On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“So, that’s me, nya?” Ginneka seemed interested. “I seem powerful!”

“It’s nothing special, don’t get conceited, kitty.” Shiro said, remembering her own stats. “There are some interesting things to note though.” Being a keen gamer like me, she immediately spotted the key points. “So, now there’s a bonus to the intangible stats as well from the Throne?”

I nodded, checking Shaeula and Hyacinth, and they also had the bonuses. “It’s a small boost, but especially when it’s doubled in our Territory, defensive battles will be easier.”

“Yeah, numbers don’t lie.” she agreed. “And it seems that she has the Divine Favour successfully. Looks like it’s all coming together, Aki.”

“That’s right.” I pulled up the information for the Favour, though it was the same as when I had taken it. It’s a relief, I used a great deal of my adherence to implant it, but now the drain of carrying it has stopped, hopefully I can rebuild for the future, for next time… I wasn’t enough of a fool to think no more Favours would fall into my hands, not with the way the world was right now.

Laverna’s Grasping Hand Of Heaven, Earth And The Underworld gives the wielder the ability to transfer an item between the Material and Astral realms, and it will endure so long as Aether remains, working as it would in the realm it came from. More complicated and larger items require more Aether to make functional, so they will endure for significantly less time. Laverna takes as she pleases, and what is stolen from Earth shall be treasured in Heaven, and what is taken from Heaven shall be lauded in the Underworld. What is pilfered from the Underworld shall surely find value in Earth.

Ixitt, on hearing the description, capered with joy, clapping his hands together, and the Mortal Engineers were cheering. “It seems my time is now!” he crowed. “So much testing to do. The scientific method, rigorous trials…” He turned to some of the engineers, his urgency palpable. “Fetch some of the batteries, and the Alchemical recycling device. We should run tests immediately!”

As they scurried off to do his bidding, I asked Tan a question. “From what I’ve seen, the dwellers in the Boundary and lower Astral such as Yōkai and Fae are a lot stronger than us humans. Of course…” I looked at Ixitt, who winked, still extremely excited. “…strength isn’t determined by who has the strongest muscles, or the fastest speed. Otherwise it wouldn’t be humans that rule the world, but bears, wolves and big cats. I think willingness to learn and adapt, creating tools to do what we can’t and enhance what we can, is a big factor as well.”

“I agree wholeheartedly.” Ixitt clapped. “Which is why Mortal Engineering is a discipline. The Fae do learn and grow, there is no doubt about it, but the willingness to accept change, to search for difficult solutions, even if it seems counterintuitive… that we most certainly lack. Perhaps it is because we live long, while mortals flare brightly and then fade away, as sparks from the flame. Though with the proper push…” He looked at Shaeula, who shrugged, yet her face was tinged with pink, pleased at his implied praise.

“You have something to say, no?” Moira said, pursing her lips. She had been teased a little by Bell and Soliteare, but had largely ignored them, focussed on the results of our expedition, which was the bounty of ether, and the upgrade to the Throne. “I believe you are wondering why the Gods, as you call them, do not bless powerful beings such as Prince Shaetanao, for example?”

“Exactly.” I agreed. “It would certainly improve their chances, but… I expect there’s a lot of reasons we don’t know, but one… the Favour, it isn’t retrievable, not easily, anyway.” I do wonder what would happen if Ginneka lost her Anchor to a Conqueror now. Wait, can she even drop an Anchor? “Ginneka, I want you to do me a favour.” I explained what I wanted, and I sent her off through the Ring Gate. She dragged her brother along with her, and I allowed it, thinking they could use a little time to catch up.

“I don’t think they’ll be long, but… if my speculation is correct, it’d be interesting. For now…” I turned to the waiting Tsukiko-san. “There’s a slot in the new Throne waiting for you. But I won’t pressure you, it’s a big decision. And I’d feel bad if Yukiko-san isn’t involved, though don’t think I’m unwilling. If you want it, it’s yours, no question.”

“I appreciate your concern.” Tsukiko-san answered, still savouring her drink. “For now I am content to simply watch the one I chose to believe in work. It is surprisingly fascinating. Compared to how others are facing the oncoming catastrophe, your methods seem rather… different. Should we be so relaxed?”

I let Shaeula answer for me. “Of course we should. If we do not-not take time to refresh our minds and bodies, all that awaits us is a slow descent to defeat. Just as a bowstring kept too taut will-will snap, so too our spirits. Besides…” her amber gaze was firm yet kind. “…fighting for survival is all very well-well, but I prefer to fight for what comes beyond, love, joy and comfort. You fought for your God, which I do not-not deny, but… fight for what you desire, and your strength will be magnified, I assure you.”

