ShipTeaser
The sky was streaked with vivid lightning, multicoloured sparks of energy scattering through the skies like aurora borealis, yet far more brilliant and intehe se below was an ordinary one, apart from the mysterious storm overhead, but suddenly the seemingly peaceful cityscape se shattered. At first the ground seemed to shiver, faint ripples in the air like the heat haze reflected from roads on a scorg summer day. Then a whine began, a faint susurrus just below the register of human hearing, a silehat ached, and the passers-by seemed unfortable, edgy somehow.
Some people stopped, trembling, and as they spoke to each other only silence could be heard, and then one of the rippling pools of distortion popped like a soap bubble. Out hopped a bizarre creature, appearing in a spray of violet sparks. At first it looked like a rabbit, though the size of a rge dog, and one nearby passer-by, a woman, looked down in surprise, seeing it as cute. Others saw it too, and were shocked by the size and sudden appearance, but perhaps due to the ging world they were not immediately armed or wary.
The woman looked at the stationary rabbit, unsure of whether to approach, only to suddenly gasp in horror as it tilted its head, and within the fur of its face, a row of a dozen red eyes slid open, watg her, and the mouth, impossibly long, unhinging the near-entire head of the creature, gaped open, needle-like teeth glinting dully in the light of the chaotic lightning overhead, drool dripping to the pavement. She screamed soundlessly, and was not alohers joining in, but the rabbit hopped forwards, and jaws cmped oearing her apart in a welter of gore.
Others scattered, but more distortions crackled with violet energies, and other creatures appeared. Foxes, elephants, crocodiles, snakes, scorpions, eveinct creatures such as dinosaurs and those which defied description or cssification, and sooreets ran with blood. During all this, the rabbit chewed, and after a while it sprouted a series of tumours, fatty lumps swelling aually bursting. When that was plete, the rabbit had grown in size, now matg a horse, and had sprouted a pair of grasping female arms, just with fur and multiple joints, and nails as long and sharp as scythes. Other lumps hit the ground, f into more small rabbits, and also young, human-like children, only each was subtly malformed, with bestial features or extra body parts.
This dohe now-massive rabbit hopped dowreet, and as a child ran its way in panie of the new arms swung like a whip, and blood spttered…
Overhead, the sky suddenly desded into night, the clear skies still wreathed with iridest lightning, thunder booming silently. The moon was shining overhead brilliantly, a massive disk hanging in the sky. Below, the creatures were rampaging, f packs that surged like locusts, dev all life in their paths and multiplying, only occasionally turning away erratically like the tide hitting a breakwater. There was the sound of shattering gss, and a great bck rift, fringed with purple light, shrouded the stars, and a great sound of war drums could be heard, and the marg of booted feet, and cries e and hunger…
At that moment, a great shadow swept across the nd, and the moon, which shone so brilliantly, was suddenly obscured by a series of deep bck triangles, which resembled naught so much as jaws, ready to close and bite…
All this ot be stopped. The Destiny of the Definite has too much weight. Even should you attempt it, events have begun far outside your sphere of influence, and will be felt here when the ripples reach. All that be done is strive, struggle and try and turn aside disaster, saving what you protect…
The vision blurred, the shadows c the moon scattering, revealing the glowing disk, and six figures could be seen in the light. I reised many of them, Shaeu, though she was wreathed in powerful winds, and many Fae and Yōkai were in her shadows. Shiro, half of her face twisted into an expression of great hunger, hair and eyes red and bzing, the other half cool and silver. Yukiko-san, the indest sun fringing her like a halo of gold, and Eleanor, a great t pilr of life energies s behind her, a curtain of shimmering energy falling like a fountain. There were two others as well, one a hunched shadow, indistind blurred, and droplets of blood were stantly falling from it, darkening the nd around. And a pink bird, shining with light, ected to something greater, a reservoir of shining brilliahat was somehow so very sorrowful…
Only though the flux of a tangled web of Destinies and a multitude of Definites what the moon overlooks endure. Prepare… prepare…
That’s hardly helpful! The voice, presumably of Tsukuyomi, was the only sound I could hear in this silent… vision… I supposed. I already know of the Princesses of the Six Paths. As for Shaeu and Shiro, if they die I’ll be dead first, and Eleanor and Yukiko-san are my friends, so I’ll of course protect them. As for the other two… They both seemed ominous and sad, and I would do my best to find them, and if necessary defend them. What’s the use of tellihis? It’s like I’m sitting in a greenhouse, you tell me the gss will be destroyed, but it’s done by someoh a gun on a far rooftop. I’ve no way of preventing it… at least give me something useful! I see why Tsukiko was always so worn down and depressed. There’s no use in knowing there’s a man with a gun out there ready to shoot if I ’t leave the greenhouse to stop him!
