On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

I looked down at the sleeping girl, her usual pigtails untangled, her hair a loose brown halo around her. Hooked up to these many strange machines, which beeped and whirred softly, screens displaying strange lines, I still did not quite understand what they were all for, although having seen the devices in a number of anime, I understood they were medical in nature. Well, now that everyone is out of danger, I can surely focus on healing. Stifling a yawn, I turned to the other person in the room, the sombre-looking Hikawa Hiroto, and barked an order at him.

“You should turn away. It is not-not fitting for someone to see what I am about to do. She is a young female, after all.”

“Oh, of course. My apologies.” He muttered, his gaze flickering to some of the other beds in the room. He was haggard and pale, and he often did not respond to conversation. Of course, it is quite easy to understand why. In two of the other beds, lay his daughters, the twins Chiaki and Chiasa, both heavily sedated and sleeping. A fourth bed held another girl, a dark-skinned shrine maiden who was likewise brutalised, and in the next room lay his son, Ren.

I must confess, I did not think much of Ren. He is rather weak and arrogant. He reminds me a little too much of my old self, impressed with bloodlines, having no real achievements. But now… as I lifted up the hem of the plain white gown Keomi, the injured little girl, was wearing, I clicked my tongue, irritated at the state of her leg. No, he did well escaping, even if the Kijo let him go to lure in more prey. In the end, his sisters, and the other two, they were saved. Though the cost was grim…

“How… how is it?” Hiroto asked, and I answered him impatiently, aether flaring within me as I started to work Ether Healing, injecting aether into her chakra network, guiding it to the right areas, as well as simultaneously using Chirurgery to remove the remaining lingering traces of darkness element that was polluting her wounds. This is difficult work. Still, I do not wish to lose to Akio in this. After all, I have my pride!

“Well, fortunately we were not-not too late.” I said, as the twisted leg began to straighten, the bone coming together. Sweat dripped from my brow as I worked, but even so, it was satisfying to see the wounds heal. Her chest wounds had already been closed, now mere jagged lines of ugly scarring. As a female, I was very sensitive to such things, but making sure no lasting injuries were left behind was more important than mere cosmetic work. Though later, we will surely cleanse such injuries too. But first comes safety. “Not-not for Keomi and your daughters, at least.”

Chiasa was the best off out of all of them. She had suffered the most numerous injuries, but they were all designed to torture, to wound, rather than kill, so after a little Healing, she was resting peacefully. Her sister Chiaki was far worse off, her wounds deep and cruel. I had healed the serious damage to her lungs where she had been pierced, but they were still fragile, and she also had broken limbs, in worse states than Keomi’s. I have stabilised them though, so with further work, they shall recover. It would be a shame for them to die now, their gift is precious, when combined with Haru’s, it can work many wonders.

The same could not be said for the last occupant though. The small, dark-skinned girl from Hoeruokami shrine was apparently shattered by the ordeal. Her face was bandaged, covering her missing eyes, which were currently beyond my skill to regenerate, and her mind had collapsed, leaving her delirious and terrified. Perhaps in time, with care, she shall recover. But Ether healing cannot soothe the mind…

“I’m so glad.” Hiroto pushed a hand to his chest in relief. “If anything happened to my children… no, it’s already happened, hasn’t it?” his voice cracked. “Thank you, Shaeula. For saving my kids.” Ren was in another room, it not being appropriate for injured males and females to be together, especially younger ones.

“I simply did what we needed to do.” I shook my head, working the remainder of my Healing. Keomi’s small body trembled, but she was unable to wake due to the anaesthetic. “They are our students, our allies. To have them perish is not-not something we could allow! Besides, to lose so many females, it is quite-quite the tragedy. Some of them such as your daughters are those I have been keeping my eye on. They would do quite-quite well as Akio’s brides in the future, I surmise.”

Hiroto looked aghast at my reasonable suggestion. “My baby girls? How could you say that? No, I forbid it! They’ll stay…” his voice cracked with emotion as he looked at the twins lying in bed, sedated and covered in bandages, hiding the wounds below. “… no, I’m not letting them get married! It’s too soon! A decade too soon! They are only in middle school, damn it!”

“Keep your voice low, this is a hospital, is it not-not?” I growled softly, and he paused, embarrassed.

