Les Jeux Mystèrieux: The Mysterious Games
Katherine: Last episode, Senri-E nearly killed us.
Jeff: Luckily, Amefuri used her orb to distract Senri-E and we were able to escape.
Luna: We returned to Mt. Taikyoku with Berit and the Suzaku Warriors in tow...
Chris: But Taiitsu-kun STILL wouldn't tell what she knew! Jeez...
Anne: The Nyan-Nyans healed everybody, Berit went spastic...this is getting rather repetitious.
Janna: And just when Taiitsu-kun was finally going to explain herself, our favorite adversary arrived!
Max: Yes, Senri-E is back, and she's pissed off.
Nick: I don't think we're getting out of this one as easy as we did last time...
Episode 33: Mugen no kage (Infinite shadows)
(Senri-E turns away from Taiitsu-kun, opening her eyes into a glare)
Senri-E: (in a steel-filled voice) And as for all of you...we have an appointment to keep. I don't easily forgive those who annoy me. And all of you have certainly annoyed me...
(Berit stares at Senri-E in confusion)
Berit: Wha...what's going on??? Who is this woman?
(Senri-E's glare slowly subsides into a smirk of amusement)
Senri-E: (very amused) Ah, of course...you wouldn't remember any of that, would you? Well, if you didn't notice, there's a large portion of time that you can't remember right now. I'm sure you woke up, for about five minutes, and then you only remember waking up here, don't you? Well-
Taiitsu-kun: Stop! Stop this right now!
(Senri-E turns her head back to Taiitsu-kun, one eyebrow raised. Taiitsu-kun's fists are clenched, and she appears to be having a tough time controlling herself)
Taiitsu-kun: I will not let you...break her as you have broken her sister! I will not let you!
(Senri-E looks quickly at Anne, breaking into a grin)
Senri-E: Well, I'll be. It worked. And here I thought that this would be a lousy day.
Taiitsu-kun: Senri-E...stop it. Stop this right now. I don't know why you've-
(Senri-E holds up one hand, silencing Taiitsu-kun)
Senri-E: No. You know exactly why. I don't need to give you reasons, nor do I need to explain anything to any of you. All I need is all of you out of my way!!!!
(Senri-E holds up her right arm, taking a breath and gathering her will)
Kokie: Shit! She's going to do that resonance thing!
Tasuki: No chance, woman! You're going down!!!
(Tasuki jumps forwards, raising his fan above his head. Hotohori and Toroki draw their swords, stepping forwards as well)
Tokaki: I don't know about you guys, but I'm not going down without a fight! Let's get her!
(Senri-E smiles as she clears her throat. As she does this, Hotohori, Toroki and Tamahome charge forwards. Tokaki closes his eyes and disappears, reappearing next to Senri-E)
Taiitsu-kun: Stop this! Stop this instant!
(Tatara cautiously sits Anne down on the ground, where she lolls to one side, still in her stupor)
Tatara: I'm going to leave her to you, Karasuki...I need to fight right now.
(Karasuki nods solemly, and catches Anne before she falls over. At the other side of the room, Senri-E begins to sing an uptempo song)
(Tokaki chops to Senri-E's midsection, only to have his hand ensnared by a purple ribbon. Tokaki gasps as the ribbon lifts him above the ground and throws him into the wall)
(Senri-E smiles grimly as she ducks under Tamahome's flying kick, sending him over her head. With one pure note, Tamahome hits an invisible wall of force with a sharp crack)
Berit: Tamahome!!!
(Senri-E turns quickly, sending out her other ribbon to catch Hotohori's sword in mid-swing. She quickly disarms him, sending his sword flying, and smacks him the side in one fluid movement)
(As such, Toroki's slash catches her completely off-balance, slashing at her left arm. The sound of the sword hitting her skin is a sharp clang, but her forearm covering is severed, and flutters to the floor in a lavender flourish)
Senri-E: (pausing her singing) Idiot! How do you expect to hurt me with a sword enchanted with my own energy???
(Toroki stares at the Deity's sword in confusion, and Senri-E takes that opportunity to slap him to the side as well with her ribbon. Everyone inhales, but Amefuri gasps)
Amefuri: Her arm...look at her arm!!!
(Senri-E's eyes widen as her forearm is exposed. On her arm is the glowing, purple character for "pole")
Chiriko: Is that...a Celestial Symbol???
(Taiitsu-kun winces, and Senri-E frowns)
Senri-E: A Celestial Burden is more like it...I'd tell Himiko, or whatever she calls herself now, to explain, but I'm afraid you won't live long enough to do that. Because, I have reached the end of my rope with you all.
