Five Hundred

Five Hundred

Seeing the other girls look a little envious of Shaeula I raised an eyebrow questioningly, and Eri was the one that answered for me. “To be fair, we played a game of chance to see who would get to look after you while you were out. We should have known better, matching luck with Shaeula isn’t going to end well for anyone but her.”

Shaeula merely grinned at that, glancing at the ring of golden knots and thorns on her finger. “I have always been lucky, there is no-no need to be jealous. It was only for a few minutes, was it not-not?”

“Is that how long I was trapped in her Sea of Thought?” I asked, instinctively looking down at Tamamo-no-Mae. The remaining chains had started to disintegrate, and her colossal chest, now hidden by a coat draped over her, had begun to move, breaths coming slowly. “It seemed like... damn, a long time. Everything blurred together...” I shuddered, remembering just how brutal the pain was. My thoughts could already run at a speed far outstripping ordinary people, even so, it seemed... excessive. Perhaps Tamamo-no-Mae’s mind was powerful indeed, even after all her torments. If so, I have even more respect for her will, if not everything else...

“Yes, it was merely twenty minutes or so.” Motoko said. At my questioning expression at seeing her, she shrugged. “I covered her with my coat. There are... men present.” As my expression changed, she let out a surprisingly amused laugh, a little at odds with her usual elegant demeanour. “You should already know we were here, I know Daiyu and Eri were communicating with you.”

“Yes, we weren’t going to be left out.” Natsumi agreed with a grin. “When our fiancé is in need, we’ll be there. Don’t feel bad for us.”

“Quite.” Motoko nodded firmly. “I know you wished one of us to triumph in your little challenge, though perhaps it is better this way. Choosing between Natsumi and I must have been a nightmare for you, trying to appear fair...” She paused, her smile deepening. “...It is quite all right, I will pretend Natsumi had a chance compared to me. What she does not know cannot hurt her.”

For a moment there was silence, and I was shocked too, before Motoko’s face reddened, and Natsumi burst out laughing. “Sure, keep telling yourself that, Motoko! I may be your friend, but all’s fair in love and war!”

“Is it me... or does everyone seem a little different?” I asked. Motoko wasn’t usually one for humour, being quiet and serious.

“This time was... nerve-wracking. It brought everyone closer. Apart from poor Asha, Kana-chan and Hinata. They all missed out.” Natsumi said thoughtfully. “Kana-chan was still working at your construction projects, Hinata is returning from Seoul, and Asha... nobody wants to risk her. She wanted to help, but... we knew that you wouldn’t want to put her or your children in any danger. We were right, weren’t we?”

All of the women nodded fiercely, and I finally smiled, feeling that it was over at last. “Yes, it’s too uncertain. I don’t know anything about Fae pregnancy, but I’ll learn.”

Eri was the one to agree. “We all need to learn. Asha is the first, and it makes me rather jealous, but our time will come. But fortunately, we gathered other allies. When we called on your behalf, they answered.”

I could see Shaeula’s brother Shaeraggo, accompanied by Selensha. Shaeraggo was casting glances at the badly wounded and pitiful looking Nebisuki, who now outside of the Sea of Thought of Tamamo-no-Mae was back to her tragic state, missing a leg and two tails, though her wounds had stabilised, likely due to Shaeula’s ministrations. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but shake my head. He shouldn’t be doing that with one of his wives just there. The Fae really do have a casual and tangled web of relationships...

Beside them was Haanōbō, accompanied by a number of Tengu. She was wearing her mask as usual, but it was impossible to mistake her wings and vibrant hair. Seeing me looking, she muttered out some words. “We have an alliance with you, and Great Tarōbō would not break his given word.”

“And it has nothing to do with the fact it was Akio who was calling you?” Natsumi teased her. “Your dear brother called, how could you refuse?”

“He is not... no, it does not matter.” Haanōbō wrapped herself in her wings like a cloak, clearly embarrassed. Since going through the trials of Mount Atago together, Motoko, Natsumi and Haanōbō had a closer relationship than I had initially expected they would. “I am pleased to see you safe. I had heard it was a grave undertaking.”