“Oh, yeah… ah… sorry, my emotions are running wild. I shouldn’t shout at you who saved my children’s lives. It’s just…”

“Honestly, you remind me of my own father, doting, possessive fool-fool that he is. Though I do not-not hate it. I am not-not saying that Akio and your daughters will marry. They have shared no intimacy, no love, little time together, and he has become strangely stubborn of late, despite many-many seeking closer ties with him through love.” Exhausted, my aether levels low, I sat down in a chair, breathing heavily. “He is also uncomfortable with younger girls. He is not-not a lolicon, despite the jokes of his sister. He struggles somewhat with Hinata, finding her perhaps a little too young, despite her being old enough to marry. Girls the age of Eri, or a little younger yet mature-looking like Motoko and Natsumi, those he has no issues with. So the twins, they are not-not entering his vision, you see.”

“That’s a relief. Besides, I wanted them to have a normal romance, a normal life… but that isn’t happening, is it?” he said sadly. “Even before, it would have been difficult. Since they have the ability to communicate with each other with their minds, and can tell if someone is lying, finding a decent husband would be hard for them.”

“Well, not-not every worthy female will be his, of course. Even I am not-not so foolish as to expect Akio to have a thousand brides.” I sighed. “My throat is parched. I wish-wish I had some alcohol. I shall have to settle for something else, it seems.” At my words, Hiroto remembered himself, and passed me one of the cans of coffee that were on the side table. I cracked the ring-pull, once more marvelling at the number of great conveniences the mortal realm had to offer, before gulping down the lukewarm drink. That is much better. Hmm, Emily did tell me of Irish Coffee, which contains whiskey. That would be a treat about now…

“Though if the twins do develop feelings for Akio, I would not-not stand in their way, no, I would aid them in winning his heart. He is stubborn, and steadfastly refuses to consider other wives, but I know-know his weaknesses for females and where to strike. Though again, that would be in the future, as you say, they are quite-quite young. But even if that never comes to pass, the twins must be treasured, protected…” I smiled, but it did not touch my amber eyes, as I was quietly furious at this whole disaster. Many good females and some loyal males lost. Those with precious abilities killed. Eri gravely injured, and Akio’s heart was wounded too. Worse… this will be a catastrophe setting back Akio’s plans tremendously.

“… their talents are tremendous, they shall surely need-need to be harnessed for the good of all. They should not-not be exposed to battle unnecessarily.” My tone was becoming bitter, angry. “… so tell me, Hiroto. Just why-why was that fool Yamato allowed to place so many precious allies in such needless danger? You were at the meeting before we journeyed to Conclave. We had made agreements, had we not-not? You were going to support Akio in his ambitions, you and the other-other fools that made up our allies in Susanoo. Instead, you have put-put everything at risk, and it nearly cost you your children, did it not-not?”

“… I know.” He slumped down, eyes glistening with tears, and for a moment I felt some compassion for him welling within me. After all, my own father and mother made similarly bad choices regarding me, though it seems my mother was thwarted by those within her own ranks. Though I can not afford much sympathy here.

“… though if we had understood just what Yamato-sama was planning… no, that’s just an excuse.” He looked over at his sleeping daughters. “You must believe me, we have no intention of denying our support for you and Oshiro-san! Or breaking faith! But Yamato-sama is the hope … was the hope…” he said bitterly. Yamato was also in the next room, beside Ren, though he would never wake again, most likely. I am not one for vengeance, but his folly was most costly. It was the correct decision to take his Divine Favour. I am surprised that Akio was able to be so ruthless, but even so… I approve. He must learn to harden his heart when it is needed. Now, I wonder, just who will receive the gift? I do not believe Akio will use it himself…

“… of Susanoo faction. Our family has been with Susanoo for hundreds of years. And it isn’t like Susanoo would be at odds with Oshiro-san. We just didn’t see the harm of making sure Susanoo’s influence under this new Ministry was as great as possible, though Izumi-san and Takeyabashi-san have closer ties with you all, so they declined. And so their daughters and granddaughters were spared, apart from that unlucky girl, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He nodded at the sleeping Keomi. “If all went to plan, Yamato-sama would have impressed the younger members of Susanoo, while securing much of Eastern Kyoto there. And Oshiro-san would have lost nothing. Tomorrow at Conclave, our dues paid to Uchida Ren-sama, we would have then supported Oshiro-san, and everyone would have profited, except for the leaders of Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu. Politically, it was a perfect move…” his face had twisted into an expression of self-loathing, and once more I felt a little sympathy.

“Politics. That I do indeed-indeed understand. The Seelie Court is rife with it, and I have many-many headaches. With more likely to come…” Securing a Faerie Ring gate from Primal Forest will cost us. They do owe us, but using up that favour on this is… wasteful. “Perhaps we were at fault a little too, for not-not adequately explaining the dangers. Though we certainly advised the Boundary was far-far from safe. Even so… the result, it has been quite horrific, has it not-not?”

