Side One Hundred And Eighteen – Shiratori Himeko, Shirohime

Side One Hundred And Eighteen – Shiratori Himeko, Shirohime

“That getup is crazy, boss.” Suzu was saying, and Shiro had to bite her lip not to respond. “I mean, your usual hooded white mask and robe is a real shame, if you’ve got it, flaunt it, right? Idols don’t get to be famous for wearing clothes that cover up their looks. But this...” she snickered, and Shiro felt a surge of annoyance.

Hey, Aki made me this. Besides, I’m not one who wears items for the looks in games, I want the stats, the numbers, the power. Flicking the black, feathery armoured robe with one finger, she smiled coldly as it vibrated softly, giving off a gentle hum like a tuning fork. She lacked the wind energy to make it vibrate properly, unlike Shaeula, so Aki had also given her several small bluesteel batteries loaded with wind, for emergencies. “Well, I think this is more suitable than a goth-loli dress.” She sniffed at last, as they prepared to enter the Ring Gate to Kyoto, Bunta following like a shy little animal, Arisu striding imperiously through like a queen, her head held high, eyes cold.

“It isn’t like you are going to need to impress anyone there with your looks, Suzu. Least of all Aki. He’s mine, remember. I’m bringing you here to fight, understand?”

“I get it.” Suzu giggled, producing another lollipop and sucking on it happily, twirling around the purple and black parasol that matched her dress. “Seriously, boss, I always knew you were scary, but to think you were this cute too. I’m an idol, if I had a scandal like stealing another woman’s man, well, that’d be career suicide, right?” she cocked her head adorably, blonde drill-tails bouncing, and Shiro idly wondered whether changing her own hairstyle might be worthwhile. “Besides...” Suzu continued, scattering her idle thoughts. “... big sis Arisu wouldn’t like that at all.”

“Enough of this. We have work to do. Work I am unconvinced we need risk.” Arisu declared, and Bunta quailed at her frosty tone.

“I told you, it’s beneficial in lots of ways.” Shiro promised. “Right, through we go.” I’ll feel better having Arisu in Haru’s Territory. If that suffers damage it’d be a blow, sure, but Aki could live with it and help her rebuild. Here... her gaze strayed to the silver spires.

You are quite the worrier, princess. After all, was it not your intention to bring her here? Now you second-guess yourself? There is no time for doubt. This is the time for deeds.

I agree. Not that I’m worried about Aki or... no, I promised I’d never be tsundere. I just want to help. And if... if we profit a bit as well, all the better, right Tan?

An amused snort was the only thought Shiro received in return, and the world shuddered for a moment, her consciousness distorting, and then she stepped out into Kyoto, followed by her comrades. On seeing their arrival, Haru floated over, looking relieved, sending up a brilliant burst of light into the sky, which scattered into an array of colours before fading away.

Fireworks huh? Pretty. “Hey, I’m here.” Shiro declared proudly. “And I’ve brought help. Where’s Aki and the others? What’s the situation?”

Before Haru could answer, the stone-faced Arisu spoke. “So, are you one more of his women?” her tone was arctic. For a moment Haru looked confused, before letting out a small, slightly bitter laugh.

“Me? And Akio-san? Perish the thought. After all, what would he want with an already perished woman such as I?” she laughed again at her own pun. “No, I am merely a grateful ally, his vassal, and here to lead the defence of Kyoto. I assure you, I am not one of his lovers, not like this one here.” She looked at Shiro, who shrugged.

“Besides...” Haru continued. “And I’ll make this quick, as the situation is desperate, and your aid will be most welcome...” she glanced behind her, to where Ixitt was orchestrating a fiery defence of the Territory, ratkin and weaselkin firing long-barreled weapons, and a forward squad unleashing clouds of what looked like a miniature version of Aki’s Foehn, burning some shambling corpses to ashes.

“... but you may have seen me in the news. I was murdered. Worse than murdered. So I don’t think I have much interest in men right now.” She paused. “You... I recognise you too.” At her words Shiro froze. Oh no, if she says anything to upset Arisu, it could be a bloodbath. I’ll have to step in, if Haru is destroyed, Aki will be furious and heartbroken...

