Well, let's see if we remember how to deal with Reviews and Responses:
felixiglesias8: For whatever the reason, haven't delved deeply into the 'Naruto' series, so I'm unaware that I may have made an indirect reference of which you spoke. And yes – it's good to be back.
MrQuestionMark: 'Few things' have been noted; granted it's been (IIRC) barely nine months since I stopped for a while. No doubt will have to get back "into the groove". Your description of this story as "an adventure video game", and perhaps in this case, the progression of the main mission (the artifacts) will not be linear, but will involve one or more side-missions or quests … that just might work. Filed away for use on future chapters.
Onilink500 (I respond in the writer's language; "we have the technology" for those seeking a translation in their native tongue to get it): Su teoría, tal como figura en su revisión, fue fascinante, y le ofrezco voluntariamente que no está del todo fuera del ámbito de la posibilidad en cuanto a lo que podría hacer Kamachi. No es del todo imposible que pueda usar parte o la totalidad, ya sea en un capítulo futuro de este trabajo, o en una nueva historia por completo ... a menos que desee reclamar el derecho de usarlo primero.
Brosephg: A few of us (yourself included) have bounced the idea back and forth that a good many so-called secondary or minor characters could be featured in a fanfic story, as doing more than they have been depicted in either canon novel, or anime/manga adaptation. As stated in Chapter 1's preamble, I chose Himegami, in order to stretch my ability to craft an original tale. Whether Kamachi ever does so canonically one day, I leave that up to him, Miki and co. And it feels good that I have thus far produced something that gets your Approval.
Mr.X - (1) whether he said that line, or not, I once more "plead the AU". and (2) it's more of an original story, though set in the same AU.
Once Again, except for any original characters and situations introduced within this story, all characters and situations depicted herein are © KAZUMA KAMACHI/ASCII MEDIA WORKS/PROJECT-INDEX.
Chapter 2 – A Time Of Training and Testing
Having awakened to meet a new day, Himegami Aisa proceeded to another day of high school as usual. Of course, things were not the same as previous days, especially following her visit to and discovery of a temple located atop a hill that, for practical purposes, didn't exist either in Academy City, or the world for that matter, until yesterday. Things at A Certain High School seemed to progress almost as they always did during her first year – Tsuchimikado making a rare appearance, joking around with Aogami, Touma managing not to join in, Fukiyose coming close to snapping, etc.
When school was over for the day, Seiri asked Aisa: "Do you have any specific plans for the rest of the day, Aisa?"
Aisa replied in her usual demure tone: "As a matter of fact, I have some personal business to attend to, so I'll likely get back to the dormitory later this evening."
Something in her reply seemed to dissuade Seiri from inquiring further into the matter, except to say she'll see Aisa later, then. A few minutes later, Aisa made her way to the Magical Priestess Sanctuary. As expected, Obaa-san was there to meet and greet her upon her arrival. This time, however, on seeing Obaa-san, Aisa couldn't help notice something different from her first visit. Put simply, the old priestess seemed to move and act a bit slower than she did when they met the first time, but her overall mannerisms were still present.
"Good afternoon, Obaa-san. I came as soon as I could after finishing school for the day." Aisa remarked, with a short bow.
"And welcome to you, Himegami Aisa-san." replied Obaa-san. "Preparations have been completed, so let us begin as soon as possible."
Minutes later, and having exchanged her regular clothes for a white robe, held in place by a broad sash wrapped around her waist, Aisa was led to what appeared to be a pool behind the main temple building. Curiously, water was cascading down into the pool via a miniature waterfall; the source of the falling water was not immediately visible. There was a large rock at the base of the waterfall, apparently worn smooth by who knows how many months or even perhaps years of falling water. On the priestess's direction, Aisa stepped down into the pool, which, when her feet reach the floor, the water level stopped just above her waist. Aisa then waded to the rock, clambered up to reach its upper surface, and, as instructed, sat down cross-legged directly under the waterfall. Even as she proceeded towards the rock, Aisa was aware of a tingling feeling; strange but not necessarily unpleasant, in her body below the water level. Once under the falling water, said feeling was felt virtually all over her body. In addition, at times when she focused her vision, Aisa was certain she could see something like oil on the surface of the water in the pool, glistening with light from an unknown source.
