Steam came out of the warm water of a cold green color. A pleasant smell of mint and lavender filled the room in which Nekohana bathed. As she washed the fur from her supple belly, the encounter with Jubokko kept playing in her mind. Had she lost control when the sap was being poured into her veins, she would have ended up a mere plant without the privilege of a higher mind. She would have never been able to walk or speak ever again, and worse, she would have been deprived once more of her ultimate desire. In the end, despite her numerous countermeasures, plots and schemes, fate kept trying its best to bring her down. But why? All that she wished for was a peaceful life alongside the one she loved, a life bereft of insanity's shackles, endless war and backstabbing politics. Was she being punished for unleashing the monster that was Shishima upon humanity? Or was petty fate merely attempting to forcefully push her down the tragic path she had managed to stray away from once the reincarnation spell was cast upon herself and her beloved?
The lioness took a deep breath and lowered herself deeper in the water, down to her shoulders. She had endured plenty, of that there was no doubt. Poverty, abuse, war, the pain of longing always lying in the depths of her wounded heart. Yet there she was, still alive, still herself. And most importantly, she had been given a second chance to make things right again when it came to her prince. No matter what terrible challenges cruel fate kept throwing in her way, she knew that she had to endure and brave on, for even in the smallest of cracks a plant could grow and thrive. With that assurance, she began to relax, her mind drifting to calmer places. Despite the horrid mark that Shishima had left on Earth before their departure, it was undeniable that he had made a friend in Borof. Yes, said friendship was masked behind a master-servant relationship, but from their respective attitudes she knew that they were genuinely loyal to one another. In a way she envied that sentient wolf plushie, for there was once a time when his master had also shown her genuine care. Regardless, this was definite proof that there was still a trace of the noble and caring prince somewhere beneath the icy demeanor of present day Shishima. Perhaps this new journey he set on would be one of self-discovery, and he would finally realize the error of his ways. But ahead of her there was another journey. As much as she did not want to admit it, Nekohana felt a call as soon as she set foot in the Twilight Kingdom. It did not belong only to the multitudes of plants that were rejoicing at the news of her return. She almost felt compelled to return to the capital palace, to the slums of the lowest level, to the apartment which once served as her home. So many questions raced through her mind... Was her father still living there? Did someone else move in? Was there any trace of her past left?
"I suggest you get out of the water and dry your fur before you begin to marinate," old Fukurokuju's voice snapped her back to reality.
Startled, Nekohana jumped out of the pool, splashing green water all over the floor tiles and marble walls. "Don't sneak up on-" her protest was silenced as the feathered host tossed a towel on her head.
"Make sure you clean after yourself once done. You ought to hurry, daylight is almost on the horizon, and the prince is on his way back here."
Once left alone, she pondered on the possibility of Fukurokuju going senile, despite the vast knowledge accumulating in him. It would have definitely explained how he could cope living with such a burden. While many envied his position and would have done anything to achieve the power of omniscience, Nekohana viewed it all as nothing but a veiled curse. Despite being limited in their perception of the universe, the human religions which she studied in her past lives indeed held a common truth that there were certain things out there that were better left unknown.
Shaking her head, she pulled up the cover on a small hole in the pool which began draining the water and then she started drying herself with the towel. In a matter of minutes she was back in the living room, sitting at the guest's table and looking through two piles of cards: her own Darkness Fire Doguraeater deck and the Darkness Nature Fushigiverse deck gifted by Jubokko. Both strategies relied on the graveyard and reanimating big creatures, but there had to be a middle ground where she could combine both strategies. Perhaps the biggest challenge was balancing the civilizations. The game start of the Fushigiverse strategy relied on mana and graveyard ramp, while Doguraeater opted only for graveyard supply through self discard and potential draw. Then there was also the issue of Revolution Change, which meant a large body in the battle zone during early game. Yes, that would have also benefited Fushigiverse creatures, and besides reanimating she could further ramp as well. The gears in her head started moving as she began arranging cards from both piles into a single deck, the only remaining issue being defenses and non-Fushigiverse finishers, which would have required being reanimated by Mad Dead Wood.
