Chapter 13: The Master of Irrevocable (Part 4)
It was quite the bit of mental gymnastics Harris was having to undergo, trying to reconcile his knowledge of the absolute bombshell of sex appeal that was Yasaka in the original DxD timeline and comparing that version to the absolutely endearing little fox loli that she was now, even though hints and allusions to her future beauty were present on the much tinier form she currently possessed.
"Ah well, I got over seeing Sirzechs and Serafall - even though they already looked pretty similar to their canon counterparts in age - quickly enough, suppose this right here will just be another little paradigm diversion to accept."
Recovering from his brief surprise the man bowed low along with the rest of his little entourage, stating, "It's a pleasure to meet the princess of the Yokai, I wasn't aware Akito had a sibling every bit as attractive as he is."
The older brother rolled his eyes, pushing mini-Yasaka out from where she hid behind his legs with an admonishing, "As blunt and scary as he may be, little sister, I assure you he won't bite. Now act like a proper princess and return his greetings as well as those of his comrades, won't you?"
Spine straightening and ears perking Yasaka seemed to gather herself, quickly walking out from behind Akito as she bowed slightly, voice tight and controlled as she responded, "The pleasure is mine, honored guests and friends. I offer my apologies for my unsightly display, such discourtesy is hardly befitting a princess of the Yokai."
Merlin looked like she was physically restraining herself from squealing in delight and gathering up the fox girl in a smothering hug, Robin being the responsible one as she politely smiled, stating, "There is no insult taken, princess. We can be rather unconventional guests, after all."
This accompanied a pointed gaze towards where the Magus of Flowers was squirming in poorly concealed restraint, Harris chuckling as he gathered one of Yasaka's sinfully smooth hands in his own, the tip of his goatee lightly tickling the pale skin as he placed a kiss on the back of it, ignoring the way the guards stiffened at the unexpected action.
"Nothing to forgive, princess. And I see nothing coming even close to unsightly before my eyes."
A cute blush adorned the young lady's cheeks aside bashful fluttering of her tails before she regained her composure, clearing her throat and more royally stating, "Then I offer my thanks for your understanding and compliments, they are most appreciated and graciously accepted."
She trailed off, shuffling her weight from foot to foot in an unfairly cute fashion as Akito chuckled, affectionately placing a hand on her head while explaining, "You'll have to forgive her occasional displays of childishness. The weight of suddenly being the Crown Princess was no doubt a little much and she's still adjusting to her typical duties. That includes speaking to strangers without making a fool of herself, she is still young."
Tails and ears bristling in indignation the younger sibling rounded on the older, protesting, "You speak as if you are some wizened ancient when you are no more than six years older than I for a truly astonishing and weighty sum of thirty!"
Harris blinked, swiftly reminded that the Supernatural of DxD aged in...unusual and somewhat inconsistent ways. It seemed for Kitsune or others like them their maturity was tied - at least partially - to how many tails they sported. He would have to grab a book or something that detailed such stuff in the future.
It was Charles who suddenly spoke, observing, "You were born only six years apart? That's quite the close age range for our kind…"
Akito happily nodded at the Vampire's observation, responding, "I'm told it was quite the momentous occasion when my younger sister and I entered the world so quickly to the other. Some even said that it was a sign of good fate and fortune."
Harris took the words in stride, commenting, "Regardless I would say age is no great indicator of one's ability to lead. I'm sure you would have ruled excellently, princess."
Yasaka blinked at the comment before preening at the words, a smug look sent her brother's way as Akito merely rolled his eyes, responding, "He's just saying that to get on your good side. Now I do believe we've stood around in the entryway long enough, that's no way to treat favored guests such as yourselves. Come, the acting Empress of our treasured lands wishes to speak to you."
Without further ado they were led further into the sprawling palace, Harris allowing himself to get lost in thought as he considered all that had been revealed. In the original timeline it had never been made apparent what Yasaka's family situation had been aside from having her daughter, Kunou. Here it seemed that she had a brother - who was no doubt supposed to have died during the Great War - as well as a prominent mother, if the way she and Akito spoke around the issue.
It seemed he'd caused yet more historical ripples, albeit these ones hadn't been planned or intended.
"Oh well. As the saying goes, no plan survives contact with the enemy. Or friends, for that matter."
"Harris is right about age, you know. I mean, you didn't let the prejudices and stigma between our people dictate how to act towards me when we first met, you allowed reason and sound judgement to do that for you."