There was silehe vision frozen, and then the se shifted, and I was immersed in water, drifting in a ke, the moon overhead refleg in the gssy, smooth waters. In said refleages were suddenly shown, and if I was actually here, in a tangible form, I would have smiled. Finally being useful, eh?
The se switched, being monoe, revealing a teeming horde of people, moving with one purpose. They looked like zombies, paying o their surroundings, merely fixated oargets, a number of men and women who shoh colour in this bd white world, red, e, yellow, blue, green, indigo and violet. On seeing them the mass of people charged, and though they were weak and frail, they attacked with almost rabid, desperate fervour.
Above them in the sky, a great, serpentine white body could be seen, writhing through the clouds, and bolts of brilliant light shot from it, turning into feathers which struck the ground, detonating. One such target was a tower standing amidst a steaming ke, adorned by beautiful statues of celestial beings. Light fshed, and fme roared, f a mushroom cloud, lightning crag, the flickering tongue of a snake visible, tasting the scorched air. Amidst the destru shadows moved, and a stunning marble statue of a woman, tall and muscur, carrying a spear in one hand and a shield iher, an owl on her shoulder, eyes tied with a ragged blindfold, was rocked, daggers striking sparks.
Other statues appeared, and then a multi-armed statue of gold shattered, a tate colpsing, and a number of twisted, ghoulish forms wearing tattered rags surged out of the ground, faces twisted into snarls of bitter malice, ringing golden bells. A prideful, faceless giant strode out across the nd, one hand clutg a winged serpent rod, blood dripping from it, and where he passed ordinary people became violent and filled with fury, shouting and h, shaking fists at the sky, being aide of zombies, who rushed great mansions and shops, looting and breaking all within their grasp. A young girl was surrounded by shadowy figures, all pointing, mog and ughing, and a noose fell, a woman, her dead flesh dripping with maggots, dangling lifelessly, and a sed hen fell beside it, while waiting, the crowd jeering louder. Even then a giant foot was ing down, to trample on the garden below, trees snapping uhe force, blossoms scattering, and then the se ged, broken trees merging…
A great Tree stood, spreading branches out over the nd, and I reised it. That’s Asha’s Tree. A horn blew, shaking the skies, and a great wooden wheel dropped, the spokes studded in jagged, dagger-like splinters. It began to roll, faster and faster, crushing people beh it, until it was about to strike the Tree, t over it, while trumpets sounded overhead ahers fell…
You wish to stop the bullet. But if it has already been shot…
Theher have to dodge it or block it. Is this… the upis which I fear?
Yes. Destiny is in motion. Many bullets have already found their mark, as you would speak of it, but… the future is an intricate tapestry, of many threads. The Definite anchors, the Destined weaves, and ce are stray threads that should be plucked out to not spoil the weave, but a siug unravel much, ging the course of the tapestry ever so slightly…
I get it. At least you’re trying to be helpful. I’ll search for the threads ull… With that the image vanished, and I opened my eyes to the early m twilight. I felt some weight against me, and remembered that before I had goo bed, Eri and Motoko had been having some fun with me. I turo see Eri on my left, pressed tight against me, still sn gently, face blissful, while on my right, Motoko, her arms curled around mine, slowly opened her eyes, giving me a gentle smile.