Kokie: Like hell we won't live that long! We're taking you down, right here, right now!
(Kokie's eyes glow white, and she levitates off the floor. Amefuri holds one hand in front of her)
(The air in front of Senri-E ripples as waves of energy cascade through the air. Amefuri releases a ball of white energy as her collarbone glows white. Tasuki's fan unleashes an intense blast of fire as a bolt of red lightning flies out of Chichiri's staff. As if as an afterthought, Tatara sends a mass of green flying after all the energy attacks)
(Senri-E belts out a range-busting choral piece, singing in harmony with herself. The ripple finally interferes with itself, creating a loud bang. As the concussion triggers, Amefuri's energy ball, Tasuki's flame and Chichiri's lightning bolt all slam into Senri-E at the same time. As Senri-E is obscured by the various energy discharges, Tatara's vines fly into the fray. Senri-E's song stops)
Karasuki: Taiitsu-kun, if there was ever a time to eject Senri-E out of here, now would be it!
(Taiitsu-kun nods, and places her fingers together, chanting some words. Suddenly, Senri-E's song resumes, throwing all the energy away from her with a purple shockwave. The shockwave hits Taiitsu-kun, breaking her concentration)
Senri-E: Idiots! You can't stop the inevitable! Now, you die!
(Senri-E opens her mouth, and begins to sing. This time, there are seventeen individual tones. Berit gasps as her body begins to vibrate)
Berit: Wha...what's happening?
Mitsukake: She's doing something...we can't stop it! Our bodies will vibrate until they explode!
(Berit's eyes widen)
Berit: Taiitsu-kun, do something! Kill her!
Taiitsu-kun: It's too late...there's no stopping her once she begins to sing!!!
(Senri-E grins as the song intensifies)
Berit: No...I'm going to die here? Just like that? Without remembering anything that happened? Without going back to my world?
(Berit closes her eyes and stands up through the pain)
Berit: No way...I'm not going to let you do this! I don't even know who you are, but I'm not going to let you kill me and my Warriors! KAI-
(Senri-E's eyes widen as Berit begins to utter that fateful word. In an instant, she stops singing and disappears into a purple mist. Berit's eyes widen, and she screams as the purple mist flies into her body)
Chiriko: Berit!!!!
(Berit screams internally as that horrible feeling of intrusion thrusts her mind aside, taking her place as the controller of her body. Berit watches in horror as her open memories are viewed; memories of her Warriors, Anne, and her world. The intruding mind radiates feelings of curiosity, amusement, and then an emotion that can only be described as "eureka")
Senri-E: (in Berit's head) Most interesting...most interesting...now, to make sure you don't pull that trick any more.
(Berit screams again, this time physically, as Senri-E's will strikes viciously inside her head with a piercing note. As Berit's consciousness falls into the darkness, she hears a distant strain of music)
(Berit's body crumples to the floor as the purple mist flies out of it. The Suzaku Warriors gasp at Berit's inert body, but the Byakko Warriors gasp as Senri-E quickly reforms)
Senri-E: That little ploy won't work. Perhaps if the little minx had wished when I was a bit more occupied...
Mitsukake: What did you do to her???
Senri-E: Nothing permanent...unlike what I'm about to deal with you all. You see, I have an appointment with a very old friend...and all of you are still in my way.
Taiitsu-kun: Do not do this! You don't have to kill us to satisfy yourself!
(Senri-E turns her full baleful gaze on Taiitsu-kun)
Senri-E: Idiot. You've been lowered to having to plead for your life. And you know nothing of what I need to satisfy myself. You should have learned that, if nothing else.
Taiitsu-kun: I am not pleading for my life. I am pleading for their lives. You know perfectly well that the one you want is me. Do not involve them in this!
Senri-E: It's too late for that. Besides, what better thanks could I give to them; the ones that gave me this body back, than giving them the mercy of not seeing my next actions?
Taiitsu-kun: Your next actions...what are you planning?
Senri-E: Nothing much...just a return to a place I haven't seen for many, many years.
(Taiitsu-kun's eyes narrow, but she understands in a matter of seconds)
Taiitsu-kun: You wouldn't!
Senri-E: I'm going to do much worse than that; I will. So you see why you all are in my way. Let's get on with it.