“... it seemed a shame. I can’t say that I pay much attention to celebrity scandals, but... it sounds like you had a hard time. I get why you don’t trust men.”

Shiro sighed in relief, as Haru didn’t blame Arisu, like so many who had believed the lies that had been spread about her did.

“I do not like betrayers, cheats. Liars.” She enunciated clearly, but her frost had melted a little, Haru’s fate causing her to be sympathetic.

“Well, Akio-san is no liar, and betrayal...” she laughed. “... he doesn’t have it in him. As for cheating... well, surely the girls are just as much at fault? There’s no secrecy, everyone knows what they are getting into, except perhaps poor Mori-san, and she admitted to allowing Shaeula in. Is it really cheating then?” she shook her head. “Seriously, we don’t have time for this. Akio-san went northwards towards Kinkaku-ji and the defences there, while Shaeula headed east. They could use the help...”

It is time for me to step in. I have used the Favour we took long ago to find our prey. Three that I want, one that you need. Now... there shall be some... discomfort, princess. But for our strength, and your man, you can surely endure, can you not?

Hey, Tan, wait a second... Shiro squirmed as her hair flared into fiery red, her eye turning crimson. That was not the end though, as even her facial structure shifted, her body shape changing a little. As the Divine Possession activated fully, rather than the partial control Tan had exerted before, Shiro cursed inside her head, her scars burning painfully. Shit, this bloody well hurts, Tan! My scars are agony... can’t we go more gently?

“I am afraid ... not.” Tan spoke out loud, now fully in control, though Shiro realised that since the Divine Possession was her own skill, so Aki had said anyway, if she struggled, she could exert a measure of control over Tan. “... my own adherence is clashing with the remnant adherence from the broken contract. Fortunately... that healer creature has done well. Even though the scars have diminished little, the adherence polluting them from within has noticeably lessened, making the resonance less of a torment.” Even her tone was different, with a faint accent, and her manner of speech was sultry, seductive.

This is less? Well, that damn well doesn’t make me feel any better! Well, I should be grateful, I suppose...

Bunta was looking at Tan strangely, and Shiro felt a little ill at the adoring, almost fervent gleam in his eyes. On hearing her thoughts, Tan glared at him, and the timid man looked away.

“Wow, boss, you look so different. Sexy too. There’s just an aura about you, right? Dangerous and hot!” Suzu giggled. “Well, I’m sad to say it’s not an idol look, too... too lewd?” she giggled again, fishing out another lollipop to suck. “Well, shouldn’t we be off? I have to say though...” she finished with a happy whistle. “... your guy, Akio, he’s certainly got some things going on. Two Territories, ghost women, whatever those animal people have going on over there. Guns, flamethrowers. So cool!” she continued to gush. “I thought this in Kyoto, but you sure can pick them, boss! I totally ship the two of you together, promise!”

“Be quiet, Suzanne-san.” Arisu said sternly, and she grimaced, nodding. “We have no time for such ramblings. You even said it yourself, we must make haste.”

Tan nodded. “Indeed.” I can exert only a fraction of my power, as your body is too fragile to withstand my aether and adherence. Besides, destroying the Boundary would not be wise. Although... “There is a dark, filthy evil here. A hunger. It is not... pure... like mine own.”

“Yes.” Bintara spoke then. She had followed Shiro’s group through the Gate silently, and had even ignored it when Tan had called her a healer creature, though she had frowned balefully. “These little humans, the dead things, those others... they spread a filth wherever they go, like burrowing beetles, or voracious ants. Their power is not wholly their own, but borrowed.” She fixed her dark eyes on Tan. “Much like you and this parasite here, human woman. So foolish, selling yourself to a divine creature. You will regret that, before the end.” She sniffed, tossing her head, horns nearly striking Bunta, who scurried away. “But for now, Lord Nurarihyon wishes you healed. So I shall do it. Besides, I hate illness, sickness and injury. It should all be gone from the world.”

I guess good Yokai do exist then.

Not good, as you call it. Merely different. Spiritual beings are neither good nor evil, Divine beings neither. Each type of being must act according to its own whims and beliefs.

