On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“Okay, I’ve got a few hours here to keep working. Damn, my schedule is insane. But…” I smiled, remembering the events of last night, when Tan became mine, and Shaeula also enjoyed her birthday celebrations. Not just that, but training with Motoko and Natsumi, sharing in their successes and failures, and those of all my other friends… sure, I don’t have time to lie around and play video games, watch anime and read manga anymore… but life’s far more fulfilling now. Frantic yes, but fulfilling. Besides… things will calm down eventually, and honestly… lazy days lying around with everyone just relaxing will be amazing. And I’m sure Tan will enjoy just lounging next to us, reading Earth books she’s never seen…

In the Boundary at Washinomiya-jinja, I was now alone, except for the pair of minor Kami who dwelt at the shrine, subordinates of Ōkuninushi. They had seemed rather bemused by the tide of odd worshippers who left substantial offerings both here and in the Material, but they had adapted, and both bowed politely to me as they gave me some privacy, tucked away in a room within the main shrine.

While my Material body was with everyone else, being ferried further north, fortunately the day’s Pilgrimage had a lot of travel time, and I was taking full advantage, before I’d have to dismiss my body here and recall it there. Glancing down at my wrist, where I wore a rather plain bracelet, I grinned, and in a surge of purple sparks, the items I was working on for Christmas appeared, plus also some prototypes Ixitt and his Mortal Engineers had whipped up for me, several bottles of silvery liquid.

Yeah, I’m glad I took the time to put together this Spatial Storage Bracelet, based on Daiyu’s birthday gift. I feel a little bad for her, but… I glanced down at the rings and bracelets I had been working on. …Daiyu’s surprisingly not very greedy. Oh, of course when it comes to Cultivation, she’s rabidly fanatical, desperate for any progress, but… she won’t feel jealous that everyone else is getting better versions of her Ring. Of course, she’s getting the upgrade too, but…

I’d make it up to her, of course, but… after the attacks by the church, I wanted to ensure everyone was as prepared as possible at all times, and making sure access to weapons and resources was instant made sense.

“All right. Time to keep going. I… don’t have that much longer until Christmas.” I muttered, glancing down at my handiwork. Materials from the Materia Tree, as well as Kobold Bluesteel, formed the main components, but jewels from the Mines were also featured. The bracelets… they were all rather elegant, and at first glance seemed to be missing something large at the centre, but… they’re actually watch straps, just… works of art…

I still wasn’t particularly good at fine detail work, but I’d done as much as I could, and had Kobold and Dwarves finish the rest, elegant engravings tailored to each individual around where the watch itself would sit, tasteful, small yet exquisitely carved jewels in colours that matched each woman also inlaid around the centre. As for the watch mechanisms and faces… Karen-chan had made the arrangements for me, and the same craftsmen that made watches for the nobility had prepared them. Practical gifts are important, but… I want the girls to treasure them too… and not just them…

Sure, the watches I had made for my family and friends weren’t as fancy, and used lesser materials, but they still had a small spatial storage attached, and were one-of-a-kind gifts. Hinata had suggested I get a present for each member of Adamant too, and I’d settled on diamond-shaped brooches that could double as hairpins and necklaces. Again, they’d been crafted to create a small pocket space, big enough to fit in their weapons, armour and a few personal possessions, and I was apparently going to have to fit in a brief presentation ceremony Christmas morning.

Since everyone else was getting presents, and I wanted to really pamper my women, in addition I had crafted elegant rings. However, these weren’t storage rings, but… a last resort in an emergency, and also an experiment. I wasn’t done with them all, and… I was making a number of spares, as I was sure I’d need more in future, but I could see the end of my work approaching, at least for now.

All right, time to get started. Taking the beautiful crystalline silver from the Materia Tree, I worked it into the shape of a ring, the size of it matching Yukiko’s finger. I had to do Eleanor’s as well, sure, we were half a world apart, but… that was no bar to me spending a little time with her on Christmas day too. The finished material looks like platinum, just… more vivid and elegant, somehow. Fortunately, some colours never go out of fashion, and go with almost any outfit, and silver is one of those…

The Materia Tree materials were uniquely malleable and easy to shape, so I could resize the other spare rings once they were crafted and I found a recipient for them, but for now, I had a couple to make as a priority. I also took some bluesteel, as the ability to absorb and retain elements was key here, and fortunately, the Materia Tree materials were incredibly easy to blend into other metals, and it was a reasonably certain way of creating items that could exist both in the Boundary and the Material.