(Senri-E holds her left arm above her head, the purple symbol glowing. As her mouth opens, Taiitsu-kun closes her eyes)
(Senri-E's song begins again, much to the horror of the Warriors. Subaru clamps her hands over her ears, in a futile attempt to stop the pain, when she hears a voice within her head. Berit opens her eyes in surprise, as she undergoes spontaneous pain upon awakening)
Taiitsu-kun: [Subaru...Subaru, can you hear me?]
Subaru: (through the pain of her body tearing itself apart) [Yes...can you get us out of here?!?!]
Taiitsu-kun: [No...I cannot stop Senri-E, as she can counter anything I can throw at her. What I need is just a small amount of time.]
Subaru: [Time? But...I can't control time itse-AAAAH!]
(The song intensifies, and Subaru falls to the ground, writhing in agony. All around her, her fellow Warriors are in the same state of collapse)
Taiitsu-kun: [Subaru, listen to me. Break the hourglass around your neck! Break it!]
(Subaru grits her teeth in an attempt to control her body, but she cannot move her arms through the pain)
Taiitsu-kun: [Do it! You are our only hope!]
(Subaru summons up the last vestiges of her energy to reach her arm to the hourglass on her neck. With one mighty clench of her fist, the glass breaks in her hand, sending tiny splinters throughout her hand. As the sand spills onto her fingers, something very strange happens)
(All of a sudden, everything stops. The sound, the pain, and any and all movement around her. Subaru looks up in confusion. The room around her looks far different than it did a moment ago. The Warriors and Anne are all in their states of agony, but the air looks bizarre. The only comparison Subaru can make is that of waves of water emanating out from Senri-E)
Subaru: The sound waves? Has time...stopped?
(Subaru cautiously stands up, wincing at the pain in her hand. Everything is in a state of suspended animation; only Subaru appears to be operating in normal time)
Subaru: Jeez...that was some gift. Now what am I supposed to do?
(Subaru walks cautiously over to Taiitsu-kun, noticing that the waves of sound in the air do not change as she walks through them. Senri-E stands in mid-note, left forearm still glowing a steady purple. Subaru walks past, careful not to touch her, and stops in front of Taiitsu-kun)
Subaru: OK...so I need to get Taiitsu-kun into this time frame. Maybe...
(Subaru reaches out cautiously, brushing one finger against Taiitsu-kun's hand. Nothing happens)
Subaru: Shoot. Now what am I going to do?
(Subaru thinks for a moment, and then the obvious answer reveals itself)
Subaru: (smacking her forehead) Oh. Duh.
(Subaru once again touches Taiitsu-kun's hand, but this time she gathers her chi. Her chest bursts into brilliant white light as Subaru brings Taiitsu-kun's body into this timeframe. A moment late, Taiitsu-kun opens her eyes in surprise)
Taiitsu-kun: Amazing...it worked. Congratulations, Subaru.
(Subaru blushes a bit, but looks sideways at Senri-E)
Subaru: So...what are we going to do about her?
Taiitsu-kun: Leave her to me. Once I'm finished, I'll break the hourglass' spell.
Subaru: OK...
Taiitsu-kun: Try to stay away from Senri-E. I'd say that you should return to the exact place you were when time stopped, but that won't happen. Just relax; I'll handle this.
(Subaru gingerly tiptoes back to the Warriors as Taiitsu-kun places her index fingers together and closes her eyes. Taiitsu-kun's body is surrounded by the black-purple glow, and there is a sudden dark purple explosion)
(In a flash, time resumes, and with time comes the pain. Subaru grits her teeth, but Senri-E's song turns into a scream of rage. As the pain subsides, Subaru sees Senri-E's body enveloped by the same colored aura as Taiitsu-kun. The aura suddenly implodes upon itself, and Senri-E disappears)
(Taiitsu-kun opens her eyes as the Warriors look around them, confused)
Berit: Whoa...what just happened?
Taiitsu-kun: Subaru stopped time to give me the time I needed to expel her from here.
Tatara: Whaaaa??? Subaru stopped time???
Tokaki: (from his position against the wall) No way!!!
Subaru: Shut up.
Chichiri: Er, Taiitsu-kun...you're not going to let her back in again, will you?
Taiitsu-kun: I let my guard down before. It won't happen again.
Toroki: (standing up) Well, that finished quickly.
Amefuri: Subaru! Your hand!
Subaru: (heroically) It'll live.
Nuriko: The self-effacing act doesn't quite fit you.
Taiitsu-kun: Silence!
(Fifteen pairs of eyes turn towards Taiitsu-kun in surprise)
Taiitsu-kun: We must continue where we left off, before she arrived.
Chiriko: And where would that be?
