Transience
Part II ~ The Beginning of the End

A brief recap:

And with that, she sinks into her memories.

It was, like any regular day for the Ghost Guild. Regular, as in hectic, ever since they had discovered that Sutoku had returned.

And of course, there was always something for our budding onmyouji, and his companions to do. Of which that day was to check on the Keystones, and ensure that the Guardians were good condition.

Having received a small pack of offerings - which Mira mistook for food - Hajime left the Ghost Guild's temple-like headquarters.

As he took the longer and more scenic route towards Una's shrine (to please Saho with the sakura blooms), Mira started to complain about her hunger, and devoured most of the package that Hajime had let her hold. Well, it was a bad idea when the Guardians blew up because of his insolence - how dare a mortal visit them without offerings? - and demanded that they have a little face-off.

It was 'practice', they claimed, as Ukichi grinned and slashed at Hajime's face, still somewhat bitter about the lack of chestnut rice, while the others had forgotten about the lack of 'peace' offerings and settled for a good spar.

As unfortunate as it were, the sparring attracted some unprecedented attention. Namely Emperor Sutoku and his gang. Tatsuta would later say that it was Saho's fault for making their side of the hill turn alive with flowers, while allowing the other side to remain as grassy and plain as ever.

Just as Ukon whirled around to bring his blade to Tatsuta's throat, darkness clouded the sky, and the Guardians froze.

The first to react was Una, who turned tail and hurried to her shrine, followed by Ukon and Ukichi who did just the same. Mira, however, seemed to think nothing of it and remarked, "Maybe they're just scared of the imminent rai- oh, it must be lunchtime. No wonder they returned to their shrines... Perhaps the Ghost Guild provides them with meals..?"

Hajime, however, took a slightly different stand to situation and turned to the two goddesses of season.

"This... this spells bad news, right? Surely this shouldn't be happening. I mean, Mahamayuri could do this anytime she wanted to, but why now? I mean, nobody likes thunderstorms in the middle of Hanami, right? This is just downright confusing..."

"Downright confusing indeed, don't you think? The Emperor of ghosts right behind you, and you don't even notice! Foolish boy!" a deep voice rang out from around Hajime, with no definite source.

The boy spun around, and in his haste, tripped and landed on Tatsuta, causing a domino-like effect, knocking Saho, then Sakura over (who whined about her hair afterwards).

Emperor Sutoku sneered once more, towering over the onmyouji and his daemons.

"Heavens knows what that stupid old mirror was thinking, letting a mere mortal interfere with our business," he ranted, glaring at Hajime, who had hindered his plans roughly a month ago, by befriending the Kitano sisters, who had major roles to play in his plans. "You're still a mortal, no matter how well you can communicate with ghosts."

Sakura, picking herself up, snapped her fingers.

"Succubus," she said simply, as her fingers snapped, dancing with a dark magical aura, contrasting with her pale complexion.

There was a brief moment of coldness as a dark mist formed, and a beautiful winged redhead emerged from it.

Glancing around at her surroundings, the Succubus knew what to do, slinking towards Hajime, who was starting to realise the intensity of the situation.

The demonic girl played her cards well, whispering offers of power and sweet nothings into his ear intermittently, seating herself in his lap just as he tried to get up and stand face-to-face with Sutoku. He knew what he had to do, yes, as did Mira, who tried to pry the phantom off her Master.

But of course, humans have faults. And tend to submit to a few deadly sins. Sutoku was very much pleased with this. Sakura was a great tactician, and as vain and occasionally annoying she was, she had never forgotten the art of making war, even if it had to come to watching her troops be sacrificed (- it was kind of a waste having one of her strongest in her army of Succubi be used on a human, after all).

The Emperor smirked as Hajime's face turned red at the Succubus's words. He had no idea what she had said to him, but had no intention of finding out. It was better that he didn't know. Or at least, it didn't matter to him as long as his victory wasn't compromised.

"Sakura, have your troops gather the Guardians. Ensure that they do not harm the Keystones."

Sakura nodded in acknowledgement, muttering a spell to inform the ghosts under her command.

Soon enough, Japan, if not the world, would be theirs. And nothing the Ghost Guild or Institute of Spirit Sealers could do would stop them. They had the strongest onmyouji seduced by a Succubus, Yata's protégé in their hold and soon, the Guardians. It was only a matter of time to see the forbidden fruits of their labour.