On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“If you’ll excuse the insult, you look rather like shit, Akio-kun.” Gin-san observed with a wry smile as I pulled out my chair and sat down, trembling a little. Damn, I don’t think I’ve been this exhausted since the bad old days of running long distance at school. Even across this separate body I can feel the effects of aether depletion… no, everything depletion.

Glancing at the older man, who was addressing me rather more familiarly recently, I stifled a yawn, but before I could speak, his Chosen Hero, Akai, the young phoenix, blinked her fiery red eyes at me. She let out a hiss, wrapping her long brown hair all around her, covering her rich brown skin. Only her eyes were visible as she peered at me warily, and I pinched my nose, feeling a headache coming on.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one, as while some of the others in the room let out amused chuckles, Gin-san rubbed at his temples. “Akai, we’ve been over this. Akio-kun isn’t going to hurt you. You’re a phoenix, by Avalokiteshvara! A mythical immortal bird feared and respected by all. At least act like it sometimes.”

“No!” Akai declared, acting like a petulant child. I guess she is, in a way. Gin-san said he found her as a chick in the Boundary, and despite looking like a fashionable, if rather sloppy, young woman, she’s still childish. “He’s scary!” She insisted, hissing again. “Every time, stronger and stronger! And…” She paused, a little unsure, and it was Yasuhide-san who broke the silence, laughing heartily, tugging at his white beard, though I noticed that he looked less wrinkled and worn than usual, perhaps the benefits of Chirurgery reducing the wear and tear on his body.

“You’re certainly a funny one, Akai-chan. It’s good that Akio-kun is stronger, we don’t want to face a situation like Kyoto again, do we? Though it seems we will be.” His eyes narrowed. “Troubles are definitely brewing. Tsukiko-chan would hardly be wrong about this.”

Saying her name so casually wrung frowns and disapproving murmurs from many of those around us, but it was Chiyo-san who was next to speak, from her position next to the old monk Bankei. “Enough of the theatrics.” She was blunt and to the point as always. “Our Lady Diviner, Tsukiko-sama, has returned, her fate defeated as Akio-kun promised. And I have spoken to her. When I visited Shirohebizumi, to see how my granddaughters were getting along…” She paused then, eyeing me with a dispassionate gaze. “They’ve blossomed, certainly, having mastered earth element, as they call it, though mostly thanks to Hiroto-kun’s little twins. Brilliant girls. And it seems his boy has matured after… well, after those tragic events. Sometimes a boy becomes a man when he faces despair.”

“Yes.” I agreed, placing my elbows on the table and resting my head, not caring about the rudeness. Just need to catch my breath. The finishing touches to Tamamo-no-Mae had wiped me out, and my vision was a mess, streaked and stressed with orange light and meaningless shapes, almost as if it was the aura for a fierce migraine. “I’m very grateful to Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan, they always go above and beyond what is required, and they had no reason to, after Kyoto.”

“However… they do tell me of… a troubling issue.” Chiyo-san continued. “My girls, they say there’s rather a divide now, between the ordinary trainees, and those who have joined another group. Adamant, they called it. It seems the lions’ share of resources and effort go towards these recruits, and the work on bringing those of the faith into the fold decreases.”

Yasuhide-san agreed, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. “You know, Akio-kun is rather busy, gallivanting around the world, saving people heroically. Then there’s this business with the Nasu volcanoes. Clearly not a natural event. But my dear Shiori was talking about this group too. It’s very interesting. She was torn about joining, though I advised her to wait.” His smirk was knowing.

“Yeah, this isn’t really the time or place to discuss Adamant. But it’s not what you think, or fear. It’s certainly a more… personal… force for me, but that’s all.” I assured them, once more cursing the fact everyone thought I was just gathering a huge group of women to satisfy my lusts. Honestly, if that’s what I wanted, I have Eri and the others, I’ve no shortage of women! “As for the numbers of the faithful, yeah, I need to increase it, but we also need to perform Chirurgery for the government and the military, and for now it’s just me and Shaeula who can. Isn’t this off-topic though?”