“It has.” He was crestfallen. “It could have been so much worse, though. Yamato-sama, he reached out to others. The neutral shrines declined, seeing no benefit in bolstering Susanoo, when they had already cast their lot in with you. But… Yamato-sama also approached the granddaughters of Takakura-sama. Fortunately they were busy or declined, but if they had been injured or worse, even as a branch family, the fallout would have been a disaster, pitting the faith against nobility, severing our one connection to the other pillars…”

“Worse would have been had Eri died.” I declared, and despite his grief, Hiroto had the grace to look guilty.

“Yes, she… she was hurt very badly, wasn’t she? How… how is Oshiro-san taking it?”

“Not-not well, as you would surely expect.” I admitted. “Though fortunately the worst was avoided. It made him feel quite-quite helpless, that he was unable to aid Eri in her hour of greatest need. It truly was not-not his fault, the Hyakki Yagyō are sly, but … well, you know how he adores her. I would be most-most jealous, if I did not-not know he adores me too. I also adore Eri. Had she perished, unable to be restored to us… well, all of those involved in such a foul-foul mess would have surely faced our wrath.” I stretched, finishing the coffee. “Well, I must-must continue. There shall be little rest for me this night, I do fear.” Padding over to the poor, blinded girl, I growled in annoyance as my flows of aether once more failed to regrow her savaged eyes. I should be able to make this work. After all, the mass and size of an eye is no greater than the flesh I am regenerating or bone repairing in other places. Perhaps it is a matter of mindset? As I worked, Hiroto continued to speak.

“Even now, late into the night, people are meeting. The head of Tsukuyomi… well, ex-head, I guess, considering.” He amended. “Takakura-sama, the noble Lady Diviner, the Priestess of Ise, Saionji-san, Bankei-sama… everything is in turmoil. I… I don’t know if those remaining trainees at the school from the neutral shrines will stay. I’m sorry, we messed everything up…”

“Oh, cease your apologies. They will not-not resolve anything now.” I snapped. “I would be disappointed, were they to leave, after putting much-much effort in their training, but perhaps that would be for the best. The school shall be reformed under the Ministry Akio has planned, and now all know the risks and the dangers, as well as the rewards, well, we shall-shall raise a new, loyal crop of the worthy. Though…” I turned to him, my gaze fierce. “Your daughters and Ren, they shall remain with us. I do not-not declare they ever have to fight again, but their skills, we shall not-not let them lie wasted…”

“… I can’t make that decision for them. I’ve already made a severe mistake. Thank all the kami that my wife isn’t here in Kyoto to see this, though… I’ll have to tell her. She’s from another shrine family, but didn’t attend Conclave as her elder brother is heir to the shrine. I just… from now on, I’m going to prioritise their needs. But if they agree, I won’t stop them.”

“I see. Well, your daughters do seem-seem the sort to repay gratitude with favour, and Ren… he has proved himself braver than I believed, and no doubt-doubt he knew. Now, be silent. I have to work. Your children, they are out-out of danger, so let me work in peace!”

********

“Poor Keomi-chan, the stupid idiot. Trust her to get involved in such a foolish thing.” Kana said, looking down on her sleeping cousin, expression grave. I forced a yawn, sunlight leaking through the windows, showing it was now early in the morning.

“I still don’t exactly get what is going on here.” The idol, Tamami said. She looked tired, and had changed out of her flashy idol dress into a casual pair of tight jeans and a black hooded top. “Well, yeah, I know more about shrine business than most people, being as Kanda-Myojin is a true shrine, but I’ve barely done any mingling at Conclave. We had our concert to set up.” She sighed. “You know, I’d heard the rumours about the training school, who hadn’t, but… even so…” she frowned. “When that kid from Hikawa-Kawagoe shrine came running up, interrupting our encore, I never expected it could lead to… this.”

“Yes, I didn’t expect it either.” The third girl said, Suzu, the Candidate who was apparently one of those working with this so-called white princess. She was still dressed in her lacy black dress, and had a lollipop in her mouth, which she was sucking on, as she looked around at the hospitalised victims with a curious gleam in her blue eyes. “I just came to Kyoto to see the concert, I never thought I’d run into the guy the Boss loves, nor the rival Master Raven wanted to kill so badly. It’s so wild!”

This one is rather… peculiar. She does not seem to be concerned about the injuries or deaths at all, merely seeing it as an amusing event for her trip… “Well, the Raven Knight was offered a truce by Akio, and he did not-not wish for it, no? I can hardly concern myself with what that wretch thinks of me!”