Kokie: Oh, right! You owe us an explanation!
Karasuki: But...Anne's still pretty banged.
Taiitsu-kun: Bring her over here.
(Karasuki frowns as he picks up Anne and teeters over to Taiitsu-kun. Taiitsu-kun frowns, placing her hand upon Anne's forehead)
Taiitsu-kun: Ahh...it's worse than I thought.
Subaru: What does that mean???
Taiitsu-kun: I mean, she's in worse condition than Berit was. Berit was easy to heal; I cannot help Anne.
Tokaki: You can't help her?!??!
Taiitsu-kun: I cannot help her because she is not sick. She is simply stressed; the many ordeals have finally taken their toll upon her mind.
Tatara: I don't get it.
Taiitsu-kun: Her mind's full of chaos right now. There's not much that I, or anybody else, can do for her; time might heal it. But, as I said, this is not what we need to worry about right now.
Kokie: Not what we need to worry about??? Have you lost your mind???
Taiitsu-kun: I cannot fully treat her, but I can make her mind lucid long enough to hear what I have to say. After that...I make no guarantees.
(The Byakko Warriors ponder this for a moment)
Tasuki: OK, whatever the hell you wanna do, go right ahead. Just get explaining already!
(Taiitsu-kun frowns, closing her eyes and placing her hands together. As she gathers her energy, Anne's body is surrounded by the familiar purple glow)
Taiitsu-kun: (eyes opening) Now, she still won't be able to communicate, or even stand, but she will be able to hear and understand for as long as I need her to.
Karasuki: (setting Anne down) I guess that's all we can ask...
Nuriko: Great! In that case, start the explanations!
(Taiitsu-kun closes her eyes again, and then begins to speak)
Taiitsu-kun: (slowly, with intensity) This is a story that I have never told to anyone before. I hesitate to tell it to you, but I know that it must be done. This is a story of two girls...and a book.
Tatara: I think I've heard this one before...
Taiitsu-kun: It is true...the basic story repeats itself, like so many other things do in this world. It is one of the secrets of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho...Priestesses brought from the other world always come in pairs. But, I digress. These girls were best friends, living in a time of war and strife. Their country was thrown into the midst of war, of powerful men that broke the world with their actions. Into this world came the book that would change the lives of the two girls, and all those that would come after them.
Chiriko: A book...you don't mean the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho, do you?
Taiitsu-kun: Yes, it was that book. But at that time, the book was blank; only the enchantment distinguished it from any other blank pieces of paper.
Tamahome: A book??? This world...is a book???
(The Suzaku Warriors gasp in unison, as the Byakko Warriors roll their eyes)
Taiitsu-kun: Incorrect. This world is exactly that; a world. The mode of passage that those from the other world use to travel here. In that spirit, the two girls opened the book...and the enchantment of the book enfolded them...
Taiitsu-kun: (continuing after a pause) The girls found themselves in an endless black expanse. The reason they had been brought into the book was soon revealed to them; they were to facilitate the creation of a new world.
Amefuri: Facilitate?
Taiitsu-kun: Yes. They obviously could not do it themselves, and the entity that possessed such power also needed outside help. You see...the gods are forbidden by natural law to directly interface with the world. They need a vessel...
Berit: A Priestess?
Taiitsu-kun: Exactly. The first girl was charged to become the First Priestess, and her friend became the first Star. This is where the story diverges from anything you have been told...and this is why I was not eager to explain it to you.
Kokie: So far you haven't really told us anything, and we've been waiting long enough. Are you going to keep waffling, or is this going somewhere?
Taiitsu-kun: Everything you have been told about the creation of this world is a lie. The only ones who know the truth are myself, the one you know as Senri-E, and the gods.
Kokie: You're killing me here! Cut the obtuse prophecy-speak and explain!
Taiitsu-kun: Fine. The very simple fact hidden from you is the existence of the oldest and most powerful god; the first and foremost. The nameless god, who brought into existence the younger gods and brought the First Priestess to his empty world.
(Everybody simply stares at Taiitsu-kun)
Hotohori: Five...gods?
Mitsukake: Surely...there is some mistake?
Taiitsu-kun: There is no mistake.
Toroki: All right...I can accept that, I suppose. But why would nobody know about this fifth god? Why doesn't anybody know about him...it?
Taiitsu-kun: Allow me to continue to the story. This fifth god...its name is no longer known. It has been called the Void in times past, so I will use that moniker as well. The first girl, as I said, became the Priestess of the Void. Her friend became the first Star of the Void, Kyoku. The Void used the last of its powers to create six other Stars, so that the Priestess could use her wishes.
