Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.

The Festivities came to a halt in the presence of a Nora. Gods eyed her suspiciously while their Regalias watched her like a poorly-dressed stripper who had just crashed a fancy wedding celebration: with hostility and contempt. For the first time, Hiyori got to witness what life was like for a Nora.

Yato was by Hiyori's side before she could even blink.

"What are you doing here Nora?" Yato growled, still harboring anger towards his ex-partner. "I thought you were trapped in the underworld."

Her dark eyes lit up a little at the sight of him, "Ah, my dear Yato! It's good to see you again." She looked around at the festival with all the people eyeing her, and bowed, "And it's good to see some of my other masters as well."

A concerned murmur broke out among the Regalias; Which gods was the Nora talking about? Every Regalia there had the same thought just then: Could it possibly be their God who had used the Nora?

"Please!" Kazuma spoke out loudly and the murmur died down. Kazuma was well-respected even among other gods and their Regalias, "I know seeing a Nora like this can be upsetting for many here, but please keep your composure. We don't want our gods to be stung."

The Regalias quieted but there was still an uncomfortable tension in the air.

Nora giggled, "Sorry. I didn't mean to upset any of your domestic lives." Her apology sounded empty, "As for how I got out of the underworld—father helped me out. You remember him, right Yato? Or should I say, Yaboku?"

Hiyori had been unconsciously holding Yato's arm and now she could feel his muscles tense up.

"Nora!" Yukine came running up, breathless, "What are you doing here?"

She turned to him, a pleasant smile on her face, "Yukine! So you're here too."

"Why? Why are you here?"

"To wish Yato a happy birthday of course." She turned back towards the angry-looking god and bowed, "Happy Birthday Yato—and congratulations on your new shrine. Your wish finally came true."

Yato was silent, face hidden. Hiyori could feel him shaking—was that anger or sadness? Maybe both.

Another god, Tenjin, stepped forward, "I think you should leave Nora." He spoke firmly.

"Ah...Tenjin...you're a god who refuses to take up the services of a Nora so you feel comfortable to speak up right?"

Tenjin's Regalias noticeably relaxed hearing that their god had still kept that promise. Their ease didn't last long. The Nora continued...

"You've managed to pass all your dirty work to Yato and me in the past...but now that Yato unnamed me, that might not be so easy anymore. You may come to need my services yet."

"Shut up!" One of Tenjin's Regalias yelled in tears and Tsuyu—Tenjin's guidepost—immediately held her and whispered something to the young Regalia. The girl nodded and apologized softly.

Nora giggled.

It was the Goddess of War that broke the Nora's calm exterior, "You're not welcome here Nora. Leave. Now." Bishamon seemed to be sober now, though her cheeks were still a little flushed.

Nora's face darkened, "Ah—the esteemed Goddess of War. Unfortunately, you're no master of mine. I do not take orders from the likes of you. However..."

She faced the crowd of onlookers, "If any one of my masters wishes me to leave, they may simply step forward and say so."

Not a single God moved for fear of upsetting their loyal Regalias.

"I said leave." Bishamon's voice boomed.

Yukine stepped forward and anxiously spoke, "Come on, you should go Nora..." He tried to reach out his hand but Nora pulled away from his touch.

"No." And that's when the phantom wolves appeared, surrounding the Nora. One leaped out and nearly bit Yukine but Yukine instinctively erected a barrier between himself and the phantom wolf. The wolf hit the barrier and yelped out in pain.

Yato snapped out of his withdrawn state and was instantly by Yukine's side, "Yukine! Are you okay?!"

Heart racing, Yukine nodded, "Yeah...I'm fine. It didn't bite me."

Yato glared at the Nora, "Sekki."

Yukine transformed into his Shinki state, 'Yato wait! Are you really going to fight her?'

'She's endangering everyone by being here—so yes.'

Nora seemed to grow especially annoyed having the Sekki pointed at her. It was she who used to be the primary weapon of Yato. The two of them used to be so close…

Father was right. Being around the girl and the new blessed Regalia was changing Yato...and Nora didn't like it.

Yato squared off with Nora. And then Bishamon too, was by Yato's side with all of her Regalias equipped. Then Tenjin...then Kofuku...one by one, all the gods and goddesses called on their Regalias and wielded them at Nora.

Their message was clear.

"My, my, my—it seems you're outnumbered kid." A new voice echoed around the temple grounds.

Hiyori recognized that voice. There was a rush of wind and her world spun. Hiyori found herself seeing the world upside down in the arms of Fujisaki.

Fujisaki?

"HIYORI!" Yato screamed.

Fujisaki whistled, "What a reaction. You must really really care for the girl Yaboku."

"What…?" Hiyori looked up at her classmate. "Fuji...saki? Why are you...here?"

Fujisaki looked down at her with a fake smile, "Good to see you again Hiyori. I'm glad to see you remember me."

"You…" Yato's face was shocked—he had used his old name, "It's you, isn't it?"

"Indeed. So lay down your arms Yaboku, and tell the others to do the same—unless you want me to mess up pretty Hiyori's face."

Yato's jaw clenched but he did as he was told, "Yukine."

Yukine reverted.

"Please everyone..." Yato said quietly.

There was a flash of golden brown and Bishamon's lion grabbed Fujisaki from behind—latching onto his shoulder. Fujisaki yelled out in surprised pain and nearly dropped Hiyori but he managed to hold on with one arm.

"Chiaki!" Nora transformed into Fujisaki's weapon and he used it to jab at the lion's face but he was too slow. Bishamon was in close enough range now. With her whip, she tied Fujisaki's weapon hand to his neck in restraint.

"Kazuma." She spoke and he reverted. "Take Hiyori."

Hiyori was pried from Fujisaki's arm and taken away.

"How...annoying." Fujisaki choked. "I guess I have...no choice then. Hanki, Veki, Saki... "

Fujisaki listed off countless names and suddenly Phantoms filled the skies and covered the ground below, "Destroy the Gods!"

"Yes sir!" The Phantoms called in unison and began the attack.

The Birthday Festival was thrown into chaos as the summoned phantoms fought against the gods and their Regalias. Among the chaos, Kazuma was called back to Bishamon. Hiyori frantically spun, looking for Yato through the mayhem, but Fujisaki found her instead.

"You, come with me." He hissed.

"No!" Hiyori fought with no success. If only she could transition to her half-phantom form at will.

Fujisaki disappeared with Hiyori and Nora, leaving everyone in disarray.

Hiyori found herself in a well-furnished house almost as nice as her own. Fujisaki dropped her on a couch and groaned, "That went worse than I expected." He examined the bite marks on his bloodied shoulder and walked off somewhere, "Mizuchi, will you get the first aid kit?!"

Nora transformed back to her human form and knelt in front of Hiyori, "You know...it's only because father wants you alive that I'm letting you live."

"Mizuchi! Kit!" He called impatiently.

Nora's eyes bore into Hiyori's, "Remember that." And she went to help Fujisaki.

Hiyori sat on the couch, stunned. What in the world was happening? What was Fujisaki?