On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Side One Hundred And Forty-Six – Zhao Daiyu / Izumi Kana

Daiyu watched intently as the strange Tengu, Shungbō, the one in red representing Summer and the South, gestured to his fellow Tengu, the ones that were still sober at least. Perhaps I am too young or sheltered to understand the appeal of drunkenness. No, more likely it is my training regimen and sense of asceticism. Cultivation requires a clear mind and a strong, healthy body. Drinking toxins for pleasure seems a little odd to me, unless it has some medicinal benefit, such as certain rare herbs. Though the honoured Patriarch, my father, he did indulge in moderation… perhaps a little is not so bad. Akio looked as if he was having fun, and Daiyu wanted to be a part of that. She had drunk a little, and had to admit it tasted pleasant, though she did not feel particularly strange. Perhaps it is my newfound stronger constitution, or the blessing of Chang’e.

The Tengu gathered around Shungbō were in very specific positions, holding clearly selected objects, and Daiyu’s onyx eyes narrowed as she observed them. As the Tengu began his chant again, fire element surging around him in shimmering waves of yellow, Daiyu’s mind was working. Yes, I thought so. This is very reminiscent of Cultivation Formations. Though they use no jade plates or talismans, the positioning follows very similar principles, and if a plate was inscribed…

“Nervous?” Kana said beside her, and Daiyu twitched, her concentration broken. On seeing that, Kana misunderstood. “Me too. Everyone’s watching, and the fires…” Kana’s eyes reflected the brilliant blaze that was filling the pit. It was incomparable to before, the strength of the Tengu around added to Shungbō’s own. Just like Formations. Yes, it is indeed remarkable, how the strengths of others, properly placed, can make a greater whole. Just like us…

“…I’m scared of getting burned, but worse…” Kana let out a nervous giggle. “…what if my clothes burn off? I’d be exposed in front of everyone, I don’t want that.”

Such a strange worry. Although… Daiyu took pride in her appearance, even if she found the praise exasperating in the past, almost a subtle form of mockery, as for a Cultivator, power was above all. Now though, she found herself wanting to be beautiful for her Dao Companion, and to not lose to the others. How we all change. Before, I would have paraded naked through the halls of my Sect were it a guarantee of more strength, womanly pride and shame be damned. Now though… the thought of such upset her, so she did understand Kana more than she expected. With a faint smile, she tapped the armour under her dress.

“You have this Brigandine too, no?” The blacksmith Bjarki had constantly been creating more with Hyacinth’s aid, and was increasing in proficiency, able to create a set swiftly with the proper materials. “I doubt this will be destroyed by the fires of this Tengu, although…” Now Akio had stepped up, and the hungry blaze of Foehn was pouring from his hands, joining the flames. “…Akio’s fire burns hungrier. But should the worst happen… he is a jealous man. I suspect any who behold your naked body would find his wrath falling upon them like the breath of a dragon.”

“That’s right.” Kana said after a moment. “He really didn’t seem the sort when I first met him, but… yes, I think it’s cute. He’s very possessive. All right then…” Kana slapped her cheeks, grinning. “I’d best not get burned then, else I’ll be responsible for the great massacre of mount Atago, when Akio kills or blinds everyone who saw me naked. So… you have a plan?”

Daiyu looked around at their fellow competitors. Chen Na was waiting silently, uncomfortable, but Daiyu knew how she would act. The others…

“You have no need to compete, Haanōbō of the Winter North.” Tarōbō was saying to the violet-haired Tengu, her white wings flapping. I am not sure how Akio has not noticed yet. From the body structure, the posture of movement, the gestures… that Tengu is clearly female. Or perhaps he has noticed and it does not matter to him. If so, that is good. An enemy is an enemy, whether a man or a woman, and an ally likewise an ally regardless. What matters is, if she is facing this challenge, then my idea should be plausible…

“No, I shall redeem myself. I wish to challenge his fires again.” She was looking directly at Akio, despite her face being hidden. “This time I will win.”

