for Hyacinth to contain it with Weal And Woe… no, not Weal And Woe… Now I suppose I should call it the Wheel Of Creation And Wisdom, Destruction And Chaos… and gradually begin reprocessing it.

Her Silver Cord shuddered with a harmonic twang, a spiritual note that resonated through us all. At that point, I felt my connection with Hyacinth, her Lovers’ Link, spike rapidly, our consciousness merging, but then at the last moment it halted, on the cusp of a huge breakthrough. I glanced at her, surprised, and she tilted her head, so that it was momentarily out of the line of sight of Shaeula’s inquisitive gaze, and she nodded towards her, before winking at me and putting a finger to her lips.

Do you mean… oh, I see. You’re as considerate as ever, Hyacinth. You’re right.

“It is dooone!” Hyacinth declared, pushing out her ample chest, which was quite the sight considering how much she’d sweated and suffered, a pool of liquid nestling in her ample cleavage like a small lake. With a wry grin I wiped her off with some aether and admired all the changes she had undergone. Before I could speak, Shaeula hurried over, grinning.

“I am most-most jealous, Hyacinth! You seem so very composed now, your aura, it is certainly regal. I can see I am going to have to emulate you. Though it does-does make me wonder. By chance, were you then…”

“Hush nooow.” Hyacinth put a finger to her lips, cutting Shaeula off. “I am simply Hyacinth. That is all. Nooow then, Akio. I would knooow just how much I have changed.”

All right then. Here we go…

I could hardly believe my eyes and… I wasn’t the only one. “Damn, that’s… utterly crazy.” I managed, shocked, as Hyacinth, barring the oddity that was Tan, of course, and the Valkyries, had rocketed up to second in strength, behind me. “You said you weren’t this strong before? I should say so, as even if you’d atrophied in the box, if you’d have kept a fragment of this power, then you’d have killed Shaeula and me both, in a heartbeat…”

As Hyacinth preened, clearly delighting in the praise, she winked at me again, reminding me of her earlier expression. Seeing Shaeula, who was clearly happy for Hyacinth, if a little envious, I understood. Yes, even now, you’re the perfect servant, friend… and lover.

“I am most-most shocked! In many areas you now far-far outclass me, Hyacinth! I shall not-not become disheartened, however, but I shall press on! I too can gain such-such strength! There are certainly some-some points of concern, though!”

“Yes, the fact that you still contain the Evil Wisdom. This Class worries me, but… I trust you. I do.” At my words, Hyacinth’s smile broadened. “Even so, I think you can forgive me if I’m a worried boyfriend and keep an eye on you.”

The Class in question was Entity Prison. The description was certainly chilling, but Hyacinth seemed unbothered.

Entity Prison is a Class given to those who contain malevolent, hostile or alien entities and energies within their own flesh and spirit. Such is a dangerous endeavour, but there are many benefits if the risk proves manageable. Exposure to such abnormal energies can encourage resistance, as well as insights to the related energies. Determination and Resilience will rise as the Class increases, and League, as well as overall resistance to mental pollution, Charm and other forms of mental interference will greatly increase.

The advantages of absorbing and suborning such alien energies is also magnified, should the bearer of this Class ultimately subdue them, and abilities influencing Karma, Woe, Fortune, Fate and other such skeins of action and outcome are strongly enhanced.

“You’re not just burning the Evil Wisdom like it’s Woe, are you?” I asked, and Hyacinth shook her head.

“I dooo not want to damage the Favour. Instead… is nooot the Favour an alien entity, as yooou put it? The power should be ours. I… I am the one to experiment. After all…” Her smile was now incredibly fond and kind, before flickering back to the usual Hyacinth, one full of protective, yet murderous rage. “…I am your servant, yooour lover, their sister… and I am and always have been destined tooo serve.”

“You… remember everything, do you not-not?” Shaeula whispered, slightly awed. “You must do. I am sure you are her. The famous, first…”

“Hush now.” Hyacinth shook her head, more firmly this time. “All in good time. There is nooo need to speak of it yet. But soon. Fooor now, know only this. The time I have spent as Hyacinth, brief though it has been, is a searing light, far brighter than the mere Moooooon. I am she, and she me, but… I am Hyacinth, and that shall never change. Nooot ever again. I am indeed strooonger than my past self. Because the me nooow, the me I am, was not made alone. So do nooot fret, mistress Shaeula. I shall not change overmuch. I am at peace with boooth sides of me. I merely have ooone regret. But… it is nooot too late. What cannot be changed is the past. The future… that is yet unwritten.”

