On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Five Hundred And Fifty-Four *Contains Status – Akio ?*

“It worked as I expected. But… I noticed something. The Bracelets that we Chosen were given, which hold the Seeds, they have a connection, with the Truesoul.” As I said that, Tan overtook Shiro, wincing.

“You should not speak of that carelessly. Those of the lower worlds should only speak of the spirit, not which lies beyond even that.” she warned.

“Lower worlds. Yeah.” I nodded, amused. Tan’s given us a lot of information by deliberately ‘not’ saying things, allowing us to figure it out by the gaps. But if she and I could talk earnestly, without barriers… maybe soon…

“Anyway, I’m good with connections, and I have experience of my consciousness going to the higher Astral. So I forced it with the bond as I integrated it. There, I met Ortlinde again, as well as some Valkyries I’d met before, one of which helped me a lot while I was away. I wouldn’t have had the ability to get back to South Africa and save Mayumi-san if it wasn’t for Rossweisse extracting the power from my boots and integrating it within me.”

“I did-did notice you were not wearing your treasure from the Tower.” Shaeula snickered. “Eleanor will be most-most upset you are destroying her treasures.”

“It couldn’t be helped. Besides, even if it was just a one-off, saving my friends and allies matters more than having a treasure. But… Rossweisse is very good with Runes. I don’t understand exactly what they are, but it seems to be some sort of method of manipulating reality, like aether and Qi?” I glanced at Tan, but she remained silent.

“Rossweisse, huh?” Kana glanced at Eri. “His tone… it sounds rather… kind.”

“You’re sharp, Kana.” Eri nodded.

“Of course I am. I don’t like to boast…. Okay, okay, I love to boast…” Kana smiled as Eri gave her a wry look. “…but I was extremely popular in the past. It was frustrating, guys hitting on me all the time when I was out with my friends, but I became sensitive to affection and … the dark sides, like lust. A lot of guys just wanted me because I was beautiful. But that doesn’t matter anymore, I’m taken. Of course…”

“Yes, now let Akio tell his story.” Hinata insisted. “We’re getting there.”

Trying not to laugh at how excited Hinata was at the secret she shared being revealed in spectacular fashion, I nodded. “Anyway, for that to happen, for Rossweisse to integrate such power within me…”

“You would certainly need some sort of powerful connection.” Tan observed. “We are our consciousness, to an extent, but it would simply be impossible to make such changes to your subtle bodies that way. The distance is beyond imagining. And moving your spiritual body there would strain and shatter your Silver Cord, the distance and turbulence is far too great. Even your consciousness being transported is a feat likely powered by the Seeds.”

“You’re right as ever, Tan.” I approved. “Lovers’ Link. I was able to connect it to Ortlinde. After all, I have affection for her, without her aid, I wouldn’t have the life I have now, or all of you, and I wouldn’t be able to protect those I hold dear. And Rossweisse used that. I then gained my new Skill, Seven-League Wings Of The Chooser, which is a powerful spatial movement Skill, for covering huge distances.”

“A powerful Skill.” Tan observed. “Yet… the Chooser? That is a… portentous… name.” She sniffed, troubled. “For a Valkyrie to risk such efforts, they must have high hopes for you, or… are unwilling to waste the chance their dispersal of the Seeds offers.”

“Yeah, most of the bearers of the Seeds are like Egil Andersen or the dead Chosen in Botswana. Only six out of eighteen remain. Anyway, going back to the main point, now you have some context, I returned… and Rossweisse was impressed. She… has apparently gained some insight into the Runes after helping me, and wanted to try out her new abilities. So she wove a spell.”

“And…?” Tan breathed, getting up and walking over to me. She was right in my face, so close if I moved a mere fraction our lips would have touched as she peered into my eyes. “What spell?”

“I guess I should talk about what happened when I traced the bond. Oh, too close, Tan…” I muttered, but she ignored that.

“I am Taṇhā, the Thirst. Do not treat me like one of these little girls. I…” She licked dry lips, and faint droplets of spittle landed on my own lips. “…smell secrets. I shall not be distracted by your wiles and excuses. Speak!”

“I knew this day would come.” Eri was saying. “It’s going to be tough, but…” Her ears flickered and her tail swayed. “…I’m not afraid. Be it a Valkyrie, a nine-tailed fox, or a Goddess, I don’t believe I lose to anyone in how much I love Akio, and how worthy I can be for his love!”