“Hey, there’s only room for one sister here!” My own sis insisted, half-joking. “Oh well, at least I’m not tsundere, so I have the advantage.” There was further laughter from everyone, relief starting to overpower the sense of urgency and danger.

“And are you ignoring us?” A harsh yet amused voice broke in, and I turned to see David Reckless, sitting down casually on a nearby boulder. “You’ll hurt the feelings of our dear Princess if you do.” Beside him, Eleanor was perched elegantly, despite her pale face of exhaustion, her green and gold armour making her look regal, even so drained.

“David...” she hissed, clearly flustered. “This is hardly the time for your jokes.” As he raised an eyebrow at her sardonically, giving a mocking laugh, she shook her head. “Enough out of you. We are not being ignored, he was getting to us.”

“I was.” I agreed. “I’m grateful for the help. Every drop of aether and elemental energy was vital, this really was a reckless move.” I couldn’t resist a pun which got a wry chuckle out of David.

“I am glad you appreciate our aid.” Eleanor relaxed, her normal calm demeanour reasserting itself. “Obviously we have many demands on our time, trying to solidify our control over London and the surrounding areas, especially since we are shorthanded...” Remembering that made her sad. There had been a full accounting of the Chosen of Britain after the betrayal by so many, falling in with Mary Stuart, and a number more had been relieved of their duties and were under close watch by the British government.

Seeing how her words had dampened the mood, she flushed again. “Never mind that. We are allies, so it is only natural for us to aid each other in times of need. You would do the same for us, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course. If one of us is stronger, we all are.” I agreed. Tamamo-no-Mae’s breathing was now regular, and I had a feeling she was conscious, just pretending to be unconscious, trying to assess the situation. Not that I can blame her. Everything that happened in her mindscape seems like a dream, though that might just be because of the warped sense of time and all the pain. Holding in a shudder so as not to worry everyone, I continued.

“Not that I want you to think I’m only doing it because you helped us, but it seems that Motoko and Natsumi are decided.” I glanced at the Elves too, remembering my sis having said Bell had done something impassioned I hadn’t seen. Seeing my look, Bell shrugged, a slightly embarrassed smile on her face, and Soliteare nodded her agreement. “The Elves agree, it seems. So assuming that Miss Aditi can prove herself compatible, the Favour is hers. Besides, you are shorthanded.”

“He’s got you there.” David teased. “Thanks fangirl, quiet girl.” He waved approvingly at Natsumi and Motoko. “You as well.” The Elves were also thanked. “Our little miss Asian will be delighted to be back on the front lines. It’ll be hard on the teacher, but...”

“David, we can hardly ask for more.” Eleanor demurred. “Of course, I do hope that you bear our aid in mind when it comes to taking treasures from the Tower...”

“Sorry, those are two different matters. Hinata would be angry if we don’t get what we paid for.” I teased Eleanor. “But of course Mrs Mary-Jane can be considered if a suitable Favour presents itself.” I then looked around, surprised. “So, are we underground?”

My sis nodded. “Yeah. I had to make it my Territory, the Boundary... apparently it’s screwed here, and I know you want it in check. Before you say anything my big bro moonstone would say...” She cut me off. “I know it’s a huge risk, you don’t have to tell me, bro. But you also knew going after this bad old fox...” She nodded at Tamamo-no-Mae in my arms. The Kitsune twitched a little, and I knew she was listening. Does she understand us? Perhaps as we were sharing minds...

“...was a risk too, a bigger one than this, but you thought you had to do it. So you planned as best you could. It still needed everyone to help out, but... this isn’t any different.” She grinned triumphantly, hands on her hips despite her exhaustion. “She should be done soon. We’ve been digging!”

I glanced around, and I could see that her golden warriors were indeed expanding the cavern we occupied, and as my Eye flared, the effort incredibly fatiguing, with how drained I was, I could see where the damp, musky smell was coming from, as I saw Hyacinth sitting amidst a smaller side tunnel, a rich vein of ruby elemental energies gushing out of cracks in the ground. A ring of vivid mushrooms and toadstools had grown around her, and her body was radiating her nature element, spores continuing to grow out the Ring Gate.