Obaa-san meanwhile took up a similar cross-legged sitting position near the pond. She expounded further: "My own knowledge of the Science of this world, let alone of this City, is relatively limited, but I am aware that virtually all of you who underwent the procedures to awaken so-called 'esper abilities' to whatever degree, ultimately had their bodies' physiological structure altered so that, if they attempted to use Magic while in that state, a backlash would occur which could be injurious or even fatal. The sacred water falling into the pool from above, together with the spells I am going to cast, is working to purge and expunge whatever substances were introduced into your body by those procedures, as well as restoring your body's constitution to its previously-unaltered state. For now, all you need to do is stay as still as you can, breathing in and out, slowly and deeply." Having said so, Obaa-san proceeded to extend her hands before her, and to make various gestures with one or both hands, all the while, chanting incantations in an ancient tongue. This went on for what seemed to be an hour.
Once it was decided that this cleansing process was satisfactorily performed, Aisa and Obaa-san proceeded directly to one of the buildings adjacent to the main temple. Within a few minutes, Aisa had dried off any remaining water from the pool and had donned the traditional white and red robes of a miko, similar to clothes she herself owned. Next, they both proceeded through a door. Once through the door, they were both in an expansive garden – a space that logic and reason would suggest could not exist in a building as small as the one they entered. There was a path that seemingly wound through the garden before them. Just before the path was a circle, inscribed with the familiar Yin and Yang symbol and the circle is itself enclosed within an octagon comprising a pattern of three lines; some solid, some broken into segments.
"Please sit down in the middle of the circle before you, Himegami-san. You may do so either cross-legged, or in the seiza posture; whichever suits you." spoke Obaa-san.
Aisa followed the instruction given opting for the seiza method of sitting down. Then, Obaa-san gently laid one hand upon Aisa's head. In the next moment, Aisa almost fell over as her mind was seemingly flooded with a veritable avalanche of information. Some images which flashed before her mind's eye she recognized or recalled from her own childhood; others were totally unfamiliar.
Obaa-san spoke again in a reassuring manner: "No harm will come to you; what is happening is that I am implanting as a sort of template into your mind all of my accumulated knowledge and experience as a mystical miko. The template is not permanent and will eventually fade away, but as you learn and practice the skills necessary to eventually take my place, the knowledge will truly become your own, Himegami-san."
After the implanting of the template was completed, Obaa-san directed Aisa: "Now, look carefully inside the sleeves of your jacket." On doing so, Aisa observed numerous pouches elaborately lined on the inside, yet she has perfect freedom of motion and movement. Within each pouch appeared to be a slip of paper. On being directed, Aisa drew out one such slip. Upon the slip was writing in shūji or Japanese Calligraphy. Even if the words were not immediately familiar to Aisa's mind, she experienced a feeling of knowing what the words mean.
Obaa-san explained further: "This slip and others like it are charms through which you or any mystical miko can instantly conjure up spells for various purposes Without them, a miko would have to use hand gestures or chant one or more incantations to invoke a spell. Also and with practice, you will be able to draw out any particular charm or charms as may be required, without having to look within your sleeves or to memorize exactly where any slip may be located."
For what seemed to be two hours or more, Obaa-san gently yet firmly guided Aisa in the practice of swiftly drawing forth any particular charm or charms for the purpose of casting any particular spell, whether it be a barrier to deflect or reflect a physical or non-physical attack, or to conjure up weather effects such as wind or lightning, or to summon fire. The session was, to say the least, relentless, and Aisa was seemingly slightly winded by the close, but Obaa-san remarked that, given the need to expedite her training as they were doing now, Aisa was making progress.
During the course of these exercises, Aisa noticed that once the particular spell had been invoked, the charm or charms seemed to disappear. With a slight smile on being asked the reason for it, the elder priestess directed her to look inside the pouches. There she found the charms she had withdrawn moments ago. "It took us many long years to devise such a thing, but those charms, inscribed with particular spells written in the ancient language may be used on multiple occasions, Himegami-san." responded Obaa-san. "Of course, it must be remembered that the charms cannot be used indefinitely. Sooner or later, they will dissipate, especially if they encounter a strong opposing force. But it is a simple matter to create a new charm, by writing the spell on a slip of paper."
Even as they were about to wrap up Aisa's training session, Obaa-san suddenly froze in place, as if she was hearing a sound that, at the moment, only she could hear. Aisa felt that perhaps something had indeed transpired, even if she could not tell for certain what it might be.
"Has something happened, Obaa-san?" Aisa asked.
A moment later, the elder priestess seemed to snap out of her momentary frozen state, saying: "Yes, indeed … I felt something just now related to one of the artifacts. Please come with me, Himegami-san."