Chiyo-san nodded, before chastising Akai again. “The only thing you should be scared of is your virtue, it seems, little phoenix. As for Tsukiko-chan…” she stumbled over the familiar address but was making a point to be less respectful than before. “…she has made up her mind, in part thanks to Akio-kun here. She is still our Diviner, but has thrown in her fate with his, and so no longer wishes to hide herself away. The reason for it has passed, it seems.”

“Yeah, her visions came true, at least in part, but we turned aside their consequences. And I won’t let her go back to a lonely life of serving Tsukuyomi. If she’s going to dedicate her all, then she deserves to have a happy life while doing so.” I swore, and Yasuhide-san nodded cheerfully.

“That’s my boy.” His words were proud. “Anyway, buck up, Akai. Strong allies are a wonderful thing, and Akio-kun is kind to women. He won’t break anything but your heart.” He echoed Chiyo-san’s words, and I was going to protest, but considering I had just been terribly intimate with Tamamo-no-Mae, even if it was to help restore her to her full strength far more rapidly… I didn’t do it because I wanted to. It was hellishly difficult, and it has left me spent… but I don’t have time for Mae to slowly recuperate. Uranai basically persuaded me to rescue her now through Shinkume-no-Hana, and my Foresight is buzzing too.

“Akai, you’re a trusted ally. Nobody wants to hurt you, least of all me. In fact, one of the reasons I’m here is to make sure everyone’s on the same page ready for trouble. Gin-san said you were awesome last time trouble broke out, so I’ll be relying on you.” I reached out a hand across the table, trying to force a smile onto my exhausted, sallow face. For the longest moment I was left hanging, before Gin-san coughed loudly, and with a tentative, weak motion, Akai’s hair parted a little, and her arm came out. She hesitated again, before gingerly taking my hand.

“You promise?” she said, as I gently squeezed her hand, which was far warmer than ordinary humans, her skin the temperature of hot tea.

“I promise, Akai. We’re all friends here.”

“You’re strange.” She said, releasing me. Shaking her head, her hair was flung behind her, revealing her face once more, and her ruby eyes wavered a little. “Always changing. Not human, not anymore.”

“Well, you aren’t either, are you? Neither is Shaeula or Hyacinth, but do we need to be human? We’re all intelligent beings with thoughts and feelings. Even the Gods are.” I knew that for a fact, as while I certainly couldn’t say Tan had the same thought processes as us mortals, she definitely did have many of the same emotional responses, if on a grander scale sometimes. “As for changing… yeah, I have to change. Because I’m the one in charge.” I declared proudly. “And therefore it’s my responsibility to protect Kyoto and everyone here. Though I’ll be counting on those who can help, like you can, Akai. But don’t hesitate if you need something.”

Akai frowned, looking down at the hand I had held rather quizzically, before nodding slowly. “Fine, I’ll trust you, scary man… Akio. Huh, Akai, Akio. We match.” She puffed out her cheeks. “In that case… I want cute clothes and pretty dresses. Lots of food too. Gin is such a miser!”

Surprised by this turn of events, I looked at Gin-san, who coughed. “I hardly stint on Akai’s needs, I assure you. But I am simply the humble priest of Kinkaku-ji. I don’t have your bottomless wealth, Akio-kun. Besides, she may be a chick, but she eats like she’s Suzaku itself, and thrice her size.”

“I get hungry.” Akai continued to pout, but fortunately the mood had shifted, and there were now smiles around the table. “I won’t grow up big and strong like you if I don’t eat!”

“She’s got you there.” I let out a chuckle of my own. “Sure, we can go shopping. I’m too tired for much else anyway.” I promised, and as Akai’s face lit up, I turned my attention back to business. “The matter with Tsukiko is final. As for increasing the number of trainees via Chirurgery, we definitely want to, but for now it’s on the backburner. We’re still ahead of schedule, really.”