“You think so?” Fungbō said, his white robes dyed yellow and red by the flames. “No, I shall be the one to triumph. The Autumn West shall not falter, unlike you.”

As the two squabbled, Daiyu observed the couple of other nervous-looking Tengu who stepped up. It seems this challenge is not popular, no wonder. Compared to the others, it was extremely dangerous. As Tarōbō asked who would go first, Daiyu stepped forwards. There is advantage to going later, seeing how the other competitors fare. But there is honour and glory in succeeding before any others, and as a Cultivator, while I am following in the footsteps of my ancestors, I always strive to break new ground, besides… seeing her Dao Companion smiling at her, a mixture of pride and worry on his easy-to-read features, she felt warm inside. I was lost, abandoned and broken, but now I am whole again. No, more than whole. Power surges through me, my Foundation solid as the roots of Mount Tai.

“A word of advice.” Akio said warmly as she stepped forwards, the heat of the massive firepit hot on her skin. “You’ve seen my Foehn. If you treat it like ordinary fire, you’ll get burned to the bone and worse. I’d rather not have your beautiful face or body wounded.”

Daiyu felt her face heat, and not from the flames. With a nod, she declared that she understood, and of course had a plan. “Leave it to me. I shall not let you face this rift without me.”

“Then let our first challenger of the flame face the wrath of the furious side of fire. For fire gives warmth, offers sustenance, but it also rages, consumes.” Tarōbō banged down his staff once more. “Have you the strength, young one?”

“First small, now young. Both may be true, but I am no weak child. I am Zhao Daiyu, Matriarch of the renewed Incorruptible Jade Sect, and Dao Companion to Oshiro Moonstone Akio! I shall not falter, this flame is but one more foe I shall trample on my way to the pinnacle!” she declared proudly. Remembering the talk she had with Shaeula and Hinata recently, she smiled. Their idea, it is… ambitious. I do wonder what Akio will think of it. But… I believe I shall lend them my aid after all. The idea appeals, I confess…

“Then show us your devotion to the flame!” Tarōbō declared.

“Good luck.” Kana said to her. “I’ll be watching, so… I know what I’m going to do, but I’ll take any hints!”

“Burn it into your eyes.” Daiyu smiled slightly, before drawing upon her Qi. The trick to this is simple in theory, but to do in practice requires incredible senses. Fortunately, my Qi Perception has strengthened massively, as has all of me… spreading Qi externally, she felt the heat of the flames flare through her senses, uncomfortable. Blotting out the phantom pain, she narrowed her focus. There. Qi Perception was for detecting others, their Qi visible to other Qi, but was that all? Qi is aether, refined and made fitting for Cultivation. So Qi can sense aether, and the flames…

As she stood motionless, the annoying Fungbō scoffed that she had lost her nerve, but Akio supported her, telling him that would never happen. The warmth now moving from her face to her heart, Daiyu strengthened her concentration, scattering more Qi, until… There. I have it. Akio, I understand. You have done your best to aid us. There were three competing fires. Natural, ordinary fire, from the fuel in the pit, which was fading and contained no Qi, so was largely invisible to her senses. Perhaps if I was using flame Qi to sense… the other two were the fires of Shungbō, and Foehn. Able to tell them apart, she saw that Akio had carefully poured the Foehn into the pit, forming a corridor where the Foehn was lightly concentrated. Perhaps he meant to leave a clear pathway, but like all flames, Foehn does as it wills. Even so…

Stepping forwards, her senses now perceiving the position and type of flames, Daiyu performed her next feat. This is not true Cultivation, but… power is power. I disdained the Divine Favour of Chang’e until it saved my life when I drifted in the ocean close to death. I seldom make the same foolish error twice. And I have been observing… while her Dantian naturally helped process aether and elemental energies into Qi, she had been studying, listening and learning. If I pull water element from my … sacral chakra, he called it. We Cultivators understand the Chakra network, meridians and acupoints, but we focus more on the Dantian… an orange glow formed, brilliant and deep, and her body was suddenly soaked, her dark hair clinging to her face and back. The heat from the fires diminished, insulated, and she focused her strength in her legs, marvelling at how much stronger she was now.