“Good m, Akio. I trust you slept well? You do not rest enough, everyone is worried you are w too hard.” she whispered, careful not to disturb Eri.
“I know, but if I don’t, who will?” I leant over and kissed Motoko on the lips, just a gentle greeting. “Did I wake you? It’s still dark outside.”
“No.” Motoko shook her head. “I am an early riser. I have to train Tsumura Arts, before heading to school. Though I feel today will be a good day.” She smiled brilliantly, befretfully releasing me and standing. She went to the walk-in closet of my room, where all of the girls had a spare set of clothes for just this event. Motoko pulled out her blue and white training hakama, and giving me a rather cheeky grin, tied back her long hair and began to dress slowly, her skin flushed pink, making sure I got a view of everything.
“I still hardly get used to this.” Motoko marvelled. “To think I would be allowed to spend my life as I please, yet still uphold the honour of the nobility. Although…” She took my hand, squeezing it as she returo my side. “…I have my pride. And my love. Now I am more ed with being the best wife I be. That shall bring enough honour to Tsumura house. And it is far from a burden. After all…” She smiled, aemperamely was being less stoid formal, more charming. “… how could I ever give up this? Last night was wonderful. If it was a better time, and we had celebrated our wedding ceremony, I would have been delighted to ceive a child, to tinue our houses. The act itself is joyous. I certainly see why our parents and brothers warn us off this act. My heart sings, just as it does when wielding my ons.”
“I’m gd. My heart certainly raced st night.” I let out a soft chuckle, and Eri stirred, yawning.
“Have you had your heartfelt talk?” she said, ing out of her own sleep. “If not, I rest a little more. You went hard o night. My hips and back ache.” She looked at Motoko then. “You must be the same. He o learraint!”
Motoko shook her head. “Do not pretend you hated it. I know you too well, Eri. If you feel his passion, your heart is at peace. Mine is the same. And we will be without it soon…”
“Yeah, you’re off tomorrht?” Eri pointed out, and she regretfully moved away from me, her own body naked. Seeing Motoko already dressed, Eri frowned and crossed her legs, face flushed. “How you bear putting on clothes before a bath, after we… were so enthusiastic.”
“It is a little unfortable.” Motoko agreed, her flush deepening. “But I io work up a sweat, and do not have time to bathe twice. Besides, it will likely just be Natsumi and Daiyu who joihis m, and they will merely be envious.”
“True.” Eri nodded, pulling on a bathrobe, smirking at the trace ret in my eyes as her naked body was covered. “But as for me, I’m going to wash off. You o as well, Akio.”
I nodded. “Yeah. And you’re right. At least I’m getting a flight from London, rather than one of our airports. It’ll save me a good dozen hours of travelling.” There’s more than one way to use a Ring Gate. We definitely o establish more, but eae is also a risk, for now, and after those visions… Most were opaque, but some were obvious, that we would e utack directly. Though I already khat, thanks to Uranai’s words Shinkume-no-Hana brought me. We’ll step up prote, and… hopefully we have our trump card now…
“In that case, I shall go, Natsumi will be waiting for me, si was not her fortuo win the draw st night.” With that Motoko bowed to us a, leaving Eri nodding knowingly.
“Shaeu’s luck arra.” I gnced down at my bare hand, the Anulus Fortunae now back with Shaeu, as the tasks I needed great Fortune for were done. Seeing I uood, Eri tinued. “She thinks that we o grow our bonds. Motoko and Natsumi usually sleep with you together, so she wao mix it up a bit. I think she’s right. I learned more about Motoko this way, and she of me. How about tonight, you go for Natsumi and someone else?”