“An interesting philosophy.” Tsukiko-san replied after a moment, her ruby eyes showing her deep thoughts. “I have not yet decided my path, but I do know… happiness does not sound so unpleasant. Perhaps after all these years I should try it.”

“That’s the spirit.” I agreed, pleased. We can’t just live for duty. We have to build a world where we can be happy, thrive. And the next steps begin today… “Back to my point…” I grinned, taking a drink myself. “Ginneka should be back soon, and my questions will hopefully be answered.” We chatted for a little while, and it amused me to see Motoko and Natsumi trying to look alert, but even with Chirurgery and all the aether I had given them, being up and active and in battle for so long had taken its toll on their endurance, and seeing their eyes try and slide shut as they listened, I couldn’t help but find them adorable. Soon though, we could hear footsteps, and Ginneka crested the steps onto the terrace, followed by her panting brother. She leapt in front of me, and I swivelled, dodging her attempted grab, making her pout, tail lashing angrily.

“Nya, you could have embraced me. It’s been so long since I’ve felt the warmth of a hot man, nya. Oh well…” She leapt backwards as the wooden terrace once more started to bloom, sprouting vines. “Enough, nya. I’m serious. So… I couldn’t do it, nya.” She confirmed, all business now. “I felt that I could rule it, but this Anchor, nya. No.”

“I thought so. I’ve seen a lot of Territories, and there’s a huge difference between Anchored ones and not. But it doesn’t seem that low-Ranked Territories have Anchors. Except for those of us who are Chosen.” I continued to explain my theories. “So, while a spiritual being might well be stronger and better able to use a Favour to gain power and fight, there are other demerits. Like not being able to use the part of it that seems to crystalise an Anchor, even for rather low-Rank Territories. And… the Gods can’t get it back easily if the bearer dies. And there’d be no Ranks in Conqueror, so… it ruins the Kodoku Vessel plan I surmised. It’s all just speculation of course, unless Tan would care to comment?”

Shiro shook her head. “No, she’s refusing to answer. Though I’m getting better at reading her surface thoughts, at least. We are together all the time… uh, wait, not all the time.” she blushed, amusing us. “Not when we’re intimate, all right? She doesn’t peep. Ugh, so embarrassing. Anyway… she does think that reclaiming unused Favours is important. The Gods don’t give away anything for free. There’s something else I cant quite understand, but…”

“That begs the question.” I mused. “How did Tan Anchor a Territory? Wouldn’t the Favour she was going to give you have done the same as it did with Ginneka?”

Shiro laughed. “Come on, Aki. Be sensible. You’ve offended her. I quote, who do you think I am, fool? I am Taṇhā, the Thirst. My control over my own form is far beyond this crude kitten… so I think you ought to apologise.” She winked, showing that she was on my side.

“Yeah, sorry Tan.” How am I supposed to know? But it makes sense, I guess. Does that mean that a more powerful and in-control spiritual being could make it work like we do? I guess that’s just speculation, and not something we can easily test. “I guess this is one of those things you can’t talk about, but I’m slowly starting to build a picture of the aims of Ortlinde and the others here. Though it’s rather incomplete. I wish I could speak to her again, even for a brief moment. But there’s no point wishing for what we can’t have. Good job Ginneka, take a break while I go over the rest of your notable skills and classes.”

“Nya, it’s good you see me working hard. Praise me more, reward me, nya!” Her ears fluttered and her whiskers twitched happily. Her eyes widened as Hyacinth scowled at her, but I quickly got back to business, and everyone was listening intently.

“Maneki-Neko… oh, that never fails to amuse me…” I pictured a fat Ginneka with one paw in the air, holding in a chuckle. “…makes sense, as you escaped true death in a rather fortunate way. Divine Cat though… let me see…”

Divine Cat is a class granted to beings who are of feline lineage or share catlike elements, while also having accumulated Adherence of a Divine providence. Cats are particularly effective at attracting and magnifying stray Adherence, and this class strengthens such abilities, and League will increase more rapidly, and Majesty and Charm will have a greater effect.

“A shame-shame Majesty is the furthest thing from you.” Shaeula teased coldly. “But why-why are cats so blessed?” she said, puzzled.

“I can answer that one.” Shiro grinned. “There’s a ton of examples of cats being divine in myth. I think Egypt is the most famous, right? Even in Japan, cats are seen as kami in a number of cases.”

“I remember auntie Emily telling me that cats in Britain were often seen as familiars of witches back in history, and even now, people think black cats can bring either great fortune or terrible bad luck.” Eri agreed.