“Excellent sentiments.” Motoko agreed. “If we are lacking, we simply have to become our best selves, and if our best selves do not suffice, we go beyond our limits.”

“You are certainly worthy of being my disciple.” Daiyu agreed completely. “No Cultivator fears taller peaks, we climb them, and look down on our previous weaker selves with pride. And yes, there is always a higher peak beyond, but then… we climb anew.”

“They’re so serious.” Natsumi giggled to Kana and Tsukiko.

“But you don’t disagree, do you?” Kana asked shrewdly, and Natsumi shrugged.

“Of course not. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easily.”

“I feel quite-quite left out.” Shaeula addressed Hyacinth and Asha. Hyacinth merely giggled.

“I think the ooother mistresses see you as ooone of their great rivals. Yooou are a princess of the Seelie!”

Asha nodded. “Yes. Compared to you, we are quite ordinary, are we not, Hyacinth?”

As the girls bantered, listening to my tale, I explained to the desperate Tan. “Basically, she wanted to see more details about my Bracelet, with the combined Seeds from mine and two others, now. There was a… mishap. My Eye blew up.”

That silenced everyone. Into the sudden quiet stillness, I continued. “She had kept a shard of what she called Skuld’s shears…” At that Tan reacted, blinking in surprise.

“I had heard… no, I certainly cannot speak of this. The Compact we all swore bind us all.”

“She… kind of implied something maybe you’d know about, that Favours were made from… fragments of Truesoul. And that they mimicked that with their own and the Seeds. It’s why I hold Tyr’s Favour unused. Not just his, now.”

Tan, her breath hot on my face, stared at me for a moment, before speaking. “I have not crafted my own Favours, I merely disperse my father’s, as he wills it. But… the princess here, she has a strangely weak Truesoul, and a fractured, atrophied spirit. Or rather, she had such. Now it is strong again, but…”

“Yes, it’s as you imagine. Rossweisse sliced a fragment of her Truesoul, and using her Runes, she… managed to draw my Astral body there completely. Ouch, damn it…” I wasn’t the only one who cried out, as Shiro was clutching her head, one eye black, as she reeled back.

“The hell was that, Tan? That hurt, Aki’s solid as a rock nowadays…” As she blinked away tears I rubbed my head. My words had made Tan react, and she had moved, our skulls connecting painfully. Shiro’s words were drowned out, as Tan took over.

“I must possess you now. Be good and quiet.” Tan declared, and after Shiro’s grudging agreement, the weight of surging aether, adherence and soullight glittered around us. I hadn’t noticed the soullight component before, but thinking about it, I understood. My eyes glowed, and I could see that while it wasn’t like Tan had cut a part of herself, like Rossweisse had, but while many of the connections were spirit to spirit, their Astral bodies tied together, indeed, as I had deepened, that desperate time I worked Chirurgery and Ether Healing to save Shiro from the backlash of breaking Sancus’ Chains, Tan had also extended her Truesoul into Shiro’s at multiple points, and it was that connection that truly made the Divine Possession as powerful as it was, and as deep.

Everyone but Hinata and Eri, who already knew this, were watching with awe on their faces, though many didn’t know precisely the magnitude of what had happened. Tan, however, was incredulous. “No, you would have broken, your spiritual body fraying apart, yet… no, you have reached the level of existence where you can independently manifest, without a Cord, yet…” Her eyes widened, and while I had amazed and surprised Tan a few times in the past, her beautiful, brown-skinned face had never seemed so shocked.

“If that is the case, your Cord, no, your Connection…”

“Yes.” I agreed. “I can manage to endure. It’s… a good job I did. If I didn’t, I’d be trapped in the upper Astral, within the World Tree Pantheon, with no way back, wouldn’t I? It’s like using a Ring Gate, just over… inter-Pantheon distances, yeah?”

“He couldn’t leave us. Not even to see what lies beyond our world.” Eri was proud.

“I should think not-not.” Shaeula scoffed. “What male would abandon us-us? And Akio is far-far from that foolish!”