Akito grinned at Charles, playfully bumping his hip against the smaller Vampire before teasing, "Aww, you're going to make me blush. And I think Harris can confirm that trying circumstances meant friends and allies were in short supply, although I'm quite happy that we met in such harsh climes. It meant we bonded all that much quicker."
The male bloodsucker blushed and nodded, obviously unable to contain his happiness at seeing the Kitsune once more as the shapeshifter smirked, knowing just what that was all about.
A sudden gasp of excitement from Yasaka caused all eyes to turn towards the young lady, ears standing upright and tails bushed in eagerness as she queried, "A-are you implying that you four are the ones that freed my brother?!"
Grinning at the Kitsune's abrupt shift into excited joy Harris grandly gestured to himself and his accompanying trio, stating, "We are indeed them, princess. I take it you've heard about us from a myriad of sources, hmm?"
Practically vibrating with glee Yasaka frantically nodded her head, rapidly speaking, "Are you actually a shapeshifter? Rumors and hearsay have abounded in tandem with my brother's recollection of his time in your company! And are you the ones who killed King Charlemagne two years ago?!"
Raising an eyebrow at that last bit Akito settled for a simple shrug, responding, "The dates matched up with your professed course of action and I assumed you were the one behind such chaos. Am I correct?"
"My my, you did your homework, young man."
Yasaka unleashed a squeal of joy, rounding on Merlin who seemed all too happy to be the recipient of the fox girl's abruptly excited demeanor as she inquired, "Then does that make you the Merlin? I thought Merlin was a man but if what you did when killing Charlemagne is any indication then you are just as talented and powerful!"
The Magus of Flowers puffed out her chest, eager to toot her own horn-
-and was left hanging as Yasaka switched targets to Robin, tails wildly thrashing with curiosity.
"And who are you? Another powerful and important person, no doubt! Are you maybe similar to Toyotama-hime? She has horns and a tail just like yours!"
Harris had to bite back on an open laugh as Merlin puffed out a cheek in indignation as she was passed over without a chance to regale the fox girl with stories of their exploits, Robin delighting in the little passing over as she humbly responded, "While I am not Toyotama I am Robin, a Dragon who was widely regarded as a modestly intelligent and skilled tactician in her time."
Harris scoffed at the 'modestly intelligent and skilled tactician' part, knowing full well that his companion had lead entire kingdoms to victory over seemingly insurmountable foes. And while logistics weren't exactly the stuff of grand fairy tales or epic recollections - it sure as hell had barely been touched on in the source material - perhaps the most impressive feat of Robin's had been organizing the aforementioned kingdoms into a coherent fighting force, ensuring that they didn't starve to death while Grima laughed his colossal ass off.
Not that Yasaka seemed to mind the modest response, golden orbs alight with glee as she pounced on the response like a hungry fox, enthusiastically inquiring, "So you were indeed a figure of notoriety and import? But for I to not know of your title and existence yet still be selected to travel alongside the famed Merlin himself - umm, my apologies, herself - then you must be very old indeed!"
Seizing on the chance for an easy snipe the Magus of Flowers cooed, "Dear Robin is indeed quite the ancient soul, don't let her seeming youth distract from that."
"That's a two way street, Merlin."
Harris wisely elected to stay out of the ensuring crossfire, even if he himself had a few questions about that. Technically Merlin was centuries old while Robin was perhaps into her twenties...but if you accounted for her merging with Grima and his power before being incarnated at his side then Robin was indeed the much older one.
"I doubt she'd appreciate me pointing that out, however."
Akito clapped his hands, bringing the interplay to a swift halt as he announced, "Now now, little sister, you will have time aplenty to speak with our esteemed guests later. For now I suggest that we make haste, we have delayed things enough as they are and the Empress no doubt grows impatient."
While visibly disappointed that her Q&A period was over and done with Yasaka nodded in agreement, Harris mollifying her with, "Don't worry, princess. We'll be sticking around for awhile and you'll have a chance to speak with my companions at a later date. No doubt they'd be more than happy to fill you in on all the details if given the chance."
Just like that the tiny fox girl was right back to being cheerful and joyful, nodding in eager agreement as Akito smirked, loudly whispering, "As much as I adore my dear little sister she can be quite the handful at times, I appreciate you taking her attention away from myself so that I may concentrate on more important affairs without her pestering me every available moment."
"I beg your pardon?!"
Yasaka's protest was met with eager smiles from Robin and Merlin, both women evidently taking a liking to the little Kitsune as the Magus tittered, "Oh you needn't be so mean, young man. We would be all too happy to help our adorable little princess while away what idle hours she may possess~!"
