“What do you mean there’s no escape for me?” Yamato-san howled, eyes bulging and face red with anger. “You can’t just abandon me here. They’ll kill me!”

“You think I want to?” I snapped back, my shallowly buried anger against him bursting free. “You think I’m doing this through choice? I’m no God, Yamato-san, there’s no way I can face the whole Night Parade, to say nothing of putting Shaeula at risk.” I let out a low growl. “Besides, you didn‘t meet Nurarihyon and his wife. Against them, I’d be squashed like a bug if they chose.”

“So, you met the Lord and his wife, huh?” Red interjected, smiling. “And lived to tell the tale? Quite the honour for a man-thing. So, we get to keep this one as a toy, huh?”

“Look, this is serious, so please shut up.” I told Red, leaving him guffawing loudly. “I’ll get you that booze, as promised, in due course, and I’ll leave you with a warning, that any of the Parade who try and trespass on my Territory for hostile reasons will meet the same fate as the Matriarch. But for now, shut up.”

“Ya man’s in a bad mood.” Blue said to Shaeula, who shrugged.

“I can see why, I fear. This decision is not-not one he would relish. Akio is kind, after all, he does not-not wish anyone to die needlessly, even trash like this foolish male.”

“Die! Yes, I’ll die! You have to do something, Oshiro-san!” Yamato-san continued his appeal, hiding behind his Golden Warriors. “After all, I’m the Chosen of Kannon, and the most important man in Susanoo faction. You owe me!”

“Owe you? What about what you owed to those who you led to their deaths?” I asked him. “Mine-san, Naruhito-san… they were like us, they had a choice and an understanding of what this world was all about… but my trainees… you brought helpless students into Kyoto, knowing how dangerous it was. That… that is your sin and I can’t forgive it. Nor risk Shaeula or anyone else for your sake. After all, Eri…” I couldn’t finish, and Shaeula held my hand reassuringly.

“That wasn’t my fault” he protested bitterly. “I’ve committed no crimes! I didn’t intend for anyone to die. I wasn’t expecting them to fight! It was just politics. I was just doing politics! Besides, your sister, and that Mori girl, they showed they were capable of protecting themselves, how was I to know your other students weren’t like that?”

Excuses. Just excuses, but tears don’t wash out blood, and they won’t bring back the dead. I need to go. I’m exhausted, and I have one last bitter task to do, then I have to gather my strength and start healing the injured. Shit. A grim fucking day. “Really? Chiasa-san and Chiaki-san tried to tell you, but you didn’t listen. Besides, what gave you the right? Shit, what does it matter now? Children are dead, Eri is injured badly, and the Candidates we should be nurturing to protect Japan and the world are dead. You too. Your tale ends here. And I’m not throwing good lives after bad.”

“Good lives?” he panicked, seeing the hungry eyes of the Night Parade around him, eagerly awaiting his fate, and revelling in his fear. “Are you insane? I’m a human, you’re a human! It isn’t like the lives of Yokai and other monsters have a right to compare to ours, you should be happy to… augh!” he fell over, landing on his ass, as I moved, a blur despite my exhaustion and injuries. One Golden Warrior shattered, unable to react to me, and showers of fragments rained down on him, only for them to fade into scattered ether.

“You piece of shit. Should you be saying that when so many good human lives were lost? Besides, human, Yokai, Fae, anything else… Shaeula is worth a million of you. Even if I didn’t love her, I’d not risk her for you. How dare you claim that she’s worth less than you because of her birth.”

Shaeula, who was left behind by my sudden movement, was smiling, her mother talking to her quietly. “It seems you are quite well loved-adored, daughter.”

“I am indeed most-most fortunate.” She agreed happily, though her eyes narrowed angrily when she looked at the prostrate Yamato-san. “However, this event was one of much sadness and sorrow. Akio is soft-hearted. This has hurt him deeply. But as his wife, I shall soothe his sorrows. The others as well. Eri too, once she is healed. And she will be healed, no matter how long it takes.”

“Well… uh…” Yamato-san was panicking, searching for a way out. If there was one, I don’t know it. Not for you, not now.

