Four Hundred And Twelve

Four Hundred And Twelve

Arangbō reached out, grasping a massive, thick wooden staff, both ends tipped with blackened metal that was covered in small bumps. It resembled a giant version of Fungbō’s staff, except there were no rings attached. This one looked crude and brutal, a pure weapon, rather than elegant. On seeing my gaze, Arangbō laughed.

“This staff of mine has crushed many skulls over the long years, many enemies of mount Atago and Great Tarōbō. Fear not, I have no intention of killing you. But as the Spring East, he who carries the will of Seiryū, I can hardly let you triumph without a fight. Besides...” I could tell he was grinning beneath his mask, his eyes narrowed with amusement as he looked at Haanōbō, who was covering herself with her hair, even now there was no need. “... as a brother, how can I let you steal away my sister without seeing what kind of man you truly are?”

“Okay, that line was kind of cool.” Kana giggled. “The worst thing is, I can see you saying exactly the same to whoever asks out Aiko-chan. You’d like to crush his skull too, I bet! Maybe the two of you are more alike than you thought?”

“Any husband for Aiko must be a warrior.” Motoko said stoutly. “She is like us, she loves her bow. Her Kyūdō is quite beautiful. To waste that on a man who has no skills, no bravery... even if Akio allowed it, I surely would not! I am her family too.”

“That’s bold...” Kana giggled, and as Natsumi joined in, I frowned. I met Haru-san’s eyes, and she merely smiled, shrugging, as if to say it couldn’t be helped. True. I suppose I should be thankful that everybody is getting along, and my sis having more close friends and sisters is a good thing. She’ll be in Tokyo soon with the rest of my family... that’ll be interesting, if a bit nerve-wracking...

“I’m not planning on taking her away. I can see that the situation was unusual...” I began, and Haanōbō squawked out a few annoyed words.

“I keep telling everyone, a mistake is being made here...”

Arangbō ignored his sister, booming a laugh, swinging his staff. “Yes, your intervention has been unexpected. But I feel the prickling of Fate at work. The flame must not fall, we have guarded mount Atago too long to let it be corrupted. So we shall accept your aid. That comes above our pride. Pride is for the strong.” He looked at his brothers, a mocking sneer in is voice. “Not for those who have drowned in the mud.”

Fungbō growled at that, but said nothing, merely staring at me hatefully. He’ll get over it. If he doesn’t, I’m more than happy to beat the anger out of him again...

“Like I said before, me winning doesn’t mean they are weak. I’m simply strong. As you’ll find out.” I took a Tsumura Arts stance, my centre of balance sturdy yet flexible. We weren’t using the prepared arena, since this was a battle to showcase all of Arangbō’s strength. Seeing me readying myself, he chortled happily.

“Yes, you are. But defeat is still defeat. Let your tears over your opponent being stronger bring back the dead lost to weakness. Can they? Excuses never wash out blood.”

At his harsh words, I glanced at the spirit-light of Tsukiko-san. It was getting brighter hour by hour, since it no longer had to share the flow with Ginneka. The dull light of Kinneka was also orbiting me, but it was only receiving a trickle until I had bound Ginneka with my Throne to be safe. And work out how to block any voyeurism. “No, you’re right. I apologise.” I nodded to him, surprising the massive Tengu. “I’ve lost those I should have been strong enough to protect. But... even so, it doesn’t change the fact that there is always a new limit, a sky beyond the sky, as Daiyu might day.” She nodded at that, and I continued. “Even in defeat, I believe that the hard work that went into trying to avert it matters. And I hope...” I remembered Mine-san, the dead trainees, those killed in Kyoto when Nie Ling pulled them into the Boundary and more... “...that the dead find peace knowing we did our best.”

“I see.” Arangbō rumbled. “That is your philosophy, is it? Well then...” he swung his huge staff effortlessly, whistling through the air menacingly. “... we shall see whether my strength can overcome yours. Are you not drawing your sword?” he asked me, eyeing it on my back, and I shrugged.

“I hope not to need it. It’s a tool for killing, and this isn’t a battle, but a duel.”

“I see. Bold words. But I agree. I shall only break a few bones.” Arangbō said happily. He turned to his father. “Great Tarōbō, I, the Spring East of your Four Directions, and oldest surviving child... I will prove that I am worthy to lead!”

Tarōbō looked at him, his yellow robes covered in ruby letters and sigils a match to the crimson mask he wore that was chased with gold. The jewel shining in the Staff of Muted Desires flickered a little, giving off rays of brilliant light, illuminating him, and all eyes were on him. “Very well, my son...” he said solemnly. “Clash your wills and strengths, prove whose ideals burn the brightest. Begin!”