“Why not simply say he is deeply in love with us?” Tsukiko smiled, and as I glanced at her, I could see she had resolved some of her lingering doubts. “Though I confess, were it the Pantheon where Tsukuyomi dwells, I would have dearly loved for Akio to speak to him for me, ask some questions…”

“You think you can just meet a God? Even in the numberless worlds of the Pantheons, true Divinity is rare. It would be like an ordinary citizen of your Japan just wandering in and accosting the Emperor. But… this is true? No lies?” she pressed me.

“Yes, it’ll all become clear soon, but it happened.” I confirmed, and Tan let out a long breath.

“Should you have left us… by us, I mean these…” She gestured to those around the room, and while her rich, chocolate skin didn’t show a flush like Shiro’s pale skin did, I could tell she was embarrassed, but she covered it with bravado. “…behind, when I took this world for my own, I would come looking for you, on behalf of the princess, and I would have been most offended.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll never do that. Though… I’d like to visit again, and I’m sure I will.” After all, I have to, don’t I?

“I… have much to say, but… we should clear the room.” Tan demanded.

“Why?” I asked, as everyone started protesting.

“Because the Compact prevents me from discussing many matters with beings from the lower worlds. You have been to the Pantheons, your actual existence, not merely your consciousness or thoughts. So it should be permissible for us to converse as equals. But these may not hear of such.”

“Yeah but… I’m not bound, am I?” I pointed our reasonably. “So anything you tell me, I’m just going to share. Therefore, by definition, the Compact’s invalid, isn’t it?”

“I… do not feel that is the case.” Tan narrowed her eyes, stroking her forehead, as if she had a headache. “But… for now, continue your tale. We have much to speak of, at length, later.”

“It is a wondrous tale, no?” Shinkume-no-Hana grinned, talking to Mae. “Have his deeds inspired and impressed you, grandmother? Does your heart race anew, the thorns blunting.”

“If I was feeling better, I would surely thrash you, Hana.” Mae grunted, though her dull green eyes seemed to have regained some lustre.

“Yes, later. Now, we should all calm down.” I took a sip of my wine, and let Tan compose herself. “I know it’s shocking, but… there’s more.”

Tan narrowed her crimson eyes. “Yes, there would be. Bonds, and a fragment of her Truesoul… I foresee where this might lead…”

“Yes, she helped my eyes recover and change, now both are Mystic Eyes, not just the one. And… she plucked a Seed, which had been dyed with my adherence and soullight as I’ve grown, and she used it to… replace her eye, changing it.” At my words, Tan froze.

“It seems like we shall have a new-new sister.” Shaeula chortled. “It was surely only a matter-matter of time. It will be quite-quite entertaining, Shiro and Tan sharing a body, and the love-love of Akio.”

“Hush now!” Eri insisted. “There’s no time for your jokes now. This is serious.”

As the other girls chattered excitedly, Tan narrowed her eyes. “And… the result?”

“We have a shared Eye. Though seeing what she sees from so far away…” I tried it, and my head ached fiercely, the distance and time too much to bridge, but I felt a cheeky amusement from Rossweisse, and a faint admonition to be careful about where I peeked, lest her older sisters be furious. “…is challenging. But… she can see any information my Eye could. So she’s limited, but… as my Eye grows, so will her ability to see. And… It could work for you as well.”

Tan paused. I knew she was greedy for my Eye, it had a power rare and unusual, especially for her Pantheon, and had carried me far. “You… understand how?”

“Not the way Rossweisse did it. I understand a little about Runes, but… I can’t replicate her prowess or power. But… with a few experiments, I’m certain I can. Though, when I die, it’ll stop working.” I teased her. “And if I grow stronger, so will you. Because… I found my Path. A new Path. That of Bonds and Connections, backed by Knowledge, Growth and Fortune.”

My words sounded ordinary, but Tan understood better and could hear the capital letters on the words, and what that meant. Her already shocked face crumpled, and her expression seemed almost stunned. I patiently waited, and when she came back to her senses, she reached out a hand, almost hesitantly, touching my cheek. “You fool, Akio. If I am with you, you shall not die.” Suddenly, she realised what she was doing, and her Divine Possession shattered, hair shading to silver, eyes darkening to back in an instant, and Shiro’s laughter could be heard, tears streaming down her face.

“Oh shit, Aki. That’s the first time she’s ever even touched a man intimately… she’s… such a damn shut-in… but… all right, all right! I’ll shut up! But you did it, and what was that declaration of love? Shit, so lame…”

***

“I knew Ortlinde was going to be trouble.” Eri was saying. We had taken a break to let Tan calm down, and now Eri was regaling everyone with her wisdom. “I’m seldom wrong about these things! She may have chosen Akio blindly, but… when he performs this well, obviously she’s going to fall for him!”