“There are catlike Fae as well-well.” Shaeula agreed. “Though if they are divine, then surely us-us weasels are too!” she declared, to more laughter.

“All right. It seems a bit similar to how the Tower of London and what it holds works.” I mused. “Eri, if you ever do get a Divine Favour, I’d expect you’ll get the class too. Something to look forward to. Next is… well, Seven Nights Chakra Network is basically the Yōkai version of the Eight Moons. More interesting are the Seven Night Orbs.” They are orbiting the major chakras, like small chakras themselves. Shaeula has them too, as does Eri…

Seven Night Orbs are the crystallisation of the mysterious power of Yōkai, and strengthen the ability of the Chakras they surround to draw in and use Aether and Adherence, as well as offering positive benefits to the strength of inherent abilities and traits the bearer possesses, and overall strengthening the Chakra Networks.

“It’s basically a lunar chakra, only instead of offering a home for elemental abilities, it seems more focussed on what makes a Yōkai tick.” I mused. “As for why you don’t have one yet, Shaeula, Eri… if I had to guess, it’s like why we didn’t have the Lunar Chakra skill before, until we strengthened it enough. So I doubt it’s out of reach…”

“I see. The vast-vast majority of my abilities are elemental, so there would be modest gain, however…” Shaeula seemed excited. “…I am a Kamaitachi, a weasel of wind. It stands to reason that despite wind-wind being an element, the Night Orbs would strengthen it, as it is the inherent trait of a Kamaitachi? I believe we call that double-double dipping.”

“Seeing you spout those gaming terms never gets old.” Shiro laughed. “Makes sense though. What would you get then, Eri? More shapeshifting?”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “There’s one thing left, right?”

“Yeah, Thieving Cat. That one was a lot of trouble for me, although the rewards were worth it.”

“Nya, you stole my Void Motion. I did like that a lot…” Ginneka pouted. “That was a reward for my work… though, we did fail, didn’t we brother, nya? Maybe it was meant to be.”

Kinneka sighed, looking away, and I scanned the details.

Thieving Cat allows one to use their Aether to usurp the skills of another, taking it for their own. There is a limit to the number of abilities that can be stolen at one time, and skills that are too powerful or require certain prerequisites to function cannot be stolen without said prerequisites being taken first. A skill cannot be stolen from someone significantly more powerful than the wielder of the skill, and powerful League will render such a skill useless as well. Once taken, skills will not be returned, unless the thief so wishes, or the thief is slain, then the skills will return as long as the original owner is close enough. Stealing skills can cause significant damage to the Chakra network and subtle bodies of the victim, though this can be ameliorated by the return of the stolen skills.

Shaeula had a sour expression, and I remembered why. “Yeah, facing that was a pain. Though if you tried it now, I think you’d find you wouldn’t be able to rob from us.” I told Ginneka, who shrugged, apologising a touch insincerely.

“Nya, your skills were just so temping, little weasel. His too. You can’t blame a cat for trying to catch good prey.”

“I can and I do, even-even now.” Shaeula complained, and as they bickered, I considered the possibilities. Though it wasn’t all bad, I remember that I got some skills Ranking up after they returned. I wonder… it might be worth some experimentation. The damage to the Chakra network sounds nasty and only to be expected, but with Ether Healing and Chirurgery… I had several ideas for experiments, and shared a few.

Everyone started discussing the possibilities, only interrupted by the return of Ixitt’s Mortal Engineers, carrying boxes of items they wished to send to the Material. On seeing that, I tasked Ginneka to use her new Divine Favour, and I turned back to Tsukiko-san.

“Sorry, but you’ll have to stay here. Kin Restoration can only create a spiritual body, your living body is already gone.” Damn, that hurts to say. I saw the cremation at her funeral, after all… “It’s not ideal, I know…”

She shook her head, long black locks dancing, a small, shy yet teasing smile on her beautiful face. “It is enough of a miracle that it would be an affront to Fate to complain. Besides, it is rather relaxing here.” She looked out over the view, her half empty glass in hand. “I will take the time to think things over. Including what I need to say to Yukiko. I fear I worried and hurt her with my failures. Besides, Prince Shōtoku and my beloved shrine are but a short walk away, a miracle in itself.”

“You didn’t fail.” I insisted. “Kyoto was saved. It wasn’t perfect, but we’re not Gods. Just the tools they wield. But unlike tools, we have free will. You do too.”