The golden-eyed Yokai shot her brother a triumphant look as he indifferently shrugged, the group continuing their march through the palace's corridors before arriving at a set of towering doors guarded by a duo of heavily armed and armored Oni, Oxe-head and Horse-face leading the way as Akito grandly gestured with his arm, colossal entryway swinging open as if on his command.
"Friends? I welcome you to her majesty's preferred audience chamber."
Harris didn't bother hiding his boyish grin of appreciation, enraptured by the sight before him.
The length of a football field and twice as wide the ceiling was open to the elements, a warm and soothing sun leaking its nourishing rays through countless Sakura blossoms that released petals with hypnotic grace, the effect causing the whole experience to seem dream-like as guards of every species lined the hallways at ten meter intervals, appearing so motionless as to be statues.
And no expense had been spared on further decor, highly detailed paintings and wood carvings adorning the walls and appearing all the more life-like thanks to the ethereal illumination filtered down from above, monumental depictions of eastern dragons and battling Yokai creating a compelling tale that he wished he had more time to appreciate. No doubt a lot of them weren't known to Humankind in either of the world's timelines and were completely original works of art.
Yet all of those factors paled in comparison to the sight that lay at the end of the hallway, that of a crimson and golden throne flanked by smaller but no less ornate ones that were currently empty but were no doubt the preferred arrangements of additional Yokai were they ever to be present. And seated upon that throne was easily one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes upon.
Midnight hair that shone with a glistening luster as the sunlight seemed to caress and embrace her slim form, pale skin without flaw and sharp eyes of glistening onyx complimented the voluminous robes of red, gold and white she adorned as a commendable height - he wagered she was as tall as he if not taller - merely accentuated the attire, as if her mere presence could make any room entered feel small by comparison.
Akito bowed, Harris and co quickly following suit as the Kitsune deferentially stated, "Empress Amaterasu, I have brought my friends as you desired and they await your favor."
Harris made note of two important bits of info there. First was that Akito had earlier called the Shinto goddess acting empress, implying that she normally didn't assume the role. Secondly, he had publicly called them friends right in front of what was no doubt the highest authority among all of Japan.
It was one thing to act all chummy and familiar in a more relaxed setting, another entirely to outright go and boldly proclaim such a wild and meaningful statement for all to see. It certainly caused a minor stir among the protectors and other figures of authority present, minute shifts of balance and tilting of necks that implied they were caught off guard.
The only one who didn't visibly react was Amaterasu, imperial visage staring down at them with no discernible shift in expression as the seconds stretched on into almost a minute of complete and awkward silence.
Harris was content to let it remain that way. Allowing awkward or tense silences to build and stagnate was an age old tactic for getting people to lose their cool or try to fill the gap in conversation, a neat bit of schoolyard bullying that he was very used to. Hell, he'd used it more than a few times himself during work hours.
Eventually the goddess either collected her thoughts or judged that he wasn't about to cave under the weight of her stare, speaking for the first time.
"Three years ago we witnessed a new theater of conflict between Heaven and Hell, King Charlemagne supported by a sizable force of Angels as Satan Lucifer directed his own subordinates to destroy the Human king, Satans Leviathan and Beelzebub also pursuing their own plots although never directly working with Lucifer, instead aiming to seize the glory of Charlemagne's death for their own purposes."
The shapeshifter raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised at how she sounded. Given her dress and appearance he had imagined her sounding like a queen of the universe, one that demanded you get down on your knees and kiss her toes. Instead she had a rather soft and comforting alto, containing the barest hints of melody and seduction to amplify its effects even further.
It certainly made the woman easy to listen to, if nothing else.
"For the longest time, Charlemagne and Heaven seemed to be on the winning side of the conflict. They had pushed into and conquered many territories in a string of conquests that seemed to have no end in sight. The Lombard Kingdom, the Moors, the Saxons, just to name a few. It seemed Yahweh and his ilk had finally discovered a Human who could fully and efficiently represent their interests upon this Earth."
A single, elegant finger tapped the edge of her throne, the noise sounding like a judge's gavel in the cavernous silence of the throne room.
"And then he abruptly perished amidst one of the most chaotic and uncertain battles we have seen in the past few decades. Beelzebub's own spawn were spotted lurking in the shadows only to be wiped out in a sudden ambush that slaughtered them to the last. Scant seconds later Lucifer's forces also arrived on the scene, albeit both sides - Heaven and Hell - seemed surprised that the other was there. And in the middle of it all, despite being guarded closely and carefully to protect against such a potential ambush, Charlemagne is assassinated by unknown means."