"I must say this new strategy of yours is coming along nicely," Fukurokuju remarked from behind, once more startling his guest, and when she turned around to face him again, he offered her a warm cup of tea.
"...Thank you." Nekohana nodded and accepted the cup, taking a short sip. "I must admit, it is slightly out of my comfort zone, but I think I can manage it."
"But why should it be out of your comfort zone? I dare say that the Nature civilization suits you just as well as the other two you play. You can appreciate the simplicity and beauty of the vast green surrounding us, you know how to nurture plant, flesh and spirit back to health, and, perhaps the most overlooked fact of them all, you have managed to control your emotions and selfish desires as the centuries went by. That is definitely Nature taming its ally Fire and its enemy Darkness."
The lioness turned away from him, placed the cup on the table and began shuffling her new deck. "You flatter me too much. If I were truly in control as you said, perhaps I would have found a way to stop Shishima's rampage without using Hajime and hurting his feelings. In order to achieve the goal of reuniting with my prince and showing him the truth, I did what I've always done since becoming human - I've used others for my personal gains. So then, how can you come to me and say that I've managed to tame my emotions and desires? Do you not see how foolish your statement is?"
"You speak with so much guilt, Nekohana," Fukurokuju remarked as he sat down opposite of his guest. "Your heart is heavily burdened by your youthful mistakes, yet the entire wisdom you have accumulated while living among mortals has not helped heal your wounds. It is almost as if you have never changed from the childish dreamer who lived under Shishima's protection."
"In a way that is true. There is not one day in my life that I never stopped longing for his touch, his embrace, his reassuring kind words..." Nekohana spoke as she stared at a painting of a youkai couple wandering the woods, her mind racing back to her previous life of servitude under Shishima.
"And therein lies the problem. Despite you acknowledging that he has become as cold and self-centered as any other daiyoukai, you still cling to the hope that you can bring back the face which he only showed in private to you and nobody else." The flower youkai gulped and nodded. With a sly smile, the owl leaned in and continued, "That is a dangerous attitude which could result in your death once more."
"Preposterous! I trust Shishima with all of my heart that he knows what's best for him... and us..."
"And yet he does not trust you one bit despite your genuine outpouring of emotions."
Silence fell once more between them as Nekohana broke eye contact and resumed shuffling her cards, ignoring the tea which was going cold. Perhaps the best way to help clear her thoughts was with a duel. Fukurokuju tapped the floor with his staff and caused a powerful wind to blow inside the room. Doors and windows opened wide as multiple objects flew out of the lake and transformed into glowing blue cards which united into a deck that landed into the housekeeper's wings.
"Shall I help you with your new concoction then?" he asked while motioning towards a pair of dueling tables which rose in a corner of the room.
She shrugged and said, "Might as well." while joining him at the tables, the two beginning to set their cards for the upcoming match. Facing Fukurokuju seemed almost like a fool's errand, taking into consideration the fact that he most likely knew where all cards were located and what possible moves his opponent will make. Still, Shishima had come this close to defeating him, so there was a glimmer of hope that she could somehow outsmart him.
"I cast Dark Life." Nekohana checked the top two cards of her deck and sent Vyston, Earth's Death to her mana zone and Mad Dead Wood, Seductive of D to her graveyard.
"I expand Grand Zero," Fukurokuju said and their surroundings changed to those of an ocean beneath a starry night sky, two purple magical circles hovering above the body of water beneath which a group of spirits were standing in silence.
"A D2 Field that costs 2 mana?!"
"Wrong, Grand Zero is not even a D2 Field, it is a Moonless Night Field."
"What does this mean?"
"It means you cannot remove it if you bring out Mad Dead Wood. Also, I can have more than one Grand Zero in the battle zone."