She nodded. “I know. It is a… liberating, yet frightening experience. I still wish to be of service to Tsukuyomi, and even without the Favour, I am still the Diviner, I expect I will still dream of the moon reflected in the waters. But now I have those who can finally share my burden, understand me…”

“Yes, a problem shared is a problem halved. Auntie Emily loves that saying.” Eri stood, coming over and sitting beside her. “And one thing Akio is good at is helping carry the problems we have. And not just him… we all understand. Me, perhaps most of all.” She sighed, cat ears twitching, irritated. Seeing me looking, she frowned and they vanished after a moment of concentration. “Stop that.” She chided me. “This is a serious conversation, not time for you to ogle me.” Turning back to Tsukiko-san, she put on her most serious expression, onyx eyes intense. “I nearly perished, I was a whisker away from death, so I think I get it. This was my second chance. I’ve changed. I’m not so reckless anymore. I know what it costs to be foolish, too bold. How you’ll change… I don’t know, and nor do you, yet. But one thing is certain. You will change. And we’ll all make sure it’s for the better. You’re no longer alone. We’re your friends, companions…” she paused. “It’s too soon to press you on this, you haven’t even decided, but… perhaps you’ll be more than a friend.”

Tsukiko-san looked at me, fingers touching her lips. “I remember… I am an old-fashioned woman, I suppose. It does weigh on me, but not unpleasantly. Yet I still struggle…”

“It’s settled then.” Eri looked at me, nodding to herself. “I know you’re worried. Go on ahead, I’ll stay with Tsukiko-san while you do what you need to. And get those two home…” She nodded at the barely awake Motoko and Natsumi. “Their parents won’t be impressed.”

“Thanks.” I said to Eri, touched that she would make an effort for others. “I owe you one.”

“There’s no owing between lovers, between husbands and wives.” She smiled triumphantly. “Although… you did promise a holiday, just the two of us, remember?”

“I did. I’ll be a bit too busy getting some things set up, but… I haven’t forgotten. Soon, I promise.”

After a few more words of planning, we were ready for our return, Bell cheekily saying that if Tsukiko-san didn’t want the Throne slot, she’d have it, and pledge herself to me in her entirety, and I waved that off, having a better opinion of her, and greater understanding of her jovial nature, after our shared trials on mount Atago. Arangbō and Haanōbō would remain as well, rather curious about my Territory, so Eri agreed to give them the tour. The rest of us returned to the Material, and I found myself next to Asha, who was looking around in wonder, running her hands over the computer, TV and more in my bedroom, only having heard others talk about such things, and also Ginneka, who was still looking like a Bakeneko, wearing low-rise shorts and a halter-neck black t-shirt, showing her cleavage. On seeing me looking, she stretched, showing off her bellybutton and long legs happily. She then pouted as I looked away, not because I wasn’t interested, but because of what was at her feet… I’m actually not interested in her as a woman, but I’m a guy, of course I’ll look at girls dressed so sexily. But forget that… this is…

“Lose the ears and tail, it’s not suitable for Earth yet.” I said, reaching down to check the boxes. Inside were a number of the special batteries, a large Alchemical device, and several small silver spires that reminded me of the artificial Ether Spires, just on a far more modest scale. There were also… Etherites huh? Here in the Material…

As some of the others joined us, Shaeula and Hyacinth first to awaken, Shaeula happily turning on the TV, surprising Asha with some anime, Ginneka dismissed her catlike appearance with a sad purr. It was then the door was flung open, and Ixitt crashed through in his human form, followed by a flustered Kana.

“I did try to stop the madman, but…” she shrugged.

“I cannot be stopped! The moment I have been waiting for…” He saw me holding the items Ginneka had brought to the Material with Laverna’s Favour and flushed, eyes so bright if it was an anime I’d have expected to see heart shapes in them. “…it has come!” He literally jumped for joy, leaping over and grabbing a handful of batteries, as well as several Etherites. “Oh, the experiments I need to perform, the theories I need to verify… quickly now…” He wrenched open the back of one of the many mobile phones hanging from his lab coat, ripping out the existing battery. Moments later he was wiring in one of the brought items, and for a moment the device actually switched on, before it died in a shower of electrical sparks, exposed innards smoking. “…we have power… though of course, the capacity and throughout is too high… converters, of course, of course…”

“Uh, okay.” I said, understanding his joy, but still a bit put off by it. “Anyway, great job, Ginneka. Keep up the good work and you’ll not find us lacking gratitude.”

Shaeula was asking Asha if she was feeling healthy, and after a glance at me, she nodded, her yellow eyes and red hair giving her a striking appearance, the greenish tinge to her skin a very faint hue in her Material form, almost unnoticeable unless one was looking for it. With a smile I extended a hand to her, and as she took it, I squeezed it gently. “Asha, welcome to the mortal world. I hope you find it to your liking.” With a smile as her answer, we headed for the outside world, ready to show her all the sights she had never seen before…