If I was like this before, that bitch Sun Lisha and her Party dogs could never have defeated me, not even with their guns. Qi can stop steel once more. Akio has proved it. I can prove it. Simply leaping the fifty-metre pit would be possible, but ignored the trial, which was to brave the flames. “Sear this into your eyes. I am Incorruptible!” Daiyu shouted, before plunging into Shungbō’s flames. Immediately her water element surged, water boiling around her instantly. It wasn’t Spirit Water, she could create only a fine trickle of that, but her water element was still magnificent, containing the strength of the treasure she had taken from London, as well as all the Spirit Water Akio and Shaeula had bequeathed her.

“Hot…” she said, before regretting it as while her shroud of water element she was projecting prevented the flame from entering her, heat still seared her throat, though her blessing quickly regenerated scorched tissue. It is hard to think… The blazing hell around her was boiling off her water element as fast as she could supply it, and her skin was starting to burn, though it was healing, leaving her hot and itchy.

I have to go. It was impossible to move at her full speed, the path through the Foehn narrow and hard to notice unless one expected it to be there, and the Foehn itself was writhing as if alive, constantly spreading. Each step took but a moment, pushing through the blaze, her vision dyed red and yellow. Once she reached halfway, she realised why so few Tengu had stepped forwards. In the other challenges, defeat meant little more than scorn. Although the hunting trial perhaps could have led to injury or death… Her thoughts were distracted, and she realised the incredible heat was affecting her judgement. Intensifying her water element, she pressed onwards, following the narrow winding path, only to stop in panic as the Foehn shuddered, spraying a blaze in front of her.

That was close. Leaping over it, she pressed onwards, and soon there was but ten metres to go, a distance she could clear with one leap, except… There’s no clear way out. No, caution is better… her water element was running out, but she had enough. Twisting her body she crept forwards. Ten metres. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six… Suddenly the Foehn roared up, consuming some of the other flames around it, and a scattered explosion of droplets showered her. Immediately her water element started to fail, and with desperation she disregarded caution. There is no choice but to break through and risk the consequences!

Her legs flexed, and she shot through the burning hell, striking the Foehn wall as she passed, one arm wreathed in flames. She landed on the other side in an undignified heap, her hair and back shimmering with Foehn, one arm wrapped in the hungry flames. For a moment she rolled around, trying to quench the flame before she snapped back to her senses, realising such wouldn’t work. Seeing Akio wishing to come towards her, but being stopped by the raised staff of Tarōbō, she revelled at the panic and care in his eyes. As it should be. But I am not weak. Not anymore. I have planned for the worst…

The water element she was wrapped in burst, cascading the Foehn away, leaving it burning around her like a hundred small fires. Her hair was still smouldering, and she quickly cut her locks, black strands falling to the ground like burning embers. There were traces still burning her arm, and she washed them away, heedless of the scorched flesh, cloth and armour both burned away, though the Brigandine was already starting to repair itself slowly, just as her hair was regrowing at a speed visible to the naked eye. Wincing, as her damp burns closed up, she bowed to Tarōbō.

“I believe I passed your challenge.”

“You did.” There were cheers and applause from the crowd. Some of the Tengu who had decided to brave the flame had backed off, and now it was only Kana, Chen Na, and the two from the Four Directions that were left. “You have passed through the flames and found yourself anew. Do you feel stronger for it? Fire renews…”

Daiyu looked down at her healing arm. “No, I renew. But I shall not forget the touch of the flames.” She looked at Akio, a teasing smile on her face, an expression she seldom showed anyone. “The fire of Summer was weak. It was only your flames that could burn me, Akio. Just as you burn my heart, my Dao Companion!”