"I see. Well then, it's my turn, so I summon Rymer Druid." A green-skinned humanoid appeared in the battle zone, wearing an orange loincloth, a necklace with painted eyes, golden bracelets and earrings and a witch hat, and wielding a wooden staff with a skull on its top. Nekohana checked the top four cards of her deck and added Scale of Bravery and Love to the mana zone, letting the other three cards to fall into the graveyard, those being Dorgan Churis, Moai Land, Ancient Paradise and Gigandydanos, Big Tree King. "Since I played Rymer Druid from my hand, he gets destroyed." In an instant, the humanoid perished in an explosion.
"I cast Baredu, Daspel." A wooden barrel with a skull and two crossed bones attached to its wood and a carved grinning face appeared behind Fukurokuju, allowing him to draw two cards, after which he discarded Bangetsu Ga Ryuzark / Bangokusatsu. "I put Baredu under Grand Zero and draw another card." The barrel disappeared into the magic circle hovering above the water.
"You can put spells under that Field?"
"Yes, whenever I cast Magic Tool spells, I can put them under Grand Zero instead of sending them to the graveyard, then I may draw a card. Additionally, Grand Zero doesn't allow my opponent to prevent me from casting Magic Tool or Dolszak spells."
"That's oddly specific. Regardless, I summon Underkane, Fearless Monster and revive Rymer Druid." A sharp skull attached to a skeleton made of pure darkness appeared alongside the druid with green skin, the latter allowing Nekohana to check her top four cards again. This time she added Belladoane, Immortal Faerie to her mana zone and let Doguraeater, D2M2, Trap Giant and Mad Dead Wood, Seductive of D to go into her graveyard.
"I cast Gompadu, Daspel." A blue compass with a purple eye painted on its cover and a golden chain which ended in a small claw appeared behind Fukurokuju, allowing him to check the top three cards of his deck and add one into his hand, after which it disappeared in the magic circle as well, allowing him to draw again. "Then I cast Ukidu, Daspel." A lifebuoy with a painted grinning face also appeared behind its owner. "With Ukidu's effect I draw a card and then I check a player's shield. I can choose if it stays or if it goes into the graveyard and the owner gets a new shield." The owl widened his eyes as he stared at one of his shields and pointed at it with his staff, sending the card into the graveyard and swapping it with another from the top of his deck. "Meravolgal goes into my graveyard and Ukidu also goes under Grand Zero." The lifebuoy vanished into the magic circle as well, allowing its owner to draw once more.
"I sure hope you like all those cards you've drawn, Fukurokuju, because you won't be keeping them for much longer!" Nekohana spoke with a confident smirk as she began her turn. "Fushigiverse, I send Underkane to my mana zone and revive Gigandydanos, Big Tree King! When he enters the battle zone, all cards in your hand will be sent to your mana zone!" The skull creature was enveloped in a green aura and vanished, after which a four-legged giant tree creature emerged from the water, its head shaped like that of a moose, a small purple halo floating between its horns, a multitude of small birds flying around its branches, its wooden face shaped like a skull out of which it exhaled an eerie purple smoke. Fukurokuju frowned as he sent Baredu, Daspel, Gompadu, Daspel, Ukidu, Daspel, Shunodu, Daspel, Gyapudu, Daspel, Kajigri, Daspel and Airvo, Daspel into his mana zone, but he did not seem intimidated in the slightest by the giant creature which stood before him. "Also, while Gigandydanos is in the battle zone, creatures weaker than his 50000 power cannot attack me."
"A formidable new finisher, indeed. However, this duel far from being yours, young one. I cast Bangoku Brain and draw a card. Then I cast Gompadu, Daspel." Another compass appeared behind the owl as he checked the top three cards of his deck and added one into his hand, after which the item disappeared into the magic circle, allowing its owner to draw again. "I also cast Baredu, Daspel, which allows me to draw two cards and I discard a second Meravolgal. This time around I don't send Baredu under Grand Zero, but I let the spell go into my graveyard."