Obaa-san led Aisa to an inner chamber within the main temple building. Therein was a mirror, with lamps and an incense-holder set before it, in the manner of a small shrine. Obaa-san explained: "This is actually a tool for observing objects at a far distance, as well as for communicating with other members of our Order." Upon performing a few hand-gestures together with chants in an ancient language, the mirror glowed before its normal reflection fades, to be replaced by the sight of the sword artifact, seemingly together with an assembly of unfamiliar objects.
"Is that the sword artifact that is supposed to reside in this temple?" Aisa asked.
"Yes." replied Obaa-san. "This picture before us has appeared in the mirror for some time, since the temple has been restored to its original location. I should be able to pinpoint its exact location, relative to us, within another day, before we work out how to retrieve it. What I sensed a few moments ago is connected to one of the other artifacts."
With a sweeping gesture, palm facing the mirror, Obaa-san caused the image in the mirror to change, gradually revealing what appears to be a solitary building, situated on a cliff.
"We are presently looking at one of the other temples of our Order, situated on Mount Maehotaka, one of the seven peaks of Mount Hokata, located within the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park in what is now known as Honshu, according to the geography of your present age." stated Obaa-san. "Unlike this Sanctuary, it consists of a single building, originally carved into the rock of the mountain … the better to conceal its exact location."
"Is there a priestess there, like yourself?" inquired Aisa.
"There should be, … assuming she is still alive." was Obaa-san's answer.
For a few moments, the view shifted and changed, as if someone was walking through the other temple with a camera, broadcasting a live video feed. Eventually, it reached a rather large room, wherein a tatami mat was located roughly in its centre. A figure was seated upon the mat, legs crossed, hands resting on her knees, and dressed in a miko outfit similar to that which Aisa and Obaa-san wore. It is a woman, seemingly very old, based on completely white hair and wrinkles visible on her face.
Obaa-san called out seemingly through the mirror to the other priestess: "Do you hear me, my elder sister?"
After a few seconds, the older woman's eyes slowly open. She replied in a somewhat raspy voice: "Ah, middle sister … since I can hear your voice, I presume you and your temple have returned to this world."
"True." responded Obaa-san. "But we both know the situation before us, so I will be brief. I have taken on an apprentice, whom I am currently preparing to take my place."
The other priestess' eyes turn to Aisa, who does a short bow, saying: "Pleased to meet you … I suppose I should also address you as 'elder sister'."
"I likewise acknowledge you as a younger sister, child." replied the elder priestess. "Perhaps we can talk a bit more, after the problem before me is dealt with."
"Please enlighten us on the matter." inquired Obaa-san.
"The location of the necklace artifact, Yasakani no Magatama, has been confirmed, following your return to this world." responded the elder. "Specifically, when the disturbance of power struck us all in the past, a backlash cause the necklace to be dislodged from its resting-place and to seemingly fall down the mountain. Because we have been engrossed in using the Power Of The World to keep certain things stable, I was not able to conduct a proper search to pinpoint where the necklace artifact has fallen. Now that you and your temple has been restored to this world, I was able to confirm that it is currently still on this very mountain, but many hundreds of feet below the position of this temple. Please observe."
Making some hand gestures of her own, the elder priestess showed Aisa and Obaa-san a rocky outcropping on the edge of a vast crevice, on the lower portion of the mountain. Upon moving closer to the outcropping, the necklace artifact could finally be seen, seemingly stuck between adjoining rocks on the outcropping.
"I can only attribute it to fortune that this mountain is so remote that no passing creature, be it bird or animal, or even a person has passed close enough to see it, lest it may have been taken away." continued the elder priestess. "However, far above the outcropping and near the summit of the mountain, the snow and ice has been steadily building up over the years, but it is actually very loose. A passing gust of wind, or an earth tremor could very well trigger an avalanche. If that mass of ice and snow should descend from above now, it will likely sweep everything before it into the crevice. If the artifact should fall into the crevice, it will take weeks or even longer to retrieve it … and that is time we do not have to spare."
"Should I presume that age has so-to-say weakened your body so that you yourself cannot move very far, or fast?" asked Obaa-san.
"Indeed." was the reply of the elder priestess, "In fact, I feel a stirring within me that, even with my tapping the Power Of The World to maintain my physical body's existence, said body is gradually approaching its limit."
"Is there any way we can go to your elder sister, Obaa-san." then asked Aisa.
"There is, but you, Himegami-san, are the one who can go there." was Obaa-san's response. "I shall remain here to conduct the spell of transport to send you there and to bring you back, as you have not yet developed the skills to safely do so yourself."
After a few seconds of pause, Aisa spoke up: "Very well … I promised to help you in this, and I will keep that promise. What needs to be done?"