“Oh, harsh!” Suzu giggled. “The Boss, looks like she’s going to be having a hard time. But then, so are you!” she finished her lollipop, before unwrapping another and popping it in her mouth, toying with the stick. “A load of police and what looks like the army turned up, and have blocked off the Imperial Palace and this hospital. I don’t think that’s going to be good enough to keep this under wraps though.”

“She’s right.” Tamami said. “There were reporters and streamers at my concert, and they saw that kid stagger up all bloody through the crowd. Then there were the bodies taken out of the palace. It really upset Kanako and Tsubame.”

“They weren’t the only ones.” Kana sighed, reaching out to stroke the hair of her cousin, with surprising tenderness. Well, Kana is an entertaining, kind female, with excellent talents. Really, Akio is a fool. All he would have to do is reach out, and she would surely be his. Well, males do not change quickly, I suppose. In time I am sure he will understand her value, and I hope it will not be too late. “Mio-chan and Asami-chan, the other girls too, they went to sleep crying and fearful. Marika-chan’s mother tried to take her away back to her hometown as soon as she heard about the disaster, but my father stopped her, for now. The neutral shrines from the training school are in uproar as well… it’s a real mess.”

“Well, you seem plenty calm, Kana-chan.” Suzu observed, plainly amused. “Aren’t you just so brave?”

“Brave? Hardly.” Kana shrugged, a touch bitterly. “I’m just experienced. When the Yakuza attacked Shirohebizumi shrine, and I thought I was going to be, well… forced into a change in career after being assaulted, shall we say…” her expression was grim as she remembered. “… that was when I learned the real meaning of fear. But Akio… he saved me then. Just like he saved Keomi-chan.”

“I was there too, I must-must insist.” I complained, and Kana winked, trying to lighten her gloomy confession.

“I know you were. Eri-san too. It was awful… she was really hurt, right? But she’ll be okay too, otherwise…” she trailed off, somewhat confused by her own feelings, I wagered. Eri and Kana did not get on at all at first, and even now they have a grudging respect for each other, they still have their issues. Too much alike, I fear. “… well, thanks. For saving my idiot cousin. And trying your hardest for the others. I know that the families of the dead might blame Akio, but really, they shouldn’t. He did his best, and even now, you are too, right?”

“Well, if they complain, just toss them aside.” Suzu interjected boldly, despite being an outsider, a potentially dangerous one at that. “I’ve been keeping my eyes and ears open while I’ve been here. Got to get the scoop on the guy Boss has the hots for, after all. And from what I gather, it’s all their own fault. It isn’t like you’ve kept it a secret how dangerous the fantasy world is, right?”

Fantasy world? Quite the puzzling way to describe it. “No, of course we would not-not hesitate to prepare our students for potential danger. Nor would we take them to such-such a dangerous place as Kyoto seems to be.”

“There you have it then. Totally not your fault.” Suzu said triumphantly. “In fact, I’m pretty impressed that you managed to save any at all. From what I hear, it was really amazing! The Night Parade, the Hyakki Yagyō…” she grinned happily. “That’s more like it! Quintessentially Japanese! No offense, but being a Fae, you and Master Raven, you don’t fit the aesthetic. Although… loving the Kimono!” she smiled. “Oh, you should have taken me with you. I’d certainly have been useful, even if I don’t have my backing dancers with me. I’m no weakling! Us idols are constantly doing gruelling training to stay fit and ready for anything, right Tamami-chan?” she asked the rather confused idol. “After all, we’ll be working together soon enough, Shaeula-chan!”

“I… well, idol training is pretty hard. The number of times I run up and down the famous steps at Kanda-Myojin every day is endless. My manager says I should get royalties from that anime that had a similar character… uh, wait, that doesn’t matter right now. Uh, Suzu-san, you want to be an idol?”

“Want to be? I am an idol, a pure Japanese one! Though I have to admit, I’ve not done any concerts yet. Maybe I could do a guerrilla event before your next show? And call me Suzu-chan, I insist! We must be best friends, rivals and fellow idols now, after being involved in this, right? Right?”

As Tamami was overwhelmed by Suzu’s inexorable excitement, I frowned. She is definitely quite abnormal. People can seldom be so excited in a hospital room with so many young, maimed females. Even if she knows they will recover, it is rather… crass. Besides, I do not approve of her manner of speech. “I am not Japanese. Honorifics do not-not suit me. Unless you wish to call me Duchess or Princess. Besides, what do you mean, we shall be working together soon enough?”