“Sorry about that.” Akio grabbed her, and Ether Healing soothed her remaining injuries, and she found him stroking her regrowing hair. “You have such lovely hair. It seemed a shame to cut it…”

“Since you like it, I shall keep it so. See, it regrows.” She continued to smile before turning back and addressing Kana across the firepit. “I fear you will not have learned a great deal from my efforts. You will not be able to replicate what I did.”

Kana shook her head. “Oh you’d be surprised. I could see you moving strangely.” She tapped at her eyes. “They have to be good for something. And at the end there… that water burst. You just watch me, I won’t lose!”

Daiyu held out a hand. “I await your arrival.”

“So, who shall pass through the flames next?” Tarōbō asked. “Those that have withdrawn…” the pair of Tengu slumped guiltily. “…there is no shame. Nor is there now. The sacred trial has been passed, the omens are good.”

“I shall go!” Haanōbō called, her voice somehow both loud and soft. “Great Tarōbō… I do not fear the flame, only failing you and mount Atago. I will not fail again!”

“Is it a failure?” Arangbō said, surprising everyone. “I have been watching, the same as anyone with eyes to see. The newcomers are hardly weak. I would still triumph, as you shall see…” he boasted. “…but perhaps having such strong allies to aid us was the flame itself calling to them. Take heart sister, when it comes to the battle, we will stand side by side, the Four Directions, each protecting the others as always.”

Akio nodded as the Tengu called her his sister, as if perhaps his suspicions were confirmed. The violet-haired Tengu flinched, before she nodded. “I tasted the earth, was trampled humiliatingly. It is a shame I can only expunge by victory. So watch me, brothers, father! Watch me, you who put me under your feet…” Daiyu could tell she was glaring, despite her hidden features. “I am Haanōbō, of the Winter North, and by Genbu, I will brave the flames!” She began her chant, and a bubble of water surrounded her, mimicking what Daiyu had done. Then the water began to freeze, ice of pretty shades shimmering as it froze over her, forming a glacial armour.

“Into the flames…” Haanōbō cried, leaping into the blaze. With her Qi still extended, Daiyu observed her keenly, and as the fire melted the ice, it refroze, working in layers so that she was always protected. Clever. But against Foehn…

As soon as Haanōbō was caught by the hungry flame her icy armour started to crack, Foehn worming its way down. With her Qi perception, Daiyu couldn’t see her clearly, just the Qi, but what she saw impressed her. Just as I did… the icy armour shattered, shedding the top layers, and most of the Foehn was expelled. Further water bubbled from her, and while the raging flames made it impossible for her to freeze the water into more rapidly melting ice, it protected her somewhat.

“Caution is wise, but the longer one tries to avoid it…” Daiyu began, and Akio looked at her, understanding.

“I knew you’d see it, Daiyu. You’re a smart girl.”

Feeling a warmth at his praise quite unlike the blazing heat of the flames, she nodded. At Tarōbō’s quizzical expression, Daiyu closed her mouth, holding her silence, before deciding to show Tarōbō a little face. “Haanōbō understands too. The thing about fire is, especially Akio’s, the longer you fight it the weaker you become, and the stronger it becomes. Act swiftly, but with measured calm.”

An explosion of steam erupted as Haanōbō was propelled out of the flames. She landed heavily at the feet of Shungbō, who looked down, the set of his shoulders and wings scornful. Her icy armour was shattered, and tongues of Foehn were still trying to consume it and her. Shungbō raised his hand, trying to dismiss the flames, only to find that he could not.

“Here.” Akio leapt to her, and Daiyu’s Qi detected a strange sight. Akio was withdrawing the flame element from the Foehn, though the effort seemed to be greatly fatiguing for him, and as the Foehn dimmed, flickering and winking out of existence, he was also working Ether Healing, which made Daiyu groan softly to herself. Predictable. He is far kinder to women. I have no objection, I wish him to be kind to us, but… it makes me feel a little less special.