I ruffled Eri’s hair pyfully, proud that she was sharing so well, and she suggiowards our bathroom. “Oh e on, we had this out in Korea, didn’t we? I’m happy. Motoko was happy. You heard her, right? She’s even thinking of children. I suppose having Asha pregnant brings that to mind. But not me. Not yet. I’ve not reached my potential. And there’ll be time for that ter. But for now…” Her grin was wickedly teasing, and it made my body twitd feel hot, seeing her look so different to usual. “…seems like I was right. You have some energy, so… how about a little m fun ih?”
My only answer was sweeping her up into my arms and rushing into the bathroom, kig shut the door behind us…
***
“Looking good!” I praised, watg the footwork, as Motoko cshed with Natsumi, using their live ons, the Utsoroihebi Twins. Sparks flew, and their dance was blindingly rapid, exging blows with their enhatributes. After a moment though, the match as decided, and this time it was Motoko whose bde oised at Natsumi’s throat.
“Got me again.” Natsumi smiled ruefully, as the bde was withdrawn, and she bowed. “That’s seven to four in your favour.”
“Yes, but it is still rather close.” Motoko said magnanimously. My sis, who surprisingly had also been up and ractising in our estate’s training grounds, hahem both towels.
“Good job, you’re both really skilled. I could certainly learn something.”
“Aiko’s always been siderate of her club juniors at school, at least.” Eri said, watg as she produced some cold drinks , which the girls took gratefully.
“Wow, don’t say it like I’m not usually siderate!” My sis pouted, though it was more from reflex than genuiion. “Besides, we martial arts girls have to stick together!” Daiyu wasn’t here, possibly training her Cultivation rather than her bat skills. Well, we do have that opportunity. Speaking of…
My Eye shone, and I was relieved to feel that my strength had recovered noticeably ht. My Boundary self was reformed and had arrived at Shirohebizumi shrine and would be resonating with the Berserk Blessing of Blood from Shiro to eke out what extra ether we could before my journey abroad. We’ll shoot for ara million…
Tsumura Motoko
Bonded Kin
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
173 280
Fortune
1 2
Fortitude
171 306
Majesty
4 5
Intellect
156 270
Charm
5 7
Resilience
169 301
League
1
Acrity
185 308
Determination
3 5
Precision
184 312
Fht
Aether
402 741
Fate
1
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver Cord
Rank 2
Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Eight Moons Chakra work
Rank 1 Rank 2
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Aether Manipution
Rank 2 Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Ether Healing
Rank 2 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Elemental Skills]
Light Manipution
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Third Eye Chakra Of Light
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Wind Manipution
Rank 3 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Heart Chakra Of Wind
Rank 2 Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Fme Manipution
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sor Plexus Chakra Of Fme
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Physical bat Skills]
bat Teique
Rank 4 Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Sword Teique
Rank 4 Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Spear Teique
Rank 4 Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Bow Teique
Rank 4 Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Tsumura Arts
Rank 3 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Cultivation Skills]
Qi Refining
Rank 1
Powerful (4)
Rule (5)
[Unique Skills]
Lovers’ Link
Rank 4 Rank 7
Noble (5)
Artifice (6)
[Level]
28/50 41/104
[Css]
Fae-Bonded 3/20 7/20
Qi Refiner 1/10
Elemental Warrior 3/10
On seeing Motoko’s stats and cheg them thhly, the first time I had done so in a while, I blinked my Eye, surprised. I then checked Natsumi’s, only to see the same thing. I guess they’ve blindsided me. I shouldn’t be surprised though, as the two of them train insanely hard every scrap of free time they get. Evehey have to attes for the nobility, afterwards they use the fact they need little sleep and the time dition in the Boundary to train for hours anyway… I know they earned light element in the pursuit of Jumong’s Favour, but the others…