“If I die, father will be angry. Susanoo won’t support you, and other shrines and temples will…”

“Are. You. A. Fucking. Idiot?” I punctuated each word with a blow against one of his Golden Warriors. They tried to counter me, striking with swords, axes and maces, but I was too angry, too fast, and soon only a single one remained, holding a shield over him, spear pointed at me, silvery blood from my knuckles dripping to the floor. Damn, I broke my arm again. I’m certainly taking abuse, but I guess it’s penance for my failures. “This mess has already gone beyond that. You’ve destroyed confidence in my training school, as well as created a disaster that is going to be difficult to cover up. We were just starting to get unity, and now this. At this point, what your father thinks is the least of our worries. Besides, it isn’t like I’ve harmed you myself…” Yet. “… I simply couldn’t save you from the mess you created for yourself.”

“But…” he shut his mouth, realising it was futile to say any more. He took a long, shuddering breath. “I hope you never forget this, you bastard. Fuck, I don’t want to die… how did this happen? I… all I wanted to do was expand our Territory here, and curtail your growing influence. This is your fault, not mine! You aren’t even from the faith, yet everyone was bowing to your ideas and your pressure! It should be the families of Susanoo, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi that rules! Instead, you came in, showing off, how even normal people could be powerful, and you had treasures like the mirror… you should have supported me as leader, not throwing your lot in with the government and nobility! You betrayed the faith, despite Hikawa-san vouching for you!”

I opened my mouth to refute him, but Shaeula spoke first. “There is not-not any point speaking to this idiot any further. It seems he does not-not grasp the situation. Besides, there is no point wasting your efforts on someone who is soon to be dead.”

“No way.” The Kitsune smiled, her four tails lashing excitedly. “Kill him? How wasteful…” she had produced a paper talisman of her own, and darkness element surged, and Yamato-san shuddered, the slowly fading curse that kept him trapped in the Boundary refreshed and strengthened. “Lord Nurarihyon likely wants to keep him alive a good, long time.” Her smile was beautiful but cruel. “A small peace offering for the disgrace the Hyakki Yagyō has suffered.”

“Yeah, there’s sure been a lot of deaths.” Red agreed. “My stupid, worthless, likely illegitimate bro amongst them. Oh well, compared to the good old days, I suppose it was merely a little skirmish. And compared to what’s coming…”

“If you know, then stop killing those who might help with that.” I warned. “I don’t want to have to fight the Night Parade again.”

“Battle is fun.” Red protested. “Us Oni love to fight! It is who we are, we can’t just stop!” Beside him, Blue nodded, and a lot of other Yokai expressed protest at my request.

“Well, I think you’ll have more than enough chance in future. Lord Nurarihyon knows. Just… well, whatever. Know that I’ll show no mercy to anyone who hurts those under my protection. Those who come in peace, I’ll welcome, but those who come with ill-will, well, the Matriarch and that vile fox could tell you, if they could still speak.”

“I think you should depart, daughter.” Urakaze said. “Your business here is done-finished. All that remains is… unpleasant, and I would not have you see-witness it. I shall send those Kamaitachi to you as soon as you have claimed your own lands here.”

“I thank you, mother. And I shall visit again, and as Akio says, you are most-most welcome to visit us when you are in Tokyo as well. Perhaps you can even see father again?”

“Perhaps.” She shrugged. “Though we have been estranged long, I do sometimes wonder how he does-fares.”

“Well then…” Red said, taking up his gourd and shattering the remaining Golden Warrior. As Yamato-san shrieked and tried to flee, Blue hoisted him by the ankle, dangling the sobbing fool. As he cried out for me to help him, I hardened my heart. I hated him for his mistakes, which had got many people killed, but I also pitied him. His fate would not be kind. Although…

“Farewell, Yamato-san. Sorry again.” I sighed. “Though it’s hard for me to forgive your carelessness, I at least know you didn’t mean to get so many killed. And it isn’t as though I haven’t made mistakes. I’ve just been luckier than you, that things have always worked out, barring some early losses. At least… I’ll remember this, and try not to repeat your errors.”

“That won’t help me!” he cried out bitterly, but I turned away, and Shaeula hurried to my side. The Night Parade parted, and as I left the cavalcade of monsters and Yokai behind, his cries and accusations ringing in my ears, Shaeula stuck close to me, soothing my heart.