"Please step a few paces away from me." instructed Obaa-san. "Then, let your mind and thoughts become still, calm and serene, … think of a lake where the water sits completely undisturbed by wind or fish or anything."
Even as Aisa followed those directions, Obaa-san drew forth two charms of her own, then seemingly tossed them in what appeared to be a casual manner towards Himegami. However, instead of merely floating to the ground, the charms moved in a definite direction, circling Himegami until a glowing circle inscribed with the yin-yang symbol appeared under her feet.
"The circle of transport has been formed." stated Obaa-san. "A similar circle has been formed in the temple far away. You shall go there in the next few moments. Do not worry; you shall feel no pain or discomfort."
A few seconds later, the glowing circle seemed to split in two, with an identical circle rising up Aisa's body. As it rose, Aisa's body seemed to be erased from the feet up. The instant Aisa's body disappeared from her original location, the circles vanished.
Simultaneously, in the far-off temple, the glowing circle split in like manner, and as the second circle rose up, Aisa's body appeared from the feet up, until she stood before the elder priestess.
"So this is what it's like to teleport." mused Aisa, before bowing to the elder priestess.
"Welcome, apprentice of my younger sister." intoned the elder priestess. "And you have hopefully arrived in good time, as I sense the movement of the wind passing across the mountain range seems to be increasing in force. The mass of ice and snow near the summit could well be dislodged at any moment."
"Please guide me as to what to do." asked Aisa.
"You are no doubt acquainted with using a spell to summon a wind to levitate your body and even give you a measure of flight." was the priestess' reply. "To go to the location of the artifact in that manner would likely be the safer method. Teleporting, as what brought you here, might be faster, but if the mountain surface upon which you alight is not stable, you could open a crevice yourself, into which you would fall."
Having said that, the elder priestess raised her hand before her which glowed for a few moments. Instantly, a picture took form in Aisa's mind, showing the exact location of the artifact on the mountain slope.
"I have given you the artifact's location, relative to this temple." the priestess spoke again. "I will use my own powers to seek to hold back or divert the snow and ice, if it should start to fall, as best as I can. The rest is up to you, child."
"Understood. Then I'll be on the way then." responded Aisa, swiftly drawing two charms from her outfit, and almost immediately rising off the floor of the temple. With the location of the artifact in mind, Aisa then flew through an open window and proceeded down the mountain.
Roughly within the space of about five minutes, Aisa reached the rocky outcropping where the necklace artifact lay. She gradually dispelled the winds which carried her to the spot, until she stood on what seemed to be solid ground. Moving swiftly, and discovering that the rocks seemingly holding the artifact in its present place were not fused together in any way, Aisa removed the rocks and took up the artifact. Securing it in a pouch in her miko uniform, Aisa prepared for the flight up the mountain, when something caught her attention. About three feet or so below the outcropping was a ledge, below which the crevice loomed deep and wide. Upon that ledge was a small creature with pure white fur. On closer view, it was revealed to be a fox pup. The fox pup whined as its means of seemingly asking for help to be rescued from its present location.
Something made Aisa glance upwards. She sensed rather than saw with her eyes that the avalanche predicted by the elder priestess had begun. Deciding there was no time to delay or speculate. Aisa maneuvered herself with her wind spell to the ledge. She reached out carefully to the fox pup. The fox pup, hesitantly, sniffed her hand.
"It's all right, little one." spoke Aisa, seeking to keep her voice calm, even in the urgency of the situation. "I'm here to help you."
After a few more precious seconds elapsed, the fox pup licked her hand, much in the manner of a domesticated dog. Satisfied that the animal trusted her, Aisa gently yet firmly scooped up the fox pup, and rose into the air above the outcropping. By now, looking up the slope, she could see the avalanche swiftly approaching. Calmly, she rose higher and higher into the air, all the while keeping her hold on the fox pup and ensuring that the artifact was still secured on her person. With that, Aisa and her cargo proceeded back to the temple. As she flew up the slope, the avalanche rolled swiftly by. The outcropping was seemingly engulfed by the falling onrush of ice and snow, so that, even as the avalanche continued down the mountain, there was no trace of either the outcropping, or the crevice alongside it.
A few minutes or so later, Aisa returned to the temple, again gradually dispelling the wind spell until she finally stood before the elder priestess.
"I see you have succeeded, child." spoke the elder priestess, "even pausing to rescue the fox pup you have in your hand."