“I… see. I apologise if I have-have offended you, Hyacinth.” Shaeula was oddly polite, and I understood why, as Hyacinth’s paltry Majesty stat had hugely spiked, making it hard not to listen to her and want to understand her.

She then broke the mood by giggling happily, in her usual fashion, purple eyes shining with anticipation. “It is gooooood timing, as you might say, Akio. I am a maid, a Brownie, a Boggart… but it seems I need to be mooore. Mistress Asha will have the babies soooooon, and they will need a Governess, a Handmaiden, a cooonfidant. Yes, that shall, nooo, must be me. This time I shall raise them right. Nooo mistakes. But then, their father, their mooother, will not be so…”

Her expression shifted, and it was amusing how very Hyacinth it was, with her sour angry face, yet now it also had a wistful, gentle edge. “…befooore, I could not say it, but now I shall be honest. They were nooot the finest of parents. It does not come easily to we Fae, hence why I and my kind were sooo sought after. But I trust you, Akio. And Asha. Yooou have supportive family too. All shall be well.”

That’s… a heavy tale. But I think we’d put a lot of it together from the hints she’d dropped every now and then. She does have Classes and Skills dedicated to childcare, it seems… Oh well, it proves the hypothesis that if you somehow completely forget or lose the ability to use a Skill or a Class for some reason, it can go away, or rather, be hidden. Nothing is forever. I guess it’s like that hypothetical Piano Playing Skill we like to use as an example. Even if the Skill boosts your ability to play the piano, if you don’t touch one for a thousand years, a little boost in talent isn’t going to help you play it well…

I checked the details of the related Classes quickly, finding them interesting.

Royal Handmaiden is a Class given to those who serve as a close, high-ranking servant to a Multiversally-recognised Royal family and bloodline. This Class enhances the strength of any Skills or abilities related to housework, caring for children, etiquette, and learning. It also increases Might, Fortitude, Alacrity and Precision as it grows, for being a Handmaiden requires quick thinking and strong constitution.

Moon’s Governess is a Class obtained by someone who is the primary caregiver, teacher and confidante of a daughter of Multiversally-recognised Royal lineage, in this case, the Seelie. Majesty and Charm increase significantly, and the ability to teach and instruct those under her care increases greatly. In addition, Skills related to teaching, etiquette, housework, and noble pursuits all are significantly strengthened as this Class grows.

Royal Oathsworn is a Class obtained by a Fae of suitable Noble nature, who swears Three Oaths and offers Three Boons, not merely to the ruling Monarchs of the Fae, but to the very Court itself. Fate and Fortune significantly increase, and all Elemental affinities the Fae possesses, as well as the Elemental affinities possessed by those they swear to, will increase slightly. The Lunar Chakra will also be strengthened, recovering Elemental energies at a faster rate, with greater purity.

However, this Class is also a chain, binding those who swear. And great Woe will befall those who are bound by Oaths, and offer Boons, that due to circumstances either their own, or sadly out of their control, fail to uphold them, be it in word, or in spirit.

I see. That’s… ominous. And I think it’s clear just how Hyacinth fell to her initial state, withering away in a box of wood and black iron…

Lastly, there was an interesting Skill which seemed related, so I took a peek.

Faerie Godmother is a Skill that is an offshoot of the Blessings Of Home a Brownie possesses, as well as a forefather of Weal And Woe. The Fortune and other positive attributes of the user of this Skill is shared with any children under her care, and likewise, negative influences such as Curses, Woe and other sorrows afflicting the children will be shared between the children and the user of this Skill. In addition, by permanently harming their Spiritual self, she can transfer a great deal of strength to any of the children under her protection, permanently fortifying them.

Yes, the picture is becoming clearer, and I don’t like it. But… she said it herself. Hyacinth is Hyacinth, no matter what she remembers. It won’t happen again.

“I’m sure we’d be delighted to know you’ll be here to provide your knowledge. I’m not… entirely sure of what to expect with Fae children. They aren’t born as uncomprehending babies, like us humans, are they?”

Hyacinth shook her head. “Indeed nooot. They will be able to talk and move, thooough not well. Think and reasooon, cry and argue. Fae children are quite the handful. But I shall soon use boooth firm hand and kind, gentle praise to tame them. As yooour children, Akio, they shall need suitable education, though, as Dryads… I must ask mistress Asha…”

As Hyacinth became more and more excited over the prospect, I couldn’t help but wonder what she’d be like with her own children. That day will come. And I think she can accept that now. I don’t see the issue with treating her own children the way she does those of the other girls. And she can’t deny her role as my fiancée. Oh well, that’s for the future. Just Asha’s pregnancy alone both thrills and terrifies me…

I decided to take the opportunity to check out some more of her changes. There was the gain in elements, water and earth added, which trigged the Nature’s Chosen Class, which Asha already had. Not unexpected. What was bothering me, was the addition of Dust Element, which seemed to be through the Evil Wisdom lingering within her. It was merely a trickle though, so I hoped it wouldn’t cause problems.