Taiitsu-kun: The Priestess used her wishes to complete her given task; to create the world we now know. The seven Stars of the Void were all given powers that related to creation of some sort, and they all pooled their powers to bring this world into being. That was their task.
Taiitsu-kun: But the Priestess spent less and less time with her friend, and they slowly drew apart. Furthermore, Kyoku was the only "real" Star of the Void; all the other Stars were incorporeal entities created by the Void. As such, the other Stars of the Void did not understand Kyoku. In time, Kyoku drew farther and farther away from the other Stars of the Void as her Priestess drew away from her. It was then that the confrontation occurred...between Kyoku and
(Taiitsu-kun says something, presumably a name, but nothing comes out of her mouth)
Subaru: Um...I don't think I quite heard that name. Can you repeat it?
(Taiitsu-kun shakes her head sadly)
Taiitsu-kun: That name can no longer be uttered...for it no longer exists. That name belonged to the seventh Star of the Void.
(Chiriko politely raises his hand)
Chiriko: My apologies...but I have studied the stars extensively. The area known as Tenkyoku...I believe, the area that contains the Stars of the Void...it only has six constellations that I am aware of, unlike the other four quadrants of the sky...
Taiitsu-kun: You are correct. This is the confrontation I spoke of. The seventh Star had always behaved the worst to Kyoku. There was no excuse for what it did, those countless times...but Kyoku's response was far from the correct one. After enduring countless abuses by her fellow Star...she responded in the only way that she could.
(Taiitsu-kun clenches her eyes shut)
Taiitsu-kun: Kyoku used her powers...in the opposite way that was intended. Instead of creating...she destroyed. With the power of her song, she erased the existence of that Star...forever.
(The shocking act, as well as the sudden realization of Kyoku's identity, drop the jaws of the Suzaku and Byakko Warriors)
Hotohori: Erased?
Taiitsu-kun: Yes. Completely, and eternally. I cannot even say its name. Suddenly, there were six Stars; Taishi, Tei, Shoshi, Koukyuu, Kyoku and Shiho. The Priestess, the Stars, and the Void were awestruck. Even Kyoku must have been horrified by what she had done.
Taiitsu-kun: (shaking her head) There was no choice about what course of action to take. Kyoku was exiled, beyond this world, and her name was changed for eternity. The Void withdrew from this world; it had no volition to summon any more Priestesses after the horror that his own Star had created. The four gods, of whom you now accept as the only gods, were glad to see the Void depart; it had created them, and it was more powerful then they were. It was easy for them to perpetuate the idea of four gods, and they did.
Chichiri: Kyoku...her name was changed. What was she called?
Taiitsu-kun: In the original language of the two girls...she was called Senri-E.
(To hear Taiitsu-kun articulate that name is more of a surprise than the actual confirmation of Kyoku's identity)
Tokaki: What does Senri-E mean?
Taiitsu-kun: In my native language... "The Wizard whose Separation is a Blessing." Or... "The Thousand Mile Blessing."
Berit: In your native language? That means...
Taiitsu-kun: Yes. I was the Priestess of the Void.
Chichiri: But...you created the world! Didn't you?
Taiitsu-kun: That myth was created when the memories of the Void faded. In a way, I did facilitate the creation of this world...but I did not do it single-handedly. I am just as human as the rest of you, and I certainly don't have that kind of power.
Tasuki: But, yer other magical mumbo-jumbo must'a come from somewhere, right?
Taiitsu-kun: It was the Void's final gift...before it left this world. It bestowed a small amount of its powers onto me, so I could be the caretaker of this world and protect it.
Karasuki: What a horrible thing...to be forced to create a world and protect a new world, and leave your own life behind.
Taiitsu-kun: You must understand...in the time of my youth, our country was in a constant state of war. This position, as the Taiitsu, was very much preferable to life in constant war. I grew used to it after a while.
Amefuri: The "Taiitsu"? What the heck is that?
Taiitsu-kun: It means "Great First". Taiitsu-kun was what the Void called me. The name stuck to this day.
Kokie: So you and Senri-E were originally friends? In our world???
Taiitsu-kun: Yes...many thousands of years ago. Suffice to say that we are not on the same terms as we were then.
Toroki: I've been wondering...what are Senri-E's powers? They didn't seem like "creation" when we fought her earlier...
Taiitsu-kun: To say that her powers are of creation is, unfortunately, only the tip of the iceberg. The Celestial Warrior Kyoku was blessed with the power to change reality through song.