Hori Natsumi
Bonded Kin
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
169 273
Fortune
2 4
Fortitude
161 275
Majesty
2 3
Intellect
153 263
Charm
5 7
Resilience
171 300
League
1
Acrity
180 300
Determination
3 5
Precision
179 299
Fht
Aether
433 761
Fate
1
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver Cord
Rank 2 Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Eight Moons Chakra work
Rank 1 Rank 2
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Aether Manipution
Rank 2
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Ether Healing
Rank 2 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Elemental Skills]
Light Manipution
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Third Eye Chakra Of Light
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Wind Manipution
Rank 4 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Heart Chakra Of Wind
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Water Manipution
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sacral Chakra Of Water
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Physical bat Skills]
bat Teique
Rank 4 Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Sword Teique
Rank 3 Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Spear Teique
Rank 4 Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Bow Teique
Rank 3 Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Tsumura Arts
Rank 3 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Cultivation Skills]
Qi Refining
Rank 1
Powerful (4)
Rule (5)
[Unique Skills]
Lovers’ Link
Rank 5 Rank 7
Noble (5)
Artifice (6)
[Level]
27/63 40/104
[Css]
Fae-Bonded 4/20 8/20
Qi Refiner 1/10
Elemental Warrior 3/10
“So, when did you learher elements?” I asked, curious. “And I see you each went for a different choice. Water and fire, huh?”
Motoko and Natsumi exged gnces, and Natsumi giggled, still wiping her sweat with the towel, looking fresh and alluring. “It’s not like we’ve been keeping as, but we want to surprise you when we . And we only have our talents to push us forwards, that and hard work. As for why we chose differently…?” She pursed her lips. “Really, we don’t want you to think of us as Motoko and Natsumi, the pair. We’re both individuals, even if we do cherish each other like our lives.”
“That is correct. I feel Shaeu was wise, pying her games.” Motoko had also noticed what Eri had. “ime I shall ask ao apany me. After all…” Her elegant smile was rather lewd, and I realised ahat by repressing the daughters of the nobility and preventing them from disc their own sexual desires, it had created some very eager women, with a blend of elegand lust. “…just one of us alone makes it hard to satisfy you. My Statistics have doubtlessly been improving steadily, but when you truly indulge in us…” Eri, Motoko and Natsumi shared a look, while my sis rolled her eyes, amused and embarrassed. “…while it is pleasurable, it be quite wearing.” she finished.
“Yeah, pie why don’t you?” I chuckled. “I assume you had help from Chiaki- and Chiasa-?”
“Yeah, the two of them are basically the shining stars of the eraining school.” Natsumi smiled. “Ae being busy Haru-san also helped us.”
“Some of the new noble sons are showing an i in them, despite their humble lineage, from the faith.” Motoko pointed out. “Though Chiaki-san and Chiasa-san both dee any sutas, g they are too young, and too dedicated to the Gods and yourself, Akio.”
“They did join Adamant, didn’t they?” my sis said, and that made Eri sigh.
“They don’t o show loyalty like that. Besides… my biggest pint is… what was Shaeu thinking, letting girls like the twins in? They are far too young!” She crossed her arms peevishly. “I like them too, they are cute and polite, and so very talented, but… Akio, you have a reputation to uphold. Hinata is as young as you safely go!”
“I’m not pnning on making a move on them, or anyone from Adamant…” I paused, not wanting to lie to Eri. “Well, not specifically from Adamant. I do… have to talk to Bell and Teare. Anyway, I’m not saying I’ll accept them, but… I owe it to them to talk things out, see where we all stand.”
“You do.” my sis agreed, and Motoko and Natsumi too. They all had a deep respect for the Elves, and especially for Bell after Mount Atago and our battles there.