She’d also gained Adherence Manipulation and Soullight Manipulation, which opened up endless possibilities for her. In fact, while I’d sucked in most of the adherence she created from purifying that baleful miasma of grudges, regrets, hatreds and more, Hyacinth had also retained a significant amount. And it seemed some of the Classes took advantage of that, as did… not Weal And Woe anymore.

Wheel Of Creation And Wisdom, Destruction And Chaos is a Skill based on the deepest understandings of the dual, cyclical nature of existence. All Weal, Blessings, Fortune, Order, shall eventually cycle into Woe, Curses, Misfortune, Chaos, and then the Wheel once more returns to the positive. Having absorbed, purified and processed a great Woe, and transformed such to a great Weal, the bearer of this Skill understands the essence of the change between Woe and Weal, Weal and Woe. There must be balance, as Weal and Woe are never created or destroyed, merely transformed, yet with hands upon the Great Wheel, such balance can be manipulated and dominated.

That’s quite the upgrade. It seems Hyacinth has even greater flexibility now. The name though… it makes me think of Akoman, and his Great Lord of Chaos… another thing to keep an eye on. Don’t worry, Hyacinth, we won’t let you suffer again. And speaking of…

Harmony Of Light And Darkness is a Class given to those who have suffered an irreversible split in the nature of their being, their personality, memories, and even their Spirit, who have gone on to reconcile these two halves. Resilience and Determination improve significantly, and resistance to mental pollution, Woe, Curses and the like significantly increases as this Class grows. Affinity for Darkness, Light, Yin and Yang Elemental energies also increases.

She has indeed regained herself at last… and been rewarded for her long sorrow…

Scion of Balance is a Classgained by those who have the ability to manipulate both Positive and Negative energies, as well as swap the effect of such between the two poles. Darkness, Light, Yin and Yang Elemental energies are strengthened, Affinity to Composite Elemental energies containing one of these aforementioned Elements is increased, and generation of these energies is heightened. Fate increases as this Class grows.

Dominator Of Karmic Punishment is a Class received by those who have not only resolved a great tangle of negative Karma, Woe or other such energies on a scale which exceeds what is ordinarily possible, but they must also have not merely untangled this knot, but forced it to yield, and deployed the manipulated energies elsewhere, for their own benefit. Fate and Fortune significantly increase, and the effect one’s Fortune, Fate and League Statistics can exert will grow as the Class does. Skills and abilities that utilise such energies will be significantly strengthened, and any backlash incurred by use of such will be reduced.

As Hyacinth’s rhapsodising about upcoming children, and her role in raising them, finally wound down, I couldn’t help but smile fondly. “You know, you’ve certainly got a lot of Skills and Classes related to dealing with the sort of mess Mae, Sekka and Bintara found. I reckon if you manage to purify it all, won’t you be even more powerful than me?”

Hyacinth snickered, a wicked, teasing smile on her face, and she reached out and patted my head. “There, there, Akiooo. Hyacinth will not see you fall behind. I will share much ooof the bounty with you. An Akio whooo is not strong is not truly Akio.”

As Hyacinth playfully teased me, Sekka had a very strange expression on her face, one of puzzlement and wariness.

“I cannot say I understand what all this means…” she muttered, and it was Hana who replied, her tails wagging restlessly, her expression rueful.

“I do. I have not spent overlong in my new home…”

Calling it your home is a bit of a stretch, but…

“…I am not a fool, I have picked up a few pieces of knowledge. And from what I hear… a new monster is born here today.” Hana chortled, her smile toothy. “I would probably not be her match, even with my fifth tail. If she was a Yōkai, well, I would image the Single Digit numbers might be rearranged a little.” She winked cheekily at Bintara, who merely tossed her head, unbothered by Mae’s taunts.

“Do not-not concern yourself with that. I shall come calling one day. Though I shall not-not be so crass as to challenge you, Bintara. I shall go-go to the one who is senior to you.” Shaeula puffed out her chest pridefully, before her envy reasserted itself. “I must-must try harder myself. I am grateful for your aid, Hyacinth, I do definitely feel-feel stronger, yet… I have not-not your gains. But for now-now, there is one thing I am most-most curious about. Silver Connection!”

