Hare of Misfortune

Izanami’s bottom lip drew in as she slowly accepted their judgment, and Rachel saw the venom in Yseress’ glare from the VIP box with Conner.

”Even if I go, there is no way out inside of these broken halls...chains on my door,” Izanami said with a heavy sigh. ”There is no leaving—a rock holding it in place... So I’ll put on this show, but you best leave before becoming tainted by my sorrow, children... I’ll be here...up on this throne with my demons. So...go, heh, tell your father what his greatest disappointment said, and reassure him I am still safely shackled to my filth.”

The Japanese pantheon turned their back and left, causing an eerie vibe to overcast the stadium. Not even the devils or demons mocked their exit under the Hell Lady’s pained sight. After a short while, a depressed puff of air left Izanami’s lips.

”At least I have some joy in the Nine Hells after this maelstrom disaster...”

Eostre cleared her throat and got to her feet, now holding Moongmor in her arms for support. ”Right, well, eh-hehe, while our competitors prepare for their final match, we will mingle and talk... I’m sure you all have much to discuss with the lesser deities who have answered your call. I hope you, umm, remember this opportunity that was provided to you.”

The woman vanished in an array of lights and appeared beside Rachel with a strained smile. She waved away the stadium and the snowy, ocean-side cityscape so they could speak alone as the new audience began to whisper to one another.

”Rachel,” Eostre greeted. The woman set Moongmor down to hop ahead; the rabbit then turned back to look at them. Conner was transported beside them, showing a confused frown as snowflakes fell, likely reflecting how Eostre felt right now. ”That was...very sad and uncomfortable.”

”I feel really sad, too,” Nia sniffed, materializing out of twinkling light. She gave the surprised tulpa a hug before pulling back. ”I’m happy you’re okay, though. I was really scared when that creep’s vines were crawling all over you.”

A quake shook Eostre’s frame. ”Yes, well, one of the less pleasant moments of my life...for certain. However, it is in the past. I am thankful that you were not destroyed, too, Nia. Now, if only we could do something about your age.”

”Yes, please!” Nia cried, forcing herself to be brave and stand between Rachel and Conner. ”I don’t like being a kid; it’s weird and confusing. You keep your distance, bud!”

Conner rubbed his shoulders with a short shiver and backed away with a chuckle. ”I’m not going to try anything shady, kid—eh, Nia, I mean,” he added at her leer. ”Actually... Do you want to play with Delphinus? He’s been a little restless.”

Nia gasped at the prospect as the mystical dolphin constellation sparkled into existence. ”Umm...n-no! I’m not tempted t-to fly on a magical dolphin!”

Rachel laughed at the pressure in the girl’s voice; she was probably hating and loving this conflicting kid personality. ”Go on, Nia, Conner isn’t going to try anything. Have fun with Delphinus.”

The girl jumped over Conner to land on the dolphin’s back without a second thought. ”Okay! Thank you, Major! Let’s fly, Delphinus! We’re fighting magma dragons to save the world and rescue my handsome prince!” she proclaimed, probably going to recreate the epic battle the legend had with the lizard.

”Go get ’em,” Rachel mused, watching the pair fly into the silent, snowy night to explore and play heroine and steed.

Starting on a casual walk, she strolled down the seaside boulevard with the tulpa and legend. Eostre glanced at her, hands held at her front. All three of them fell into the hushed atmosphere, no doubt pondering all the insanity that had come from this Legend Quest.

A chilled wind swept in from the foggy sea, ruffling Rachel’s skirt and pulling her braid toward the city as the mist gradually covered them. So many things had led to her traversing this bizarre, divinely created street with an enemy she’d kill and a woman who might as well be a goddess compared to her.

There wasn’t a chance in hell that she could have expected all of this to happen. To Rachel, it felt like an eternity since she’d stepped through that golden rift, leaving Scarlet to take her first step on her own, and she found herself a little anxious to see how things turned out—Relica was still a threat.

Still, Rachel couldn’t help but reflect on her life during this break granted to them. Ever since that car accident that had taken her cousin’s life, she’d run, trying not to lose the fire burning in her chest to push for something invisible, just beyond reach. She didn’t even know what she was running from, but she was running from something.

The Oscillation had shown her an out-of-place thread, and she’d plucked at it, over and over. At first, it was to regain control. Control was important to her. She had to be in control. Yet, the further she’d punched her way through these walls, the more she realized that she hadn’t been in control since losing her cousin.

She looked out across the veiled ocean, seeing the hazy lapping waves as they crashed against the concrete walls of the port. Yet, Cerridwen’s message when under the Black Moon resonated within her, telling her that she was the one in control.

Despite all these gods and goddesses hovering in the background, they were powerless in the face of The Oscillation. They needed them. And from what she’d seen of Izanami, the higher realms were a complete mess, with dozens upon dozens of pantheons and powerful entities thrown into a singular plane to battle it out.

Whether mortals, lesser deities, or creation deities, all of them were reeling from the chaos they’d been plunged into. It spoke of a higher power than these entities that contended on the universal scale.

It told Rachel that if they were going to get through this, they had to work together.