Even as the word left the Tengu’s mouth, Arangbō was rushing at me, wings propelling him forwards. He was fast, but not possessing my more balanced attributes, so I could easily react. I dodged the sweep of his staff, which blasted a crater in the ground, showering the onlookers with dirt and debris. He grunted, whipping his staff around surprisingly gracefully, and I blocked the blow, arms crossed, wanting to test his strength. The impact jolted my body, and my bones creaked, but I held my ground, surprising him. Not bad. A bit weaker than Grulgor, on a par strength-wise with Ulfuric. But... he doesn’t have Ulfuric’s impeccable skills...

Seeing my grin, Arangbō let out a laugh. “Not bad. But I am just getting started!” A flurry of blows from his staff came at me from all angles, and even though I was several times faster than him, it was impossible to dodge them all. My hands, remembering the earlier training I had done in martial arts from YouTube videos, coupled with Tsumura Arts, formed open palms, deflecting most of the thrusts and swings. Those that I couldn’t deflect I took on areas of my body that were the least vital, and Ether Healing quickly took care of those modest injuries.

“You are strong... but strength alone won’t do.” I caught his staff, impact stinging my palms, and he grunted, trying to pull it free. I let Body Enhancement surge, and suddenly he was unable to keep his grip on the staff, despite his strength. As I tore it free, he leapt backwards, wings spreading, and he let out a cry.

“Seiryū, Lord Of Spring, Master Of Wood...” he cut his chant short as I hurled the staff at him like a javelin. He caught it, though he was unable to arrest the momentum and one of the metal ends slammed into his shoulder, numbing his wing, and he dropped to earth. “Saikou Aokigahara!”

Greatest sea of trees, huh? The ground around us burst into life, great bark-covered vines ripping free in their dozens, converging on me in a scattering of brown energies. My thoughts were running fast, and I felt a little dizzy, as in the moment I was also just leaving a late-night meeting with Hinata, and the dichotomy in places and temporal flows was jarring.

“I am not the most skilled with the use of the elements.” Arangbō admitted, as the vines surged towards me like a tidal wave of wood and greenery. “But when it comes to sheer power...”

“Power is good...” I agreed, my own surge of Wood element responding. Vines sprouted, grabbing and snaring some of the incoming tentacles, slowing them, but it was insufficient to halt the attack.

“You have it too? Interesting. Fire, wind, earth, now this... but you are too weak!” Arangbō crowed.

“True.” He looked surprised as all of the vines around me fell, sliced apart, and Storming Moonlight was gleaming in my hands, wind and lightning wreathing the blade. “I need to practise it more. But if Hyacinth was here, she’d show you what Wood element can really do...”

“Impressive.” Bell muttered, as the girls were cheering me on happily. “Your movements are certainly fast, no doubt about that.”

“So, you drew your sword...” Arangbō flourished his staff. More vines rolled down towards me, blotting out the skies and the crowds, only for them to fall apart, a cage of wind threads around me cutting through them like a buzzsaw.

“Yes, though I have other ways to cut. But I’m trying to practice. Round two then?” I cracked my neck, acting cool because I was trying to show the Tengu I was worth an alliance. And I suppose I do want to show off in front of the girls...

“Why not?” Arangbō laughed, and his staff met my sword, the impact making him take a step back. Flustered, not used to being outmatched in terms of muscle, he swung again. I see. I parried, and swept my blade down. Blood bloomed, and his right arm was suddenly useless.

“A Tsumura Arts counter... did you see that Motoko?” Natsumi giggled happily, and Motoko nodded, also excited.

“Yes, and so beautifully done too!” she praised. Daiyu, also watching, added her own insights.

“Oh?” Daiyu asked, a bit puzzled by the situation.

“At least Akio can split himself in two. That means even adding another few, we’ll still be able to spend as much time with him as before, maybe even a bit more.” she giggled. “I’m not telling Eri though, someone else can do that...”

I listened to the girls talk nonsense, holding in a sigh. “Look, Haanōbō, you don’t want it, I wasn’t looking for it. I understand. I came in, humiliated you...”

“I hardly hate you.” she said. “You are a strong warrior, and you humbled my brothers when they looked down on me. And if you aid Great Tarōbō in cleansing the flame, our charge... I would be grateful. But everyone misunderstands us... this is not a story of great love from nothing.”

“Isn’t it? It sounds pretty romantic to me.” Haru-san said, surprising me. She’s the last person I’d expect to think about the romance of a situation. “It was a very fateful first meeting, wasn’t it?”

“I confess that is true.” Haanōbō nodded.

“But life isn’t a romantic comedy, even if your life seems like it sometimes, Akio-kun.” she giggled. “Haanōbō, I understand. But... you don’t hate him, it sounds like, or hold a grudge.

