Chapter 11: Explore
Remains of the Blazing Hell
"It's hot here," Said Caster.
Izanami kept floating forward, her figure illuminated by the blazing magma underneath them as she lead her two Servants towards the Cauldron.
"Are you expecting anything less?" the death goddess asked without even turning around.
The two probably had some way of sustaining flight if they wanted to, but Izanami's Raijin familiars provided a more efficient way of travelling. Floating discs crackling with lightning held aloft both Caster and Berserker as they followed their Master.
"Just an observation, my lady," said Caster, her furry ears perking up above her head. She looked over to her other Servant companion, briefly wondering what must be going through her mind right now. Contrasting Caster's ears, Berserker had two narrow horns emerging from her head and she appeared almost absent-minded as she observed her surroundings. It was to be expected of that class, but still…
They sped through without much resistance. Anything that had some kind of magical energy felt as if they were drawn away; or at least, unwilling to cross their path. Whether or not this was because of the presence of Izanami herself was unknown. There was a place above them that they should keep in mind, a palace of sorts from what Mikaboshi told her and further beyond, a mountain.
Still, the real prize was down here and as they floated towards it, a light flared up in the distance, approaching the trio at high speeds. Before Izanami acted, Caster came forward and raised a hand, a frigid shield of ice appearing in front to block the burning projectile before dissipating into steam. They stopped, and the source of the projectile came forth to show herself.
"Huh, didn't think I'd see this down here. Who are you people?" the girl asked.
She was a strange-looking thing. Black wings unfurled behind her back to support a cape and at a cursory glance, that may just be the most noticeable parts of her. Not the rod that appears to be attached to one arm, nor the casing surrounding her right foot, or even the red eye-like jewel at the center of her chest.
"Is it not customary to introduce yourself first? Especially one who sent that flaming projectile at us without any warning." Izanami replied. She didn't sense a particularly malicious intent from the girl and even then, there was something… familiar about her.
"I guess." The girl sighed. "We don't get many visitors here other than the dead or corpses. You didn't come from above so I'm not sure what to make of you."
She shook her head. "Well, no matter. I am Utsuho Reiuji. Regulator of the Flames of this former Hell of Blazing Fires." She said proudly. "But you may call me Okuu if you wish. All depends on what you're up to here."
"The Regulator of Flames… curious." Izanami replied. "Since you were gracious enough to introduce thyself, then it's only fair for us to respond in turn. I… am Izanami, Goddess of Death and Ruler of Yomi. These are my Servants, Caster…" she gestured to the fox-eared woman in front of her, who gave Okuu a quick bow atop her disc, "…and Berserker," she gestured towards the Oni girl behind her, too busy drinking from her gourd it seems.
Despite their location, a chill ran down Okuu's spine. Everyone knows the name of Izanami, and after having devoured the Yatagarasu, there's also a sense of familiarity given its relation to the gods. "Newcomers, huh?" Okuu replied, eyeing the Oni suspiciously. "Is she… alright?"
"Hmmm? Oh, do not worry about her. Despite their appearances, they are actually two of the three Great Youkai of Japan. They are untested, but I believe they shall serve me well in future endeavors." Izanami said, taking note of the Hell Raven's diminished demeanor. She was showing her the proper respect at least, which earned her a measure of respect from the death goddess.
Izanami chuckled, floating past Okuu before placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I seek to use the Furnace in this place. May I request some assistance."
"Errr… to what purpose?" Okuu wondered.
"To bring back a child."
This was probably not a decision she could make so easily. Okuu sighed, shaking her head as she looked back at the goddess. "I'm afraid that's beyond my power. I would help, really I would. But the furnace is under ownership of the Moriya Shrine. You'll have to ask them for permission."
Izanami was silent, though she nodded her head after a bit. "That is fine. I've sent two of my other Servants up to negotiate. We can wait here until I receive word of their… quest." She said.
"I mean, I can still invite you into the Furnace if you wish to check it out. No need to just wait around out here after all. And Orin should be back to keep us company too if needed." Okuu said.
"I would be most grateful then. Lead the way." Izanami smiled.
Uneasily, Okuu nodded and flew off to lead her new companions. She didn't look back, but Izanami could tell that a lot was on the young Hell Raven's mind.
"Heh, I like her." Caster said as she followed after Izanami with Berserker trailing closely behind.
Garden of the Sun
Yuuka didn't move. Travelling from here, then making a trip all the way to the Hakurei Shrine and then back here again was an interesting event. Though she had contracted with an odd Heroic Spirit, she didn't feel as bound to him as she would like. It was an odd sensation, but perhaps it relates to an earlier event before they even had to worry about such things?
"To be fair, your mind is fairly easy to read when you are off to sleep." Gilgamesh said.
Yuuka turned around with slight surprise. The King of Heroes was there alright, sitting atop the throne of his aircraft, his head resting on one side by the palm of one hand as he looked at her.
"I didn't expect you to be here. Are you not satisfied pursuing that Lunarian?" Yuuka chuckled.
"Do not jest. I will do that on my own time. For now, I simply came to check on my contractor to make sure she is not threatened by what ails this realm."
"I am flattered. But that doesn't sound like you at all."
"Well, I can't say I don't have a little fondness for you in particular. And your dreams caught my interest." Gilgamesh replied with a smirk.
"My dreams?"
"As I said, I caught a glimpse of them on the occasional chance you started dozing off. I know not if it is a vision of the future or something else, but it seemed like you made a contract with someone else in those dreams?"