At everyone’s grudging agreement, I continued. “So, are we all prepared for the upcoming troubles?”

Gin-san nodded, though his smile was now quite sour. “The plan is in place, though some of us can’t help but think this is a ploy to swallow up all of Kyoto.”

“If I really wanted that, you think I couldn’t?” I sighed. “I was the one who put in place the Ministry rules to protect your rights. Rest assured, we’ll help you re-establish if needed, but we want to avoid further unnecessary casualties. We don’t have enough Chosen to be throwing them away over petty pride or holding ground.”

“Alas, this humble monk must report a problem.” Bankei said, before anyone else could speak. “The remaining Chosen of Susanoo faction refuses to answer our calls and has isolated himself. Young Uchida also remains withdrawn, and the remains of Susanoo within Kyoto are likewise estranged from us. Unless Uchida Yamato-kun wakes…”

“Damn fool.” Chiyo-san snapped, without any kindness or pity, though her face betrayed her sadness. “He’s suffered a grave loss. I sympathise. But he’s not alone in that. Yamato-kun gambled recklessly and paid for it.” She turned to me then. “Is there no way you can rouse the boy? We’ve heard tell of your many miraculous healings.”

I shook my head. “Trust me, if I could, I would. But… the matter is complicated, and beyond my power to intervene in.”

Chiyo-san nodded slowly, eyes narrowing. “Yes, I can see why.” She changed the subject, surprising everyone. “By the way, my granddaughters were talking about your sister. She’s been kind to them apparently, and they feel she has a golden future.”

“Is this the time for that?” Yasaka-san groused, speaking up for the first time, understanding. “I know if you praise his sister it will put Akio-san in a good mood, but… it’s not helping.”

“It seems nothing does help.” Chiyo-san complained. “But if we can’t persuade him to pull himself out of his grief, then we have to act as if Uchida-san isn’t here. But if disaster strikes again, I trust that the Susanoo holdouts will respond accordingly. If not…” she shrugged. “…we can’t help those who don’t help themselves.”

As the table devolved into a discussion on just how to win over the last remnants of the faith, for every true shrine was precious to Japan, I closed my eyes there, snatching a moment of rest, while in the Boundary, Mae had stopped her shaking and had dragged herself to her feet. Pulling on her discarded Kimono after Hyacinth had mopped her clean, I couldn’t help but express a hint of regret as her colossal breasts were half-hidden, and Shiro kicked me gently in the leg.

“It’s not all about size, Aki. Mine are just as good.”

“I know.” I apologised. “And I shouldn’t ogle, but…”

“Grandmother certainly is… impressive.” Nebisuki offered, her face still deathly pale from watching the harrowing Chirurgery and Shapercrafting that went into Mae. “And you roamed your hands and mind all over every inch of her, even those mountainous breasts, which do not even lose to Mount Fuji in scale…”

“Little Hana…” Mae said pointedly, and she snickered weakly.

“I shall be silent. I promise.”

“See that you do. Though you are far from entirely wrong.” She tied her obi sash, and her cleavage was pushed up, again drawing my eyes, like some sort of mesmeric attraction. I was half-blind and mentally exhausted, but I still managed to focus my League, and I realised that Mae’s Charm was more active now, magnifying the appeal of her soft chest, which was as warm as… Shaking my head, I cleared those thoughts, only to run into her accusation. “When you mutilated my heart, your hand lingered, groping me all over. So scandalous.”

“Sorry.” I bowed, and she seemed surprised I would apologise.

“I could hardly stop you. To reach my heart, you had to touch my chest. What man, and even few women, could resist my bounty? And you were trying to aid me, even if your methods were as torturous as that cursed monk. I may be a woman short on gratitude, yet I suppose I can forgive you, although…” Her emerald eyes narrowed, and I felt her League rise, until it was greater than mine, though the difference was far from insurmountable. In fact, I’m not too far behind, honestly…even if she’s still not at her best.