As Haanōbō’s burns healed, she looked up at Akio, face still hidden, and thanked him in a tiny whisper. As Tarōbō declared that she had also triumphed, beginning another long speech about the merits of flame, Daiyu’s eyes met Kana’s, who was fidgeting nervously, her brow flecked with sweat…

********

“… only by fighting a pure flame, can one ever hope to defeat a cursed, corrupted one…” the old windbag Tarōbō was saying. He does like to hear himself talk, but then… I guess we do too. Thinking back to their conversation during the eating contest, Kana shook her head. I guess it’s shaped all our lives, our meetings with Akio. For me, it was overturning my world, a complete one-eighty. I went from hating my shrine and my gifts, to being proud, glad to have them. For Motoko, Natsumi and Daiyu, it shattered their stale, barren worlds even more. No wonder we love to talk about it fondly… but…

Kana felt a tinge of annoyance as Akio was healing that Haanōbō girl. She is a girl then. I did wonder. It’s a good job Shaeula isn’t here, she’d be loving this. Oh well, I guess as a fellow girl I can allow her to be healed. Nobody wants burn scars. Worst kind of scars…

“…challenge the flames next?” Tarōbō boomed, his staff glowing, and Kana winced.

“Damn, that staff is abnormal. To my sight, the gem blazes brighter than the sun.” she muttered.

“You then? Step forward.” Tarōbō said, and for a moment, Kana panicked. Wait a minute, I’m not ready…

“Kana, you can do this.” Natsumi said, and beside her Motoko nodded, mopping her sweat after their exercise.

“I have every faith in you. Akio has faith in you.” She told me, pointing, and I turned to see Akio, worried but proud, and I suddenly felt stronger. That’s right. Whether I go now or later, I’ve still got to do this. I took Kṣitigarbha’s Favour, which is something unique in the world. I have to prove I’m worthy of it, of his trust, and not just for him, but for myself too. Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “Yes, I’m ready to brave the flames. After all, I’ve been taught earth beats fire, and I’m the shrine maiden of an earth-aspected shrine, so…” I’m babbling, need to calm down, deep breaths. It does feel good him worrying about me though… I just wish he’d have stopped teasing me and admitted his feelings for me earlier. Not that it was ever in doubt. I’m Izumi Kana. I may be shallow, selfish, a bit of a bitch at times, but I’m confident that he’ll not regret choosing me, no man would…

“Kana, you’re right. But… a stronger fire will still beat weaker stone.” Akio warned her. “And I don’t like to boast but…” That’s totally a lie. Yes, for a guy Akio’s actually not too much of a braggart, but when it comes to boasting about us, or his abilities he’s worked hard for, he loves to show off… it’s kind of cute. “… my Foehn is one of the most dangerous fires there is.”

“I know. Shirohebi told me you nearly burned our shrine down with it once. And I’ve seen it in action. But…” she pumped her fist. “…it’s not just me and my dad, struggling alone with pathetic talents anymore. No, it’s everyone together. And we make each other stronger. So I won’t be the one to lose, letting the side down. If you want to cleanse the flame, to help Haru-chan, I’m going to be there!”

At that Haru-chan smiled, and tears glimmered in her eyes. She’s really sweet. When I remember what nearly happened to me at the shrine, with those yakuza... to know what she’s suffered… I just hope she can be happy. But she’s got Akio in her corner, so I’m sure she’ll have a bright future ahead of her. So, for Akio, Haru-chan and my fellow idiots in love with Akio… “Let’s do this. This favour is perfect for me. Shirohebizumi is a fertility shrine, and the earth… the earth is a womb, just as Kṣitigarbha says.” The ground under her rippled, stone and earth melting like wax. “It’d be easy if I just went under the flames, but I know that’s not the point. Otherwise, you could all flap your wings and go over the top, right?” she said to Fungbō who was standing near her. He merely glared silently at her, eyes hard behind his long-nosed red mask.