Glancing at the animal, seemingly snuggled comfortably in her grasp, Aisa replied almost instantly: "I'm really not sure why, but the moment I spotted the pup, something prevented me from leaving it there. Even looking back, when the avalanche did pass, I suspect it would have been swept into the crevice or down the mountain."
"Hmm, … perhaps it's merely an expression of your own desire to save those who cannot or wouldn't otherwise be saved." mused the elder priestess.
Aisa was momentarily stunned to hear those words. Then, on regaining her composure, she spoke: "Obaa-san has told you something about me, I presume."
"As much as you yourself have told her, Himegami-san." replied the elder priestess, addressing Aisa by her surname for the first time.
Then, raising one had towards a wall in the chamber, the elder priestess chanted an incantation, which somehow caused a section of the wall to move, as it it were an item of modern furniture with a sliding partition. Within the opening revealed was a carved object, seemingly fashioned from stone, which had a short projection at the top.
"This is the original resting-place for the necklace artifact. Please place the artifact onto the stand within, Himegami-san." spoke the elder priestess. "I will direct you via my thoughts on how to do so."
Aisa, hearing the elder's thoughts, set the fox pup down and proceed to the stand. With the elder priestess' instructions clear in her mind, she proceeded to drape the necklace artifact onto the stand. Stepping back afterwards, the section of the chamber wall moved in the opposite direction, until it was seemingly back in its place, with no evidence that the chamber ever existed.
"You have done well, Himegami-san … now one of the three artifacts have been secured." the elder priestess stated.
Pausing to sit before the priestess in the seiza posture, Aisa asked: "May I ask what happens next, elder sister?"
"While you were proceeding to retrieve the necklace, I have been in communication with your teacher, my middle sister." responded the elder priestess. "After I am gone, you both will be the caretakers of this temple and the guardian of the artifact concealed within, at least for a while. She will instruct you on the proper procedures when you return to her."
Suddenly feeling a light touch upon her knee, Aisa looked down to see the fox pup beside her, its front paws resting on her knee, thereby propping itself up. Reaching out to gently stroke its back, Aisa then asked: "What of this little one? … I'm not certain I can take it with me, and if I do, it might get locked away in a cage or something?"
"The fox pup is a creature of the wild, 'tis true." replied the elder priestess. "But do not worry much, Himegami-san. I will be in this world for yet a little while, so I will do what I can to reunite the pup with others of its kind."
A few minutes later, after Aisa had said farewell, and was transported back to Academy City, the elder priestess was alone in the chamber, except for the fox pup. Notwithstanding, if Aisa had happened to remain behind for a few minutes, she would have been privy to a rather interesting revelation.
"Well, this was most enlightening, little one." stated the elder priestess to the fox pup, who made itself comfortable upon the priestess's lap. "And my middle sister's apprentice pausing to rescue you, also gives me confidence that another matter, likely just as serious as the need to secure all the artifacts, will also be successfully accomplished."
The fox pup seemed to acknowledge the priestess's word with a small "yap".
As if understanding any words or sentiment conveyed via the animal's response, the elder priestess continued with a smile: "Indeed, both will not be easy tasks, but at least if I must soon pass out of this world, at least I can be at ease that a worthy successor has been found, both to deal with matters present, and in the future. Wherever I or my soul may go from this point on, I hope to see the work completed. Do your best, Himegami Aisa-san."
Even as she spoke, the elder priestess's body gradually began to shimmer and sparkle. At that, the fox pup leaped clear and sat a few inches away, as the mysterious activity continued, until with a soft glow of light, the priestess's body suddenly disintegrated, leaving behind only her clothing. Said clothes, now bereft of a body, likewise gradually dissolved, leaving no trace.
A few seconds later, the fox pup moved in close, sniffing the air as if to confirm that the elder priestess, or at least her body, was indeed gone. Seemingly convinced of what has transpired, in the next minute, the fox pup emitted an intense glow, flooding the chamber with a dazzling white light. Simultaneously, the animal's tail split into nine identical tails. After this transformation had taken place, and pointing its snout upwards as if looking to the sky outside, the fox pup let out a howl. Even the sound, reverberating through the chamber, seemed incompatible with the size of the animal. After the fox pup silenced its own howl, it sprang to an open window and alighted onto its ledge. Inexplicably, or perhaps not so much, similar howls were resounding far and wide across the face of the mountain.
Then, the transformed fox pup jumped off the window ledge, and scampered away, to a destination, known perhaps for the moment only to itself.
Well, that finally got done ... no need to expound on the reasons for the seeming delay; it's something affecting us all in various ways. Now, onto developing the next installment.