"That's a new one. Perhaps you've drawn too many cards, ey? Regardless, I think it's time to seal this duel - I summon Dorgan Churis!" A blue mouse donning the fossilized skull and claws of a dragon appeared by the lioness's side. "Gigandydanos, break all of his shields!"
The owl youkai calmly watched as the quadrupedal tree creature spat its purple fumes upon his shields, tearing each one of them to pieces. With a confident smile he reached and picked all of the cards, revealing a single one to his opponent and saying:
"Shield trigger, I cast Hardboiled Underworld. With its effect, I draw a card and discard Gekabankai Ga Ryumizu. Then I return to your hand all of your creatures which have a total cost equal or less to the cost of the discarded card."
Nekohana's eyes widened as she muttered under her breath, "That spell which he discarded costs 99..."
One by one, Dorgan Churis, Rymer Druid and Gigandydanos were caught in a wild typhoon and swept away as their cards were bounced back to their owner's hand.
"There goes your last chance of defeating me. I guarantee you that from this point on, you will not get another turn," Fukurokuju spoke in a composed and oddly threatening manner. "My turn thus begins, I cast Streaming Shaper." He revealed the top four cards of his deck, which were Grand Zero, Ukidu, Daspel, Hardboiled Underworld and Gekabankai Ga Ryumizu. "All are of the Water civilization, all will go into my hand. I expand a second Grand Zero. Then I cast Ukidu, Daspel, which allows me to draw a card and check one of your shields." His bird eyes widened as he pointed to one of her shields, sending a Mad Dead Wood, Seductive of D to the graveyard and swapping it with a new card from her top deck. "Ukidu goes under the new Grand Zero and I draw again. Then I cast three Somenzan, Daspel."
"What?! Those spells are 1 mana and have no effect. They will do nothing!" the flower youkai remarked.
"While that is true, they are Magic Tool spells, so all will go under Grand Zero and allow me to draw a card each."
"You're crazy with all this draw. Look at your deck, you only have three cards left and you haven't brought out one creature this entire match. If you keep on like this, you'll lose by deckout!"
"If I were you, child, I would worry about my impending loss. I end my turn and, since I have four cards underneath both Grand Zeros, Gate of Moonless Night 99, I turn one of my Grand Zeros upside down and cast Gekabankai Ga Ryumizu for free!"
All of a sudden, the ocean's waves froze into place, the calm breeze ceased blowing and time itself seemed to have stopped. Out of the magic circle floating above them emerged a majestic blue phoenix with sharp wings and a black sun in its chest. The bird gave an eerie cry as four more creatures followed out of its gate.
"With Ga Ryumizu's effect, I revive Bangetsu Ga Ryuzark, Gi Lugirin and two Meravolgal, Misfortune Demon Bangou." A dark purple phoenix with wings sharp as blades landed behind Fukurokuju alongside a three-headed blue demonic phoenix and two beings made of blue smoke and armed with steel cannons. "Ga Ryuzark will let you untap only three mana at the start of your turn. Gi Lugirin is a blocker that makes all of my creatures unblockable. And when Meravolgal is put into the battle zone, he breaks two shields of mine and two of yours. While I have no shields, Meravolgal gains blocker. So, I break four of your shields." The smoke creatures each fired two shots at the opposing shields, managing to break each on their first try.
"Shield triggers, I summon Vyston, Earth's Death and Trap Giant!" A blue robotic stag beetle wielding green swords in its of its four hands appeared alongside a horned giant with a small forest growing all over its mountainous body. "Trap Giant sends Gi Lugirin to your mana zone!"
"Very well, then with Ga Ryumizu's second effect, I gain an extra turn."
"What?!" Nekohana exclaimed as she saw her opponent draw, only two cards remaining in his deck.