I’m so very disappointed you can’t bring me one of those. Rose teased me. I am feeling left out, my Verr. If Lin knew what you were making, she would claim to be unbothered, but I suspect that under her stoic, competent demeanour, she would secretly crave it. Our littlest sister is very emotional at heart, and a romantic, else she never would have suggested we take the Fruit and put our plan into action, no matter the risks to us…

Really? She’s certainly bold. But you are hardly one to talk, considering I had only met you for mere minutes.

What can I say? When I know, I know. The Great Mother does mediate matrimony after all, so I am sensitive to these matters. Just as Run loves pranks and tricks, and Lin strives to be a hero… I am one who respects the sanctity of being a Brúðr. As for gifts… those… watches… such a pretty yet functional gift. Best make a number of extras.

I intend to. Now, I need to concentrate…

My Apologies. But… that Tree you took the metal and crystals from… it is quite strange. Take good care of it.

I silently assented and began my work. The bluesteel, shaped by aether, melted, as did the crystalline yet metallic wood from them Tree. Not just aether though. To do what I wanted it to, I needed something more, a connection between the ring I was forging, Yukiko, and also myself. Fortunately, there was a connection. Lovers’ Link. Even Eleanor was tied to me by the Link I could give now, and I’d felt Yukiko was an important friend for a while, so she obviously had the Link too.

I could weave adherence into the mix, and indeed, my early attempts had, in the moments I had free to work on these gifts, but the results didn’t satisfy. But using soullight, that worked as I had anticipated. Reaching inside myself, I grasped for the strand of Lovers’ Link that connected Yukiko and me. The idea had come from Eri, as she had often told me of the time she was dying when the Kijo had dismembered her, and all she could cling to was Lovers’ Link and me. But she had also reached Ginneka, her preserved spirit tangled in the strands, and that was the clue that the bonds we shared weren’t merely figurative but had very real properties too.

All right. Infuse it with my soullight, but the soullight that leaks into the Lovers’ Link with Yukiko. Charge it up, make it a part of the whole…

The strange material shimmered, turning into a liquid, similar to mercury. More bluesteel, I think… This required a slightly different blend to the watch strap-style bracelets. That was a two-stage system, one part a Spatial Bracelet, the other part a storage battery for their own elemental energies, a supply for emergencies. But this… this was designed to hold one very specific element, a unique one, in fact, and so ordinary bluesteel alone wasn’t as reliable as I had hoped.

Fortunately, the crafting process was fascinating to me. Even despite my Skills rapidly increasing, it took more than mere knowledge to create true works of art. Bjarki and Ixitt still outstripped me (And Ixitt’s Crafting Skills were rising even faster than mine). It seems that finally being able to access all the knowledge and resources of the Material world is propelling him to new heights.

Despite that, I had one advantage, which was my in-depth knowledge of fiction. That seemed a joke, but stealing ideas from stories with magical items was surprisingly useful. Storage Rings were just one of those items which featured regularly.

As I concentrated, adjusting the aether and soullight density, as well as the alloying ratio, bringing it closer to the ideal I had found in my prior rings, soon I had crafted it, and my Eye shone, confirming success.

Yukiko’s Unfinished Ring Forged Of Blue Akionite Alloy [Item Class: Sufficient] [Item Type: Foundation]

This ring is forged from Blue Akionite, an alloy made of mysterious metal and crystal extracted from a perplexing tree. These materials are grown mostly from Territorial Silver and Crystal from Oshiro Moonstone Akio’s Territory, and while the Materia Tree sprouted from a number of Territorial Materials, all the foundational seeds were connected to Oshiro Moonstone Akio in some way. Thus, the Materials are particularly absorbent and conductive to Oshiro Moonstone Akio’s Soullight and other energies.

Blue Akionite is an alloy that also retains the properties of the Kobold Bluesteel mixed in, and in fact amplifies them. It can not only hold Elemental energies, but also Soullight of a certain flavour. This flavour has been set by weaving strands of the Lovers’ Link between Yukiko and Oshiro Moonstone Akio, so only they can utilise the power of this ring. However, it is yet unfinished, the capstone missing, and the Flame within unkindled.