“Do not-not concern yourself with him.” She whispered. “You can not-not save everyone. Besides…” she frowned. “We have a task, do we not-not?”

I nodded as we headed south. A few inquisitive Yokai followed for a while, but soon grew bored and returned to the Parade, and then we were alone, on the borders of the Territory encompassing Kiyomizu-dera. As I expected, this time it did not welcome us, and the Territory barrier stopped us, a shimmering rainbow barrier preventing our entry.

“No surprise here. I guess in Yamato-san’s heart, we’re enemies now. The idiot.” I sighed, as several bolts of light element flew our way, though they were not light exactly, merely a representation, so it was possible to dodge. Hot on the heels of the gold-tinged blasts of indigo light, the Hands of Forgiveness came darting out, ready to crush us, deeming us intruders. Which now we are…

“Damn, I’m too exhausted for this crap. Shaeula, how’s your strength?”

“Sufficient.” She smiled, the first Hand slamming down at her. She leapt aside, her remaining pinwheel uncoiling and slicing off several fingers. “I did not-not need much to defeat my foolish cousin.”

“I see. Speaking of, just what were you talking about with your mother?” My remaining Fang slashed into the Hand Shaeula had damaged, and it exploded into ether. I greedily took it in, staving off a little of my fatigue, as more came flying at us, bolts of light shimmering gold as they bombarded us.

“Nothing for you to fret over, Akio. No, it seems my mother did not-not leave me as unsupported as I had feared.” Her smile was bright, her amber eyes glittering, even as she fought, blasts of wind and flame fighting off the Hands, others slamming into the barrier, weakening it by small increments. I overpowered another Hand, before using the opening to repeatedly strike the barrier too, and it collapsed inwards by a few centimetres.

“Though I am grateful for the schemer that led to this. If I had my proper guard…” her smile turned sly, even as we fought. “… then you would be quite-quite dead in our first battle, and I would not-not have the pleasure of being yours.” Another Hand was deflected, and her pinwheel ground against the barrier, jade sparks flying, accompanied by a shrill sound like the whine of a dentist’s drill. “Though of course, I shall not-not forgive them anyway, as their intent was to have me perish. When mother finds out who is responsible, I shall join her in punishing them, have no-no fear.”

“I see. Strange both sides ended up acting the same way. I wonder if there was more collusion. I expect Duke Vulpatrius might have had a hand in things. After all, Ginneka and her brother were sent by Duke Formor, so there has been some sort of traffic between the Seelie Court and the Parade.” This time I didn’t badmouth the cats in my mind. I owed them that much, at least.

“Well, that is a worry for another time.” She unleashed water this time, piercing bullets similar to those I’d used, and another Hand exploded, the remaining bolts striking the barrier. “Now, tell me about Nurarihyon. I was not-not terribly worried, as the Hyakki Yagyō could have crushed us had they wished, but even so…” she shrugged. “… seeing you venture into the dark void of his domain, it did-did concern me a little.”

Some tsun there. It’s been a while. Slamming the barrier repeatedly, faint cracks now visible to my Eye, I smiled, pushing aside the regrets over Yamato-san and the dead. I could mourn later. First I had to do this, then worry about healing Eri and the other wounded. The fallout and personal grief and reflection would be for after my needful tasks were done. I saved three lives. That was the best I could do. Which is why I, and not just me, but everyone working with me, needs more power. Hence this…

“Well, the Territory of the Parade is contained inside that house. It’s like a massive dungeon, similar to your old Territory, yet far vaster in scale. Inside is a dark ocean, and…” as we fought, rapidly diminishing the number of Hands, while the barrier trembled, I regaled her with the tale of my meeting with Nurarihyon, his seer and his wife. Her face twisted in anger when she heard I was chained up, and when talk of the future and the need for Shiro was mentioned, her eyes narrowed, calculating. When I was done with my tale, we had defeated the outer Hands of Forgiveness, and now only the weakened barrier was in our way.

“I see now.” She said, the barrier wailing as she hurled her full might against it, flames, wind, water and even light sparkling around her. “I did wonder why you would risk-risk this, an action that would possibly make Nurarihyon angry, yet it is now quite-quite clear to me.” She had grasped the situation as I had expected. After all, she’s dealing with the quagmire that is Seelie Court politics now, she should easily see the issues at the heart of this.