Tatara: Change reality? Oh god, you're kidding me.
Taiitsu-kun: When I exiled her with the help of the Void, we managed to subdue her powers a slight amount. But apparently, she can still do most things...although I doubt she could erase another being like before.
Tokaki: Well, I've gotta say...that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Basically, we can't kill hurt her, and she can do just about anything.
Berit: Well, what are we going to do about her then?
Taiitsu-kun: None of you are going to do anything. As I told you before, no matter what has happened, this conflict is still between her and myself. I will do everything in my power to see that none of you are drawn into this any more.
Kokie: Hate to break it to you, but we're in pretty deep right now. I don't think you can keep us out of it any longer.
Taiitsu-kun: I not only can, but I will. I intend to deal with Senri-E myself, even reseal her if need be.
Nuriko: Are you sure you can handle her? You didn't seem to be doing very well last time.
Taiitsu-kun: I didn't see you helping out either. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some important matters to take care of...your rooms are still empty.
Subaru: Wait! We want to do something about Senri-E...anything!
Taiitsu-kun: I told you, I will take care of it myself. And in order to do that, I need all of you out of here!
Berit: Fiiine! I wonder who spat in her bean curd...
Taiitsu-kun: I heard that!
(A mysterious locale)
Senri-E: Idiot...she thought she got the better of me by getting me out of her little mountain. What a fool! None of those imbeciles have the power to stop me now...not anymore! And then...I'll show them all what I'm made of!
-
Anne: "A mysterious locale".
Katherine: A MYSTERIOUS LOCALE??? WHAT THE HELL???
Janna: That episode certainly was enlightening, wasn't it?
Nick: I don't know about you guys...but I feel a lot smarter!
Max: I don't know about you. Period.
Chris: At least most of the questions we had got answered.
Jeff: Maybe. Is this the end of Senri-E? Will we ever go home? Who spat in Taiitsu-kun's bean curd???
Luna: Find out in the next episode, "Mezameranai Yumemi", or "The unawakening dreamer."
AN: Did this episode clear some things up? I hope so! I finished this one extremely fast in comparison to the previous one; I hope that makes you happy inside I'm sure now that I won't make my deadline of the end of school (there is no way I can finish this story in one week, and if I did it would be rushed and horrible). However, once summer vacation starts, I'll have oodles of time. I want to finish LJM badly...more on that in the next AN.
The character "kyoku", Senri-E's seishi symbol, means "pole" in the sense of an extreme point, not in the literal sense of a long rod. This means that Tenkyoku (the central area of the sky, where the Stars of the Void are in this story) means "Celestial Pole". And yes, those names are the correct constellations in Tenkyoku. Those constellations (with the exception of Kyoku) are the only Star names written with two characters. Fun FY trivia, huh?
In totally unrelated news, the word "kyoku" in Japanese means "song", or "melody" (in addition to meaning "pole", "extreme", or "zenith"). Isn't that totally cool, when you think about Senri-E's character??? I found that out after I figured out her powers, too! Talk about serendipity! You might also be wondering why Senri-E is spelled like it is. Originally, I had meant Senri-E to simply be Taiitsu-kun's foil (this was before I thought up the plot). Thus, her name had to be subtly parallel. Also, it helps pronunciation for non-Japanese speakers. Really, wouldn't you pronounce it differently if her name were spelled Senrie? It looks kind of stupid written out like that, doesn't it?
More about Senri-E...You can get hundreds of meanings out of her name in Japanese, most of them totally nonsensical. I decided to use the two that made the most sense for her character. Also, if you haven't guessed that I've created my own FY worldview by now...I pity you. But seriously, I couldn't accept that whole "Taiitsu-kun created the world" shpeal. Oh, yeah. She's not a god, although she's more powerful than they are. Who created her? Where did she come from? If the gods created her, why didn't they create the world? Taiitsu-kun doesn't have the power to create the world. Come on people! And finally, Taiitsu is made of "tai" ("great" in Japanese Buddhist terminology...I'm not kidding about this) and "itsu" (first). So I tweaked it a bit, but it's more or less correct. Yes, Taiitsu-kun is a bit implausible, but so is the fact that her name actually ends in –kun. And yes, it is that "-kun" (for those who know some Japanese).
And a little bit more...I'm guessing that Taiitsu-kun and Senri-E entered the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho in about the Sengoku period of Japanese history. If you don't know when that was, look it up; learn a bit and take one more step towards enlightenment! Go you!