“All right, I get you don’t like us. But your Great Tarōbō lets us take part, and since these rituals are sacred, you have to abide by them, right? I get it, I’m a shrine maiden to the kami you dislike so much.” Kana taunted. “Just watch me triumph too, so you can’t complain about me being here!” she turned to Akio. “One thing I’ve learned from you, from Shaeula, Hyacinth, Haru-chan, Shiro… from everyone… is that power is just that. Power.” I may not be the best at school, but I’m not stupid. I can learn. “Recently I’ve been practising constantly. I had time while you were in England.” She giggled. “I was lonely. Those of us left behind all were. So this trip, we have to make the most of it. If I can’t hide in the womb of earth, then… I bring the womb to me! It’s all just earth element, right?”

The ground flowed like wax, and Kana was swallowed by it. The fierce heat was cut off, and she grinned, knowing no-one could see her. No, Akio can, if he uses his Eye. So… “You just wait. When the time is right, I’ll…” she touched her own belly, where her womb would be, face scarlet. So embarrassing!

“All right then… here we go. It won’t be this simple, I know that.” The ball of mud, earth and stone that contained Kana moved forwards, and she felt her stomach lurch as it fell into the burning pit. Immediately she started to sweat, the inside heating up. “I just have to keep flowing more earth in. Foehn may be greedy, but I only need to manage for a few moments…”

The stone shell rolled forwards, and Kana struggled to judge the distance. It was getting hotter and hotter, and he eyes widened as the stone started to crack, and she let out a bitter laugh. “Damn, Akio. Give a girl a break! I’m trying my best here.” As she could see bright flame starting to drip through, she concentrated, earth element flowing from her as she pointed to the cracking dome and walls of her protective bubble. “The Gods are just like the kami. Gods are kami, just not necessarily ours. They give power that they understand. But what we choose to do with it… depends on us!” Underneath her feet, more mud and stones were pouring in, forming long spikes which pierced the gaps, melting into a gloopy sealing substance. The ordinary heat of Shungbō’s flames were blocked out safely, but Foehn was not so easily halted.

“Damn it, Akio! I know you’re greedy for me, but this goes a bit far!” Knowing he was likely watching her, she joked. “But I’m not beaten!” The earthen womb picked up speed, and she slammed into an obstacle, losing her balance. She squealed in panic as Foehn droplets narrowly missed her as she stumbled, but quickly regained her concentration. Ever since that time the yakuza attacked, I’ve been more clear-headed in times of trouble. Tarōbō is right. Sometimes you need to get burned to grow…

The ground exploded, and she was propelled upwards, coming crashing down as her protective shell shattered. All around her there was burning mud and rocks, and she hurriedly staggered to her feet, panicked, as a puddle of Foehn was burning next to her. Seeing Akio, she leapt up and into his arms, finally feeling safe, relief coursing through her.

“Good job. You were very brave.” Akio said, and she sagged against him, feeling it was all worth it. It was then Akio leaned in close, his breath tickling her ears, and whispered “Don’t make me wait too long, all right?”

Akio, you…! Flushing as red as a tomato, Kana let out a relieved giggle. “Not as soon as you’d like, but sooner than you think.” She promised, before looking at Daiyu, managing a victorious smile. “Looks like I was the one to get out unscathed after all.”

“Yes, your clothes remain unburned.” Daiyu flourished her ragged sleeve. “That was quite clever, if somewhat similar to our attempts.”

Kana stuck out her tongue playfully as she glanced back, seeing the rest of her party clapping and cheering for her. “How else would you do it? I doubt extinguishing the flames by collapsing the walls of the pit would be in the spirit of the challenge, and it might not stop Foehn anyway.”

“True.” Tarōbō declared, waving his staff. “If it was merely a challenge to douse the flames, such measures would suffice. But no, we seek not to douse, but to purify. And all these challenges, they purify the spirit.”