“You did say that!” Shiro laughed, remembering, drinking some bright yellow wine, smacking her lips at the sweet flavour. “And I remember Tan responded… oh, quit complaining. You’re embarrassed, but it’s cute. Everyone thought so, right?”

“I have to agree.” Kana giggled. “I used to think that Kami were so mystical and … well, Divine, if they even existed at all. Now, having met Shirohebi, and Tan… my illusions are shattered.”

“I remember Tan saying… what was it, oh yes… You think very highly of him, that a Valkyrie, one of the warriors one step below the Divinities of that Pantheon, who dwell far from here and have endured endless centuries of time, would be interested in him as a man.” Shiro imitated Tan perfectly, which made sense, as they shared a body. “Funny how that works out. I guess you’ve got more wisdom than a Goddess, Eri.”

“It doesn’t take wisdom to know how alluring Akio is!” Eri pouted, giving Shiro a hard look. “You fell for him too!”

“Guilty as charged.” Shiro snorted. “But admitting it makes me feel a bit cheap. But you were wrong. It’s two of them, and it sounds like another couple at least are interested. Aki’s a smooth operator. It’s a bit frustrating, but honestly… knowing that the guy who loves me is adored by so many legendary women, it’s a bit of an ego boost. Even you have to admit that, Eri?”

“I do.” Eri pouted, puffing out her cheeks, while Hyacinth matted her back to calm her. “I get it. I’m… not… jealous, oh, I still am. But I’m not upset, I guess. We had this out, didn’t we, Akio?” I nodded as she continued. “It’s going to happen, and all that matters is that we are happy. Whether anyone else accepts it is irrelevant. It’s what we think. Besides, in this case, there’s a silver lining. But first… Tan, these Valkyrie, do you think they meant marriage, like we mean it, or something else?”

One of Shiro’s eyes darkened to crimson, and Tan spoke up, though her voice was oddly hesitant and embarrassed, not the cold, confident one she normally used. “They are the daughters of the Gods, great warriors and noble princesses in their own rights. No, if they make a pledge, they uphold it. Though, I believe they are not permitted to marry usually, lest they retire from active duty. Perhaps they feel that as Akio is far from them, they have time to come up with an acceptable argument for their superiors. But if you feel this is a matter of convenience, I fear not. Best accept it. He is bound to them.”

“Yeah… I also got a Class which is essentially like Fae-Bonded. Only it’s… Ver Valkyrju. I believe that’s Valkyries’ Husband, isn’t it?”

“I believe so.” Tan agreed. “So, matters are no longer so simple. Besides…” Tan reached out with Shiro’s finger and tapped under my eye. “…this Rossweisse, if she betrays Akio, the Eye they share will be a shackle and a trap. No, I have no reason to doubt their sincerity, though it… it aggrieves me!”

Tan upended an entire jug of the stronger, vivid purple wine, which was almost the strength of gin or vodka, into her mouth, gulping messily, licking her lips as she finished it. “You have commitments to the World Tree. I very much hoped… the Six Paths…” She bowed her head, petulant, and we all exchanged looks. Damn, Tan is rocking the ultra-cute pouty look right now. It’s the gap, so unlike her usual demeanour. Like we’re seeing something only the closest people to her ever would, a side of her she keeps hidden.

“I always said I wouldn’t be tied to the World Tree, and I still won’t be. I’ll help them where I can, sure, but… I’ll also help your Pantheon, Tan. You know… I have a Path. And to walk it, we need to pave our own way. Besides, are your Pantheons enemies? I didn’t get that impression?”

“No Pantheon is friendly with others, but no, we are more… rivals… than foes. Especially now.” Tan conceded. “It still frustrates me.” She searched for more wine, but Eri moved the jug.

“We have a busy day tomorrow. No getting drunk!” she insisted.

“I need to drown my troubles in pleasures!” Tan grumbled, before her gaze sharpened. “Your Path. Connection, Bonds and Knowledge, you say? Growth and Fortune?”

“I believe so. Blade That Severs Misfortune was part of the name, and my Path comes from the World Tree Seeds, so…” I explained, and Tan frowned.