“Whoa, Shaeula-Hime, huh? Well, that’s a bit of an overlapping character, not sure how the Boss will see that one.” She giggled, ignoring the rebuke. “Isn’t it obvious? Boss is head-over-heels for that guy. She said she was going to marry him after all. Get this, she threw Master Raven under the bus for him. I never would have seen that coming, she was super scary before. I didn’t even know she was so pretty under the hood. Well, she worries about her injuries, and sure, they look bad, but she’s still gorgeous if you ask me! Anyway, Bunta-kun will do whatever she says, and I’m in, it’s already been a wild night, and we’ve only just met.” She laughed inappropriately. “Arisu-san, well… uh, she’ll be a tough one to convince. But… well, I’m up for it!”

“Do you think this is the time for that?” Kana voiced similar sentiments as I was thinking. “My poor cousin is hurt and likely traumatised, and…”

“Is… is that you, Kana-chan?” Keomi said, her eyelids flickering. “is… is it time to get up? I’m not oversleeping, I promise…” her words were slurred, possibly due to the anaesthetic she had been prescribed.

At her dull, out-of-place words, Kana burst into tears, burying her head into the blanket covering the young female. “You stupid, clumsy idiot! You… don’t you know how worried we all were? If… if you died, we’d all be heartbroken. And why are you even awake? What the hell are the doctors doing?”

“Perhaps they underestimated her powers? Her body is far-far stronger than you would expect, correct? They may have needed to give her a larger dose?” I made a suggestion, but Kana wasn’t listening, merely crying and chastising her dozy cousin.

“I think maybe we should give them a little space?” Tamami said tactfully, and with that, we stepped aside…

********

“Aren’t you tired?” Tamami asked, her face grey from exhaustion. “It’s been a long night.”

“Not really.” Suzu said, continuing to bombard her endlessly with questions about idol culture, agencies and more. “I’m strong, I don’t really feel tired unless I pull a few all-nighters. It means I can practise my moves more, don’t be envious!” she giggled. “Hey, Kana-chan, are you tired?”

Kana, who had listened to Keomi cry herself out, was watching as more sedatives were being injected into her, putting her back into a restful sleep. The doctor, with several supporting nurses, were all still rather flummoxed by the whole situation. Even so, now the hospital was surrounded by the miliary, it was not as if the staff had any ability to complain.

“Tired? Yeah, of course I am. I feel like I could sleep for a week. But I can’t, can I? Now more than ever, Akio needs those of his students that remain to stand up for him and the training school. I’m lucky I’ve had the full course of Chirurgery, I have a lot more stamina and mental toughness than I used to. Perhaps if I didn’t, I’d have broken down at all this.”

“No, I believe you have become rather strong-willed.” I disagreed, before commenting myself. “I too am not-not physically tired, though my mental fatigue is great. Although, when you reach my level, a short break will surely-surely refresh me. And that is all I will get, I fear. After all, the second day of Conclave is here.” After yesterday, Akio had them in his hands. But now… I worry.

“I’m curious about this Chirurgery!” Suzu piped up. “If it can make me stronger, I’m all for it! You should get some too, and the rest of Red and White!” she said to the exhausted Tamami. “If you did, you’d be able to train harder and better, right?” she slyly offered benefits that were not hers to give. Yes, this one, I can not quite work her out. She is rather annoying though. But since she is a candidate, like Akio, she should be useful… if properly managed.

“That’s true.” Kana said, suddenly. “And… if you did, maybe that would go some way to reassuring people that the school isn’t finished, despite all the deaths and injuries. I mean, not that it should be, after all, it was hardly Akio’s fault, was it?” Kana pouted, not liking the criticism that was sure to be levelled at us.

“I don’t know, I have to be really careful with my health…” Tamami seemed unsure. Which is reasonable, she knows little about it, and the request was sudden. However…

“I shall of course not-not force you.” I said with a wry smile. “After all, Akio and I have doubtless used most of our strength healing the wounded. Chirurgery now would be quite-quite a chore. However…”

“However?” She asked, nervous.

“You have seen my skills in healing, have you not-not? Chirurgery is uncomfortable, but quite safe, and the benefits are significant.”

“No, I still don’t think… well, I don’t know much about any of you, other than gossip from the other shrines and temples.” She declined.

“I see. Well, why not-not sleep on it? A clear mind will see-see the benefits for all of us…” With that I stood, stretching. “Well now, what shall this day of Conclave bring? Hopefully it shall not-not be the disaster I fear…”