“I see…” She flexed her body, rolling back her shoulders, tails wagging. That just drew my eyes further. “Yes, the pain is mostly gone. Fascinating. To think I am forged of cold metal and other dead materials, yet I still am myself.” She looked at me then, and a seductive smile crossed her cherry lips. “Yet to do so, you violated me, my chest, and more… a woman has her pride and dignity.” She paused then. “My dignity must look rather pathetic since you have seen my begging, pleading, desperate entreaties to that dead fool. But… none of you will speak of it, will you?”

I shook my head. “A lady should have some secrets. And… in your place I’d have done the same, if I could even have withstood it at all. You made sure I understood.”

“I did. So… recompense.” She moved suddenly, and her fist was in front of my face. The impact rocked me, and since I was too exhausted to move I let her punch throw me to the ground. Yeah, it doesn’t hurt. But… Shiro and Shaeula blinked in surprise at the scene, though Shaeula had clearly seen the punch coming and had elected not to stop it, perhaps expecting I would deal with it. Hyacinth merely nodded knowingly.

“So, I’m sure you could have dodged that, Aki… or maybe not, you’re pretty wiped out.” Shiro asked. “But… aren’t you holding her name?”

Mae curled her lips into a smile, looking satisfied, though she glanced down at her fist, the pale skin now rather red and tender. Licking it softly, she sighed. “Indeed, Akio is. Were I in my prime, it would never have happened. I was the only Kitsune bold enough to be known as my true self, and yet retain my own autonomy. But such gripes are merely the whining of a beaten loser. Perhaps when I regain my strength I shall seize it back, force his hand off my tail, yet… for now you speak the truth.”

“So, then how…?” Shiro asked, and Mae tossed her head, her hair that Shaeula had reattached cascading behind her as if to emphasis her point.

“It is simple. He forbids me naught. Even a blow of righteous indignation. Perhaps he does not fear me. My strength is rather feeble now. Or perhaps…” Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. “…he does indeed feel guilty for my pains. It hardly matters. This was merely a sop to my pride.”

“Yeah, I do feel guilty. Though you shouldn’t be so Charming.” I stood, brushing myself off. “Honestly though, I do feel a little ashamed, even if I wasn’t groping you for my pleasure.”

“I am aware.” Mae shook her head, losing interest. “I can tell the difference between lust and other emotions. Now…” She surged with aether, and after a moment, blinked her green eyes, surprised. “…I am pathetic. Even my dear granddaughter would have surpassed my current strength, were she not so… worn out.”

“Rude. Still holding a grudge over my spanking threat, dear grandmother? The greatest of us should hardly be so petty.” Nebisuki barked a dry laugh. “Though…” her smile was now wistful. “…despite everything, and all you have done… it seems you are finally back with us. Our grandmother, the greatest of us all.”

“It seems so.” Mae agreed, her own harsh tone softening to match the mood. She then bowed to me playfully, tails wagging. “I feel little pain. Many odd sensations, but not agony. While my strength has yet to return, and I feel as weak as a new-born, I can draw on more than before without suffering harm. So your work was… adequate, it seems.”

“Adequate?” It was my turn to complain. “What went into you was my greatest masterpiece!”

“Could you do less? I am and always have been a priceless work of art. My beauty has been legend across the known world and beyond.” She stretched, her breasts threatening to spill free again. Kitsune really like kimonos. Nebisuki is the same…

Seeing me looking, she laughed, this time with sheer joy. “I must not be myself. Perhaps it is indeed that for the first time in my long life, I am not responsible for my own self. Though should you seek to misuse your authority, I shall resist. I have suffered one long enslavement, and it has changed me, winnowed much of me away. I cannot bear another.”

“Nor will you have to.” Asha handed Mae a goblet of fiery honeyed mead, and as she drank it gratefully, restoring some of her strength after the surgery, Asha continued. “And I know you know it. I have had little congress with Yōkai up to now, but you strike me as one who can see through the wiles of others.”