I’m detecting passive-aggressive resistance here. Originally, the alloy wasn’t Akionite, but it had changed since I had last worked on the rings. I supposed it didn’t really matter what it was called, so long as it worked, but even thinking that my Eyes itched a little.

“Anyway…” I etched the outline of what I wanted around the setting of the ring, where a jewel should go. In Yukiko’s case, it was a sun, with flaring light beams radiating outwards, to symbolise both her role as an Imperial Princess, and also as Amaterasu’s Chosen. Though the Kobolds would first polish up the minor mistakes in my carving. They would then also set some small, tasteful jewels, though first…

I retrieved a chunk of crystal that was taken from the Materia Tree. The Kobolds had faceted it so it looked like a wondrous diamond, and it reflected the light into a prismatic sheen of brilliant colours. Setting it in the centre of the unfinished ring, I made sure my soullight and Yukiko’s bond were tangled in it, and the gemstone changed colour. It still rippled with brilliance in the light, but… this gem-like material is wonderfully sympathetic, it can take on other aspects with ease. In Yukiko’s case, the jewel now shone a brilliant yellow, similar to sunlight, and that signified the ring was complete, barring the final artistic touches, and…

Here goes. I placed my finger on the jewel and poured out Foehn. During early attempts, I had just destroyed the materials, but once I had the first couple of successes, Eri’s ring… not sure how Eri will take it… her jewel turned a rich, deep black, with silver flecks shifting within. It’s pretty, but… black? …and Shaeula’s, which was as orange as her eyes, able to take the Foehn, I quickly worked out the proper ratios for the alloy, as well as the amount of Foehn it could safely hold. Foehn doesn’t like being tamed by others, but with my soullight…

“That’s enough…” I tapered off the flow, and the ring felt hot in my hands now, before the heat died down to a gentle, almost comforting warmth. Well satisfied, I examined my handiwork.

Yukiko’s Pledge Of Flame [Item Class: Noble] [Item Type: Rule]

This ring is forged from Blue Akionite and Materia Crystal. It has been crafted by weaving strands of the Lovers’ Link between Yukiko and Oshiro Moonstone Akio, so only they can utilise the power of this ring. It contains a seeded spark of Foehn, All-Consuming Conflagration, and so long as it is not entirely exhausted, it can be fed by feeding Flame Elemental energies and Aether through the bond connecting Yukiko and Oshiro Moonstone Akio, replenishing it.

“Great. All done.” I grinned, putting the ring away. I didn’t have much time left to get the Kobolds to finish the engravings, but as most of the other rings were done, I should still meet the deadline. “Now, Eleanor’s…”

Work on that went equally as well. Her ring setting was based on the Royal coat of arms of Britain, with a lion and a unicorn, though I gave them some armoured barding, to represent her Armour Of The Green Knight. When the ring was safety crafted and stowed, ready for the finishing touches, I took a break. I didn’t have long left, as my Material body was nearing its destination, but I still had time to inspect the potions that Ixitt had prepared.

The first potion was silver, but had streaks of different colours appearing and disappearing, depending on how one looked. It really should be blue, but… that’s just a conceit, I guess. Besides, it’s not replenishing ‘mana’, is it? I suspected that there was no reason mana couldn’t or didn’t exist, but it was surely just a refinement of aether, just like Qi, used for a specific set of abilities.

Concentrated Aether Brew [Item Class: Sufficient] [Item Type: Foundation]

This potion is a mixture of weak alcohol and powdered Etherite residue, as well as a number of herbs with restorative properties. Drinking this potion will infuse the imbiber with a boost in Aether, and slightly increase the rate and efficiency at which their body processes and generates Aether for a short time.

“The alcohol’s not the issue. It’s basically the strength of sweet amazake. Less than a percentage point. It’s just that… it’s not exactly a huge boost. And downing barrels of the stuff is impractical.”

The second potion was similarly useless. We had tried to create a generic potion that could contain… effectively Ether Healing in a bottle… but all we ended up with was a potion that slightly stimulated natural healing of the body for a very short time. Still, in failure our Alchemists learned a lot.