“The Seeds. I smell them, the missing one. But how many remain?”

“I have seven of my own. I’ve absorbed four, and Rossweisse took one. Then twelve new, nearly undyed Seeds from Grimgerde. And then I have four from Siegrune, though those are already dyed, so won’t be usable for quite some time, they don’t suit us. I need to pour in my soullight.”

“I see. The numbers are… finite. There are other Seeds to be found, yes, but… eventually they shall run dry. So each must be husbanded carefully.”

“True, but… letting you have a share in my Eye is more than worth it. You know why.” I winked, and Tan shut the eye she was borrowing, while Shiro snickered nastily.

“Come on, Aki. I know you’ve got your heart set on having Tan now, but she’s totally useless with men. Imagine it like this, she’s a shut-in who only ever tried to ask one guy out, at her father’s urgings, and then got shut down totally. She’s no immunity or understanding to flirting. I mean, it’s funny, but…”

“I can speak for myself.” Tan sighed, opening her eye again. “My point is… the Seeds nourish you, but each one you share diminishes you and your potential. A Path… there are many Paths, but a Path unique to you, that you are first to tread… that is to be treasured. There are immense benefits to you and those that follow. Do not weaken yourself carelessly.”

“Are you trying to back out?” I asked, and she shook her head.

“No. You… win our wager. I do not even need the Eye now.”

“But you’ll have it.” I insisted. “Because it’s a promise between us. besides…” I looked at everyone, paying special attention to Tan and Mae, before turning to Asha. “…you, Asha, are going to be the key to everything. After all… we have Seeds, and the World Tree Pantheon is centred on their Tree…”

Asha gasped, understanding. “You mean to become one with my Tree?”

“Not exactly. I mean, in a way, we’re already one. I’ve been pulling aether from it through Lovers’ Link until Ortlinde’s massive stats took over. And I’m one with you. But… Tan, I’ve felt the World Tree. Been in its shade, in fact. At a certain point, the Anchor of a Territory isn’t simple, is it?”

Tan groaned. “To speak of such things. Yes. I am not an Astral Emperor. Doi you not think it strange, that I, a Goddess, am trapped with a mere, lowly Rank Five Territory as my own, and would risk much to claim this world? The step to Astral Emperor requires the Truesoul of the world itself to yield, you cannot just go from Rank Five to Rank Six, with mere ether. You still require it, of course, world-shaking amounts of it. And, to go beyond…”

“A focus. Something that can sustain and embody it. The World Tree was surrounded by worlds, Territories.”

“You truly did see much. I can speak of what I know without fear.” Tan laughed uproariously. “The One True Throne will know, and seek to censure me, and cast blame upon the Six Paths, but… I am not at fault. They can do little but howl impotently. For you are as I am now. A traveller who has come from above.” She winked them, which amazed us all.

“That’s entirely true, technically. I was in the World Tree, then I came back down to here, so yeah. Being technically correct is the best kind of correct!” I quoted piously.

“So you wish… my Tree, to become the centre of your world?” Asha asked again, trembling, and I held her hand with mine, placing the other on her belly.

“Yes, but… not until the children are born. I wouldn’t risk them for anything. And… I don’t want to risk you either. We’ll experiment, cautiously. We have a long way to go yet, but… just as the Seeds can be integrated to us… what if… we integrated a great number of Seeds into your Tree? Couldn’t we… somehow make it create these Fruits?”

Tan knocked over the wine she was reaching for, Shiro’s hand suddenly trembling. “No, surely not. That… isn’t… possible, else… it would have been… done… before?”

“You’d think, but… sometimes the obvious gets missed, and we have a lot of advantages here on Earth. Even I can gather advanced knowledge of botany, genetics and other related fields in minutes, and… now we have you…” I grinned. “…and you can speak freely, we have Pantheon level knowledge about aether, adherence and soullight as well.”

“I confess… while I read many books, I am not… as knowledgeable as those who are Astral Emperors, higher Gods or the like. But…” Tan let out a long breath, as Hyacinth mopped her sleeve and wiped her hand, tutting. “…I shall be at your disposal.” She smiled then, heartbreakingly pure in both its embarrassment, anticipation and wickedness.