"I do nothing and end this turn. Gate of Moonless Night 99, I turn my other Grand Zero upside down to cast another Gekabankai Ga Ryumizu! With its effect, I bring out Gi Lugirin and two Meravolgal from my hand. Your last shield gets broken."
"Shield trigger, I summon another Trap Giant and send Gi Lugirin to the mana zone again!"
"Then I gain another extra turn." Fukurokuju smiled as he drew again, one last card remaining in his deck. "I told you not to worry about me decking out, and now you can see why. I attack your Vyston with Meravolgal and both creatures are destroyed. My second Meravolgal, it is time to finish this, todomeda!"
"Ninja Strike 4, I summon Hayabusamaru, Lightfang Ninja and block the attack!"
A white plane flew into the battle zone and took the cannon shot from the smoke creature.
"And now that all of your defenses are gone... Ga Ryuzark, todomeda!"
The sharp-winged purple phoenix concentrated all of its power in the black sun from its chest and fired its wicked rays upon Nekohana, knocking her away and sealing Fukurokuju's victory. Time seemed to unfreeze once that happened and their surroundings reverted to those of the warm living room. When she regained her composure and got back on her feet, the host offered her deck which he carefully packed up from the table.
"I believe this is yours," the owl said with a smirk.
"Thank you." The lioness nodded while taking her cards back. "I was this close to winning, if only you didn't get rid of Gigandydanos..."
"Actually, your odds of victory went down exponentially in the very moment you chose to no longer wait and broke all of my shields."
"How so?"
"All I needed to survive was a single shield trigger, which came since I never once drew it up until that point. If you were to actually secure your victory, you should have waited until you either filled up your graveyard some more and brought out a Mad Dead Wood, or perhaps until you brought out another lockdown finisher besides Gigandydanos so that you could attack me with both. Yes, a finisher that could prevent me from casting spells would have sufficed. Should you have gone down those routes, your chances of victory would have been much bigger."
"I don't understand, how do you know all of this? None of your hypotheses even happened to begin with!"
"Don't forget that I am the youkai of knowledge and wisdom, my dear Nekohana. Whenever I look into the future, I see all possible outcomes at once. And, depending on the present, those outcomes change in numbers until my mind can discern the exact one. That being said, as soon as you decided to go for the win with Gigandydanos, I could only foresee a single outcome."
"Your victory..."
"Do not let yourself discouraged by the outcome of our duel, however. I am more than confident that you will very soon find a balance that will work among your strategies. And now..." Fukurokuju walked out in the corridor and motioned for his guest to follow. Soon they found themselves outside the mansion, back in the small garden. "Like Shishima, you are also on a journey of self-discovery, do not try to deny it." All that Nekohana could do was nod at that affirmation. "In order to better yourself and be worthy of standing by the prince's side once more, you first must come to terms with your past. To answer the question you posed to yourself while bathing... yes, there are still remnants of your past in the capital palace. In your family's apartment, in Shishima's room, in the garden you nurtured during your youth for so many centuries."
"If that is the case, then I will head there today undercover. I must confess, I don't know what awaits me and a part of me is scared of what I may find, but... I will brave on. It's the only thing I can do, the only thing I've done in these past thousand years."
"I am sure you will be comforted by the thought that Shishima will also be headed there. Although you currently walk different paths, they will cross themselves more than once."
"I see... Do you think he will ever love me again, Fukurokuju?"
The owl youkai looked her straight in the eye, pity and understanding easily read on his feathered face, and said, "It all depends on you. He has given you a second chance. You should make use of it."
"Thank you for everything." Nekohana bowed politely. "I will head out now."
Fukurokuju gave a short nod and watched her walk past the lake, disappearing in the cave's darkness. Her ambitions were much smaller than Shishima's, but they were also simple and genuine, much like the type of youkai she was. Perhaps she would find a way to correct her past wrongdoings and restore everyone's faith in her. Mysterious and tangled were the strands of fate, but he would watch over her journey with great interest.