“This is all very well, but time is passing...” Haru interjected, and Tan nodded.

We should consider this a mere skirmish against this foe. Since this poor deluded man is drawing on a huge reservoir of aether from it, it is why he is so powerful. It is too much for the Boundary to easily bear, I fear. All over this land, it is starting to suffer damage. Minor at first, but if not stopped...

“...well, no matter. We shall stop it.” Tan declared. “Using borrowed power, such will never defeat me.”

Uh, isn’t that a bit, no a lot hypocritical, Tan? After all, aren’t I borrowing your power?

No, now part of it resides in you, truly. Your man has seen it, with that clever Eye of his.

“This is vexing, so frustrating. I must calm down.” He reached for his beads, realised they were missing, and the monk then grabbed the sword and started rubbing it, heedless of the way it cut into his flesh and sucked on his blood. “I hate being ignored. And as for you, stop stealing my flames. They were given to me by the noble...” he suddenly roared triumphantly, face twisted with glee. “Die, complacent fool!”

The second wheel detached from him, spinning free and slamming towards Tan from the side while she was still holding his other wheel back. Arisu panicked, her Room trying to intercept it, but the wheel crashed through, scattering her efforts in a spray of violet and yellow sparks.

Watch out... huh? Shiro looked on in wonder as Tan slipped one arm free from her burden, catching the other wheel. Her scars burned, but Tan merely laughed, trapped between the two blazing wheels. “You believe I can not hold you back? I, Taṇhā, she who thirsts? I am true Divinity, ruler of a realm above this. My father would weep were I to fall to such as you, even limited as I am. Besides...” she licked her lips, eye blazing balefully, the flames in her hair rising, forming a glowing crest of what looked like pale yellow feathers, a pair of wings of flame and hair trailing behind her, a strange almost beak-like mask of white-yellow fire covering her smiling mouth. “... even her man could do this much, as could that Fae creature. Poor deluded Raven, thinking them weak, suitable targets for vengeance. Well...”

As the monk ranted and raged, trying to retrieve his wheels, Tan finished, proclaiming “Well I never did get to eat a Fae, and that looks unlikely now. But as for you... I shall drink deep! Flames of my Thirst, quench my Famine! Consume, take out what you were given and make it mine!”

“Never, this humble monk will live on...” he roared, as his flaming wheels were wrapped in the blazing tide of her elongated hair. Flame met flame, an impure, purple-tinged one coming up against a yellow so ferocious it was almost white. The wheels began to collapse, and the monk sagged down.

“... even a second longer, a minute! I am not ready for oblivion!” he howled, suddenly dismissing his flaming conveyance. Tan was caught by surprise, and Arisu shouted a warning, her Room opening. Seeing that, the monk threw himself aside. Even so, his trailing leg touched the door to the Room and Arisu closed it with her own rage-filled snarl, severing it. Blood gouted, and the monk frowned, vile blade in his hand shifting to the side, no longer aimed at Tan’s head.

“I see. How careless of me. That wicked fragment could likely wound me badly. But alas...” caught in the wings of burning hair like a bug in a net, the monk screamed. Taking no chances, Arisu severed the arm, not used to using the Room so many times in succession, falling to her knees. As the bone blade hit the floor, it tried to squirm away, a tide of purple rising, but Arisu narrowed her tired eyes, recognising the similarities to her own ability.

“No. I think not.” A wave of violet struck the purple, and moments later the monk perished, becoming a bleached skeleton wreathed in white flame, then a silhouette of ash, before soon even that was gone.

“Well, the creature that empowered the fool was trying to claim the prize at the end instead of us. But...” she eyed the blade. “Well done, Arisu. Now...” flame flared, and the blade screamed, a psychic screech that hurt their heads, tears in Arisu’s eyes, Shiro unable to clutch her own head, forced to endure. Damn, this sucks. You’re not going to eat that shitty thing are you, Tan?

Of course not. This vile slime will hardly quench my thirst. No, I shall merely destroy it. Intensifying her flames, the bone finally melted, the goop remaining behind burning away, stinking and putrid.

Well then, I have my prize. Now, next is one for you.