 “Yes, it piqued my curiosity as well. It’s… essentially the same, but not quite. You have the capacity to withdraw your Spiritual or Material bodies into one another, and project a version of the withdrawn body to the place it came from, though it will only be tenuously linked to your true selves, so damage done to it will barely be reflected on the existing subtle bodies. All abilities involving Connections you possess are strengthened. It’s different to mine, where I create a whole new body, it’s founded on Osiris’ Favour, though it seems to have expanded to both Astral and Material bodies, at least. So it’s not as powerful or as flexible as mine, but… I think if she makes Osiris’ power her own… and sadly learns Split Thoughts, else she’ll fry her poor brain…” I winked at Hyacinth playfully. “I’m sure it could be. For now though, it offers her a limited form of indestructibility, just like that Chosen had. Basically, it’s like creating respawning bodies, just as in a game. Costly, but Hyacinth definitely has the Skills and Statistics for that now.”

“Two-two Hyacinth’s, a shocking worry for maids-maids and servants everywhere.” Shaeula laughed, heartily congratulating her. “Still, I am most-most happy for you. The strength of one-one of us is the strength of all. Besides, there is still Tan, standing far-far above us, even if she cannot exert herself fully here yet. So I am composed.”

Daiyu too joined in, praising Hyacinth with a commendable lack of envy, though I knew she was desperate for strength as much as anyone, specially with the retrieval of Su Caihong and her daughter.

“In that case, Akiooo… I would set up my Territory here.” Hyacinth was working her multiply enhanced wood element, the power of nature billowing, and Ring Gate mushrooms were sprouting, quickly drinking in the vein of earth element. “It is a shame I will be swallooowing up the ether I provided, but… it shall be wooorth it. I shall slowly cleanse the evil energies and make them into ooour strength.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. Even with the rush build to Rank Three and a Territory Expansion Anchor Spire to Rank two… two thousand, plus fifty thousand, then a million, up to Rank Three, then a further… one million, one hundred thousand for the Anchor Spire, two million and change is nothing. Even if we add on the further million for whoever secures Sekka’s Territory, as you can’t quite reach there, what with your efforts and destroying the Territory here, we’re still in profit…”

Back on the Material, I sent a message to someone who could contact the Mortal Engineers back in my Territory, to start preparing to ferry ether in the Mobile Silos to here, rather than Haru’s Territory, until we were done. I then turned my attention to Hyacinth’s Cauldron, remembering it had powered up.

Cherished Cauldron Of Dundrennan Abbey [Item Class: Legendary] [Item Type: Principle]

A foolish wizard imprisoned a Fae within this black-iron pot and buried it in a dungeon, believing it was responsible for a great plague. The Fae, poisoned by the iron, died, and in death its Curse became Geas, and the Cauldron did indeed become a carrier of plague, spreading it virulently. The plague still lives within the pot, as does a fell Wood Elemental energy. The bearer will be likewise afflicted with any plague they spread, making this a treacherous item.

However, due to the loving, tender care lavished on this pot, the thick and potent Wood Elemental energies shared, the many fungal plagues concocted, and the addition of an immense amount of dark Adherence, Soullight, Woe, Curses and more that was purified and fed to the Cauldron until it nearly cracked, the Geas within has shifted, and the lingering, lost Soullight of the unfortunate Fae within has absorbed a little of it, growing in strength and intensity.

“Yeah, nasty…” I muttered out loud, impressed that such a terrible weapon had grown even deadlier. If Adam White knew about this, Hyacinth would be his worst nightmare. She’d definitely be on a proscribed, kill-at-all-costs list. I myself was fairly terrified by her talents, the mind-control fungi, the shamblers… but I knew Hyacinth wouldn’t abuse it. There’s even less chance of that now she’s aligned her dark and light halves, according to her Class…

“All dooone. Hyacinth is very exhausted, yet… a little mooore to do.” At her words, the Ring Gate opened, and some surprised ratkin and weaselkin popped through, with Mobile Silos full of ether, which they dumped, Hyacinth absorbing it. Before she did anything, she turned back to me, and asked me for yet another favour.

“Akio. I knooow you do not like this, that it makes yooou uncomfortable, that you released Kana when she became a mistress, but… I wish to be your Vassal!”

I opened my mouth to protest it, but she sealed my lips with hers, and we kissed passionately, I couldn’t help responding to her earnest emotions. When she pulled away, a string of saliva connecting us for a moment, reminding me of her Rank 10 Lovers’ Link, and indeed, the Rank 11 that we fleetingly brushed against, she gazed into my eyes earnestly.