“In that case, how about we have some breakfast. You pair have to go to school soon, don’t you?” Eri gave me a searg look, but just as she had said this m, she was no longer defensive about our retionships, she genuinely just didn’t wao fall to the state of a loli, sacrifig my pride and dignity. Yeah, Hinata, despite her youth, is old enough to make her own decisions. But the twins… if anything, they seem rather like sisters to me. They do treat me a lot like they do Ren-kun. I seem to be colleg sisters retly…
“Oh, there was ohing on your Status that was iing.” I addressed the two noble girls, who waited patiently. “You got a Css.”
Elemental Warrior is a Css gained by those who have pushed their bat skills to the peak and are also a master of aal bat Teique of suffit level, as well as the Elemental energies to fuel it. The path to breaking through the limits of basibat skills and f a truly uh forwards is fraught with fewer challenges, and the ability to gee and utilise Elemental energies increases.
“In addition, you’ve caught me up in terms of raw bat Skills.” I pointed out, and the two of them nodded, Motoko expining.
“Of course we have. Now nothing holds us back, we train as we please, and our bodies have such great stamina, and our learning speed has increased many times over, so ush ourselves as far as our time allows. We also have expert tutege from master Ulfurid reat warriors, such as Shaeu’s siblings. Even from you on occasion.” She teased me cheerfully, proud of her growth, and of Natsumi’s.
“It’s hard though.” Natsumi chimed in. “We’re fumbling our way through the dark here. Master helps us, but it is something we o do ourselves, find our own way. That’s another reason that Motoko and I took different elements. It might help us finally distil down Tsumura Arts into our path forwards.”
“If we see our path, perhaps we help you walk it…” Motoko began, only for my sis to let out a rather undylike cry.
“Wow.” She spped her cheeks hard enough for her to wince, and Eri chided her for her theatrics, but my sis was uerred. “I’m fired up, you know? Motoko, Natsumi, I’m moved! You didn’t get the Favour you wanted, but you’re still pushing yourselves to improve, despite that. I ’t be sg off, not now I have a Territory to run too!”
“Your archery is a match for ours.” Motoko reassured her. “You also o find your path.”
“Yeah, I know.” As my sis let out a sigh, she spped herself again, mently this time. “I’m not sure whether I’ll take a hunter’s path, like Shaeu’s bro, or a warrior’s path, for battle. Or maybe some third road. But I know this… I’m an archer at heart. My Golden Sisters are awesome, and I’ll learn to make them stronger, more numerous, more flexible… but when it es to… killing…” her hands trembled a little, but her expression was resolute. “…I’ll be using my bow. Swift, and deadly.”
“In that case…” My Eye fred again, and I sed my sis, cheg if there were any suggestions I could make. Yeah, my Eye is prig. It’s ly painful, but it definitely feels like things i are ging…
Oshiro Sapphire Aiko
Chosen Of She Who Shows passion And Mercy, Kannon
Kin
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
229 501
Fortune
3 5
Fortitude
235 510
Majesty
1 2
Intellect
206 483
Charm
6 8
Resilience
265 538
League
3 5
Acrity
232 524
Determination
4 6
Precision
246 540
Fht
Aether
1109 1847
Fate
2
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver Cord
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Eight Moons Chakra work
Rank 3
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Third Eye Chakra Of Sunlight
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Light Manipution
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sor Plexus Chakra Of Fme
Rank 3 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Fme Manipution
Rank 3
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Aether Manipution
Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Ether Healing
Rank 2 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Aetheric Chirurgery
Rank 1
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
[Physical bat Skills]
bat Teique
Rank 2 Rank 3
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Bow Teique
Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Spiritual Kyūdō
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Unique Skills]
Lovers' Link
Rank 2 Rank 4
Noble (5)
Artifice (6)
Kannon's Golden Warriors Of Mercy
Rank 5
Imperious (6)
Artifice (6)
[Level]
9 43
[Css]
Kami-Blessed 2/20
Wielder Of A Mutated Element 3/10
Archer Of Light 3/10
Fae-Bonded 6/20
[Territory Rank]
3
“Hmm…” I read out Aiko’s stats, and she hid her fa shame. “Sure, I’ve been grinding out levels every ce I could get, I damn near depoputed Nishimorioka’s surroundings after Kyoto, and I’ve overtaken you two…” Motoko and Natsumi that. “…but my Skills haven’t ged much at all! Ugh, I’ve been relying too mu the Golden Sisters for sure!”