“I see. If that’s what you’ve decided then.” I conceded. Having a Territory offered a lot of benefits, but also matching risks. “However, when the Ring Gate is linked up, get Ixitt’s Mobile Silos to ferry over enough ether to get upgraded to Rank three and throw down some extra defences. It’s only a million or so ether...” Only a million. I remember when that was an unimaginable sum. Now it’s a day with Shiro’s extra buff and me mitigating it. Of course, since I’ll be going abroad for a while soon, that isn’t an option for the near future...

“Thanks bro!” My sis gave me a thumbs up. “Appreciate it. But for now, shouldn’t we worry about other things?”

“One thing at a time.” I broke in. “One thing at a time. For now... let’s go home. I’ve a lot to do before tomorrow.” Offering my hand to Daiyu, she took it gently, and we waited for Hyacinth to finish...

***

“This seems manifestly unfair.” Nie Ling rarely complained, she was usually withdrawn and quiet, but now she was protesting bitterly. “If she’s in fact Bao Si, as the stories say, she is responsible for much greater evil than I did! And it was at her own pleasure!”

“I see my legend lives on.” Tamamo-no-Mae said unhelpfully. Once Hyacinth had exhausted herself creating the Ring Gate and linking it to the Hub at Shirohebizumi shrine, we had returned there, though my sis had stayed behind, and was receiving ether shipments organised by Shaeula. “But what does that matter? I know not what you have done, little girl, but from your words, you have done evil too. Does one being more heinous negate the lesser?”

“No, but...” Ling seemed unwilling to back down. I was having her send Tamamo-no-Mae to the Material, as it was not something she could manager herself, unlike fifteen hundred years ago, due to her malformed network and the lower ether density of Earth. Beside us stood Hyacinth and Tsukiko, who had decided to take care of her acclimatisation. I couldn’t help but smile as I remembered.

Tsukiko wants to be useful, and feels a little out of place herself, having embraced her own self, not as just the Diviner, so she also feels that fish-out-of-water vibe. As for Hyacinth... when she heard what Tamamo-no-Mae had endured over the long years, perhaps it struck a chord with her, as she wished to also help her. Her nature as at least partially a Brownie likely influences that too.

“You aren’t being punished like I am!” she finished, losing steam.

“Am I not?” The Kitsune laughed. There was another here, her granddaughter, though she was waiting for Shaeula to recover some aether to treat her injuries with Chirurgery. I’ll likely have to finish it off, she’s totally broken by the loss of her tails and the backlash, but once she’s stabilised properly, we have time. “I endured more than you could cope with, little girl. Perhaps it was not punishment meted out by those I wronged, but you would not last a moment under that pain. I have lost more than you could ever hope to understand.”

“Look, are you unsatisfied?” I asked Ling, troubled. It’s not like I don’t understand where she is coming from, but nothing changes the innocent dead of Kyoto. While the level of blame she should face is tricky to decide, both legally and morally... she also needs to live with it herself. “I know you’re not free to do your own thing, but you live quietly at my estate, you can go out if properly supervised, and you may think we’re exploiting your powers, but... we are paying wages into an account for you. You just can’t access most of it yet. Do you really think that you didn’t do anything deserving of punishment?”

That silenced her. Biting her lip, she cried out. “I’m not as strong as you. Perhaps I should have spat in its face, let it consume me... but I’m no hero. I did what I had to do to survive!”

“And so are we. Your power is needed. And honestly... do you want me to let you go? I can.”

She paused, surprised, and opened her mouth to speak, before her expression changed, and she looked down, torn. I thought I could understand her, so I pressed on. “What would you do then? I’ll give you what you’ve earned, so you can buy a small home somewhere, but trouble will come looking for you, we both know it. You have power, but it isn’t one that is useful alone. Not against someone like me, or even the Chosen in Korea. And you know that defeating you would strengthen others. Besides... you strike me as someone who doesn’t want to fight.”

“I don’t. I never wanted any of this. I just wanted a peaceful life...”

“Which you have, it sounds like.” Tamamo-no-Mae interjected. “I see no manacles, no chains. You are not starved or tortured.”

“Chains can be invisible...” Ling pointed out, and Tamamo-no-Mae seized on that as if she was waiting on it.

“Yes, they can. And I am so bound. I am merely a poor slave to this master of yours. Unlike you though, I am not human. I shudder to think how I will be used and abused, tormented to make up for my crimes...”