The Tengu shook her head, violet hair floating. “No. Another intruder who I failed to defeat could easily have killed me, slain many Tengu, despoiled the mountain... instead you offer aid...” she paused. “Even if you do have your own motives. I have no hatred towards you.”

“Then the answer is simple. Just do what Akio originally planned. Be his adopted sister. He’s a siscon through and through, so he’d always be good to you. And he’s right. You can stay on the mountain. Sometimes we might request your assistance, but... family help each other, right?” she looked at me and winked slyly, and I suddenly heard her thoughts.

It’s cute seeing you flustered. But really, the Tengu are right. Who would go to all this effort to gain a sister? It’s natural they think you had other motives. I would have thought so too, if I didn’t know better. But leave it to me, I know you want this alliance so we can access the flame element, I’ll steer things the right way.

“If both Haanōbō and Akio-kun say so, we should at least pretend to believe them.” Haru-san said professionally. “It doesn’t make a difference, does it? Besides, we have a more pressing matter.” She looked meaningfully at the flame burning in the temple, and Tarōbō slammed down his staff.

“It seems so. I have no great understanding of what customs you outsiders have, but I believe you said you do not denigrate our customs, so we should respect yours. Haanōbō...” at her name being called, she twitched her wings.

“Yes, Great Tarōbō?”

“You shall be the liaison for our... guests. See to your brother...” Arangbō laughed at that, while Fungbō looked murderous, and Shungbō merely seemed resigned, by the set of his wings. “... and his needs. Serve him well. Yet never forget your honour as the Winter North.”

“I understand...” she bowed low, before turning to me. “Brother...” the word crept from her lips, with a little resignation. “... we should rest. Your strength must have been depleted by your battles. I would not have you perish inside the rifts due to exhaustion.”

“See that? He smiled when she said brother!” Kana laughed. “Aiko-chan is going to be mad too!”

Ignoring her, I turned to Motoko and Natsumi. “It looks like you’ll be missing some school. Is that fine?” I asked, and they said that their parents and the Three Grandfathers had said they could prioritise our tasks. I see. Hopefully we can wrap it up before too much time passes on the Material, but... judging by the attitudes of the Tengu, this was no simple little dungeon...

********

“I’m jealous, you know.” Hinata was saying, snuggled into my embrace in the back of the car. “Motoko and Natsumi are venturing into such an exciting place with you.”

“It’s not a date. It’ll be dangerous.” I chided, and she merely grinned, her usual teasing smile.

“You’ll protect them, I know that. But... I have my own role.,” she grinned at the documents and her laptop. “We can get started as soon as the paperwork is filed for Nie Ling to be released into your custody, and that cat is able to enter our world. The Ministry is slowly conducting tests on ether depletion and exposure, but ideally if you can squeeze in some upgrades to the Connection buildings sooner than later... we can’t be having our workers fall ill...” as she brainstormed, I grinned, ruffling her hair, and I kissed her forehead softly. She blushed, brown eyes moist.

“Are Motoko and Natsumi showing you affection? They are quite shy.” She said, and I nodded.

“That’s good.” She nodded. “Us noble daughters are bad at that, and the more noble, the worse we are. I think that’s the sweetest change of all. We can love, just as our brothers do. Though Hiroto loves too easily.” She snorted. “I hear he’s had another fling at University. It’s only natural, he’s had the Chirurgery, and he’s rich. And like me, he has a good appearance.”

“A great appearance, if it’s like yours.” I teased, enjoying her shy yet excited reaction.

“Oh you. Anyway...” her smile turned mischievous. “If Motoko and Natsumi aren’t going home tonight, then neither am I. It’s a good time to get some things done.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you’re younger...” I began, but she cut me off.

“Yes, but I’m old enough, and your fiancée. Besides, I’ll be spending half the week living with you as soon as the last details of the new estate are finished. What will one night matter? I’ll contact father and grandfather. I want to talk to some of the girls.”

“If you’re sure. I guess I don’t mind.”

“Good.” She giggled. “I’d hate to think you didn’t want to spend time with me. Although...” she narrowed her eyes. “You should spend the night with Eri. She’s been through a lot. And I need to go to the Boundary, and you’re already there.”

The Boundary, huh? “So what are you planning?” I asked, curious, and her smile in return was cute and sly.

“Something important. Don’t worry, as always I’m looking after your interests, just like I always do. But... it’s exciting. I can hardly wait...” As she giggled to herself, I shook my head. Spending some time with Eri isn’t a bad thing, I’m delighted she’s healed, but... it does make me wonder why Hinata said that... At the same time, I was laughing and joking with my party on mount Atago, Haanōbō silently pouring me a cup of sake. Oh well, I trust Hinata. She’ll tell me when I need to know...