“I can. For the cunning can seldom be fooled.” Mae admitted.

“Then you do not need me to tell you. Simply judge his actions.” Asha’s tone was motherly, soothing and gentle, and above us her Tree rustled its branches, more leaves and some beautiful blossoms falling, drifting down to us in the still Boundary.

“I do, and I shall.” Mae finished her drink, before yawning. “Though I still wish for more tender care. But… the worst is over, is it not?”

“It is.” I promised. “Barring complications.” I tried to use my Eye and looked at some of the relevant parts of Mae’s status.

[Item Class: ???] [Item Type: ???] – It is currently impossible to determine the ratings of this Shapercrafted living being, as the true strength of Tamamo-no-Mae is currently unusable and she has only partially adapted to the artificial components that have replaced her withered Chakras and further Network.

Makes sense, I guess? Blinking back tears as my Eye continued to rampage, I did scan a more interesting description, before my Eye refused any further stress.

[????????-Bound Artefact] – Due to the manipulation of flesh, spirit and ????????, as well as the significant quantity of your Aether, Adherence and ???????? invested in Tamamo-no-Mae, further heightened by the existing bond that connected you, her ???????? has become bound to her Shapercrafted nature, with unpredictable results. In addition, there has been some cross-mingling of ???????? through the existing bond, so the ????????-Bound Artefact can only display its greatest power when the ????????’s of both parties are in accord. It further strengthens bonds and bond-like abilities.

Yeah, that one’s not problematic at all. Squeezing shut my temporarily dysfunctional Eye, I was more focussed on Kyoto, as our impromptu meeting had come to a close, and I had pulled Yasaka-san aside, Gin-san following, along with Akai, who was still wary, but eager to go shopping. I guess she’s just the same as Shaeula. Girls love to shop, no matter their species…

“So yes, I’m finally done…” A haggard and pale Yasaka-san wiped at his forehead, looking down at the secure tablet in front of me. He paused, as my eye slid shut, a pained grimace crossing my face. “…it’s ironic for me to ask, considering how you abuse me, but are you all right?” he asked, and I shrugged.

“Yeah, just massively overstressed my body.” I forced a laugh, despite the bitter migraine raging in my head. “So it’s not just you I ask to ruin himself.”

“Not that I feel any better. Well, moving on.” Yasaka-san coughed. “I’ve spent far too long wiped out in bed, coughing up blood. I’m hoping for a break. Don’t be calling me while you’re abroad.” he warned sourly. “Anyway, here’s the details. Annoyingly enough, I worded the question badly and ended up laid up for an hour because it told me about you! Six in total, one of which is you. Then there’s Dorte Andreassen and that other guy, as we found before. Then these.” Three social media profiles, two men and a woman, were displayed, and the fourth person, another woman, supposedly an Icelandic musician, despite her lack of media presence, was also listed. “As for the seeds, we can confirm our weightlifter the Americans have is one, while our live man here is also in America.” He tapped the screen.

“Great. And we have narrowed down the Botswana location, and also found the others?” I looked at the list and some maps. “Legendary work, man.” I clapped him on the shoulder happily. Looks like everything is falling into place. Hmm… Looking at the locations, it wasn’t impossible I’d be able to strike one or two more during the itinerary, with a bit of juggling. “So, as for first contact with these Chosen… the Ministry imagines it’s best to go with others, rather than me. I’m too big a potential danger to them apparently.”

“Makes sense.” Yasaka-san agreed, handing me the secure tablet. “Now, I’m done, right? I am done?” His tone was almost pleading, and I couldn’t help but feel bad for him.

“One last issue. And honestly, this shouldn’t be as bad…” I began, but he cut me off, irritated.

“That’s what you always say! Saionji-sama, at least your questions weren’t so… so brutal!”

“Sorry, but you know you’re contributing.” Gin-san reassured him. “And once the dangers facing Japan are navigated, you can retire into a life of luxury, only having to work occasionally.”