“He won’t do that.” Ling said, and Tamamo-no-Mae smirked, her point proved. Ling flushed, but then sighed bitterly. “I’m a weak person. Why the Duke of Dreams chose me, I have no idea. Honestly... I thought I would hate this, hate you.” She shook her head, as if to clear her thoughts. “But it isn’t so bad. Using my power for this, not to fight. I’ve visited the construction site. It’s miraculous. Seeing giants and machinery hand in hand. If... if I make the world better, maybe...”

“You’ll sleep better at night?” I asked knowingly, and she sighed.

“I had no choice. I... think you were too cruel to me. But... I know many died so I could live. You’re right. Unless I somehow convince myself it was worth it... and I can’t go home. In China I’m a traitor they’ll hunt down, and it is as you say, others like us will hunt me... even so, her punishment should be greater than mine!”

“It was greater than you could imagine.” I assured her. “Not that it makes the crimes she committed disappear. But... just as I need your powers, Nie Ling, I need hers. Understand?”

“I do. But... You’d really let me go?” she asked hesitantly.

“Before... maybe not. But you’re right about one thing. There’s no fair solution to your crimes.”

“Such a meaningless conversation.” Tamamo-no-Mae waved her tails. “You acted in your own interests. Others paid for it. Just own it. I do. Now it seems you are paying penance here. That should be enough. Nobody can turn back time. Now, little girl...”

“I have a name, it’s...” Ling began, but Tamamo-no-Mae cut her off.

“Now, little girl...” she repeated, and Hyacinth giggled. “...I am eager to see the world that lacks boredom I was promised, and... it has been many, many long years since I have known pleasures of the flesh and spirit. I am eager to regain some semblance of joy, if only to spite that old fool who tormented me.”

“Fine. I’ll do it...” Ling said with a frown, before saying hesitantly. “Do you think I can be like you, and not regret it one day?”

“Who is to say I have no regrets?” Tamamo-no-Mae laughed. “I am naught but regrets. But I am who I am. I did those acts, through boredom, malice, hubris, pride or jealousy. I am me, I could have done nothing else. Of course, now... I cannot live for myself. So for now... I shall try being a new me. But even a new me, memories merely a mask I wear, shall still act as I act, for I can do naught else. You... had no choice but to be yourself. Those acts have consequences, but... how you decide now is also not a choice, but inevitability.”

“Inevitable?” Ling nodded. “Maybe so. In that case...” She looked at me seriously then. “I wouldn’t mind some of my wages... if I’m... going to keep on doing this work, I want to take some pride in it, not just feel like I’m atoning, or being punished. And... donate the rest. It won’t change anything, but... I will do some good in the world. Besides...” She looked on, earnestly, and I thought it was the truest face she had ever shown me, her spiky, bitter defensiveness and self-pity swept aside to reveal her core. “...I really don’t hate the work. Seeing everyone working together to build something, rather than working for that monster who threatened and controlled me, only seeking to destroy... I think this is the better path.”

“And there is your answer, little girl.” Tamamo-no-Mae smiled. “If you have no choices, either accept that, or convince yourself that your lack of choice is meaningless. I shall do the same. Though again., being myself, I can do nothing else. Though being dominated will be a novel experience...” Her grin was wicked, so I shook my head.

“All right, that’s enough of that. I’ll talk to Hinata. We’re actually already donating to the victims’ families on your behalf, but I agree it’s more meaningful this way. Now, I’m in a hurry, can you send Tamamo-no-Mae over now?”

“Yes, I too am eager.” The Kitsune crowed, and as aether surged, and Tamamo-no-Mae shed her Astral body, I recreated my Material form, while my Astral one headed for the Ring Gate, for the Fae Realms. I need to restore as much of my aether and elemental energies as possible for Daiyu’s day tomorrow. No, it’s nearly today, in fact. In any case... at least that’ll be a much more pleasing undertaking than today’s was... Exchanging a knowing glance with Nebisuki as I left the room, I found myself grinning, admiring Asha’s great Tree that towered over the Ring Gate Hub.

We did it. Uranai believed that Tamamo-no-Mae can protect my seeds. Now all I need to do is gather them, sow them... and then... the harvest!