Ideally, we need medicines that can cure minor to moderate injuries and diseases. Otherwise no matter how many Ether Healers and Chirurgeons we train, we’ll never be able to have a functioning new health service. I’d be opening a factory in Luisenstadt in Berlin at some point, though obviously there would be factories here in Tokyo, and likely Britain too, to service demand, but… having all our eggs in one basket was risky, and I did want to make good on my promise to Adelheid, and helping the less fortunate and regenerating a downtrodden area of a foreign city, providing jobs and hope, certainly wouldn’t hurt our image and popularity.

“It’s ironic.” I chuckled. “I’ve got a vast fortune I couldn’t have dreamed of in my bank, yet somehow… I’m technically poorer than ever. My outstanding loans from Chase Midas Gold and Barclays aren’t trivial. Of course… as soon as the factories are up and running, hopefully in a month or two… those loans will be paid off quickly, and we’ll start raking in the profit…”

Shaking my head ruefully, I examined the potions, before retrieving a few more items from my Storage Bracelet. “Okay, I’ve only got a little while. My Alchemy Skill is trash, but… let’s see if I can at least Rank it up a little…”

***

Ulfuric Ral Salamandrastrae, the Pilgrimage Caravan, the Boundary, somewhere north of Tokyo…

“Fire burns in my veins, like the blood of the mountains!” Ulfuric roared a war cry, swinging around a massive, doubled-headed battleaxe. Three of the attacking, dark-skinned, shrivelled pygmies, which reminded Ulfuric of Goblins, in temperament, size and spite, if not appearance, were carved apart in a welter of brackish red and silver gore.

The screeching of their fellows, another half-dozen surging forwards, bodies low, clutching filth-encrusted daggers and spears, set Ulfuric’s teeth on edge and his fury rising. One massive foot, clad in a boot of good Fae bronze, staved in the skull of one assailant. His axe swung in figure-eight motions, and more were hewn apart. Even as the great badgerkin’s lips twisted into a snarl as barbed darts clanged off his golden-bronze armour, he was moving, fist, axe, feet, even his helm-clad head, weapons of destruction, and bodies were strewn before him before they flared into silver ether and vanished.

Around him, the weaselkin guards for the caravan were acquitting themselves well. Thunder boomed, and a dozen of the attackers who were racing in from a distance were cut down like wheat under a scythe, blood blooming, dust kicked up as impacts struck the ground all around the falling enemies.

Ulfuric, even in his hot-blooded badgerkin fighting rage, was still calculating, perceptive, and he realised that the new weaselkin rifle unit was responsible. Even as he watched, they reloaded quickly, now bolt-action rather than muzzle loading, a far-cry from Ixitt’s earlier prototypes. Of course, that wasn’t the only improvement he had made…

A buzzing like a swarm of infernal wasps hummed, and a row of impacts rocked the enemy reinforcements, shearing them apart as though they had run into a wall of swordsmen. The ‘machine-gun’ that one of Ixitt’s many Engineer sons had so meticulously put together was discharging a storm of bronze bullets. Though that wasn’t its true power. Moments later, bluesteel inlaid into the ornate barrel, the opening a snarling weasel-head, flared, and the bronze casings were now accelerated by wind and imbued by earth, becoming deadly missiles which could burst through multiple foes without pause, blowing bodies apart like so much detritus…

Another successful test. At least my old friend will have a lot of new data after this expedition… Ulfuric engaged the largest of the pygmies, though calling it large was a mere affectation, as it stood barely five feet tall. And soon was half that height, as Ulfuric’s axe quickly slashed through upraised crude sword, arm and torso all in one sweep. With that, the foes broke, screaming and wailing as they fled, and the weaselkin declined to give chase, instead circling back to the treasure-laden wagons.

“Good fight…” Ulfuric’s second-in-command, a burly, black-furred weaselkin sauntered over, a wicked smirk on his furry lips, teeth showing. His sword was dripping with red and crimson gore, and he idly flicked that off with a shimmer of green wind element. “…though they are bold-bold indeed, attacking a caravan flying these flags.”