“I knew my destiny was to be found in this strange world. Father probably has not even missed me yet, I am… often reclusive. But it would please me to see his face when we return in triumph, a world secured. Though there is much to do!” Her smirk deepened. “I shall greatly enjoy defeating those worshippers of the Throne. They shall see just how unpleasant it is to be crushed by the rules they created.”

“I… will do my utmost!” Asha agreed, stroking her belly, and my hand on it, my daughters within. “I… want to see my Tree towering above all, and for it to seed a new world…”

“Not just a world…” I promised, and her hand tightened on mine.

“….seed as far as our dreams can reach with beautiful nature, our daughters, a legion of them, running and playing, but in both nature and the world you see. In harmony.”

“It’s a grand dream.” I agreed. “And we’ve lots to do. But…”

“First, detail me your status… as you call it.” Tan insisted. “I shall offer you my opinion on your current prospects. Perhaps I can share some insights.”

“Yes, I am most-most curious.” Shaeula agreed. “Impress me as always. Just-just when I think I am catching up, you pull ahead again, but… that-that just inspires us, no?”

“Yes. But before Akio does, I have to call a wife meeting.” As Shinkume-no-Hana brightened, Eri shook her head. “Not you!”

“Oh, but you’ll let dear grandmother in?” she pouted.

“That’s up to her.” Eri shrugged. “But you… come back when you’re actually likeable!”

“She has you there, Hana.” Mae snorted.

“I am so wounded. My heart bleeds. But… nothing good ever comes easily, yes? I was impatient, for my time was running out. Now… my tail is grasped, and I have time. So, whether you like it or not, I am listening!”

“Fine.” Eri snorted. “All right. Emergency meeting! We need to prepare.”

“For what?” Tsukiko asked, and Eri sighed.

“I’ll accept that naivete from you, Tsukiko. You’re new to this. For Ortlinde and Rossweisse, of course! And the others! They’re beings on the level of Tan, so…”

“I surpass them!” Tan insisted huffily. “In both beauty and power! Though without a rank Six Territory, I too am limited…”

“There’s no time for pouting!” Eri pressed. “Be glad we’re counting you as one of us, since you’re here. Honestly, if I’d have thought I had to compete against a Goddess a few months ago, I’d have lost all hope, but… you’re oddly disappointing in some ways. But that’s… strangely comforting. So, here’s the issue. Valkyries are beautiful, I bet?”

“Of course. The Choosers of the Slain, as they call themselves, are all visions of female beauty, each different yet perfection.” Tan admitted.

“Great warriors too, and noble. Honestly… it’s going to be tough for us to match them!” Eri explained. “But we have one big advantage. Akio can’t see them often, and he won’t have leisure to stay high above and love them. We have to hone ourselves to our utmost, make it so Akio can’t dream of leaving us behind! And when we meet them… we have to be their equals, so they don’t start ruling the roost! I won’t have it any other way!”

“I see.” Tsukiko nodded, understanding. “Can we do that?”

“You’ve got a head start in the looks department.” Eri snorted. “Can we? Yes. Will we! Yes! Now come on, brainstorming time!”

As Eri and the others began a heated conversation, Mae listening in silence, but clearly paying attention, I met Shinkume-no-Hana’s eyes. With a snort, she shrugged. “She is… very passionate. I can see why my poor idiot junior wanted her as a toy. Though if he had obtained her, he probably would have got more than he bargained for.” She hobbled over on her one leg awkwardly, before crashing down beside me. “You may be in a hurry, but I expect they will be talking for a while.” Her grin was vulpine. “So, let me keep you company. You can tell me tales of your heroics. Hana will listen! And maybe more?” Her two tails lay across my legs, and one hand crept under them. I quickly smacked it away before it could worm its way into my pants, and she grinned sheepishly.

I can’t compare Eri and the others to the Valkyries. But… it’s good if they want to improve themselves. As it’s going to be rough. The training is going to make Hyacinth’s, Shaeula’s and my efforts to protect ourselves against the Myconid spores seem like a walk in the park…

***

“Okay, we’re ready to hear it!” Kana chuckled. They had spent an hour and a half talking about their plans against ‘Valkyrie supremacy’ as Eri called it, and fortunately that wasn’t much Material time, so we still had enough remaining. Shinkume-no-Hana had been hauled off me by Shaeula and was pouting, and I had been lectured, as I had idly been brushing her tails while I listened. For some reason Mae was hugely affronted at that, and I had to bow in apology.

