On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

The old man shifted in his padded chair, old bones creaking. Damn, when did I get so old? I remember the days of my youth, when Japan was recovering after the disaster of World War Two…

Shaking his head to clear such unproductive thoughts, Shige glanced at his reflection in the unlit video-screens in front of him. Despite being in his eighties, he still looked robust and muscular, though his once-dark hair had long since turned a pale silver-white. His eyes, they still retained strength though. Strength I need now more than ever. Have the times ever changed this much? Even the war…

“It’s time.” He said to his butler, who was standing ramrod-straight beside him, impeccably attired as always. At his word, delivered in a still-powerful voice, the butler operated his remote control, and the two screens in front of him burst to life, displaying two similarly old men.

The first was a bald man, lean and tall, with eyes as piercing as a raptor. He raised a hand in greeting. “Shige, Itsuki. It’s been too long… since the dance recital for your granddaughters I believe? Mine isn’t interested in traditional dance, all she cares about is business, and she’s stopped listening to me. A shame, as I’d have loved to see her all dressed up. Still, your granddaughters were spectacular.”

The man on the other screen spoke, hollow-cheeked and pale, his hair a yellowy-white that looked sickly. He was hunched over, and in-between some hacking coughs got out his words. “Kira, Shige. Good… to see you all again. Excuse my … ill-health. Summer fevers can be a pain at our age.”

Shige nodded his greetings in return. “Kira, Itsuki. Yes, I am rather proud of my granddaughters, they have been raised to be the perfect examples of Japanese women. Yours was quite lovely too, Itsuki. As for your granddaughter, Kira, my oldest will be hosting a party soon, she should come. I’d be happy to give her some advice on business. Perhaps coming from me, it would resonate with her?”

“I’d appreciate it.” Kira laughed. “After all, the power and lineage of Fujiwara house is to be respected. Still, enough small talk. We have to discuss important matters, no?”

Straight to the point as always. Kira was head of Ichijou house, which like his own Fujiwara house was one of the oldest traditional Japanese houses left, ripe with power and influence. Ichijou house was into heavy manufacturing, construction, IT and technology, as well as some military industries. In comparison, Fujiwara house was invested into near-enough every Bank, Financial Company, Real-Estate Brokerage and similar in Japan. Though its true power lay elsewhere… in comparison though… Takatsukasa house has been on the wane since the war, fortunes never recovered after that blow… to think that one of the three remaining Greater houses could fall so low…

“Indeed we do. Takakura-san has complied all the information we will need to make our decisions on how we proceed.” With another gesture the butler operated his remote, and various maps and data-sheets were displayed on their monitors. For a while there was silence as everyone skimmed the information, before Kira let out a long sigh.

“Utter madness. If it wasn’t coming from Takakura-san I’d believe it was all just an elaborate prank. Still, when it comes to faith, Takakura house is the most devout of all the Fifty-seven. It was Takakura-san who talked me into becoming a monk, remember, though I couldn’t suppress my worldly desires… ahh, memories.”

The Fifty-Seven. How that number pains me. Houses whose legacy surpasses a century, houses of old Japan who maintained the traditions and respect for the greatness of the past… only fifty-seven now remained, as more and more fell over time, either lost to succession disputes and foolish heirs losing their fortunes, or crushed by the times. That damn World War Two. Many houses were destroyed, either lost in the fighting, or reduced to poverty in the occupation afterwards, ancestral treasures and homes looted or destroyed. Even the Emperor and his line lost much…

“Indeed, I find it… hard to believe myself…” Itsuki coughed, body trembling with effort. “It sounds like something the… young would dream… up.”

“Our disadvantage is that no child of the Fifty-Seven seems to have encountered this strange phenomenon, at least none that was owning up to it. I have asked the Three-Hundred, and am awaiting answers from them.” The Three-Hundred. If we just allow our numbers to dwindle, generation after generation, then eventually all that honour and keep the old ways of Japan will be gone. Therefore… Therefore the Three-Hundred. Families picked who have stable companies or arts for at least three generations, with impeccable pedigree and willing to join in preserving the legacy of the country. Their children were sent to special schools where only nobles could attend, one for girls and another for the boys. It was churning out a generation of fine young people, though it was not without its drawbacks…

“Well, our daughters and granddaughters wouldn’t lie to us. The school teaches them to be modest, beautiful and filial, as well as always truthful. Perfect Yamato Nadeshiko indeed. It is our sons and grandsons we need to watch, as we taught them ambition and pride. I wouldn’t put it past some to keep such things to themselves. Though they would be a fool to go against you, Shige. You do have that private army… ahh, sorry, security company of yours, don’t you.”

“As… for the Three-Hundred… they would surely be honest. Having the support of our houses… means much to them.” Itsuki forced out.

“If it is merely a matter of numbers, we might find some to investigate. The shrines are a pillar of this country, and while we have much respect for each other, we cannot command them, not even through Takakura-san, though they desire our support. Still, it is more likely a matter of… faith.”

Traditional belief is important, the shrines, temples and old ways should, nay must be preserved. But balance is important. If only the shrines have access to this new, world-shaking power…

“So, where do we go from here?” Kira asked. “From what Takakura-san has said, the shrines and temples themselves seem to be at odds with each other over how to proceed and who shall lead? I know us nobles have our own disputes, but the three of us have kept everyone united all these decades… is it too much to ask that they manage the same in this time of crisis?”

“Could… we not… throw our support behind one group to resolve… this crisis?” Itsuki asked haltingly.

“I am wary of treading into such a quagmire, I feel we should take the advice of Takakura-san on this.” Takakura house is even older than ours, and has always been tied to traditional faith. They even have their own impressive shrine and priests. It is a pity none of them have experienced this strange new awakening… still, as one of the major houses, if below us in importance, they can be trusted to act with prudence on this matter. “Instead, I suggest we concentrate on discovering everyone in Japan who has access to this new power. If upstarts like the Yakuza, or worse, potential terrorists, had access to abilities beyond what we commonly understand… the very stability of Japan could be threatened. But there is an even more frightening possibility…”

“Foreign powers. It could become an arms race… and if that leads to war…” Itsuki muttered, no doubt remembering how the last war led to the precipitous decline in his houses’ fortunes.

“Indeed. It is hard to say what these changes will bring, as even Takakura-san has limited information on what abilities those chosen are granted, but should they prove great… well, other countries are not as wise as we are. We should keep a close watch on our allies and enemies alike. I have heard rumblings from my connections at the US Embassy that make me suspect the US Government is already aware of this phenomenon. Our Diet remains in the dark, however. To an extent, we are already behind….”

“Yeah, I haven’t had the details, but since we are deep in the military trade little rumours from the American Army and Pentagon have come our way. Nothing concrete, but it doesn’t take an oracle to guess that the US Military will weaponise this if it can be.” Kira agreed.

So, how best to proceed. We are all on the same page it seems. “In that case, we must pool whatever information we can find. Knowledge is our first need, and most important bulwark against the changing times. There is no way we can allow a Third World War, for if our houses fall, all that is good about our country will be lost… I shall set my Fujiwara Security Services to seeking out any who can be found. Also, we need to monitor banks and other institutions for suspicious dealings, and also make connections with the Police and Public Security. In addition we should gather our subordinates and branch families, and set them to the task. Are we in agreement?”

As his two old friends agreed with him, Shige turned his mind to the future. Our children, our precious grandsons and granddaughters… without this new power, how will they fare in this world? Is it something that can be obtained, or are their chances gone forever? In any case, I’ll not let all we have struggled to preserve fail. May I live long enough to see the end of this crisis…