He glanced over to the flagpole atop the middle wagon, under which flapped a number of pennants. The moon of the Seelie Court. Akio’s own new flag, Tree, Moon and Sun, symbolising his ties. The flag of the mortal nation of Japan… and the weasel flag of Prince Shaetanao, and his daughter princess Shaeula. Of course, we are in foreign lands…

Running a finger along the edge of his axe, attesting it was still keen, despite the violence, Ulfuric shook his head, stowing his weapon alongside sword, mace, bow and more that was slung over his broad back. “Likely they do not know us. Or if they do… they strike me as not the sort to listen to reason.”

A few of the corpses were decaying slower than others, but they were wretched little creatures. There were certainly many powerful beings in this land, and noble ones, such as the princess’ own mother Urakaze, or the mighty Oni Red and Blue… I should allow that the fabled Tamamo-no-Mae, and fickle Nebisuki, are amongst their number too… but there were also creatures as worthless and vile as the Goblins, although…

“Thinking of the little weakened one?” His comrade knew him too well, and Ulfuric only grunted his assent.

“It does not change what we have-have to do.” The weaselkin insisted. “Even if not all Goblins are twisted, spiteful beings… when-when they attack, we defend. Leave whether more can be redeemed to those that lead. We simply fight-fight our enemies and win.”

Ulfuric let loose a booming chuckle at that, slapping his comrade on the back, making him stagger. “True. The princess and her consort decide, we prosecute their decisions. Just like now.” He glanced around at the caravan. “None shall impede us, whoever they may be. Though we have been fortunate our route has avoided most troubles.”

“It would be-be a simple matter were we to have some of those treasures that hold things within them.” The weaselkin mused idly, surreptitiously rubbing his back where Ulfuric’s large hand had landed. “Then a few-few fast and stealthy warriors could deliver the treasures…”

“I am afraid it is rather a matter of… adherence, I am told.” Ulfuric rejected the suggestion. “The act of transporting the offerings in this manner may perhaps affect the outcome.”

“That is why-why I prefer to leave the thinking to those suited for it.” the weaselkin chuckled. “Speaking of… these guns are impressive, but… they are still not the best, yes-yes?”

Ulfuric nodded as he watched the rifle squad stow their guns. The ‘machine gun’ was mounted on a cart for mobility, so was easy to manoeuvre and required no carrying. “Yes. There are more advanced versions, but to craft them takes time and resources. A competent Mortal Engineer can make a half-dozen or more of these single shot rifles, as opposed to one of the fancier weapons. And the gun there…” he nodded at the wagon. “…was actually made by Ixitt’s son in his spare time, hence the artistry. But we anticipate our forces being armed with better weapons in numbers by the next migration.”

“The Wild Hunt and the Unseelie are surely doomed then. I have seen… the prototypes in the forges. Of guns that even you could not-not wield, commander.”

Yes, the… cannons. Artillery, they called them. Strong enough to shake the mountains themselves, they promise. Sadly, our history… the fall of Salamandrastrae, the Spring… it all teaches us complacency is death. “Never underestimate our enemies. They have bled us, caused defeats that shook the Court, too many times. Now… get the wagons moving. We have far to go.”

The weaselkin nodded and sauntered off, and Ulfuric shook his head. The troops dispersed, back to their stations for the march, and then one of their accompanying guests strolled back, as if she had not a care in the world. Which I suspect she does not. This Yōkai is not overly clever. To think she once held a position in the Night Parade, just as Urakaze, the superior biting winds, does.

“That was fun, nya!” Ginneka stretched, yawning. She was at least clothed, loose, simple, stretchy fabric that was suitable for one who could transform herself to wear covering her body, though her silver furred tail still jutted out, wagging in a rather dog-like fashion, despite her being a Bakeneko, a cat Yōkai.

She licked blood off her claws, before spitting, her pretty yet somehow annoying face twisting into a grimace of disgust. “Yuck, their blood is as foul as their attitude, nya. But I was bored, so… I’ve never liked them anyway. Little wretches get everywhere. The Parade used to crush them whenever we found them, nya. The Parade.” Ginneka let out a long sigh. “Do you think they’d mind if my brother and me, we tried to rejoin the Parade, nya? Not… not to leave, nya!” she hastened to add, panicking. “Nya, we can’t! I can’t, I won’t! I’m a loyal Bakeneko!”