“Yeah, but you also started well behind us, sis.” I reassured her, though she wasn’t wrong. “But there’s always room for improvement. Perhaps wind element might be worth learning. That one boosts fme element and is good with a bow too.”
“You’re right bro! I’ll do it! I swear!” She was shouting, hyped up, but Eri quickly calmed her down.
“Aiko, don’t fet your exams. You do want to get into that uy, don’t you?”
My sis shuddered, as if doused with water. “Uh, sure. I definitely do, no question about that. But… there’s still winter break ing up, and with my Intellect… it won’t take long to cram everything!” She smiled broadly, and we all chuckled. Yeah, my sis never ges.
“Even so, you have to study! Mother-in-w Emily and father-in-w Taichi will be so disappointed if you fail. Besides…” Eri seemed to loom over Aiko, which was a feat as my sis was half-British, so rather tall for a Japanese girl. And a little taller than Eri. “You wao be a Chirurgeon, I remember? I’ll not bme you for failing to Rank up your Chirurgery, we know you are waiting on Akio to win his wager with Ta?hā, but you ’t just be a orick pony. Now you’ve moved in with us, you’re sg off!”
“You know, I think I have an idea on how to proceed.” I decided to cut my sis some sck. “Ohing that could make a big differeo everyone is activating the lunar Chakra. That dramatically increases the amount of elemental energy avaible for use. and gives faster recovery too. It should be within reach as well, everyone has det Chakras already…”
“All right then! Wind element and a lunar Chakra, and then I’m going to immerse myself in Kyūdō until I reach Rank five and match Motoko and Natsumi’s Tsumura Arts here. I find my own path too!” My sis, never oo be down for long, was bubbling with enthusiasm. “Anyway, let’s hit the baths and the!” It seemed to me she was desperate to leave, her cheeks pink, and I had an idea why. It’s all right, nobody will be so crass as to say anything, sis. Motoko and Natsumi are too polite, and Eri… she doesn’t want to hear you pin. As for me, I know how it happened, so it’s no big deal…
Before she could drag the noble girls to the baths, I stopped them. “Just ohing. I’m proud of yrowth, you two, but… still, be careful, okay? I just have a bad feeling trouble is ing sooner rather than ter.”
They exge gnces, and Motoko nodded. “Do not worry. We carry Utsoroihebi with us everywhere now. Both of us.”
“Yes, we won’t be pt.” Natsumi agreed. “We also know what you fear. But… is there any specific threat, you think?”
“I don’t know. I had some visions when sleeping st night, but I’d like to talk to everyone about it before I go, see if we glean any clues.” I remembered the dream from Tsukuyomi. Some of those irritate me like listening to nails scratg on a chalkboard, or a bit of food stu my teeth. I know we’ve taken all the precautions I think of, but… there must be more we do…
Setting that aside, I left with Eri, leaving the others to enjoy their bath, and headed for the living area. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. Maybe Tsukiko shed some light on it. You don’t have to do everything alone.
Eri’s voice echoed in my head, and when I turo her, surprised, she giggled.
It’s more intimate this way. And I could tell you were troubled ever since you woke up. Motoko could too, she has excellent instincts. Why do you thi on a show? It wasn’t just to tease you…
“I see.” I put my arm around Eri, pulling her close. I’m a lucky guy. I know it, and I’ll always work to keep it that way. Yeah…this time, we’re ahead of the threat. We might be fighting rgely blind, but we’ve covered every avenue we think of… but it never hurts to review… As Eri nodded, I turned over the dreams in my head again, trying to glean any meaning I could…
ShipTeaser
