Sixty-Six

Sixty-Six

“So, how was your girl talk?” I asked as we headed to my room. “I hope you had fun.”

“I found it rather amusing indeed-indeed. I learned many things about you, my master. You are surely well loved-loved.”

Well loved? “I... see...? So, how did you find Aiko and Eri-chan? I hope you three can get along.”

“There are no issues.” Shaeula sat down on the edge of my bed. “Your sister was just as you described-described. And Eri... I perhaps understand her better than she understands herself.”

“That’s good then. In any case, sorry I’m back so late, I ended up finding out quite a bit of information from the priest at the shrine.”

“It matters not-not.” Shaeula smirked. “Though Aiko was sure you were only flirting with a young shrine maiden while you were there-there. I believe you will have much explaining to do-do.”

“Yeah, enough of that. Anyway, when we enter the Boundary we’ll be heading up the mountain. We need to make contact with the kami of the shrine.”

Calming my mind I channelled aether though my chakras, and with that I entered the Boundary away from my Territory for the first time. Seeing Shaeula waiting for me, still wearing her wyrmscale mail, I realised I was wearing mine too, the spear beside me.

“Hmm, so why does our gear come with us? Do you know?” I asked.

“I have never really considered it-it.” She answered. “Perhaps it is our belief that we should have such things with us that makes them remain-remain?”

Oh I see. Like why the kitchen knife I used for a while, or items I have made myself don’t fade away, but if I conjure a weapon out of aether to fight with, it disappears when I stop concentrating on it... “Oh well, unless we find someone more knowledgeable, I doubt we’ll find out for sure.” Outside our house the mountains stretched out into the distance. Lesser spirits were drifting about, glowing orbs of light and half-shapes swirling lazily on the breeze. There were significantly less than my first forays into the Boundary in Tokyo though. Seeing us, the spirits began floating our way, but it was trivial to drain them, converting them to ether.

“Well, shall we go?” I asked, and we set off for the shrine on the mountain under the dark-lit Boundary skies. As we went we continued to talk about our day. I explained meeting Marika-chan and her grandfather, and how she would be coming to Tokyo to study under us, which brought a knowing smirk from Shaeula, while she talked about Eri-chan and my sister.

“Eri does not believe in herself. A shame-shame.” Shaeula was saying, surprising me.

“Eh, really? I know she is shy, but she’s model-pretty, and smart too. That doesn’t make much sense...”

“You still struggle to understand the heart of a maiden, my master.” Shaeula sighed. “What one feels has nothing to do with what one is-is. After all...” after a meaningful pause she spoke, her amber eyes gazing deeply into mine from only a few inches away, causing me to flush despite myself. “... was I not too consumed by the status of my own birth-birth, wallowing in thoughts I was somehow unworthy, fighting back only with misplaced pride-pride? Eri is similar. She sees you as someone great, shining, someone forever out of her reach-reach... yet she longs to grasp hold of you. I cannot speak for her taste...” Shaeula grinned, stepping back from me. “... but she believes in her heart she is not worthy of you, the poor girl-girl. Still, just like you told the foolish me you would sweep away my doubts and stand beside me as I rose to rule the Seelie, all she requires is for you to say those words that her heart needs to hear-hear. Give her a reason to believe she can be of use to you and her heart will heal-heal. There is an obvious answer. Surely no master of mine would allow his precious friend to suffer so?”

Yeah, okay, I can’t pretend I haven’t noticed any more. If what my sister and Shaeula both say is true... Steeling myself, I nodded. “Soon. Either while I’m here, or in Las Vegas. I’ll make things clear.”

“See that you do.” Shaeula gestured and wind swept from her hands, vaporising a swarm of monstrous birds that had swooped down on us from the sky. As they shattered to ether I sent the stock back to our upgrading Territory, only to discover something interesting. The Silo could still receive, but I could not withdraw. That means prolonged activity in the Boundary would be heavily dependent on what aether we can create as we go, no relying on restocking from our reserves...

Damn, I knew that attack made no sense... if I wasn’t there, my sister, Eri-chan... I shuddered at what could have happened. And now that the Boundary is closer to the Material... will Yokai and other myths return? If so, then the danger to the world is real...

“Grr, indeed. For many years we kami have been drifting in and out of slumber, watching over only our most faithful worshippers. Yet the tides of the spiritual world have strengthened this past decade, and they only continue to deepen. The time for renewal is coming.”

The kami squeezed shut its eyes. “Grr, when I watched you stand firm against the jaws of the beast, I felt pride, that a child of this mountain I have watched over for so long had the tenacity that I am worshipped for. So I bestowed my blessings upon you, in the scars you proudly obtained. Now you have come to me, I can unlock the power your honourable scars held, grrrrrrrrrrrr!”

At that, before I could speak his eyes snapped open, this time glowing like rainbow metal. I felt a searing pain where the faint scars were on my Material body, and I slumped to one knee. Beside me Shaeula was watching with her own glowing eyes of amber, and she was doing something with her wind, small knives of green cutting into my Astral form.

“Grr, your help is appreciated, foreign spirit, you understand his form very well indeed.”

The pain was fading as a wave of energy spread from my mental wounds, sucked into my chakra network and cycling, energy collecting in my lunar chakra.

Your Determination has significantly increased.

Determination?

Your Class, Fae-Bonded, has increased from level 11 to level 12.

“Now take the favour of the kami, champion we have chosen. May our favour bring you to new heights and restore the balance that has long been lost to the world, grrrrrrrrrrrr!”

You have gained a class. You are now a Kami-Blessed.

Your Class, Kami-Blessed, has increased from level 0 to level 4.

Your Fortune, Majesty, Charm and ?????? have increased.

Your Aether has dramatically increased.

As energy surged through me I listened to the pleased howls of the many dog spirits that attended the Brown Dog kami. Surprisingly I did not feel as dreadfully uncomfortable with them as I would have just moments ago. Behind me Shaeula patted my back, directing wind to soften the remaining pain.

“Well done, Akio. Though I am loathe to share you with the Snake and the Dog, I am a woman who knows well how to swallow her feelings and support her master-master. This power... surely it will help us achieve our dreams.” Her smile was radiant, causing my heart to skip a beat.

Damn, so cute...