For a moment it looked as if Ginneka was going to prostrate herself, her ears and tail flickering crazily, before she took a deep breath. “I am bound, nya. To the Throne and to Akio. That is fine. I hardly mind, nya, though…” She licked at her lips. “…I feel in heat, nya. I need my itches scratching! But… I can hardly do it now, nya. I suppose it’s too much to hope that he’s toying with my body while I’m sleeping, nya. If he had that sort of hobby, it would show he found me desirable, nya.” She shuddered, fur standing on end. “No, I want… want our Number back. Shaeula took it, but… she also took that annoying Kitsune’s Number, so… ours belongs to someone else now, nya. It’s… a pride thing!” She leapt onto one of the wagons, sitting down, legs and tail dangling over the sides. “You understand, I’m sure, nya?”

Ulfuric nodded slowly. It was natural to wish to reclaim what once was held, but now lost. “It is difficult for you, this Pilgrimage.” he rumbled, and she shrugged.

“Nya, not so much. I send the stuff to-and-fro. And while I’m here, they take my new body with them, so I can wake anew. It’s… strange. Now I think they don’t dislike me, nya, they just are cruel… out of habit, nya. Or to ward me off…”

“You made a very bad impression, attempting to kill them. Why, if you were my foe I would break you.” Ulfuric promised, and Ginneka shuddered.

“It hardly sounds like a joke coming from you, nya. But… I’m a Bakeneko, not a stupid cat. The Parade is not their enemy, and… with her, the fox who is an equal to Great Nurarihyon himself, clearly showing her belly to him… the legends seem… overrated, nya.”

“Hardly. She is simply… adrift in time. The world has moved on.” Ulfuric was the same. Since that day he was forced to flee Salamandrastrae, the Unseelie and the Giants invading, time had felt sluggish, an endless stretch of days where vengeance and justice was all he thought about. Yes, there were bright spots. Teaching princess Shaeranna had been satisfying, she was a warrior born, and seeing selfish little princess Shaeula grow and mature was a rare treat. “And now she is offered a hand, a new start, and a chance to clear her regrets. Even the powerful are not immune to sorrow.” he warned. “No, in fact, the strong are often the lonely. And now… when one is given gifts they never thought to ever receive… it is natural she is… changed. Yet she is also proud. I think the consort will have a hard time with her.”

“Give? I wish he’d give me his big, long thick manhood, nya!” Ginneka purred bitterly. “I’d give him my body, both bodies, to do with as he would, nya!”

“I fear…” one of the weaselkin chuckled. “Even our princess draws the line at you. But… if you want-want some advice… stop trying so hard. How about a wager, cat?”

Her ears and tail perked up, but she tried to appear uninterested, a futile effort. This one is a terrible gambler, drinker and… I suppose she was promiscuous. But I know since her return she has abstained, even if the effort clearly pains her. A faint smile crept onto his features as he remembered her drooling looks at the powerful men of the Territory, before she tore herself away.

“What do you suggest, nya?” she asked casually, though her bright blue eyes betrayed her too now, sparkling with eagerness.

“I believe if you simply stand-stand near the princess and her consort, and look-look busy, helping out… you will get praise. Do not entice it or ask for it… simply… confuse them by being quiet and diligent. If I am correct, you will give-give me…” he rattled off his demands, some of the coins that could be spent on luxuries in the Territory, and Ginneka agreed.

So simple. Yet… the atmosphere is good. The Court had changed for the better. Prince Shaetanao was obviously over his slump, his beloved daughter returned to him, his enemies impotent, and though he was bitter his daughter had found a mate, he grudgingly accepted his suitability, and her love. The other Princes and Princesses were involved to varying degrees in the new paradigm, with even Princess Estalian and Princess Ffionnan part of the Pilgrimage, assessing both Akio’s power and the mortal world.

Even bitter enemies could be friends now, under the right circumstances, and while Ulfuric held out little to no hope Ginneka’s desires would bear fruit, he found it fascinating that nobody, least of all he, was perplexed or afraid by her presence. Whether this change is for good or for ill, the Court, the Parade, the mortal world… none shall be the same again.