“It seems surprisingly enough, you hold-hold all the aces.” Shaeula enjoyed gambling metaphors, especially after our Las Vegas trip. “This white princess will not move unless you allow it, I believe, and it does-does seem that she is needed. Besides… it is not-not as though you are actively preventing him from taking Yamato-san, nor was it explicitly discussed just how-how they can extract this power from him.” Her grin was vicious. “Even if Nurarihyon somehow finds out, you can hardly be blamed, can you? He may-may even respect your boldness. Judging by many of the ranking Yokai of the Parade, they respect forceful bravery.”

“Well, there’s a chance I’ll fail to extract the Divine Favour. I’d say a good chance, considering he is in Nurarihyon’s possession now. Poor bastard.”

“I have little sympathy. Remember the dead. Remember Eri.” She scoffed, as the barrier made a hideous grinding sound, starting to sunder under our repeated blows.

“Oh I do. I… can’t forget them.” I still remembered Mine-san dying in my arms, me helpless to stop it. “Even so, I believe he should make amends. So… all he can do is give up his Favour to someone else. We can’t lose another. They’re too precious.”

“I know.” Shaeula agreed, finally shattering the barrier. We raced into his Territory, heading for the golden shrine at the centre where the Anchor was. A remaining few Hands tried to stop us, but even with the Territory fighting us, such things were no match for Shaeula, who effortlessly destroyed them, allowing me to preserve my strength. “Will you consume it, as you did before, or…?”

“No. I can get stronger on my own. I’ll find someone that can use it, I have a few ideas.”

“I see. Well then, I shall not-not dissuade you.” Shaeula said as we reached the Anchor, the desolate, empty Territory undefended. Several golden Buildings were starting to form, probably Barracks, since I had explained how they worked, but it was too late. With a few blows we destroyed them, before facing the glittering Anchor and the great golden statue of Kannon. Damn, this feels blasphemous. I’m sorry. This isn’t exactly a good act. All I can hope is that I am doing it for the right reasons, not purely out of a need for vengeance and retribution.

“Yes, it’s too late for that now. I’ve made my decision. Nurarihyon might protest, but there’s nothing I agreed to that prevents this. We aren’t friends, or even allies. Just … we both want to stop the disaster coming for our own reasons.” Steeling myself, I focused my power into a single blow, and split the Anchor, shattering the Territory. My Eye was peering deep into the Anchor, the strands connected to the distant Yamato-san like miniature silver cords, and just as when we destroyed Kondou Kazuo’s, the experiments in the prison leaving him comatose, something distant tore, and a power flowed into my body, amber letters glittering in my Eye…

You have destroyed the Anchor of a hostile Territory. Your class, Conqueror is sufficient to claim and extract the divine favour within this Territory and its owner. Your adherence is sufficient to utilise Kannon’s Golden Warriors Of Mercy, but you are incompatible with this divine favour. You may consume it to significantly increase your strength and adherence, or find a suitable vessel.

Your Class, Conqueror, has increased from level 12 to level 13.

You have gained in strength. your level has increased from One Hundred And Three to One Hundred And Four. All of your Material statistics have increased by eleven. Aether has increased by twenty-seven.

I could feel the blessing within me, begging to be disassembled, the power within tantalising. No. absolutely not. This is my penance. This power is not for me to wield. However much Yamato-san screwed up, he didn’t deliberately intend to get people killed. He should have been punished, yes, but not… not like he has been. So I’ll take his power and give it to someone who can use it wisely. That will be his penance too.

“Did you succeed?” Shaeula asked me expectantly. “I think I saw-saw something…” she said, her eyes glowing.

“Yes, I extracted his Divine Favour. It’s within me now. I can’t keep it too long though, it’s slowly taking adherence from me. So I need to find a suitable host for it. Besides…” I looked around. Surprisingly enough the statue of Kannon remained, which eased my guilty conscience a little, but other than that the Territory had collapsed, the ether rushing into my exhausted, battered body. “… this Territory is finished. There’s no purpose remaining here. I want… I want to see Eri.”

“I know.” Shaeula patted my head comfortingly. “She is a strong female. She lived, so we can-can do something about it. Though… I have my concerns.” As we started to return to the Material I nodded. Yeah. Our families. What… just what must they have seen?