“I knooow. To you, lovers are nooot Vassals. And I understand that. But tooo me… I would feel more at ease. And besides… it helps yooou too, I know. Conqueror. I am yours, Akio. All I have is yooours. I find joy in serving, in loving. Let me have this. I shall nooot accept for free.” She leaned over and whispered in my ear, and my face burned red. She giggled at that, and I slowly nodded.

“Excellent.” she tittered cheerfully, despite her weariness. “Then…” As amber letters pronounced her my Vassal, she quickly wove an Anchor out of nothing, ether vanishing. It quickly reached Rank 2, and then we were just waiting on the ether arriving, an endless stream of Fae bringing it through the gates, dumping it, then fetching more.

Shaeula was chatting with Bintara, Daiyu and Hana, while the two Oni were bored now the battle was over. Fortunately, they’d wandered off during the explanation, as I knew if I let them know Hyacinth’s strength, they’d only want to fight her, though sadly they, especially Blue, still seemed eager to brawl, despite their newly recovered injuries.

Oh well, if they try anything, they’ll regret it. Besides, the main thing was to keep the peace. Sekka didn’t understand, and I felt I knew Bintara well enough that she wouldn’t leak Hyacinth’s power to others. She was a healer first and foremost and dislikes doing harm needlessly.

Sekka, as I suspected, simply seemed bemused by everything, and as more and more ether appeared, Hyacinth starting the Rank 3 upgrade, I went to talk to her. “Don’t worry, the harassment of your home will stop now. And we’ll help you secure it.”

“Yes, so you said.” Sekka shook her head, before staring at the skies, the burning unlight of the aurorae above reflected in her eyes and pale blue skin. “I am not wedded to the land. It was my domain, yes, and the ice element there was welcome, though Tamamo-no-Mae plundered it for her own… I was going to say selfish ends, and it was… but I suppose doing it for others, even if it benefitted herself, is not entirely without merit… well, her desires, regardless. I could move on. There are few of us left now. The Yuki-onna dwindle. The Hyakki Yagyō maintains power, but it is not a place we feel comfortable.”

“Don’t worry. In fact, I’d be more than happy to bring in any surviving Yuki-onna into the fold. Though they’d have to stop preying on humans… well, except in self-defence, of course. Honestly, if they’re so lusty, and all as beautiful as you, I’m confident that so long as they don’t drain them dry, no end of men will queue up to be happily milked of their energies.”

“Is that why Tamamo-no-Mae changed? I can hardly countenance it…” Sekka muttered, looking away, and I was puzzled for a moment, before I shook my head.

“What Mae went through will change anyone. Even just tasting a little of it nearly broke me. But she’s strong, and self-confident, and doesn’t back down. She’ll be fine. And hopefully she’s shed most of her wild, cynical and wicked ways. The modern world has no place for those…”

“You think, do you?” Sekka was still staring off across the ocean, which was an inky black, streaked with reflected blue. “I think you will see that the times never change as much as you think…”

A Vassal Territory has reached Rank 3. Your Class, Conqueror, has increased from Level Twenty-six to Level Twenty-seven.

As the letters streaked my vision, I turned to see Hyacinth had finished burning ether to rush build the Anchor to Rank 3. Now all that remained was the Anchor Spire and its upgrade, to allow the Territory to occupy a twelve kilometre radius, instead of ten, giving us a solid foothold on Rebun Island. I then turned back to follow Sekka’s gaze, out over the ocean, my thoughts turning to what we needed to do next.

We’ll need to station a garrison here, so that we can ferry troops through when the Territory runs into trouble. Also, we’ll need to secure the Territory itself before we can progress. Oh, and mine out all the interesting metals and minerals. In addition… Sagami Bay was a good place to Level up and train our forces… I wonder just what lurks here, in these colder, wider, stormier seas…

I held in a quiet grin, wondering if the trainees were feeling a sudden chill. Damn, and we had a load of training planned tonight. Oh well, I can assist my sis and the others, as I’m drained, I don’t think I’ll be able to do much myself. And… Back on the Material, the Destroyers had arrived, naval forces offloading a huge amount of supplies, especially pallets of bottled water and larger industrial supply tanks, and hooking up the pumps to the storage tanker. Glancing at Mae and Tsukiko, I received a pair of quiet nods.

All right then. Time to call Arisu-san, to ferry us back to Tokyo. She’ll already be moving the Pilgrimage groups as they finish up. Since we head to my hometown tomorrow, and then onto the south… but for tonight… let’s check on Su Caihong and Su Liena, for Mae’s peace of mind, if nothing else…