Falling into a comfortable silence, Ulfuric was alert as the wagons rolled on, crossing the Boundary land of Japan. An hour passed, and then Ginneka’s ears perked up, flicking to one side. She leaned over towards him from the wagon she was riding on, and whispered “Nya, do you sense it? Someone is out there. Not weak, nya. Though nothing we can’t handle.” She nodded at the machine gun.

Ulfuric agreed. “I sense curiosity, but no malice. If they do not bother us, we shall not interfere with them.”

“How magnanimous.” Ginneka tittered. “I suppose…” She stretched her arms and legs, yawning. “…I don’t want to fight more if I don’t have to, nya. I want booze…” Her eyes crept to the offerings, but she knew better than to take them.

“You can get-get it if you follow my advice…” the weaselkin she had wagered with earlier chuckled, though he, like the others, was on alert. “…when the princess and the consort thank you for your hard-hard work, be gracious, and deny it. They will reward your modesty with alcohol and snacks, I am sure-sure.”

“That would be… most delightful, nya!” She licked her lips, though her ears twitched. “And our watcher is coming…”

Ulfuric nodded, raising one gauntlet-clad hand, and the wagons halted. Moments later, a figure appeared. A Kitsune. Two tails. Not weak, for this modern age.

“This is a strange… grouping.” The Kitsune, a woman, with long dark hair and black fur on her tails, grimaced. Her face was on the cuter side, and she was rather petite, a far cry from the Kitsune Ulfuric knew. “Foreigners, and… a Bakeneko?”

Ginneka shrugged. “So what, nya? Got an objection?”

“Oh, me?” The foxwoman shook her head. “Just curious.”

“You may not be a cat, nya, but curiosity still kills.” Ginneka replied cheekily, and the Kitsune sighed.

“If I want to flee, I doubt you can stop me. But… I admit to taking a risk to satisfy my desire to know something. Rumours abound… the Hyakki Yagyō stirs, and foreigners are abroad, and… even she has returned. I find it all hard to credit, but…” she paused, before smiling insultingly. “I doubt you know much, Bakeneko. You don’t seem so tough. Although you, big one… you could rival an Oni.” She eyed Ulfuric appraisingly.

“Nya, rude! I was Ninetieth, up until a short while ago.” Ginneka spat, annoyed.

“Oh, and I thought you died when you lost your position? Or did you surrender and flee like a coward?”

“Bitch!” Ginneka grumbled. “But I am not the woman I was, nya. I’ll not cause trouble.” She puffed out her chest proudly at her newfound wisdom. “Yes, the Parade stirs. But it won’t trouble us, nya. We are… if not allies, trading partners, and those who have the same foe, nya.”

“I see. Trade, you say?” the fox was curious, and Ulfuric, ever one to seize an opportunity, pulled a flask from his waist and tossed it over. The foxwoman caught the bronze bottle, stumbling under the weight, and gingerly uncorked it, taking a sniff. Eyes brightening, she was about to drink it, when caution crossed her features, and she gently poured a trickle onto her finger. Licking that off, she grinned, before taking a swig. “This is damn fine liquor. Honey, I think? And fruit? Plums, or cherries maybe. But…” Her grin was now wicked, her two tails swaying happily. “You set no price. I can just run with it.”

“So be it. I can get more whenever I want.” Ulfuric rumbled. “But… you are a Kitsune. I have a task.”

“Oh?” the woman paused, suddenly wary, and he raised a placating hand, while Ginneka giggled and whispered she was a coward.

“It is simply to pass on some news. Yes, Tamamo-no-Mae has returned, and dwells with my princess and her consort.”

“I see. It’s true then. I… am young, as Kitsune go.” The black-haired foxwoman mused, taking another swig of alcohol. “Though not weak. I am one of the few to gain my second tail in these sad times.” She waved them proudly. “I was born long after she vanished. Many said she died, upset the wrong enemy. My mother never believed it. I wonder how she’ll take it.” She laughed cynically. “Probably by pissing herself in fear. The great and wicked nine-tailed fox, she was a legend to scare us. More dreadful to us than our enemies. Hey… is it true? Is she cruel and terrible?”

“Terrible, yes. Her power, even recovering, is awe-inspiring.” Ulfuric agreed. “Cruel? To her enemies, perhaps. But… despair, the loss of hope, the slow dissolution of the ages… mellows the spirit. If anything, I would say she is simply… sorrowful.”