Two taps this time, Harris having to fight back his smirk at the woman's obvious discomfort and frustration despite her excellent poker face.
"Both sides disengage, Lucifer proclaims victory despite it being very evident that they were not responsible - if they could have assassinated Charlemagne they would have done it long before they lost face and the numbers they did - and Beelzebub is quiet, his spawn dead and gone with almost no details on why he was put down so easily while Heaven retreats with their King's body, the status of the territory they conquered now in flux as people's once conquered and heirs sired vie for control. The Germanic people, the Saxons, Pepin and Louis...a significant portion of Western Europe is teetering more and more towards a dissolution into competing factions yet again."
Three taps, Harris wondering if they would reach four before Amaterasu made her point.
"This would be a most confusing and even alarming situation were it not for information that the prince imparted to us. Uncertain motivations and happenings during such a heated battle while an assassin that can slip past a tight guard runs wild? Alarming for any faction with half a working brain. Yet testimony from Prince Akito revealed that he was rescued by a stranger with no seeming allegiance to any one faction, a stranger with the most curious ability to shapeshift and was accompanied by a figure of great notoriety and presence."
Merlin offered a cheery wave even as she continued to kneel, Amaterasu continuing unabated with, "The last he sees of this mystery individual is them freeing countless others from many factions and then professing a desire to meet with none other than Beelzebub himself...and not more than a few days later the previously mentioned events play out as mentioned, a much clearer understanding of events now available."
The four taps came and went, Harris not bothering to hide his smile.
"And now you, the obvious architect of that madness, come to our doorstep just as a fairly momentous occasion of our own rises to the fore...an occasion you are somehow aware of."
"Your powers of deduction and reasoning are matched only by your beauty, Empress."
His compliment went seemingly unheard, Amaterasu musing almost to herself with, "I find myself perplexed by your actions. You could have thrown in your lot with Beelzebub and made excellent use of your talents to earn status and assurance of his stayed wrath for quite some time. Or you could have allied with Lucifer and been granted opportunity for your solving of their feud with Charlemagne. OR with Heaven, rescuing one of their own from Gastofield earning you and yours much gratitude and favor."
The Goddess stopped her tapping, still as a stalking lioness.
"Instead you throw away all prestige you might have earned for reasons unfathomable, make an enemy out of a Satan and disappear without a trace until now. A now that includes Japan in a position that bears some alarming similarity to the scenario you made your mark in, one of great and imminent change with yet another one of your unconventional companions in tow, this one seeming to hold some manner of divine dragon blood within her veins."
Midnight eyes narrowed in an expression that wasn't exactly friendly.
"It seems I will have to rely on my beauty, because logical deduction and reasoning have currently failed me in discerning your motives."
Harris chuckled, he and the rest rising as Akito motioned for them to do so, Yasaka seeming a bit tense at the obvious unease in the air.
"You're actually quite close to the mark, Empress. I heard of China and Japan's growing schism and found myself interested in the ensuing events, as well as wishing to visit Akito after being out of contact for so long."
"Hmm...interesting, is that right?"
The Shinto goddess snapped her fingers-
-and with lightning quickness the legion guards readied their weapons, the sunlight overhead dancing and twisting as if physically preparing to restrain and restrict them, all sorts of seals and other drifting bits of talismans revealing themselves with ominous intent.
Amaterasu's tone became cold as ice, a compelling contrast to her previous aura that was one of comforting day and majestic warmth.
"The last time you were involved in anything 'interesting' figures of great power and influence died without even realizing they were in danger. Why should I not simply exile you where you stand, remove the possibility of such an uncontrollable variable?"
Akito and Yasaka tensed, eyes dancing back-and-forth as they were caught in the middle of an unexpected crossfire...and Harris frowned as Merlin flicked him on the ear, beautiful features locked in an annoyed pout as Robin pinched the bridge of her nose, wryly stating, "Harris, perhaps you shouldn't speak in a way that causes such justifiably aggressive reactions from others. Even on his worst days Chrom didn't end a meeting with the opposing party ready to murder us."
She paused, amending, "Well, maybe that happened a few times but the opposing side usually had premeditated intent to harm, so that doesn't count."
"Beg your pardon, but isn't that what happened here?"
Robin rolled her eyes but let the point stand, Harris turning to a tense Amaterasu as he grinned, easily replying, "Well if you're asking for my intentions and motivations, Empress...I'd be more than happy to explain."
He noticed Charles perk from the corner of his eye, the Vampire no doubt having been wondering such a thing for the longest time as well.
"Why don't we start at the beginning, hmm?"