For me? Shiro thought, puzzled.

Indeed. I know you best, do I not? After all, as that healer creature says so rudely, am I not part of you now? Even when we separate in the future, as is inevitable, a part of me shall be with you, and a part of you with me. So I know... there is a Favour here you can use.

Really? Shiro was surprised. I thought that I wasn’t strong enough to survive a Divine Favour, which was one reason you decided to host within me?

Yes. Tan thought wryly, as she watched Suzu and Bunta taking out the zombies. Suzu was doing most of the work, using brute force rather than any skill, her parasol functioning as a fairly effective bludgeon, easily crushing skulls. Moments later she cried out in joy, instead swinging her makeshift club at the leg of one zombie, and as it collapsed she browbeat Bunta into restraining it, dragging it into one of the few shadows under the silver sky.

You were too weak, too fragile, your body adapted for a world long past, where the ether density was far higher than now. Though such times will soon come again. But... you have grown, strengthened. This Lovers’ Link... Shiro felt Tan’s amusement, and wondered what she really thought, considering how she had failed to win over the Buddha, and had then abandoned all interest in such matters. ...it is quite the ability. Rather clever indeed. It connects on a deeper level, and affords you the ability to grow, as he does. And you have worked hard. Your strengths, your skills... you have been augmented enough to bear it, I believe. Ordinarily you would not be able to take a gift from another without claiming the embodiment of it, their Divine Anchor, the root of what it is to become an Astral Emperor. But... I have my means. And I am not the only one, it seems.

Wait, you mean... I’m going to be a true Candidate, no more level cap, real abilities? Uh, not that I’m not grateful for the ones I got from you... her thoughts were racing, and she found her lips quirking into a grin, not sure if she or Tan was the one smiling.

Indeed. This Favour is quite compatible with you, though you may be surprised as to why. Now... let us go. I would not have such a morsel snatched from you, dashing your hopes, and besides, there are a couple more that I wish to consume myself. Your man made me promises, so he will be unable to complain. Besides... A pair of flaming wheels, this time wreathed in white-yellow flames, appeared, as did a burning platform. Tan held out a hand, helping Arisu up, where she stood, primly adjusting her dress, curious that the flames didn’t burn her or her clothes.

“Whoa, neat!” Suzu snickered, as she leapt aboard, Bunta following, an immobilised female zombie with a shattered leg, wrapped in dark, inky blue shadows over his small shoulder, his expression downcast. “So you got him then? Never had any doubt, boss. You sure like fire though, huh?”

“Of course I do.” Tan declared. “My thirst is an ever-raging flame. So this suits me perfectly. It was wasted on this coward.” She spat, and the saliva sizzled in the flames. “To think one following the Buddha would fall so low. Even my father would be gravely offended. Now, we need to make haste.” The wheels turned, and they were propelled through the battlefield of Kyoto at a speed greater than a sportscar, flaming wheels crushing obstacles and zombies alike under their flaming rims. Suzu was cheering at the spectacle, while Arisu and Bunta were silent.

Besides... Tan finished her earlier thought, Shiro waiting eagerly for it. I dare say he will even thank me for it. He does cherish you greatly, princess. And he is a man who wants those he loves to be strong. It is the one quality of his I admire. After all, weak women are pitiful, are they not?

Why does that feel like an insult? But I get it, I do. Aki does want to protect me, protect us. But he knows that if he does that without us being able to protect ourselves... she looked back at the distance, and imagined she could see ashes drifting despite the lack of breeze. ... no, I don’t want to end up like that. Besides, I’m not weak. Not mentally. After all... she laughed inside her own mind. I was prepared to sacrifice everything, even the fate of the world, to get what I wanted. I’m a bad girl, I suppose. But I’m not a pitiful caged bird. Not anymore.

No, and now you shall be able to soar. And the fate of the world still lies in your hands, those of you and the others. A different fate, but perhaps...

Perhaps...?

Enough of this. Quenching my thirst has momentarily made me contemplative. No, we have more still to do. We shall make haste... and with that she sped up still further, smashing through several debris-filled streets, reaching a park near Nijo castle, where their next opponent waited...