"I barely even remember the contents of those dreams. But they are recent, yes, and I'm not sure what to make of them yet."
"I see. Do you recognize which Heroic Spirit was by your side in those dreams?"
Yuuka shook her head, "No, of course not. Why? Do you?"
Gilgamesh shrugged. "Possibly. But that is a name I cannot talk about. Not now." He replied, staring off in the distance.
Yuuka said nothing as his gaze wandered off. Interesting as it was, she had no desire to pursue that topic any further.
"You may go, Gilgamesh. I'll be fine on my own here."
With a nod, the King of Heroes took his leave, the aircraft heading up away from the Sunflowers before speeding off to wherever he intended to go. All alone in the Garden of the Sun, Yuuka closed her eyes and dreamt again. She still didn't know what all this was supposed to mean, but it wasn't unwelcome. Other than that first one before the Golden Servant's arrival here, the rest of the dreams were far more tolerable.
It would be morning soon anyway.
Within the Bamboo Forest. Mokou's House.
"Feeling better?" the white-haired immortal asked. She did what she could to help out this stranger. Even Keine stopped by to give her a few tips in making sure she was alright but the fact that she recovered so easily was quite surprising.
"Yeah, I guess. My head still hurts a little though." She said, giving a few taps to the front of her skull. She took a sip of the offered tea, eyes closed as if to consolidate. "Thanks, by the way."
"Don't mention it." Mokou said, looking outside as the sun began to rise before looking back at her guest.
The girl was studying her. Though she looked unassuming, this red and black-clad young woman belied a sense of seriousness. And yet there was also something comical about her stature. It was like someone trying to look intimidating and failing at it. Not that Mokou would mention it of course.
"You're not curious at all about where I came from or what was happening when you found me?" she asked.
"I'll just settle on a name for now." Mokou replied. "Besides, if I were to ask every person I meet their history and what they've been doing, I'd be using up a lot of their precious time."
"Heh, I like that. In any case then, I am the Demon Archer, Oda Nobunaga. Also known as..."
"The Fool of Owari!" Mokou exclaimed.
The girl looked back with an irritated expression. "I was going to say, 'Demon King of the Sixth Heaven,' but fine, I guess that's one of my other titles." She frowned. "At least you seem to know your history Miss…?"
"Mokou Fujiwara. And of course. Most people would know the name of the The Oda Nobunaga and his accomplishments in trying to unite the country."
"'His' huh? I guess the Nobunaga of this Land would have been a man. Not like it matters anyway. The summons of the Holy Grail in this place are not in the norm."
"And you've lost me." Mokou replied. "Is that by any chance, related to all the weird events going on in this place recently?"
"I wouldn't know. My summoning here was irregular enough as it is. Answering the call of a goddess wasn't a very bright idea, but she originally seemed content in letting me leave when I expressed my desire to separate from our work."
"Regretting something you've done in the past, huh? I can relate with that."
"It happens. Not sure why someone sent those youkai after me though. It wasn't my contractor that's for sure. But at least this land's people are accommodating like you." Nobunaga nodded her head.
"Well… mostly."
"And a member of the Fujiwara clan, huh? Interesting. I think I claim descent from them as well. Maybe it was fate that we are to meet each other like this. Who knows? We may even be related." Grinned Nobunaga, turning her head as the door opened up behind her.
"Oh, your guest is up now. That's good." Keine said, looking from Nobunaga and then to Mokou. "I've also got some good news and some…. Questionably bad news. Well, questionably bad when it comes to you in particular but we'll get to that."
"Oh?" Mokou wondered as Keine took a seat at the other end of the table.
"First, the good news. The village is apparently going to be more lively. Some newcomers arrived at the Shrine and most of the them are friendly to the people in the village. Their histories are… interesting, to say the least." Keine said.
"I'd imagine so. If they're anything like Oda Nobunaga here." Mokou said, gesturing towards the red and black-clad girl.
"Nobunaga…? Huh, very interesting indeed." Keine said, slightly in awe. She didn't even question the validity of the claim, as if she knew the truth behind those words. "Well, anyways as for the questionably bad news…. Ummm, how is your current relationship with the Moon Princess again?"
"Eh? Do you really have to ask? It's the same as it's ever been. I still dislike her. And I'll kill her over and over again if I have to. And if not, well I'll take any opportunity to beat her at a competition." Mokou replied.
"Quite savage." Nobunaga said with slight surprise. "What, do you have some kind of rivalry with the Princess Kaguya of myth?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." Mokou frowned, eyes looking at Keine. "So what's this 'questionably bad' news now?"
"Ah, hmmm… well, I heard from a few reliable sources that she's taking up temporary residence at the Hakurei Shrine for the next little while. Also that there may have been a new suitor of hers."
"Ha!" Mokou laughed, "That poor bastard doesn't know what he's getting into."
"Strange, I know. But get this, apparently Kaguya agreed. Supposedly he's some king or something."
"You're joking, right?"
Keine shook her head. "It's what I've heard. I'm going to confirm the story later on today when I visit. I'd ask you to come with me as well. But you have to promise that you won't act out at the Shrine."
"I'm invited too, right?" Nobunaga said. "I want to see this."
"Sure, why not? I won't 'act out' as you say, but I won't make any promises. If a danmaku battle were to start up, I'm not going to fall back."
Nobunaga looked at Mokou, and then to Keine, mouthing off a 'what?' in confusion.
"I'll explain on the way." Keine replied. "I guess we can start heading there when you're all prepared. It's a short walk so there's time for relaxation."