Akio and Daiyu looked shocked at that, glancing at each other, before Daiyu gave him a sweet smile. Feeling left out, Kana spoke up a bit huffily. “What is it? You look like you’ve understood something.”

“I have.” Akio said, his expression wry. “It looks like we’ll be gaining something, Daiyu and me at the least, even if our alliance here doesn’t pan out. It’s a shame Shaeula isn’t here…”

“I see. I don’t get it, but I’m pleased you’re happy.” Kana said. “Just Chen Na then.” Kana was a bit wary of that woman, as she was an unknown, and was their enemy until Haru-chan had bound her, but since Akio wanted her on this mission to give an extra layer of safety for them, Kana had some good feelings towards her, as her presence was proof of Akio’s care.

“It should be easier for her. Her power is specialised for this.” Akio pointed out, but before Chen Na could go, Fungbō stepped up. Kana looked away as he glared at her, his eyes narrow behind his mask.

“You may have succeeded in passing through the flames, but you were inelegant, unsightly.”

“I thought you cut a beautiful sight, as always.” Akio said, and Kana held in a giggle. Look, he’s trying to be all serious. It’s mean not letting him…

Fungbō was thrown off by that, before visibly gathering himself. “Laugh, outsiders, when you see the might of the Autumn West!” Kana noticed the aura around him brighten in her vision, as he began his chant. “Byakko, Lord of Autumn, Master of Metal, He Who Oversees Autumn… I call upon the impenetrable sheen of iron. Render me impervious to the flames, aid me in proving I am worthy to stand as your champion!”

Kana looked impressed as a silver sheet of metal covered the Tengu, who sneered. “Metal does not fear the flames, for it is both of flame, and of the earth that devours flames!” With that he plunged into the pit, and mere seconds later he was out, the metal red-hot, Foehn clinging to it, but as he discharged it, he was left standing proud and arrogant.

“That is truly how one braves the flame.” He laughed loudly.

“True. Your performance is most impressive. But we have one left, Fungbō of the Autumn West.” Tarōbō said mildly, and as everyone watched, Chen Na swallowed, eyes darting around before she was covered in a shimmering bubble of force. She too leapt into the flames, before emerging out of the other side seconds later, her barrier a ball of flames. It blew apart, Akio calling up a barrier of earth to deflect the scattered Foehn from us, and Chen Na was left gasping and panting on her hands and knees, blinking weakly.

“Nice work.” Akio said, and Kana agreed. With that, it just means that Natsumi and the elf haven’t won the right to participate, since Prince Shōtoku and Yasaka-san aren’t interested… She locked eyes with Natsumi, who shrugged. I hope the next trial suits her. Being left out hurts, I know…

“So, we have those who have braved the flames, some in struggle and strife…” Tarōbō looked at Kana, Daiyu and Haanōbō. “…and others with much ease.” His look took in Fungbō and Chen Na. “As for who triumphed… Fungbō, you did well.” As the Tengu puffed himself up, Tarōbō’s words were stern. “…but your victory should not lead to arrogance. It was close between you…” he nodded at Chen Na. “…and the denizens of the foul rift are dangerous indeed. All will need to work together.” He raised his staff, which was blazing with energy, and Kana could see rainbow ribbons of power being drawn from the cheering crowds. “Now let the final two trials commence. As swift as fire, let arrows pierce the hearts of our enemies, and let those whose inner fire can illuminate the cramped, dark realm do battle to show they have the might to face those that would defile the flames!”

Archery huh? Couldn’t be more perfect I suppose… Kana thought as she saw the elf Bellaera-san and Natsumi both leap up, excited. Turning to Akio, who looked equally pleased, she managed a smile. But I’m done. I’ll leave those sorts of challenges to the battle fanatics… Still, Kana couldn’t help but smile, knowing Natsumi, Motoko and probably Akio too would get their chance to show off…