I nodded. “Yeah, we’re depositing money into your account for each question. You’re certainly well off. But this one… it’s about some women, a mother and daughter, that we could potentially save. How can you say no to that?” At my pleading gaze, spoiled by the fact one of my eyes was sealed shut, and I was pale as paper, he finally relented.

“I sometimes… no, I often hate you…” Yasaka-san grumbled, without much heat, more for the sake of it, I thought. “All right then. Ask your damn question, and I’ll see if Minerva is feeling helpful.”

“In that case…” I held my breath after saying my next words. “There’s a pair of Cultivators, who should be preserved in the far north of Japan. Su Caihong and Su Liena. Are they still alive, and if so, will they remain so for much longer?”

As Yasaka-san repeated the question, sweat beaded on his brow, but in theory this should have been far easier to bear the burden of, being as we knew a lot of information already, and it was barely touching on the immediate future. As he opened his mouth, back at Shirohebizumi, I spoke up, stopping Mae in her tracks.

“I guess it’s been a day for miracles. Su Caihong, Su Liena… they still live in the frozen coffins you and Sekka made for them.”

Mae blinked, trying very hard not to look as if she cared overmuch, which I found unbearably cute, but the movement of some of her bushy tails gave her away. “You do not have to lie to me. I am not a child. I have lived many times more, hundreds of times more than you. False hope… I no longer wish for death, so…”

“Akio does not lie, foolish ooone.” Hyacinth declared. “Sometimes, efforts can be rewarded. Nooot always, not often enooough, but sometimes.”

“Didn’t you work hard for it?” I pressed. “I don’t think it was praiseworthy cheating the Saint of Swallowing Sorrows, but again, you did it out of love, so… I can understand it.”

“Love? Caihong’er and I were merely passing some pleasant hours together.” Mae denied, though her tone betrayed her, voice wistful. “They should not have survived, even moving so slowly through the ages, but… Caihong’er was strong. Nobody rises to the Matriarch of one of the Five Great Sects, of Ten Thousand Flower Throne, by being easy to bully. And Liena… she was doted on by her mother, her treasure….”

“In that case…” I patted her on the shoulder. “…you’d better restore your strength as fast as possible. After all, Kunlun is gone, and they have nothing anymore. Someone has to provide for them…”

Mae gave me a flat look, while Shaeula, Shiro, Hyacinth and Asha all rolled their eyes at me in unison.

“Come on now, Aki. You know you’ll offer them a place. Besides, won’t it be you healing them?”

“I believe Daiyu would benefit a great-great deal from their knowledge.” Shaeula agreed.

“Grandmother… I am happy for you.” Nebisuki said softly, and Mae paused, swallowing, before her usual aloof demeaner reasserted itself.

“Of course you are. Did I not spare you, all those years ago? I am being rewarded for my good deeds.” She turned to me then. “I will not declare that you owe me… despite subjecting me to such indignities, seizing my name… I know you had little malice, and I have benefitted. Your insistence in persuading me to stay is self-serving, but I can hardly fault that. So…” She bowed then, a difficult thing to do for a woman of her pride, I wagered. “…I ask you. Prove to me your words hold absolute truth. If you can save Caihong’er and Liena and help us seek vengeance… then I shall consider our meeting a blessed one, and believe that the world is no longer a dull, dead place.” She grinned then, savagely beautiful, her League, Charm and Majesty all soaring. “For it will not be. For vengeance stirs the blood, and your enemies… shall be my enemies, and your road, my road!”

Nodding, I took her hand, allowing her to feel my sincerity. “Obviously it won’t be easy, and it’ll have to wait until my return from my trip, but we have time. For now, prepare, and the day you see them again will be here before you know it.”

I’m glad that for all she suffered, at least the one good deed she did that I know of, no matter how selfish, didn’t go unrewarded… Holding in a yawn, not willing to break the sanctity of the moment, I let my focus drift, to where Akai was skipping out of the shrine, urging me to hurry, her fear of me currently forgotten…