“I see. Mother would rejoice. And so would all my kin.” She had drunk half the flask already, and was starting to redden around her lips and cheeks. “Thank you for the news. So… tell me what you have to say.”

“Have you heard of the great Kudan Uranai, of the Hyakki Yagyō?”

“Who has not? All the members of the Parade of note are legends. Though I don’t know you, cat.” She couldn’t resist a dig, and Ginneka scowled back, infuriated, fur sticking up and tail lashing. At least she is holding her position. She learns.

“She has given a prophecy, regarding the Kitsune, and Nebisuki, mighty Kitsune of the Parade…”

“Her, I know. The four-tailed traveller…”

“Five tails now.” Ulfuric corrected, amused at the surprise in the Kitsune’s eyes. “She declared the return of Tamamo-no-Mae, and that… doom would befall the Kitsune. Any who do not give their name to either she… or the one who she is bound to… shall pass from history.”

“Bound to? The great, wicked nine-tailed fox has had her name grasped at last?” Wide-eyed, the Kitsune downed her booze, only to look mournfully at the empty flask. With a sigh, Ulfuric tossed over his backup canteen, and she caught it gratefully.

“Generous. I like you, big guy. But… give my name? You can call me Nikoro, black two. But I shall never speak my true name. I love freedom! This is all a scheme, yes?”

“Think what you will. I am merely passing on a message.” Ulfuric shrugged.

“Mother will never… though… seriously… she’s fallen to someone’s control?”

“To a great man. Who risked much for her.” Ulfuric agreed, and the fox laughed loudly.

“Marvellous. A fine joke. The nightmare of the Kitsune reduced to what we all fear, a vixen kit snared by our tails, dangling helplessly.”

“Nya, you are such a fool. I wish I was dangled by my tail, and I could dangle his tail, nya…” Ginneka pouted.

“No thank you. I shall stay well away. If trouble is coming, I shall simply hide. I didn’t get my second tail by being foolhardy. No, I thrive on cunning. Now…” She waved the flask. “…in thanks for some fine alcohol and satisfying my curiosity, I will trade to you. The lands around are becoming strange. Everyone is stirred up, like bees when I hunt their hives for honey.” She chortled at her own wit. “And worse… I have heard tell of whole tribes of Yōkai vanishing. I had suspected the Parade, but… you would know better than me, perhaps?”

As Ginneka nodded proudly, the fox rolled her own blue eyes derisively. “In any case… be wary. As for the return of our ancestor… I imagine I am not alone in thinking better dead than in her cruel clutches. Though I do confess to some curiosity regarding he who has caught her tais…”

“Nya, piss off! I don’t want any more rivals!” Ginneka snarled, and the Kitsune giggled.

“You? My rival? Dream on. I’m cuter than you, and smarter and more cunning too, I reckon! So…” She looked around ostentatiously, and Ulfuric knew she was testing to see whether they would let her go.

“By all means.” Ulfuric rumbled. “All I ask is that… when the time comes, remember. And spread the word to your kind. If they do not believe… then their fate is their own concern. But any who wish to seek shelter… head to the south from here. You will find us.”

The Kitsune nodded pensively, gnawing on the neck of the empty flask, before vanishing, a wave of blue signalling she had called upon some darkness element to hide her escape. As she left, Ginneka muttered imprecations at the departing woman, but Ulfuric had larger matters to concern himself with.

“I do not trust information I cannot verify, but… carelessness is the enemy. We shall remain alert. The caravan must arrive safely to each destination!” Ulfuric ordered. “Ginneka…”

“Yes, nya?” she muttered, surprised.

“When next you return to the mortal world, ask if Haanōbō can be seconded here as well during the journeys. I would greatly desire to expand our scouting range…”

As the Bakeneko agreed sourly, having an odd rivalry with the Tengu, Ulfuric scratched his chin, deep in thought. If something is happening here in the Boundary, it cannot bode well for us. Not now. But… finding out sooner rather than later could perhaps be a stroke of good Fortune…

Resolved to protect the caravan and the troops under his command, Ulfuric gave new orders swiftly, and the marching formation changed, any remaining gaps covered, and the detection range of their scouts expanded…