“Yes, I am most interested in your insights into the Dao and Qi. You said they were part of a Path themselves?” Daiyu asked, and I nodded.

“Yeah. Elements are too. It seems that I was right. Certain things are fundamental, just like in Physics, photons, electrons and quarks, while other things are made from the fundamentals, systems growing ever more complex, yet sometimes also deceptively simple. Anyway… let’s see…” Both eyes shining, I read out my up-to-date status.

“I’m honestly close with a lot of Skills to an upgrade as well. My understanding of spatial element has increased a lot since I became a Ver Valkyrju. I think if I bounce some ideas off Arisu-san we’ll both benefit.”  

“I feel somewhat… overawed.” Daiyu grumbled, in a rare lack of confidence. “My Dao Companion, our husband… he is quite the monster, yes?”

“No kidding.” Kana chuckled. “I mean, even just reading it out takes ages. But… in a way it’s reassuring. It’s like having a good provider as a boyfriend, it brings security. Oh, wait, you’re loaded too. Guess we win.” Kana giggled. “Though…”

“Thinking about it, there are-are gaps we can fill in, can we not-not?” Shaeula mused. “You are missing lightning and metal for one. Can you not-not learn it from us?” She nodded at Hinata.

“Oh, yes, I intend to. And you’ll all be learning from me. Poor Chiaki-chan, Chiasa-chan and Haru will be working themselves to the bone. But I’ll make sure they benefit too.” I promised. “But, as for lightning… I have a different lightning in mind, if it’s even possible.” I glanced at Mae, who shuddered, remembering.

“You…” Tan shook her head. “While I do not measure strength in numbers, as you can, not yet…” She reflexively raised a hand to her ruby eye, and Shiro’s snicker leaked out of the corner of her mouth. “I have the princess’ knowledge and her information you provided as a comparison. These are not… the abilities of someone who has been struggling for less than a year.”

“At my peak, I still surpass him!” Mae spoke, and as her granddaughter sniggered at her, she looked down. “It is true!”

“Yes, but… by how much?” Motoko asked. “Akio, your strength continues to impress me. Though… your skill with Tsumura Arts disappoints me. You have not been practising!”

“I’ve been busy!” I protested as Natsumi chuckled. They were right though, I did need to find time to train my martial skills. Time, always so short of time.

“So, impressed yet?” Kana asked Mae, who merely shook her head.

“I can make no judgement until I am restored to my true self. If he is weak enough that I can break his grasp on my tail, I will never submit. The ordinary holds no interest to me. Only that which shines. Caihong’er shone. Hence why I adored her and her daughter. But… their glow was extinguished by that bastard…” She ground her teeth.

“All right, no point being sad. Time’s wasting.” I considered it. We likely had long enough to make some progress before we had to be back on the Material for Chirurgery on an awful lot of idols and the guests Yu-mi was bringing, as well as more girls from Hanafubuki. Yeah, no rest for the wicked…

“First then… Mae…” And at Shinkume-no-Hana’s hopeful look and wagging tails, I relented. “…and yes, if I can fix Mae, repairing your shattered Astral body will be easy in comparison so I’ll do it…” I examined the seal of time and space that was placed on my Adherence, and memorised every detail my Eyes could see, before I shattered it, freeing up my strength. Immediately, adherence began to drain from me, but the rate was significantly reduced, as my ability to handle and manipulate, as well as the general efficiency of my usage, had been boosted dramatically. So long as I can find hosts reasonably quickly, we can make this work, and if not… there’s always those captives Eri and Suzu-san caught…

Pulling out the Apple Of Crystallised Immaterium Asha had given me, my Eyes stared deep into Mae, who shivered. “All right then. Shiro, drop a buff on my Shapercraft as well as giving me the general one, and start your Berserk Blessing. I’m going all out.” I couldn’t help but grin. “Mae, my apologies, but… this isn’t going to be comfortable, but… I’ll prove to you I’m not boring!”

“This…” Mae shuddered, remembering last time. “…was not the excitement I wished for.” As my strength spiked, Shiro’s buffs empowering me, I considered how I was going to do this. There’s several ways that should work, but I think the best way is to combine them all. Apple cool in my hand, I started to weave aether, adherence and soullight, while the maids ran off to fetch me the materials I needed to reconstruct Mae…